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News and Comment by The Kurdistan Tribune:
Nechirvan Barzani, the second-in-command of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the man authorised by the president of Kurdistan to become prime minister and prepare the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet, today (Jan 24) visited the Gorran Party leader Nawshirwan Mustafa at his headquarters in Sulaymani.
The occasion was the second recent visit to Nawshirwan by KDP leaders – three months ago KRG president Masud Barzani called to see him.
Nechirvan Barzani’s meeting with the Gorran leader lasted one hour and 20 minutes according to the local KDP website. The two sides discussed two main issues. The first was the situation in Iraq and the KRG’s relations with Baghdad. Gorran told the KDP envoy that the KRG must ensure its agenda with the Iraqi leaders includes the resolution of outstanding issues such as the implementation of Article 140 of the constitution concerning Kirkuk.
The second matter was the political crisis in the south of Kurdistan. The KDP has informally asked the opposition to participate in the next cabinet but Gorran told the envoy that it will stay in opposition while respecting the KRG and Kurdistan parliament, according to Gorran spokesman Shaho Saeed.
Nechirvan Barzani and Nawshirwan Mustafa
Following their meeting the two leaders held a press conference. “We have no doubt about the sincerity of the opposition on reform, we are all in the same boat”, Nechirvan Barzani told journalists.
These developments would have been impossible two years ago but, in the light of recent events in the Middle East and Kurdistan, the KDP grassroots want to reform their party. However the militarist KDP keeps proving by its actions that it is impossible for it to change its spots – just two days ago the outspoken cleric Mala Rashid Taha was arrested in Dhok and only released due to public pressure.
The Gorran party is sticking to its call for reform and for a civil struggle to achieve this.
Observers who have followed the news in south Kurdistan over the past several years will be forced to conclude that the KDP and its proxy the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are not at all serious and just playing for time when they talk about reform and ending corruption.
Nichirvan Barzani’s stopover in Sulaymania corroborates the fact that he is exceedingly shrewd, wise and genuine. A real politician/leader must constantly strive to unite his people and be inclined to settle his dissonances peacefully with his opponents.
Kurdistan needs more unifying characters like him. Nichirvan believes in the language of logic. Befriending everyone is his strategy.
And truth be told, during his last tenure, he did achieve a lot of positive things for Kurdish nation. Most people approved of his administration. However, it should be interpreted that he is perfect.
Unlike Dr. Barham who failed to account for 4 Billion missing, Nichirvan will bring about many renovations and transformations provided that he is not hampered. Of course, not single-handedly. He is going to necessitate rallying around himself a number of diligent and patriotic aides from all parts and groups to secure that goal.
And that is all that matters. Public contentment and happiness.
Good Luck to him!
Kak Baqi
You as a Barzani have all right to have sympathy for him and support him.
Can you tell me what he has achieved for the last 12 years as a prime minister?
Just one major issue will be fine!
You are putting the blame on Barham Saleh for the missing fortunes? Who are you kidding here? Do you really think Barham Saleh had power? Can I ask you a logical question and I hope you answer it clearly and without running away from facts: if one of the big KDP officials in Duhok or Erbil were caught in a big money scandal that could account for some of the missing money, do you honestly think Barham Saleh could bring that person to court? Do you think KDP would allow that to happen? Up until now, the official who opened fire at protesters last March is still free and the party has openly refused to hand him over to justice, so again I don’t know who you are trying to fool here. Please help us explain where Nichervan got his current fortune from? He owns thousands of real estate and has taken over Ezzat Dooris old mansion in Erbil on the most strategic highway. Come on man……
No one can clap with one hand. In order for Nichirvan to succeed, he is gonna require to reshuffle his new cabinet, as well. That is what he has precisely been aiming to achieve if the opposition extend the crucial cooperation.
Nichirvan must also take into account the key role that the more seasoned members of Kurdish community is Diasporas can play in developing Kurdistan.
You didn’t address the genuine and open questions I raised above, which are being asked by the regular citizens of Kurdistan every day. How come when there is criticism of Barham Saleh, you openly accuse him of not being able to keep order, but regarding Nichervan Barzani you are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and that one hand can’t clap. Maybe one hand can’t clap because the other one has been held back. It’s funny how people continue to convince themselves that change will come when the people who need to be changed are still in power.
Bahram Salih is not impugned for his inability to hamper the widespread corruption, but rather for his lack of integrity. In the capacity of premier, at least, he was expected to have made a clean breast. He could have appeared on national TV and explained the truth to the public and abdicate from his post for the stated reason. Then one would see how the entire Kurdish population would praise and worship him. And I promise you he would have been reelected again.
Just because not much is being edited or articulated about PUK-controlled Sulaymani, that should not exempt or imply PUK is not profoundly involved in many corruption or scandals case, as well. Or better putting it: Plundering. PUK is an equal accomplice.
Senior member of Goran have also been engaging in same practices and some even been charged. But Nushirvan’s Goran was wise enough by sacking them. That helped re-boost Goran’s reputation.
As regard Nichirvan’s riches and illegitimate earnings, I have personally and repeatedly proposed that a non-partisan, independent corruption monitory commission be formed to audit the earnings of all members of Parliament, Prime minister and President’s cabinet, all key government institutions and departments.
Backed by US government, an NGO or KRG, If we could dispatch a team, only consisted of Kurds in Diasporas, to Kurdistan to delve into the facts, it would be extremely helpful in minimizing/hampering corruption. There are numerous corruption/scandal cases that must be investigated. Those suspected/charged must appear in Court of Law to account for their actions, penalized accordingly, abdicate from power and all their illicit earnings/possessions be forfeited and confiscated.
I am positive there are hundreds if not thousands of them.
Regards
BB