The only English paper in Iraq - No: 521 Mon. January 18, 2016

From the Heart of Kurdistan Region

PRES

S PH

OTO

President Barzani receives special security envoy of

British government

The Kurdish Globe 2No. 521, Monday, January 18, 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

ReviserHonar Osmanhonar.hawler@gmail.com

The Iraqi Minister of Oil, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, wrote an article worthy of study and specula--tion in Al-Adalah news--paper that revealed a deep-rooted sentiment about dissolving the history of the country. Abdul-Mahdi wrote that many countries like Iraq have broken up, whether forcibly or voluntarily; the same is likely to happen to Iraq, he claimed.

Through this assertion, he has expressed under--standing about the real--ity of what’s happening in Iraq much sooner than his colleagues—in fact much sooner than even some Kurdish po--litical parties. He is cer--tainly more astute than other politicians in his desire to return to a dis--course on constitutional solutions to the situa--tion given the increas--ing demands of decen--tralization by Ramadi, Basrah, and Kurdistan. It’s noteworthy, how--ever, that each area dif--fers in their demands for how self-autonomy might look like.

Desires for increased local (i.e. regional) au--tonomy are not only held by the Kurds, but also by Sunnis in Ra--madi and many in Bas--

rah. In the likely event of a Kurdish referen--dum on independence, a majority of Kurds would undoubtedly support independence from Baghdad. This is not necessarily related to shortsightedness or current sentiments, but rather a final breaking off after the past centu--ry’s occupation and tyr--anny against the Kurds. A new generation wants a free Kurdistan.

The move towards di--vision, new powers, and new decision-making centers is very realistic, not only a pipedream. Kurdistan must work with Baghdad to find a mutually understand--ing and peaceable so--lution for leaving Iraq. As Abul-Mahdi wrote: “Division of Iraq has become a natural thing, so discussion in this re--gard is necessary”.

He is trying to bring forth a real, pragmatic discussion for mak--ing the inevitable deci--sion in a way that will prevent violence and other issues. His real--ism, pragmatism, and open-mindedness, par--ticularly considering his background as a Shiite within Al-Daaqa party, should be lauded.

Iraqi Oil Minister Outspokenly Supports Division of Iraq!

ADVERTISEMENTinfo@glitter-iraq.com Cell: +964 750 4055888

By Gazi Hassan

Head of Change Movement’s political office resigns

The head of Kurdistan Change Movement’s political office, Moh-hammed Haji declared his resig--nation in the party in a press con--ference held in Erbil released on January 15.

“Unfortunately, what we strived for was not what we expected, which is why with my due apol--ogy to all I declare my resignation in the Change Movement,” said Haji

Haji says what they were aiming to do was to fulfill their duties in a democratic context and civilly, while according to him “it was not how they were expecting.”

According to Haji, Gorran had hope that things were moving to--wards implementing reforms and changes in the political space of Kurdistan Region, a hope which approached through “newly dis--covered minds that were leading the Change Movement.”

He attributed his resignation to several reasons including the in--

equality attention to the cities of Kurdistan Region.

"The party only pays attention to Slemani city while other cities like Erbil, Duhok and Kirkuk cities are

all neglected," he complained Haji criticized the party for put--

ting the party's affairs under some people whom, he called "teenag--ers".

Thursday, January 14, 2016, Pres--ident of Kurdistan Region Mas--soud Barzani received General Tom Baket, Special Security En--voy of British Government to the Kurdistan Region, and military advisor for Middle East and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, the British special envoy congratulated the Kurdish Peshmerga victories for liberating Sinjar and defeating the terrorists and the significance role of President Barzani in leading the triumphs. The envoy added that the free world has a special respect for pivotal role of Peshmerga on

the ground fighting the terrorists of the so-called Islamic State.

The British delegation also con--firmed that its government is aware of the financial pressure and the cost of the IS war as well as fall--ing down of oil prices which have affected the Kurdistan Region.

On his part, President Massoud Barzani expressed his gratitude for the bold stance of the British gov--ernment and the coalition forces by supporting the Peshmerga forc--es in the war and air coverage and its effectiveness in defeating IS.

During the meeting, the Presi--dent talked about the current situ--

ation on the ground in the front lines and the liberation operation launched to free Sinjar, stress--ing on sacrificing and bravery of the Peshmerga forces in the front lines.

The meeting also discussed the military supplies that are needed for the Peshmerga forces. They also talked over the political situa--tion and security circumstances of Iraq and the region and the future of the country after IS war and countering the ideology of ex--tremism.

President Barzani receives special security envoy of British government

The Kurdish Globe No. 521, Monday, January 18, 2016 3

KDP and PUK Work Together in the Crisis

KDP and PUK Agree to Replace Parliament Speaker

The politburos of Kurd--istan Democratic Party, KDP, and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUK, met in Erbil, capital of the semi-autonomous Kurd--istan Region of Iraq.

The KDP delegation led by Nechirvan Barzani, Deputy to KDP leader, Fadhil Mirani, Secretary of KDP politburo, two members of politburo Mahmoud Mohammed, Kaka Amin Najar and member of KDP lead--ership council Delshad Shahab.

The PUK delegation was led by Mala Bakhti--yar, Head of Executive Body of PUK politburo, with Qubad Talabani, Saadi Ahmed Pira, Omer fatah and Rezgar Ali, members of politburo.

A KDP negotiator re--vealed the detail of the meeting and said that they are working together.

A PUK negotiator stated that the meeting was very positive, both stressing on making the current situation better.

Delshad Shahab, one of the KDP delegation mem--bers, announced that the aim of the meeting was to discuss the bilateral rela--tions and the mechanism of working together in the future.

Despite stressing the current political, finanh-

cial and security issues as well as the government and parliament disputes and the regional chang--es, the main two strong Kurdish parties had a common understanding about having one united stance in order to face the difficulties.

However, there had been

different opinions on the extension of the strategic agreement made between them, Shahab emphasized that they have reached a common understand--ing to keep continuing it, adding that there might had been some points to be improved and they are agreed to do because it

would be in the interest of the people.

The two parties repeated frequently that the agree--ment was a main fac--tor of political stability, prosperity and economic development in the past.

Saadi Pira from the PUK politburo confirmed that the two parties work

together to pass the crisis together and on the ba--sis of common interests. He added that his party has a project to bring the disputed parties together on the negotiation table because they have to sit together finally.

Pira further said that the meeting focused on mak--

ing the situation better. The KDP has received

the PUK project which is designed to resolve the disputes. They are study--ing it and will respond the PUK about the details of the project.

Secretary of Kurdistan Democratic Party, led by President Massoud Bar--zani, has announced that both the KDP and Patri--otic Union of Kurdistan, PUK of Jalal Talabani, former President of Iraq, have reached a common understanding to sign a new strategic agreement.

Fadhil Mirani, KDP po--litburo secretary, added that they are going to come up with a deal to replace the parliament speaker Yusuf Moham--med who cannot practice his authorities now due to his party, the Gorran Movement, which did not commit to the political agreements signed with the KDP to run the broad-based cabinet all together with other parties.

According to Mirani, the new strategic agreement considers the new develop--ments and a united stance for the future, adding that a gap was made between

both KDP and PUK due to the new political agree--ment between the Kurdish parties. He confirmed that they are not close to each other again.

In his remarks, Mirani

added that: “Alternative of PUK is just PUK.”

Last Tuesday, KDP and PUK politburos held a meeting to talk about the current situation in the Kurdistan Region.

Mirani told Kurdish me--dia after the meeting that the common points be--tween the two parties are more than the disputes. He added that they will not give up the common

interests because of the disputes.

Mirani stressed that they key to the solution is in the hands of these two par--ties. He further said that the people call on these

two parties to hold the responsibility of the situ--ation, and that they will work together to make it better until the Kurds will announce independence or a confederate system with Iraq.

Mirani in his remarks said that the KDP and PUK need each other in this stage.

As Middle East is fac--ing many rapid changes, Mirani said that they dis--cussed the mechanism of resignation of parlia--ment speaker. He said that Mohammed can return to parliament and offer his resignation.

Mirani said that his par--ty does not mind to allow Mohammed to return to the parliament, but not as speaker.

Regarding the PUK stance on this issue, Mi--rani confirmed that they have both the same stance on replacing Mohammed.

The Kurdish Globe No. 521, Monday, January 18, 2016 4

PM Barzani: ISIS recruits have increased, comprehensive military strategy needed

The international strategy against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) has so far been to contain the group and a more comprehen--sive strategy is needed in order to destroy it on the ground, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani told CNN on Tuesday.

“What we see now is that the policy is not re--ally to destroy ISIL, it is about containing ISIL,” Barzani told CNN’s Christian Amanpour. “To contain we have done it so far with help from the coalition, especially the United States and we are grateful for the help of other coalition mem--bers.”

“If we want to destroy ISIL we have to come up with a comprehen--sive strategy and a mili--tary strategy at the same time,” he said, adding that the group’s mem--bers have increased in the last year. “Last year they recruited 15,000 and now according to our in--formation the number is 35,000. So ISIL numbers have increased. This or--ganization is dangerous not only to the KRG but to all international com--

munities.”The Kurdish prime min--

ister said that the Pesh--merga forces have pushed back ISIS from all terri--tories of the autonomous region and in some areas they are offering the Iraq--is a helping hand.

“As a result of help from the international coali--tion especially the Unit--ed States we have been able to push them (ISIS)

back,” PM Barzani said. “Now we have regained all the Kurdish territory and there are areas in which we are not inter--ested but we are doing on behalf of the Iraqi army like the Mosul dam.”

Barzani confirmed reh-cent reports that the Mo--sul dam was vulnerable and in a deteriorating state which could pose a serious threat to Iraq and

Mosul city in particular.“If something happens

to the Mosul dam it will be a disaster for Mosul and all of Iraq as well,” he warned. “Now the Mosul dam is being con--trolled by our Peshmerga forces. We are control--ling the dam and we have been told from the Iraqi side that a company will come to renovate the dam and we hope that by that

time the work will start and nothing happens there.”

The prime minister said the Kurdish region has so far succeeded against ISIS but that it needed more military and finanh-cial support to destroy the group.

“To destroy ISIL on the ground we need more help, more military as--sistance from the inter--

national community es--pecially the Europeans and Americans. So we need more weapons and assistance. Our financial situation in all of Iraq and Kurdistan is very bad and we need financial support and military support.”

Barzani hailed the liber--ation of Ramadi by Iraqi troops as a big success, but he doubted they were ready to take the fight to Mosul.

“I don’t it is going to be that easy,” he said of a fu--ture battle for Mosul. “It is a difficult city.”

The prime minister pointed out Mosul as an important ISIS strong--hold which would make the task of the Iraqi army ever more difficult.

“What happened in Ra--madi was a very big suc--cess for the Iraqi army but the situation in Mosul is very difficult. He (Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi) an--nounced his caliphate in--side Mosul and for them it is very important.”

“In my view I don’t think the Iraqi army will be ready until six months from now,” Barzani add--ed.

The wave of heavy snow--ing that started in the last week of 2015 till first day of 2016, covered most of the mountainous areas in Kurdistan Region and caused blockage in many roads, including the Haji Omaran border crossing on the Kurdish-Iranian border.

The trade activities and movements stopped for a week in Haji Omaran. This happened at a time when Ibrahim Khalil bor--der crossing with Turkey was closed for 2 weeks al--ready, due to the tensions between the Turkish gov--ernment and PKK fighth-ers in the border areas of Turkey’s Kurdistan. Ibra--him Khalil Border, which was closed on December 14, 2015, was opened af--ter three weeks on January 5th, 2016.

Haji Omaran border

crossing was also opened in Janaury 8th, 2016 after the roads were cleaned of snow and movements went back to normal. However, the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing was only opened for 8 hours per day and only for commercial and trade activities and move--ments.

The closure of these two border points, which are the most important border crossings of the Region, which account for the im--port of an overwhelming majority of products into the region, had caused a fall in the supply of many consumer products and food items in the region’s markets.

Trade volume at both border crossings reaches billions of dollars each year, and majority of the activities include imports of goods, as Kurdistan Re--

gion still depends heavily on imports for all its do--mestic needs and imports

account for 90% of all products consumed in the region.

The 3-week closure of Ibrahim Khalil border caused some $20 mil--

lion losses to the Kurdish economy; the impact of which is specifically sigh-nificant during this current financial and economic situation of Kurdistan Re--gion.

Last month Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani visited Turkey and met with the country’s officials to discuss several issues, including finding a solution for the Ibrahim Khalil border to avoid fur--ther damages to the Kurd--ish economy and the live--lihood of its people, who depend heavily on Turkey even for their foodstuff.

Kurdistan Region has only 1 official border crossing with Turkey, which is Ibrahim Khalil, and has 4 border crossings with Iran, including Haji Omaran, Bashmagh, Par--wez Khan and Kele.

Trade activities resume at Kurdish border points

No. 521, Monday, January 18, 2016 5

Masrour Barzani urges international community to financially assist KRG

Chancellor of the Kurd--istan Region Security Council (KRSC) Masrour Barzani called on the in--ternational community to assist the Kurdistan Re--gion in the expenditures of the war against the Is--lamic State (IS).

During a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Iraq Marco Carnelos, Barzani called on the international community to further sup--port Peshmerga forces as they are in the frontlines against “terrorists” instead of world, KRSC said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan.12).

“Except military aid for Peshmerga, the interna--tional community should assist the Kurdistan Re--gion with financial support to lighten the Kurdistan’s economy in war expendi--tures,” Barzani said.

“Economic pressures on the Kurdistan Region is getting firm every day, and it makes the region’s duty to fight terrorism harder and tougher.”

According to KRSC statement, Italian ambas--sador Carnelos has prom--ised to discuss the eco--

nomic crisis of Kurdistan with the Coalition fighting against IS.

The KRG’s economic is--sues began early in 2014 when then-Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki stopped budget payments to Erbil over its attempts to sell its oil independently from Baghdad.

The subsequent war against militants in north--ern Iraq, decreasing oil prices, and an influx of over 1.8 million displaced Iraqis and Syrian refugees added to the region’s eco--nomic troubles.

On Monday (Jan. 11), Ambassador Carnelos, accompanied by a diplo--matic and military del--egation, met with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani

According to the KRG website, Ambassador Carnelos said during the meeting that his country has decided to send an--other specialized team to train Peshmerga forces and Kurdish security forc--es.

For his part, KRG PM Barzani expressed grati--tude for Italy’s military

and humanitarian aid and he also welcomed the de--cision to send a special--ized team to train Kurdish forces.

Barzani also received the British PM’s Special Envoy for Security Af--fairs to Kurdistan, Tom Beckett, on Wednesday, and discussed the cur--rent situation in the fight against IS.

Barzani reiterated that militarily defeating the Islamic State (IS) will be the beginning of eliminat--ing their ideology across the globe.

The Kurdish official explained that IS is not Iraq’s only problem as the country is suffering from

other serious and historic issues as well.

He said that those fighth-ing the jihadists on the ground need further mili--tary and financial support from the international community in order to be able to defeat IS sooner.

Commending the role of Peshmerga in the Kurd--istan Region and other Kurdish forces in Syrian Kurdistan, Lt. Gen. Beck--ett said, “If it was not for the Kurds, albeit with co--alition air power, things would be immeasurably worse.”

The sides emphasized that Kurds must be invit--ed to every international meeting on anti-IS efforts

as they are a key player on the ground fighting the extremists.

In a separate meeting with a military delega--tion from Czech Republic led by Deputy Minister of Defence, Jacob Levski, Barzani addressed the current security situation in the Kurdistan region, other areas of mutual in--terest and bilateral ties.

Barzani, expressed ap--preciation towards the Czech government for their assistance in the war against Islamic State mili--tants and for supporting the people of Kurdistan. He said that Peshmerga forces are optimistic in destroying IS but requires

enhanced weaponry and stressed on the need for international allied forces to intensify their offen--sives against the terrorist organization.

Mr Levski praised the courage of Peshmerga for fighting IS on the ground and declared that his coun--try will continue to supply armaments to the region and push further with pro--viding humanitarian aid.

Also participating at the meeting the Czech Am--bassador to Iraq, Alexandr Langer, Jaroslav Reif, consul-general to Erbil and a number of political affairs and strategy advi--sors

KRG Security Chancellor: IS is not the only problem in Iraq

The Kurdish Globe

As part of the international coalition’s anti-terrorism efforts, Italy continues

training Kurdish Peshmer--ga forces to enable them fighting Islamic State (IS)

more effectively.The Italian Panorama re--

ported on January 8th that

Germany, UK, Hungary, Norway, Finland, Neth--erlands and Italy have so

far trained a total of 5,500 Kurdish Peshmerga forc--es, among which nearly 2,500 received military trainings from Italian ad--visors.

The Peshmerga were trained on urban warfare, intelligence gathering, first medical aids, mine clearance operations and military tactics.

According to the web--site, Italian trainers are very much satisfied with the Peshmerga improve--ments, stating that the Kurdish security forces have been performing

more effective on the bat--tlefield against IS while casualties among Pesh--merga have significantly been decreased.

The images show an Italian training course near Erbil, the capital city of Kurdistan Region, in which 300 Peshmerga re--ceived military trainings.

“With 200 soldiers, Italy appears to be the country that provides the larg--est contingent within the international coalition in terms of trainings,” reads the report.

Italy continues training PeshmergaAbout 2,500 Peshmerga so

far trained by Italian advisors

The Kurdish Globe No. 521, Monday, January 18, 2016 6

Shiite armed people create threat on Kurds

Renas Jano, an Iraqi parliament mem--ber, said number of Kurds working at the Iraqi governmental agencies is get--ting low due to security threats.

"The Iraqi security forces are unable to protect the security of people in the Iraqi cities especially in Baghdad. For that reason, the Kurds who are in high gov--ernment positions are under the threat of losing their lives," said Jano

Jano described Kurds' life as prison in Bagdad because they can't go out freely to perform their duties.

Sunnis call international communities for protectionAn Iraqi Coalition MP, Haider al-

Mulla, said the Iraqi authorities are re--sponsible for what is happening to Arab Sunnis in Iraq. He said the militias are threatening people and are forcing them to leave their homes.

He asked the international community to have a response to people's demands and requests. He said the Sunnis are liv--ing in predicament nowadays and they need urgent help.

Gunmen kill two Iraqi journalists

Unknown gunmen shot to death two journalists working for the independent Al-Sharqiya TV station in Iraq today, according to the channel and news re--ports. The attack marks the first killh-ings of journalists to be documented by the Committee to Protect Journalists in 2016.

Correspondent Saif Talal and camera--man Hassan al-Anbaki were driving near the Diyala province capital of Baquba when unidentified gunmen intercepted their vehicle, forced them to exit, and opened fire, news reports said, citing unh-named security officials.

"This deliberate killing of two journal--ists is a strong reminder of the need for the Iraqi government to step up measures to protect journalists, who take great risks every day," said Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa pro--gram coordinator.

US airstrikes destroy ISIS’ cash storage in Mosul

The US Defense Department has released a video showing an airstrikes hitting the Islamic State group's cash storage facil--ity in Mosul, Iraq, on 11 January. The US-led offensive destroyed millions of Daesh money. The soundless video clip shows the tar--get facility, which used to store "mil--lions", before and after the airstrikes. "It was a good strike. And we estimate that it served to deprive ISIL of mil--lions of dollars," General Lloyd Austin -- head of the US Central Command -- told CNN.

Fatlawi mocks Abadi Iraqi Parliament member, Hanan Fatlawi criticized Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider Abadi for not being able to fight correch-tions and punish those who violate the laws."Abadi always says the Iraqi security forces will beat the violators with iron hands. I do not know what he is wait--ing for. The violators need to be pun--ished and be beaten no matter with iron hand or with a tissue hand," Fatlawi said mockingly

NEWS BAR

By J. Watt

Inconsistencies in Gender Equality

“Tell me again why two female witnesses are needed for every male witness in court,” I asked a friend.

He explained this type of law (which is nor--mative in the region) is being necessary since women are overly emo--tional and therefore can't be as reliable to tell the truth because of their emotional experi--ence. Looking into this with a local lawyer, I was told that while this law isn’t technically on the books many judges preside in a preferen--

tial way towards male witnesses such that the spirit behind it prevails. Aside from the blatant stereotype, let’s look at the claim.

There have been countless famous lead--ers in history who were characterized by sen--sitivity to emotions, yet they were great leaders nonetheless. For instance, Abraham Lincoln (who nearly al--ways leads when Amer--icans are polled on who they believe to be the greatest US President) was considered to be a

particularly emotional person. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote that Mr. Lincoln “pos--sessed extraordinary empathy – the gift or curse of putting himself in the place of another, to experience what they were feeling, to under--stand their motives and desires.” Other histori--ans describe Lincoln’s sensitive emotions as a strength for his presi--dency.

Furthermore, in the modern day, if one wants to see an exam--ple of a woman lead--

ing effectively, with sound judgement, look no further than Angela Merkel—arguably the most powerful leader in Europe. Middle East--erners (not only Syrians but even many local Iraqi Kurds) are choos--ing to go to Germany en masse. I simply can’t believe that anyone who witnessed German pros--perity and political inge--nuity under Chancellor Merkel’s policies could actually believe she was unfit to sit on a jury.

In addition, psycho--logical researchers have

found that people with certain types of brain damage affecting their ability to experience emotions also have a decreased ability to make good decisions. It seems science would tell us that those with a sensitivity to their emotions actually have better judgement than those who are insensi--tive to their emotions.

So I ask again, appeal--ing to real reasons, why is a woman’s testimony worth half her male counterparts?

The Allies Must Help Kurdistan in Economic Downturn

By Bashdar Pusho Ismaeel

With plunging oil prices, the fight against Islamic State, and thousands of refugees, allies must support Kurdistan but financial aid should be coupled with reforms

Oil is black gold when prices are sky-high. It can easily balance the national budgets of many a country. At the same time, an inef--ficient and unbalanced economy can be easily papered over with the huge windfall from oil revenues.

The oil honeymoon of recent years, when prices were at record highs, has been re--placed by rattled mar--kets and oil-based economies who have continuously revised down expectations of the floor in oil prices.

Even low-level es--

timates of $45 USD a barrel priced in for many 2016 national budgets has been rap--idly revised with cur--rent prices of $30 USD a barrel.

The ramifications of the oil price drop can be felt across the Mid--dle East, but few feel it greater than the Kurd--istan Region. Kurdis--tan was already feeling the burden of financial constraints in 2014 as Baghdad halted budget payments. The first half of 2015 was hardly bet--ter as budget disputes with Baghdad meant that Kurdistan was left with no choice but to resume independent oil exports.

But this isn’t any nor--mal economic crisis. The financial crisis has intensified at a delicate and unprecedented

juncture for the re--gion. Kurdistan is at the heart of a vicious war with the Islamic State (IS) that naturally warrants significant expenses in addition to catering for 1.8 million refugees and internally displaces persons who need food, medicine and shelter.

Simply put, the Kurd--istan revenues are in--sufficient to cater for refugees, Peshmerga, military equipment, and public wages for the majority of the people who directly rely on salaries from the government.

The current revenues are largely from oil sales but one must not forget that oil is not pumped for free. The International Oil Com--panies operating in the region under already

tight financial regimes must be paid.

An obvious solution is of course to pump more oil, but as pric--es have continued to tumble this is hardly a rewarding ploy; at the same times the up--graded infrastructure to pump more costs significant money.

All these factors point to an unsustain--able situation for the region. The economic cloud should not mask the need for economic reforms, decreasing the heavy reliance on oil revenues, tightening of budgets, implementing new tax reforms, re--ducing the high depen--dence on imports and of course addressing the heavy reliance on the state for salaries.

However, the current situation is simply un--

manageable and Kurd--istan needs to be sup--ported by the United States and its key allies at this difficult junch-ture. Iraq, with its own financial conundrums, can hardly be relied on to come to the aid of the Kurds.

Kurdistan cannot ig--nore 1.8 million refu--gees nor can it lighten its burden against IS. Kurdistan must be giv--en the credit it deserves at the forefront of the coalition fight to oust IS from Iraq and Syria.

It must be given the military aid and finanh-cial assistance required to shore up its finances, but at the same time must embark on an extensive economic reform programme of its own to safeguard its destiny.

A law expert said that Iraqi constitution and laws won't allow Kurdistan Region to conduct referendum for indepen--dence, but the United States of America and some other countries can change the reality and support Kurdistan for refer--endum.

Tariq Harb, who is a law expert in Iraq, said that the Iraqi constitution and laws won't allow Kurdistan region to conduct referendum for separating from Iraq since most of the conducted referendums have been central so far. "But we need to understand that law is something and re--ality is something else," said Harb indi--cating that if independence is a de facto, independence is not impossible.

Harb also explained that the Elections Committee in Kurdistan has only power

to conduct referendum regarding issues between Kurdistan and Iraq. He said the self determination of Kurdistan is not only related to Kurdistan Region, but it has a lot to do with Iraq as well.

He also said that if the International Se--curity Council or United States of Amer--ica supports Kurdistan Region in this matter, referendum can be conducted.

"The current political and economical circumstances of Iraq do not allow Iraq to prevent Kurdistan Region from conduct--ing referendum. If Iraq makes issues for Kurdistan Region, the country will face a lot of difficulties." Concluded Harb

A law expert:Iraq can’t prevent Kurdish referendum

The Kurdish Globe No. 521, Monday, January 18, 2016 7

Sports NewsDuhok is close to Iraqi

Football Cup final Duhok Football Club is very close to pay at the Iraqi Football Cup final game after deh-feating Baghdad’s giant team, Qua Al-Jawi--yah team 4-1 in the away match. Jawiyah wants to postpone the home match because 11 men from the team are playing with Iraqi Olympic team. But the Iraqi Foot--ball Association already refused to delay the home match.

Ronaldo acknowledges he could play USA

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo ac--knowledged he could play in Major League Soccer before the end of his career.

The Portugal international has previously indicated he has no interest in playing in the United States, but appears to have had a change of heart.

Ronaldo told ITV back in November he wanted to retire "with dignity," adding: "That does not mean it’s bad play in the leagues of the United States, Qatar or Dubai, but I do not see myself there."

Ronaldo acknowledges the standard of football has improved and claimed it could tempt him to make the move when he finally decides to leave the Bernabeu

Chelsea rescue late point against Everton

John Terry scored a controversial 98th min--ute equalizer to earn Chelsea a point in a thriller against Everton.The Toffees took the lead when Terry put through his own net and Ross Barkley hit a post for Everton before Kevin Mirallas put the visitors 2-0 up.Diego Costa reduced the margin and Cesc Fabregas's deflected shot made it 2h2.Ramiro Funes Mori restored Everton's lead in the 90th minute only for Terry to back-heel in from close range - although he was a yard offside.

Madrid teams banned form signings

Both team of Madrid will be in for a ban from registering any new players in this transfer window as they broke some regula--tions. Thus two giants of Spain, Real Ma--drid and Atletico Madrid will be suffering the same punishment as Barcelona and Bar--celona suffered the ban for over a year.

From the year of 2005 to 2014, Real Ma--drid took a lot of under 18 players in which was against the regulation of UEFA and FIFA which caused them to suffer a ban from registering new players.

A member of the Iraqi Par--liament’s Security and De--fense Committee, Hoshyar Abdullah, said that nearly all of the Iraqi armed forces are from Shiite background.

“There is no balance in the Iraqi army since most of the soldiers are from Shi--ite while Sunnis and Kurds have been ignored. Kurdish soldiers constitute only 2% of the Iraqi army forces,” Abdullah said.

Serving in the Iraqi mili--tary is not mandatory and Shiite leaders hold most of the high positions. Since Kurds and Sunnis have no high positions in the army, it’s difficult to see how these groups could feel drawn to

the armed forces.According to Abdullah, the

lack of Kurds and Sunnis in the army created a chance

for ISIS fighters to invade some areas of the country much easier.

He indicated that there are

over 50,000 soldiers regis--tered to serve in the army. While not all are on duty, all are paid.

Kurds constitute two percent of the Iraqi Army

International Coalition jets have heavily pounded the Is--lamic State (ISIS) positions inside their stronghold of Mosul in the North of Iraq, inflicting the jihadist group with high casualties.

According to a source from Nineveh police forces, several buildings, includ--ing Mayoral complex, Sama TV station and police station of Mosul, were targeted by the coalition warplanes on Wednesday January 13th.

Reports indicate that ISIS used the buildings for mili--tary and administration pur--poses. At least 31 jihadists were killed in the airstrikes, 21 more injured with facili--ties destroyed.

Meanwhile, the extremist group has recently blocked five bridges connecting East and West of Mosul; their

purpose remains unknown.Head of media depart--

ment at Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) office in Mousl, Ghayas Surchi, said “After the liberation of An--bar Province, the coalition forces have intensified their

attacks on Mosul and its sur--rounding area. It looks like they want to weaken ISIS completely in order to expel them in Mosul in a near fu--ture,”

Surchi also said that ISIS has lost many fighters in the

attacks conducted by coali--tion forces and Peshmerga as well.

He revealed that ISIS are gathering more forces in Mosul fearing from big at--tacks by joint forces for lib--erating the city.

ISIS gather forces in Mosul

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) spokesman and Kurd--istan Parliament Deputy Speaker, Jaafer Imenki, said President Barzani's message on the New Year is a chance for all the political sides to come together for dialogue and conversation. Imenki said all political parties need to work towards projects and solutions for the current political issues.

"I have not seen the PUK's project, but I know PUK is eager to find solutions for the crises,” Imenki said. “We as KDP are open for any proj--ects and conversations aim--ing at ending the issues."

He thinks changes in the parliament presidency might be an initial solution.

"We expect all parties to

come to the table and all of them need to bear the re--sponsibility for the current circumstances,” he said.

Barzani delivered a mes--sage on New Year’s Day calling on all the political parties to convene and settle this issue permanently. He said they should decide on early elections for a new president, name a new presi--dent until 2017, or agree on the status quo to continue until 2017 because of war and the extraordinary situ--ation in Kurdistan. He said he support any president that the parties can agree upon to serve until 2017.

Deputy Parliament Speaker: Change in Parliament Presidency is one of the Solutions

WEATHER

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

814

713

212

-112

112

414

312

ERBIL FORECAST

Lala Abdullah’s Art RealismLala Abdullah, also known as Lala Abda, is a Kurdish painter from South--ern Kurdistan and was born in 1947 in Suleimani. She’s one of the well-known painters of Kurdistan and has popular--ity on the European level as well. She started studying in Suleimani, which was the first step in her academic trainh-ing. At that time she began choosing the topics of daily life and people in the city that have now become the main themes of her art works. She has drawn stun--ning nature landscapes with water col--ors in which flowers, mountains, plains, villages and Kurdish traditional clothes can be seen. Abda’s inspiration comes from the daily interaction she has with the local people.

Baghdad and Suleimani were the main cities where she displayed her art work. During the seventies, she headed to Italy and started studying at the Academy of Florence. It was her dream come true, especially in having Kurdistan recog--nized in Italy and Europe through her art with the traditional cultures that Kurd--istan has, especially in recognition of Kurdish portraits and Kurdish tradition--al instruments. These types of cultural paintings now hang in galleries of Italy and Europe.

The seventies of the last century were considered the golden years of Kurdish culture and art in Southern Kurdistan. So it was of great importance to her as a Kurd to gain such an academic achieve--ment during the years of being abroad. The exhibition of Kurdish artists in Eu--rope are one of the rare exhibitions that will remain in the archive of Kurdish art. Her experience in art will remain as an important inspiration for Kurdish students and teachers. Lala Abda is a fa--mous name of Kurdistan and will always be remembered in art of painting.

By Ashti Garmiyani

The film ‘My Father’s Garden’, written and directed by Shwan Attuf, was recently shown at the International Film Festival of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The film centers around a poem by Mawlana Jalal-Addin AlhRomi; in its first internah-tional showing was displayed along with fourteen interna--tional films in the contest for the “Muhr Guld Short Film”.

The Dubai festival had over 120 films and a variety of cath-egories, such as: Muhr Main Contest, Muhr Short Film Contest, Emirates Muhr Film

Contest, Gulf Muhr Short Film Contest, World Cinema Con--test, Arabic Nights Contest, and the Cinema for Kids Con--test.

My Father’s Garden is At--tuf’s second work as a Direc--tor, preceded by Home and Key, which won thirteen inter--national prizes.

The 13 minutehfilm, which was produced in the Sulei--maniya, was sponsored by Ho--tel Ramada and was launched by the I Love Film company.

By H.G. Hassan

Shwan Attuf ’s My Father’s Garden in Dubai