Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq (KRG.org) – Nechirvan Barzani,
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, on Thursday said that while his government is committed to a stable, secure and peaceful Iraq, in return the people of the Kurdistan Region expect better services and cooperation from the federal government, their share of the Iraqi budget and the return of disputed territories.
Prime Minister Barzani was speaking at the opening of the Ifraz water project in Erbil, where he welcomed US Ambassador Khalilzad and Colonel Wolf of the US Army Corps of Engineers. He said, “We are committed to our position, and we want to be part of a stable, secure and peaceful Iraq. However, in return for this attitude and commitment we see it as our right to have our just demands fulfilled.”
The Prime Minister said, “We have asked for four basic conditions in return for our support for a democratic, federal, pluralistic Iraq:
1) We have asked for our fair and just share of revenues of Iraq to be allocated to our region;
2) we have asked that the issue of Kirkuk and other disputed areas be resolved in a timely, peaceful and democratic manner.
3) we have asked to be given the freedom and opportunity to develop our region economically and politically; and
4) we have asked for a fair and just share of reconstruction funds.”
He added, “Today, four years after the fall of the regime and the liberation of Iraq, we believe that many of the agreements that were reached have not all been implemented fully. Our people are patient and principled, but our patience is not unlimited; they have concerns and they are asking for increased services and programs from their government.”
Prime Minister Barzani payed tribute to those who lost their lives to help establish a new federal and democratic Iraq, and said that the KRG is working to strengthen the judiciary and develop better governance and accountability to better serve the people.
The Ifraz water project is one of the largest US projects to be successfully carried out in Iraq. The Prime Minister thanked all involved in the project, including the US government and US Army Corps of Engineers. He said, “Now that the first phase of the project is completed, it will play an outstanding role in solving the water shortage problems in Erbil. Implementing the second phase of the project, which is a supplement to this work, will help solve the entire problem of water for the city.”
He added, “We also need to make efforts to control the distribution network, and to reduce the waste of water which is a precious resource in today’s world. The media, Ministry of Education, and other ministries can play a role in educating people on the correct usage of water to conserve this resource.”
Date published: Monday, March 26, 2007