Barzani focuses on wider Iraqi issues on Day 2 of Baghdad visit

Rudaw

BAGHDAD, Iraq — President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masoud Barzani is expected to focus on intra-Iraqi issues beyond Baghdad-Erbil relations in his meetings on Friday in the capital.

 

Barzani met with former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi for the first time in Baghdad since 2016. Abadi, who led the Nasr (Victory) list, received the third-most votes in the parliamentary election. He was widely seen as a favorite, two-term premier. 

 

Barzani and Abadi, who negotiated historic cooperation between the Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga and Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS in 2016, were vehemently at odds over Kurdistan's independence referendum that was championed by Barzani.

 

Then Erbil-Baghdad relations hit a low point when Iraqi forces supported by Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi militias and paramilitias took federal control of Peshmerga-protected Kirkuk and all the disputed areas in October 2017.

 

Abadi also imposed a six-month international flight ban on the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) received a 12.67 percent share of the federal budget. He took steps to oust Kurdish governor Najmaldin Karim from Kirkuk and replaced him with an Arab governor — all of which were seen by Kurds to be an unnecessarily heavy-handed moves for holding a vote of self-determination. 

 

Former Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi meets with Masoud Barzani and his KDP delegation on November 23, 2018. Video: Rudaw TV

 

Masrour Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, said he expects "meaningful debate" that will lead to "institutionalizing" relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Iraqi federal government.

"I’m optimistic given the new leadership appreciates the shared benefits of success and costs of failure are many for our peoples and the region," he tweeted.

 

 

Masrour is the son of Masoud Barzani and a part of the KDP delegation in Baghdad.

 

Masoud Barzani met with a high delegation of Turkmen Front at their request. 


Additionally, former speaker of the Iraqi parliament Salim al-Jabouri and other influential Sunni leaders met the Kurdish delegation.

 

Salim al-Jabouri and other Sunni politicians greet Masoud Barzani in Baghdad on November 23, 2018. Video: Rudaw TV

 

Barzani also met with prominent Sunni politician Salih Mutlaq.

 

Masoud Barzani and Salih Mutlaq meet in Baghdad on November 23, 2018. Video: Rudaw TV


Additionally, Masoud Barzani met with Shiite cleric Ammar al-Hakim, the leader of the Hikma (Wisdom) Movement, at his Baghdad residence. They briefly spoke to reporters afterwards.

 

"We were honored today by the visit of this great national stature Mr. Leader Masoud al-Barzani. He is an Iraqi and Kurdish national leader," said Hakim. 

The discussions concerned ways the current government in Baghdad can be supported, and bolstering cross-party relations, providing an atmosphere to elevate expectations of Iraqis, and provide services.

"The brothers in the Kurdistan Democratic Party represent a reliable and main partner with the national partnerships and inter-party alliances," Hakim said.

"We are very keen to make use of the new political atmosphere, building total trust and unifying the visions to build this homeland and moving forward with what is in service of our people," he added.

The two share historical ties when they were in opposition to the previous regime.

Lessons need to be learnt from the past, and no enmity, tensions, rivalries towards each other and respecting each other are key going into the future, implored Hakim.


 

Ammar al-Hakim meets with Masoud Barzani in Baghdad on November 23, 2018. Video: Rudaw TV

 

Barzani thanked Hakim for the warm welcome, saying he is accustomed to such "brotherly reception" from him. 

"My visit to Baghdad is aimed at cooperating with his Excellency the Prime Minister brother Adil Abdul-Mahdi and supporting him, and hold consultations with the political leaders in the country," he said.

The Kurdish leader echoed that he sees opportunity to turn a new page with the new government.

"I am hopeful and I see that there is a new chance, new visions, and new circumstances. And this gives us the power and hope to march and cooperate together to find solutions for all problems," Barzani added.

 

The KDP delegation also went to Najaf to meet with Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sayirun alliance, whose list prevailed in parliamentary elections in May. The KDP won 25 seats — the most among Kurdistani parties and any single party in the election.

Barzani said their discussion focused on the “optimism that stems from the new government in Baghdad.”

“Both sides stressed there is a new opportunity in relations between Erbil and Baghdad and that work needs to be done to build trust, resolve problems, and create real partnership,” his office said in a statement. 

 

The Kurdish leader was warmly welcomed by all the Iraqi parties, his office stated. “They regard [his visit] as an important start, a new and positive direction for the Iraqi political process, a prevention of the repetition of mistakes, and the construction of a new government.”


In context

 

Viyan Sabri, the head of KDP faction in Iraqi parliament, described it as "very important visit," especially to re-invest confidence in the Iraqi political process. 

 

She added that all sides want to turn a new page for the future. 

 

Iraqi sides, like Amiri and the Sunnis in particular, have reportedly asked Barzani to start an initiative to resolve issues in Iraq. 

 

The KDP says several Iraqi parties — from across the political spectrum — want Barzani to play a larger role in Baghdad

"Some of them asked him to supervise an initiative not only to resolve the issues between Erbil and Baghdad, but to also resolve the issues within Iraq," said Bengin Rekani, a KDP politician who is Iraq's Minister of Housing and Reconstruction.

Rekani added they have asked Barzani to reside in Baghdad and establish a headquarters for himself in order to assist resolving issues. 

Barzani has accepted the idea of supervising the initiative and increasing his visits to Baghdad, according to Rekani. 

Statements on Thursday were largely void of any hard politics or agreements.

Rekani revealed there have been "serious" talks concerning the problems between the two sides, and first steps towards an oil deal and the implementation of Article 140 (regarding disputed areas) have been taken.

On Thursday, Barzani met with new Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, and Fatih leader Hadi al-Amiri — signalling a warming in relations between politicians in Baghdad and Erbil.

 

Updated at 7:11 p.m.