Talabani visited the region in early February to resolve issues stemming from Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution dealing with the normalization of relations with ethnic communities in Kirkuk.

Article 140 attempts to reconcile grievances imposed by Saddam Hussein, who redrew boundaries in the oil-rich Kurdish region. The article calls for a new census to determine eligible electoral participation and referenda determining future provincial boundaries.

Kirkuk's Kurdish ethnic communities are pushing for integration into the Kurdistan Regional Government, though the Turkomen and Arab communities oppose that measure.

Talabani announced the establishment of a joint committee between Kurdish representatives and members of the Turkomen Front party during the visit, The Kurdish Globe reported. He urged officials with the Turkomen Front to end their opposition to the Kirkuk Provincial Council and encouraged more amicable ties between the Turkomen and Kurds.

Talabani suggested to officials a final resolution to Article 140 may include the equal distribution of administrative posts among Kurds, Arabs and Turkomen, with a minor delegation awarded to the Christian community.

Implementation of Article 140 was slated for completion by the end of 2007, but Kurdish officials approved a plan developed by the United Nations to delay the measure an additional six months.

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