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The Kurdish Globe No. 345, Monday, March 26, 2012 2Gap widens between Erbil and BaghdadGlobe EditorialRelations between Erbil andBaghdad are going from bad toworse on a near daily basis. Almtmost all the pending issues bettween the two capitals since theestablishment of the so-callednew Iraq have not been resolved,nor have there been any seriousattempts from Baghdad to findresolutions to these issues. Thetense relations are now combinedwith the regional developmentswith the advent of the Arab Springand the fall of the regimes. Thebloody situation is Syria and theKurdish national question in Syritian Kurdistan inevitably elevatesthe Kurdish national question to aregional/international level alongwith powerful regional actors Iranand Turkey, as each have theirown Kurdish national question.With the advent of the popularmovement in the Middle East,which challenges the establishedpolitical status quo and forcesregime changes, the tense relattion between Baghdad and Erbilmoves toward a new dimension.As the Middle East is in turmoil,the position and political decistsion that Erbil may take unilateterally will have wider resonancethroughout the region.Subsequent speeches of Kurditistan President Massoud Barzaniin recent various occasions highltlight the seriousness of the Kurditish political stance concerning thechallenges ahead. The president’sdiscourse signifies a new radicalturning point both in dealing withBaghdad in specific and in dealingwith the Kurdish national questionat a regional level. In a speech tothe Kurdistan Youth Conferencegathered in Erbil, Barzani statedthat the division of Kurdistan intofour parts happened against thewishes of the Kurdish nation andit must be united through peaceftful, mutual understanding and inbrotherhood. He demonstratedthe case of Germany where, inspite of of being divided into twoparts following WWII, the Germtman nation after all those years fintnally managed to unite. Referringto the four parts of Kurdistan anddemanding a united Kurdistan isa new political perception anda new radical vision within theKurdish national liberation movemtment. This is a new political disctcourse, and it becomes particularltly meaningful when expressed bya powerful and respected Kurdishleader who has the legitimate titleof Kurdistan Presidency and waselected by the majority of peoplein Kurdistan.This new political discourse atthe time of turmoil in the MiddleEast is certainly going to definethe character and developmentof the Kurdish national issue inthe region and solutions or challtlenges toward or against it.While the Kurdish politicalvision reaches higher nationalstandards with a strong politicalfoundation established in IraqiKurdistan, the parties involved onthe other side of the question, thatis Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey,continue to follow their outdatedpolicies regarding the Kurdish nattional question. The gap betweenthe Kurdish political spectrumand occupiers of Kurdistan thuswidens to a breaking point.Despite the various politicalgroups and parties throughoutKurdistan, the political entity inKurdistan Region, with its legitimtmate institutions, now becomesthe backbone of the Kurdish nattional liberation movement. Thesignificant and strategic role thatKurdistan Region’s political inststitutions have within the Kurdishnational movement at the regionatal level brings new responsibilityand challenges to Kurdistan Regtgion.The growing centralized tendtdency in Baghdad under Nuri al-Maliki further frustrates alreadytenserelations between Erbil andBaghdad. The recent speech ofthe Kurdistan president on theoccasion of Newroz, the KurdishNew Year, explicitly demonstratesthis. He stated that power-sharingin Iraq and a commitment to theIraqi Constitution is under threat,and that the Kurds will decidetheir own course of action if thesetwo principles are abandoned.“Iraq is facing a serious crisis. Wehave tried our utmost to preventIraq from descending into sectaritian conflict and we have consisttently avoided taking sides in thisconflict. The Kurds have played apivotal role in bringing about thenew Iraq, particularly two yearsago when our initiative resulted inthe formation of the current goveternment. Had it not been for ourrole, one can only guess what anunknown fate would have besetIraq. It is very unfortunate that aREUTERS/StringerA woman waves Kurdish flags during a rally in the disputed Iraqi town ofKhanaqin, northeast of Baghdad October 16, 2011.small number of people in Baghdtdad have imposed themselves andmonopolized power.”In his message to the nation, thepresident further stated: “Powersharingand partnership betweenKurds, Sunni and Shiite Arabs,and others is now completely nonexistentand has become meanitingless. The Iraqi Constitution isconstantly violated and the Erbilagreement, which was the basisupon which the current governmtment was formed, has been comptpletely ignored. As soon as theycame to power, they disregardedthe Constitution, the previousagreements that we had, and theprinciple of power-sharing.”On the issue of Kirkuk and otherdisputed territories, he said: “Theresolution of the status of Kirkukand other disputed areas has conststantly been evaded. We haveshown utmost flexibility and pattience, and here I want to thankour people for their patience. Wehave opted for a resolution basedon legal and constitutional means,but others have reneged on theirpledges. It is impossible for usto abandon this issue because forus it is extremely significant andmore than being a mere matter ofprinciple.”He accused Baghdad of prevtventing KRG progress and stopptping the KRG from developingand utilizing Kurdistan’s naturalresources: “None of the KRGcontracts with foreign oil comptpanies is unconstitutional. Themain reason behind this disputewith Baghdad is not a question oflegality of the contracts; rather, itis that they don’t want to see theKRG make progress and strideforward.”He strongly criticized Maliki formonopolizing power: “There is anattempt to establish a one-millionstrong army whose loyalty is onlyto a single person. Where in theworld can the same person be theprime minister, the chief of staffof the armed forces, the ministerof defense, the minister of intertrior, the chief of intelligence andthe head of the national securitycouncil.“In his final message to the nattion on the eve of Newroz, thepresident asked the nation totake into their own accounts thecurrent affairs: “It is time to sayenough is enough. The currentstatus of affairs in unacceptable tous, and I call on all Iraqi politicalleaders to urgently try and find asolution; otherwise we will returnto our people and will decide onwhatever course of action that ourpeople deem appropriate.”The president’s Newroz messtsage should be read as the level offrustration and the end of the roadwith Baghdad. The Kurdish nattion and all other minority groupsliving in Kurdistan Region had alrtready made their decision in 2005when there was a semi-officialreferendum held in Kurdistan.More than 99 percent of peopleopted for independence and separtration from Iraq. For people ofKurdistan, the appropriate actionis to aim for independent statehthood. That is what people hopeand aspire for.Independence of Kurdistan Regtgion from Iraq is not confinedsolely to Iraq but has regionalconsequences and implications.The four states that occupy partsof Kurdistan have a commonpolicy not to allow an independtdent Kurdish political entity toappear in the region. Despite theapparent conflict between Syria’sregime and Turkey and betweenTurkey and Iran on the issue ofSyria and NATO missile shields,these states are implicitly coordintnating their policies regarding theKurdish national question. Kurditistan Region is not only facingBaghdad but also Tehran, Damasctcus and Ankara.Against this anti-Kurdish coalittion, Kurds should develop a uniteted strategic policy and a politicalunity in four parts of Kurdistan.The first step toward that unity isnot organizing a Kurdish nationalconference of the four parts ofKurdistan as has been discussedwidely. It would be more practictcal and urgent that a national conftference to be organized betweenKurdistan Region and SyrianKurdistan to establish a commonand strategic policy to safeguardKurdish national interests in Syritian Kurdistan. A successful jointestablishment between these twoparts of Kurdistan could servethe basis of a larger and widerKurdish national unity among theKurds in all of Kurdistan.Azad AminWeekly paper printed in ErbilFirst published in 2005www.kurdishglobe.netinfo.kurdishglobe@gmail.comAddress:Erbil, Bakhtiyari QuarterEXECUTIVE EDITORJawad QadirEDITORAzad Aminazad.kurdishglobe@gmail.comSenior U.S. EditorSuzanne DeRouensuzi.kurdishglobe@yahoo.comAssociate U.S. EditorElizabeth Schmittelizabethschmitt@earthlink.netSenior U.K. EditorBashdar Pusho Ismaeelbashdar@hotmail.comAko Muhammed+964 750 4661936ako.kurdishglobe@gmail.comAiyob Mawloodi+964 750 4776905aiyob.kurdishglobe@gmail.comQassim Khidhir+964 750 4823081qassim.kurdishglobe@gmail.comSTAFF WRITERSSazan M. Mandalawisazan.kurdishglobe@gmail.comZakaria Muhammed+964 750 475 3897zakaria.kurdishglobe@gmail.comHawzhen Rashadaddin+964 750 4707416hawjin.kurdishglobe@gmail.comARTS EDITORDiyaco Qayoumy +964 750 4036252diyaco.kurdishglobe@gmail.comAdvertisementFor information and prices of ad spots, please contactGlobe’s Advertisement section: Rizgar Yahyarizgar.kurdishglobe@gmail.comCell: +964 750 4055888You can also check prices and packages by loggingon to: kurdishglobe.net/adSubscriptionThe Kurdish Globe can be delivered to your office orhome address, whether in Kurdistan or abroad.To subscribe: Please contact the Globe DistributionSection: Rauf Aspindarairauf.kurdishglobe@gmail.com+964 750 4497976You can also subscribe by logging onto:kurdishglobe.net/subscription
The Kurdish Globe No. 345, Monday, March 26, 2012 3Barzani denounces Baghdad power grab“…Time has not yet come” for the “good news,” says BarzaniKurdistan’sPresident Barzaniaddresses the nationto curb relationswith BaghdadKurdistan Region PresidentMassoud Barzani delayeddeclaring the expected"good news" for Kurds,saying "the time has notyet come." Instead, duringa speech on the occasion ofNewroz—the Kurdish NewYear—he shed light on currtrent problems with Baghdtdad, which resulted in firmreactions afterward."I assure you that the daywill definitely come to anntnounce this good news, butit must come at the righttime--be sure it will come,"said President Barzani,addressing the people ofKurdistan about a messagemany expected concerningthe declaration of Kurdistanindependency.In an earlier speech onFebruary 18 on the anniverstsary of the Kurdistan Demotocratic Youth Union, Presidtdent Barzani told the youths"to be prepared" for a greatevent. "More than 2,500years ago, Kurds rose upand rejected dictatorship,"said Barzani, referring tothe Newroz story when aKurdish blacksmith termintnated the life of the tyrannyruler, thus making the Kurditish calendar. Newroz, or theNew Day, on March 21 hasbeen celebrated ever since."Since that day, Kurdshave continuously strivedand struggled for freedomand sovereignty. This hasa big meaning. It meansKurds are alive and are anation that will never acctcept being suppressed byanyone. We are a nation thathas to be free and live withfreedom. This is a lessonfor us and for other people,"he stated.In the critical speech onMarch 20, Barzani firmlycriticized Iraqi Prime Minitister Nuri al-Maliki's polictcies both in relation to Iraqand to Kurdistan Region afftfairs; he plainly warned thatthis administration is leaditing toward "dictatorship."“It is time to say enough isenough. The current statusof affairs is unacceptableto us, and I call on all Iraqipolitical leaders to urgentlytry to find a solution; otherwtwise, we will return to ourpeople and decide on whatetever course of action ourpeople deem appropriate.”Al-Maliki and his aideswere annoyed by this statemtment and particularly by theidea of turning to the peopleof Kurdistan for a decision.Salih al-Hasnawi, a Parltliament member from theal-Maliki-led State of Law,said that they were "surptprised" by President Barztzani's statement, which—ashe put it--was "a violationof the [Iraq] Constitution.”"Even if the Kurds inttended separation, this mustbe preceded by drawingthe borders, amending theconstitution, and holding areferendum with two-thirdsof Iraqis’ approval," saidal-Hasnawi in an interviewwith al-Sumaria news. Henoted that that the Kurdstake a satisfying share of thebudget and hold sovereignposts as well as ministriesand embassies; he declinedto say if Kurds have beenmarginalized in the governmtment.Barzani’s warningBarzani dedicated mostof his Newroz speech tocriticize the Shiite-leadinggovernment, although heassured his critics that hewas targeting a small groupin the government, not theShiite parties.“Iraq is facing a seriouscrisis. We have tried ourutmost to prevent Iraq fromdescending into a sectarianconflict and we have consisttently avoided taking sidesin this conflict. The Kurdshave played a pivotal role inbringing about the new Iraq,particularly two years agowhen our initiative resultedin the formation of the currtrent government based onthe Erbil Agreement. Hadit not been for our role,one can only guess what anunknown fate would havebeset Iraq. It is very unforttunate that a small numberof people in Baghdad haveimposed themselves andmonopolized power,” saidthe president.He said there are a numbtber of main disputes withthe Baghdad government.“Power-sharing and partntnership between Kurds,Sunni and Shiite Arabs,and others is now comptpletely non-existent andhas become meaningless.The Iraqi Constitution isconstantly violated, and theErbil Agreement--whichwas the basis upon whichthe current government wasformed--has been completeltly ignored. As soon as theycame to power, they disregtgarded the Constitution, theprevious agreements thatwe had, and the principle ofpower-sharing.”Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani speaks to reporters at a joint news conference with Shiite leader Ammar al-Hakim,Erbil, March 17.On disputes between Erbiland Baghdad, the presidentsaid: “The resolution of thestatus of Kirkuk and otherdisputed areas has conststantly been evaded. Wehave shown utmost flexibilitity and patience and here Iwant to thank our peoplefor their patience. We haveopted for a resolution basedon legal and constitutionalmeans but others have rentneged on their pledges. It isimpossible for us to abandtdon this issue because forus it is extremely significantand more than being a merematter of principle.”He said the other main isstsue is allocation of fundsfor the Kurdistan RegionPeshmerga forces, whichthe Iraqi government hasconsistently refused to addtdress. “For the last five orsix years, funding for Peshmtmerga forces has been embtbezzled,” stated PresidentBarzani.On the dispute regardingoil and gas exploration andmanagement, he defendedthe legality of the oil andgas contracts that the KRGhas signed. “None of theKRG contracts with foreignoil companies is unconstittutional. The main reasonbehind this dispute withBaghdad is not a questionof legality of the contracts;rather, it is that they don’twant to see the KRG makeprogress and stride forwtward.”On monopolization ofpower in Baghdad, thepresident stated that poweris being concentrated inthe hands of a few peopleand others in the politicalprocess are being marginatalized, including Shiites.“There is an attempt to esttablish a one-million strongarmy whose loyalty is onlyto a single person. Wherein the world can the sameperson be the prime ministter, the chief of staff of thearmed forces, the ministerof defense, the minister ofinterior, the chief of intelltligence and the head of thenational security council.”The President dismissedstatements that the Kurditish-Shiite alliance is closeto collapse, saying, “We arecommitted to our alliancewith the Shiites, but not withthis group of people whohave monopolized powerand with their policies haveeven marginalized otherShiites. The Kurds and thefollowers of Al-Hakim andAl-Sadr have always shownsolidarity with each other.”Barzani to visitWashingtonMeanwhile, PresidentBarzani heads to Washingtton, D.C., in April to meettop U.S. officials to discussongoing political crises inIraq. The president was invtvited by official invitationfrom Vice President JoeBiden, according to Kurditistan Region Presidency offtficials.Barzani’s visit to thecapital of the United Statescomes at a critical period asIraq heads toward sectarianconflict, particularly sincethe withdrawal of U.S.troops and following the poltlitical crisis that deepenedwith the charges againstIraq’s Vice President TariqHashimi. Hashimi is one ofthe most influential Sunnileaders. He fled to Kurdisttan Region for safety.Baghdad urged Kurdishauthorities to hand Hashimiover to Baghdad judicialauthorities to face a heariting. The Kurdistan presidtdent refused, and membersof al-Maliki's party in turncriticized Kurdistan Regionauthorities.Kurdish leaders dentnounced Maliki as attemptiting to establish a dictatorialregime in Iraq. In additionto that and apart from Sunnileaders such as Saleh Mutltlaq, the vice-premier ofIraq, some Shiite influentialleaders such as Muqtaderal-Sadr and Amar al-Hakimalso accuse Maliki’s regimeof being dictatorial.Barzani’s visit to D.C.is crucial in regards to theongoing turmoil in Syria.There is a considerablenumber of Kurds in Syria.As they search for their nattional rights in what maybe a post-Assad period, theactive policy of KurdistanRegion vis-à-vis Syria andSyrian Kurdistan is crucialin any regional or internattional move against the Syritian Regime.The Kurdistan president’svisit to the U.S. can also beviewed from the perspecttive of bilateral U.S.-Kurditistan relations. U.S. politictcal analyst John Hannah,for example, advised U.S.President Barack Obamaand his administration totake the opportunity of thisvisit to improve and constsolidate U.S.-Kurdistan Regtgion relations. In an articlepublished in Foreign Policy,Hannah urged: “More thantwo decades after savingIraq's Kurds from annihilattion, it's time for America toinstitutionalize a long-termstrategic relationship withthem--one that understandsthat a secure and prosperotous Kurdistan, confident inits ties to the world's solesuperpower, can be a boonto U.S. interests, and a forcefor stability and modernismthroughout Iraq and thebroader Middle East.”Ako MuhammedErbilako.kurdishglobe@gmail.comGLOBE PHOTO/ Safin Hamed
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