MESOP LATEST : Barzani independence threats deepen rifts: Shahristani
23-4-2014 – Kurdpress – The Iraqi Deputy PM for Energy Affairs Hussein al-Shahristani lashed out at recent Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani’s threats that the self-ruling enclave will declare its independence from Iraq.
“Kurdistan Region President’s threats and establishing a confedralism is impossible to come true. The treats not only do not help passing behind the current crisis but it will also deepen rifts,” Shahristani said, adding that negotiation and dialogue are the ways to solve disputes between Baghdad and Erbil governments over oil and gas law and 2014 budget as well as some other issues. He went on to say that the threats will only make problems for the region’s citizens in the neighboring countries. Kurdistan Region oil belongs to all Iraqis as it is a national capital just like Basra oil and other oil-rich regions in Iraq. He once again reiterated Erbil should export its oil through the Iraqi oil company of SOMO, asking the region to accomplish its decision to export 100000 barrels of oil per day.