Prime Minister of Kurdistan Democratic Party Nachirvan Barzani: 'Proposal for a Federal Iraq aims to assure an equitable share of country's resources for Kurds'.

(From Turkish Daily News)

'If a new federal system of government is agreed among Iraqis, Kurdistan region must be guaranteed an equitable share of the country's resources. This is a necessity for the future viability and sustainability of the region. Without such guarantees, the stability of the state could once again be threatened'

'We believe that the future Iraq should be a free, democratic, parliamentary, and federal republic where the rights of the Kurds and other groups, whatever their religion or ethnicity, are recognized and upheld. This is crucial for the future stability of the country. The people of Iraqi Kurdistan must be allowed to participate in the governing and administration of the central government without discrimination'

'The rights of the Turkomen and Assyrians are protected by laws passed by the Iraqi Kurdistan National Assembly. As a result of our own history, we are very sensitive to the issues of the minorities living in our region and have made it a point to recognize and uphold their rights. The KDP has always enshrined minority rights in their policies throughout its 56-year history'

Stating that Iraq is a country rich in resources that has never been shared equitably among its various regions or with its various communities, Nachirvan Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) said: "Any political arrangement for the future must be underpinned by economic security. Political and economic security must go hand in hand to assure the future success of the country. If a new federal system of government is agreed among Iraqis, the Kurdistan region must be guaranteed an equitable share of the country's resources. This is a necessity for the future viability and sustainability of the region. Without such guarantees, the stability of the state could once again be threatened."

Barzani gave an interview to Michael Rubin from the Middle East Intelligence Bulletin and evaluated the current issues and discussions on Iraq and recent developments in northern Iraq. You can read some important excerpts from this lengthy interview below.

Stating that "A viable Iraq must come out as a result of any change of regime, both as a state and community. Within the span of its 80-year history as a state, Iraq has not performed to an acceptable international standard," Barzani …