11/02/2010
Source: Aswat al-Iraq (9 February 2010)
London (KurdishMedia.com) 11 February 2010: In a live interview with the Arabic al-Jazeera channel on Feb 9th, 2010, the head of the ‘Movement for Change in Kurdistan’ or Gorran Nawshirwan Mustafa accused the two Kurdish parties of controlling all aspects of life in the region, indicating that the objectives of his movement are in line with hose advocated by the Kurdistani Alliance of KDP and PUK. Mr. Mustafa stated that they differ in the approach.
Mr. Mustafa indicated that the Change Movement and the Kurdistani Alliance of KDP and PUK share similar objective but stressed that Change Movement has disagreement with the approach of the Kurdistani Alliance. Mr. Mustafa also stated that the question of entering coalitions with other parties or lists is postponed to the post-elections period, which are scheduled to be held in March 7th, 2010.
On other grounds, Mr. Mustafa accused the Patriotic Unions of Kurdistan PUK led by Jalal Talabani and the Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP led by Masoud Barzani of controlling the levers of life in the region, but stressed that the Change Movement is working to undo the existing estrangement.
Mr. Mustafa added that a significant number of advocates and members of the Change Movement, especially in the Ministry of Peshmerga, ie Defence, and Interior, were dismissed from employment, as well as the transfer of a large number of the Movement’s advocates from the Ministry of Education. Mr. Mustafa said that others were subjected to harassments and assassination attempts, and stressed that his movement has not accused anyone but had submitted a complaint to the courts. Investigations are continuing, and they were promised by certain groups to defend their activists.
Mr. Mustafa further stated, “We have difference on many issues with the Kurdish political leaders, including government management,” because – he added, “the two parties control all aspects of life in Kurdistan, and there is a direct interference by them in the government affairs, universities, mosques and even the market. Therefore, we advocate the demarcation of parties from government.” Mr. Mustafa confirmed that there is “rampant administrative, financial and political corruption in Kurdistan region, and we are trying to put an end to it,” with a lack of transparency in the budget.
With regard to the recent monetary debate in the KRG parliament, Mr. Mustafa said it was the first time “the budget issue was sent to the parliament for discussion.”
And finally, Mr. Mustafa commented on the outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil. He said that problems related to the disputed areas “should be resolved according to the constitution.” With regard to the oil contracts, these matters, Mr. Mustafa said that “both sides must be transparent to solve them.”
