Kurdistan – a viable state (final part)

Kurdistan parliament

By Mufid Abdulla:

Kurdistan is not a phantom state.

Three and half years ago Russia and Georgia fought over a small country called South Ossetia. The war was brutal and brief and eventually South Ossetia declared its independence from Georgia. After hundreds of atrocities, with thousands turned into refugees, the state was formally accepted as a member of the UN. South Ossetia has a population of just 70,000.

Nagorno-Karabakh is another weak state, with approximately 250,000 people, and there are two other states in the former Soviet Union which became independent. Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in 1993 after years of war. Darfur, south of Sudan, is another phantom state: after so many years of war and genocide conducted against the minority in Sudan, they declared independence with the backing of the UN.

The Turkish republic of northern Cyprus was a cause of war and isolation for both Turkey and Cyprus. It made Turkey more isolated in the eyes of the European Union. Until quite recently, Taiwan was a major source of tension between the US and China. In Gaza and parts of the West Bank, the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority has emerged basically as a result of war and the conflict continues between Israel and this de facto state.

The leaders of new states have championed their right of national self-determination. Most of the phantom states survived because of external support. The main characteristics of these phantom states are: (1) corruption, and (2) rule by warlord and tribe.

Since the ending of Saddam’s control of northern Iraq in 1991 and the establishment Kurdish rule in the South of Kurdistan, it has not been a phantom state. A proper census would show that it is inhabited by almost 7 million people. We have held three relatively free (despite some rigging) elections for the Kurdistan parliament. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has a project for reform, politically and economically, and the vigilant Opposition is striving to turn this into reality. The KRG has behaved well in the international arena and should be offered a path towards legitimacy by the world’s major powers. For how long must we be the champion of Iraq’s territorial integrity: we have to ask ourselves, for how long we can do this?  The de facto state in the South of Kurdistan has behaved responsibly for the last eight years and we have cared about maintaining international order. Our people don’t want more war. We have already shed enough blood to secure our day of independence. We Kurds don’t want conflict with our neighbours.  We don’t want any more bloodshed on our path to independence. But, at this stage of our history, we know that it is our legitimate right.

 What do you think? Please add your comments below on the prospects for Kurdish statehood.

20 Responses to Kurdistan – a viable state (final part)
  1. Kuvan Bamarny
    January 8, 2012 | 03:22

    For Turks ,Arabs and Azari-Persian leaders, setting kurdistan and kurdish population free,is like losing half of thier wealth and property because they know that Kurdistan is a rich land and kurdish poeple are hard working poeple that can contribute alot to ther economy.They count an independent kurdistan as a big loss to thier economy and even to thier military power.
    Another reason that they object against the idea of an independent kurdistan is because they are worried that if kurdistan become independent ,they will become an alliy of westren( judo- christian)countries rather then Islamic naighbour countries and that would bring more influence of west into the east especially at the door of Turkey Iran.
    Thier policey of assimilating the identity and culture of kurds with thier own Turkish, Persian and Arabic identity, has failed all along the history.They tried islamic relgion to assimilate kurds and bring them under thier control but again they have failed.So now they have two options , either treat kurds equally as first class citizins with full rights and benefits or set kurds free so that look after them selvies on thier own.

  2. Baqi Barzani
    January 8, 2012 | 09:04

    IF KRG does not establish and declare an independent Kurdish state in South Kurdistan, then an armed struggle will be the only viable alternative to obtain our right to self-rule. KRG has two years to make this transpire.

    Provisional spokesman for OPK
    Baqi Barzani
    USA

  3. Halmet
    January 8, 2012 | 17:12

    I get really irritated when people, especially intellectuals talk about independent of Kurdistan. If Baghdad cuts the 17% share of the national budget, the Kurds will be homeless. If Baghdad does so, I bet that the politicians will run to Baghdad and sign a protocol to be part of Iraq for another 200 years.

    If KRG declare independent, I assume Iran, Turkey and Syria will close their borders. As we know that 99% of the necessity (survival) products come from those country. If you declare independent, how are you going to feed the people of Kurdistan and how are you going to survive? Brothers, we are, the Kurdish people in Iraqi Kurdistan, literally on welfare program. People literally do nothing and get government salary. Ironically many believe that the government’s obligation to take care of them. Economic infrastructure is near to non-existence in Kurdistan. The Kurds’ sole dependency is oil sales from Baghdad.

    As long as the current power structures control the KRG, the independent is just a dream like Mam Jalal stated. Kurdistan is a lawless state/land or may be a wild wild west. Two families with the bunch of thugs around them are stealing money and call themselves presidents and politicians.

    My final analyses, If Iraq splits by default, the Kurds have to partner with Sunnies to create a Northern Iraq just to have access to outside world for selling its oil and open trade with Jordan, Saudi Kingdom and possibly Syria and Shiite in the south.

    However, if a world’s superpower supports the independent and promise to buy Kurdish oil and trade with Kurdistan, then that’s a different story. But, again Kurds depending on themselves, then forget about independent and if you don’t believe me, you may ask Mam Jalal this question and he would have the answer for you; “poets’ dream”

  4. Mufid Abdulla
    January 8, 2012 | 23:30

    Helmat – probably you irritated because you don’t know the extent of resources that Kurdistan have. Just let us take the reports from the financial times which have been taken from oil companies in the south of Kurdistan. The budget of Kurdistan will be 100 billion dollars for the next three years and the production of oil will be 1 Million barrels of oil per a day ,for the next five years. Kurdistan is not only living on 17% of the budget of Iraq. Kurdistan today is different from 7 years ago, just FDI from oil companies like Afron and Gulf key stone and Genel Energy, amounted to billions of dollars, never mind the investors all over the world especially from the Middle East, such as Dana Gas etc. Why not ask yourself how it could be possible for the price of a house in the suburb of Sulaymani and Erbil to be worth 1.5 million more than the price of a house in London and New York. This is because of the immense supply of money to the market in Kurdistan .But where is that money coming from as the result caused high inflation in the market of Kurdistan? Therefore, we have enough resources to support wages etc
    Things will not stay that way forever in Kurdistan, I am optimistic. At the same time I will not tarnish all of them with the same brush. There are a few good people from both sides of Talabani and Barzani .For example if you watched Barzani in March 11 returned from Italy ,he was nothing other than an aggressive and arrogant man but after August and the balance of power shifted to the mass of people; his tone had changed. Barzani had seen the picture of Mubarak of Egypt and Ghazzafi of Libya, his speech has changed dramatically. Yes I agree with you that the current leadership cannot deliver that aim but, there is a faction inside Barzani’s leadership working on that project.
    Helmat, for God sake history not for laughing
    Baqi Barzani: I always appreciate your enthusiasm on this issue,
    I do not think by waging the armed struggle we can win anything, we need ideas and good politics to work .Can you tell me what is the OPA standard for please?.
    Kuvan: what you are saying is very basic and to be expected anywhere else in the world, we are living in 2012 .If you are doing a good project you will have some enemies as much as some friends .Of course these people never want to see your freedom . At the moment the whole of the people in the south of Kurdistan are under pressure because of too much demand from everywhere.

    • Halmet
      January 10, 2012 | 05:00

      Kak Mufid,
      As long as the resources haven’t been managed properly, It doesn’t really matter how many millions Kurdistan has. I doubt the current political parties ever manage it properly. You right, KRG generates some revenues via its borders tariff and smuggling oil. But Kak Mufid, we assume those countries would shut their borders in case of declaration. If it happens, can you tell me how are we going to survive?
      Click on the link below to see how the price of tomato increased due to the chaos in Syria. Tomato didn’t come to KRG for only two days, the price jumped from 750 dinar to 1,500. Kak Mufid, that was only two days of blockage. The rest of the article is just straight BS, there’s no Agri. Plan or anything.
      http://www.hawler.in/more.php?id=23772
      Once again Kak Mufid, we assume that neighboring countries close their borders for at least one year. Therefore, no products come in or out.

      I don’t have any trust in the current power structure in Kurdistan due to their incompetence, low self-esteem, slave to others, or whatever the reasons might be! Or just the Mother Nature decided to do so.

      It’s a crime against real estate to see a house in Erbil or Suleymania for $1.5m. Kurdistan offers nothing in term of investment except real estate and the only way for those mentioned thugs to wash their money is to buy real estate. That’s a pure money laundry. There’s so much money in Iraq and Kurdistan which has made real estate so inflated to the extent that beyond ordinary people reach. who are suffering again? The public.

      Now let’s turn around to power outside of Kurdistan
      The ruling parties have appointed thier sons and their close friends in each KRG office in the world without any predetermined qualification. For instance, Bayan Sami Abdul-Rahman is the head of KRG-UK. Is she really qualified to be the head of that office? Qubad Talabani is the head of KRG-USA. Due to his insecurity and low esteem, Qubad surrounded himself with a few unfortunate and illiterate Kurds. There are tons of intellectuals in the US Qubad can cultivate and he can delegate many tasks to those intellectuals for the Kurdish interest but decided not to do so! All he does is screening resumes of ex-generals and/or ex-politicians and put them on the board of current/new oil company in Kurdistan

      Barzani’s power.
      Barzani just burned 27 offices or so in Badinan. If anyone ever thought he lost the power, he wouldn’t have done it even though I think the incident was just family rivalry. Next provincial election will be a final test. If KDP again wins the majority, then I will lose every hope I got!

      Going back to economic/social reform
      Beside many others, here are my a few basic solutions:
      1. KRG should heavily invest in Econ/Agri infrastructure.
      2. Modify current broken social system/welfare and retirement so people can be encouraged to join private sectors.
      3. Educating ordinary people on how to be self-independent, self-reliant and how to become productive in a society.
      4. Creating awareness among ordinary people that the current political and economic status is leading to disaster. And I do believe its leading to disaster

      Kak Mufid, best of luck to you!

  5. Mufid Abdulla
    January 8, 2012 | 23:35

    Helmet :further elaboration on this subject ,my Article in Jan 2009
    http://kurdistantribune.com/2011/south-of-kurdistan-autonomy-or-independence/

  6. Abduall
    January 8, 2012 | 23:59

    To: Fellow Kurdish compatriots

    For decades, we have opted for silence, diplomacy and comprise to obtain our right to self-rule which has yielded scant or zilch outcome so far. Every time an opportunity looms for the Kurds, especially when the central government is actually on the verge of collapse or disintegration, instead of striving to pronounce an independent Kurdish state, our leaders stride out in quite the opposite direction( Intermediating to preserve the irrelevant national unity and territorial integrity of contrived central government).

    This very simple instance should be sufficient to establish the fact that incumbent KRG authorities are very apathetic and hold no strategy at all to secure independence for our nation.

    They merely employ independence card to boost their popularity, in elections campaign times, and to portray themselves more patriotic than one another which all of us have come to realize by now that they are all bogus.

    Following the settlement of uprising in Sulaimania and Badinan, KRG officials have once again resumed their dirty usual business of corruption and embezzlement, pondering that they can drag on so forever.

    The issue of Kirkuk still remains in limbo. No encouraging indications or developments at all. Should we rely on the current administration to resolve its status; another 2 decades will be required.

    An independent Kurdistan absolutely implies incorporation of Kirkuk and all disputed territories back into KRG. Kirkuk is part and parcel to our economic independence without which Kurdistan can neither sustain itself nor last for a long time.

    Kurdistan being landlocked and surrounded by strong hostile countries is only a pretext, incorrect mindset and propagandas of those trying to demoralize, undermine and oppose our legitimate struggle for independence.

    Reliance on external backing, especially the US to achieve the stated goal, is another mistaken assumption prevalent among many fellow Kurds.

    To obtain our self-rule, all needed simply is strong public determination and a united voice. And now is the appropriate time. Kurds must rise up and demand for their self-rule right! Once the general public revolts, no power on the earth can stop or call them off. People make their own destiny.Any possible invasion by any force or country should be countered and responded back accordingly.

    Kurds in Turkey must no longer politically remain inactive. It is time for them to form an all-inclusive opposition force since Kurds’ attainment of autonomy in North Kurdistan will further consolidate the foundation and clout of KRG in South Kurdistan as well as encourage other countries accommodating Kurds to respect and grant their Kurdish minorities inborn rights.

    It is possible. South Kurdistan is passing its final phases. Should KRG continue to fail achieve our long-sought self-rule ultimate end, resorting to an armed struggle will be crucial to consider.

    You can construct or destruct your own destiny!

    Abdulla
    A member of OPK

  7. Baqi Barzani
    January 9, 2012 | 07:03

    OPK is the abbreviation form of “Organization of Patriots Kurds”, a newly-established organization in USA. Albeit its advocates the rights of Kurds in Syria, Turkey, Iran, but its primary and ultimate end is to establish an independent Kurdish state only in South Kurdistan. It believes that Kurds are not yet in a position to declare the Great Kurdistan, and we must diligently go ahead at this critical time step-by-step. This is one of our main dissonances with some other Kurdish Rights Organizations out there.

    It seeks to broaden its activities and particularly get the youths and students actively involved in this vital matter. It is totally independent with no affiliation to any political party.

    OPK will pursue peace, diplomacy and path of civil disobedience, but simultaneously, in on order to achieve its goal, it strongly believes Kurdish nation must be willing to offer certain degree of sacrifices, including resorting to an armed struggle if necessary, as the last alternative after exhausting all other available means. Neither silence nor reliance on any external power will help us attain us our right to self-rule.

    OPK believes in capitalizing more on our youths, media and lobbying efforts, centralizing all KRG departments and institutions, espousing and empowering a non-partisan KDF ( Kurdistan Defense Forces), eliminating tribal/autocratic rule, struggling for equality and social justice, minimizing corruption plague, and nationalizing Kurdistan’s national wealth and distributing its resources equally and on the welfare of nation.

    It has representatives in more than 10 countries. Soon to be announced.

    • Halmet
      January 11, 2012 | 01:14

      Kak Baqi, if you accomplish 50% of what you have stated, you should consider your organization a successful one. I read in the news there was a big youth festival in D.C area called “Kurds got talent”. Did you participate in that event? Did you tell the audience about your OPK?
      By the way, are you going to have offices in Kurdistan?
      Hopefully your organization will not be another “individual or self-promoter” under the umbrella of Kurdayety.
      my last question; why not joining the KNK instead of creating another organization?

      best luck to you

      • Baqi Barzani
        January 11, 2012 | 22:18

        Kaka Halmet,

        Every time we embark on dismounting some sort of meaningful plans or ideas, the same day KRG is clued-up in Kurdistan. ???

        We are confronting a major obstacle which is the host countries’ eavesdropping and nosing around on our activities. By doing so, they are allergy trying to foil our activities and reinforce their allies’ position by sharing Intel, but we are not morons, either. Lots of false things we do on purpose. We aim to attain our goals by substantiations rather than only allegations.

        We are cognizant about every political party’s activities in the USA. We have xxx members who have profoundly influenced in every Kurdish institution.

        As far as expanding our representative offices, we will but gradually. We must be very careful since there are some who also try to falsely implicate us with different baseless charges. Unlike other KRG-sponsored Youth/Students organizations/unions, volunteer contribution by members fund our activities. We cannot depend on ask for encouragement from any source because if we do so, then we will be obliged to abide by /serve their imposed dictates and distance from our own goals. Another factor is we do not agree with KRG’s thoughts and policies ideologically. When one/group becomes a minority among the resourceful and powerful majority, the stake of marginalization and distinction is high.

        We believe in unification of Kurds in South Kurdistan and consider state progress and welfare above individual or party interests. We believe KRG is corrupt and certain countries are accomplice and involved in the ongoing corruption, as well. They are running the whole show behind-the-scene for their own economic and political interests. Our overreliance is our Achilles’ heel. But that is not our priority at this moment.

        Our struggle for self-rule is only confined to South Kurdistan. That is the major discrepancy between us versus the rest of ORGs. Our only focus is independence for South Kurdistan at any cost. We do not believe in Mallsim, Jalalism or Suranism and Badinis.

        As far as Goran, it was not but it is now corrupt.

        Unfortunately, we did not see much from KNK during recent events in South Kurdistan. They were silent and some of its leadership members are bias. We are disappointed and do not believe in the Greater Kurdistan at this moment.

        We believe in, one flag, one country, one Peshmarg Forces.
        We have faith in our patriot’s youths.

        We only believe in independence for South Kurdistan with a good step-by-step planning.

  8. Kawa
    January 9, 2012 | 16:42

    Kaka Baqi,

    I agree with everything you have stated except for the necessity to wage an armed struggle. It will result in more bloodshed, destruction an deterioration.

  9. Baqi Barzani
    January 9, 2012 | 18:18

    Kaka Kawa,

    What we implied by an armed struggle is employing it as the last remaining option for only defensive and resistance purpose. However, members of OPK are still seriously debating and deliberating over the precise definition of that term.

    We shall soon declare OPK’s official establishment in major Kurdish-English media outlets.

    Thanks.

    • Rizgar Khoshnaw
      January 19, 2012 | 15:09

      Dear Kak Baqi,

      I just noticed that you have a new organization, OPK, and I would like to know/learn more about it. Do you have a web site? Where are you located? Do you have an e-mail or a physical address yet?

      Thanks,

      Rizgar Khoshnaw
      Washington, DC

  10. Kuvan Bamarny
    January 10, 2012 | 06:48

    There will be no need to get kurdish independence through armed struggle ,if Iranian ,Arabs and Turks leaders deal with kurds on the bases of this verse of Quran :
    “O you who have conformed to Islam,charge yourselves with equity and recourse to the principles of justice and exercise your authority and power in maintenance of right, though it may be against yourselves, your parents, or your kindred, and do not be inclined to favour the rich for a gain nor the poor for sympathy. Rich or poor as they may be, Allah is He who is more capable of guarding their interests. Therefore, do not be influenced by emotion nor let the ruling passion conquer reason and sway you from justice. And if you should swerve from this course of action or turn a deaf ear, you must realize that Allah has always been ever aware of all that you do.” (Quran ,verse an-Nisa` 4:135)

    • Desmond
      January 10, 2012 | 22:44

      kuvan can you tell me what is the verse of the Koran doing anything with independence of Kurdistan hence we are not asking for the republic of Kurdistan. We dont need an army struggle that fashion of struggle is expired and no longer valid among the civilised world. Again i am very surprised in state of bringing the close of United Nation Charter you bring me the verses of the Koran

  11. Ako
    January 10, 2012 | 18:46

    Jalal Talabani is calling Kurdish independence a dream. Masood Barzani uses the term in election campaigns only. Newshirwan Mustafa and the two other Islamic groups have no clear stance on the issue.

    If Independence is ever supposed to be gained, the youths and students are the only ones that can do something about it.

    Otherwise, forget about it.

  12. Muhsin
    January 10, 2012 | 18:48

    KAKA Bamarny ,

    Yes, but if

    and if they had…, they would have by now.

  13. Shaikh Abdulla Noori
    January 10, 2012 | 20:37

    Kurds, do not be deluded by US false apperance. PJAK, PKK and any Islamic group that opposes KRG is branded a terrorist organization. The US is in Kurdistan for its own interests. Where were they for a century when Kurds were being massacred. How come they do not care about Kurds in Turkey. They provide Turkey weapons to kill the Kurds.

    Kurds must be united and rise up to defend thier rights. Talabani and Barzani are US puppet stooges.

    Along with thier American incorporations, they are looting Kurdish national revenues.

  14. Dana
    January 11, 2012 | 01:11

    To Kaka Desmond

    If in your view, an armed struggle fashion is expired and no longer valid, then I suggest you wait for Barzani and Talabani to achieve you independence. Or go knock at the doors of US or UN for aid. Hopefully, they have time to listen to you and read your petitions.

    Article 140 is BS.

    Of course, the incumbent authorities are opposed to this idea because they R going to lose their lucrative business.

    Students and youths should pour into streets and peacefully ask foe their rights. Kurds in Kirkuk and disputed regions must raise their voices and say they want to join Kurdistan and Peshmarga forces should protect them.

    Should Turkey or Iran intervene, then KRG-PKK-PJAK forge a united front.

    Thais is the solution. Then we shall see how will those countries invite the Kurds to the table of negotiations and grant them autonomy.

    Unfortunately, the language of civility does not have any impact in lawless Middle East

  15. Kawa
    January 11, 2012 | 07:20

    Yes, I totally agree.

    We do need an armed struggle against widespread corruption, prevalent tribal rule, social and economic injustice, and most notably for our self-rule.

    Unless our youths do something, otherwise the status quo will never change.

    Our youths are our future and hope, and we all eye and depend on them.

    Barzani and Talabani do know Kurdish youths power and abilities.

    So they better listen to them.

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