Displaced and refugee families in Suleimaniya ... - Kurdish Globe
Displaced and refugee families in Suleimaniya ... - Kurdish Globe Displaced and refugee families in Suleimaniya ... - Kurdish Globe
The Kurdish Globe No. 314, Saturday, July 23, 2011 12‘The KRG welcomes South Sudan as the newest nation-state in the world’Falah Mustafa, the KRG Head of the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), told in an interview with krg.orgKRG.org: How is the KurdistanRegion represented abroad, andis this representation sanctionedby the Iraqi constitutionFMB: Yes, our activities throughour KRG offices abroad are fullyin accordance with the Iraqi Conscstitution (click here to see a list ofKRG reps). The KRG has maintctained representative offices in anumber of significant countriessince before the fall of the formcmer regime in order to promotethe political, economic, culturaland educational interests of theKurdistan Region. The KRG hasthe right to maintain these typesof offices as the standing institutctions of the Kurdistan Region areconstitutionally guaranteed theprerogative to continue operating.The constitution also stipulatesthat federal regions are entitled tohave commercial and cultural offcfices within Iraq's embassies.Additionally, as members of afederal Iraq, a number of citizensof the Kurdistan Region workin the Iraqi Ministry of ForeignAffairs and in Iraqi embassies.The Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affcfairs, Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, and anumber of Iraqi Ambassadors arefrom the Kurdistan Region.KRG.org: How many foreigndiplomatic missions are currentlyactive in the Kurdistan Region,and do you envision an increasein this number?FMB: There are currently 20official foreign missions in theKurdistan Region; most of theseare consulates, some are commerccial or representative offices andthe rest are honorary consulates(click here to view the list of foreceign missions currently operatingin the Kurdistan Region). Thereare also a number of local represcsentations of major internationalorganisations and an official offcfice of the United Nations Assistctance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI)in the Region. We coordinatewith these offices regarding thework of the various UN agenciesand other organisations to helpthe KRG promote civil societyprograms, human rights, humanitctarian projects, etc.The Palestinian Authority, Italy,the United Arab Emirates, andKuwait have all committed toopening consulates in the Region,and Hungary, Bulgaria, and Norwcway have all expressed plans tobuild consulates. Additionally,Poland has decided to establish arepresentative office, and Belarucus, Lebanon and Georgia have allproposed honorary consuls. If thepast couple of years and this listare any indicator then there willlikely be many more representatctions opening here in the comingyears.KRG.org: What is the primaryfunction of the KRG representattive offices abroad, and what istheir relationship with the federalIraqi embassies abroad?FMB: Some countries are partcticularly important to us becauseof our longstanding relationshipwith them, because of their polclitical and economic status, or beccause a significant portion of theKurdish diaspora resides withintheir borders. With this in mind,the primary responsibilities ofour representative offices revolvearound promoting internationalawareness and interest in Regionacal politics, culture, economics,business and investment opportuncnities, and education. Additionallcly, given the large number of IraqiKurds living abroad, the KRGrepresentative offices also assistwith some legal services such asgranting power of attorney andhelping to obtain legal counsel inthe Region.The KRG has a healthy and cordcdial relationship with the Iraqiembassies abroad, and we areworking with the Ministry of Foreceign Affairs and the federal govecernment in Baghdad to finalisethe official parameters of thisrelationship. Ultimately, whilethe KRG representative officesprimarily focus on the interests ofthe Kurdistan Region, we believethat they serve the interests ofIraq as a whole as they encourageinternational awareness, investmcment and assistance.KRG.org: How would you charatacterise the DFR's relationshipwith the federal Iraqi ForeignMinistry?FMB: As I mentioned, we enjoyvery good and cooperative relatctions with the federal Iraqi Ministctry of Foreign Affairs. However,in order to discuss this relationscship, we have to first rememberthat Iraq has witnessed a majortransformation. It has changedfrom a centralised authoritarianstate to a federal, democratic andpluralistic state. This change isformalized in the Iraqi Constitutction which was established by themajority of Iraq's people in the2005 referendum. The constitutction states that Iraq is a federalstate, and we understand this tomean that the federal regionsshare both power and wealth withthe central federal government.Of course it is not easy to workout such a dramatic change, and ittakes time, patience, coordinationand cooperation.With this in mind, we believethat this relationship is key toour long-term future as a federalstate, and we believe that we areable to serve the interests of boththe Kurdistan Region and Iraq asa whole through our coordinationwith the federal Ministry. Accordicingly, we are committed to maintctaining a positive and professcsional working relationship withthe federal Ministry of ForeignAffairs. We maintain a directoratewithin DFR whose primary rescsponsibility is to coordinate withthe Foreign Ministry in Baghdcdad and with the Iraqi embassiesabroad, and we continue workingto strengthen this relationship. Wecooperate in the areas of visitingforeign delegations, internationaltraining programmes for ourdiplomats, Iraqi activities at theUnited Nations and many otherimportant projects.KRG.org: How would you charatacterise the KRG's relationshipswith its neighbours, in particularIran and Turkey?FMB: To begin with it is importctant to clarify that as part of Iraq,the KRG is committed to Iraq'sfederal foreign policy. Accordinglcly, we aspire to have relationshipsbased on mutual understanding,mutual respect, and mutual benecefit. We pursue a policy of noninterferencein the internal affairsof neighbouring countries, and wepromote business, investment andtrade relations and the security ofour international borders.That being said, our relationscships with our neighbors aregood. Turkey did more than $7billion worth of business withIraq last year, and $4.5 billionof that was within the Kurdistctan Region. There are currently35,000 Turkish workers in theRegion performing jobs rangingfrom teaching in private schoolsto manning the huge constructction projects that are developingthroughout the Region. The Turkicish Prime Minister Recep TayyipErdo?an recently made a historicvisit to the Region which showsan important shift toward engagemcment in their policy regarding theKurdistan Region. Both Turkeyand Iran have opened consulatesin Erbil (Iran has one in Suleimancniah also), and we frequently excchange official visits with seniorrepresentatives from both countctries. We also conduct billions ofdollars worth of trade with Iranevery year, and we are committedto continuing to develop positiverelations with all of our neighbcbours.KRG.org: You stated that theKurdistan Region is committed todeveloping positive relations withits neighbors; has Iran's recentshelling of the Kurdish borderregions affected the KRG's relattions with Iran?FMB: The shelling by the Islamicic Republic of Iran is unacceptacable, and it is a violation of Iraq'ssovereignty. These actions havedone a lot of damage to villagesalong the border, and they haveforced a lot of people to evacuate.The Kurdistan Region's Presidcdent, Masoud Barzani, has condcdemned these attacks and calledon Iran to work together to find apeaceful solution. The defense ofIraq's borders is the responsibilityof the Iraqi federal government,and we have seen steps in the lastfew days where the various polclitical blocs have come togetherto condemn Iran's actions as well.We believe that dialogue is thebest way to resolve these typesof disputes, and we hope the Irancnian government will respect thesovereignty of Iraq's borders; butthese actions will have a negativeeffect on our relations if they donot end. We urge the Iranian govecernment to put an end to these unwcwarranted acts which do not helpbring about the goal of securityand stability in the border areasand work against the developmcment of normal relations betweenthe Kurdistan Region and the Islclamic Republic of Iran.KRG.org: Do you see an inctcrease of international compantnies and investors interested incoming to the Kurdistan Region?FMB: Without a doubt; anyonewho follows events in the Regcgion can tell you that it has madetremendous political, economic,social and educational progressin recent years, and it has provento be a consistently stable and seccure environment in which thisprogress will easily be sustained.Combined with a generous foreceign investment law, this environmcment has been key to the growthof foreign direct investment andto the increase in the number ofcountries and companies that partcticipate in the Erbil InternationalTrade Fair for many years now.The Erbil Fair is the largest geneceral trade fair in Iraq. This year'sfair is due to take place from 24-27 October. It will cover a largevariety of economic sectors, andit is supported by a large numbcber of trade promotion agencies,chambers of commerce, tradeassociations, ministries and embcbassies. We anticipate that it willattract around 1000 exhibitorsfrom over 30 countries around theworld this year.KRG.org: There are a significtcant number of Iraqi Kurdish asyltlum seekers in Europe and abroadthat are supposed to be deported.Has the Kurdistan Regional Goveternment been a part of any of thedecisions regarding their forcedrepatriation, and is the KRG provtviding these asylum seekers withany help?FMB: The KRG has alwayshad a clear stance regarding thismatter. We have always said thatwe welcome the return of thesepeople by their own free will;those who are ready and willicing to return are encouraged tocome and be a part of the rebuildicing process of their country. Weunderstand that many of thesepeople have lost everything thatthey own in order to start a newlife abroad, and we have workedhard to communicate their situatction to the countries involved. Wehave argued that this is a humanitctarian issue before it is a politicalor any other kind of issue, and wehave therefore asked that theirsuffering be considered whentheir host countries make policiesthat affect them. We have askedthat these individuals be able todecide for themselves regardingtheir country of residence. Wehave not been, and we will notbe, a part of any private or publicagreement that will disadvantageour people whether they live hereor abroad.Having said this, it is importantto recognise that each nation hasits own laws and interests to protctect regarding immigration, andthey ultimately have to make theirown decisions regarding thoselaws and interests. Furthermore,the Kurdistan Region is not an indcdependent state, and as such, weare limited in our ability to disscsuade the federal government inBaghdad from entering into thesekinds of agreements.However, we continue to ask forpatience on all sides, and we askfor these nations to revisit this impcportant issue once again and, conscsidering its humanitarian nature,to find a satisfactory solution toit. In the end, whatever decisionsare made, the KRG will do what itcan to assist any forced returneesas they make the transition backinto local society.KRG.org: Recently, we haveseen conflicting statements fromthe various political blocs inBaghdad about the withdrawalof US troops from Iraq. What isthe KRG's position regarding theplanned withdrawal?FMB: To begin with, it's impcportant for me to clarify that thisquestion has to be decided by thecollective groups of the federalgovernment in Baghdad. Howecever, it is essential that they beable to leave politics aside anddetermine whether the Iraqi securcrity forces are ready and capableof maintaining security withinIraq while defending its internatctional borders, its airspace and itsnavigable waterways. The safetyand security of the people of Iraqshould be paramount in answericing this question, and the remainicing vacancies of the federal govecernment's top security positionsand the recent tensions betweenthe different political groups inBaghdad raise doubts that the seccurity forces are capable of thesetasks.There are also a number of unrcresolved issues in Iraq that shouldbe taken into consideration, suchas the status of the disputed terrcritories, implementing a nationalcensus, as well as the passage ofboth revenue sharing and hydroccarbons laws. If these issues remcmain unresolved they are likelyto lead to increased tensions andpossibly to violence, and it is vitctal that these issues be addressedin order to show that Iraq haschanged from a centralised autcthoritarian state to a democratic,federal and pluralistic one. Thepeople of the Kurdistan Regionwould like for these issues to beresolved peacefully, and I thinkit's safe to say that the presence ofAmerican troops could help enscsure the security and stability ofthe country during this process.KRG.org: As you know, SouthSudan just became the newestmember of the international commtmunity as an independent counttry. Do you have any commentsregarding this historic developmtment?FMB: The KRG welcomesSouth Sudan as the newest nationstatein the world. Their struggleonce again proves the historicaltruth that nothing can stop thewill of the people to better theirfuture and enjoy their full rightsas free citizens. We congratulatethem, and we wish them successin this huge endeavour. Buildicing a country is not an easy task,and they will certainly face manychallenges, but we stand withthem in the belief that freedomwill make these challenges worthfacing. Additionally, I think that itis important to point out that afterfive decades of conflict, war wasultimately not able to solve thisproblem. Ultimately, it was onlypeace and negotiation that wasable to bring about this permancnent solution, and we commendthe government of Sudan for havicing the courage to support thisdecision.
The Kurdish Globe No. 314, Saturday, July 23, 2011 13Grabbing the bull by the horns:tackling Kurdish unemploymentBy Swara KadirSwara7kadir@aol.comUnemployment in Kurdistanhas become a problem thatcannot be ignored any longer.The lack of reliable statisticscontinues to pose a problemin getting the facts straight,but in 2008 the Kurdistan Regcgional Government's Ministryof Planning estimated unempcployment at 15 percent. Thatestimate was most likely basedon people who didn't have anyjob at all in the public sector orotherwise. Unofficial statisticsrate unemployment at 50 perccent, which includes peoplewho are hired by the governmcment but are not “working” oremployed as active, productiveemployees, so it's called “hiddcden” or “covered” unemploymcment. Today in Kurdistan thereare more than 1 million publicsector employees.It's estimated that more than60 percent of the entire Kurdicistan Regional Governmentbudget goes to paying thoseburdensome salaries, which isbleeding the economy dry. Itis creating a huge nanny statethat pretends to be productctive. Daring steps are neededto tackle this problem from theroot; a look back at Germany'shistory may provide some inscspiration. Without real changein the current economic policy,unemployment will continueto spread like cancer, cripplingthe nascent Kurdish economy.It’s a sorry sight to go to somegovernment departments thatprovide citizen services, partcticularly public sector banks.You will see a number of empcployees sitting there, doingnothing, while only a few areactively working. This is havicing an adverse effect, destroyicing motivation other staff mayhave to work and be productctive. Despite the large numberof government employees inthe different departments, partcticularly the ones that deal withservices and citizen needs, theyare bureaucratic and ineffectctive, with lots of red tape thatneeds cutting before anythingis achieved. Lines are long,frequent mistakes are made oncitizens' official paperwork,files get lost. Getting nationalidentification takes weeks ofgoing back and forth betweendifferent departmental offices,filled with employees whodon't get the job done. It’s asorry state, and so far nothingeffective has been done aboutit.Even the idea of relieving theextra government employees ofNumber of unemployed people sitting on the side of an Erbil Downtown street in this file photo.their jobs would cause severediscontent and disenchantmentwith the government and couldlead to riots. This is no wondcder when a person's livelihoodis under threat. What makesthings worse is the currentwave of public discontent thathas spread in the Middle Eastand caught on in Kurdistan,although street demonstrationshave stopped, but it's quitelikely a government initiativeto lay off large numbers ofgovernment employees wouldcause unrest and rioting. TheKRG may be facing or a deadend, were it seems impossibleto release government fundsfor paying unnecessary salarcries. Continuing with the currcrent situation is not a smartoption either, wasting all thatgovernment money paying fora huge unproductive publicsector is going to cripple theKurdish economy and lead itinto a fiscal storm.Recently, KRG announcedthe creation of 5,000 new“government” job opportunitcties, targeting the young joblcless graduates who are beccoming disillusioned with thegovernment and what the futcture holds for them in terms ofcareer. This type of initiativeis unfortunately not tacklingthe problem at the root as itonly serves to inflate the publclic sector with even more unwcwanted, non-producing publicemployees. Ironically what isneeded is a real welfare systemthat is a sort of a confession oracknowledgment there is unecemployment in Kurdistan, defcfining the unemployed personas just that, not giving thema fake public sector job thatis not needed and only compcplicates matters even more.Thankfully, some steps havealready been taken in that dircrection, the Ministry of Laborand Social Affairs has starteda project of providing welfarepayments of 150,000 Iraqi dincnars to graduates who haveproven that they cannot findemployment anywhere. Thesegraduates are then deemed offcficially unemployed.From there, it's easier to dealwith the unemployment problclem by channeling them to aone-stop shop. A procedurecan be set up where the officcially unemployed person goesthrough an employment centcter, which hasn't been createdyet. It's a much-needed areathat hasn't been thoroughly expcplored. The employment centcter can collate and gather jobinformation from the two sectctors and use that information tofind a job for the unemployedperson according qualificatctions, skills and preferences.Such a center has proven itsworth in many countries andis an efficient tool not in eradiccating unemployment compcpletely, but rather in makingsure that every job vacancyis filled. This is categoricallynot happening right now inthe Kurdish public and privatesector job market.In more advanced economcmies, a nanny state is avoidedby nourishing and encouragicing the private sector to hirepeople, pay them money andget them off the government'sback. Those countries wouldhave a sizable private sectctor that can absorb a workingpopulation, giving it jobs andmaking it productive or facebeing fired. The private sectorin any country is its economiclifeline; no country was bornwith a thriving private sectorthat came out of the blue. Rathecer it started off small and grewlarger, to the extent of havinggigantic multinationals in fullyfledged free market economieslike the U.S., for want of a bettcter example, were corporationsare a little less than a state in itscself like Microsoft corporationthat is hiring around 90,000employees.Can Kurdistan's privatesector face the challenge ofabsorbing hundreds of thouscsands of extra unproductivegovernment employees? Rightnow, the answer would mostdefinitely be in the negative.Although burgeoning entrepcpreneurial activity is startingto make an appearance, rightPRESS PHOTOnow it is not equipped or readyto deal with the serious hiddenunemployment problem Kurdicistan is facing. Given that theprivate sector of any countryneeds time to grow and developto be a realistic alternative tothe public sector as an employmcment base, the Kurdish privatesector needs a major steroidinjection from the governmentto make it strong enough toface the challenge. The succcessful Asian Tiger economieswere initially able to create agrowing private sector throughheavy state intervention thatsupported sizable manufacturicing industries.Is there another alternative?What did Adolf Hitler do todeal with Germany's postWorld War I gigantic unempcployment problem? For obviocous reasons, despite the manyreservations the writer hasabout using the Nazi Germanregime as an example, there issomething useful to learn fromthe way this dictator dealt withthe problem that Kurdistan isfacing at hand. Hitler boldlycreated huge national serviceprojects that required thouscsands upon thousands of laborecers, both skilled and unskilled.The sprawling Autobahns orsuper highways of Germanyare the outcome of Hitler'seconomic solution to Germancny's unemployment problem.What he gave the Germanpeople was a job and a natctional purpose that boosted theGerman people's morale. "Thebest possible way to bring theGerman people back into workis to set German economic lifeonce more in motion throughgreat monumental works,"said Hitler.Kurdistan is suffering fromhidden and cyclical unemploymcment, an undeniable fact thatneeds to be faced head on anddealt with — no half measuresand temporary fixes. Innovatctive daring steps are yet to betaken by the government todeal with this problem from thesource rather than just work ondamage limitation and quickfixes. History, German historyin this case, has something toteach us. Employment centersin Kurdistan can bring laborsupply and demand together.This will bring the Kurdisheconomy a step closer frombeing a petro dollar consumingeconomy to an efficient, prodcducing economy.
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The <strong>Kurdish</strong> <strong>Globe</strong> No. 314, Saturday, July 23, 2011 12‘The KRG welcomes South Sudan as the newest nation-state <strong>in</strong> the world’Falah Mustafa, the KRG Head of the Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), told <strong>in</strong> an <strong>in</strong>terview with krg.orgKRG.org: How is the KurdistanRegion represented abroad, <strong>and</strong>is this representation sanctionedby the Iraqi constitutionFMB: Yes, our activities throughour KRG offices abroad are fully<strong>in</strong> accordance with the Iraqi Conscstitution (click here to see a list ofKRG reps). The KRG has ma<strong>in</strong>tcta<strong>in</strong>ed representative offices <strong>in</strong> anumber of significant countriess<strong>in</strong>ce before the fall of the formcmer regime <strong>in</strong> order to promotethe political, economic, cultural<strong>and</strong> educational <strong>in</strong>terests of theKurdistan Region. The KRG hasthe right to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> these typesof offices as the st<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>stitutctions of the Kurdistan Region areconstitutionally guaranteed theprerogative to cont<strong>in</strong>ue operat<strong>in</strong>g.The constitution also stipulatesthat federal regions are entitled tohave commercial <strong>and</strong> cultural offcfices with<strong>in</strong> Iraq's embassies.Additionally, as members of afederal Iraq, a number of citizensof the Kurdistan Region work<strong>in</strong> the Iraqi M<strong>in</strong>istry of ForeignAffairs <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> Iraqi embassies.The Iraqi M<strong>in</strong>ister of Foreign Affcfairs, Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, <strong>and</strong> anumber of Iraqi Ambassadors arefrom the Kurdistan Region.KRG.org: How many foreigndiplomatic missions are currentlyactive <strong>in</strong> the Kurdistan Region,<strong>and</strong> do you envision an <strong>in</strong>crease<strong>in</strong> this number?FMB: There are currently 20official foreign missions <strong>in</strong> theKurdistan Region; most of theseare consulates, some are commerccial or representative offices <strong>and</strong>the rest are honorary consulates(click here to view the list of foreceign missions currently operat<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong> the Kurdistan Region). Thereare also a number of local represcsentations of major <strong>in</strong>ternationalorganisations <strong>and</strong> an official offcfice of the United Nations Assistctance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI)<strong>in</strong> the Region. We coord<strong>in</strong>atewith these offices regard<strong>in</strong>g thework of the various UN agencies<strong>and</strong> other organisations to helpthe KRG promote civil societyprograms, human rights, humanitctarian projects, etc.The Palest<strong>in</strong>ian Authority, Italy,the United Arab Emirates, <strong>and</strong>Kuwait have all committed toopen<strong>in</strong>g consulates <strong>in</strong> the Region,<strong>and</strong> Hungary, Bulgaria, <strong>and</strong> Norwcway have all expressed plans tobuild consulates. Additionally,Pol<strong>and</strong> has decided to establish arepresentative office, <strong>and</strong> Belarucus, Lebanon <strong>and</strong> Georgia have allproposed honorary consuls. If thepast couple of years <strong>and</strong> this listare any <strong>in</strong>dicator then there willlikely be many more representatctions open<strong>in</strong>g here <strong>in</strong> the com<strong>in</strong>gyears.KRG.org: What is the primaryfunction of the KRG representattive offices abroad, <strong>and</strong> what istheir relationship with the federalIraqi embassies abroad?FMB: Some countries are partcticularly important to us becauseof our longst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g relationshipwith them, because of their polclitical <strong>and</strong> economic status, or beccause a significant portion of the<strong>Kurdish</strong> diaspora resides with<strong>in</strong>their borders. With this <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d,the primary responsibilities ofour representative offices revolvearound promot<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternationalawareness <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> Regionacal politics, culture, economics,bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>vestment opportuncnities, <strong>and</strong> education. Additionallcly, given the large number of IraqiKurds liv<strong>in</strong>g abroad, the KRGrepresentative offices also assistwith some legal services such asgrant<strong>in</strong>g power of attorney <strong>and</strong>help<strong>in</strong>g to obta<strong>in</strong> legal counsel <strong>in</strong>the Region.The KRG has a healthy <strong>and</strong> cordcdial relationship with the Iraqiembassies abroad, <strong>and</strong> we arework<strong>in</strong>g with the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Foreceign Affairs <strong>and</strong> the federal govecernment <strong>in</strong> Baghdad to f<strong>in</strong>alisethe official parameters of thisrelationship. Ultimately, whilethe KRG representative officesprimarily focus on the <strong>in</strong>terests ofthe Kurdistan Region, we believethat they serve the <strong>in</strong>terests ofIraq as a whole as they encourage<strong>in</strong>ternational awareness, <strong>in</strong>vestmcment <strong>and</strong> assistance.KRG.org: How would you charatacterise the DFR's relationshipwith the federal Iraqi ForeignM<strong>in</strong>istry?FMB: As I mentioned, we enjoyvery good <strong>and</strong> cooperative relatctions with the federal Iraqi M<strong>in</strong>istctry of Foreign Affairs. However,<strong>in</strong> order to discuss this relationscship, we have to first rememberthat Iraq has witnessed a majortransformation. It has changedfrom a centralised authoritarianstate to a federal, democratic <strong>and</strong>pluralistic state. This change isformalized <strong>in</strong> the Iraqi Constitutction which was established by themajority of Iraq's people <strong>in</strong> the2005 referendum. The constitutction states that Iraq is a federalstate, <strong>and</strong> we underst<strong>and</strong> this tomean that the federal regionsshare both power <strong>and</strong> wealth withthe central federal government.Of course it is not easy to workout such a dramatic change, <strong>and</strong> ittakes time, patience, coord<strong>in</strong>ation<strong>and</strong> cooperation.With this <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d, we believethat this relationship is key toour long-term future as a federalstate, <strong>and</strong> we believe that we areable to serve the <strong>in</strong>terests of boththe Kurdistan Region <strong>and</strong> Iraq asa whole through our coord<strong>in</strong>ationwith the federal M<strong>in</strong>istry. Accordic<strong>in</strong>gly, we are committed to ma<strong>in</strong>tcta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a positive <strong>and</strong> professcsional work<strong>in</strong>g relationship withthe federal M<strong>in</strong>istry of ForeignAffairs. We ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> a directoratewith<strong>in</strong> DFR whose primary rescsponsibility is to coord<strong>in</strong>ate withthe Foreign M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>in</strong> Baghdcdad <strong>and</strong> with the Iraqi embassiesabroad, <strong>and</strong> we cont<strong>in</strong>ue work<strong>in</strong>gto strengthen this relationship. Wecooperate <strong>in</strong> the areas of visit<strong>in</strong>gforeign delegations, <strong>in</strong>ternationaltra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g programmes for ourdiplomats, Iraqi activities at theUnited Nations <strong>and</strong> many otherimportant projects.KRG.org: How would you charatacterise the KRG's relationshipswith its neighbours, <strong>in</strong> particularIran <strong>and</strong> Turkey?FMB: To beg<strong>in</strong> with it is importctant to clarify that as part of Iraq,the KRG is committed to Iraq'sfederal foreign policy. Accord<strong>in</strong>glcly, we aspire to have relationshipsbased on mutual underst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g,mutual respect, <strong>and</strong> mutual benecefit. We pursue a policy of non<strong>in</strong>terference<strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>ternal affairsof neighbour<strong>in</strong>g countries, <strong>and</strong> wepromote bus<strong>in</strong>ess, <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>and</strong>trade relations <strong>and</strong> the security ofour <strong>in</strong>ternational borders.That be<strong>in</strong>g said, our relationscships with our neighbors aregood. Turkey did more than $7billion worth of bus<strong>in</strong>ess withIraq last year, <strong>and</strong> $4.5 billionof that was with<strong>in</strong> the Kurdistctan Region. There are currently35,000 Turkish workers <strong>in</strong> theRegion perform<strong>in</strong>g jobs rang<strong>in</strong>gfrom teach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> private schoolsto mann<strong>in</strong>g the huge constructction projects that are develop<strong>in</strong>gthroughout the Region. The Turkicish Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister Recep TayyipErdo?an recently made a historicvisit to the Region which showsan important shift toward engagemcment <strong>in</strong> their policy regard<strong>in</strong>g theKurdistan Region. Both Turkey<strong>and</strong> Iran have opened consulates<strong>in</strong> Erbil (Iran has one <strong>in</strong> Suleimancniah also), <strong>and</strong> we frequently excchange official visits with seniorrepresentatives from both countctries. We also conduct billions ofdollars worth of trade with Iranevery year, <strong>and</strong> we are committedto cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g to develop positiverelations with all of our neighbcbours.KRG.org: You stated that theKurdistan Region is committed todevelop<strong>in</strong>g positive relations withits neighbors; has Iran's recentshell<strong>in</strong>g of the <strong>Kurdish</strong> borderregions affected the KRG's relattions with Iran?FMB: The shell<strong>in</strong>g by the Islamicic Republic of Iran is unacceptacable, <strong>and</strong> it is a violation of Iraq'ssovereignty. These actions havedone a lot of damage to villagesalong the border, <strong>and</strong> they haveforced a lot of people to evacuate.The Kurdistan Region's Presidcdent, Masoud Barzani, has condcdemned these attacks <strong>and</strong> calledon Iran to work together to f<strong>in</strong>d apeaceful solution. The defense ofIraq's borders is the responsibilityof the Iraqi federal government,<strong>and</strong> we have seen steps <strong>in</strong> the lastfew days where the various polclitical blocs have come togetherto condemn Iran's actions as well.We believe that dialogue is thebest way to resolve these typesof disputes, <strong>and</strong> we hope the Irancnian government will respect thesovereignty of Iraq's borders; butthese actions will have a negativeeffect on our relations if they donot end. We urge the Iranian govecernment to put an end to these unwcwarranted acts which do not helpbr<strong>in</strong>g about the goal of security<strong>and</strong> stability <strong>in</strong> the border areas<strong>and</strong> work aga<strong>in</strong>st the developmcment of normal relations betweenthe Kurdistan Region <strong>and</strong> the Islclamic Republic of Iran.KRG.org: Do you see an <strong>in</strong>ctcrease of <strong>in</strong>ternational compantnies <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>vestors <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong>com<strong>in</strong>g to the Kurdistan Region?FMB: Without a doubt; anyonewho follows events <strong>in</strong> the Regcgion can tell you that it has madetremendous political, economic,social <strong>and</strong> educational progress<strong>in</strong> recent years, <strong>and</strong> it has provento be a consistently stable <strong>and</strong> seccure environment <strong>in</strong> which thisprogress will easily be susta<strong>in</strong>ed.Comb<strong>in</strong>ed with a generous foreceign <strong>in</strong>vestment law, this environmcment has been key to the growthof foreign direct <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>and</strong>to the <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> the number ofcountries <strong>and</strong> companies that partcticipate <strong>in</strong> the Erbil InternationalTrade Fair for many years now.The Erbil Fair is the largest geneceral trade fair <strong>in</strong> Iraq. This year'sfair is due to take place from 24-27 October. It will cover a largevariety of economic sectors, <strong>and</strong>it is supported by a large numbcber of trade promotion agencies,chambers of commerce, tradeassociations, m<strong>in</strong>istries <strong>and</strong> embcbassies. We anticipate that it willattract around 1000 exhibitorsfrom over 30 countries around theworld this year.KRG.org: There are a significtcant number of Iraqi <strong>Kurdish</strong> asyltlum seekers <strong>in</strong> Europe <strong>and</strong> abroadthat are supposed to be deported.Has the Kurdistan Regional Goveternment been a part of any of thedecisions regard<strong>in</strong>g their forcedrepatriation, <strong>and</strong> is the KRG provtvid<strong>in</strong>g these asylum seekers withany help?FMB: The KRG has alwayshad a clear stance regard<strong>in</strong>g thismatter. We have always said thatwe welcome the return of thesepeople by their own free will;those who are ready <strong>and</strong> willic<strong>in</strong>g to return are encouraged tocome <strong>and</strong> be a part of the rebuildic<strong>in</strong>g process of their country. Weunderst<strong>and</strong> that many of thesepeople have lost everyth<strong>in</strong>g thatthey own <strong>in</strong> order to start a newlife abroad, <strong>and</strong> we have workedhard to communicate their situatction to the countries <strong>in</strong>volved. Wehave argued that this is a humanitctarian issue before it is a politicalor any other k<strong>in</strong>d of issue, <strong>and</strong> wehave therefore asked that theirsuffer<strong>in</strong>g be considered whentheir host countries make policiesthat affect them. We have askedthat these <strong>in</strong>dividuals be able todecide for themselves regard<strong>in</strong>gtheir country of residence. Wehave not been, <strong>and</strong> we will notbe, a part of any private or publicagreement that will disadvantageour people whether they live hereor abroad.Hav<strong>in</strong>g said this, it is importantto recognise that each nation hasits own laws <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>terests to protctect regard<strong>in</strong>g immigration, <strong>and</strong>they ultimately have to make theirown decisions regard<strong>in</strong>g thoselaws <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>terests. Furthermore,the Kurdistan Region is not an <strong>in</strong>dcdependent state, <strong>and</strong> as such, weare limited <strong>in</strong> our ability to disscsuade the federal government <strong>in</strong>Baghdad from enter<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to thesek<strong>in</strong>ds of agreements.However, we cont<strong>in</strong>ue to ask forpatience on all sides, <strong>and</strong> we askfor these nations to revisit this impcportant issue once aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>and</strong>, conscsider<strong>in</strong>g its humanitarian nature,to f<strong>in</strong>d a satisfactory solution toit. In the end, whatever decisionsare made, the KRG will do what itcan to assist any forced returneesas they make the transition back<strong>in</strong>to local society.KRG.org: Recently, we haveseen conflict<strong>in</strong>g statements fromthe various political blocs <strong>in</strong>Baghdad about the withdrawalof US troops from Iraq. What isthe KRG's position regard<strong>in</strong>g theplanned withdrawal?FMB: To beg<strong>in</strong> with, it's impcportant for me to clarify that thisquestion has to be decided by thecollective groups of the federalgovernment <strong>in</strong> Baghdad. Howecever, it is essential that they beable to leave politics aside <strong>and</strong>determ<strong>in</strong>e whether the Iraqi securcrity forces are ready <strong>and</strong> capableof ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g security with<strong>in</strong>Iraq while defend<strong>in</strong>g its <strong>in</strong>ternatctional borders, its airspace <strong>and</strong> itsnavigable waterways. The safety<strong>and</strong> security of the people of Iraqshould be paramount <strong>in</strong> answeric<strong>in</strong>g this question, <strong>and</strong> the rema<strong>in</strong>ic<strong>in</strong>g vacancies of the federal govecernment's top security positions<strong>and</strong> the recent tensions betweenthe different political groups <strong>in</strong>Baghdad raise doubts that the seccurity forces are capable of thesetasks.There are also a number of unrcresolved issues <strong>in</strong> Iraq that shouldbe taken <strong>in</strong>to consideration, suchas the status of the disputed terrcritories, implement<strong>in</strong>g a nationalcensus, as well as the passage ofboth revenue shar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> hydroccarbons laws. If these issues remcma<strong>in</strong> unresolved they are likelyto lead to <strong>in</strong>creased tensions <strong>and</strong>possibly to violence, <strong>and</strong> it is vitctal that these issues be addressed<strong>in</strong> order to show that Iraq haschanged from a centralised autcthoritarian state to a democratic,federal <strong>and</strong> pluralistic one. Thepeople of the Kurdistan Regionwould like for these issues to beresolved peacefully, <strong>and</strong> I th<strong>in</strong>kit's safe to say that the presence ofAmerican troops could help enscsure the security <strong>and</strong> stability ofthe country dur<strong>in</strong>g this process.KRG.org: As you know, SouthSudan just became the newestmember of the <strong>in</strong>ternational commtmunity as an <strong>in</strong>dependent counttry. Do you have any commentsregard<strong>in</strong>g this historic developmtment?FMB: The KRG welcomesSouth Sudan as the newest nationstate<strong>in</strong> the world. Their struggleonce aga<strong>in</strong> proves the historicaltruth that noth<strong>in</strong>g can stop thewill of the people to better theirfuture <strong>and</strong> enjoy their full rightsas free citizens. We congratulatethem, <strong>and</strong> we wish them success<strong>in</strong> this huge endeavour. Buildic<strong>in</strong>g a country is not an easy task,<strong>and</strong> they will certa<strong>in</strong>ly face manychallenges, but we st<strong>and</strong> withthem <strong>in</strong> the belief that freedomwill make these challenges worthfac<strong>in</strong>g. Additionally, I th<strong>in</strong>k that itis important to po<strong>in</strong>t out that afterfive decades of conflict, war wasultimately not able to solve thisproblem. Ultimately, it was onlypeace <strong>and</strong> negotiation that wasable to br<strong>in</strong>g about this permancnent solution, <strong>and</strong> we commendthe government of Sudan for havic<strong>in</strong>g the courage to support thisdecision.
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