PUK Faction Leader: Iraq Needs Foreign Troops' Presence

PUKMEDIA

Harem Kamal Agha, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) faction in the Iraqi Parliament.

In an interview with PUKMEDIA, Harem Kamal Agha, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) faction in the Iraqi Parliament, emphasized the significance of foreign troops in Iraq. He also believes that resolving this matter should be achieved through dialogue and mutual comprehension.

The interview was as follows:

*When will the parliamentary recess end and sessions resume?

-The parliamentary recess ends on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. The faction leaders are scheduled to meet, particularly given the lack of a speaker in parliament. Despite having plenty of time to choose a speaker, the Sunnis have yet to do so. Until a speaker is appointed, the parliament cannot pass any legislation.

*What is the PUK faction's position on ending foreign troops' presence in Iraq?

- Foreign forces were deployed to Iraq to protect the country and defeat ISIS. Despite a political agreement to end the presence of foreign forces, the Iraqi government continues to face significant challenges in terms of national sovereignty, territorial and airspace protection, water concerns, diplomatic mission security, and other critical issues. As a result, our PUK faction is adamant that the cessation of foreign forces' mission in Iraq should be accomplished through dialogue, comprehension, and consensus, rather than drone attacks and public demonstrations.

*Doesn't the withdrawal of foreign troops provide an opportunity for ISIS terrorists to resurge in Iraq?

- International forces play a significant role in Iraq, providing spiritual and material support. Iraq has thus far been unable to resolve several critical issues. Iraq stands to benefit significantly from the presence of international forces. It is critical to remember that foreign forces overthrew the Iraqi regime (Ba'ath regime) and played an important role in combating terrorists while also establishing Iraq's strong political position in the region.

*When will the budget amendment be introduced in parliament?

- The initial action undertaken by the parliament is to designate a new speaker for the legislative body. Afterwards, the parliament can proceed to vote on projects that possess a national scope and are directly related to the welfare of the population. The revision of the budget legislation is undeniably important. Currently, a team from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is in Baghdad to address this issue, and so far, the parties involved have a good understanding. 

As Kurds, our primary concern is not the budget amount itself, but rather the implementation of the budget law and the inclusion of expenditure in the salary. Instead, we advocate for a change in budget legislation that clearly distinguishes between operational expenses and salaries. This would allow the KRG to repay loans without affecting its employees' salaries.

*Is the KRG delegation in Baghdad solely for the budget and salaries?

-Yes, the KRG delegation currently in Baghdad has begun to hold talks with the relevant parties regarding the issues of debt, oil exports, salary, and changes to the budget law. Positive results from these negotiations are what we hope for.

*Does the Peshmerga's presence in the contested areas matter?

- Indeed, the collaborative forces of the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army have made a significant contribution to the establishment of peace in the disputed regions, which deserves further consideration and recognition. Simultaneously, the implementation of Article 140 can bring more peace to the disputed areas by establishing a unified administration, collaborative efforts, combined forces, and shared borders. This will effectively address current security vulnerabilities while also eliminating any potential for terrorist activity.




PUKMEDIA