Full Statement by PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani

PUKMEDIA

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani.

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has released a video message announcing the party’s immediate withdrawal from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), declaring that the PUK will not recognise any government or officials resulting from the process.

The following is the full text of President Bafel Jalal Talabani’s statement:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Dear comrades, good evening...

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan tried very hard to establish a government, a different kind of government—a government to serve everyone in Kurdistan, to reconcile our neighbouring countries, and to secure a good and robust relationship with Baghdad so that we could safeguard our citizens' rights. I have visited Erbil more than 15 times, sat down with all the gentlemen in Erbil, and they have sent several people to meet with us. Regrettably, we have been unable to reach a result thus far.

Every single phase that we advanced, they disrupted the process under one pretext or another. This thing that has been done—we could have done it too. They tell me parliament has convened; no, parliament has not convened. A minority within the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) proved today that they do not know what democracy is, that they hold zero respect for you, the voters, and they proved today that they do not know how governance should be conducted in this country. They proved something else, too: they proved that they can use your money better than us to buy members of parliament, and use your money to threaten MPs.

We could have made it happen, comrades. If it is a matter of fear, I own it; it does not own me, but we will never subject you to that kind of disrespect. We will never tamper with your vote. I have told you many times, let's not make that mistake; if something like that happens, we will not recognise it and we will not deal with it. 

Therefore, today, following the meeting of the PUK Leadership, where full authority was granted to me without having to refer back to the Leadership to handle this matter, I announce to you here: we do not recognise this thing; we do not recognise anything that stems from this thing.

For two years, this caretaker government has failed to provide the simplest things. Look at how salaries are delayed. Compare the price of our oil to the price of Baghdad's oil. Compare the price of our petrol to the price of Baghdad's petrol. Examples are manifold; this government has failed. Therefore, the first decision of the PUK Leadership after this event is that, as of this minute, we are withdrawing from this failed government that calls itself the government of Kurdistan. What does this mean? It means we will use all our strength and power to provide our people in our region with whatever they need. You have seen for yourselves—everyone knows that this thing will not succeed, and this programme will not work.

You have seen—mashallah—how many political factions and countries around the world have congratulated us. We are ready to make every sacrifice for our nation. While you are occupied with this matter, we, the PUK, are engaged with the issues of Rojava. While you are occupied with this, we are engaged in the peace process in Northern Kurdistan. While you are busy with this, we are ensuring that our brothers in Eastern Kurdistan also receive their rightful dues. While you are busy with this, we are in Baghdad day in and day out to calm the situation so that our people can live well, secure their salaries, and protect their rights.

I have a message for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and I will start with this: you made a decision yourselves, and you know the decision isn't right. But I tell you as brothers, do not frighten our people. Everyone knows the PUK. We made a promise to Almighty God long ago that we will not let a single drop of anyone's blood be shed in Kurdistan. Therefore, I ask you to halt this mobilisation of forces and these actions that you started yesterday. Stop these things; no one is coming after you—no one will do anything to you. You have made such a decision, so you should not panic at the same time. But I want this to be crystal clear: I repeat, we do not recognise this thing; we do not recognise any government or position that comes out of this. We do not recognise you. You are forcing us to react; whatever you do over there, we will do right here.

You appoint a President of the Region, we will appoint a President of the Region. You appoint ministers, we will appoint ministers. You appoint a Prime Minister, we will appoint a Prime Minister.

This Region belongs to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan; it was built with the blood of the PUK's martyrs.

Let me tell you this: By Almighty God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful—you started it, and I will finish it.


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