|
Kurdistan Region-Iraq News in brief
6.2.2007 |
|
|
|
February 6, 2007 - Sulaimaniyah,
Erbil, Duhok, Kirkuk, Kurdistan Region (Iraq)
Before end of 2007, passports will be issued in
Kurdish; says Passport Officer
In a statement to Kurdistan Online, Mr. Muhammad
Jaza Abdullah of the Passport Office stated the in
the upcoming months, Iraqi passports will also be
issued in the Kurdish language.
"We issue nearly 100 passports per day to citizens,"
said Mr. Abdullah. "Those born in and after 1980
will need to have a Chamber of Commerce ID."
He added that the Passport Office also issues 10
visas to Turkey, especially to those who are ill, to
certain government officials and certain Turkoman
Front individuals.
"The United States and the United Kingdom do not
recognize passports of the 'S-series'," he said.
"Those who hold these passports but have now
obtained a visa to these countries must fill out a
form and take the form to Baghdad to replace their
S-serious passport with a G-series one."
"We have made great efforts to add the Kurdish
language to the Iraqi passports," he said. "This
year, in 2007, this request will be implemented and
passports (finally) issued in Kurdish."
It is worth mentioning that in January 2007, the
Erbil International Airport, the main airport in
Kurdistan Region, received some 5,311 passengers.
Some 5,797 others traveled outside.
Regarding the various types of issued passports, Mr.
Abdullah said that the N-series passports are valid
until 2008. H04 and H06; however, can no longer be
used for travel. The S-series passports, on the
other hand, can be renewed until 2010.
Ashur International Bank opens in Sulaimaniyah
With a net capital worth 50 billion Iraqi Dinars,
Ashur International Bank opened its doors in the
morning of Saturday, 3 February 2007, in Sulaimaniyah.
Bayiz Talabani, Regional Minister of Finance, along
with a number of private sector entrepreneurs and
businesspersons attending the Bank's grand opening.
During the ceremony, Talabani expresses his
ministry's full willingness to help the private
banks in the region in anyway possible.
Vice-President of Ashur International Bank Khelan
Jamal told PUKmedia that according to the policy of
the Bank, "the minimum amount of money Ashur Bank
will exchange is $5,000." He adding that money
transfers can be done through the Bank, and
different types of accounts can be opened.
The activities and different types of services the
Bank will provide its customers were also
demonstrated through Cinema Vision during the
opening. The Bank is also said to open other
branches in Erbil and Duhok in the future.
Europe deports Kurds; uses military planes
The British government has started its operation of
forceful deporting of Kurdish refugees to Kurdistan.
In a press conference a the Peace (Ashtee) Hotel in Sulaimaniyah
on January 29, Dashti Jamal, the Secretary of the
Federation of Iraqi Refugees, stated that these 70
Kurdish refugees are being forced, without their own
will, to be sent back to Kurdistan. He added that
this is the beginning of a long process that is yet
to come, which includes the deportation of some
8,000 Kurds currently living in the United Kingdom.
Expressing his acute discontent towards this recent
decision by the British government, Mr. Jamal said
that his organization has decided, along with a
number of other groups and civil society
foundations, to begin demonstrations in Britain
against forceful deporting of these Kurdish refugees
by the British government.
Similar to the British Parliament's decision, the
Danish government is also considering sending Kurds
back to Kurdistan - a measure severely condemned by
the Kurdistan Speaker of Parliament Adnan Mufti who
says the Kurdish government is not, in anyway, in
agreement with forcefully deporting these Kurds to
Kurdistan.
"Each one of these Kurds should be asked whether
they choose to go back or not, and not without their
own consent," he said, adding that this is something
previously discussed with other European countries
with Kurdish refugees, as well.
Sadr faction in the Iraqi Parliament will support
Kurdistan Alliance from now on; Al-A'raji
Baha' Al-A'raji, Member of the Sadr wing in the
Iraqi National Congress, stated that his "recent
meeting with President of Kurdistan Region Massoud
Barzani clarified many misunderstandings about the
Sadr (faction)."
A'raji, in Erbil at the time of his statement, said,
"Our meeting with the President of Kurdistan
rectified many misperceptions about his party,
especially about the goals, beliefs and the working
mechanisms of Al-Sadr." He added that Barzani showed
his full support to Al-Sadr. "And we consider his
support of high respect."
According to A'raji, this was the first meeting
between the two sides.
"We discussed many topics which require further
meetings to be decided upon," A'raji said. "But from
now on, the Sadr wing of the Iraqi Parliament will
support the demands of the Kurdistan Alliance, as
long as these demands are within the scope of
national interests and in accordance with Islam."
It is worth mentioning that another delegation
headed by Nassar Rubai'e, President of the Sadr bloc
in the Iraqi Parliament, Falah Shanshal, Baha' Al-A'raji,
Salih Hassan Agili along with a number of other
members of the bloc arrived in Erbil a day before
and met with Barzani and other members of the
Kurdistan Democratic Party.
Regional reconstruction team founded in Kurdistan
In an inaugural ceremony, the Regional
Reconstruction Team (RRT) was founded in Kurdistan
Region.
Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region Nechirvan
Barzani, the Embassy of the United States and the
Embassy of South Korea in the federal Iraq,
officials from the South Korean Zeytun Team along
with a number of ministries in the Region attended
the event.
Following a brief explanation of the future plans
and projects of this new establishment, Kiu Ok, the
president of the Team, expressed his gratitude to
the Kurdistan Regional Government for its continuous
support to the Team.
Jang Ki Ho, from the Embassy of South Korean in Iraq
said the duties of the Team will not strictly be
opening schools and hospitals or road construction;
it will also be working on strengthening relations
between Kurdistan Region and South Korea.
After extending its condolences to the families and
loved ones of the victims killed in the February 1st
suicide bombings in Erbil three year ago, the
Embassy of the United States has strong obligations
towards Kurdistan and will remain so.
In a speech including the South Korean troops as
part of the Kurdistani society, Barzani confirmed
his government's continuous commitment and support
to the private sector to operate in the region.
It is worth mentioning that RRT, unlike many other
construction companies, will carry out its
activities in all current three provinces of
Kurdistan - Erbil, Sulaimaniyah and Duhok.
PNA |
The Kurdish Globe | VOI | Agencies
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 