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Iraq
Kurds Will Help Preserve U.S. Work, Sacrifice in Iraq
2009-02-05
Your editorial "Obama and Iraq" (Jan. 27) highlights many factors regarding the U.S. strategy in Iraq but neglects to mention the role of the Kurds. Within Iraq, the Kurds have been America's strongest ally in both Iraq's liberation from Saddam Hussein and in the democratic transition after the fall of the previous regime. Our peshmerga forces have fought and died alongside U.S. soldiers combating terrorists in Iraq. The Kurds deeply appreciate what the U.S. has done by ridding Iraq of a regime that employed chemical weapons against us and that was responsible for the death or disappearance of more than 180,000 Kurds.

The autonomous Kurdistan Region is a model for the rest of the country with respect to our culture of tolerance and our commitment to good governance. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is also unwavering in its support for federalism and the Iraqi constitutional process. We are also concerned about any possible trends that seek to accentuate tensions between Arabs and Kurds, whether in Mosul, Kirkuk, Diyala or elsewhere.

The KRG agrees that the drawdown of U.S. forces must be responsible, and driven more by conditions inside Iraq rather than by a timetable. The gains in Iraq over the past year have been substantial, but the politics remain fragile, especially following the provincial elections held on Jan. 31. We still must navigate the referendum on the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement to take place late this summer, and parliamentary elections to be held by the end of 2009. Should there be a U.S. redeployment in Iraq, the KRG is fully committed to working as a partner with the U.S. to ensure security and stability in Iraq.

Falah Mustafa Bakir
Erbil, Kurdistan Region
Iraq

Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC

#5  That's what northern Syria is for.
Posted by: ed   2009-02-05 13:33  

#4  Too bad they don't have a port.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2009-02-05 12:58  

#3  With all appropriate considerations for their many blemishes, blah blah blah, this sort of letter tragically confirms that the Iraqi Kurds have more honor and sense of responsibility about the sacrifices of American blood than about half of Americans themselves. As a special forces friend has said since 2006, the biggest challenge to morale is now "why bother?", when large parts of the country and most of the "elites" are indifferent or hostile to their efforts and sacrifice.
Posted by: Verlaine   2009-02-05 12:41  

#2  From day 1, the Kurds should have been wheeling and dealing at a furious pace to insure their rear ends were covered six ways from Sunday. They rate right up there with Jews for being persecuted and hated in the Middle East.

And though they have made some ties with Israel, they should have strongly and openly come out as Israel's second best friend and military ally. This would have caused major shock waves in the ME, as well as some serious realignments of power.

The Kurds should be shaking in their boots right now. While it was good that they spent their money on economic development, it also means that the Arabs, Turks, Iranians, and Syrians are going to want to steal what they have built.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2009-02-05 09:01  

#1  Within Iraq, the Kurds have been America's strongest ally

And therefore, now, will get the biggest shaft.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2009-02-05 07:48  

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