First They Tried to Kill Dr. Barham Salih -- Now They Want to Kill His Name
Shilan Jabari. June 3, 2002

Kurdistan Observer
June 4, 2002

Had Dr Barham Salih added the word “exclusively” to his statement to read " we can not say Kirkuk is exclusively a Kurdish city, Arabs, Turcomans and Assyrians have lived there for centuries too", it may have been interpreted positively by many of the otherwise offended Kurdish readers. For those who trust his Kurdishness, they should not have difficulty to assume that was what he may have meant, but simply forgot to add the word “exclusively “ to the sentence. This inadvertent linguistic foul is always a possibility to happen to anyone. For a first time such an imperfection, a hint and/or a reminder should be appropriate enough. However, if the same mistake was repeated again, then one has the right to consider it to be an established thought and a state of mind. Also, it is fair to suggest that  Dr Barham’s mentioning of non-Kurds who too have lived (and still live) in Kirkuk, can be understood as a clear  reference to the social make up of Kirkuk. This to relay the thought that “In addition to the Kurds, Arabs, Turcomans and Assyrians have lived there for centuries too”. Then,  in fairness, such a statement is an undeniable fact.

Kirkuk is deep within the traditional boundaries of Kurdistan. There are sufficient records and evidence to always support that Kirkuk “geographically” is a Kurdish land. This fact will hold for as long as the Kurdish nation posses the will to defend it. There are no doubts that the Kurds in the strongest terms possible will reject any reckless attempt by others to falsify the geography of Kurdistan. Saddam Hussain “the next to none globally known living savage” may deport the Kurds today from the villages, towns and cities of Kurdistan and replace them with Arab tribes, but there never be any doubts that the Kurds will do whatever it takes to reverse any Arabization of Kurdish land.

Unfortunately, many Kurds tend to equate the views of individual Kurdish political parties with that of the Kurdish nation. The policy of PUK, KDP, or else with regard to decisive Kurdish national issues can not be considered conclusive. The right of decisions on such issues belongs to the entire Kurdish nation. It is rather an over reaction to think that statements from high ranking officials of Kurdish political parties would have the effect of putting the signature on behalf of the Kurdish nation on a final national deal. Kurds need to make proper distinctions between the rights and the authorities of individual political parties with that of the entire Kurdish nation. 

The open debate that Dr Barham’s statement generated may go against the view that Kurds should not put their national dirty laundry up for public display. But the fact that Kurds have developed such levels of tolerance to be openly critical about all the Kurdish issues can be perceived by others as a positive indicator pointing to the fast growing ability of the Kurds to the acceptance of democratic culture of free expression. However, one may also ask, why Kurds pay so much attention to secondary concerns while say or do little about some other  primary issues that have the power to impact the course of events (including the Arabization attempt of Kirkuk ) the way it suits the interest of the Kurdish nation. One long due priority that deserves the most attention is holding new free elections in South Kurdistan for the selection of a united parliament and establishment of a united administration.  Like the vast majority of the Kurds, I believe, the violent struggle for power in South Kurdistan (took place in the mid 1990s) which resulted in the loss of thousands of young Kurds in Kurdish infighting, as well as the division of Kurdish parliament and administration was and continues to be the most shameful self inflicting harm and stigma that the leaders of the involved Kurdish parties brought upon the Kurdish nation. For all these years Kurds have been suffering from collateral damage inflicted on their national reputation and will continue to suffer from it for many more years to come. Most certainly, this irrational political homicide left a permanent scar on the credibility of the Kurds internationally. Even Today, Barzani and Talabani are not patriotic enough to genuinely embrace each other, make concessions to one another and once for all, tell the world that Kurdish leaders have what it takes to tackle their differences on their own without needing any help and/ or guidance from non-Kurds. 

An increasing number of  Kurds sincerely believe that their nation will be much better served if both Mr. Jalal Talabani and Mr. Masoud Barzani resign their posts as the leaders of PUK and KDP and let the Kurds of South Kurdistan select fresh leaders with clean records to replace them. These two gentlemen have done irreparable damage to the credibility and the interest of the Kurds. There are many patriotic Kurds whose wisdom, intelligence, objectivity, and modern views can fill in all the gaps that Talabani/Barzani tribal leaderships have created in Kurdish politics. Knowing that a united Kurdish parliament, administration, defense and political strategy translates to much greater abilities of the Kurds to build their future and defend themselves from the evil intent of their enemies, those who are in the way for that to happen are those who have chosen to be leaders for their love for power and they have little or no regard for the interest of the Kurdish nation. 

 

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