Kosrat Rasul: “I Was in Turkey Not Long Ago. We Talked to Several Authorities. We Knew What They Wanted, and Also They Knew What We Wanted. Turkey is a Major State in the Region. It is Very Important for Us to Go to Turkey.”
Kosrat Rasul, the most prominent figure of the Kurdish Movement in Iraq, took part in the armed struggle against the Saddam Hussein's regime for many years. Being one of the closest figures to PUK leader Jalal Talabani, Kosrat Rasul has been working as the Vice President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) since 2005 in addition to serving as the Deputy Secretary General of PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan). Besides, Kosrat Rasul has also assumed the leadership of PUK by proxy due to the health problem of Jalal Talabani. As ORSAM, we talked to Kosrat Rasul about the internal politics of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as the relations between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.
Kosrat Rasul: “I Was in Turkey Not Long Ago. We Talked to Several Authorities. We Knew What They Wanted, and Also They Knew What We Wanted. Turkey is a Major State in the Region. It is Very Important for Us to Go to Turkey.”
ORSAM: First of all thank you for receiving us. The political situation in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region has entered a new phase following Jalal Talabani’s health problem. Could you firstly describe this new situation to us?
Kosrat Resul: Jalal Talabani is one of the good leaders of the Middle East. As you know he is ill at the moment. Incidents are occurring everyday. Jalal Talabani’s existence is very important for the region. Talabani is like an umbrella for the entire Iraqi community.
ORSAM: Local elections will be held in Iraq on 20 April 2013. Do you expect the situation in Iraq to get worse before and after these elections?
Kosrat Resul: It is apparent that the situation is critical. Political parties must work together for the situation to improve.
ORSAM: Jalal Talabani’s absence has not only affected Baghdad, but has also affected the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. An election must take place in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region in 2013. What are your thoughts on this election? Will this election be able to be held? If so, what will its effect be on the Iraqi Kurdistan Region?
Kosrat Resul: It is too soon to say anything at the moment. Interpretations can be made according to the situation of the government and the public after the elections are held.
ORSAM: Well then, will presidential and parliamentary elections be held this year in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region?
Kosrat Resul: It has not been finalized yet.
ORSAM: You assumed the leadership of PUK after Jalal Talabani’s health problem. What are PUK’s projects towards the future?
Kosrat Resul: We plan on giving priority to the issue of human rights. Moreover, we desire a free state. Our goal is to provide a better future for the public. We have no problems with anyone and we want to develop better relations.
ORSAM: What do you think about the economic problems in the Kurdistan Region?
Kosrat Resul: We have many resources such as petroleum, water, industry, agriculture. For the time being we are concentrating more on the area of petroleum. But we have to give importance to the other areas also.
ORSAM: What are your thoughts regarding Turkey?
Kosrat Resul: I was in Turkey not long ago. We talked to several authorities. We knew what they wanted, and also they knew what we wanted. Turkey is a major state in the region. It is very important for us to go to Turkey.
ORSAM: What can be done to improve relations?
Kosrat Resul: Right now economically we are working together. There are many Turkish companies here. We could send petroleum from here and Turkey could distribute it to Europe.
ORSAM: The Iraqi Central Government has an objection towards the selling of petroleum.
Kosrat Resul: They are talking on their own behalf. We take the constitution as principle.
ORSAM: Well, apart from economic relations, what can be done to develop political relations?
Kosrat Resul: Recently there is a process of a “Kurdish Opening” in Turkey. That is an important step taken towards the resolution of the Kurdish problem
ORSAM: At the end of the meetings held currently in Turkey, it is believed that the Iraqi Kurdistan Region can also play a role. What kind of a role can the Iraqi Kurdistan Region play in the resolution of the Kurdish problem? For instance, some members of the PKK coming to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is being mentioned. What kind of contribution can you make towards settling the PKK problem?
Kosrat Resul: We have not heard anything about PKK members coming to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. There is no such plan. The problems existing between the PKK and Turkey must be settled through dialogue. For instance, a delegation going to Imrali.
ORSAM: Solutions such as some PKK leaders coming to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region are also being talked about. Does this have any possibility?
Kosrat Resul: No. We are not aware of anything like this.
ORSAM: Last of all, is there any message you would like to give Turkey?
Kosrat Resul: I send my respects to the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, police forces and the entire community of Turkey. We hope that our relations will further develop.
* This interview has been conducted on 19 February 2013 by ORSAM specialists in the city of Arbil of Iraq.
