"Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke."
~ Will Rogers.
~ Will Rogers.
This sums up the Turkish media frenzy about whether or not Gül said the "K" word:
Photo and captions, Hürriyet.Hürriyet itself is a contradiction. First:
President Abdullah Gül's first official uttering of the word ’Kurdistan’ in relation to the regional administration in northern Iraq sends shockwaves through the opposition, which fears this could encourage calls for more concessions and reveals foreign meddling. The only party supporting Gül’s move is the DTP, saying it is a sign of willingness for closer ties.
Gül's use of the word Kurdistan during his visit to Iraq has caused a flurry of criticism yesterday from the opposition back in Turkey.
Then:
Turkish President Abdullah Gul denied the earlier media reports that he used the term "Kurdistan regional government" while describing the semi-autonomous administration in northern Iraq. (UPDATED)
"In fact, I did not use that term (Kurdistan) but as I said this is a reality. The country who attaches the biggest importance to Iraq's unity and integrity is Turkey. There is a regional Kurdish administration in the north of Iraq according to the Iraqi constitution. This is what I had said. I held a meeting with (the regional administration's) prime minister," Gul told reporters at a press conference in Ankara on Tuesday, the state-run Anatolian Agency reported. Gul returned to Ankara late on Tuesday after his two-day visit to Baghdad.
So typically presidential. "I did not have sex with that woman!" What a chickenshit piece of work Gül is.
A few months ago, comrades went from North Kurdistan to South Kurdistan to visit relatives. The report that came back from the South was that 85% of the population of South Kurdistan was seriously disappointed with the way things were going there. Well, now we can see what an accurate piece of intel this really was:
But as the rest of Iraq keeps growing more open and democratic, the enclave remains stuck in its old ways—and ordinary Kurds are noticing. Businessmen grumble at having to form partnerships with government cronies; voters are demanding more choice. One recent survey in the region found that 83 percent of respondents say the place needs to change. "We're fed up with a government that forgets about people," says Mousa Rasoul, 39, owner of a small business in the town of Sangasar. Those complaints are not to be ignored, a senior Kurdish official agrees. "If we don't respond, others will come and take over this place," he tells NEWSWEEK, asking not to be named on such a risky topic. "Whether it is the Islamists or someone else. We cannot count anymore on revolutionary rhetoric to justify our rule."
And maybe that's the real fear behind the summit that the two ruling clans of the South are pushing at the scheming of Turkey and the US . . . that someone else will come and take over the place. After all, Qendil isn't all that far from either Silêmanî or Hewlêr.
6 comments:
Well, hopefully the course of democracy will be the cause of someone to "take over this place" rather than a revolt. The upcoming elections should be interesting with Nawshirwan Mustafa running an independent list against the two main parties. It's already stirring up talks amongst the parties on how they will be able to divide 50/50 after PUK loses so many votes as they are expected to.
Let alone that GUl, like many other Turks cannot dare to say the word Kurdistan, they seem to completely forget the fact that Kurdistan was a province during the Ottoman times. The denial of new Turkish Republic has been stamped into people's mind. They must be so scared of Kurds that they cannot even repeat what constitution of Iraq says: Kurdistan regional government.
Mizgîn I am trying to get my hands on some official Ottoman documents which uses the word "Kurdistan". If I ever do, and you would like a copy, I will scan and send you one.
Gul also said something we need to think about. He said if KRG cannot get PKK out of Qendil, they should declare it "No-man's land" so they can go in and do what's necessary. The Southern Kurdistan Administration made the mistake of letting them in their territory and they set bases and are not getting out. Now, it seems to me that Gulen wants more "land" and realize the old dream of expanding the Turkish Republic. The Southern leaders must realize... Dijmin tû car nabe yar, damn it!
Zerkesor
Anonymous, the issue is not about PUK or KDP, or any other party. it's about KURDISTAN. When we are talking about Kurdistan and it's oppressed people, no Kurd should give a damn about parties. Isn't it to our adversaries' advantage when we start fighting because of party differences and alike? PUK should advise Mam Jalal to stop and think before he speaks so people wouldn't lose respect they have for him due. He,himself said: "Kurdistan yan neman" and look what he says now. I am hoping he is getting senile and not speaking consciously. Mam Jelal seems to have forgotten what Turks were saying about him until a few months ago.
Berxwedan Jiyane!
Berfo
Wait a sec, Berfo: Who said I was advocating "fighting" because of party differences? I think I was the one who said I hope democracy corrects the Kurdistan government's mistakes instead of a revolt by the people. And the way to do this via democracy is for there to be a strong opposition party, because right now PUK and KDP are acting one of the same by making decisions that are not in the best interest of the Kurdish people.
That's why I say people like Nawshirwan Mustafa (who happens to have a lot of support among the people) are important for Kurdistan. If his list is successful, it will put pressure on the ruling parties to make changes so they stop losing seats to his list in parliament. This is how a democracy works. No one in PUK is going to advise Mam Jalal anything if there is no one serious to oppose the PUK.
Oh Puhhleez...is Mizgin seriously suggesting that because the "comrades" went to South Kurdistan and determined that "85%" of the population is against the "clans" that this will mean PKK can sweep in and take over?
And, let's not forget, the point of the Newsweek article is that the southern Kurds are tired of seeing the same old parties and the same men control the fate of the "enclave" or Kurdistan, as I believe the Kurds prefer to call it. It doesn't mean they want to replace the KDP/PUK with the PKK and have the same PKK leader take control for decades. They want democracy, where there's multiple parties and a continuous CHANGE of leadership.
~nistiman
Nistiman, I don't see where she suggested that. I do beg to differ with the 85% number though. Anyone who has been to Kurdistan will tell you that although maybe (just maybe) 85% are actually frustrated, this doesn't mean they are frustrated in the sense that they will overthrow the KDP/PUK coalition. It doesn't even mean they will vote against them.
And I'm willing to bet Kak Nawshirwan Mustafa's list will do well in the Slemany province where he has support, which is good. But KDP still has a ton of faithful supporters to secure them the areas where they generally do well.
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