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MARK
COLVIN: The Kurds of northern Iraq have welcomed
the support of the Australian Senator, Ross
Lightfoot, who has endorsed the idea of an
independent state of Kurdistan.
It's an issue with big potential repercussions.
Neighbouring Turkey has consistently opposed an
independent Kurdish state, and gone so far as to
threaten war if one were to be established.
As it is, Kurdistan is an autonomous region in
northern Iraq, with universities, schools and
hospitals, and it's been relatively untouched by the
post-war violence and instability in Iraq.
But Senator Lightfoot's personal support for
Kurdistan could cause some difficulties for the
Federal Government, which has endorsed the status
quo.
Alison Caldwell reports.
ALISON CALDWELL: The West Australian Senator Ross
Lightfoot has championed some unexpected causes
before, but nothing quite like this.
Following a visit to northern Iraq in July this
year, Senator Lightfoot is calling for an
independent state of Kurdistan.
ROSS LIGHTFOOT: I'm in support of an independent
state for Kurdistan, which operates significantly as
an independent state now, subject to a failure after
exhaustive efforts in establishing a federation of
which Kurdistan would be part of that federation.
ALISON CALDWELL: Why do you feel so strongly about
it?
ROSS LIGHTFOOT: Well, it's an odd thing, but as a
student of history, I have marvelled at the survival
of the Kurds, their tenacity, their difference,
their ethnic difference, their moral difference,
their religious tolerance.
I want to do something you know, towards the latter
end of my career – I've been in politics spanning
18, 19 years now – that was worthwhile, and the
Kurds, have always appealed to me as people that
need assisting.
ALISON CALDWELL: It's a sensitive issue. Turkey has
threatened to invade northern Iraq if an independent
state of Kurdistan is established.
At the moment, Kurdistan is an autonomous state, but
Turkey wants to minimise Kurdish power and autonomy
on both sides of the border.
For the past 30 years, the Kurds have fought for
civil rights on behalf of 20 million ethnic Kurds in
Turkey. More than 30,000 people have died in the
conflict which has left more than two million people
homeless.
Senator Lightfoot believes the situation with Turkey
can be negotiated.
(to Ross Lightfoot) Turkey has threatened to invade
northern Iraq if there's an independent state of
Kurdistan. How could you negotiate?
ROSS LIGHTFOOT: Well it would be subject to the
concurrence of those border countries. We must
remember of course, Syria is not a democracy. Turkey
is, although has some question marks about the total
commitment to democracy, but it is improving there.
I think it ought to be remembered too that Turkey
want to enter the European Union, and part of that
would be that it maintain a peaceful co-existence
with its neighbours.
ALISON CALDWELL: The Turkish embassy wouldn't
comment on the Senator's position.
Not surprisingly, the Kurdish Regional Government
has welcomed Senator Lightfoot's support.
Simko Halmet is the KRG's representative in
Australia.
SIMKO HALMET: We need this kind of encouragement
from the Australian politicians.
ALISON CALDWELL: With the support that you've
received from Senator Lightfoot, do you read that as
Australian Federal Government support?
SIMKO HALMET: I believe so. I believe so. I believe
that Senator Lightfoot is very influential into the
Australian politics.
ALISON CALDWELL: The Federal Government will only
say that it supports ongoing autonomy for the
Kurdish people of northern Iraq as part of a
sovereign Iraqi nation.
But the Opposition says Senator Lightfoot's
announcement requires an explanation from the
Federal Government.
Labor's Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Kevin Rudd.
KEVIN RUDD: Senator Lightfoot's new foreign policy
initiative on behalf of the Howard Government I'm
sure is attracting some interested reaction in
Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.
I assume Foreign Minister Downer has the clearance
of all four governments in support of this brand
new, Howard Government initiative in support of an
independent Kurdistan.
The bottom line is this: you can't have government
senators simply out there free-wheeling on questions
of sensitive foreign policy. Either the Howard
Government supports the upcoming democratic process,
supervised by the United Nations in Iraq, for the
future of that country or it doesn't.
ALISON CALDWELL: Senator Lightfoot says Woodside
Energy paid for his trip.
Last week, Woodside Energy announced that it had
signed a two-year agreement with the Iraqi Oil
Ministry to identify oil and gas projects in
Kurdistan.
Since the announcement less than a week ago,
Woodside shares have jumped more than six per cent.
MARK COLVIN: Alison Caldwell.
http://www.abc.net.au
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