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Iraq
Peshmerga forces take over security of Kurdistan region in agreement with govt.
2006-10-16
(KUNA) -- The Peshmerga ministry in Iraq's Kurdistan region reached an initial agreements with the Iraqi government, under US and British sponsorship, by which security of Kurdistan in northern Iraq would be handed over to Peshmerga forces. Press statements by the Peshmerga ministry said an initial agreement was reached by the Kurdish Peshmerga ministry and the Iraqi defense ministry under the sponsorship of the US and British ambassadors in Baghdad, by which the Peshmerga forces take over responsibility of the security in Iraq's Kurdistan region.

The initial agreement will shortly be presented to the head of Kurdistan Masoud Barzani for official approval, the statement added. Three Peshmerga brigades are controlling security along the Iraqi borders with Iran and Turkey. Peshmerga forces have many times in the past fought against the ruling regimes in Baghdad.
Posted by:Fred

#4  Plus, with formal US/UK training comes the US/UK influence on the leadership and the rising stars. Kurdistan is effectively an autonomous region in Iraq right now : it is much more stable, quiet, productive, and livable than anywhere else in the country. This formalization of the Peshmerga into the State Police/National Guard of Kurdistan simply integrates the most effective native fighting force in Iraq into the federal state, while not diminishing the Kurds' independence and freedom of action. A fully independent Kurdistan is not politically possible at this point because of Turkey, Syria, and Iran. However, the next best thing in an autonomous Kurdistan in Iraq is not only possible, it is being built daily. This formalization of Kurdish security forces, along with the oil development agreements signed by the Kurds, shows just how far along the path to statehood the Kurds are. And just how carefully it is being modified to match the Iraqi federal model.
Posted by: Shieldwolf   2006-10-16 15:38  

#3  I think you've nailed it, phil_b.
Posted by: .com   2006-10-16 04:41  

#2  Alot more to this than meets the eye. The Pergamesh already control security and borders of Iraqi Kurdistan. So why would US/UK sponsor a formal agreement for what already exists de facto?

Answer = so they can provide arms and training (probably money as well).
Posted by: phil_b   2006-10-16 00:24  

#1  Lol - frickin' KUNA... that first paragraph is a 2-sentence doozy that could've been very simple, if they had wanted it to be. The headline says it better, lol.

A very good move, Kurdistan.
Posted by: .com   2006-10-16 00:13  

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