America-Kurdistan Friendship League Launched On Capitol
Hill
By Joseph Puder
FrontPageMagazine Aug 10, 2007
The America-Kurdistan Friendship League (AKFL) was formed
today at a press conference held at 11 AM, in Room 2261 of the Rayburn House
Office Building. The conference was sponsored by Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ)
and co-sponsored by Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI).
Opening the conference, Rep. Rob Andrews stated, “The
formation of the America-Kurdistan Friendship League (AKFL) is an important step
in building a stronger relationship between our two countries. There has been a
long and solid friendship between the Kurdish and American people based on the
belief in fundamental principles such as democracy, freedom, and acceptance of
different religions.
Andrews added “Kurdistan is one key area of hope in an
otherwise chaotic Iraq. Through the work of the America-Kurdistan Friendship
League, it is our hope that positive signs of stability will spread throughout
the rest of Iraq.”
Sherkoh Abbas, president of the Kurdistan national
Assembly-Syria (KNA-S) and a Michigan resident spearheaded the effort to
establish the AKFL together with Joseph Puder and Lance Silver, both of New
Jersey. The AKFL is a non-profit Non-Governmental Organization.
Following Congressman Andrews’s introductory words, Abbas
stressed the important role the AKFL could play in representing American
interests in the Middle East region. “The Kurds,” he said, “are much better
equipped than the 160,000 American G.I.’s to be the engines of change in
advancing American values and interests. Kurds understand the culture and speak
the language (Arabic).”
Pointing out that the AKFL would ideally serve as a bridge for
promoting trade and commerce between America and Kurdistan in all areas (Syria,
Turkey, Iran and Iraq) Abbas said, ”Saddam Hussein destroyed 4500 villages in
Iraqi Kurdistan, and today a great deal of rebuilding has to be done. American
construction companies should enjoy preference in receiving contracts from the
Kurdish Regional government in Erbil.”
Abbas went on to say, “For over 100 years, 50 million Kurds in
Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq have been denied self-determination, independence,
cultural autonomy, and even the most basic human rights. Kurds fell victim to
Saddam Hussein’s sadistic bloodletting, to fanatical Iranian mullahs, Turkish
governments hostility, and Assad’s ethnic cleansing in Syria.”
“The Kurdish cultural heritage extends over a 4000-year
history,” Abbas said, “to the ancient Medes that ruled Persia.” Abbas went on to
say that, “Saddam Hussein suppressed the Kurdish language, religion, history and
way of life. The demise of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, and the regional
autonomy of Iraqi Kurdistan, has created a Kurdish cultural renaissance in Iraqi
Kurdistan. In Syria, Turkey and Iran however, the condition of Kurdish
minorities is still deplorable, and most basic human rights, not to speak of
cultural autonomy, have been denied. The regimes in Damascus, Tehran, and Ankara
continue to oppress the Kurds.”
Lance Silver, a Philadelphia businessman added, “The U.S. and
the West have a golden opportunity to embrace 50 million Kurds who are secular
Muslims. The Kurds in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey, desire a true democracy,
trade with the U.S. and normal relations with Israel. They treat women as equals
and respect other religions. It would be a mistake on the part of America not to
embrace the Kurds as fast as possible as both friends and allies.”
Joseph Puder, the Interfaith Taskforce for America and Israel
(ITAI) executive director, summed up the mission of the organization by stating,
“The AKFL will seek to acquaint Americans with all aspects of Kurdish life,
including Kurdish Islam, the role women play in Kurdish society, Kurdish
history, its expressive arts, and current politics. Similarly, the AKFL will
promote American values such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law,
individual and property rights, and a free market economy.”
Puder added, “The AKFL will organize symposiums and
conferences that will bring American and Kurdish leaders together both in the
U.S. in Iraqi Kurdistan. The AKFL will seek to promote peace and democracy in
the Middle East as well as religious tolerance and friendship among Arabs,
(Israeli) Jews, Kurds, Persians, and Turks.”
Ostensibly, the AKFL aims to initiate trade and commerce
contacts between American and Kurdish businesses and individuals. The AKFL will
also encourage American investments in Kurdistan, as well as educational
exchanges.
In concluding the press conference, and before taking
questions, Abbas summarized AKFL objectives; “Our principle goal is to provide
Americans with a deeper understanding of Kurdish life and living, and to develop
personal relationships and long-term cultural cross-fertilization between the
two societies. Our hope is to provide Kurds with the best of American values,
and enhance democratic and civil institutions that would bring Kurdistan in
closer partnership with the West.”
