Nechirvan Barzani further undermines PM Salih & $4bn of KRG funds goes missing
Kurdishaspect.com - By Shwan Zulal
The Kurdish parliament has
been scrutinising the Kurdish
Regional Governemnt as of
late due to the recent
protests across Kurdistan.
The most significant issue
discussed, was the four
Billion US Dollars, which
has been reported,
“missing” from KRG budget.
When PM Barham Salih was
called to answer question in
parliament, he was asked
about the missing funds, he
replied saying that he does not know where the funds were and “wish he could have an extra $4bn on government budget”. The PM was looking very vulnerable when asked question about the subject and the way he answered looked deliberate as he was trying to have a snipe at the previous PM and KDP. The Kurdish press has noticed his answer and they Immediately dug out old footage of an interview with the PM discussing KRG budget at the beginning of his term. In the interview Salih is clearly saying that the “money was available” to his government, but little he knew that his government would be denied access to the funds in the future.
When the last PM, Nechirvan Barzani left office after the last election, he boasted about his record in office and said that KRG has $4bn surplus in its account. Opposition MPs have been following this matter as well as the media and public, but so far nothing official has emerged about the funds.
The incumbent and opposition have exchanged many claims and counter claims but none has been proven. The only report from some Kurdish media that have yet to be denied by KDP, is the funds are in a foreign bank account under KRG name but only two trustees can access the funds which does not include the PM. The trustees mentioned in the allegations were former PM Nechirvan Barzani and natural resources minister, Ashti Hawrami.
It is not a secret, Nechirvan Barzni, relinquished power unwillingly, and he had to due to the strategic agreement between PUK and KDP. May commentator have doubted the transfer of power would be straightforward and the predictions were correct. Nechirvan has not taken any official posts since he was PM but he has been acting like the vice president and showed that he still have more authority than the current Prime minister. As of now, junior Barzani is in Iran discussing the current situation in Kurdistan with Iranian ministers without any authority from KRG. The Ex PM has yet to have an official title but seems to act as if he is still the PM. His actions can only be described as a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the current PM and display his influence.
If the allegations about the funds are correct, it is further evidence that the current PM has only a limited authority in PUK controlled areas in Kurdistan and none in KDP areas. This suspicious behaviour by Barzani family is a clear indication of lack of trust between KDP and PUK politicians, as well as confirming that the two-tier administration system exists to date. This will only confirm what the public have been suspicious about, which is that Barzani family and cronies are treating government fund as their own.
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March 28, 2011
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