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Below is a sample of comments & e-mails, some of which have minor edits for grammar and clarity:
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Kurdish Right!
I have read most of the comments on here and I wanted to do that before I made my own. It's in regards to Turkey and the Kurdish issue there. Most of the comments from the Kurds are that we love Turkey and we're brothers and so on. I want to say that I absolutely hate Turkey. Why? Because everytime I read an article about Turkish oppression of my brothers in regards to their identity, social and economic situation, and equal rights, I cannot bring myself to a friendly view. Gandi said that he believed in peace but also believed in fighting for certain things. I cannot bring myself to speak about peace so long as my Kurdish people in Turkey do not enjoy the same rights as the rest of Turks do. The weakness of the Kurdish people has always been and will always be the fact that we give the benefit of doubt to our enemies instead of standing up to them as one. I am sick of hearing so called Kurdish intellects looking out for other people's rights over their own. Wake up and smell the coffee. These countries would all cheer to see us exterminated. I for one love my people and will stand alongside them in their struggle. Sometimes fighting brings peace and if the Kurds unite and have the courage to take what is RIGHTFULLY theirs, than we will have a country of our own. Untill then we are puppets in their world and they will play us as they see fit for themselves. Thank you and GOD bless Kurds and KURDISTAN!
Hejar
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RSS Syndication
It would be nice if you had an RSS feed.
Chris
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43 Mothers and Fathers with no child
And GPD knows how many Kurdish mothers worrying home about their children. What is this why do you become a pawn in a game of regional power play?
last time l was in Turkey I was in Levent district and stayed in a nice hotel l made friend with a Kurdish family from Hakkari who is a builder, he was in Istanbul was looking for a nice house to buy, now you tell me is anyone tells him or prevents him to buy a home in Istanbul or izmir or Bodrum? many Turks live in Germany 4 million, why economy, when your color is different but you are treated like any other Turkish citizen anywhere in Turkey, what is the big fuss? Ok l understand there is no investment you say in Kurdish areas, than you ask to your Congressman for it, and let’s say for the sake of argument that you have your borders, who will finance your economic development? Where will the money come from? Right now north of Iraq is booming for business, why don't you go there or anywhere in Turkey there is booming business? NO you rather go up to mountains and join PKK that makes you feel like a man holding a gun in your hand, and get free food and free cave to stay in, with the drug money which kills children in young age, it is easy you just lay in the cave all day and all night go kill Turkish kids, that is your goal in life, for that you will never can count on my support or many like me, Sorry,
M..Takman
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Turkey
Since most people’s history is lacking; let us renew. In WW1 YELLOW STAIN turkey was part of the Axis via Germany/Austria. When they were soundly beaten by an EQUAL force of the Allies, they turned YELLOW and groveled to join the Allies. Then they unseated attaturkeys regime, they took their anger and defeat on the unarmed women, children, old people of Armenians. So for years they been LYING about the Armenian Genocide, and forever trying to erase the YELLOW STAIN, but cant. So with their intimidation, bullying, the world knows better. They will never assault an Equal force, only UNARMED WOMEN, CHILDREN, and AND OLD PEOPLE. That’s their style.
Alex Postallian
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The Kurdish People
I just wanted to say I love the Kurdish people. I fought in Iraq in 2008 and lived in the Mosul area. The Convoy missions we ran took us to Kurdistan. Once we cleared the check point to enter Kurdistan it was like a different world with clean streets commerce and security. I found the Kurdish people to be some of the most hospitable people I have ever met. It was hard to believe it was still Iraq. I hope when this thing all comes to a end. The Kurds get lots of their land back. Being around your people showed me there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In this war. The Kurdish people are 10 steps ahead of the rest of Iraq In my opinion. At recovering
Deen Brus
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Kurds and then the PKK Kurds
It is so funny that when you engage in Terrorism and finance that terrorism with selling Heroin to European Youth you call yourself a freedom fighter.
When you kill your own child or buried her alive you call yourself a Turkish and when you kill Turkish soldier you call yourself a freedom fighter, who are you? What do you want?
Get your head from the gutter elevate yourself to civilized human been, go out and do something don't wait for the government to hand you out things for free, there are rocks out there belongs to no one, it is Gods rocks and sand why don’t you like many civilizations before you go get them and cut them and shave them and build roads and homes schools, something for you and for your family like many other civilizations did. You claim you lived there many years, please show me one piece of art you have created show me one statue, NOTHING besides the art of killing young Turkish man, you created NOTHING. You make me sick and l know you will never publish this, but it is Okay many others do
Mancion
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Hello
It's been wonderfull to have this kind of online kurdish media to send out the kurdish voice to the rest of the world.
I'm so happy of you guys hard working and I appreciate your efforts and patriotism towards our great country.
IT'S SO PROUD TO BE A KURDISH
HOPE YOU ALL THE BEST
Sarbast
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Great website!
Hey,
During the recent months, I have been read a lot about the Kurdish cause, especially those who live in Turkey.
As an Israeli, I can see a clear imagination between Turkey's policy on the Kurdish issue and Israel's right wing policy on the Palestinian issue.
The common denominator between them is opaqueness, racism and arrogance.
Similarly, I can bet the rhetoric of Turkey concludes none sense intimidation about the "dangerous" scenarios of Kurdish independent state in northern Iraq and Kurdish autonomy in South East of Turkey.
Nothing justifies deliberate killing of innocent civilians, but same thing about systematic oppression or occupation of someone else land.
Personally, I am ashamed my country has never done all the necessary steps for peace, and simultaneously, blindly coordinates with Turkey against the PKK instead of proposing her own peace initiative.
Lastly, as long as Turkey portrays itself as a "solely victim", diplomatic breakthrough won't be feasible.
Sincerely,
Tom Ifrach-Israel.
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Abolishing Religions for Peace
Religions are not similiar to weapons. You make a very wrong simili. Religions of God preach peace, love, brotherhood, justice, respect for life, truth, one's self and others. Weapons don't! They only represent murder and monetary profit for their manufacturers. Religions of God have been misunderstood throughout the history and have been mistaught. Hence, they have caused wars and conflicts. If they were taught correctly, they would have caused peace!
Abrahams Nation
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Turkey's Dirty War Against the Kurds
Respectfully I need to say such "hate-spreading article" beside many others like this demonstrates your inability to dig yourself out of the past and lack of hope for having great ideas for today and tomorrow full of peace and love for Kurdish people.
Please review the posting to realize one thing, you - like too many other Kurdish "Politician" - stock in past by lacking hope and love for all the remaining days of our lives.
It is what has made it so hard for us Kurdish people to have a better life; there are no visionaries who paint us the road how to become blessed.
We Kurdish people must ignore those who use our pains to be called "politician".
To hell with you as you care about nothing but your name!
David
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Palestinian
Dear Sir,
It seems to me when I read this article,that its the harvest time for the Palestinians.Yes we were plaeagued by fallowing a blinded policy which made many mistakes by the PLO.The truth that you should always rememeber,thats the Palestinian people should be treated in a brutal way becaus thier leaders faults.I am one among them and I do appreciate the Kurdish people and respect thier cause but who can hear my voice as you would always listen to the queer voices and ignor the true one
Salem Abu Nofal
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Turkish ultral-patriot Joe Konukaldi!
You are funny really. I have read your comments to "kicking out the Kurds" out of Turkey to my Kurdish friends. They all said "Were should they go?"
I suggest you authorize to kill them as your state has done always?
You sound like you have no peace in your heart and blame Kurds for that.
We pray for you and your kind may you fine love and peace!
David
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Kurdish uprising a disgrace
If kurds are not happy living in Turkey, then they should leave. Turks do not want kurds to live in Turkey anymore. They are absorbing all the countries resources and are never appreciative.
Their efforts of terrorism will not be forgotten. Simple message to them is GET LOST. Diyarbakir belongs to Turkey.
Joe Konukaldi
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Ali Shukor: Hataw Sarkawt article
Dear friend Ali Shukor,
I do not understand your comment at all. You write "I suggest you pull that article off your website.".
I mean your beautiful word "we have to show tolerance and respect for others, regardless of their names/backgrounds/religion", and I have to ask myself, do you mean really what you say there?
How is it that you can not see "Hataw Sarkawt article" in the same light?
What makes it so difficult to treat everyone with tolerance and respect, regardless of their names/backgrounds/religion?
I love to know what what is the difference really. You can email me at "jalavid@yahoo.com"
Newroz Piroz
Best regards
David
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Hataw Sarkawt article
Dear Editor,
I find the article by Hataw Sarkawt ("I am confused by these names and so should you") highly offensive, and am surprised you published it on this excellent website. If us Kurds expect others to respect us, we have to show tolerance and respect for others, regardless of their names/backgrounds/religion. I suggest you pull that article off your website.
Kind regards,
Ali Shukor
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Comments on Ahmet Turk's speech
as an American who lived in Turkey for a long period of time I would like to add a few comments on the article written to address Kurdish language problem which was also addressed by Ahmet Turk.
Ahmet Turk said that Turkish state does not allow them to speak in their mother language. In opposite I saw many Kurds in Turkey spoke and sang in their languages. They even had their Prime Ministers in the past. On the other side I can not see the DTP is representing the whole nation of Turkey but keen to speak or pose ethnically as Kurdish..
I am sure it would not be allowed in my country to use any ethnic language officially or to call a region indicating that region belongs to an ethnic group.
For this reason, I do not see how DTP will represent and do good things for the whole nation of Turkey. They only talk about the separation or division. Especially supporting an armed struggle against the state always makes DTP a vulnerable party.
I always say: Long live the brotherhoods of Turkey's all ethnic groups! Which I personally had a chance to live with, In fact they do not need any parties to understand each other. They do these themselves very well without any manipulation from those political parties in Turkey.
I have many Kurdish friends in Turkey who complain about DTP's attitude to politics.
I hope you are as democratic as you say.
Thank you.
Kind Regards,
Roselyn MacPherson
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Build World Awareness
With the expectation that Turkey will move towards Syria and Iran in its upcoming election and the virtual annexation of Lebanon by Syria- Iran, it is time for the west to wake up as to who are the good guys and bad guys in this region. I would love to see a united Kurdistan formed from parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. I support it and argue the case with whomever. I only hope that united Kurdistan and
Israel will find friendship and mutual support.
Reuven Koblick
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Dear Cetin who calls us his "brother",
What makes you and me brother is first that we are human and what we have learned in Kurdistan, to love. Not a piece land, not the trees, not the stones or soil of Kurdistan, we learned to love and respect. Our Peshmerga, where ever in Kurdistan, be it north, South east or Western took all the hard life to protect the dignity and the tradition. You should be aware of the difference between the meaning of Peshmerga and Mojahed.
So, please do not reduce us to Islam. I am not Moslem and will never be one and I do want your Allah's Swort to cut other people's head for the evil, or kill kids and innocent people for your Allah.
Not me and not many Kurdish people I know.
Dont fool yourself, we Kurdish people ever had any place for the evil of hate.
Kurdistan became Kurdistan for being home to Shiring o Farhad for Qasr Shirin, for Biseton, for the love for mankind, for being human.
I know all your Islamic view makes you be fanatic to believe Islam is the peace, look around the world, see in your own heart, and try to find love and respect. I never worship a God who offers me to kill for him to get the other world "beautiful whores". If you want just do it, please do not call Kurdish people your brother. I believe your brother are Bin Ladan and all psychos surrounding him.
David
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About know your website
this is helpful for others who want the message about any information
Christopher Wilbert
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Poor Policy!
It is amazing that "Your emails" part is almost dead. You make it to the first pages in Google search about Kurdistan with spending money for sure but I mean certainly you are too lonely with your views and you are taking out the whole dynamics from your readers comments.
No, you can not make it, to lead the Kurdish main stream to the ways you just dream to be right.
You should really be feeling bad, very bad, about yourself for being afraid of publishing the emails!
I mean, really, do you have the smallest hope that people like you will ever have any chances to move even a dust in Kurdish issue?
First you have to overcome your own intolerance for the emails!
I mean, if you don't have the courage to publish all readers comments, you should sent the money you give Google to poor Kurdish families and stay out until you are free enough to let the people communicate with each other!
I look at such people like you and find always the reason why we Kurds never made it to be strong!
There are TOO MANY people like you out there, that is why.
Thanks
David
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My brothers
I am from Elaz; and I am bit part of your culture. I am very disappointed when I see your links in Jerusalem Post. Aren’t you aware what is running around? Do you really think that Israel will be your fellows? This link clearly shows somebody is using Kurdish people. It is a part of divide & possess strategy. It is unbelievable to hope for Israel help!! Instead of being a part big Muslim society, you are trying to be trigger of Jews. Let us stop to argue our differences and extend common sense. You can start to protest Israel attack to Gazze.
Cetin
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False and negative information
You and your 'news network' is publishing FALSE news about Turkey, First of all. THERE is no Kurdistan and there wont be any. Secondly i dont know where you get your facts/news but these are pure LIES, stop spreading you Armenian-like lies against Turks. i also think the AKP party is a failure but thats because the are the slaves of America and Israel. JUST like YOU. You are serving the imperialist powers with you false and fake so called News.
PKK is a terror organization (which killed more than 40,000 turks AND kurds, but im not saying that all kurds are terrorist, i have a lot of kurdish friends who at least RESPECT their country. Stop serving US,Israel and Armenia.You have no BRAINS at all
And i think that you are not more than a provocator, and not a kurd. Maybe armeian. because of the Armenian APO (abdullah ocalan) Turk-Kurd friendship got bad
NOW stop spreading your lies and think more about Iraq, but no, you are selfish and want to kick the turkmens out of the Turkish cities KERKUK and MOSUL
S. Yildizeli
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Work it out!
We need to accept the idea as Turks, that we cannot go on like this. We cannot continue to sow the seeds of hatred and division. We need to come together as one family and embrace Kurds as our long lost family.
Asla Tasci
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Ocalan
STOP calling that certified killer of women and children the leader of Kurds. NOT ALL KURDS accept that. My whole family was killed by the PKK and with the help of God, our people took their revenge - about 5 of them for every member of out tribe killed. You so-called Kurds DO NOT HAVE MONOPOLY on being Kurdish. I am happy living in Turkey and if you are not, piss off to Northern Iraq. See if you can publish that.
Saleh W. Atalay
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Turks and Kurds and brotherly love etc.
Dear Cengis,
Turks and aggressive repression have the power to divide Turks and Kurds
Peter Stitt
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Kurdish youth
Dear Sir or Madam,
I read an article called "message to the kurdish nation! message to the kurdish youth" by Minhaj Akreyi, and I thought what he had wrote is amazing and so true. So I thought he might take into interest and want to see what some kurdish youth's in london have done to get awareness for Kurdistan.
your sincerely Barzy
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Nobody has power to divide Turks and Kurds
Dear Turkish and Kurdish brothers, I ran into this site by accident. It is a pity that I have seen emails from the people who are not Kurds or Turks and pretend that they are interested in our inner world. Now let’s think about it: If they are truly interested in humanity they should stop their assault on Iraq and Afghanistan where many women and children are being killed daily. I don’t believe their sincerity and our inner problems are not their business. Look at the writers nationalities; we defeated them in Dardanels, they know our power and they want to break our power. Didn’t we fight against them as Kurds and Turks together? We have beaten them in Dardanels and Mustafa Kamal Ataturk defeated their ancestors in our freedom war 1922 from Istanbul. The people who are engaged with us are their descendants. Watch out please!
My sister is married to a Kurd I have nephews, nieces I love them, I love my brother in-law he is a perfect person. How can we be divided? UK is still trying to get even with us for the loss in Dardanels.
Cengiz
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PKK and Turkey
I reply, with a great deal of sympathy, to the remarks made by Fatima I. Atalay. I know there are good Turkish people, I have met them, Turks who actually support Kurdish aspirations and Turks who do not support Kurdish aspirations but are genuine in their beliefs and honestly care about the Kurdish plight in Turkey. However, I must balance the debate here from an independent Scottish perspective.
Fatima, the 34,000 fatalities you mentioned are on both sides, they were not all PKK "hits" as your email implied. I would also point to the clearing and destruction of Kurdish villages by the Turkish government, the criminalisation of Kurdish language and culture. Turkey has made some serious miscalculations, it is not just the fault of PKK who I regard as the most obscene excuse for a "freedom fighting" organisation I have ever come across. I don't think anyone comes out of this smelling of roses, both sides are at serious fault.
I suspect Fatima that your husband is too intelligent to "hate" all Kurds because he had the humanity to marry one as an equal. Just because the PKK do things that disgust you, do not be ashamed of your Kurdish heritage. For every one bad Kurd you see, I will show you a hundred honourable Kurds to whom I would entrust my life. I feel safer with Kurds than I do my own Scottish community and that says a great deal about the basic nature of Kurdish people. There are good and bad in every people and I agree with your general sentiments about PKK but let's not ignore Turkey's role in this.
I wish you and your husband well Fatima and I look forward to the point in time where both Kurdistan and Turkey are thriving economically and can see how working together will benefit both for the future. That is when those many shared cultural values will become valuable but Turkey must learn to accommodate and accept cultural and ethnic differences as well.
Peter Stitt
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PKK
While I sympathise somewhat with the plight of the Kurd (I am one, too) I take exception to your total support of the PKK. You ask the Turkish Government to forget the past (nearly 34,000 people killed by the PKK since 1984, mainly innocent Kurds)and suddenly embrace the PKK as brothers ? I would not do this so how can you ask the Turks to do so ? You say the elected government should cease military operations and discuss matters at the table. Since when killers masquarading as "freedom fighters" deserve a place at an exalted venue like a conference table ? Five cease fires recently? That is a joke. Sure, every October or so they declare a cease fire to go down to Iraq and spend the winter in comfort. Do you take the Turks and we peace loving Kurds as fools ? Do the PKK realize the tremendpous amount of harm they have done to the Kurdish Cause ? My husband, who is a Turk, spent most of the 60s and 70s fighting for the Kurdish cause abroad, with some success. Now he probably hates us all, though he would never admit it. So who wins ?
Wake up, people, and leave us in peace!
Fatima I. Atalay
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Footballl
I would just like to congratulate Turkey on their performance tonight in the Euro 2008 Finals against Germany. Their team has performed with great passion and skill and I admire them greatly.
I have no problem with the Turkish people, just the establishment and the military. The Turkish people deserve to have something to smile about because their government's ongoing mismanagement of their economy and political dealings with the outside world ensures that they suffer needlessly.
On a one-to-one basis I have always found the Turks to be as brotherly as Kurdish friends and they have been extremely generous and caring for me. I know I am an advocate of an independent Kurdistan but I do not see myself as "partisan". I do know two great peoples when I see them (even if their politicians are rubbish!) and I also know a brilliant football team when I see it play.
An English radio commentator just said "Turkey have brightened up Euro 2008" because of the zest and passion they brought to the game. I hope the Turkish people are proud of their team because, as a human being, I am.
I can't wait to see the Kurdish national side competing in the World Cup. Just please, not in the same group as Scotland! God bless football.
Peter Stitt
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Objective! you say about your postings!!!
I absolutely agree with Erdal's comment and in a good spirit have to say. Where is the objectivity Mr Mirdawi's words "Questions and directions"?
Come on!
We might be wrong in many things, but we are not stupid. What about you "bra"?
God bless you
David
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Erdal you are wrong
This site is an objective as they can. Divisive comments are of no use to anyone. We Turks and Kurds will find a common ground to work with, we are all brothers. Turks and Kurds must have peace and must prosper; area is rich and can support economical advancement.
Those young kids from the mountains must be given chance to have families and kids and the means to provide decent living for themselves. If economical achievement is provided, than for the Terrorists to brain wash the Kurdish kids will end.
Write some thing productive Kurdish aspect will print it
M.Takman
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Comment policy
"Comments containing threats, foul language or thinly disguised foul language will be deleted. Keep it civil, stay on topic and your posts will remain online".
I think what you mean with the above is; as long as you say what we want to hear and supports our cause, your comments are welcome.
Erdal Ahmet
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That is a BIG LIE,Turkish soldiers suicide
On the contrarray,turkish soldiers who kills themselves and number in to 0.002% is the ones who were about the discharged from the Military to go home,yes the sad fact is some of them do not have home to go .
There are some young Turkish Man who are alone and only family they have is the military, many asks to serve longer time, Solder suicede in Turkish military is the lowest in the World.
Some of your writers ,WHERE DO THEY GET THEIR INFORMATION, it is beyond credibilty.
Long live our Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood,dividers will loose uniters will prosper,We Turks and Kurds will show the Wolrd how to getalone like brothers,I invite all Turks and Kurds to be kind and courtuious to eachother,and that $12.000.000.000 should bring some relief to our Kurdish citizens,money well spend,Love and peace for all of our children, and PKK will come down and join our brotherhood,and be a constructive memeber of our country,forgive and forget is best policy of the west and it should work for us too.
M.Takman
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Kerkuk
State terrorism, repression, intimidation, purge, denial of ethnic identity:
Kurds in northern iraq apply to Turkoman brothers of mine in Kerkuk Mousul area.
Americans turn blind eye. So do DTP and kurdish intellegensia of Turkey. When in power Kurds treat Turks the same way as Jews treat Palestinians.
Interesting?
Fuat Akdeniz
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Aland Mizell article
In Aland Mizell's article, he states that the Muslims in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) changed their prayer direction to Mecca after the conquest of that city. This is not correct; they changed the direction to Mecca before the conquest, in the second year of the Hijrah.
Sameh Strauch
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Comment on the Newroz article
I just want to show my appreciation of this article that was written by Luqman Berwari, who was a local of Fargo, ND. I was very surprised by happy at the same time to see this article written by the same individual who helped my family resettle in Fargo, ND and admit my brothers and sisters to school.
I've never read such a powerful article on Kurdish people and their way of life. I believe in change and the more we come together the closer we are to our freedom and own nation.
Thank you Luqman Berwari on this beautiful article on the Kurdish people and the Newroz celebration.
Thanks,
Nezir Ahmed
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Thank you Hevallo
Thanks Hevallo, that was a beautiful email you sent in. I am sure that all of the other writers feel the same way as I do about you saying the magazine has balance. When I write anything I always consult Kurdish friends because they have a right to have their opinions heard and I like to feel I give them a bigger voice because I have a big mouth and my British passport allows me to speak freely anywhere.
When I was in Ankara I noticed that many very attractive women were going into and coming out of a hotel close to the bar where I drank with my Turkish friends. I joked to my friend Taji that we were drinking in the wrong place and we should go where the attractive women were. He told me the owmen were Russian prostitutes and that Turkish citizens were not allowed to even go into the hotel, it was just for foreigners!
I pulled out my British passport and said "A Turk should be able to go anywhere in Turkey, you and I are going to have a drink in there." He was frightened but he went with me and we went straight up to the bar and I ordered two Efes Pilsner. The Turkish bar man looked at Taji, looked at me, he looked confused and terrified but he then served us. All people have a right to a voice and Kurds should have total rights in Northern Kurdistan.
Anyway, God bless Hevallo and happy Naw Roz to you and to the peshmerga of PKK (I still don't admire the leadership).
I pray for a happy future for all Kurds all over the world.
Peter Stitt
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Newroz Piroz Be Kurdish Aspect!
To all the readers, contributers and organisers of Kurdish Aspect, Hevallo wishes you all a happy new year! Lets hope that the next year will bring greater hope, peace and justice for the Kurdish people on this earth.
Thank you to Kurdish Aspect for making a significant contribution to the raising of Kurdish and non Kurdish concienceness and awareness in relation to the sometimes complex issue that is 'Kurdistan'!
You have managed to find that balance and room for all views which is very important.
Hevallo will continue to target the Turkish propaganda and psychological warfare that aims to label, lie and confuse people.
Silav and Selam!
Berxwedan Jiyane!
Newroz Piroz Be!
Hevallo
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"Kurdestan" The Ultimate American Allay
Dear Sir:
Your view of Kemal is very well taken. My view is that eventually the war in Iraq will boiled down to a powerful Kurdish state encompassing Iran, Iraq and Republic of Turkey. West is about to realize that Kurdish people are more moderate than Arabs, Iranians and Turks.
There is one problem though. I do not know how Armenian and Kurds are going to resolve their dormant conflict?
Papken Hartunian
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Why Ataturk is a bad guy, Funny
If it was not for Ataturk and his refoms,Turkish-Kurds would be facing same problems as they have in Iraq under Saddam,remembered how he gassed all the Kurds, Democratik Turkey do not do such act, All the Ataturks haters you do not know what you are talking about.becouse of his reforms Kurds are safe in Turkey.
M.Takman
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Divide and RULE, For our Turkish-Kurdish Brothers
Actually, this is not all that strange considering the divide-and-rule strategy of the US, the EU and Israel across the Muslim world based on the exploitation of all the existing hostilities and divisions. Until recently, they were simultaneously supporting the Turkish Armed Forces, the PKK and its sister organisation PJAK as well as the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. According to the Firat News Agency, the reason behind the US support is: An agreement made between the US, Turkey and the Federal Administration of South Kurdistan for the construction in South and North Kurdistan [i.e. Northern Iraq and South-eastern Turkey respectively] of two strategic US military bases targeting Iran. [13] The base in Turkey is reportedly located in the Yuksekova district at the Iranian border.
Needless to say, in the event of a war on Iran, the US and its leading NATO allies will be using all the bases on the Turkish territory at their disposal, including the secrets ones. It is important to bear in mind that the notorious US military base in Incirlik (Southern Turkey), which has played a crucial role in all the Anglo-American invasions in the Middle East in the post-cold war period, contains 90 nuclear warheads. In retrospect, the rejection of the March 2003 parliamentary motion to allow US troops to use Turkish soil as a staging ground for an invasion of Iraq didn’t seem to have much of an impact as the US army clandestinely went ahead with its plans anyway.
Please resist this game, how many times we will be used as a pawn. it is up to us.
M.Takman
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Kosovo and Turkish army incursion to Kurdistan
Dear all
It was not a surprise for me the timing of Turkish arm forces incursion to kurdistan Iraq after couple days of Kosovo independence. USA supoorted Kososvo independence and Kurdistan iraq is been protected by USA forces and strong Kurdish forces.
Well what would have been Kurdistan without USA spport and what would been Eastern Turkey which is heavily populated wth Kurdish origin popluation if Kurdistan Iraq declares its independance and USA accept it?
Turky's National Security decided long time ago to stop any independant dream even by any kurds in the world.
Kosovo yesterday kurdistan today and I would say congratulation Kurdistan for your independance
Daron Mushsassun
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Sovereignty
I read happily the rather depressingly titled "Kurdish troops surround Turks in worst confrontation yet in Iraq" by Leila Fadel and Yasseen Taha.
Those peshmerga forces acted quite legitimately and well within international law and I salute their bravery and dedication in doing so.
Turkey seems determined to make enemies of friends at the moment and I must admit that my patience is running out. I like to consider myself "reasonable" but a ground incursion really pushes the limits. The shelling is bad enough, the air-strikes are hardly accurate.
Turkey, I have been urging PKK to talk for years and your actions make my arguments rubbish. When Southern Kurdistan is attacked in this way it is not an attack on PKK, it is an attack on the entire Kurdish nation. We have a phrase in Britain about taking a hammer to break a nut and that is what Turkey is doing right now, disproportionate firepower is being deployed.
Maybe the Turkish military wants TAK to exist. After all, if there is peace with Kurds and Armenians, would there be any point in Turkey spending billions of dollars on maintaining the second biggest military force in NATO?
In my reckoning, both Turkey and PKK want the hostilities to run and run because the hostilities justify the existence of each of them. Meanwhile, the people suffer....
Peter Stitt
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Kirkuk
Dear Kurdish Aspect,
Finally you published a topic on unifying "Kirkuk" and not polarizing the Kurds. I recommend that you stay on this topic and have a constructive role instead of destructive one. Of course, we all have our own views; at the same time unity for us (Kurds) is the elixir of life. Kirkuk is the grant of liberty.
Instead of focusing of the KRG's mistakes I hope you focus on Kirkuk. Kirkuk is truly the hearth of Kurdistan. As the father of Kak Massoud always said, the ancient Fire of Babagorgor in Kirkuk is the fire that is burning in Newroz and in our flag and it is the fire that encourages us to become Peshmerga's to spread light.
Clearly Kirkuk it is not about money. Kirkuk is about the identity of the Kurdistani point of view, it is also about the way we Kurds feel, think and act, it is the place of our origins, and it is the place once we spread light through the temples in Kirkuk. Babagorgor (the father of all flames) is the temple of light.
It is Kirkuk that we need to focus on, my dear friends, not the Turks and not the KRG corruption or anything else. I pray to God you will realize the importance of the heart in the body.
God bless you
David Jalil
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I respond to my friend, Mr Takman's latest email.
Mr Takman, you know I have respect and affection for both you and for the Turkish people whilst also being a supporter of a Kurdish nation. In every conflict situation it is inevitable that views from both sides will become polarised very quickly so it does not surprise me that most Turks support the recent military action whilst most Kurds view it as an act of aggression. That is in the nature of such things.
However, in terms of the objectivity of Kurdish Aspect as a magazine and website, I would draw your attention to a piece published about two nights ago, "Betrayal? The US Policy Towards The Kurds". I wrote this piece knowing full well it would not be popular with many Kurdish readers and, in it, I was highly critical of the Kurdish leadership. When I sent it to my Editor, Mr Ardalan Hardi, I made it clear that I would not be offended if he did not publish it because it might alienate so many Kurdish readers. Being aware of the honesty and integrity of Ardalan's family I should not have been surprised that he published it promptly despite risking the publication's readership and support base. Now, for him to publish a piece that many at Kurdish Aspect probably disagree strongly with shows an objectivity rarely seen in the British media or anywhere else, certainly not in the Turkish media.
Also, Mr Takman, it is worth noting that your email has been featured so it is clear that Kurdish Aspect is trying to give voice to all opinions in this situation, including your's and mine, even when they may offend Kurdish Aspect's readership. That is unquestionably objectivity within journalism at its best.
I just pray we find some way for these two great peoples to find a way to live together without conflict, both have so much to gain from each other.
God bless Kurdistan and God bless Turkey.
Peter Stitt
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I think you are not objective
This the last time l write for your paper, you have became a mouth peace for the Kurdish extremists, there is no article in your paper which is constructive, your news are more dividing than uniting, this type of reporting will only bring more destruction for the both side, no country will sacrifice its security especially if it is supported by its enemies.
Kurds are just a pawn for the bigger game, bigger game is the destruction of Turkish nation and for that you have to kill every living Turk. They have been trying for centuries to do just that and Turks are fully aware of it. If Kurds become a puppet of the Turkish enemy and rage a full scale war than let it be. We all will find out what the outcome of that will be. If you keep printing your propaganda, the only losers will be us. One will be standing at the ends and we all know who that one will be. Of course not without a blood shed. that’s why l urge you to be more objective in your reporting, stop printing this extremist views of any one who is willing to write. Have more class and then l will respect you.
M.Takman
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Delayed application of article 140 is only for once - Kurdish parliament speaker
I hope the Kurdish leaders in general, and those in Southern Kurdistan in particular, understand that THE TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE. The more we waist time and not to press for this referendum to be held, the stronger the central government in Iraq will get and the less chance we will have to recover Kirkuk.
Habib Atarodi
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No Dear Mr. Rebin Hardi,
It is absolutely untrue blaming "...In all countries, except in Kurdistan". Did you just wake up from a long dream? Have you forgotten all countries with fake parliament or are you so mad that you gave up on being realistic?
Dear Kaka Rebin please forgive me for saying your mind should be dissolved, and the way of black-white interpretation of the events should be given up.
Please let us be realistic, aren't you the kind who sees always the "The Cup Is Half Empty"?
- Were the people free to go to election or not?
- Did the government threaten the residents of South Kurdistan?
- How is the press freedom in South Kurdistan?
Please Kaka Rebin barez,
We all should hold on the same string to build Kurdistan in a constructive way. What benefit do we have in weakening our only legitimate government?
We should love and hope and be full of faith in our brother there. Most of them had to hide in mountains every time they were attacked from barbarian regimes, and didn’t have the opportunity to fly to Europe or America, like you and me.
Biji Kurdistan
David
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Turkish Air Strikes
It is hardly surprising that the US chose to assist Turkey with its struggle against the terrorist PKK.
The Turkish Air Force carried out the strikes with pin point accuracy on targets that the US identified and provided as being legitimate PKK targets. It is regrettable if any civilians were caught up in the bombings. The intelligence provided must have been less than perfect.
There is no evidence to suggest that the Turkish air strikes targeted any civilian targets and it is a cheap shot by Kurds to try and score brownie points as victims.
The Kurds choose to protect and tolerate the PKK which is a terrorist organisation as far as the civilised world is concerned. If you choose to glorify them as heroes then be men enough to accept the consequences.
The PKK has no respect for human life and cannot expect to be part of a political solution until they lay down their arms and surrender to the Turkish authorities.
There are genuine reasons for Turkey to improve the lives and rights of Kurds living in Turkey. Turkish economy is on the rise and the future is bright for all the peoples of Turkey, including the Kurds. The choice is yours.
Take the example of the US and support the right cause.
Haase
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Kurdish Women Immolate for "Honor"
As if subjection to a violent death at the hands of male relatives for real or imagined sexual impropriety was not a hideous enough fate for Kurdish women, they now face the terror of being forced to set themselves ablaze by male relatives who believe their family honor has been compromised.
There is no honor in killing our sisters, daughters, wives, nieces -- only shame, dishonor and derision by men and women who believe that human life is the most precious gift God has given us in this world.
Karen Tintori, author "Unto the Daughters: The Legacy of an Honor Killling in a
Sicilian-American Family"
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Suggestion
Pardon me if you have a way already and I just didn't see it, but I was wondering if you could add a way to subscribe to your website's posts via email? Thanks!
Trish
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Thank you for this site
Hello friends,
I have only recently run across your news site and I have been learning so much about the Kurds and their struggle. I have been keeping a close eye on the situation between Kurds in Iraq and Kurdish state and its problems with Turkey. I shed tears for the Kurds and my heart bleeds with their pain.
It is so sad the history of the Kurds. From the days of the ottomen empire, the Nazi, and now Turkey the Kurds have suffered much. It may surprise you that I am white American and a GOP guy. I am not like most of the GOP. I do not support Bush. I never really have and never will. I am a lover of freedom just like the Kurds. I hope that one day the Kurds can live in peace and a entire generation of Kurds can one day not know the terror of war.
Turkey should just leave you guys alone.
Peace and love,
Ryan Smith
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Please be fair and look at it from a different angle
This was war. We Jews know what ethnic cleansing is. Probably more so than many other ethnic groups do. What happened to the Armenians was a horrific massacre and loss of life. Was every massacre throughout history motivated by ethnic cleansing? Certainly not. What Hitler tried to accomplish is a far cry from any Armenian so-called genocide.
You cannot deny that many Armenians lost their lives as they were looking for a land of their own, however, what is not recognized is that the Armenians themselves inflicted as much damage as others in the hostilities of that time for their own selfish objectives. The Turk's only policy was the removal of Armenians from the front line with Russia, where they were collaborating with the Ottoman Empire's enemies. They were a threat to security. This is called war.
Regarding persecution, the Ottomans had one of the most tolerant policies toward non-Turks of any empire of its day. The three communities of Jews, Greeks and Armenians were virtually autonomous within the empire. It cannot be denied that throughout history the Ottoman Empire unlike any other empire of its time allowed Jews to practice their own religion as well as many freedoms of their time. When the Ottoman Empire had taken over Jerusalem, had they tried to annihilate the strong presence of the Armenians who had their own quarter? Never. Could you say that the Russians committed genocide against the Circassians and Adyghes? If you could, then the Armenians slaughtered 200,000 people including Turks and Kurds and Jews in Eastern Anatolia during Turkey’s Independence War while the Turks were fighting against the imperial powers of Europe on five fronts. Armenians took advantage of the Turks' weak position and waged a war against them by opening a new front. But, this was war.
M.Takman
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I am pround of my Country
The report on the Turks protesting on the streets of NY was good. The things they say about Kurdish people being free at Turkey to speak and express their culture are all lies as you know already. As a young child i lived in Turkey for about 3 years and i remember the pain we went through. No one respected us and we had no money because no one give a job to my dad because he always said he was Kurdish.
Ferida Resuli
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Kurdistan
Kurdistan should be an autonomic and independent country. Why in this world nobody can hear Kurdish people. Why Kurdish families should suffer the pressure of Turkish and other countries
Ingrid
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Response to Mr Tacman
Dear Mr Tacman,
I respect you as a citizen of Turkey but I must point out that the evidence for the Armenian genocide is quite overwhelming. This is not an insult to the Turks of today; this is a statement of fact about the Turks of yesterday. As an observer who is not Turkish, Armenian or even Kurdish, I have to say that I know genocide occurred and, much to their nation's shame, Kurds were involved. The Armenians need acknowledgement of what happened and I know, from contacts, they are not a resentful people, they will "move on" once they receive acknowledgement. Turkey doesn't want to admit the truth but it will be a stronger nation if it admits the mistakes of the past.
Every nation that ever had an empire made serious mistakes and committed human rights atrocities. Who first used chemical weapons against Kurds? Britain. My country's hero, William Wallace, committed barbaric acts against the English and I admit this and am not proud of it. But I must accept it as fact or I will be lying to myself. That is what Turkey is doing over the Armenian genocide. Mr Tacman, it happened, the evidence is overwhelming. We are not judging you or modern Turks; we are looking at an isolated incident in history. I love Turkey but I wish this great nation would grow up and accept the past for what it truly was. Then we can all "move on" and build a better future.
May God bless the Armenian people?
Peter Stitt
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I want to point out some thing about the So called Armenian Genocide
There is a legitimate historical controversy concerning the interpretation of the events in question and most of the scholars who have propounded a contra genocide viewpoint are of the highest calibre and repute, including Bernard Lewis, Stanford Shaw, David Fromkin, Justin McCarthy, Guenther Lewy, Norman Stone, Kamuran Gürün, Michael Gunter, Gilles Veinstein, Andrew Mango, Roderic Davidson, J.C. Hurwitz, William Batkay, Edward J. Erickson and Steven Katz.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. A good number of well-respected scholars recognize the deportation decision in 1915, taken under World War I conditions, as a security measure to stop the Armenians from co-operating with the foreign forces invading Anatolia.
On the legal aspect, the elements of the genocide crime are strictly defined and codified by the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Genocide, adopted by the General Assembly on 9 December 1948. However, Armenians, claiming that "the evidence is so overwhelming", so far have failed to submit even one credible evidence of genocide. And most of the Armenians blame the Kurds for the killing.
M.Takman
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Iran, Israel, Turkey, USA and the Kurds
Turks are not hostile towards Kurds in Turkey I know this first hand, and they are not hostile against the Kurds in Iraq either, Marxist PKK are bunch of men who gathers in mountains and has no interest in regional development and has no skills to contribute anything other than chaos and death.
If Turks and the Kurds work for common goal and turn over these rebels who do not care for their own people then the problem will defuse and economic development will help many Kurds in Iraq without them pushing the Sunnis and Turkmen’s out of the circle.
My dream is to open all our borders like EU and free trade between our people without threatening any national borders. This could be turn into war world III if it keeps on. US wants the oil so let us allow them to develop the fields, Israel wants Iran not to threaten them so let's talk to Iran, Kurds want to upgrade their life style let them participate, Turks want security and share of the oil, so let's give them a roll in this.
What our enemies want is WAR so let us resist this with all means, if it meant to sacrifice few outlaws let that be.
PKK must get out of the way. And if US want the safe passage for oil, they need to promote this with all means.
Thank you
M.Takman
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Kurdish leadership
I wish to applaud the comments of Baqi Barzani on the issue of Kurdish political parties' representations to Washington etc. I find it heartwarming in light of recent debates/attempts to censor me that a Kurdish gentleman can be so forthright in expressing his disappointment with the current leadership.
The bottom line is that I do not readily trust politicians due to my experience of politicians in England. Why should I view Kurdish politicians with anything less than contempt?
For my critics may I say that I will continue criticising PKK, PUK and PDK. I will criticise George Bush, Gordon Brown, David Cameron. I will not be silenced. Thank you Mr Baqi Barzani for joining the battle.
Peter Stitt
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Iranian shelling is nothing new
As they allude to in this article, the Iranian shelling is nothing new. The same thing happened exactly a year ago but received much less publicity and I am not sure why. Last August PJAK managed to kill a top Kurdish collaborator who worked for the Iranian regime and in response the Iranians heavily shelled the area in mid-August. I was there with PJAK for two days and during that time the bombing was very frequent. 3 civilian villagers and many animals were killed, and many villagers left their homes. No PKK or PJAK casualties occurred. Back then the Iraqi central government stayed silent, as did the US. Not sure if that has changed or not.
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PKK and American Policy
In response to Roj Nomat, we are all aware of what has happened in all areas of Kurdistan in the past and, due to people here shouting about it in the west, so are our governments.
We know the Turkish military, with the backing of a variety of Turkish governments have absolutely persecuted minorities such as Kurds and Armenians in the past. What everyone needs to be talking about is where we go from here. The future is everything.
You have a Turkish government that has won a clear mandate in an election fought largely against the Turkish military. Erdogen has shown a willingness to enter into dialogue with Kurds to reduce tensions and find a way forward and, indeed, his party was voted for by a large number of Kurds.
I have friends who are members of PKK, some of whom are now questioning party policy. Did I not also say, before the Turkish elections, that the Turkish government would have to sit and talk with PKK at some point future and also take the chance that the latest PKK ceasefire was genuine? How could you achieve peace in Northern Ireland without talking to the IRA and the UDA, the main protagonists?
In response to another friend's article I must say that the assertion that a freedom fighting organisation is necessarily undemocratic is simply an excuse for that organisation to do whatever it wants, whenever it wishes, and to treat its members and non-members in any way it chooses at the time. The assumption of such power by any leadership is the mark of a flawed project, a dictatorship.
Kirkuk is clearly desired by the Turkish military but the AK Party's success lessens the risks unless the Turkish military finds another excuse to enter South Kurdistan. Kurds, of any party should not be giving them any excuse.
The bottom line is that I, and any other human who believes in the sanctity of all human life, would prefer to see people talking and resolving differences rather than planting bombs and killing Turks, Kurds or whoever. With the AK Party winning this election, PKK has the chance to make some progress for Kurdish human rights but the question is whether PKK is interested in doing so if it loses influence or power by entering into dialogue and renouncing violence.
If the PKK could produce an independent united Kurdistan with a democratic and honest government I would be their biggest supporter. But, just as the US seems to think it is still fighting the "cold war" with Russia and trying to battle fundamentalism with warships, missiles, tanks and planes (a technique entirely inappropriate for the changed nature of the conflict), I think the PKK is in danger, by using the tactics of the 1980s, of destroying an opportunity to make real progress with a Turkish government that may well prove willing to talk.
As a human who sees no barriers of religion or race, I have an innate right to ask "why?", when I see Kurds and Turks dying in a seemingly endless and pointless dispute. As a Scot I understand the need to be recognised as a nation but, given the internet, the United Nations, the power of the media, I can effectively make the case for an independent Scotland without resorting to murdering English people or foreigners who visit England. We now have a Scottish Parliament and an SNP First Minister and are close to independence should the Scottish people vote for
it. I know England is not Turkey but what options are there other than talking? A continuation of this low-level continuous and mutually damaging attack. What is the point?
The future is important, we cannot change the past. You look to your leaders for sage guidance and I wonder if they can give it. Question their motives, that is your God-given democratic right. If they are true and honest and acting in the best interests of your people then good luck to them. You judge, you the Kurdish people. That is your right.
Biji Kurdistan
Peter Stitt
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PKK and American policy?
Well let's just start with if the Turks understood the situation of its Kurdish problem, there wouldn't be no killing and bombing now. But, in Turkey you can't really find many politicians who dare to talk about Kurds, Greeks and Armenians why? Because every one knows what will happen to them. Every one in turkey fares for his life, the country have been pressed so hard to the ground that they don't dare say a word to criticize the government.
The Turkish soldiers are being killed on the mountains while attacking PKK guerillas and the PKK Peshmarga’s should have the right to defend themselves? Many PKK leaders have said that they want a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey and the Turkish response has been to jail and execute all PKK members.
Calling PKK terrorist is like calling Jesus Christ or Mohamed the prophet a terrorist.
All Turkish attacks have been on civilian in north Kurdistan {south east turkey). The MHP is strongly opposed to Kurdish separatists, namely the militant PKK, although they do have some Kurdish supporters. The paramilitary wing of the Grey Wolves has been utilized by the Turkish intelligence services to assassinate PKK leaders. With Counter-Guerrilla, the Grey Wolves went to fight Kurdish separatists, and have been accused of killing and torturing thousands in the 1980s, and also attacked villages, dressed up as PKK fighters, and raped and executed people randomly (Ganser, 2005). The fact that Counter-Guerrilla had engaged in torture was confirmed by Talat Turhan, a former Turkish colonel. This hasn’t just happened once or twice.
If I could I would do all that I can to get Mr. Ocalan free. It is a shame to lock up a freedom fighter and why because he fought for our freedom?
US, Uk and Europe did not care about the Kurds until the 1980's and after the PKK brought focus on to the Kurdish issues in Turkey.
I was born in Dersim (Tunceli) in Kurdistan of turkey. We were forced to move out because all of our family members were accused of being PKK members. Even thou we were not. We are just Kurds trying to live our lives peacefully. I moved to south Kurdistan and now I live in free Kurdistan I see Kurds talking Kurdish, I see Kurds writings. I see Kurdish Peshmarga in the streets talking Kurdish with us. It is like a dream come true.
I support every Kurdish leader. Even the bad ones, living under the worse Kurdish leader is better than being denied an identity, culture language and our god given rights, freedom to be who we are.
So with all do respect I ask you not to call our freedom fighters terrorists. If PKK was a terrorist org they could have bombed Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir to hell but they have not. All they are trying to do is defend Kurdish Rights in Turkey.
People kill for their religion, we Kurds die for our country.
Roj Nomat
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Anti nationalist?
If you read further back you will find my vitriolic comments on the PUK, the PDK and, if you check the British media you will find my vitriolic comments about every British political party. I am very cynical when it comes to all politicians and, I am sure most Kurdish people would agree with me, Kurdish politicians have not covered themselves in glory in terms of acting in the best interests of their people.
I can assure you I am very much in favour of a Kurdish homeland and have I not always referred to the area occupied by Turkey as North Kurdistan?
I have studied and obseved the troubles in Northern Ireland and I simply feel the PKK has reached the same dead end that the IRA met and it is fairly obvious that armed activity is not going to do any good but will instead make life more difficult for the majority of Kurds and Turks who simply want to bring up their families and feed them.
Guns will never achieve a lasting peace in any conflict situation, especially where there is a dispute over land. This is clearly evidenced throughout history. The only answer? Talking to everyone. If talking fails, go away and think about what has been said and then try talking again.
My loyalty and respect is for the Kurdish people and the Kurdish nation, not Kurdish politicians. I think that is reasonable but, if you would like to censor the voice of a Scotsman (neither Turk nor Kurd) on this website then I think that is unfortunate. Isn't there an article currently on this site that discusses how the Turkish authorities censor Kurdish voices?
Peter Stitt
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'Peter Stitt'
Why does Kurdish Aspect allow Peter Stitt to use their pages to put forward his anti PKK views. His analysis of the present situation is clouded by his personal vendetta against the PKK. To say that the PKK have managed to get the US against the Kurdish movement is crass, ridiculus and shows no political understanding of the present situation.
It is fine to promote debate and discussion on the Kurdish Question but I find it very unhelpful for the Kurdish National Struggle for Peter Stitt to be allowed to get away with this vitriolic campaign of his against the PKK.
If it were not for the PKK there would be NO Kurdish Question in Turkey.
National Liberation Struggles cannot be, by the very nature of the enemy, 'democratic'. Armies need discipline and structure. Turkish spies are everywhere trying to destroy the movement.
I knew Kani Yilmaz better than he did and I know that Kani would of recognised that the struggle is more important than any individual.
At the moment Peter is just using his articles to attack the PKK and the Kurdish National Movement. Why if you are a pro Kurdish Website do you allow him to do this?
Hevallo
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'Holy cars' response
As a foreigner living and working in Kurdistan I totally agree with the article about the white land-cruisers or 'monicas'. The people who drive these vehicles are clearly self-inflated uneducated peasants. The fact that these people mainly work for government ministries terrifies me. İt means that Kurdistan has no future because
lazy incompetents wıth no respect for the people are in power.
Kurdistan is a 'kleptocracy' (Klepto - Ancient Greek - to steal, Krat to rule) like Sudan and some West African states. In other words corruption is endemic and part of everyday life (you cannot gain influence or power unless you are corrupt). Young Kurds aspire to work in the government sector not to serve the people or build a nation but to steal as much money as possible (and get a white land cruiser or two, or three or.....).
If this continues Kurdistan will not succeed as a state even with all the oil in the world (İts like Nigerıa in the eighties but worse). Public service should be promoted, not phoney nationalism with Kurdish pins and flag-waiving. Theres no electricity or basic services not because of Saddam or the security situation it's because people only care about themselves. If people cared they would volunteer, organize and create a community spirit instead of waiting for some foreigners to do it for them. Why do people not care? Because there is a lack of leadership and government officials set a terrible example for how to act.
Anonymous
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A new method for economic research: A product of Kurdistan
The main barrier to the development of Kurdistan's governmental, economic and educational institutions is endemic corruption and embezzlement amongst its self-appointed leadership. The world's democracies - which Kurdistan isn't - should not be turning a blind eye to this blatant abuse of power by a bunch of people who are only kidding themselves if they think they are fit for the job.
Anonymous
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Kurds and Turks
As usual Mr Takman, I thank you for your words and you have indeed said it all along that Turks and Kurds should work together. Now they have the chance to do so and I welcome recent developments.
Thanks Mr Takman and God bless Turks and God bless Kurds. Ultimately I would like to be a friend for both.
Peter Stitt
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Now is the time for the Kurds and Turks to work side by side
24 MP's from Kurdish areas that makes me so happy l can not describe it.
this is what l said all alone, representation in Meclis to defend their rights as Turkish citizens, I urge all Turkish Mp's to work with our Kurdish MP' to map out a solutions for their wants and needs. Let’s see everyone in Turkey progress together, this is the only way to live in harmony.
I hope it works and there is no reason it should not. This is the new beginning for Turks and Kurds to make their country prosper.
7 million Kurds should have voice in Meclis, it is their right.
Thank you
M.Takman
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Kurdish population of North Kurdistan
Just to round off the discussion of the Kurdish population of North Kurdistan I would like to ask just how many Northern Kurds no longer live there and have sought asylum in other countries? I think that number may well be extremely large.
A study in Britain six years ago of Kirmanj Kurds in claiming asylum in the UK found that 50% of them said they were fleeing persecution by the Turkish security forces whilst 50% said they were fleeing persecution by the PKK. Whatever the truth is, something is clearly not right for Kurds living in areas governed by Turkey and it is unlikely the fault lies entirely with one party in the equation be it Turkish or Kurdish.
Peter Stitt
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Kurdish population of North Kurdistan
Mr Takman, I didn't give a number for the amount of Kurds who are currently living under Turkish occupation. My understanding is that it is around 14 million but I haven't counted them.
Peter Stitt
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Turkish-Kurds are NOT in 15 million
Where do you get your data, according to last sensus, there are only 7 million Kurds live in Turkey.
M.Takman
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Turkish borders must not changed,or bloodshed will not stop
Well OK. if we go back that far you are right,no one belongs to anywhere,Like I said before I love Kurdish people and many Kurds enjoy very happy life in Turkey,and many of then in Turkey do not want to be independent, before, there were no investments in Kurdish areas .and this is changed with Turgut Ozal in 1980 ,35 Billion Gap project and 4 Billion Ilusu dam and Antep Adana Highway and many more investments are been made in this areas to in rich the Kurdish populations income and many other freedoms are implemented.
It takes time ,not to long ago Turkey was divided and almost destroyed by West , and since our independents 1923 west still trying to just that,so Turks have to be very careful..
Erdogan's government is doing fine many areas however they are also trying to bring some fundamentalist ideas in to the country which Turks fought many years to accomplish exactly the opp site .however little God's fear, in the harts and minds , certainly doesn't hurt the ruling parties to doing the right thing.
Turkish situation is allot different than many countries, Turkey must have strong military and this Military establishment has no other agenda but to keep the nation under the same borders ,same flag and reforms that Ataturk made.for example; I moved all the way to USA to make a life for myself and did very well ,but l am not here to change this country or start unrest. but to be productive member of this country,even, if it to be attacked ;l will fight for US, that's how l define my character.and patriotism.your home is where you eat.Kurds must fight for their rights but in the legislative branches,not with guns.they have to be loyal to Turkey ,where they made their home for years.but this issue of northern Iraq is not ethnic issue it simply economic, Turkey desperately needs energy source, if Iraq rejects PKK and offers a partnership to Turks in oil, I think all the people in the area will
benefit and so the rulers with their happy voters,when it comes to USA ,USA will deal with ,who ever secure the safe passage for oil.
My word is PKK must be disarmed and employed,Turks must recognized the freedom of expression and equal rights for equal votes.
Thank you.
M.Takman
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Peter's mailbag
Dear Mr Takman, thank you for your kind words, I know you are a reasonable man and someone I can talk with and I thank you for being willing to engage with this website so we can discuss issues openly as friends. I have no argument with the Turkish people as subsequent paragraphs will explain. You Sir, have my respect and I will always listen and consider everything you say.
There is a fundamental disagreement in our two positions though. Whilst I have great faith in Erdogan as a fair-minded human being, the military still controls Turkey and, when Abdullah Gul's AK Party wins a victory in the elections of July 22nd, I will be watching with interest. I am sure you are wondering just what the military will do.
I do not think the military elite in Ankara share your liberal views regarding Kurds. I know, because I have witnessed it first hand on the occasions I was across there in your beautiful country. I also spoke with one of your Senior military representatives when he was on the same Istanbul-London flight as me, en route to a NATO meeting just before the invasion of Iraq. He was a total gentleman and, when I was totally open about my support for the Kurdish nation's independence, conceded that "We, as Turks, have to reconsider our view of the Kurds". If that
gentleman is, by some remote possibility, reading this: thank you for all of the very wonderful things you said. He basically would not cede North Kurdistan land but he said Kurdish language should be legalised, and Turks should get less stressed about open expression of "Kurdishness". He could have had me arrested and beaten to a pulp for pro-Kurdish sentiment in Attaturk airport. He wasn't frightened of "Kurdishness", he welcomed it and he was part of the Turkish military hierarchy. What a gentleman.
On the Kirkuk issue, it must be pointed out that the reason Turkey "accepted" Kirkuk's inclusion in the English-French creation of Iraq is that Turkey had just lost the war. Turkey had no choice. I am a Scot so I take no pride in the fact that the English used our people in that conflict and certainly no pride in victory over Turkey because the victory was English/American.
Iraq was an entirely artificial creation but the Turkish "historical" argument for its inclusion in Turkey's Ottoman domain is countered by the vastly older Persian claim that I have also been presented with by Iranians. "History" doesn't work in Turkey's favour as an argument in what is called Kurdistan by the Kurds and by myself as an independent thinker with no Kurdish blood in my body. Again, please Mr Takman, look at where the Turkish people actually came from and at what stage in history they arrived in Asia Minor. Kurds had been there, clearly identified ethnically and culturally, for thousands of years before.
On the issue of Arab Christians leaving Iraq and moving north to Kurdistan and finding at least tolerance if not a new home, may I say that this does not surprise me.
Whilst I know that, in every culture (including my own Scottish/Irish society) you will always find some religious, racial or cultural prejudice, my experiences of Kurdish and Turkish people in this area are simply inspiring.
I went to Ankara as a complete stranger and, within a day or so, I was welcomed into the Turkish community. These guys knew already that we shared the same God, the same concerns for our families etc. I was given three weeks of heaven in Ankara, a beautiful and underrated city due to the hospitality shown to a "Christian" by some really lovely Muslim families in the Turkish capital.
With the Kurdish community at home in Britain or across in North Kurdistan, the same was true. 100% welcome as a total equal. I think both Turks and Kurds should be very proud of their current state of religious tolerance. I know the British were not so understanding of the Muslim faith of Kurds or Turks, even before 9/11 etc. I read the Quoran and had good guidance from Kurdish Mullahs, for the most part it repeated what I already knew from my Christian upbringing. I don't really class myself as Muslim, Christian, whatever, I just believe in God and I know
all people (Turks or Kurds for example) are MY people. I am not, however, afraid to say what I believe in issues between peoples when it comes to political or territorial disputes.
On the issue of Roy Barnes' message to me. Roy I would love to help so tell me what I have to do. Please anyone who knows of Halak Sayan, contact this website to say when you saw him last. There must be nothing more heartbreaking than not knowing where your relative is and what has become of them.
If anyone in the PDK or Turkish security forces knows what has happened to this man, please contact this website (anonymously, no problem) and please Ardalan (my Editor and Boss) just send it straight to me so I can give Roy the information. Also Ardalan, could you give Roy my personal email address so we can deal direct. I think the family just wants "closure", they want to know what happened to their son, their brother, their husband.
I wish I had your first name Mr Takman because I see you as someone I can do business with, a potential friend for the future. I'm not anti-Turkish, you are not anti-Kurdish. We're all humans. Whether people are reading the Quoran or the Bible, they are getting the same message and you must admit, even grudgingly, that PKK have been a worthy enemy for the Turkish military. They have fought your guys with nothing and created chaos.
Halak Sayan is a member of PKK and a human being with people who love him. It is important that his family finds out where he is or what has happened to him, regardless of what cause he represented. Roy, I will do whatever I can mate.
Meanwhile, God bless Kurds and Turks and I pray we find a way through the current problems.
God bless you all,
Peter Stitt
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Is drawing lines in the ground is this important
Peter, sometimes you make sense sometimes you just do not.
Turkish borders will not chance ,you have to kill every living Turk first to do that.
So let's be realistic about this.if the iraq kurds want to have their own country in Iraq, as long as Iraq will allow it than fine,but l highly dought that, but remember this Kerkut was given away conditionally to Iraq, if there is no Iraq than Turks has every right to take it back ,don't you think. and if the Turkish-Kurds want to join them in Iraq borders are open ,they can all go in Iraq and live there.(yeah right) after the dust sattles we can be like EU and everything will be honky dorky.isn't that sweet?
Do you believe that.if not, stop writing.
M.Takman
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Missing Australian Kurd
Hi All,
I write to you all, but especially Mr Peter Stitt given that he seems very much to articulate the voice of reason. I am resident in australia and, for nearly a year now have been assisting a Sydney lawyer in his search for his brother HALUK SAYAN, a Kurd who went missing between Arbil and Salahaddin in late 2001. Sayan was a PKK member and also a founding executive of Europe-based MED-TV. He was very much on Turkey's 'wanted' list but rumour has it that it was the KDP that detained him initially. It is my belief that the KDP handed him over to the Turkish Authorities - after all he meant nothing to the KDP and they would have gained some kudos for handing him over to Turkey.
I desperately need people, voices, anything and anyone in northern Iraq to assist. It is very difficult to conduct such a search from the other side of the planet. Please let me know if you can help in any way.
Much love from Australia
Roy Barnes
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Turkey right now
Thank you Aram for your response and I will be pleased to meet you at Suleimani airport should Turkey be foolish enough to launch a large scale attack upon South Kurdistan.
There is, however, one source of optimism for the time being: the Turkish elections. The Ottoman, religiously driven, AKP Party is likely to win a majority on July 22nd. If so, the Turkish military then has a problem on its own doorstep, one that could result in chaos within greater Turkey (especially Anatolia), Abdullah Gul as President elect but deeply opposed by the military.
Unless the Turkish military acts soon against South Kurdistan, it may well be dealing with problems closer to home before it gets the chance for a Kurdish incursion.
I think the major point is that Turkey, at some point, will use PKK as a pretext for undermining the KRG. Let's face it, the Turkish military loves the existance of PKK because it allows it to continue its anti-Kurdish practices and justify Turkey's military expenditure, it justifies the military's existance. They are two sides of the same coin.
We know the Turkish military wishes the KRG to cease to exist, now we must make contingency plans. I have written to both major South Kurdistan Parties to request assistance with my plans and I await their replies. If this idea is not required now it will certainly be useful later. We shall see how events unfold.
God bless Kurdistan
Peter Stitt
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Peter Stitt
I wish Kurds have had a few thousands of strong supports as Peter Stitt is. I have posted his article on my blog and I ask him to send me his photo so I'll have it with his article.
Peter I will meet at Sulaimani International Airport once Turkey becomes so foolish and crosses the border into South Kurdistan.
Aram Azez
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Dear Mr Bill Delaney,
The last thing the Kurdish people needs is another Salahadin, a man who turned his back on his Kurdish roots and supported an Arab dictatorship and invasion.
You've got to be American, nobody else, other than an American anti-war protestor, would be so stupid as to make such a suggestion.
Kurdistan occupied by Americans? Thank God the rest of Iraq has an American presence, got rid of the guy with the big moustache didn't it? I thank God for George Bush and the invasion of Iraq, right decision, wrongly handled, should have happened eleven years earlier, blame George Senior.
South Kurdistan is autonomous and no thanks to Salahadin who wanted it to be part of an Arab empire. Kurds ain't Arabs, they are very very different in so many ways. Why do clowns post articles and emails when they have no comprehension of the actual situation?
Salahadin was a great military leader for the Arabs, in nationalistic terms he was a complete c**t. I do not rate the guy beyond his military achievements because they were all for what purpose? Kurdistan? Never. He sold out to the enemy.
I prefer to remember Mullah Mustapha Barzani. Now there was a Kurdish patriot and leader.
Mr Delaney, shut up idiot.
Peter Stitt
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PKK
Kurdistan is a beautiful country and an ancient people under the oppression of American, Turkish and Iraqi forces. We need a new Salahuddin!
Bill Delaney
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PUK and PKK
Referring to the article "PUK accused of assisting Turkey in Kidnapping PKK leaders" I have a question.
It is stated that MIT esported the parts of a helicopter to South Kurdistan to be used in the kidnap because Turkish aircraft cannot fly over South Kurdistan. Once they had reassembled the helicopter were the MIT agents going to drive it down the street with the PKK leaders they had just kidnapped? Surely the business of not flying over South Kurdistan still applies.
I am interested in the sources of this story because it seems very woolly.
Peter Stitt
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Turkey and Kurdistan
Well, Mr Takman, that was pretty forceful. And Alex, that was equally powerful.
I really believe that all parties need to tell the truth about the past before anyone can move forward, rather like the peace and reconciliation process in South Africa.
You have two successful models to work on, South Africa and Northern Ireland. Something has to change because, whilst political and ethnic disputes continue, normal people (Kurds, Armenians, Turks, Arabs, Israelis etc etc suffer).
I am quite happy to admit Britain's historical contribution to the chaos that is now the middle-east. There are certain things in all of our histories that nobody can be proud of and we have to be prepared to admit them rather than remain insecure and hide our nations' crimes.
This is the only way forward because it creates an atmosphere of honesty (no matter how personally hurtful it is) and admits the right to humanity and rights of the other people in the debate.
Most of us share similar religious views, Turks, Kurds, Armenians, Jews and Arabs (and me), and I would have thought our religious convictions would have made honesty (no matter how painful), peace and reconciliation more easy for us than people who do not have a shared morality and belief system.
Peter Stitt
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Turk's do NOT lack of anything but good neighbors.
Even under the Ottoman Empire region enjoyed the freedom of religion and self respect and had the longest period of peace, Until Armenians and Arabs cut a deal with Russians and British and stabbing the Turks from the back, after years of friendship.
Since then region suffers from uncertainty. And Oil has been the one of the biggest reason and the Arabs not letting the Israel to have peaceful existence.
Turks has no choice but to be strong and united and let us not forget the Armenian revolt that killed 100 thousands of Turks.1914 we should not concentrate on the past and look to the future, and I say, to all who harbors the hatred against the Turks. PEACE AND ECONOMY STUPID.
Thank you.
M.Takman
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Barzani
Replying to the article "Masood Barzani is a national idol" by Rezgar Ali, I have to ask if the author is talking about Nelson Mandela or Ghandi because, the description of the heroic and all-representing leader in the article sure as hell doesn't sound like our Massoud.
Let's get real, no real democrat is impressed with the current shower
of Kurdish political leaders.
Peter Stitt
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The problem with turkey
Illiteratcy in turkey is 70%,henceforth the army dictates the countrys policies.As long as their people remain ignorant,they can be easily controlled.The Armenians,Greeks,Kurds, are a threat to them,because they know the program.turkey has been lying about Genocides,mass killings for years.They also lack integrity,at least the Germans admitted to the holocaust.
Alex Postallian
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What we think is,west is trying to divide us
There are many other forceses outside of our region who likes to see us (Turks and Kurds) fight eachother,for that reason alone l think it would be very vise for PKK to come to terms with Turkish govrement and prove that they have nothing to do with it,this bombing in Ankara could be work of Greek or Armenians group to weaken
Turkey and Put Turks against Kurds so that they can achive their objectives, Greece benefits from Turist trade and Armenians have different agenda as to regain some of Turkish land.please l urge you to sit on the table and resolve this issue or we will loose at the end, if PKK is not responsiable then PKK must disarm and come to peaceful coexistence.
Thank you
M.Takman
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The Right Policy Towards The PKK
I applaud the article "The Right Policy towards the PKK" by Dr Showan Khurshid as a beacon of rationality in a usually emotionally charged subject area.
If my brother committed a murder I would still love him but I would not hesitate in handing him to the police because there is a moral duty that goes beyond family or ethnic duty. I know from previous writings that Dr Showan Khurshid always shows an awareness of this greater moral imperative and I welcome such free thinking in any Kurdish debate. It is healthy and rational.
Peter Stitt
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