By: Dr.N.Hawramany
Switzerland

(The Kurdistan Observer).  It is now about 10 years since the last general election in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1992, this election was a milestone in the history of the Iraqi Kurds struggle for self-rule, freedom and democracy. This extraordinary achievement was disturbed with the internal fighting of 1994 and subsequently two separate democratic administrations in Arbil and Sulaimaniah which in spite of their successes shows the world that the Kurds are stuck with the results of 1992 elections and failed so far to prepare an environment for the most needed and awaited 2nd general election in Iraqi Kurdistan. 

In democratic countries general elections takes place not later than every 4
years to guarantee the exchange of power and not satisfy themselves wit one
historic general election and then change itself to life-long government like
almost all the current middle east countries. 

We as Kurdish intellectuals in Diaspora do not understand the stubbornness of
the Kurdish leaders and their rigidity and refusal to compromise, because we are seeing that the time is going on without enriching the democratic experiment in Iraqi Kurdistan, which is the only condition which will guarantee respect and
recognition for the Kurdish de facto establishment in Iraqi Kurdistan, we are
asking for transparency and courage to go forwards and solve the last remaining hurdles between KDP and PUK the two main political parties in Iraqi Kurdistan and pave the way for the 2nd general election in Kurdistan.

One thing we have to know that the Kurdish situation is fragile and all the
neighbouring hostile countries are waiting for the appropriate moment to
destroy this dear experiment and the only way to vaccinate ourselves against
these dangers is with the will of the people in peaceful , free and democratic general elections in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The unified Kurdistan federal or co-federal government would be eventually recognised in the international community when we follow the path of democracy.