Seaview
07-24-2008, 07:05 AM
KRG Rejects the Provincial Elections Bill due to Breach of Constitution
While waiting for the full implementation of Iraq's Constitution and for political progress and stability to take root in Baghdad, the citizens of Iraq were greatly undermined on Tuesday July 22, 2008, when during a session of the Council of Representatives [Iraq's Parliament] the bill concerning the provincial election was passed by secret ballot. This procedure was a clear violation of Iraq's Constitution.
Deciding on an important bill without the Kurdistan Block, which is a major political and national group, together with a large number of other Parliamentarians, raises much doubt on previous coalitions and political agreements which have been formed between many parties and the political leadership in Kurdistan.
From the beginning of the post-Liberation political development of Iraq in 2003, the KRG has placed the interests of the wider Iraq first and foremost and has shown a continual commitment to the principles of flexibility and compromise in order to peacefully and legally solve matters of disagreement.
Up until now the KRG has followed a policy of cooperation and compromise on all issues. This policy does not represent weakness on the part of the Kurdistan Region, but one of honesty and sincerity from the political leadership of Kurdistan so that all the people of Iraq may have a secure, productive and peaceful coexistence.
Within the Iraqi Parliament, a deceptive and tactical policy was used to pass this bill. We reiterate our commitment to the Constitution and the political agreements we have made and urge all members of Iraq's political groups to review and reconsider the illegal actions which have taken place.
The Kurdistan Regional Government calls on everyone to follow the Constitution, and to show their sincerity and commitment to the founding principles of federalism and democracy and our Constitution.
The Constitution of Iraq is our most important legal document and is the only one which protects our rights and defends the democracy of our nation. When the Parliament, itself a great institution created by this document, illegally issues a law which violates the Constitution of Iraq, it is a grave step for our future.
We denounce the decision by the Council of Representatives to pass this legislation and will not abide by this bill.
Being unconstitutional, this legislation only serves to undermine the law and democracy of Iraq and will only open the door for future tensions and the exacerbation of problems.
We believe that we must work together to find wise and legal solutions for such issues as Kirkuk and the need for provincial elections.
We have long thought that in a new Iraq, opportunities would emerge based on dialogue and cooperation, and not strength and asserted power. We wanted dialogue to overcome force. We call on all parties and the Council of Representatives to follow these principles of the Constitution and immediately work to remove these violations of our system.
We hope that all parties come forward and reaffirm their true dedication to a just democracy; otherwise, we will be obliged to respond to such disagreements in different way in future.
Kurdistan Regional Government
Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
23 July, 2008
http://pukmedia.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5454&Itemid=1
While waiting for the full implementation of Iraq's Constitution and for political progress and stability to take root in Baghdad, the citizens of Iraq were greatly undermined on Tuesday July 22, 2008, when during a session of the Council of Representatives [Iraq's Parliament] the bill concerning the provincial election was passed by secret ballot. This procedure was a clear violation of Iraq's Constitution.
Deciding on an important bill without the Kurdistan Block, which is a major political and national group, together with a large number of other Parliamentarians, raises much doubt on previous coalitions and political agreements which have been formed between many parties and the political leadership in Kurdistan.
From the beginning of the post-Liberation political development of Iraq in 2003, the KRG has placed the interests of the wider Iraq first and foremost and has shown a continual commitment to the principles of flexibility and compromise in order to peacefully and legally solve matters of disagreement.
Up until now the KRG has followed a policy of cooperation and compromise on all issues. This policy does not represent weakness on the part of the Kurdistan Region, but one of honesty and sincerity from the political leadership of Kurdistan so that all the people of Iraq may have a secure, productive and peaceful coexistence.
Within the Iraqi Parliament, a deceptive and tactical policy was used to pass this bill. We reiterate our commitment to the Constitution and the political agreements we have made and urge all members of Iraq's political groups to review and reconsider the illegal actions which have taken place.
The Kurdistan Regional Government calls on everyone to follow the Constitution, and to show their sincerity and commitment to the founding principles of federalism and democracy and our Constitution.
The Constitution of Iraq is our most important legal document and is the only one which protects our rights and defends the democracy of our nation. When the Parliament, itself a great institution created by this document, illegally issues a law which violates the Constitution of Iraq, it is a grave step for our future.
We denounce the decision by the Council of Representatives to pass this legislation and will not abide by this bill.
Being unconstitutional, this legislation only serves to undermine the law and democracy of Iraq and will only open the door for future tensions and the exacerbation of problems.
We believe that we must work together to find wise and legal solutions for such issues as Kirkuk and the need for provincial elections.
We have long thought that in a new Iraq, opportunities would emerge based on dialogue and cooperation, and not strength and asserted power. We wanted dialogue to overcome force. We call on all parties and the Council of Representatives to follow these principles of the Constitution and immediately work to remove these violations of our system.
We hope that all parties come forward and reaffirm their true dedication to a just democracy; otherwise, we will be obliged to respond to such disagreements in different way in future.
Kurdistan Regional Government
Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
23 July, 2008
http://pukmedia.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5454&Itemid=1