A Statement From Some Iraqi People - A long post with additional details. Does this change your opinion?

Question

For Iraqis, a promise is in peril

By Masrour Barzani

Erbil, Iraq - The Iraq Study Group's recommendations will accomplish nothing in Iraq. Its expressions of "gratitude" to those of us Iraqis who fought on the battlefield for freedom and liberty ring hollow. The report ignores our accomplishments, dreams and sacrifices in favor of a concern for those whose ultimate goal is the destruction of democracy.

Our federal constitution, which the majority of the Iraqi people voted for, is treated flippantly, as though it were a negotiable document rather than the hard-fought result of lengthy negotiation among those willing to participate in the new Iraq. Further, the study group's approach is driven by the concerns of the countries in this region rather than by the concerns of the Iraqi people.

Many Iraqis, especially the Kurds, are justifiably concerned about this. No one from the study group visited Iraqi Kurdistan, which the group admits is safe and pro-American,

cont.

and where there has not been a single U.S. casualty since the war. Kurds not only fought alongside Americans but lost some of our best men to American friendly-fire incidents. Yet we staunchly support the work of the coalition and are eternally grateful for the sacrifices the American people have made for our future.

The report is right to acknowledge that part of the problem in Iraq is America's inability to distinguish friend from foe. Unfortunately, Baker-Hamilton fares even worse in this regard. This comes as little surprise, since it was partly written by those who orchestrated the saving of Saddam Hussein in 1991.

To call upon Iraq's neighbors, which have chosen Iraq as a place to fight the United States, is a grave mistake. Seeking their participation would inevitably backfire. They would not only contribute to the instability within the country but would implement agendas in direct contradiction to America's occupation goals.

cont....

The plan would reward regimes that have undermined the U.S. effort at every turn. Iraq would fall under the regional powers, and the Iraqi people would come out the losers. Any vacancy left in Iraq by the coalition forces before Iraq is ready to stand on its own would be filled by those opposed to democracy. American credibility would dissipate, and any chance for success in Iraq would evaporate. If this comes to pass, hopes for real democracy in the Middle East will be history. The regional powers that border us have an interest in keeping us weak and divided.

Once again Kurds are about to be sold out. Should the U.S. administration adopt the recommendations of Baker-Hamilton, the Kurds will be sacrificed to protect the interests of Iraq's neighbors. We were massacred in 1975 and 1991 by Saddam Hussein because we thought that our commitment to democracy and tolerance made us natural U.S. allies. We responded then, as we did four years ago,

cont...

to American calls for the introduction of a new era in the region. Like Americans, we dream of a better future for our children, one in which they can grow up without deformities caused by chemical attacks on our villages.

It is true we fly Kurdish flags. This is yet another similarity we have with Americans, who are proud not only of their country but also of the accomplishments and unique identities of their states. The harbinger of successful democracy in the United States was the willingness of its founders to recognize the particular interests of states and to craft a constitution to safeguard their rights. Baker-Hamilton would deny Iraqis the same rights and thus doom our efforts to construct a system in Iraq that protects all its citizens. It would strip Kurdistan of rights it has negotiated with the central government to protect it from abuses like those it has suffered in the past. We should not forget that over-centralization has been a disaster for the Iraqi people.

Iraq's constitution should be treasured. Iraq's neighbors should not be allowed to violate our sovereignty. Democracy and federalism are the popularly chosen basis of the new Iraq. Never again should Kurdish wealth be stolen to finance genocide against the Kurdish people.

While Kurds welcome American troops into their homes, Baker-Hamilton proposes that the United States revise its policies to meet the demands of those firing at its soldiers. According to the study group, we are all part of "a problem" that needs fixing, and we are equally unworthy of America's protection.

Don't sell us out to our authoritarian neighbors and those who are terrorizing our communities. We agreed democratically to participate in this project because we were guaranteed the rights needed to protect our people. We Kurds are asking President Bush and America to remember the sacrifices we have made to keep your loved ones safe in Iraq.

We are asking you to keep a promise where those before you have failed.

The writer is the director of the Intelligence and Security Agency of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq and a high-ranking member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

For those of you that believe we were wrong for going into Iraq, what does this mean to you?

The Link...

http://www.krg.org/articles/article_detail.asp?ArticleNr=15438&LNNr=28&RNNr=70&LangNr=12

I suggest we all send this link to our representatives in Congress and every major news organization we know.

I need to make this clear... I am not the person who wrote this article. If you click on my nickname you will see that I am an American. I just wanted to share this article with the Yahoo Community. I feel it is time we listen to what the Iraqi's have to say.

I apologize for any misunderstanding.

Answer 1

Many of the Sunnis are worried that we will leave, too. They know that if we pull out, they will be destroyed. We're already seeing an ethnic cleansing of Sunnis in our area.

This is with the consent of the Iraqi Government.

We need to help these guys see this through or it will be nothing more than Western Iran.

Answer 2

I've served in Iraq and directly with the KDP (and PUK) and I understand the hopes and dreams of the Kurdish people. I was in Irbil in 2002 and spoke directly with the Governor and several of the ministers and I worked side by side with the Peshmerga. So I answer your "question" with another question. What promise are you awaiting for us to keep. Did we ever say we would help you establish and independant autonomous state of Kurdistan and that you would be prosporous? Or did we promise to protect you from the Saddam regime? Where is this promise that you're referring to? We established the northern no-fly-zone and held off Saddam's military from the Kurdish Autonomous region in the 1990's and we conducted Operation Provide Comfort after Desert Storm to prevent Sadam's Army from retaliating against the Kurds.
If you're asking us to do more to ensure your prosperous future, I ask you to do more to help yourselves.
I challenge you to find another ethnic group that the U.S. has done more to help in the last 50 years. Outside of The Marshal Plan to rebuild Europe after WWII, I can't think of any. And the Marshal Plan focused on an entire continent not just one ethnic group.
Time and time again we've protected the Kurds more so than any other group, particularly in Iraq. And, might I mention, we've done so at the peril of our relationship with Turkey.
So, before you ask for more help from us, I ask you to look within and at your immediate neighbors and not for the guy with the fattest wallet, because our wallet has become light as a result of our international policy.
If you want freedom, autonomy, democracy and all the values we hold dear...earn them like our forefathers did. Exercise diplomacy to achieve your goals within the bounds of your political system; change your constitution if you can and it serves your interests; otherwise pony-up the blood, sweat, and tears because that is the price of freedom.

Answer 3

Keep fighting the good fight man.

A lot of people hate the war because it does not fit in to their world view on how peace will break out if we talk rather than fight for it.

I can only hope our sacrifices were not in vain.

These "civilized" individuals who would call us barbaric for knowing force is sometimes the only answer to violent and evil men, would rather see us or the Kurds disappear, than the villains who truly start the wars.

Keep fighting for what is right friend, let the media and the ignorant keep this vision of world peace through talk. In the end the only reason they have the right to believe what they do is because others fought and died for those rights.

Answer 4

No, it only gives me more respect for the Iraqi people, and further reinforces my opinion, which is complicated. My basic opinion is that the ONLY people who really know the situation in Iraq, are the Iraqis, and our soldiers who have been there, or are there now.
The ISG is only a bunch of armchair generals who don't really have a clue, but are attempting to pander to the peoples' will. The fact of the matter is, the people are largely ignorant.
I don't consider myself to be "for" the war in Iraq, but I'm not against it either. I support our troops, I respect and admire the resiliency of the Iraqi people, and I honestly think that no one has a clue, outside of Iraq.
Thank you for sharing this post. I definitely think it needs to hit all the major newspapers, and be sent to every Congressperson, and Senator. Not that it will do much good. The newspapers are only intent on furthering their chosen political persuasion, and the Congress and Senate are only intent on furthering their own political career.
Cynical? No. I'm a realist.

Answer 5

Very well done. Why is it the first time we have seen this letter ? As far as our apology experts that are against the US for helping you, you have to remember that Freedom of speech is allowed. I am sure that we will not leave you high and dry in Iraq, but, the Iraqi people themselves need to push out the terrorists that are destroying Iraq's chances for Democracy. You have to be one nation together fighting against the same enemy. If you are indeed who you say you are, this letter needs to be given to every news agency you can find. You then need to go on several shows to broadcast this opinion to America. You also need to invite some of our gutless Senators and Congressmen to review this with you. The more you show this side of the war , the faster it can be resolved. Gob Bless your sacrifices in this war. I will pray for Peace in Iraq and pray for its Freedom to its people.

Answer 6

All I can say is this...that's the republican warmongers for you. They repeatedly lie and yet you would rather see this country torn apart by this war than send our troops home. Talk about blind faith. When will the Bush supporters admit this war was wrong? It has done nothing but cause splits in the people it has touched, it's splitting Iraq and America alike. It's time to get out.

Answer 7

Not at all, the war is criminal and the conduction of the war is immoral. We in no way should be fighting in Iraq for any reason. We were duped into thinking that we were going after WMD's and when none were found we were going to take out Saddam. With his death yesterday we have accomplished that mission but we continue to be there. What will be the next reason to stay, I see nothing important enough to keep us there the 50 or years that it will take to restart the nation in our image.

Answer 8

Sometimes. LOL....you just did that, I read the start than stoped reading after a while as it's soooooo long.

Answer 9

No other nation has a right to be there.......ok so Saddam's dead...there were no WMD's found.....for god's sake......Our troops need to be removed (US, UK and Australian/New Zealander's) and sent home....how many times does it have to be said before our governing faction will listen.......?

Its not our fight we have no right to be there......