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Iraq-Jordan
Kurdish parliament opens
2005-06-05
EFL.
BAGHDAD - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has called on Kurdish regional deputies to set a democratic example for the war-torn nation. Talibani, Iraq's first Kurdish president, addressed lawmakers at the inaugural session of their regional parliament in the northern city of Arbil, urging them to establish a democratic and federal system.

"Your democratically elected parliament faces a critical period in the history of Iraq," Talabani said, speaking in Arabic. "Our sacred task is to draft a permanent constitution that guarantees equality for all of Iraqi society," he said, reiterating that all ethnic and religious groups were needed to draw up the vital document that is to be put to a referendum in October.

The first session of the assembly opened more than four months after general elections, following talks between Talabani and rival Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani who was recently chosen as regional president.

Iraqi Kurds are mostly Sunni Muslims, comprise nearly 20 percent of the country's 26-million population and believe strongly in a federal state.
Posted by:Steve White

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