Peregraf- Surkew Mohammed
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have signed an agreement, yet it is not the way that PUK would have preferred, especially regarding the appointment of the Governor of Kirkuk, with the formation of the new KRG cabinet, this issue has been postponed.
After several meetings without any result, finally KDP deputy president, Nechirvan Barzani and the PUK's acting leader, Kosrat Rasul Ali, signed the cooperation deal in Erbil on Monday. Thus, the formation of the new cabinet of KRG will be accelerated.
The two biggest parties of Kurdistan Region were not ready to disclose all the points of the agreement. However, Peregraf learnt from a high-level source, who is aware of the agreement that it "is almost the same 18-point-manuscript which was prepared before with some minor changes."
The reason behind the deal of this agreement is the post of Iraqi Justice Minister and Governor of Kirkuk. The PUK wanted a signed agreement with the KDP, to allow them to appoint the one they want to the posts without a Veto from the KDP. However, the KDP was not too keen.
"Now the issue of Kirkuk is postponed for after the formation of the new government. According to the recent agreement, both sides will work to normalize the situation of the city. So far no name has been mentioned for the next governor of Kirkuk," the high-level source told Peregraf.
The source, who spoke under condition of anonymity, also stated that "Both sides agreed that Kirkuk’s governor would be appointed by the PUK with the agreement of the KDP, and the latter also trying to make other parts of the city to agree on the candidate." He also said: "There is a possibility for the KDP to be agreeable to any of PUK’s candidate for the Kirkuk’s top post."
The issue of Governor for Kirkuk has long been a sticking point between the two parties. The KDP has in principle conceded to the PUK’s demand that the Governor of Kirkuk must be a PUK member. However, the KDP says the governor has to be someone who did not participate in the October 16 "treason".
Apart from the issue of Kirkuk, the post of Iraqi Justice Minister was another obstacle between the two parties. The PUK insisted to have this ministerial post but the KDP did not acquiesce. However, after today’s agreement, "The KDP showed more flexibility and will have any objection to this matter."
The two issues mentioned above caused the steps in the formation of the new cabinet of KRG to slow down. The PUK boycotted three sessions of the Kurdistan Parliament. The speaker of the parliament was elected without its 21 members.
According to the Peregraf’s source, in today’s meeting the post of Kurdistan Presidency was not discussed in detail but it is expected to be discussed in the next meeting scheduled on next Wednesday, "The KDP is waiting for the PUK to appoint a candidate for the post of parliament speaker."
"Today is a day that will be mentioned in the history of our nation, when the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party signed a political agreement," said KDP spokesperson Mahmoud Mohammed. ""We can say that the agreement is generally aimed at tranquility, unity, and to protect the territorial unity of the homeland and for the interests of the people of Kurdistan."
PUK spokesperson, Lateef Shiekh Omar, told reporters: "It is an agreement that will be the compass and guideline for our joint work at present and in the future."
A committee has been set up to oversee the deal’s implementation, he said. Speeding up the formation of a new government is a top priority, he added.
Both the PUK and the KDP stressed that they want the agreement to establish political and economic stability, especially towards replenishing the economy and developing it.