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Kurds Threaten to Block Iraqi Election

Dispute over Kirkuk holds up passage of new election law

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 29, 2009 4:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – A dispute over the oil-rich province of Kirkuk is threatening to delay the Iraqi elections scheduled for January and push Arab-Kurd tensions past the breaking point. Kurdish lawmakers in the Iraqi parliament have vowed to block a vote on a new election law unless authorities agree to use voter records from 2009 in the election, instead of records from 2004 when the population was more heavily Arabic.

Kirkuk was historically Kurdish, but Saddam Hussein's regime forced tens of thousands of Kurds out of the city to make it more heavily Arabic. Many of the displaced Kurds have now returned. Massoud Barzani, president of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, said incorporating Kirkuk into Kurdistanis the only solution, AP reports. "We want it to be annexed to our region because the majority of its population" is Kurdish, he said.

Kurdish regional President Massoud Barzani, left, talks with newly elected Prime Minister of the Kurdish region Government of Iraq Barham Saleh prior to a swearing-in ceremony yesterday. (AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed)

A supporter of Kurdish regional president Massoud Barzani waves a Kurdish flag. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

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Kurds Threaten to Block Iraqi Election

Dispute over Kirkuk holds up passage of new election law

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Turkey Kills 35 Civilians in Attempted Hit on Rebels

Kurdish officials claim the dead were actually teen cigarette smugglers

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VP urges Maliki to strengthen coalition with Kurds, Sunnis

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Kurds Threaten to Block Iraqi Election

Dispute over Kirkuk holds up passage of new election law

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Kurdistan • Kurds • Massoud Barzani • Kirkuk • Iraqi elections

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Turkey Kills 35 Civilians in Attempted Hit on Rebels

Kurdish officials claim the dead were actually teen cigarette smugglers

Biden Tells Iraqis to Mend Fences —Like, Now

VP urges Maliki to strengthen coalition with Kurds, Sunnis

56 Killed in Blasts Across Iraq

Dozens wounded; explosions end weeks of relative peace

Biden in Iraq to Talk Troop Withdrawal

Sadr faction wants them out on schedule in December

Iraq Breaks Political Deadlock

Maliki will return as PM under tentative deal

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?