In January 2005 the Iraqi Kurds held an informal referendum. More than 80 percent turned out to vote. 98.7 percent of those voted to secede from Iraq. Not only have the Kurds long dreamed of independence, when they look south they see only Islamism, Baathism, blood, fire, and mayhem. . . .
Arab Iraqis who want to “keep” Kurdistan ought to thank the heavens for Jalal Talabani, Iraq’s new president and the party chief of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. He belongs to the 1.3 percent of Iraqi Kurds who want to stay connected to Baghdad. The Kurds love Talabani, whom they affectionately call “Mam Jalal” (Uncle Jalal), for leading the militarily successful fight against Saddam Hussein.
Meanwhile, Masoud Barzani, President of Kurdistan and party chief of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, is playing the “bad cop” role. While Talabani is busy in Baghdad trying to hammer out the best federalism bargain the Kurds could ever hope for, Barzani broods in his mountain palace and openly threatens secession.
Not one Iraqi flag is flown in Kurdistan’s capital of Erbil, which doubles as the stronghold of Barzani’s KDP. Only maps will tell you that Erbil is part of Iraq. The Iraqi flag is flown on government buildings in Suleimaniya, the stronghold of the PUK. But it’s the old Iraqi flag, the pre-Saddam Iraqi flag, the one that doesn’t have Allahu Akbar scrawled across the middle of it.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has its own ministers. They report to no one in Baghdad. The Kurds have their own military. They have their own economy. They have their own internal border, and they are its only policemen. The Kurds even have their own foreign policy. Their government is internationally recognized. When Masoud Barzani travels to foreign capitals he is recognized as the President of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Arab Christians from the south and the center of Iraq are actually given money and housing by the KRG if they move north. Insisting on a purely Kurdish region or a purely Muslim one is the last thing on the establishment’s mind. What they want is geographic federalism or sovereignty. And they need as many well-educated, competent, and trustworthy people as they can find. They don’t care about race, and they don’t care about religion. They are concerned strictly with numbers and security. It's just that some groups are more trusted than others. Arab Christians will never join an Islamist jihad, as everyone knows. And the Kurds trust Arab Christians not to join the Baath either. Arab Muslims can and do move north to Kurdistan as well, but they need approval from the KRG and they are not given incentives.
Headless Thompson Gunner said:Would an independent Kurdistan be a bad thing?
In case it isnt obvious, another israeli-style (and pro israel) ethnically non-arab government in the middle east would be a huge slap in the face to a lot of people we dont like.
Our glorious leaders in D.C will sell them out just like they did during the first Gulf War.
Poor Kurds, poor anybody who trusts what comes out of that rathole in D.C
GoRon said:Seems like you don't know too much.
We sold the Kurds out during the first Gulf War by promising them that if they revolted we would back them.
Of course when they did revolt, Schwartzkopf was given strict orders to sit on his arse while right in front of him Saddams helicopters gunned the Kurdish Rebellion down.
GoRon said:And they have gotten over it. They are huge supporters of the US and they have a better grasp of world politics than you obviously.
If you want to know where the Kurds are on this subject you should read a very recent article in National Geographic on Kurdish independence. It has already de facto happened. And they love the US in spite of our capitulating to the UN weenies and not supporting them.
Hmmm.They started building their institutions long before we invaded.
I think a powerful, wealthy US protected kurdistan would be a huge stick in the eye to syria and iran.
Some material and logistical support is likely all they need. If I am not mistaken, we did not send large numbers of troops into Kurdish territory during the recent war.
ArmedBear said:With Turkey in the mix, this could get far TOO interesting. But I do hope for their independence.
