Fears of potential security vacuum following US troop withdrawal

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Kurdistan Premier Barham Saleh expressed the Region authority’s concerns that a security vacuum will occur after U.S. forces withdraw from Iraq at the end of this year, but pointed out that the Peshmerga forces will have their role in providing security in the Iraqi provinces following this withdrawal. In an interview by the Qatari Al-Sharq daily, during his visit to Qatari capital Doha, Saleh noted that “the question of Kirkuk and the Iraqi defense network are pending matters between the Kurdish region and the central government.” He express worries of a potential “security vacuum following the withdrawal of U.S. forces.” Commenting on recent demonstrations witnessed in the region, he said “these are a sign of power in the region. We should not be afraid of the protests. We should not be afraid of our people when they demand reforms. On the contrary, it is a step forward for reforms.” “There is a conviction within the Kurdish leadership of the necessity to deal and amend these stands. We have an elected parliament with strong opposition inside it, in addition to free and diversified press,” he added. Sulaimaniyah province and adjacent areas have witnessed daily protests since 17 February until 17 April 2011, demanding political reforms and better service as well as combating corruption. The first days of the demonstrations witnessed many deaths which lead to a political crisis in the region. Political parties that hold 35 seats out 111 in the Kurdish Parliament supported the demands of the demonstrators, in addition to proposing a 20-point reform project to overcome this crisis. These parties boycotted the ordinary sessions of the Kurdish Parliament. “If we do not find any solutions, we have no choice but to resort to the voters to decide what they desire,” Saleh highlighted. “What happened in Kurdistan is an expression of vitalization of the Kurdish society,” he noted. Regarding the presence of Islamic opposition groups, Saleh pointed out that “the Kurdish people are Muslim. The phenomenon of political Islam is present. It is best, however, not to mingle politics with religion.” “Religion should be a patron for the whole socio-political situation, thus we do not want to politicize Islam,” he confirmed. Saleh concluded that the development of Kurdistan is connected with the economic, political and security development of the capital, Baghdad. Any danger threatens Baghdad is threatening us, so we do not have any contradiction between our interests and of Iraq. RM (TI)/SR 857