By: Shwan Zulal
Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan have issued a statement rejecting the opposition demands for dissolving government. The statement comes while both parties were giving mixed messages after the largest three opposition parties met beginning of the week issuing a joint statement. The opposition demanded the dissolution of the government and forming a new unity government in order to prepare for early elections as well as overseeing overdue reforms.
The language used in the statement designed to threaten and intimidated people and the opposition. PUK and KDP are completely disregarding the parliament and they are barely mentioning Kurdistan regional government in the equation. This can only confirm that militia is still in charge of the Region, therefore parliament and government are dormant.
Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan have issued a statement rejecting the opposition demands for dissolving government. The statement comes while both parties were giving mixed messages after the largest three opposition parties met beginning of the week issuing a joint statement. The opposition demanded the dissolution of the government and forming a new unity government in order to prepare for early elections as well as overseeing overdue reforms.PUK and KDP political bureau have strongly rejected the demands and accused the opposition of trying to topple the government unconstitutionally and prepare for a coup. Moreover, it compares the opposition with “chauvinistic parties” operating in other parts of Iraq. They also mention that the opposition have given them 22 point demand in the beginning of the protest and later have upped their demands, which could only mean that they are not seeking to come to an agreement. Both parties are make accusations that the opposition are not serious to have dialogue because they are adding to their demands as time goes by.
“We warn our bases and all citizens that in a near future there would be a threat , which would have some outside forces fingerprints on it… we are not able to distinguish some activities of the Chauvinists from the opposition “, reads the statement. The government appears to have stepped up their attack on the opposition and are resorting to intimidating tactics. Comparing the opposition with chauvinist is preposterous and does not make sense. All three opposition parties are Kurdish and have took part in the Kurdish struggle as well as some being a breakaway part of the main two parties. Using this kind of language can only exacerbate the situation and harden opinions.
Both parties say:“The opposition have so far taken over Maidani Azadi(Sera Square) and are wanting to organise an uprising, ... and their actions are unlawful...". They accuse the opposition of interfering with people's freedom and interrupting normal life in Kurdistan especially in Sulaimaniyah. The threats continues and they ask the opposition to keep away from "taking people's freedom" otherwise the militia has the "capacity and means" to deal with them accordingly.
The statement goes on to say "the initial proposal from the opposition was answered by us, which included 17 points... presented to parliament and approved by the president..." Moreover, "both parties are ready to discuss these points further and reach an agreement, However by increasing their demands the oppositions is stalling talks and it only means that they have political ambition in mind rather than reforms." Needless to say that the opposition proposals were 22 points not 17 and the government response to those reforms were a watered-down version of the original proposals. Furthermore, the points approved by parliament are more like a wish list and aspirations rather than robust legislations to deal with corruption and militia dominated politics in Kurdistan Region.
The language used in the statement designed to threaten and intimidated people and the opposition. PUK and KDP are completely disregarding the parliament and they are barely mentioning Kurdistan regional government in the equation. This can only confirm that militia is still in charge of the Region, therefore parliament and government are dormant.So far, the opposition reaction has been limited and they are gauging the mood. The only response has come from Komal and they are accusing PUK and KDP of using threatening language. Komal politburo member, Abdulstar majid told Sbeiy media:"The statement has not left much room for negotiation and dealing with the issues Kurdistan region suffering from."
