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Kurds and the New Iraq
11.2.2008
By Falah Mustafa Bakir. To the Editor
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February 11, 2008
To the Editor:
“Kurds Lose Sway in Iraq as Arabs Resist Demands”
(front page NY.Times,
Feb. 1):
The Kurds are not seeking to “seize control of the
oil-rich city of Kirkuk.” We have consistently
called for implementation of Article 140 of the
Iraqi Constitution to address the future of Kirkuk
and other towns that were ethnically cleansed by
Saddam Hussein.
On Dec. 26, 2007, the Kurdistan National Assembly
approved the United Nations’ suggestion to extend
the time needed for the referendum, which was
required to be held by December 2007, for technical
reasons. This was a significant concession by the
Kurds. |
Falah Mustafa Bakir, Minister of Foreign Relations
in Kurdistan Regional Government |
It is true that the
Kurds have had “close ties to the Americans” and
“have steadfastly backed the government” of Prime
Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. Our contribution to a
federal, democratic Iraq is indisputable and by
choice. Although so far we have given more than we
have gained from the new Iraq,www.ekurd.net
we are not seeking
independence, although it would be our right to do
so.
Like the United States, the Kurds have been
frustrated by Baghdad’s slow progress on many of the
political benchmarks, including the federal oil law.
But as champions of a free and federal Iraq, the
Kurds will continue to press for equitable sharing
of revenues and resources and for good governance
for all Iraqis.
Falah Mustafa Bakir. Minister, Head of the
Department of Foreign Relations. Kurdistan Regional
Government. Erbil, Iraq, Feb. 3, 2008
nytimes com
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