Justice for All

Iraqi Kurds deserve better neighbors- New Statesman (London) By Gary Kent February 28, 2008. A quirk of cruel history blighted some 30M Kurds to be under Arab governments' (Iraq & Syria) and Turkey's dominations. Iranians have no probelm, indeed even welcome the words Kurd and Kurdistan and their distinct music and cultures. But in Turkey 'Kurdistan' is illegal and Kurds are treated like 4th class citizens. Even registering Kurdish names are illegal! "The PKK is the result of and not the reason for Turkish actions," was the curt message from the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masoud Barzani, when a British parliamentary delegation visited him shortly before Turkish troops crossed into Iraq late on Thursday 21 February. For decades, Turkish governments have denied the rights of the country's Kurds. This more than anything has fuelled the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Full Text

World Affairs

Iraq's Kurds deserve better neighbours

Gary Kent

Published 28 February 2008

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There is obvious fellow feeling between Kurds in Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria, but the PKK's actions do the Kurds no favours

"The PKK is the result of and not the reason for Turkish actions," was the curt message from the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masoud Barzani, when a British parliamentary delegation visited him shortly before Turkish troops crossed into Iraq late on Thursday 21 February. For decades, Turkish governments have denied the rights of the country's Kurds. This more than anything has fuelled the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Addressing that issue would surely be better than infringing the sovereignty of the most successful part of Iraq. Besides, the PKK is based mainly inside Turkey, which has failed to deal with the problem for more than 24 years. Some PKK guerrillas are perched in the largely inaccessible Qandil mountains on the border between the two countries but have proved impossible to dislodge. Barzani should know: he co-operated several times with the Turks to try to do just that. Some fear al-Qaeda could take over Qandil.

In fact, the Kurdistan Regional Government strongly opposes the PKK. There is obvious fellow feeling between Kurds in Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria, but the PKK's actions do the Kurds no favours. KRG ministers believe Turkey is using the PKK as a pretext to constrain Iraqi Kurdistan.

Fears for the future of the region centre on Kir kuk, the Iraqi Kurds' historic capital, which was forcibly settled by Saddam Hussein's "10,000-dinar Arabs" in the 1970s. The new Iraqi constitution promised a referendum by the end of last year on whether the oil-rich city should be part of the KRG. The vote would almost certainly be in favour of that result.

The Kirkuk question mainly concerns oil, but that is an oversimplification. Whether Kirkuk is formally part of the region or not, oil revenues accrue to Baghdad and are then shared out proportionately. If the KRG region became larger that would, of course, increase the Kurdish share. But Turkey fears that Kirkuk's oil could come to provide the material basis for an independent Kurdistan, even though KRG leaders have long opted for autonomy within a democratic Iraq. The KRG understands the glaring political reality that Kurdish independence is a non-starter.

So we have a Mexican stand-off between two moderate and non-Arab Islamic entities that theoretically have much in common. Ankara refuses to deal directly with the KRG, which urges multilateral diplomatic action.

But although politics is in deep-freeze, trade is red-hot. Turkish companies are the main drivers of the region's rapid construction boom, nowhere more so than at the British-designed, multimillion-pound mega-airport in Erbil, where Turkish contractors proudly showed us the planet's fifth-longest runway. Historically, Iraqi Kurds say they have "no friends but the mountains", but they will soon have a political and commercial bridge to the world and possibly a railroad to Istanbul.

Kurdish leaders are playing a major role in building a federal Iraq - for example, as president and foreign minister. Yet there is a pervasive sense of limbo in the region and less optimism than in the first flush of "liberation" after 2003. The Iraqi parliament was slow to agree an oil law. Small oil companies have set up shop, but big players are nervous. The KRG desperately needs investment to maximise revenue from oil, gas, agriculture and tourism - yes, tourism.

Kurdistan is moving from a bloody past to an uncertain future. It has history in abundance: 182,000 Kurds died and 4,000 villages were razed in Saddam's genocidal Anfal campaign. Children are still being born with deformities caused by his chemical weapons. All this weighs heavily on the small, landlocked region, but there are signs of hope blowing in the wind, literally.

For Iraqi Kurds, the Iraqi flag was tainted by Saddam's totalitarian legacy and has long been banned. Now it has been redesigned and has been unfurled over the Kurdistan National Assembly beside KRG colours. The mostly secure and secular Kurdistan could yet be a model for the rest of Iraq, and the wider Middle East. It deserves better friends and neighbours.

Gary Kent visited Iraqi Kurdistan with the UK all-party parliamentary group on the region

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16 comments from readers redharry
28 February 2008

Bizzarre, Kent supportted the KLA and Nato in Kosovo where Albanians had greater rights that the Kurds in Turkey. Of course, Turkey is a Nato member. Sad to see the remains of the once anti-imperialist ILP in the hands of an imperialist stooge.

Lewis
28 February 2008

Iraqi Kurdistan should not be complaining about its neighbours when it hosts terrorists groups that frequently attacks each and every one of those neighbours.

Turkey and Iran would be well within their rights conducting anti-PKK/PJAK operations respectively within under these circumstances - morever, they would be well within their rights to attack the KRG themselves for giving them sanctuary and the freedom to operate

Incidently, Barzani is also threatening of civil war towards his Arab Iraqi partners if he does not get his way over Kirkut.

What sort of neighbours do the KRG deserve, ones who will put up with their beliigerence?

It is very disappointing that whenever these parliamentery types goe off on a fact finding mission, then come back spouting support for whichever group they spoke to. Rather like watching a teacher on their first day believing whichever of the bickering kids that gets their side in first.

nistiman
28 February 2008

It seems obvious that Turkey's hard work and diplomacy has paid off in the international community not questioning its labelling of the PKK as a "terrorist" organization. In fact, the PKK was not always viewed as such and intellectual honesty compells us -- well, not all of us -- not to swallow everything the Turks have to say. I don't claim that the PKK does not use violent tactics and that they have never employed 'terror' -- some things which can be said about any national liberation group or organized national army -- however, this is a far cry from making them a terrorist group. Henri Barkey and Graham Fuller published a book on Turkey's Kurdish Question where they came to a similar conclusion that the PKK has political objectives and has broad grass-roots supports and they employ violence (guerrilla warfare) to achieve them, alongside other diplomatic initiatives. They have declared numerous cease-fires and their political objectives are not at all unrealistic (ie. wipe the Turks off the face of the map, establish an independent Kurdistan, etc...): they seek broad cultural rights for Kurds, an end to the paid village guard system which forces Kurds to take up arms against other Kurds, and a general amnesty to PKK guerrillas so they can lay down their arms and engage in the political process. Their desperation for dialogue and negotiation is apparent and it is sad to see so many turn a blind eye to it.

Sarwar
28 February 2008

Dear All,

1. Agreeing with the argument that PKK has on various occasions used terror methods, still one should not forget that Kurds in Turkey are subjected to various types of discrimination and deprivation which has led to an accumulated grievance over years. Being left at the no solution area this has led to resistance, and PKK is a form of reaction to a wrong policy over years. Turkey has the key solution by adhering to a good governance policy in the Kurdish areas, which at the end would lead to weakening PKK.

2. Since 1960s Iraq has used the same policy against its Kurds. With all its military might, even using Chemical Weapons, Genocide Campaigns. This has led to nothing but complete failure, loss, bad economic and social outcomes for the whole region.

3. Even in the time of Saddam, neither the Iraqi regime nor the Turkish government could control those hard terrains of Iraqi Kurdistan which now PKK has taken, in the 1990s Turkish military, even with the help of the two main Kurdish parties could not control those areas. So how could you expect from Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to do this? You should look for the cause at the first place.

4. I agree that KRG lacks well-fledged democratic institutions, good-governance, and there is corruption, however; KRG has shown progress and by far the most stable region in Iraq. No other regional power could have kept the security balance of the Kurdish region better than KRG. Till today there are only 4 Coalition casualties (non-hostile) in the Kurdistan region. Playing with that structure and the primordial network of Kurdish society in Iraq would lead to huge security laps, which would need plus another Surge to bring it under control, besides losing what has already been achieved. This would definitely make the two main Kurdish parties busy which would lead to less control over the eastern border of the Region through which Ansar-Al-Islam repeatedly infiltrate (worst case scenario letting the Kurdistan mountains to be refuge for Al-Qaida) as they have done before the 2003 US-led-War and had to be cleansed then(by US troops+ Peshmarga forces).

5. Kurdish society is a moderate Islam to a rather liberal young generation. Hurting them would lead to the victory of a hard-line Islamic trend in that Region. Besides undermining the KRG would lead to more inefficiency in Baghdad, surge of the more radical (Sunnis+Shiets) powers to fill up any gap in Baghdad. The policy must be avoiding such worst case scenarios and working for it. KRG need not to be undermined, rather consultancy and direction towards good-governance policy.

dario
28 February 2008

Turkey is terrorising Kurdish people inside turkey using ultranationalist gangs and now exporting state Terror to Kurdish villages of iraqi Kurdistan..that they could not believe they got rid of sadam now Turkey destroying their schools, roads and hospitals.

instead of granting more rights to Kurds as required by EU to join the block..Turkey doing opposite and violating another country's soverginity. it is time for world to stand up for Kurds and say to Turkey enough is enough.

Mark Santiago
28 February 2008

First, I like to compliment the author for a well written article. I like to say that it is very easy to say just repeat what Turkey has to say about labeling PKK. They function as a Kurdish apolitical party and they are not any different then the Iraqi Kurdish political parties during Saddam Hussain time.

In a country (Turkey) where it is unconstitutional to be Kurdish there is very little room for political solution to the needs of 20 million plus Kurds. I dont think anyone wants war but people also must realize that Kurdish Youth abandoning everything they have including love and family to eat bread and bullet in the mountains must have a very good reason to do so.

To say that they only go because of their strong sense of national awareness wouldn't be 100% correct. people don't choose to face death unless they are forced to do so. Kurds in Turkey are facing severe irradiation at hand of the so called democratic Turkish Republic.

Turkeys government has destroyed more villages than the tyrant saddam Hussain. more than 4000 Kurdish villages in Turkey has been burned and destroyed. their populations are forced into the ghetto and slums of Istanbul, Ankara. without any industrial skill even their children's are forced to wash car windows on the streets. These are all crimes against Humanity. Speaking of Kurdish right in Turkey, reading or self educating on Kurdish books can and has on many occasions resulted in 5 or 6 year of impressment. imprisonments is followed by kidnapings, killing, and humiliation's from the government. These are state mandated terror on the Kurdish civilians in Turkey.

Bayer
28 February 2008

The article is a propaganda piece and comments are hilarious! I am sure all are "experts".

Two other coments (from real experts) for tought;

"Northern Iraq may look peaceful and democratic to Westerners focused on the south, but Turkey's Kurds understand it is really two mutually antagonistic, quasi-feudal statelets named Barzanistan and Talabanistan."Grenville Byford (Newsweek)

"The EU and US have shot themselves in the foot. Here we have a country, a hugely important strategic nation right in the middle of the world's biggest trouble spot, and they've lost influence by stringing the Turks along. This is a foretaste of a future in which Turkey feels empowered enough to be an autonomous player in international affairs." Giles Merritt, Security & Defense Agenda.

Lorin Kurdvan
28 February 2008

Barzani said it well, "The PKK is the result of and not the reason for Turkish actions." Kurds in northern Kurdistan have been oppressed and tortured by the Turkish Government. Turkey has continued to rob human rights from Kurds in northern Kurdistan and now they want to cross borders and do the same to sourthern Kurdistan. Is it not enough that Kurds of sourthern Kurdistan struggled for decades to escape the torture of the Iraqi regime, and now that they have managed to stabiize the region and start a developing stage Turkey finds it necessary to invade under the impression of attacking PKK camps.

The Kurdish struggle will continue and soon there will be an independent Kurdish state.

photoline
28 February 2008

For all those sad PKK lovers out there - here is a bit of information:

Close to 1/3 of the Turkish population is composed of people of Kurdish heritage....and yet compare this to the votes DTP received in the recent elections, it is easy to see that Turkey is not divided among Kurdish - Turkish lines. 99% of people who are Turkish citizens who reside in Turkey acknowldge the need for more rights for Kurds and at the same time condemn PKK.

Iraq calls itself a sovereign state. A sovereign state by definition has the capability to control the activities within its borders. Iraq and the Northern Iraqi government can not ask Turkey to stop their incursion on the basis of Iraq being a sovereign state while not have any control over PKK who reside in Iraq. PKK conducts attacks in Turkey and goes back to its safe haven bases in Iraq.

If Mexican gangs attacked San Diego and returned back to Mexico - hat would the US do?

The Kurdish problem in Turkey is being resolved as evidenced by the fact that DTP is getting fewer votes in Turkey. DTP, PKK and Iraqi Kurds resent this as this does not allow them to provide public support for a larger Kurdish state in the region. Consequently, anything they can do to cause tension between Kurds and Turks is acceptable.

diako
28 February 2008

I think the world nation do the big activity to resolve the kurdish problem. thay havenot any inital right in there country. I thanks you for your articl to the pointing this problem.

Sarwar
28 February 2008

It is true that there is division among party lines in the unified KRG (after a four-year-internal fighting) and there are multiple symptoms of feudalism. Yet, let us ask:

1. Aren’t the Gulf (prosperous) mini states after (decades) of their establishment still feudal ones? and still coming together with western policies. So what could be so bad if KRG has some of that feudalism after a short period of time (comparatively), and being fought against by almost all the regional powers. There is no excuse for KRG in long-term not to fight corruption and feudal mentality, but should not they be given the chance? Should not they be helped? If the answer is No, then at what cost would be the substitute?! Besides KRG with all its negative sides has proven how effective it is in fighting Islamic fanatics (internal and external), better even than many big regional powers. Of course the structure of the Kurdish community is playing a huge role behind that, so on which basis should they be put into danger?

2. The two main Kurdish parties in Iraqi Kurdistan need a workable mechanism even inside their party systems. Still they remain much better (I do not say democratic) than many parties ruling countries in middle east, and west has well established relations and development programmes for these countries. So why should not the Kurdish parties be given the chance and advise?

3. Power balance policy in middle east is far from workable to be put under the limits of the Cold War era, besides there are new regional power problems. Kurds in Iraq have so far proved they are more than worthy to be given the chance.

4. After all, there is no excuse for suppressing any ethnicity, community, group or sect under whatever excuse.

James brown
28 February 2008

Terosit state like Turkey, denying 29 million Kurd thier right to speak their mother language. It is shame after 2nd world war and demolishing the Nazi and Fascist, still NATO support and new Nazi and Fascist regieme in Turkey. I am sure Kurdistan freedom fighter will give them a lesson for generation to come.

End of Terorist State of Turkey is near, so they are panicking. this is the war between freedom fighter and invaders, peoples right will prevail.

James brown
28 February 2008

Latest News from northern Iraq ( Southren Kurdistan ) indicate that the TERORIST STATE OF TURKEY lost more than 100 invaders, kurdish public getting together form mahabad to kermansha, to kirkuk, dahouk, qamishly , amed, van, and europe, they organizing public resistant group.

it is war started by TURK AGAINST KURD, Their PM said if Kurd build a country in ARGENTINA, we will fight it. Mr. PM we built free and democratic KURDISTAN in your back yard!!

long live the struggle of opressed people all over the world, shame on STATE TERORISM AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEM.

jason bishop
28 February 2008

It is time for Turkey to better understand that is 21th century where no one exisit based on racist and wildery nationalist. Turkey can not repeat the genocide of Aremenian, Greek and eaurpean again! It is time for turkey to wake up to practise rights and freedom with more modern style rather than Istanbul like fashions! How Turkey can deserve to be joined to EU when still can not eas their tension and understanding dialogue. Why Turkey is so afraid of so many young desperated men and women living in the cold mountain just with a piece of bread. It is a shame for Turks that can not resolve its own discriminated people per say! but with gun and bullet! Should demecrtaic and real bahve Turks to make change that is 21th Century, Ottaman is gone, change your attitude and live peacfully with your neihbours! It is time for Turks to listen instead of always temper and fight! History have proved that no war brought fortunate except destruction. Think enough before you act! If Kurds are united you see will have big problem.

It is time to sit down and talk on the table. They arrested Ocalan, yet PKK become stronger becuase it is not Ocalan's problem with Turkey it is 20 million plus kurds problem that desreve much more better than people having in west Turkey.

Enough crime and enough war, repeating mistake does not help, find a good way to change for benefit of everyone! and Turkey should take care of Kurds and Turks in Turkey equally! I am sure those youn educated girls and boys living in -30 degree have lives and loved families, why not at least listen to them.!!

Time to Change attitude Turkey!

jason bishop
28 February 2008

The reality is that world has forgtten about Kurds and ingnorance of post 1th and 2nd conflicts that have been created for minorities' right bydominant states, For Tukey over hunderds years post war may not be enough to mature itself in term of civilization and democracy but for rest of the world is enough! See what is happening to eastern europe countries, year by year! dessociations!suppression and denying right of your own people if you say so! bring destruction to whole nation! To save Turkey act today find a better resolution rather than fight and guns! Tomorrow will be late and then future generation will ask this question why we did so! Kurds are a great nation with reach history and braveness, strong and united! Never inade a neihbor but defended themselvs why not wisely make them good friend as they are instead of an enemy whom Kurds never wanted! It is time to believe that yes Kurds are Kurds and Turks are Turks, but all can live togther in no matter who is what! No identity discrimination! What Turks except from eauropean to do to you with all the bad credits Turks have! and now repeating To be forgiven you need to start from yourself. Kurdistan is a reality for over 40 millions stateless kurds and now becoming a reality for every human rights lover! for the world, what is wrong with Turks can not recognize that? I am very optimistic that Kurdistan get adopted and alonged with EU much faster than Turkey!

Wheels driving back!!

Come on Turks speak up for your Country that been highjacked by a group of army commander not realy Turks! save your country today better than tommorow.

ALAN28
29 February 2008

where is UN where is humanity kurds are a nation with 40 milion people they have no rights not independecy. i think the world should wake up as soon as possible to resolve kurdish nation. they deserve to become a country like some others. turks calling PKK as terrorist group, thats very wrong. because they fight for thier country to get independent. they are not terrosit. they only fight against turks. turks are very racist. america should not ignore kurds anymore. i hope amercia dont use kurds only when they need kurds.