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Why so much animosity between Baghdad and
Kurdistan?
4.5.2012
By Rizgar Khoshnaw, Washington DC
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ekurd.net |
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May
4, 2012
It seems lately that not a day goes by without
reading an article/story about how the Iraqi
government is in serious conflict with the Kurdish
government and Kurdistan in general. I am sure many
of us are wondering what Baghdad is "up to" when it
comes to dealing with the Kurds now and in the
future.
By now we all know that without the support of the
Kurds, the current Iraqi government would not been
established. It was the support of the KRG that
allowed the formation of it and it is very
disturbing and scandalous to see that Baghdad is
turning its back on the Kurds. Not only Baghdad is
"reneging" on its promise, but it seems that they
disapprove everything that the KRG is doing;
politically as well as economically.
For example, I read today that Mr. Massoud Barzani's
visit out side of Kurdistan has been criticized by
the Iraqi central government for absolutely no valid
reason. And when Mr. Barzani visited Washington, DC,
the Iraqi government attempted to stop the meeting
between Mr. Barzani and the US president, Mr. Obama.
What would the Iraqi government accomplish/gain by
stopping such meeting? What was the motive behind
such request and malicious action taken by the
Iraqis?
Another example of how the Iraqis are making every
effort to hurt and marginalizes the Kurds is by
removing top Kurdish military officials/officers
that are currently serving in the Iraqi national
army. Once more, it is obvious to see that they are
telling the Kurds that they are no longer part of
the Iraqi military elite. Furthermore, Baghdad is
asking the KRG to abide and oblige them with many
unreasonable requests. Requests such as: Hand over
"heavy" military equipments, turn over Mr. Tariq Al-Hashime
and Mr. Al-Shahristani call this conflict, "internal
affairs" and expect the international community to
remain silent on such abusive practices/attitudes
against the Kurds.
From everything that I am reading in the news media,
it seems that the Kurdish politicians are sincerely
trying to resolve all issues peacefully with Baghdad
as well as the local Kurdish parties. In the past
month alone, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and Mr. Massoud
Barzani have held meetings with Mr. Nawshirwan
Mustafa,www.ekurd.net
as well as other party leaders, to work out their
differences for the sake of the Kurdish survival and
well being. I think it is the right move for all
parties in Kurdistan to join forces and work
together now since we are faced with such hate and
anger from Baghdad. We can not allow Baghdad to
determine our fate and future.
To make our case more complicated and dangerous,
Baghdad is now "hinting" at using their newly
acquired jet fighters (F-16) from the US against the
Kurds. I am sure we all know that such move, or the
thought of taking this action, will not be tolerated
by the international community. I am also certain
Baghdad realizes this and yet it does not appear to
make any difference to them! Baghdad is bent on
causing serious damage to Kurdistan and we should
not remain silent and continue to fight for our
rights.
Even thought Mr. Massoud Barzani made his
displeasure/concern known about such military sales
to Baghdad during his meeting with Mr. Obama,
unfortunately he could not stop this sale. The US
will surly go a head with the sale of these jet
fighters no matter what we Kurds think or do! Anyone
that knows about American system and "interest" will
say that the sale of these F-16s will move forward
no matter what. Honestly speaking, if I were Mr.
Barzani's advisor, I would have suggested to him not
to ask or make such request since the US will do
what is the best interest of its people and not
ours! It is time for the Kurds to unite and work
together if we are going to survive and prosper and
not depend on any outside forces to come to our
rescue.
Read more at my newly created
Facebook page
(Iraqi Kurdish issue, Rizgar Xoshnaw)
Rizgar Xoshnaw, a regular contributing writer and
columnist for ekurd.net
Copyright © 2012 ekurd.net. All rights reserved
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