Soma Digest - issue#62 by Soma Digest

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

Price $1

Eid Mubarak

SOMA Digest is a subsidiary of KHAK Press & Media Center.

FESTIVAL OF THE CROSS

Standoff with Syria Mediation by neighboring states to help ease tensions between Iraq and Syria may prove more practical than waiting for an international tribunal. REGION page 3

Generation 9/11 Eight years on, then-grade schoolers reflect on the consequences of the greatest terror attack of this century. COMMUNITY page 6

Instilled with the spirit of giving, Kurdistan’s rich offer meals to the needy.

Breaking old taboos The most forward-looking government Turkey has ever come out with takes historic steps to solve the country’s decades’old ‘Kurdish question.’ VIEWS page 11

Brwa Ab. Mahmud

Just as US forces withdraw from Iraq, the US chamber of commerce urges investors to explore prospects in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. BUSINESS page 13

Expansion work is in progress across Kurdish region to meet needs of growing population. BUSINESS page 14

The Christians of the city of Slemani gathered on the evening of 14 September at Mar Yusuf Church to celebrate the annual Festival of the Cross. The bonfire is meant to symbolize the finding of the cross. (photo by Aram Eissa)

Dispute in Ninewa may be contained - official n Arab-Kurdish dispute in the northern province of Ninewa may be contained, says Barzan Saeed, head of the local council of the majority Kurdish district of Makhmoor. Saeed and others have threatened to set up a ‘substitute government’ over majority Kurdish towns and districts unless their demands are met. The Kurdish Ninewa Brotherhood List has boycotted the provincial administration controlled by the Sunni-Arab Al Hadba List, since the latter won the

www.soma-digest.com editor@soma-digest.com

SLEMANI he Holy Month of Ramadan revives the spirit of compassion and giving, compelling the rich segment of society to dig deep into their pockets and share their wealth with the less fortunate. Handing out meals is one typical practice to help the poor break their fast with hearty traditional Kurdish dishes. Often, the meals are offered anonymously so that recipients never learn who was their benefactor. It is a condition of charity in Islam as per the saying: “Do the charity with the right hand without the left hand knowing.” Even those Muslims who do not fast during this month are instilled with the overwhelming community spirit and participate in charitable deeds. During the Holy Month, therefore, it is common to find individuals who are accustomed to large houses, flashy cars and an abundance of wealth, sparing a moment to sympathize with those that work incredibly longs hours just to put a meal on the table. It becomes a helpful means of bridging the great divide, at least for one month in the year, between Kurdistan’s elites and the deplorably impoverished masses. There are particular locations in the city of Slemani that are known to attract the poor of society, those that have sporadic incomes tend to gather in these places.

The new frontier

Urban dreams

For richer for poorer

largest share of votes in the provincial polls on 31 January. Prior to the elections, the Brotherhood List was in power, but the outcome of the polls turned the tide in favor of the Sunni Arab constituency. Saeed and other Kurdish leaders claim that the new provincial council is biased to Sunni Arabs and the province has become a base for insurgents and terrorists. Ninewa’s Arabs explain that their chief concern is over Kurdish aspirations to annex parts of Ninewa province. full report on page 4

These mostly include foreigner workers, laborers, the handicapped and those who are simply poor. It is in these poverty stricken neighborhoods that the charitable warmth of Ramadan has been extended every evening for the past month. The rich prepare the sunset meal for these people, with the knowledge that they will be rewarded with blessings for their deeds. Tens of people line in long queues eagerly awaiting their food most of whom have been refraining from food and drink for the whole day. The donors do not discriminate as the meal is prepared for everyone who is in that neighborhood, even for those who have not been fasting. Nothing short of a feast The meal given out is nothing short of a feast, made up of traditional Kurdish cuisine of rice, stew and some form of meat, in addition to bread and water. Fruit is provided as dessert. Giving a hungry person a warm meal is one of the best charitable deeds a person can undertake and when it is done during a holy period of the year, the rewards are said to be greater. In addition to these food donations in less well off neighborhoods, a feast is served in the mosques of the city as Muslims, predominately men, go break their fast there and perform the evening prayer. On a daily basis, hundreds of poor people are benefiting from the charitable gestures of the rich especially in areas near to the Great Mosque.

FROM NY TO ERBIL

HEADS UP

HAMILTON’S ROAD

Friedman on Kurdish democracy

An acquired taste?

A Kurdish holiday

REGION page 5

COMMUNITY page 17

COMMUNITY page 7

INSIDE: Toxi-cities, by Agri Ismail p.8 The democratization of violence, by Dr Joseph Kechichian p.10 Manifest solidarity, by Dr Harry Hagopian p.12

2 STAFF PUBLISHING HOUSE: Khak Press & Media Center MANAGING EDITOR: Tanya Goudsouzian DEPUTY EDITOR: Lawen A Sagerma COLUMNISTS: Dr Sherko Abdullah, Agri Ismail, Dr Joseph Kechichian, Maureen McLuckie, Dr Denise Natali, Anwar M. Qaradaghi CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Zheno Abdulla, Iason Athanasiadis, Karokh Bahjat, Linda Berglund, Devanjan Bose (New Delhi), Ilnur Cevik (Ankara), Patrick Cockburn, Thomas Davies (Damascus), Bayan Eissa, Dr Rebwar Fatah (London), Basit Gharib, Dr Harry Hagopian (London), Hemin Hussein, Hewa Jaff, Fakhri Karim (Baghdad), Vania Karim, Ali Kurdistani, Mohamad Karim Mohamad, Dastan Nouri, Amed Omar, Jamal Penjweny, Asoz L. Rashid (Baghdad), Roshna Rasool, Kurdawan Mohammad Saeed, Jen. A. Sagerma, Dr Tan Azad Salih, Dr Hussein Tahiri (Australia), Qubad Talabani (Washington, DC), Abdul Karim Uzery REPORTERS: Awat Abdullah, Darya Ibrahim, Dana Hameed, Hemin Kakayi (Kirkuk), Saz Kamal, Barzan Kareem, Sazan Mandalawi (Erbil), Galawizh H. Rashid, Dana Rashid CULTURE WRITERS: Roshna Rasool, Kamaran Najm UK CORRESPONDENTS: Lara Fatah, Raz Jabary, Sara Naz LANGUAGE EDITOR: Anwar M. Qaradaghi PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Aram Eissa PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kamaran Najm, Soran Naqshbandy CARTOONS: Ako Gharib DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Darya Ibrahim MARKETING MANAGER: Brwa Abdulrahman CIRCULATION MANAGER: Rashid Khidr Rashid WEBSITE: Avesta Group for Software Solutions PRINTING HOUSE: Hamdi Publishing House (Slemani) Our offices are located at KHAK Press & Media Center, on Shorosh Street, Slemani, Iraq. Tel: 009647701570615 Fax: 0044703532136666 SOMA Digest strives to offer its readership a broad spectrum of views on Iraqi and Kurdish affairs. As such, all opinions and views expressed in these pages belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publication.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

CONTENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ....................................................................................................................3 COMMUNITY ..............................................................................................................................6 WORD ON THE STREET ............................................................................................................9 VIEWS .........................................................................................................................................10 LETTERS ....................................................................................................................................12 BUSINESS .................................................................................................................................13 CULTURE & MORE ....................................................................................................................15 LIFESTYLE .................................................................................................................................17 HISTORY ....................................................................................................................................18 SOCIETY ....................................................................................................................................19 CHAIKHANA ...............................................................................................................................20 LOST IN TRANSLATION

Kurdish for beginners ANWAR M. QARADAGHI

SOMA Digest wishes to introduce some Kurdish phrases and expressions, which the visitor to Kurdistan will find useful. Judy Roberts, an American school teacher, has been teaching English in a school in Slemani for over a year. At the school, she has met Aso, a Kurdish colleague, and their relationship has grown and become serious enough to result in formal engagement. In this episode Judy and Aso discuss the social and artistic events of the region: Aso: Now that the elections are over, do you have any observations about any other topics, my dear? Esta kewa helbzardinekan tawaw boon, hich serinjekt heye sebaret hich babeteki trewa, gyanekem? Judy: Actually, I still have some about the elections. Shall we discuss those or do you prefer we leave them to another opportunity and talk about some other topics this time? Le rastida, heshta hendi serijm sebaret be helbzardinekan heye. Aya awane gift u go le ser awane bkain yan pet bashe bo helike tr helyan grin u am jare basy

hendi babeti deke bkain? Aso: Yes, please let us defer those. Do we have another suitable topic to talk about now? Bally, tkaye, be awane dwaxain. Aya babeteki tre gonjaw man heya basy esta basy bkain? Judy: Yes, I think so. Many good things are happening in the region that deserve to be discussed and emphasized. Bally, Mn wa azanim. Zor shti chak le haremeke da roo deden ke shyawi baskrdin u dupat krdinewen. Aso: Such as what my dear? Weku che gyanekem? Judy: The good place of art and music in the region. Pegay bashy huner u muzik in the heremeka da. Aso: And so, please go on. You know I love to hear your views and appreciate them. Dey basha, tkaya, le sery bro. Tto azani mn pem xoshe gwe beesti beroke kant bm u berz ayan nerxenim.

Judy: Thank you my darling. I try to be objective in expressing opinions about Kurdish affairs. To me many good things are happening in the region. Among those are activities of art and music. Supas xushewistekem. Mn hewil de dem le derbrin bo chunma sebaret be kar u bari Kurd babety bm. Lae mn le hereme keda zor shty bash le rudanan. Le new awanada chalaki huner u muzika. Aso: And so, what do you wish to say about them, dear? Eh, enja, hez deceit che le bareyanewa bleit, gyane? Judy: Well, I am certain you have noticed that the support and encouragement for them are on the increase. The city has now a new Art Palace. It is purpose-built and comparable to very modern places elsewhere. Eh, mn dlneam tto serinjt dawe ke pisht geri u handan le zor boon daye. Esta shareke Koshkeky Huneri tdaye ke be taebet mandi druest krawa u shyawi berawird krdina legul shweni hawcherxi jegay tr.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

REGION|&

CURRENT AFFAIRS NEWS ANALYSIS

Replay

Standoff with Syria

‘I have not held an Iraqi government position since 1980 when I was dismissed from the Foreign Ministry. I returned to the ministry after 2003... I have never been an under-secretary of state. It should have been based on reliable evidence…’

Mediation by neighboring states may prove more practical than an international tribunal. Lawen A. Sagerma SLEMANI n the run-up to the Iraqi parliamentary elections set for January 2010, tensions are simmering both internally and with neighboring countries. In the latest round of controversy, Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki flatly accused the Syrian government of harboring former Baath members suspected of masterminding the 19 August bombings, which claimed 97 lives and left more than 400 wounded, when truck bomba exploded across the street from Iraq's Foreign and Finance Ministries. “The history between Iraq and Syria is filled with problems and it goes back a long way. Tensions have risen because of Syria’s indirect interference and support of groups such as the Baath party who have made their way onto Iraqi soil,” said Fryad Rawandzi, a member of the Iraqi Parliament. “Tensions have reached a point where Al Maliki has asked for an international tribunal following the bombings. The Iraqi government continues to hold Syria responsible. Syria has requested hard evidence to prove such an allegation that renders them guilty.” Escalating tensions have compelled neighboring countries, notably Turkey and Iran, to intervene in a bid to find a peaceful solution through dialogue. Sources say there is no hard evidence directly linking the Syrian government to the attacks.

“There is no proof that supports the claim that the Syrian government was involved or behind the attacks of Bloody Wednesday but there are differing opinions as to who was behind these attacks,” said Rawandzi. The media has long focused on the assertion that Syria has been the headquarters of the Baath Party and is now harboring former Baath members and aiding and abetting terrorist groups that are seeking to destabilize Iraq’s democratization process. “No doubt the Syrians are giving refuge to Izzat Ibrahim Al Douri and other former Baath members as well as opposition groups that contest the new Iraq. They ask for real evidence to implicate such groups but there is no guarantee that even if this is given, they will kick these perpetrators out of their country,” conceded Rawandzi. Izzat Ibrahim Al Douri was Saddam's number two, the Revolutionary Command Council Vice-Chairman in the former Iraqi regime, and is now said to be a source of financing for Sunni insurgents in Iraq. Media outlets have broadcasted audiotapes of him urging his followers to topple the Al Maliki government after the US withdrawal. After the 30 June withdrawal of US troops from urban areas of Iraq, the country has seen a rise in violence, which has tested the capability of Iraqi forces. With many arguing that the country’s security forces are not yet capable of handling the situation, the US military has warned that militant insurgents and Al Qaida are

provoking renewed bloodshed to undermine the public’s trust in the democratically elected government of Nouri Al Maliki. It is possibly for this reason that Iraq’s prime minister has called on the international community. “It is a natural right of Nouri Al Maliki to ask for an international tribunal but this will take a long time and with the parliamentary elections set for 16 January, diplomacy is the best way forward,” said Rawandzi. “It is also advisable to have powerful countries act as mediator between Iraq and Syria to solve this problem as this would be a faster more practical way than the international tribunal,” added Rawandzi. There have been significant periods without large scale violence in Iraq and in particular the Iraqi capital but bombings like those of 19 August and the high rate of fatalities indicate that the country is vulnerable and that there is a power vacuum that insurgent groups are eager to fill. Certain analysis submits that Al Maliki is trying to divert attention from his failures in internal affairs to Syria. “No there is no such thing; this issue with

Talks over new election law Do changing realities in Iraq call for a new election law or merely amendments made to the existing one? Zheno Abdulla SLEMANI n the months leading up to the next Iraqi parliamentary elections, discussions are taking place over doing away with the old elections law of 2005. “The law council and the Iraqi representative assembly have been holding many meetings in the Iraqi parliament to discuss those laws and principles which the new Iraqi election law must contain,” said Hakim Sardar from the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC). “It seems that the majority of parliament members are for installing the system of a multi-member majority system.” After the fall of the Baath regime, several

electoral systems were discussed, including proportional representation, majority and mixed systems. At the end, after all discussions had taken place, the closed list proportional representation system with the entire country considered as a single electoral district was chosen. The concerns of inclusiveness, practicality and delays were addressed and the requirements of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) which requested that the number of parliament seats be fixed at 275, a goal of 25 percent representation of women and the fair representation of minorities were included. Sardar explained that despite ongoing efforts to reach an agreement on the new law they have reached an impasse. “The United Nations has suggested that

the parliament finish the submission in mid September which allows the IHEC time to set its system properly,” said Sardar. The United Nations has offered its technical and counseling role in the process and ultimately wants to help the current set of circumstances to progress. “If the parliament is unable to reach an agreement and submit a new law then they are obligated to work with the old one. The previous provincial elections will be good experience for the new one, but the commission did face some problems,” explained Sardar. “We are running out of time and there are many differences in views so I don’t think that we can all agree to submit a new law so there is more possibility that we will work

Syria is not a small concern but the matter of the international tribunal will need a lot of preparation and time which makes it less practical,” said Rawandzi. He explained that a number of groups working in Iraq are remnants loyal to the former Baath regime in addition to factions of Al Qaida that hail from within Syria and many have their headquarters there. The Iraqi forces, especially after the US withdrawal, have been criticized for their inability to cope with the security situation, especially at the borders where terrorists are infiltrating the country. “Up to now the Iraqi forces haven’t been able to protect all its borders with its neighboring countries because they have yet to reach a level of competency that has allowed them to take full control,” said Rawandzi. He added that Iraq has requested that Syria prevent terrorists groups from carrying out their activities and acknowledge the Iraqi government and the political process that it is undertaking. Additional reporting by Brwa Ab. Mahmud

with the old law with some modifications,” said Ahmed Anwar, a member of the law council of the Iraqi Parliament. One of the problems that the IHEC faced in the last provincial elections was that there were some sections in the elections law that did not allow for the political participation of small parties or entities in the elections. The bouts of controversy currently being fought in the Iraqi parliament are regarding the creation of a new law with less negative points which involves justice for all. “The IHEC will be subject to that law that is submitted by the parliament, whether it is the old or new one but even the old one has some deficiencies but it may be that time is not on our side to change it,” said Sardar. Another issue in the law that needs to be resolved by parliament is what system will be used in the elections scheduled for January 2010. The issue of how many votes translate into seats in the Iraqi parliament must also be reviewed. In the 2005 elections the country's population was estimated at 25 million, which has since increased to 31 million and therefore the seats in parliament must be raised to 312 as opposed to the 275

SAAD AL HAYANI, Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan, astonished over the arrest warrant issued against him for alleged crimes against humanity during the previous regime.

‘Iraq has historic relations with Russia and we work to increase cooperation domain and to implement what we have agreed on during ur last visit...’ NOURI AL MALIKI, Iraqi Prime Minister, reiterating Iraq’s keenness to develop bilateral relations, mainly in electricity, oil and arming, with Russia.

it currently has. Minor issues pertaining to the candidates also need clarification and so it would appear that the preference is that the old law be modified rather than a new one be created for the 2010 elections.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

Ninewa’s Kurds claim they are discriminated against by their provincial council.

‘Something fearful’ Lawen A. Sagerma SLEMANI Barzan Saeed, administrator of the district of Makhmoor (Qaimqam), discusses the ongoing dispute between Kurds and Arabs in Ninewa province. The Kurdish Ninewa Brotherhood List has boycotted the provincial council, controlled by the Sunni-Arab Al Hadba List, claiming the latter is biased toward Sunni Arabs and has violated the rights of ethnic Kurds. What has caused the tensions between the Arabs and Kurds in the province of Ninewa and in particular Makhmoor? I wouldn’t call it problems that are between Arabs and Kurds but rather a political problem between two lists, Al Hadba and the Ninewa Brotherhood. The problems are deeply rooted especially in regards ideology and the methods of working that have come into play in the city. The way that Al Hadba is running its affairs is contrary to the united stance that Iraq is working along today. They want to remove Kurds from having any role to play in the province and constantly oppose Kurds, which is having a detrimental effect on the sense of brotherhood in the city between all the different ethnic communities. It has created tensions that have aroused a sense of fear. We are asking for a united Iraq, one where everyone is accepting of one another so we can live a peaceful life together with progressive security, politics and administration leading the way. But their ideology has created

fear. And we believe that having those types of people will not allow for a new Iraq and threatens all of Iraq. Has the federal government shown favor toward the Hadba List? We can’t accuse them of favoring Al Hadba, but rather than standing afar they should have come and addressed the problems because this problem has created tensions that threaten the unity of the whole of Iraq. They should have come and dealt with the problems from an arm’s length but without doubt the tensions between the federal government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have had a negative influence on the role of the federal government in dealing with this problem but we do believe that the Iraqi government wants a solution. Has the issue with the Hadba List caused problems between the Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmargas? Yes without a doubt especially at a time when something fearful is mentioned or arouses nationalist sentiments, it does have an influence. Previously we had seen the Iraqi forces act in an unfavorable manner towards the Kurds causing them many problems and distancing them from their work but since then there have been a number of changes in Ninewa and we believe there to be a real attempt at separating the work of the troops from political factions, which is an indicator that the problems won’t be exacerbated and that

Neither side is ready for compromise.

Impasse in Ninewa n Arab-Kurdish dispute in the northern province of Ninewa may further exacerbate should the Kurdish Ninewa Brotherhood List make good on a threat to set up a ‘substitute government’ over majority Kurdish towns and districts. The Brotherhood List has boycotted Ninewa’s provincial administration controlled by the Sunni-Arab Al Hadba List, since the latter won the largest share of votes in the provincial polls on 31 January. Prior to the elections, the Brotherhood List was in power, but the outcome of the polls turned the tide in favor of the Sunni Arab constituency. This came as no surprise since the Sunni Arabs had boycotted the 2005 elections en masse, essentially paving the way for a Kurdish victory. However, Al Hadba’s campaign platform was explicitly anti-Kurdish, making such declarations as Mosul being an Arab city, and that Kurds needed to abandon plans of annexing any areas in Ninewa. Relations were further strained when

Atheel Al Najaifi, newly appointed governor of Ninewa, demanded that Kurds get rid of all of their standing politicians and replace them with ones ‘that would only work for Ninewa’s needs’. Barzan Saeed, head of the local council of the predominately Kurdish town of Makhmour, as well as other Kurdish leaders, claim that the new provincial council is biased to Sunni Arabs and the province has become a base for insurgents and terrorists. Saeed has threatened to declare independence from Ninewa’s provincial council and form a ‘substitute government’, unless their demands are met. These demands include two of the top positions in the provincial council. Al Najaifi has rejected all accusations and vowed to dissolve any local council attempting to separate from the governorate. Ninewa’s Arabs explain that their chief concern is over Kurdish aspirations to annex parts of Ninewa province – dubbed

the issues will be contained between the two lists in Ninewa. It has been mentioned in the media that you have threatened to declare independence from Ninewa, is this true? The Ninewa Brotherhood List have said that if the Al Hadba List does not reconsider its current position and continues to deny our people our rights then we will be forced to create an independent adminis-

‘disputed territories’ – to the Kurdistan Region. An Al Hadba spokesman has even made such outlandish assertions as the Kurds having relinquished all further claims on land in 1971, following a selfrule agreement with the then Iraqi government. Kurds have vehemently rejected such allegations. While conceding that it would be unconstitutional to declare ‘independence’ from the provincial council, Ninewa’s Kurds point out that it is equally unconstitutional for Article 140 to be repeatedly delayed. Article 140 in the Iraqi Constitution calls for the restoration of the original demographics in disputed cities – prior to Saddam Hussein’s ‘Arabization’ programs, which saw vast numbers of Kurdish inhabitants uprooted from their homes – followed by a referendum to determine whether the city should fall under federal or Kurdish regional jurisdiction. Outside forces, including the Iraqi Islamic Party, the Sadrists and even the new US ambassador to Iraq, are in the process of trying to mediate the ongoing dispute in Ninewa. But neither side seems willing to compromise. — BY TANYA GOUDSOUZIAN IN DUBAI

tration for those areas that comprise of 16 administrations. If these problems are not resolved then this will be one way of solving it. We believe that groups with the same mentality as Al Hadba, whether in Baghdad or Kirkuk, will threaten the whole of Iraq.

constitution in the disputed territories. We ask that real work be done to implement it which will automatically mean that those areas will come back under the jurisdiction of the Kurdistan Regional Government and we will have nothing more to do with the province of Ninewa.

Is there a legal basis for your request to break away and become independent? When we talk about the constitution or our opponents speak of it, it is important that they believe in it and the implementation of the articles in the constitution. We have Article 140 and up to now we have no idea why they contest that article especially at a time when they say that it is up to the people to determine their own fate. So why are they afraid of the people’s decision? At a time when they talk of the legality of the constitution, it is necessary that everything is done in unity. If you look at Baghdad, everything is distributed among the different ethnicities and in Kirkuk they are asking for the same thing. They asked parliament that everything be done in unity and presented a bill in this respect that became law, yet they now contest the constitution while speaking of the law. When they implement the law then they can come and speak about the law. We haven’t done anything that is contrary to the law and when we feel that we are in danger or that there is a threat over us, we will try to resolve it in a peaceful manner. What we are doing is supported by the law and the constitution.

How have the Al Hadba List opposed Kurds and Kurdish rights? The first is the contestation of Article 140 which they say is a dead article and cannot be implemented but this is not within their power and it is nothing to do with them; it is something that is within the authority of the federal government. Second is the opposition to the presence of those [Kurdish] forces that have secured those areas and not allowed terrorists to kill civilians. The antagonism towards those forces has served the interests of the terrorists rather than the security of Iraq. Thirdly when they speak of agreements, they first need to support those articles that were reached through an agreement. If they feel that in Mosul they have the most votes and the law gives them power to govern, then they have to give us the same rights in Kirkuk.

If the Al Hadba List does not change their policy, what will be your next step? If they continue with their stance irrespective of the constitution and the law, opposing our people and the new Iraq of which we are a part, then we will request the implementation of Article 140 of the

Have political tensions overflowed into the community? Yes, from the onset, we were afraid that this would happen and wanted to resolve the matter within ourselves so that it wouldn’t spill over into the community. In a lot of our areas where our original Arab brothers live, they cannot come and go as they please to visit us because some label them as our supporters, which is really dangerous for the future of Iraq. It has had an influence without a doubt and a large portion of the members and supporters of Al Hadba oppose the Kurdish nation rather than a particular group or list. Additional reporting by Brwa Ab. Mahmud.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

‘Kurdistan’s democracy is a work in progress’ Hemin H. Lihony SLEMANI nfluentual American journalist and author Thomas L. Friedman believes there is still a chance “for a decent outcome in Iraq”, but he doubts that the price paid by Iraqis and Americans will ever be justified. Friedman, who achieved fame and recognition for his work covering critical situations in the Middle East, has worked for the New York Times since the 1980s. He has been posted in Israel, Syria, and Lebanon, covering the Lebanese civil war, which won him two Pulitzer prizes for international reporting. “All I would say is that I still believe that there is a chance for a decent outcome in Iraq but I am not sure that the outcome there will ever justify the cost paid by Iraqis and Americans these past seven years,” said Friedman. Despite a slow US withdrawal many feel that there is still much to be done in the country especially after the recent violence that has seen fatalities at all time highs. “For the sake of those who have paid those costs, I hope that we have a decent outcome," he added, referring to “economic growth, political stability, the rule of law and regular elections deemed free and fair” as some of those decent products from the 2003 invasion. According to many, there are numerous obstacles for 'a decent outcome' in Iraq, with many American and Iraqi politicians considering the Kurd-Arab dispute as the most dangerous setback of Iraq. But Friedman approaches it from another angle. “The biggest problem is the lack of a spirit of citizenship by enough Iraqis – which means loyalty to the government and the national army, before loyalty to family, clan or region,” he said. “You cannot have an effective government or democracy without citizens. Every Iraqi has to identify with their national government as much as they do their national soccer team." Friedman believes that the government has to earn this by truly reflecting the will of all the people in a fair way. The June withdrawal of US troops from all cities and towns started amid cries that the country was not yet ready. The full withdrawal from Iraq is to be completed by the end of 2011, a plan that has instilled in

Iraqis a fear of a civil war in the absence of US troops. “Iraqis have to step up now and take responsibility for their own future. Seven years of American occupation and training wheels are enough,” said Friedman. He concurs with those that believe that the future of Iraq depends on the will of Iraqis to live together. “Iraqis are capable of running their own country now if they have the will to compromise and live together. If they don’t, then another two years of American occupation will make no difference.” One of the justifications of the Iraq war was the process of democratization in the Middle East with former President George W. Bush promising to make Iraq a ‘model’ in the region. The Iraq war, however, showed that security is more important for people than democracy. There are those who argue that the war hampered the process of democratization in the Middle East but Friedman argues that “it is too early to say.” He believes that “implanting democracy in a region that has never known [democracy] is a very difficult task” explaining that it will take a long time to imbed a democratic culture, "maybe a generation or two.” Some experts and politicians (including US Vice President Joe Biden when he was

KURDISH PROVERB

Better a wise foe than a foolish friend.

senator) think that 'soft partition' is a quick remedy for Iraq. "We have a democratic context now in Iraq and let the Iraqi people make those decisions," says Friedman on this issue. The issue of the contested territories in particular Kirkuk and Article 140 has been a bone of contention between the federal and regional governments since the implementation of the Iraqi constitution. While many people remain adamant that it is an internal issue that requires an internal solution, Friedman explains that the “communities there need US or UN mediation to help them find a fair power-sharing outcome.” In September 2007, Friedman wrote a column about the Kurds after his first visit to the Kurdistan Region. Under the title

‘Iraqis are capable of running their own country now if they have the will to compromise and live together.’ 'The Kurdish secret', he blamed the Bush administration for not telling Americans the 'success stories' of the Kurdistan Region, the only stable part of Iraq. In response to the question that Friedman asked in the column 'Why is Iraqi Kurdistan America’s best-kept secret success?', he replies: "Because few people have visited there and because many people want to paint the whole Iraq war as an unmitigated disaster."

While some observers consider the Kurdistan Region's democratic process as undesirable with gaps, Friedman believes that 'Kurdistan’s democracy is a work in progress and it still needs a lot of work if it is going to deliver for all the Kurdish people the kind of governance they need and deserve.' *The Kurdish version was first published in Lvin Magazine

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

COMMUNITY|&

LOCAL NEWS PERSONALITIES

Eight years on, then-grade schoolers reflect on the consequences of the greatest terror attack of this century. Shivan Perwer

Kurds demand apology from Canada PM for arrest of Kurdish singer urds in Canada, the US and around the world are calling for a formal apology by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for the unwarranted arrest of Kurdish folk singer Shivan Perwer On 16 August, while traveling on Highway 427, renowned Kurdish musician and political activist, Shivan Perwer, and three members of his crew were pulled over and handcuffed at gunpoint by Ontario Provincial Police officers and arrested on route to performance at the Toronto Kurdish Community Center. The Canadian Police OPP near Niagara Falls were operating on an anonymous tip that a weapon had been spotted in the black Hummer the men were traveling in. OPP established that the weapon in question was actually camera equipment to be used for filming footage for an upcoming Kurdish television program. The men were released from custody. “We were just filming Canada's countryside, and then there were guns everywhere! One policeman said: ‘I will kill you now’” recalled Perwer, visibly shaken, in an interview shortly after the incident. “It hurt our honor.” Tawfiq Sulevani, KDP Representative in London, Ontario, told SOMA Digest: “I am concerned that the action taken by the police was excessive. After Mr. Perwer's vehicle was surrounded by six provincial police cruisers, each man was ordered out of the car at gunpoint, forced to the ground and handcuffed. This dramatic scene took place on the strength of just one phone call by a motorist who believed that the video camera held by one of the passengers was a firearm.” He added: “Racial and ethnic profiling is a recognized problem in our society and Mr Perwer and his friends are Middle Eastern males.” Ontario is home to about 50,000 Kurds, and Perwer has long been held as a cultural ambassador for Kurds across the world.

— BY GALAWIZH H. GHULAM IN LONDON, ONTARIO

Generation 9/11 Ranu Talabany SLEMANI ight years after the largest terrorist attack ever to take place on American soil, Generation 9/11 is coming of age. Too young to have understood the full ramifications of the attack, but old enough to realize it was pretty serious, Kurdish youngsters who were still in grade school on 11 September 2001, never imagined this momentous tragedy would unleash a chain of events that would lead to the removal of Saddam Hussein from power and spark a new era in Kurdish politics. As soon as the two commercial planes ripped into the twin towers in New York, most people around the world were glued to the TV or radio, awaiting the latest developments with bated breath. When a third plane crashed into the side of the Pentagon and another onto a field, media coverage went into overdrive and there were mixed reactions around the world, especially in the Middle East region. Kurds in northern Iraq had no inkling then what effect it would have on their future in the years to follow. Dylan Tawfiq was in the middle of a physical education lesson at his high school in London, England, when class was cut short and students were called to the school hall for an emergency assembly. “There was a long pause, some people cried while some people didn’t care. I was just speechless about the whole situation. Everyone was confused and scared,” recalls Tawfiq, who was just nine years old at the time of the attacks. Heja Abdulla, 11 years at the time and also from London, was on his way home from school when he learned the twin towers had been struck by two planes. Abdulla says he was ‘flabbergasted’ by the attacks. It didn’t take long before fingers were pointed and the perpetrators identified as Osama bin Laden and Al Qaida. The infamous ‘war on terror’ had commenced. America first unleashed its fury on Afghanistan and then on Iraq, which was referred to as part of the ‘axis of evil’ and accused of having weapons of mass destruction. “I didn’t think it would have led to the removal of Saddam Hussein but I was expecting a backlash from the US,” says Abdulla. For his part, Tawfiq now views the atrocities of 9/11 as having been the catalyst to ‘American propaganda that the world should believe Muslims from all backgrounds were responsible [for the attacks]

and not to be trusted.’ Tawfiq admits: “Even I was worried every time a man with a long beard boarded a plane!” Less than two years after 9/11, US-led forces invaded Iraq in March 2003. It resulted in the downfall of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and his Baath party, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the main persecutor of Iraqi Kurds and Shiite Arabs. Shna Ali, a 21-year-old student, admits that she was ‘shocked that this was happening in America’ and while she didn’t think 9/11 would lead to the removal of Saddam Hussein directly, it was from the earliest days widely expected that this would change politics worldwide especially in regards the Kurds. “Kurds would somehow get the opportunity to show the world that they do actually exist. Kurds are now known as a nation, we can say we have more opportunities and this shows through our economy and education,” she says. While the 2003 US-led invasion and removal of a brutal dictator is now vastly criticized, back then it was greeted with jubilation and elation.

Abdulla, whose father spent years struggling as a Peshmarga, says: “If Saddam had not been removed I would still have been in good old England,” forgetting why he and his family fled in the first place. Rasyan Tahir, another student who was 11 at the time of the attacks, says: “My horizons are broader than they were before the attacks.” The older generations of Kurds, those who had lived under the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein, never expected the

rapid pace of changes witnessed in the Kurdistan Region since 2003. Some maintain a healthy degree of cynicism until today. The younger generation, however, have little to no real memories of those darker days, and their outlook on life and on the future of their nation appears to them far brighter than it has for decades. “Nobody anticipated these changes,” gushes Tahir. “We never thought it would lead to this!”

The events of 11 September 2001 sent shockwaves all over the world but Iraqi Kurds never anticipated the removal of the late dictator Saddam Hussein.

INSIDE for a taste KURDISTAN

Taking you of life in

Every Saturday night on Kurdsat 23:00 Erbil 20:00 GMT inside@kurdsat.tv

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

The beauty of the Kurdistan Region is awe inspiring.

(photo by Bwar Kurdi)

In the footsteps of Archibald Hamilton, bound for Kurdistan.

Kurdish holiday Thomas Davies DAMASCUS now-capped mountains, fields of wild-flowers and clear-running streams. It could be Switzerland or the Spanish Pyrenees, except it’s not. It is in fact, “the Other Iraq” - Iraqi Kurdistan, and the tourists are not flocking here in droves. Not yet, anyway. Yet things change and every country must start somewhere. Peace is probably the best place and Iraqi Kurdistan is indeed a remarkably safe place to visit. It is the need to search out something a little different that is sending the first trickle of Western tourists over to Iraqi Kurdistan and the region does have something that is truly special – gorgeous, unspoilt beauty and aweinspiring scenery. The rugged nature of large parts of Iraqi Kurdistan is foreboding, yet fantastic and it was this same imposing landscape that presented itself to Archibald Hamilton, a New Zealand-born engineer, when he was commissioned to build a road connecting Erbil with Persia in 1928. The road, was completed in 1932 and runs from Erbil to Haji Umaran, crossing mountain after mountain and rising 1400m in the process. Even today it remains a vital artery for trade and travel and it was with great excitement that a friend and I set out to retrace old Archibald’s footsteps. Our total lack of Kurdish language skills and a sense of adventure brought us to the conclusion that, rather than take public transport, we would simply walk along the road until someone slowed down, took pity and took us in the right direction. So, armed with little more than a map, some spare clothes and sleeping bags we set off on the first part of our trip – Erbil to Rawanduz. Getting a lift proved easier than anticipated and it wasn’t long before we were sitting snugly in the back of a 4x4, welcomed in by a family escaping to the hills for the

day. Soon, we were winding our way up and over green hills and through meadows ablaze with bright yellow flowers. Green hills gave way to a horizon of dark mountains and we headed towards the Gali Ali Beg canyon – described by Hamilton as “one of the grandest formations of nature to be found in nature”. Dissecting the Bradost and Korek mountains, the canyon is formed by the two rivers making up the Great Zab river and is an incredible introduction to the beauty of Kurdistan. Entering the canyon, the road splits into an upper and lower half, and taking the Upper Hamilton Road we followed the line of the river far below us and of the sheer stone cliffs that peaked far above. Both beautiful and hair-raising, it was with a mixture of disappointment and relief that we reached the end of the canyon and,

the back of a pick-up and shouldering rucksacks, our presence did not go unnoticed and with the flash of an ID card, a stern faced man arrived in front of us. At first the man from the ASAISH looked grim. What were two Europeans doing in Rawandoz at dusk? Were they spies, or Iranians, or terrorists? Or all three, perhaps? “Safara, safara!” We are travelling, we are on holiday! Stern faces turned towards confusion, quickly replaced by smiles. In a mixture of broken Arabic, broken English and handsignals, we were presented in front of the local English teacher, who quickly offered us a hot dinner and a place to sleep. Well-fed and immensely grateful to our hosts, we rose early and caught a lift down the valley towards the dusty town of Soran. As with Rawanduz, people were welcoming and happy to point us towards Choman and Haji Umaran. Two Englishmen trudging down an unmade road was clearly not the norm for a Sunday morning in Soran and before long we were sharing sweets with kids dressed in Barcelona football shirts! Clearly impressed by my football knowledge, an elder brother took it upon himself to be our guide and so we began the next leg of our adventure – Haji Umaran and the Iranian border. If Gali Ali Beg had been beautiful, the road to Haji Umaran was something else. We were now in the heart of the Zagros Mountains – the air was cooler and snowy peaks encircled us. Head out of the window and mouth-open in amazement, I drank in the surrounds of a spectacular road. Spring is a wonderful time in Kurdistan and the small villages we passed were busy with life and useful energy. As a Londoner, I felt pangs of jealousy for this rural idyll and though I am sure it is not an easy life, the kindness of the family that offered us tea and warm milk, left me briefly imagining a prolonged stay. It was rough country here and I thought of old Hamilton and his travails. Today, the mountains were incredible and made our journey great; to him they must have seemed impossible obstacles. After Choman, the road became steeper and the air thinner. Heavily-laden trucks provided a reminder of the proximity of border with Iran and as we arrived in Haji Umaran, we came to the end of the line.

RECOMMENDATION

‘Brief Recollections: Personal Flashbacks in Kurdistan’ “Brief Recollections: Personal Flashbacks in Kurdistan” is a new book by our Language Editor, Anwar Qaradaghi, that is just published by Khak Foundation in Slemani. Its content comprises his columns (and some other articles) in the first 55 issues of this paper, SOMA Digest, of the last three years or so – and it is in English. Its price per copy is 3,000 Iraqi Dinars and is available at Khak and SOMA. The majority of the pages speak of differing aspects of life in the city of Slemani and its surrounding areas in the last 60 years or so. That is how they used to be in his recollections and how they have become or could have developed. In most cases they also contain suggestions for improvement. Consequently, they contain interesting details to tell about Slemani, the Kurds and Kurdistan and Iraq in general. Moreover, it is believed that these short articles may be interesting and useful to visitors of the region with the aim of giving them some general in-

formation about the Region, its history, culture, language, customs, and aspirations. Anwar Qaradaghi, who (holds MBA from Leicester University in Educational Management), has had many years of teaching, administration, writing and translation experience, has other published works that include two collections of English short stories translated into Kurdish and a history book on Kirkuk translated from Arabic into English. — EDITORIAL

‘Gali Ali Beg canyon one of the grandest formations of nature to be found in nature’ -- Hamilton after passing the Bekhal Waterfall, arrived at the Pank Resort funfair. Having passed through the heart of a mountain gorge and some terrifying roads, imagine my surprise to find a Ferris Wheel, rollercoaster and picnicking families in their Saturday finest. For all the excitement of Pank Resort, it was not exactly what we were looking for, so we jumped into the back of a Toyota PickUp and towards Rawanduz. With the sun rapidly retreating behind the mountains, we belatedly started thinking about a place for the night. At US$100 a night, Pank Resort was too steep for backpackers, so we thought we’d look for somewhere else to stay. The arrival of two Europeans in the market town caused quite a stir. Jumping from

Unlike a recent trio of borderland adventurers, we chose not to try our luck on this well-guarded frontier and instead settled for a beef kebab in the town’s only restaurant. Once again, our welcome was fantastic and easy conversation soon began. With the inevitable arrival of the local ASAISH and an ‘invitation’ to meet the local security chief, our new friends were able to extract us from trouble, with the advice that we leave town. We had reached the end of the Hamilton Road and ultimate goal of our journey, happy in the knowledge that we would have to return the way we came and then on towards Ackreh, Barzan and Amadi and yet more adventure in this beautiful place.

Kurdistan’s scenery has visitors coming from afar.

(photo by Aram Eissa)

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

Miracle water Iraqis from far and wide travel to the village of Hero for the legendary healing powers of its water source.

Little is known of the origins of this water source, not even the venerable elders of the village can say. But it is widely believed to cure a range of ailments from skin disorders to digestive problems. Roshna Rasool QALADEZE ramed by a chain of mountains demarcating the border between Iraq and Iran, in the district of Qaladeze, lies a sleepy little village called ‘Hero’. Before the genocidal Anfal campaigns of the late 1980s Qaladeze was a bustling border district, but when it was razed to the ground, many fled their homes for their lives. Some people chose to return after the 1991 uprising, prompted by the regional government’s decision to restore the area as it once was. The village of Hero, in particular, has many special features that set it apart from other places. One such feature is a

Toxi-cities

THE BORNE IDENTITY AGRI ISMAIL magine the first person to discover the basic fundamentals of agriculture. I mean, talk about a revolution: here was someone who couldn’t run into the forest barehanded and return a few hours later with a handful of slain lions, bears and an assortment dinosaurs, who could create his own food. And if a bowl of rice isn’t as delicious as, say,

the thigh and wing of a pterodactyl drizzled in peri peri sauce, it still made for a pretty nifty party trick, not to be surpassed until far later in history with the water/wine miracle. Not to mention that once the tenets of agriculture were grasped, people could stop wandering around nomadically like the hunter-gatherers of yore had done (due to the need to constantly find new animals to hunt and gather) and settle in what would eventually become cities. The Indians then took it one step further and created drainage and flush toilets over a thousand years BC (seriously, while the only thing going on in an ice age-ravaged Sweden was a squirrel trying to get an acorn, these guys already had flush toilets. We barely have functioning ones in the UK now!), and while settling around rivers had been great initially for agricultural purposes, it became even more useful when

salesmen would sail down, making ports international hubs of commerce. It was now possible to get food from all over the world and with time these cities grew, and grew until one of them - medieval Baghdad - passed the 1 million population mark, followed by Beijing. Fast forward now, while the cities become metropolises which in turn become megalopolises. With the industrial revolution London becomes the world’s biggest city, taking over from Baghdad which had a population of over 2 million at one point. People came from all over the world and soon people stopped knowing who their neighbors were, stopped caring who the people they crossed in the street were. And now, modern day London, where people fall and others walk over them instead of trying to help. While beggars are ignored and waved away as a nuisance, we talk

mysterious water source claimed to possess miraculous healing attributes. Little is known of the origins of this water source, not even the venerable elders of the village can say. According to 80year-old Fatma Mustafa, a longtime resident of the village, the water source existed long before she was born. “This water source has existed here since before I was born. I remember washing our clothes in it and never having to use soap because it didn’t need it as the water alone was enough to clean the clothes,” she recalls. “We didn’t have much money during those times and couldn’t really afford to buy detergent so it was a great help. The water has a jellylike characteristic when you wash something with it.” The water in the village of Hero is believed to perform miracle cures for skin ailments and digestive problems. However, its strong, unpleasant smell, something akin to rotten eggs, will need someone with a high smell threshold. It is not entirely uncommon for people to regard water from springs as holy after great numbers have claimed to have benefited from using it for skin disorders and others who have drank it to treat their digestive problems. These natural sources of treatment have gained more popularity over the years through word of mouth and as such have attracted people from far and wide. “I was only a little girl but I remember people were coming from Baghdad, Kut, Basra, Mosul and other cities to use this water and to take some home with them. People still do this now but not as much as before,” says Mustafa. Naza Khidir, another resident of the

on our phones and read our papers and if something bad happens to someone, well at least it’s not happening to me. The modern city breeds anonymity. It’s a great liberty but also makes us very lonely. In Kurdistan we still have the city as a place of communion, where everyone knows who their neighbors are and know the exact links that relate us to anybody in the street: “You may not know this,” they’ll say, “but we’re related.” And although it’s a stretch to think of your aunt’s husband’s second cousin’s wife’s uncle as family, it’s true that there is dramatically less violence in cities where you have this feeling of knowing everyone. Let’s not forget that one of the reasons terrorism has been so limited in Kurdish cities is that there is such vigilance to notice things that are out of the ordinary. So when Kurds move to the glo-

village, explains that some believe that the water comes out from phosphate land which accounts for the foul smell as well as its spicy taste. “The water is warm in the winter and cool in the summer which makes people use it even if they are not sick. The people here have separated off some different areas in the water source for alterative uses such as swimming, praying and drinking,” she says. Using the water for the first time means engaging in a rather strange experience for the rotten stench is offputting and the feel of a jelly compound on the skin is a peculiar sensation. However, those who often practice this ritual state that the smell and the jelly feeling on your skin subside after a few minutes. Another characteristic of Hero’s water source is that both men and women can use it which is in contrast to other water sources that are specifically for one gender. Some water sources are only meant for drinking or for cleaning purposes. Hero’s source, however, has become something of a holy site as people believe the water can cure them of their illnesses. In the past, people were poorer and less educated, and as such, had no recourse to medical treatment or procedures for their diseases. For this reason, such water sources were viewed as triedtested-and-true means of curing a range of ailments. As people have seen their income grow and have had access to better education, the number of visitors to the water source has declined dramatically. However, there are still those who visit the water, because they continue to believe in its miraculous healing powers.

rious Europa (sic), they are terrified to find that nobody cares. They could die, right there in the street, and nobody would stop. The openness that allows for a foreigner to move there is also the reason that there is no longer a sense of community. We don’t know each other. So what happens? We gather into groups, feeling a sense of belonging only within our respective communities, which in turn breeds isolation as we can’t assimilate. Yet then there’s the kicker: what is there to assimilate to, in today’s anonymous cities? The days of Ellis Island-style Americana are long gone. In its place are a mass of individuals, who long for the city as it once was, where people knew each other instead of feared each other. So, I suppose, the next time you hear somebody gossiping about you, you shouldn’t really be upset. At least someone still cares.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

Word on the street Aram Eissa asks average Kurds why Iraqi security has been compromised and if they believe that the next Iraqi Parliament will be better after the elections in 2010. Mukhtar Rafiq, 33 (veterinarian) Why has Iraq’s security been compromised? “The political parties within Iraq have either separated into more branches or simply do not get along well with each other allowing other countries to see this weakness.” Will the next Iraqi parliament be better? “It won’t get better because the Shiites are not united and the Sunnis have problems within themselves also, and now even Kurds are not showing a united front as there are rumors that they will go into the elections with separate lists and not as a united list.”

Mohammed Ahmed, 70 (retired) Why has Iraq’s security been compromised? “I think that America is behind the explosions, so that they can still have a role in Iraq, and therefore have a level of control, and to say to the Iraqis you won’t have security without the presence of American forces.” Will the next Iraqi parliament be better? “If the Kurds unite and go into the elections as one list as opposed to a number of independant lists, then it’s good for the Kurds but for the Arabs I don’t think it’ll get better.”

Nawzad Ghafoor, 39 (laborer) Why has Iraq’s security been compromised? “The explosions and acts of terror are done by neighboring countries that do not practice democracy so that they show their people that nothing good will come of them trying to get rid of their current regimes. It is this external interference that has hindered our progress and caused this instability.” Will the next Iraqi parliament be better? “If the election law remains the same then so will the state of our parliament and then it won’t get better.”

Madi Ahmed, 57 (civil servant) Why has Iraq’s security been compromised? “America is always the source of conflict as there are many that do not like them. If Iraq could reach a good level of independence I think the problems will eventually diminish.” Will the next Iraqi parliament be better? “Due to past experience the people now know what they want and there are lots of choices for them to choose from so I think the future Iraqi parliament will be a better one.”

Farooq Najib, 57 (barber) Why has Iraq’s security been compromised? “The weakness of the Iraqi forces has allowed the Baathist entities to do their work, and this is due to the support of other Arab countries so that the Shiite groups will not have such power in the region.” Will the next Iraqi parliament be better? “Due to the fact that corruption is on the rise and those that want to be part of the Iraqi parliament do so for the love of money and power, not for the love of their country. This is a great problem for the progress in Iraq.”

Rawisht Twana, 21 (photographer) Why has Iraq’s security been compromised? “This is due to Al Qaida and other terrorist groups which are so weak that the only way they can succeed and take power is to take over a weak area as they themselves aren’t strong enough to take over strong places.” Will the next Iraqi parliament be better? “If the election law gives way to a closed system then this gives way for corruption and it will allow it to increase and what we have seen from the government will continue and it won’t get any better.”

Bakhawan Maaroof, 26 (tailor) Why has Iraq’s security been compromised? “All the forces within Iraq itself are weak and this allows for such dangers to come our way, and I think that other foreign countries are playing their part in the explosions and bombings in Iraq.” Will the next Iraqi parliament be better? “If the new election law is good, this will also allow the new Iraqi parliament to be good. But if it remains the same or there are no modifications done to it, then nothing will change.”

Salah Ahmed, 48 (teacher) Why has Iraq’s security been compromised? “There are a lot of unemployed and poor people, which allows for the perfect conditions for terrorists to recruit and until their economic problems get better, this state will continue. It is often out of poverty and frustration that people take drastic measures and if there is no better alternative, they will keep doing this.” Will the next Iraqi parliament be better? “The future of the Iraqi Parliament is rather bright I think as we are heading closer and closer to a good system of democracy.”

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

VIEWS|&

EDITORIALS COMMENTARY

he judicial system in Iraqi Kurdistan is very much in its infancy stage. There is a dire need to produce more lawyers, as well as to reform the old system. Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani stated that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is committed to the establishment of an independent judiciary. Barzani has spearheaded a campaign to ensure the independence of the judiciary from government and has called for raising a better awareness of the law among the public. The KRG has already backed its commitment to the program of reform by establishing the Court of Cassation, which is to be the highest court in the Kurdistan Region. Furthermore it has recognized that the Judiciary can only be truly independent if it is financially reliant on itself and not the government. Separation of powers The three branches of power that make up authority of a state or region are the Executive (which in effect is the government), the Legislature (Parliament) and the Judiciary (Legal branch). The relationship between these three powers is crucial as they shape the very fabric of society. Politics and law go hand in hand and have significant influence on one another. Boundaries need to be set for these two sister disciplines so that there are clearly defined duties and powers for both politicians and judges/lawyers. There are two schools of thought when considering the relationships between these three authorities. The most prosperous countries in the world have what is referred

LAW OF THE LAND ASOS ASKARI to as “separation of powers”, which effectively means the independence of each of the powers of authority. The United States of America is perhaps the best example of this. This style of governance ensures that there are checks and balances against each authority. The other system is a fusion of powers which in effect sees an amalgam of powers that overlap one another. The United Kingdom is seen as the champion of this type of system. Here the legislative and executive branches are connected but the judiciary is still independent. The United Kingdom has made a success of this form of governance but whether such a system is suitable for the Kurdistan Region is up for debate. Although the Kurdistan Region does not have complete separation of powers as yet, the fact that an independent Judiciary is being encouraged, shows progression away from secrecy. Former regime Prior to the Prime Minister’s announcement, the Judiciary of the Kurdistan Region was under the authority of the KRG Ministry of Justice. This system had its critics who believed that in certain cases Judgement was handed down because of adverse influence from politicians and was regarded as muddled, archaic and unjust. Effectively

The democratization of violence

DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ DR JOSEPH KECHICHIAN ecause the level of brutal violence diminished during the month of July 2009, Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki ordered that some of the more visible fortifications throughout Baghdad should be dismantled, confident that his government was able to ensure internal security in the aftermath of the 30 June American redeployments to more fortified bases. Sadly, the past few weeks recorded a particularly vicious cycle of cruelty in Iraq, with simultaneous attacks that left hundreds dead and many more injured. There is a democratization of vio-

lence that needs attention lest the country plunge in an outright civil war. What would prevent such an outcome? Although the decision to save Iraq from its foes lies mostly in Iraqi hands, a distinct American concern must also be addressed, especially now that a decision was made to withdraw combat troops out of the country by 2011. The Obama Administration is preoccupied with the war in Afghanistan and would very much like to accelerate the withdrawal from Iraq to shift sorely needed resources farther East. In fact, a carefully leaked memo, authored by an advisor to the Iraqi military command, Col. Timothy R. Reese, recently called for an outright declaration of victory in Iraq. It also recommended that Washington plan to leave by mid-2010 instead of lingering until 2011, which is an obvious acknowledgement that popular support for the Iraq campaign is waning in the United States. This line of thinking, which is probably far more prevalent than recognized by analysts, may have a direct bearing on future training programs geared to significantly upgrade Iraqi security forces. Indeed, President Obama’s plan for an extended advisory mission may be in jeop-

the government controlled all aspects of the Judiciary, from the hiring and firing of judges, to regulating lawyers and judges. Politicians had played a key role in not only in law making but also law enforcement by directly meddling in the affairs of the court or indirectly influencing judges. Many were aggrieved by this old system calling for reform that is needed to bring the Kurdistan Region in line with modern practices of law. The new independence that the Judiciary has gained will see the Judicial Council regulating law enforcement under the leadership of the Chief Justice. This positive step will hopefully lead to transparency of the

legal system, which will go a long way to remedying the public’s grievances. Many obstacles stand in the way of complete legal reform. The KRG must invest a great deal in ensuring that reform is carried out to its full extent. Training is required not only for lawyers and judges but also for the administration of the courts. The future The KRG has voiced its commitment to the program and that it is necessary for legal documents and judgements to be made openly available to the media and public in the future. Moreover, the KRG has indicated its aim of keeping up with the digital age and has vowed to modernize the legal framework with the introduction of technological innovations. Overall, the future of the Kurdish legal system looks bright and undoubtedly more favorable with the proposed reforms in place. However, much will depend on the pro-activeness of the KRG in providing funding and training for the courts that it has continually promised. Previously, the main obstacle was the need to make the Judiciary independent and now that this has occurred, the legal system can be reformed by lawyers, academics and experts in the field rather than just by politicians. Now that the Kurdistan Region is free

ardy, if senior officials conclude that an Iraqi collapse is inevitable. That is why Prime Minister Al Maliki cannot afford an emasculation of the military, mired in corruption, under the strong influence of, and victim to, established sectarian pressures. Every time a bomb goes off somewhere in Iraq, many point to myriad shortcomings, ranging from poor equipment to superficial training to specific unprofessionalism. Iraqis correctly wonder what have the billions of dollars lavished on security forces bought them and ask whether the most recent coordinated explosions were meant to re-invite American troops back into the cities. It is now clear that Baghdad’s longterm policies to usher in an era of national reconciliation will face additional hurdles. In addition to the disillusioned Sunni population, a near breakdown of unity within the ruling Shiite-led coalition will prove fatalistic, unless rapid corrective measures are adopted. Though Iraqi security forces saw their overall numbers increase quickly during the past few years, recruits were chiefly drawn from militia groups, whose allegiances to the “State” have yet to be established. Shockingly, many leaders, including the premier, have retained their previous leadership roles after assuming nationalist positions. The Prime Minister of Iraq may consider the notion

that the best way to serve his “nation,” and in the process set the example for others, would be to resign from all parallel institutions. That would certainly indicate his commitment to a unified country and strengthen his hand in the national reconciliation debates. Another key ingredient towards that objective would be to end the ongoing rift among the ruling elite. In late July 2009, the premier accused Vice-President Adel Abdul Mahdi of masterminding the robbery at the state-run Rafidain Bank. The episode was murky at best because large portions of the embezzled money were mysteriously “found” in the offices of a newspaper owned by Abdul Mahdi. Baghdad’s crack investigators also identified five of the robbers as being members of the vice-president’s security detail, although Abdul Mahdi denied any involvement. Similar events occurred during the past few years, adding fuel to the collusion fire, which essentially implied that members of various security personnel, police forces, or even the military, owed allegiance to individuals rather that the “State.” It is now up to the Prime Minister to draw the lessons from the last Kurdish provincial elections, which witnessed an unprecedented level of transparency and ushered in new actors in the regional par-

from dictatorial rule and is prospering both politically and economically, the world’s focus has shifted to other areas of Kurdish governance. Kurdistan is seen as a potentially lucrative economy by many not only in the Western world but also the Asian subcontinent. Therefore many international companies will be working with companies in the Kurdistan Region or setting up their own businesses there. These companies will need to have confidence in the legal system of the land, to ensure that their investment will be protected. As such, it is essential that a transparent, professional and efficient system of law enforcement is present. Pressing forward The infancy of the Kurdish judicial system makes it vulnerable in many ways but only with time and experience can the region hope to establish a system of law enforcement that represents and preserves the society’s moral and ethical codes. The new initiative of the KRG to press forward with an independent judiciary is crucial in establishing a system of law enforcement that is strong and durable, that can hold not only the subjects of the land accountable but also the government in the interest of public policy. The KRG will have to ensure that its policies of an independent judicial system are implemented and not merely rhetoric, before it can be said that a successful legal mechanism is established. Asos Askari holds a degree in law and politics and a masters degree in international relations from the University of Manchester in England.

liament. In preparation for the January 2010 national parliamentary elections, the Prime Minister may wish to reassess his exclusive nationalist slate for a genuinely unified coalition, lest he polarize the country into ethnic gangs that will settle their differences in non-peaceful ways. Though Iraq is a rich canvass of ethnic and religious communities, it cannot remain a unified country if willful divisions do not end, and this is precisely where the premier ought to step-up to the leadership plate. Kurdish leaders demonstrated immense wisdom and patience by not falling into the fragmentation traps in these coalition calculations but the ball is now in Baghdad’s court. If Al Maliki wishes to put an end to the wanton violence, and end the interminable bloodshed, he should pay attention to Col. Reese’s memo, because the ultimate goal of the nascent republic is not—or ought not—be to train and equip crack security forces to whip the country into shape. Rather, one way to prevent an outright civil war would be to rule with the consent of citizens, as the foundations of a solid nation emerge. Dr Kechichian is an expert in Gulf affairs and author of several books.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

BREAKING OLD TABOOS The most forward looking govn’t Turkey has ever produced takes steps to solve Kurdish question. RAWAND ABDULKADIR DARWESH fforts by Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to break old taboos and resolve the Kurdish question in Turkey are historic and unprecedented. In modern democracies, unitary and federal states, all citizens, regardless of their race or religion, are proud to be part of their own countries. Often, their differences even strengthen their countries. During times of war, or natural disasters, all citizens hurry to help and support each other. No one asks what is the race or religion of the victims. The US, the UK, Germany and other countries, are good examples where people are proud to be part of their states and also proud to be part of the federal country itself. Scotland even prints its own version of the British Pound. It has its own government and Parliament. This system of a ‘country within a country’ has made the United Kingdom stronger. When fighting terrorists in Afghanistan, soldiers from all parts of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) are fighting together as British troops and carry one flag. This is at a time when the Kurds of Turkey are not pushing for a Scotland-like solution inside Turkey; all they want and need are basic human, cultural and political rights within the Turkish state. As the most forward-looking government Turkey has ever produced, Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdoğan, is working on a historic initiative to address the Kurdish issue in Turkey. The timing is suitable. There is positive feedback from many Turkish citizens from all walks of life. Kurds, in and outside Turkey, are also looking forward to concrete steps that will ensure peace and prosperity for all citizens of Turkey.

What is important now is to find a peaceful solution to that conflict. History teaches us that there is no military solution to ethnic issues. As an observer and independent journalist, I believe that the Turkish government should continue their efforts toward finding a peaceful solution to the conflict with the PKK. Turkey has more important issues to focus on, like membership in the European Union. A peaceful, stable and prosperous Turkey where “all” its citizens enjoy their natural rights will increase its chances of membership in the EU and possibly even expedite the process. Possible suggestions to end the conflict could be: The Turkish Government taking brave steps to recognize the Kurdish language and culture and facilitate their use in the predominately Kurdish areas of Turkey, incorporate ethnic Kurdish citizens into important government departments and positions like the Foreign Ministry and the diplomatic corps, issuing an amnesty to the PKK and the release of Kurdish political prisoners, and also to widen social and economic assistance to the impoverished southeast. Taking the above-mentioned steps would never be interpreted as making concessions, rather it will be recorded in history as brave steps that helped put an end to bloodshed. The PKK on its part must renounce violence and its outdated revolutionary slogans and lay down its arms and commit itself to a peaceful solution. Violence does not pay; and the PKK’s presence in the mountainous border areas made those beautiful scenic areas off-limits to the people of Iraqi Kurdistan. On the other hand, Turkey must also continue consulting and working with the Kurdistan Regional Government, which also suffered from the PKK violence and

counter action by Turkey. The KRG leaders, especially Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, made tremendous efforts to improve relations with Turkey and foster stronger economic ties between both private sectors. Hundreds of Turkish companies are working in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Cars with Turkish plate numbers are a familiar scene on the streets of the region. Moreover, as we look into the future, we see that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is rich in natural resources, especially oil and gas. Turkey needs energy and the Kurdistan Region has it. The region is a close and friendly market for Turkey. In return, the Kurdistan Region can benefit from Turkish industries and investments. The potential for mutual cooperation is bottomless. Kurdish intellectuals and writers, especially in Europe, must voice their support for the full membership of Turkey in the European Union. Iraqi Kurdistan Region is better off with an EU member as its neighbor. As for the role of the US, UK and EU

History teaches us that there is no military solution to ethnic issues. countries in this process, they can play an important role in talking to the Turkish military generals (their NATO partners) and encourage them to support the Turkish government’s efforts to resolve the Kurdish issue in Turkey. The budget Turkey is allocating to fund its war against the PKK could be used for better projects. The sooner the war ends the better for all. Peace and stability in Turkey’s Kurdistan is vital for all the peoples of Turkey and also for Iraqi Kurdistan. It is also in the interest of America and Europe. Supporting the initiative of the Erdoğan government to resolve the Kurdish issue in Turkey, is a moral responsibility of everyone, East or West. The author is an independent journalist based in Erbil.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

MANIFEST SOLIDARITY The country is still torn, as it teeters between hope and despair. What will be the choice of its leaders? DR HARRY HAGOPIAN s is my wont of following the world news on some European channels, both radio and television, I was struck this week by the dearth of coverage about Iraq. Only one year ago, we would have been inundated with endless stories about what is occurring in this unfortunate country. Yet, despite some serious developments on the ground let alone regionally, it felt that the unpredictable nature of the media had become tired of Iraq. It seems there are other stories to chase these days. This media fatigue in broad terms about Iraq does not mean that the country is finally in good shape. Over the past few months, I have written about the impact of the redeployment of US troops from Iraqi city centres, as well as about the parliamentary elections in Kurdistan or those that will take place nationally in January 2010 and their impact not only on Iraqis but also on regional alliances and interests. But today, I would like to highlight two events drawing my interest. The first event is the portentous diplomatic spat between Iraq and Syria over the recent terrorist attacks in Iraq that sadly resulted once more in bloody fatalities among its long-suffering people. But in this instance, Iraq robustly accused Syria of facilitating those attacks through their porous borders, leading to the recall of ambassadors, the higher decibels of mutual accusations and then the expected meetings and smiles feigning that all is well in the political arena between them. However, a closer analysis of what the Syrian and Iraqi officials stated would indicate that the two countries are still very much in the midst of an unresolved crisis. Iraq believes that Syria is fomenting instability in Iraq, and so resists any such ploys by saying that it will never become another Lebanon-like theater. Syria, on the other hand, rejects any such political intentions. Complex reality The reality, I believe, is a bit more complex than what is being fed to the public in general. In fact, it is self-evident that Iraq has been a zone of conflicting interests between many regional powers as much as local actors. On the regional level, the main players at the moment are Syria, Iran and the USA, with each party attempting to market its interests by checkmating those of the other. As far as Syria is concerned, it is not solely a matter of the historical enmity between two political systems or ideologies, but equally one of regional and international spheres of influence. Syria wishes to remind the West that it is a major player who could either stabilize or destabilize the region as a function of the political realities affecting it. Iran is also another key actor, and it is interesting to note that the two main

mediators in this crisis were / are Turkey and Iran - not the Arab League - with the former trying to burnish its Islamic and regional credentials, and the latter strengthening the cards it holds largely in its negotiations with the 5+1 Group over its nuclear program. Within this wider constellation, the Iraqi actors themselves are divided in terms of loyalty and fealty, and are tugging the country into divergent crossroads. The other alarming issue is the persistent tension in the northern Iraqi province of Ninewa between the ruling Sunni-Arab AlHadba list which now enjoys majority representation in the provincial council and the Kurdish Ninewa Brotherhood list. The live tensions have placed the governor on a collision course with the Kurds, and there are constant recriminations about the future of this region within a larger Iraq as well as threats about possible boycotts or even unilateral independence. Disputed territories One major source of tension is the Iraqi Arab concern that Iraqi Kurds aspire to annex those ‘disputed territories’ into the Kurdistan Region, whereas the Kurds are insisting upon a restoration of the original demographics of the disputed cities - in accordance with the much-delayed implementation of Article 140 of the Constitution - that were altered forcibly and inequitably as a result of the policy of Arabization pursued by the late president Saddam Hussein who uprooted vast numbers of Iraqi Kurds from their homes and substituted them with Iraqi Arabs from the southern provinces and governorates. The diplomatic tussle between Syria and Iraq needs to be resolved in such a way that Iraq does not become an even nastier theater of operations for foreign powers but preserves a modicum of its sovereignty as it attempts to re-edify the country and salvage

it from the ruins that preceded - and also followed - two Gulf wars. As for the latest Iraqi Arab-Kurdish tensions, it is critical to check them too and so disallow further fragmentation of the country in a way that could boomerang against them. But here again, I come back to my principal thesis: it is up to Iraqis - Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds and all other smaller communities - to undergird the stability of

Iraq believes that Syria is fomenting instability in Iraq, and so it resists any such ploys by saying that it will never become another Lebanon-like theater. their country and lead it back to a prosperity based on investing in its abundant human and oil resources as a forerunner for the peace that all Iraqi leaders without exception owe to their constituents. Nobody is going to care much about Iraq when its own leaders choose not to stand together and manifest solidarity against all transgressions. The political omens today, with Iraqis coming toward the end of the holy month of Ramadan and ‘Eid Al Fitr, are tentative. The country is still torn, as it teeters between hope and despair, so what will be the bold choice of its leaders? © hbv-H @ 13 September 2009

L E T T E R S Lobbying for a brighter Where to go, what to future do in Kurdistan Thank you for the interview with Qubad Talabany, KRG representative in the US, which shed light on the efforts underway to secure the future of the Kurdish nation (‘An open door policy’ page 4 no.61) What the Kurdish nation has long needed is a stronger public relations campaign to get across the realities of the Kurdish people, and their perspective. It will be a slow and long process, but we are late in the game. Still, better late than never. I commend the work of Talabany and his team. They deserve respect and encouragement because it is their work that will bear an imprint on future US policy vis-a-vis Kurds and the region as a whole. Moreover, their mandate is not very different from that of SOMA Digest, so I urge your editorial team to continue with the invaluable work you have been doing since your very first issue - to enlighten and educate a foreign readership about ‘The Other Iraq’. James Huber DUBAI

I confess I was among those who was first puzzled by the launch of your new section entitled ‘Lifestyle’. I had felt it was out of place in the paper, which had so far ran sober analysis and reports on serious issues, but I’ve since come around. If you were to expand your paper eventually, I would urge for you to even add another page of listings, which is of great benefit to foreign newcomers to the Kurdistan Region. Such people are usually clueless about where to go and what to do here. I also recommend that you add phone numbers and addresses of the venues you list. Sham Anezi ERBIL

C O N TA C T U S LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Want to be published in SOMA? We’d really like to know what you’re thinking. If you’ve got a comment on one of our stories, or about an important issue, simply email it to: editor@soma-digest.com Letters may be edited for purposes of space, clarity and decency.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

BUSINESS|&

INVESTMENTS MARKET NEWS

The new frontier. US urges investors to explore prospects in Iraq and Kurdistan Region. Lawen A. Sagerma SLEMANI visible US presence has often been associated with troops and as American forces slowly withdraw from the country a new relationship is being cemented. Ties with the United States and their investment in the Kurdistan Region are seen as imperative to aiding the transition toward a more liberalized economy. The Iraq Business Initiative (IBI) which is made up of a group of distinguished American businesses aims to increase members’ access to Iraqi markets, including the markets of the Kurdistan Region. This will be done by helping expand investment opportunities and promoting dialogue and access to decision makers in the US, the Government of Iraq (GOI), and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), says Yasmin Motamedi, Executive Director of Middle Eastern Affairs in the United States Chamber of Commerce. While there are currently 49 American companies working in the Kurdistan Re-

gion, investment has been slow despite American companies in the energy, infrastructure, logistics/transportation and agriculture sectors expressing a keen interest in potential investment projects in what has famously been dubbed the 'Other Iraq.' “The American private sector has not been fully engaged in investing in Iraq. This is in part due to lack of knowledge on their part about the golden investment opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” Motamedi told SOMA Digest. “American private business has an opportunity that it cannot afford to miss. The elements are there to once again make Iraq a strong economy in the region,” she added. The 2006 KRG Investment Law favors foreign investors by providing them with the same rights as Iraqi investors, giving them full ownership of projects and companies. This has been a key point of attraction. “Per the law, non-Iraqi staff may freely transfer their profits or income abroad without paying taxes or customs. The law also provides major investment incentives, including exemptions from all non-customs taxes and duties on projects for 10 years,” says Motamedi.

Such enticements have formed the foundations of contracts as a growing number of foreign investors are beginning to acknowledge the economic benefits in the most secure and stable part of Iraq. “The US Chamber of Commerce’s Iraq Business Initiative, with the support of its membership, has taken a leadership role in facilitating and strengthening that engagement,” says Motamedi. “The Middle Eastern Affairs’ key mission for the remainder of this year and in 2010 is to work with American firms to bring more sustainable US investment from a widerange of sectors to Kurdistan.” Motamedi explains that in the past two years, the Chamber has taken five trade missions to Iraq, two of which were to the Iraqi capital and three to the Kurdistan Region. The Chamber is planning to take a fourth trade mission to the Kurdistan Region, tentatively in December 2009. Motamedi adds that in the past year, the Chamber’s Middle Eastern Affairs Department has hosted a number of business delegations and economic stakeholders from Iraq. Several distinguished Iraqi officials have attended, including the Kurdistan Re-

gion’s President Massoud Barzani, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Dr. Sami Al-Araji, Chairman of National Investment Commission of the Republic of Iraq, to name a few. “From 2 – 6 August, 2009, as part of the US Chamber of Commerce’s Kurdistan Task Force, the Chamber led an executive business delegation of 12 American companies to Kurdistan. The broader purpose of this delegation was to lend American businesses interested in exploring investment and partnership opportunities unique access to senior government and business leaders in the region,” says Motamedi. For three full days, the US Chamber delegates held high-level business-togovernment meetings with the KRG including meetings with the ministers of agriculture, planning, trade, interior, housing as well as the Chairman of the Investment Board and the governors of Erbil and Dohuk. “The delegation also participated in business-to-business meetings with prospective Iraqi business partners, and met with numerous regional chambers of commerce. Moreover, we conducted sector-specific site visits to see first-hand how the commercial climate is progressing favorably in the region,” says Motamedi. The economic recession that has plagued the world and the United States in particular was worrisome as predictions of the next Great Depression began to circulate. Many were led to believe that investment in Iraq and especially in the Kurdistan Region would soon cease.

“The current global economic crisis has brought about great positive shifts in international capital flows, including sovereign wealth and private capital in the Middle East and East Asia,” says Motamedi. “It has also brought continued diversification of emerging economies in many regions, and helped expand intraregional trade and investment in the Middle East and North Africa, South and Southeast Asia and

‘American private business has an opportunity... The elements are there to make Iraq a strong economy in the region.’ other regions.” Motamedi explains that “Kurdistan is a new frontier for trade and investment” and that it was the goal of the Chamber to ensure that American business takes advantage of the opportunities available there and in the rest of Iraq. “The US Chamber of Commerce is actively engaged in building bridges for global commerce and establishing the relationships necessary to ensure that our members are not locked out of lucrative international markets, including and especially in Kurdistan,” she says.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

The Kurd City project is set to reduce some of the housing problems in the city of Slemani.

Urban dreams. Expansion work in progress to meet needs of growing population. Barzan Kareem SLEMANI n the current global economic scene, the Kurdistan Region features prominent among areas most in need of investment in a variety of sectors, despite the ongoing financial crunch. Scenes of feverish construction have been common in the Kurdistan Region for past few years, drawing in further investment from abroad, and even vast numbers of Kurdish repatriates from Europe and

‘The economic condition in Iraq needs private initiatives and a larger role by the private sector and foreign investments...’ ALI BABAN, Planning Minister, on the Iraqi govnt’s inability to cover economic sectors’ needs.

‘Three laws will be given priority. The Supplementary Budget Law, an amendment to the Investment Law, and the Infrastructure.’ AAMERA AL BALDAWI, member of parliamentary economic comittee, on five crucial economic laws awaiting approval.

the United States. As a steady stream of families pour in, the number of residents has soared, compelling the regional government to expand cities to accomodate the growing population before it is faced with an urban crisis. Due to the expansion of the cities, the requirements are now greater than what they were decades ago. People are no longer content with basic necessities, which in some areas, remain entirely non-existent. To provide the residents with a better standard of life, the Kurdistan Region has undergone massive development and undertaken new resi-

‘When the company enjoys all the top-notch financial, administrative and technical potentials and Iraqi and foreign companies are working under its umbrella, it will definitely be able to attain significant breakthrough in Iraq’s oil exports.’ ABDULHADI AL HASSANI, committee deputy chairman, on the need to amend the financial appropriations aspect of the law on the national oil company.

dential projects and retail developments in the cities and the countryside. One of the most important residential projects in the region is the ‘Kurd City’ project in the city of Slemani. The project is underway in Kani Goma in western Slemani, building approximately 1,500 residential units of which 960 are near completion. The project is built as three floor apartments; each floor consists of 12 flats. There are three types of units, 100 square meters, 90 square meters and 70 square meters. Prices vary according to size and are affordable for lower-in-

‘The suggestion faced opposition by the govn’t representative in the parliament for the absence of sufficient financial resources.’ GHUFRAN AL SAADI, Iraqi MP, on approval of Sadrist bloc’s proposal to give each Iraqi family ID100,000 on the ration card base.

‘The law has had many bureaucratic obstacles, which we need to overcome.’ MOHAMMED KHALIL, a member of the parliamentary economic committee, on the admendment to the draft law on investment no. 13.

come families. A great number of them have already been reserved. The total covered area of the ‘Kurd City’ is approximately 160 donums (one donum is equal to 2,500 square meters), with the contract for its construction valued at US$40 million. Supervised by the KRG Board of Investment, it is being carried out by Nalia Company. “The first stage of the Kurd City project was built on 76 donums of land and consists of 80 three floor apartments with three different kinds of flats. This first stage included 960 residential units and work started on this in January 2009 and so far 80 percent of it has been completed,” said Aram Mohammad Saeed, project supervisor. In an attempt to expand the project, the government has decided to build ‘Kurd City Two’ as phase two of their project and have already begun work on it. “The prices for these units are very reasonable and affordable especially for the young and less well off. They can pay 80 percent of the money in installments over a period of ten years,” said Saeed. The apartments are built in stages, and those who wish to purchase can pay in installments. They pay once the first stage is completed, and pay again upon achievement of the second stage and so forth. With everything catered for, the flats are going for a steal at US$50,000 in comparison to the other rates that are currently available to the elites of the Kurdistan Region. The company has planned for more than just houses, aiming to provide a variety of public services, including a hospital, school, mosque, supermarket and

a play yard. This will render the project a fully serviced small town. Each flat has the same uniform design externally and inside there are three bedrooms, one living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. Along with the apartments, all kinds of services are underway, including roads, a sewage system, water and power supplies. “The government provides all the necessary services for investment projects and for this residential venture they will be undertaking the responsibility for water, electricity and roads along with bulding a hospital, school and mosque,” said Saeed. Concerning the engineering aspect, the project is a modern design with many high standard systems, providing a comfortable atmosphere for the residents. Moreover, a professional engineering staff is supervising the project and all the work is done according to international standards. The people, for their part, are very pleased with the project and they confess that they have received a great benefit from it and that it will go some way to decreasing a reasonable portion of the housing problems in the city “As a youth, I am very happy with the government and the Nalia Company for implementing this ‘Kurd City’ project. The process of the construction has been managed very well and I hope that such projects will continue," said Botan Sherko, a resident of Slemani. It is expected that the ‘Kurd City’ project along with other residential projects will go some way in reducing the residential problems in the city of Slemani and the greater Kurdistan Region.

‘The government provides all necessary services for investment projects. For this venture they’ll undertake responsibility for water, electricity and roads.’

‘It is necessary to set up a permanent headquarters to represent Egyptian petroleum companies in Baghdad... I will discuss with the officials in the Iraqi oil ministry key fields to be included in executive programs in which Egyptian companies will take part...’ SAMEH FAHMI, Egyptian Petroleum Minister, on Egypt being first Arab nation to have presence in Iraq through cooperation in the oil domain.

‘The water flow into the Euphrates River in Haseeba area has reached 430 cubic meters/second, in comparison to 300 cubic meters/second last week.’ DR ABDULLLATEEF JAMAL RASHEED, Iraqi Minister of Water Resources, on increase in water supplies from Turkey.

‘The compound will be working again... after a hiatus of three weeks due to high saline rate in the Shatt Al Arab water.’ HUSSEIN AL SHIMARI, Facility Director, on work resumption of petrochemicals plant in Basra.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

Culture FILMS

MUSIC

LITERATURE

INSIDE

The bookseller of Slemani tells his story ROSHNA RASOOL IN SLEMANI

HERITAGE

When hobbies become professions hat starts off as a hobby can become a lucrative profession. The crafts center was established in Slemani in 1971 by the then Ministry of Education and called ‘Malbandy Rahenani Pishayee’ (center for making handmade crafts). It later became known as the Handmade Crafts Center, which served to train professional artisans. Those who used to attend the center in previous years had left and used their skills for paid professions, but after 1997 this practice changed and the center became a training center for art teachers. Yearly, several three-month courses were offered. The center is made up of many sectors; metal work, flower arrangement, screen, knitting, weaving, carpentry, leather work, tailoring and ceramics. Kazhal Ibrahim, a teacher in the metal sector said: “In the area I work in, we work with copper of different thickness, with metal or wooden equipment. Those w h o come to us to learn will firstly be taught how to use the equipment along with steps needed to acquire skills for this art. The student comes in and is taught several things and is then allowed to apply the knowledge and skill to form a creation.” He explained that the work entails sketches and pictures according to the preference of the students and these are often of popular figures which become a source of inspiration as the art is based on producing images of such people. Due to renovation work in the center, the courses stopped running until September when they recommenced. The head of the center, Rostam Saeed, stated that the center is geared for art teachers, but sometimes organizations and other groups request entry and exceptions have been made on some occasions. “The work that we do is to help others, and so we are able to allow others onto the course,” he said. In another part of the center synthetic flowers are made of fabric and a special

molding material; cold ceramic. Another department is dedicated to teaching the art of weaving for all types of rugs. Shano Ahmed, a teacher of the weaving sector of the center, concedes that the art of weaving is not simple and needs a lot of time and dedication. “There are many steps and it is more exhausting compared to the other sectors so it’s something one needs to find motivation to do. Currently we are making small rugs due to the size of our looms which limits us in the size of the rug,” said Ahmed. “In 1973, I went to Iran to train for a course and I was able to bring back many things that benefited us in the weaving sector and allowed it to prosper,” explained Saeed. In this center, there is a knitting loom for knitted objects such as prayer mats, and has been working reliably since 1976. The leather needed for the leather w o r k comes f r o m Baghdad a n d Mosul a n d comes in many different colors and types. Pictures illustrated on the leather tend to be of renowned places and people. ‘Screening’ which involves pictures being put onto materials like glass, ceramics and fabric is another section within the center. The carpentry sector produces mainly objects that will be used for home décor. “There are many useful types of equipment available to us that can allow one to make all sorts of furniture as well as those objects already being created, but unfortunately there aren’t people that have come to benefit from this,” said Saeed. A center such as this one aids teachers in being able to improve their teaching skills and help the art community starting from young children and assist them in realizing their potential and talents. — BY ROSHNA RASOOL IN SLEMANI

The art of ballet is now being taught to ambitious students in the cultural city of Slemani.

(photo by Aram Eissa)

Getting the ballet rolling Laezeen Group introduces ballet onto the Kurdish arts and culture scene. Aram Eissa SLEMANI he city of Slemani has always been renowned as the region’s cultural capital and as such, various forms of arts have taken root and flourished here, but one artform that has long been neglected is the ballet. Small steps were taken in previous years to introduce ballet to the people of the Kurdistan Region with a number of performances by the Laezeen Group, which was founded after the Kurdish uprising in 1992. This group, under the direction of Rubar Ahmed Saeed along with a number of graduates from the Fine Arts Institute in Slemani, was able to introduce ballet to the Kurdish arts and culture scene. “After 1992, we presented a number of projects to the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture for the establishment of a school for ballet but we were not very successful,” said Saaed, who is a theater graduate from the Fine Arts Academy in Baghdad and finished ballet studies at the Music and Ballet School in the Iraqi capital. However, through the Laezeen Group, Saeed and her graduates were able to stage some performances over the years and in 2004 travelled to Germany to participate in ‘The Silky Road’ festival. “At the event we displayed a production called ‘The Kingdom of Head’ and this was a great way to show our abilities as Kurds to foreigners. We didn’t translate the piece

and let our movements tell the story,” she said. Following their success the Laezeen Group were also able to create a number of small groups in the Kurdistan regional capital Erbil and in Dohuk. This group along with its members, many of whom were trained under the guidance of Saeed, plus the courses they followed with the American Voices group who taught ballet under the direction of a number of professional ballet teachers went from strength to strength. They also participated in a workshop on postmodern dance with the French group ‘Balinda Baran’ although the initial teachings were predominately classical ballet. “After graduating from the Music and Ballet School in Baghdad I brought with me all my study material and the methods that I was taught with. I was able to create a school for teaching ballet and obtained approval from the Ministry of Education. It is the first of its kind in the Kurdistan Region,” said Saeed. This school extends over a period of 12 years for students who wish to learn the art of ballet. These 12 years are broken up into three stages, each of which lasts four years and students are accepted from six years of age and there is no gender bias as both girls and boys are admitted. This ballet school, which does not yet have its own building and must share with another school, has managed in the space of one year to hold its first festival. While some critics contest that it is sim-

ply too short a time for a festival to be performed, Saeed explains that the reason behind this was in large part down to the students’ desire to showcase their ability and it was further encouragement for them to flourish in this field. “Even though ballet has a longer history than cinema and television, it reached us very late and this has been unfortunate as we are missing a piece so it is important we work toward introducing ballet and familiarizing it with its audience,” said Saeed. Saeed explained that they have been very fortunate with the community spirit that has warmly embraced ballet, but she conceded that she thought conservative Kurdish society would prove to be an obstacle in the progression of this art form. “The families of our students have been incredibly supportive and have allowed their children to take trips outside the city and stay overnight. This has been very encouraging,” she said. Saeed also explains that there were some misconceptions as to what will be shown in the ballet performances. “On one occasion someone approached and said that he was told not to come because it wasn’t a good thing but admitted that what he had witnessed was nothing more than beauty on stage,” she said. Saeed explained that Kurdish culture is incorporated into the choreography of the productions as much as possible and that in the last four years of the students’ time at the school, they are taught folkloric Kurdish dance.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

Bookseller of Slemani How his humble beginnings as the son of a poor farmer fuelled his love for reading. Roshna Rasool SLEMANI eventy-year-old Mam Anwar works 13 hours a day doing what he loves best; encouraging people to develop an appreciation for literature. From 5am until late in the evenings, Mam Anwar can be found at the bookshop on Salam Street in Slemani, ready to receive prospective customers and engage them in discussions over the merits of one particular book or another. Mam Anwar hails from a family of poor farmers in a village near Bazyan. Born in 1939, he has led a varied life, starting as a student, serving as a Peshmerga and then becoming a teacher. He traveled to many places before finally settling in the city of Slemani. “I get great enjoyment from my job and this is why I wake up early every day to go to work and spend my time there until the evening,” he says. “My love for my job makes it so that I don’t feel tired from what I do, and my customers are mostly open-minded educated people who appreciate books.” What encouraged Mam Anwar to be a teacher, writer and bookseller was the community he grew up in. Coming from a family of uneducated farmers, it was these circumstances that propelled Mam Anwar to make a change in his own life. “The state my family was in pushed me to do more with my life and when I started school I fell in love with books and it began from there. I had lived a poor life for too long in more ways than one,” Mam Anwar explains. Through books, he says, he was able to understand more and be able to pave the way for a new kind of life, one that would help improve the state he was in on many levels for him as well as for his family. Mam Anwar believes that if it weren’t for his love of books, his children would not be where they are now. One of his sons is now an engineer, another son and a daughter are studying law. The latter is actually pursuing her studies in the US. The bookstore is seldom empty as many people come in on a daily basis and buy numerous books. However, Mam Anwar isn’t exhausted by the daily rush. “Those who come to my shop, I see them all as my own family, like my sons and daughters,” he says. “The job

Mam Anwar submits that it is was his humble upbringing and love for books that fuelled his desire for his bookstore. (photo by Aram Eissa)

I do is something that is related to society and the connections made, and the joy that comes from others appreciating what I fell in love with many years back.” Some 10,000 books line the shelves of Mam Anwar’s shop, a testament to his passion for literature, he confesses. He sells books with no prejudice or discrimination. “It doesn’t matter what language my

is a role model for many of his customers, working hard for what he loves. He has a heart full of compassion and is always calm.” Indeed, Mam Anwar’s personal charm has contributed to increasing his customer base over the years. He has been known for helping many students in Slemani as his book store has acted as a library, a resource center for those students who come to borrow his

‘Whatever their political view, religion or outlook on life, it makes no difference to me. I’m just here to provide books that will quench their thirst for knowledge...’

customer speaks, we’ll find means of communication. It doesn’t matter what books they come in for either. Whatever their political view, religion or outlook on life, it makes no difference to me. I’m just here to provide books that will quench their thirst for knowledge and broaden their path for thinking,” says Mam Anwar. If Mam Anwar feels affection for his customers, then this sentiment is reciprocated. Luqman Namiq, a loyal customer, said of Mam Anwar: “This man

books. “I come to Mam Anwar’s bookstore as he helps me a great deal with my studies, providing me with the necessary resources I need and he understands the hard life of a student,” says Hewa Ahmed, a university student. “I am able to take the books and then return them to him free of charge. This empathy he has for students has made us love and respect him even more,” he adds.

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

Lifestyle DINING

FASHION

INTERIORS

COMPILED BY AWARA JUMAA IN KIRKUK RANU TALABANY IN SLEMANI

LEISURE

As modernity seeps into everyday life in Kurdistan, affluent young Kurds find ways to reconcile global trends with tradition. The disparities between urbanites in Iraqi Kurdistan, and their counterparts in Europe or the US have quickly diminished over the past eight years. A torrent of foreign investment and a flood of foreign goods into the local bazaars means that even the ubiquitous ‘Blackberry’ is now available. See what’s new on the scene with Lifestyle, a vista to an emerging society.

For beleaguered Kirkukis, Muhseen Restaurant is a popular place to dine.

Munching at Muhseen’s

Network craze

Living under the constant threat of terror attacks, the beleaguered people of Kirkuk still find ways to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, especially those available in nearby, more secure parts of the country. Muhseen Restaurant, located on the road to Erbil, is very popular among Kirkukis. It is reputed for serving delectable traditional dishes, notably dolma (stuffed vine leaves) and ‘qozi’ (rice with boiled meat and soup). Muhseen is well known for its stellar service (often compromised by other venues) and tasty cuisine, which continue to attract big crowds both from the city and surrounds. Along with traditional Kurdish foods, it also caters for Western palettes and offers a variety of delicious salads.

Computer games have always been a hit with teenage boys. Network, a new arcade-like establishment, meets the electronic entertainment needs of Slemani’s idle male youth. Located on Salim Street, Network consists of four plasma widescreen TVs, each connected to a PS3 games console offering a variety of games ranging from football to the latest action and car racing games. Network also boasts 12 LG PC desktops, which are connected to a server enabling patrons to play against each other in games such as ‘call of duty’. Refreshments are available during breaks. Prices are considered reasonable, and the venue has been hugely successful.

Network caters for the electronic entertainment needs of Slemani’s teenagers.

IN FOCUS

Sarope - an acquired taste? or those who are accustomed to bacon and eggs, or the continental croissant and a glass of juice, ‘sarope’ may seem like an unconvential breakfast. Starting off the early morning with a hearty serving of boiled sheep’s head and feet, however, is not only common but very popular in the former Persian regions, the Caucasus and Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. Admittedly, the dish is more popular among men, who are less bothered with the consumption of excessive calories and their fat intake. Although there are restaurants that cater for this dish, which can only be described as an ‘acquired taste’, many families prefer to prepare the sarope themselves at home. Homemade sarope is said to taste distinctly better than those made in restaurants. Albeit, when made at home, sarope is typically eaten for lunch rather than for

Although there are restaurants that cater for this dish, which can only be described as an ‘acquired taste’, many families prefer to prepare the sarope themselves at home. Homemade sarope is said to taste distinctly better than those made in restaurants.

breakfast early in the morning at the crack of dawn. In the past, the necessary meat was bought the night before because cleaning it took a very long time. The head and the feet were the most difficult and time consuming until all the hairs were removed. Once this was done, the head and feet were held over a fire so as to burn off any residual hairs. Left to cook over overnight The intestines are also thoroughly cleaned out and cut up into a number of pieces that are determined by the number of servings one is preparing. The intestines are filled with cooked yellow rice, meat, nuts, almonds and lots of spices, then sewn up using simple needle and thread. This pouch is called a ‘gepa’. Before cookers became a common household item, the gepa and the head and feet were put into a pot of water and left over an oil heater or wood fire to cook thoroughly, sometimes overnight.

Legend has it that the high level of calcium in this dish is actually of great benefit to those with ligament problems in their knees. However, the high cholesterol levels should not be overlooked but suffice to say even doctor’s orders prohibiting sarope has never deterred anyone from eating it. During the Holy month of Ramadan, many diehard sarope fans bring the dish home from takeaways shops and indulge during Iftar or Suhoor. While it may seem unthinkable to some, the brain and the tongue are also eaten! Traditionally, however, consuming sarope was part of a ritual that involved the men going to the local public hamams (bath house) very early in the morning. After they came out of their bath, the men would sit together to eat their sarope and then cap it off with glasses of Kurdish tea. — BY ARAM EISSA IN SLEMANI

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

HISTORY

From the Gulf to Ararat Maureen McLuckie LONDON This account written by G.E. Hubbard, secretary of the delimitation commission is of his journey in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Kurdistan from November 1913 to April 1914. It is an account written by an astute political mind and contains much information about the political history of this volatile area. Like other travelogues he peppers his account with amusing anecdotes and vistas of the customs and folklore of the areas he travels through. The book has a chapter on the history, customs and manner of the Kurds. Printed in 1917 there are few first copies available and are quite expensive but the 2003 reprint can be bought from www.abebooks.co.uk from just $4.00 sterling. he chief feature of Halebja is, or was till quite recently, Lady Adela. Adela Khanum, to give her her usual title, belonging by birth to the family of viziers of Ardelan, a Kurdish tribe which, though now considerably diminished was a few centuries ago practically an independent sultanate, and still retains some of its old prestige. She married one of the chiefs of the Jaff tribe whose headquarters were Halebja. The Turkish Government, following their traditional customs of propitiating such of the borderland chiefs as were too powerful to be coerced by force, appointed her husband, Mahmud Pasha, Qaimakam of Shahr-i-zur. This led to his being absent for a large part of the year, with the result that Lady Adela, who was a person of eminently capable and decided character, replaced him at home. She not only managed her own and her husband’s private concerns, but also (if one may use the term) “ran” Halebja. She built a prison, law-courts where she acted as president, and a noble bazaar, besides several fine houses, which redeem Halebja from being, what it would otherwise be, merely an overgrown, squalid Kurdish village. At the time when this enterprising lady was in her prime, the whole district of Shari-zur was completely in the power of the Jaff tribe. In coalition with a smaller and very warlike tribe called the Hamawand, they controlled all the roads, and without their permission it was next to impossible for a caravan to pass from Suleymanieh to Halebja without being plundered. Constantinople had no authority at all, and when a Government telegraph line was put up the tribesmen merely appropriated the posts and wire for their own private uses without a word being said. With the Constitution, however a new order of things set in, and when we visited the town we found Turkish postal and telegraph services working with admirable regularity. Adela Khanum, moreover, had to our great disappointment passed more or less into retirement, her husband having died some years before.

“T

She is a personality of such interest, however, and her status presents such a contrast to the ordinary conception of woman’s position in Mohammedan countries, that I cannot forbear to quote from Mr Soane’s book a description of his meeting with her in 1909. Mr Soane was travelling in Kurdistan disguised as a merchant of Shiraz, and he thus relates the event:“In the manner of Kurdistan it was a private interview, so I found no more than twelve servants, retainers, and armed men standing at the door. The room was long and narrow, two walls of which were pierced with eight double doors opening on to a veranda, the other walls being whitewashed and recessed, as is done in all Persian houses. The floor was carpeted with fine Sina rugs, and at the far end stood a huge brass bedstead piled high with feather quilts. Before and at the foot of this lay a long, silkcovered mattress, and upon it sat the lady Adela herself, smoking a cigarette. The first glance told her pure Kurdish origin. A narrow oval face, rather large mouth, small black and shining eyes, a narrow, slightly aquiline hooked nose, were the signs of it; and her thinness in perfect keeping with the habit of the Kurdish form which never grows fat. Unfortunately, she has the habit

She built a prison, law-courts where she acted as president, and a noble bazaar, besides several fine houses... of powdering and painting, so that the blackened rims of her eye-lids showed in unnatural contrast to the whitened forehead and rouged cheeks. Despite this fault, the firmness of every line of her face was not hidden, from the eyes that looked out, to the hard mouth and chin. Her head-dress was that of the Persian Kurds, a skull-cap smothered with rings of gold coins lying one over the other, and bound with silk handkerchiefs of Yezd and Kashan. On each side the forehead hung the typical fringe of straight hair from the temple to the cheek below the ear, and concealing it by a curtain of hair, the locks called ‘agarija’ in the tongue of Southern Kurdistan. The black hair, plaited, was concealed under the silk handkerchief that hangs from the head-dress. Every garment was silk, from the long open coat to the baggy trousers. Her feet were bare and dyed with henna, and upon ankle and wrist were heavy gold circlets of Persian make. Upon her hands she wore seventeen rings, heavily jewelled, and round her neck was a necklace of large pearls, alternating with the gold-fishes that are the indispensable ornament of the Persian Kurd and of many of the Persians themselves.

Although Lady Adela’s position was probably unique owing to a happy combination of rank and character, the freedom of her sex which it exemplifies is entirely characteristic of the social life of Kurdistan. The veil and all it implies is unknown and the women are, for all practical purposes, as free as in England. My first walk through the streets of Halebja brought this vividly to view. In place of the black-draped ghosts which in other Mohammedan countries peep and giggle, or else bolt like frightened rabbits on the sudden appearance of a European, the good dames of Halebja sat and gossiped on their doorsteps”. Balka Jura, May 31 – We left Halabja this morning. For the first hour or two, while the caravan was still on the edge of the plain or among the lower hills, we passed through several Kurdish villages. Each one was built by the side of a stream and surrounded by trees, chiefly pomegranates. There is usually an artificial pond, or rather basin, in the centre of the village under some specially large trees; the basin, which is fed with running water, is enclosed with a broad stonecoping about 3 feet high, with a ledge of convenient height on the inner side which serves as a bench for the village grey-beards, who sit there and smoke and gossip and watch their own reflections in the water – an enviable occupation in this heat. The villages themselves were empty, and the people living in tabernacles of bough just outside. I wondered if spring cleaning was going on, or if they were indulging in the “simple life”. Neither was the case – they had simply run away from the fleas. A similar exodus takes place every year, I am told, during the “flea season,” the wretched folk being literally hunted out of their homes by these outrageous parasites, whose numbers are only reduced to a sufferable level after the whole house has been turned inside out and every sort of carpet and covering spread for some days in the full blaze of the sun. After five and a half hours of clambering up rocky ravines and traversing steep slopes we came into sight of our present campingplace. The last part of the approach gave one a delicious foretaste of the scenery we may expect in these mountains. The path drops quite suddenly over the edge of a narrow steep-sided valley full of fine walnut trees; at the further end there is a noisy waterfall, and near by a splash of magnificent purple iris. The village itself is on the opposite slope, to which it seems to be growing like a fungus to a rock. The angle is so steep that the flat brown roofs project one above the other in tiers, the door of each man’s house opening straight on to the roof of his neighbour down below, so that streets become a quite unnecessary luxury. A little tea-shop by the wayside, with which some local gentlemen in dress of flowered cotton were grouped, together with the trees, the waterfall, and the rather pagoda-like effect of the superimposed roofs, gave to the whole scene quite an atmosphere of Japan.

High expectations for the President of the Region

ANWAR M. QARADAGHI

FLASHBACKS s a result of the 25 July regional elections, the incumbent President Masoud Barzani obtained a landslide victory in the region's first direct presidential election. Perhaps it is now appropriate to reflect on what has so far been achieved and what more is expected of the holder of that post in the coming four years. As the Chief Executive of the Region, he represents the needs and aspirations of the inhabitants of the region. He ensures the sustained interest and active participation in the key affairs of the region in order to help identify anddevelop all aspects of making life happier and more meaningful. Therefore, for the region's president to be familiarized with the region's multiple requirements, it is proposed that during his new term, he makes it his normal practice to periodically visit all the region's areas so as to see and be seen, to talk and listen, to receive direct suggestions from and offer responses to them. In this manner he will have the gist of the people's views. In this connection, many feel that during the previous term, he did not provide time to see and be seen sufficiently within for instance, Slemani city and its surrounding areas – which may partly explain why many of the votes cast, were to others. Another equally important function of the President is to monitor the fiscal health of the region in such a way to diminish and if possible, eradicate all that is said about financial corruption at all levels of the region. Moreover, it is expected of the President, along with the KRG, to welcome the opposition parties, who have fared well in the elections and are considered a viable opposition, and to facilitate their envisaged positive role for the general good of the people and the smooth operation of the Kurdistan Parliament whose functional plate is full of essential goals that need to be tackled collectively. Tasks at hand include unemployment and human resource development, the economy and enhancing its internal factors and creating opportunities for the youth. Another important requirement for

the President, along with the KRG, is ample preparation for the national elections in Iraq that are scheduled for January 2010. Here, two important issues are currently at stake. One is the need for the President and KRG, to resolve the issues and disputes pending with the Federal Government in Baghdad to forge a reasonable reconciliation. While it is important to maintain the Kurdish position, it is equally necessary to maintain some flexibility. However, what is necessary is the kind of effective approach the Kurdish side will follow. In this regard, it might be appropriate to request honest brokers' mediations that can influence both sides in a spirit of objectivity that is based on the Iraqi Constitution. The other factor is sincere preparations, within the Kurdistan Parliament, KRG, and the constituent parties, to agree on a united stand for the major objectives of the region. It is believed that the Region's President, with his usual humane approach and realism, can contribute very actively towards achieving that requirement. In this connection, it is felt that in order to ensure the realization of the aims and aspirations of the people, it is only proper that all sides operate humbly and modestly with each other and attempt to disregard their own individual differences. In this they have a duty towards the whole people. This would be no come down for any one of them but rather a true Kurdish national pride in which all can secure a win-win result with the consequence that they then present themselves as one united Kurdistan front to the Iraq High Independent Electoral Commission and the whole nation at large. Perhaps another desirable factor is to do with the accessibility of the Region's President for the people at large. He needs to ensure that there is not much red-tape deterring members of the public who need to meet and see their president. He is everybody's president within the region and such meetings may have much useful benefit to enable the Regional President to conduct his functions even better. It is desirable that all top senior public officers realize that no person or party can indefinitely sustain power and authority that is merely based on past legacy and achievements. They need to work for their support among the masses of the people through their hard work and obvious dedication. Finally, it is hoped that all concerned will continue supporting democracy and the rule of law, so as the Kurdistan Region can continuously develop towards institutionalization and a transparent society. anwarqaradaghi2003@yahoo.co.uk

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

SOCIETY| &

LIFE TIMES

National Youth Orchestra of Iraq perform at the Art Palace.

(photo by Aram Eissa)

A new underpass at the Saholaka Street.

(photo by Aram Eissa)

The Cultural Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Directorate holds an exhibition at Tawar Hall. (photos by Aram Eissa)

With the Holy Month of Ramadan came a reminder of the joys of community life. Days were filled with activity until sunset when all sat down to break their fast with friends and loved ones.

People break their fast at the Great Mosque in Slemani.

(photo by Ranj Abdulla)

A calligraphy competition under the name of Khalid Zandar at the Fine Arts Hall.

(photo by Aram Eissa)

Issue no.62 Sept 18 - Oct 1, 2009

The teahouse is a popular Kurdish institution, where wisemen (or, wiseguys) gather every evening to discuss life, politics and the future. Dr Sherko Abdullah lends an ear to the talk, and reports what Bayiz and Jwamer had to say... JWAMER Please Kaka Bayiz. Can you check my pulse?

BAYIZ Why don’t they send a brilliant doctor to cure him?

JWAMER Which means?

BAYIZ Why? What’s wrong with you?

JWAMER Because it is a hopeless case.

JWAMER I don’t know. I think I have a serious disease.

BAYIZ Oh no, you mean that our media will die soon?

BAYIZ We may have lost interest in our media, but still we follow the news. We are psychologically abnormal.

BAYIZ God forbid. What is your complaint?

Our media is gravely ill. Send for a doctor!

BAYIZ Not only you, about your mother, your sister. Just to be famous.

Nevermind. It’s a hopeless cause.

BAYIZ Excuse me? This is not a disease. We all have the same problem. You are not alone.

JWAMER But what does he do with such bloody fame? BAYIZ He acquires the support of a big politician.

JWAMER I wish I were alone.

JWAMER And then what?

BAYIZ You must be joking.

BAYIZ He gains more fame, attacks more people and acquires more support.

JWAMER I’m very serious, more serious than the Swine Flu which is supposed to visit us in the Fall.

JWAMER And finally?

BAYIZ Swine Flu?! Such propaganda! JWAMER No, I told you my belief is different from my speech. BAYIZ Rest assured. Nobody is sick. JWAMER Except one. Our media is gravely ill.

BAYIZ Don’t shout, otherwise a bloodthirsty journalist will hear it and will write an offensive article about you. JWAMER About me??

At the chaikhana

JWAMER What I believe and what I say are not in harmony.

JWAMER But I need that feeling. You must give me something to be proud of!!!

BAYIZ Finally we should say bye bye. JWAMER No, our interest in the media will die.

JWAMER Thanks now I can proudly say that I’m sick.

BAYIZ No problem. I myself have lost interest in my political party, but I’m still working in it.

BAYIZ Not only you. We are all sick. So don’t be so proud.

JWAMER Bye bye to who? BAYIZ To all ethics. Dr Sherko Abdullah is editor of Sekhurma Cartoon magazine.