|
Kurdistan R. president Massud Barzani
rejects Shaia law
22.8.2005
|
|
|
|
Erbil, 22 August (AKI) - The president of Iraq's
Kurdistan region, Massud Barzani, has rejected
Sharia or Islamic law as a model for a new Iraqi
state. "We respect all points of view, but will not
accept compromises over what we believe are our
democratic rights. The Kurds are fighting for a new,
federal and democratic Iraq," he said in an
interview with the Italian daily La Repubblica
published on Monday.
"As I said to those who are engaged in drafting
Iraq's new constitution in Baghdad, and to the 111
members of the Kurdish regional parliament, we
categorically reject a state that is based on
Islamist principles," Barzani emphasised. A
withdrawal of the United-States led coalition from
Iraq would be "a disaster at this point," he said. |
President of Kurdistan
Region
Government Masoud Barzani |
|
The
role that Sharia law should play in the new Iraq is,
together with federalism, women's rights, and
Kurdish demands secede, is one of the main
sticking-points that have caused delays in the
drafting of the country's new constitution. If it
fails to meet a midnight deadline on Monday,
parliament could be be dissolved.
On the question of Kurdish secession, Barzani said:
"We are asking for a more territorial autonomy and a
preferably secular state."
"The Kurds have accepted independence and
self-determination. In exchange for this sacrifice,
we ask for guarantees that several of our conditions
will be respected, such as the question of the
return of Kurdish refugees from Saddam Hussein's
regime, and the maintenance of the (Kurdish)
Pershmerga militias, who needs to stay and defend
the north of our country".
The disputed oil-rich city of Kirkuk is "Iraqi but
also Kurdish" Barzani said. "If our conditions are
not accepted, our people will reject the new Iraqi
constitution. If the Iraqi parliament signs off on
the constitution on Monday, it will be put to Iraq's
voters in a referendum on 15 October.
www.adnki.com
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 