All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc

by **Kevind53** Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:44 pm

30/08/2012 16:14

ERBIL, Aug. 30 (AKnews) - A member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives from the White bloc said all parties agreed on the need to hold a census to develop data in Iraq, denying that any party rejects the census.

Kurdish newspaper Rudaw cited Kurdish MPs as saying that only Kurds want to conduct a census in Iraq, while others (Shiite and Sunni) do not want to hold it.

The newspaper reported that: "The Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki signed an agreement with the Kurds in 2010 and the census was supposed to be held within one year, according to the agreement, but this was not implemented at all.”

Rudaw also quoted a Kurdish MP as saying: "Maliki does not want to hold the census and the reason, as everyone knows, is that 85 percent of the population of Khanaqin, 50 percent of the people of Kirkuk, and 75 percent of the population of Chenkal (in Nineveh) are Kurds. Accordingly, if the census was conducted, Maliki will lose control on the disputed areas."

Bloc member Jamal al-Battikh said: "The census is an urgent need for the country, because the countries of the world have a census every ten years to develop data about the population and their needs, and now we are in dire need for a census, but there are obstacles that hinder conducting it.

The most prominent obstacles that hinder conducting the census are the areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad.

"We support holding the census, especially because the Ministry of Planning announced two years ago the end of the preparations. But another issue hindered the census - that is the issue of religion and nationalism. But this issue is not as serious as the issue of disputed areas."

Regarding the presence of political efforts in the Council of Representatives to disrupt the census, Battikh said: "Everyone supports Iraq's need for a census to organize the overall aspects of life, and contribute to acquiring news statistics that allow the state to find out the real need of citizens.”

By Wafaa Zangana

RN/DM/AKnews

http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/323882/

by SEBtopdog Fri Aug 31, 2012 2:55 pm

You know, Kevin, what's weird is that census was completed over a year ago. I listened to a clip back then with Dr. Shabbibi talking about the completion of the census. It was very clear. So either they're circulating old news stories, or this is smoke. If I could put my hands on that clip now, I'd post it here. But it was originally brought to the conference calls Patriot used to host. He played it over and over so there would be no doubt that the census was completed.

by **Kevind53** Fri Aug 31, 2012 3:02 pm

Yeah I remember that, but I also seem to remember the Kurds were unhappy because they felt they were not completely counted ... so maybe ...

by SEBtopdog Fri Aug 31, 2012 3:40 pm

Classic case of "demanding a recount", eh?

by **Kevind53** Fri Aug 31, 2012 5:14 pm

Yea, well apparently because of the ruggedness of the country up north and because many of the Kurdish people are somewhat migratory in nature many were never counted ... at least that's what the Kurds were saying ...

by SEBtopdog Fri Aug 31, 2012 5:24 pm

Likewise, they could be counted twice ... kind of like Democrats in Chicago!

by **Kevind53** Fri Aug 31, 2012 5:44 pm

Well you know what they say there ... vote early, vote often .... All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc 235134252

by **Terbo56** Fri Aug 31, 2012 5:51 pm

Well if they migrate, why don't they call them 'BURDS', instead of 'KURDS'? All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc 2032510400

All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc 2032510400

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All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc

All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc

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Re: All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc

Re: All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc

Re: All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc

Re: All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc

Re: All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc

Re: All parliamentary blocs agree on the need to conduct census, says White Bloc