InfoAnda - AP Exclusive: UN suggests power-sharing for Kirkuk

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Academy streamlines process for Oscar winners | 10 February 2010
Business leaders urge more Japan-EU economic ties | 26 November 2008
Syrian tanks pound anti-Assad fighters for 2nd day | | 28 September 2011

Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John Guest Star On "Glee" Finale | 22 April 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : AP Exclusive: UN suggests power-sharing for Kirkuk

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: AP Exclusive: UN suggests power-sharing for Kirkuk By LARA JAKES,Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, March 30 KIRKUK, Iraq - Seeking to head off an explosion of ethnic violence, the United Nations will call for a power-sharing system of government for Iraq's deeply divided region of Kirkuk in the oil-rich north. ADVERTISEMENT A draft U.N. plan, outlined to The Associated Press by two Western officials, aims to defuse dangerous tensions. Kurds, a majority in the region, have been trying to wrest control from Arabs, Turkomen and other rival ethnic groups. If open warfare breaks out, it could jeopardize the U.S. goal of stability across Iraq before elections at year's end. Peaceful elections are critical to reducing the U.S. presence in Iraq, promised by President Barack Obama. The U.N. has played only a minor role in Iraq since 2003, when its Baghdad headquarters was destroyed by a truck bomb. Now, officials in Kirkuk say the U.N. efforts may be the last chance for a peaceful outcome. Without a resolution, "I think Kirkuk will be like a TNT barrel and explode and burn everybody," Iraqi parliament lawmaker Mohammed Mahdi Amin al-Bayati, a Turkoman, said in an interview this week. Deputy Gov. Rakan Saeed al-Jubouri, a Sunni Arab, agreed. "Violence is very easy to start in Iraq," he said in a separate interview. Slightly larger than Connecticut and dubbed by Saddam Hussein as Tamin province, Kirkuk is a land dotted with flaming smoke stacks on its oil fields and bustling markets. Its future hinges on whether its 1.3 million people will be run by Baghdad or by Irbil, the capital of the politically autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. Kurds make up an estimated 52 percent of Kirkuk's population. Arabs represent 35 percent. Turkomen, ethnic Turks with close ties to Turkey, make up about 12 percent. About 12,000 Christians live in Kirkuk. Kurds want the province to be wrapped into Kurdistan. Arabs and Turkomen vehemently oppose this. "You cannot give up the opinion of the majority and give a small group of people what they want just because they ask for it," said Sarteep Mohammad Hussein Kakai, a Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament. Deep suspicions among ethnic groups in Kirkuk are partially rooted in its past under Saddam Hussein. Tens of thousands of Kurds were killed, and more than 1,100 of their villages razed, under his Arabization program. Last December, a suicide bomber killed at least 55 people in a packed restaurant near Kirkuk where Kurdish and Arab leaders were trying to reconcile differences. The long-awaited U.N. report on Kirkuk will outline options for compromise, but "we are not pushing them into any particular direction," said spokeswoman Randa Jamal. A draft of the U.N. plan, according to two Western officials who have read it, offers five options. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not been finalized and they are not authorized to speak publicly about it. Three of the options in the draft likely will be dismissed immediately as too extreme or unworkable, the officials said. The remaining two are: _Making Kirkuk a "special status" province where both Iraq's Shiite-led central government and the Kurdish government in Irbil could have power. Final decisions would be left to provincial officials. The special status would likely last between three and 10 years, giving officials more time to figure out Kirkuk's final status. None of Iraq's 17 other provinces, including the three that make up Kurdistan, currently has such an agreement. _Making Kirkuk politically autonomous but still somewhat reliant on Baghdad for funding. This plan, favored by the Turkomen with political ties to Turkey, also would allow Kirkuk to collect revenue from federally owned North Oil Corp. refineries in the province. Details of the formulas are still being negotiated. Remaining sticking points include how jobs will be divided among each group, and when, and who can be counted as a legal resident among the 400,000 Kurds who moved to Kirkuk after Saddam's ouster. Arabs and Turkomen call them illegal squatters. "Ultimately, they need to come together to resolve this issue, because it's not going to get any prettier with time," said Howard Keegan, the State Department's top envoy in Kirkuk. Smoking Marlboros at his desk at the government building in downtown Kirkuk, Province Council chairman Rizgar Ali said he could accept a special status for Kirkuk _ but still tied to Kurdistan. He accused Arabs and Turkomen of stalling on an agreement. "You can't go on like this," Ali said. "This kind of thing killed Iraq." Saeed, the top-ranking Arab in Kirkuk, signaled he could support making Kirkuk autonomous. Anything connecting Kirkuk to Kurdistan would be rejected, however. "We will resist that by all means, because this will erase our identity," Saeed said. Ultimately, the dispute may be solved only if Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani personally agree to compromise. The U.S. has encouraged power-sharing in a country where Shiites dominate in the south, Sunnis in the west and Kurds in the far north. Bitter sectarian fighting and ethnic cleansing have deepened mistrust. In recent weeks Barzani has alleged that al-Maliki is drifting toward authoritarian rule. Al-Maliki says Iraq's central government is too weak, and that granting provinces too much power risks de-facto partition that would invite foreign meddling. Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. military leader in Iraq, said in a recent AP interview that "ultimately they have to solve this problem in Baghdad." And in a January visit to Kirkuk, Vice President Joe Biden told local leaders they had a year to show significant success in settling the dispute _ or potentially face it alone. "The Americans should understand we cannot guarantee there will not be a civil war when they leave," said Turkoman councilman Hassan Toran. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: World Israel says Hamas arms smuggling has resumedAP - 57 minutes ago US bank bailout fund down to $135 blnAFP - 58 minutes ago Troops and militiamen clash in BaghdadAFP - 1 hour 3 minutes ago Iraqi troops round up Sunni fighters in BaghdadAP - 1 hour 3 minutes ago It's time to green this old (White) House _ againAP - 1 hour 12 minutes ago Most Popular – World Viewed Hot tea linked with throat cancer Scientists see asteroid hurtle to Earth Pope 'publicly distorted' condom science: Lancet Tens of thousands march in G20 protests Soros sees risk of Britain needing IMF bailout View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Sunday, 29 March 2009
Afghan president welcomes U.S. strategy review | International |
G20 marches begin week of protests | International |
Spain may open torture probe of six Bush officials | International |
Nehru's great-grandson arrested over Muslim hate speech | International |
Clashes between Iraq forces and Sunni guards kill three | International |
After Putin, Russia's Medvedev flies warplane | International |
Israeli army disperses protest in West Bank town | International |
Asia dims the lights for Earth Hour | International |
Corsicans protest after murder verdict confirmed | International |
Madonna seeks to adopt baby girl Mercy in Malawi | Entertainment |
Cuba opens first big U.S. art exhibit since 1980s | Entertainment |
Bank of Japan begins 2-day policy board meeting
Israel official: Chances slim for prisoner swap
Kurdish rebel leader in Iraq vows not to disarm
Israeli army disperses protest in West Bank town
Tens of thousands march in G20 protests
Tension in Baghdad after arrest of Sunni leader
G8 to discuss 'human dimension' of crisis
Two killed as Baghdad police clash with anti-Qaeda group
Obama launches major economies climate forum
Clashes between Iraq forces and Sunni guards kill three
Most European countries back seal products embargo
Pakistan troops kill 26 militants in border zone
Discovery ends mission with successful landing
Relatives bury victims of Pakistan mosque bombing
Germany to buy stake in HRE: bank
Frigid North Dakota braces for record flood threat
Talks with Canadian auto union still deadlocked: Chrysler
Green light for Discovery to descend from orbit: NASA
Norway may back IMF with $4.5 bln: Strauss-Kahn
Antarctica to Pyramids _ lights dim for Earth Hour
Obama launches major economies climate forum
North Dakota: levee patrols amid record flood
Obama starts climate change forum for big economies
No more US dictating to Latin America: Biden
World switches off to save planet in "Earth Hour"
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,262
US takes new climate change agenda to global talks
Cold weather eases flood threat in North Dakota
Top Spanish judge mulls Guantanamo probe: reports
EU ministers seek to reassure Balkan nations
Irish minister confident of EU treaty 'yes' vote
Police station in NW China attacked: state media
Hong Kong teens build 'terror' bomb: police
Abu Sayyaf militants reject Filipino troop pullout
Esquire Japan to end publication amid recession
Afghan, Pakistani leaders praise new US strategy
SKoreans spend record sum on education
Drunken brawlers attack Chinese police, injuring 2
S.Korea ruling party mulls public fund body-Yonhap
Campaign kicks off for key Malaysia by-elections
China insists on financial system overhaul
Spy satellites spot nose of NKorea rocket: report
Costa Rica comptroller contests China contract
Malaysian socialists barred over 'clenched fist'
World looks to India to spur global economy: PM
Aus govt: opposition's China concerns 'absurd'
Scores still missing after Indonesian dam bursts
'High School Musical 3' wins at Kids Choice Awards
A new personality cult rises in Turkmenistan
Sharks pose Sydney food-chain puzzle
Easy economics through the eyes of nurse Helga
World switches off to save planet in Earth Hour | International |
Graffiti gets biggest global outing to date
Romania: living at the municipal dump
Kids' Choice Awards winners
Obama to seek NATO support for Afghan plan | International |
G20 marches begin week of protests in Europe | International |
Cuba holds first US art exhibit in 50 years
Indonesia dam death toll rises to 93: official
Japanese enka star performs at DC festival
North Korea may also launch mid-range missile: paper | International |
Despite sour economy, Miami music conference a hit
Mexico asks U.S. to resist temptation of protectionism | International |
Former Guyana President Janet Jagan dies at 88 | International |
Colombia rocked by father-daughter incest case | International |
Gates: Economic moves against Iran more effective
Arab summit to back Bashir, ease divide over Iran | International |
Erdogan's AK Party set to win in Turkish local vote
Iraqi forces encircle Sunni fighters after clash | International |
Taliban abduct 11 Pakistani policemen | International |
Gates says objectives in Afghanistan are narrowing
Madonna in Malawi for second adoption
Israel limits privileges of Hamas prisoners
Spain may decide Guantanamo probe this week | International |
US in spotlight as UN climate talks resume
Page Not Found |
AP Exclusive: UN suggests power-sharing for Kirkuk
Page Not Found |
One killed and seven wounded in Turkey vote violence
Hungary parties fail to pick new PM | International |
Troops and militiamen clash in Baghdad
Iraqi forces encircle Sunni fighters after clash
Obama team debuts at UN climate talks
US in spotlight as UN climate talks resume
Vexing computer worm to evolve on April Fool's Day
Prince performs three L.A. shows in one night | Entertainment |
Madonna in Malawi for new child adoption | Entertainment |
Scores still missing after Indonesian dam bursts
UN: Many Bangladesh children malnourished
Taliban abduct 11 Pakistani policemen
China-based network infiltrates computers
Filipino rebels warn US troops not to join combat
Seoul warns N. Korea over rocket launch
Popular snack in Myanmar tainted with chemical dye
Thai Airways to operate from one Bangkok airport
China on high alert in rural areas for child virus
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Madonna in Malawi for new child adoption
Prince performs three L.A. shows in one night
Chris Brown, Rihanna were no-shows at Kids' Choice
Indonesia's president campaigns in Aceh
Indonesian president woos voters in tense Aceh
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01