False "Kurdistan" Dreams

[baklawa]

In Western media, Iraq's Kurdistan is the land of glittering dreams, where democracy prevails and people lead prosperous lives.

But the picture from inside the autonomous region is quite different.

"Kurdistan isn?t a place to dream anymore," Saleh, not his real name, told IslamOnline.net.

Like many residents of Kurdistan, he is too afraid to be named criticizing the local government for fear of reprisals.

His personal experience is enough proof.

"My brother was arrested three years ago after he tried to form a new party in Kurdistan with his friends," he recalls.

"In addition, all of our relatives working at the government have lost their jobs, exactly like what Saddam was doing in Iraq."

Kurdistan was originally established as the Kurdish Autonomous Region in 1970 following the agreement between the Baghdad government and Kurdish community leaders.

The three northern provinces of Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah currently make up the autonomous region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government also has a de facto authority over half of Kirkuk province and parts of Diyala, Salahaddin and Ninawa provinces.

"Journalists are threatened and work scared from the government," Baraw Rojihat, a Kurdish journalist who left the region last year fearing reprisal after writing articles critical of the government, told IOL.

"Residents never speak badly about the governors afraid of being arrested and put in prisons where human rights is a dream."

But the Kurdistan government flatly denies any human rights violation.

"Human rights have always been one of our priorities, including inside our prisons, and human rights organizations had always open doors in our land," Raman Ahmed, a senior official in the Kurdish government, told IOL.

"The Kurdistan government works with transparency."

Since the 1970s, Kurdistan has been dominated by the Barzani and the Talabani families.

"All decisions about the future of the Kurdish people are in the hands of two families who announce a democratic government but act under a dictatorial behavior," insists Rojihat, the journalist.

"Only those from the two families are responsible for the governing system in Kurdistan."

There are only two parties in the region; the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Massoud Barzani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of Jalal Talabani.

Any attempt to create new parties is swiftly and brutally suppressed, as was the case with Saleh's brother.

The long-time KDP and PUK rivals have long switched powers and controlled all sides of life in the region.

Barzani himself is president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, his nephew Nechirvan is its prime minister and his son Masrour is the intelligence chief.

Talabani's son Qubad is the representative of the local government in the US, his nephew is heading the International Relations Ministry and his cousin is the minister of finance.

Many Kurds lament that the dynasty system is not the only problem in their northern enclave.

"Living conditions, although stable, never show signs of improvements," said Rojihat.

Kurds complain about the lack of proper healthcare, education, clean drinking water and appropriate transportation.

Although Kurdistan has been primed for a wave of foreign investment after the US-led invasion in 2003, there is neither a banking system nor a monetary policy.

Business and financial deals are made in the most primitive way.

Worse still, billions of dollars allocated to the local government never reach the people, allegedly going to the pockets of the two ruling dynasties.

"A huge part of this money goes to the pockets of Talabani and Barzani parties and families," charges Saleh.

Diar Mohammed, also not his real name, says that after years of patience, he has lost faith in leading a better life in new Kurdistan.

"For years, we were accepting everything the government was telling us to do because we believed that we could reach democracy here and be an example of development for the central Iraqi government," said the frustrated shopkeeper.

"Now, we see their lives improving and democracy flourishing while we are stopped in time under a military and dictatorial system."

One recent survey in the region found that 83 percent of respondents say the place needs to change.

But Um Ferzo, a mother of three and a primary school teacher, does not except any.

"Elections will soon take place in the Kurdish provinces and although we would like to have a large number of options, we know that power won't switch hands," she told IOL.

"We will have to dream about a day when they [Barzani and Talabani families] will lose power like Saddam did."

http://www.humanityvoice.net/news_details.php?id=2931

 

[jonadona]

This is so Assyrian of you, to just blame everything on Kurds.  Go live under a rock...  Even if it's all the way back in Iraq. Pun!

 

[Knight]

This is just so obvious though. But the US is keeping a blind eye because they can still use the Kurds against Iran and Syria.

 

[jonadona]

This is just so obvious though. But the US is keeping a blind eye because they can still use the Kurds against Iran and Syria.

It's not so obvious to most Assyrians/Chaldean.

 

[chaldean]

This is so Assyrian of you, to just blame everything on Kurds.  Go live under a rock...  Even if it's all the way back in Iraq. Pun!

You think the KDP only consists of Kurds? The Christians of the party steal and do as much as the Kurds do.

This article is overexaderating. Life is pretty good in the KRG. Its simple; if you don't get into the way of the ruling party, you have a good life. Not getting into the way means not being involoved in politics. So it doesn't mean you have to swear allegence to the party. But if you are involved in politics, then you better be on the right side. Thats how it works. Thats how the entire middle east works.

 

[Concerned Assyrian]

This article is overexaderating. Life is pretty good in the KRG. Its simple; if you don't get into the way of the ruling party, you have a good life. Not getting into the way means not being involoved in politics. So it doesn't mean you have to swear allegence to the party. But if you are involved in politics, then you better be on the right side. Thats how it works. Thats how the entire middle east works.

Khoni chaldean .. the argument made by many people on this forum is that despite the stability and increasing prosperity in Northern Iraq, we should not accept that as being enough because then we come terribly close to Baathist Iraq. The argument is that Assyrians, and indeed all others, should have political as well as religious and cultural rights.

 

[chaldean]

With the Baath, you had to swear alligence and join the party. You had to be loyal to the party.

Its different here in the KRG. This is mostly because capitalism has kicked in. So, as long as you mind your own business, and don't get involved in politics, then no one will bother you. Almost half of the working force in Erbil now works for the private sector - this means the government has no control over you what so ever.

 

[ASHUR]

With the Baath, you had to swear alligence and join the party. You had to be loyal to the party.

Its different here in the KRG. This is mostly because capitalism has kicked in. So, as long as you mind your own business, and don't get involved in politics, then no one will bother you. Almost half of the working force in Erbil now works for the private sector - this means the government has no control over you what so ever.

So you believe everyone should just give up and throw their hands in the air and say thanks for the pink house? 

Many people think it's better to die on your feet, than live on your knees.  Obviously, you're not one of those people.

 

[Knight]

So you believe everyone should just give up and throw their hands in the air and say thanks for the pink house? 

Many people think it's better to die on your feet, than live on your knees.  Obviously, you're not one of those people.

Brilliant!

 

[baklawa]

With the Baath, you had to swear alligence and join the party. You had to be loyal to the party.

And it's not that way under the KRG?  Chaldean you must really think we're stupid.  Many of us still have family in the region, or at least some contacts, so I don't know what you're trying to pull.  You mean to tell me you are living under KRG and (persumably) still working without having become a member of a kurdish party? I call bs.

 

[khayaatour]

If they dreaming about Kurdistan then we have Assyria as well....stupid qurdaye

 

[chaldean]

And it's not that way under the KRG?  Chaldean you must really think we're stupid.  Many of us still have family in the region, or at least some contacts, so I don't know what you're trying to pull.  You mean to tell me you are living under KRG and (persumably) still working without having become a member of a kurdish party? I call bs.

Yes, I have a job, and I didn't have to join the KDP. If you don't believe me, then come to Iraq yourself. Again, maybe you didn't read what I wrote, but 50% of Erbil's economy now is in the hands of the private sector. Regarding, joining the party, of course, your life gets alot better if you do join. But the point is, you don't have to join the KDP in order to live a normal life. That was not the case with the Baath.

So you believe everyone should just give up and throw their hands in the air and say thanks for the pink house?  

Give what up? We, Christian citizens of the KRG are not being opressed. We have normal lives. Actually, we have above normal lives compared to the rest of the Iraqi population.

There are two problems. The first is that the diaspora is being misinformed about the Christians in the KRG. The second is the Assyrian diaspora does not "get" or know the Christians of Iraq. And no matter how many times I explain it here, it just goes over your heads. So the only solution is for each one of you to come to northern Iraq yourselves.

 

[jacob]

Give what up? We, Christian citizens of the KRG are not being opressed. We have normal lives. Actually, we have above normal lives compared to the rest of the Iraqi population.

There are two problems. The first is that the diaspora is being misinformed about the Christians in the KRG. The second is the Assyrian diaspora does not "get" or know the Christians of Iraq. And no matter how many times I explain it here, it just goes over your heads. So the only solution is for each one of you to come to northern Iraq yourselves.

Why would I want to move to a place that teaches me to refer to "the Assyrian diaspora" and "the Christians of Iraq"?  Sounds like a one step brainwash camp to me.

And what's a "Christian citizen" anyway?  Did the Kurds form a new region of Jesusstan and not tell us?  Did they build you some nice churches?

 

[jonadona]

Yes, I have a job, and I didn't have to join the KDP. If you don't believe me, then come to Iraq yourself. Again, maybe you didn't read what I wrote, but 50% of Erbil's economy now is in the hands of the private sector. Regarding, joining the party, of course, your life gets alot better if you do join. But the point is, you don't have to join the KDP in order to live a normal life. That was not the case with the Baath.

Bullsh!t.  We had a great life and no one in my family or close relatives ever joined the Baath party.  The Kurds are worse than the Arabs.  You can't understand this because you choose not to look at history, rather just the hand that feeds you now.

Would I choose one over the other?  No!  But you do because you weren't there when the Baath controlled everything.  I can't invent a time machine, so you'll never 'get it'. 

 

[jonadona]

Give what up? We, Christian citizens of the KRG are not being opressed. We have normal lives. Actually, we have above normal lives compared to the rest of the Iraqi population.

Normal?  So did we with the Arabs.  So did we with Saddam.  But you won't 'get it' because you weren't there.  If the mentality of people changes like yours by moving to Northern Iraq, then no one should move back there.  You have no history with Kurds.  You have no history in Iraq with Arabs.  That's a huge problem.  Especially when you try to tell us what we don't 'get' about Iraq.  You need to get it first.  You need to remember that secularism has to be taught to our people.  Assyrians and Chaldeans.  I thought you got that before.  But things sure have changed.

 

[baklawa]

Bullsh!t.  We had a great life and no one in my family or close relatives ever joined the Baath party.  The Kurds are worse than the Arabs.  You can't understand this because you choose not to look at history, rather just the hand that feeds you now.

Ditto.  My family in Baghdad never joined the Baath party, and although their life would have been a lot easier if they had, it wasn't horrible either.

 

[jonadona]

Ditto.  My family in Baghdad never joined the Baath party, and although their life would have been a lot easier if they had, it wasn't horrible either.

The only people I knew of that joined were the ones that wanted to get rich fast and live on easy street.  Funny thing is they didn't, and on top of it, they became the outcast of society.  That's gonna be the harsh reality for these Kurd lovers.

 

[baklawa]

I'm curious....chaldean if you claim to not be a member of any kurdish party, are not a supporter of zowaa because they are not nationalistic enough for you, don't like the chaldean political parties because you consider yourself Assyrian....which political party do you support and/or intend to vote for?

 

[Barwarneta]

So you believe everyone should just give up and throw their hands in the air and say thanks for the pink house? 

Many people think it's better to die on your feet, than live on your knees.  Obviously, you're not one of those people.

:lol: :lol: :bigarmhug:

 

[chaldean]

Why would I want to move to a place that teaches me to refer to "the Assyrian diaspora" and "the Christians of Iraq"?  Sounds like a one step brainwash camp to me.

And what's a "Christian citizen" anyway?  Did the Kurds form a new region of Jesusstan and not tell us?  Did they build you some nice churches?

This goes back to you, an Assyiran, not being able to relate or know Iraqi Christians. The Kurds did not make us Christian only, we made ourselves Christian over the course of time. And yes, they have built great churches for us, and the Iraqi Christians are flattered by them. And that is what counts for Iraqi Christians - religion. I know, it doesn't mean **** to you, because your an Assyrian, a person that only cares about your ethnic identity. Well, the Iraqi Christians don't have one. They only care about having a normal life; practicing their religion, security, employement. Thats it. They don't care if Zowaa is being oppresed. They don't care about not having an ethnic identity. They do care about keeping their region secular thou, because this ties to their security.

Normal?  So did we with the Arabs.  So did we with Saddam.  But you won't 'get it' because you weren't there.  If the mentality of people changes like yours by moving to Northern Iraq, then no one should move back there.  You have no history with Kurds.  You have no history in Iraq with Arabs.  That's a huge problem.  Especially when you try to tell us what we don't 'get' about Iraq.  You need to get it first.  You need to remember that secularism has to be taught to our people.  Assyrians and Chaldeans.  I thought you got that before.  But things sure have changed.

Ditto.  My family in Baghdad never joined the Baath party, and although their life would have been a lot easier if they had, it wasn't horrible either.

What utter bull****. Yeah, life was ''normal'' under the Baath, yet you all (including my family as well) left Iraq along with 1,000,000 Iraqi Christians during the Baath era. Iraqi Christians under the KRG don't have to worry about their security. They're not suppressed either. With the baath, you didn't know when they would kidnap your family and kill them. The Baath destroyed 200 Assyrian villages, yet your gonna tell me life was normal? They suppressed Iraqi Christians big time, forcing Arab identity on us, yet your going to tell me it was normal? Only a Baathi would agree with you.

I'm curious....chaldean if you claim to not be a member of any kurdish party, are not a supporter of zowaa because they are not nationalistic enough for you, don't like the chaldean political parties because you consider yourself Assyrian....which political party do you support and/or intend to vote for?

Thanks for acknowledging that the only thing I care politically is Assyrianism. Since they're isn't one that just screams out loud Assyria to me, I don't vote. But I am not the typical Iraqi Christian. The typical one doesn't care about politics and doesn't vote, but the ones that do, simply vote for the national secular ones. ie KDP/PUK, or Arab ones like Allawi, etc.  

 

[baklawa]

What utter bull****. Yeah, life was ''normal'' under the Baath, yet you all (including my family as well) left Iraq along with 1,000,000 Iraqi Christians during the Baath era. Iraqi Christians under the KRG don't have to worry about their security. They're not suppressed either. With the baath, you didn't know when they would kidnap your family and kill them. The Baath destroyed 200 Assyrian villages, yet your gonna tell me life was normal? They suppressed Iraqi Christians big time, forcing Arab identity on us, yet your going to tell me it was normal? Only a Baathi would agree with you.

I never said life was "normal", re-read what I wrote.  They were not comfortable, but at least they could walk out to the market, get a job and live life without the threat of death or being forced to join a party, neither of which they can do today in Baghdad OR in the north.  As bad as it is right now in Baghdad, and they described it to me as "unliveable", they would rather stay there then move to the north and become pawns of the kurds. 

Thanks for acknowledging that the only thing I care politically is Assyrianism. Since they're isn't one that just screams out loud Assyria to me, I don't vote. But I am not the typical Iraqi Christian. The typical one doesn't care about politics and doesn't vote, but the ones that do, simply vote for the national secular ones. ie KDP/PUK, or Arab ones like Allawi, etc. 

Actually I was being sarcastic when I implied that a kurdish apologist could be an Assyrian nationalist.  It's kind of an oxymoron, I'm surprised it went over your head.

 

[chaldean]

You know what is an oxymoron? You being anti-religion yet all this hard work you in California is just for religious people in Iraq   You think all this hard work you put is for Assyria the nation. But your just aiding people who probably wouldn't take the aid from you if they knew your stance on God.

I never said life was "normal", re-read what I wrote.  They were not comfortable, but at least they could walk out to the market, get a job and live life without the threat of death or being forced to join a party, neither of which they can do today in Baghdad OR in the north.  As bad as it is right now in Baghdad, and they described it to me as "unliveable", they would rather stay there then move to the north and become pawns of the kurds.  

You lie. Simply put.

 

[baklawa]

You know what is an oxymoron? You being anti-religion yet all this hard work you in California is just for religious people in Iraq   You think all this hard work you put is for Assyria the nation. But your just aiding people who probably wouldn't take the aid from you if they knew your stance on God.

You lie. Simply put.

Oh, that's rich coming from someone of your worthless character.  Like I care if a kurdish apologist can't handle the truth.  And my personal religious beliefs have zero to do with anything.  I don't care if the aid I work hard to raise for my people is going to someone who is very religious.  The fact that they are my people is what matters, nothing else.  Prick.

 

[jacob]

This goes back to you, an Assyiran, not being able to relate or know Iraqi Christians. The Kurds did not make us Christian only, we made ourselves Christian over the course of time. And yes, they have built great churches for us, and the Iraqi Christians are flattered by them. And that is what counts for Iraqi Christians - religion. I know, it doesn't mean **** to you, because your an Assyrian, a person that only cares about your ethnic identity. Well, the Iraqi Christians don't have one. They only care about having a normal life; practicing their religion, security, employement. Thats it. They don't care if Zowaa is being oppresed. They don't care about not having an ethnic identity. They do care about keeping their region secular thou, because this ties to their security.

You make my point for me.  The Kurds built the churches and our people are flattered by them.  So tell me again why they would call themselves Christian only?  Don't bs me and tell me this is something we did to ourselves.  The people of my father's generation didn't do it.  I've never met an Assyrian here that only called themselves Christian.  But then again I've only met Assyrians that left Iraq, not the KRG.  Think about that.

It is easy for the Kurds to grant us our religious freedoms and build us churches.  Churches and priests are easily bought off with new fancy buildings and they will quickly use their pulpit and position in the community to preach their owners' message.  Church is only concerned with preserving religion, nothing else matters.  This is why the Kurds use this approach and it's why they can get church leaders to comfort people in religion and forget their ethnic identity.  This is something that is happening more and more under oppression as times get harder for Assyrians.  It is natural that they retreat into the comfort of their religion, but that is not their own fault.  It is the fault of their oppressors, the apologists, and the traitorous agents working for the oppressors.  It is the Kurds of the KRG, not Iraq, that are using this religion to divide us and to help erase our ethnicity from Iraq.  This is why you can make your claim that the KRG is relatively safe for Christians.  But we know it is not safe for Assyrians, which is why people like you who have a user name here of chaldean, and a signature saying you love Assyria, will now call yourself an Iraqi Christian.  Oh how quickly the principled can fall.  Tell me again about how it was Iraq that forced this change upon you.

 

[jonadona]

What utter bull****. Yeah, life was ''normal'' under the Baath, yet you all (including my family as well) left Iraq along with 1,000,000 Iraqi Christians during the Baath era. Iraqi Christians under the KRG don't have to worry about their security. They're not suppressed either. With the baath, you didn't know when they would kidnap your family and kill them. The Baath destroyed 200 Assyrian villages, yet your gonna tell me life was normal? They suppressed Iraqi Christians big time, forcing Arab identity on us, yet your going to tell me it was normal? Only a Baathi would agree with you.

You just don't get it because you weren't there.  There is no need to speculate on why our families left Iraq. 

You say only a Bathee would agree with me that we had a normal life?  Look at what you're saying about the life we have there now.