Kirkuk out of content and character! “ No referendum, but a solution!”

By: Ara Alan
According to Reuters news agency Tuesday June 3^rd 2008 KRG’s prime minster announced in Dubai that "in Kirkuk, as Kurds, we are ready for power-sharing,". He also further explained that "We are pushing for a solution, not especially a referendum. We have asked the UN to be technically involved because the situation is complicated,"

Kirkuk out of content and character! “ No referendum, but a solution!”

by: Ara Alan

According to Reuters news agency Tuesday June 3^rd 2008 KRG’s prime minster announced in Dubai that "in Kirkuk, as Kurds, we are ready for power-sharing,". He also further explained that "We are pushing for a solution, not especially a referendum. We have asked the UN to be technically involved because the situation is complicated,"

One can wonder when was this authority given to a prime minister to denounce article 140? Such a statement undermines Kurdistan’s national assembly, the Kurdish voters whom voted for 730, also to all Iraqi citizens that voted and ratified an Iraqi constitution.

It is not the first time this has happened. We already seen this back in January 08, when in a similar move, the government not the people decided to delay article 140. The delaying of the article was suddenly announced to Kurdistan National assembly and people of Kurdistan. Without time to negotiate, this move was formally accepted by the assembly.

Completely denouncing 140 or exchanging it for some new deal; will not be accepted nor tolerated by people of Kurdistan. No one has the right to exchange article 140, Iraqi government does not have that right, United States does not have that right, United Nations does not have that right, neither does the Kurdish government nor our prime ministers. Article 140 was ratified as part of Iraqi constitution, which stands above the lawmakers and the elected officials.

Without Article 140, Kurds would never have accepted and voted for Iraqi constitution. At that time, the constitution already lacked the vote and support of the Sunnis in Iraq. Without support of those Kurdish voters, the Iraqi constitution would have never been ratified. Even today that constitution is invalid without the backing of the Kurds!

Kurdish government at all times must represent its people and not to cave into pressure from outside. They must serve as messengers of the people of Kurdistan because it is to them who they have to answer. Kurdish people wish for implementation of article 140.

We have already made many compromises with federal Iraq. At times we delayed or completely a banded some of our national goals. All this in name and for hope of a new Iraq, where Kurds and Arabs have equal right and opportunity. An Iraq where Kurdish aspiration is not viewed with suspicion.

Most recent highlight of our forfeits with federal Iraq is the acceptance of an Iraqi national flag that lacks any Kurdish representation followed by a so-called compromise to delay article 140. It is time that we ask federal Iraq to show their good faith and hope for a new Iraq by implementing article 140.

As we grow to be a nation, it is vital that we maintain the proper role of government and its duties, the role of national assembly and its duties and the role of us as their constituents and also our duties. Executive branch, must execute orders or deals made by the National assembly and not the other way around. Kurdish government must maintain its role as representative of Kurdistan people and without their approval, no one should be allowed to change article 140.