Posted on 08/13/2005 8:29:19 AM PDT by Sherkuh
Fly into Irbil, the regional capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, and you feel that you have arrived in another country
Then why is it that my people are still treated as second-class to palestinians who use terror as their only form of struggle against Israel.
Why is it that when my people send thousands of peshmerga to help US troops fight Saddam's army we are only given a thank, and then the peshmerga are told to disband?
Why is it when the peshmerga were responsible for capturing half of the deck of cards on the US's most wanted Baathists, including Saddam YES SADDAM, (i'm willing to challenge anyone who wishes to disagree) We aren't given any assurance that our land will stay out of arab islamist hands?
Why is it that whenever a US soldier comes to free Kurdistan they are treated like heroes and hospitabilly, yet Sunni's are held with more regard then Kurds in Iraq.
It's total bullshit that terror doesn't work. My family has been victims, more than once, of islamic terrorists and although I whole heartedly agree with Mr Presidents stance on terrorists, I unfortunately have to disagree, and say that terrorism, realistically works.
It is not because I condone terrorism or agree with it that makes me write this. But it is the actions of the US and the rest of the Democratic world who seem to give more attention to the Palestine cause and Saudi Arabia, both breeding grounds for terrorists, over the aspirations of Sourthen Sudan the Coptic Christians of Egypt My Kurdish people, the people of Kashmir etc etc.
When is the democratic world gonna come to its senses, and especially the US, and back the people in the world who trurly believe and fight for a cause that is spearheaded by President Bush? A free and democratic world ridden of terror.
It is up to the free loving american people to bring your government to its senses.
You all by now must have realised that Kurds support and back America, I can even goes as far as saying we even defend your troops in Iraq.
Unlike palestine it isnt just our leaders who are allied with america but it is also our people. Whereas in Palestine the people hate the US and wish death and destruction on the US and Israel. The kurdish people have had enough of bloodshed, we realise diplomacy and democracy is the only wat to move forward and progress.
The Kurdish people call out to the American people support us and protest in our name, the same way in which the Kurdish people support the american people and protest in your name in Iraq.
Don't mess this opportunity up to help a people who are truly your friends. You dont need to win our hearts and minds, you just need to listen to them.
Thank you.
Your Kurdish friend Sherkuh
In short, because of Turkey, not because of terrorism.
In before Zot?
Oops my bad. Just woke up need to drink my coffee.
I don't know what to think of your post. If you are genuine, you are making yourself into a helpless victim while taking credit for most everything that has been done to free Iraq from Saddam's grip. If you were able to do so much, why didn't you do it before the US came in?
I agree.
We do a lot to support the idea of a Palestinian state,
but very little to support an indepedent Kurdistan.
Maybe we should rethink all of this a bit. . .
"But it is the actions of the US and the rest of the Democratic world who seem to give more attention to the Palestine cause and Saudi Arabia, both breeding grounds for terrorists, over the aspirations of Sourthen Sudan the Coptic Christians of Egypt My Kurdish people, the people of Kashmir etc etc.
When is the democratic world gonna come to its senses, and especially the US, and back the people in the world who trurly believe and fight for a cause that is spearheaded by President Bush? A free and democratic world ridden of terror"
Bump
In Before Zot?
An independent Kurdistan will not happen,pal. Never.
My friend we spent 30 years holding our own against Saddam whilst the US, Uk and practically all other members of the security council were supplying Saddam with every weapon available on gods earth, except for the A-bomb.
We may not have been able to destroy him, but when he was attacking us with the worlds 4th largest army at that time, my people with ak-47's and rpgs, and numbering no more then 15,000 were giving saddam a hell of a time. Basically compare it with the insurgency now and multiply it by 10.
Now don't detract from the main point of the topic and try to tell me why my people haven't been able to oust saddam.
My answer to you is we could have been able to if the US wasn't backing him. But we are resonable people and instead of holding long grudges, like other norrow minded players on the terrorism playground, we prefer to sit and work like civilized human beings.
I'm quite disappointed that i get spat in the face when all I communicate to you is the truth and reason.
Thank you.
Your prospects are unlimited, your prosperity assured. We know the peshmerga are incredible warriors, but the reason to "disband" them is so they will become a part of the Iraqi army, helping to defend the new nation against all your know enemies and those who may emerge in the future.
The new nation will look to the Kurdish area to see what must be done in order to make democracy work. I strongly believe there will be a federal element to the new constitution that will give the Kurds the right to write their own destiny.
You have seen how America's strength has come from not seperating out all the various people who make up this country, but by building on the strengths of each and minimizing the weakness of each.
We want you to retain your customs and your identity, because it is a noble and fine history. You are a vital part of the new Iraq and more and more the Iraqi people are looking to you for example. To put it simply, the new nation needs you.
The Kurds are the ones who were gassed in Halabja by Saddam and Chemical Ali.
They want, and deserve their independence, but it must wait awile. They are anxious for freedom, but they have more work to do. It's unfair to ask it of them, but they are a noble people and will not walk away from the task ahead of them.
Thank you my friend for your comments and praise.
But i must apologize, for i thiink i didnt explain myself clearly enough. The reason i sent this post was because of the growing problems in Iraq, and the backwardness of some factions who seem to think they can keep Iraq as one whole centralized body.
I realize more then most Kurds that independence isnt realistic and i have had many a discussions with kurdish bretherin who disagree with staying part of Iraq.
My only qualm, is that the US and Uk have recently told my people they should forget about the issue of Kirkuk untill after the constitution is written.
But my reply to this is that Kirkuk which is Kirkuk is the whole reason why Kurds haven't got independence. The demands we make in the new Iraq are humble compare to what we really want in our hearts, a free independent Kurdistan which is much greater then northern Iraq.
Yet every time we seem to kneel to pressure from other groups in Iraq, they see it as an opportunity to deny us even more then what we are asking for.
Regarding the Peshmerga issue. I understand completely that Iraq must have one unified army, but what we ask for is that the peshmerga, whether they be part of the Iraqi army or not must, stay in the Kurdish areas and first be accountable to the Kurdish parliament before Baghdad. And beside we have been offering to fight the terrorists since the beginning of the new Iraq, yet we are told to stay away in case it looks like Kurds persecuting Arabs. So we are damned if we do and damned if we don't.
Because our government, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that it is in your best interests to be governed by the Sunni & Shiia Muslims.
You see, our government has its own interpretation of freedom and the rights to self determination. What's good for us, isn't necessarily good for you guys, if it conflicts with our 'vision thing'.
I enjoy your sarcastic tone it reminds me of the english peoples humour over here.
The reason I'm hoping for 18 "states" is that it will allow for a greater autonomy for each provience. The Kirkuk problem would be resolved locally.
There are a lot of knotty problems that have to be worked out. The constitution still has to be voted on and it has to achieve a 2/3rds majority of votes. That gives the Kurds the weight to make sure their issues are addressed.
The latest news today is that the Kurds and Shiites have agreed on some of the main issues of the new constitution.
Regarding oil distribution, the peshmerga and the normalization of kirkuk. all of which i am happy to say are in favour of the Kurds. The peshmerga will stay as part of the Kurdish region and not disbanded. Oil distribution of Iraq will be allocated in relation to the population of each province and Kirkuk has been given the go ahead for the implementation of article 58 of the TAL.
It more or less makes our discussion null. However there are still more detailed issues left to sort out and the two factions are discussing them in the following days.
Thank you Mcgavin
The new army that is being trained is very different from the army Saddam "trained". They are learning that their first loyalty is to the people, not the army. They are learning a whole new ethic and it is beginning to take hold. It won't happen overnight but it is happening. It is important for the Kurds, the Shiia and the Sunni to mingle together in the military. It brings understanding and the ability to work together toward a common goal. It rids a nation of as much "racism" as possible because men learn first hand to depend on each other and they get the opportunity to really see each others hearts. The Kurds must not remain "the other", they must be seen as brothers and sisters and most importantly as valuable Iraqis.
HA! That's great news. I always had faith that things would be worked out for the best. God's hand has been in this from the beginning, so it could not end any other way.
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