
The new political party founded last week has found some rivalries over who will become the secretary general, as well as their formal vision for the future of Kirkuk province. Those who split from the party have sued the others.
NPFKP while opening their main office...Photo Karwan Salhi
NPFKP while opening their main office...Photo Karwan Salhi
The new National Peace Federation for Kirkuk People (NPFKP) was announced last week and opened its main office on March 10, while it split up on the same day. Hundreds of Arabs, Turkmens, and Kurds attended the ceremony of opening of their main office, while seven founders boycotted the ceremony accusing the current secretary general of the party of ‘violating’ the party’s program.
The NPFKP temporarily appointed Sami Jaff as the secretary general, but while he went abroad, the party appointed a new secretary. Jaff rejects the party’s appointment. Hemn Barzinji, the new secretary general of the party says, “We appointed Sami Jaff temporarily. I gained a majority in an election but they do not accept it.”
Sami Jaff said, “I was abroad for a visit. When I came back they told me and that the election was held and that I wasn’t elected, while they brought some people from outside.”
Those who left the party...Photo Karwan Salhi
Those who left the party...Photo Karwan Salhi
Barzinji, the new secretary held a press conference last week saying their party is against the implementation of Article 140 and demands making an independent region out of their province, remarks that enraged many leading figures of the party.
Those who split from the party sued Hemin Barzinji, saying they are the real owners of the party. Sami Jaff said, “We are not against implementing Article 140, and we did not demand making Kirkuk an independent region. That’s why we sued Hemin Barzinji.”
Hemin Barzinji, the new secretary generalJamal Tahir, Chief of the Kirkuk Police confirmed the lawsuit saying, “They have sued him in Qoriya Police station, which will be sent to the court from there. We are waiting for the court’s decision.” He added, “The party does not have legal permission yet.”
The party appointed nine members as the founders, while seven of them are with Sami Jaff right now. The seven members informed the Kurdish ruling parties of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) about their defection from the party. Some
Hemin Barzinji, the new secretary general
Hemin Barzinji, the new secretary general
rumors mention intervention in the policies of the party through bribery, in order to make problems for the new entity.
Barzinji talked about their financial source, “We live on our purses. No one supports us financially.”
Hemn Nuradin Barznji, the leader of the NPFKP held a press conference saying their entity is formed from all different factions and is only striving to attain social justice, equality and is against all the sorts of violence from ethnic to religious. Barznjir said, “Our entity believes in a federal system for Iraq.” He urged the Kirkuk Provincial Council to announce an independent region for Kirkuk.
The entity also calls for a fair distribution of power among all the factions and asks for the release of ‘innocent prisoners’ while asking for their compensation. They urge an equality of duty among Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, and Christians.
What enraged the Kurdish parties was Barzinji’s claim that the new party is against the implementation of Article 140 to decide on the fate of the disputed areas and his demand for fair elections in order to make Kirkuk an independent region.
Short URL:
http://kirkuknow.com/english/?p=8532