Kurdish regional flag triggers row in Iraq’s Kirkuk

By Ali Mukarrem Garip and Sultan Cogalan

BAGHDAD

Hanging the flag of northern Iraq’s Kurdish region outside public buildings in Kirkuk could lead to friction between city residents, Vice President Osama al-Nujeifi said Tuesday.

“Such an act is incongruous with national unity in Kirkuk and conflicts with the spirit of understanding and solidarity among city residents,” he said in a statement.

“It is unacceptable to impose the will of a single group or party on residents.”

Al-Nujeifi spoke out after 26 Kurdish members of Kirkuk’s provincial assembly on Tuesday decided to hang the Kurdish regional flag alongside Iraq’s national flag outside the city’s public buildings.

Arab and Turkmen members of the provincial assembly were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

“As the representatives of Arabs, we do not approve any decision from the assembly without considering us,” Arab assembly member Burhan Mzhir al-Asi said.

Fellow Arab member Maan al-Hamdani added: “One-sided resolutions cannot be acceptable as Kirkuk is a district under Baghdad’s administration.”

In a statement issued later, the Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized the “unilateral” move as a violation of Iraq’s constitution.

Adverse effect on security

“The adoption of unilateral steps related to Kirkuk’s status hurts the prospects for dialogue and is contrary to the notion of a constitutional process,” the ministry said.

“Such an approach will have an adverse effect on the country’s security and stability.”

During the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Kurdish Peshmerga forces seized Kirkuk, prompting an influx of Kurds to the city.

Article 140 of the 2005 constitution stipulates that Kurds forced to leave Kirkuk under former President Saddam Hussein should be allowed to return and that a referendum should be held to determine whether Kirkuk should fall within Iraq’s Kurdish region.

However, due to deep-seated political sensitivities Article 140 has yet to be implemented.

While Baghdad has said Kirkuk is administratively dependent on Iraq’s central government, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party demands Kirkuk’s incorporation into the Kurdish region.

The city’s Turkmen residents oppose this idea, saying Kirkuk should enjoy a “special status”.

Kirkuk’s population is mainly composed of Arab, Turkmen and Kurdish inhabitants.

* Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara.