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March 18, 2005

Kurdistani separatism on the rise

Abbas Kadhim has some unique insights on the developing situation in Iraq, specifically in regards to growing Kurdish plans to secede:

Iraqi politicians who are in the process of framing the future of their country find it convenient to stick their heads in the sand whenever the Kurdish crisis comes up. It is about time the truth is spelled out: the Kurds are not interested in being part of Iraq. Every move they have made so far is geared towards independence. Between now and a bold declaration of the state of Kurdistan there is precious time to create facts on the ground maximising the chances for a viable state. The crown jewel of this endeavour will be the annexation of Kirkuk. Failure to deal with this murky situation from the outset will surely be to the detriment of a unified Iraq.

The Kurdish approach to the problem of the oil- rich northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk has been carefully plotted. The Kurds spare no effort to change the demographics of the city. This process involves the re-settlement of Kurds by the tens of thousands and, at the same time, driving out the Arab population at gunpoint. Kurdish officials bluntly declare that they do not want Arabs in their territories. This plot will guarantee the annexation of Kirkuk under the federal arrangement that will give any city the option to join any province it chooses by a majority vote. The 30 January elections provided a clear example of this kind of fraud that went on with impunity.

The Kurdish leadership is using the gains in the elections to intimidate, or maybe bribe, their Arab rivals who need their support to form the new government. They will also do so when the new constitution is written, exploiting their favourite three- province veto clause in the transitional administrative law. They will veto any constitution that reduces their chances of independence. Mindful of the hostile geo-political atmosphere, they realise that Kirkuk's oil is their only guarantor of viability for their separatist dreams.

Hence, the new federalism they have in mind will not allow an Iraqi Arab to relocate in a Kurdish city. It is also a unique form of federalist arrangement that gives the national government no sovereignty in the Kurdish territories. At the present time, the national government has no power to extend its laws, curfews or troop movement anywhere in Kurdistan. If this relation is enshrined in the permanent Constitution, the only function the national government will serve is transferring block grants to the Kurdish government without the ability to enforce any form of accountability. This is not like any form of federalism in the world.

When the conditions for a Kurdish separation materialise, Iraq will soon become three states, but not the ones many analysts predict -- a Kurdish state in the north, a Sunni Arab state in the middle and a Shia state in the south. Indeed, the chances of fragmentation in the Kurdish territory are much higher than the odds in the rest of Iraq.

Here's a Kurdistani in his own words:

Why I can’t be Iraqi again!!

By: Dr. Ahmad Mirawdaly

Mar 15, 2005

It has hardly been given attention internationally, that five million Kurds living in south Kurdistan (Iraqi Kurdistan) have over the years suffered greatly at the hands of various regimes in Baghdad.

We the Kurds are from the Iranian branch of Indo-Europeans, and practice many religions but mainly Islam. The estimated 40 million Muslims worldwide are spread throughout the mountainous area between Turkey, Iran, Syria, Azerbaijan and northern Iraq. Our languages and traditions are distinct from Persians, Turks, and Arabs who control our country. Within borders of our occupiers in Iraq, Iran, turkey and Syria, we Kurds are the largest minority group....

In his comments about Anfal, Makiya asks “Is every Arab responsible? Millions of Arabic words have been written about more than 300 Palestinian villages destroyed in the creation of Israel. And justly so; would that I could add a million more words. But why is it that not one Arab intellectual has written about the elimination of more than 3,000 Kurdish villages by an Arab state?”

...Genetic cases occurring in children born years after the chemical attack, suggest that the effect from these chemical agents are transmitted to succeeding generations.

Personally, I was only 14 when they took me out of my class room, tortured and imprisoned me for a year with no charges laid.

Can anyone give me one good reason to become Iraqi again?

Posted by Mike at March 18, 2005 11:39 AM

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