Kurds say to leave (Iraqi) government if demands not met

Azzaman

The Kurds will withdraw from the government of Prime Minister Noori al-Maliki if their share of the country’s oil revenues is reduced.

Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish member of parliament, and a veteran Kurdish politician accused “certain political factions” in the government of attempts to “slash the gains Kurds have made” since a U.S.-led invasion toppled the regime of former leader Saddam Hussein.

Othman accused some Arab parliamentary blocs, both Shiite and Sunni, of attempts to “ignite Arab-Kurdish strife.”

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But Othman said if the parliament rejects the proposal, the Kurds will leave the government.

A Kurdish departure will deny Maliki the parliamentary majority but analysts say Arab factions, both Shiite and Sunni, which have so far shunned the government, may join in.