Maliki-Barzani accusations back in local media headlines

Barzani and Al Maliki

Al Maliki: “KRG wants to keep oil revenue in Barzani’s account”

Barzani: “Our reaction to Baghdad will be unexpected”

Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Al Maliki, said that Baghdad has agreed to pay the costs of the oil exploration of foreign companies in Kurdistan, but that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should export its oil products through federal government channels. PM Maliki also said that in the meetings with the KRG delegation in recent weeks to try and the resolve outstanding issues, it had been mentioned that the KRG would export oil to the international market independently and keep the revenue in a bank account over which only President Masoud Barzani would have the authority to conduct any transactions. PM Maliki also said that the KRG’s actions would encourage other provinces to violate the Iraqi constitution and weaken the ability of the federal government to run the country.  In a response to PM Maliki’s speech, Barzani  warned Baghdad that, if the financial pressure on Kurdistan continues, the Kurdistan Region will be making an “unexpected” response. Barzani also stressed that the Kurdistan region will not step back.

Sources: NRT, Aswat Al Iraq, Sbeiy