Washington Times
Jan 28 2005

Kurdistan and Iraq

By Nechirvan Barzani

With elections in Iraq only days away I believe it is important to
inform people outside our region how the citizens of Kurdistan in
Iraq see the future of their homeland. It is especially important to
do this now because of rumblings in some circles that we covet Kirkuk
for its oil wealth and that our true aim is complete independence.
However, let me state clearly, the leadership of Iraqi Kurdistan is
firmly committed to full participation in a free, federal,
pluralistic and democratic Iraq.

These are not just words. These principles were declared by the
Kurdistan National Assembly, which was formed in 1992 following free
and fair regional elections. Kurdistan did not choose to separate
from Iraq at that time. We have repeated these words with utmost
sincerity to our colleagues in the interim Iraqi government, to our
neighbors, to our close friends and allies of the multinational
coalition and to others. We are happy to be held to our declaration
because we expect to abide by it in a free, democratic and federal
Iraq.
Everyone naturally desires to live in an environment of freedom
and security where their families can grow and prosper. In saying
this I speak not only of the Kurdish people, but of all the people
who live in Kurdistan – Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Christians,
Assyrians,Armenians,and Chaldeans, Shia, Sunni, Yezidis – all of whom
have lived in genuine peace and with warm respect for each other
since long before Iraq became an independent and sovereign country.
Kurds have learned much over the past 13 years, living and
working in our developing democracy while under the protection of
international security forces. We have learned to appreciate and
cherish our freedom and our autonomy. Our people have begun to enjoy
the progress of a secure environment and a growing economy.
During Saddam Hussein’s rule, more than 4,000 Kurdish villages
were totally destroyed. Chemical weapons were used against more than
200 communities spanning from our northwest border with Turkey to our
southeast border with Iran, and culminating in the infamous chemical
attack on the city of Halabja.
Living in freedom since 1991, we have reconstructed more than
3,000 destroyed communities and resettled over 50,000 displaced
families. We have constructed tens of thousands of homes, along with
roads and water systems. We have also built hundreds of schools and
health centers and added two new universities. And now, Sunday’s
election is an important step toward fully achieving our goals.
The oil in Kirkuk, an area that is historically and culturally an
integral part of Kurdistan, prompted the forcible displacement of
Kurds, Turkmen and others. Families who were forcibly displaced have
the undeniable right to return. Ironically, however, the families
that were forcibly removed because of the oil wealth are not being
supported due to fears about how oil proceeds might be allocated in
the future.
It is important to repeat two positions that have been clearly
stated by the leadership of Kurdistan in Iraq. First, those who were
displaced from Kirkuk have the right to return. All families who
settled in Kirkuk and do not occupy property forcibly taken from
others are encouraged to remain, regardless of their ethnic and
religious backgrounds. It is regrettable that what is clearly a
property issue is being promoted as a conflict between people based
on their ethnic heritage. Second, the oil of Kirkuk is a national
asset to be shared with the people of Kurdistan. We seek guarantees
that this wealth will be fairly shared for peaceful economic
development.
Also, our regional security contributes to Iraq’s national
security. We have developed capabilities since 1991 that have been
crucial in maintaining a relatively safe and stable security
environment in our region. Many of those who promote violence
elsewhere in Iraq are the same criminals who, in earlier times,
killed and maimed many of our citizens.
In developing our peshmerga military forces and civil security
services to protect our freedom and autonomy, not only have we been
able to secure our region but we have also been ready, willing and
able to fight alongside U.S. and other coalition forces in order to
extend freedom to our brothers and sisters throughout Iraq. We are
proud of our contribution and welcome the presence of friends and
forces that are helping to build a free and democratic Iraq.
The elections on Jan. 30 are the first in a series of long and
difficult steps scheduled to be completed by the end of this year to
reach a free, pluralistic, federal and democratic Iraq that we
wholeheartedly support. Through these elections we hope to preserve
and expand the gains we have sacrificed to achieve. Our long and
hard-fought struggle compels us to accept no less. Following these
elections, the citizens of our region will see their aspirations
embodied in the principles of the Transitional Administrative Law,
which we seek to be incorporated into a permanent constitution that
we will proudly be obliged to uphold and defend.
We thank the American people for their sacrifice on our behalf
and we thank President Bush for his steadfast leadership in support
of our freedom. We are proud to be your allies.

Nechirvan Barzani is prime minister of the Kurdish Regional
Government.