Thread: Kurdistan Economy

Kurdistan Parliament Approves Law on the elections and keep the lists closed

The Kurdistan parliament, on Wednesday, new amendments to the law on general elections in the Territory in the light of the proposals submitted by the Presidency of the Kurdistan region in the month of February last, refusing to work with the system of open lists rather than closed lists.

Under the new amendments to the Law on the fourth general elections, the formation of a judicial court of discrimination in the Kurdistan region to consider the issues and complaints received from political entities and individuals, whose decisions are final, while allowing Kurdish population outside the region to participate in the elections of the Parliament of Kurdistan and to vote on the allocation of the components of the private police, army and hospital.

Parliament Speaker Adnan Mufti told (Voices of Iraq) after the ratification of the law, the regular meeting of the Parliament today (Wednesday), that the law "will be sent to the Independent High Electoral Commission to determine the deadline for the holding of parliamentary elections in the Territory," pointing out that the law "is ready Now that it has proposed to the Office of the holding of elections in the nineteenth of May next. "

Adding "They let us know that this is achievable, so that the President of the region call for the holding of elections and timing."

On the other hand, the Voice of Kurdistan parliament and a majority for a "non-introduction of open lists rather than closed lists by 63 votes to 14, with a number of other parliamentarians from voting."

The number of members of the Parliament of Kurdistan 111 members.

The session of Parliament to have a legal committee in the parliament demanded that the electoral system change from closed to open.

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Shahristani: Kurdistan has signed contracts for the "secret" and with the companies the fourth and fifth grade

criticized Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, on Wednesday, the Kurdistan regional government, which he said it had signed contracts with companies from the fourth or fifth degree, in violation of the confidentiality laws and regulations of Iraq, indicating that these contracts were not binding on the State, which had only the right to export Iraqi oil.

This came in a lengthy interview with the newspaper's Middle East while he was in Paris when he visited a large delegation and the Economic Commission for activating the French - the common Iraqi.

He said al-Shahristani, a day after accusing the President of the Kurdistan regional government Nnigervan Barzani for his policy of "failed", said the contract was entered into by the Government of Kurdistan, "is with companies from the fourth or fifth grade, and was concluded from the non-competition and out of transparency, was not on the Government the federal nor the Kurdish people, and thus is contrary to the confidentiality of contracts laws and regulations of Iraq, "following that this" fact, raises the suspicion of the Kurdish people and the Iraqi people, both we and our position is clear, that any contract entered into non-competition and out of transparency is unacceptable contract and contrary to the laws in force, are not allowed to the companies concerned to operate on Iraqi territory, if it did, it should assume its responsibilities. "

The head of the Kurdistan regional government Nechirvan Barzani said Tuesday that the policy, Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, the oil in the area of "failed", and negatively affected the production of Iraqi oil.

He said al-Shahristani, the Iraqi constitution, "determined that Iraq's oil and gas property of the Iraqi people and, therefore, any conduct of any region of Iraq in Iraq's oil wealth and the Federal Government without the approval of the disposal of non-acceptable", indicating that the contracts signed by the Kurdistan Regional Government " does not represent a commitment to Iraq, is not entitled to any outside company to operate on Iraqi soil on the basis of contracts were not approved by the Iraqi government, "following up" I say to the foreign companies that they must shoulder their responsibilities."

Shahristani said that it is possible that the companies that signed contracts with the provincial government "to develop a field or dig wells and to assess the pipes and tanks, but that the oil product can not be exported or disposed of. We believe that must be handed over to the Iraqi government and the issue of Iraqi exports through the system, "stating" Until now, there are activities on the ground and drilling operations, but did not produce oil from these wells, even if produced, the quantities can be sold at home or the smuggling of other quantities ( abroad). Will be exported only through the Iraqi system of state-owned."

He said al-Shahristani said that there were "discussions between the Federal Government and the representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and we have reached an understanding that the proceeds of oil produced must go to the Treasury in central Baghdad, and that the Federal Government re-distribution of the proceeds through the public budget," the following "work underway to connect the pipe (which will pass by the amount of oil extracted under contracts the Government of Kurdistan) Iraq network, "but there is reluctance by the Government of the Territory for the delivery of this oil, claiming that the company, which developed the fields and be rewarded by the compensation, even if we consider this reasoning is correct, it should be that the presentation is concluded with the foreign company on the Iraqi government, to see if Iraq provides the full control of the oil profits and reasonable, and to ensure that the company concerned does not participate in production, but instead recognizes the fees. "

Shahristani said, speaking on the sample of contracts concluded the Kurdistan regional government in earlier times, "I want to say here that we can agree to amend the contract as agreed to amend the contracts entered into by the former regime with Chinese companies, and we saw that it could review contracts entered into since the fall of Saddam until the draft oil and gas law in February (February) of 2007, and transferred to the decades after the service to make sure that Iraq's interest is safeguarded. "

Escalated during the recent rhetoric between the central government and the territorial Government on the oil contracts concluded by the Kurdistan with foreign companies without Baghdad's approval, the government believed that the contracts concluded by the provincial government has not been submitted to the Iraqi government can not accept any export of crude oil without their consent.

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Nechirvan Barzani: al-Shahristani, the oil policy of "incompetent" and had agreed with Maliki to "normalization of relations"

Chairman of the Kurdistan regional government Nechirvan Barzani, on Tuesday, said that the policy and Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, the oil in the area of "failed", and negatively affected the production of Iraqi oil, noting that he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who agreed with him to "normalize" relations between the province and the center.

This came in a press conference held at the airport in Arbil, Barzani on Tuesday evening, attended by agency (Voices of Iraq), on his return from Baghdad and his meetings with Maliki and Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Baghdad.

Barzani described the policy of the minister of oil in the central government, Hussain al-Shahristani as "a failed policy, and has become the cause of the lateness of Iraq," according to Nnigervan Barzani said, adding that he "discussed the matter with the Prime Minister because he does not comment province of Kurdistan, but in all Iraq."

And on the willingness of the Government of the province to export oil Barzani said: "If accepted by Baghdad, we did not mind, because the oil of Iraq and the King of all imports will be distributed to all Iraqis, and will take only a 17% share."

He described his meeting with Barzani, son of Maliki on Tuesday said: "I visited Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki agreed to work to normalize relations, and we decided to bring the situation back to normal, and we await the arrival of a delegation from Baghdad to the Kurdish region soon to resolve all differences."

He said: "We have stressed the point that the fundamental problems must be resolved through dialogue and discussion and is not in a strong and who is weak."

On the other side of the press conference, described the visit of President Wahid, son of Abdullah Gul to Iraq as "task", indicating he had a "bilateral meeting with him to discuss the files of interest to all parties."

Barzani said, "The meeting we had with President Gul was to restore to normal, with Turkey, the first visit to the Turkish President for more than 33 years."

The official Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Regional Government on Tuesday said Falah Mustafa, told Voices of Iraq (VOI) that Nnigervan Barzani in Baghdad, met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul to discuss the development of political relations, economic and cultural rights, and calling the meeting Balnajeh.

And on the position of the Kurdistan regional government of the presence of PKK in the border strip between the Kurdistan region and Turkey, said that "the Government of the Territory against any armed group to launch attacks on neighboring countries, and the provincial government believes that this issue will be resolved by political means and will not deal with through military solutions."

Barzani and wished to stop the bombardment of the Turkish province of Kurdistan, confirming that the provincial government would not "conspire against one," adding that "Turkey should respect the Iraqi constitution, and to deal with the Kurdistan region, as the Constitution ordains."

And the position of the Government of the Kurdistan region, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani of the Kurdistan Workers Party to lay down their arms or leave the territory of Kurdistan, Barzani said, "It is not reasonable that the attack on another country, due to the Kurdistan region, so that the Iraqi constitution does not allow it."

Talabani was invited on Monday (23/3/2009) during a joint news conference with the guest of President Abdullah Gul, to the rebel Turkish Kurdish rebels to lay down their arms or leave Iraq, Talabani said that Iraq's interest to remove the guerrillas from the Kurdistan Workers Party Iraqi territory.

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Kurdish leader blames oil minister for slump in output

Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani bears the direct responsibility for the country’s failure to boost oil exports, a Kurdish leader said.

Nejerwan Barzani, Kurdish region government’s prime minister, said Shahristani’s policies have backfired and done more harm than benefit to the country.

Barzani made the remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who was visiting the Kurdish region in the latest bid to normalize ties between Baghdad and the Kurds.

Shahristani is one of Iraq’s strongest opponents of allowing the Kurds having any say in the development of the country’s oil riches in their areas.

He has denounced their attempts to extract oil from their fields and blocked their efforts to have their output, which they estimate at 100,000 barrels a day, shipped through Iraqi pipelines for export.

Barzani said he brief Maliki on his regional government’s attitude and displeasure with Shahristani’s policies.

Baghdad fears giving the Kurds the right to develop and export oil from their areas would encourage their hawks to use the revenues as a leverage to boost their autonomy further.

Asked whether the Kurds would let the central government their oil fields as Shahristani demands, Barzani adhered to former position.

He said the Kurds would not relinquish this right but were prepared to funnel the proceeds to the central government coffers after deducting their share which he put at 17% of all proceeds.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index...03-26\kurd.htm

Kurdistan Parliament sends elections law to IHEC in Baghdad

On Thursday March 26th, Kurdistan Parliament sent Kurdistan region elections law, after necessary amendments, to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) of Iraq to start their preparations to carry out the elections on May 19th, 2009.

In an exclusive statement to PUKmedia website correspondent, Kurdistan MP Tariq Jambaz said “the parliament demanded the Independent High Electoral Commission to take all the necessary preparations to supervise these elections and collaborate with Kurdistan region president to assign thier date.”

Bearing in mind, Kurdistan region parliament passed the elections law in its session on Wednesday March 25th, 2009.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...10078&Itemid=1

Turkey breaks with past, seeks ties with Iraqi Kurds

Turkish President Abdullah Gul's recognition of the Kurdistan government in northern Iraq and his talks with the autonomous region's leader on fighting Kurdish guerrillas mark a breakthrough for regional stability. In just two days Gul has helped reduce tensions and break down barriers between the Turkish state and its ethnic Kurdish minority as well as with neighboring Iraqi Kurds.

"The visit was a public gesture. We now expect cooperation to speed up between Turkey and northern Iraqi authorities," a senior Turkish official, who declined to be named, told Reuters. "But results won't happen overnight."

Tensions have been the source of instability for years, not only in Turkey's restive southeast but also across the border, where thousands of separatist Turkish PKK rebels are based. Acknowledging the existence of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which has enjoyed de facto autonomy from Baghdad since 1991, has been taboo among Turkish politicians mindful of reigniting Kurdish hopes of statehood on Turkish soil. Ankara has long refused to talk to the KRG for not doing enough to crack down on Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels, who use the area as a base to attack southeast Turkey.

"Regional problems must be solved in a peaceful way," Gul told Reuters during a two-day trip to Baghdad, the first by a Turkish head of state since 1976.

The outlawed PKK has fought Turkish forces since 1984 in a conflict that has killed 40,000 people. Turkey's tough stance on Kurdish rights has hurt Ankara's bid to join the European Union. The ruling AK Party has given Kurds more cultural and political rights. A Kurdish-language ********** station has started and the Koran can now be published in Kurdish. Gul invited Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani for talks in Baghdad on Tuesday, the first time a Turkish leader has formally agreed to meet an official from the KRG.

"Gul's trip and the results are proof Turkey is normalizing and seeking stability in the region. It is not just lip service," said leading Turkish commentator Mehmet Ali Birand. "Turkey must now make sure it did not bite off more than it could chew. Pressure is now on the Kurdish government, but Turkey will soon have to deliver too."

Pressure also mounted on the PKK this week after Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, himself a Kurd, said the PKK must lay down its arms or quit Iraq. Barzani echoed his comments. The trip to the Iraqi capital is part of a comprehensive drive by the Turkish government to resolve long-standing issues with its neighbors. It is also a recognition by Ankara that keeping old conflicts frozen ultimately hurts Turkey.

Gul became the first Turkish head of state to travel to Armenia last year. The two countries do not have any diplomatic ties, although work is under way to improve relations. "You see, they (efforts on northern Iraq and Armenia) are all well received," Gul told Reuters, saying breaking taboos in Turkey appeared more difficult than they really were.

RIVALRY

The Kurdish region of northern Iraq, made up of three provinces along the border with Iran and Turkey, already has a high degree of autonomy, with its own flag, its own international airport and its own powerful government. But improving ties with Turkey has recently gained urgency as Iraqi Kurdish leaders fear the risks of a more powerful central government under Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Turkish and Iraqi Kurdish officials said. As insurgent violence subsides, a major threat is seen in growing tension between Maliki and the Kurds. The issue of Kirkuk is particularly sensitive as the city sits on some of the largest oil reserves in Iraq.

"(KRG President) Massoud Barzani needs Turkey more than ever as Maliki gets stronger and this will become more evident when U.S. troops start leaving Iraq," said a Turkish diplomat.

Gul also sought to ease tensions between Barzani and Maliki during his Baghdad visit, another Turkish diplomat said. Improving ties with Iraq, and thus influence, is also driven by concern in Turkey that non-Arab, Shi'ite Iran is gaining too much influence in the country. Turkey is also among Iraq's most important trading partners.

"If the KRG succeeds in enhancing the political and economic ties with Turkey, then definitely Turkey will spontaneously defend the Kurdish region to protect its vital interests, especially economic ones," said Safen Dizate, head of foreign affairs for the Kurdish Democratic Party of Massoud Barzani.

Gul said: "Once the PKK is eliminated there are no bounds to what is possible: you are our neighbors and kinsmen."

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...10083&Itemid=1

Masrour Barzani: We reject UN report on Kirkuk if not based on constitution

Director of Kurdistan Region Security Agency Masrour Barzani emphasized that the Kurds will reject the U.N report on Kirkuk in case of not taken the Iraqi permanent constitution into consideration.

That came during Barzani’s meeting with a U.S embassy delegation included the head of the political department Robert Ford, the representative of the Middle East affairs Peter Fromin, a number of U.S embassy staff and the U.S reconstruction team in Kurdistan Region.

Barzani referred to the Kurdish leadership determination to solve the issue of the disputed areas according to Article 140 of the constitution.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...10252&Itemid=1

Korean company emphasizes continued oil exploration in Kurdistan

The oil company Oil Corp, South Korea, Saturday, it will continue oil exploration in the Kurdistan region, despite Baghdad's decision to bar a judge from the rest of the work in Iraq unless they are canceled contracts concluded with the territory.

A spokesman for Oil Corp company run by the South Korean government told the French news that "Baghdad's decision would not affect the determination of our company to explore oil in the Kurdistan region."

The South Korean companies led by Oil Corp has entered into a contract with the Kurdistan region oil last year, despite opposition from the Iraqi government, which stressed the illegality of such contracts.

The decision comes after the Korean company said oil minister Hussain al-Shahristani, last Thursday (2-4) that the cancellation of the two Koreas concluded their contracts with the Kurdistan region would qualify them to participate in the next round of oil contracts and licenses.

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Conference on oil wealth distribution in Erbil

Sponsored by Kurdistan Region Parliament Speaker Adnan Mufti, on Tuesday, April 7 a conference of the fair distribution of the oil wealth according to the constitution has started in Martyr Saad Hall, Erbil city.

Head of Kurdistan Alliance Bloc in the Iraq Parliament, KRG minister of natural resources, MPs in Kurdistan Region and Iraqi Parliaments, KRG Representative in Washington Mr. Qubad Talabani, economic adviser of KRG premier, the representative of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), KRG coordinator to U.N along with experts and specialists in oil and gas field attended the conference which was organized by UNAMI to find an appropriate mechanism to distribute the oil wealth on the Iraqis according to the constitution.

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...10266&Itemid=1

Jawhar: Constitution draft law reaches its final stages

Tariq Jawhar, the media adviser of Kurdistan Parliament’s speaker said “the constitution draft law of Kurdistan region reached its final stages, but the date or session of voting on was not assigned yet due to viewpoints differences.”

In an exclusive statement to PUKmedia website correspondent on Tuesday April 7th, 2009, Jawhar said “a referendum on the constitution draft law will be carried out in the region’s provinces and the disputed areas, after their return to Kurdistan region according to Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution.”

Regarding the law of provincial council’s elections, Jawhar said that the law was discussed in the Parliament, but approving the law was postponed due to the absence of KRG minister of interior.

He added “after unifying the three ministries, the coming days will witness the approval of the law.”

http://pukmedia.com/english/index.ph...10270&Itemid=1