N. Barzani calls for a Federal Democratic Parliamentary State in Iraq. 

US clarifies its position vis-a-vis Kirkuk reports and KDP constitution 
'We don't endorse KDP draft constitution' 

SAADET ORUC 

In response to the concerns in Ankara vis-a-vis the proposals of the Iraqi Kurds for the future of Iraq, a U.S. official said on Friday that the United States did not endorse the draft constitution of the Massoud Barzani-led Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). 

The United States has encouraged all parties, including the Kurds, to develop and circulate their thoughts. "We did indeed receive a copy of the KDP's draft constitution, but we don't comment on it and we don't endorse it," said the official, emphasizing that all debates on the future of Iraq were being encouraged. 

"The U.S. government thinks that the people of Iraq deserve a better future. The U.S. goals for Iraq are a broad-based, democratic government that respects the rights of all its people, operates by the rule of law, and obeys United Nations Security Council Resolutions, maintain the territorial integrity of Iraq, which is at peace with its neighbors and is a source of stability to the region," said the official, pointing out that all U.S. government decisions were being made within the context of these overall goals for Iraq. 

Meanwhile, Iraqi Kurds close to the Massoud Barzani-led KDP comment that what the KDP put in the abovementioned draft formula was an outline of where they stood. 

"Rather than to wait, in order to have a better vision, we wanted to outline where we stand," an Iraqi Kurdish official said. 

Iraqi Kurdish academics sponsored by the KDP prepared the draft, which was initially presented to the Jalal Talabani-led Patriotic Union Kurdistan (PUK). The draft constitution was also presented during the conference held in Washington. 

The main point raising eye brows in Ankara was the reference to Kirkuk. 

"The Kurdish region includes the Kirkuk, Sincar and Hanakin districts," the Kurdish official says. 

"The draft is for a federal solution of Iraq and a solution to the Kurdish problem," said the Kurdish source. 

PUK official in Ankara 

Barham Saleh of the PUK arrived in Ankara on his way back from Europe to consult with the Turkish authorities. Nechirvan Barzani of the KDP is also being awaited in Ankara. 
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