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I’m against extending my term, no longer mediate in Syrian Kurds’ rifts: Massoud Barzani
4/23/15
Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani said he was against prolonging his term by the region’s parliament and stated the Dohuk deal between Syrian Kurds was unsuccessful and he would not mediate in tension between Syrian Kurds any longer.
In an interview with VOA, Barzani spoke talked about other important issues, including expected operation to release Mosul, Kurdish independence and his term. The translation of full interview is as follows:
Mr. Barzani is a positive perspective expected for Erbil-Baghdad tensions since 2003, after Haider al-Abadi’s visit to Erbil?
Undoubtedly the visit has had and will have a positive impact. But a visit is not expected to solve all disputes. It would be relatively influential.
Are Erbil- Baghdad disputes political or economic?
Both, It includes both
Are delegations meeting each other?
Yes, we decided to establish a committee to consider the problem and solve disputes and we hope it would end into a result.
Mr. Barzani, Iran plays a significant role in Iraq developments. As Kurdistan Region President, how positive do you see the role?
Iran can play as a neighbor. It is not something hidden that Iran plays role in Iraq. We believe that Iran, as a neighbor, should keep balance in its ties with neighbors.
Has Kurdistan Region relation with Turkey affected your political tie with Iran?
No, from the beginning we have kept balance in our ties with neighbors.
Iraq is not stable; there are economic problem, Daesh (IS) threat and Iraqi government relation with a number of parties. Kurdistan region sees itself with which political line?
We see ourselves close to the line that believes in political logic, peaceful coexistence and accepting the other. Whether Sunni lines or Shiite lines. There are minds that do not believe in the bases and rules. We have a good tie with whatever line that believes in accepting the other and joint cooperation.
Iran played role in liberating Tekrit; will it participate in Mosul operation?
I don’t think so. As long as we have agreed with the issue’s sides, Iran would not attend.
Has any road map or special plan been prepared to liberate Mosul?
We have agreed with Haider al-Abadi that the military attack map would be prepared by a military delegation from all sides. The delegation is making preparations. The final plan has not been passed yet.
Mr. Barzani we have gone to war fronts in the past days. The Peshmerga under your command were unsatisfied with lack of facilities and arms. Have your meetings with Western leaders led into providing arms for war fronts?
Unfortunately our needed weapons have not end in Peshmerga’s hands. Although the coalition air strikes, a number of Milan missiles and French 20- millimeter DSHK should not be neglected. But these are not enough.
Aside from Syria, many political analysts believe the Daesh war is the extension of disputes between Sunnis and Shiites. Many experts and opposition parties in Kurdistan Region believe the disputes will hit Kurdistan region if the region would possibly participate in Mosul operation, what do you think?
We should not forget that Kurdistan region is under threat as long as Daesh is in Mosul. Daesh defeat in Mosul is within Kurdistan Region’s benefits. We see the situation as Mosul operation is a good opportunity to dwindle Shiite-Sunni tensions would if both sides work cooperatively.
Has Kurdistan Region or Peshmerga ministry made any precondition for participation in Mosul war?
No, we have no precondition to hit Daesh. I have repeatedly stated that we would participate in any possibility that would hit Daesh and would appreciate any lines and groups that would participate.
There were reports that Turkey’s participation is a possibility. Will Turkey attend in the operation?
If you mean physical participation, I don’t think any of Iran and Turkey would be allowed to do so and there is no need for their presence. But we will be grateful if there would be military advisors and arms support.
We saw Kurdish parties from Iran, Syria and Turkey at the war fronts. Have you officially invited them to participate in the war?
No, they have attended voluntarily and we appreciate them.
Is there any party that Kurdistan Region has banned it presence at war front?
As long as I know, no.
You mediated between Syrian Kurdish parties a number of times, for example Dohuk and Erbil gatherings. Does you government have any plans to settle differences among Syrian Kurdish parties?
No there is not any new project. Dohuk deal was definitely our last effort. If Syrian parties stay with the accord, we stay with it too, but if they do not we have no new project.
What conditions would the stay include?
The accord’s articles are clear and they should work according to them. We have no condition. Our condition is they should stay with the deal.
Are there Peshmerga forces at Syria Kurdistan or Rojava front?
Yes, Peshmerga and YPG forces are fighting together against the terrorists on borders and in Kobani.
Many times, Turkish officials point to your role in the peace process with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Does PKK confirm the role in practice?
It is better to ask the question from PKK leadership.
I asked the question in an interview with Mr. Cemil Bayik. My answer was they welcome the process. But in practice, is do not know.
We will do whatever we can for the peace process. Welcoming or no is not important. Reaching a peace is important.
Another issue is prolonging your term as Kurdistan Region President until elections. I asked the issue from parliament speaker, what do you think?
I would not agree with extending my term at all. The issue is related to parliament. I wrote a letter to parliament two years ago and asked them to solve the issue. It is something that parliament would decide about it once again.
Due to tensions with Baghdad, you talked about Kurdistan Region’s independence last summer. Do you still think so after a year?
Kurdistan Region’s independence process is a process that nothing would halt it. The process is going on. But I have always stated that the issue will result in an end with understanding between sides not war and violence.
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4/23/15
Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani said he was against prolonging his term by the region’s parliament and stated the Dohuk deal between Syrian Kurds was unsuccessful and he would not mediate in tension between Syrian Kurds any longer.
In an interview with VOA, Barzani spoke talked about other important issues, including expected operation to release Mosul, Kurdish independence and his term. The translation of full interview is as follows:
Mr. Barzani is a positive perspective expected for Erbil-Baghdad tensions since 2003, after Haider al-Abadi’s visit to Erbil?
Undoubtedly the visit has had and will have a positive impact. But a visit is not expected to solve all disputes. It would be relatively influential.
Are Erbil- Baghdad disputes political or economic?
Both, It includes both
Are delegations meeting each other?
Yes, we decided to establish a committee to consider the problem and solve disputes and we hope it would end into a result.
Mr. Barzani, Iran plays a significant role in Iraq developments. As Kurdistan Region President, how positive do you see the role?
Iran can play as a neighbor. It is not something hidden that Iran plays role in Iraq. We believe that Iran, as a neighbor, should keep balance in its ties with neighbors.
Has Kurdistan Region relation with Turkey affected your political tie with Iran?
No, from the beginning we have kept balance in our ties with neighbors.
Iraq is not stable; there are economic problem, Daesh (IS) threat and Iraqi government relation with a number of parties. Kurdistan region sees itself with which political line?
We see ourselves close to the line that believes in political logic, peaceful coexistence and accepting the other. Whether Sunni lines or Shiite lines. There are minds that do not believe in the bases and rules. We have a good tie with whatever line that believes in accepting the other and joint cooperation.
Iran played role in liberating Tekrit; will it participate in Mosul operation?
I don’t think so. As long as we have agreed with the issue’s sides, Iran would not attend.
Has any road map or special plan been prepared to liberate Mosul?
We have agreed with Haider al-Abadi that the military attack map would be prepared by a military delegation from all sides. The delegation is making preparations. The final plan has not been passed yet.
Mr. Barzani we have gone to war fronts in the past days. The Peshmerga under your command were unsatisfied with lack of facilities and arms. Have your meetings with Western leaders led into providing arms for war fronts?
Unfortunately our needed weapons have not end in Peshmerga’s hands. Although the coalition air strikes, a number of Milan missiles and French 20- millimeter DSHK should not be neglected. But these are not enough.
Aside from Syria, many political analysts believe the Daesh war is the extension of disputes between Sunnis and Shiites. Many experts and opposition parties in Kurdistan Region believe the disputes will hit Kurdistan region if the region would possibly participate in Mosul operation, what do you think?
We should not forget that Kurdistan region is under threat as long as Daesh is in Mosul. Daesh defeat in Mosul is within Kurdistan Region’s benefits. We see the situation as Mosul operation is a good opportunity to dwindle Shiite-Sunni tensions would if both sides work cooperatively.
Has Kurdistan Region or Peshmerga ministry made any precondition for participation in Mosul war?
No, we have no precondition to hit Daesh. I have repeatedly stated that we would participate in any possibility that would hit Daesh and would appreciate any lines and groups that would participate.
There were reports that Turkey’s participation is a possibility. Will Turkey attend in the operation?
If you mean physical participation, I don’t think any of Iran and Turkey would be allowed to do so and there is no need for their presence. But we will be grateful if there would be military advisors and arms support.
We saw Kurdish parties from Iran, Syria and Turkey at the war fronts. Have you officially invited them to participate in the war?
No, they have attended voluntarily and we appreciate them.
Is there any party that Kurdistan Region has banned it presence at war front?
As long as I know, no.
You mediated between Syrian Kurdish parties a number of times, for example Dohuk and Erbil gatherings. Does you government have any plans to settle differences among Syrian Kurdish parties?
No there is not any new project. Dohuk deal was definitely our last effort. If Syrian parties stay with the accord, we stay with it too, but if they do not we have no new project.
What conditions would the stay include?
The accord’s articles are clear and they should work according to them. We have no condition. Our condition is they should stay with the deal.
Are there Peshmerga forces at Syria Kurdistan or Rojava front?
Yes, Peshmerga and YPG forces are fighting together against the terrorists on borders and in Kobani.
Many times, Turkish officials point to your role in the peace process with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Does PKK confirm the role in practice?
It is better to ask the question from PKK leadership.
I asked the question in an interview with Mr. Cemil Bayik. My answer was they welcome the process. But in practice, is do not know.
We will do whatever we can for the peace process. Welcoming or no is not important. Reaching a peace is important.
Another issue is prolonging your term as Kurdistan Region President until elections. I asked the issue from parliament speaker, what do you think?
I would not agree with extending my term at all. The issue is related to parliament. I wrote a letter to parliament two years ago and asked them to solve the issue. It is something that parliament would decide about it once again.
Due to tensions with Baghdad, you talked about Kurdistan Region’s independence last summer. Do you still think so after a year?
Kurdistan Region’s independence process is a process that nothing would halt it. The process is going on. But I have always stated that the issue will result in an end with understanding between sides not war and violence.
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