It seems to me that the heads of the Kurdish opposition groups are complaining that they're not automatically and instantly going to be handed power as soon as the US deposes Saddam, while the US still hasn't worked out the details of an occupation and how the future government will be constituted. The fact that the Kurdish opposition is still divided doesn't help.

AFAIK, the latest public statement of US policy regarding post-Saddam Iraq was given on February 11 (less than a week ago) by Marc Grossman before Lugar's Foreign Relations committee. [link|http://www.state.gov/p/17616.htm|Here].

Both we and the Iraqis we are meeting make the point that Iraqis on the outside will not control decisions that will, ultimately, have to be made by all Iraqis. The Iraqi diaspora is a great resource but not a substitute for what all Iraqis will need to do together to work towards democracy in their country. Both we and free Iraqis look forward to the day when all Iraqis are able to talk freely and work together to build a free and democratic Iraq.

And while we are listening to what the Iraqis are telling us, at the end of the day, the United States Government will make its decisions based on what is in the national interest of the United States.

What the Transition Might Look Like
Mr. Chairman, let me conclude with a short observation about how we get to this future for Iraq, recognizing that no decisions have been made on structure or timing. The Administration is still considering these issues, and discussing ideas with free Iraqis who are in the political opposition, technocrats, intellectuals and others. We are also consulting with our close allies and with you.

Conceptually, there are three stages:

1. Stabilization, where an interim Coalition military administration will focus on security, stability and order; laying the groundwork for stage 2.
2. Transition, where authority is progressively given to Iraqi institutions as part of the development of a democratic Iraq.
3. Transformation, after Iraqis have drafted, debated and approved a new, democratic constitution and held free and fair elections, the only way for any future Iraqi government to be truly legitimate.

Mr. Chairman, I recognize my testimony today has been only the start of an effort to answer your questions about the future of Iraq. There are many uncertainties.

What I am certain about is that we seek an Iraq that is democratic, unified, multi-ethnic, with no weapons of mass destruction, which has cut its links to all terrorists, and is at peace with its neighbors.
We expect to stay in close touch with you over the coming weeks.

As slowly as things move in Washington, I would take this to still be the US policy and take the Kurdish complaints as an attempt at public diplomacy. I don't think US policy has changed. But we'll see in coming weeks....

My $0.02.

Cheers,
Scott.