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Kurdish
independence from Iraq, Turkey fears, would lead to
the breakup of Turkey itself if its 12 million Kurds
follow suit and join up with the Iraqi Kurds.
These Turkish concerns are contingent on many
variables that cannot be taken for granted. Kurdish
autonomy in Iraq existed for many years. No country
in the region where sizeable groups of Kurds live
went to the extent that Iraq did to recognize the
Kurdish nationality.
Yet this recognition did not lead to the dissolution
of Iraq nor to the disfigurement of Turkey. Where
the Kurdish card can serve Iraq's unity and national
interests is to provide the necessary balance to the
Shiites' rise to power in Iraq.
The equilibrium in Iraq can best be served by the
Kurds' decision to reassert themselves as a major
player in shaping Iraq's new order. Neither Ankara
nor any other Mideast capital need fear this new
role for the Iraqi Kurds. (Jordan Times)
http://www.iht.com
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