A major change has been observed in the politics of Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government in recent years. Earlier, a strong opposition started to emerge in the political system dominated by KDP and PUK. In this regard, the Goran Movement, which emerged successfully in the elections despite being newly established, takes an important place. We made an interview with Latif Mohammad, Parliamentary Group Leader of Goran Movement which has the change to come second major party of the region in the upcoming elections. Latif Mohammad informed about the change in Kurdish politics and the Goran's outlook on the relations between Syrian Kurds and Turkey.
LATIF MOHAMMAD: “WE BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE TRANSPARENCY IN RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAQI KURDISTAN AND TURKEY”
ORSAM: Could you introduce yourself in brief?
Latif Mohammad: My name is Latif Mohammad. I work as Goran MP in Iraqi parliament. Also, I am the Parliamentary Group Leader of Goran Movement. As Goran, we achieved a big success in the latest elections. Before becoming an MP, I worked as judge, as well as faculty member in Department of Law at University of Sulaymaniyah. I hold a PhD in Constitutional Law.
ORSAM: As a member of Goran Movement and MP, how do you assess the latest developments between the Iraqi central government and Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government? Considering the tension between the two Parties recently…
Latif Mohammad: Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki recently paid a visit to Iraqi Kurdistan. And Barzani paid a visit to Baghdad. This situation shows that the relationship between the two Parties is no more as bad as earlier. Things have gotten better between them in the recent period. As you know, earlier Maliki brought Iraqi army to Syrian border and the army fought against the peshmerga forces. Considering this, it can be suggested that the relations have gotten better recently.
ORSAM: There is a rivalry between Kurdish political parties under Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), but what is the case in Iraqi Parliament? Does rivalry continue there too? Or, is there a solidarity?
Latif Mohammad: There is a solidarity among Kurds in Baghdad. However, as Goran, we cannot take part in this alliance. All Kurdish political parties act in unison under the name of Kurdish Solidarity. But Goran is not a member of that group. Things are better in Baghdad, because we have common areas of interest, such as protecting Kurdish rights. We defend our constitutional rights in Kurdish regions. But of course, there are also certain issues that we do not agree. One of the them is the elections. KDP and PUK want to be in power as two major parties in the region, but we oppose to it.
ORSAM: What do you think about the general political life in Iraqi Kurdistan?
Latif Mohammad: We are separate and different from PUK and KDP. We are independent from them, and the decisions we make do not depend on their actions. We argue that; everybody has right to act freely. It is not us to decide on the subjects that affect others. We should not have the final say. We believe in the rights in the Constitution which affect the Kurdistan region. We support the companies and projects on oil, but we argue that there should be more transparency on these subjects. They should not be personal, and should be institutionalized. In Iraqi Kurdistan, the agreements should be open and based on principles. If the government or the leader changes in the region, nothing is guaranteed. It is mainly because things are at personal scale. For the benefit and guarantee of the Kurdish region, those issues should become transparent.
ORSAM: As Goran Movement, what are your expectations from the elections to be held in September and November?
Latif Mohammad: If the elections be equitable, we will receive more votes than the previous elections and increase the number of our seats in the Parliament. However, the two major parties in power are not holding the elections equitably. They have money and power. They use money of the people to win the elections. There is no doubt that the upcoming elections would bring along major changes in Iraqi Kurdistan's politics, if the elections were held fairly and equitably.
ORSAM: What is your Party's view about the Kurdish issue in Syria?
Latif Mohammad: As Goran, we do not want to intervene in internal affairs of Syrian Kurds. It is them to make decisions about the issue. They initiated a good relationship with Turkey. It is by all means important to solve the Kurdish problem to reinforce the relations with Turkey. I believe that the foundation of a strong relationship was laid. However, as Goran, we consider the Syrian Kurdish problem as their own problem and therefore they should solve the problem amongst themselves. They should have the final say. But of course, the decisions made in Syria's Kurdish region should be peaceful and humanitarian, and should not be based on nationalism.
ORSAM: Some of the Kurdish parties in Syria are close to KDP, while some others to PKK and some of them to PUK. Does the Goran Movement have a closer relationship with any Syrian Kurdish political party? Does your Movement have influence over the Kurdish politics in Syria?
Latif Mohammad: As Goran, we do not have any influence. And we are not in favor of such a relationship. We have a good relationship with all parties, but not in a sense that we have influence over them. We believe that the Syrian Kurdish issue is linked to the process in Turkey and the relations between Turkey – Syria. Maintaining the Syria – Turkey relationship in a proper way and the solution process' leading to success would also help easily solve the Syrian Kurdish problem.
ORSAM: It is for sure that Iraqi Kurds' declaration of their independence would have a direct impact on Kurds in the region. What is Goran Movement' attitude on the independence in Iraq?
Latif Mohammad: There is no official statement regarding the independence. Of course many political parties bring forward the subject. It is frequently mentioned also in newspapers. The Kurdish people would make the decision and do so by holding the elections freely. If there is democracy, dialogue in Iraq and the constitution is abided by, everything would develop in favor of Iraqi Kurdistan. But if the constitution is not abided by and Kurdish rights are not granted, then there might be problem. We argue for free will. If democracy is pursued, an independent Kurdistan would already be established.
ORSAM: As Goran Movement, how do you assess Turkey's relations with Iraqi Kurdistan?
Latif Mohammad: We support the relationship between Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey. But we also believe that there should be a legal transparency in the relationship. The relationship should not be between two persons. The relations should be institutionalized. It should be legal. And firm steps should be taken in relations. The relations could be long-termed and stable only if they are institutionalized.
ORSAM: Thank you.
* This interview was made by ORSAM Middle East Specialist Oytun Orhanin Ankara on August 15, 2013.syria
