From the Heart of Kurdistan Region - Kurdish Globe

TheKurdishGlobe No. 370, Tuesday, October 02, 2012 2The Kurdish Globe No. 370, Tuesday, October 02, 2012 3Globe EditorialAzad AminKurdistan Region’s twopowerful political parties,the Kurdistan DemocraticParty (KDP) and the PatrioticUnion of Kurdistan (PUK),five years ago signed a strategicagreement supposedlyto face daunting challengesthat awaited Kurdistan. Collaborationof KDP and PUKduring the 2003 US-Iraq warwas one of the pillars of theKurdish achievement and thepolitical stability and economicboom that the regionenjoyed.The strategic agreement thatwas signed between the twoand the collaboration betweenthem was necessary at thatparticular period and servedits aim. Due to radical politicalalterations in the regionand in Kurdistan the strategicagreement has to be reconsidered.The PUK has alreadyraised its voice by demandingthe reevaluation of two provisionsin this agreement. Arecent statement released bythe PUK read: “The strategicagreement is still fundamentaland is the achievement ofbilateral relations between thePUK and KDP. It still preservesits fateful importance,but it also needs reevaluation.Whenever a reevaluation isneeded, we should discussit with our ally (KDP) in apeaceful manner.” The KDPon the other hand expressedthat it is ready to revise all theprovisions of the agreement ifdeemed necessary.Social, political and culturaldevelopments and changesthat have occurred in Kurdishsociety and larger politicaland radical changes that haveengulfed the Middle Eastand Kurdistan region’s immediateneighbors, enforcesthe Kurdish political partiesto redesign themselves andtheir organizational structureas well as organizational culture.Outdated Cold-War eraStrategic AgreementWeekly paper printed in ErbilFirst published in 2005www.kurdishglobe.netinfo.kurdishglobe@gmail.comAddress:Erbil, Bakhtiyari Quarter-To what end?EXECUTIVE EDITORJawad QadirEDITORAzad Aminazad.kurdishglobe@gmail.comSenior U.K. EditorBashdar Pusho Ismaeelbashdar@hotmail.comGLOBE PHOTO/Safin HamidPatriotic Union of Kurdistan PUK leader Jalal Talabani and his KurdistanDemocratic Party counterpart Massoud Barzani shake hands as theyexchange the signed strategic agreement between the two parties, in theKDP's stronghold, Peermam, north of Erbil, December 1, 2004.political mentalities and organizationalstructures are notcompatible with today’s moredemanding and modernityseekingyoung generations.Political organizations haveno option but to radicallytransform themselves in orderto meet the conditions oftoday’s realities. Along withthis transformation, previousagreements whether strategicor not have to be re-contemplated.Strategic agreements canonly be realizable if there arecommon strategic objectivesand perspectives, withoutwhich there will be no reasonto enter into such agreements.Arguably both parties in questionhave common objectivesand perspectives for the shortterm period but they sharplydiffer in the long term period.Lack of long term objectivesbetween the two becamemore obvious in the time ofregional level distress. In itslast congress KDP clearlydeclared its objectives as selfdeterminationof the Kurdishnation. In various interviewsand occasions KDP presidentMassoud Barzani clearlydefended the rights of theKurdish nation for statehoodand independence. He repeatedlyinserted that should Iraqmove towards authoritarianismthe Kurds would have nooption but to seek their ownpath, in other words separationfrom Iraq.In opposition to KDP’s policyPUK does not, or so farhave not, expressed Kurdishindependence or self-determinationin such a clear manner.Contrary Jalal Talabani, General-Secretaryof PUK in numeroustimes and occasionsstated that Kurdish independenceis an impossible dreamand that it is not an option.If we consider these twoopposing views regardingthe Kurdish self-determination(Independence) duringthe Cold War era then suchperspectives would have certainlybeen treated as meretheoretical discussions. Howeversuch contradictory perspectivesin today’s politicalconditions will have seriousimpacts and consequencesboth for the nation’s interestsas well as for the future of politicalparties in Kurdistan.The geopolitics of the MiddleEast is going to be altered.The political map of the regionthat mainly establishedaccording to the imperial interestsfollowing First WorldWar is no longer sustainable.In such gigantic changes theKurds have golden opportunitiesto obtain their statehoodand independence.Any strategic agreementsbetween the Kurdish politicalparties can only survive and beuseful should they have commonobjectives towards thisend. Because KDP and PUKhave differing objectives andapproaches towards the issueof Kurdish independence, thestrategic agreement betweenthem cannot be realizable inthe long term and should betreated as pragmatic ratherthan strategic. It is pragmaticbecause it only serves dailyManaging EditorAiyob Mawloodi+964 750 4776905aiyob.kurdishglobe@gmail.comARTS EDITORDiyaco Qayoumy+964 750 4036252diyaco.kurdishglobe@gmail.cominterests of the two parties forpower struggle in Kurdistan.The cracks have already startedalong with the radicalizationof the power struggle atregional level where in whichthe Kurdish nation is part of itand is/will be effected.In addition it should be contemplatedthat the Kurdishpolitical groups should ratherseek a united position forcommon strategic objectivesin Kurdistan constitution ratherthan bilateral or trilateralagreements. Kurdistan constitutionwithout delay has to bebrought to the parliament andto the public referendum. It isthis constitution that should beguiding principles to governpolitical system and the relationbetween various Kurdishpolitical organizations.The strategic agreement andcollaboration between PUKand KDP was necessary atsuch particular period and itserved for the Kurdish nationalinterests. It is now time thatthe Kurdish political organizationselevate themselvestowards the radical conditionsof today and make Kurdistanparliament and constitutionas the ultimate and primarysources to work toward thebetterment of Kurdish nation.STAFF WRITERSZakaria Muhammed+964 750 475 3897zakaria.kurdishglobe@gmail.comSazan M. Mandalawisazan.kurdishglobe@gmail.comSalih Waladbagi+964 750 4912996salihas2006@gmail.comNechirvan Barzani inan interview with theTurkish Star daily:Negotiationwith Ocalan animportant stepKurdistan Region’s Prime Minister NechirvanBarzani welcomed his Turkish counterpart’sstatements about resuming talks with AbdullahOcalan and the PKK.Answering a question addressed by theTurkish Star newspaper, PM Barzani said hisgovernment are aware of the talks and negotiationsbetween the Turkish governmentand the opposition Kurdistan Workers’ PartyPKK.“We have always supported dialogue towardspeaceful solution and stopping bloodshedin Turkey,” PM Barzani told Star Daily.“We also support the recent statements byPrime Minister Recep Teyyip Erdogan abouthis willingness to resume talks with AbdullahOcalan [the detained head of the PKK].”Barzani also added that both Kurds andTurks are waiting for steps towards peace.“Tolerance should be created between thetwo nations rather than bloodshed.”Barzani reiterated that Erdogan’s statementsare positive in this direction.PKK’s ceasefire, stopping any attacks bothby the PKK guerillas and the Turkish Army,stopping police attacks on civil society activists,improving Ocalan’s life, resuming talkswith him, stopping BDP’s political campaignsagainst Erdogan and his party AKP, aswell as resolving the issue of the thousands ofdetainees on the case of the KCK, are accordingto PM Barzani, the essential steps towardspeace.Asked what role Erbil would have in newtalks, Kurdish Prime Minister told the Stardaily that they are ready for any assistanceand for playing any role in this respect.“We think the issue is a political issue ratherthan a security or military one, hence theonly solution is a political solution,” arguedPM Barzani. “The current attacks by PKK orthe attacks by the Turkish Army both insideits own borders and over Kurdistan Region’sskies, would not have any benefit for settlingthe issues but rather harm the current developmentsachieved by the Turkish state duringthe past few years as a result of talks withOcalan and PKK.”PM Barzani added that both Kurdish andTurkish nations are deeply interrelated andwant to leave in peace. If the new constitutionof Turkey is drafted on the basis of recognitionof each other’s rights, the issue wouldradically solve.AdvertisementFor information and prices of ad spots, please contactGlobe’s Advertisement section: Rizgar Yahyainfo@glitter-iraq.comCell: +964 750 4055888SubscriptionThe Kurdish Globe can be delivered to your office orhome address, whether in Kurdistan or abroad.To subscribe: Please contact the Globe DistributionSection: Rauf Aspindarairauf.kurdishglobe@gmail.com+964 750 4497976You can also subscribe by logging onto:kurdishglobe.net/subscriptionPresident Barzani's address at the conference ofTurkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)30/09/2012Dear Receb Tayib Erdogan,Prime Minister andleader of the AK Party,Dear delegates of the4th conference of the AKParty,Dear Guests,New reform strategy tobe announced soonOur new plan identifiesand addresses the shortcomingsof the past 20 years:Azad Mala AfandiThe second phase of the reform plan ofKurdistan Region’s President will be announcedin the near future, and the President’sadvisor Azad Mala Afandi statesthat it covers allmost all the sectors andthe shortcomings of the past 20 years.“We are currently busy with preparingthe plan,” Afandi told the Kurdish Globe.“It will cover all the administrative, political,health, educational, higher education,agriculture, trade, and other sectors.”Afandi said the committee that is draftingthe plan has 15 members who havePresident Barzani's completes a speech at the Conference of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara, September 30, 2012.I thank you for invitingus to participate in thisconference and we wishyou a successful conferenceand we all await itsimportant decisions.Since the AK party cameto power, Turkey has increasinglybeen makinggreat strides forward andtoday Turkey enjoys newfoundsignificance at bothinternational and regionallevels. But we all recognizethat our region hasproblems. We also knowthat there is no problemthat cannot be resolvedprovided there is a will todo so.For us it’s very unfortunateto see a Turk or aKurd or any other peopleshed blood. We the peoplesof this region mustextend the hand of friendshipto one another insteadof killing each other.The policy of your partyand of your leader is theright policy to addressthese problems. Here Iwant to very much thankMr. Erdogan for his courageboth when, during avisit to Diyarbekir, he saidthat the Kurdish problemmust be addressed, andwhen he visited us in Erbillast year and said thatthe days of denying theexistence of the Kurdishpeople is over.I see it as incumbent onall Kurds to reciprocatethis by supporting hispolicy and for all Kurdishparties to distance themselvesfrom use of violence,because we believeviolence will not leadanywhere.The strength of anycountry or political entitydoes not lie in howmuch military power itenjoys; the strength liesin how well it serves itspeople and in the policesthat are followed. Thestrength of the AK partyand of Mr. Erdogan lies inthe open policy that theyare following both whenaddressing internal problemsand when addressingexternal challenges.We are ready to provideall kinds of support forMr. Erdogan’s policy toend violence and we hopethat this problem can beresolved as soon as possible.Dialogue, understanding,and peacefulmeans are the ways toaddress all outstandingdepended on a number of experts.“The previous committee has been nowexpanded,” said Afandi. “In addition toexperts, the Divan of Kurdistan Presidencyand all the ministries will be partakingin the reform campaign and in the futurewe will coordinate with the parliament aswell.”President’s advisor said the reform planwill be adding up to the initial plan andwould be mainly aimed at establishing theIntegrity Board, Judicial Power, PublicProsecutor s well as activating the PublicAudit Divan.Afandi told the Globe that the plan willbe announced soon after the Presidentcomes back from his European tour andprocessing feedbacks about the project,which is near completion.political issues.Turkey is an importantcountry both internationallyand regionally. Wewould like to see strongand friendly relations betweenIraq and Turkey,and within the frameworkof these relations we arevery happy to see suchpositive relations betweenthe Kurdistan Region andTurkey. Annual trade betweenIraq and Turkeystands at 12 billion dollars,80% of which is withthe Kurdistan Region.The Middle East regionhas been witnessing greatKurdish girl is top student inan American state universityShangar Meman, a Kurdish young girlgraduates from the Portland State Universitywith the top grade.In a speech addressed to the teachersand students of the university, Memansaid she wants to study a Masters inPolitical Science and go back to hercountry and serve the Kurdistan Region.In the graduation ceremony organizedby the University, the Universityofficials announced Meman, who is aProfilechanges. We fully supportpeoples of the regionfighting for their rightsand freedom. We supportthe Syrian people in theirstruggle for freedom andliberation. It’s very tragicto see the large numbersof people being killedin Syria. We hope thisbloodshed ends and theSyrian people determinetheir future as soon aspossible. We highly appreciateTurkey’s policyto open its doors to Syrianrefugees and it reminds usof 1988 and 1991 whenTurkish people embracedour people facing tragedyand fleeing chemicalweapons and the Anfalcampaign. Here, I want tothank the Turkish peoplefor their hospitality andkindness they extendedto our people in that time.Today, 29,000 Syrianrefugees have come to usfor refuge. Our doors areopen to them and we willwelcome them.Finally, I would like toonce again thank you foryour invitation and wishsuccess for your conferenceKurdish girl from Iraq, as the top studentamong her fellow graduates in theUniversity.Meman was given the podium todeliver a speech on this occasion, inwhich she explained the miseries ofher life and how her family arrived inthe United States.“Kurdistan is my second home andmy heart is always there,” Meman toldher teachers and fellow students.ShangarMeman is a 27-year old girl from KurdistanRegion, who has immigrated to the United Statesalong with her family in 1996.PRESS PHOTO