Newsletter Issue 1
Dec 2013
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Newsletter Issue 1
Top Stories: * President Barzani on Historic Visit to Diyarbakir * President Barzani Meets Turkish Kurdish Politicians Layla Zana & Osman Baydemir * Oil and gas conference opens in Erbil, 'exploration capital of the world' * Kurdistan's oil is contributing to a better future for our people * Iraqi Kurdistan: KDP–PUK alliance still going strong * Kurdistan Democratic Party’s Foreign Relations Head visit to UK and Europe * Genocide never leaves us. * Kurdistan’s Peace Pipelines
Dec 2013
President Barzani on Historic Visit to Diyarbakir
Diyarbakir, Turkey, (KRP.org) - At the invitation of the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, Kurdistan Region President Barzani paid a historic visit to Diyarbakir, Turkey, today. After his arrival in the city, the President delivered a speech to a gathering in which he reiterated his stance for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey. The gathering was attended by Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayip Erdogan and a number of “The milestone of other Turkish officials. President Barzani's trip to Diyarbakir, described by Turkish Prime Minis- that principle came ter and by President Barzani as "historic," was a step forward towards further solidifying the on the day when relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey. Below is the transcript of the speech: In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate I am pleased to be amongst you in this beloved city, Diyarbakir. I would like to warmly thank Prime Minister Erdogan for his invitation. To me, this is a historic visit, I am carrying with me, the greetings of Kurdistan to Turkey, the greetings of Erbil to the oh-so dear Diyarbakir.
Mr. Erdogan came to Diyarbakir and said that the day of denying the Kurds is no longer here.”
Ladies and gentlemen, today is indeed a historic day; it is a day when we begin to create coexistence and accepting each other. The milestone of that principle came on the day when Mr. Erdogan came to Diyarbakir and said that the day of denying the Kurds is no longer here. To me as a Kurd, that was a pleasant day that a leader has emerged in Turkey who is taking Turkey on the right path, on the path of brotherhood. Ladies and gentlemen, the people of the Middle East ought to co-exist and live peacefully with one another while accepting each other. Because with that coexistence, we can make our countries more prosperous. We've tried war and none of us benefited from it. The blood of a Kurdish youth should not be shed by a Turkish youngster and the blood of a Turkish youth should not be shed by a Kurdish youngster. The foundation of the peace process has been started, thanks to Mr. Erdogan for initiating the peace process, and so my call for all my Kurdish and Turkish brothers is to support this peace process. The struggle for peace is indeed challenging and that struggle can only be pursued by brave men. So I hereby announce that we, both Kurds and Turks, are with this peace process and we support it. It has been my wish for close to two decades to be in Diyarbakir and to speak to you in this manner and this day is clearly the result of peace and brotherhood. Finally I would like to reiterate that I am very pleased to be amongst you today. I wish you success and prosperity. And now I would like to say something in Turkish, even though I don't know Turkish, long live the brotherhood of Kurds and Turks, long live liberty, long live peace. 1
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President Barzani Meets Turkish Kurdish Politicians Layla Zana & Osman Baydemir Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with Kurdish MP in the Turkish Parliament Layla Zana and the mayor of the Kurdish city of Diyarbakir. Today’s meeting focused on the peace process in Turkey and efforts to move the process forward. The two sides also discussed the challenges facing the Kurdish areas in Syria, and ways to overcome those challenges.
Oil and gas conference opens in Erbil, 'exploration capital of the world'
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on 3rd Decemember 2013 at a major oil and gas conference said that the Kurdistan Region is now an important part of the world’s energy map and plans to develop export routes in the near future. The Prime Minister was speaking at the CWC Kurdistan – Iraq Oil and Gas Conference in Erbil, capital of the Kurdistan Region. He said, “We are working to identify bottlenecks in the export infrastructure, to create the right investment scenario, and to get more oil to the market. This means building additional feeder and export pipelines for Iraq, and that is what we are doing, in line with the authority that the Iraqi constitution has given the provinces of the Kurdistan Region.” Emphasizing that these projects are not a threat to Iraq’s unity, the Prime Minister said, “Our policies, our achievements and our contracts are entirely consistent with Iraq’s constitution, and I stress again, the benefits will be shared by all Iraqis.” He also added that the success of the KRG’s policies has now inspired other governorates in Iraq to push for recognition of their Constitutional rights as well. Pointing out that the Iraqi Government frequently uses the federal budget and control of natural resources to apply political pressure, Prime Minister Barzani said that if Iraq wants to succeed, it has to implement the constitution and avoid centralising power and authority. He said, “Iraq’s oil and gas revenues must be used to help and support the aspirations of the current and future generations, and not to buy expensive weapons and create crises involving the country in more problems.” The Prime Minister said that Iraq needs to develop an oil and gas policy based on cooperation with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), not confrontation, and urged the federal government to pass an oil and gas law as soon as possible, as well as a revenue-sharing law. He said, “Our goals for Iraq are simple and principled – we want a federal, pluralistic, and democratic system that serves the needs of all Iraqis, and protects the economic and political freedoms we cherish. We want to make certain that our energy resources are used to improve the lives and dreams of our people, to provide security, prosperity, and a higher quality of life for all.”
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Dr Ashti Hawrami, the KRG Minister for Natural Resources, also addressed the conference. He said, “We will continue to have constructive dialogue with our colleagues in Baghdad, to find a way to resolve the outstanding issues between us." He added, "In 2012, after the entry of Exxon Mobil, there followed a flood of other companies, such as Chevron, Total and Gazprom, and others are coming in as we speak. Now Taqa, the Abu Dhabi national energy company, has decided to take a position on exploration in Kurdistan.” On oil exports, Dr Hawrami said that at the KRG’s initiative, the Kurdistan Region started exporting again a few months ago. This led to the September 13th agreement with Baghdad, which commits the KRG to an average of 200,000 barrels per day of exports by the end of this year, and an average of 250,000 barrels per day in 2013. The agreement is binding on both sides, it was signed by the Council of Ministers in Baghdad and approved by the KRG.
"In 2012, after the entry of Exxon Mobil, there followed a flood of other companies, such as Chevron, Total and Gazprom, and others are The KRG is already fulfilling this agreement and is on track for next year’s target. In return, the KRG expects the coming in as we speak. oil companies in the Kurdistan Region to be paid by Baghdad. The first payment of $540 million dollars was Now Taqa, the Abu Dhabi made in the last few days, and the second payment is expected to be paid by the end of this year. national energy company, Dr Roj Nouri Shawis, Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, also gave a keynote address at the first day of the conference, has decided to take a highlighting Iraq's energy reserves and future production capacity. He said that the Federal Government is trying position on exploration in to remove legal and administrative obstacles so that foreign companies can invest in the energy sector, and added Kurdistan.” that the 13 September 2012 agreement with the KRG on oil export payments was an important step towards resolving outstanding issues. Turkey’s Deputy Energy Minister, Dr Selahattin Cimen, gave a keynote speech on Turkey’s role as an energy transmission hub from East to West and from South to North. Dr Cimen said, “The trade sector is an important part of our relations, and collaboration between the KRG and Turkey to transfer oil and gas to the world markets will strengthen our ties. What energy markets need most is a free market, transparency and secure supply. In this context, the KRG reaching out to supply the world will be a breath of fresh air for the world markets.” Minister Cimen referred to the 15 October 2009 MOU between Iraq and Turkey to build a natural gas corridor. He also said that Ceyhan is set to become the largest oil outlet terminal in the Eastern Mediterranean. The two-day conference was opened by Dr Alirio Parra, Venezuela’s former energy minister and a board member of CWC Group. Dr Parra said, “In welcoming you to this conference today. Erbil is the exploration capital of the world at a time of exceptional growth. He added, “Three of the five largest oil companies in the world are here with us. It is unprecedented to have such a high number of large companies in an area that is for exploration.” Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the former British ambassador to the UN, chaired the first day of the conference. Other speakers included Minister Qubad Talabani, Head of the Department for Coordination and Follow-up, and representatives of several oil and gas companies. Nechirvan Barzani: We lost a great advocate of democracy, tolerance and peace FRI, 6 DEC 2013 17:51 | KRG.org Today the world lost a great political leader who valued democracy and peace more than his own lost life in prison. It is with the greatest sorrow we learned of the passing of Nelson Mandela, a man who personified the struggle for human dignity, equality and sense of justice.Although he did not have a chance to visit Kurdistan, he felt strongly for the Kurdish cause and made it clear on several occasions that our struggle to survive and achieve justice was a universal call. We also felt that we had many things in common with Mandela’s vision for his country. We admired his call for forgiveness, tolerance, nonviolent political solutions, and truth and reconciliation.For us, Mandela was a great reminder that years of imprisonment and suffering can be turned into tremendous strength for the greater good of the society, human dignity and a new source of inspiration. The most important lesson I personally learned from Mandela’s life was to recognize past injustice and focus on future improvement of human conditions.Mandela taught us that we can transform ourselves and our societies by doing what we humanly can to avoid revenge. By doing so he changed his his own country and most political leaders’ expectations. He taught the entire world that humility combined with determination can change the course of history in a constructive way. Although we will be missing a great unifier, Mandela's words and deeds will remain with us for generations in the human struggle to provide a better prospect for humanity. We will miss a great advocate of democracy, tolerance and non-violence. Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government Page 3
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Iraqi Kurdistan: KDP–PUK alliance still going strong Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—In exclusive comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) politburo secretary Fadel Mirani reaffirmed his party’s commitment to “the strategic agreement with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK.)” Mirani dismissed reports that the KDP–PUK alliance had been severed in the wake of September’s parliamentary elections, which saw the Gorran (Movement for Change) beat the PUK to second place. The KDP emerged as winners, securing 38 out of 111 seats, with caretaker Prime Minister Nechervan Barzani being tasked with forming a new government. Talks to form a new Kurdistan government are ongoing, with analysts predicting that it could be based on a strong KDP–Gorran alliance, with the PUK taking a smaller role.
, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)
politburo secretary Fadel Mirani The KDP–PUK political alliance sustained the previous government, but rumors of rifts emerged following the news that Kurdistan’s two main political parties would seek to contest the 2013 parliamentary elections on separate lists. Responding to questions about the KDP–PUK alliance, Mirani told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The deal will continue between the two parties until the Kurdish political movement and the Kurdistan region find themselves in a better situation . . . but this has not developed yet. At a Kurdish and Iraqi level, we still need this deal to continue.”
“The PUK is an important and strategic ally [for the KDP] at this stage, and this is “The PUK is an important and strategic ally [for the KDP] at this stage, and this is evidenced by evidenced by the fact the fact that the political, non-official talks regarding the formation of a new government started that the political, non with the PUK, not Gorran,” he said. -official talks regardCommenting on the KDP’s failure to win an outright majority at September’s elections, Mirani ing the formation of a new government said: “Perhaps our ambitions and aspirations surpass what we achieved in the elections, but we started with the PUK, have enough allies to ensure a 51-percent majority.” not Gorran,” Mirani stressed that despite its underwhelming election results, the PUK remained a key strategic ally for the KDP.
The KDP spokesman also rejected criticisms of the elections, saying: “Despite what was said and is being said by parties and political blocs, Kurdistan’s parliamentary elections this year were excellent in terms of fairness and voter turnout.”
“The KDP won the most seats at the elections and our priority is to ensure that the people of Kurdistan emerge as the biggest winners,” he added. Mirani also expressed satisfaction at the “positive response” from Kurdish parties and political factions regarding their participation in the next government. He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “While some believe that such a government will be weak, fragile or unable to function, some look at it in a positive way given that it will enjoy a broad participation and a strong base of support.” “Personally I look at the government in a positive way particularly given that Iraqi Kurdistan in particular and Iraq in general needs calm over the next four years,” he added. Page 4
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Kurdistan's oil is contributing to a better future for our people By Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman Kurdistan Regional Government High Representative to the UK Oil and gas have been part of Kurdistan's history and have impacted the Kurdish struggle in Iraq directly or indirectly. Until recently that impact was negative and destructive, but today we are turning that around and already Kurdish oil is contributing to a brighter future for our people and better relations with our neighbours. Previous Iraqi regimes used the wealth generated from oil to fund the apparatus of oppression and the weapons of war. The riches under Kurdish soil were deliberately neglected, while the proceeds from the oil fields of southern Iraq were used by Iraqi regimes to buy and use weapons against the Kurds. Our people suffered Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, Member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Leadership Council chemical bombardment, destruction and confiscation of their homes, disappearances and genocide. Even now, Kirkuk, which is geographically and historically “We want to produce Kurdish, has become a disputed territory because of its oil. Today, we Kurds are managing our oil resources according to the Iraqi Constitution and we are oil and gas to put Kurdistan on the trying to use that wealth for the betterment of our society and economy. We hope that these world energy map riches will be a source of prosperity for our people and a catalyst for peace and dialogue, in a and to provide jobs total reversal of the way they were used in the past.
for local communiAlready they have been a factor in the turnaround in our relationship with Turkey. They can and ties, to develop the should be a unifying factor with the rest of Iraq. skills of our young Oil produced in Kurdistan is part of the oil that belongs to all the people of Iraq and success of the Kurdistan Regional Government's energy policy should be a matter for celebration by all sides in Iraq - and we are still hopeful that this will be so. Kurdistan has come a long way since 2007 when our oil and gas law was passed, but we are ambitious and we have much more to do.
people and to provide better healthcare and a prosperous future for all our people. “
We want to produce oil and gas to put Kurdistan on the world energy map and to provide jobs for local communities, to develop the skills of our young people and to provide better healthcare and a prosperous future for all our people. We can and should be able to do that if we continue on the path that we have set on already. We want to use the technological innovations in the energy sector to support the future growth of the industry. We want to learn from the international oil companies, investors and experts so that there is a knowledge-transfer to our economy. We are clear about the importance of the social responsibility that these oil companies have towards the people of Kurdistan. These are all factors that illustrate that the oil and gas industry is not just about seismic measurements, barrels of oil and pipelines, but that it is about people. The people that invest in it and take the risk of exploration, and the people who love and have protected the land with their lives because it and its natural resources belong to their ancestors as well as future generations. I have been impressed by how conscious the international oil companies are about their responsibility towards local communities but I wonder sometimes how well their efforts have been communicated. While it is important that the KRG and the Ministry of Natural Resources are aware of the companies' work in delivering community projects such as schools, clinics and housing, it is just as if not more important that the communities these projects serve should be made aware what or who is behind them. We want our people to know that they are already benefiting from the oil and gas resources that our land is blessed with. It is important that we and our friends and neighbours know that Kurdistan's oil is being used to better our society, to build a brighter future for our children and to contribute to peace in our part of the world. Page 5
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Hawrami discusses Kurdistan political developments in European Parliament The head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s Foreign Relations Office met with Mr Hans Slovoboda, head of the Social Democrats bloc, Mr Nicole Rinaldo, vice-chairman of the European trade and economic committee and Ms Aiinh Gomez, an MEP and coordinator of conservative parties, to highlight the current stability in the region. Mr Slovoboda praised the KDP leadership and spoke positively of President Massoud Barzani’s role in the region’s stable reconstruction process. Ms Gomez referred to the success of majorty of the legislative elections held in September as “victory for democracy in the Kurdistan and the region”. Mr Hawrami requested of the European Parliament to implement a coordinator in the region or in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad Mr Hawrami Accompanied by the representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the European Union Dilvar Ajgai and Zana Kurda from KRG
Hawrami meets British Tory dignitary at Conservative HQ in London The Head of Foreign Relations Office of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Hemin Hawrami, headed a delegation meeting with Director at the International Office for the Conservative Party, Ms Philippa Broom, at the ruling party headquarters in London. The delegation consisted of Head of Communications at the FRO, Mr Sherko Habeb, Mr Dara Barawi, office member and Mr Kamal Amadi from the KDP UK branch. Ms Broom welcomed Mr Hawrami and his delegation before moving on to express her contentment of building solidarity relations with the KDP, in a manifestation of a deep-rooted and time-tested bond of friendship between the two sides. Mr Hawrami focused on the KDP’s position regarding fundamental change in the Kurdistan-Region, with mention that 120 reputable British companies have now invested in the region, that’s generated immense economic activity by creating new vistas of employment opportunities in the region thus ushering in a new era of progress and prosperity. Ms Broom said investment by British companies is evident the region has galvanised in a secure and stable environment. It was discussed that an exchange of delegations would provide new impetus to the existing strong strategic partnership between Kurdistan and the UK. Mr Hawrami expressed his thanks to the Conservative party for their role in aiding and assisting the Kurds during the 199 uprising, and for setting up the then-no fly zones. In another aspect of the meeting, Mr Hawrami discussed the latest developments in Kurdistan and the position of the KDP relating to the peace process advances in Turkey in addition the ongoing crisis in Syria where refugee figures in the Kurdistan-Region have reached over 250,000.
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Vice President of European Parliament commends Barzani’s role in Kurdistan In a visit to Brussels, Hemin Hawrami, head of Kurdistan Democratic Party’s Foreign Relations Office talked of the latest developments in the Kurdistan-Region, the ongoing crisis in Syria and the peace process between Kurdish parties and the Turkish government, in a meeting with Alejo Vidal, the vicepresident of the European Parliament and Mr Struan Stevens, head of Iraq Affairs. Mr Vidal said the European Union appreciates the role and values of the Kurdistan-Region, commending the success of legislative elections that saw the KDP win a majority of seats. He also spoke of the recent historic trip by President Massoud Barzani to Diyarbakir, hailing it as a success.
Hawrami meets Labour UK Shadow Foreign Office Minister at Parliament Head of Foreign Relations Office of Kurdistan Democratic Party, Hemin Hawrami, led a delegation meeting with Shadow Foreign Minister from Labour (UK), Ian Lucas MP, at the House of Parliament in London. Head of Communications at the FRO, Mr Sherko Habeb, office member Mr Dara Barawi and from the KDP UK branch Mr Kamal Amadi were the delegates in attendance. Commenting on the current political situation in the region, and the socio-economic development, the two sides hoped that it would continue to the mutual benefit of countries. Mr Hawrami highlighted frequent exchange of delegations would provide new impetus to the existing strong strategic partnership between Kurdistan and the UK. Mr Lucas expressed his thanks toward the Kurdistan-Region President Massoud Barzani for his part in aiding the Syrian refugees and providing his full support.
KDP Foreign Relations Office delegation attend Middle East conference in Madrid Headed by Hemin Hawrami, head of foreign relations office, the delegates are in Madrid on a three-day visit to highlight the latest developments in the KurdistanRegion. Mr Hawrami demanded an analysis on the policy of the European Parliament toward the Kurdish issue. The FAES, whose president is former Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, stressed on the European policies in the direction of the Middle East. Mr Aznar said the Kurdistan-Region is a new scope of politics when comparing to Iraq and other regions in the Middle East, in terms of security and stability. Other comments came from the deputy secretary of democratic parties (CDI), who said co-existence and fraternity are the key differences between nationalities and religions in Kurdistan, Mr Hawrami thanked the former prime minister of Spain for his then-participation I the liberalization of Iraq in 2003. Page 7
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Genocide never leaves us. It is in every face in this town TUE, 26 MAR 2013 13:06 | The Sun By Brian Flynn in Halaba Children breathed it in greedily but moments later lay blinded and writhing in their death throes, blood streaming from their eyes, nose and mouth. In confused agony, they screamed and clawed at their burning skin as it turned red, then black, before they finally fell silent. Time has not erased the memories of the day 25 years ago when Saddam Hussein gassed the innocents of Halabja with chemical weapons, killing more than 5,000 in just a few hours. The tyrant’s weapons of mass destruction are no myth here, in the town he tried to wipe out in his drive to rid northern Iraq of Kurds. Locals still regularly come across the remains of those who died. In the streets, those with birth defects bear testimony to the lasting effects of an atrocity, which left 10,000 with hideous wounds. There are 254 survivors still categorised as seriously ill from the gas, and babies are still being born with chemicals in their blood. Cancer and brain damage are more common here than elsewhere and many women are barren. Plumber Bakhtyar Abdulla, 38, said: “It never leaves us. You can see it in the expression of every face on the street, even now. That day still haunts the town.” He was just 13 when Halabja turned blood red with evil smoke from 400 warheads. The horror began with the rumble of jets and bombs falling from the sky at 11.35am on March 16, 1988. Local ethnic Kurds — long hated by Saddam for craving freedom from his rule — assumed it was just another shelling and took cover. In fact, the bombardment was simply aimed at shattering windows so those in the town would suffer the full force of what followed. At 2pm, the first of the duck-egg blue warheads, each carrying a cocktail of chemicals, began falling. As victims dropped and panicking families fled, bombers dumped more gas on the two roads out oflishe town, cutting off escape. But Bakhtyar — holed up in a cellar with his parents, two brothers, a sister and other relatives — remained unaware of the carnage until they emerged at 3pm. He explains: “We did not know it was a chemical attack. But when we came out, we saw two children dead and bleeding from their mouths and we realised.
“25 years after 5,000 were killed in massacre, we speak to the survivors in Halabja”
“We put wet cloths on our mouths but you could not breathe normally as the air was so thick.” He and his family were among 21 survivors who clambered, gasping, into a white Dodge pick-up truck and tried to drive out of town. Aboard the truck he watched helpless as, one by one, his father Omer, mother Maliha, and sister Bekhal all died screaming. His seven-year-old brother Nzar began crying as the gas burned away his eyesight. Fighting back emotion, Bakhtyar recalled: “He asked me, ‘Where are my parents?’ I told him our parents were dead and he said.‘Then please pray for me so that I can die too.’ His mouth and nose were bleeding.” Soon after, Nzar got his wish. Bakhtyar was one of just four on the truck to survive. The 25th anniversary was marked at the weekend with a heartbreaking march by thousands of relatives to a memorial in the town — which is ringed by 34 mass graves. Try suggesting that the West should never have intervened to depose the dictator and you are met with astonishment in Halabja. The Kurds won self-rule in a 1991 revolution after a no-fly zone patrolled by British jets rendered Saddam powerless after the Gulf War. And after the dictator’s monstrous regime was ousted by the Allies ten years ago, they were formally given independent regional rule. Widow Habsa Faraj, 72, who watched four daughters and three sons die in the attack, said: “I am convinced that if he was still alive and in power he would have made more chemical weapons and be using them against his enemies. Page 8
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Kurdistan’s Peace Pipelines PNA - Not very many people believed that the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), created through the Treaty of Paris between Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg will serve as the first step to transform part of the European continent. During the Second World War, many American politicians would imagine Europe as a lost continent because of the two world wars. However, ECSC paved the way for creating of the European Union. Before signing the Lisbon Treaty (2007), that formally created the EU, European countries signed nine other treaties as a consequence of the ECSC. The French foreign minister of the time, Robert Schuman, believed that by creating such economic ties among European countries would “make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible”. The basic idea was to these links would encourage a peaceful regional integration. Natural recourses were seen to play a constructive role in moving former waring countries away from competing with each other aggressively to co-ordination and co-operation. What the European countries and other regions learned from this example is a basic observation that has been repeated by scholars, diplomats and mediators: in order to prevent conflicts, countries and societies need to establish good relationships. These relationships will function to support what is usually know as bridge-building. Economic relationships turned out to be a crucial bridge-building task, which requires constructive communication, trust and alignment of interests. It is a common place to regard natural resources either as an important factor to generate more income and bring prosperity to a country or as a source of destabilisation and conflict. It is not difficult to cite examples in which natural resources have been wasted or caused destructive state or elite behaviours. However, a vast amount of research has also shown that the natural resource wealth is good for development if it is coupled with investments in skills and technological capacities and with good macro-economic institutions and management. In the case of Kurdistan, direct access to the Natural resources is a novelty. This is the first time in the modern history of Kurdistan, elected political leaders are managing the country’s resources and take responsibility of how it is envisioned, developed and implemented. The pipelines built between Kurdistan Region and Turkey can be seen as peace pipelines because it brings income to a war-torn country (Iraq), creates a regional integration (Kurdistan Region, Iraq and Turkey), creates job opportunities in the beyond Middle East, contributes to energy security (Kurdistan Region, Turkey and international energy market), trust-building (Kurdistan Region, Turkey and Iraq) and peaceful settlement of political conflicts (inside Turkey). When the oil and gas pass through the newly built pipelines, Kurdistan Region makes a statement of historical significance because the Region’s first step towards international market ends a long process of creating a peaceful state re-building.
“In the case of Kurdistan, direct access to the Natural resources is a novelty. This is the first time in the modern history of Kurdistan, elected political leaders are managing the country’s resources and take responsibility of how it is envisioned, developed and implemented.”
In order to appreciate the importance of this move by Kurdistan Region, we need to highlight a few milestones. In May 1992, Kurdistan Region’s political parities decide to hold an election. Later that year, the new elected Kurdistan Assembly issued a degree in which expressed that the Kurdistan Region will “determine its fate and define its legal relationship with the central authority at this stage of history on the basis of the federation within a democratic parliamentary Iraq.” That remained with no effect until December 2002, when the Bush administration publicly agreed that postSaddam Iraq will be a federal state. In March 2004, the TAL (Transitional Administrative Law) went into some details about the nature of federalism in Iraq. In 2005, Iraq’s interim assembly approved the country’s current constitution which was later approved by 4 out of 5 voters in a referendum.
This was crucial milestone. Throughout the entire process of Iraq’s constitutional negotiation, the issue of oil and gas was one of most difficult to agree on. The final agreement was a peaceful settlement. The issue of oil and gas was not included in the exclusive power of the federal government. The articles dealing with oil and gas are shared power between the federal government, the regional government (Kurdistan Region is the only recognised authority so far) and governorates.
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The next milestone came when Kurdistan Region passed its own oil and gas law (in August 2007). That opened up for foreign companies to directly sign contracts with the elected Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Since then, over more than 50 stakeholders (from 23 countries) have entered Kurdistan’s emerging energy market. With the oil and gas pumped through Kurdistan’s pipeline system over to the Turkish border and then to the international market, the KRG establishes its next milestone in peaceful Useful links: development from insisting on federalism in Iraq to create new economic and political rewww.kdp.info lationships to bridge-building using energy in a constructive and imaginative way to enhance regional communication, encourage trust among regional players in a region burwww.fr.kdp.info dened with conflicts, civil strife and instability. www.krp.org.
Maybe in 20 or 30 years historians and analysis will see the even of opining the pipeline www.perleman.org between Kurdistan Region and Turkey as a remarkable peace initiative by leaders of a population that were subject to war, destruction, mass exodus and genocide as a new powww.krg.org litical trend in the Middle East. Maybe future strategy centres will have bear names of sevwww.uk.krg.org. eral of today’s decision-makers for being innovative, creative, constructive and courageous. Maybe future researchers will find out that the Kurdistan pipelines was the beginning of a new political order in the Middle East in based on economic ties, regional cooperation and political initiative
US congress to consider recognition of Kurdish genocide Two members of the US Congress have tabled a resolution calling on the House of Representatives and the government to recognise the genocide against the Kurds in Iraq. On November 19th 2013, United States Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Marsha Blackburn introduced resolution H.RES.422 to recognise the campaign of genocide against the Kurdish people in Iraq through which it reaffirms its commitment to the friendship between the United States and the Kurdish people in Iraq. The recognition of the Kurdish genocide by the US Government will send to the world a message of support for human rights and justice, the resolution says. The bi-partisan motion presented by the Representatives Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Democratic Party, and Marsha Blackbern of the Republican Party, has been submitted and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which considers issues that impact the diplomatic community. The genocide against the Kurdish people began with the arabisation of villages around Kirkuk in 1963. It involved the deportation and disappearances of Faylee Kurds in the 1970s and 80s, the murder of 8,000 male Barzanis in 1983, the use of chemical weapons in the late 1980s, most notably against Halabja in 1988, and finally the Anfal campaign of 1987-88. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people disappeared, families were devastated, many continue to have serious health problems, and over 4,500 villages were destroyed between 1976 and 1988. On February 28th this year, the British Parliament formally recognised the Kurdish genocide in Iraq. The British Parliament’s House of Commons agreed to the motion: 10