Deputy PM Talabani asks Shiite cleric to mediate between KRG and Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region’s Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani has asked the influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to mediate talks between his government and Baghdad on the basis of the Iraqi constitution, a statement from the office of the Shiite cleric read.

 

In a phone call on Thursday, Talabani asked the Shiite cleric to aid a renewed commitment to the Iraqi constitution, the statement detailed.

 

Sadr’s stance echoes that of Baghdad, arguing that the referendum result must be  annulled.

 

“Holding the referendum was not constitutional in the first place, so how can the constitution be adhered to without cancelling the referendum?” asked the statement from his office.

 

Talabani’s spokesperson Samir Hawrami confirmed to Rudaw that the phone call took place. The two “reaffirmed the need for dialogue to solve the problems between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad,” Hawrami said.

 

Sadr’s statement said they also discussed Iraq’s 2018 budget. 

 

Baghdad has allocated over 12 percent of the budget for the Kurdistan Region in its draft bill. Erbil insists it is entitled to 17 percent.

 

Sadr said that the Iraqi state is in a difficult financial situation and people in the south and centre of the country are no better off than the Kurds.

 

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has offered to freeze the outcome of the independence vote in return for open dialogue with Iraq in light of the Iraqi constitution, but Baghdad has so far rejected this and demanded Erbil declare the vote null and void before any talks begin.

 

Baghdad also asked Erbil to respect the verdict issued by the Iraqi Federal Court earlier this week that ruled the constitution does not allow the secession of any part of the country. 

 

The KRG is yet to comment on the court ruling.