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As long as Iraq abides by constitution
we’re Iraqis: Kurdistan Region president
11.3.2010 |
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March
11, 2010
ERBIL-Hewlêr,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — The tricky process of
coalition building in Iraq is underway while the
country awaits the preliminary results of the recent
parliamentary elections.
Massoud Barzani, the president of its relatively
stable federal region of Kurdistan spoke to RT about
the future prospects for the country's development
towards peace.
RT: The
international community has focused much attention
on the historic federal election in Iraq that could
form the entire future of the country. Could you
explain to us: what is Kurdistan and how is it
different from the rest of Iraq?
Barzani:
First of all you are most welcome. Iraq has been a
bi-national country ever since it was established
after the First World War. Iraq was established with
Arabs and Kurds being the two major nations in Iraq.
|
Video in English- Interview with
Massoud Barzani, the President of the autonomous
Kurdistan region in Iraq's north, RT TV. |
But unfortunately the
partnership between the Kurds and the Arabs has not
been working, they have not allowed for the
opportunity for this partnership to work since the
establishment of the Iraqi state at that time, until
1991 when the Kurdish people had their glorious
uprising and also the political and international
equations and the interest of the international
community has changed. Since the uprising in 1991,
the situation has changed and the Kurds have a happy
opportunity to have their own space and the ability
to govern themselves.
After the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime in
2003, the Kurds have played a very important role in
the new political process in Iraq and in drafting
the new constitution, and, as you know, in the last
couple of days you have been able to see the
elections in the rest of Iraq and in this region.
As you know, after 2003 the security situation in
the rest of Iraq has deteriorated, but thanks to God
our own people manage to have their own security and
their own stability throughout this region.
RT: In the past
there have been clashes between Kurdistan and
Baghdad, or at the very least a difference in
ideology. Is this something that can be overcome?
Barzani: In that
situation the clashes were based on the denials of
our rights. But now the situation is different, Iraq
has its own constitution that defines and stipulates
the duties of everyone. Kurds are a genuine part of
the founding fathers of the new Iraq, and as long as
the government is committed to and abides by this
constitution, I don’t think there will be any future
problems.
RT: Moving on to
the elections you have mentioned, the international
community has hailed this process as a success;
something very positive for Iraq. Do you feel,
despite the violence in Baghdad, that overall the
election has been a success both for Iraq and for
Kurdistan?
Barzani: We also
think it was a very successful process!
RT: What does
this election mean to the people of Kurdistan?
What’s at stake? What does it mean for the people of
Kurdistan?
Barzani: For us
this election means electing a representative of the
Kurdish people to the Iraqi Parliament. That is a
different front to fight, but the weapon they will
have is the constitution,www.ekurd.netbecause there are certain
articles within the constitution that need to be
detailed and have new laws, and especially the
implementation and enforcement of article 140 which
specifies the situation with the disputed
territories. So there are many issues that we have
to work on.
RT: One of the
first things you notice when flying into Erbil (the
capital of Kurdistan Autonomous Region and
third-largest city in Iraq) is the phrase “A
different Iraq”. Can you explain what this means?
What is unique about Kurdistan and what does this
phrase mean?
Barzani: We are
part of Iraq, this area is Iraq. This area is Iraq.
We don’t say that it is a different place, but we
are saying there is security and stability in this
region and also we have our own culture, our own
traditions and history.
RT: So, as part
of Iraq, this idea of a more secure Iraq is it
important to help in developing Kurdistan and making
it a place for people to come?
Barzani:
Definitely! The security and stability of this
region has led to foreign companies and foreign
investments into this area and also to help use
Kurdistan as a launching pad to help groups invest
in the rest of Iraq.
RT: Do Iraqi
Kurds consider themselves as Iraqis?
Barzani: The
culture of tolerance in Kurdistan is one thing we
are very proud of. The Kurds are very tolerant in
their nature. In 1991, two units of the Iraqi army
surrendered to the Kurdish people. These Iraqi
forces were responsible for the destruction of 4,500
villages and genocide campaigns, the massacres and
the destruction in this area, but despite this,
these tragedies they caused us, none of them were
insulted or degraded. They were all respected, and
with that respect they were sent back to their
homes.
As long as Iraq abides by this constitution we are
indeed Iraqis, but we are the Kurds of Iraq.
RT: How
autonomous is Kurdistan from Baghdad?
Barzani: It has
been stipulated in the Iraqi constitution that Iraq
is a federal country and Kurdistan is a federal
region, a part within that country.
RT: What future
do you see for both Iraq and Kurdistan without the
US [troops] presence?
Barzani: A
little over a month ago I met with President Obama
and we discussed this very issue. I asked if the
withdrawal of American forces in Iraq meant the end
of America’s engagement with Iraq. He answered that
the withdrawal of troops does not mean the end of
the engagement. We deem it very ordinary for the
troops to go home from Iraq, but that the
relationship with the Americans will be continuous.
RT: What are
your views on Russia-Iraqi relations and
Russia-Kurdistan relations?
Barzani: We
would like to have a strong relationship with
Russia, both between Russia and Iraq and the
Kurdistan Region. What we have noticed now are some
developments in that relationship between the two
countries. As far as the Kurdistan Region is concerned,www.ekurd.netwe haven’t seen such seriousness in
developing proper relations and we would like to see
such seriousness in the future.
RT: How do you
think the situation in Iraq is affecting relations
with Turkey, Israel and the US?
Barzani: We are
living in a region where the internal situation in
Iraq will indeed have an affect on the region as a
whole, but also their situation will also have an
affect on what happens here in Iraq as well.
RT: Is there
anything else that you would like to share with our
viewers in the world?
Barzani: No,
just many thanks.
Copyright, respective author or news agency, RT TV
Channel | rt com
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