Talibani: differences with the Shiite over Karkouk, Bashmargha

Chairman of the Kurdistani National Union party, Jalal al-Talibani, stressed that there is a difference between the Kurds and the Shiite United Coalition over Karkouk and the fate of the Kurdish Bashmargha militias, but he indicated continued talks.

Talibani, a candidate for the post of the president of Iraq said that the Kurdish side demanded a large scale government which will also include the prime minister of the Interim government Eyad Allawi and the other parties as well as the Sunni. He said that they should have "a role ion the next Iraqi government." The interim Iraqi vice president Rose Shawesi said that the talks between the Shiite and the Kurds which failed on Sunday in reaching a satisfactory meeting over the formation of a new government will be resumed after the first parliament session due to be held next Wednesday.

In addition to the post of the president, the Kurds demand one of the superior ministries like the ministries of the Interior, finance or defense. They also want to increase their share of oil revenues to 25% instead of 17% in addition to annexing Karkouk to the border of Kurdistan area which has been enjoying self rule since the 1970s.

Such a crisis is in the service of Allawi whose government will continue to be in power until the holding of general elections set by the end of this year.