Al-Jazeera TV, 18 Oct 2012 – Iraqi MP Ala Talabani from the Kurdish coalition criticized the arms contracts signed by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki with Russia and the Czech Republic. The recent contracts are signed at $4 billion. Ala Talabani described these contracts as in contrast of the announced objective, being the fight against violence and terrorism.
Iraqi MP Ala Talabani: 17 trillion Iraqi dinars have been assigned to security in the 2012 budget, while 5 trillion has been designated for education, hygiene, environment, higher research and other issues. We have this question that has this entire budget been spent that now the prime minister once again signs a $4 billion deal? They say these weapons are for the fight against terrorism and violence. We believe these weapons are for war in mountainous and desert regions, and we believe the desert war is against the Sunnis and the mountain war is against us. If it was otherwise, why have all these deals and the use of new Iraqi forces under the pretext of Tigris Operations in Kirkuk have taken place? And why has the Kirkuk airport been filled with various weapons?
In this regard, in an interview with al-Jazeera TV, MP Hossein al-Assadi of the State of Law coalition denied any concerns over the arms deals signed by the prime minister and said the deals are for purchasing defensive weaponry and are taking place under the supervision of the Foreign Ministry.
Iraqi MP Hossein al-Assadi from the State of Law coalition: There are no reasons for these concerns, and they are not real or documented, on this basis that the Iraqi government is an elected government founded on democratic principles and all political parties are participating in it. Therefore, our Kurdish brothers are also present in this government. Based on this, when this government makes a decision, this decision is taken by the Council of Ministers, in which Kurdish ministers have participated in. Furthermore, these deals and similar measures have been adopted under the supervision of the Foreign Ministry.