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The Change List will not win the majority
of votes in any town or district: Barzan Ahmed
30.6.2009 |
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Barzan Ahmed says I believe that the Change List
will not win the majority of votes in any town or
district:
June
30, 2009
SULAIMANIYAH,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — Barzan Ahmed, the head of
the Sulaimaniyah center of the Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan tells Rudaw that officials who have left
his party to join the Change List are responsible
for the shortcoming of services in the areas the
administrated. The Change "Goran"
List, was formed by PUK’s former second in
command, Nawshirwan Mustafa
 .
Q: Now that
election campaigns have started, according to your
expectation, how many seats the Kurdistani List will
win in Sulaimaniyah?
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Barzan Ahmed, the head of the Sulaimaniyah center of
the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Photo: Rudaw |
Ahmad: I cannot
tell the number but…I expect that we will have a
great success. In Sulaimaniyah, we have set up 13
offices and 54 branches (for the election campaigns)
all crowded and visited by people.
Q: Don't you
expect any problem during the election campaigns?
Ahmad: We do our
best to keep the security, peace, democracy, and
accept opposite views. We also try to hold the
elections in a peaceful atmosphere.
Q: In an
interview with Rudaw, an official of the Kurdistan
Democratic Party (KDP) recently said that he said
the Change List might win the majority of votes in
some towns and districts. Do you share that idea?
Ahmad: I believe
that the Change List will not win in any town or
district because the Kurdistani List is far more
ahead.
Q: The Change
List claims that it is strongly supported in Garmian,
Sulaimaniyah, and Penjwen. Has the PUK witnessed any
set back in these areas?
Ahmad: No, it
has not. But those who now support the Change List
were and are still members of the PUK and they were
in charge of the government institutions in these
areas for the last 15 years. The fact is that they
are responsible for all the shortcomings of these
areas because they were in power.
Q: What list is
the main rival for the Kurdistani List in
Sulaimaniyah,www.ekurd.net
the Change List or the
Reform and Service List?
Ahmad: Both of
them compete with the Kurdistani List but none of
them is the main rival because the Kurdistani List
is very strong.
Q: Jalal
Talabani, Secretary General of the PUK, is back in
Sulaimaniyah to participate in election campaigns.
How much his presence will affect the campaigns for
the Kurdistani List?
Ahmad: I think
he plays a great role in encouraging people of all
classes especially in Sulaimaniyah and surroundings
(to vote for the Kurdistani List).
Q: Will Talabani
stay in Sulaimaniyah till the elections day or he
will hold some meeting and leave for Baghdad?
Ahmad: He will
definitely stay until the elections day.
Q: There are
some concerns that during the election campaigns
violence may occur. The Change List says that the
PUK and the KDP are to be held responsible in case
violence happens because they control the security
forces. What's your opinion?
Ahmad: They are
also to be held responsible. They also have
committed some violations such as writing slogans on
the walls and perform some illegal acts.
Q: A lawyer for
the Change List recently said that the list has
filed dozens of lawsuits against Talabani and the
PUK because of alleged election campaign violation.
Do you think that these lawsuits can have a negative
impact on the PUK?
Ahmad: I don't
think so, because those lawsuits are not
substantiated and are not legal. There might be also
hundreds of lawsuits filed against the Change List.
Q: There are
some concerns that not all the members and
supporters of the PUK would vote for Massoud
Barzani,www.ekurd.net
the incumbent president
of Kurdistan region, in the presidential election.
What is your opinion?
Ahmad: No, it is
not correct. The members of the PUK should have
trust the leadership and the strategic agreement
between the PUK and the KDP. We have announced that
Barzani as our candidate for the presidential
elections.
Q: So far, the
election campaigns of the Change List seem stronger
and more extensive than the Kurdistani List. Is this
because you are certain about your success or there
is another reason for it?
Ahmad: The
reason is that we are yet to launch our campaign
completely.
Q: Who is
supervising the election campaigns in Sulaimaniyah?
Ahmad: Dr.
Barham Saleh, the head of the Kurdistani List, is
supervising the campaigns.
Q: Have you
planned to challenge or debate the other lists on
television?
Ahmad: If it is
necessary we will take part in such debates. This
issue depends on the necessity and the situation
that we will face.
Q: Considering
all the points that we discussed, do you expect that
Sulaimaniyah will witness a peaceful election?
Ahmad: We have
informed all our members and supporters to avoid
violence. But if we face aggression from others we
will take legal actions.
[E]
The Change "Goran"
List, was formed by PUK’s former second in
command, Nawshirwan Mustafa. Mustafa, a former deputy leader and co-founder of PUK plans to head a political
group of independents called "Change" in the
region's upcoming parliamentary elections. He left Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan party (PUK)
in December 2006,www.ekurd.net
now owns a powerful media company, Wisha, the
company, which includes a television station,
newspaper and website, is now independent and highly
critical of local leaders.
Copyright, respective author or news agency,
Rudaw net
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