Mohammed Amin Jaff

Mohammed Amin Jaff is the son of Ahmad Beg Hama Saleh Beg Jaff, the head of the Baram Begi of the Jaff Begzada.  His mother Saadat Khanim, is the daughter of the famous Kurdish poet Tahir Beg, son of Usman Pasha Jaff. 

Mohammed Amin Jaff was born in the autumn of 1930, in the Village of Chirosana, near Halabja, located in the northeast region of Iraq. He completed his primary and secondary studies in Halabja and Kirkuk respectively.  

In 1954, he obtained his bachelor degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Baghdad.   

In 1957, he obtained his Master degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arizona in Tucson, USA.  

In 1963, he attended a comprehensive one year management program at Transworld Management Corporation, Long Beach, CA, USA.

In 1965, he attended a management program for the General Directors to improve the management and administration of the state’s industrial establishments.  

In 1968, he obtained a diploma through an advanced program and studies at ISVE, an Italian organization for economic development in Naples.     

Mohammed Amin Jaff served at both the ministry of industry and the ministry of foreign affairs in Iraq during the period (1958 - 1993).  He was well known for his strong management, administration, and diplomatic skills.

HE Ambassador Mohammed Amin Jaff with His Majesty King Hussein

and Prince Abdulla

 In 1970 he was promoted to the post of Director General in the ministry of Industry. During his career, he directed several state owned organizations and companies.  He was highly appreciated for his active role in achieving the objectives of these sectors.  His contributions were evident in several managerial and administrative venues through his chairmanship or membership of various boards of directors.

 In late 1979 Mohammed Amin Jaff joined the diplomatic service, and was appointed as Ambassador in the Iraqi ministry of foreign affairs. Shortly after his appointment he was assigned to the post of Ambassador to Japan, where he served until late 1986 for two consecutive terms, and became the dean of the Arab Ambassadors in Japan.

 Moreover, his skillful diplomatic efforts with regard to the Iran-Iraq war were highly effective and influential. He was instrumental in moderating the Japanese stance towards the Iran-Iraq war to a more balanced position, and in extending the Japanese involvement and its efforts in ending the bloodshed of that destructive war.  

Interview with the Tokyo Times during the first week of the Iraq-Iran war

In late 1986 he was moved to a more sensitive and even more important Ambassadorial post in China, as it is a permanent member of the Security Council and a focal point for Iraqi trade and diplomacy, especially during the Iran-Iraq war and its serious impact on their mutual economic interests.  

 He remained in this post until late 1993 for two consecutive terms and again becoming the dean of the Arab Ambassadors in China. He was instrumental in maintaining the already advanced relationship with China.  

Mohammed Amin Jaff had an outstanding and active diplomatic role in developing a more advanced relationship between his country and the countries accredited to.  The advancement of the official, economic and cultural ties had been well noticed.  During his tenure, he built strong official and personal relations and acquaintances with top official leaders, parliamentarians, political parties, business circles, diplomatic corps, cultural institutions, professional unions, mass media, and other dignitaries.  

Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador

As to Mohammed Amin Jaff’s political view of the Kurdish case, regardless of his non-involvement in any of the political parties, he maintained a strong sense of belonging to his Kurdish nationality.  He proudly defended the Kurdish case in various relevant occasions, through different means, with a logical and realistic view.  

In his view, the interest of the Kurdish nation in Iraq under the geopolitical surrounding require that the Iraqi Kurds enjoy their full political, cultural, and financial rights in the Iraqi region of Kurdistan under a large Iraqi umbrella. The Kurds should work on strengthening their friendly and brotherly ties with the Iraqi-Arab nation and the rest of the minorities to jointly achieve permanent security, stability, and prosperity, while maintaining a decent standard of living for the Kurdish nation and Iraq as a whole .

It is worth mentioning that prior to the declaration of the law of autonomy for the Iraqi-Kurdistan region; Mohammed Amin Jaff had expressed his view clearly, in writing, when he was consulted, amongst others, by the Arab Baath ruling party as one of the visible Kurdish dignitaries and intellectuals in Baghdad.

Mohammed Amin Jaff currently lives in the USA and Morocco. He has three children Sharmeen who has a master degree in city planning, Nazar who is an entrepreneur and a technology management consultant, and Diar who is .focused on Business Administration.

With Ahmad Beg (Father) & Dawood Beg Jaff