|
Miliband and Barzani discuss Turkey,
Article 140 and political progress in Iraq
25.4.2008
|
|
|
April 25, 2008
Salahaddin, Kurdistan region 'Iraq, --
President Massoud Barzani yesterday met Mr David
Miliband, the British Foreign and Commonwealth
Secretary, to discuss political progress in Iraq,
relations with Turkey and Article 140 of the
Constitution.
The Kurdistan Region President welcomed the UK's
Foreign Secretary on his second visit in five
months. They touched on a wide range of issues in a
meeting attended by Vice President Kosrat Rasul,
Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Deputy Prime
Minister Omer Fattah and other officials.
At a press conference following their meeting
President Barzani said on Article 140, "This is a
constitutional commitment, and there is a clear road
map on how to solve this major historic problem.
Indeed, we are working hard to solve this issue, but
this does not mean that it will be forgotten because
of delays or the passage of time. |
Massoud Barzani (R), the President of the autonomous Regional
Government of Kurdistan 'Iraq' and David Miliband
(L), the British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary
|
The main point for us is
to look for the best possible way to solve this
issue, as it is clearly stipulated in the
Constitution."
Miliband said it was necessary for the Turkish
government,www.ekurd.net
the Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq
to "bridge the divide" and find a lasting settlement
to the situation with Turkey. The Turkish military
in recent months launched military operations
against the PKK on the border with Kurdistan Region
in Iraq.
Mr Miliband said: "There can be no military solution
and there must be a political process," a view
shared by President Barzani who said he was ready to
do whatever is necessary to help find a political
solution.
The meeting with the Foreign Secretary also focused
on the situation in Basra and the support given to
Prime Minister Mailiki by President Barzani and
President Jalal Talabani of Iraq. Mr Miliband said
that support was important, and that he saw a a
change in the political dynamics of Iraq which could
lead to greater unity and political progress, for
example, in passing key legislation such as the
hydrocarbons law.
Miliband and the President also discussed Article
140 of the Constitution on the issue of disputed
territories such as Kirkuk. Miliband expressed his
support for the role of the United Nations in
implementing Article 140 and, speaking at a press
conference after the meeting, said the delays in
implementation so far should not been seen as Kirkuk
had been forgotten.
Deputy Prime Minsiter Fattah gave Mr Miliband an
overview of the economic progress in Kurdistan
Region. At the press conference with President
Barzani, Mr Miliband said, "I think there big
opportunities for British investment and companies
and there is some responsibility on me to make sure
that people know the real story of the north of
Iraq, and that people know the real peace and
prosperity that exists here".
Mr Miliband extended an invitation to President
Barzani to visit Great Britain, which the President
accepted.
Copyright, respective author or news agency,
krg org
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 