Fresh from an exciting trip to the Kurdistan Region, and off the back of our momentous elections, I'm back in Washington, D.C.. While some evolution has taken place in Kurdistan, it looks like not much changes in 'good old' Washington. Even after what has largely been dubbed a resoundingly successful election, some US based political pundits, scholars and intellectuals, still cant help but only focus on the negatives.
Yesterday, I had the distinct pleasure of joining my friends Henri Barkey of the Carnegie Endowment, author Aliza Marcus and Joost Hiltermann of the International Crisis Group to discuss the Kurdistan Region’s recent elections and their implications for Iraq.
Some of my fellow panelists, all of whom I admire and respect, either tried to pain a picture of looming instability in Kurdistan in the post election period (between KDP-PUK and/or Baghdad and Erbil) or, rather than focus on the big picture, they focused on the regrettable incidents that occured during the election period, involving over-excited party loyalists, the few skirmishes that took place and the very unfortunate death of a citizen from friendly celebratory gunfire . These incidents, while regrettable, should not overshadow the fantastic and rigorous campaign and election process where almost 80 percent of the eligible voters in Iraqi Kurdistan participated.
Our region’s fledgling democracy conducted as smooth an election that can be found in any emerging nation. While vote-rigging commonly plagues young democracies—and accusations of foul play are largely ignored—in the Kurdistan Region our elections have been declared well-organized, peaceful and secure by third-parties from the U.N. to the E.U, and in accordance with international standards by the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq (IHEC). We are expecting certified results from IHEC within days. These are facts that should not be overlooked.
Adding to this positive news, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the Kurdistan Region’s President Masoud Barzani vowed on Sunday to “resolve disputes over land and oil.” It is a promising time for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. I just hope Washington’s intellectuals can see what is truly occurring here. Yesterday at least I wasn’t going to let their skepticism get the best of them.
Listen to the discussion at the Carnegie Endowment, or you can view some of my remarks at this link on the KRG’s YouTube channel.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
If celebratory gunfire = instability, then heaven help most major US cities when their NBA team wins the World Championship...
ReplyDeletevery realistic, adding on that, today's good news, very successful election which brought about a good mix of different political parties, this is a very healthy and well balanced Parliament.. this is the democracy in action. Congratulation to all.
ReplyDeleteAs an American-Kurd, I would like to add some comments. Everyone knows that listi Kurdistani cheated in Hewler and Duhok. Steps should be taken to compensate for the extra seats Kurdistani list is getting due to cheating; this would legitimize parliamant among the Kurds, and in return strengthen the KRG in Baghdad and else where. Qubad, I respect you more than I do of most Kurds in politics. You are more capable than most people in the KRG. As a Kurd, I wish you and Kurdistan success. And this is why I criticize.
ReplyDeleteAs an American, I don't like to see any foreigner criticize America; and this is true of most Americans. So lumping all of Washington together and describing it in a negative manner is not a good strategy. Americans are allowed to criticize their own people and government, but that same right is not extended by Americans to foreigners. You are not Lou Dobbs or Bill O'reilly, and you should not write and speak like them. They speak and claim to work for America; when they criticize Washington, it is for the benefit of Americans. You represent a foreign entity, when you criticize Washington, it is seen as for the benefit of foreigners.
I have much respect and wish you well.
I can’t imagine how you can live with many masks. In USA you a modern person with an American wife, having dinner with journalists, debate with politicians and pay couple hundred at hair style shop with some Chet chatting. When you go back to KRG you don’t care about what people says because you think they are illiterates and they deserve to be treated like that. Moreover you surprised some see only the negatives!!!!!!!!! Because there is no positive. Let me tell you how. KDP got 25 in Duhok, and 20 in Erbil 20+25= 45 – 59 =14, so you as PUK got only 14. Then 14 VS. 25 Goran in Suli !!!! …….. Have you ever seen a political party won 25 sets in his 1 election? Qubad you are in countdown.
ReplyDeleteThe Fact that Kurdistani List won a clean and fair election can not be overshasowed by some unsubstantiated claims of cheating, the Election commission has looked into the claims of rule violation and has agreed to nullify 40 boxes, which doesnt represent one seat. It is fair to say that US Elections are not claims of fraud free by the losers.
ReplyDeleteThe clean and democratic election that took place in Kurdistan is something any Kurd should be proud of, everybody got what they deserved and let us move on to get rid of corruption and build a strong government for the good of people.