Has the time come to declare a state of emergency in Kurdistan?
By Dr. Jamal Fuad
After a century-long struggle toward attaining a degree of freedom and sovereignty, Kurdistan is once more challenged. Our enemies are not happy seeing Kurdistan free and developed. They are trying to stop our progress. For the first time in our history our cities and towns are catching up with other developed cities in the provision of airports, multi-story buildings, improved hospitals, introduction of better teaching institutes, improvement in the general services, plus a degree of national and personal freedoms, unseen in our past history. With some shortages still remaining, the pace of such development has been rapid, prompting foreign observers to call our Region, “The Other Iraq”. Such positive changes are very much envied by the Iraqi Central Authority, and also by our un-friendly neighbors.
To revenge against our political and economic success, our enemies have imported the Islamic State terrorists, the ISIS, to combat us, to push history back to the dark ages, to destroy our cities and towns and carry out atrocities, rape, looting, and savagely beheading our people. They attempt to change our cultural traditions, depicting their deep backwardness, savagery, and inhuman nature.
Thanks to our brave Peshmerga, and the coalition air and arm support, the advance of this terrorist group has been thwarted and pushed back, safeguarding for now most of the Kurdish lands.
Our enemies have imported the Islamic State terrorists, the ISIS, to combat us, to push history back to the dark ages, to destroy our cities and towns and carry out atrocities,
Unfortunately the terrorists are still in our midst. They are posed to attack at any time. This requires us to be very alert; we need to understand that these terrorists are not alone. They have partners who are also determined to destroy our lands, through a plan drawn up to thwart Kurdish progress as much as possible, entrusting such task at present, to ISIS, or Daish, as it is called in Arabic . They have been hired to carry out a specific agenda. Their presence is not accidental. They did not just pop up and end up at our doorsteps by chance. An outside hand is clearly behind its determination to fight us. This is an organization for hire sent to destroy Kurdistan, to destroy our infrastructure, our democratic way of life and our social traditions. Our adversaries have already prepared the field for them to insure their success.
As part of the ground work for ISIS, the Baghdad regime, under Maliki, cut off finances from the KRG. They stopped paying KRG staff salaries, and funding for projects. This action, which is still in force, has put the region under dire financial burden, increased unemployment, and created a state of high anxiety among our people.
ISIS has also created floods of refugees who have nowhere to go except to the Kurdish safe haven. Among them is a large percentage of Arabs some of whom are not to be trusted. Further, the Shiite militias have been creeping behind the Kurdish lines setting up camps, supposedly to guard against ISIS attacks. Seeing their earlier behavior elsewhere in Iraq, their presence is not welcome and they should be routed out of Kurdistan.
To face such multiple crises, Kurdish unity must be our first priority. There should be no room for side criticisms or discussion of side issues when our enemies are knocking at our door. Our current efforts should be directed solely at defeating these hired savages who are threatening our real existence. President Barzani is right in discouraging any presence of the Shiite militias on Kurdish lands. No Kurdish man in authority should invite the Shiite militia to Kurdistan under any pretext.
We also need to carefully watch Iran. It seems that the Iranians have been given the green light to become guardian of the Middle East. As we know, Iran has helped President Assad of Syria to stay in power, despite large opposition to his rule. Iran has also helped the Houthis in Yemen to topple the elected government in Sana and become in total control in that country. Further, Iranian newspapers have been advocating union with Iraq to ensure Shiite supremacy and total control of Iraq.
These political developments in our midst should not be ignored. We need to seriously consider such developments. We need to ask, why Baghdad stopped the 17% share of the Kurdish budget? How the Islamic terrorist group ever made it to Kurdistan. Who financed, trained, and equipped them with the best modern fighting gear? Then, what are the real intentions of the Shiite militias visa-vis the Kurds? And how the unity of Iraq and Iran will affect the future of the Kurds?
Our current efforts should be directed solely at defeating these hired savages who are threatening our real existence.
The number one issue for the Kurds is their unity, and to have on the ground an effective defensive force to protect our motherland. Kurdayety, rather than Partisan should prevail. To achieve this goal, we need a United Kurdish Front, a coalition of all the political parties to act as “one unit”, to help keep our enemies at bay. We must protect our hard-won freedom and be prepared to defend our Kurdistan at any cost. It is said that keeping freedom perhaps is harder than struggling to become free.
My analysis above, shows the need for total awareness of political activities in our region, and the dangers we face. In this connection I am in total agreement with our renowned Peshmerga, Hamay Haji Mahmood, who, while addressing the Sulaimani Forum, suggested that the Region declares a “State of Emergency” in Kurdistan. And I further wish to add, that special camps should be set up to train the Kurdish youth above the age of 18, possibly mostly from the ranks of the university students. These young volunteers would be trained daily in the after-class combat exercises. Additionally, the women of the same age group should also be trained in attending the sick and the needy, and be part of the backup support of the Peshmerga.
We cannot relax and sit back pretending nothing is happening, while our brave Peshmerga defend our beloved Kurdistan. We have already lost many dear Peshmerga, and their families require special social support in order to make their lives easier after the painful losses of the loved ones.
Here, I would like to congratulate the organizers of the Sulaimani Forum held earlier this month, for bringing together a large group of decision makers, to answer the call for further support to our fighting forces. Such activities are excellent means of gathering international awareness and support for the Kurds in its defiance to surrender to Islamic terrorists.
We thank the European nations for their support in the provision of light arms and training of our fighting men and women. We also thank the USA for their effective bombardment of ISIS centers, which has so far been a positive factor in defeating ISIS. However, we are disappointed that Kurds are denied heavy equipment, and that channeling armament through Baghdad is also disappointing. Further, USA insisting on the Unity of Iraq is more a myth than a reality. As rhymed in American children’s book, “Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, and that “Humpty Dumpty cannot be put back together again”. Also, as the Sykes-Picot boundary line was haphazardly laid out, it is bound to be redrawn, in order to fit the existing reality. In the last century, we have seen many empires and many multi-ethnic countries break up to adjust to their natural ethnic boundaries. Middle East is no exception. In this connection, the following poem, written by an American writer, Maria Mannes, is very relevant:
Borders are scratched upon the hearts of men
By strangers with a calm judicious pen
And when the borders bleed, we watch with dread
The lines of ink across the map turn red
Let us be part of the ongoing Kurdish struggle to ensure a free and safe Kurdistan.
LONG LIVE OUR BRAVE PESHMERGAS
LONG LIVE KURDISTAN
HAPPY NEWROZ
The Newroz of Defiance
-Jamal Fuad, Ph.D. Retiree, FAO and The World Bank
Iraqi Media Network has become the primary source of information, news and entertainment for most Iraqis. In a recent survey it became clear that most who have seen or heard the government program announced by Haider Abadi, but did so through the media network. The poll showed a rate of 52.4 percent, they have learned the government program. Among these, the poll showed that the rate of 89.3 percent got this science through channels and radio stations and publications of the Iraqi Media Network. It is known that the media network and since the announcement of the government program made a great effort to facilitate public inspection from the fact that the success of the government in the implementation and execution program depends on the conviction and the interaction of the public with this program. Here lay the network itself between the government and the public and form what looks like a link between the two parties. The network this effort based on the coverage plan and the debate will continue for a full year, God willing. This poll confirms the information became known, which is that the Iraqi public and the news two branches occupies the first site in viewership between viewing TV channels in Iraq.
Official confirmation: the popular crowd under the command of the Commander in Chief
Baghdad morning
spokesman Office of the Prime Minister Saad al-Hadithi that popular crowd they are considered under the command of the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, adding that the crowd subsidiary body of the Office of the Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and will turn to the National Guard, while pointing out that all official meetings that take place with foreign officials is emphasized where on this matter.
Sabri said in the interview that «the official position of the American administration is expressed through the official channels and officials Americans», indicating that «the crowd People belonging to the Office of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Haider al-Abadi, and body constituted in accordance with a decision of the Board Minister a few months ago. » He newborn, that «all the meetings that are searched this subject with foreign officials is emphasized in that crowd People belonging to the Office of the Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Authority will turn into a National Guard following the adoption of the law on this device».
The head of the Ministers d. Haider al-Abadi stressed that the presence of security advisers in the country does not hurt sovereignty, and as pointed out that crowd the popular Iraqi Foundation within the national security system, said that he was accused of committing abuses across social networking sites «lies and fraud».
As she told security and defense committee in Parliament: The copy project National Guard Law distributed among all members and identified this week as the date for the start of the discussion of the paragraphs of the draft law.
The committee member said Iskandar and berries permission news: that «the presidency of the National Guard would not fall within the quotas that have been adopted in the distribution of positions, and the Prime Minister will be the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces is directly responsible The first to name the commander of the National Guard and The House of Representatives vote on it.
Comment : Very interesting statement and the first insight into what may be an explanation of the developing policy of the Abadi administration on foreign nationals on the ground in Iraq. - chattels
Araji denies the distribution of independent bodies, and emphasizes the need for the enjoyment of the candidates efficient and professional Date: 03/22/2015 15:26Information / Baghdad / ..Deputy Prime Minister denied Bahaa al-Araji, Sunday, distribution of independent bodies on the political blocs, stressing the need to enjoy the candidates qualified and experienced and professional.
They said in a statement received by the agency / information / copy it, that "some of the media picked up that the Committee on the balance in the Council of Ministers has completed the procedures and completed the distribution of independent bodies on the political blocs, and being part of this committee, we deny such news and affirm to be incorrect." .
"The Commission is working on finding mechanisms for referral of these bodies on the one hand, and the conditions that must be available in the candidates have on the other hand, and in a form which is consistent with the mechanisms and conditions approved by the cabinet in this regard."
Araji pointed out that "in all cases, we believe that the political blocs agreed among themselves in accordance with the electoral benefits, taking into account the minorities and competencies of independents, to the Commission role in the selection of candidates to these bodies," stressing "the need to enjoy the candidates efficient, experienced and professional, and be serve them in state institutions ".anthy / 25 h
Baghdad send funds to Erbil, Kurdistan is preparing to distribute the salaries of its employees Tuesday
Author: HH, RA
Editor: AB, HH 03.22.2015 3:06 p.m.
Long-Presse / Sulaymaniyah
The Ministry of Finance and Economy in the government of Iraq's Kurdistan region, on Sunday, that it has completed all preparations for the arrival of the amount of money that Baghdad has decided to send it to Arbil on Monday, while confirming that the employees' salaries will be distributed the day after tomorrow, Tuesday.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Finance Ahmed Abdel Rahman, in a press statement carried by Kurdish sites and followed up (range Press), "The preparations have been completed for the arrival of the amount of money to the Kurdistan region on Monday," noting that it "will be in on Tuesday to begin the distribution of salaries to the Security Council, and the Directorate of General Asaish, driving Zervani Peshmerga forces. "
He said Abdul Rahman, that "we must know the amount of the amount due and the arrival on Monday, to be announced at a later ministries that will be the distribution of salaries to its employees."
The Iraqi Oil Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi confirmed, Saturday, (March 21, 2015), the continuation of the talks with the Kurdistan region on the oil agreement, and pointed out that the province intends to increase its exports and delivered mostly to the central government, with the expected arrival of Iraq's exports during the current month to three million barrels a day.
The Finance Minister Hoshyar Zebari said, in (19 March 2015), the government's readiness delivery Kurdish government authorities a new batch of budget dues in the coming days, as attributed reasons "financial more as a political", he stressed the importance of the agreement between the parties in strengthening the bonds of relationship between being a "comprehensive and mean a lot" to both.
The head of the Iraqi Council of Ministers, Haider al-Abadi, affirmed, in (the 16th of February 2015), that Iraq faces many challenges including the decline in oil prices and their impact on the budget and the security challenge, and stressed the need for concerted efforts to liberate the city of Mosul and the rest areas in coordination between Baghdad and Erbil, While the government is committed to resolving the problems with the Kurdistan region in accordance with the Constitution, the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Barzani stressed the keenness of the region to communicate with Baghdad to solve all the problems.
It is noteworthy that the President Fuad Masum, the head of the government, Haider al-Abadi, affirmed in (the 16th of March current), the importance of the arrival of the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to necessary for the implementation of the recent oil agreement between the two mechanisms.
It is noteworthy that the Federal Cabinet decided, in (the second of December 2014 the past), the approval of the oil agreement between Baghdad and Erbil, and after reaching the Kurdish delegation headed by President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Barzani, with the Iraqi government to an agreement on the region's share in the budget and export oil.
The Finance Committee in Kurdistan Parliament, announced on Sunday, for the imminent arrival of the Turkish financial loan to the region, and while confirming that he will be assigned to give the region the staff to thank January salaries, pointed out that the best solution would be to pay half of the salary in dollars and the other half dinar.
The Turkish government has decided to grant a loan to the Kurdistan region to $ 500 million, after a recent visit to the Kurdistan government delegation to Turkey.
The head of the Kurdistan Regional Government Nechirvan Barzani, said in (February 23, 2015), he brought with him from Turkey during the recent visit of $ 500 million to pay the salaries of the staff of the Kurdistan region.
The central bank announced in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, in the 26th of February 2015, for the arrival of 250 billion dinars from the central government to Arbil, while the Ministry of Finance in the region confirmed that the employees' salaries will be distributed early next week.
He revealed KRG President Barzani revealed, in the (February 16, 2015), for the Baghdad to pay salaries to its employees every 40 days, and confirmed that the central government "bankrupt" and undergoing a financial crisis, and said that the right of the region cut off oil exports in the event of non-receipt of allowances agreed, as pointed out that the agreement provides for sending more than one trillion dinars from Baghdad to Arbil.
The head of the Kurdistan Regional Government Nechirvan Barzani, in (January 28, 2015), that there is a misunderstanding with the central government on the export of oil, and pointed out that the region will not issue more than the agreed amount, and as pointed out that Kurdistan is facing the biggest financial problem, he stressed that the government is obliged to take special measures to address them.
Agreed KRG parliament Government of the Territory, in the first of March, 2015, to continue efforts to divert the region's share of the budget, and coordination for the formulation of strategic plans to address the financial crisis and the provision of staff salaries, and publish weekly information on the percentage of the production and export of oil, and the processing of all files and the current problems in the Kurdistan region in the legal framework.
It is noteworthy that several cities in the Kurdistan region, especially Sulaymaniyah, (364 km northeast of Baghdad), and Erbil, witnessed during the last period, staff demonstrations to protest the delay in payment of salaries, three months.
It is noteworthy that the former head of the federal government, Nouri al-Maliki, cut the region's budget, and the salaries of its employees, since last February 2014, due to differences between the parties on the oil file.
Agreed the central and Kurdistan governments in the (second from December 2014), to allocate a portion of the federal allocations of Iraqi ground forces to the Peshmerga forces, and delivery of the Kurdistan Regional Government, 250 thousand barrels of oil per day in addition to the export of Iraq 300 thousand barrels per day of Kirkuk.
With the agreement also included the granting trillion and 200 billion dinars for the Peshmerga forces and the allocation of a percentage of the budget of the Ministry of Defense have.
House of Representatives allocated on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next to the work of parliamentary committees
1:17: 03/22/2015
Khandan - the Iraqi parliament decided to allocate days Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday for the work of parliamentary committees, in response to the request of the Kurds of Representatives. She said the information department of the House of Representatives in a statement, House Speaker Salim al-Jubouri, the face on Sunday to allocate every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the work of parliamentary committees, the that is the resumption of the House of Representatives hearings starting next Saturday 28/03/2015 and even on Thursday, 04.02.2015, rather than on Tuesday, 24.03.2015. He said the information department of the House of Representatives a statement that the decision came in response to the request of the Kurdistan Alliance MPs.
Damluji for "Khandan": Holidays Act will include about 20 holiday in Iraq
11:43: 03/22/2015
Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Media parliamentary Maysoon al
Khandan -ali Nagy revealed the Chairperson of the Commission of Culture and Information parliamentary Maysoon al, for the project Holidays Act will include about 20 an official holiday. Damluji said in a statement (Khandan), "The draft Holidays Act, which the government sent him to the House of Representatives, is the prerogative of the work Committees of Culture and Religious Affairs, "adding that" one of the paragraphs of the draft law contains to be the third day of October a national holiday, and also on the 14th of July holiday to announce the Republican regime in Iraq. " She Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Media parliamentary "We we add religious holidays, a first and the tenth of the month of Muharram and the Prophet's birthday and the day of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, "indicating" also suggested to be the first holiday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Jesus on the 25th of December. " She said Damluji "I think the holidays will be in the law approximately 20 days if it has the approval of the holiday On December 25, "adding that" the Commission proposed to be public holidays Code Name, public holidays and Alastzkarat law, for example, days, which coincides with Eid teacher and day uprising, is Astzkarha will not be an official holiday. " She Damluji that "the Committee of Culture and Information, suggested The holidays are a feast in the provinces of Ghadeer and other holidays, with the consent of the Council of Ministers. "
Kurdistan: 490 billion dinars for the salaries of January
Been completed all the preparations for the arrival of the amount of 490 billion Iraqi dinars to Baghdad tomorrow Kurdistan region Monday .
BAGHDAD / Obelisk: The Ministry of Finance announced in the Kurdistan region, Sunday, that the federal government will send on Monday the amount of 490 billion dinars for the province, indicating that this amount will be distributed next Tuesday salaries for the month of January to employees of the security institutions.
He said ministry spokesman Ahmed Abdel Rahman, said in remarks pursued "obelisk", "It was done all the preparations for the arrival of the amount of 490 billion Iraqi dinars from Baghdad to tomorrow Kurdistan region Monday," noting that "this amount will be distributed tomorrow Tuesday, the salaries for the month of December The second of this year on a number of security institutions. "
Abdul Rahman said that "the distribution of salaries will include members of the security of the Kurdistan region and the General Organization for Zervani Asayish forces and the forces of the emergency board."
Baghdad sent earlier, the amount of 250 billion dinars to the Kurdistan region.
The Finance Minister Hoshyar Zebari said, November 13, 2014, the central government's approval to resume the payment of salaries of employees of the Kurdistan region from the federal budget.
And approved by the Iraqi Council of Ministers, in December 2, 2014, on the oil agreement between Aovernmhalathadah and the Kurdistan Regional Government, which provides for delivery of the Kurdistan region of at least 250 000 barrels of oil per day to the federal government for the purpose of export. And provide assistance to the Iraqi government to transfer 300 thousand barrels of oil per day from the Kirkuk oilfields to the Turkish port of Jehae through the territory of the region in return the Iraqi government would give 17% of Iraq's budget to the Kurdistan region.
BAGHDAD / obelisk announced Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Sunday, that Iraq is looking to strengthen ties and increase bilateral cooperation and expand the work of Chinese companies in Iraq.
Ebadi said in a statement, following a meeting with counsel the People's Republic of China, Yang Jiechi said that "most of the Iraqi provinces safe and companies can invest in, because Iraq needs huge investments in many sectors."
He added that "Iraq is looking to strengthen relations and increase cooperation with Chinese companies
BAGHDAD / obelisk announced Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Sunday, that Iraq is looking to strengthen ties and increase bilateral cooperation and expand the work of Chinese companies in Iraq.
The Cabinet Secretariat is plan for the marketing of public companies
2015/03/22 13: 52
Tomorrow press Baghdad revealed the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers Sunday, a plan and a program to market the products of public companies, and in many parts of the country.
The Director General of the Department of public affairs and public relations in a speech to the opening ceremony of the exhibition of handicrafts and folklore produced by the public sector, in the context of the plan maximizing the resources of the State and enhance the performance of public sector companies, and was attended by "tomorrow," "the Chamber prepared a programme for the marketing of public companies, in line with the Government programme, which provided for the need to expand the State's resources, and strengthen the work of the public sector companies."
The event brings together a collection of carpets, and handicrafts and folklore, produced by public sector companies in each of the ministries of industry and commerce, as well as other services in the Agriculture Ministry of culture and the municipality of Baghdad. Also saw the presentation of high quality agricultural products, it lacks the marketing right in the Iraqi market, the citizen is forced to resort to imported product, as honey pure Iraqi dates mixed with herbs and nuts produced by a subsidiary of the Ministry of industry.
The Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Hamid Khalaf said the Government attaches great importance to the improvement and marketing of local produce, promoting confidence and enhancing his reputation ", the area that such exhibits give a positive impression for Iraq, and represents a response to attempts to organize terrorist daash to erase Iraqi antiquities and heritage".
"The Cabinet is determined to accomplish the Government programme put forward by the Prime Minister, and to expand the resources of the State through better work and production of the public sector".
Also called a successor to "support national industries to foreign expertise, and establishing a Centre for framing national heritage and industry folk, work on the production of marketing centres for Iraqi industry.
Due to limited exhibition which opened Sunday morning as at 31 March, the citizens will be able to buy products offered directly.
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