Iraqi Kurdistan says it won't deal with cantons in Syria

[Piling]

February 10, 2014

ERBIL-Hewlêr, Kurdistan region 'Iraq',— The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said it will not deal with the “cantons” declared by the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, countering expressions of support by several parties in Iraqi Kurdistan.

A declaration of autonomy in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) has been rejected by the KRG, which is dominated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP. The PYD, on the other hand, is backed by the KDP’s age-old rival the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“Regarding the Rojava Cantons, KRG has decided to support a decision made by all the Kurdish groups and parties, and it won't deal with any unilateral decision,” Falah Mustafa, head of the KRG's foreign relations, told Rudaw.

The KRG has refused to recognize the autonomy in Rojava because it accuses the PYD of sidelining other smaller parties in areas under its control.

With some of its local allies, including Arabs and Christians, the PYD established three autonomous cantons -- Cizire, Afrin and Kobani -- last month to run the affairs of the Kurdish areas in northeastern Syria.

Mustafa noted that the KRG's position is clear and deals with this issue in the same way the European countries do.

The PYD’s declared autonomy has received no Western backing, largely due to its links with the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist group both by the European Union and the United States.

PYD leaders, in turn, accuse most Kurdish and Arab opposition parties of being tools of neighboring countries and implementing foreign agendas in Syria.

Mustafa’s comments came just two days after a conference in Sulêmanî, in which several Kurdish political parties expressed their official support for the PYD's declared autonomy.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the Change Movement (Gorran) and the Kurdistan Islamic Union (Yekgirtu)www.Ekurd.net have expressed official support for the PYD government.

Mustafa called on political parties in Kurdistan not to politicize the issue.

“It’s not necessary for some parties to make a political bid out of this and the KRG is committed to its position,” he said.

Divisions over the issue are likely to become more complex once political parties end their current negotiations on forming the Kurdistan Region’s new cabinet, which will place the KDP side-by-side with some of the parties that stand behind the PYD.

However, political differences over major issues within the KRG are nothing new.

The KDP and PKK each believes it should have the upper hand in Syria’s Kurdish regions. Each has tried to have the greater influence among the country’s Kurds, who make up about 10 percent of Syria’s 22 million population.

Defending the autonomous cantons, senior PYD leader Asia Abdulla told Rudaw: “This is the project of the people. Everyone has the right to establish a democratic entity for their people in their country, no matter what others think.”

“The project of democratic autonomy is a democratic process,” she added. “Historically it has been a successful path.”

Abdullah said that the autonomous cantons are based on the needs of the people, and that the views of towns, villages and municipalities are seriously considered in the administrations.

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency, rudaw.net

Quite inevitable. The PYD wants to keep its 'Cavalier seul' strategy. Then they have to rule by themselves.

[Anthea]

Quite inevitable. The PYD wants to keep its 'Cavalier seul' strategy. Then they have to rule by themselves.

It is true - the PYD are trying to take control at the expense of several other Kurdish groups - unless the WK Kurds UNITE they will not achieve and long-term success

Everywhere I look I see the effects of the 'Divide and Conquer' ideology that has kept Kurds segregated from each other and suppressed for all these years - it is time for the Kurds themselves to remember what is really important and work together for a UNITED KURDISTAN instead of bickering among themselves and following leaders who are often nothing more than self-appointed egomaniacs

Remember the great Kurdish leaders of the past

Mulla Mustafa Banzani
Qazi Muhammed
Seyid Riza
Sheikh Said Piran

Where are the great Kurdish leaders of the future ?

[Shirko]

Im getting sick of SK dishonorable attitude. Even before the Rojava revolution, they really never welcomed other Kurds that much, always using the PKK as an excuse. I never seen an invitation for other Kurds to even visit SK, while Turkish flags are flying high everywhere.

Now they won't even recognize the sacrifices and great achievement done in WK, when they should be the first to help.

[Anthea]

Let us also remember:

Layla Qassim

Before her death she was asked "Which is the dearest to you, your eyes or Kurdistan?"

Her answer was KURDISTAN

[Piling]

Even before the Rojava revolution, they really never welcomed other Kurds that much, always using the PKK as an excuse.

They shelter Qandil since 90s and they would like to get rid of them. Before, PKK murdered many opponents and former members who fled in S. Kurdistan so the KRG was not very cooperative.

[Shirko]

Even before the Rojava revolution, they really never welcomed other Kurds that much, always using the PKK as an excuse.

They shelter Qandil since 90s and they would like to get rid of them. Before, PKK murdered many opponents and former members who fled in S. Kurdistan so the KRG was not very cooperative.

Ok, but what I'm talking about are just ordinary Kurds that are scattered all over the place. SK and Barzani have not welcomed them.

[Anthea]

It is not RIGHT to depopulate Western Kurdistan - ALL the Kurdish groups there have to unite and ask for UN protection and recognition

[Piling]

Ok, but what I'm talking about are just ordinary Kurds that are scattered all over the place. SK and Barzani have not welcomed them.

What do you mean by 'welcome' ? There are many N. and W. and E. Kurds working there, beside many other migrants. And now 200 000 refugees from Rojava.

[Shirko]

Ok, but what I'm talking about are just ordinary Kurds that are scattered all over the place. SK and Barzani have not welcomed them.

What do you mean by 'welcome' ? There are many N. and W. and E. Kurds working there, beside many other migrants. And now 200 000 refugees from Rojava.

Welcome meaning a direct call from Barzani to all Kurds that they are welcome in SK, not some refugees or workers. Since that hasn't happened, and now thet wont support their brothers in WK, thats pretty clear. So they are just a minority amongst Kurds.

[Piling]

If they are not workers or refugees, what could they be ? There are students also… and tourists.

But obviously, S. K. can not support directly other Kurdish movement fighters if it wants to keep pacific relations with Turkey or Iran. They shelter KDP-I, PKK, Syrian Kurdish National Council. But they have only problems with PKK. But in fact, PKK have problems with all other parties. They call 'traitors' each Kurd who is not pro Öcalan.

[Shirko]

If they are not workers or refugees, what could they be ? There are students also… and tourists.

But obviously, S. K. can not support directly other Kurdish movement fighters if it wants to keep pacific relations with Turkey or Iran. They shelter KDP-I, PKK, Syrian Kurdish National Council. But they have only problems with PKK. But in fact, PKK have problems with all other parties. They call 'traitors' each Kurd who is not pro Öcalan.

I have never seen any settle or ben visit SK, and how many Kurds are in SK now that did not originate from there? Not that many in comparison to the 40-50 million nation. And there stance towards WK is very negative, it's not their business what party is in control there. Since when did WK Kurds tell them what party to choose? That's bull crap, if WK Kurds want PYD then that's their right to choose and KRG should respect and support them. So many Kurds died fighting to achieve what they have now, and this is how they treat them in return?!

Look how far Israel goes out of its way to support Jews worldwide, and Amesnoans, Assyrians, even Turks and many other nations can be used as an example.

[Piling]

I have never seen any welcome to visit SK, how many Kurds are in SK now that did not originate from there? Not that many in comparison to the 40-50 million nation.

I don;t know how many Kurds from other parts are working in Kurdistan, but if you see in Erbil, Duhok, etc. there are many restaurants, hotels, building enterprises, etc. Of course, 3 provinces, larger as Switzerland, with 7 millions of inhabitants can no shelter 40 millions of people (who did not ask to migrate, btw).

And there stance towards WK is very negative, it's not their business what party is in control there. Since when did WK Kurds tell them what party to choose?

No their stances are negative toward PYD and PKK. And you forget that KNC are W. Kurds also and are opposed to PYD hegemony. Moreover, there were Erbil agreements, never applied, and that is the asking of KNC. Of course, KNC is supported by Erbil, and PYD by Bagdad, so there are 2 sides. But PYD are not angels and brutalized other parties, that's also the main complain of other W. Kurdish parties.

That's bull crap, if WK Kurds want PYD then that's their right to choose and KRG should respect and support them. So many Kurds died fighting to achieve what they have now, and this is how they treat them in return?!

In fact until fair elections, we do not know if Western Kurdistan 'wants' PYD, because, until now, they have no choice : if they do not collaborate with PYD, they would die. I know many Kurds threatened, beaten (and other killed) by PYD and they were not from Erbil, but lived in Efrin, Amude and Hassake.

The main problem with what you call 'Rojava' is that they have no policy. PYD are puppets, waiting for Qandil's orders and Qandil is in Öcalan's hands. If Öcalan claim suddenly that Rojava has to surrender PYD will obey blindly. PKK will collaborate with AKP for that.