Kurdish-Turkish ties stronger than ever - Kurdish Globe

The Kurdish Globe No. 349, Monday, April 23, 2012 13Iraqi Kurdistan as U.S. ally and partner in the Middle EastIraq's internalpolitical crisis andU.S. policyDespite a budding nationalpolitical crisis originatingfrom the consolidation ofpower under Prime Miniuister Maliki, the Kurdishregion of Iraq has seen anumber of successes inrecent years. Per capitagross domestic product hasrisen dramatically since thefall of Saddam's regime in2003, illiteracy has beenreduced from 56 to 16 percucent, and the security situauation has been greatly impuproved. Furthermore, theeconomic and commercialsector has seen increasedforeign investment, and thepeople of Kurdistan haveaccepted a tolerant policythat rejects revenge and retutaliation. In recent meetingswith President Barzani,President Obama and VicePresident Biden praisedthese achievements, reaffufirming their commitmentto a democratic, federal,and pluralistic Iraq.Notwithstanding Kurdishachievements, the statusquo in Iraq remains unaccuceptable. The people ofKurdistan have waited sixyears for promises thathave not been deliveredand agreements that havenot been honored. Theconstitution is breachedon a daily basis, and thesame individual holds thepowers of prime minister,commander-in-chief of thearmed forces, defense miniuister, chief of intelligence,and interior minister. Thecentral bank may soon beunder his purview as well.It is important that theseconstitutional violations beaddressed. The law requiresthat Iraq be ruled in a poweuer-sharing partnership thatconsists of the Kurds, theSunni and Shiite Arabs, andminority groups such as theTurkmens. If this problemis not resolved, the Kurdishleadership will be forcedto return to the people andallow them to make theirown decision.The Irbil agreement,signed November 2010,was envisioned not justfor the sake of forming thegovernment, but also tosolidify a genuine partnersuship in the country, a commumitment to the constitutionand its implementation, andthe return of balance to allinstitutions. Had this agreemument been implemented,the current crisis couldhave been averted. Basedon the just-concluded Barzuzani meetings in Washingtuton, the Kurdistan leadersuThe U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani in Washington, April 4th.ship hopes and expects thatthe United States will suppuport the Iraqi constitution,regardless of personalities.The Kurds do not believethat the U.S. military withdudrawal means the end of apositive American role inIraq."Fugitive" VicePresident Tariqal-HashimiThe Kurdistan leadersuship is clear on this issue:Hashimi remains the vicepresident and has not beenconvicted of any crime.Because the problem hasbeen greatly politicized, theKurdish leadership initiallysuggested that the three exeuecutive leaders of Iraq sittogether to sort out its polulitical aspects. This meetiuing has not taken place,however, and the office ofthe commander-in-chiefhas improperly influencedthe judicial system.Hashimi recently foundsafe refuge in the Kurdistutan region, and Baghdad isnow accusing the Kurds ofcovertly "allowing" him toleave on a tour of neighboriuing countries. Ironically,however, it was Baghdadthat asked the Kurdistangovernment to let him traveuel abroad.Foreign Relations:Focus on Turkey,Iran, and SyriaThe Kurdish leadershipis prepared to play a rolein helping Turkey resolveits conflict with the PKKpeacefully. A great andwelcome change has takenplace in Turkey, demonsustrated by Prime MinisterRecep Tayyip Erdogan'sbrave and important stepduring his recent visit to Irbubil, when he stated publiclythat the days of denying theKurdish people are over.The Kurdistan governmentis therefore willing to assusist, provided that all sidestake a peaceful approach.They must not resort to viouolence, which would onlylead to more bloodshed.Kurdistan recognizesIran's importance in theregion as well. The Kurdiuish government wouldlike to have normal relatutions with Iran, as the twocountries share a borderand thus have shared intereuests. This does not mean,however, that the partiesagree on every issue. TheKurdish government, forinstance, is committed toUN Security Council resolulutions, including sanctutions, on Iran, and in noway will it violate theseresolutions. Furthermore,the clear position of theKurdish people and leadersuship is that, in light of thesacrifices the people havemade, no outside entityshould be allowed to makedecisions on their behalf.Iraqis themselves must findsolutions to their domesticproblems and must not beinfluenced by neighboringcountries. Only after thepeople of Iraq have foundthese solutions should theinternational communitystep in to help.With regard to Syria, thefuture government of thatcountry must be a democucratic coalition that resuspects the rights of Kurdsas well as all other citizens.The Kurdish leadership iscommitted to supportingthe Kurds in Syria morally,financially, and politically,and will use its influenceto help them solve theirproblems. Recently, in linewith this commitment, theKurdistan governmentheld a conference in Irbilthat aimed to have SyrianKurds elect a leadershipand devise a unified statemument for the future, whichis essential. Although neituther the current governmentof Syria nor the oppositionhas something concrete tooffer, it is important thatall parties engage in negugotiations. The Kurdistanleadership hopes to be ableto support the outcome ofthese negotiations.Oil production,pipelines, andrevenuesA good deal of oil hasbeen discovered in Kurdistutan, but the current pipelineis insufficient to carry theamount of oil that could beproduced. The natural resusources ministries in Kurdiuistan, Turkey, and Baghdudad have therefore beguna series of talks to resolvethis issue. It is important tonote that any discussion ofoil in Kurdistan is a discussusion about improving thesituation of all of Iraq, notjust the Kurdish people. Inaccordance with the constitutution, the oil and gas thathave been found in Kurdistutan belong to the people ofIraq, and any resulting reveuenue should be distributedamong the entire populatution.The Kurdistan governmument has abided by theconstitution in its dealingswith foreign companiesas well. The agreementreached in 2007 on a drafthydrocarbon law statedthat if the legislation didnot pass by May 2007, bothparties would be free tocontinue signing contractswith foreign companies.The Kurdish governmenthas therefore acted legallyand within the frameworkof the constitution withregard to oil sales. Fourmonths ago, a number ofdelegations traveled fromthe Kurdistan region toBaghdad to address theissue of reimbursementpayments for foreign oilcompany expenses. Theabsence of these paymentsis the sole reason for thecurrent halt in oil exportsfrom the Kurdish region."Disputedterritories" andArticle 140The Kurdish governmenthas shown utmost flexiuibility in dealing with theproblem of territories thathave been detached fromthe Kurdistan region. Artuticle 140 provides the bestway to solve this problemwithin the framework ofthe constitution: a refereuendum. Over the past sixyears, the Iraqi governmument has sought to evaderesponsibility for this issusue. Yet implementation ofthis article is in the interestof all of Iraq, not just theKurdistan region. This issusue will not be forgotten,nor will it be resolved bythe mere passage of time.On April 5, 2012, His Excelllency Masoud Barzani, presidldent of the Kurdistan Regionof Iraq, addressed a PolicyForum at The Washington Inslstitute. This is a rapporteur'ssummary of his remarks. Thisrapporteur's summary wasprepared by Cory Felder.PRESS PHOTO