|
The
Iraqi parliamentary elections were launched to set a
national assembly of 275 lawmakers that would choose
a president and two vice-presidents of the country
from among its members and the latter would chose a
prime minister. The primary task of the would-be
national assembly is to prepare a draft constitution
that will be voted on October 15.
In case the constitution passes new parliamentary
elections will be held in Iraq on December 15 that
will form the executive and the legislature on the
constitutional basis.
In other words the elections are important as
regards the Iraqi constitution and the constitution
is vital for Iraq’s political future. If the Iraqi
constitution turns Iraqi state into federation that
will put the country on the edge of falling apart.
A referendum held along with the elections on
January 30 in 4 Kurdish cities of Northern Iraq
showed that 99.5 percent of population demands
independence. Masut Barzani, president of Democratic
Party of Kurdistan, made an interesting statement
regarding Kurdish population’s orientation. Turkish
Yeni Shafaq newspaper informed on January 31 that
Barzani met journalists in Salahaddin where he
stated that there is no such question if a Kurdish
state will be created but when will it be created.
“Kirkuk’s identity is Kurdish. Neither Turkey nor
any other state has the right to draw conclusions
about Kirkuk or any other Iraqi state”.
Barzani’s words caused Turkey’s active
confrontation. Chairman of Turkish parliament,
Byulent Arnc, called Barzani arrogant noting that
the American has petted him. Apparently Arnc’s words
missed the point as Barzani made his second
statement on February 3: “Independence is
inevitable; demand for independence is the most
natural right of Kurdish people”. A Kurdish
politician and foreign minister of Iraqi temporary
government, Khoshyar Zebar, added to Barzani’s
words: “Hopefully the Iraqi Kurdistan will become
Europe’s neighbor in near future”.
Regardless of Barzani’s and Zebar’s views, America’s
position and plans for Iraq’s reconstruction will be
decisive. Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul who
is paying an official visit to China declared in
Beijing on February 2: “The US has to take tough
measures to neutralize insurgency in Northern Iraq”.
Meanwhile he reminded that Turkey stands for Iraq’s
territorial integrity.
Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, who is
going to visit Ankara on February 5, will possibly
discuss the issue of Kurdish state as well as issues
concerning Iraq’s reconstruction with Abdullah Gul.
http://www.azg.am
Top |
® 