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Implementation of Article 140
indispensable in stabilizing Iraq
21.4.2007
By Baqi Barzani, eKurd.net Contributing Writer |
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April
21, 2007
eKurd.net: Since the formation of forged Iraq, Kurds
have been subjected to brutal ethnic-cleansings,
genocides and mass destructions committed by Iraqi
tyrants. Depopulation of Kurdistan in an attempt to
reduce the political power and presence of minority
was the main goal of every consecutive government.
All previous regimes primarily centered their focus
to alter the demographic makeup of large Kurdish
cities, especially the multi-ethnic city of Kirkuk.
Tens of thousands of Kurds refusing to sign
self-styled "nationality correction" forms,
introduced by the authorities prior to the 1997
population census, requiring members of Kurdish
groups residing in these districts to relinquish
their Kurdish identities and to register officially
as Arabs were forcefully driven out. Their
possessions were pillaged and their ration cards
were withdrawn.
Discrimination and persecution against the innocuous
defenseless masses of Kurdistan carried on
hysterically for decades without any international
intrusion or denunciation. 4000 Kurdish villages
were reduced to rubble. 182,000 people slain and
displaced during “Anfal Operation” carried out by
the former Baáth regime. Another 5000 were killed
and 10000 injured during “Halabja city chemical
bombardment” Tens of thousands are still reported
missing.
Now that the issue of determining on the fate of
Kurdish city of Kirkuk draws closer, Kurds seem to
be swindled all over again. Its implementation is
being deferred by the opponents of peace and
democracy and foreign interference continues to
intensify.
Kurds constitute the majority of the inhabitants,
with a minor Arab minority, followed by Turkmen and
Assyrian minorities. For Kurds, Kirkuk is not about
oil or a territorial struggle. Kurds give the
impression to have no willing to sacrifice their
geographical, historical and demographic rights over
Kirkuk at any price. Even Saddam had acknowledged
the legitimacy of Kurdish self-rule and assured
Kurdish partaking in government and Kurdish language
teaching in schools during In the Autonomy Agreement
of March 11, 1970. The main bone of contention
between the Kurdish headship and Saddam was on the
subject of Kirkuk.
Kurdish Regional Government has repeated again and
again that it has by no means any intention of
unilateral claim to the rights or revenues on the
Kirkuk oil fields. It honors the constitutions and
agreement that the management of those fields is to
be split by the central government and the region,
and the revenues shared throughout the country.
Washington severely opposes any foreign interference
in to the internal affairs of Kirkuk or Iraq. The US
has repeated warned Turkey against ant military
incursion into Kurdistan. The former US President
Bill Clinton recently said that the US
administration must shield Kurds from any external
attacks.
The Bush administration has taken a prudent stand on
the status of Kirkuk. Thousands of internally
displaced Kurds, Turkmen and others have returned to
Kirkuk and other Arabized regions to reclaim their
homes and lands which have since been occupied by
Arabs from central and southern Iraq. The unjust
policies of the Saddam government in and around
Kirkuk, which included the forced deportation of
residents, confiscation of property and the
manipulation of administrative boundaries, are being
reversed.
Implementation and enforcement of article 140 of the
Iraqi constitution is pertinent to the overall
security situation of Iraq. Approved by the Shi'a
and Kurds, Article 140 calls for a three-step
process to normalize Kirkuk by reversing the "Arabization"
policy implemented under former Iraqi President
Saddam Hussein. A referendum on Kirkuk and other
disputed territories will determine the will of
their citizens. Kirkuk is an internal issue and it
pertains to the Iraqis people to jointly resolve it.
The Iraqi people want to rectify the injustices
committed by the former regime to advance naturally;
this includes the much looked-for referendum, based
upon Article 140 of Iraq's
constitution. The tranquility and stability of
Kirkuk is very essential for the American
authorities, as well. Anything that is perceived as
possibly imperiling this goal could be confronted
with a harsh American reaction.
The regulation and fair supervision of the upcoming
referendum by international community is crucial.
Any delay of or intrusion by foreign powers could
deteriorate the circumstances and possibility
trigger another irrepressible communal skirmish in
Iraq, opening another front from the Northern part
or culminate in proclamation of independence by the
Kurds, an inherent and legitimate right they
reserve.
Baqi Barzani. You may reach the author via email at:
baqibarzani(at)yahoo.com
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