Quote: "It is time now to rebuild a new Iraq on
the basis of federalism, democracy, pluralism, in which the rule of
law is supreme. The new Iraq should be based on voluntary coexistence
between the two main nationalities, Kurds and Arabs. All Iraqi
citizens, whatever their ethnicity and religious persuasion, should
feel this country is their own in which their rights and
responsibilities are clearly stated" end of quote.
Unification of Kurdistan administration:
Quote:" After a few days a new government will be
formed in the Kurdistan region and will receive a vote of confidence
from the regional parliament. This new government will be a broad
based, united government with many difficult tasks to perform. We
should all cooperate in the success of this government in its work"
end of quote.
Reconstruction and
services:
Quote:
"Kurdistan's infrastructure which was totally destroyed by Iraqi
regimes should be rebuilt. Road communications should be built in a
modern way along with new communication systems including post and
telecommunications.
As for water and electricity, these services should reach every part
of Kurdistan and shortages and deficiencies should quickly be dealt
with. There also should be schools and healthcare facilities in all
villages in nearby and remote areas, and healthcare in Kurdistan
should be improved to international standards. A comprehensive plan
should be developed to reconstruct the villages of Kurdistan, provide
essential services, and help rehabilitate their economies. The Iraqi
regime, aiming to direct a crushing blow to our revolution and to
Kurdistan's economy, razed thousands of villages and deported their
inhabitants because they were sanctuaries and bases for the peshmerga
and our revolution" end of quote..
Reform of education and
higher education in Kurdistan:
Quote: "Reforms must be applied to the education
system and curricula should be cleansed of Baathism. Education is the
source of our future. Baathism tried hard to destroy the cultural
basis of our society and our spirit. We should quickly remove its
corrupt and inhuman effects.
We should pay greater attention to our institutions of higher
education. Universities in Kurdistan should be no less than those of
the greater region. The universities should become beacons of
civilization and democracy and they should play a major role in
Kurdistan's society. They should also establish broader relations and
interaction with universities and scientific institutions throughout
the world" end of quote.
Fighting corruption in
Kurdistan:
Quote "All institutions should undergo reform and
all kinds of corruption should be uprooted. The needs of the people
should be met in a just, fair, equal, and expeditious manner" end
of quote.
Revitalizing economy:
Quote: "A full and comprehensive program for
revitalizing Kurdistan�s economy should be developed. Job
opportunities should be created to minimize unemployment in our rich
country. A happy and prosperous nation can build a bright future for
itself.
Our people should be producers and not consumers and parasites. Kurds
are active and hardworking, they must provide for themselves according
to their physical and mental capabilities. To this end, production
units should dot the landscape of Kurdistan, with special care given
to industrial production. Special care should also be given to
agriculture and tourism so that they become two vital aspects of our
economy and contribute to the growth of the country .
Kurdistan's economy should be based on free market
principles and the furthering of private and joint ventures. The
government should offer all forms of assistance in this regard
including facilitation and other support" end of quote
.
Democratic rights:
Quote:" Freedoms in Kurdistan,
individual and collective, are to be respected. All freedoms are to be
secured according to laws and regulations. Peoples opinions should be
respected. Religious belief is a fundamental freedom" end of quote.
Accountability and
transparency:
Quote:"
I also hope we succeed in developing mutual confidence between the
people and the Kurdistan Regional Government. This mutual trust and
confidence guarantees the advancement of both" end of quote.
Role of Women:
Quote: "Women must play worthy and dignified roles
in all aspects of society, and there must be no legal discrimination in
this regard. Women should struggle to change their own status in society
and we shall provide all needed support" end of quote.
Political freedom:
Quote: "I would like here to
reiterate respect for the activities of all political organizations in
Kurdistan. Their views and suggestions are to be given due
consideration. In Kurdistan, the media in all forms are free without
censorship" end of quote.
Ethnic and religious minorities:
Quote: "The
Holy religion of Islam and national traditions must be respected along
with social and religious personalities who aspire from their position
to serve Kurdistan's society and the new environment, and to play
their role accordingly
In the Kurdistan region there is no discrimination of its citizens, no
matter what their ethnic or racial origins may be. They are all equal
in both rights and responsibilities. Turkomen and Chaldo-Assyrians are
our respected brothers and sisters, and we will do whatever is within
our capability and authority for the sake of their well-being. We all
live together on this land. Our destiny, our joys and sorrows, are
common. We consider ourselves their advocates and defenders of their
rights.
All our various religions and sects should be respected. In Kurdistan,
all religions are fully free and are viewed equally. Our Yezidi
brothers are original Kurds who participated in their nation's
struggle. They enjoy a special place in our hearts and are highly
respected and esteemed by all Kurds" end of quote.
Plight of Faili Kurds:
Quote: "Our Faili brothers in the long struggle of
their people were afflicted with the heaviest blows from the Baathist
regime and they uniquely suffered. They should be compensated in the
best way and play their proper role in society. Now that the struggle
of their people is bearing fruit, they should enjoy their full rights
with confidence" end of quote.
Victims of the regime:
Quote: "Families of Anfal victims in Garmiyan,
Qaradakh, Badinan, and Dashti Koya, also the families of Barzanis,
Failis, those who suffered chemical attacks at Halabja and other
locations, those deported and relocated, all are to be respected and
esteemed. The effects of these tragedies must be erased from their
lives and they should be assisted" end of quote.
Fighting terrorism:
Quote: "Today, terrorism is
the main threat to democracy and progress. We will never give up in
confronting terrorism; we will always be vigilant. Terrorists have no
future in this country. We should confront and uproot them. But this
cannot be done by one or another institution. Citizens and political
parties should support security organizations in this mission" end
of quote.
Future of Kirkuk:
Quote: "As for the question of
Kirkuk, a genuine solution has been stipulated in the Transitional
Administrative Law (TAL). We will not agree to any other solution.
This is an agreement, signed into law by all of us. It must be applied
without further delay. Article-58 of the TAL is a serious issue and we
will not accept retreat in this regard. Similarly, all other detached
areas should be returned because they are integral parts of Kurdistan"
end of quote.
Writing the constitution:
Quote: "What is stipulated in the TAL are the
minimum rights of the Kurdish people. We will not accept less than
what is stated in that law. These rights as they are, therefore,
should be enshrined in the permanent constitution of Iraq.
Writing the new constitution is an important step, and all Iraqi
constituencies should participate in its drafting. The constitution
should also be founded on agreement and consensus to reflect the
federal democratic identity of Iraq" end
of quote.
Solution of Kurdish issue in other parts of
Kurdistan:
Quote: "Regarding the Kurdish
nation divided among neighboring countries, we assure our brothers
that our hearts and minds are with them and we feel their suffering.
Since there is no place for violence in the world today, we hope they
resort to civilized and modern methods for advocating their rights
because violence brings only death and destruction to the Kurds.
Similarly, we hope these countries listen to the demands of our
brothers and dialog with them" end of quote.
Mr Adnan Al-Mufti, the speaker of the Kurdistani
national assembly, did comment on the end of speech of Mr Barzani, that
such speech could serve as a platform for the political prgogramme of
the expected unified Kurdistan regional government.
I hope that Mr. Barzani will follow his words soon
with deeds and start his ambitious program to modernize and revitalize
Kurdistan and to fight corruption , cronyism and nepotism in Kurdistan.
Mr. Barzani is from now on the president of Kurdistan
and not only KDP leader and he should put national interests before any
party interests. We should distance ourselves from personality cult and
we should convert our media into national media and not strictly
controlled party media.
The president should drive his strength from the
support of all sections of Kurdish society and I hope that the most
vulnerable sections of the society like victims of Anfall, Halabja,
widows and orphans as well as the inhabitants of the poor slums of
Kurdish cities will get the priority. I hope that he will try to give
Kurdish cities a modern face and adopt a master plan to change the face
of Kurdistan into a modern state .
Dr Nazhad Khasraw Hawramany
nhawramany@yahoo.com
Switzerland
