ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq – North Iraq Kurdistan Region’s President, Massoud Barzani, has charged the opposition forces in Kuristan with “having exploited the demonstrations that took place in the Kurdish Sulaimaniya Province for their own interests.”
“This (Kurdistan) authority did not come to power by force, but got the majority of votes in the democratic elections that took place in 2009..
We welcome the existence of an opposition watching the activity of the government..
But the opposition parties want to exploit the current situation in Kurdistan to achieve their own interests only,” Barzani said in a speech on the anniversary of 11th March, 1971 manifesto that granted autonomy to the Kurds in northern Iraq.
The celebrations, that took place in Kurdistan Region on Friday, are also marking the 20th anniversary of the uprising that took place in Kurdistan against Iraq’s former ruling Baath Party in 1991.
“The ruling parties in Kurdistan had come to power through the elections ballots and we won’t leave power unless through the election ballots,” Barzani said, promising to carry out reforms in the Region’s government during the forthcoming four months.
Thousands of Arbil citizens took part in the celebrations that took place on Friday close to the city’s ancient fortress, carrying Kurdistan flags and the flags of the two main Kurdish ruling parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, as well as photos of Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani and Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani, the leaders of the two parties.
Noteworthy is that the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya and areas close to it have witnessed demonstrations since February 17th last, demanding political reforms, improvement of public services and putting an end to corruption.
ST / SKH