KDP-PUK joint delegation in Baghdad says 'Kirkuk is decisive'
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A joint KDP-PUK delegation, headed by Fazil Mirani and Mala Bakhtiyar, has met with the Iraqi President Fuad Masum in Baghdad. They are also due to meet political parties in Baghdad on Sunday.
“Our agenda addresses the cause of a nation, and all the parties are aware we are presenting this agenda. We will start our meetings on Sunday,” Bakhtiyar, PUK politburo said after meeting with Masum on Saturday night.
With the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s 25 seats and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s 18, they form the largest Kurdistani bloc. Efforts are underway in the Kurdistan Region to bring four opposition parties on board, which would give the bloc 54 seats — as many as Muqtada al-Sadr’s winning Sayirun list.
“The political stage in Iraq and national dialogue is not yet settled in the country. It is not yet clear which Shiite parties can form a majority or reach an agreement with the Sunnis and the Kurds,” said Bakhtiyar.
“For our part, we will reach an agreement with the party that accepts most of the contents of our agenda. This is important for us,” added Bakhtiyar.
Issues like budget sharing, the status of the disputed areas, the role of the Peshmerga and other Kurdish security apparatus are seen as important issues for the Kurdistani parties.
“Kirkuk is decisive for us, the Kurds. Any party who wants to reach an agreement with all the Kurdish parties should understand the fact that implementation of Article 140 is a condition for the Kurds,” said Bakhtiyar.
Previous Iraqi presidents have been from the PUK. Some Shiite politicians have floated a shift in government from parliamentary to a presidential style based on majoritarianism.
“There are three leadership positions in Iraq: the position of the president of the republic, the position of the head of the council of ministers, and the position of the speaker of the parliament,” said Bakhtiyar.
Kurdistani politicians have debated whether they can be more effective in the post of the speaker of parliament, or as president.
“We haven’t heard from any party saying that the position of the president of the Republic will not be given back to the Kurds in the new government. All the parties, including Shiite and Sunni parties, have been saying the position of the president of the republic is an entitlement of the Kurds and will be again this time,” explained Bakhtiyar.
“Our agenda addresses the cause of a nation, and all the parties are aware we are presenting this agenda. We will start our meetings on Sunday,” Bakhtiyar, PUK politburo said after meeting with Masum on Saturday night.
With the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s 25 seats and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s 18, they form the largest Kurdistani bloc. Efforts are underway in the Kurdistan Region to bring four opposition parties on board, which would give the bloc 54 seats — as many as Muqtada al-Sadr’s winning Sayirun list.
“The political stage in Iraq and national dialogue is not yet settled in the country. It is not yet clear which Shiite parties can form a majority or reach an agreement with the Sunnis and the Kurds,” said Bakhtiyar.
Iraqi Prime Minister’s Nasr has been fractured after the departure of the head of the Hashd al-Shaabi committee on Thursday. A Sunni National Axis has also been formed in a bid for unity.
“For our part, we will reach an agreement with the party that accepts most of the contents of our agenda. This is important for us,” added Bakhtiyar.
Issues like budget sharing, the status of the disputed areas, the role of the Peshmerga and other Kurdish security apparatus are seen as important issues for the Kurdistani parties.
“Kirkuk is decisive for us, the Kurds. Any party who wants to reach an agreement with all the Kurdish parties should understand the fact that implementation of Article 140 is a condition for the Kurds,” said Bakhtiyar.
Previous Iraqi presidents have been from the PUK. Some Shiite politicians have floated a shift in government from parliamentary to a presidential style based on majoritarianism.
“There are three leadership positions in Iraq: the position of the president of the republic, the position of the head of the council of ministers, and the position of the speaker of the parliament,” said Bakhtiyar.
Kurdistani politicians have debated whether they can be more effective in the post of the speaker of parliament, or as president.
“We haven’t heard from any party saying that the position of the president of the Republic will not be given back to the Kurds in the new government. All the parties, including Shiite and Sunni parties, have been saying the position of the president of the republic is an entitlement of the Kurds and will be again this time,” explained Bakhtiyar.