Saturday, December 17, 2005

Iraq Voter Turnout Estimated at 70 Percent, 1 Iraqi Soldier and 4 Iraqi Children Killed

Al-Jazeerah.info - Dalton,GA,USA... commission did not provide any figures on how many of Iraq's 15 million ... been some violations in Kirkuk," a northern city claimed by Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. ... continue

Power Fight in Kerkuk Spreads to Polls

By ERCAN GUN Published: Friday, December 16, 2005 zaman.com

While the Iraqis head to the polls for the third time this year, the early-morning voting was quite peaceful in northern city of Kerkuk (Kirkuk), where tension was mounting prior to the election. continue

Turkmen says NO to the oil exploration


Salman Mofak

There has been an oil exploration deal agreed between the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and the Norwegian DNO Oil Company. This exploration started to talk place in on November 2005 on the Border City of Zakho.

It is my understanding that no approval was obtained from the central government of Iraq. I am deeply concerned that this situation could become potentially explosive especially during the ethnic and sectarian tensions.

It is to my own and other Turkmen astonishment and outrage that such a deal could strike in light of this new draft constitution, which was approved in October 2005. Clearly the aim of the constitution is to involve all government parties in the formation of energy policy and to agree compensation for all areas of the country that were affected, deprived and damaged by the former regime.

Since the occupation of Iraq in 2003 all revenues generated by the KDP has been distributed away from the rest of Iraq, which goes totally against the remit of the constitution. In other words there is a power abuse by the Kurdish Militia generated by the absence of strong central government and the existence of occupation forces.

It is in my opinion and other Turkmen that the wealth generated in northern Iraq should be equally distributed throughout the whole of the country regardless of race or religion or ethnic background.

If it is the true intention of the DNO to help the Iraqi people then surely the exploration of oil should be made democratic process involving representation from all Iraqi fractions. In this way all of the needs of the Iraqi peoples can be met without prejudice and in total agreement with the new constitution.

The DNO’s action in the North of Iraq can be seen that it is treating and considering north of Iraq as a separate country and also encouraging the Kurds to implement their aspiration by ceding from Iraq and providing them with essential revenue and resources. The DNO’s action in the north of Iraq would be a major contribute factor to civil war.

As a result of this Norway would be considered in the eyes of the Iraqi people as occupied forces. Therefore that would be a great possibility that the position of the Norwegian government would be in jeopardy. This might expose the lives of the Norwegian subjects into danger.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Split Between Secular and Islamist Parties Is Seen in Election

By DEXTER FILKINS
Published: December 15, 2005
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 15 - Iraqi voters began streaming to the polls Thursday morning in nationwide elections as Iraqi leaders predicted that the vote would split almost evenly between secular and Islamist parties and usher in lengthy political maneuvering....continue

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Kirkuk braced for showdown as Iraq election looms


"We could lose Kirkuk," said Sadettin Ergec of the Iraqi Turkmen Front. "Kirkuk is a national treasure and we reject a referendum being held there only," he said on Tuesday. ..continue