Should Kurds "be allowed" to form their own country.

hillbillyhunter1 · 08-06-2007, 09:58 AM

I was watching 60 minutes last night, where they had the Kurdish prime minister and other Government officials declaring that they wanted to form their own country, apart from the rest of Iraq. Although I've known how the Kurdish region of that country has been less troublesome to us and more supportive of U.S. policy than everywhere else, I did not realize HOW supportive they actually were...declaring their "love" for the U.S. on 60 minutes doesn't seem like a "whim". I was impressed by their overall good nature, the seemingly stable environment, and their spoken absolute support for the U.S.

Then one of the American generals was interviewed saying he didn't think that their own country was in the best interest of the Kurds and I thought, you @ss, I guess American officials always know what's best for another country, even a seemingly strong supporter of the U.S. There is also a large oil field that must be on the wrong side of a potential map as well.

Now there is all this talk of us supporting Turkey against a particular Kurdish faction and all. What the hell? Are we for freedom or not???

BenGarrett · 08-06-2007, 10:22 AM

In answer to the title of your post, I do think it would be in the best interest of everyone involved if the Kurds were allowed to separate from the rest of Iraq and form a sovereign state.

As for the U.S. backing Turkey, I'm not sure what option we have. We basically have Turkey, somewhat of a friend and ally, and Kurdistan, another friend and ally. They hate each other, and the PKK has long been a thorn in the side of the Turkish government. The PKK has several thousand fighters operating in northern Iraq, and the Turkish government has tens of thousands of soldiers stationed in southern Turkey. Now Turkey is threatening to invade Iraq to eliminate the PKK, and it's hard to blame them since the PKK is using northern Iraq to stage guerilla operations on Turkish interests. Clearly it isn't in our best interest to have another faction of this war break out, so what do we do? Should PKK rebels be allowed to stage guerilla operations in northern Iraq? Obviously not. So I think we're doing the right thing by helping Turkey eliminate these PKK leaders, who are basically touble-making thugs.

hillbillyhunter1 · 08-06-2007, 10:39 AM

Thanks for your reply Ben.

I understand what you are saying about Turkey and that the faction of Kurds causing trouble are quasi-radicals. Still if they end up being supported by the regular Kurdish forces after being attacked by the Superior numbers of theTurkish Army, Thenwhat?? We support Turkey and turn the Kurds against us?? Wow. It is a mess. Aren't there also a lot of Kurds that live in Southern Turkey?? And isn't one of the reason Turkey is afraid of them is that they feel some of the Kurds in Turkey will want to secede (along with their land) intoA Kurdish republic??

Any in event, it seems extremely hypocritical to me for our foreign policy to advocate democracy in the middle east yet not support a Kurdish Republic because we think it's "not in their best interest".

falcon · 08-06-2007, 10:55 AM

Iraq is eventually going to be partitioned into two or three independent or semi-independent countries. If the Shiites are successful in driving the Sunnis from Iraq there will be two countries: Otherwise there will be three. Think of Pakistanas a model.

hillbillyhunter1 · 08-06-2007, 11:10 AM

I understand Falcon. I think we should drive both the Sunnis and shiites from the country and let the kurds take over the whole thing

Then, they could retreive the rest of the Kurds from Turkey and solve that problem too

Seriously though, I can understand the division of countries based on religious sub-group, but, if that's the case then why is our officail position resigned against allowing the Kurds to go ahead?

kevin1 · 08-06-2007, 01:28 PM

I think it's none of our damned business and we should keep our noses out of it for once.

CalHunter · 08-06-2007, 05:25 PM

I've been in favor of the Kurds forming an autonomous region in Iraq from the beginning and would support them forming their own country.

Fieldmouse · 08-06-2007, 10:08 PM

From all I've read, it's in their constitution to be able to divide into three regions. It's always been an option but not the best choice given the oil make up of the country.

burniegoeasily · 08-06-2007, 10:11 PM

It would be to the Kurds best interest. The only problem is Turkey, as well as the rest of the country will not let go of the oil that easy.

hillbillyhunter1 · 08-06-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

From all I've read, it's in their constitution to be able to divide into three regions. It's always been an option but not the best choice given the oil make up of the country.

Obviously they already are their own kind of region. They were stating their OWN COUNTRY (hence, the Iraqi constitution (?) wouldn't apply to them, they'd need their own) Why wouldOur official position be against this??