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UN opens its regional office in Iraqi
Kurdistan's capital, Erbil
29.11.2007
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November
29, 2007
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan region 'Iraq', -- The
United Nations (UN) opened on Wednesday its regional
office, the first of three the UN said it will open
in Kurdistan and Iraq to expand its role in the
country.
UN special representative to Iraq Staffan de Mistura
said in a speech at the office's opening ceremony
that the UN will open two more offices in Iraq, in
Basra and Baghdad.
Meanwhile, Prime Minsiter of Iraq's Kurdistan
Regional Government (KRG) Nechirvan Barzani said at
the ceremony that the KRG is happy to establish
strong relations with the UN.
In answer to reporters' questions, Barzani said the
oil contracts the government signed with foreign
companies will be honored, adding that more
contracts will be signed.
He stressed that what was done is constitutional,
pointing out that no one can cancel any of the
contracts.
Barzani said the income of oil export will be
distributed among all the Iraqi people. The KRG
recently signed seven contracts with foreign
companies on the production of oil, despite the
objection of the central government. |
Nechirvan Barzani, Prime
Minister of
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), at the
inauguration of the U.N. regional office |
UN Expands relaunches
presence in the Kurdistan Region in accordance with
Resolution 1770
Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and the UN
Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Iraq, Stefan de
Mistura, on Wednesday relaunched the UN presence in
the Kurdistan Region with a flag raising ceremony at
the UN camp in Erbil.
The Prime Minister said, “We are pleased that Iraq,
and the KRG as part of Iraq, has established a new
relationship with the UN on the basis of equal
partnership. Now the UN and the KRG will work
together to raise the living standards of the people
and support government programs.”
He went on to say, “Raising the UN flag and
increasing the number of UN officials is a sign of
the confidence that you have in the KRG and the
circumstances of our environment.”
Prime Minister Barzani used the occasion to clearly
and forcefully reiterate the demand of the people of
the Kurdistan Region that Article 140 of the
constitution, which concerns the disputed areas, is
implemented as stated.
The Prime Minister said, “This is not about
controlling oil…the issue of Kirkuk is about
ownership and property rights.” He went on to say,
“We want to make Kirkuk an example of a city of
brotherhood, coexistence and tolerance.” He called
for, “The federal government in Baghdad [to] stand
up to its responsibility regarding this
constitutional article…The Kurdish people and the
KRG have been patient thus far, waiting for a
peaceful and legal solution. The time for talks has
passed, it is now time for practical steps.”
Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the KRG’s Department of
Foreign Relations said that the KRG was happy with
the UN’s expanded role. “We are proud that, as
Ambassador de Mistura said, the UN is using the
security situation in Erbil to send a message to the
world that where there is peace, stability and
security the UN is willing and ready to do more.”
Minister Bakir said went on to say, “We welcome the
UN’s expanded mandate. Today was a turning point in
our relationship. The UN can help the people of Iraq
and the Kurdistan Region with their experience and
together we can make great progress for the people
of our Region.” www.ekurd.net
Statement of the Prime Minister at official
reopening of the UN office in Erbil
Wednesday, 28 November 2007, Erbil, the capital
Dear attendants, distinguished guests good morning
to you all.
I am pleased and privileged to attend the official
opening ceremony of your office which is a sign of
the continuing participation of the UN and the
expansion of its role in Iraq.
I warmly welcome Ambassador Stefan de Mistura, the
UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Iraq. On
this occasion I congratulate him on assuming his new
post. In 1991 during the mass exodus you helped us.
I thank you for your contribution at that time.
The KRG welcomes UN resolution 1770 to expand the
role and participation of the UN in Iraq.
The Kurdistan Region desires a strong relationship
with the UN with the aim of finding appropriate and
long term solutions for the problems we face.
The people of the Kurdistan Region are thankful for
the assistance of the UN agencies in the past and we
do not forget the humanitarian assistance provided.
From then until now there have been many changes.
The tone of our relationship and our methods of
working together have also changed.
We are pleased that now Iraq as the host country,
and the KRG as part of Iraq, has established a new
relationship with the UN on the basis of equal
partnership. Now the UN and the KRG work together to
raise the living standards of the people and support
government programs.
We are pleased with continued UN offer of technical
assistance and benefit from its rich experience and
commitment to peace.
The presence of the UN means that the world cares
about this region and that it will not abandon us
during times of need. Our people view the presence
of the UN as a sign of hope for the future.
Raising the UN flag and increasing the number of UN
officials is a sign of the confidence that you have
in the KRG and the circumstances that have come into
being.
We are proud of our efforts that have led to
realizing this environment. As is obvious the
security situation in the Kurdistan Region is
different from other parts of Iraq.
There is an opportunity in the face of progress of
commercial activities and investment and we have
tried to provide the opportunity for economic and
social development. We want our society to be a
prosperous one and we want the UN to help us to
realize this objective.
We in the government work directly on behalf of the
people in the Kurdistan Region but also actively
participate in the political process in Iraq as a
whole.
In 2003 we willingly decided to rejoin Iraq and live
within this county. We still believe that this was
the right decision and that this has been a key
factor in achieving progress in Iraq.
The Kurdistan Alliance is an effective force for
progress in Iraq. Our alliance has the ability to
unite different groups and also to create consensus
in attitudes.
We will continue with conviction on our role. We
will continue in a positive way to work for the sake
of all Iraqis regardless of ethnicity, religion, or
geographic location. We believe in the future of
this country and the equality of its citizens.
Here a question arises – is it just and fair that
the KRG works in this way for the sake of the
prosperity and wellbeing for the rest of the country
while its key demands are neglected?
The KRG had a limited number of demands of the
federal government in Baghdad.
Here I would like to cite Article 140 of the Iraq
constitution as an example. Our demand was very
clear and explicit – the implementation of this
constitutional article within the framework of law.
Today I would like to reiterate the same demand.
I believe that cooperation and coordination is a two
way process and it is unfortunate that we often see
the Kurdistan Alliance and the KRG trying to reach
agreement and understanding for the interest of
other coalition partners while being rewarded by
having its demands ignored. www.ekurd.net
I want to be very open and to record a point for
history – the KRG wants to see genuine progress in
the implementation of Article 140 of the
constitution. The issue of the dispute areas,
including Kirkuk, will not be solved by us avoiding
it and waiting for time and circumstances to solve
it.
And here a question arises, is this a question of
controlling oil as some mistakenly understand? No,
this is absolutely not the case.
From our side, we have accepted the revenue sharing
principle and only 17% of the oil revenues will be
allocated to the Kurdistan Region and 83% will be
allocated to the Federal Government. I would like to
say once again, and very clearly, this is not about
controlling oil.
Once again, I would like to reiterate that the issue
of Kirkuk is about ownership and property rights.
Our policy and attitude are explicit in this regard.
In a peaceful and democratic way, within the
framework of the Iraq constitution, we ask for the
return of the rights which were taken from us
forcibly. In 2003, we had the opportunity to solve
this problem by other means if we had wanted to. But
we willingly asked that the citizens of Kirkuk be
given the democratic and legal right and opportunity
so they can decide on their own future.
We believe that this is an issue of justice and
returning rights for those whose rights were
usurped. We only ask for the implementation of our
just rights which have been stipulated within the
framework of a constitutional article that the
majority of the people voted for.
We know very well that not only Kurds live in Kirkuk.
But we want to make Kirkuk an example of a city of
brotherhood, coexistence and tolerance. As the KRG
we want to transfer our experience of national,
cultural and religious tolerance from our region to
the disputed areas.
We are confident that the rights of all communities
will be secured and respected because as a people
whose rights have been violated in the past, and who
suffered from persecution, it is impossible that
others will be persecuted or have their rights
violated under our system of governance.
Therefore, Mr. Ambassador, I would like to address
our serious concern about the slow implementation of
Article 140 which we see in Baghdad.
The federal government in Baghdad must stand up to
its responsibility regarding this constitutional
article.
Ambassador de Mistura, I don’t hide from you that
the clock is ticking fast and we are approaching the
31st of December.
Time does not stop.
It is time for Baghdad to take serious steps to
implement their commitment.
The Kurdish people and the KRG has been patient thus
far, waiting for a peaceful and legal solution. The
time for talks has passed, it is now time for
practical steps and implement this constitutional
commitment.
The KRG deals with this issue with an explicit
attitude and a forward looking approach. Therefore I
ask here whether we want peace, security and
stability in Iraq?
Do we need to take lessons from our history? Do we
want to solve the suspended problems in Iraq? On our
part, we work for peace, stability and solutions to
our problems.
We hope that this time Baghdad tries seriously to
implement its commitment so that our people will not
remain waiting for a solution.
If we look at the history of Iraq and see the
consequences of non-implementation we see that it
has not brought peace and security. Therefore, we
ask for real commitment on implementing the
principles one which we have agreed.
If there are those who believe that ignoring the
situation will solve it, they are sadly mistaken.
This is a vital and serious issue for our people. We
want implementation. I hope this message is very
clear to you all.
Our vision for the future is clear – we want to
secure a bright future for our people within the
framework of a federal democratic system.
We know we have a long way to go but we hope that
the international community and the UN understands
our position.
We ask for a just solution for the issues that have
become an obstacle in the political process.
Once again we are pleased that we are entering into
a new stage with our relations with the UN.
Again, we welcome the UN resolution and your
expanded role. I am confident that your will play
and effective role in finding a solution.
I would like to thank the local and international
staff who has been implementing the program here in
the Kurdistan Region. I’d also like to thank the
KRG’s UN coordinator in Erbil for the work he has
been doing. www.ekurd.net
We hope that through cooperation and coordination we
will be able to serve the interests of the people of
Kurdistan and all Iraq.
Again, you are all welcome. Thank you very much.
Krg org | kuna net.kw
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