Zebari reports ‘positive atmosphere’ in KDP-PUK talks

BAGHDAD — Senior Kurdish leader Hoshyar Zebari said there is a “positive atmosphere” in ongoing talks between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan over Iraq’s presidency, and revealed discussions about forming a new political council bringing together key leaders in the Kurdistan Region.

Zebari, a member of the KDP’s Executive Committee and Iraq’s former foreign minister, said in an interview with Dijla TV that “there is a positive atmosphere in the meetings at the leadership level between President Masoud Barzani and PUK leader Bafel Talabani, as well as at the level of executive decisions within the Kurdistan Regional Government.”

He said Kurdish leaders are considering “forming a political council, similar to the Strategic Policies Council proposed in 2010.” He added, “This council would be highly beneficial for the Kurdistan Region and for Iraq. It would include the main leaders and would carry moral and political authority, not legislative or executive powers.”

The PUK welcomed the idea and suggested Masoud Barzani chair it, Zebari said. The council would begin with the KDP and PUK, with other parties joining later, including representatives of Christians and Turkmen.

On the presidency, Zebari said the KDP asked the Coordination Framework “to leave the decision on selecting the president of the republic to the Kurds.” Fuad Hussein remains the KDP’s candidate.

Zebari said it would be “difficult” for the next president, whether from the KDP or PUK, to assign Nouri al-Maliki to form the government “unless the international situation changes.”

He said the Coordination Framework sought clarification of the U.S. position through official channels “and the same response was received.” He added that U.S. officials told al-Maliki, “We have no personal problem with you, but our issue is with the policies. We want an independent government, far from Iranian influence.”

Zebari said the U.S. warned it would not deal with any government that includes representatives of factions listed as terrorist organizations or sanctioned by the Treasury, and warned of possible sanctions on Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization, the Central Bank and dollar flows.

Excerpts from Hoshyar Zebari’s interview on Dijla TV:

There is a positive atmosphere in the meetings at the leadership level between President Masoud Barzani and PUK leader Bafel Talabani, as well as at the level of executive decisions within the Kurdistan Regional Government. Today there was a meeting between Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Qubad Talabani.

We are considering forming a political council, similar to the Strategic Policies Council proposed in 2010 — not like the National Political Council of our Sunni brothers, nor the Coordination Framework. This council would be highly beneficial for the Kurdistan Region and for Iraq. It would include the main leaders and would carry moral and political authority, not legislative or executive powers.

Our brothers in the Patriotic Union welcomed the idea and suggested that President Masoud Barzani chair it. It would begin with the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and later other parties would join. It would also include representatives of Christians and Turkmen and would not be exclusively Kurdish.

The Framework delegation played a positive role in bringing the two Kurdish parties closer together, and we thank them for their efforts. It is too early to congratulate Mr. Nizar Amidi, and his issue was not discussed at all.

We told the Framework delegation that you have a major issue called Trump and another called the Coordination Framework. You nominated Mr. Maliki, and we were the first to congratulate you because that is the Framework’s choice. Therefore, we asked them to leave the decision on selecting the president of the republic to the Kurds. Fuad Hussein remains the KDP’s candidate for the presidency.

Whether the next president comes from the KDP or the PUK, it will be difficult for him to assign Mr. Maliki to form the government, unless the international situation changes. Some say this international position could change, but I say this is difficult.

Through official channels, the Coordination Framework requested clarification of the U.S. position, and the same response was received. Even Mr. Maliki’s supporters have begun to adjust their positions. Given the regional situation and the unprecedented military mobilization, American messages called for accelerating the formation of the Iraqi government.

The United States has institutional memory and does not make decisions impulsively. During their meetings with Mr. Maliki, U.S. officials told him, We have no personal problem with you, but our issue is with the policies. We want an independent government, far from Iranian influence.

They said they would not deal with any government that includes representatives of factions listed as terrorist organizations or sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, and they warned of possible sanctions on Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization, the Central Bank and dollar flows.