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Democrats win: How it will affect on
American policy in Kurdish-American relations
9.11.2006
By Mohammed A. Salih
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November 9, 2006
Many in Kurdistan believe, the prospect of a
fundamental policy shift is too remote and even
impossible.
Politics : Democrats' tangible control over
the U.S. Congress has divided experts and
politicians in Kurdistan as to what degree this
change in the balance of power in the legislation
houses of the US will affect American policy in Iraq
and Kurdish-American relations.
Exploiting Bush administration's Achilles hill, the
Democrats could translate the anti-war feelings of
Americans into a decisive victory for themselves and
dominate the US legislative houses. This victory was
even interpreted by some as a rejection of U.S.
President George W. Bush.
The question for many here is if the voters'
decision to limit Republican power will have any
immediate and substantial impacts on shifting the
much disputed American policies in Iraq.
With the death toll of American soldiers in Iraq
approaching 3000 and the Iraqi casualties increasing
uncontrollably, the public opinion in both the US
and Iraq are demanding changes to the Bush
administration's policies and approach, which many
blame for this failure.
Despite the Democratic insistence on a change of
policies in Iraq, many in Kurdistan believe, the
prospect of a fundamental policy shift is too remote
and even impossible.
"I don't expect that there would be a sudden change
of strategies such as a troop withdrawal from Iraq,"
said Dr. Salih Omar, the Dean of the College of
Political Sciences in Erbil's Salahaddin University.
"Any such [sudden and fundamental] change will lead
to a big disaster in Iraq and will negatively affect
American interests in the region."
The controversy over Iraq comes three years after
the U.S.-led liberation of 2003, while Iraq is no
better off and the prospect of a democratic Middle
East is not too promising.
Although many argue that Kurds do not occupy a place
in the U.S. foreign policy, others say at least over
the past three years, they have gained a growing
weight in Washington's policies in Iraq.
"America doesn't have any clear strategic attitude
towards Kurds, except when it comes to Iraq issue
and even then it views Kurds as part of Iraq," said
Zirak Kamal, a member of the Kurdistan Communist
Party's leadership board.
"In fact, the U.S. acts and makes decisions
according to its political and economic interests
and it is within this context that it deals with
Kurds as part of Iraq and not as an oppressed people
that have a problem and have gone through several
tragedies throughout their history."
Kamal criticizes the U.S. handling of the post-war
Iraq and its overuse of force and advices Washington
policy-makers to turn to the force of logic and "not
the logic of force, since force wouldn't solve
everything."
However, the recent development of Kurdish-American
relations can pose a serious challenge to the claims
that Kurds are overlooked in US foreign policy. The
turning point in these relations was not better
reflected than when the doors of the White House
were for the first time opened to Kurds an year ago
when Kurdistan regional
President Massoud Barzani was officially received in
the Oval Office by the U.S. President George W.
Bush.
Fearful of the possible blow that election results
may inflict on them, some Republicans called for
reassessing U.S. strategy in Iraq, in the run-up to
elections. However, the push for a remedy came too
late, as Democrats could seize on the Republican
administration's failure in its handling of the war
and controlled the legislative branch of US
government.
Democrats claim to be pushing for new policies, as
Nancy Pelosi, the newly-elected female Speaker of
the House, said her party will propose new
directions. Yet, it is not clear that how this
enthusiasm among Democrats for change would affect
Iraqis life.
Kamal of the KCP agrees that there would be only a
change in "tactics" but not strategies set by Bush
administration, since "neither Republicans nor
Democrats can make any radical changes in strategic
matters that are tied to the US national security
and the long-term interests."
Amid the fuss over midterm elections and their
possible consequences, experts in Kurdistan say what
Kurdish leadership needs to do is to present Kurds'
interests as those of the U.S in the region.
"The U.S. wants democracy in the Middle East and is
determined to fight terrorism. These issues are also
crucially important for Kurds," explained Dr. Omar.
"Kurds can offer great help on these issues and
cooperate with the U.S.," he added.
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