Kurdishaspect.com - By Baqi Barzani
Kurdish struggle for self-rule has lingered for centuries. We are the largest stateless nation in the world. It lasted the Kurds in southern Kurdistan {Iraq} hundred of years to merely achieve some confined type of autonomy termed today as” Kurdish Regional Government ”. Setting up a Kurdish emperor would not have taken so long. In the 21st century, Kurds in other secluded parts of Kurdistan are still struggling for the most fundamental cultural and linguistic rights.
The question propounded is what impediments did we counter, or were formulated for us that hampered us form being able to attain our ultimate goal? It took the Zionist Movement no more than maximum 5 decades to reclaim their historical homeland back. There have been a number of uprisings in Kurdistan, most of which either were stifled at the very outset, are in the offing, or coincidentally led to some form of autonomy, but not an internationally acknowledged independent Kurdish state cover where all Kurds in Kurdistan and Diaspora could converge under.
When one examines Kurdish account al least since last century, one would infer that before reprimanding global powers hypocrisies, the first to impugn for our failures is us, we. We are liable for our failures. We should not place the blame on others.
The grounds we did not succeed to establish an independent Kurdistan can be encapsulated in the following points, according to my individual analysis:
Lack of ample unity, a well-planned strategy, and a definite goal
Non-existence of sufficient, constant external support
Formation of joint alliances between and among strong occupying forces Versus dependent Kurds
Contentment to the least when opportunities loom
Overreliance and independence on foreign powers
Imposition and foreign meddling into our internal affairs
Double-standard global policies
World economic interests with the occupying regimes
The key stipulation to triumph and liberation of any nation is the emergence of strong national unification. An indissoluble union, together with a well-planned strategy, and a common goal could and can lead to sovereignty of a nation, something that we still lack. Other factors are less significant. Public solidity led to Indian independence from Britain, Pakistan’s fragmentation from India in 1947, and subsequently Bangladesh secession from East Pakistan in 1971 in a civil war. Most separatist movements are empowered by strong public determination and willpower. They start form people and end by people.
We fell and failed because very time a Kurdish political force grew to be enough powerful to oust a dictator regime, the only means its struggle was thwarted, was by seeking support from another Kurdish political party, or betrayed by supporting powers.
Imposition of foreign beliefs and meddling of foreign powers into Kurdistan domestic affairs is an indubitable fact that persists up to this moment. Neighboring Turkey, Syria and Iran can not remain apathetic to the developments in neighboring Southern Kurdistan [Iraq], mainly the oil rich city of Kirkuk. Deferring the implementation of article 140 0f constitution is another transparent paradigm.
For sure, the international community’s hypocrisy should be held liable partially for most of the worlds’ human debacles and the unending instabilities, as well. Had the developed industrial nations truly cared about global peace, millions of lives could have been salvaged during African genocides, natural disasters in Asia, civil wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, diseases and starvations all over the planet. A world of thanks is owed to major world powers for having supplied dictator Saddam’s military with stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, Mirage fighters MIG bombers, missiles and tanks that were mostly used against the Kurds during Iraq-Iran war. Gone is Gone. Experience instructs us that depending on global humanitarian intervention to uphold us is a vain optimism. Or may be in another parlance” false consolations”.
The United States, EU and UN preach pledges of respect for human rights, propagation of democracy, peace and granting the rights of minority groups for Iranian citizens. The instant that Iran truly announces calling off its nuclear program, none of these values would ever bear any significance, be ever discussed or outlined in mass foreign media any more. Shah of Iran, Saddam Hussain of Iraq and Turkish generals committed sufficient war crimes and human rights breaches before 1975 or 2003. World citizens are grateful to major powers for their role in trying to save humanity.
In today’s world of commercialism and capitalism, every government primarily pursues the economic interests and protection of its own citizens. No country would even bother to cite Kurds name if they are not insured with some kind of remuneration vows in response. Let alone championing our secession rights.
The UN and USA prop up the referendum to be held in Sudan due by January of 2011, but they can not apportion a session of the UN Security Council to address the affliction of 40 million homeless Kurds. Southern Sudan contains huge reserves of oil and high economic potentials, while Jamm and Kashmir, in contrast, depends mostly on agriculture.
Iraq was on the brim of total collapse in 1974; Saddam succumbed to the demands of United States, Iran and its allies in Algeria pact, resulting in stalling support for Kurdish revolution. Kurds in Northern Kurdistan were close to gaining some power in 1999, when Turkey’s allies equipped Turkish military with highly developed technology to counterbalance the expansion of Kurds. Republic of Mohabad collapsed because of our overreliance on soviet support and betrayal by western powers. Global powers did not, do not, and will not imperil their relations and economic interests for the sake of homeless Kurds. Therefore, it is indispensable for us to make certain that we gain full economic self-sufficiency through access to oil resources located in Kirkuk and other oil-rich terrains. Without a strong economy, Kurdistan won’t be able to stand on its feet. Realistically thinking, let us not brag about a few building complex and shopping centers. A natural disaster is enough to undo every progress we have made. We must get back Kirkuk at any cost.
Kurdish question has remained unaddressed deliberately. Kurds are valuable implements to be exploited in destabilizing the occupying regimes, should need rise. The United States does not endorse the inherent rights of oppressed nations to self-rule. The UN does not practice the right of ‘self-determination of the nations. The United States did not intend to let the Kurds establish an independent Kurdish state in South Kurdistan [Iraq] form the very outset of liberation, nor should the Kurds swindle themselves anymore relying on its backing. That does not imply disconnecting our ties. President Barrack Obama has stressed on the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq on several occasions. What is expected from the US is not upholding our struggle, but respecting our rights and demands of the vast majority of Kurdish masses that were realized during legitimate referendums.
Submitting to pressure is another shortcoming of us. Many golden prospects have emerged for Kurds throughout the history, but we have consistently been convinced with the least in negotiations. What counts is what we have been able to gain so far, not what we have demanded from the concerned governments. At present, if we wish, we could and can create an independent Kurdish state in South Kurdistan. We are losing another historical opportunity. We have voiced out contentment to only 17% budget allotment from central government.
We necessitate a strong, united military to champion our rights, and reclaim Kirkuk and disputed areas back. Without a strong defense infrastructure, our territorial integrity, sovereignty and economy will remain vulnerable to foreign plundering. We necessitate foreign support, but more essential than foreign support is the support among our own Kurdish multitude. Are we expecting other states to bestow us our independence?
In conclusion, let me indicate to a verse summarizing the rationales for our downfalls, citing:” Determining the destiny of every nation lies in the hands of that nation”.
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