KDP discusses Kurdistan land on its 65th anniversary
Kurdistan Democratic Party commemorated its 65th anniversary amid an increase in tensions in the so-called disputed areas. The party promised to defend its achievements, enhance relations among Kurdistan political powers and also reform its own organizations.
Mullah Mustafa Barzani established KDP on August 16, 1946, after the collapse of Mihabad Republic, to gather the Kurdish nationalist movements in a more organized front, which continues to this day. It has made several achievements in the southern part of Kurdistan (Iraqi Kurdistan).
The party proudly remembered the two major and fruitful revolutions it launched against Iraqi governments. The Aylul Revolution, led by Mustafa Barzani in early 1960s, forced Baghdad to declare autonomy for Iraqi Kurds in March 1970. The Gulan Revolution -- after the collapse of the autonomy in 1975 -- led to the spring uprising of Kurds in 1991, working with other Kurdish parties. This uprising led to the establishment of Kurdistan Regional Government and the Region was recognized constitutionally as a federal region in Iraq after the fall of Baath regime in 2003. However, the region does not yet include all parts of Kurdistan, making it one of the main things for which Iraqi Kurds struggle.
Kurdistan land as priority
"Today, KDP has the responsibility of protecting the achievements and developing them, and also of creating opportunities for national dialogues," says the KDP politburo in a statement published on the anniversary.
This statement from the KDP comes as it feels threatened, once again, in Iraq; Kurds in the disputed areas are subject to "terrorist" movements and ethnic bias, says the politburo. Therefore, "The will of our people must become the reference and we must prepare for any confrontation. Powers of the [Kurdistan] political parties must be unified to defend the Kurdish people's life and property in those areas and also to implement Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution."
Recently, tensions mounted in Jalawla and Sadiya districts near Khanaqin, a part of the disputed areas. Reports indicate that Kurds in those districts are leaving the area due to security fears; this alerted Kurdistan Region leaders to think of deploying Kurdish Peshmarga forces there. Violence against the Kurds mounted there during the last two weeks.
"Our continual struggle to stop racist campaigns against Kurds in Jalawla, Sadiya, Mandali and in the other disputed areas is the top priority of the KDP's current phase," confirmed the KDP politburo, showing readiness to adopt a diplomatic solution while "other options" also remain possible.
The KDP once again said implementing Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution is still the "best solution" for solving the problem.
Following the uprising of 1991, Kurds have ruled a major part of their northern territories. After 2003, the agreement for the disputed areas came up as Kurds claimed Kirkuk and other towns as parts of their Region that should be returned under the authority of the KRG. Article 140 is a way to allow the original people of those areas to vote on their destiny.
The means of unity
The KDP politburo promised the Kurdistan people it would continue the struggle to achieve the "national goals," by working "hand in hand with the allies and along with all the Kurdistan political powers."
The party aims to enhance relations with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and reconcile with Kurdistan Region's opposition parties. The governing KDP-PUK coalition faced problems with the opposition this year due to calls for reforms in the Region. The two sides have had interrupted dialogues to draft a road map for reforms demanded by mass demonstrations in the spring.
'For this historical occasion, I see it necessary to assure you of the unity of the Kurdish discourse and the necessity for Kurdistan people to live in the spirit of brotherhood and coexistence," KDP President Massoud Barzani, also President of Kurdistan Region, said in his message on the anniversary. He called on members of his party to keep the goals the KDP has established until it has achieved all of them.
He also remarked on the importance of the strategic alliance with PUK. "I hope this alliance will widen and become the aim of all Kurdistan political parties," stated Barzani, "whenever we are allied and have good relations, our triumph is inevitable."
KDP politburo member Jaafar Imniki, who also is a member of negotiation delegation with the opposition parties, explained the tensions that took place between the ruling coalition and the Gorran (Change) Movement.
"We are always ready to adopt logic and discourse in giving our replies. But what was done to KDP was not the right discourse," he said, blaming Gorran for tensions between the two parties during the past two years. He explained the opposition parties, and particularly Gorran, used "provocative" discourse which was not "acceptable" to KDP. Gorran attacked the KDP's "past and achievements," he added.
Now as tensions are lessened, Imniki hopes for better relations in the future. "The Region had requested that Parliament its affairs according to consensus and [every party] to play a part in the government. Accepting each other is more important than anything else,' he noted.
On the corruption issue, one of the reasons for the tensions, the KDP official assured his party's desire to eradicate this in the Region. He called on the opposition to be a part of the process.
The opposition parties have to respect the voice of the people and should work to correct their mistakes and failures for the next elections; the governing parties -- including KDP -- have to commit to election promises and implement their declared program, said KDP politburo member Masrour Barzani in an interview with Gulan Weekly magazine. He also emphasized the necessity of the authority, whenever it loses an election, to become the opposition in Parliament to work for next election through the democratic process.
"But the most important thing is that both ruling and opposition [parties] must serve the people and their political struggles should not put the people's and country's interests and achievements at risk," stated Barzani assuring that KDP is there to serve the people.
Developing organizations
Internally, KDP is working to implement the recommendations from its November 2010 congress regarding reorganizing the party's structure and policies. "The 13th congress focused more on this issue, many decrees and instructions were issued to activate KDP's organs and their performance," said Imniki.
Since then, the party has worked according to a new structure, based on provinces; it has opened branches of its politburo in Kurdistan Region provinces. "This structure has been positive and it brought leaders closer to the base," said Imniki, explaining that branches were opened in Erbil, Suleimaniya, Kirkuk and two others will soon open in Duhok and Mosul.
KDP is working for better representation in all provinces, especially Suleimaniya, he added noting that further changes will be conducted to the organization. The party also has distributed forms to its members to finesse the reforms by using their comments and complaints.
The organization might make new policies, "particularly regarding the living condition of the members and the unfairness in salary system," said Imniki, explaining that every issue will be studied before making plans, although this process takes time.
"These changes open the door for renewal in policies," or the way of working, said Imniki, announcing that a shift in KDP organization will be launched after Eid al-Fitr, in September.
© The Kurdish Globe 2011
