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Kurdistan's prime minister calls for a
referendum on Kirkuk status 22.3.2007 |
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PM
calls for a referendum to decide the future of
the country's crucial oil hub of Kirkuk, warning
that Kurdish patience had limits.
March 22, 2007
Erbil, Kurdistan region (Iraq), -- The prime
minister of Iraqi Kurdistan 'Nechirvan Barzani'
raised fresh calls on Thursday for a referendum to
decide the future of the country's crucial oil hub
of Kirkuk, warning that Kurdish patience had limits.
"Our people are committed to Iraq, but their
patience is not unlimited. We as leaders are finding
it difficult to convince our people as to why our
demands are not being met," Nechirvan Barzani told
dignitaries in Erbil.
Iraq's Kurds have long dreamed of independence from
the Arab-led centre, but agreed to put demands on
hold following the US-led liberation of March 2003,
which they hoped would lead to improved relations
between the regions. |
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister
Nechirvan Barzani. |
Addressing guests at the opening of a new
US-financed water treatment plant in the capital of
Iraqi Kurdistan, Barzani said the central government
had yet to meet four key Kurdish demands.
"We demand a fair share of resources of the country,
the issue of Kirkuk to be resolved democratically,
freedom to share reconstruction funds and freedom to
democracy and political rights," he said.
"It is our natural right to share resources and we
must have access to the budgetary process. The time
is now to solve these problems," he said.
Speaking about wealthy and volatile Kirkuk, which
the Kurds want to incorporate into their autonomous
Kurdistan region, Barzani stressed: "Whatever is
taken by force should be returned peacefully and
democratically."
Iraq's constitution stipulates that the status of
Kirkuk, which sits atop a third of the country's
mammoth oil wealth, be settled by referendum before
the end of 2007, despite fears that this could fuel
ethnic violence.
A fractious ethnic mix of Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen
live in Kirkuk and any referendum on its future is
likely to provoke increased tensions.
On what he said would be his last visit to Iraqi
Kurdistan, outgoing US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay
Khalilzad, heaped praise on the region and
highlighted an Iraqi move towards greater
decentralisation.
"There has been too much violence and pain in many
parts of Iraq, but thank God not in Kurdistan," he
said.
"As you know Iraq is going through difficult
transition. I am proud that the tyrannical regime of
Saddam Hussein was overthrown by the US," he said.
He said: "The United States is committed to support
Iraq. We are partners in building a new Iraq. We are
committed to success in Iraq, but success requires
Iraqi leaders to make the right decisions and
compromises to reduce violence."
He also stressed that Iraq was now changing from a
centralised government rule to a "more
decentralised" regional governments.
"The Kurdistan of Iraq has taken the advantage of
opportunities," he said.
"The region is attracting investments after its
attractive investment laws. I urge you to encourage
and strengthen the rule of law and ensure everyone
is treated equally."
Before ending his speech he said "This will be the
last time I will be visiting you as ambassador. I
will be leaving Iraq in a few days. Kurdistan is my
blood. I will never forget Kurdistan and will
continue to do whatever I can for it in whatever
position I hold."
After opening the Irfaz water treatment plant at
Erbil, Khalilzad later went to meet Massoud Barzani,
president of the Kurdish regional government.
The plant is one of many projects financed by the US
in Kurdistan. The project cost is around 200 million
dollars.
AFP
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