MESOP : BARHAM AFTER HOSHYAR ? – Kurds Want to Retain Iraqi Foreign Minister Post

30.08.2014 – Diyar Aziz – BasNews, Baghdad – A Kurdish MP in Baghdad has said that the Kurds want to keep the post of Iraqi Foreign Minister. If refused they will ask for the post of either Finance or Oil Minister. “So far, Kurdish issues with the Shiite National Alliance have not been about positions within the government, rather disputes between Erbil and Baghdad. If an agreement can be reached over these disputes, we will immediately present their own candidates for cabinet positions,” Kurdish MP Arez Abdullah said to BasNews on August 30.

Abdullah explained that based on the results of the Kurdish parties in the election, the post of Deputy Prime Minister, an important ministerial post and three services and infrastructure ministerial positions should be given to Kurdish MPs.“Among the important ministerial posts, we will ask for Foreign Minister. If they don’t give us that we will ask for either Finance or Oil Minister,” added Abdullah.

Rebwar Taha, another Kurdish MP in Baghdad said, “On August 29, newly nominated Iraqi PM Haidar Abadi asked for the names of the nominations for the ministry posts.  Kurds will make their nominations within the next two days.” Taha reiterated that a high level ministry post was acquired by the Kurdish Alliance as a result of the election. The name of a Kurdish candidate for the position of Deputy PM will also be put forward.Furthermore, BasNews has learned that among the Kurdish candidate for Iraqi foreign Minister is senior PUK official Barham Salih.