Kurdistan
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani speaking during the 32nd anniversary of the Kurdish uprising in Ranya, Kurdistan Region on March 5, 2023. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) extended his hand to the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Sunday to cooperate and work together to address the Kurdistan Region’s internal issues or else pay the price for refusing to cooperate.
“Political parties – Kurdistan Democratic Party - if you want this, we extend our hand to you. Our hearts are pure … let’s work for the benefit of our nation … if you want this, we are ready,” Bafel Talabani addressed a large crowd in Ranya on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Kurdish uprising.
“If you don’t want this, you will pay for it,” he added.
The KDP and the PUK have been at loggerheads in recent months over the Region’s parliamentary elections, the transparency of the oil and local income of the provinces under their influence, and the assassination of a former PUK colonel in Erbil in October.
Despite working together in the KRG, the two parties have established control over different parts of the Region, often being referred to as the “Yellow Zone” and “Green Zone“. The KDP is dominant in Erbil and Duhok provinces, while the PUK rules Sulaimani and Halabja.
“I am not satisfied with this situation and I will not talk about a Green Zone or Yellow Zone. Get over these words, the PUK is responsible for all of Kurdistan,” Talabani affirmed, calling on the Region’s parties to unite and use the uprising anniversary as a platform “to extend a hand of peace” to each other.
Speaking at the Erbil Forum on Wednesday, Talabani affirmed the PUK’s readiness to initiate dialogue with the KDP provided that the latter can “come forth seriously.”
An electoral body level meeting in Erbil took place on Tuesday between the two ruling parties, where they both announced in a joint statement that they had reached a “mutual understanding” on a “majority” of points related to how the upcoming elections should be held.
Rudaw understands that both parties have agreed on the method of the election as well as coordinating with Iraq’s electoral commission to benefit from their voter list of the Kurdistan Region.
However, according to Talabani, the problem between the parties is not the absence of meetings, but rather the absence of a solid outcome from the meetings.
“If we can agree on the laws and not conduct any childish manoeuvres, then we will be more than happy to hold elections,” he said.
“Political parties – Kurdistan Democratic Party - if you want this, we extend our hand to you. Our hearts are pure … let’s work for the benefit of our nation … if you want this, we are ready,” Bafel Talabani addressed a large crowd in Ranya on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Kurdish uprising.
“If you don’t want this, you will pay for it,” he added.
The KDP and the PUK have been at loggerheads in recent months over the Region’s parliamentary elections, the transparency of the oil and local income of the provinces under their influence, and the assassination of a former PUK colonel in Erbil in October.
Despite working together in the KRG, the two parties have established control over different parts of the Region, often being referred to as the “Yellow Zone” and “Green Zone“. The KDP is dominant in Erbil and Duhok provinces, while the PUK rules Sulaimani and Halabja.
“I am not satisfied with this situation and I will not talk about a Green Zone or Yellow Zone. Get over these words, the PUK is responsible for all of Kurdistan,” Talabani affirmed, calling on the Region’s parties to unite and use the uprising anniversary as a platform “to extend a hand of peace” to each other.
Speaking at the Erbil Forum on Wednesday, Talabani affirmed the PUK’s readiness to initiate dialogue with the KDP provided that the latter can “come forth seriously.”
An electoral body level meeting in Erbil took place on Tuesday between the two ruling parties, where they both announced in a joint statement that they had reached a “mutual understanding” on a “majority” of points related to how the upcoming elections should be held.
Rudaw understands that both parties have agreed on the method of the election as well as coordinating with Iraq’s electoral commission to benefit from their voter list of the Kurdistan Region.
However, according to Talabani, the problem between the parties is not the absence of meetings, but rather the absence of a solid outcome from the meetings.
“If we can agree on the laws and not conduct any childish manoeuvres, then we will be more than happy to hold elections,” he said.
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