New York Times: Recalling a Tortured Past, Iraqi Kurds to Vote on Independence
MALA OMER, Iraq — The Kurdish soldier, wounded in battle last year, rose in pain from his wheelchair. As his reedy legs wobbled, his 13-year-old son thrust a cane into his hand.
The soldier, Dana Salah Hama, was undergoing physical therapy at his home last week to become strong enough to hobble to a polling station on Monday, when Iraqi Kurds plan to vote on independence from Iraq.
For Mr. Hama, and for several million fellow Kurds in the autonomous enclave of Kurdistan, the vote is a down payment on a dream deferred. Denied a homeland after World War I, Iraq’s Kurds are determined to escape their tortured past and fulfill a national destiny: a country to call their own.
“Kurds know no one will protect us but ourselves,” said Mr. Hama, 35, whose back was injured by an roadside bomb as he battled Islamic State militants last year. “That is why I fought – for the day we Kurds will be both free and safe.”
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WNU Editor: I predict that 95% will support independence.
More News On Iraq's Kurds Getting Ready For Their Independence Referendum
Kurds press historic independence vote despite regional fears -- Reuters
Kurds ready to 'pay any price' as independence vote nears -- France 24
Afraid of their waning power once Isis is defeated, the Kurds are calling for independence from Iraq -- The Independent
Kurdish city gassed by Saddam hopes referendum heralds better days -- Reuters
Coalition fears Iraqi Kurds' vote for freedom will ignite tinderbox -- The Times
4 comments:
The state dept. has already said that they oppose the independence movement and if the US isn't going to stand behind their referendum then it means very little.
The U.S. is not the arbiter of what countries will or will not be formed. What the state department says means very little given the erratic nature of the trump administration. Although U.S. support would probably be welcomed, the U.S. has such a spotty record of support for the Kurds, I'm quite sure they can find their own way without that support. The next administration will have an enormous task ahead of it trying to restoring some measure of U.S. credibility.
U.S. is not the arbiter, yes. But that's the same for Iran and Turkey.
Anonymous Jac said...
U.S. is not the arbiter, yes. But that's the same for Iran and Turkey.
September 24, 2017 at 9:45 PM
If I'm understanding you correctly I think I agree.
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