Cevik Interview's Kurdistan PM Nechirvan Barzani 20.6.2006
By Ilnur Cevik

Ilnur Cevik: Mr. Prime Minister, it's been about a month since your unified government of Kurdistan has been in office. However we see there's still some confusion over how the mechanisms of administration will work. When do you hope these problems will be resolved?

Nechirvan Barzani: We shouldn't be surprised that it takes time to form an effective unified government. This is a very difficult task, bringing together strong figures from a range of very different political parties, and attempting to unify two separate executive administrations. This isn't easy work but we're succeeding. But the point is that we're not just sitting and talking and hoping that problems will solve themselves. Since taking office last month we've met often and jointly participated in a number of events of local and international importance. We have only just begun. We're hard at work and the results will begin to soon show for the people of the Kurdistan region.

Cevik: In past interviews with the local press you stated clearly that there are uncertainties about the mechanisms of how the federal system will work and how you as the Kurdistan regional government (KRG) will work with the federal government in Baghdad. How do you propose to overcome this major task and within what period?

Nechirvan Barzani: Of course there are uncertainties with Baghdad. This is a country in transition -- from a totalitarian dictatorship to a federal, pluralistic, and democratic country. And in the midst of this historic structural transition, the various national political movements in the country are each trying to secure their own positions. So I have no doubt that we'll continue to see changes in our relations with Baghdad. We've worked hard and I think with some success, to protect and preserve the interests of the people of the Kurdistan region.

We haven't gotten everything we wanted, that's true, but compromise is the basis of any democratic system. On the whole, if you look at the past three years, I believe that the product of our work with Baghdad has been good and that we've secured most of the key issues that benefit our region. We shall work to set up a mechanism to regulate and define this relationship based on the federal structure of the country and the Constitution.

Cevik: We're aware that while the central government in Baghdad has promised to provide the Kurdistan region with 18 percent of the oil revenues of Iraq annually they're calculating oil prices at only $25 to 28 a barrel while the world oil prices are as high as $70 a barrel. That means you're not getting the real amount you were promised. What are you doing to correct this injustice and what happens if the Baghdad administration fails to resolve it?

Nechirvan Barzani: This is a good example -- perhaps the best current example -- of issues that we're negotiating on. You're correct that the Kurdistan region is being denied the revenues to which we're clearly entitled. Our KRG team, here and in Baghdad, is pressing hard on this matter and both President Jalal Talabani and President Massoud Barzani are using their influence to get a resolution that addresses our legitimate needs. This issue, along with the implementation of the constitutional provisions regarding Kirkuk, is at the top of our agenda with Baghdad.

Cevik: While the KRG-run areas are peaceful we see that the rest of Iraq remains in serious turmoil. Only recently students going to an exam were taken off a bus northeast of Baghdad and the Kurdish and Shiite Turkmen youngsters were gunned down by Sunni Arab terrorists. In view of the growing and endless violence are you optimistic that there can be a dramatic change for the better in Iraq? If this violence spreads and civil war becomes inevitable, what will the Kurds do?

Nechirvan Barzani: No one can look at developments in the rest of Iraq without deep concern over the growing sectarian violence. Each day the news is filled with more and more atrocities and the slaughter of untold numbers of innocent people. It pains my heart to see the grief and destruction. Our first and most important priority is the safety and security of our region. Our peshmerga and police forces have done an extraordinary job in keeping our region safe and secure and we'll continue to make every effort to make sure that instability and violence don't spread to the Kurdistan region. On the political front, we're continuing to work with all parties to seek an end to this terrible situation. We believe that the formation of an effective, democratic, federal government in Iraq, which respects the rights of all of its citizens, is the best answer and holds the key to peace and stability.

Cevik: We hear you're preparing a foreign investments law that will introduce some incentives to foreign investors in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. When do you hope this law will be ready? Besides this, an important element in attracting investments here are guarantees that you have to provide investors to minimize their risks. Are you prepared to guarantee investments as the KRG government, and how?

Nechirvan Barzani: In another recent interview I made the point that "Kurdistan is open for business" and this is our key message. The details of our foreign investment law are being worked out at this very moment. We're consulting a wide range of private sector officials and international investment experts. I'm confident that our law will be the best in the region and will protect and attract foreign investment to our region. Bringing productive, job-creating foreign investment to the Kurdistan region is the greatest economic priority of our government.

Cevik: In a federal system, the central government deals with neighboring countries but of course you also need a dialogue with Turkey which is your direct neighbor. Yet we see in recent years that this dialogue with Ankara hasn't been achieved. What needs to be done? What's Turkey's place in Iraqi Kurdish politics?

Nechirvan Barzani: It's inaccurate to say that we don't have a dialogue with Turkey. President Barzani and I have visited Turkey several times and held good and productive meetings with Turkish officials on a whole range of issues. It's important to note that in many areas we enjoy great benefits from our ties to Turkey. The commercial and construction centers in Turkey are playing a major role in the development of our economy -- Turkey is our largest trading partner and provides many goods and services which wouldn't be available here. We want to improve and deepen our ties with Turkey and establish a pattern of warm relations as good neighbors on the basis of common interests and non-interference. We're natural neighbors and our view is that we should be good neighbors. I'm confident that our relations -- political, cultural and economic -- will continue to improve in the months and years ahead. We've strongly supported Turkey's bid to join the European Union and will continue to do so. Having a strong and direct link with Europe, via Turkey, would be a major positive development for our region.

Cevik: You've started improving your relations with the Turkmen community. There are now two Turkmen ministers in your Cabinet and you have given the important post of industry minister to a Turkmen. You also have four Turkmen deputies in the Kurdistan Regional Parliament. How do you propose to further improve your relations with the Turkmen community of Iraq?

Nechirvan Barzani: We've worked hard in the past 15 years to build good relations with all groups in our Kurdistan region. No one knows better than the Kurds how difficult and painful oppression can be. Having been persecuted and betrayed for decades, I believe we now have a special role to play in helping to heal ethnic and national divisions. We know how we want to be treated, and it's our responsibility and duty to treat all ethnic groups with the same respect and tolerance that we demand for ourselves. We've made great strides with the Turkmen population, even setting up Turkmen language schools fully funded by the government.

We'll continue to work with them to ensure that their legitimate needs and aspirations are protected. The Kurdistan region is a region of social, cultural, and political tolerance where people of all ethnic backgrounds and religions can live in peace and harmony. The Turkmens are an essential and valuable part of our Kurdistan region and we'll treat them as our brothers and sisters with respect and honor.

Cevik: Do you have any offers to make to Turkish leaders to resolve the Kirkuk problem?

Nechirvan Barzani: First, let me state clearly: The question of the future of Kirkuk is an Iraqi matter, and the means to find a solution are clearly and irrevocably defined in the Iraqi Constitution. This doesn't mean that we'll not listen to the concerns of our Turkish neighbors and seek ways to address their legitimate interests. But the people of Kirkuk must be given the chance to choose their own fate and regional affiliation. We believe that we've shown that we're a tolerant and honorable people, and no one -- inside or outside of Kirkuk -- should be afraid that we'll oppress any national or ethnic group. As I stated earlier, we know better than most how terrible that can be and we're determined that not to be guilty of the kinds of sins and atrocities that have been committed against us. The solution to Kirkuk is on the table and the time to resolve it is now. Kirkuk and other regions were taken from us through violence. In accordance with the Constitution, we shall return to them through a lawful process by peaceful and democratic means.

Cevik: Extracting oil is one thing but transporting it and selling it is something else. Turkish companies, as well as others, are already prospecting oil in the Kurdistan region. How do you propose to transport this oil and what role do you see in this for Turkey?

Nechirvan Barzani: There's no doubt that we need the cooperation of our Turkish friends to make full and good use of the oil resources in our region. We were very excited and happy last month to inaugurate a major new oil project (in Taqtaq) which includes Turkish participation. This is a very positive and encouraging development for it's a clear expression of our joint interest in developing these resources. We'll use the benefits of our oil to improve the lives of our people here in our region. Turkey shouldn't fear this prospect. At the same time, however, the Turks should also consider greater economic investment and development on their side of the border as well.

Cevik: The terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has become a problem for everyone, including the Iraqi Kurds. How can this problem be solved to the satisfaction of all sides?

Nechirvan Barzani: In the modern world, safe and stable borders are an absolute requirement for security and economic development. Borders must be respected by both sides and it's not in the Kurdistan region's interest to have a violent threat operating within it. But the problem isn't only a military issue; it requires dialogue and concessions on all sides. Recently, the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations (CRC) in the U.S. called for a three-way dialogue with the U.S., Turkey, and Iraqi Kurdish leaders on the question of border security. We believe this is an excellent idea and we're ready to participate if the other sides agree to begin.

Cevik: Besides being the prime minister of the KRG you're also a prominent member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). There are claims that the KDP is interfering in the domestic affairs of Turkey by issuing ID cards to Turkey's Kurds and giving Kurdish students from Turkey university grants. What do you say to these claims?

Nechirvan Barzani: The KRG and political parties regularly provide support for Iraqi Kurds living abroad. We have programs like this in the U.S., Sweden and a host of other countries around the world. I believe it's in the interests of all to see more cultural exchanges between neighbors.

Cevik: Iran is an important neighbor of the KRG while you are also close friends with the U.S. There are several disputes between the two countries and thus they may have rival demands made of you if the U.S. decides to launch an operation against Iran. What would your position be? Do you feel pushed into a corner?

Nechirvan Barzani: There can be no doubt that a military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran would be a disaster for our region at a time when we're now beginning to develop economically and politically. Such a confrontation would set us back years. But I'm an optimist. Despite many negative developments in the past, recent events lead me to hope that reason can prevail. A long and complicated negotiating process is underway which we fully support as the best means to avoid violent conflict. We strongly support a negotiated peaceful solution.

The New Anatolian

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