President Bafel: We are open to discussion and do not fear elections

P.U.K 04:19 PM - 2023-03-02

President Bafel Jalal Talabani

Bafel Jalal Talabani, the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), stated, "The PUK has always been open to dialogue, and we are confident about the outcome of the elections."

During his participation in the Second Annual Erbil Forum, President Bafel Jalal Talabani made these comments and responded to questions from the audience on the topics of energy, security, elections, and the internal situation.
 

PUK has always taken the lead in initiating dialogue

The PUK President said on the political impasse involving the PUK, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and other Kurdish forces: "The PUK has always been open to discussing the issues between us and the KDP, and we have always taken the initiative for any step that serves the democratic process and Kurdish unity in the Kurdistan Region."

To find a solution to organizing the next elections in the Kurdistan Region, he stated, "We have launched a discussion with the KDP on the issue of elections and a meeting between the two electoral agencies, the PUK and KDP. "While the KDP claims to desire something in Baghdad and something else in the Kurdistan Region, we are prepared for the elections and enthusiastic about the outcome to serve the needs of the people," President Bafel said.

"We are concerned about what is happening in the Kurdistan Region, about punishing one area at the expense of another and cutting the PUK security forces' salaries," he added.
 

Minorities should have their own representatives

President Bafel responded to a question concerning minority seats by saying, "The PUK has a distinct viewpoint, and we would like to see the minorities hold more seats in the Kurdistan Parliament. Yet, what we are seeking is that minorities should represent themselves. No party should be allowed to choose their representative intending to seize control of them."

"We want to separate the Kurdistan Region's issues. There are a few minor concerns that do not need to be tied to larger ones and can be resolved as quickly as possible. We are willing to go to any length for peace and reconciliation," he further said.
 

PUK has broader perspectives

President Bafel declared, "The PUK has consistently displayed softness, and we have never desired to escalate the issues. Instead, we have worked to make the issues smaller, think more broadly, and avoid trying to divert attention from other problems. Since the Kurdistan Region has its own government, parliament, Peshmerga forces, security forces, boundaries, and laws, we instead sought to serve all aspects of our society. The parties' agreement, however, is what it lacks, and the PUK aims to create such a consensus to benefit the people."
 

We will not hand over any PUK cadre

In response to a further question regarding martyr Hawkar Jaff and the scenario of the security agencies in Erbil, President Bafel stated: "While there are laws, regulations, and even dialogue between the parties, the PUK is not willing to hand over even one of its cadres to any party for any television scenario. However, if they attempt to mislead the public and ask us to hand over Kurdistan's heroes without providing any solid proof, we will refuse to do so."

"There has never been a broadcast trial anywhere in the world, and we are ready to look into the case jointly with the international community because martyr Hawkar Jaff was a PUK cadre," President Bafel added.

President Bafel continued, "While other security forces have only conducted 30 to 40 operations, the Counter-Terrorism Group has previously carried out 432 highly important operations, both independently and in collaboration with the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service." "We do not know why the salary of these brave forces was cut," he added.
 

PUK relations are better than ever

The PUK President also discussed the PUK's relations, which are at their best stages, at the international, Iraqi, and regional levels. "We have excellent relations and are working to strengthen them. I urge all parties in the Kurdistan Region to recognize the negative condition the region is in, but also to recognize that we have a golden opportunity to work together to serve the people of the region."

Qubad Talabani's absence from the Council of Ministers sessions has raised the question, "Why?"

On a different note, President Bafel discussed regional governance and asked the audience why Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani did not attend Council of Ministers sessions, despite having made numerous sacrifices for it and consistently prioritizing the government's interests over his party.

In light of this, President Bafel stated that the current situation in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is significantly different from what it was in the past. "Mr. Qubad, the PUK party's leader in the government, defied some of his party's views in order to support the government and Kurdish citizens throughout the fight against ISIS. We recently discovered, however, that the Deputy Prime Minister also held a position of national significance. As a result, now is the time for the public to ask why Qubad Talabani has abstained from both the Council of Ministers meetings and cabinet sessions. Well, because he wants to improve the government and provide more services to the people."

"How many times in the past four years has the prime minister visited Sulaymaniyah?" What has he done for Sulaymaniyah? While we have always said that the Kurdistan Region has one government and one parliament and the rule of law must apply to all, the differences between the provinces in terms of services, medical supplies, the creation of side forces in Sulaymaniyah, and the attack on the home of the deputy prime minister in the KRG's capital are unacceptable, and we reject them.
 

PUK will serve the people without hesitation

On the issue of relations with Baghdad and the role of the PUK, President Bafel said: "The PUK has long worked to improve ties with Baghdad because we think that from there, we can best serve our people." Furthermore, we believe that the rule of law is more sovereign in Iraq and that the government there is more institutionalized. Political parties have no influence on the government, and they will carry out their responsibilities without interference.

"Baghdad's requests for the Kurdistan Region are fairly simple, but we do not understand why they do not intend to reach an agreement with Baghdad when we may gain more of our rights and entitlements from there," he added. "I would like to urge all parties, any party that wants to do good for our people through the strong relationship we have in Baghdad, that we are ready and will serve the people without hesitation."
 

PUK is concerned about human rights violations in the region

President Bafel spoke about the PUK's international connections. "Our relationships are excellent, but the Kurdistan Region's image in the eyes of the world is not favorable. The foreigners have been quite open in their communication with us about their concerns over the decrease of minority issues, human rights, women's rights, and freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region. Of course, the PUK is worried about these problems as well. We have made numerous attempts to overcome these obstacles."

"We do not want anyone to be detained or imprisoned for exercising their right to free expression," he said. "The Americans have made it very obvious to us that they are unable to assist the Kurdistan Region any longer due to their 30-year effort that has yielded no fruit. Contrarily, we continue to go backward."
 

We need to understand why the Parliament is now empty

The PUK President addressed the Kurdish parliament, saying: "We have to ask: What is the issue with our parliament? Why do MPs resign from the Kurdistan Parliament? We think that even some other parties have issues with some KDP members in the government and parliament, but we can at least identify the issues and work to resolve them, and the parliament should be the voice of everyone without discrimination."
 

We have taken care of Kirkuk from Baghdad

During his discussion about Kirkuk, President Bafel said, "We have seriously discussed Kirkuk in all of our meetings in Baghdad, and we are never willing to give up the city. On the contrary, we want to do everything we can for it, and we have accomplished much of this from Baghdad. However, if you ask me how many things you have accomplished for Kirkuk with KDP, my response is zero."

Another subject covered by the PUK President was the matter of oil and gas. He said: "We have requested a program to export gas since we are mindful of the issue with oil and gas in the Kurdistan Region and the fact that the world needs gas. We and KDP have great international connections, and Baghdad has wanted to work with us on the same issue, but we do not see why they do not want that program." "Yet, obviously, we will not permit it if they wish to use the gas issue the same way as the oil."

PUK President: We believe in freedom in our zone

The PUK President responded to a question regarding Lahur Jangi Burhan's final statement as follows: "I am not aware of any statements from Mr. Lahur, but he is no longer a member of the PUK and is free to form parties or lists because we value freedom and democracy in our zone; I wish him luck."



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