Nechirvan Barzani -
Photo: KRG |
Excerpt from interview
with Iraqi Kurdistan region Prime Minister Nechirvan
Barzani by Hamid al-Shammari entitled "The
federation we seek does not mean even the smallest
separation from Iraq, published by Iraqi Islamic
Da'wah Party newspaper Al-Da'wah on 2 June.
[Passage omitted: biography of Nechirvan Barzani]
His answers to our questions are characterized by
optimism and hope for Iraq, in which love, justice
and brotherly relations among all sects, ethnic and
religious groups prevail. Thus we came up with this
dialogue:
[Al-Da'wah]: Your excellency, prime minister
of Kurdistan, how do you see the situation in Iraq
in general and in Kurdistan in particular during the
coming stage? |
|
Barzani : We
suffered greatly in the past. A large part of our
current suffering is due to Saddam's mistakes before
the fall of his statue. In addition to that, the
erroneous US policy and unclear scenario for the
post-Saddam era created a vacuum resulting in
several problems. However, corrective steps are
being implemented and their fruitful results that
serve all Iraqi segments and factions have begun to
surface. Efforts to redraw Iraq's economic and
political future, restore stability and security on
an appropriate basis and find implement rapid
solutions to contain and repair discrepancies and
drawbacks are under way. This is in order to achieve
significant progress in the prosperity and
resurrection of Iraq and to end the Iraqis' long
suffering. I see that a large part of our people's
suffering has ended irrevocably. The future of Iraq
is bright and security will be restored throughout
Iraq and especially in the Kurdistan region where we
have been enjoying democracy and carrying out
construction for 13 years now, during which our
experiment has matured and become fruitful and
promising. It represents a base for the federal
project which does not in any way mean even the
smallest separation from Iraq. It means freedom from
a central and totalitarian governing system and the
implementation of lower-level administrative
leadership, collective team work, the creation of
initiatives and the boosting of development in our
region. Kurdistan represents an integral part of the
map, history and geography of our big homeland,
Iraq.
[Al-Da'wah]: How do you see the issue of
Kirkuk, which still raises concern and represents a
crucial issue?
Barzani : Kirkuk
is an Iraqi city similar to any other Iraqi city but
with a Kurdish identity. However, the issue of
Kirkuk has been extremely exaggerated, there has
been too much stress on it and it has been given
more than its due prominence in such a way that it
is distant from the real and true principle of
brotherly ties, relations and long history of
peaceful coexistence between the Arabs and Kurds.
Our stance regarding Kirkuk is not based on the fact
that it is rich in oil and other natural resources.
Kurdistan from Arbil to Zakhu is very rich in
natural resources, as is the case with other
oil-rich regions in Iraq. The truth is that Saddam's
regime changed its identity by expelling most
Kurdish and Turkoman citizens from the city. We have
constantly repeated that had the ousted regime in
Iraq believed in peaceful coexistence with the
Kurds, all this would not have taken place. Today we
do not want to repeat the previous dreadful
experience, but to peacefully and amicably live and
coexist with other regions in Iraq. Article 58 of
the State Administration Law is an adequate
political and ideological base to resolve the issue
of Kirkuk which needs mutual understanding,
awareness and effort in addition to God's help.
[Al-Da'wah]: How much progress have you
achieved in the sphere of human rights and women's
rights?
Barzani : The
situation of human rights in the Kurdistan region is
much better than it was in the past. We are
enlightening people on how to maintain and protect
people's human rights and to prevent their
violation. We are organizing educational seminars
and conferences in this regard to enhance the
protection of human rights in the implementation of
legal procedures as well as in the [security
forces'] behaviour and conduct. In addition to that,
I personally follow the situation of prisons and
prisoners and their health and legal status.
Regarding women's rights, women have suffered a
great deal of injustice, but we are working to give
them their full rights. We managed, in one year, to
amend several laws in order to serve women's best
interests, defend their rights, effectively involve
them in the political process and develop their
qualifications and ability to serve society.
[Al-Da'wah]: Which historical event is the
most significant for you?
Barzani : The
fall of the dictator's [Saddam's] statue is the most
significant event for us and the world that seeks
freedom, democracy and peace. If the implementation
of democracy succeeds in Iraq, Iraq will be a model
for all neighbouring countries.
[Al-Da'wah]: What is your message to Arabs
and Kurds?
Barzani : I urge
and call on my brother Kurds and Arabs to build the
new Iraq in order for Iraq to restore its bright
historical and regional role. Iraq has great natural
and human resources and a great potential to see a
real resurrection again. Iraq should remain sound
and healthy with its civilizational heritage and the
greatness of its thinkers and scientists. Iraq is
marching to keep up with international progress in
all spheres that will bring good to all Iraqi
segments and classes.
Note: This item is published in cooperation with the
Construction and Investment magazine.
Source: Al-Da'wah, Baghdad, in Arabic 2 Jun 05
© BBC Monitoring
www.krg.org
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