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President of Kurdistan Region announces
conference on federalism in Erbil
9.10.2007
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Spokesman for the Presidency of the Kurdistan
Region.
October
9, 2007
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan region 'Iraq', --
Conference to discuss the role of federalism
following the recent passage of the amendment to the
Defense Authorization Spending bill in the US Senate
The passage of the US Senate amendment to the
Defense Authorization Bill regarding federalism in
Iraq, and the Kurdistan President’s clear support of
this issue as outlined in the Iraqi Constitution,
has caused some to level accusations and threats.
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We sincerely believe that federalism is the solution
to many of the problems faced by Iraq today. We have
long held this view, and it was adopted by the
opposition parties long before the downfall of
Saddam Hussein.
The majority of Iraqi’s voted for the Constitution
and federalism is an Iraqi choice. Most of the
political parties and movements participating in the
political process also support federalism.
Federalism was an Iraqi position long before it was
a foreign one. Rather than simply being a Kurdistani
issue, federalism is a constitutional expression
that can help the entire country.
The Kurdistani political parties and leaders of the
Kurdistan Region have played a key role in keeping
Iraq united. Division and partition have never been
the goal of the Kurdistani political parties since
it is contrary to the desire of the Iraqi people.
The reaction to the amendment passed by the US
Senate has begun to take a dangerous turn. Those who
have opposed the Iraqi Constitution are taking this
opportunity to undermine that Constitution’s
democratic and federal principles under the pretext
of standing against foreign intervention.
The reality in Iraq since its foundation reveals
that:
1. Central rule has always led to one group taking
power to the detriment of others. This dominant
group has held onto power through dictatorial
methods and violence against the Iraqi people.
Central rule has offered nothing but destruction and
ruin.
2. Central rule has relegated the Kurdish people and
the people of the South of Iraq to second class
citizens.
3. Power sharing should be amongst the key
components of the people of Iraq and Iraq should be
rebuilt on the basis of voluntary union.
4. The current reality in Iraq reveals that
religious and sectarian identities are expressing
themselves in political and religious terms. For
example, political-religious parties consider
themselves representative of the Sunni’s while at
the same time many Islamic parties express
themselves as representatives of the Shi’as. Arab
Iraq is ideologically divided between Sunni and
Shi’a. State, government, and society are all viewed
through a religious lens.
5. Despite the Kurds being the majority ethnicity in
the Kurdistan Region, we know and value the fact
that people of different religions – Islam,
Christianity, Yezhidi – and ethnic groups – Turcomen,
Assyrians, Chaldeans – make up our community. We
have adopted a policy of coexistence in our Region.
We call on our brothers in Iraq to do the same. We
have always been a helpful factor in reconciling
Sunnis and Shi’as.
6. The federal system affords the governorates of
other parts of the country, in the south and west,
to become their own federal regions. The mechanism
to build a federal system exists in the Iraq
Constitution.
This is the political, social, ethnic, religious
reality of Iraqi society. The final choice as to how
to build a federal system belongs to Iraqis. The
amendment passed in the US Senate mirrors what is
written in the Iraqi Constitution – a document that
all Iraqi Government officials swore to uphold. It
seems that the majority of those who have voiced
concern over the amendment either did not read it
carefully or are simply using it as an excuse to
express their chauvinist ideas in an attempt to
return to abhorred central dominance.
The amendment to the Defense Authorization Spending
bill refers to the fact that the first article of
the Iraqi Constitution reads; “The Republic of Iraq
is an independent federal state.” The amendment also
refers to Article 116 of the 5th Chapter of the
Constitution which is relevant to the regions when
it says; “The federal system in the Republic of Iraq
is made up of a decentralised capital, regions and
governorates, and local administrations.” The
amendment further refers to the power and authority
of regions, the exclusive powers of the centre and
the mechanism of forming a region. The Senate
amendment clearly refers to the law of the Iraqi
Council of Representatives regarding federalism
adopted on 11 October 2006, and valid after 18
months. The decision calls for the US to support the
political agreements among Iraqis on the basis of
the Iraqi Constitution and building federal rule.
So where is the sectarian partition project referred
to by the detractors? And is emphasising the Iraqi
Constitution and the decision of the Iraq Council of
Representatives against the political process and
Iraqi people, or for their interests? Dealing with
the Iraqi reality in an emotional and irrational
way, and depicting the reality differently will lead
to further complications. We are committed to the
Iraqi Constitution and to building a federal Iraq
because it is the choice of the majority of Iraqis.
In order to discuss the major problems facing Iraq,
build relations, consensus and a common vision for
the future, strengthen public participation in the
political process, and discuss the federal model,
the Kurdistan President will invite all Iraqi
political parties, movements, and influential
figures to a conference in Erbil.
This initiative springs from our commitment to a
united, federal, democratic, and pluralistic Iraq
where the rights of all are guaranteed.
After consultation with the specific parties and
further development of the idea we will send out
official invitations for the conference.
krg org
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