AssyriaTimes Forum

Is Talabani Confused?

Posted By: Shamiram Daniali (p11p3.geo.sp1.yahoo.com)
Date: Friday, 3 October 2008, at 10:49 p.m.

Associated Press reports today:

Firyad Rawndouzi, a Kurdish lawmaker, told The Associated Press that the three-member panel led by President Jalal Talabani had signed the law Friday and asked the parliament "to solve the minorities’ problem."

The approval from Talabani and his deputies, Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi and Shiite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi, was especially significant because they had vetoed a previous version over the summer.

Click here to read the full report
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081003/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq

The question here is, why did the Presidium committee President Talabani and his two vice presidents) did not veto the bill again, which has taken away the rights of minorities, especially the indigenous Assyrian people their rights of representation in the Regional Councils?

In an interview with Ken Joseph Jr. on Middle East Times, published on today, October 03, 2008

“We will do all that is needed to get all of our people home, in particular our minorities and indigenous Assyrians," Iraqi President Jalal Talabani tells the Middle East Times.

NEW YORK -- In an exclusive interview to the Middle East Times at the sidelines of the opening of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was upbeat about Iraq's future. Though a bit tired by recent surgery, Talabani also took time out from his schedule to express his views on a controversial decision taken by parliament on minorities.

"Iraq is doing well. Violence is down dramatically and people are returning home," the Iraqi president said.

"The law was just recently passed," Talabani said. "It is not consistent with the constitution nor with what we feel is needed for Iraq. We need to do all we can to help those who are currently displaced to return home. As president I have the right to amend what parliament passes and I can assure you that we will be amending the change in the law immediately."

He continued: "We need to protect our minorities and this change sends exactly the wrong message. We are doing all we can to help those displaced to return and recently have put together a plan to provide 10 million Iraqi dinars (approximately $8,500) to all who return as well as help in building a home and starting business for all."

"We need to get a message to the Assyrians and others that now is the time to come home. Whatever they need we will do for them," Talabani said.

The Iraqi president told the Middle East Times that he would fight parliament on the matter and win: "Tell them all that I will personally make sure that the article be restored and to contact me directly if there are any problems. We will do all that is needed to get all of our people home, in particular our minorities and indigenous Assyrians."

Although promises come easy to politicians, many Iraqis have high expectations that the assurances made by Talabani, Maliki and Zebari will be realized.

In response to this interviewer's skepticism that his words will end up just that, words, Talabani thundered with his deep voice, "I am president! Don't worry."

But the devil is in the details.

Click here to read the full report:
http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/10/03/iraqs_talabani_pledges_to_restore_minorities_law_exclusive/5774/

So, the question again is, now that President Talabani admits the Assyrians are the indigenous people of Iraq, and that their rights to representation should not be taken away, why did he not just veto the bill? Why did he and his vice presidents approved the bill and passed the buck to the Parliament to “solve the minorities’ problem?” Is Talabani confused?

Shamiram