„The Berlin Accord“ – Third Friedrich Naumann Foundation conference on the future of Kirkuk adopts signal political document

German Bundesrat The title of the 28-30 April 2009 conference in the German Bundesrat: „Implementing the Dead Sea Declaration: Just and durable solutions to the challenges of governance in Kirkuk“.

Funded by the German Foreign Office and the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations, the meeting thus explicitly built on the first two Friedrich Naumann Foundation conferences on Kirkuk in Jordan last year and notably on the Dead Sea Declaration of December 2008. In keeping with the United Nations’ mission in Iraq (UNAMI) expressed wish to sustain the positive momentum created with these conferences, the Berlin meeting was to continue the search for solutions with regard to governing and power-sharing in the Iraqi province of Kirkuk.

Meeting in the heart of the German capital and impressed by its history of political challenges, compromises and reconciliation of historic proportions, the 25 conference participants – leading political decision-makers representing all essential political movements of Kirkuk – discussed behind closed doors and in the absence of media coverage.

In view of the political situation and dynamics in Iraq, time is of the essence. In opening the conference, Mr Reinhard Silberberg, State Secretary at the Foreign Office and Dr. Irmgard Schwaetzer, Member of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Board of Directors hence called upon the Iraqi guests to seize the opportunity and work constructively for the citizens of Kirkuk.

Guided by a team of international experts led by Dr. John Packer (University of Essex) and Dr. Joost Hiltermann, the Iraqi guests answered the call and, in settling on the Berlin Accord, adopted a remarkable arrangement in the area of public sector employment. The document stipulates the distribution of leadership positions and all other public-sector positions in Kirkuk as per a power-sharing formula all group previously agreed to.

Thus, a solution for one of the key questions of governing in the province has been set out. „Bearing the signature of all 25 participants, the Accord is of significant political as well as symbolic value“, says Mr Ralf Erbel, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s Resident Representative in Jordan who is in charge of the project. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation intended to continue to assist

the leaders of Kirkuk, explained Mr Erbel, and was determined to further support the international community’s and the United Nations’ efforts towards a peaceful and prosperous development in Northern Iraq.

Prior to the start of the conference, the Iraqi guests were welcomed by Dr. Wolf-Dieter Zumpfort, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Vice President of the Board of Directors at the Foundation’s Head Office in Potsdam.

The status of the oil-rich city and governorate of Kirkuk is a most controversial political issue, threatening to spark a conflict between the various ethnic and political groups in the governorate. As the contest over the city and governorate’s status heats up, an escalation in violence - which could spread quickly elsewhere in the country - is feared. The current situation being one of political deadlock, the Kirkuk conflict also serves as the major obstacle to further legislative progress in Iraq.

Kirkuk II conference, December 2008

More information: www.fnst-amman.org

overview