Iraq’s stability in Talabani’s absence

TEHRAN,Jan.6(MNA) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani recently suffered another stroke, and his deteriorating health has raised concerns about his political future. Iraqi political parties respect the Kurdish political figure for his long record of fighting against former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Talabani has also played an important role in mediating disputes between Iraq’s numerous political factions, and his absence will certainly have an effect on the country’s stability and security. Without a doubt, Talabani has been one of the main architects of Iraq’s democratic institutions over the past 10 years. In a comparatively short period of time, he has played a major role in strengthening the country’s political institutions, and this has helped Iraq weather the storms of many security crises. He has also trained many members of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which should reduce the concerns about his successor. And some of Talabani’s protégés, who have learned his political techniques, have already been put on the short list to succeed him and become the next president. Since the United States’ withdrawal from Iraq in 2011, the Iraqi government has greatly improved the security situation compared with the years of occupation. According to the Iraqi Constitution, the prime minister is responsible for security, and there should not be so much concern in the event that the office of the presidency is briefly vacated. Talabani has been fostering relations between Iran and Iraq for several decades. During the Saddam era, Talabani was a major opposition leader allied with Iran. He has also played a very constructive role in strengthening relations between the two neighbors in the post-Saddam era. Iran and Iraq currently enjoy a high level of cooperation in many areas, and the next president of Iraq is expected to follow Talabani’s policies in regard to Iran-Iraq relations. Talabani is greatly respected in Iraqi Kurdistan, but his demise would not necessarily cause major political problems in the region. The Kurdistan Regional Government is a constitutionally legitimate body and is not dependent on a single person. And disagreements between the KRG and the central government in Baghdad should not be blown out of proportion, especially since Iraq is still a fledgling democracy. Talabani’s successor should try to play the same mediatory role between Baghdad and the KRG in order to help Iraq stabilize its democracy and enhance its sovereignty. Hassan Kazemi Qomi is the secretary of the Iran-Iraq Economic Development Department, which is affiliated to Iran’s Presidential Office, and formerly served as Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad. (By Hassan Kazemi Qomi )