Kurdish News in Brief: Updated Often PLEASE Add Items

[Anthea]

Peshmerga Ministry: Talks stopped between Erbil and Baghdad

The Federal Ministry of Defense did not ask us to send troops to the Hamrin area, Jabar Yawar Secretary General of the Ministry of Peshmerga in Kurdistan Regional Government said in a press statement today.

The ongoing Battles between the army and the So Called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Hamrin area has nothing to do with the Peshmerga forces, Yawar added.

Regarding the talks between Erbil and Baghdad, he pointed out that “negotiations and discussions to resolve outstanding problems are stopped and did not make any progress.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18579

[Anthea]

Kirkuk Administration Suspend New Projects for 2014

The administration in Kirkuk decided not to announce any new projects for 2014 due to the failure in approving the general budget of Iraq by the parliament.

The delay in approving the budget is a result of the conflicts and disagreement among the political fractions inside the parliament and the unrest throughout Iraq. The current budget conflict is affecting the provincial governments as well as the Iraqi economy.

“Due to the delay in approving the budget of 2014 we cannot at the present time announce any new projects for 2014,” the Kirkuk Governor’s Assistant for Technical Affairs, Ali Hamady exclusively said to Kirkuk Now.

“The projects that are currently being implemented are projects that were not completed in 2013,” he added.

He also pointed out that they will announce the 2014 projects for Kirkuk after the budget is approved and he added, “If the petrodollar is increased to $5 per barrel of oil, we can implement good and important projects in Kirkuk.”

http://kirkuknow.com/english/index.php/ ... -for-2014/

[Anthea]

Sulêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Kurdish Peshmerga brought Maliki to power in Iraq: official

Erbil: They were the forces of Peshmerga, military forces of Kurdistan region, who brought Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in power, a member of Kurdistani Alliance way quoted by Xendan website as saying. The Peshmerga forces have played a big role in establishing new Iraq and they had a big share in toppling former Baath regime President Saddam Hussein, he said, adding that Iraqi officials repeatedly violate the rights of the Kurdish forces and do not pay them well on political excuse. PM Nouri al- Maliki and Iraqi leaders were not in power if there would have been no Peshmerga forces, the Kurdish official went on to say. Dissatisfaction has hit the security and defense forces as their payment is being denied by Baghdad. kurdpress.ir

Syria's refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan hit by storm

Sulêmanî : Syria's refugees are struggling to survive the cold weather at Arbat refugee camp, in the Sulêmanî province of the Iraqi Kurdistan, as a winter storm brings snow to the country. The storm reportedly blew away the roofs of 70 tents in the camp over the last two days. Shiyar Mostafa, a local official who visited the camp on Tuesday, said that they relocated the families who became homeless after the winter storm blew away the roofs of 70 tents into the school tents “We cut of the power to prevent any fire outbreak which we had experienced before. As soon as the storm over, the electricity will be supplied again. We will also provide meal three times a day until Friday and extra blankets,” said Mostafa.

People are now using gas-stove heating since the camp administration cut off the power on Sunday. Mostafa also said they expect an increase in the number of patients due to cold weather: “The first aid team is ready to operate 24 hours a day and the number of officials in the camp increased. The conditions in the camp have worsened since new snowfall on Monday. The Arbat camp hosts around 2,000 of Syria's refugees; most of their basic needs - such as food and clothes - are met by the Iraqi-Kurdish people. Refugees at Arbat camp have asked the administration's officials to transfer them to a new camp nearby. worldbulletin.net

Othman: Approving the pension law would be impetus to pass other laws by political consensus

Baghdad: The Kurdish independent MP, Mahmoud Othman described approval of pension law in Parliament an important and positive step for the Council and citizens, stressing that all the political blocs participate in the vote. Othman said "The parliament did not approve, since a long time, important laws that serve Iraqi people, so the approval of the Retirement Law Monday was very useful for the work of Parliament, as it found a well convergence among the political blocs again, which would be a good motivation to pass other laws by political consensus and with participation of everyone. " He said : " The council gave its members a holiday expires next Tuesday, and this period will be good to hold dialogues and discussions between the political blocs on the budget bill, hoping to reach a compromise solution, such as that obtained in the pension law." The House of Representatives approved the Retirement Law, in its session held yesterday under the chairmanship of Osama Nujaifi and the presence of 180 MPs. ninanews.com

Kirkuk receives 800 000 electronic cards and begin distribution process on voters

Kirkuk: The Independent High Electoral Commission announced on Tuesday, the start of the distribution process of electronic cards to voters in selected centers in Kirkuk province. The head of the UNHCR office in Kirkuk, Farhad Talabani said, that the distribution process has begun on Tuesday, noting that “43 distribution centers have been identified, 25 of them spread within the city and 18 centers in the districts and areas of the province“. Talabani said that the turnout is still weak in the first day, likely to rise in the next few days. He explained that the office received more than 800 000 cards as a share of Kirkuk and those included in the elections, pointing out to the allocation of mobile teams to distribute the cards to staff and employees of the state. It is scheduled for the Iraqi parliamentary elections to take place at the end of next April. shafaaq.com

US$38 Billion invested in Kurdistan Region

Erbil: A Kurdistan Investment Board report reveals that approximately $38 billion have been invested in the Kurdistan Region between 2006 and 2013. The report shows that most of the investment has taken place in Erbil with 52% of all projects taking place in the Kurdish capital. The remaining 31% of them were in Sulêmanî, 12% in Duhok and 5% in the Garmiyan region. According to the report, more than $5 billion have been invested in 46 projects run by foreign companies and corporations. National investment is almost $28 billion, while $4 billion were invested by cooperating foreign and national companies. The report also states that out of a total of 644 licensed projects, 158 of them have been finished with an investment of $3 billion. basnews.com

Jalal Talabani's son, Qubad, asks for unity among PUK members

On Monday, Qubad Talabani released a statement asking for unity among the leaders of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Talabani, the son of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, also asked members of the party to avoid pursuing their own personal goals. The statement, published on his official Facebook page, is entitled “Wafadari bo Mam”, Kurdish for “Sincerity for Jalal Talabani”.

Talabani wrote: “Today more than ever, the unity among PUK leaders is necessary. PUK has had a long struggle in the history of Kurdistan, and has lead thousands of Peshmerga who have sacrificed their life for the sake of Kurdistan. It is the responsibility of all PUK members to value this history.” His statement follows a difficult moment for the party, in which the already frail unity has been exacerbated by internal conflicts between leaders wishing to replace Jalal Talabani, particularly after the party’s fourth convention was delayed. “PUK is facing a difficult moment, which requires all of us to be united and loyal to each other.
Our people, who have been with us through all the struggles, expect us to be united and provide them with more services,” wrote Talabani. Talabani also wrote: “it is crucial for all of us to be united as a sign of respect towards Jalal Talabani. It is also important to ignore our personal interests and follow the unity of the party in order to make us stronger. Therefore, it is necessary to negotiate with each other and reach to an agreement for the sake of PUK.”...basnews.com

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency

http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/mi ... al1509.htm

[Anthea]

Sulêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Greater economic crises on the way for the Kurdistan Region Government

Erbil: MP Ali Hama Salih, Member of the Kurdistan Parliament from the Movement for Change (Gorran) movement says the Kurdistan Regional Government employees make up 22.6% of the total number of employees of Iraq, which is three million four thousand three hundred sixty-nine. That is to say, the KRG‌'s employees number six hundred seventy-nine thousand nine hundred thirty-nine (67,9939). If the KRG's share of the Federal Budget is 9.9%, how does the Central Government provide 22.6% of employees‌' salaries?

The Central Government plans to increase employees‌' salaries, which applies to the KRG, but so far there has been no studies as to whether the KRG is capable of providing that huge number of employees if the plan is implemented. This is despite the fact that there are so many salary-takers in the KRG who are not employed or working in governmental institutions. The total number of employees and salary-takers in the KRG is around 1 million and a half. A huge number of these have retired, mostly illegally. The Federal Government decided to increase employees‌' salaries in 2014, that decision will also include the Kurdistan Region, and that will definitely cause greater problems in the future. I therefore announce that if the government fails to have a very firm plan, they must be tangible in the KRG‌'s 2014 budget, then there will be greater obstacles in the future. knnc.net

Nechirvan Barzani and KDP delegation arrived in Sulêmanî

Sulêmanî: The prime minister of Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani on the head of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) delegation arrived in Sulêmanî today, Wednesday, local media reported. Barzani held soon of his arrival a closed meeting with the secretary general of the Gorran movement Nawshirwan Mustafa at his residence to conduct talks on forming the next government of the region, it also planed that Barzani will meet with PUK officials. Ekurd.net

It’s not right time to talk about Kurdistan Region’s independence: Kurdish MP Mahmoud Osman

Baghdad: A parliament deputy from Kurdistani Alliance, Mahmoud Osman, said it is not a right time to talk about the independence of Iraqi northern region of Kurdistan from the country. Speaking with Iraq Broadcasting TV (IMN), Osman said current regional and international developments do not allow the attempt. Reiterating that that’s the right of the Kurds to live in an independent country, Osman added the right time for the decision has not arrived. It is worth mentioning that Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani said on Sunday that the region would declare its independence from Iraq in the 5 coming years. kurdpress.ir

Kurdish Intelligence: ISIS was planning to attack KDP headquarters in Sulêmanî

Sulêmanî: The protection and information, intelligence service in Kurdistan region revealed on Wednesday that a cell linked to al -Qaeda was planning to blow up the headquarters of Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP) in Sulêmanî [Sulaimaniyah] city. Asayish Directorate of Sulêmanî has announced Tuesday dismantling two terrorist cells and the arrest of its elements. The head of protection and information device, Lahor Sheikh Jenki said in a press statement that “ one of the cells intended to blow up the headquarters of the political bureau of the KDP, led by Kurdistan Regions’ President, Massoud Barzani.

“The arrested groups are not linked to each other ", adding that " the first group known as Sarchinar Group of bombings does not have the experience but received instructions from the Islamic State in Iraq and Sham organization ISIS." "The second group, which intended to attack KDP headquarters and the headquarters of Asayish Directorate of Sulaimaniyah is experienced in similar acts and belongs to Ansar al-Sunna terrorist organization." Sheikh Jenki assured Kurdistan people in Sulaimaniyah province, in particular, that the security situation is stable in Sulaimaniyah, demanding residents to collaborate with Asayish forces. shafaaq.com

British International Standard Chartered Bank opens a branch in Erbil

Erbil: The British ambassador to Baghdad, Simon Collis announced on Wednesday opening a branch of British Standard Chartered Bank in Erbil in the third of March. Collis 's remarks came during a meeting yesterday with the president of the KRG, Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil, according to a statement from the prime ministry. Collis said that the goal of opening a branch is to assist Kurdistan Region in the banking system and banks. The PM of Kurdistan Nechirvan Barzani praised this initiative, declaring that Kurdistan Region welcomes such initiatives and is ready to provide all the facilities. The bank had opened a branch in the Iraqi capital Baghdad at the end of last November. shafaaq.com

Barzani assured on the Health Status of Talabani

Erbil: Presidency of Kurdistan Region announced on Tuesday 4 Feb. that the President of Kurdistan Massoud Barzani assured on the health of President Jalal Talabani in the German capital. A statement by the Presidency of the Region said today that Barzani reassured closely at the health state of President Jalal Talabani in the German capital Berlin on Tuesday, and expressed hope for his safety and recovery. The statement gave no further details. ninanews.com

Kurds warn of passing Iraqi budget by majority by including sanctions against Kurdistan

Baghdad: Kurdistan Alliance bloc in the parliament warned on Wednesday, from passing the financial budget for Iraq in 2014 by majority, noting that some of its clauses contains the imposition of sanctions on Kurdistan Region. New signs of a crisis between Baghdad and Erbil have emerged in Iraqi political scene after the Federal Cabinet passed 2014 budget to the parliament in a contrary manner to the desire of Kurds.

“The Kurds are convinced fully and completely that their observations on a number of paragraphs of the budget law are correct and legal, noting that the bloc will clarify it to the Iraqi people and adopt the Constitution as a reference to resolve all disputes,” the member of the bloc MP, Ashwaq Jaf said in a statement. She added that the most prominent points of contention in the budget law for 2014 is related to budget issues of Article 140, the budget items of Peshmerga and sanctions imposed on the region within the draft budget with respect to oil and gas file, considering it as " a dangerous precedent " in the federal states. Al-Jaff noted that Kurdistan Alliance is keen to proceed with the budget law and approve it...shafaaq.com

‘There is no trust between us,’ Peshmerga spokesman says about Baghdad

Erbil: “On a daily basis we have casualties,” said Jabar Yawar, spokesman of the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces, explaining that peace in the autonomous Kurdish enclave does not mean that the work of the Peshmerga is done. “In the disputed territories, which are some of the most dangerous places (in Iraq), every day there is a fight between the forces and the terrorists,” he said in an interview with Rudaw.

Yawar added that the Peshmerga are on their way to becoming “a national army,” instead of a divided force acting for one of the two major parties in Kurdistan. He said that the lack of training, and financing from the central government in Baghdad, were some of the major issues facing the Peshmerga. Yawar said "You could say there is no trust between us. If there was a strong bond between the Ministry of Defense in Iraq and the Ministry of Peshmerga in the KRG we could have shared operations between us, shared intelligence connections and so on. We do not work together."...rudaw.net

US examines budget issue between Baghdad and Kurdistan

Erbil: The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Finance has approached the U.S. Consulate in Erbil regarding the Iraqi Ministry of Finance and Central Bank’s refusal to lend the KRG the US$ 3 billion it requested in response to the central government not giving the KRG its 17% allocation of the budget. The Economic Affair representative of the U.S. Consulate in Erbil visited the Ministry of Finance and met with the Deputy Minister of Finance, Rashi Tahir. It is reported that the two discussed the money problem in KRG banks and the current issues between the KRG and the central government in Baghdad.

Tahir said “The central bank of Iraq has $80 billion in reserves, and based on the constitution, 17% of that should be in KRG banks, but the federal government is not abiding by this.” Tahir explained that 75% of the Iraqi Central Bank’s reserves come from oil revenues because oil is sold in dollars. The remaining 25% of reserves in the Central Bank, which do not come from oil revenues, are in Iraqi Dinar and amount to $80 billion. It is from the $80 billion that the central government is not giving the KRG its 17% allocation...basnews.com

Gorran wants the Board of Investment post in Kurdistan government

Sulêmanî:The Gorran (Change) Movement, which placed second in last September’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) parliamentary elections, has said they want the post of the head of the KRG’s board of investment in addition to posts in the Health, Finance, Planning and Interior Ministries. A source close to Gorran reported that the requests were made by Gorran delegates during the recent negotiations regarding the formation of the next Kurdish government. However, a Gorran official has reported that they haven’t given their candidate list for the posts to the KDP yet. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) held the post with the investment board for seven months and thus the post is unlikely to be given to the PUK again following the formation of the new cabinet...basnews.com

Most cancer patients in Kurdistan are smokers

Sulêmanî: 10,703 People Diagnosed with Cancer in the Kurdistan Region. In every 100,000 people in Sulêmanî, 96 are diagnosed with cancer, said Miran Muhamad, Slemani Health Directorate. Statistics demonstrate that the number of people living with cancer is rising in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. In 2013 alone, 1666 people were diagnosed with cancer.

“Smokers mostly get lung, bladder or blood cancer” Nawshirwan Makhmur, Cancer Specialist said in the press conference. “While those who drink alcohol are more likely to get pancreas cancer. Those who are obese, especially women, are more likely to get breast cancer” he explained. February 4, marked as World Cancer Day, the Sulêmanî Health Directorate announced in a press conference,

“In only ten years, 10,703 cancer patients have visited Hiwa Hospital.” The Slemani Hiwa Hospital for Cancer Treatment is an Oncology and Heatology specialist hospital, and it has played a major role in helping those who are diagnosed with cancer. Everyone in every part of Iraq can access the hospital. However, Najat Dosky, director of Hiwa Hospital stated that there is a lack of needed health services.

“We could not regularly provide some medicine for patients,” he said. It is also said that the current hospital is not suitable for cancer patients. But they have been promised by Sulêmanî Health Directorate that, “a new 120 bed hospital will soon be built and dedicated to Hiwa patients.” Recorded statistics of Cancer in the Kurdistan Region in the past seven years are as follows: * In 2007, 788 people got cancer. * In 2008, 1225, * In 2009, 1346, * In 2010, 1443, * In 2011, 1718, * In 2012, 1900, * In 2013, 2283. knnc.net

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency

http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/mi ... al1510.htm

[Anthea]

Qamishli (Qmişlo), Amude, Afrin - Hesekê (Hasaka) — Western Kurdistan (Syrian Kurdistan) aka Rojava (West)

Jazeera Canton in Syrian Kurdistan to establish new education system

Qamishli: Mihemed Salih Ebdo, President of the Education and Training Commission of the autonomous Jazeera [Cizîrê] Canton, said they would form a new program for a democratic education system in West Kurdistan [northern Syria]. Ebdo said it was a must to form a new education program in order for the elimination of the Ba'athist ideology and its replacement with a democratic mentality. Remarking that the present education system was grounded on a nationalist and chauvinist idology, Ebdo stated that the Ba'ath regime has never recognized the cultures, identities and literature of the people in the Syrian country. Ebdo underlined that the democratic Jazeera Canton reflected the mosaic in the region for involving all peoples and structures in the region in the organisation and building of the democratic autonomous government. Ebdo pointed out that the new system to be formed for the new education term will lend itself to the democratic autonomous system and answer the needs of all peoples in the cultural mosaic in the region that is currently going through a historic process. firatnews.com

Internet poll says PYD leader Salih Muslim best choice for leading Syrian Kurdistan

An internet poll conducted by Avesta Kurd said Syrian pro-Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) Leader Salih Muslim is the best person to lead the Syrian Kurds. Affiliated with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, the analytic news base asked its reader to choose the most ideal person, among eight persons, as Syria Kurds leader. According to the poll Muslim achieved 4430 votes of the whole 7536 votes. kurdpress.ir

The result of the poll is as follow:

1. Salih Muslim 4430 votes
2. Salah Badr al- Din 1562 votes
3. Hamid Haji Darwish 319 votes
4. Abdulhakim Bashar 288 votes
5. Sheikh Aali 220 votes
6. Abdulbaset Sieda 195 votes
7. Ibrahim Buru 135 votes
8. Mustafa Joma’a 42 votes
9. I don’t know 345 votes

Two Syrian Kurdish girls killed in Mosul

Mosul, Iraq: Two Syrian Kurdish refugee girls have been killed in Mosul, a city in Northern Iraq. Karwan Abdul-Karim, the head of Erbil’s police department, said that last Tuesday in Mosul a group of unknown gunmen kidnapped and killed two Kurdish Syrian refugees. The girls were reportedly living in Khabat, a town west of Erbil, but had gone to Mosul, where they were then killed. After the police found their bodies and identified them, they victim’s bodies were given back to their families. “The girls were in their twenties and came from Qamishlo in Syrian Kurdistan. They were shot in the head and chest,” Abdul-Karim said. This is not the first instance of Syrian refugees being murdered in Mosul. The police believe the killings are the work of an extremist group. basnews.com

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency

[Anthea]

Mariwan - Mehabad - Sanandaj (Sne) - Baneh - Saqiz - Paweh- Kermanshah - Urmiye (Orumiye), Nowsud, Sardasht, Bokan, [Eastern Kurdistan, Iranian Kurdistan]

A Kurdish political prisoner transferred to solitaries of Rajaei Shahr prison

A Kurdish prisoner of hall number 12 of Rajaei Shahr prison is transferred to solitary confinement. According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Samkou Khelghati, the Kurdish prisoner, who is been kept in hall number 12 of Rajaei Shahr prison was summoned for having visitors but he was transferred to solitary confinement of ward number 5 of the prison on January 30, 2014. An informed source said “The prison guards had had investigation in hall number 12 and Khelghati argued for repetitive investigation from his cell, on Saturday January 25. As a matter of fact he was summoned to guard’s room, in order to be transferred to solitary confinement but this faced political prisoner’s resistant and protest.

On Thursday January 30, authorities called Samkou Khelghati, align with other prisoners for having visitors, but then transferred him to solitary confinement.” The person who is behind all of these events is Mr. Bahraini. He who has transferred to Rajaei Shahr from Urmiye prison very recently, restricted political prisoners, closed the library and ordered for resumption of spread electromagnetic static. Khelghati was arrested in 2009 in Arak and transferred to ward 209 of Evin prison where he has been put under pressure to give a video recorded confession. He is charged on cooperation with Kurdish Democratic Party of Iraqn KDPI and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Bahraini was previously the head of security of Uremia prison and many times has beaten political prisoners, including Ahmad Tamouyi which caused severe injury on his nose and teeth. The political prisoner’s complains in Uremia is the reason that he was sent to Rajaei Shahr prison. His treatment is always more harsh with Kurdish political prisoners. hra-news.org

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency

[Anthea]

Sulêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Peshmerga: There are no talks between Erbil and Baghdad

Baghdad: The Ministry of Peshmerga in Kurdistan Regional Government said that Iraq's Federal Ministry of Defense did not request to send Kurdish troops towards the Hamrin area. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Peshmerga, Jabbar Yawar said in a press statement: "The Peshmerga forces are unrelated to the battles currently taking place between the army and ISIS in the Hamrin. And there is no any request by the Federal Ministry of Defense to us for the purpose of helping them in the fighting terrorists of ISIS." About the talks between Erbil and Baghdad, Yawar pointed out that negotiations and talks to resolve outstanding problems are stopped and did not make any progress. ninanews.com

Sulêmanî welcomes more than 10,000 Iraq's Arab refuges

Sulêmanî: Due to the ongoing instability in the Iraqi cities of Anbar and Ramadi, a large number of Arab families fled to Sulêmanî, Kurdistan region. Lt. Colonel Farhad Mohammad, a police officer in the Sulêmanî West-Asayish said, "Only in these two months, Sulêmanî received more than 10 thousand Arab citizens." "They entered through Banimaqan Check Point. 6923 of the refugees were male with 2734 female and 458 children, "Mohammad added. Mohammad highlighted the process of receiving the refugees and said, "Following the legal process of receiving the refugees, we will make sure where they are going to reside, in Sulêmanî or the towns around." As Banimaqan Check Point, located in Chamchamal, Amanj Mohammad, the mayor of Chamchamal said that even though the security regulations are very strict in the check point, but still their forces do their best to make things easier for the refugees. pukmedia.com

Next Sunday announced holiday in Kurdistan Region

Erbil: The Kurdistan Regional Government KRG announced next Sunday, February 9, 2014, as a formal holiday in Kurdistan region. KRG reported in a statement ”The Presidency of the Government announced the next Sunday as a holiday so the employees of the governmental institutions can receive their election cards.” Ekurd.net

Erbil International Airport sets new records

Erbil: Erbil International Airport continued to grow in 2013 as new milestones for passengers, cargo and aircraft movements were set. The airport broke through the one million passengers a year milestone in late October and in total 1,193, 783 passengers passed through the airport, a growth rate of 26%. June, 2013, broke new records for passenger handling with 122,028 passing through the airport. Since 2006, the average growth rate per annum is 28.2%. Cargo tonnage continued its rise with 38,572 tonnes processed, a 40.4% increase on 2012. Aircraft movement continued to rise also, with passenger movements up 35% and cargo movements up 29%. 2013 again underlined the role of EIA as an entry and departure point for Iraq, with 90.3% of passengers departing to, or arriving from, international destinations and only 9.7% travelling on domestic routes. The top three international destinations are : Turkey, 27.2%, UAE, 16.8% and Jordan, 8.5%. iraq-businessnews.com

Iran requests prisoner exchange from Iraqi Kurdistan

Erbil: A high level delegation from Iran recently traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan and asked the region’s authorities to hand back Iranian prisoners currently riding out sentences in Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) jails. The Tehran delegation also proposed to KRG authorities to send a special delegation to Iran so that they can gain experience in how to run prisons and treat prisoners. The Iranian delegation was headed by Syed Kazim Sajadi, General Director of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, and spent a week in the KRG visiting prisons. During their visits to the prisons they talked to Iranian prisoners and promised them that they would take them back to Iranian prisons. During a meeting with KRG Justice Minister Shirwan Haidari, the Iranians asked Haidari to hand them back their prisoners.

“There are currently more than one hundred Iranian prisoners in KRG prisons. Most of them were arrested on charges of drug trafficking and bringing fraud money in to the region,” said Abdulla Akrie, the KRG’s head coordinator with the Iranian Authorities and a member of the KRG delegation who met with the Iranian delegation. Akrie said there are about ten Kurdish prisoners who are currently locked behind bars in Iran, most of them arrested on drug trafficking charges...basnews.com

Kurdish KDP official says PYD a copy of Syria Baath party

Erbil: The Syrian pro- Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) is behaving like Syria ruling Baath Party and does not allow political activity of other Kurdish parties in the country, a member of Kurdistan Region’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) said. Ali Awni told Rudaw on Wednesday that PYD is a totalitarian party and cannot stand other parties in the Kurdish regions of the Syria. Syrian people are fighting President Bashar al- Assad “to get rid of a dictator but unfortunately PYD is creating a new dictatorship and making others to obey it,” Awani added. The remarks are a part of harsh blames PYD and KDP are trading in the recent months. Rudaw, affiliated with Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, repeatedly laments PYD activities in Syrian Kurdistan and the media affiliated with the Syrian party accuse Erbil government of interfering in Syria Kurds affairs. kurdpress.ir

In Kurdistan, imports rise as exports fall

Erbil: Imports to Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region continued to rise last year, while non-oil exports fell sharply, the Import & Export Union of Kurdistan Region (IEUK) said. Imports, measured monetarily, rose from 6.9 trillion Iraqi Dinars (ID) in 2012 to nearly 8.6 trillion ID last year, according to data from IEUK. It said that non-oil exports during the same period – measured in volume – fell from 1.1 million tons to only 88,671 tons. IEUK spokesman Bakhtiyar Mala Ahmed attributed the fall in exports to raw materials being used in domestic industries. “Leather, wool, plastic and metals were used in the domestic industries,” he said. The majority of Kurdistan’s exports are comprised of raw materials only, while imports range from fruits and vegetables to consumer goods and machinery. Experts say this indicates a great imbalance in trade, with the Kurdistan Region at a disadvantage because money that could be spent on domestically-produced goods leaves the region to pay for imports. Exports have reportedly been on a steady decline since 2010. “Importing goods that are more expensive when made locally has more harm than benefit. We have to develop our local industries,” said Arshad Taha, an economist...rudaw.net

Kurdish Artist Sardar Kestay holding his first American art show

Binghamton: A prominent Kurdish artist is holding his first American art show in Binghamton this month. "When The Body Speaks" is an exhibition of 30 recent canvases by Sardar Kestay. Kestay recently moved to Binghamton. His art has been displayed in Germany, Sweden, Egypt and his native Kurdistan. He typically paints the female body although his work has been growing more abstract. Through interpreter Ezzad Mustafa, Kestay says he finds it difficult to limit his color palette. "It goes back to my background growing up in a Kurdish family in Kurdistan. If you go inside our house, you will see everything is colorful. And that somehow affected me," said Kestay. Kestay's paintings are hanging at the Orazio Salati Gallery on State Street in Binghamton. And he'll be at an opening reception with his interpreter, Friday evening from 6 to 9 as part of the monthly Art Walk. binghamtonhomepage.com

Greek border police arrests Kurdish smuggler

Athens: A 26-year-old Kurd and a 54-year-old Greek have been arrested by the Greek Border Police for planning to transfer 25 illegal immigrants in a closed truck to Italy. The journey of the 25 illegal immigrants began yesterday at noon on the outskirts of Athens. Their destination was Igoumenitsa, 275 miles away from the Greek capital. From Igoumenitsa, the truck would board a ship bound for a port in Italy, but the Greek authorities arrested them in the late afternoon while they were still en-route to Igouminitsa. The illegal immigrants were from Somalia and the Kurdish areas of both Iran and Syria. As reported by the police, the illegal immigrants said that upon arrival at the Italian port, each would have to pay between 4,000 to 5,500 Euros to the smugglers. basnews.com

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency

[Anthea]

Sulêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

A Kurdish MP : The politicization of the security system behind the non-payment of salaries for the Peshmerga

Baghdad: Kurdish MP Shwan Mohamed Taha said " the politicization of the security system is behind the non-payment of salaries for the Peshmerga forces in Kurdistan region . Taha member of the Parliamentary Commission on Security and defense and member of Kurdistan Alliance attributed the non-payment of salaries of the Peshmerga by the federal government to "politicizing the security and defense system. He said in a statement "The issue of the federal government's refusal to pay the salaries of the Peshmerga forces related to the politicization of the security and defense system. ninanews.com

Baghdad allocates 7 million liters of kerosene and gas to Kurdistan region Baghdad: The Iraqi Cabinet decided to allocate 7 million liters of kerosene and gas for the Kurdish region. In a press statement, five million liters of kerosene and 2 million of gasoil were allocated to the Kurdish region, out of the ordinary allocations. It added that the allocations were given due to harsh winter times in the region. aswataliraq.info

Barzani's party proposes to create the second deputy president of Kurdistan Regional Government post

Erbil: Kurdish Gorran (Change) movement announced that the Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP headed by Massoud Barzani, suggested to create two post of Deputy President of Kurdistan Regional Government, the first assigned to Gorran movement , the second for the National Union of Kurdistan headed by President of the republic Jalal Talabani. A well informed source of Gorran in Erbil said in a statement "The movement is currently considering this proposal ," pointing out that "the movement claimed the post of vice- president of the region and the position of Speaker of Parliament, if the National Union of Kurdistan insisted on getting the post of vice-president of the government. The source added If the National Federation agree to get the post of second deputy prime minister , the political blocs may soon reach a solution to the crisis of the formation of the provincial government. ninanews.com

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency

http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/mi ... al1512.htm

[Anthea]

New NGO established in Iraqi Kurdistan to protect the rights of foreign worker‌s

The issues surrounding foreign workers are taken seriously by a new NGO in the Kurdistan Region. In a press conference, Hama Hazhar Mahmud, spokesperson of the organization, announced a new organization dedicated to preserving the rights of foreign workers.

Since 2003, the Kurdistan Region has opened to the world. This has helped many foreign companies come to the region and invest in many different fields. These companies have brought many workers. Yet, there are some companies that have brought foreign workers to the region illegally.

“Since 2009, 15,000 foreign workers have come to Kurdistan region,” Nzme Musa, of the Kurdistan Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs said. The workers mostly come from Iran, Syria, Turkey, Indonesia, the Philippines, Somalia, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.

So far, many NGOs have raised their concerns regarding the protection of these workers‌ rights. The NGO‌s also ask the government to issue special laws.

According to an article published in Al-Sumaria, “foreign workers in Kurdistan Region are being abused by their employers who pay no attention to their basic human rights, in addition to tough working conditions”, said Kurdistan‌'s Construction Employees‌ Association.

Although Massoud Barzani , the caretaker President of the Kurdistan Region, asked the Kurdistan‌ Parliament and Governmentwww.Ekurd.net to grant more services for the foreign workers through legislation of new laws and regulations, as there are still no such laws and regulations. However, as Mahmud said, “there is a legal gap to protect the rights of foreign workers.”

According to Mahmud, the establishment of the 'Foreign Workers‌' Intellectual and Protection Organization' will fill that gap, and from now on they will do their best to provide the rights of foreign workers.

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency, by Hawdang Kamal - KNN knnc.net

http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/mi ... te7732.htm

[Anthea]

No agreement reached between Erbil-Baghdad

A Kurdish delegation met Baghdad authorities concluded their visit without reaching any agreement on matters such as budget, oil and security.

A Kurdistan delegation met with Iraqi authorities in Baghdad to discuss issues regarding budget, oil as well as security matters, local media reported earlier today.

The meeting reportedly ended without any positive achievements. It has been said that Iraqi authorities will be waiting for a Kurdish delegation on Sunday to visit Baghdad before discussing the new budget.

Baghdad and Erbil have on-going struggle in dealing with issues such as the distribution of oil revenue, budget and security matters.

http://www.peyamner.com/English/PNAnews.aspx?ID=331796

[Anthea]

Obama and Erdogan Phone Call on Erbil-Baghdad Issues

TURKEY: Today, February 20, 2014, Barak Obama, President of the United States, had a call with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, discussing a range of bilateral and regional issues as well as terror question.

According to Anadolu News Agency, the presidents have also discussed Erbil-Bagdad issues on the KRG's oil exporting to Turkey.

"The President and Prime Minister discussed the importance of encouraging Baghdad and Erbil to find common ground on energy issues and supporting the agreement they achieve," quoted from The White House official website.

Also, part of the discussion went over the Syrian crises. Both agreed on the importance of the cooperation between the two countries, US and Turkey, on the terrorism case in Syria and on their continuous efforts to reach a political solution to the Syria conflicts.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18891

[Anthea]

Explosion Targets Arshad As-salihi

A bomb exploded near the convoy of Arshad As-salihi who is a member of the Iraqi parliament and head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front.

The explosion took place in Qasabkhana in the Mosalla neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon.

“There was a bomb planted near the side of the road and it exploded when Mr. As-salihi’s convoy was traveling by. One of his guards was injured in the explosion,” a source from the police told Kirkuk Now.

http://kirkuknow.com/english/index.php/ ... as-salihi/

[Anthea]

Head of PKK's Foreign Relations Denies any of Karayilan's Statements Regarding PUK



Damhat Agid, Head of PKK's Foreign Relations in an exclusive statement to Chawder News denies the false news reports posted on Bakhra al Kurd website about PUK in the name of Murat Karayilan, PKK's Military Commander.

Fshar News published, and then Bakhra al Kurd re-published, a statement in the name of Karayilan and his point of view about PUK's national stance towards the Kurdish Question in Western Kurdistan.

The Head of PKK's Foreign Relations condemned these false statements and said, "Karayilan has not given any statement to any media channel, and we do not know why and for what reason they published a false report."

Regarding the owners of the website and the political bloc they are biased toward, Agid said, "We do not have the knowledge of the owner of the website and who supports it, but publishing any fake report is against all the media etiquettes."

“This will only serve the enemies of Kurds,” Agid concluded.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18866

[Anthea]

US Senator Zakhem: President Talabani always demanded the well-being of his people

Today, February 22, 2014, Former US Ambassador in Bahrain and Current US senator Sam Zakhem and an accompanying delegation visited Halabja, where they were warmly welcomed by the city`s administration.

Later the US delegation visited the Halabja Martyrs` monument. In a statement to the media, Senator Zakhem stated: “It is a great honor to be here in Halabja. I am deeply depressed to see the evidence to the tragedy the people endured when I was an ambassador in Bahrain and you have my sympathy.”

The US Senator also emphasized President Jalal Talabani`s role in the political aspects in Iraq. Wishing him quick recovery he said, “I read President Talabani`s biography and I am truly impressed by the remarkable leader …. On his visitations, he always demanded help for the well-being of his people, and we always respected his demands.”

In the outline of his speech to the press, Senator Zakhem pledged he would try his best to persuade US officials to recognize Halabja`s bombardment and catastrophe as genocide.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18918

[Anthea]

2 Million Of Dollars for KRG's 2014 Tourism

Kurdistan Region: The Kurdistan Regional Government 'KRG' Tourism Committee has started the preparations for the 2014 travels and tourists.

Nader Rusty, the spokesman of the committee announced that KRG provides the amount of 2 million dollars for providing more services to meet the needs and wants of both, tourists and citizens.

Rusty in a statement told PUKmedia, "We had a number of meetings with all the KRG departments of tourism in Erbil, Sulaimani, and Duhok. The preparations have started with a great effort."

The spokesman also mentioned that there will be special flyers that guides the citizens and tourists as well as there will be Global Positioning System 'GPS' as previous years which provides all the knowledge the tourists need from their own cell phones.

On the unstable situations that KGR going through in terms of cutting the share of KRG budget in Baghdad and all the issues related, Rusty said that even if the crisis continue in the KRG, they still go with the preparations with the hope of receiving the budget soon and put all their efforts into the plans to be succeed.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18943