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While rows over Iraq’s election law have been resolved, oil remains a pending issue between the central and Kurdistan Regional Government.
Speaking before the foreign relations committee at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Kurdistan Leader Massoud Barazani criticized the central government for its failure to draw up a clear law on sharing oil revenues and said the Kurds would hold on to what they earn for now.
Total Kurdish output was set to grow to more than 1 million barrels a day by the end of 2011, bringing forward a previous forecast for that level of output in 2012. But even then, he said, the income would not be shared, Barzani said.
"The oil and gas law is in two parts, first the oil law itself and the second being the revenue. It says very clearly that the oil and gas is for all Iraqis and the revenue belongs to all Iraqis. This is the constitution and we don't have a problem with that. At the moment the areas within the kurdish perimeters is about 17 percent of the national revenue. Until the disputed areas are resolved, we feel that the share of Kurdistan region of 17 percent should go to the account of Kurdistan by itself and not to be distributed through the central bank in Baghdad because often they use that as a weapon against us. We believe it is our right and we adhere to the constitutional right that is very clear cut”, he added.
Kirkuk issue was also set forth by Kurdistan leader who stressed on the rights of Kirkuk residents to decide their fate.
A roadmap for resolving Kirkuk issue stipulates to normalize the situation, hold a census followed by a referendum on the province’s status, Barzani noted.
Barzani said he is confident that the electoral system will not weaken KRG stressing that Kurdistan Party in Iraq’s Parliament will adopt a unified stand.
Kurdistan leader voiced his concern over ongoing security deterioration ahead of elections considering that terrorism is still active in the country.
Barzani supported the Turkish initiative to resolve the Kurdish issue saying he believes Ankara is working on a deep rooted solution. Barzani conveyed KRG’s willingness to contribute to a peaceful solution thereto.
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