The only English paper in Iraq - No: 537 Mon. June 06, 2016

From the Heart of Kurdistan Region

PRES

S PH

OTO

PM Barzani: Kurdistan has strong potentials

for a bright future

The Kurdish Globe 2No. 537, Monday, June 06, 2016

EXECUTIVE EDITORGazi Hassan +964 750 7747784

gazihassan2013@gmail.com

www.kurdishGlobe.net

Address: Erbil, Massif road

Weekly paper printed in Erbil First published in 2005

Senior U.K. EditorBashdar Pusho Ismaeelbashdar@hotmail.com

Zakaria Muhammed zakaria.kurdishglobe@gmail.com +964 750 475 3897

Salih Waladbagi salihas2006@gmail.com +964 750 4912996

STAFF WRITERS

ARTS EDITORDiyaco Qayoumy +964 750 4036252

diyaco.kurdishGlobe@gmail.com

ReviserJ. Watt

There’s a common saying in Kurdistan that says that most consider politics as simply lies or jokes. Before the uprising, most regarded the political arena as a disaster. After the uprising, politttics has become poisoned with personal interest, wealth, and gaining higher rank. Economic interests, psychological perceptttion, and other roles have certttainly defined politics at various phases as well—forget not that during the armed struggle the polttitic powers had no money and no land (hence no money) but were still functional schools for rising up political personalities.

After the uprising, the political process and the measure of its progress have changed greatly. Would is the greatest measure of success for secular and demottcratic parties—positions and job post or the Kurdish struggle? What is the greatest measure of success for the Islamic parties when you have a faith that judges good deeds and yet are stuck perttpetually in a political system of lies? The Islamic parties operate under two dissimilar principles: isolation from daily political afttfairs and adherence to Sharia law. Meanwhile they are trying to adttjust to modernity.

When politics becomes a game of achieving social gains (as has been in the past when many parttties were created just for making a living) we must adjust our systttem.

Another common saying that parties have been turned into fields for raising people, which means that the political goal of many parties has changed into a selftpreserving means of corrupt making a living. The Islamic parttties, pointing to dogma and the Qu’ran as a constitution for rultting and supposedly islamisizing society seek making a living as a primary end. Yet the secular parties have given up real public

for the welfare of the people and have instead become selftmotittvated, making a living off of peottple. The prominent leaders and the elite are doing politics, but the majority of the parties’ members are not busy thinking about politttics—rather their own business of paying their bills.

There’s another common saytting that thinks parties have been turned into fields for raising peoptple. That means the political goal of the party has changed into a social aim, economic and maktting a living. The Islamic parties, among dogma and returning to the holy script and using it as an constitution for ruling the society, prefer living themselves first, in addition to all claims of islamisatttion of the community. The secuttlar parties on the other hand have given up the public politics and turned into social and economic parties, because their main goal has become making a living of people. So it is possible to call this process nontpolitical party. The prominent leaders and the elite are doing politics, but majorttity of parties’ members are not as quarter much busy thinking about politics and political developttment as they with daily life and business.

This all implies that the current parties aren’t very political after all. Their goals have changed. This is why Kurds everywhere are talking about politics. Yet when the populace is talking politics what are the parties for? Some of the parties think little of the issues of the common man—but only their own interests, denying others, and hindering the real pottlitical process. The first thing forpteigners coming to Kurdistan hear about is politics. But, pressed furttther, the first thing he or she acpttually hears about is the political parties bickering and fighting one another on the media. This isn’t political anymore at all.

The Parties Who Left Politics

ADVERTISEMENTrojgar84@gmail.com Cell: +964 750 4661315

By | Gazi Hassan

On June 2, the U.S. Consulttate General in Erbil hosted distinguished guests includtting IKR President Massoud Barzani for a celebration of the two hundred and fortieth Independence Day of the United States of America. Ambassador Stuart Jones and Consul General Matttthias Mitman welcomed the crowd, which included offipt

cials from the Kurdistan Rettgional Government, military and security officials, busiptness, cultural and civil socittety leaders and members of the diplomatic community. In his remarks, Ambassattdor Jones highlighted the strong U.S.tIraqi partnerttship, including the recently announced additional $415 million in assistance to

the Peshmerga in the fight against Da’esh. The Amttbassador also honored those who have lost their lives in the conflict, including Masptter Sergeant Josh Wheeler, Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Charles Keating IV, and Staff Sergeant Louis Cardin, and over 1,450 brave Peshmerga.

U.S. Consulate General Celebrates 240th Independence Day

KRG Responds to Rouhani’s Statement

After the Iranian President Hasan Rouhani stated on Tuesday that Iran has saved “Baghdad and Erbil” from falling into the hands of the Islamic State (IS), Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) responded to the claim, saying that Erbil was saved by the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

While visiting the Kurdish cities of Western Azerbaijan province, Rouhani said in a

speech in Mahabad that Iran is playing a significant role in the region, and it has saved “Baghdad and Erbil” from being seized by the IS militttants.

KRG Spokesperson Safin Dizayee, in response to Routthani’s claim, said that Kurdttistan Region is grateful for every support it has so far received from Iran and interttnational coalition, “but it was

the Peshmerga forces and volunteers from Erbil fought on the forefront when IS attttacked Khabat district on the outskirt of Erbil.”

Dizayee, however, highttlighted the role of the Irattnian military support and the UStled coalition airstrikes for their contribution to the war on IS, stressing out that Kurdistan Region is defended by the Peshmerga forces.

It was the Peshmerga forces who saved Erbil from IS attacks, says KRG Spokesperson

The Kurdish Globe No. 537, Monday, June 06, 2016 3

Barzani Gives New Instructions to Peshmerga Forces

Masoud Barzani, the Kurdistan Region Presittdent, has asked Peshmerttga forces to make tactical and thoughtful movettments while advancing towards the territories held by Islamic State (IS) in order to liberate vast areas with the least damttage.

The general commander in Bashiqa frontline said on June 1, that Barzani is carefully dealing with the fight against IS and has given Peshmerga forces new military instructttions on how to conduct welltplanned offensives against IS militants to recapture large swathes of IStheld areas with less effort and the least damttage.

Hameed Afandi, the Peshmerga Commander in Bashiqa frontline, also noted that the distance between Peshmerga positttions and IS militants is too short as it is only half a kilometre in some areas, and Peshmerga will make further advance to recapttture more areas from IS.

On Sunaday, May 29, 2016, Peshmerga forces, in collaboration with UStled international coalition

warplanes, conducted a largetscale offensive against IS near Khazir in the north east of Mosul and managed to reclaim over 10 villages in the area.

Barzani Meets with Syrian National

Coalition in Erbil

Kurdistan Region Presittdent Masoud Barzani rett

ceived on Tuesday Anas Abdah, the president of the Syrian National Cottalition, and his accomttpanying delegation, to discuss the latest political and security situations in the region.

Abdah thanked Kurdistttan Regional Government (KRG) for hosting a large number of Syrian refuttgees who have fled the Isptlamic State (IS) rampage at home.

He stressed out that Kurdistan Region, as one of the most secure and stable regions in the Midttdle East, can play a stratttegic role in settling down the conflicts going on in Syria and Iraq, according to a statement released by Kurdistan Region Presittdency's website.

Barzani reiterated that Kurdistan Region is ready to contribute to the efforts which aim to settle down

the situation in Syria. He explained that violence and conflicts in Syria will certainly have strong imttpacts on Kurdistan Rettgion and Iraq.

The guests also briefed Barzani on the recent UNtbrokered truce in Syria, and the Geneva talks.

Barzani Participates in US Independence

Day Ceremony

Massoud Barzani, Presittdent of Kurdistan Region participated at the certtemony of the anniversary of the Declaration of Inttdependence of the United States of America in Erbil on June 6.

The ceremony, which was organized by the Consulate General of the United States of America in Rotana Erbil Hotel, was attended by a large number of politicians, security officials and adptministrators in the Kurdttistan Region, representatttives of foreign countries and a number of media and civil society organittzations.

At first the Consul General gave a welcomtting speech in which he thanked President Barttzani for attending the certtemony.

Then the US ambassattdor to Iraq, Stuart Jones talked about the history of the United States and its independence. He also highlighted the partnerttship and alliance between his country and the Kurdttistan Region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) anttnounced a plan for reform during a conference on the economic crisis last Monday, May 30, 2016.

The KRG said the rettform plan, with the assistttance of the World Bank, will take three years.

KRG Prime Ministtter Nechirvan Barzani discussed the causes of the economic crisis in a speech during the conferttence.

“The reasons behind the economic crisis are the arttrival of the Islamic State (ISIS) and the arrival of the displaced people and refugees in Kurdistan,” Barzani said. “The poputtlation of Kurdistan has increased by 28 percent. The share of the budget was cut off by Baghdad in 2014.”

“The most significant factor which affected

our economy was the decrease in the price of petrol,” he added. “The Kurdistan Region is gotting through a difficult experience; this situation will make us stronger.”

Barzani also spoke of the recent decision by G7 leaders over an Interttnational Monetary Fund (IMF) issued to Iraq to help the nation deal with the economic crisis.

“We are pleased with the G7 decision made in Japan three days ago to give the Kurdistan Rettgion a part of the loan the Iraqi government received from the Interttnational Monetary Fund (IMF) and we will enttgage the construction of the loan,” the prime minttister said.

At the end of his speech, the KRG prime minister spoke on relations betttween Erbil and Baghdad

and said he hopes they will reach an agreement.

“We hope to reach a sott

lution to the political crittsis in Iraq,” Barzani said.

Barzani sent a message

of condolence to the famttilies of Peshmerga killed in battle and wished for a

quick recovery to injured Peshmerga.

KRG announces three-year reform plan at economic conference

The Kurdish Globe No. 537, Monday, June 06, 2016 4

Prime Minister Barzani attends Italy’s National Day ceremony

Prime Minister Nechirttvan Barzani last Monday attended Italy’s National Day ceremony held by the Italian consulate at the anttcient Citadel of Erbil.

In a speech at the certtemony, Ms. Alessandra di Pippo, Italy’s Consul to Erbil said her country’s consulate is proud to be the first foreign mission representation in Kurdttistan Region to mark its national day at the ancient Erbil citadel.

She highlighted her country’s cooperation with the Kurdistan Region in various fields, reiteratpting Italy’s support in the war against terrorism.

The ceremony was also attended by Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister,

Qubad Talabani, a number of KRG senior officials, Italian ambassador to Iraq Marco Carnelos, and a number of representatives of foreign missions in the Kurdistan Region.

In a speech on behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Minister Falah Mustafa, head of the KRG Department of Fortteign Relations congratuttlated the Italian people and Government on the occasion of this day

He expressed his gratitttude for the aid provided by Italy, particularly in the Kurdistan Region’s war against terrorism, hoping for further consolidation of bilateral relations.

Mirani Meets Syrian KDP DelegationKurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) politburo secretary Fazil Mirani delttegation headed by from Kurdistan Democratic Party in Syria last week.

The meeting was attendtted by several KDP politttburo members including Azad Barwari, Mahmud Mohammed and Ramzi Shaaban.

During the meeting Mittrani warmly welcomed the delegation the latest vicory of pehsmerga forces over Islamic State (ISIS) fightpters and the crucial role President of Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani is playing in the political process in the area.

The Syrian KDP delttegation expressed their

gratitude to the Kurdistttan Region of Iraq for the provision of a safe haven not only for people of the region but for hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria.

Mirani also reiterated his party's support for the Kurds in Syria. He hoped Kurds in Syria will come out of the current crisis.

Several Iranian officers are involved in the Iraqi army offensive against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Fallujah in an advising and commanding capacttity, according to reporttters, while local troops complain of little support they have received from the international coalitttion.

“Several Iranian militttary officers have participtpated in Saqlawiyah fight alongside the Shiite mittlitia known as Hashd al Shaabi,” reported a local journalist.

Hassan who has been covering the battle for Fallujah since its launch more than a week ago that the Iranian officers “have played a good role in managing the fight,”

Iranian military advittsors, chief among them, Quds forces commander Qassem Soleimani, have commanded Shiite mittlitia men against ISIS in

the last two years parttticularly in Diyala and

Tikrit.Iranian military offipt

cials have also boasted in the past that they saved

the Iraqi capital Baghdad from falling to ISIS in the

summer of 2014.Shiite militiamen known

as Hashd altShaabi who have fought alongside government forces in the last two years, said that they have received very little support from the international coalition in recent months especially in the ongoing Fallujah operation.

On the situation of cittvilians who have fled Fallujah and settled in Amiriyah camp, our correspondent said that “they live in very poor conditions and the militttiamen have taken some of their family members to unknown locations,”

The Norwegian Refuttgee Council (NRC) estittmates that a mere 3,000 people have managed to escape Fallujah while 50,000 more civilians are believed to be trapped inttside the city with no way out.

Iranian military officers managing the Fallujah operation

No. 537, Monday, June 06, 2016 5The Kurdish Globe

Kurdistan Security Council Arrests Terrorist GroupThe Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) announced, in a released statement, today, June 1, the arrest of a terrorist group involved in plotting many terrorist attacks in Kirkuk.

The terrorist group has admitted that they were involved in many violent attacks in Kirkuk provttince, including the car bomb attack in front of Jannat altIraq restaurant in Tuz southern Kirkuk on May 5, 2014. The group

moreover conducted two other terror attacks using car bombs on February 10, 2016 and March 10, 2016 in Kirkuk.

The two terrorists, Tariq Habib Mohamed Abdulttlah altZubaidi and Shatthab Ahmed Lafta Mukhttlif altObaidi, admitted that they murdered Faiq Fakhri Raghiyan, the imam of AhltSafa mosque in Kirkuk on his way to mosque on April 15, 2016.

Watban Mohamed

Khalaf Sulayman altJattbouri, another member of the terrorist group, was a lawyer and he was defendtting the case of prisoners convicted of terror charges and he was able to release two terrorists in an illegal procedure and then they went to Hawija to join Isttlamic State (IS).

Jasim Ahmed Mohamed altObaidi, who was also a member of the group, was trained by IS on militttary activities and collecttting intelligence in Hawija

and Riyaz near Kirkuk was designated by IS to collaborate with Watban in gathering information about the imprisoned terttrorists in Kirkuk.

The group was arrested by KRSC forces in an operation while the group was preparing for a deadly terror attack, and many arms and amounts of TNT and other explosives, bettlonging to the group, were also seized in the operatttion.

Christians in the Kurdistttan Region will particittpate in the independence referendum and hope for autonomy if Kurdistan becomes an independent state, said a Christian ofttficial on Saturday.

Kurdish officials in the Kurdistan Region have brought the option of an independence referttendum to the table. Acttcording to the President of Kurdistan Masoud Barzani, a referendum will be held by the end of 2016.

Christians, as one of the religious groups in the Kurdistan Region, have expressed their support for the referendum and hope for autonomy withttin the state of Kurdistan in the future.

“We support the reftterendum, and we also have a plan for posttinttdependence in Kurdistttan,” Romio Hakkari, the SecretarytGeneral of the Assyrian Bet altNahrain Party, said

“We hope, and we are almost sure that Asttsyrians, Chaldeans and Turkmen people in the Kurdistan Region will have the right to autonottmy in the constitution of

Kurdistan as a state in the future,” Hakkari said.

According to Khalid Jamal Albert, director of the Kurdistan Region’s office of Christian affairs, the number of Christians in the Kurdistan Region is estimated to be around 300,000 – 350,000 peottple. Many of them fled from other parts of Iraq to the Region following the emergence of the Isttlamic State (IS) in northttern Iraq in June 2014.

Maria Jameel, a Christttian citizen who resides in Ainkawa district of Erttbil Province, told Kurdistttan24 that she supports a Kurdish referendum and called on other Christian citizens not to miss this “golden” opportunity.

“I support the indettpendence referendum,” Jameel said. “Christians will gain more if they bettcome part of an indepenttdent Kurdistan.”

She hoped the Christttians in the Region would calculate the advantages of Kurdistan becoming a state.

Jameel stated that Christttians have not gained much in being part of Iraq. “Tens of thousands of Christian people have

been displaced in the last few years in Iraq. Christttians feel safer and more secure in the Kurdistan Region rather than Iraq.”

“In Iraq, we are the mitt

nority, but in the Kurdttistan Region, we are not considered as such,” she added.

On Dec. 25, 2015, the Prime Minister of the

Kurdistan Region Nechirttvan Barzani participated in Christmas celebrations in the Assyrian Church located in Ainkawa and stated, “Christians are an

indigenous people in the Kurdistan Region and are not considered a mittnority.”

Christians Support Referendum in Kurdistan

The disputes that exist between Kirkuk’s varied ethnic groups are evident when discussing the issue of the city’s future. Turkttmen say they support an independent region for the city within Iraq. Kurds rettject this idea, believing it would escalate tensions between elements living there.

"We believe Kirkuk should become an indettpendent region, and later a referendum could be held in the city," Riyaz Sari Katt

hiya, a Turkmen lawmaker in Kirkuk, told Rudaw.

For such a move, Kahiya believes, "the first step towards this plan should be the restoration of trust between different groups and political parties in the city." He believes that process would take at least eight years.

"We find it necessary to have an independent rettgion for Kirkuk, but only for eight years, and then it is going to possible to hold a referendum in this

city. After the eight years, the people can decide their fate on whether to stay with Baghdad or join Kurdistan, or stay as an inttdependent region forever," he noted.

Kahiya, the Turkmen ofttficial in Kirkuk, accused Kurds of dominating pottsitions of authority in the city for their own benefit, and proposed that an indettpendent region for Kirkuk would resolve such isttsues.

"Kirkuk has deeply roottt

ed historical problems. For 60 years now, Kirkuk has been going through an unnatural and abnormal situation. There have been rivalries between Kurdish political movements and the central governments in the city."

"These rivalries have negatively impacted the people of Kirkuk... During [Saddam Hussein]'s rule, Kirkuk’s demography was changed when hundreds of our Arab brothers were brought in to Kirkuk to

Arabize the city and evict Kurds and Turkmen from the city."

But, "After Saddam was toppled, Kurdish political parties repeated the same policy to dominate Kirkuk. They brought in around a half million Kurds to Kirkuk, while the expelled Kurds from the city was not a quarter of this numttber they brought in later. In the meantime, Kurdish parties dominated the city and confiscated power and marginalized the Turktt

men," said Kahiya, adding "that led to escalating rows and severing trust between elements of Kirkuk."

The Turkmen official added that, in spite of all these things done over generations in Kirkuk, "Turkmen parties call for a suitable resolution to make Kirkuk a realistic partnership region betttween Kurds, Turkmen and other elements in the city."

Kirkuk Turkmen Want People Decide on Kirkuk Future

The Kurdish Globe No. 537, Monday, June 06, 2016 6

BCF Assists Over Thousand of Refugee Families

The Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) jointly with Kuwait’s Red Crescent Organittzation provided food boxes to 1948 refugee families in Soran town in Erbil province.

On Wednesday May 25th, a special team from Barzani Charity Foundation with the support Kuwait’s Red Crescent organizatttion distributed foods and other aid to 1948 Iraqi IDP families in Soran town, north of Erbil province.

The food aid included; rice, olive, tottmato sauce, salt, sugar, tea, milk and other needs.

This is a joint campaign between Barttzani Charity Foundation and Kuwait’s Red Crescent Organization, which aims to prottvide aid to all refugees across Kurdistan Region refugee camps.

Iranian Officers Managing Fallujah Operation

Several Iranian officers are involved in the Iraqi army offensive against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Fallujah in an advising and commanding capacity, according to Ruttdaw’s frontline correspondent, while local troops complain of little support they have received from the international coalition.

“Several Iranian military officers have participated in Saqlawiyah fight alongside the Shiite militia known as Hashd al Shaattbi,” reported Rudaw correspondent Bahttman Hassan outside Fallujah.

Hassan who has been covering the battle for Fallujah since its launch more than a week ago that the Iranian officers “have played a good role in managing the fight,”

Iranian military advisors, chief among them, Quds forces commander Qassem Soleimani, have commanded Shiite militia men against ISIS in the last two years parttticularly in Diyala and Tikrit.

Civilians Continue to Flee Falluja

Around 3,700 people (624 families) have fled Falluja over the past week, since the new offensive by Iraqi forces to retake the city began, according to figures provided by authorities. Many of these people (about 1,300) are staying in the altIraq camp in the Ameriyat al –Falluja district, where UNttHCR is working.

Others are scattered in one of several othtter governmenttrun camps in the district or staying with relatives. Iraqi forces are helptting to transport families escaping the city, and have set up a hotline (195) to provide information to people wanting to leave.

Protesters Demand Reform in Fresh Baghdad Demo

Around 1,000 demonstrators gathered in central Baghdad today to demand an end to corruption and a government reshuffle, in the latest in a long string of weekly protests.

Unlike the previous week, no violence erupted between the massive deployment of security forces and the protesters, most of whom are supporters of cleric Moqtada altSadr.

"We must keep up the pressure, this is the only way of getting the intended result: endtting corruption and giving Iraq back to Iraqis," said Ali Chasseb, a taxi driver who came from the southern town of Amara for the protest.

NEWS BAR

Based on the resuls of the last meeting of the Organittzation of the Petroleum Exttporting Countries (OPEC), I ask: Is OPEC still a lead player in the global oil inttdustry or is it the relic of a once powerful organization that held sway over the enttergy market.

OPEC met in Vienna with the hopes of reaching an agreement over limits on the production of crude oil—which would in turn

raise the price. But again, its members failed to reach an agreement. This lack of consensus has become the norm for OPEC. Each memttber country has its own oil agenda, which many see as a weakness of the organizatttion. Iran wants to increase its production to compenttsate for its many years of economic sanctions. Saudi Arabia wants to drive out competitors by pumping more oil into the already saturated market. Smaller

members are desperate to produce more oil to finance their faltering economies since the fall of crude oil prices.

The only good from the event was Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister Khalid Al Falih's comment that Saudi Arabia is not going to cause a probttlem in the market. What he means is that Saudi Arabia is not going to drown the market with supply and cause a large decrease in the price of crude oil.

The failure of OPEC members to sign a productttion cap agreement should have caused a drop in the price of crude oil price, but it didn't. Prices held steady at just over $50 per barrel. This organization has bettcome ineffective at actually affecting prices on the globttal oil market that this may be the final nail in the coffin for OPEC.

swara7kadir@aol.com

Did OPEC succeed or fail yet again !!

By Swara Kadir

Suppressing Kurdish Independence Would Be Political Arson

By Twana Fars BaweFor the residents of Kurdttistan committed to the region’s significance in the Middle East, the referttendum campaign may be the last chance to make a case; therefore Kurdistan should commit to bring inttdependence for the Kurdttish region as a duty for evttery man and woman.

The case for Kurdish inttdependence does not only concern material wealth, politics, the strength of national security, the comttmunity or the matchless sacrifices of the Peshmerga forces for combating ISIS on behalf of the world, but it is a fundamental right. The existance of the Kurdttish region and Kurdistan’s position in the world should be on the ballot pattper in an upcoming referttendum. The stakes could not be higher for a very simple reason: the upcomtting referendum is taking place at a time of major international turmoil and challenge. For the Kurdttish leadership to not dettclare independence from a failed Iraq in 2016 would be an unprecedented act of political selftdestruction.

Not only would it have a devastating impact on Kurdish influence in the Middle East; it also threatttens a domino effect on the institutions that help make the region a more secure, prosperous and stable rettgion. Kurdistan is living through an unprecedented challenge to the institutttions and values that have advanced human security, prosperity and dignity over the last two generations and Kurdish revolutions.

These institutions, includtting the Kurdistan Regionttal Government (KRG) and the Kurdish Parliament, are far from perfect and require reform, but they uphold the core idea of an international order based on clear rules.

Currently, one of the greatest challenges for Kurdistan is security. Jitthadism and Islamic extttremism is a threat to life and limb from the village of Malakara, Makhmour, Gwer, Sinjar, Ghazir, Tal Asquf and Kirkuk, to France, UK, Belgium, US, Nigeria to the Middle East and South Asia. So the “Kurdish question” is not only one of what Kurdttistan may achieve from leaving federal Iraq. It is also a question of whether Kurdistan wants to shore up the international order, or contribute to its dilution and perhaps even destructttion.

The KRG cannot solve its problems alone. But a Kurdistan independent from Iraq would do more as a sovereign state for the world than its modest size would suggest. For exttample, oil is the backbone of Kurdistan’s economy. Kurdistan’s oil pipelines to other countries are crucial for Kurdistan’s economy. They represent the most significant economic links of what the region posttsesses and are a fundamentttal factor to Kurdistan’s significance in the world. Their importance has certttainly helped Kurdistan to achieve its current stable position, and to promote its role in the wider world.

Kurdistan has evidently shown the world that it leads in defending the valttues of coexisting, protecttting the rights of minorities in Kurdistan, fighting Isptlamic extremism on behalf of the world, building necttessary structures for cittvilisation, and defining the substance of international cooperation as has shown by KRG Ministry of Peshttmerga’s cooperation with the UStled Coalition. Sucttcessive KRG governments have committed Kurdistan to being an outwardtlooktting region that has helped build the rulestbased inttternational order.

However, Kurdistan may win its independence, although to do so today without internal political problems resolved would likely result in Kurdistttan joining a list of failed states such as South Suttdan, Kosovo, East Timor, and Eritrea.

If the world is increasttingly divided between fireptfighters and arsonists then Kurdistan has, for at least since the arrival of ISIS, been a firefighter. This is no time for Kurdistan to join the ranks of arsonttists, and there should be no doubt that not to hold a referendum and eventuttally declare independence would be an act of arson on the international order.

Far from limiting or dittminishing Kurdistan, a Kurdish state multiplies Kurdish power, ideas and values in very direct ways. In defence policies, the Peshmerga being boots on the ground for the whole free world and the only

force that making progttress in the war against ISIS despite not receiving adequate weaponry. Also, when achieving indepenttdence, it allows Kurdistan to mobilise international action, for example reductting hostilities around the world being part of UN peacekeeping missions. In diplomatic policy, the KRG and the Kurdish leadership have shown maturity and were central to negotiating in the Iraqi Constitution, trying every possible avenue to stay as part of a fair and demottcratic Iraq but the outcome is very clear.

If Kurdistan fails to dettclare independence, it will weaken the potential abilities of its institutions on which it relies on, it will also make it harder to crack down on corruption, curb ISIS advances and deliver effective aid to the nearly 1.5 million refuttgees currently living in the Kurdish region. If the peottple of Kurdistan want to strengthen their nation, its forces for stability, securittty and social justice, then Kurdistan must declare independence. In case of independence, Kurdistan doesn’t necessarily need to cease cooperation with its neighbours Iraq, Iran and Turkey, Kurdistan needs its neighbours and its neighbours need Kurdttistan. That is the positive, patriotic and passionate case for independence for Kurdistan and cooperation between its neighbours in these modern days.

The Kurdish Globe No. 537, Monday, June 06, 2016 7

Sports NewsKurdistan Ousted of Conifa

World Football Cup Kurdistan is out of the Conifa World

Football Cup, losing to Padania in penalties in the quarterfinals.

Kurdistan took on Padania, the top ranked team in the tournament, on Thursday afterttnoon. After regulation play, the match was tied at 2 – 2 and went into penalties where, sadly, Kurdistan lost 6 – 7.

The Kurdistan national team has yet to make it past the quarterfinals of the Coptnifa World Football Cup. In the inaugural tournament in 2014, Kurdistan lost to Ellan Vannin, the Manx name for the Isle of Man, in the quarterfinals, again in penalties.

Kurdish Kids enjoy Children’s Day Marathon

Kids in the Kurdistan Region’s capital enjoyed a mini marathon on International Children’s Day on Wednesday, organized by the Erbiltbased Kurdistan Save the Chilttdren (KSC) NGO.Face painting was another of the activities that brought smiles to young faces on their international day.

Muhammad Ali Dies at 74

Muhammad Ali, the threettime world heavyttweight boxing champion who helped define his turbulent times as the most charismatic and controversial sports figure of the 20th century, died on Friday in a Phoenixtarea hospital. He was 74.His death was confirmed by Bob Gunnell, a family spokesman. The cause was septic shock, a family spokeswoman said.Ali, who lived in Phoenix, had had Parkinttson’s disease for more than 30 years. He was admitted to the hospital on Friday with what Mr. Gunnell said was a respiratory problem, but no other details were provided.

Lionel Messi Trained AloneLionel Messi trained alone on Saturday as Argentina continued its preparations for the team's Copa America Centenario opener against Chile.Messi had to be substituted after sustaintting a knock to his back during his countttry's friendly against Honduras last week, sparking fears he may not be fit in time for Monday's reprun of the 2015 Copa final in Santa Clara.

Brazil Ties Ecuador in Copa America

Key absences cost Brazil several important players and its performance reflected it in a 0t0 tie with Ecuador on Saturday night in the Copa America opener for both teams at the Rose Bowl.Brazil was without several name players, including Barcelona standout Neymar, Bayern Munich's Douglas Costa and Orttlando City's Kaka, a former FIFA Player of the Year. Neymar skipped the tournament because he didn't have permission from Barcelona to play in both Copa America as well as the Olympics in Rio in August.

Violence claimed 867 Iraqi lives in May: UNLatest figures released by the UN show that acts of terrorttism and violence left nearly 900 people dead in May as Islamic State (ISIS) militants step up their terror activittties in the face of largetscale army operations.

According to the UN Assistttance Mission for Iraq (UNttAMI), a total of 867 Iraqis lost their lives last month, and 1,459 others were injured.

The UN mission added that there were 468 civilians among those killed, while the number of civilian injuries hit 1,041. Violence also claimed the lives of 399 members of the Iraqi security forces, and 418 others sustained injuries.

A large number of the fatalttities were recorded in Baghttdad, where 267 civilians were killed and 740 others wounded.

The troubled northern province of Nineveh saw 56 people killed. A total of 49 people died and 93 others were wounded in Iraq’s eastttern province of Diyala.

Special Representative of the United Nations SecretarytGeneral for Iraq Jan Kubis expressed remorse over the continuing loss of life as a rettsult of violence in Iraq.

He urged the Baghdad govtternment to take more effectttive measures to protect civilttians against terrorist attacks.

“Iraqi civilians going about their daily life have been the target of terrorist bombers and car bombs. In some of

these attacks, pilgrims have been singled out. Residentttial neighborhoods have sustttained heavy damage. Armed clashes have spared no one,” the UN official said.

Kubis added, however, that “the will of the Iraqi people, despite all the carnage, rettmains unshaken and this gives hope for the future. Joining the people of Iraq, in particular the residents of Baghdad where a number of attacks took place, I urge the government to make every effort to prevent the occurttrence of such outrages.”

Last month, Baghdad saw two of its bloodiest days since the outbreak of ISIS violence in the country in 2014.

Nearly 100 people lost their lives and over 170 others sustained injuries on May 11, when the terror group targeted

mainlytShia neighborhoods of Baghdad, while similar terror attacks left some 162 people killed and wounded in the capital a week later on May 17.

Meanwhile, the United Natttions Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says at least 20,000 children are trapped in the beleaguered western Iraqi city of Fallujah, located roughly 69 kilometers (43 miles) west of Baghdad, and run the risk of being forced to fight for ISIS terrorists.

“UNICEF estimates that at least 20,000 children remain trapped in the city,” said Pettter Hawkins, the UN agency’s representative in Iraq.

“Children face the risk of forced recruitment into the fighting” and “separation from their families” if they manage to escape the city,

stressed Hawkins, adding, “UNICEF calls on all parties to protect children inside Falttlujah, provide safe passage to those wishing to leave the city and grant safe and secure environment to civilians who fled Fallujah.”

There are reports that ISIS is using hundreds of families as human shields in the center of Fallujah, and is executing men and boys who refuse to fight for the terror network.

The northern and westttern parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since ISIS terrorists began an offensive through Iraqi territttory in June 2014.

Iraqi army soldiers and fighters from Popular Mobiptlization units are seeking to win back militanttheld rettgions in joint operations.

The UN children fund (UNIttCEF) on Wednesday warned that at least 20,000 Iraqi chilttdren remain trapped in the city of Fallujah where Iraqi security forces are fighting to drive out the Islamic State (IS) militants from the city.

"UNICEF estimates that at least 20,000 children rettmain trapped in the city. Acttcording to reports, food and medicine are running out and clean water is in short supttply," the organization said in a statement.

Since the breakout of clashttes between the security forcttes and IS militants around the city, which located some 50 km west of the Iraqi capitttal of Baghdad, very few families managed to flee the city while larger number of families left their homes in the surrounding towns and villages, the statement said.

"Children face the risk of forced recruitment into the fighting, strict procedures for security screening and

separation from their famittlies," the statement added.

"UNICEF calls on all parttties to protect children inttside Fallujah, provide safe passage to those wishing to leave the city and grant safe and secure environments to displaced civilians," it said.

The statement came as the Iraqi forces and allied parattmilitary Shiite and Sunni units, known as Hashd Shaattbi, continued their battles around the IStheld town of Saqlawiyah in northwest of Fallujah, in an attempt to free the town from IS militttants.

The battles around Falluttjah continued as the troops faced fierce resistance from the extremist militants inside the city.

Moreover, the troops' adttvance is expected to be slow as the security forces have orders to spare the lives of tens of thousands of civilttians trapped inside Fallujah, in addition to hundreds of

hidden bombs are believed to be planted by the militants to hamper the advance of the troops.

Earlier, Brigadier General Yahya Rasoul, spokesman for the Joint Military Comttmand, said that intelligence reports indicate that about 400 to 600 militants are in Fallujah, many of them foreigners. He said about 50,000 to 70,000 civilians are expected to remain in Fallujah.

Also on Wednesday, Unittted Nations Assistance Misttsion for Iraq (UNAMI) said in a statement that a total of 867 Iraqis were killed and 1,459 others wounded in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflicts in May across Iraq, urging the Iraqi government to take every efttfort to protect civilians.

UN envoy to Iraq and the UNAMI chief Jan Kubis also called concerning parties in Anbar province, particularly in battlefield in Fallujah, to

take every effort to "protect the lives of civilians and to preserve Fallujah's infrattstructure in accordance with the relevant principles of inttternational human rights and humanitarian law," accordtting to the statement.

"Innocent civilians should not pay the price for the crimes of Daesh (IS group)," the statement quoted Kubis as saying.

On May 23, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider altAbadi announced the launch of the offensive to claim Fallujah.

Government troops and alttlied militias have currently been fighting for months to reclaim key cities and towns in Anbar from IS militants, who attempted to advance towards Baghdad after seiztting most of Anbar province.

Iraq is currently witnessing a wave of violence since the Islamic State controlled parts of Iraq's northern and westttern regions in June 2014.

UN warns 20,000 Iraqi children trapped in Fallujah battlefield

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ERBIL FORECAST

A Kurdish sculptor from Southern Kurdistan, the artist Shwan Kattmal was born in 1967 in Sulaimttani. He competed the Institute of Fine Arts in the city in 1987, and attained his BA in the Academy of Fine Arts in Baghdad, Departttment of Sculpture. He’s taught art in the Institute of Fine Arts in Sulaimani in 1991 to 1993.

Shwan Kamal has great skills in inscription, especially various

sculptures. He was a student of the famous sculptor, Dara Hama Saeed’s, students who gained his experience during his study in the Institute of Fine Arts. His mandate is seen clearly through his life, esttpecially in the decorating of the cities in Kurdistan and his work in exhibitions. He’s conducted many projects in the cities of Kurdistan, but due to the political situation, most of his works have been brott

ken and have vanished. When the civil war emerged in 1994 in Kurdistan, he left for Europe. He started working on alabaster in Athens, Greece, in 1995. He also created many great art works in Dusseldorf, Germany. He’s been head of Model Art department for copying in the Rolf Cayzer factory for aluminum, metal, bronze and iron design. The factory is well known in Europe and the world.

Many of its products have been set in famous cities of the world such as New York, San Franttcesco, Paris, London and Berlin. One of Shwan Kamal’s works was a sculpture called “helping the poor” in the municipality of Elberfeld , Germany. Kamal is a member of the Iraqi Union of Artists in the USA, the Germany Artist Union and the World Artist Union for Relief and Medal.

He’s taken part in more than 25 exhibitions in 2009 to 2010. His future plan is to create the statue of the international composer ‘Mendessohn’ in Hamburg. He’s given suggestions to the KRG to make stunning art projects and bronze sculptures for cities in Kurdistan.

By Ashti Garmiyani

Cinema Forum for Children’s Day in ErbilOn International Chilttdren’s Day (June 1), MettgaMall cinema hall in Erbil along with Golden Art Company for Cinema conducted a forum for children.

Pshtiwan Abdullah, the event’s organizer, said that their aim was simply to bring happiness to the chilttdren of martyrs, Peshmerttga, and IDPs. The event, which brought children in on buses, showed five new animated films that feature bright and hopeful storyttlines. The Forum showed 5 new world’s animations,

the films that have bright and hopeful context.

In addition, after the opening of Hull Cinema, Ahmad Zirak, manager of the theatre, announced a 50% discount for all Peshttmerga members.

Zirak said that Hull Cinttema would feature the newest Kurdish and Holttlywood films on, adding that the theatre is eager to help facilitate the work of Kurdish filmmakers and directors.

By H.G.Hassan

The Kurdish Painter Dara Aram