Kurdish delegation has balancing act in Iraqi government formation

By Mohammad Al-Ghazzi BAGHDAD, Aug 14 (KUNA) -- The Kurdistan blocs coalition delegation asserted that its working paper aims at breaking the political deadlock following discussing it on August 12 with the head of the Iraqi List Iyad Allawi to expedite the government formation.
This assertion was made during an interview made by KUNA here with the spokesperson of the Kurdish delegation chief negotiator and deputy of the outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Rose Shawis.
The spokesperosn, who preferred to remain annonymous, said that the Kurdistan blocs coalition led by Shawis held a meeting following negotiations made with various political blocs in order to study the current political situation after Kurdistan lists have succeeded in breaking the logjam that reigned over the political landscape in the recent period.
Some analysts believe that Kurdistan blocs seek to play a "balancing act" in order to become the coveted partner in carving out the new government on condition of meeting Kurdish demands that start with the republic's presidency and do not stop short of determining the questions of disputed areas.
The spokesperson also asserted that the Kurdistan blocs coalition agreed upon perpetuating negotiations in order to form as quickly as possible a national coalition government enjoying the public approval.
The Kurds have 57 of the total 325 seats that the Iraqi House of Representatives is made up of including 43 seats for the Kurdistan alliance as well as 8 seats for the Kurdistani Change List (Gorran), 4 seats for the Kurdistan Islamic Union and 2 seats for Kurdistan Islamic Group.
Further, member of the Kurdistan blocs coalition delegation Muhammed Khalil has pointed out in a similar interview with KUNA that there is a response from some political blocs to the new negotiating chip that was put forward by the Kurdistan coalition last week.
Khalil asserted that the highlight of the coalition's working paper emphasizes, "the formation of a coalition government in the coming stage," noting that what it includes of proposals on the government formation and an agreed-upon vision among all Kurdistan blocs on the demands of Kurds, a governmental action plan and a roadmap.
Meanwhile, member of the Kurdistan Alliance Dr. Mahmoud Othman said in another interview with KUNA that the working paper that was put forward by the Kurdistan blocs coalition, "would be a basis for any decision made by the coalition in light of the stances adopted by various Iraqi blocs toward the coalition's program." Othman said, "this paper originally represents an old program though it is summed up in 15 main points and 5 guidelines." He made clear that a portion of this program is related to, "the Iraqi status quo represented in forming a national coalition government without marginalizing any party as well as devising a sort of a governmental program that asserts the national reconciliation, improving the security and services situation." (end) mhg.nbs.aff KUNA 141503 Aug 10NNNN