By: Sarwar Salar Chuchani (www.sarwarkurd.blogfa.com)
Published on Sivil Magazine in Hewler, Kurdistan (September 26th 2009)
1- POLITICAL REFORMS INSIDE KRG:
a- How is your opinion about current KRG politics in general?
KRG politics is moving in a really interesting direction. After years of stagnation and dominance by two political parties we are starting to see the opening up of the political space. Hopefully this trend will continue. Politics in the KRG has local, national and international dimensions and they all affect each other because of the unique status of Iraqi Kurdistan. It makes for a very interesting- though volatile – mix. Politics in the KRG have the potential to set the stage for Iraqi and regional politics.
b- How you see the last parliamentary and presidential elections in Iraqi Kurdistan and what is your opinion about its results?
The Goran’s party showing in the last election was a positive step – it showed that the Iraqi Kurdish people are really focusing on their internal governance – and more importantly- there is a non violent, effective means to get change that is needed.
However- the question remains- will Goran be just another offshoot of the PUK, will they be co-opted by the more powerful parties or will they become a viable opposition?
c- Corruption is a central issue in Kurdistan, some opposition parties say that it can be dealt with by reforms abroad; others say reforms are not enough and we need a radical change to the whole system, how is your viewpoint?
Corruption is indeed a central issue in the KRG and Iraq as a whole. Reform can only be accomplished from within. The best way citizens can hold their government officials accountable is by fostering an open political system where they can vote out corrupt officials if need be and elect new ones. There also has to be extensive bureaucratic reforms. One of the problems in the KRG and other places facing similar issues of corruption is that the government bureaucracy is bloated and there are too many people on the government payroll. The system should be streamlined and the private sector made more robust. The press also has a critical role to play and the Kurdish press is doing a fine job of revealing incidents of corruption and holding officials to account.
2- KRG-CENTRAL GOVT. RELATIONS:
a-what might be the best solution to disputed regions (KIRKUK in particular)? Is Iraqi constitution enough to be the sole mediator between both parties? Or they need regional and international intervention?
As you and your readers know- Kirkuk is an extremely complicated situation. Iraqi Kurds of course want to see Kirkuk incorporated within the KRG but there are many other actors- within Iraq and in the region- that oppose this idea. Though many people want to see a quick solution – I have advocated a “go it slow” approach. We should not advocate a quick solution at the expense of stability. If there is a solution that favors one side over the other, in this current environment, where all sides have not had the chance to process any potential outcome – it could lead to violence. I don’t think that the constitution will be enough – this is a situation that requires international mediation and I think we should let the UNAMI process play out.
b-how you see the KRG leadership’s behavior with the issue of disputed territories since 2003?
Both sides- the central Iraqi government and the KRG- need to find a way to deescalate the current tensions over disputed territories because one mistake could potentially blow up into something that sparks a wider violent conflict. Both sides have made mistakes and you can’t apportion blame to one or the other. The best way to deescalate tensions while a permanent solution is being worked out is to establish strict protocols for communication and movement for both armed forces across the border.
c-if the relations between KRG and IRAQI govt. continue as it’s now, Lydia Khalil is optimistic or pessimistic about the future of that relation? And why?
I am always optimistic a non violent resolution can be reached, but Kirkuk is worrying. I hope to see an alternative process for a resolution that all sides can agree on, but I don’t think we are close to that yet.
3-KRG and IRAQI neighbors and Middle East:
a-what should KRG do about PKK?
The KRG should continue to cooperate with US and Turkish and other regional governments to flush out the PKK from Northern Iraq. Though some Iraqi Kurds feel sympathy to the PKK cause- the reality is that there can be no viable future for the KRG if PKK fighters are present in the territory or if Iraqi Kurdish officials are suspected of aiding or abetting the PKK, even if it is through benign neglect.
b-can Kurdish leadership be regarded as a player in Middle East politics?
What happens in the KRG certainly affects the region and vice versa. The KRG has had a long history of its neighbors meddling in its affairs, but now it seems as if the Iraqi Kurdish government is coming to its own. It is important to remember though that many countries in the region and internationally, will not deal exclusively with the KRG because they do not want to see the break up of the Iraqi state. Affording too much importance to the KRG is threatening to the region because of the so called “Kurdish Question” and prospect for Kurdish independence.
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to read the Kurdish version click here
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