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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Iraq President Reassures Kurds Over Autonomy |
| 2004-07-22 |
| Iraqi President Ghazi Al-Yawar assured the country's Kurdish population yesterday that their existing autonomy would be preserved within the context of a future federal Iraq. "We will support this experience of autonomy by all means," said Yawar during a visit to the tourist village of Salahaddin, north of Arbil, where he met Kurdish leader Massud Barzani. "Federalism is a way to bring the diverse groups in our country together." After the 1991 Gulf War, the Kurds broke away from the central government in Baghdad to set up their own administration in the north under British and US protection. They have continued to enjoy wide autonomy. Yawar, a Sunni from the northern city of Mosul, said the federal nature of Iraq as outlined in the country's interim fundamental law passed under the administration of the US-led occupation "would be respected word-for-word." For his part Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, hailed Yawar as "a friend of the Kurdish people". Barzani's stronghold is in Arbil while that of his rival, now turned ally, Jalal Talabani is Sulaymaniyah. Iraq's Kurds have a "natural right" to reclaim their old land in the northern city of Kirkuk after being driven out by Saddam Hussein, Yawar said. Ethnic tensions have risen between Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen in oil-rich Kirkuk, home to 750,000 people, as groups jostle for advantage following the handover of power in Iraq from U.S. occupying forces to the interim government on June 28. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #8 LH - "PAYING ATTENTION" Whoa, there, bubba! Just cuz you think some Arab troops protecting the UN is a good idea doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea! Is it still okay to disagree with you? Lol! ;) Re: Kurds - It still remains to be seen if Sistani is so bent on his Shi'a domination game (though he stays out of politics, yeah right - when it suits him) to allow for a federal system. I hope he gets a clue before January and backs off his threats to shred the constitutional outline. We shall see, eh? Notice: This is not a cat-fight or flame invitation, just observations by someone who's paying attention, heh. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-07-22 5:14:45 PM |
| #7 I gotta say, every day I hear from Allawi and Yawar I'm pleasantly suprised... and I had reasonably high expectations. Here's to hoping they stay the path. |
| Posted by: Damn_Proud_American 2004-07-22 10:08:02 AM |
| #6 Between their Iraqi building getting bombed and the Oil-for-Palaces scam, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the UN to send another "mission." And I don't think the Iraqis have missed them much either! |
| Posted by: Jen 2004-07-22 9:26:09 AM |
| #5 yes rkb, and as Ive been saying, having them guard the local UN HQ puts them in the place where they can do the least HARM, and releases US and Iraqi troops to do the real work of winning the war. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-07-22 9:17:09 AM |
| #4 Inviting Arab and Islamic troops to protect UN members is a savvy move on Allawi's part. If they agree, they have to face off against the Islamacists. If they refuse openly or (most likely) dither without taking action, they forfeit any right to criticize the Iraqi government's actions -- including the action of allowing coalition troops to deal with Ramadi and Fallujah and other hot spots. |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-07-22 9:13:48 AM |
| #3 BTW, AP reports the following: "Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi on Thursday said his country wants troops from Arab and Islamic countries, particularly Egypt, to help protect the United Nations if the world body sends a new mission to Iraq." Of course any RBers who have been PAYING ATTENTION will not be at all surprised by the above ;) |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-07-22 9:08:08 AM |
| #2 im not surprised that he confirmed Kurd autonomy, ive been saying for awhile that thats capable of being compromised and the Iraqis want to avoid a civil war. I AM surprised at the statement on Kirkuk however. Thoughts - maybe Barzani agreed to a lighter autonomy, in return for Kirkuk??? At Yawers (and Allawis) suggestion. That would fit the current govts apparent strategy of compromising with Shia interests (see their gentle handling of Sadr) and of screwing the Sunni Arabs (see their support of US strikes in Fallujah, etc) |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-07-22 8:55:41 AM |
| #1 Yawar, being from Mosul, saw what the Kurds had accomplished - and to his credit (and my surprise!) he indicates full support. Bravo! Now, let's see how Shi'a Space Zoomie Sistani handles this as the election season draws near... Rhetorical question, "Would you trust your future to this guy?" |
| Posted by: .com 2004-07-22 12:55:06 AM |
