Article

2005-06-13 Iraq-Jordan

Kurd Parliament Elects Barzani as President

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Posted by Fred 2005-06-13 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I'm not sure what this means for Iraq's future. Talabani and Barzani, the Kurds' 2 major political leaders, reconciled their parties' differences in time for the Iraq elections so the Kurds were able to generate extraordinary attendence at the polls and have influence over the formation of the new government. Barzani is more of a separate Kurdistan type, whereas Talabani is more a federalist all one Iraq type. I wonder if the Barzani-Talabani co-operation will last for too much longer.

Posted by Thotch Glesing2372 2005-06-13 00:23|| 2005-06-13 00:23|| Front Page Top

#2 Sheesh. Are you paying attention, TG? Methinks not.

They did precisely what you would expect of two intelligent leaders of factions within a cohesive whole. They compromised with each other, worked out who would be put forward for each position (one on the national scene and one in the regional scene), and followed through with a strong bilateral effort to ensure their political power.

Got out the vote.

Got Talabani into the Pres chair on the strength of their election showing.

And Barzani will head up the Kurdish Parliament.

What, pray tell, gives you the notion that Talabani and Barzini are at odds in any significant way? This Arab News article saying there was wrangling going on? Give me a break. Consider the source and consider that, with Talabani in Baghdad, Barzini is a shoo-in for the top position in the Kurdish regional political structure. Mebbe there was wrangling about who would be his deputies, but that would be the limit of it. What you have seen transpire is precisely the opposite of Talabani and Barzini "vying" against each other - it has been almost perfect collaboration for the good of their community.

The Kurds are the perfect example of a people who deserve the shot at freedom and self-rule that they are getting, courtesy of the US / Bush, and making the most of it within the circumstances. They are doing just about everything right.

My only quibble, thus far, is with Talabani allowing his personal views on the death penalty to override his obligation to represent Iraq as a whole and to support and abide by its laws.

The opposite of the model group is the Sunnis, of course.

Posted by .com 2005-06-13 10:09|| 2005-06-13 10:09|| Front Page Top

#3 I agree that Kurds have two things in their decided advantage. First is that they have people who are intelligent, western-educated, and very politically astute; second is that they respect those qualities in their leaders. Both of those guys are totally committed to their country in whatever form, will not sell out, and will not double cross their own people for their own personal benefit.

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-06-13 14:12|| 2005-06-13 14:12|| Front Page Top

#4 three things - they don't seem to have the Arab knack for victimization, whining, and seething. They get up, dust off, and move ahead

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2005-06-13 14:31|| 2005-06-13 14:31|| Front Page Top

#5 I agree with you .com on all your points. My comments were not meant to criticize the Kurds - far from it. They are very well organized people who have taken good advantage of all the options open to them. My point was: now the Kurds have positioned 2 leaders in powerful offices who hold 2 diametrically opposed ideas about the Kurds' future - as being part of a single nation called Iraq or as being an independent Kurdistan. They are poised to go either way. I'm wondering which direction the Kurds will end up taking, say 5 years from now. Especially if Turkey and the US mend their fences, will this reconciliation make the Kurds nervous and cause them to follow Barzani's lead rather than Jalabani's? I think the Kurds are not taking any chances about relying on the good faith of their coalition allies or their fellow Iraqis, that's for sure.

Posted by Thotch Glesing2372 2005-06-13 15:34|| 2005-06-13 15:34|| Front Page Top

#6 "who hold 2 diametrically opposed ideas about the Kurds' future"

Ah, so THIS is the crux of where your thoughts originated? Funny, I've read shitloads of info, many interviews by them, and have never seen this declaration. Can you provide something to back that assertion up?

Personally, I believe they are completely in-synch: they want an independent Kurdish nation. Period. It is the understatement of all time to say they've been patient. It's hard to imagine a cohesive people who have been shat upon more times - and screwed in the breach as thoroughly. Funny, but I think the odds are in the neighborhood of 50-50 they'll get it, too -- but that's purely my own speculation, no more.

It's based upon living among the Arabs for years and watching the process in Iraq. That Iraq, as an entity, is yet another Yugoslavia, is self-apparent. The Sykes-Picot "treaty" was where it was born and is about as "valid" and "legitimate" as Stalin's creation, too. The interesting thing, to me, is how somewhere recently it seems that the international view of countries as "inviolable" entities was set in cement. If you were a people who hadn't yet "gotten yours" - well, it's suddenly just tough luck.

Bullshit, of course. I hope the Kurds get their chance. I know they won't waste it if they do. I just hope they can hang on until it comes "naturally" - as the Middle East shakes out and many new opportunities present themselves. Syria, Turkey, Iran - all are in for some rude shocks. The Kurds might be one of the truly significant beneficiaries of Bush shaking the tree. As I said, this is just my speculation.

Posted by .com 2005-06-13 15:56|| 2005-06-13 15:56|| Front Page Top

#7 Men that don't drink are like a cross between elephants and dawgs, they smell shit and never forget.

/you may quote me freely

Posted by Shipman 2005-06-13 16:02|| 2005-06-13 16:02|| Front Page Top

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