Guest views are now limited to 12 pages. If you get an "Error" message, just sign in! If you need to create an account, click here.

Jump to content
  • CRYPTO REWARDS!

    Full endorsement on this opportunity - but it's limited, so get in while you can!

Parliamentary power: Kurds did not provide a convincing justification for non-commitment to pay oil money


Recommended Posts

VIDEO: A PUK Wing Hands Over Some Areas of Kirkuk to Hashd Al-Shaabi

 

Basnews English

13/10/2017 - 12:17

 
 
VIDEO: A PUK Wing Hands Over Some Areas of Kirkuk to Hashd Al-Shaabi
 


ERBIL — A wing within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has secretly arranged an agreement with Hashd al-Shaabi to hand over some areas in southern Kirkuk to the Shi’ite militias.

According to the information obtained by BasNews, the agreement has been made by the influential wing of the PUK. Last night, the PUK-affiliated Peshmerga forces abandoned some areas in Tuz Khurmatu and Maktab Khalid and Hashd al-Shaabi have taken control of those areas.

Wasta Rasoul, the commander of Peshmerga in the area, is affiliated with the PUK’s influential wing.

Hashd al-Shaabi has released a video, stating that the Shi'ite militias and Iraqi security forces seized control of two villages south of Kirkuk after withdrawal of Peshmerga forces.

Late on Thursday, Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) warned of an imminent military offensive by the Baghdad-backed Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaab on Bashir and Taza in southern Kirkuk.

According to KRSC, the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi militias are equipped with tanks, mortars, humvees, and artilleries.

Some PUK officials were reportedly involved in a conspiracy devised by the central government in Baghdad to attack the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk.

According to the information obtained by BasNews, the son of late PUK secretary General, Pavel Talabani, head of PUK Intelligence, Lahour Talabani, and also Aras Jangi are involved in the plan.

Under pressure of Tehran and Baghdad, the PUK officials agreed to back the Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi in their plan to takeover Kirkuk and push Peshmerga back.

However, the real PUK leadership, led by the Deputy Secretary General Kosrat Rasool are not on the same side as they have already taken position in Kirkuk to defend the province against any possible Baghdad military assaults.

The growing tension between Erbil and Baghdad is following an independence referendum the Kurdistan Region held last month, during which over 92% voted “Yes” to statehood.

Media
 
 
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Peshmerga Will Strongly Defend Kurdistan Against All Threats: General Command

 

Basnews English

13/10/2017 - 14:16

 
 
Peshmerga Will Strongly Defend Kurdistan Against All Threats: General Command
 

 

ERBIL — The General Command of the Peshmerga Forces of Kurdistan Region stated on Friday that the Peshmerga forces are ready to defend the people and land of Kurdistan against all threats.

“The Peshmerga Forces must be in the highest state of readiness to defend people and land of Kurdistan and retaliate against all threats or attacks,” reads the Peshmerga Command’s statement.

Last night, the Arab Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi and number of Iraqi forces were deployed to attack the Peshmerga-held areas, particularly around Kirkuk, the statement said.

“The deployment follows foreign meddling and provocation, and threatening statements by the Iraqi military and political figures attacking people of Kurdistan,” the statement continued.

The Peshmerga Command warned that if the situation is left unaddressed by the international community, it will lead to a “grave disaster.”

“We're against violence and bloodshed,” the statement said, calling on Baghdad to take peaceful means to resolve the differences and avoid using force to impose its will.

Peshmerga further noted that “Threats, attacks and provocations are unacceptable and will not address the differences,” reiterating that “Peshmerga will strongly defend the people of Kurdistan” and Baghdad should stop the language of war and attempts to impose its will on people of Kurdistan.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/385199

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

PUK Forces Withdrawal from Some Kirkuk Positions “Military Plan”: Commander

 

Basnews English

13/10/2017 - 14:37

 
 
PUK Forces Withdrawal from Some Kirkuk Positions “Military Plan”: Commander
 

KIRKUK — The withdrawal of some units of the Peshmerga forces from the positions in southern Kirkuk, and handing them over to the Baghdad-backed Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi was part of a military plan, said Sheikh Jaafar, Commander of PUK’s Unit 70 of Peshmerga.

Late on Thursday, the Iraqi government deployed thousands of Hashd al-Shaabi militias, army troops and federal police forces to Bashir and Taza districts in southern Kirkuk province in a bid to takeover the territories held by Peshmerga.

Jaafar told reporters on Friday that the Peshmerga units in the area were asked by the Shi’ite militias to allow them cross through Bashir village into central Kirkuk, but the demand was rejected.

He revealed that the Kurdish forces later, in accordance to a previous military plan, withdrew from some positions as the geographic location was not in favour of the Peshmerga for any possible confrontation.

Following the withdrawal, the Hashd al-Shaabi militias have taken control of the positions. Pictures going viral on social media show the Shi’ite militias burning and insulting the Kurdistan flags left there.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/385201

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

US Congressman Calls for De-escalation of Iranian-backed Militia’s Mobilization Against Kurds

 

Basnews English

13/10/2017 - 15:25

 
 
US Congressman Calls for De-escalation of Iranian-backed Militia’s Mobilization Against Kurds
 

 

ERBIL — In a press release on October 12, Congressman Trent Franks urged the US government to defend the Kurds against the threats of the Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi.
 
“The Iraqi government must demand these militias to deescalate and decamp their forces. I urge Iraqi Prime Minister al-Abadi to fulfill the pledge made less than two weeks ago to prevent any external or internal attacks against the Kurds,” Franks said.
 
“In midst of our success against the Islamic State, Iran has clearly been embedding itself as deeply as possible into the Iraqi government and military,” the Congressman explained, noting that “Our fight against ISIS will be for nothing if it results in ceding control of Iraq to Iran.”

Rep. Franks called on the US to stop being indifferent towards Kurds, describing them as “our loyal allies” and embrace their self-determination.

“Consequently, it is time for the American government to cease its studied indifference to our loyal allies, the Kurds. We must embrace the Kurdish self-determination, encourage increased control of the Nineveh Plain by indigenous Christian defense forces and demand Baghdad to cease their duplicitous relationship with Iran..,” he said.

The US Congressman previously introduced a bill, calling for the recognition of Kurdistan Region’s independence.

Kurdistan Region held an independence vote on September 25 in which the vast majority, 92.7 percent, voted in favor of secession from Baghdad.

Following the vote, Turkey, Iran and the central government in Baghdad, threatened Kurdistan with sanctions and military actions. The latest threats are coming from the Hashd al-Shaabi militias which have deployed a large number of troops and heavy arms to areas around Kirkuk.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/385210

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

State Department: US Closely Monitoring Situation in Kirkuk

 

Basnews English

13/10/2017 - 16:21

 
 
State Department: US Closely Monitoring Situation in Kirkuk
 


ERBIL — The US is “closely” monitoring the situation in Kirkuk where the Arab Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi are intending to attack the Peshmerga forces in the province, said the spokesperson of the US Department of State on Thursday.

Peshmerga did not allow Kirkuk and the surrounding areas to fall to the Islamic State (IS) after the Iraqi army abandoned the city in the wake of IS attack on Iraq and left the people to their fate in 2014.

Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi forces have mobilized heavy forces around Kirkuk with the intention of invading the city.

“We’re certainly monitoring that situation very closely. We have consistently called on the various parties to oppose violence of any sort,” said Heather Nauert, the US State Department’s Spokesperson during a press briefing on Thursday.

“We do not want to see any destabilizing activities take place and distract from the fight against ISIS,” she noted.

Baghdad has confirmed that the Iraqi forces are only focusing on targeting IS, Nauert said, adding “We take them at their word and would certainly hope that no violence would occur beyond going after ISIS.”

Late on Thursday, Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) warned of an imminent military offensive by the Baghdad-backed Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaab in Bashir and Taza in southern Kirkuk.

According to KRSC, the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi militias were heavily equipped with tanks, mortars, humvees, and artilleries.

The growing tension between Erbil and Baghdad began following an independence referendum the Kurdistan Region held last month, in which over 92% voted for secession from Iraq.

 

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/385214

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tens of Thousands of Peshmerga Troops Arrive in Kirkuk

 

Peshmerga prepares to respond to Baghdad’s threats

 

Basnews English

13/10/2017 - 10:41

 
 
Tens of Thousands of Peshmerga Troops Arrive in Kirkuk
 


KIRKUK — A security source from Kirkuk revealed that tens of thousands of Peshmerga forces equipped with heavy arms arrived in Kirkuk Province to respond to any offensives by the Iraqi forces.

Security forces in Kirkuk said in a statement on Friday that tens of thousands of Peshmerga troops from Zeravani special forces and Gullan Brigade equipped with a large number of heavy arms and munitions arrived in Kirkuk.

“We promise the people of Kirkuk that we won’t allow any forces of enemies to set foot in Kurdistan’s territories,” the statement reads.

The military reinforcement was sent after Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) said that Baghdad has amassed a large number of troops and Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi in Taza and Bashir villages, south of Kirkuk, planning to attack the nearby oilfields, airport, and military bases.

According to KRSC, the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi militias are equipped with tanks, mortars, humvees, and artilleries.

 
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, boosterbglee said:

We really don't know what's going on .......I can't fathom they would finish one war and start another....they must have a huge war chest of other countries money!

 

1 hour ago, 10 YEARS LATER said:

They are really Ginning up the Sabre Rattling - keep the " crisis " at fever pitch ! Ridiculous isn't it.

 

Hear me out a little on this. Civil War benefits no one. The Ruskers (Russians) are all excited about their new Kurdistan Oil deal and a Civil War with Kurdistan and Baghdad would not fit their or anyone else's financial goals.

 

There is an Iraqi heading the controversial and powerful UN Nuclear and Disarmament Committee. With the US decertification of the 5 + 1 Iranian Nuclear Deal coming up, the Iraqi representative to the UN Nuclear and Disarmament Committee could come up with some creative and effective ways (with some help maybe?) to disarm the Iranian militias (IMIS, Qud, Qasem Soleimani, etc.) in Iraq and get them out of Iraq so that Iraq could have another supporting demonstration for being a Sovereign State. Now, who could refuse that? A more stable Iraq without the Iranians stirring up strife in Iraq and supporting a higher international credit rating with the international credit rating majors would be another significant advance to get foreign investment into Iraq in a big way. There may be one or more committee recommendations announced by the Iraqi committee chairperson that will get rapid certification from the UN Security Council to really put the hurt on Iraq.

 

The French recently put in a Strategic Framework Agreement in place with Iraq and I suspect the French, as well as the US and possibly others, there is probably a key event or assessment (unknown to everyone except a very few key people) to open the starting gate foreign investment.

 

If the current at odds escalates to a Civil War and blood is taken on both sides, this could be a very long drawn out affair with little to no change of National Reconciliation with the Kurds for some time.

 

Maybe something like this is in the works and happening before our very eyes:

 

 

Maybe wait and see what happens at and shortly after the Iranian Nuclear Deal decertification is announced.

 

Just thinking out loud here so I may be way, way off.

 

The Best Of Your Weekend To You, BoosterBGlee, 10 Years Later, and all DV! :tiphat:

 

Go Moola Nova!

:pirateship:

 

  • Like 1
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, 10 YEARS LATER said:

They are really Ginning up the Sabre Rattling - keep the " crisis " at fever pitch ! Ridiculous isn't it.

It is like I said about a year ago. If they cannot fight someone they will fight themselves. I think we could have had a real shot at the HCL getting done with an RV this year, if it were not for this Referendum happening.

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

image.php?token=bb29a96e0b008c0ce81329d03d16d383&size=

 
Number of readings: 6823 13-10-2017 10:05 PM
 
 

13-10-2017 10:05 PM 

 

The official of the body working in the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Mullah Bakhtiar, on Friday, held an extended meeting for more than two hours with President Fuad Masum, and between the meeting discussed the current situation, confirmed that tomorrow will hold another meeting to reach a common result. 

Mullah Bakhtiar said in a statement posted on his Facebook page that "the meeting ended with the presence of President Fuad Masum, Mr. Kuzrat Rasul Ali, Omar Fattah, Governor Kader, Hiro Ibrahim Ahmed, Qubad Talabani and Pavel Talabani." The meeting lasted more than two hours And discussed the current situation and put forward various opinions and good about what is happening '.

The official said the working body that 'will hold another meeting tomorrow to prepare extensively for a joint result'. 
The infallible arrived in the evening, Sulaymaniyah carrying a message from Prime Minister Haider Abadi and the popular crowd of the Kurdish leadership.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
21:41
Last updated
The time now is 09:50 PM
2528
Watch
 
 
Al-Quds Press / Salah Baban:
The official of the body working in the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Mullah Bakhtiar, on Friday, held an extended meeting for more than two hours with President Fuad Masum, and between the meeting discussed the current situation, confirmed that tomorrow will hold another meeting to reach a common result.
"The meeting ended with the presence of President Fuad Masoum, and Mr. Kuzrat Rasul Ali, Omar Fattah, Qader Qader, Hiro Ibrahim Ahmed, Qubad Talabani and Pavel Talabani," said Mullah Bakhtiar in a statement posted on his Facebook page. , Stressing that "the meeting lasted for more than two hours and discussed the current situation and put forward different views and good about what is happening." 
The official said the working body that "will hold another meeting tomorrow in an extensive way to prepare for a common result."
The infallible arrived in the evening, Sulaymaniyah carrying a message from Prime Minister Haider Abadi and the popular crowd of the Kurdish leadership.
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • yota691 changed the title to The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan held a meeting with infallible: this is what we discussed
Editorial date: 2017/10/13 23:41 • 356 times read
US Defense Secretary: We will prevent any conflict in Kirkuk
[Oan- follow - up] 
assured US Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, on Friday that Washington was monitoring the situation in Kirkuk , with interest and working to prevent the occurrence of any dispute, he said.

"We are working for that, the US secretary of state is leading [efforts], but my forces are also working to ensure that we keep any possibility of a conflict out of the table," Matisse told reporters. 

Asked about the message to the Iraqi authorities and the Peshmerga, Matisse said: "Everyone is still focused on a daunting defeat. We can not fight now. We do not want to develop into a shooting situation."

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

26 minutes ago, yota691 said:
 
21:41
Last updated
The time now is 09:50 PM
2528
Watch
 
 
Al-Quds Press / Salah Baban:
The official of the body working in the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Mullah Bakhtiar, on Friday, held an extended meeting for more than two hours with President Fuad Masum, and between the meeting discussed the current situation, confirmed that tomorrow will hold another meeting to reach a common result.
"The meeting ended with the presence of President Fuad Masoum, and Mr. Kuzrat Rasul Ali, Omar Fattah, Qader Qader, Hiro Ibrahim Ahmed, Qubad Talabani and Pavel Talabani," said Mullah Bakhtiar in a statement posted on his Facebook page. , Stressing that "the meeting lasted for more than two hours and discussed the current situation and put forward different views and good about what is happening." 
The official said the working body that "will hold another meeting tomorrow in an extensive way to prepare for a common result."
The infallible arrived in the evening, Sulaymaniyah carrying a message from Prime Minister Haider Abadi and the popular crowd of the Kurdish leadership.

 

The Kurds held a meeting with God????  Only He is infallible.  :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Know the demands of Abadi, which handed over infallible to the Kurds on Kirkuk!

 

 Since 2017-10-13 at 19:59 (Baghdad time)

1111.jpg

Baghdad - Mawazine News

Mawazine News learned from high-level Kurdish sources Friday that President Fuad Masum handed over to Kurdish leaders the demands of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on the province of Kirkuk.

Mawazine News publishes the demands that Masoum gave to Kurdish leaders during his meeting today.

1 - handing over the Kirkuk airport to the federal forces.

2 - handing over the base (camp) Kiwan of the federal forces.

3 - Delivery of all oil wells and installations to the federal forces.

4 - hand over all the gunmen who called themselves the Peshmerga forces to Baghdad.

5 - the return of the Iraqi army to all areas where he was stationed before the control urged.

6 - Quit Kirkuk Governor Najmuddin Karim from office immediately.

This arrived President Fuad Masum, Friday evening, to the province of Sulaymaniyah, while meeting with the leadership of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to discuss the crisis in Kirkuk.

He also accused the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Nigervan Barzani, Friday (October 13, 2017), Prime Minister, Haider Abadi, to mobilize forces in the provinces of Kirkuk and Nineveh.

For its part, the Joint Operations Command denied "what was reported by some media about the launch of a military operation south of Kirkuk."

The command confirmed that its forces "cleared the clearance and inspection operations in the areas liberated from a sympathetic organization

 

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • yota691 changed the title to Know the demands of Abadi, which handed over infallible to the Kurds on Kirkuk!

Representatives of Kirkuk support the redeployment of federal forces in the province

   
 

 
41-4078.jpg


14/10/2017 12:00 am 

The 
Iraqi security committee for the «morning»: we will oversee the process Baghdad / Omar Abdul Latif 
supported by officials in the province of Kirkuk, the redeployment of the Iraqi army forces in the province. The member of the House of Representatives for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Ribawar Taha Talabani the issue of the redeployment of federal forces in the province « the mission". 
Talabani told «morning»: «The position of the National Union is very clear, which is to continue dialogue and understanding and sit at the same table to resolve many issues and files constitutionally», indicating that «the redeployment of federal forces or jointly administered between these two governments is a very important issue, Problem ". 
For his part, the deputy governor of Kirkuk from the Arab component Rakan Said: "The redeployment of Iraqi forces in Kirkuk is a distinct step from the government."
Said said in a statement singled out by "morning" that "this step came at the right time," in favor of "understanding with the Peshmerga forces on this issue." 
 In turn, said a member of the security committee in the provincial council for the Turkmen component, Ali Mahdi that "the committee stands with the redeployment of Iraqi forces in the 
province." 
"The committee will supervise the deployment of these forces in the province to achieve security and stability after the expulsion" of the "Hawija".
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Abadi: We will not fight a war against our Kurdish citizens

42-4078.jpg


14/10/2017 12:00 am 

He pledged to maintain the unity of the country and the application of the Constitution 
Baghdad / morning 
put Prime Minister General Commander of the Armed Forces , Dr. Haider al - Abadi points on the letters on the crisis with the Kurdistan region and the recent allegations promoted by the advocates of separation, stressing that "our military , who achieved the miracle of the victory can not use it against our people Or we are fighting a war against our Kurdish citizens and others. " 
This comes in line with the denial of the Joint Operations Command on Friday, as reported by some of the media from the news of the launch of a military operation south of Kirkuk, indicating that our forces are still conducting clearance, inspection and holding in the liberated areas of the province.
A statement by the Office of the Prime Minister received the "morning", for Abadi said while chairing an expanded meeting to consolidate stability in Anbar province: "We have achieved a miracle victory, and have come a long and arduous way, and made our heroine and all the Iraqis and the people of Anbar sacrifices expensive must keep it our national unity , And I will inform you of the return of the last inch of the call in Anbar soon. " 
"It is also our duty to maintain the unity of the country and the implementation of the Constitution and protect citizens from any aggression and the extension of federal authority and the subject of oil imports and border crossings for the sake of the interests of the Kurdish citizen and to protect the national wealth," he 
said. 
In the meantime, the Joint Operations Command said that " the security forces conducted clearance, inspection and musk in the liberated areas in the province of Kirkuk operations , " calling on everyone to "carefully and take the news from official sources."
Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji said in a brief statement on Friday that there were "no military operations in the Kirkuk district." 
He explained that "what happened is a process of redeployment of federal forces after the end of the presence of" Dahesh "in the cut to reach what we were before 9 June 2014. 
For his part, Secretary General of the Ministry of Peshmerga Jabbar Yawar stressed, in a press statement that "continuous coordination with federal forces and the health of the presence of any military clash." 
Peshmerga forces and handed over some of their positions (Taza and Bashir) south of Kirkuk to Iraqi forces on Friday, according to an agreement between the parties according to what was said by sources in the Peshmerga.
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, ChuckFinley said:

It is like I said about a year ago. If they cannot fight someone they will fight themselves. I think we could have had a real shot at the HCL getting done with an RV this year, if it were not for this Referendum happening.

 Agreed . . . Sadly I do agree.

  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

ALTERNATIVE OFFERED BY US’S TILLERSON IN LETTER TO BARZANI PRIOR TO REFERENDUM

Alternative offered by US’s Tillerson in letter to Barzani prior to referendum
 

38 mins ago

Views 471

 

SULAIMANI – The U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, has sent a letter to Kurdistan Region’s Masoud Barzani just two days before the independence vote that took place on Sept. 25, offering Kurds to call off the statehood referendum that has resulted in weeks of turmoil leading up to the vote.

In return for postponing the independence referendum, the United States, together with Baghdad and UN will help to resolve boundaries of the Kurdistan Region within scope of the Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, Tillerson’s letter read.

According to Article 140, Kirkuk and certain other regions should be allowed to vote on whether to join autonomous Kurdistan, after steps have been taken to allow expelled Kurds to return, and a census has been conducted.

Tillerson said that the United States would recognize the need for a referendum if offered talks between Erbil and Baghdad “[did] not reach a mutually acceptable conclusion or fail on account of lack of good faith on the part of Baghdad”.

The previously unreported Sep. 23 letter from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Barzani:

 

                 THE LAST WRITTEN DRAFT – DELIVERED ON 23RD SEPTEMBER

Dear President Barzani,

I am writing on behalf of the United States to express our profound respect for you and for the people of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Together, over decades, we have forged a historic relationship, and it is our intention and commitment that this relationship continues to strengthen over the decades to come. Over the past three years, in particular, our strong partnership and your brave decisions to cooperate fully with the Iraqi Security

Forces turned the tide against ISIS. We honor and we will never forget the sacrifice of the Peshmerga during our common struggle against terrorism.

Before us at this moment is the question of a referendum on the future of the Kurdistan Region, scheduled to be held on September 25. We have expressed our concerns. These concerns include the ongoing campaign against ISIS, including upcoming operations in Hawija, the uncertain regional environment, and the need to focus intensively on stabilizing liberated areas to ensure ISIS can never return. Accordingly, we respectfully request that you accept an alternative, which we believe will better help achieve your objectives and ensure stability and peace in the wake of this necessary war against ISIS.

This alternative proposal establishes a new and accelerated framework for negotiation with the central Government of Iraq led by Prime Minister Abadi. This accelerated framework for negotiation carries an open agenda and should last no longer than one year, with the possibility of renewal. Its objective is to resolve all issues outstanding between Baghdad and Erbil and the nature of the future relationship between the two. We would also seek to address your immediate fiscal and security needs.

Mr. President, we recognize your frustrations over the past decade, and, indeed, the historic wrongs suffered by the Kurdish people in Iraq since 1921. We accept the essential need to find an agreed way forward that can address the needs and requirements of all the races, creeds, and ethnicities in this ancient land. This is essential for the stability of your region, and protection of our own national security interests. For all of these reasons, it is the policy of the United States under the administration of President Trump to do everything in our power to help you and the central government resolve these outstanding issues, and ensure that our full weight and authority stand behind this new framework for negotiation.

Furthermore, we are prepared to help facilitate U.N. Security Council endorsement, as soon as possible, to further support this process, and the full participation of the United Nations, and our critical partners, such as the U.K. and France. This is a rare opportunity that we respectfully ask you accept as an alternative to the currently scheduled referendum, which we believe would carry serious consequences – and even, perversely, set back your objectives.

Given the history of the Kurdish people, we understand that you would envision this proposed dialogue as a last chance. We believe, however, that it is a chance worth taking – particularly in the wake of your historic victories against ISIS, unprecedented cooperation between Iraqi Security Forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga, and strong international support. At the end of this process, of course, should the talks not reach a mutually acceptable conclusion or fail on account of lack of good faith on the part of Baghdad we would recognize the need for a referendum.

In exchange for our commitment to help support this serious framework for dialogue – as an alternative to delay the scheduled referendum – we ask for your commitment on the following points:

First, negotiation with Baghdad remains the basis for reaching an understanding and finding a common agreement on the future relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the Government of Iraq. Whether this means a truly functioning federalism or some other formula confederation, or independence, , it must be reached through a peaceful negotiation.

Second, the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdish Peshmerga would continue to remain key partners within our

International Coalition to Defeat ISIS, maintaining appropriate Coalition support, as you continue the historic coordination with the Iraqi Security Forces. The United States would plan to accelerate our own efforts to support Joint Security Mechanisms, particularly in territories, such as Sinjar, that remain unstable after ISIS.

We must work jointly together to ensure stability in these sensitive areas.

Third, the boundaries of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region would be identified through negotiations with Baghdad, consistent with the process outlined in Article 140. The United States would support, together with the UN, and in cooperation with the Government of Iraq, an accelerated process to resolve these issues within the set time-frame as described above.

Fourth, we expect that you will continue to exert efforts to cooperate with the current Government of Iraq, led by Prime Minister Abadi, including participation in the 2018 national elections, and exert a positive influence in

Baghdad when it comes to forming a new government after those elections. Your statesmanship and leadership will be essential during this post-ISIS period for the entire region.

Parallel to the frame work for negotiation, we will support and facilitate resolving the following issues within one year:

1. Implement meaningful power and revenue sharing arrangements.

2. Implementation of Article 140.

3. To resolve other issues such as Peshmerga, civil aviation, diplomatic representation, etc.

We believe this letter and your courageous decision to accept this alternative sets the foundation for a historic opportunity between the United States, the Kurdistan Region, and the Government of Iraq in the wake of our shared sacrifice and victories against ISIS. On behalf of the United States, President Donald J. Trump, and our entire National Security Team, we are honored to work with you.

 

Respectfully,

Rex Tillerson

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • yota691 changed the title to Parliamentary power: Kurds did not provide a convincing justification for non-commitment to pay oil money
  • yota691 featured this topic
  • yota691 locked this topic
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.