IRAQ: GOVERNING COUNCIL IN IRAQ CONFIRMS KURDS HAVE RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION, SAYS ERADICATION OF BA'ATH PARTY IS CRUCIAL.

Record ID: 648570

  • Title: IRAQ: GOVERNING COUNCIL IN IRAQ CONFIRMS KURDS HAVE RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION, SAYS ERADICATION OF BA'ATH PARTY IS CRUCIAL.
  • Date: 11th January 2004
  • Summary: (W5) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JANUARY 11, 2004) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) 1. LV: MEMBER OF THE IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL, AHMED AL-CHALABI, ENTERING THE CONFERENCE HALL 0.06 2. REPORTERS AT NEWS CONFERENCE 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MEMBER OF THE IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL, AHMED AL-CHALABI, SAYING: "We had a meeting in Saladdin. It was a successful meeting. We agreed on issues that will be put on law for the administration of the Iraqi state in the interim period, and these issues both safeguard the principle of federalism and address the fears of some of the Iraqi society about the effects of the federal structure towards the Iraqi people. We affirm the right of the Kurdish people to self-determination and the Kurdish leadership affirmed their choice, under this right, to remain in Iraq federal state." 3. REPORTERS ATTENDING CONFERENCE 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF THE IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL, AHMED CHALABI, SAYING: "I think that the restoration of life, the revitalisation of the economy and the restoration of security are reliant on the eradication of the Ba'ath party, because, as it was proved recently from the documents seized with Saddam Hussein, more than ninety per cent of the acts of terrorism, violence and economic sabotage are masterminded by senior Ba'ath party officials." 5. REPORTERS LEAVING THE HALL 1.42 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 26th January 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVA8CB6L8PLD5271ADBEOYFW4RW0
  • Story Text: Governing Council in Iraq confirms that Kurds have
    right to self-determination, says eradicating Ba'ath party
    crucial to security.



    Member of the Governing Council, Ahmed al-Chalabi
    said on Sunday (January 11) the Council was committed to
    its support of the Kurdish people in their right to
    self-determination.

    "We affirm the right of the Kurdish people to
    self-determination and the Kurdish leadership affirmed
    their choice, under this right, to remain in Iraq federal
    state," Chalabi told a press conference.

    Kurdish leaders Jalal Talabani and Massoud Barzani have
    already put forward draft legislation to the Governing
    Council demanding
    recognition of their position.

    The issue of self-determination has triggered a spate
    of bloodshed in the northern oil centre of Kirkuk, home to
    a Kurdish majority and a mix of Arabs and Turkmen. Seven
    people have been killed in inter-communal violence over the
    last two weeks there.

    Chalabi, who is also head of the Governing Council's
    De-Ba'athification Committee, said eradicating the Ba'ath
    party is important to regain security and re-start the
    economy in the country.

    "I think that the restoration of life, the
    revitalisation of the economy and the restoration of
    security are reliant on the eradication of the Ba'ath
    party, because, as it was proved recently from the
    documents seized with Saddam Hussein, more than ninety per
    cent of the acts of terrorism, violence and economic
    sabotage are masterminded by senior Ba'ath party
    officials," Chalabi told reporters.

    In May last year, U.S. Civilian Administrator for Iraq,
    L. Paul Bremer, issued a decree barring top-ranking Ba'ath
    Party members from any public position, a process now
    referred to as "de-Ba'athification" -- whether in
    universities, hospitals or minor government posts.

    Since then, ministries and government departments have
    seen a purging of dozens of Ba'athists.

    During the 34-year-rule of the Ba'ath Party, as many as
    1.5 million of Iraq's 24 million people were members. But
    only about 25,000 to 50,000 had full-fledged party
    positions -- the elite targeted by U.S. officials.



  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register