KDP and PUK: Not perfect but deserving of praise

1/23/2006

By Shahin B. Sorekli

In the last fifteen years in particular there has been a systematic and aggressive attack by a number of Kurdish intellectuals and small radical groups against the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) as well as the Kurdish administrations in Hewlêr and Sulaimani. This does not mean all other Kurdish intellectuals have entirely supported the actions of both parties and their governments, however, while the latter group’s criticism was a constructive criticism aiming at drawing attention to negative aspects with the hope they will be changed, the first group’s criticism often aimed at illegitimating the right of the mentioned parties to rule using inflammatory words, phrases of defamation and a style that could be described as antagonistic. It is no secret that all Kurdish political parties, including PUK and KDP, have committed mistakes in the past. It is also a fact that there is still corruption and mismanagement within sections of the Kurdish administrations. Even the Kurdish leadership would acknowledge that. But certainly it is not a healthy attitude to keep on pointing to the empty half of the glass while fully ignoring the full half. What both Kurdish parties, administrations and the Kurdish people have achieved in the last fifteen years some independent nations in Asia and Africa failed to achieve in decades.

The antagonistic approach used by some individuals and small radical groups is, in my opinion, not only harmful to the national interests of the Kurdish people but also based on incorrect calculations for various reasons, including:

They create division. For once we have the Kurdish political organisations in southern Kurdistan cooperating. Instead of these small groups and individuals playing a positive role in encouraging unity and tolerance they seem to be agitating, aiming at minimising support for the status quo.

The animosity created falls into the hands of those who do not like the Kurds getting anywhere. Non Kurdish elements use their dissatisfaction and harsh criticism as propaganda against the Kurds in general, as an article regarding the arrest of Dr K. S. Kadir published by www.aljazeera.com did. The article with a title describing Kurdish leadership in Iraqi Kurdistan as “US PUPPETS” was followed by dozens of letters antagonistic to the Kurds and Kurdistan. One of the letters was even claiming that all the Kurds were “foreigners” except in Iran.

Adventure versus reality: some of the individuals and radical groups describe the Kurdish leadership as “nationalists” on one hand while blame them harshly for not declaring southern Kurdistan as an independent Kurdish state on the other. From point one some were of the opinion that time was ripe for separation from Iraq. Such a move at a wrong point in time could have proved disastrous for the Kurds whose entire modern history consists of oppression, hardship, hunger, deportation and massacres. The Kurdish leadership, despite inexperience, limited resources, internal problems, threats by terrorist groups and other sides and in spite of the dreadful situation in Iraq has this time acted very wisely. The Kurds, as if through a miracle, emerged on top proving they could adapt democracy, rule themselves and respect the rights of others. Listening to the voice of those who with sincerity or bad intention wanted an independent state to be announced could have ended with disaster.

Unrealistic expectations: Many Kurds living abroad forget the reality of the Kurdish people, their traditions and their history. They expect the Kurdish leadership to transform the Iraqi part of Kurdistan into a model state more advanced than countries such as Switzerland and Sweden almost overnight. The Kurdish people have been divided and oppressed for many decades. Leaving all the consequences resulting from the cruel regimes of Iraq in the last fifty years aside, the Kurds themselves still have within them traditions such as blood feuds and revenge, dowry for girls, honour killing as well as high illiteracy rates, problems associated with tribalism, dialects, sectarianism and others. Furthermore, there are groups and individuals who for one reason or another are supportive of, and dependant upon, foreign groups, even terrorist factions based outside Kurdistan. There are continuous plans by the enemies of the Kurds to sabotage the progress in Kurdistan… It is indeed naïve to expect democracy to flourish within twenty four hours and Kurdistan to be turned into a dream land taking everything into consideration. Nevertheless, what I saw in this part of Kurdistan during two visits in the last three and a half years was indeed extremely promising. What the Kurds have there does not exist anywhere else where millions of Kurds live. This part of Kurdistan has become the basis of hope for the rest of the Kurds.

I hope this short article will not be misinterpreted. Those who know me will agree that I have been one of the individuals who on various occasions criticised KDP and PUK, as well as other Kurdish organisations whenever it was necessary. On the other hand, I have friends within the group I am criticising in this article. The point I am trying to make is this: KDP and PUK may not be perfect but they are the best we have at the moment, and considering the circumstances they have done quite well. It is not fair therefore to look at them as enemies. They do still need to improve but they are changing for the better all the time. We therefore should be supportive of them. Yes, we should show their mistakes and criticise them but it will be a terrible mistake to look at them as enemies. Why? There are many reasons for this but let me mention only one. They have the force and the know-how to protect what has been gained. Without this force not only what has been gained in the last fifteen years will be lost but the very existence of the Kurdish identity in southern Kurdistan will be in jeopardy.

Now that the unity of both Kurdish administrations is on the way, a move that should be highly praised, I believe all of those who wish for Kurdish affairs to progress for the better should be supportive of the Kurdish government in any way possible. Personal reasons and grudges should not affect our support; neither should the ideology of some who either dream of making Kurdistan the ideal Marxist state or the ideal Islamic state. The Kurdish nation is going through an extremely sensitive period. We have to educate ourselves in order to realise how other nations achieved statehood. Turning against what we have because we think “what we have is not perfect” will be another tragic mistake in the history of the Kurdish people. We need to support what we have and sincerely endeavour to advance the Kurdish parties and governments. We should never stop criticism but our criticism should be constructive, not destructive. It should aim at improving what we have, not destroying it. And what we have in the hand is not really that bad if we remember who and where the Kurds are and how little support the international community had for them in the past. Geography and history play major roles in the destiny of people. We should always keep them in mind and we should do our best to prevent bitter tragedies happening in Kurdistan ever again. DPK and PUK are the product of the Kurdish history, geographic location, social fabric and political circumstances. Right now the future of the Kurdish people depends on them. Let us support what they are trying to achieve, even if the methods they use are from time to time not exactly what we want them to be.

KurdishMedia.com