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OP/ED pieces are restricted to
columnists who contribute their opinions solely to the Kurdistan Observer
KurdistanObserver.com
Kirkuk: “Tinderbox,
boiling point, Yugoslavia, Bosnia,” and more
By:
Amed Demirhan
Aug 10, 2004
It is very interesting to see
so many seemingly different people show their concern for “Kirkuk”. All are
united in one point, if Kurds assert their right in Kirkuk it will be:
“Yugoslavia”, “Bosnia”, or it is a “tinderbox” will explode; or it will reach to
boiling point. It is clear been right or been lawful is not an issue in these
arguments. Then what is the point? First, this language is racist against Kurds
and its language of oppression. Second, argument is totally falls, Kirkuk WAS
worse than Yugoslavia, Bosnia; was a tinderbox- had bee burning for long time,
and boiled many times under Saddam’s regime but not now. Where were these people
that pretend concerned about Kirkuk and security of the region? Kirkuk like most
part of Iraq is better off now than Saddam's period. Kurdish nation has natural
and legal right over Kirkuk and every honorable Kurd has to defend these rights.
When its right restored as a multiethnic Kurdish city it will be even a better
place, not Bosnia, not Yugoslavia because Kurdish nation had been and will
recognize multicultural and multi ethnic character of Kirkuk, exactly like other
Kurdish cities. By defending current statues of Kirkuk these politician and
pundits are arguing against international law, human right, and established
civilized ethical values, ironically some of them are former United Nation
representatives. One important reason that United States and its coalition
partner went to war, Iraq was even worse than Yugoslavia.
Lets compare Iraq situation
in 1996 with Yugoslavia: (Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia) and few other countries:
According to The state of war and peace Atlas the number of internally displaced
people (compare to country’s total population) by the regimes of some countries
as follows: Iraq 4.4% Yugoslavia: Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, and ethnic Albanian
(together) 5.8%, Turkey (Kurds) 5.3%, and Rwanda 5.4%. In Iraq, unlike
Yugoslavia almost 99% of displaced people were Kurdish and a large number of
them were from Kirkuk and surrounding areas. Again unlike former Yugoslavia
ethnic cleansing had been going on in Kirkuk area since late 1950s. No one
except racist groups in former Yugoslavia were arguing against return of
displaced people and so is in Iraq. In Kirkuk arguing against return of
displaced people are defending Saddam and other racist Arab groups ethnic
cleansing policy and it is advocating for racism. Arabization policy was an
illegal act under international law therefore the right of displaced people
should be restored. People who brought there by Saddam and other racist Arab
regimes illegally should be return to their home but those who insist
participation of ethnic cleansing should be punished according to international
law.
Another fallacy in this
argument of Kirkuk-Yugoslavia, Bosnia, tinderbox, and boiling point is approach
to the problem solving. One important reason NATO and United nation went to
Yugoslavia to stop ethnic cleansing and create an opportunity for people to
return to their home and give them protection against racist treat. This was
right thing to do and the same thing should be done in Kirkuk and surrounding
area. However, in Kirkuk issue they argue totally opposite thing, they are
against internally displaced people to return to their home or city and they are
de facto defending Saddam's racist Arabization policy. Farther more, they argue
racist Turkish, Arabic, and Fundamentalist El Sadder will turn Kirkuk to Bosnia;
in other word they will commit crime against humanity.
This matter should not be a
matter of discussion most people including Iraq government recognize tragedy of
Kurdish people in that area. Restoring right of people to their private
property, following international law and tradition should be the most important
guideline for civilized people. It should be duty of every dissent human being
to be against racism and ethnic cleansing.
Amed Demirhan
E-mail:
ameddemirhan@hotmail.com
Florida, USA |
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