Qubad Talabani to PM Abadi: No more playing with people's psychology

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Qubad Talabani, the deputy prime minister of the KRG, accused Haider Al-Abadi Iraqi Prime Minister on Wednesday of "playing with [Kurdistan] people’s psychology," adding that Baghdad is not serious in sending salaries despite Erbil’s full cooperation.

"We have provided complete facilitation and presented our data and biometric system of the region's employees," said Talabani as Baghdad has sent committees to Kurdistan to audit KRG's civil servants list.

He was speaking at an event on Wednesday in Erbil where the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced the digitization of their data.

Abadi has continued to reiterate his seriousness in sending KRG's civil servants' salaries in weekly speeches, as well as in other remarks, statements, and meetings.

“We have not seen anything,” said Talabani. “We allowed [Iraqi] audit teams to do their work but there are still no salaries."

Auditing of the ministries of education and health has been completed. According to the Iraqi committees, 3 percent of data audited was commented on.

"If they intend to pay salaries, let them pay the salaries for ministries of education and health as they wish," challenged Talabani.

On Monday, the Iraqi government extended its international flight ban on the Kurdistan Region’s airports through May.

Talabani blamed Iraqi government, saying the KRG has provided complete assistance to the committees sent by Baghdad but the ban remains.

Talabani has spearheaded reforms in the regional government and previously has called on the central government to audit its own employees.

Baghdad has hinted they have triggered and pressured the reforms announced by KRG, but Talabani denies any command from outside of his cabinet.

"No one has come to give us commands, the government began reforms independently. Our works are clear,” he said.

Regarding integrity in KRG's revenue, he said that they a company has begun auditing and that the company's final reports can gain international community's trust on the "KRG's seriousness in working for integrity."

Kurdistan parliament passed radical reforms on Wednesday which could return 100-120 billion dinars ($85-100 million) to the government. The law commits the government to undertake radical reforms to the payroll system and pension fund.

Talabani mentioned the reforms will continue.

"Reforms cannot be done without pain, and this process is not only a slogan for us but rather the steps have been taken practically,” he said.

Erbil has sent its payroll lists to Baghdad after Abadi pledged to pay civil servant salaries after auditing the employee lists.

Baghdad has said that the Region must downsize its workforce.

Qubad Talabani to PM Abadi: No more playing with people's psychology

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