Kurds: Signs of division?

Rahy Rahber

By Rahy Rahber:

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its president are advising for an independent Kurdish state. The dream Kurdish history has longed for. Nevertheless, as times passes, the unity of the Kurds passes too. Undoubtedly, all the Kurds long for an independent state. Yet, according to the politics played by the political parties there is a division about the timing of the independent state and about how the state will become independent. President Barzani has put on a new face and has become the Woodrow Wilson of Kurdistan. Without doubt, the Kurdish nation appreciates his approaches and tactics as the president of the KRG. Furthermore, as the head of his party, it is appropriate to appreciate the work he has done so far. As we now already know, his party has well-educated diplomatic pioneers. Yet, why do Kurds divide as time passes by? Why are the efforts deceasing?

Let me observe the most valuable diplomatic quality. Woodrow Wilson was an intelligent statesman and diplomat. He became an accepted guardian of the world after the First World War. He saw the Kurds as a nation with the right of having their own state. And so did he think about other nations without states as well. But, at the end of the day, he could not push the Americans to be part of the League of Nations. Indeed, the League was the product of his fourteen points, but America did not participate. The reason behind this was solely because he did not share his thoughts and ideas with the Republican Party and the Senate. He did not take any representative of other parties to the peace conference. He did not share his ideas with the rest of the diplomats. He preferred to be alone on the boat. He tried to leave out the rest. The biggest diplomatic mistake a diplomat can make.

With all the diplomatic qualities of Pres. Barzani and his party, they seem to take the same approach that Wilson took. Keeping an independent state as an aim of a certain political party is not in the interests of the Kurds. Simply put, the rest of the parties want an independent state too. Yet, they naturally get frustrated as it is hailed as the aim of a particular political party. Even if it is the political party’s aim, there is no harm if the other parties participate as well. The diplomatic way out is to let them take part in it instead of forcing and portraying it through the media to be the aim of the party alone. If there is to be the reality for an independent state, the Kurdish leadership must take this valuable diplomatic quality into account. Otherwise, we will end up with the same result as Pres. Wilson.

Rahi Rahber is a final year sudent at AUIS University, studying international relations.

5 Responses to Kurds: Signs of division?
  1. KIM
    July 14, 2014 | 14:19

    Barzanis KDP tends to obtain credit for both reclamation of Kirkuk and Kurdish territories as well as an independent Kurdish state to increase its popularity in South. KDPs remarkable decline in votes in previous elections alarmed the party to take a more nationalistic stance with full backing from its allies, mainly USA, especially given the growing public sentiments for secession. KDP is accustomed to taking first uniletral steps and disregarding the views/contributions of other Kurdish political paties in the process. Washington is well aware of it, too. Another reason is to undermine Iran- Kurdish alliance in Kurdistan. Barzani is buying time once again by proposing a referndum to possibly extend his term. He has no desire to step down. He might proclaim independence earlier than next presidential elections if any. Baghdad did not honor article 140 of Iraqi legit constitution till Peshmarga Forces liberated Kirkuk. Waste of time!

    Therefore, if we tend to achieve our independence, we will succeed only if we, all Kurdish political parties involved, come up with another joint planning.

    Depending on any power is absolutely wrong.

  2. Independence Activist
    July 14, 2014 | 20:12

    Zalmay Khalilzad, the United States ambassador to Iraq from 2005 to 2007: Get Ready for Kurdish Independence

    http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/14/opinion/iraqs-urgent-need-for-unity.html?_r=0

  3. Rawand
    July 15, 2014 | 09:43

    Division has been conspired versus Kurdish nation and state by hostile adjoining countries forever. At this critical time, Kurds need an independent military-minded leader.

  4. […] of Sunni Iraq. Their goal is Baghdad and the overthrow of Iraq’s Shia-dominated government. 31. Kurds: Signs of division? 14 July / Kurdistan Tribune The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its president are advising […]

  5. Salar
    July 20, 2014 | 14:49

    Respect the Kurdish Will for Independence: The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY)

    http://www.iusy.org/regional-committees/europe/respect-the-kurdish-will-for-independence/

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