Thursday, August 02, 2007
Draft resolution proposes bigger role for UN in Iraq
International
(BBC) - The US and the UK have circulated a new draft resolution to United Nations Security Council members proposing a bigger role for the UN in Iraq. Under the plan, the UN would get a wider mandate, to help promote political reconciliation in Iraq. The UN has had a low-key presence in Iraq since a truck bomb devastated its headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003. Diplomats say a vote on any resolution will happen by 10 August, when the UN's existing mandate in Iraq expires.
This draft resolution comes days after meetings in Washington between President George W Bush and the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. The resolution, if adopted, would give the United Nations a much more powerful advisory role in Iraq, authorising it to advise in the review of the Iraqi constitution and help settle disputed internal boundaries
The UN mission would also be asked to promote human rights and judicial and legal reforms and to assist the Iraqi government in planning for a national census. The draft resolution calls for more UN involvement in helping refugees to return and managing humanitarian aid and helping the entire national reconstruction effort. It also points out the importance of armed protection by mainly US forces for any enhanced UN team on the ground.
Former Secretary General Kofi Annan pulled all UN international staff out of Iraq after the top UN envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 other people died in a huge explosion at the UN headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003.
This draft resolution comes days after meetings in Washington between President George W Bush and the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. The resolution, if adopted, would give the United Nations a much more powerful advisory role in Iraq, authorising it to advise in the review of the Iraqi constitution and help settle disputed internal boundaries
The UN mission would also be asked to promote human rights and judicial and legal reforms and to assist the Iraqi government in planning for a national census. The draft resolution calls for more UN involvement in helping refugees to return and managing humanitarian aid and helping the entire national reconstruction effort. It also points out the importance of armed protection by mainly US forces for any enhanced UN team on the ground.
Former Secretary General Kofi Annan pulled all UN international staff out of Iraq after the top UN envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 other people died in a huge explosion at the UN headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003.
COMMENT: The U.S. and U.K. need an exit strategy without losing face. The U.N. could step in and take assume a larger role relieving the U.S. and U.K. There is also a requirement for a larger humanitarian presence in Iraq, however, the problem of security will remain and insurgent forces will continue to operate against the government, and sectarian violence will continue. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: draft resolution, Iraq, Iraqi constitution, U.K., U.S, UN, United Nations Security Council
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Top Leaders Will Meet To Discuss How They Will End Iraq’s Crisis
Politics
(Bayyna Al Jadidah Newspaper) - 25 JUL - Five of Iraq’s “top” (senior) politicians will hold a meeting this week in order to discuss “ending the political crisis” in Iraq. The participants of this meeting will include: President Jalal Talabani, Vice President Tariq Al Hashimi, Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki, Kurdistan’s Regional President Massoud Barzani, and one of Sayid Abd Al Aziz Al Hakim’s “assistants”.
A government official said: this high-level conference will witness many meetings, this conference may begin on Friday. It is expected that the leaders will discuss many issues, such as how to reach agreements about amending the Constitution and how to resolve the Kirkuk issue.
Kirkuk is located in northern Iraq; and, therefore the Kurds want it to become part of the Kurdistan region. However, since it is also one of Iraq’s most “oil rich” areas this issue is strongly disputed by all the other Iraqi groups.
A government official said: this high-level conference will witness many meetings, this conference may begin on Friday. It is expected that the leaders will discuss many issues, such as how to reach agreements about amending the Constitution and how to resolve the Kirkuk issue.
Kirkuk is located in northern Iraq; and, therefore the Kurds want it to become part of the Kurdistan region. However, since it is also one of Iraq’s most “oil rich” areas this issue is strongly disputed by all the other Iraqi groups.
Labels: Article 140, Iraqi constitution, Jalal Talabani, Kirkuk, Massoud Barzani, Nouri Al-Maliki, politics, Tariq Al Hashemi
Friday, July 20, 2007
Barzani to help resolve disputes over constitution
Government
(VOI) - The Iraqi parliament's constitutional amendments committee is waiting for the arrival of Iraq's Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani in Baghdad to help resolve disputes over some points in the Iraqi constitution, head of the committee Hammam Hammoudi said on Thursday.
"The two points of dispute facing the constitutional amendments committee are related to the (Iraqi) president's powers and the implementation of article 140 pertaining to the situation in Kikruk," Hammoudi said. Article 140, the most controversial in the Iraqi constitution, is related to the normalization of the situation in Kirkuk, an important and mixed city of majority of Kurds, Christians, Arabs and Turkmen
Kurds seek to include the city in the autonomous Iraq's Kurdistan region, while Sunni Arabs, Turkmen and Shiite Arabs are inclined to postpone the incorporation. The article currently stipulates that all Arabs in Kirkuk be returned to their original locations in southern and central Iraqi areas, and formerly displaced residents returned to Kirkuk. Kirkuk lies just south border of the Kurdistan autonomous region with Iraq, 250 km northeast of Baghdad.
Kurds seek to include the city in the autonomous Iraq's Kurdistan region, while Sunni Arabs, Turkmen and Shiite Arabs are inclined to postpone the incorporation. The article currently stipulates that all Arabs in Kirkuk be returned to their original locations in southern and central Iraqi areas, and formerly displaced residents returned to Kirkuk. Kirkuk lies just south border of the Kurdistan autonomous region with Iraq, 250 km northeast of Baghdad.
Labels: Article 140, Hammam Hammoudi, Iraqi constitution, Kirkuk, Massoud Barzani
Monday, June 04, 2007
Rising tensions between Sunnis insurgents and Kurds as second bridge is bombed
Security
(New York Times) - Bomb blasts severely damaged a bridge linking a highway from Baghdad with the northern city of Kirkuk on Saturday, the police and witnesses said, heightening tensions between Arabs and Kurds and forcing traffic to detour through some of the most dangerous areas of Diyala Province.
An American tank firing at insurgents near Falluja also killed three Iraqi children on Saturday, according to a military statement, and an American helicopter was damaged by gunfire north of Baghdad and forced to land.
In Baghdad, a barrage of mortar shells killed at least seven people.
The destruction of the Sarha bridge, about 100 miles north of Baghdad and one of the busiest crossings for vehicles moving between the capital and Kirkuk, appeared to be part of an effort by Sunni insurgents to isolate Kirkuk and limit interaction between residents of different areas and sects.
Salah al-Mufaraji, a prominent tribal leader who lives near the Sarha bridge, said groups aligned with Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia were responsible for the bombing. “Gunmen move through the area freely amid the absence of the government and because the security forces can’t control the area,” he said. “All the people living here have announced allegiance to Al Qaeda out of fear and because they can’t confront it.”
Abbas Hilmi, a taxi driver who travels between Baghdad and Kirkuk, said that damage to the bridge would hurt the already hobbled local economy. “It’s miserable,” he said. “We’re taxi drivers. We need the roads.” It was the second bridge leading to Kirkuk bombed this week, local leaders said, and it came on a day when a prominent Sunni tribal leader was found dead south of the city after being kidnapped Friday.
The killing and the bridge bombing reflected rising tensions in the oil-rich area between Kurds and Sunni insurgents who oppose Kurdish plans to make the area part of the north’s Kurdish-controlled region. The Iraqi Constitution calls for a referendum on the issue this year and Iraqi and American officials have predicted that violence will increase before the vote.
Residents said that frustration with the violence committed by Sunni extremists appeared to be rising in the province, but its impact is questionable. On Friday, in southern Baquba, a Sunni cleric called for joint Sunni-Shiite prayers. Only four Shiites attended, but according to several witnesses, who declined to be named, the cleric spoke harshly of Al Qaeda and called upon all of the area’s armed groups to unite against it.
Gunmen standing outside the mosque said they were preparing to fight back and had asked the American military for help. Despite the recent decision by American commanders to funnel additional troops into the area, and initial signs of local resistance, there have been few signs of improvement.
An American tank firing at insurgents near Falluja also killed three Iraqi children on Saturday, according to a military statement, and an American helicopter was damaged by gunfire north of Baghdad and forced to land.
In Baghdad, a barrage of mortar shells killed at least seven people.
The destruction of the Sarha bridge, about 100 miles north of Baghdad and one of the busiest crossings for vehicles moving between the capital and Kirkuk, appeared to be part of an effort by Sunni insurgents to isolate Kirkuk and limit interaction between residents of different areas and sects.
Salah al-Mufaraji, a prominent tribal leader who lives near the Sarha bridge, said groups aligned with Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia were responsible for the bombing. “Gunmen move through the area freely amid the absence of the government and because the security forces can’t control the area,” he said. “All the people living here have announced allegiance to Al Qaeda out of fear and because they can’t confront it.”
Abbas Hilmi, a taxi driver who travels between Baghdad and Kirkuk, said that damage to the bridge would hurt the already hobbled local economy. “It’s miserable,” he said. “We’re taxi drivers. We need the roads.” It was the second bridge leading to Kirkuk bombed this week, local leaders said, and it came on a day when a prominent Sunni tribal leader was found dead south of the city after being kidnapped Friday.
The killing and the bridge bombing reflected rising tensions in the oil-rich area between Kurds and Sunni insurgents who oppose Kurdish plans to make the area part of the north’s Kurdish-controlled region. The Iraqi Constitution calls for a referendum on the issue this year and Iraqi and American officials have predicted that violence will increase before the vote.
Residents said that frustration with the violence committed by Sunni extremists appeared to be rising in the province, but its impact is questionable. On Friday, in southern Baquba, a Sunni cleric called for joint Sunni-Shiite prayers. Only four Shiites attended, but according to several witnesses, who declined to be named, the cleric spoke harshly of Al Qaeda and called upon all of the area’s armed groups to unite against it.
Gunmen standing outside the mosque said they were preparing to fight back and had asked the American military for help. Despite the recent decision by American commanders to funnel additional troops into the area, and initial signs of local resistance, there have been few signs of improvement.
Labels: Al Qaeda in Iraq, Iraqi constitution, Kirkuk, Salah al-Mufaraji, Sarha Bridge, Sunni tribal leaders, violence
Friday, June 01, 2007
Maliki in Kurdistan for talks on constitution, Kirkuk
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki arrived on Thursday afternoon in Arbil on several days visit to the Kurdistan region, a source from the Kurdistan government said. "Maliki came for consultation with Kurdish officials on many issues, including the Iraqi constitution’s revision, the political situation and relations between the central government and the Kurdistan region’s administration," Dr. Fuad Hussein, head of the Kurdistan presidency office, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
Prime Minister al-Maliki, who was received at Arbil airport by Iraqi Kurdistan’s President Massoud al-Barazani, is expected to discuss the Kirkuk issue with Kurdish leadership, Hussein added. On Tuesday, Kurdistan Premier Negervan Barazani ended several days' visit to Baghdad to discuss with the central government issues to do with oil-rich Kirkuk city’s status according to Article 140 of the constitution, relations between Baghdad's government and the Kurdistan administration, the status of the Peshmerga (Kurdish local fighters) and the draft oil and gas law.
Kurds want to accelerate the implementation of constitutional article 140, concerning normalizing the situation in Kirkuk city, as it was before the 1970s, when the former regime, Kurds claim, lured Arabs to settle in Kirkuk and drove Kurdish families out of the city.
The step should be followed by a referendum in the city to decide whether or not to join the three other Kurdish provinces in the Kurdistan region by the end of 2007. Non-Kurdish Iraqi political forces are inclined to put off the issue until better security prevails in the country.
Also, the draft oil and gas law, now under debate by lawmakers in Baghdad, represents another deadlock between Arbil and Baghdad. Kurdish leaders are pressing for more power in relation to oil investment inside the region, while Baghdad has opted to control all investment contracts in the country.
Prime Minister al-Maliki, who was received at Arbil airport by Iraqi Kurdistan’s President Massoud al-Barazani, is expected to discuss the Kirkuk issue with Kurdish leadership, Hussein added. On Tuesday, Kurdistan Premier Negervan Barazani ended several days' visit to Baghdad to discuss with the central government issues to do with oil-rich Kirkuk city’s status according to Article 140 of the constitution, relations between Baghdad's government and the Kurdistan administration, the status of the Peshmerga (Kurdish local fighters) and the draft oil and gas law.
Kurds want to accelerate the implementation of constitutional article 140, concerning normalizing the situation in Kirkuk city, as it was before the 1970s, when the former regime, Kurds claim, lured Arabs to settle in Kirkuk and drove Kurdish families out of the city.
The step should be followed by a referendum in the city to decide whether or not to join the three other Kurdish provinces in the Kurdistan region by the end of 2007. Non-Kurdish Iraqi political forces are inclined to put off the issue until better security prevails in the country.
Also, the draft oil and gas law, now under debate by lawmakers in Baghdad, represents another deadlock between Arbil and Baghdad. Kurdish leaders are pressing for more power in relation to oil investment inside the region, while Baghdad has opted to control all investment contracts in the country.
Labels: Arbil, Article 140, Iraqi constitution, Kirkuk, Massoud Barzani, Nouri Al-Maliki
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Kurds reject postponement of Article 140
Government
(Kurdish Globe) - Baghdad may be looking for a three-year delay in implementing a stated article of the new Iraqi Constitution, which is anything but in the best interests of Kurds. Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani met with the UN Secretary-General's special representative, Ashraf Qazi, and rejected the possibility of canceling or postponing the implementation of Article 140 to normalize the situation in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.
Kurdish leaders and politicians believe that any delay in implementing the article will not be in the best interests of the people of Kurdistan.
"The government of Kurdistan rejected a proposal by the government of Nuri al-Maliki to postpone the implementation of Article 140 for three years," said Mullah Bakhtiar, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan political bureau, the party of Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani. Mullah Bakhtiar stressed that "the Kurds demand the implementation of that article in the constitutional time frame assessed."
Bakhtiar said that if Kurdish leaders agree to a three-year delay, the Baghdad government by that time will have become economically and politically stronger and may choose not to implement the article at all. "We must not lose this precious opportunity in our hands and we must work toward accelerating the implementation and not postponing it," said Mullah Bakhtiar. On his latest visit to Baghdad, Kurdistan Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani discussed the implementation of Article 140 with the Iraqi officials. He expressed optimism and described the meeting as successful.
Kurdish leaders and politicians believe that any delay in implementing the article will not be in the best interests of the people of Kurdistan.
"The government of Kurdistan rejected a proposal by the government of Nuri al-Maliki to postpone the implementation of Article 140 for three years," said Mullah Bakhtiar, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan political bureau, the party of Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani. Mullah Bakhtiar stressed that "the Kurds demand the implementation of that article in the constitutional time frame assessed."
Bakhtiar said that if Kurdish leaders agree to a three-year delay, the Baghdad government by that time will have become economically and politically stronger and may choose not to implement the article at all. "We must not lose this precious opportunity in our hands and we must work toward accelerating the implementation and not postponing it," said Mullah Bakhtiar. On his latest visit to Baghdad, Kurdistan Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani discussed the implementation of Article 140 with the Iraqi officials. He expressed optimism and described the meeting as successful.
Fryad Rwandzi, member of the Iraqi Parliament's Kurdistan Coalition List, said that the Iraqi committee for implementing the Iraqi constitution gave Kurdish leaders two options on the Kirkuk issue, and Kurdish leaders are now studying them.
The first option states that steps for normalizing the Kirkuk situation (implementing Article 140) should be completed by the end of 2008, instead of 2007. The constitution currently calls for implementation at the end of 2007.
The second option is that Kirkuk province could become a federal region, and all areas now under control of the Kurdistan government could be returned to the Kirkuk region; then, after three years, a referendum would be held for people to decide either to be part of Kurdistan Region, the Baghdad government, or a federal region.
The first option states that steps for normalizing the Kirkuk situation (implementing Article 140) should be completed by the end of 2008, instead of 2007. The constitution currently calls for implementation at the end of 2007.
The second option is that Kirkuk province could become a federal region, and all areas now under control of the Kurdistan government could be returned to the Kirkuk region; then, after three years, a referendum would be held for people to decide either to be part of Kurdistan Region, the Baghdad government, or a federal region.
Labels: Article 140, Ashraf Qazi, Iraqi constitution, Kirkuk, Massoud Barzani, Mullah Bakhtiar
Friday, May 25, 2007
Kurdish delegation heads to Baghdad for meeting on draft oil law
Politics
(Kurdish Globe) - KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, accompanied by the ministers of finance and natural resources, headed the delegation to Baghdad, intent on settling arguments regarding the Iraq draft oil law. Iraqi and Kurdish lawmakers have not been able to settle disputes on how to distribute the country's oil wealth or the KRG's right to sign contracts with international oil and gas firms.
Barzani who met with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki Monday and described the environment as "friendly", expressed Erbil's support for the Maliki administration. He also announced the formation of a common committee to settle the disputes. General Jabar Yawar, spokesman of the Kurdistan forces who accompanies PM Barzani, said the meeting was "positive" but refrained from disclosing any details. Other constitutional issues up for discussion include possible amendments to the Iraqi constitution as well as the implementation of Article 140 in Kirkuk and other disputed areas.
The discussion comes at a time when the Norwegian company DNO announced its first-quarter activities of 2007. DNO began exploring for oil in Tawke, near Zakho town, nearly two years ago under an agreement with the KRG. The company stated on May 16 that Tawke oil is currently ready to be transported to market and that two new drilling projects completed at Tawke now bring the total to five.
"We are pleased with our achievements of developing Tawke into a field ready to produce," said Helge Eide, DNO managing director. "This is also testament to the commitment of the KRG and DNO to develop long-term and sustainable values from their joint projects."
Barzani who met with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki Monday and described the environment as "friendly", expressed Erbil's support for the Maliki administration. He also announced the formation of a common committee to settle the disputes. General Jabar Yawar, spokesman of the Kurdistan forces who accompanies PM Barzani, said the meeting was "positive" but refrained from disclosing any details. Other constitutional issues up for discussion include possible amendments to the Iraqi constitution as well as the implementation of Article 140 in Kirkuk and other disputed areas.
The discussion comes at a time when the Norwegian company DNO announced its first-quarter activities of 2007. DNO began exploring for oil in Tawke, near Zakho town, nearly two years ago under an agreement with the KRG. The company stated on May 16 that Tawke oil is currently ready to be transported to market and that two new drilling projects completed at Tawke now bring the total to five.
"We are pleased with our achievements of developing Tawke into a field ready to produce," said Helge Eide, DNO managing director. "This is also testament to the commitment of the KRG and DNO to develop long-term and sustainable values from their joint projects."
Labels: Article 140, Baghdad, DNO, draft oil law, Helge Eide, Iraqi constitution, KRG, Nechirvan Barzani, Tawke
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Parliamentary committee fails to finalise agreement on amendment of constitution
Government
(Reuters) - An Iraqi parliamentary committee has failed to finalise an agreement on amending key articles in the constitution, one of the political benchmarks Washington says are important to end sectarian violence. After six months of talks, the constitutional reform committee had been expected to present parliament with a final draft of their recommendations on Tuesday.
Committee members said they would ask political leaders to deal with sensitive issues such as sharing Iraq's oil wealth more equitably and ending a ban on former members of Saddam Hussein's party members holding public office. "We have agreed on some articles but there are sensitive issues which need an agreement among the political leaders," said Saleem al-Jubouri, a member of the Accordance Front, the biggest Sunni political bloc in parliament.
The changes are aimed at bringing Sunni Arabs, who make up the backbone of the insurgency, more firmly into the political process. U.S. President George W. Bush, under pressure to show tangible progress in the four-year-old war, has pushed Iraqi leaders to agree power-sharing legislation. Jubouri said Sunni Arab and Shi'ite members of the committee disagreed with a Kurdish demand to allow regions to distribute oil income rather than the central government.
Some lawmakers from the ruling Shi'ite community, which was oppressed during Saddam's rule, are virulently opposed to former Baathists taking up government jobs. Non-Arab Kurds, also persecuted under Saddam's pan-Arab policies, resist wording on the Arab identity of Iraq. Sunni Arabs fear federalism will allow Kurds in the north and Shi'ites in the south, where Iraq's oil reserves lie, to break away into their own states. Sunni Arabs live mostly in central and western Iraq, which is poor in oil.
Jubouri said that one area of disagreement was the status of the ethnically mixed city of Kirkuk which sits atop one of the world's richest oilfields. The current constitution says Iraq should hold a referendum on the final status of Kirkuk this year. While Kurds claim Kirkuk as part of Kurdistan, Arabs oppose this. Another official in the committee said Arab members -- Shi'ites and Sunnis -- proposed making Kirkuk a separate region and dropping the idea of the referendum, which Kurds would anyway be likely to win.
Committee members said they would ask political leaders to deal with sensitive issues such as sharing Iraq's oil wealth more equitably and ending a ban on former members of Saddam Hussein's party members holding public office. "We have agreed on some articles but there are sensitive issues which need an agreement among the political leaders," said Saleem al-Jubouri, a member of the Accordance Front, the biggest Sunni political bloc in parliament.
The changes are aimed at bringing Sunni Arabs, who make up the backbone of the insurgency, more firmly into the political process. U.S. President George W. Bush, under pressure to show tangible progress in the four-year-old war, has pushed Iraqi leaders to agree power-sharing legislation. Jubouri said Sunni Arab and Shi'ite members of the committee disagreed with a Kurdish demand to allow regions to distribute oil income rather than the central government.
Some lawmakers from the ruling Shi'ite community, which was oppressed during Saddam's rule, are virulently opposed to former Baathists taking up government jobs. Non-Arab Kurds, also persecuted under Saddam's pan-Arab policies, resist wording on the Arab identity of Iraq. Sunni Arabs fear federalism will allow Kurds in the north and Shi'ites in the south, where Iraq's oil reserves lie, to break away into their own states. Sunni Arabs live mostly in central and western Iraq, which is poor in oil.
Jubouri said that one area of disagreement was the status of the ethnically mixed city of Kirkuk which sits atop one of the world's richest oilfields. The current constitution says Iraq should hold a referendum on the final status of Kirkuk this year. While Kurds claim Kirkuk as part of Kurdistan, Arabs oppose this. Another official in the committee said Arab members -- Shi'ites and Sunnis -- proposed making Kirkuk a separate region and dropping the idea of the referendum, which Kurds would anyway be likely to win.
Labels: Article 140, Baathists, constitutional reform committee, federalism, Iraqi constitution, Kirkuk, oil
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Constitutional reform committee agrees to pass draft to parliament on Tuesday
Constitution
(Reuters) - An Iraqi committee agreed on Tuesday to send to parliament a plan to reform the constitution, an important step towards implementing national reconciliation laws that Washington says are critical to ending violence.
Once-dominant Sunni Arabs, who make up the backbone of the insurgency, have long demanded changes to a constitution they say concedes too much power to majority Shi'ites and ethnic Kurds, who were persecuted under Saddam Hussein. Such laws, which include sharing Iraq's vast oil wealth and ending a ban on former members of Saddam's party from public office, are particularly aimed at assuaging Sunnis Arabs and bringing them firmly into the U.S.-backed political process.
Saleem al-Jubouri, from the Sunni Accordance Front, said the constitutional reform committee had agreed to pass its draft to parliament next Tuesday -- albeit with some passages unresolved. He said this would allow it technically to meet a May 15 deadline set by the constitution. "There is a preliminary report that has been approved by committee members," he told Reuters. "Members now have to consult their political parties on the proposals."
But he said some thorny issues had been left open, for parliament to resolve. These included a Shi'ite-backed law that allows provinces to form federal regions, and wording on the Arab identity of Iraq, opposed by Kurds. In another sign of political progress, Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said the presidential council would soon send to parliament a draft proposal to allow thousands of ex-Baath party members to return to public jobs, another Sunni demand. The council comprises Hashemi, President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and Shi'ite Vice President Adel Abdul al-Mahdi.
The bills are likely to face fierce debate in parliament. Some lawmakers from the ruling Shi'ite community, who were oppressed during Saddam's rule, have expressed virulent opposition to seeing former Baathists take up government jobs. Non-Arab Kurds, also persecuted under Saddam's pan-Arab policies, resist wording on the Arab identity of Iraq.
Sunni Arabs, meanwhile, fear federalism will allow Kurds in the north and Shi'ites in the south, where Iraq's oil reserves lie, to break away into their own states. Sunni Arabs live mostly in central and western Iraq, which is poor in oil.
Once-dominant Sunni Arabs, who make up the backbone of the insurgency, have long demanded changes to a constitution they say concedes too much power to majority Shi'ites and ethnic Kurds, who were persecuted under Saddam Hussein. Such laws, which include sharing Iraq's vast oil wealth and ending a ban on former members of Saddam's party from public office, are particularly aimed at assuaging Sunnis Arabs and bringing them firmly into the U.S.-backed political process.
Saleem al-Jubouri, from the Sunni Accordance Front, said the constitutional reform committee had agreed to pass its draft to parliament next Tuesday -- albeit with some passages unresolved. He said this would allow it technically to meet a May 15 deadline set by the constitution. "There is a preliminary report that has been approved by committee members," he told Reuters. "Members now have to consult their political parties on the proposals."
But he said some thorny issues had been left open, for parliament to resolve. These included a Shi'ite-backed law that allows provinces to form federal regions, and wording on the Arab identity of Iraq, opposed by Kurds. In another sign of political progress, Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said the presidential council would soon send to parliament a draft proposal to allow thousands of ex-Baath party members to return to public jobs, another Sunni demand. The council comprises Hashemi, President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and Shi'ite Vice President Adel Abdul al-Mahdi.
The bills are likely to face fierce debate in parliament. Some lawmakers from the ruling Shi'ite community, who were oppressed during Saddam's rule, have expressed virulent opposition to seeing former Baathists take up government jobs. Non-Arab Kurds, also persecuted under Saddam's pan-Arab policies, resist wording on the Arab identity of Iraq.
Sunni Arabs, meanwhile, fear federalism will allow Kurds in the north and Shi'ites in the south, where Iraq's oil reserves lie, to break away into their own states. Sunni Arabs live mostly in central and western Iraq, which is poor in oil.
Labels: Baathists, constitutional reform committee, Iraqi constitution, Saleem al-Jubouri, Tariq al-Hashemi
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Committee to seek extension on constitutional amendments
Politics
(AP) - A parliamentary committee set up to study amendments to Iraq's constitution has failed to agree on a number of issues and will seek a weeklong extension of its deadline to present a report to parliament, lawmakers said Monday. The 30-member committee was to present its report Tuesday - four months after it was established. Amending the constitution to address Sunni Arab concerns is one of the key benchmarks for measuring political progress in Iraq.
But the committee was unable to agree on recommendations and lawmakers said it would ask for an extension until May 22, the next time parliament is scheduled to meet. Iraqi politicians said the major stumbling block was a provision about the future of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which the Kurds want to annex into their semiautonomous northern region. Arabs and Turkomen object. The constitution provides for a referendum by the end of the year in which Kirkuk residents will decide whether the area joins the Kurdish region or remains under central government authority.
Lawmakers cited other differences, including whether to describe Iraq as an Arab country as Sunnis have demanded, and the powers of the prime minister. But some Sunni officials said the widest differences were over Kirkuk. Iraqis ratified the constitution in an October 2005 referendum, but substantial numbers of Sunni Arabs voted against it. The document was hammered out during protracted negotiations under intense U.S. pressure. At the time, U.S. officials acknowledged the document did not satisfy Sunnis, but argued the differences could be resolved later by amendments.
Sunni leaders agreed to sign off on the draft only after the Shiites and Kurds agreed to study amendments. Under the constitution, the committee's recommendations will be voted on by parliament as a single package. If adopted by a simple majority, the amendments will be presented to the voters in a referendum. Sunni Arabs, as well as some politicians from the majority Shiites, fear the Kurds may decide to break with Iraq and establish their own independent country if they get their hands on Kirkuk's vast oil wealth.
Sunni Arabs have proposed extending the deadline for the referendum for a year, according to Sunni Arab lawmaker Omar Abdul-Sattar. Salim Abdullah, another Sunni Arab lawmaker, said a compromise was under study, but declined to give details. Mahmoud Othman, an independent Kurdish lawmaker, said the Kurdish bloc in parliament remained adamant that a referendum on Kirkuk be held before the end of the year.
The lawmakers said the committee was still studying amendments to reduce the powers of the prime minister and give a bigger say in running he country to the president and his two deputies. President Jalal Talabani is a Kurd. His two deputies are Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni Arab, and Adil Abdul-Mahdi, a Shiite. Al-Hashemi has been pressing for a greater role for the three-man presidential council to offset what he sees as al-Maliki's excessive powers.
But the committee was unable to agree on recommendations and lawmakers said it would ask for an extension until May 22, the next time parliament is scheduled to meet. Iraqi politicians said the major stumbling block was a provision about the future of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which the Kurds want to annex into their semiautonomous northern region. Arabs and Turkomen object. The constitution provides for a referendum by the end of the year in which Kirkuk residents will decide whether the area joins the Kurdish region or remains under central government authority.
Lawmakers cited other differences, including whether to describe Iraq as an Arab country as Sunnis have demanded, and the powers of the prime minister. But some Sunni officials said the widest differences were over Kirkuk. Iraqis ratified the constitution in an October 2005 referendum, but substantial numbers of Sunni Arabs voted against it. The document was hammered out during protracted negotiations under intense U.S. pressure. At the time, U.S. officials acknowledged the document did not satisfy Sunnis, but argued the differences could be resolved later by amendments.
Sunni leaders agreed to sign off on the draft only after the Shiites and Kurds agreed to study amendments. Under the constitution, the committee's recommendations will be voted on by parliament as a single package. If adopted by a simple majority, the amendments will be presented to the voters in a referendum. Sunni Arabs, as well as some politicians from the majority Shiites, fear the Kurds may decide to break with Iraq and establish their own independent country if they get their hands on Kirkuk's vast oil wealth.
Sunni Arabs have proposed extending the deadline for the referendum for a year, according to Sunni Arab lawmaker Omar Abdul-Sattar. Salim Abdullah, another Sunni Arab lawmaker, said a compromise was under study, but declined to give details. Mahmoud Othman, an independent Kurdish lawmaker, said the Kurdish bloc in parliament remained adamant that a referendum on Kirkuk be held before the end of the year.
The lawmakers said the committee was still studying amendments to reduce the powers of the prime minister and give a bigger say in running he country to the president and his two deputies. President Jalal Talabani is a Kurd. His two deputies are Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni Arab, and Adil Abdul-Mahdi, a Shiite. Al-Hashemi has been pressing for a greater role for the three-man presidential council to offset what he sees as al-Maliki's excessive powers.
Labels: Article 140, Iraqi constitution, Kirkuk, referendum
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Constitution recommendations may go to parliament next week
Politics
(Reuters) - Members of a committee set up to reform Iraq's constitution said on Tuesday they hoped to submit recommendations to parliament next week, a major step towards meeting a political benchmark Washington has set for Baghdad. Under Iraq's first post-Saddam constitution, a committee charged with drafting constitutional reform proposals must submit its recommendations to parliament no later than four months after it began work.
The 31-seat committee, which includes Shi'ites, Sunni Arabs and ethnic Kurds, started work on November 15, 2006. Because parliament recessed in January and February, the deadline falls on May 15, committee members said on Tuesday. "May 15 is a deadline and we must deliver the reform drafts to the parliament by this date," Hasan al-Senaid, a committee member from the ruling Shi'ite Alliance, told Reuters.
"There are still some disputes between groups and they are all under discussion. We are trying to solve these disputes this week," Senaid said. Another committee member confirmed they hoped to submit the recommendations by next week. Iraq's constitution was ratified in 2005. Shi'ites and Kurds voted overwhelmingly in favor while Sunni Arabs opposed it.
Among the most controversial articles are a law that allows provinces to win autonomy from Baghdad and form federal regions, the Arab identity of Iraq and rolling back a ban on former members of Saddam's Baath party from public office. Sunnis fear federalism will allow ethnic Kurds in the north and Shi'ites in the south, where Iraq's oil reserves lie, to break away into their own states, sealing political doom for the Sunni Arabs.
Non-Arab Kurds, who were persecuted under Saddam's pan-Arab policies, have resisted wording on the Arab identity of Iraq.
Parliament, where Shi'ites have a majority, must approve any constitutional amendment by an absolute majority before a referendum takes place. If rejected by a two-thirds majority in three of Iraq's 18 provinces, the constitutional amendment is automatically defeated, thus giving minority Kurds de facto veto power.
The 31-seat committee, which includes Shi'ites, Sunni Arabs and ethnic Kurds, started work on November 15, 2006. Because parliament recessed in January and February, the deadline falls on May 15, committee members said on Tuesday. "May 15 is a deadline and we must deliver the reform drafts to the parliament by this date," Hasan al-Senaid, a committee member from the ruling Shi'ite Alliance, told Reuters.
"There are still some disputes between groups and they are all under discussion. We are trying to solve these disputes this week," Senaid said. Another committee member confirmed they hoped to submit the recommendations by next week. Iraq's constitution was ratified in 2005. Shi'ites and Kurds voted overwhelmingly in favor while Sunni Arabs opposed it.
Among the most controversial articles are a law that allows provinces to win autonomy from Baghdad and form federal regions, the Arab identity of Iraq and rolling back a ban on former members of Saddam's Baath party from public office. Sunnis fear federalism will allow ethnic Kurds in the north and Shi'ites in the south, where Iraq's oil reserves lie, to break away into their own states, sealing political doom for the Sunni Arabs.
Non-Arab Kurds, who were persecuted under Saddam's pan-Arab policies, have resisted wording on the Arab identity of Iraq.
Parliament, where Shi'ites have a majority, must approve any constitutional amendment by an absolute majority before a referendum takes place. If rejected by a two-thirds majority in three of Iraq's 18 provinces, the constitutional amendment is automatically defeated, thus giving minority Kurds de facto veto power.
Labels: Iraqi constitution
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Talabani - Kirkuk issue to be solved according to Iraqi constitution
Politics
(VOI) – Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said that the Kirkuk issue will be solved according to the Iraqi constitution, considering Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be one of the best leaders to deal with the cause. "The Kirkuk issue will be solved according to the constitution," the president said at a press conference upon his arrival at the Sulaimaniya International Airport on Wednesday, referring to a statement made by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who said that "we should normalize the situation in Kirkuk before carrying out a referendum.
"The province of Kirkuk, 250 km northeast of Baghdad, is home to Kurds, Arabs, Turkmans and ChaldoAssyrians, and is one of the most heated topics on the Iraqi political scene. The province is waiting for the establishment of procedures to normalize the situation through implementation of article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, returning displaced Arabs to their homes and offering them 20 million dinars in compensation. A census will follow the referendum, during which the people of Kirkuk will decide whether to stay part of the Iraqi federal government or to join Iraq's Kurdistan region.
"We expect that the Sharm el-Sheikh conference will provide us with economic and political support and strongly condemn terrorism," the president said in response to a question from a correspondent from the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). Regarding the building of a concrete wall in Azamiya in Baghdad, the president said "I'm against building barriers." Talabani, who is also the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), arrived in Iraq at 2:00 pm on Wednesday.
Labels: Article 140, Iraqi constitution, Jalal Talabani, Kirkuk, Kirkuk referendum, Kurdistan, Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Arab leaders to call for constitution amendments in favour of Sunnis
Politics
(Gulf News) - Arab foreign ministers agreed yesterday to call for an amendment to Iraq's constitution to give Sunni Arabs a greater share of power in the war-ravaged country. "The ministers approved a call to Iraq to amend its constitution in order to boost the political process in that country," one of the ministers told AFP, requesting anonymity.
Arab states preparing for a summit in Riyadh tomorrow want to see the consitution changed to give Sunnis a greater share of political power and avoid a federal split of Iraq, the minister said. Iraq's once-ruling Sunni Arabs want an amendment of the constitution adopted in October 2005, fearing that the arrangement leaves their central regions without natural resources and Iraq's oil wealth in the hands of the governing Shiites and the autonomous Kurds. Their demand is backed by Sunni-dominated Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia which is hosting the summit.
Arab states preparing for a summit in Riyadh tomorrow want to see the consitution changed to give Sunnis a greater share of political power and avoid a federal split of Iraq, the minister said. Iraq's once-ruling Sunni Arabs want an amendment of the constitution adopted in October 2005, fearing that the arrangement leaves their central regions without natural resources and Iraq's oil wealth in the hands of the governing Shiites and the autonomous Kurds. Their demand is backed by Sunni-dominated Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia which is hosting the summit.
COMMENT: The Arab leaders know that the eyes of the world will be on Iraq tomorrow at the summit in Riyadh, so the pressure will be greater on the Iraqis. Leaders of predominantly Sunni countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, Oman and Jordan are concerned with the influence the predominantly Shia Iran has had on the current Iraqi government and would like to see a stronger Sunni power base. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Arab leaders, Iraqi constitution, Sunnis
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Minorities in Iraq may be given safe haven in Ninevah
Humanitarian
(AINA) Iraq's Christians suffer much from persecution and are fleeing the country. Iraq's non-Muslim minorities, most of them Assyrians (Syriacs and Chaldeans) face systematic cleansing in the shadow of the Iraq war. Now even the U.S department for Foreign Affairs is ringing the alarm bell exclusively for Metro by stating that they regard the situation seriously and that they have taken several measures in order to stop the persecution. One of the solutions can be a safe haven. In talks with Metro the U.S department for Foreign Affairs has opened up for the possibility to give Christians, and other minorities, in Iraq an area of their own, where they will be safe.
In the north of Iraq, just south of Kurdistan, there is an area named Nineveh which is almost entirely populated by Iraq's minorities, most of them Christians. Many are now calling for this area to become an administrative area of its own, a protective zone, where Christian Iraqis can feel safe.
We are working to enhance the consciousness among members of Congress and request from the American Congress to support that Assyrians/Chaldeans/Syriacs and other minorities who live parallel to them in the north part, which is called the Nineveh Plaines, shall have their own administrative area. There is support for this in the Iraqi constitution says Michael Youash from the think-tank called Iraqi Sustainable Democracy Project in Washington.
The President of the Assyrian Federation of Sweden, Simon Barmano, says he supports the proposition and wants the Swedish government to act so the Assyrians may have a sanctuary. That is also the standpoint of Fredrick Malm, spokesman of the Swedish co-governing liberal party, Folkpartiet, on issues of political refugees. "I support autonomy for the Assyrians in Nineveh," he says, "But their safety and security must also be guaranteed."
Another reason for wanting a safe haven is the possibility that the large number of refuges, now living under terrible circumstances in the neighbouring countries, may return. Many Iraqi refugees escape to Sweden.
In the north of Iraq, just south of Kurdistan, there is an area named Nineveh which is almost entirely populated by Iraq's minorities, most of them Christians. Many are now calling for this area to become an administrative area of its own, a protective zone, where Christian Iraqis can feel safe.
We are working to enhance the consciousness among members of Congress and request from the American Congress to support that Assyrians/Chaldeans/Syriacs and other minorities who live parallel to them in the north part, which is called the Nineveh Plaines, shall have their own administrative area. There is support for this in the Iraqi constitution says Michael Youash from the think-tank called Iraqi Sustainable Democracy Project in Washington.
The President of the Assyrian Federation of Sweden, Simon Barmano, says he supports the proposition and wants the Swedish government to act so the Assyrians may have a sanctuary. That is also the standpoint of Fredrick Malm, spokesman of the Swedish co-governing liberal party, Folkpartiet, on issues of political refugees. "I support autonomy for the Assyrians in Nineveh," he says, "But their safety and security must also be guaranteed."
Another reason for wanting a safe haven is the possibility that the large number of refuges, now living under terrible circumstances in the neighbouring countries, may return. Many Iraqi refugees escape to Sweden.
Labels: Assyrians, Iraqi constitution, Ninevah, Sweden, U.S department for Foreign Affairs
