Barzani and Talabani to Washington only after Kurdish regional Parliament convenes in Arbil 
Jan 16, 2002
Ilnur Cevik 
TDN
While the future of Iraq is a prominent issue to be discussed between Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and his host President George W. Bush, Washington is preparing to host a high level meeting of the rival Iraqi Kurdish groups which is expected to iron out the remaining dispute between the two: the convening of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Parliament... 

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by Masoud Barzani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) headed by Jalal Talabani agreed during a recent visit of an American delegation to northern Iraq that the sides had ironed out their differences and would solve the dispute over Parliament at their meeting in Washington. After this, Parliament would convene, much to the distaste of Ankara. For Turkey this would be yet another manifestation of Kurdish independence to which Ankara strongly objects. 

The regional parliamentary meeting would be followed by a summit meeting between Barzani and Talabani in Washington. 

Sources said that there is a possibility that Talabani will visit Ankara after Ecevit returns from the United States for consultations. Barzani, on the other hand, has been told he too would be welcome in Ankara, but has declined this because Turkey has not officially invited him. 

Diplomatic sources have said the KDP and the PUK have agreed to take decisions in the Regional Parliament through a consensus of KDP and PUK members, despite the fact that the KDP has more deputies. 

The sides also agreed to a rotating speakership of the Regional Parliament between the PUK and the KDP. 

The latest sticking point was where Parliament should convene. After negotiations, the sides also agreed that Parliament would hold its meetings at the alternate venues of Arbil and Suleimaniyeh. 

The disagreement on the Regional Parliament emerged on its wording. The PUK wanted it to be named an "interim" Parliament, while the KDP said that it should convene first as a Regional Parliament and then the assembly itself should decide whether it should be "interim" or not. 

Once the Parliament convenes after the Washington talks, the KDP has agreed to pay the PUK some of its revenues from the Habir border gate. 

After that, Talabani and Barzani will head for Washington. Sources said that Turkish observers will participate in the Washington summit. 

Iranian influence
Meanwhile, American sources say that they are concerned with the growing influence of Iran in northern Iraq. They say that while Iran has been involved in peacemaking between the PUK and the Islamic groups, it has also been making serious inroads into the Barzani area. Necirvan Barzani has visited Iran and has signed important protocols for energy supply and to boost trade. 

Sources say that the more Ankara alienates Barzani, the more he is moving towards Iran, and this is hurting Ankara's ability to influence the region. 

Barzani is unhappy because there is growing Turkish pressures on northern Iraq. Ankara has cut down on the entry of Iraqi Kurds from Habur and has slowed down trade through the gate. 

Sources say press leaks in Ankara are also antagonizing the Kurds. A story that appeared on Monday saying that Kurds were stamping "Kurdistan" on Turkish passports have been categorically denied by the KDP. KDP officials say this only further hurts the Iraqi Kurds. 

Ankara - Turkish Daily News