President Bafel's Political Report on PUK 5th Congress

P.U.K 08:58 PM - 2023-09-27

President Bafel Jalal Talabani

Bafel Jalal Talabani, the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), presented a political report during the fifth Congress of the party and highlighted the role and responsibilities of the PUK in the past and said that the PUK has made significant efforts to correct the course of governance and has been a vocal advocator of democracy and human rights and prioritized national matters over party interests.

The following is President Bafel's report:

Following the Fourth Congress, the PUK commenced the implementation of political initiatives and strategies that were determined in many domains such as politics, society, and economy. Furthermore, the PUK undertook measures to enhance its political and organizational structures at both the party and governance levels inside the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

Following the fourth congress, a significant crisis emerged for mankind and the Kurdistan Region, and that was the widespread outbreak of the coronavirus. In response to this situation, the PUK demonstrated a responsible approach by dedicating its programs to the service of human resources and addressing the concerns of the public. In pursuit of this objective, the party allocated all of its financial and administrative resources towards mitigating the epidemic and safeguarding the well-being of the people. The PUK's endeavors extended beyond that point, as the foremost political entity in the region. It dedicated its political and diplomatic endeavors towards the procurement of medicinal supplies, the provision of services, and the establishment of healthcare facilities.

July 8, 2021, marked a significant shift in direction, serving as a catalyst for the realignment and revitalization of party politics across many levels. Following this era, a PUK materialized, which directed its initiatives based on the principles of unity in communication, unity in decision-making, collaborative efforts, fostering a sense of camaraderie, and cultivating trust both internally within the party and externally with the populace.

The occurrence entailed the intervention of the PUK's green hand with the objective of revitalizing and establishing normalcy in the lives of the people to reinstate tranquility and uphold the principles of legal governance. The PUK returned to its origins as established by President Mam Jalal, demonstrating resilience in navigating the political obstacles and conflicts inside the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and exhibiting considerable political prowess. The party's agenda has evolved into a significant battleground, where the primary objectives are safeguarding the rights of the populace and preserving the integrity of the Kurdistan Region. Furthermore, it has assumed a role of national importance, assuming various obligations in this regard.

Following July 8, during the initial phase, the PUK emerged victorious in the Iraqi parliamentary elections, thereby consolidating its standing as the second most influential political entity within the Kurdistan Region. Under the guidance of President Bafel Jalal Talabani, the PUK successfully reestablished the Kurds' influential position in Baghdad, despite facing internal challenges and political and regional disputes. This accomplishment resulted in the Kurds attaining the presidency, as well as securing various ministerial and deputy ministerial positions.

At the Iraqi level

Under the leadership of President Bafel, the PUK made the strategic decision to relocate its political power to Baghdad. Consequently, the PUK convened its inaugural meeting of the Political Bureau. In pursuit of this objective, the PUK initiated the act of facilitating political engagement by extending an invitation to various Iraqi political groups, without any form of bias or discrimination, to convene at the residence of Mam Jalal in Baghdad. The political party exerted significant influence in facilitating political peace and establishing effective governance in Iraq. Additionally, it aimed to safeguard the rights and entitlements of the Kurdish people, as well as uphold the Kurdish political stance in Iraq. Subsequently, President Bafel has engaged in over 170 political gatherings with various Iraqi political factions and parties, as well as ambassadors and diplomatic representatives. Throughout these interactions, President Bafel has consistently emphasized the imperative of upholding security and stability, adhering to the rule of law, combatting corruption, addressing the mismanagement of public resources, and ensuring the triumph of the reform agenda.

The PUK endeavored to foster a productive national discourse, detached from partisan, nationalistic, and religious ideologies. The objective was to encourage political parties in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to prioritize the welfare of the populace over narrow party agendas, thereby advancing towards a more promising future.

The PUK, being a conscientious and politically influential entity, has restated its dedication to resolving issues through political means and ensuring the fulfillment of the constitutional entitlements of the Kurds in Baghdad. The PUK, throughout its many political endeavors, advocated for the inclusion of all political entities, particularly those in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, to prioritize national interests. It emphasized that unity and mutual comprehension should serve as the fundamental principles guiding their actions. The part not has never compromised safeguarding and preserving the Kurdistan Region's entity, as well as the legal and constitutional rights of the Kurdish people. These are a red line for the PUK and are non-negotiable and must not be breached.

The PUK has been actively engaged in pursuing a national and responsible approach aimed at safeguarding the rights of all Iraqis. This commitment entails fostering genuine partnerships, seeking compromise based on shared principles, and rejecting policies that prioritize the interests of either the majority or minority groups. The PUK is steadfast in its dedication to these principles and will persist in its efforts moving forward. The PUK espouses the value of fellowship in Baghdad, with the aim of fostering collective efforts towards national service and the preservation of stability.

The PUK team within the government and parliament in Baghdad has been directed to actively and effectively champion the interests of the populace, safeguard the Kurdish partnership within Iraq, uphold the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region, and collaborate with individuals who share a commitment to the rights of our people.

At the Kurdistan Region's level

The political connections of the PUK have undergone reorganization, leading to the formulation of a comprehensive national strategy centered around safeguarding democratic principles, individual liberties, human rights, equitable treatment, and fair distribution of the nation's resources for the benefit of its citizens. Amidst the prevailing political issues in the Kurdistan Region, a strategic objective emerged, emphasizing collaboration, the preservation of political parties' unity, and the restoration of harmony within the Kurdish community. In order to accomplish these objectives, the President of the PUK conducted over 60 political gatherings with the various political groups inside the Kurdistan Region. During all convened assemblies, the PUK President emphasized the imperative of consolidating collective efforts and resources to actualize Kurdish national unity and consensus. This objective aims to safeguard and attain the authentic entitlement of Kurdish participation in Iraq, predicated upon a conscientious and paramount perspective that transcends personal interests. The primary objective of the PUK has consistently been to enhance the well-being of the populace and fortify the entity of the Kurdistan Region.

The PUK considered various international and domestic reports that criticize the state of freedom, democracy, human rights, and governance. These reports pose a threat to the reputation and integrity of the Kurdistan Region and before all other political forces, the party has chosen to break its silence and assume responsibility for rectifying the governance trajectory and safeguarding freedom, democracy, and human rights. The PUK has strongly advocated for various measures pertaining to democracy and elections, including the purification of the voter register, the modification of the electoral law, and the safeguarding of the independent rights of minorities and their seats in the parliament. These efforts aim to ensure the presence of authentic representatives for each community, thereby preventing any political party from exploiting the quota seats for its own benefit.

Furthermore, the party has consistently made diligent endeavors to ensure equitable distribution of Kurdistan's oil, energy, and resources, with the aim of boosting the lives of its residents and fostering prosperity within the Kurdistan Region. The PUK convened its inaugural meeting, overseen by President Bafel, during which party members actively engaged in the development of political initiatives for various institutions and articulated the party's vision for governance sectors inside the Kurdistan Region. The ongoing modifications persisted, and in accordance with the recommendations and reports generated by the PUK meeting, all entities underwent reorganization and were reinstated to fulfill their public service functions.

The aforementioned developments persisted, resulting in a comprehensive reorganization of all PUK headquarters. Emphasis was placed on acknowledging the pivotal role of women and their impact on party affairs, leading to an increase in female representation from 20% to 25%. Additionally, initiatives such as awareness programs, quality assurance courses, and capacity-building efforts were implemented to enhance the skills of party members and highlight their contributions. Furthermore, a renewed focus on engaging youth across all party organs was undertaken, ultimately revitalizing party dynamics.

Simultaneously, the PUK President actively engages in attentively considering and executing the demands put up by the youth. He dedicated a significant amount of time to resolving the issues faced by students and tackling the challenges within the field of education, including higher education. In order to sustain the ongoing progress, he entrusted the PUK with the responsibility of providing assistance to higher education establishments and undertaking the refurbishment of dormitory facilities. Due to the provision of these facilities, students in Sulaymaniyah have emerged as frontrunners in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Furthermore, Sulaymaniyah University has attained a prominent position among universities within the Kurdistan Region in terms of academic standing.

The PUK was the foremost political entity in Kurdistan and Iraq to place significant emphasis on environmental preservation. In pursuit of this objective, the PUK initiated a nationwide endeavor to plant one million trees, with the aim of fostering a greener Kurdistan. Remarkably, this ambitious effort was successfully executed within a span of one year. Additionally, it conveyed its endorsement of the clean energy methodology for the production of power and intends to incorporate this measure within its establishments.

In response to financial discrimination and governance challenges in Sulaymaniyah, the PUK strategically allocated its financial resources towards public service initiatives. Specifically, in the sectors of health, education, higher education, municipalities, and environmental protection. The primary objective was to provide direct financial support to enhance the well-being of the populace and safeguard the uninterrupted functioning of these vital sectors, which directly impact the lives of the people.

In relation to matters pertaining to security and the military, the PUK initiated the process of reform and reorganization of the Unit 70 Forces following July 8, under the guidance and authority of President Bafel. In spite of the prevailing strain and political challenges encountered within the Kurdistan Region, a noteworthy development has been observed in the reorganization of 30 joint brigades. Notably, two of these brigades have been integrated into the Iraqi forces with the objective of safeguarding the disputed territories. Additionally, a significant accomplishment has been the establishment of a military division in Sulaymaniyah.

There has been a greater emphasis on the logistical aspects, capacity enhancement, armament, and financial advancement within the Unit 70 Forces. These forces are undergoing a reorganization that is guided by contemporary scientific knowledge and disciplinary principles. This ongoing process is being actively pursued. Regarding the aspect of training, notable modifications were observed among the PUK forces. The elimination of individual and group forces has resulted in the consolidation of power under a singular entity, namely the PUK and Kurdistan forces. Significant reforms were implemented inside the Zanyari Agency and security agencies, resulting in the transfer of these entities to capable leadership and their subsequent reintegration into the service of securing the Kurdistan Region.

President Bafel, in response to the expressed demands of the general public, as well as the cadres and members affiliated with the PUK, took the initiative to build what is now known as the Green Line. The primary objective of this project is to cultivate a harmonious relationship between the PUK President and the broader populace, thereby promoting the effective communication and articulation of their respective demands. The Green Line functions as a cohesive conduit for the transmission of multiple perspectives to party and government officials, effectively addressing the interests and concerns of many segments of society. The party demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity by acknowledging and responding to all comments, regardless of individuals' political affiliations, religious beliefs, or ethnic backgrounds. The helpline has recorded a cumulative count of 18,000 incoming calls within the initial quarter of its inception.

Within the domain of diplomacy and global affairs, the PUK and its delegates have proactively participated in international conferences, receiving invitations from various geographical areas such as Europe, the Arab world, Asia, and the United States. The PUK has successfully developed diplomatic relations at the embassy, consulate, and representation levels, with a primary objective of promoting the fundamental interests of our populace.

At the Greater Kurdistan level, irrespective of regional challenges, it has provided assistance to our populace grounded in the principles of neighborly respect and has actively endeavored to sustain the peace process. The PUK advocates for nonviolent conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of discussion and mutual comprehension. It posits that the resolution of the Kurdish cause is a prerequisite for achieving stability in the region.

In general, the PUK, led by President Bafel Jalal Talabani, is in a golden stage of unity, determination and strength to develop and protect the three sacred PUKs:

the People's PUK, the Unity within the PUK and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

 

 

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