Kurds are already negotiating over the oil-rich region of Kirkuk reported a British daily yesterday. The London Times said that "Kurds are proposing Kirkuk's oil remain a national Iraqi asset and that in return Kurds should receive a percentage of Iraq's overall oil revenue proportional to their population."

Following the Iraq election where Kurds won 77 of the 275 seat National Assembly, there have been concerns voiced by Turkey, over who will govern the oil-rich territory of Kirkuk. Turkey is concerned that Turkmen will be marginalized if Kirkuk is governed by the Kurds.