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Kurds Believe Foreign Interference is Holding Up Article 140
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By HEMIN BABAN and HEVIDAR AHMED on 09/06/2011 03:14:00
Politicians admit that neighboring countries are meddling in efforts to resolve
conflicts over Iraq’s disputed areas but maintain that it is up to the Iraqi
government to address the problem.
Adil Barwari, advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister for Kurdistan Affairs, said
Iraq’s neighboring countries are attempting to kill Article 140 of Iraq’s
constitution, which sets guidelines for resolving territorial disputes between
the Kurdistan region and Baghdad. Neighboring countries include Syria, Turkey
and Iran.
But Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Kamal Kirkuki said foreign interference does
not matter as long as Iraqis have the will to enforce the article.
“Those who try to eliminate this article want the situation to remain
unsolved. They don’t want Iraq united and developed,” said Kirkuki. “If
there are foreign powers preventing this process it isn’t important... We
should look at every option to make sure this article is implemented.”
After the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, the new Iraqi government
added Article 58 —later changed to article 140 in the permanent
constitution— to Iraq’s constitution to address disputes over areas that
stretch along the border between the autonomous Kurdistan region and the rest of
Iraq. Perhaps the most important area is oil-rich Kirkuk province, which is
claimed by both Arabs and Kurds.
Narmin Osman, Vice-Chairman of the Iraqi government’s Committee to Implement
Article 140, agrees with the Prime Minister’s advisor that Iraq’s neighbors
are intervening to stop implementing the article.
“The regional countries that have their own Kurdish problem do not want this
article implemented and Iraq stabilized,” said Osman.
“The federal constitution has outlined the solution for every problem,"
According to Osman, neighboring nations fear this article because “they are
concerned that the Kurdistan region will expand territorially by attaching …
disputed areas there will be the possibility of creating an independent
Kurdistan that will have a strong economy.”
The Iraqi constitution set a deadline of December 2007 to resolve the disputed
areas, but after more than four years not much has been done. Kirkuki warned the
public’s patience may soon run out.
“The implementation of Article 140 has been delayed for a long time, and if
it’s delayed further the excuses of the government won’t be enough,” said
Kirkuki. “Eventually people will take to the streets and call for the
implementation of the article. So if anyone thinks that implementing this
article will cause problems, it’s actually exactly the opposite.”
Kirkuki’s argued that citizens are inspired by the new wave of protests that
have swept the Middle East, maintaining that people living in the disputed areas
will take matters into their own hands and hold the Iraqi government to account
unless the matter is addressed.
“It is the era of rule of law, democracy and respect for the constitution,”
said Kirkuki. “The federal constitution has outlined the solution for every
problem, but if it isn’t implemented people will force it to happen. (Prime
Minister Nuri) al-Maliki personally wants this article to be implemented. But
Iraq is a complex place. It is a country only by name.”
Kurds reiterate that they want everything to be solved through Article 140,
which mandates that Iraqis who were displaced in disputed territories under
Saddam Hussein’s regime to return to the homes. It also mandates that a census
and then a public vote be held on whether a regional or federal government
should govern the province. The implementation of the article has been
perpetually delayed over concerns that Kirkuk’s security is unstable.
In an interview with the pan-Arab Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Kurdistan Region
President Massoud Barzani said, “If this article is dead it means the
constitution is dead. And if the constitution is dead it means Iraq is
finished.”
Kirkuk is home to several ethnic and religious groups -- Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen,
and Christians – most of whom claim ownership of the province. However,
Kirkuki believes that the majority of the residents of Kirkuk want peace.
“It’s time to hold sit-ins and act like Gandhi."
Recently the chairman of Kirkuk’s City Council, a Kurd, stepped down and the
post was given to a Turkman.
“We see the Turkmen as one of us,” said Kirkuki. “When we gave this post
to a Turkman it was gesture of good will because the Kurds don’t see anyone as
a threat and most of the Turkmen want peace to prevail.”
Kirkuki admitted that the neighboring countries such as Iran and Turkey as well
the United States and United Kingdom and France can influence the situation,
“but they say it is an Iraqi issue and Article 140 is part of the
constitution, which should be respected.”
Rakan Jaburi, Deputy Governor of Kirkuk, said the interference of neighboring
countries in Article 140 is to be expected “because the Kurds are in charge
here and that’s why outside help is sought (by other groups).”
He also places blame on the Iraqi government.
“The negligence of Iraq’s [government] regarding this issue is also why
others are called in,” Jaburi said.
Responding to those who believe that Kurds should re-take Kirkuk by armed
struggle, Kirkuki said that violence is not the answer. He instead suggested
peaceful measures such as peaceful protests.
“We don’t want to see war and loss of lives in Kirkuk,” he said.
“It’s time to hold sit-ins and act like Gandhi. The best option for Article
140 is to take to the streets which we can do at any time.
“You can take back Kirkuk with people. Sit on the streets, disrupt the daily
life and demand your rights,” he said.
Arshad Salihi, a Turkman member of the Iraqi Parliament, said that Article 140
must be implemented in a way that serves the interests of the people of Kirkuk.
“If the article is implemented with flaws it is our right to seek (help) from
our friends, whether they inside Iraq or outside,” Salihi said.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
================================================================================
By HEMIN BABAN and HEVIDAR AHMED on 09/06/2011 03:14:00
Politicians admit that neighboring countries are meddling in efforts to resolve
conflicts over Iraq’s disputed areas but maintain that it is up to the Iraqi
government to address the problem.
Adil Barwari, advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister for Kurdistan Affairs, said
Iraq’s neighboring countries are attempting to kill Article 140 of Iraq’s
constitution, which sets guidelines for resolving territorial disputes between
the Kurdistan region and Baghdad. Neighboring countries include Syria, Turkey
and Iran.
But Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Kamal Kirkuki said foreign interference does
not matter as long as Iraqis have the will to enforce the article.
“Those who try to eliminate this article want the situation to remain
unsolved. They don’t want Iraq united and developed,” said Kirkuki. “If
there are foreign powers preventing this process it isn’t important... We
should look at every option to make sure this article is implemented.”
After the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, the new Iraqi government
added Article 58 —later changed to article 140 in the permanent
constitution— to Iraq’s constitution to address disputes over areas that
stretch along the border between the autonomous Kurdistan region and the rest of
Iraq. Perhaps the most important area is oil-rich Kirkuk province, which is
claimed by both Arabs and Kurds.
Narmin Osman, Vice-Chairman of the Iraqi government’s Committee to Implement
Article 140, agrees with the Prime Minister’s advisor that Iraq’s neighbors
are intervening to stop implementing the article.
“The regional countries that have their own Kurdish problem do not want this
article implemented and Iraq stabilized,” said Osman.
“The federal constitution has outlined the solution for every problem,"
According to Osman, neighboring nations fear this article because “they are
concerned that the Kurdistan region will expand territorially by attaching …
disputed areas there will be the possibility of creating an independent
Kurdistan that will have a strong economy.”
The Iraqi constitution set a deadline of December 2007 to resolve the disputed
areas, but after more than four years not much has been done. Kirkuki warned the
public’s patience may soon run out.
“The implementation of Article 140 has been delayed for a long time, and if
it’s delayed further the excuses of the government won’t be enough,” said
Kirkuki. “Eventually people will take to the streets and call for the
implementation of the article. So if anyone thinks that implementing this
article will cause problems, it’s actually exactly the opposite.”
Kirkuki’s argued that citizens are inspired by the new wave of protests that
have swept the Middle East, maintaining that people living in the disputed areas
will take matters into their own hands and hold the Iraqi government to account
unless the matter is addressed.
“It is the era of rule of law, democracy and respect for the constitution,”
said Kirkuki. “The federal constitution has outlined the solution for every
problem, but if it isn’t implemented people will force it to happen. (Prime
Minister Nuri) al-Maliki personally wants this article to be implemented. But
Iraq is a complex place. It is a country only by name.”
Kurds reiterate that they want everything to be solved through Article 140,
which mandates that Iraqis who were displaced in disputed territories under
Saddam Hussein’s regime to return to the homes. It also mandates that a census
and then a public vote be held on whether a regional or federal government
should govern the province. The implementation of the article has been
perpetually delayed over concerns that Kirkuk’s security is unstable.
In an interview with the pan-Arab Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Kurdistan Region
President Massoud Barzani said, “If this article is dead it means the
constitution is dead. And if the constitution is dead it means Iraq is
finished.”
Kirkuk is home to several ethnic and religious groups -- Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen,
and Christians – most of whom claim ownership of the province. However,
Kirkuki believes that the majority of the residents of Kirkuk want peace.
“It’s time to hold sit-ins and act like Gandhi."
Recently the chairman of Kirkuk’s City Council, a Kurd, stepped down and the
post was given to a Turkman.
“We see the Turkmen as one of us,” said Kirkuki. “When we gave this post
to a Turkman it was gesture of good will because the Kurds don’t see anyone as
a threat and most of the Turkmen want peace to prevail.”
Kirkuki admitted that the neighboring countries such as Iran and Turkey as well
the United States and United Kingdom and France can influence the situation,
“but they say it is an Iraqi issue and Article 140 is part of the
constitution, which should be respected.”
Rakan Jaburi, Deputy Governor of Kirkuk, said the interference of neighboring
countries in Article 140 is to be expected “because the Kurds are in charge
here and that’s why outside help is sought (by other groups).”
He also places blame on the Iraqi government.
“The negligence of Iraq’s [government] regarding this issue is also why
others are called in,” Jaburi said.
Responding to those who believe that Kurds should re-take Kirkuk by armed
struggle, Kirkuki said that violence is not the answer. He instead suggested
peaceful measures such as peaceful protests.
“We don’t want to see war and loss of lives in Kirkuk,” he said.
“It’s time to hold sit-ins and act like Gandhi. The best option for Article
140 is to take to the streets which we can do at any time.
“You can take back Kirkuk with people. Sit on the streets, disrupt the daily
life and demand your rights,” he said.
Arshad Salihi, a Turkman member of the Iraqi Parliament, said that Article 140
must be implemented in a way that serves the interests of the people of Kirkuk.
“If the article is implemented with flaws it is our right to seek (help) from
our friends, whether they inside Iraq or outside,” Salihi said.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
