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Nashville Iraqi Kurds celebrated the death
of terrorist
9.6.2006
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Nashville Iraqi Kurds celebrated the death of
terrorist organization al Qaeda’s second-in-command,
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, on Thursday, though a local
Middle East foreign policy expert doubted the event
would ease tensions in Iraq.
At a population of about 7,000, Nashville — or
“Little Kurdistan” — is home to one of the largest
Kurdish (northern Iraqi) communities in the nation.
Their earlier claim to fame was when they
participated in the January 2005 out-of-country
elections to choose the next Iraqi government.
Tahir Hussain, president of the Nashville Kurdish
Forum, said Zarqawi supported the terrorist
organization al-Qaeda, which is the biggest threat
to peace and stability in Iraq.
“As an Iraqi and Kurd from north Iraq, I acknowledge
there are sectarian and other political problems in
Iraq. But we are definitely happy that Al-Zarqawi,
one of our biggest threats, no longer exists,”
Hussein said.
Nabaz Khoshnaw, executive director of the
community-based nonprofit Iraqi House of Nashville
Inc., said the entire Kurdish community is jubilant.
“This is wonderful news. [Zarqawi] is a terrorist
who killed innocent Iraqis and non-Iraqis, including
soldiers, police and innocent citizens,” he said.
Khoshnaw, who came to the United States in 1997
after being persecuted by Saddam Hussein, quoted an
Arabic proverb, saying, “Those who kill shall
themselves be killed.”
Tennessee members of Congress issued a volley of
statements Thursday heralding Zarqawi’s death.
Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN) said Zarqawi was the
country’s worst enemy in Iraq.
“Now we need to make sure his next-in-command does
not take over. Our troops, ...deserve great credit
for this success.”
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) commended
the military for its dedication to eradicating the
terrorist network in Iraq.
“It’s also a significant day in the formation of the
government of Iraq — the appointment of ministers of
defense, interior and national security,” he said.
Frist acknowledged that major challenges remain, but
he was “more optimistic than ever that a free and
stable Iraq can be achieved.”
A local foreign policy expert was skeptical
Zarqawi’s killing would ease tensions in Iraq or
lessen the chance of outright civil war there.
According to Thomas Schwartz, professor of History
at Vanderbilt University, the real problem in Iraq
was never just Zarqawi — it was the fire of
religious and sectarian violence that he was
perpetrating.
“Al-Zarqawi’s death is not very relevant to the type
of conflict going on in Iraq,” he said. “Al-Zarqawi
perpetrated Shia-Sunni sectarian violence. His big
goal was violent attacks on Shias. There are plenty
other people to step into his shoes.”
Schwartz said the problem is that expatriate Iraqis
don’t live in their home country anymore and don’t
have to live through the civil war.
“I am not surprised the Kurdish and Arab Iraqi
community is celebrating, but they are exiled so
they are not really in the mix of what is happening
back home.”
Bridgeport , News of Al Zarqawi's death has
had a ripple effect around the world. In
Connecticut, those with close ties to Iraq, from
members of a Kurdish community a U.S. soldier, are
wondering what impact the terror leader's death will
have.
by News Channel 8's Annie Rourke
Howard Avenue in Bridgeport is home to one of the
largest Kurdish communities in Connecticut.
"She says, she don't watch TV that much but when she
heard it, she was happy that the war might stop,"
Shukria Kocher translated.
But even through 13-year-old Shukria's translation
it's apparent Rezbar Kocher is hesitant to say the
death of al-Quaeda leader Abu Musab Al Zarqawi will
help her homeland.
"She's saying, I hope it feels good over there and I
don't know if it's all him or somebody else."
In such a remarkably complex political landscape
it's hard to say for certain if eliminating Zarqawi,
a Sunni Arab, will aid their cause -- a free and
independent Kurdistan.
A similar sentiment is found among U.S. soldiers
fighting an enemy that changes on an almost daily
basis. An insurgency they expect won't end now.
"I don't think that will happen at all," says Sgt.
Chris Beckwith with New Haven's 439th Quarter Master
Corp. "I think even if he was a leader, they have
underlings that will take over where he left off."
Sgt. Beckwith already served one tour of duty in
Iraq and he's about to sign up for another. While it
is encouraging news he says it's not the final
solution we're all seeking.
"It is a big step forward that way, but I don't
think it's as big a step as some people believe
because we got him."
Heading back is what The Kochers wish for as well.
They came to Connecticut in 1996 after Saddam
Hussein's bloody massacre of the Kurds following the
first Gulf War. It's been ten years, but they're
still waiting.
"She's saying that if they stop and if it's like
peace and calm like United States of America, we
probably will go back there," Kocher said.
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