Women MPs push for greater involvement in govt

Sulaimaniyah, Dec. 30 (AKnews) – Iraqi women continue to press on Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and their blocs to secure a quarter of the government posts. Women MPs in the Iraqi parliament have collected some 100,000 signatures to support their cause. The campaign followed the announcement of the new cabinet by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki where in a total of 33 announced ministries only one had been allocated for a woman MP. Mr Maliki passed the buck onto the political blocs for not submitting to him names of women candidates. He said he would not announce the remaining ministries because he wanted the blocs to put forward women candidates for the posts. The campaign to collect signatures from government officials, former and current MPs, NGOs and the different slates of the society is to force the Iraqi political blocs who still have share in the nine remaining ministries to nominate women. "So far, no other positions have been assigned to women and the issue has not been resolved therefore we continue in our effort" Kurdish MP Lana Mohammed told AKnews, "After the next parliamentary meeting the total number of signatures to support women to receive 25%  of the positions will be announced in a press conference" Iraqi parliament is expected to convene after the New Year day holiday. Iraq's constitution states that 25% of the government positions have top be given to women. "What we have heard from the women MPS of the other blocs like the al-Iraqiya and the State of Law (Maliki's bloc) indicate that no significant ministerial portfolios have been allocated for women," Mohammed said. She said a delegation of women is expected to meet with President Jalal Talabani and PM Nuri al-Maliki for the purpose. Viand Dakhil, candidate of the Kurds to the Ministry of Women Affairs rejected the post in support of women demands to receive a quarter of the posts. The only woman candidate now for a state ministry post in Maliki's government, Bushra Muhsen, said she did not want to withdraw from the cabinet only because she had seen equality in his Fadhila Party which has two ministerial portfolios; one man and one woman. Mohsen's position is not a public services ministry and is not considered to be one of the ministerial portfolios. Ala Talabani, another Kurdish woman MP says the women are also expected to meet UN officials to win their support in an attempt to gather pressure on the new government. Reported by Dilshad Saifaddin, edited by Raber Y. Aziz Thursday, December 30th 2010 12:25 PM

Roundup of Most prominent political events in Kurdistan in 2010

Erbil, Dec. 30 (AKnews) – The Kurdistan Region of Iraq witnessed significant developments in the year 2010 and below is a chronological summery of the events. On January 11, Parliament of Kurdistan Region voted Roj Nuri Shawayis as deputy Prime Minister to take over from Barham Salih who had officially stepped down earlier to head the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as Prime Minister. On January 17, After 36 trial sessions, Saddam Hussein's cousin, Ali Hasan Majid, notoriously dubbed "Chemical Ali" was sentenced to death for his role in a gas attack on the Kurdish town Halabja town in 1988 which killed 5,000 people and injured thousands. the sentence was the fourth passed by the Supreme Court against him. But the chemical attack was labeled "crime against humanity" rather than "Genocide" which the Kurds were seeking. Majid was first sentenced to death in June 2007 for his role in the Anfal military operations against the Kurds in 1988. In December 2008 he also received another death sentence for his role in crushing the Shias in a revolt following the 1991 Gulf War. Also in March 2009, he was sentenced to death, along with others, for the 1999 killings of Shias in the Sadr City district of Baghdad. On January 25, President of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani met with the US President Barrack Obama in Washington D.C. to discuss the disputed issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the central government of Baghdad. On the same day, Chemical Ali was executed. On March 1st, The Iraqi Supreme Court recognized the chemical attack on Halabja and the Anfal Operations against the Kurds as "Genocide" after the prosecution appealed with the court's previous decision to recognize them as "crime against humanity". On March 7, Iraqi elections were held in the Kurdish region where political actors contested for 41 seats allocated to the three provinces of Erbil (14 seats), Sulaimaniyah (17 seats) and Dohuk (10 seats). The Kurdistan Alliance list formed of the two major ruling parties - Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) - won the majority of the seats. On March 11, the first Turkish consul in Erbil city Aydin Selcen officially started working. On March 9, seat-winning Kurdish list in the Iraqi parliament  joined to form the Kurdish Blocs Coalition (KBC) to unite their forces in the capital Baghdad. KBC was formed of the Kurdistan Alliance which had won 43 seats in the March 7 selections, Gorran (8 seats), Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU 4 seats) and the Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG 2seats). On May 21, the KIU led by Salahaddin Mohammed Bahaaddin held its party convention where elections for the party leader, leadership committee and the Consultative Council were held. On June 1, the patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) led by Jalal Talabani held its third party conference attended by 1600 members in Sulaimaniyah. Talabani remained the leader of the party. On June 2, invited by Turkey, for the first time as the President of Kurdistan Region, Massoud Barzani visited Turkey and met with Turkish President Abdulah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Teyyip Erdogan, and the Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu. On July 15, the Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG) led by Ali Bapir held its second party convention with 690 members attending where Bapir was reelected Emir of the group. On July 8, the New York Times newspaper published a story about oil smuggling in Kurdistan accusing the two major ruling parties of profiteering millions of dollars from the business prompting Kurdish officials to reject the accusations. The report also set off another dispute between Baghdad and the KRG. On July 19, The KRG Council of Ministers ordered the prohibition of illegal exportation of oil. On September 29, Gorran movement officially broke away from the KBC in the Iraqi parliament over disputes with the two ruling parties in the parliament of Kurdistan Region On November 3, after long disputes and arguments between the factions in the Kurdish parliament, a bill to organize demonstrations was passed with a majority vote and the law was passed to the presidency of the region for final signature. On November 8, the Iraqi political blocs gathered in Erbil in response to an initiative by the President of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani to break an 8-month stalemate over government formation. After three meetings streched over three days, Barzani announced on November 11 in a press conference in Baghdad that the political blocs had reached a power-sharing deal to form the new Iraqi government. On December 11, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by Massoud Barzani, held its 13th party congress where 1501 members attended the seven-day congress and Massoud Barzani was reelected the leader of the party. For the first time in its history, the KDP allocateda quota of five women in the leadership committee. After the four party conventions, the years 2010 was referred to by some observers as the year of the party conventions in Kurdistan. On December 12, the President of Kurdistan Region signed on the demo bill prompting several successive protests in the cities and towns of Kurdistan Region organized by the opposition groups in Kurdistan (Gorran, KIU and KIG), journalists, and civil society organization on grounds that the law restricts the rights of people to demonstration because the law requires beforehand permit for any demonstration in the region. On December 26, Egypt's Foreign Minster Ahmed Abul Gheit officially opened the Egyptian consulate in Erbil city, the capital of Kurdistan Region. Prepared by Omar Ali, edited by Raber Y. Aziz Thursday, December 30th 2010 10:10 AM

New police chief appointed in Anbar following bombings

Anbar, Dec. 28 (AKnews) -  Brigadier General Abdul Hadi Arzij has been officially announced by Anbar provincial council as new police chief after dismissing the former chief following Monday bombings that targeted government compounds and killed nine.   The Anbar provincial council voted unanimously on Friday to dismiss police chief Baha al-Qaisi from his office and appoint Brigadier General Hadi Arzij instead. In an official announcement in Ahmed Abu Rish place in Ramadi city, Arzij was officially assigned as the new police chief in the province to replace al-Qaisi who was fire by the provincial council for poor management. "The dismissal of al-Qaisi who served as commander of the police came as a result of his poor management for security situation (in the province) and the security breaches" recently that. On Monday, two bombers attacked government buildings killing nine and injuring 53 others, most of them civilians. In mid-December, too, bombers attacked the government buildings in a similar scenario and killed 13 and wounded more than 45 others. "We wish the new leader of the Anbar provincial police to enforce new security plans to protect the lives of innocent people in the province." the governor of Anbar, Qassim Mohammed Abed, told AKnews. The move was welcomed by the tribal leaders of the mainly Sunni province, as well, who took up arms in 2006 against the insurgents like al-Qaeda in Iraq and formed the Awakening Councils to help Iraqi security forces. Anbar was enjoying relative stability since 2006 when the Awakening Councils drove out insurgents from the province. "The tribes in Anbar welcomed the new police leader as he represents them, and he is one of the people of Ramadi" said Aifan Saadoun, head of the security committee in Anbar provincial council. Saadoun says the council requested ending the work of al-Qaisi not because of security breaches, but because they wanted a a police commander who "represents its sons and be familiar with the geography of the province,"   Al-Qaisi said in an interview with AKnews that he accepted the dismissal and that he was at least happy that he was able, during the time he served as police chief, to thwart numerous organized crimes and bombings. "The maintenance of security in Anbar was one of my priorities" he said. Reported by Ali al-Qaisi, edited by Raber Y. Aziz Rn/AKnews Tuesday, December 28th 2010 1:46 PM

Erbil preparing for New Year Day amid fears of attacks

Erbil, Dec. 27 (AKnews) – Erbil city, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan Region, is preparing for the New Year Day celebrations amid fears of terrorist attacks. Erbil provincial council is preparing events and celebrations to mark the New Year day including live music concerts and fireworks in the public parsk and around the government building. "Dozens of artists will participate in the music concerts" said Tahir Abdullah, deputy Erbil governor. Also big screens will show live the celebrations in three different spots in the city, including one on top of the historical citadel in the center of Erbil so that people can watch the events from a better position. The provincial council has spent 60 million Iraqi Dinars (about US$49,000) on the preparations, Tahir said. Streets, public parks and the shopping malls in the city are already decorated with colorful lights during the night. Erbil's Majidi Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in Iraq, has erected a large Chrismas tree in the center of the mall. "Fireworks in Shandar Park and the surrounding of the provincial council will also add to the beauty of the celebrations" Abdullah said. But the preparations of the day come amid fears that armed groups may deal a blow on the crowds of the merry-making people in the city which enjoys greater security and stability. The last fatal attack was in 2007 when a truck packed with explosives exploded in front of the regional government's ministry of the interior killed 17 people. On Sunday night, two sound bombs exploded in Ainkawa, a predominantly Christian-populated town to the west of the city, spreading fear in the hearts of the local Christians and the displaced Iraqi Christians who have fled their homes to the town. Also, Monday morning, an improvised explosive device consisting of two mortar rockets placed in a crowded area of the city was disarmed by an explosives disposal squad. Erbil police chief Abdulkhaliq Talaat says they have their own security plan for the day, in cooperation with the other security services. "The security forces will maintain security of the hotels and public places where celebrations are held." Talaat said. The security services were expected to release later today a statement about the two explosions in Ainkawa. (Saman Ali contributed to this story, Edited by Raber Y. Aziz) Monday, December 27th 2010 4:01 PM

Sound bombs terrify Christians in Erbil ahead of celebrations

Erbil, Dec. 27 (AKnews) - Twin sound bomb explosions in Erbil city's Ainkawa town ahead of new year celebrations has spread fear among the dominant Christians of the town and the displaced Iraqi Christian residing there. The explosion took place late Sunday night in front of a restaurant "Mnqal Jan" in Ainkawa, north west of Erbil, where hundreds of displaced Iraqi Christian families from central and southern Iraq have taken sanctuary. The explosion did not cause any casualties except some damage to a nearby house. Though sound bombs cause no serious damages, it could be an alert for the Christians who had found peace after fleeing their homes in the other parts of Iraq for fear of attacks by armed groups. In November, insurgents attacked a church in Baghdad taking the church-goers and the priests hostage. while security forces were trying to raid the church to free the hostages, some 50 people including the attendants, priests, and security personnel were killed. Armed groups have always tried to penetrate the security lines of the Kurdish cities, but have considerably failed to do so. On November 1st, the suicide driver of a vehicle packed with around 450 kg of explosives was shot dead in one of the checkpoints that lead to Erbil city by security forces. In contrast to the rest of Iraq, Christians of Ainkawa town, were preparing for the the New Year day celebrations because the Christians felt safe. But the sound bombs may deter them from merry-making. Christians of other parts of Iraq have already announced plans that they will not celebrate Christmas and the new year day for fear of insurgent attacks. instead they would gather in one church. Police forces are looking into the explosions and no group has claimed responsibility yet. (Hemn Jamal contributed to this story, Edited by Raber Y. Aziz) Monday, December 27th 2010 1:43 PM

Turkey's Kurds campaign for schooling in Kurdish langauge

Ankara, Dec. 25 (AKnews) - A group in Turkey's Diarbakir, largest Kurdish city in the country,  is preparing to launch a signature-collecting campaign for schooling in Kurdish languages for the indigenous Kurds of the country. Turkey's about 17 million Kurds are not allowed education in their mother tongue in the public schools and the use of the language is banned in the government and officials institutions. Education in Kurdish in the private schools was first allowed in 2004. And the first Kurdish languages satellite TV channel was opened in 2010. The group, called the Kurdish Language and Education Movement, is aiming at collecting one million signatures to submit them to the UNESCO, the Turkish and European parliaments as well to support their cause. The campaign is widely supported by the political Kurdish parties including the largest group, Peace and Democracy Party, or known by its  Turkih acronym BDP. The Kurds of Turkey have unleashed a wave of pressures recently on the Turkish government to recognize their language and to allow schooling in Kurdish. Earlier this month, a group of Kurds accused of having links with the Kurdish armed group Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) insisted to defend themselves in the court in Kurdish. The court labeled their languages in its records as an "alien" language being used by the defendants. "The right to education using the native language is one of the international and natural rights and the Turkish authorities must grant this right to the Kurds in the country." the campaigners said. "The signatures are expected to be submitted to the UNESCO and the Turkish and European parliaments on February 21 which is the World Day of Mother Language," The group also called for a boycott of schools in Diarbakir city in the first week as part of their campaign dubbed "We Demand Education in the Mother Tongue" Turkey has been locked in a decades-long conflict with the Kurds over their cultural and political rights. The PKK declared armed action against the Turkish state nearly three decades ago to achieve national, cultural and political rights which has claimed more than 45,000 lives most of them Kurds. The group first fought for the independence of Kurdistan - the Kurdish region of Turkey-  but now fights for greater rights to the Kurds within Turkey. Reported by Kamal Avci Edited by Raber Y. Aziz

Record-breaking serial killer arrested in central Iraq

Babil, Dec. 23 (AKnews) - A record-breaking serial killer accused of the kidnap-slaying of 16 most probably Iraqi Kurds in six months has been arrested by the security forces in Babil province. The man identified by Major General Fadel Radad al-Sultani from the Ministry of the Interior as "Raed Hamid Jawad Unaitis" used to stop vehicles with number plates registered in Kurdish cities taking the drivers hostage and then killed them and burned their bodies. No other Iraqi killers with this high record of killings in the short period have been arrested in Iraq so far. Unaitis was arrested in the western Rabie border crossing on the Syrian border while trying to enter Syria with a fake passport. "The security services in Babil also arrested the gang members who were cooperating with him in his criminal acts," said al-Sultani. The killer used to drive the hostages in their cars back to his home in Bu-Alwan village, north of the capital city Hilla, killed them, burned their bodies and buried the remains in the courtyard of his house, according to al-Sultani. After committing the murders, Unaitis would sell the cars in the Kurdistan Region. The security forces were able to arrest the man only after Kurdish security forces (Asayish) accompanied by Kurdish citizens from Kurdistan Region inquired at Babil province investigative judge about the seller of the cars. Unaitis is the nephew of Mohammed Jawad Unaitis - another wanted man on charges of participating in the mass-grave crimes in 1991 in Kurdistan Region and the southern Iraqi Shia cities following the poplar uprising against the former Iraqi regime. Reported by Bashar Alewi Rn/Ry/AKnews

مافی چارەی خۆنووسین بۆ كورد و هەرای ئومەی عەرەبی!

ڕابەریونس عزیز زۆرجار لە میدیاكانەوە گوێمان لە بەرپرسی كورد و عەرب دەبێت كە باس لە برایەتیی كورد و عەرەب دەكەن و زۆربەی كاتیش كورد حەزی كردووە ئەم خەونەی برایەتییە ڕۆژێك لە ڕۆژان ببێتە ڕاستی و بگاتە ئەو قەناعەتەی بێكەسی شاعیر كە دەڵێ "برایەتیی كورد و عەرەب دێرینە تەئریخ شاهیدە، ناحەزی ڕووڕەش لە داخا با یەخەی خۆی دادڕێ" وەلێ ئەوەی ڕاستی بێت تەنیا هەڵوێست برایەتیی كورد و عەرەب دەسەلمێنێ و مەسەلەی تاریخ و قسەی گەورە دوو درهەمی سووتاو ناهێنێ. ئەو هەرایەی ڕاگەیاندنی عەرەبی و هەندێ لە كەسایەتیی عەرەب – كە بێگومان ئەوانیش نوێنەرایەتیی هەموو عەرەب ناكەن - نایانەوە لەبارەی مافی چارەی خۆنووسین بۆ كورد كە سەرۆكی هەرێمی كوردستان مەسعود بارزانی لە گوتارەكەیدا لە كۆنگرەی 13ی پارتەكەی باسی لێوە، ئەوە پێشان دەدات كە عەرەب تەنیا تا ئەو جێیە برایەتیی كوردی پێ قبووڵە كە مافی كورد لەدوای عەرەب بچێت و هەر كاتێ كورد داوای مافێكی كرد یەكسەر دەبێتەوە بە "جوولەكە" و "بەكرێگیراوی زایۆنی و ئەمەریكا". مەسعود بارزانی لە كۆنگرەی سێزدەیەمی پارتەكەیدا گوتارێكی پێشكێش كرد و چارەی خۆنووسینی بۆ كورد وەكو مافێك باس كرد. بەڵام میدیای عەرەبی مەسعود بارزانی و كوردی عێراقیان بە جوداخواز و چاو لەسەربەخۆیی وەسف كرد، وەكو ئەوەی چارەی خۆنووسین كە ئەوان 22 جار سوودیان لێ بینیوە بۆ دروستكردنی دەوڵەت، زوڵمێكی كوردی بێت. تەنانەت "چارەی خۆنووسین"یان وەكو چمكێكی تازە و سەیر باس كرد كە لە هەموو بنەوا نێودەوڵەتییەكاندا وەكو ماف پارێزراوە بۆ گەلان بە كوردیشەوە كە خاوەنی هەموو پێهێنەرەكانی نەتەوەبوون و دواجار دەوڵەتەهەبوونە لە خاك و زمان و مێژوو و كولتوور و ناسنامەی نەتەوەیی. لە ڕاپۆرتێكی ئەلجەزیرەی ئینگلیزیدا كە ئەویش بێگومان پێڕەوی لە هەمان سیاسەتی عەرەبیی ئەلجەزیرە دەكات نووسیویانە كە: مەسعوود بارزانی "پرسی چارەی خۆنووسین" كە ئەو پێی دەڵێت "ماف" لە كۆنگرەی حزبەكەیدا دووپات كردەوە. دیارە ئەوان چارەی خۆنووسینیان پێ ماف نییە بەڵام "چارەی ئەوانیترنووسین"یان پێ مافە!! چونكە ئەوەی هەندێك لە راگەیاندنی عەرەبی و سیاسەتوانی عەرەب دەیڵێن نووسینی مافی چارەی میللەتی كوردە لە جیاتی كورد! كورد لە عێراقدا مێژووی زۆر لە عەرب كۆنترە ئیتر بۆچی ئەو هەرایە بەسەر كوردەوە بكرێ ئەگەر بیەوێ چارەی خۆی بەخۆی بنووسێ لە كاتێكدا نە مەسعود بارزانی و نە كوردیش بیری جیابوونەوە لە عێراق ناكەن و پەرلەمانی كوردستان بڕیاری داوە كە لەگەڵ عێراقدا بمێنێتەوە. هەر دوای ئەو هەرایەش نێچیرڤان بارزانی جێگری مەسعود بارزانی ڕای گەیاند كە گوتارەكەی سەرۆكی پارتی بە هەڵە لێكدراوەتەوە و بڕیاردان لەسەر چارەنووسی كورد مانای جیابوونەوە لە عێراق ناگەیەنێ. لە نێو بەرپرسانی عەرەبی عێراقیدا بەتایبەتی عەرەبی ناوچە جێناكۆكەكان گوتارەكەی بارزانی بە سەرەتای پرۆسەیەكی چەند قۆناغی بۆ پارچەپارچەبوونی عێراق دادەنێن. عالییە نوسەیفی ئەندام لە لییستی عێراقیە لە لێدوانێكدا بۆ ئاژانسی رۆیتەرز پرسیاری ئەوەی كردبوو "ئاخۆ كورد داوای فیدرالیەتیان كرد تا یەكەمجار هەرێمەكە دروست بكەن و دواتر لە عێراق جودا ببنەوە؟" بەڵام ئەم بەرهەڵستییە بەرامبەر كورد تەنیا لە عێراق نییە بگرە لە هەموو "نیشتمانی عەربی"دا هاودەنگییەك هەیە بەرامبەر كورد و هەر میللەتێكی تر كە لە چوارچێوەی دەوڵەتێكی عەرەبیدا بژی. كورد و هەر نەتەوەیەكی تر لە نێو وڵاتێكی "عەرەبیدا" بەڵای خوایە تووشیان بووە. هەر ئەوێ ڕۆژێ لە دامێنی یەكێك لەو هەواڵانەی لەبارەی ئەو هەرایەوە لە یەكێك لە سایتە هەواڵییە عەرەبییەكاندا بڵاو بووبووەوە، بخوێنێكی عەرەب كۆمێنتێكی زۆر شۆڤێنییانە و توندڕەوانەی نووسیبوو بەم شێوەیە: "ئەوان (كورد) وەكو شێرپەنجە كەوتوونەتە جەستەی ئوممەتی عەرەبی" بەپلانی دۆستە سەهیۆنییەكانیان. لەوەش سەیرتر هەر ئەوێ ڕۆژێ عەشایەرەكانی پارێزگەی سەلاحەددینیش بڕیاریان دا كە گوتارەكەی مەسعود بارزانی نادەستووریە!! ئەرێ خێرە وا لە پڕێك گەڕانەوە بۆ دەستوور؟ خۆ لایەنی عەرەبی بەتایبەتیش باكوری عێراق چەندان ساڵە دژایەتیی مادەی 140ی دەستووری عێراقی دەكەن و پێیان وایە مردووە و كاری پێ ناكرێ ئەمڕۆ بۆ دەگەڕێنەوە بۆ دەستوور و كورد بە پێشێلكاری دەزانن! باشە بۆ دەستوور بۆ عەرەب دەمرێ و بۆ كورد نامرێ؟ بەرهەڵستیكردن بەرامبەر هەر نەتەوەیەكی تر وەكو كورد و ئەفەریقییەكانی هەرێمی دارفۆری باشووری سوودان لەبەر ئەوە نییە كە ئەوانە جوداخوازن و مافی چارەی خۆنووسینیان نییە، بەڵكۆ لەبەر دوو هۆیە: یەكەم، هێشتا بیرۆكەی پێدانی مافە كولتووری و نەتەوایەتی و سیاسییەكان بە نەتەوەیەكی تر غەیری عەرەب لە "نیشتمانی عەرەبی"دا لە قالب نەمەییوە، نەك ئەوەی لە خەمی یەكپارچەیی خاكی عێراقی عەرەبیدا بن! بۆ بەڵگەش ئەو ڕاستییە لەوە دەردەكەوێ كە ئەوان بەردەوام باس لە "ئوممەی عەرەبی واحیدە" دەكەن و وڵاتانی عەرەبی بە "شقیقە" ناو دەبەن كەچی كە عێراقییەك بەعەرەب و كورد و توركمانیشەوە دەیەوێ بچێت بۆ دوبەی، ڤیزەی پێ نادەن لەبەرئەوەی حسێبی مرۆڤیشیان بۆ نەكردوون! تەنانەت بازرگانان و بەرپرسانیش تا وەری دەگرن دەردێكی وایان دەدەنێ كە هەر سەفەری دوبەیان بكەوێتە پێش تایان دێتێ لەبەرئەوەی دەزانن چەندە سەختە وەرگرتنی ڤیزەی دوبەی لەلایەن هاوڵاتییەكی عێراقیی "شقیق"، هۆكاری دووەمیش برێتییە لە بەرژەوەندیی سیاسی و ئابووری: ئەمە بەتایبەتی لە حاڵەتی كوردستانی عێراقدا ڕاستە. لایەنی عەرەبی لەلایەك دەیەوێ مافگەل تەنیا بۆ خۆی پاوان بكات و لەلایەكیش تریش هەرچی نەوت و دەوڵەمەندیی ناوچەكە هەیە بخاتە ژێر كۆنترۆلی خۆی كە بێگومان لەوەشدا دەسەڵات هەیە بەهۆیەوە دەتوانێ هەردەم دەست لە بینا قاقای كورد بنێت و هەر كاتێك كورد بەدڵی ئەوان نەجوڵایەوە قوڕگی بگرێت. هەر بۆ زیاتر سەلماندنی ئەوەی كە عەرەب خەمی عێراق و یەكێتی خاكەكەیان نییە و زیاتر مەسەلە كولتوورییەكە: كاتێك سەدام ڕوخا لە ساڵی 2003، هەموو وڵاتانی عەرەبی لە جیاتی ئەوەی یارمەتیی عێراق بدەن لە گێڕانەوەی تەناهی و سەقامگیری، وڵاتانی دراوسێ دەستیان بە دزینەوەی سنوور كرد بۆ فراوانكردنی خاكی خۆیان لەسەر حسێبی عێراق، ئاخۆ ئەمەیان چۆن لێك دەدەنەوە؟ بۆچی دزینی خاكی عێراق بۆ وڵاتانی عەرەبی دراوسێی عێراق ڕەوایە و كورد لەسەر خاكی خۆی بۆی نییە بڕیاریش لە چارەنووسی خۆی بدات. لە لایەكی تر، ئەوەی زیاتر بێزاركەرە ئەوەیە زۆرێك لە عەرەب تا ئیختیاری "جوولەكە" و "ئیسرائیلی دووەم"یان هەبێ بە زمانیاندا نایە بڵێن كورد و كوردستان كە ئەویش دیسان لەبەر ئەوە نییە كە كورد موسڵمانێتی ناكات و خاكێكی عەرەبیی داگیر كردبێت – تاریخ شاهیدە كە كورد لە پێش عەربەوە لەم وڵاتەن - بەڵام لەبەر ئەوەیە كورد لەوان جیاوازە: عەرەب نییە و لە چوارچێوەی وڵاتێك كە ئەوان بە هی عەربی دەزانن ژیان دەكەن و داوای مافی خۆیان دەكەن! دەنا ئەوەتا لە شاری هەولێر زیاتر لە 350 مزگەوت هەیە كە پێم وابی هیچ شارێكی تری دنیا ئەوەندە مزگەوتەی تێدا نییە و هەر هەمووشیان جمەیان دێ لەگەڵ نوێژخوێنان و موسڵمانان. ئەگەر تا ڕادەی جوولەكە و ئیسرائیل رقیان لە كورد و كوردستان بێت ئەو پێكەوەژیانە لەچوارچێوەی عێراقی یەكگرتوودا چ مانایەكی هەیە؟ كە بۆ كورد داواكردنی ماف و چارەی خۆنووسین پلانی سەهیۆنییە و بەكگرێگیراوێتییە بۆ ئیسرائیل ئاخۆ ئەوان كە 22 جار بڕیایان لە چارەی خۆیان داوە بۆ هەبوونی ئەوەندە دەوڵەتە عەرەبییە بەركرێگیراوێ كێ بن؟ خۆ عەرەب هەر عەرەبە و بەقسەی خۆیان برانە و هیچ شتێك ناتوانێ لێكیان بكات. بەڵام كورت و كرمانجی هەرایەكەیان لەبارەی كورد تەنیا لەبەر دوو شتە: لە قالبدا نەمەیینی كولتووری پێدانی مافی ئەوانی تر لەلایەن زۆر لە عەرەب. هەروەها بەرژەوەندیی سیاسی و ئابووری. ئەگەر وا نییە با كوێت لەو قەردانەی سەر عێراق خۆش بێت و ساڵانە بەشێكیش لە داهاتەكەی لەگەڵ عەرەبەكانی سوودان بەش بكات بۆ ئەوەی ئەوانیش لە هەژاری ڕزگاریان ببێت. یان با ئیمارات چیتر تەشقەڵە بە عێراقییەكان نەكات و ڤیزەیان پێ بدات، با سعوودیەش هیچ نەبێ ئەگەر یارمەتیی وڵاتانی عەرەبیش نەدات تەنیا ئەوەندە بكات كە ڕێكخراوە توندڕەوەكان – وەك لە بەڵگەنامە نهێنییەكانی ویكیلیكس هاتووە - پارادار نەكات كە ڕۆژانە هاووڵاتیانی دنیا و عەرەبی و بەتایبەتی عێراقی دەبنە قوربانییان، تا ئێمەش باوەڕ بكەین كە ئەوان ئەگەر لەگەڵ ئێمەش برا نەبن لە نێوان خۆیاندا بران و هەرایەكەیان لە سەر مەسەلەی مافی چارەی خۆنووسینی كورد لەبەر خاتری چاوی جوانی عێراقە. 18-12-2010 ئەم بابەتە لە 20-12-2010 لە ئاكانیوز بڵاو كراوەتەوە

Late rains pour hope on Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Dec. 11 (AKnews) – The long-awaited rains have finally arrived in the Kurdistan Region, bringing hope to its sky-dependent farmers. This year’s rains were already two months late according to weather calculations raising concerns among the people and especially farmers of a drought. The rainy season in Kurdistan usually starts in September and ends in early May. “It is forecast that the rains will cover the entire Kurdistan Region…but more densely in Dohuk province” said Hasan Wahab, director of Kurdistan meteorology and weather forecasting dept. The rains usually come at the beginning of the autumn in September, ending as late as May. But in recent years, this has changed. The rains come much later than they should, and finish as early as March. Kurdistan meteorology office said the rains will cover the whole of the Kurdistan Region and spread as far as central Iraq. In mountainous areas, snow may fall. In late November, and early December, tens of thousands of people in Kurdistan headed to the countryside in congregations of “rain prayers” - a tradition in Kurdish society practiced every year when the rains are late to arrive. The Kurdistan region has 8 million dunams of agricultural land, however, only half a million dunams are irrigated with an additional 300,000 dunams being irrigated by artesian wells. for the rest of the land, the farmers depend on rainfall. The Friday had a cheering effect on the people of the region. One pedestrian in Erbil city’s Iskan Street, leaving a shopping mall and seeing the rain, said “God, keep it raining, please don’t let it stop.” Raber Y. Aziz Ka/AKnews Saturday, December 11th 2010 12:19 PM

كەشناسیی هەرێم: باران تا ناوەڕاستی عێراق دەگرێتەوە و چەند ڕۆژی تر بەردەوام دەبێت

هەولێر 11 كانوونی یەكەم/دیسَمەر (ئاكانیوز) – چاوەڕوان دەكرێ ئەو بارانەی لە دوێنێوە لە هەولێری پایتەختی هەرێمی كوردستان باری تا ناوەڕاستی عێراق بگرێتەوە و بەڕێوەبەرایەتیی كەشناسیی هەرێمیش موژدەی دڵخۆشكەری پێیە كە تا چەند رۆژی تر بەردەوام دەبێت. دوێنێ شەو 10 كانوونی یەكەم/دیسَمبەر لە هەولێر باران بەشێوەیەكی نم نم دەستی پێ كرد و پاشان بوو بە بارانێكی تەڕ كە خۆشی و هیوای خستە دڵی خەڵك بە گشتی و جوتیار و گوندنشینان بە تایبەتی. بەڕێوەبەری كەشناسی و بوومەلەرزەی كوردستان حەسەن وەهاب دەڵێت بەپێی پێشبینییەكان ئەو بارانە تا 2-3 ڕۆژی تر بەردەوام دەبێت. "پێشبینی دەكرێت ئەو بارانە لە هەموو هەرێمی كوردستان، بە ناوچەی گەرمیان و كەركوكەوە، تا ناوەڕاستی عێراقیش بگرێتەوە. بەڵام بەشَوەیەكی چڕتر پارێزگەی دهۆك" وەهاب وای گوت. لە هەرێمی كوردستاندا، وەرزی بارانبارین بەگشتی دەكەوێتە نێوان مانگی 9 بۆ سەرەتای مانگی 5، بەڵام لەم چەند ساڵەی دواییدا باران لە كاتی خۆی دوا دەكەوێ و زووتریش كۆتایی دێت كە ئەمەش بووەتە هۆی نیگەرانیی خەڵك لەو هەرێمەدا كە زیاتر پشت بە باران دەبەسترێت بۆ ئەنجامدانی كشتوكاڵ و بەرهەمی گەنم و جۆ. لە كۆتاییی مانگی تشرینی دووەم و سەرەتای كانوونی یەكەمەوە، هاووڵاتییان لە زۆر ناوچەی هەرێمی كوردستان لە ماڵ و كارەكانیان دەرچوون و ڕوویان لە دەشت و دەر كرد وەك نەریتێكی ساڵانە بۆ ئەنجامدانی نوێژە بارانە بۆ ئەوەی خوای گەورە بارانیان بۆ ببارێنێت. وەهاب پێشتر بە ئاكانیوزی گوتبوو كە بۆی هەیە لە ناوچە شاخاویەكاندا بەفریش ببارێت. بەپێی قسەكانی وەهاب ئەوان لە دەزگەی كەشناسیدا پێشبینیی ئەوەیان كردبوو كە لە ڕۆژانی "11 لەسەر 12ی كانوونی یەكەم/دیسێمبەر باران لە هەولێر ببارێت، بەڵام لەبەرئەوەی ڕۆژی پێشتر هەینی بوو و دەوامی ڕەسمیمان نەبوو بۆیە پێشوەختە هەواڵی ئەم بارانبارینەمان ڕانەگەیاند" ڕابەر یونس عزیز , كانونی یەكەم 11th 2010 9:56 AM

Kurdish recruit killed in mysterious circumstances in Syria

Dohuk, Dec. 9 (AKnews) – A Kurdish human rights organization (DAD) said on Thursday that a Kurdish recruit was killed in mysterious circumstances in Syria while performing military service. The case is the ninth mysterious killing of Kurdish soldiers during their service in the army this year, raising the total number of such cases to 44 since 2004. Syrian officials say the cases are "accidents" or "suicides". "The family of recruit Mohammed Jalal Mohammed, received the body of their son, who was… stationed in the province of Homs" said a statement from DAD, "Syrian officers in his military unit told the family he died as a result of electric shock". Mohammed had been serving in the Syrian army for about 10 months. Upon the return of his body, the military officers handed his family a "symbolic amount of money as compensation for his death." according to the statement. Often, the Syrian authorities claim that these cases are "accidents" or "suicides" without official investigations being conducted into the cases or the bodies being inspected by forensic experts. Families of the victims claim their sons were exposed to torture and murder, citing traces and marks appearing on their recovered bodies. Military service in Syria is mandatory. Anyone reaching the age of 18 will have to serve in the military for 21 months, although the military service of those studying will be delayed until the studies are completed. DAD held Syrian authorities fully accountable for the deaths, being the "first and foremost body of responsibility for the security of citizens and their personal safety." In addition to calling on the relevant authorities to conduct an impartial, transparent and fair investigation to identify those responsible and "impose the most severe sanctions against them and to compensate the families of the victims for damages." The United Nations Committee against Torture has voiced concern about repeated incidents of Kurdish soldiers being killed during their compulsory military service in Syria. The commission said it was following with concern the reports of increasing numbers of deaths of Kurdish recruits while performing their military service with their bodies showing marks of serious injuries. Following the UN commission's statement, Syria provided its first report in mid-May last year. Though there are no official and accurate statistics of the number of the Kurds in Syria, unofficial statistics suggest there are about three million of them, which accounts for 10-17% of the population. Reported by Khudr Khllat Ry/Ka/AKnews Thursday, December 9th 2010 1:39 PM

US cable blames Chinese government for hacking on Google

Erbil, Oct. 5 (AKnews) – The hacking of Google last year that forced the search engine to withdraw from mainland China was orchestrated by a leading member of the communist party's politburo, according to a leaked US cable. The politician demanded action against Google after he searched his own name and found articles criticizing him, a leaked cable from the US embassy in Beijing says. The leaked cable has been released by WikiLeaks to The New York Times and Britain's The Guardian newspapers. The cable did not identify the leader, however, according to The New York Times it was propaganda chief Li Changchun, the fifth-ranked official in the country. Google said last December that it was hit by a "highly sophisticated and targeted attack on our corporate infrastructure". And that part of it was aimed at the Gmail accounts of "Chinese human rights activists" resulting in Google abandoning mainland China to Hong Kong, where it was able to run an uncensored version of its website in English and Chinese. Raber Y. Aziz/AKnews Sunday, December 5th 2010 7:12 AM

Mossad Chief advised US to exploit Iranian weak spots

Erbil, Nov. 30 (AKnews) – In one of the secret cables released by the Wikileaks and published on Britian's Guardian website,Israel's spy chief Meir Dagan advised the U.S. to "strike at the heart of Iran" and change the regime by exploiting weak spots, including developing the identities of minorities like the Kurds. Dagan points out that the US and Israel can exploit Iran's weak spots to bring the country to down its knees and change the Islamic regime including the use of regional pressure, using the support of the minority groups like the Kurds, exploiting unemployment in the country. Israel and the U.S. could "change the ruling regime in Iran, and its attitude towards backing terror regimes" Dagan is said to have stressed in a meeting between him and U.S. undersecretary of state Nick Burns in August 2007. "We could also get them to delay their nuclear project. Iran could become a normal state" He advised the US to do more to instigate regime change in Iran, "possibly with the support of student democracy movements, and ethnic groups" including the Kurds, Azeris, and Baluchs opposed to the ruling regime, by engaging directly with them. "Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts are important, but more radio transmissions in Farsi are needed," The minorities are raising their heads, and are tempted to resort to violence, according to the cable. He also suggests that more could be done to get the Europeans to take tougher stands against Iran – with Israel's help. The Israeli spy chief says in the cable that "pressure on Iran is building up, but said this approach alone will not resolve the crisis… Coordination with the Gulf states is helpful, but the U.S. should also coordinate with Azerbaijan and countries to the north of Iran, to put pressure on Iran," According to Dagan's information, unemployment rate in Iran exceeds 30 percent nationwide, while some towns and villages experiencing a 50 percent rate, especially among 17-30 year olds. "People are criticizing the government for investing in and sponsoring Hamas, saying that they government should invest in Iran itself" as Daqan puts it, "and this is provoking a real crisis among Iran's leaders." "Three Iranian banks are on the verge of collapse. The financial sanctions are having a nationwide impact. Iran's regime can no longer just deal with the bankers themselves." Dagan told Burns. Raber Y. Aziz/AKnews Tuesday, November 30th 2010 9:55 AM

مۆساد : كورد لە خاڵە لاوازەكانی ئێرانە و پێویستە ئەمەریكا سوودی لێ ببینێ لە گۆڕینی ڕژێمەكەی

هەولێر، 30 تشرینی دووەم/نۆڤێمبەر (ئاكانیوز) – لە یەكێك لە بەڵگنامە نهێنییەكانی ئەمەریكا كە لەلایەن ویكیلیكسەوە بڵاوكراوەتەوە هاتووە كە بەرپرسی هەواڵگریی ئیسرائیل (مۆساد) ئامۆژگاریی ئەمەریكا دەكات خاڵە لاوازەكانی ئێران، لەوانە زەقكردنەوەی ناسنامەی نەتەوەییی كەمینەكانی ئەو وڵاتە بۆنموونە كورد، بقۆزێتەوە و بۆ گۆڕینی ڕژێمەكەی میر داگان، بەرپرسی مۆساد لە كۆبوونەوەیەكدا لەگەڵ نیك بێرنز بریكاری وەزارەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكا، دەڵێت كە ئەمەریكا و ئیسرائیل دەتوانن سوود لە خاڵە لاوازەكانی ئێران ببینن بۆ چۆكپێدادانی ئێران و گۆڕینی ڕژێمەكەی، لەوانەش بەكارهێنانی پاڵەپەۆستۆی هەرێمی، سوودوەرگرتن لە پشتگیریی كەمینەكانی وەكو كورد و ڕێژەی بەرزی بێكاری لەو وڵاتەدا. ئیسرائیل و ئەمەریكا "دەتوانن ڕژێمی دەسەڵاتدار و شێوازەكەی بۆ پاڵپشتیكردن لە ڕژێمەكانی تیرۆر، بگۆرن" داگان لە كۆبوونەوەكەدا جەختی كردووەتەوە. "ئێمە دەتوانین واشیان لێ بكەین پڕۆژە ناوكەیییەكەیان دوا بخەن. ئێران دەتوانێ ببێتە دەوڵەتێكی ئاسایی" میر داگان ئامۆژگاریی ئەمەریكا دەكات كاری زیاتر بكات بۆ گۆڕیینی ڕژێمی ئێران بە پاڵپشتیی بزاوە دیموكراسییەكانی قوتابییان، و گرووپە ئیتنییەكانی تر" لەوانە كورد و ئازەر و بەلووچ كە بەرهەڵستیی ڕژێمی دەسەڵاتدار دەكەن. پێویستە ئەو كەمینانە ڕاستەوخۆ بەشدار بن لەو پرۆسەیەی گۆرینی ڕژێمە، لەڕێی كردنەوەی ئێستگەی ڕادۆیی زیاتر بە زمانی فارسی. "ئێستە كەمینەكان سەری خۆیان بەرز دەكەنەوە و مەیلی پەنابردنە بەر توندوتیژییان هەیە" بەپێی قسەكانی داگان. ئەو هەروەها پێشنیازی ئەوە دەكات ئەوروپایییەكانیش بەشدار بن لە گۆڕینی ڕژێمی ئێران بە گرتنەبەری هەڵوێستی توندتر لە دژی ئێران – بەیاریدەی ئیسرائیل. بەرپرسی هەواڵگریی ئیسرائیل دەڵێت خەریكە پاڵەپەستۆ لەسەر ئێران كەڵەكە دەبێت، بەڵام ئەمە بەس نییە بەتەنیا بۆ یەكلاییكردنەوەی ئەم كێشەیە. "هاوئاهەنگی لەگەڵ وڵاتانی كەنداو یاریدەرە، بەڵام ئەمەریكا دەبێت هاوئاهەنگی لەگەڵ ئازەربایجان و وڵاتانی تری باكوری ئێرانیش بكات، بۆ ئەوەی پاڵپەستۆ بخەنە سەر ئێران." بەپێی زانیاریی داگان ڕێژەی بێكاری لە ئێران لەسەرووی 30%یەوەیە و لە هەندێ شارۆكە و گوندیشدا لە سەرووی لەسەدا 50%وەیە، بە تایبەتی لەنێو ئەوانەی تەمەنیان لە نێوان 17-30 ساڵیدایە. "خەڵك ڕەخنە لە حكوومەت دەگرن كە وەبەرهێنان بۆ، هەروەها و پاڵپشتیی داراییی، حەماس دەكات. دەڵێن كە حكوومەتەكەیان پێویستە لە ناوخۆی ئێراندا وەبەرهێنان بكات" بەپێی قسەكانی داگان، "ئەمەش خەریكە تەنگژەیەكی ڕاستەقینە لە نێوان سەرانی ئێراندا دروست دەكات" ڕابەر یونس عزیز , تشرینی دووەم 30th 2010 11:24 AM

Wikileaks release contains blunt U.S. assessments of world leaders

Erbil, Nov. 29 (AKnews) –The Whistle-blowing website Wikileaks has begun releasing selected secret cables sent by US embassies around the world to Washington which contain blunt assessments of world leaders, Australia's the Daily Telegraph reports on its website. The US government has condemned the release of the documents described as the largest intelligence leak in history. The U.S. government says they put the lives of diplomats and others at risk. In a statement, the White House said: "Such disclosures put at risk our diplomats, intelligence professionals, and people around the world who come to the United States for assistance in promoting democracy and open government." Wikileaks said Sunday on its Twitter feed that it had come under attack from a computer-hacking operation ahead of the release of the cables. It has only posted, so far, 220 of the 251,287 messages sent by U.S. embassies around the world to Washington it has obtained. It says the rest will be released over the next few months. They contain blunt assessments of world leaders. Some of the most damning assessments of world leaders contained in the cables are the following: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is "feckless, vain and ineffective as a modern European leader", whose "frequent late nights and penchant for partying hard mean he does not get sufficient rest". Germany's Angela Merkel "avoids risks and is rarely creative". Iranian President Mahmoud Amhadinejad is likened to "Hitler". Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan governs with "a cabal of incompetent advisers". Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is an "alpha dog", but President Dmitry Medvedev is "pale and hesitant" and "plays Robin to Putin's Batman". Lybian president Muammar Gadaffi is "strange" and "accompanied by voluptuous blonde Ukranian 'nurse'". French President Nicolas Sarkozy "has a thin-skinned and authoritarian personal style" and is an "emperor with no clothes". Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has repeatedly called on the US to "cut the head off the snake" and stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Raber Y. Aziz/AKnews Monday, November 29th 2010 8:57 AM

ویكیلیكس: باڵوێزخانەكانی ئەمەریكا هەڵسەنگاندنی بێپەردە بۆ سەرانی دنیا دەكەن

هەولێر، 29 تشرینی دووەم/نۆڤێمبەر (ئاكانیوز) – ماڵپەڕی ویكیلیكس دەستی كردووە بە بڵاوكردنەوەی نێزیكەی چارەگە ملیۆنێك بەڵگەنامەی نهێنی باڵوێخانەكانی ئەمەریكا كە لەسەرتاسەری دنیاوە بۆ واشنتۆنیان ناردووە و تێیاندا دەردەكەوێ كە هەڵسەنگاندنی بێپەردە بۆ سەرانی دنیا كراوە. ویكیلیكس لە ڕۆژی یەكشەمەوە دەستی كردووە بە پرۆسەی بڵاوكردنەوەی بەڵگەنامەكان و هەر ئەو ڕۆژە لەسەر ماڵپەڕی تویتەردا ڕای گەیاند كە دووچاری هێرشێكی هاككردن بوونەتەوە بەڵام ئەگەر لەسەر تۆڕی ئینترنێتیش نەبێت لەسەر ڕۆژنامەكان بەڵگەنامەكان بڵاو دەكاتەوە. بڵاوكردنەوەی ئەو بەڵگەنامانە نیگەرانیی لای ئیدارەی ئۆباما دروست كردووە و هەر چەند ڕۆژێك پێش ئێستە بەرپرسانی چەندان وڵاتیان ئاگەداركردەوە لەوەی كە چاوەڕوانیی چی بكەن لەو بەڵگەنامانە. لە لێدوانێكدا كۆشكی سپی ئیدانەی بڵاوكردنەویە ئەو بەڵگەنامانەی كرد و ڕای گەیاند كە ئەمە دەبێتە هۆی خستنە مەترسیی گیانی دیپلۆماتكارەكانیان. "ئاشكراكردنی (بەڵگەنامەگەلی) ئاوا، دیپلۆماتەكانمان، پیشەوەرە هەواڵگرییەكانمان، و خەڵكان كە لەسەرتارسەری دنیاوە دێنە ئەمەریكا بۆ هاریكاری لە پەرەپێدانی دیموكراسی و حكوومەتی كراوەدا، دەخاتە مەترسییەو" لە بەیاننامەكەدا هاتووە. تا ئێستە زیاتر لە 220 لە كۆی 251،282 بەڵگەنامەی نهێنی كە لە باڵوێزخانەكانی وڵاتی ئەمەریكاوە بۆ واشنتۆن نێردراون لە لایەن ویكیلیكسەوە هاتوونەتە بڵاوكردنەوە و ڕای گەیاندووە كە ئەوانەی تر بە چەند قۆناخێك لە ماوەی چەند مانگی داهاتوودا بڵاو دەكاjەوە. هەندێك لە هەڵسەنگاندنەكان بۆ سەرانی دنیا كە لە بەڵگەنامكەكاندا هاتووە بەم شێوەیە: سەرەك وەزیرانی ئیتاڵیا سلڤیۆ بەرلسكۆنی " وەكو سەركردەیەكی مۆدێرنی ئەوروپایی كەسێكی بێهێز و بێ كەڵك و بێتوانایە". هەروەها لە ڕاپۆرتێكی تریش لەبارەی بەرلسكۆنییەوە هاتووە كە ئەو "سەركردەیەكی لاوازە هەم لە ڕووی سیاسی و هەم لە ڕووی فیزیكییەوە" سەرۆكی كۆریای باكور كیم جینگ ئیل "پیرە پیاوێكی لەڕ"ە. سەرۆكی ئەفغانستان حەمید كەرەزای "پیاوێكی تا بڵێی بێهێزە كە گوێ بە ڕاستییەكان نادات بەڵكو هەریەكێك بێتە لای و بێسەروبەرترین چیڕۆك و پیلانی دژی ئەوی پێ ڕابگەیەنێت بەئاسانی كاری تێ دەكات" سەرۆكی یەمەن عەلی عەبدوڵا ساڵح لە كۆبوونەوەیەكدا لەگەڵ جۆن برێنان، جێگری ڕاوێژكاری تەناهیی نیشتمانیی سەرۆكی ئەمەریكا باراك ئۆباما، "ناجدی، بیتام و بێسەبر بوو" رۆبێرت مۆگابی، سەرۆكی زیمبابوێ، بە "پیاوە پیرە شێتەكە" ناوی براوە. سەرەك وەزیرانی ئیسرائیل بنیامین نەتنیاهۆ "ڕێك و كۆكە" بەڵام هەرگیز بەڵێنەكانی ناباتە سەر. ڕاوێژكاری ئەڵمانیا ئەنگێلا مێركڵ "خۆی لە مەترسی دووردەگرێت و بە دەگمەن نەبێ توانایەكی داهێنانی نییە" سەرۆكی ئێران مەحموود ئەحمەدی نەژاد بە "هیتلەر" بەراورد كراوە. سەرۆك وەزیرانی توركیا ڕەجەب تەیب ئەردۆگان بە "كۆمەڵێك ڕاوێژكاری ناشایستەوە" حوكم دەكات. سەرەك وەزیرانی ڕووسیا ڤلادیمیر پوتین "نێرە سەگە" بەڵام سەرۆكی ڕووسیا دیمیتری مێدڤیدَڤ "ڕەنگزەرد و دوودڵە" و "ڕۆڵی ڕۆبن بۆ باتمانەكەی پوتین دەگێڕێ" ڕۆبن كاراكتەرێكە لە فیلمی كارتۆنیی باتمان كە كوڕێكی گەنجە و هەردەم یاریدەری باتمانە. سەرۆكی لیبیا موعەممەر قەزافی كەسێكی "سەیر"ە و هەردەم "پەرستارە قژزەردە ئۆكرانیایییە لەشجوانەكەی لەگەڵدایە" سەرۆكی فرەنسا نیكۆلا ساركۆزی "ستایلێكی شەخسیی نەرم بەڵام دەسەڵاتداری" هەیە و "ئیمپراتۆرێكی بێ جلوبەرگە" شای سعوودیە عەبدوڵا بن عەبدولعەزیز داوای لە ئەمەریكا كردووە "سەری مارەكە بببڕێت" و ڕێگە لە ئێران بگرێت لە بەدەستهێنانی چەكی ناوكەیی. ڕابەر یونس عزیز , تشرینی دووەم 29th 2010 11:45 AM

President Barzani’s amnesty to inmates sparks outcry

President Barzani's amnesty to inmates sparks outcry Erbil, Nov. 25 (AKnews) – An amnesty issued to 207 prisoners by the president of the Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani on the occasion of the holy Muslim Eid in mid-November has outraged a number of NGOs and journalists as, according to activists, it includes convicts of honor killings. On Nov. 15 Massoud Barzani ordered the release of 207 inmates from adult reformatory prisons of the Kurdistan Region to be united with their families on the first day of the four-day Eid al-Adha celebrations. However, there were reportedly convicts of honor killings among those covered by the amnesty which angered the NGOs, activists and journalists. Salih Ahmed, known locally as "Sale Muzalli" because he used an AK-47 to kill his two sisters Mahabad and Jwan out of "honor" was among the inmates released according to the local Rojname daily which is the mouthpiece of the Gorran movement in Kurdistan. Women's organization have launched a campaign in Sulaimaniyah city, where Gorran enjoys a huge following. "Women-killers, and those who ,instead of the law, judge and kill humans have to be locked away," Pakhshan Zangana, a female journalist told the daily, "I am against any amnesties and laws that free such people." The head of the presidential office, Fuad Hussein, announced in mid-November that the prisoners were pardoned "for the public good" and because of their "good behavior" in prison in order "to give them another chance to return to society as ordinary people". Honor killing has long roots in the conservative Kurdish community. Although statistics reveal a decrease in such cases in recent years, dozens of victims are still killed or subjected to violence each year. Statistics released by the Directorate of Tracking Violence against Women – an institution set up in 2007 under Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, to trace any acts of violence against women in Kurdistan, - show that in 2009, 75 women were killed in various cases, down from 105 a year earlier. The figure has further declined as today Prime Minister Barham Ahmed Salih said in a ceremony held in Erbil city's Peshawa hall to mark the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, that as of early 2010 to the present there have been 57 cases of women killed as a result of domestic violence. President Massoud Barzani has persistently showed his support for the elimination of violence against women, but the activists demand a harsher crackdown. Women's organizations, NGOs, journalists and activists have signed a memo which was submitted to the presidential office, the parliament of Kurdistan and the prime minister, strongly protesting the release of convicts such as Muzalli. The signatories to the paper urged the authorities to treat honor killing in a similar way to terror and drug crimes and that truces between families should not lead to the release of killers of women with impunity. "The release of this criminal and any other convicts of the same crime, who have been covered by the president's amnesty, is contrary to the promises given to people to combat the killing of women" read the memo submitted to the authorities, "we demand that this amnesty not cover these people who have, on any grounds, been convicted of killing women." In many cases, the families involved in the killing of a woman for honor reconcile in a tribal truce and the killer is forgiven without trial. Bahra Hama Rash, a journalist, said that those convicted of honor killings may well pose threats to the members of their families again once they are free, therefore "there should be parameters when amnesties are granted. The crimes of the inmates have to be considered" and those involved in killing should not be freed. Hama Rash believed that the president of the region had granted the amnesty out of his good intentions for public interests, however, "advisors close to him should have better informed him on certain cases".   "Amnesties should never cover women-killers in any circumstances, because that would only lead to a further widening of the social issues. They might kill others, or this may encourage the crime of killing when others see them go free with impunity." "They say the man (Muzalli) had reconciled (with his family over the slaughtering of his two sisters), but what has this tribal truce got to do with law?" Lanja Abdullah, an activist and head of the women's organization, Warvin, asked. According to Iraqi law, said Abdullah, Muzalli should at least be hanged. Reported by Raber Y. Aziz and Dawan Hadi Ka/AKnews Thursday, November 25th 2010 3:26 PM

New book points to interactive US - Iraqi-Kurd relations

New book points to interactive US - Iraqi-Kurd relations Erbil, Nov. 13 (AKnews) – A book published by the British publishing house Routledge on US-Kurdish relations says that the US has an interactive rapport with Iraqi-Kurdistan, the "first non-state actor" to influence American foreign policy. "The Kurds and the US Foreign Policy" by Dr. Marianna Charountaki looks in detail at US-Kurdish relations and analyzes their influence on American, Middle-Eastern and global politics, from World War II up to the third Gulf War. Charountaki tries to answer the twofold question of whether the Kurds have had any influence on American foreign policy, and whether such a relationship can exist between a state and a non-state actor. "I believe that the Kurdish issue plays a significant role and may be formative in regional politics" says the writer, "Usually, we see state powers affected by state powers, but in the case of the Kurds, we see a non-state actor, affect, and interact with, an international state power. "The book states clearly the existence of an interactive and institutionalized (US) relationship with the Kurds of Iraq.. whereas this is the first time to see that a non-state actor such as (Iraqi) Kurdistan can play such an important role in the foreign policy of the US" said Charountaki. According to Charountaki, most of the previous books on Kurds have employed a sociological or anthropological approach rather than a political analysis, especially from an International Relations perspective. The recent development of Kurds in Iraq, the ongoing PKK issue and the re-emergence of the Kurdish issue in Syria reminded the world of the importance of the Kurds in the Middle East, the books notes. Charountaki is expected to stage a presentation of her book in Erbil in February, and her book is expected to be translated and published by the Aras Printing & Publishing House, the publishers of AKnews. Raber Y. Aziz Saturday, November 13th 2010 3:04 PM

كاتبة يونانية تؤلف كتاباً حول تأثير الكرد على السياسة الخارجية الأميركية

كاتبة يونانية تؤلف كتاباً حول تأثير الكرد على السياسة الخارجية الأميركية

اربيل13تشرين الثاني/نوفمبر(آكانيوز)- تصف كاتبة يونانية، في كتابها الذي أصدرته مؤسسة روتليتش الدولية باللغة الانجليزية، علاقات الكرد والولايات المتحدة الاميركية بالمهمة والمؤثرة على سياسات الشرق الاوسط، وتشير الى تأثير الكرد على السياسة الخارجية الأميركية. ويُعتبر كتاب "الكرد والسياسة الخارجية الاميركية"، للكاتبة ماريانا هارونتاكي، أول كتاب يستعرض بشكل مفصل علاقات الكرد في أجزاء كردستان الاربعة بشكل عام وكرد العراق بشكل خاص مع الولايات المتحدة الأميركية ويستنتج منها انه كان للكرد تأثير على السياسات الخارجية لأميركا. الكتاب هو خلاصة رسالة الدكتوراه للكاتبة هارونتاكي، التي حصلت عليها من معهد الدراسات العربية والاسلامية بجامعة ايكستر ببريطانيا في عام 2006، كبحث في مجال العلاقات الدولية بصورة عامة والشرق الاوسط خاصة، وهو كتاب مكون من 320 صفحة، من حجم (A4). وحول أسباب اختيار الكرد في بحثها، قالت الكاتبة ماريانا هارونتاكي، في مقابلة أجرتها معها وكالة كردستان للأنباء (آكانيوز) "أعتقد ان للقضية الكردية دورا مهماً على السياسات الاقليمية، بل واحيانا دور المبادر والمكون لها، كما ان المسألة الكردية لم تأخذ نصيبها الكافي من الدراسات، خاصة حول مختلف مراحل علاقات الكرد وأميركا". وأوضحت هارونتاكي ان "معظم الكتابات السابقة (في شأن الكرد)، كانت بحوث سوسيولوجية وانثروبولوجية وليست دراسات سياسية، وبالاخص في مضمار العلاقات الدولية"، مبينة ان "كتابي يستعرض علاقات الكرد وأميركا، منذ الحرب العالمية الثانية ولغاية حرب الخليج الثالث في عام 2003، كبحث سياسي مقارن". وأشارت هارونتاكي في كتابها الى "دور المسألة الكردية كصلة وصل بين الكرد والسياسة الاقليمية والدولية، بالاستناد الى تطورات السنين الأخيرة في كردستان العراق وقضية الـ(PKK) وعودة ظهور القضية الكردية في سوريا"، واستذكرت العالم بأهمية الكرد في الشرق الأوسط. وحاولت الإجابة، في كتابها، على سؤالين رئيسيين ذي وجهين، هما: هل كان للكرد تأثير على السياسة الخارجية الاميركية أم لا؟ هل يمكن تسمية علاقة الكرد والسياسة الخارجية الاميركية، بالتأثير المتبادل بين دولة وطرف غير دولة؟. وتتوصل في بحثها الى نتيجة مفادها، ان الكرد هم أول طرف بدون دولة ، له تأثير على السياسة الخارجية لدولة كأميركا. ويستخلص الكتاب الى ان "هناك علاقة أميركية مؤثرة ومؤسساتية واضحة مع الكرد في العراق، وهذه هي المرة الأولى التي نرى فيها طرفا لا دولة له، ككرد العراق، فهو الطرف الذي يتمكن من أداء دور مهم كهذا، في السياسة الخارجية الأميركية". وأضافت هارونتاكي ان "المتعارف عليه هو ان الدول هي التي تؤثر على الدول الأخرى، ولكن في حالة الكرد وأميركا، فانك ترى ان الكرد ليسوا أصحاب دولة، ولكنهم يؤثرون ويتفاعلون مع سلطات دولة كأميركا". وتعتقد الكاتبة، ان الكرد في العراق يحافظون على توازن القوى في السياسة العراقية وبامكانهم نقل تجربة اقليم كردستان في بسط الأمن والاستقرار، الى المناطق الأخرى من العراق". ومن المقرر ترجمة كتاب (الكرد والسياسة الخارجية الأميركية) الى اللغة الكردية، من قبل مؤسسة آراس للطباعة والنشر في مدينة أربيل، ليعرض الكتاب على القُراء في شهر آب/أغسطس المقبل، بمراسيم خاصة تحضرها  الكاتبة ماريانا هارونتاكي. من: رابر يونس عزيز، تر: احسان ايرواني

نووسەرێكی یۆنانی لەبارەی كاریگەریی كورد بەسەر سیاسەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكاوە كتێبێك دەنووسێت

هەولێر، 13 تشرینی دووەم/ نۆڤێمبەر (ئاكانیوز) - نووسەرێكی یۆنانی لە كتێبێكی 320 لاپەڕییدا كە لەلایەن دەزگەی رۆتلیجی نێودەوڵەتی بەزمانی ئینگلیزی بڵاوكراوەتەوە، پێوەندییەكانی نێوان كورد و ئەمەریكا بە گرینگ وەسپ دەكات لە سیاسەتی ڕۆهەڵاتی ناوەڕاستدا و كاریگەریی كورد بەسەر سیاسەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكاوە دەخاتە ڕوو. كتێبی "كورد و سیاسەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكا" لە نووسینی خاتوو ماریانا هاروداكی یەكەمین كتێبە كە بەشێوەیەكی ورد پێوەندیی كوردی هەرچوار پارچەكان بەگشتی و كوردی عێراق بەتایبەتی لەگەڵ ئەمەریكادا تاووتوێ دەكات و دەگاتە ئەو دەرەنجامەی كە كورد كاریگەریی هەبووە بەسەر سیاسەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكاوە. كتێبەكە پوختەیەكی نامەی دكتۆرای خاتوو هاروداكی كە لە پەیمانگای دیراساتی عەرەبی و ئیسلامیی زانكۆی ئێكستەر لە بەریتانیا لە ساڵی 2006دا بە دەستی هێناوە.  هاروداكی وەكو توێژەرێك لە بواری پێوەندییە نێودەوڵەتییەكان بەگشتی و ڕۆژهەڵاتی ناوەڕاست بە تایبەتی كار دەكات. سەبارەت بەوەی لەبەرچی كوردی هەڵبژارد بۆ ئەوەی توێژینەوەی لەبارەوە بنووسێ، نووسەر لە دیمانەیەكدا بە ئاژانسی كوردستان بۆ دەنگوباس (ئاكانیوز)ی ڕاگەیاند كە "پێم وایە پرسی كورد ڕۆڵێیكی گرینگی هەیە بەسەر سیاسەتی هەرێمییەوە (ڕۆژهەڵاتی ناوەڕاست)، تەنانەت لەوانەیە رۆڵێكی پێكهێنەر بێت"، هەروەها لەبەر ئەوەش كە پرسی كورد زۆری لەبارەوە نەنووسراوە بەتایبەتی بەو شێوەیەی كە هەموو قۆناغەكانی ئەو جۆرە پێوەندییەی نێوان كورد و ئەمەریكا دیاری بكات. "زۆربەی نووسینەكانی پێشوو (لەبارەی كورد) لێكۆڵینەوەی سۆسیۆلۆجی و ئەنترۆپۆلۆجی بوونە نەك لێكۆڵینەوەی سیاسی بەتایبەتی لە سۆنگەی پێوەندیی نێودەوڵەتییەوە" ماریانا گوتی. ئەو لە كتێبەكەیدا، پێوەندییەكانی كورد و ئەمەریكا لەوەتەی شەڕی دووەمی جیهانییەوە تا شەڕی سێیەمی كەنداو لە 2003 و دوای ئەو كاتە وەكو توێژینەوەیەكی سیاسی بەوردی دەخاتە ڕوو. "رۆڵی پرسی كورد وەكو گەیەنەرێك لە نێوان كورد و سیاسەتی هەرێمی و نێودەوڵەتیدا بەهۆی پێشوەچوونەكانی ئەم ساڵانەی دواییی كوردی عێراق و بەردەوامبوونی پرسی پەكەكە و سەرهەڵدانەوەی پرسی كورد لە سووریا، گرینگیی كوردی لە ڕۆهەڵاتی ناوەڕاست وەبیر دنیا هێنایەوە" هاروداكی لە كتێبەكەیدا نووسیویەتی. ئەو هەوڵی داوە لە كتێبەكەیدا پرسیارێكی سەرەكی كە خۆی لە دوو ڕوودا دەبینێتەوە وەڵام بداتەوە: ئایا كورد كاریگەرییان هەبووە بەسەر سیاسەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكا یاخۆ نا؟ ئایا شتێك هەیە بەناوی پێوەندیی كورد و سیاسەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكا لە شێوەی كارلێككردن لەنێوان دەوڵەتێك و لایەنێكی نادەوڵەت؟. لە ئەنجامی لێكۆڵینەوەكەشیدا دەگاتە ئەو دەرەنجامەی كە كورد یەكەمین لایەنی نادەوڵەتە كاریگەریی بەسەر سیاسەتیی دەرەوەی دەوڵەتێكی وەكو ئەمەریكادا هەبێت. دەرەنجامی كتێبەكە ئەوەیە كە پێوەندییەكی كارلێكی و بەدامەزراوەییكراوی ڕوونی ئەمەریكا لەگەڵ كوردی عێراقدا هەیە. "ئەمەش یەكەمین جارە كە دەبینین لایەنێكی نا دەوڵەت وەكو كوردی عێراق دەتوانن رۆڵێكی ئاوا گرینگ لە سیاسەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكادا بگێڕن" نووسەر گوتی زیاتر گوتی"زۆربەی كات دەبینی دەوڵەت كاریگەریی بەسەر دەوڵەتەوە هەیە، بەڵام لە حاڵەتی كورد و ئەمەریكادا دەبینی كورد كە خاوەنی دەوڵەت نییە كاریگەری و كارلێكی لەگەڵ دەسەڵاتی دەوڵەتێكی وەكو ئەمەریكادا هەیە.". ئەو هەروەها پێی وایە كوردی عێراق هاوسەنگیی هێز لە سیاسەتی عێراقدا ڕادەگرن و دەتوانن ئەو ئارامی و تەناهییەی لە هەرێمدا هەیە بیگوازنەەوە بۆ ناوچەكان تری عێراقیش. كتێبی "كورد و سیاسەتی دەرەوەی ئەمەریكا" بڕیارە لەلایەن دەزگەی چاپ و بڵاوكردنەوەی ئاراس لە هەولێر بكرێتە كوردی و بڵاوبكرێتەوە و لە مانگی ئاب خاتوو هاروداكی لە ڕێوڕەسمێكدا لە هەولێر كتێبەكەی پێشكێشی خوێنەران بكات. ڕابەر یونس عزیز

Demo bill in Kurdistan upsets opposition and NGOs

Demo bill in Kurdistan upsets opposition and NGOs

Erbil, Nov. 9 (AKnews) – Lawmakers in Kurdistan Region are polarized over a draft law requiring beforehand permission for demonstrations from the authorities passed recently by the parliament. Under the bill passed on Nov. 3 by a majority vote, any demonstration in Kurdistan Region has to be authorized by the ministry of the interior before demonstrators take to the streets. officials say the law is to regulate the demonstrations and that the security forces provide security for the demonstrators. However, the opposition factions and the civil society organizations are upset about the bill and consider it restrictions on the right of citizens to demonstrate and raise their voices. They called on the president Massoud Barzani to not sign on the bill and return it to parliament for amendments. "We thought that the bill would be passed to expand the freedoms of the people in Kurdistan" said Sargul Qaradaghi, an MP in the Gorran faction in the parliament of Kurdistan region, "it is regrettable that it was passed by a majority vote despite expressing our concerns about some articles of the draft law" The Opposition, which includes the Gorran movement, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), and the Islamic Group (IG) considered the bill as "restricting the freedom of demonstrating". They were particularly concerned about an article which requires beforehand permission from the authorities for any demonstration. The law also does not allow unexpected demonstrations. The demonstrations bill has been submitted to the president of the Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani. Upon Barzani's singing, the bill will be put into effect. According to the amended Law No. 1 of 2005, the president has to sign or reject the law in 15 days. If the period expired and the president did not reject the bill, it will automatically be effective. "Demonstration is a right of the citizens and can not be restricted by laws. The demonstrators only need to inform the relevant authorities so that they can provide security and safety for them not permissions" said the Gorran member. The majorities of the demonstrations in Kurdistan Region have been unexpected in response to certain decisions by the government that some people have found "unfair" and did not have time to inform the relevant authorities, which had to be addressed separately in the bill, according to him. Another Gorran lawmaker, Zana Raof, said requiring people to have permission to demonstrate will alter the law from a constitutional guarantee of the citizens rights to a "weapon in the hands of ministry of the interior" and which might be used for personal purposes and preventing demonstrators. "Also, not fitting the unexpected demonstrations in the law will crate a big problem for the internal security forces, as people usually take to the streets all of a sudden," he said, "what was passed contains dangerous implications and restricts the constitutional rights of people" "There are demonstrations for certain issues which require immediate solutions and can not wait for two days to first inform the authorities and then the authority in turn, reply in another two days" said Omar Abdul Aziz, head of the KIU action in the Kurdish parliament. The differences on the bill have driven a wedge even between the lawmakers of the Kurdistani Alliance which includes the two ruling parties in the region: the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Some of them believe that the law restricts freedoms while others argue that the law is suitable for Kurdistan Region in the current unstable stage of Iraq and could be reformed later. "The law contains many flaws," said Rafiq Sabir of the Kurdistani Alliance, "because freedom of demonstration is restricted when permission is required. In some articles, it is against the law number 17 of 1993 which stipulates that only informing the authorities is required for a demonstration… the bill does not comply with the developing democracy in Kurdistan" Those who argue that the bill is necessary cite security as the main reason to support the bill. "Kurdistan is part of Iraq, it can not be viewed as different" says Aso Karim, another member of the Kurdistan Alliance, "whenever the terrorism is curtailed in Iraq and Kurdistan, then the law can be amended" Some observers have dubbed Kurdistan Region "the Other Iraq" its security and stability. Though demonstration needs permission from the authorities in advance, but this does not mean they will be able to reject a request for one without good reason, according to Karim. Recently, hundreds of students took to the streets without prior notice to the authorities after they had applied to the universities of Kurdistan Region but were not admitted. Shorish Mohammed Amin, head of the NGO Federation in Kurdistan which includes 15 organizations, said the law was more "to block demos than organize them… as if the demonstrators were the enemies of the government and the country," He said they will continue a campaign they have started to collect signatures against the bill and will urge the president Massoud Barzani to return the draft back to the parliament for reforms. "Passing the law will harm the democracy in Kurdistan and is reminiscent of the Baath regime days when demonstrations were not allowed" Reported by Dler Abdulrahman Editted by Raber Y. Aziz

Iraqi leaders break impasse over government formation

Iraqi leaders break impasse over government formation

Erbil, Nov. 8 (AKnews) – The political leaders of Iraq successfully finished a meeting in Erbil Monday to discuss their differences over the next Iraqi government breaking at least the "psychological barrier" to come to terms. All the Iraqi political leaders attended the meeting in Erbil to hold face-to-face talks in what became the first all-inclusive meeting to bring together the Iraqi actors under one roof – the initiative of the President of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani. Barzani's initiative, submitted to the political blocs in September, suggested as an initial step the establishment of the committee of 8-12 representatives from the different political factions in order to resolve issues of contention between them and arrive at a consensus over the allocation of the key governmental posts. The Erbil meeting is the second stage of the initiative. In the opening speech, Barzani said the initiative was a result of his belief that "Iraq could accommodate us all, without exception, and this is what it should be" Leader s of all bloc looked with optimism at the meeting with a view to end the 8-month long political impasse after the March 7 elections failed to conclude the issue of government formation. Prime Minister Nuri al-maliki said the leaders met in Erbil to achieve three principles: national unity, continuing the national reconciliation process and a real national partnership in forming the new government. The Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the Iraqi people had the right to see all the political actors accelerate the formation of the Iraqi government. "They need guarantees about their country" But Iraq's Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi sounded doubtful and pessimistic of the Iraqi leader ability to resolve the disputes over the new Iraqi government in the the Erbil meeting "How can the leader settle the strategic disputes in such a short time" wondered Mr Hashemi, a Sunni leader within the al-Iraqiya list led by former Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, in his speech in the meeting, though he urged a "quick and urgent formation of a national partnership government" Still Massoud Barzani found it a successful and positive meeting. "What I saw today was more than positive", Barzani told a press conference after the meeting, "If the meetings continue with this positive atmosphere, I am sure the government will be formed soon" "This is the first meeting since the elections in which all the political blocs took part… in itself an important step" said Barzani. There have been meetings before between the Iraqi actors which included only two or three blocs. "This time, the political actors, instead of talking on the TV channels and newspapers, sat face to face and talked… previously, they wouldn't meet" said Barzani. A second meeting will be held Tuesday in Baghdad to give more time to the leaders to expand on the issues and agree on the top government positions before the next parliament convention on Thursday. The major disagreements are over the distribution of the top three state positions of prime minister, president and parliament speaker. Asked if there were external pressures on Kurds to give up their demand for Iraqi presidency, currently held by a Kurd Jalal Talabani, Barzani said "there is this speculation, but it is not like that. The president's position is a national right for the Kurds… it is related to the parliament of the Kurdistan region, the Kurdish political blocs, and the Kurdish public, it is not the decision of one person" Iraq had been deadlocked in disputes between the main parliamentary blocs for eight months over who will name the next PM. Current Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki wants to keep his job for a second term while Iraqiya list insists that they are entitled by the constitution to form the government. The Iraqiya won 91 seats in the parliament while Maliki's State of Law Coalition (SLC) 89. in a move to get ahead of Allawi, Maliki entered an alliance with the Iraqi National Alliance list, 70 seats, to form the merger the National Coalition (NC). The NC later broke into two parts; those who supported Maliki as candidate for the post of the Pm, and those who were against him. The supporters were mainly members of Maliki's SLC and the Sadr Current who held some 40 seats within the INA. Kurds could play kingmaker if they align with Maliki giving him a majority of over 180 seats out f the 325-seat parliament. Regarding their support for a certain bloc, Barzani said the "Kurds will announce their stand in the next parliament session," Raber Y. Aziz (raber@aknews.com)

British interest in Kurdistan grows while U.S. participation hits new low

Erbil, Oct. 21 (AKnews) – British companies are more and more interested in the Kurdistan Region as their number increased to 39 in the international fair opened in Erbil on Monday from 2 in the previous one in September, while the U.S. participation hit a new low dropping to 0.23% down from 0.48% the previous show in September. On Monday, the sixth international trade fair was opened in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, where 850 companies from 25 countries exhibited their products. They were all full of optimism to find investment opportunities in the secure region of Kurdistan. Nine of the British companies exhibited their products individually, while the other 30 companies and trade associations were represented by the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) led by Sir Andrew Chan. The UKTI is the British government department responsible for urging  international trade with the UK. "Kurdistan is very different" says Mr Robb Huddow of the British UK Filter whose company exhibited separately.  UK Filter first engaged in business in Iraq in 1979. Seven years after the 2003 invasion, the British government has now realized that Kurdistan is a prosperous market. They are now urging British companies to do business in Kurdistan, "but, we are 10 years late" said Mr Haddow, "Kurdistan has been a good market for the past 10 years" Mr Haddow said the British did not come to invest in Kurdistan five years ago for two reasons: at that time, business was very good in Europe "so why go so far away as Kurdistan," and the second, "Kurdistan was not recognized as being different from Iraq" The growing British interest in Kurdistan was attributed by Haddow to another reason; there is a division between business and politics "and this of course is so good, when I came to Iraq everything was politics during the time of Saddam." Back in the 1980s there were strict state-imposed conditions for companies to work in Iraq. One of the things which kept foreign investors away was the "Penalty for failure" where businessmen failing to accomplish a project would be punished by death. The presence of the British government – for the first time ever – represented by the UKTI signals a growing British government interest in the region of Kurdistan. There are two more fairs in November and December in Erbil. "Of course we will have more participation in Erbil" said Zaid Abdullah, senior trade and investment manager from the British Embassy in Iraq. "Now we understand Kurdistan is the gateway for business in Iraq." UKTI will help UK-based companies to "make their decisions to do business in Iraq, in general, and we help them to succeed in this market" By contrast, only two U.S. companies participated in the sixth Erbil International Fair which amounts to only 0.23% of 850 companies in the show. This figure, though double the number of the previous fair in late September when only one American company exhibited its products, is still twice lower in percentage. There were only 207 companies and the U.S. participation accounted for 0.48% then, and now there are 850.  "The actual American people don't understand as much… they'd rather do business elsewhere. They don't understand the culture" says Amir A. Sabetian, chief financial officer of the U.S.-based Mach Oil. Americans think that Kurdistan region is the same as Iraq. "They are afraid, I was afraid" said Sabetian, who is an Iranian-American. Being of Iranian origins, he better understands the culture and people here, otherwise he would not be here as well. Sabetian says he decided to come to Kurdistan only after he saw on TV an American-Iranian singer visited the region. "A singer came three months ago; it was Googoosh who is an Iranian American singer (to hold a music concert in Erbil). She completely changed my perspective of Kurdistan" After Googosh held the music concert, "I think I have it wrong, and when I came here, I saw that I completely had it wrong" said Mr. Sabetian. Kurdistan is dubbed by observers "The Other Iraq" for its security, stability, economic growth and prosperity. The U.S. government has desperately tried to urge businessmen to come to Iraq. They have a special designated Iraq program for businesses that "we are going to help you do business in Iraq" according to Sabetian. But it seems that it is no use. Sabetian believes that the fair organizing company should go to show in the United States themselves and tell the American people that it is safe to do shows in Kurdistan, and let the people know that Kurdistan is not the same as Iraq. "The growth of Kurdistan to me is surprising which I am going to relay that back to my people" "I think that Iraq needs to do more; there is so much the government can do. I don't think they are going to do commercials and go to shows in the U.S." Shthwan al-Maqdisi, operations manager of IFP which organized the show said they had contacted the U.S. embassy, consulate and the U.S. chamber of commerce. "But every time, the maximum number of American companies that participate is five" But to Mr Robb Huddow, director of UK Filter ,  Kurdistan is too small a market for the U.S. to do business in and a long way away. "The Americans don't want to come such a distance; their focus is on their internal market and South America." Said Mr Haddow. South America has a population is about 500 million, while Kurdistan is 5 million. "So, if you were an American businessman where would you go?" Still, he believes that it is in the hands if the Kurds to promote their country and change the picture the westerners have of Kurdistan. "The British are fed up with hearing the war in Afghanistan, and they think that Kurdistan is the same as Afghanistan" It is more an American problem than a British one. "because there are 300 million of them yet only 5 million of them are abroad" he says, "when we ruled the world, there were only 50 million of us and 20 million were outside, in New Zeland, Australia…" According to him, the KRG has been successful in its efforts to promote Kurdistan in the past few years. In June, a Kurdish delegation visited London to participate in an economic conference where they were a "phenomenal success". "The measure of the KRG's success is that that the British who sleep all day have now woken up and they have come, there are not many, but next year, if everything is OK there will be double the number of British companies." Huddow also drew attention to the fact that there are many fairs in Kurdistan each year while there does not need to be more than one because Kurdistan is not a big enough place to have more than one fair. One big fair a year is better than several smaller ones, he said. Reported by Raber Y. Aziz, (contact Raber at: raber.younis@aknews.com) Edited by Karl Allen

گرینگیدانى بەریتانیا بە كوردستان پەرە دەستێنێ لە كاتێكدا بەشدارى ئەمەریكا لە دابەزینە

هەولێر 21 تشرینى یەكەم/ئۆكتۆبەر (ئاكانیوز)- گرینگیدانى كۆمپانیا بەریتانیاییەكان بە هەرێمى كوردستان تا دەڕوا لە زیادبوونە و ڕێژەى بەشدارى كۆمپانیاكانى ئەو وڵاتە لەو پێشانگە نێودەوڵەتییەى كە دووشەمى ڕابردوو لە هەولێر كرایەوە بۆ 39 كۆمپانیا بەرزبووەتەوە، ئەمەش لە كاتێكدایە كە بەشدارى كۆمپانیا ئەمەریكییەكان بە بەراورد لەگەڵ پێشانگەى پێشوو كە لە مانگى ئەیلوولدا ساز كرا ڕێژەى بەشدارییان لە 0.4% بۆ 0.2% دابەزی. ڕۆژى دووشەمى ڕابردوو شەشەمین پێشانگەى بازرگانیی نێودەوڵەتی لە هەولێر، پایەتەختى هەرێمى كوردستانى عێراق، كرایەوە و 850 كۆمپانیا لە 25 وڵات لەو پێشانگەیەدا بەشدارییان كرد و بەرهەمەكانى خۆیان پێشاندا. ئەو كۆمپانیایانە گەشبینییەكى زۆریان پێوە دیار بوو بۆ ئەوەى هەلى وەبەرهێنان لەم هەرێمە جێگیرەدا بۆ خۆیان بدۆزنەوە. نۆ لە كۆمپانیا بەریتانیایییەكان بەجودا بەرهەمەكانی خۆیان پێشان دەدا لە كاتێكدا نووسینگەی بازرگانی و وەبەرهێنانی بەریتانیا UKTI بەسەرۆكایەتیی سێر ئاندرو چان نوێنەرایەتیی 30 كۆمپانیا و گرووپە بازرگانییەكانی تری دەكرد. نووسینگەی بازرگانی و وەبەرهێنانی بەریتانیا ئەو نووسینگە حكوومەتییەی بەریتانیایە كە بەرپرسیارە لە هاندانی بازرگانیی نێودەوڵەتی لەگەڵ بەریتانیا. هەبوونی نوێنەرایەتیی حكوومەتی بەریتانیا ئاماژەیەكە بۆزیادبوونی گرینگیپێدانی حكوومەتی بەریتانیا بە هەرێمی كوردستان. ڕوب هادۆ بەڕێوەبەرى كۆمپانیاى بەریتانیایی "UK Filter" كە بۆ یەكەمجار لە ساڵى 1979دا كارى بازرگانى لە عێراقدا كردووە گوتى "كوردستان زۆر جیاوازە". حەوت ساڵ پاش هێرشەكەى ساڵى 2003 حكوومەتى بەریتانیا تازە ئەوەى بۆ ڕوون بووەتەوە كە كوردستان بازاڕێكى دەوڵەمەندە. ئەوان ئێستە داوا لە كۆمپانیاكانى بەریتانیا دەكەن بۆ ئەوەى لە كوردستان بازرگانى بكەن. هادۆ گوتى "بەڵام ئێمە 10 ساڵ پاش كەوتووین. كوردستان لە ماوەى 10 ساڵى ڕابردوودا بازاڕێكى باش بووە". بەڕای هادۆ، بەریتانیا 5 ساڵ پێش ئێستە لەبەر دوو هۆكار وەبەرهێنانى لە كوردستاندا نەدەكرد: لەو كاتەدا بازاڕ و كارلە ئەوروپادا زۆر باش بوو و بیریان لەوە نەكردووەتەوە وا دوور بڕۆن و بێنە كوردستان، هەروەها وایان دەبینی كە كوردستان هیچ جیاوازییەكی لەگەڵ ناوچەكانى ترى عێراقدا نییە. هۆكارێكى تر كە بووەتە هۆى پەرەسەندنى گرینگیدانی بەریتانیا بە كوردستان ئەوەیە كە سیاسەت و كار لە یەكتر جیا كراونەتەوە و ئەمەش شتێكى باشە. "كاتێك من لە سەردەمى سەدام سەردانى عێراقم كرد هەموو شتێك سیاسەت بوو". لە ساڵانی 1980كاندا كۆمپانیاكان لە عێراق ڕووبەڕووى هەلومەرجى دژوار دەبوونەوە . یەكێك لەو شتانەى كە كە كۆمپانیا بیانییەكانی لە عێراق دوور دەكردەوە ئەوەبوو كە "سزاى سەرنەكەوتن" هەبوو بەجۆرێك ئەگەر وەبەرهێنەرەكان لە پڕۆژەكانیان سەركەوتنیان مسۆگەر نەكردایە ڕووبەڕووى سزاى مردن دەبوونەوە. دوو پێشانگەى تر لە مانگەكانى تشرینى دووەم و كانوونى یەكەمدا لە هەولێر دەكرێتەوە. زیاد عەبدوڵا بەڕێوەبەرى باڵاى بازرگانى و وەبەرهێنان لە باڵوێزخانەى بەریتانیا لە عێراق گوتى "بێ گومان ئێمە بەشدارى زیاترمان دەبێ لە هەولێر. ئێمە ئەو ڕاستییەمان بۆ ئاشكرا بووە كە كوردستان دەروازەیەكە بۆ بازرگانى لە عێراقدا". زیاد عەبدوڵا هەروەها گوتی "نووسینگەی بازرگانى و وەبەرهێنان هاوكارى كۆمپانیا بەریتانیاییەكان دەكات بۆ ئەوەى بازرگانى لە عێراقدا بكەن و بەشێوەیەكى گشتى ئێمە هاوكارى ئەوان دەكەین بۆ ئەوەى لەم بازاڕەدا سەركەوتوو بن". لەبەرامبەر زیادبوونی گرینگیدانی بەریتانیا بە هەرێم، گرینگیدانی ئەمەریكا ڕوو لە كەمییە و تەنیا دوو كۆمپانیاى ئەمەریكایی لە شەشەمین پێشانگەى بازرگانیی نێودەوڵەتیدا بەشدارییان كرد و ڕێژەى بەشدارییان لە كۆى ئەو 850 كۆمپانیایەى بەشدارییان تێدا كردبوو، 0.2% بوو. هەرچەندە بە ژمارە كۆمپانیا ئەمەریكایییەكان دوو هێندەى ژمارەى كۆمپانیا بەشدارەكانی پێشانگەى پێشوو بوو كە لە مانگى ئەیلوولى ڕابردوودا بەڕێوەچوو كە تەنیا یەك كۆمپانیاى ئەمەریكایی بەشدارى ئەو پێشانگەى كرد، بەڵام بەڕێژەی سەدی بەشداریی ئەمەریكا هێشتا دوو جار كەمتر بووەتەوە. ئەو كات تەنیا 207 كۆمپانیا لەو پێشانگەدا بەشدارییان كرد و ڕێژەى بەشدارى ئەمەریكا لەو پێشانگەدا 0.4% بوو و ئەم جارە 850 كۆمپانیا بەشداریان تێدا كرد بۆیە ڕێژەی سەدی بەشداریی ئەمەریكا تەنیا 0.2% بوو. ئەمیر سابێتیان بەڕێوەبەرى دارایی لە كۆمپانیاى ئەمەریكایی "Mach Oil" كە لە پێشانگەكەدا ئامادە بوو گوتى "خەڵكى ئەمەریكا تێ ناگەن، ئەوان زیاتر لە شوێنى تر بازرگانى دەكەن. ئەوان لە كولتوورى كوردستان تێ ناگەن". سابێتیان كە هاووڵاتییەكى ئەمەریكایی ئێرانیییە، زیاتر گوتى "ئەمەریكییەكان پێیان وایە هەرێمى كوردستان وەك شوێنەكانى ترى عێراق وایە. ئەوان دەترسن، منیش دەترسام". سابێتیان دەڵێ كە پاش ئەوەى گۆرانیبێژى ئەمەریكایی بەڕەچەلەك ئێرانى گوگوشی لە تەلەڤزیۆن بینیوە كە لە هەرێمى كوردستان گۆرانى گوتووە، بڕیارى داوە بێتە كوردستان. "ئەو گۆرانیبێژە سێ مانگ پێش ئێستە سەردانى كوردستانى كرد و كۆنسێرتێكى لە هەولێر ساز كرد. ئەو بەتەواوى تێڕوانینى منى لەبارەى كوردستانەوە گۆڕى". پاش ئەوەى گوگوش ئەو كۆنسێرتەى لە هەولێر ساز كرد سابێتیان بیری كردەوە كە ڕەنگە هەڵە بووبێت لە بارەی كوردستانەوە. "كاتێك هاتمە كوردستان زانینم كە پێشتر من بەتەواوى بە هەڵەدا چووبووم لەبارەی كوردستان"، سابێتیان ئەمەى گوت. هەندێك لە چاودێران بە كوردستان دەڵێن "عێراقەكەى تر"، چونكە بوارى تەناهى جێگیرە و ئابوورى لە گەشەكردندایە و بەرەو ئاوەدانى دەڕوات. ئەو هاووڵاتییە ئەمەریكایی ئێرانیە زیاتر گوتی حكوومەتى ئەمەریكا هەوڵى داوە بۆ ئەوەى بازرگانەكان بێنە عێراق. ئەوان پلانێكى تایبەتیان بۆ بازرگانەكانیان لە عێراق داڕشتووە كە هاوكاریان دەكەن بۆ ئەوەى لە عێراقدا بازرگانى بكەن. شەزوان ئەلمەقدیسی، بەڕێوەبەری عەمەلیاتی كۆمپانیای "IFP Iraq" كە پێشانگەی نێودەڵەتیی هەولێر ڕێك دەخات گوتی كە ئەوان پێوەندییان بەباڵوێزخانە، كونسولگە و ژوورى بازرگانیى ئەمەریكاوە كردووە، بەڵام تا ئێستە زۆرترین ڕێژەى بەشداریى كۆمپانیا ئەمەریكییەكان لە پێشانگەكاندا 5 كۆمپانیا بووە. سابێتیان پێى وایە كۆمپانیاى ڕێكخەرى ئەم پێشانگەیە پێویستە بەشدار لە پێشانگەكان لە ویلایەتە یەكگرتووەكانى ئەمەریكادا بكات و بە خەڵكى ئەمەریكا بڵێن كە دۆخەكە بۆ كردنەوەى پێشانگە لە كوردستاندا جێگیرە و بە خەڵكى پێشان بدەن كە كوردستان وەك شوێنەكانى ترى عێراق نییە. گو تیشی كە "گەشەكردنى كوردستان بۆ من سەرسوڕهێنەرە و كاتێك گەڕامەوە بۆ ئەمەریكا ئەمە بۆ خەڵكەكەم دەگێڕمەوە" "من پێم وایە عێراق پێویستى بە هەوڵى زیاتر هەیە و حكوومەت دەتوانێ كارى زیاتر بكات. ئەوان دەبێ شاباش بكەن و پێشانگە لە ئەمەریكادا بكەنەوە". بەڵام ڕوب هادۆ بەڕێوەبەرى كۆمپانیاى بەریتانیایی "UK Filter" پێى وایە كوردستان بازاڕێكى بچووكە بۆ ئەمەریكا تا تێیدا بازرگانى بكات، هەروەها زۆر دووریشە. ناوبراو گوتى "ئەمەریكییەكان نایانەوێ بێنە شوێنێكى وەها دوور و زیاتر لە بازاڕە ناوخۆیییەكان و ئەمەریكای باشووردا كار دەكەن". "ئەمەریكای باشوور نێزیكەى 500 ملیۆن دانیشتووى هەیە، لە كاتێكدا كوردستان 5 ملیۆن دانیشتووى هەیە و بۆیە ئەگەر ئێوە بازرگانێكى ئەمەریكایی بن دەچنە كوىَ؟"، هادۆ واى گوت. ئەو لەو بڕوایەدایە كە ئەمە لە دەستى كوردەكاندایە كە گەشە بە وڵاتەكەیان بدەن و وێنەى كوردستان لەلاى خەڵكانى ڕۆئاوا بگۆڕن و گوتى "خەڵكى بەریتانیا بێزارن لە بیستنى هەواڵى شەڕ لە ئەفغانستان و ئەوان پێیان وایە كوردستان وەك ئەفغانستانە". هادۆ هەروەها ڕاى گەیاند "ئەمە زیاتر گرفتى ئەمەریكایە تا بەریتانیا، چونكە ژمارەى دانیشتوانى ئەوىَ 300 ملیۆن كەسە و تەنیا 5 ملیۆنیان لە دەرەوەی ئەمەریكان. لە كاتێكدا ئێمە (بەریتانیا) كە حوكمی دنیامان دەكرد تەنیا 50 ملیۆن بوین بەڵام 20 ملیۆنمان لە دەروەی ولات بووین لە نیوزلەند، ئوسترالیا و وڵاتانى تر". بەپێى قسەكانى هادۆ حكوومەتى هەرێمى كوردستان لە چەند ساڵى ڕابردوودا لە هەوڵەكانى خۆى بۆ بەرەوپێشبردنى كوردستان سەركەوتوو بووە. لە مانگى كانوونى دووەمدا شاندێكى كورد بەمەبەستى بەشداریكردن لە كۆنفرانسێكى ئابووریدا سەردانى لەندەنیان كرد و "سەركەوتنێكى باشیان" بەدەست هێنا. "پێوانەى سەركەوتنى حكوومەتى هەرێمى كوردستان ئەوەیە بەریتانیاییەكان كە بەدرێژایی ڕۆژ دەخەون ئێستە لە خەو هەڵستاون و هاتوونەتە ئێرە. ئەگەر هەموو شتێك بەباشی بڕوات، ئەوا ساڵی داهاتوو ژمارەی كۆمپانیا بەریتانیاییەكان دوو هێندە زیاد دەكەن" هادۆ گوتی. هادۆ لە بەشێكى ترى قسەكانیدا تیشكى خستە سەر ژمارەى پێشانگەكان و گوتى هەموو ساڵ ژمارەیەكى زۆر پێشانگە لە كوردستاندا دەكرێتەوە، ئەمەش لە كاتێكدایە كە پێویست ناكات لە 1 پێشانگە زیاتر بێت، "چونكە كوردستان شوێنێكى زۆر گەورە نییە تا بتوانێت زیاتر لە یەك پێشانگەى لە ساڵدا تێدا ساز بكرێت" "سازكردنى 1 پێشانگەی گەورە لە ساڵێكدا باشترە لە چەندان پێشانگەى بچووك، چونكە هەرچەندە پێشانگە گەورەتر بێت سەركەوتووترە". لە ڕابەر یونس