Kurdistan Independence Referendum and the Future of Iraqi Kurds

Kurdistan Independence Referendum and the Future of Iraqi Kurds

The Kurds are the world's largest ethnic minority who has no state. They have suffered more than one hundred years under the governments of Turkey, Iraq and Iran. Relatively the Kurds in Syria did not suffer like Kurds in Turkey, Iran and Iraq. Kurdish people are a long-oppressed people. They have been abused, tortured, bombed, imprisoned, murdered, victimized and mistreated by those countries.

The Kurds have been divided mainly into four different countries by Sykes-Picot Agreement (Asia Minor Agreement), which was a secret agreement between British and France in 1916 and that eventually led the creation of modern Turkey, Iraq and Syria. The Kurdish people about 30 million were left stateless when the Ottoman Empire collapsed one century ago.

Therefore, the Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan fought against the British government for independence since the end of World War I. And their struggles for independence movement is on going movement until today. During all these years, Turkey bombed the Kurds whenever they want. Iraq tanks and

Iraqi Kurdistan people cast their vote for the first time for their independence on September 25, 3017. This is a historic vote for the Kurdish people and their land. Iraqi Kurds have voiced and voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Iraq. It is a historic vote and also controversial that could change the political landscape in the Middle East.

Almost 93% of those who took part in the referendum support for Kurdistan independence from Iraq. Voters turn out had been very high, with about 72% of the 8.4 million population taking part in the referendum. The referendum peacefully ended without any major accident. Many thousands of Kurds including women, children and older people rejoiced this vote because it is the beginning of their freedom and is the beginning of their self-determination and their fate. It is the day that they have the right to express who they are and what they are for. It is not only a historic moment for them but a historic moment for all the ethnic minorities around the world who are politically, socially, economically, emotionally, culturally, militarily and physically oppressed and discriminated. Their struggles and success of  independence and freedom is a symbol of struggles and success for all minorities around the world. The strong wills and resilience of the Kurdish people brought them to this critical point in the world's history. The world's history will never forget this referendum.

Kurds show Israeli and Kurdish flag in Erbil on Sept 25

Independence for ethnic minority group is not an easy one. It is harsh and difficult. Now the ruthless countries-Iraq, Turkey and Iran-threatened the small Kurdistan state for economic sanction and military actions. Turkey threatened to close border with Kurdistan and also to cut the oil flow from Kurdistan region to make hardship in Kurdistan.  Iran suspended flights to Kurdistan. Iraq asked to turn the airports in Kurdistan to Iraq. UN, EU and US opposed this independence referendum vote. No country is stood by with Kurdistan except Israel.

UN warns Kurdistan independence as "counterproductive" and "destabilizing the region" and US said "It is illegitimate and deeply disappointed" and Iraq said "unconstitutional and dangerous" and Turkey said "unacceptable and option on the table to invade" and Iran said "it is the wrong choice" and Syria said "we do not recognize it (Kurdistan referendum).' The question is what would Iraqi Kurds say about their independence and how far they can go and stand for it? This question is very crucial in this point since no country is standing for them including UN?

Turkey and Iraq, both were enemies in the past, became friends and conducted joint military drills near the border of Turkey and Kurdistan and sent a strong message to President Massoud Barzani against the referendum. They threatened him with wars. Iran sends their sophisticated missiles systems and tanks near the border of Kurdistan which can be seen from Kurdistan's side and threatening Kurds on their vote of independence. Turkey's regime Pre. Erdogan threatened military actions against Kurds if necessary. He said "Military action is on the table." All of them against Kurdistan independence referendum?

It is clear that neighboring countries-Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq- were angered by the Kurdistan independence referendum vote. They are worry for the future of their countries. Turkey, Iran and Iran continuously threaten the Kurdistan by military action, economic embargo and border closing. In fact, the Iraq-Turkey joint military drills near the Kurdistan border is to show their military power to intimidate the Kurdistan people. Iran, Iraq and Turkey never pursued peace and reconciliation, instead they always choose military actions and wars and fighting so solve the crisis. Their approach is too aggressive. They bullied the Kurdish people for one century and they are trying to bully them in the future. The Kurdish people should not be intimidated by all these military threats around them.

Dangerous Iran Missile System in Kurdistan Borders

In fact, the leaders of Turkey, Iraq and Iran are ruthless regimes in their own words. Especially Turkey President Erdogan's policies are based on fears, intimidation, pressures and hate to the Kurdish people. He is socially and politically blind. He is perhaps the worst leader in the middle East who has been using "scare tactic" in his own country and neighboring countries. He is, in fact, a "flip-flop leader" between US and Russia. He changes his position to either those countries often times. He even accused US for supporting "terrorists" in Syria. He was good friend for US sometimes but not all the times. Pre. Erdogan hates anybody including Israel who supports the Kurdish independence referendum and said this: "Israeli flags won't save you" and  threatened Kurdistan people with "famine and starvation" by economic embargo. What a terrible leader he is in the region. He indeed needs restraint as a leader in the region now. Unless he will fall sooner or later.

Pre. Erdogan believes that closing the oil pipelines and the borders with Turkey and Kurdistan would make the Kurdish people to starvation. That is really a very sick thought. He needs to realize that his idea will not work or will not block Kurdistan independence because Kurdistan independence is imminent, reality and the truth to come. Pre. Erdogan's words of war and famine rhetorical tones are not relevant for educated leader. This kind of rhetorical tones showed how wicked and weak Pre. Erdogan is. His actions and words will not deter Kurdistan people who are formidable people and who successfully resisted even the ruthless Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein for decades. Kurdish people should not scare his threatening words and actions. They should ignore it.

Iraq-Turkey Military Drills near Iraq-Turkey Border

The world leaders need to know today that leaders of Turkey, Iraq and Iran are problem makers for decades not only in their own countries but also in in neighboring countries. Leaders in those countries including Syria are always fighting wars within their own countries and neighboring countries. They dragged all parties to wars including rebels groups like FSA, Al Nusra Front, Hezabollah and many other warlords to political games. The leaders in this region know how to fight but don't know how to end it, and establish peace, security and stability in those regions. UNO has been facing many problems and issues around those four countries for decades. Leaders in those countries need to go to "Peace Institutions" and learn peace making strategies, unless they will not know how to end fighting and making peace in the future.

The problem is not the land or the people but the problems are the mentality and psychology of the leaders in those countries. Their biggest mistake is that leaders in those four countries always to try to solve the political crisis by means of violence, fighting, wars, military actions and human right abuses etc, which are the lowest form of solving problems and crisis. They don't realize that violence begets violence and history repeats itself.

Regarding Kurdistan independence referendum, leaders in Turkey, Iran and Iraq don't want a political dialogue with Kurdistan. They just tried to find the solution by "war and military action and economic embargo." They don't make any rooms for peace and negotiation. It is too bad for 21st century. The leaders in those countries are too evil because they don't want peaceful negotiation and political dialogue. Instead they all are talking wars against Kurdistan. These three countries are the "Evil Alliances." They misuse their military powers upon a small ethnic minority group-the Kurdish people, which has no helper or supporter.

They have abused and discriminated Kurdistan in their countries politically, militarily, economically psychologically and culturally for many decades. The whole world need to know the sufferings of the Kurdish people in the hands of Turkey, Iraq and Iran for a century. Turkey bombed them. Iraq bombed them. Saddam Hussein, the worst dictator, gassed many thousand Kurdish people in 1988 at Halabja city. The whole world knew about it. Iraqi government could not hide it. The world will never forget this mascre. No countries stood for Kurdistan people against Iraq in that time.

This should never happen again in a Free Democratic Kurdistan Country

Saddam Hussein gassed the Kurds. It should not happen again!

Iraq armies put down the Kurdish uprising in 1991 using helicopters and tanks and killed many Kurdish fighters and civilians under the eyes of American pilots who flied around them. Kurds died like rats in the hands of Saddam Hussien. UN did not protect the Kurds from the atrocities of Iraqi armies. US did not protect them either. No western countries stepped up against Saddam Hussein, the mad man and the killer of Kurds. Kurdish people were very helpless and they suffered terrible losses. They lost not only the Kurdish freedom fighters but also civilian lives, cattle, properties, even crops, homes, businesses and everything they have.

Today, the whole world through the leadership of United Nations need to stand by with Kurdistan people and face and solve the political crisis in Iraq and surrounding regions. The UN needs to understand and realize the political truth in the region and stand by for it. The reality and the truth is Kurdistan people need a free, peaceful, stable and democratic homeland for them, which will solve many problems including terrorism, human right abuses, wars, famines, refugee crisis and the one like the rise of the evil ISIS' movement in that region, because Kurdish people are the most strong, trust worthy, faithful and sincere people in those regions. The West and the United Nations can trust them. In fact they can't trust Iraq, Iran and Turkey because the whole world know the past behavior of their leaders.

Kurds should never forget the suffering of their people in 1991

Kurds  should never forget this tragedy (Ref. flickr.com)

The world needs to know that the Kurds have suffered enough for about 100 years. After long-suffering of 100 years they still showed their quality of lives and ability of solving crisis to crisis in Iraq. They love peace, freedom and self-determination. They do not threatened other neighboring countries. The Kurds know when and how to end fighting and make peace which Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria do not know. Kurds know well how to fight corruptions and how establish a peaceful, educated, modern and egalitarian society in Iraq which is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Kurds have strength, powers and ability to guard and secure their land even though Iraq has been facing many political turmoils in their land for almost four decades in Iran-Iraq Wars. Many historian and economists know that the Iraqi Kurdistan is the most secure, safe, peaceful, developed and educated in the region for decades now. Economy is booming until today even though Iraq government helped very little, almost nothing.

Kurds are able to build like this modern Eibil

The Kurds even saved many thousands of Yazidis people and made safe-haven for them in the Kurdistan areas who were left unprotected in the arms of evil ISIS terrorists by the Iraqi leaders and armies in 2014. The Peshmerga armies came and fought and died for the Yazidi. Many thousands of Yazidis are rescued by Peshmerga forces. They are truly the saviors for them. The Peshmerga are brave and strong and they sacrificed their lives for their people, homeland for other minorities like Yazidis during the uprising of ISIS the evils. Many Peshmerga fighters gave their lives in actions against the evil ISIS terrorists. KRG supports many thousand of Yazidis refugees and other internal displaced people in Iraq and saved and helped them as their protectors.

The Peshmerga forces even saved and protected the people and Kirkurk region from the destruction of the evil ISIS after the Iraqi army deserted the areas. The Kurds dared to die and sacrificed their lives for their nomeland, Kirkuk, because it is their homeland. They fought and died for it. The world need to think why they died for Kirkuk because that was originally their homeland before the creation of Modern Iraq.

Angelina Julie visited Khanke Refugee camp

Khenke Refugee camp in Kurdistan region

For these many reasons, therefore, the West, the United Nations, the EU and the Yazidis people should not forget and always remembered the braved Kurdish people for their love of peace and justices for all. Now, the Kurds need to be recognized, remembered, embraced, supported and justified for their struggles for their independence, by the whole world. All the minority groups around the world need to stand up with the Kurdish people. All ethnic minorities around the world need to stand by for Kurdish people for their fights and struggles for their independence movement in Iraq. It is the best time and the right time and is the golden chance for the Iraqi Kurds to get independence.

The Kurdish people in Iraq should not fear and scare for the intimidation of the leaders of Turkey, Iraq and Iran to deter their independence and all the people including Peshmerga forces and all fighters and civilians in Kurdistan need to "unite" under the leadership of Pre, Massoud Barzani and his government in this time. That is the most important thing and the only thing they need in right now in their country for independence.

Iraqi Kurds need to understand that the Iraqi government and their "constitution" will never allow the Kurds for independence. Therefore the Kurds must take it for themselves from Iraq. They need to foresee the difficulties and challenges during their struggles for their independence. It is clear they will encounter enormous challenges ahead economically, morally, psychologically, militarily and even food scarcity and face them with unity and moral strength because their victory is near. They should not rely on the West or the UN who did not really put their interests on the Kurdish people right now. They are busy with their own agenda in the region. Now is the time for the Kurdish people to ask question themselves and determine and choose their own fate. They need self-determination now and forever. They need to realize and accept the fact that "Independence is not be given but taken" in human history. The Kurdish people will not get independence freely and easily. It is expensive and they need to pay the price by hardship, difficulties, challenges and even many human crisis. They need to remember and never forget the Halabja Massacre and say "Halabja Massacre will never happen again."

They may face many difficulties and challenges ahead and may be death or massacre by Iraq, Iran and Turkey. But they need faith and hope that they will get freedom no matter whatever hardship they may face- "victory is in the end" for them. Nothing-military actions or economic embargo of other countries-can deter their victory and independence any more. Victory, justice, peace and independence is forever for them now on. Iraqi Kurdish people will get independence in any means sooner or later. This is God's predestination for them. They may face many hardships and obstacles but their the future of Kurdistan people and their land is as bright as the snow on the mountain tops of their beautiful Kurdistan land.

Therefore, the United States, the EU, the United Nations and the NATO need to help Kurdistan people for their struggles of peaceful independence and solve the political crisis in the region as soon as possible so that the region will be more stabilize and peaceful. If UN does not involve in finding peaceful solution Kurdish independence movement, they need to realize they are facing imminent political crisis and turmoils in that region in the near future. It will cost more human lives and more unstable situations and destruction in the region soon then the uprising of ISIS the evil. UN needs to prevent those destruction before it happen and looking for a peaceful solution. The Kurdish independence movement can explode the region in a very chaotic situation like in the time of Saddam Hussein, the mad man.

Now, the neighboring countries of Iraqi Kurdistan need "restraints." They need to think and choose a better solution by doing peaceful dialogue and negotiation rather than wars and fighting to establish a more peaceful neighboring countries. Especially Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and his governments need to abandon Saddam' Hussein's policy of wars, torture, human right abuses, imprisonments and all forms of violence to deter the wish and determination of the Iraqi Kurds and choose a peaceful dialogue to find the better answer and solution for the future of Iraq itself. Mr. al-Abadi should not act like Saddam Hussein did in the past. Then he will be remembered as a true leader of the modern world.

Moreover all leaders in the region need to realize the importance of establishing a more secure, peaceful an prosper world for their future generations. If Iraq, Turkey and Iran choose wars against Kurdistan people it will be a very bad choice and strategy for the region, the Middle East and beyond and it will be more troubles than ISIS crisis in the future. Avoiding wars and military actions is important for all. Solving crisis to crisis and problems to problems peacefully is the most important thing for the world in the 21st Century.

All leaders in the region must understand that truth, peace, love and non-violence prevail in the end and are the best ideas for the leaders. All leaders need to realized that hates, intimidation, oppression, wars, fighting, arms and violence always make scars in human history. One of the wise leaders in the world and the most popular non-violent leaders of all times, Mahatama Gandhi, said:

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall-thik.__think of it always!"

All leaders in Iraq, Turkey and Iran think of Gandhis's words always, unless they will bring their region into wars and chaos which will make great destruction in there for decades.

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Note:  http://archives.forusa.org/blogs/for/peace-quotes-mahatma-gandhi/10229

Kurdistan Independence Referendum

                                                     Kurdistan Independence Referendum

Iraqi Kurdistan people cast their vote for the first time for their independence on September 25, 3017. This is a historic vote for the Kurdish people and their land. Iraqi Kurds have voiced and voted overwhelmingly in favor of declaring independence from Iraq. It is a historic vote and also controversial that could change the political landscape in the Middle East.

Almost 93% of those who took part in the referendum support for Kurdistan independence from Iraq. Voters turn out had been very high, with about 72% of the 8.4 million population taking part in the referendum. The referendum peacefully ended without any major accident. Many thousands of Kurds including women, children and older people rejoiced this vote. This vote will someday lead the Kurds for independence. As a minority ethnic group in Myanmar, I am really thankful to this historical vote. I rejoiced with the Kurdish people for their desire and wills for independence from Iraq.

In fact, I predicted that Iraq will be split in three parts Anbar Province, Kurdistan and Iraq proper if USA and UK invaded Iraq in 2003. I totally opposed the Iraq invasion by Pre. George W. Bush. Now it became a reality that Iraq is split itself. USA and UK are the most responsible countries in the world for dividing Iraq into two right now because of their invasion in 2003. But splitting Iraq is good for Kurdistan people who lost their home land and freedom since the break up of Ottoman Empire one century ago. Kurdistan independence referendum vote is a historic vote and is a key to determine their fate. The vote on September 25 is making a decision for the Kurdistan people and their home land.

Ref. www.bbc.com

The writer is from an ethnic minority in Myanmar. I knew the suffering of ethnic minority not only in Myanmar but also in other countries around the world. I have been reading and studying a lot about the history of the Middle East such as the founding of Israel, the founding of Syria and Iraq and Turkey and how the Kurdish People, the world largest ethnic minority group, lost they country, culture, ethnic identity and how they suffered under the rules of Iraqi, Syrian and Turkey regimes for century. Every educated people in the world knew the long-suffering of the Kurdish people in Turkey, Iraq and Syria. We all know about the history of the suffering people of Kurdish. 

Especially the Kurdish people in Iraq have suffered long brutal treatments under the Iraqi rulers for more than 100 years. Saddam Hussein abused them and tried to wipe out the Kurdish people from the their land by all means using helicopters, fighters jets, bombers, artillery shelling and killing thousands in wars against the Kurds. Even Halabja Massacre was killing agaist the Kurds by chemical agents by Saddam Hussein's regime. Between 3,000 to 5,000 people were killed and about 10,000 were injured on March 16, 1988.  Those killed were mostly innocent civilians and most of them women and children and elderly people. That is the most painful chemical attack in the 20th century.

In short, the Kurdish people have been suffering a lot. They were betrayed by the Western countries including Britain, French and US. They have been attacked and bombed by Turkey's regimes for years. They have been brutally attacked, bombed, tortured, imprisoned and gassed by Saddam Hussein's regimes. They have been attacked and killed by the evil ISIS (jihadists) both Shiite and Sunni from Iraq and neighboring Arab countries.

Saddam Hussein violently crashed the uprising of the Kurdish in 1991 during the time of Pre. George Bush. He abandoned and betrayed the Kurds under Saddam Hussein's regime. Saddam Hussein used tanks and helicopters to onslaught the Kurdish fighters and civilians. Iraq army victimized many Kurds like killing rats and animals including children and women. Dominic Green wrote those killing under the American pilot's watch:

American pilots held their fire as they observed Saddam's helicopters attacking Kurish fighters and civilians. 

The whole world know that many thousands of Kurd died for their homeland during Saddam Hussein's regime. Nobody helped and rescued them from the dangers of Saddam Hussien. He onslaught many thousands of Kurdish people. He killed them like rats. UN did not protect them. Neither European Union nor NATO protect them. No Western countries including USA, Britain and French stood up against Saddam Hussien to protect the Kurds in that time. Why should Kurdish people listen the voices of US or EU or UN or NATO in this time who never protected them from the onslaught of Turkey regimes and Iraq regimes?

The Kurdish people victimized politically, physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and economically. They endured long sufferings from the wrath of Iraqi army for many decades. Why the Iraqi government abused the Kurds? Why they violated their rights as a human being? Whey the Kurds wered tortured and killed by the Iraqi armies? Were they their own citizens? The Kurdish people should never forget those stories.

When the ISIS invaded their homeland they stood firmly against the evil ISIS army. No Iraqi government protect the Kurds. Why? Are they their own fellows? Are the Kurds their country's citizens? Why didn't the Iraqi help them by weapons, money, human resources from the dangers ofr the ISIS? It is clear enough that Iraqi government had no concern for the safety and survival of the the Kurdish people at all. Why?

The answer is clear. The Iraqi people didn't like the Kurds. So, why should the Kurds stay with the Iraqi people? Why should KRG stayed with Iraq? Why should Kurdistan be part of Iraq who always tried to destroy the people and the land of Kurdish people?

The capital of Kurdistan "Erbil" 

Kurdish people need to go back and read and reread their own history deeply and ask the questions themselves. Why should the Kurdish people be in Iraq who abused their rights for century? Could the Kurdish people trust the Iraqi people and government after all these years of fighting and killing by the Iraqi government? All atrocities and bullying by the Iraqi army?

The Kurdish people should think and ask for themselves that would the Iraqi government say "Yes" for Kurdish independence? Would the Iraqi government thump for the Kurdish independence referendum? It is clear that Iraq will not thump or say "Yes" to the Kurdish independence movement until the end of the world. So, should the Kurdish people wait until the Iraqi say "Yes" for their independence?

The history is clear. This is the right time and the best time and the greatest opportunity and the golden chance for the Kurdish people to choose their fate and future whether they should be under the the Iraqi government with very little freedom and choices or whether they should decide their future and fate freely?  If the Kurdish people choose independence the Iraq could not win against their wish because all colonies under the British Empire got Independence. Many small countries like Kosovo and East Timor got independence from a very strong governments in their country. Why could not Kurdish people got independence in this time? Even South Sudan got independence from powerful Sudan government. Why could not Kurdistan region get independence?

Freedom, democracy and independence is in the hands of Kurdish people in Iraq. No country other than Iraq itself should involve in the internal affair of Kurdistan region in Iraq. Neither Iran nor Turkey nor Syria has no legitimate authority over Iraq internal affair at all. Iran said they would close their border upon the Kurdistan independence referendum. That is fine. That is up to them. That is their border but Iran has no right at all to interfere in the internal affair of Kurdistan people and their land. Turkey has no right at all.

Nouri al-Maliki, the former Prime Minister and the Vice President of Iraq that "He will not allow the establishment of "another Israel" north of the country through a referendum on the Kurdistan Region's independence from Iraq" in Iraqinews.com. His position is clear. It is Iraqi government's policy and position that Iraq did not allow Kurdish people to decide their future and fate. Iraqi government will use constitution as a weapon not to allow the Kurdish people decide their wills and rights. So, how long the Kurdish will loose their God's given rights to Iraqi regimes? Now the time is come for the Kurdish to decide their own future and write their history.

Kurdistan army Peshmerger and their people need to stand up together for their freedom for the people and their land. They should not be bothered by the the Iran and Iraqi tactics of "fear and intimidation" which is not a working tactic for any people on earth for many thousand of years who want freedom and self determination. The world history proved it. Fear is the most dangerous thing for Kurdistan people right now. Iraq is trying to intimidate the Kurdish people so that they can dominate and manipulate the Kurdish people and their land. Kurdish people need to know Iraqi tactics of divide and rule too. It is the most dangerous political idea for the Kurdish people.

The clear thing is that Iraqi government and army will threaten or make use scare and fear tactics among the Kurdish people to divide them peace by peace and rule them later easily. Burmese government uses this tactics for its own ethnic minority groups and which destroyed the unity among the many ethnic groups. Kurdish leaders must understand all the pressures and cheating tactics of Iraq and stand up against those dangerous idea. All Kurdish people need to unite against Iraq.

The most important things for the Kurdish people are to defend their God's given rights; they need to protect and defend their people and mother's land and need to safe guard their ethnic identity such as their religion, culture, custom, language, music and arts; they need to protect their natural resouces and need to write their own history now and forever until the end of the world. They should not allow any other nations on earth to write the history of their land and people.

Kurdistan people must understand that no British colonies were allow to get independence from the British constitution but the colonies fought for their own freedom to get independence against the British empire. Constitutions of Iraq should not be used as a tool or weapon to blog the right or wills of the Kurdish people since the constitutions are most of the time drafted by the people who are the powerful and the rulers. Kurdistan people must understand that they will never be free from Iraq if they follow the Iraqi constitutions of 2005 or before.

Therefore, the Kurdish people must fight and earn their freedom and decide their future and fate. It is their original and given right and they should take that right sooner than later. Today is the best day for them. This time is the golden chance for them to get independence. Unless they will loose their freedom forever. It is time to defend their forefather's land with blood and sweat.

The whole worlds also need to remember and understand the position of NATO and EU countries when Kosovo declared independence. The NATO and EU supported Kosovo independence. The UNO also needs to understand that clear recent history. When Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, many of EU  countries and NATO countries recognized Kosovo Independence declaration in February 17, 2008.

According to the Wikepedia the whole world know that the following countries already recognized Kosovo independence even though the government of Serbia rejected it vehemently:

As of 27, 2017, the Republic of Kosovo has received 115 diplomatic recognitions as an independent state. Notably, 111 countries out of 193 (57.5%) of the United Nations member states, 23 out of 28 (82%) of European Union (EU) member states, 25 out of 29 (86%) of NATO member states, and 36 out of 57 (63%) Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states have recognised Kosovo. Serbia does not recognise it as a sovereign state, but has begun to normalize relations with the Government of Kosovo in accordance with Brussels Agreement. 

Why should not EU and NATO countries recognize Kurdistan Independence referendum? Even NATO bombed Serbia to protect Kosovo. Why should not NATO bomb the Iraq or Iran or Turkey to protect Kurdistan people who were the most persecuted ethnic group in the world for many decades? NATO member countries and EU countries  are too bias in the world's politics. Even UN is too bias a lot of times. If many of the UN member state recognizes they should also recognize the Kurdish independence referendum which is their moral obligation.

Regarding the Kosovo declaration of independence in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly requested the advisory opinion to the International Court of Justice. It was the first case to be brought before the International Court of Justice regarding the declaration of independence by one region or province in a country. The court declared that "the adoption of the declaration of independence of the 17 February 2008 did not violate general international law because international law contains 'no prohibition on declaration of independence.'

The above declaration was delivered on 22 July 2010 by the vote of 10 to 4.

Therefore, "the Kurdistan declaration of independence vote on 25 September 2017 does not violate international law and the Kurds should have absolute rights to declare independence from Iraq." This is the internal issue between Baghdad and Erbil. Turkey or Iran or Syria should not interfere in the affairs of Kurdistan independence referendum militarily because that is not their affairs. 

So, the whole worlds are looking right now. What would the NATO do when Kurdish people vote their independence referendum in September 25? What would EU countries do on that day and beyond? If they don't support the Kurdistan independence referendum, it will mean NATO and EU countries are the most bias countries in the world. Time will tell whether they are bias or not or whether they stand up for justice for all!

EU warned that the Iraqi's Kurdistan's planned referendum on independence from Iraq will be "counterproductive," joining world powers opposing the disputed poll. 

According to the above statement, it is clear that the position of EU is too bias now comparison to Kosovo independence declaration in 2008. So, the Kurds should not trust the EU right now. Israel is the only country that supports the Kurdish independence referendum because they never forgets their history of 2000 years "a nation without a country." Kurdish people are a nation without their own country. Now they need to create their nation on their forefathers' land which they lost to Iraq over one hundred years ago. This is the right time and the best time for them. This may be the only chance Kurdish people have the best opportunity to create their own nation and their own country.



Iraqi government also needs to realize and recognize the truth about the Kurdish history and they cause and they need to grant independence peacefully which will dignify their country. They should grant the right of self determination to the Kurdish people after 100 years of their control. The Iraqi should not choose fighting and violence against the Kurds instead it is better to give them independence peacefully.

 If the Iraqi government does not give independence to Kurdistan people peacefully, the struggles of Kurdish people will go one as long as the Kurdish people live until they get their independence in the end. Independence is a natural thing. Independence is not given but taken by the people. Iraq will never give independence to Kurdish people. Therefore, the Kurdish people must take it from Iraq and secure their land and people.

The Iraqi should realize the reality in history that Roman Empire give independence to many countries. The British governments, the most powerful empire in the world history, granted independence to many of their colonies because they were no longer capable of controlling and ruling their colonies. Iraq is not strong like Roman Empire or British Empire. The clear thing is that Iraqi government will grant the independence to Kurdish people one day sooner or later. It is better to grant independence to Kurdish people sooner than later for the sake of their future relationship.

If the Kurdish people choose to get independence from Iraq the whole world needs to support them. NATO countries need to support them. EU countries need to support them. The United States and Russia need to support them. Most of the UNO member countries except Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran need to support them. All Arab countries except Syria and Turkey need to support them.

It is important for the Kuridish people they should determine their future and choose their fate. The Kurds should not listen or pay attention to EU or NATO or USA who oppose against the vote for independence referendum. This is their right not the right of EU or NATO or any western countries. The Kurdish people need to ignore the advises of those Western countries and go on for their future.

After all,  all minorities around the world who are struggling for their existence and freedom, need to support and stand firmly with the Kurdish people for their independence movement because they are the best example for all ethnic minorities in the world who are suffering right now in their own countries under the regimes of their countries.

In fact, Kurdistan independence is a symbol of freedom, democracy and self determination ethnic minority. We, all ethnic minority groups around the world, are happy and proud of the Kurdistan independence movement which is our symbols also. Kurdish people should never give up their independence movement until they are given their God's given original right. They need to stand up against all the odds and forces against them.

It is clear nos that Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey will never want the strong and united Kurdish people and they will never want to grant the freedom and self-determination to the Kurds. So, the strong army of KRG, Peshmerger, who are the symbols of freedom and justice for Kurdistan people, need unite under the leadership of KRG's leaders and fight all their enemies who are trying to destroy them. This is the right time for Kurdish people to take their independence.

KRG Pre. Massoud Barzani

 I, as an ethnic minority, love Kurdistan people and their independence movement. I support and admired Pre. Massoud Barzani, who is one of the greatest leaders in the 21st century who could bring his country to an independence country (I truly believed he will be chosen as person of the year by some magazines like Times and Newsweek etc). He has a great vision for his people and their land. He is courageous and brave who would sacrifice his life for his people. He is a a warrior, a leader, a hero, a politician and a revolutionary. He is one of the greatest leaders in the world today because he took risk against many odds such as the threats of Iraqi regimes, Turkey regimes and Iran's regimes.

I believe that Pre. Barzani could fight for independence for his people and their homeland. He would not be scare to Iraq, Syria. Iran or Turkey. God will help him to establish a free and democratic country for his people. Under his leadership, the capital city Erbil became one of the most developed and popular cities in the world and some predicted it as "Second Dubai."

Therefore, all his country fellows, young and old, male an female, rich and poor, educated and uneducated need to stand firm behind the leadership of their great leader and hero, Massoud Barzani, and united against all the threats from Iraq and all foreign countries especially Iran and Turkey which countries never respect minority groups in their own countries.

Kurdish people must realize "Independence is not cheap and given; it is taken with bloods and sweats."

I, an ethnic minority in Myanmar, strongly endorse and support Kurdistan independence movement. I truly believe that they must have the right to secede from Iraq and have the right of self determination and self-rule over their land and people. No nations or organizations on earth have no right to rule them. This article is to support Kurdish minority in Iraq for their independence movement.

We all need to pray for Kurdish independence referendum so that peace can be restored by all parties. We all need to pray for peace and justice for Kurdistan people so that they must have the right to exist as a people on earth. If they vote Yes to independence the future of Kurdistan people and their land is as bright as the now peaks in their beautiful homeland.

The journey for independence may be long and difficult but victory is in the end. This victory will not come from others but from the Kurdish people themselves.

Beautiful Snow Peaks in Kurdistan (Ref. www.DavisHunter.com)

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Endnote 

1. International Recognition of Kosovo Independence quoted in Wikepedia

2. International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the declaration of Kosovo Independence, Wekipedia.

3. https://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/kurdistan-news-eu-independence-referendum-counterproductive/

3. Dominic Green, "A Kurdish State is in American's Interest-and the Region's, too" cited at http://www.weeklystandard.com/a-kurdish-state-is-in-americas-interestand-the-regions-too

Global Warming Dohnak Ah Min Athu Duh Lomi Ram Pahnih

"Eden Dum zohkhenhtu caah Pathian nih Adam cu tuanvo a rak pek bantuk in, hi vawlei pi zohkhenhtu ding caah minung hi tuanvo a kan pek ve" timi hi Bible thiamsang theologian pawl hna nih an ti tawn. Pathian nih hin, minung hi Mars le Thlapa hna ah chia lo in, tha tuk le dawh tuk le rem tuk in a sermi vawlei ah a rak kan chiah.

Vawlei hi zeitluk in dah a that le a sunlawi tiah cun, scientist nih "Vawlei bantuk in nunnak a cawm khomi vawlei hi nihin ni tiang hi zeizongte (universe) ah hin an hmu rih lo."  Atu kan umnak vawlei te lawng hi, nunnak ca a herhmi thil-thli, tii, lumnak, kihnak, ruah, thingram-a ngeimi vawlei a si. Ka dang vawlei ahcun nunnak ca a herhmi thil tling tein a um lo. Cu tluk in a sunglawimi vawlei zohkhenhtu ding ah, khengcungzuang(kyutha) kha Pathian nih tuanvo a pe hna lo. Kan mah minung hi tuanvo a kan pek. Cucaah kan mah nih kan zohkhenh le kilven lo ahcun, vawleipi hi Mars le Thlapa bantuk ah aa chuah lai lo tiah a ho nih dah a chim khawh hnga?

(Ref. Visibleearth.nasa.gov)

1997 ah USA ka phan. US ah kum kul ka um cang. Hi kum (20) chungah USA khuacaan hi aa thleng taktak timi cu ka mit hrimhrim in ka hmuh i, ka taksa hrimhrim in ka teh. Cucu vur a tlami a tlawmtam ning le a hmanlo ning in aa thei khun. Tah le theih khawh bak a si.

1997 ka phanh kum ahcun November 20 kuakap ah vur tlawmte tlak a rak hmang. December a phanh cun, cat lo ngacha in a tla peng i, January le February cu a tam ngai tawn. March le April tiang a tlak caan a rak tam. Vur tlak cu khua caan umtuning hawih in kum khat le khat thlen phung cu a si nain, a buaktlak in tuak tik ah a tlawm chin lengmang. A tlak ning zong a dik ti lo. A tlami an tii zau fawn. 

2006 Christmas hi Cincinnati ah kan hmang hna i, cu kum ahcun a voikhatnak bik Christmas thla ah snow a rak tla lo. Christmas ni cu ni tlang taktak. Khua a that caah a nuam nain USA khuacaan hi a dik lo timi kha fiang tein hmuh khawh a si. Vur a tlawm chin lengmang i, January hmanh ah vur a tlak setlo hi, a um pah len cang. A tlak hmanh ah lehmah pakhat hnih te a si i a tii zau fawn. Sau a um manh lo. Hlan deuh ahcun, a tlak a sau pin ah fawi ah a rak ti kho lo. Lam ah khaltur in an rak um i, motor mawngh a nuamh lo caan a rak tam. Nihin ni ahcun cu bantuk cu a um tuk ti lo.

Khuacaan a lum ti aa theihnak a dang pakhat cu fikfa an karh taktak. 1998 thal hrawng ahcun zanlei sang burbuk pawng hrawng chawh tikah fikfa thawng theih aum lo. Fikfa seh timi ka thei bal lo. 2007 ahcun zanlei sang i apartment pawng i lente kan i celh caan ah phing lak in a kan seh tawn. West Nile Virus timi ngalsang zong, khua a lum ruang ah US ah an nung kho cang. 

Hlan ahcun, May thla canceu tiang hi vawlei a kik tuk rih i, thilnung an keu kho tuk lo. May ni 15 hnu lawng ah, thlai kheu cin khawh a rak si. Nihin ni ahcun April thla canceu in thilnung an keu i, thlaikheu zong cin khawh a si. Cun 2007 tiang hrawng cu August thla dih ahcun zingdap nih thilnung a thah hna i, eidin awk an rak tha lo. Atu ahcun October chuah lai tiang thlaihnah an tha ngai rih. Cinthlak caan a sau tuk cang. Hlan ahcun, September thla chuakka ah eng thup in thinkung um tawnmi kha atu cu October chuah lai lawngah an eng cang. Cucaah cinthlak caan a sau deuh i, thingkung hnahhring um zong caan a sau deuh.  

Cucaah scientist cu chim lo in, minung sawhsawh te nih thil tha tein ruah setmat ahcun kan vawleicung khuacaan cu kum 20 chung ah tam tuk aa thleng timi cu el awk thalo in hmuh khawh a si. Scientist chacha nih cun zeitluk in dek an hei theih khawh chinchin hnga?

Nihin ni ah, mifim tampi an lau cemmi cu, vawlei aa sem ka in a ti ballomi tikhal tlangpipi hna an tit thluahmahmi le rili tii a kai chin lengmangmi a si. Cu nih a langhtermi cu vawlei hi a lin chin lengmang ko timi a langhter. Vawleicung tlangcung tii an reu ning, cerh an ko ning, ni linhsat a zual ning le innkang meitet tam ning nih, vawlei pumpi a lin chin lengmang timi cu, el awk thalo in an fianter ko. Middle East, India le Kawlram te hna an linh ning a zual taktak i, Dallas le Phoenix khua hna hmanh ah, 2017 thal lio ah vanlawng cancel tiang in a lin.

Paris Agreement i hnatlaknak minthumi ram le thulomi ram

Kan nih cu mit hmuhnak le taksa nih a kihlum a theih ning hawih tu in, vawleicung khuacaan hi a lum chin lengmang timi kan theih khawh. Khuacaan scientist (climate scientist) pawl tu nih cun degree in an tah; vur umtuning an zoh; tikhaltlang a timi an tah i, thil tampi an hlat hnu ah vawleipumpi hi a lum chin lengmang. Zei ruang dah a si hnga timi a ruang an kawl. Tamtuk an hlathlai hnu ah scientist tam deuh nih, vawleicungpumpi hi a lum chin lengmang  ko an ti. 

Climate scientist 97-98% nih cun vawleipumpi hi a lum chin lengmang ko tiah an pawm i, scientist mi tlawmte lawng nih an pawm lo tiah an ti.

UNO Climate Scientist tam deuh zong nih an pawm i, UNO hruainak in vawleipumpi lumnak dohnak ding caah Kyoto Protocol timi ram kip hnatlaknak cachoh zong an rak tuah. Cun UNO hruainak thiamthiam in,  Paris Agreement timi zong an tuah than i, vawleicung ram dihlak nih vawleicung khuacaan thlennak le lumnak hi kan doh lai tiah hnatlaknak an ngei. Cu hnatlaknak an ngeihnak a chan cu, sehzung le meikhu nih a chuahtermi Carbon Dioxide (CO2) dat a karh tuk ruangah vawleipumpi a linh chin lengmang nak a si an ti caah, CO2 hi ram kip nih thumh cio lai ti a si.

UNO ah ram 193 an um. CO2 thumhnak ding caah, cu ram vialte cu Paris Agreement ah tel dih ding in an i forhfial hna. Ram tam deuh min an thut i, 2015 ah USA President Obama zong nih a thut ve. Paris Agreement min a thu duhlomi vawlei ah ram hnih lawng an rak um-Syria le Nicaragua-lawng an rak si. 2017 ahcun Paris Agreement in ka chuak lai tiah bia a rak i kam bantuk in Pre. Trump cu Paris Agreement in kan chuak lai tiah a ti i, US cu a chuak than i, ram thum an si.

Asinain Latin America ram ah kokek harnak, hurricane le rawhralnak a chuakmi a zual i a chin lengmang caah, Nicaragua zong vawleicung khuacaan thalo doh ding in Paris Agreement ah min a thut ve cang. Paris Agreement ah min a thulomi hi US le Syria lawng an si cang.

Cu thil sining zoh tik ah, Pre. Trump chan in USA hi vawleipumpi hruaitu le nawlngeitu a sinak in a zor ziahmah cang timi hmuh khawh a si. "America first timi a policy hi a tha ngaimi a lo nain hmailei ahcun hi policy nih hin ramkip riantuannak ahcun America second" ah a tlakter te lai.

EU ram hna nih Paris Agreement ah tel ve ding in an sawm ko hna nain, USA nih a duh lo. Cucaah EU le UNO zong nih "US na tel lo zongah kan mah kal in kan kal ko lai" tiah an ti ve. An hlam ti lo. Vawleicung pa can ram si ve tung i, hi dirhmun tiang phak cu, nihin ni dirhmun cun thil pawi taktak a si. Zeicatiah vawleicung i a cak bik ram si tung i, "Mi nih hlam lo mi si le herh lo ram" hna i chuah cu, thil pawi taktak a si. US hi CO2 tam bik chuahmi ram a si caah, a mah aa tellomi cu a pawi tuk.

A taktak le ngaingai tiahcun US cu, rumnak, fimnak, thawnnak le thiamnak ah a sang bik ram a si i, Global warming doh te hna zongah, hmaisuang bak ah um ding tu khi, hruaitu dirhmun cu a si. Nihin ni ahcun, vawleicung khuacaan kong he pehtlai cun, US cu Syria he hnu bik ah an umti cang. Cucu US caah thiltha a si hmanh ah, vawleicung pumpi caahcun thil tha lo taktak a si.

Tu chun ah Syria le US lawng Paris Agreement ah min a thulomi ram an si timi hrimhrim hi a zoh a chia i, a credit a chiatnak taktak pakhat a si. Thil tha tuahnak ah, hawi zawn lo hi thil tha lo a si.

US nih Paris Agreement ah min a thut lomi nih a langhtermi a chungmu thil cu:

1. USA hi vawleicung hruaitu a sinak in a dirhmun a tum ziahmah timi hmuh khawh  a si
2. USA hi a mah ca lawng aa ruat timi hmuh khawh a si. A ruang cu sipuazi tlak a tih ca a si.
3. US hi CO2 tam bik a chuahtu a si ca ah a si.
4. US hi vawleicung khuacaan kong ahcun "pa bik" dirhmun ah a dir hrimhrim lo timi a lang
5. Vawleicung ram 193 chung i, ram 191 nih minthutmi ah i tello cu, "hawi zawn lo" a si ko

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Kurdistan Independence Referendum on Sept 25, 2017

I predicted that Iraq will be split in three parts Anbar Province, Kurdistan and Iraq proper if USA and UK invaded Iraq in 2003. I totally opposed the Iraq invasion by Pre. George W. Bush. Now it became a reality that Iraq is split itself. USA and UK are the most responsible countries in the world for dividing Iraq into two right now because of their invasion in 2003. But splitting Iraq is good for Kurdistan people who lost their home land and freedom since the break up of Ottoman Empire one century ago. Kurdistan independence referendum vote is a historic vote and is a key to determine their fate. The vote on September 25 is making a decision for the Kurdistan people and their home land.

Ref. www.bbc.com

The writer is from an ethnic minority in Myanmar. I knew the suffering of ethnic minority not only in Myanmar but also in other countries around the world. I have been reading and studying a lot about the history of the Middle East such as the founding of Israel, the founding of Syria and Iraq and Turkey and how the Kurdish People, the world largest ethnic minority group, lost they country, culture, ethnic identity and how they suffered under the rules of Iraqi, Syrian and Turkey regimes for century. Every educated people in the world knew the long-suffering of the Kurdish people in Turkey, Iraq and Syria. We all know about the history of the suffering people of Kurdish. 

Especially the Kurdish people in Iraq have suffered long brutal treatments under the Iraqi rulers for more than 100 years. Saddam Hussein abused them and tried to wipe out the Kurdish people from the their land by all means using helicopters, fighters jets, bombers, artillery shelling and killing thousands in wars against the Kurds. Even Halabja Massacre was killing agaist the Kurds by chemical agents by Saddam Hussein's regime. Between 3,000 to 5,000 people were killed and about 10,000 were injured on March 16, 1988.  Those killed were mostly innocent civilians and most of them women and children and elderly people. That is the most painful chemical attack in the 20th century.

In short, the Kurdish people have been suffering a lot. They were betrayed by the Western countries including Britain, French and US. They have been attacked and bombed by Turkey's regimes for years. They have been brutally attacked, bombed, tortured, imprisoned and gassed by Saddam Hussein's regimes. They have been attacked and killed by the evil ISIS (jihadists) both Shiite and Sunni from Iraq and neighboring Arab countries.

Saddam Hussein violently crashed the uprising of the Kurdish in 1991 during the time of Pre. George Bush. He abandoned and betrayed the Kurds under Saddam Hussein's regime. Saddam Hussein used tanks and helicopters to onslaught the Kurdish fighters and civilians. Iraq army victimized many Kurds like killing rats and animals including children and women. Dominic Green wrote those killing under the American pilot's watch:

American pilots held their fire as they observed Saddam's helicopters attacking Kurish fighters and civilians. 

The whole world know that many thousands of Kurd died for their homeland during Saddam Hussein's regime. Nobody helped and rescued them from the dangers of Saddam Hussien. He onslaught many thousands of Kurdish people. He killed them like rats. UN did not protect them. Neither European Union nor NATO protect them. No Western countries including USA, Britain and French stood up against Saddam Hussien to protect the Kurds in that time. Why should Kurdish people listen the voices of US or EU or UN or NATO in this time who never protected them from the onslaught of Turkey regimes and Iraq regimes?

The Kurdish people victimized politically, physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and economically. They endured long sufferings from the wrath of Iraqi army for many decades. Why the Iraqi government abused the Kurds? Why they violated their rights as a human being? Whey the Kurds wered tortured and killed by the Iraqi armies? Were they their own citizens? The Kurdish people should never forget those stories.

When the ISIS invaded their homeland they stood firmly against the evil ISIS army. No Iraqi government protect the Kurds. Why? Are they their own fellows? Are the Kurds their country's citizens? Why didn't the Iraqi help them by weapons, money, human resources from the dangers ofr the ISIS? It is clear enough that Iraqi government had no concern for the safety and survival of the the Kurdish people at all. Why?

The answer is clear. The Iraqi people didn't like the Kurds. So, why should the Kurds stay with the Iraqi people? Why should KRG stayed with Iraq? Why should Kurdistan be part of Iraq who always tried to destroy the people and the land of Kurdish people?

The capital of Kurdistan "Erbil" 

Kurdish people need to go back and read and reread their own history deeply and ask the questions themselves. Why should the Kurdish people be in Iraq who abused their rights for century? Could the Kurdish people trust the Iraqi people and government after all these years of fighting and killing by the Iraqi government? All atrocities and bullying by the Iraqi army?

The Kurdish people should think and ask for themselves that would the Iraqi government say "Yes" for Kurdish independence? Would the Iraqi government thump for the Kurdish independence referendum? It is clear that Iraq will not thump or say "Yes" to the Kurdish independence movement until the end of the world. So, should the Kurdish people wait until the Iraqi say "Yes" for their independence?

The history is clear. This is the right time and the best time and the greatest opportunity and the golden chance for the Kurdish people to choose their fate and future whether they should be under the the Iraqi government with very little freedom and choices or whether they should decide their future and fate freely?  If the Kurdish people choose independence the Iraq could not win against their wish because all colonies under the British Empire got Independence. Many small countries like Kosovo and East Timor got independence from a very strong governments in their country. Why could not Kurdish people got independence in this time? Even South Sudan got independence from powerful Sudan government. Why could not Kurdistan region get independence?

Freedom, democracy and independence is in the hands of Kurdish people in Iraq. No country other than Iraq itself should involve in the internal affair of Kurdistan region in Iraq. Neither Iran nor Turkey nor Syria has no legitimate authority over Iraq internal affair at all. Iran said they would close their border upon the Kurdistan independence referendum. That is fine. That is up to them. That is their border but Iran has no right at all to interfere in the internal affair of Kurdistan people and their land. Turkey has no right at all.

Nouri al-Maliki, the former Prime Minister and the Vice President of Iraq that "He will not allow the establishment of "another Israel" north of the country through a referendum on the Kurdistan Region's independence from Iraq" in Iraqinews.com. His position is clear. It is Iraqi government's policy and position that Iraq did not allow Kurdish people to decide their future and fate. Iraqi government will use constitution as a weapon not to allow the Kurdish people decide their wills and rights. So, how long the Kurdish will loose their God's given rights to Iraqi regimes? Now the time is come for the Kurdish to decide their own future and write their history.

Kurdistan army Peshmerger and their people need to stand up together for their freedom for the people and their land. They should not be bothered by the the Iran and Iraqi tactics of "fear and intimidation" which is not a working tactic for any people on earth for many thousand of years who want freedom and self determination. The world history proved it. Fear is the most dangerous thing for Kurdistan people right now. Iraq is trying to intimidate the Kurdish people so that they can dominate and manipulate the Kurdish people and their land. Kurdish people need to know Iraqi tactics of divide and rule too. It is the most dangerous political idea for the Kurdish people.

The clear thing is that Iraqi government and army will threaten or make use scare and fear tactics among the Kurdish people to divide them peace by peace and rule them later easily. Burmese government uses this tactics for its own ethnic minority groups and which destroyed the unity among the many ethnic groups. Kurdish leaders must understand all the pressures and cheating tactics of Iraq and stand up against those dangerous idea. All Kurdish people need to unite against Iraq.

The most important things for the Kurdish people are to defend their God's given rights; they need to protect and defend their people and mother's land and need to safe guard their ethnic identity such as their religion, culture, custom, language, music and arts; they need to protect their natural resouces and need to write their own history now and forever until the end of the world. They should not allow any other nations on earth to write the history of their land and people.

Kurdistan people must understand that no British colonies were allow to get independence from the British constitution but the colonies fought for their own freedom to get independence against the British empire. Constitutions of Iraq should not be used as a tool or weapon to blog the right or wills of the Kurdish people since the constitutions are most of the time drafted by the people who are the powerful and the rulers. Kurdistan people must understand that they will never be free from Iraq if they follow the Iraqi constitutions of 2005 or before.

Therefore, the Kurdish people must fight and earn their freedom and decide their future and fate. It is their original and given right and they should take that right sooner than later. Today is the best day for them. This time is the golden chance for them to get independence. Unless they will loose their freedom forever. It is time to defend their forefather's land with blood and sweat.

The whole worlds also need to remember and understand the position of NATO and EU countries when Kosovo declared independence. The NATO and EU supported Kosovo independence. The UNO also needs to understand that clear recent history. When Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, many of EU  countries and NATO countries recognized Kosovo Independence declaration in February 17, 2008.

According to the Wikepedia the whole world know that the following countries already recognized Kosovo independence even though the government of Serbia rejected it vehemently:

As of 27, 2017, the Republic of Kosovo has received 115 diplomatic recognitions as an independent state. Notably, 111 countries out of 193 (57.5%) of the United Nations member states, 23 out of 28 (82%) of European Union (EU) member states, 25 out of 29 (86%) of NATO member states, and 36 out of 57 (63%) Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states have recognised Kosovo. Serbia does not recognise it as a sovereign state, but has begun to normalize relations with the Government of Kosovo in accordance with Brussels Agreement. 

Why should not EU and NATO countries recognize Kurdistan Independence referendum? Even NATO bombed Serbia to protect Kosovo. Why should not NATO bomb the Iraq or Iran or Turkey to protect Kurdistan people who were the most persecuted ethnic group in the world for many decades? NATO member countries and EU countries  are too bias in the world's politics. Even UN is too bias a lot of times. If many of the UN member state recognizes they should also recognize the Kurdish independence referendum which is their moral obligation.

Regarding the Kosovo declaration of independence in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly requested the advisory opinion to the International Court of Justice. It was the first case to be brought before the International Court of Justice regarding the declaration of independence by one region or province in a country. The court declared that "the adoption of the declaration of independence of the 17 February 2008 did not violate general international law because international law contains 'no prohibition on declaration of independence.'

The above declaration was delivered on 22 July 2010 by the vote of 10 to 4.

Therefore, "the Kurdistan declaration of independence vote on 25 September 2017 does not violate international law and the Kurds should have absolute rights to declare independence from Iraq." This is the internal issue between Baghdad and Erbil. Turkey or Iran or Syria should not interfere in the affairs of Kurdistan independence referendum militarily because that is not their affairs. 

So, the whole worlds are looking right now. What would the NATO do when Kurdish people vote their independence referendum in September 25? What would EU countries do on that day and beyond? If they don't support the Kurdistan independence referendum, it will mean NATO and EU countries are the most bias countries in the world. Time will tell whether they are bias or not or whether they stand up for justice for all!

EU warned that the Iraqi's Kurdistan's planned referendum on independence from Iraq will be "counterproductive," joining world powers opposing the disputed poll. 

According to the above statement, it is clear that the position of EU is too bias now comparison to Kosovo independence declaration in 2008. So, the Kurds should not trust the EU right now. Israel is the only country that supports the Kurdish independence referendum because they never forgets their history of 2000 years "a nation without a country." Kurdish people are a nation without their own country. Now they need to create their nation on their forefathers' land which they lost to Iraq over one hundred years ago. This is the right time and the best time for them. This may be the only chance Kurdish people have the best opportunity to create their own nation and their own country.



Iraqi government also needs to realize and recognize the truth about the Kurdish history and they cause and they need to grant independence peacefully which will dignify their country. They should grant the right of self determination to the Kurdish people after 100 years of their control. The Iraqi should not choose fighting and violence against the Kurds instead it is better to give them independence peacefully.

 If the Iraqi government does not give independence to Kurdistan people peacefully, the struggles of Kurdish people will go one as long as the Kurdish people live until they get their independence in the end. Independence is a natural thing. Independence is not given but taken by the people. Iraq will never give independence to Kurdish people. Therefore, the Kurdish people must take it from Iraq and secure their land and people.

The Iraqi should realize the reality in history that Roman Empire give independence to many countries. The British governments, the most powerful empire in the world history, granted independence to many of their colonies because they were no longer capable of controlling and ruling their colonies. Iraq is not strong like Roman Empire or British Empire. The clear thing is that Iraqi government will grant the independence to Kurdish people one day sooner or later. It is better to grant independence to Kurdish people sooner than later for the sake of their future relationship.

If the Kurdish people choose to get independence from Iraq the whole world needs to support them. NATO countries need to support them. EU countries need to support them. The United States and Russia need to support them. Most of the UNO member countries except Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran need to support them. All Arab countries except Syria and Turkey need to support them.

It is important for the Kuridish people they should determine their future and choose their fate. The Kurds should not listen or pay attention to EU or NATO or USA who oppose against the vote for independence referendum. This is their right not the right of EU or NATO or any western countries. The Kurdish people need to ignore the advises of those Western countries and go on for their future.

After all,  all minorities around the world who are struggling for their existence and freedom, need to support and stand firmly with the Kurdish people for their independence movement because they are the best example for all ethnic minorities in the world who are suffering right now in their own countries under the regimes of their countries.

In fact, Kurdistan independence is a symbol of freedom, democracy and self determination ethnic minority. We, all ethnic minority groups around the world, are happy and proud of the Kurdistan independence movement which is our symbols also. Kurdish people should never give up their independence movement until they are given their God's given original right. They need to stand up against all the odds and forces against them.

It is clear nos that Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey will never want the strong and united Kurdish people and they will never want to grant the freedom and self-determination to the Kurds. So, the strong army of KRG, Peshmerger, who are the symbols of freedom and justice for Kurdistan people, need unite under the leadership of KRG's leaders and fight all their enemies who are trying to destroy them. This is the right time for Kurdish people to take their independence.

KRG Pre. Massoud Barzani

 I, as an ethnic minority, love Kurdistan people and their independence movement. I support and admired Pre. Massoud Barzani, who is one of the greatest leaders in the 21st century who could bring his country to an independence country (I truly believed he will be chosen as person of the year by some magazines like Times and Newsweek etc). He has a great vision for his people and their land. He is courageous and brave who would sacrifice his life for his people. He is a a warrior, a leader, a hero, a politician and a revolutionary. He is one of the greatest leaders in the world today because he took risk against many odds such as the threats of Iraqi regimes, Turkey regimes and Iran's regimes.

I believe that Pre. Barzani could fight for independence for his people and their homeland. He would not be scare to Iraq, Syria. Iran or Turkey. God will help him to establish a free and democratic country for his people. Under his leadership, the capital city Erbil became one of the most developed and popular cities in the world and some predicted it as "Second Dubai."

Therefore, all his country fellows, young and old, male an female, rich and poor, educated and uneducated need to stand firm behind the leadership of their great leader and hero, Massoud Barzani, and united against all the threats from Iraq and all foreign countries especially Iran and Turkey which countries never respect minority groups in their own countries.

Kurdish people must realize "Independence is not cheap and given; it is taken with bloods and sweats."

I, an ethnic minority in Myanmar, strongly endorse and support Kurdistan independence movement. I truly believe that they must have the right to secede from Iraq and have the right of self determination and self-rule over their land and people. No nations or organizations on earth have no right to rule them. This article is to support Kurdish minority in Iraq for their independence movement.

We all need to pray for Kurdish independence referendum so that peace can be restored by all parties. We all need to pray for peace and justice for Kurdistan people so that they must have the right to exist as a people on earth. If they vote Yes to independence the future of Kurdistan people and their land is as bright as the now peaks in their beautiful homeland.

The journey for independence may be long and difficult but victory is in the end. This victory will not come from others but from the Kurdish people themselves.

Beautiful Snow Peaks in Kurdistan (Ref. www.DavisHunter.com)

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Endnote 

1. International Recognition of Kosovo Independence quoted in Wikepedia

2. International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the declaration of Kosovo Independence, Wekipedia.

3. https://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/kurdistan-news-eu-independence-referendum-counterproductive/

3. Dominic Green, "A Kurdish State is in American's Interest-and the Region's, too" cited at http://www.weeklystandard.com/a-kurdish-state-is-in-americas-interestand-the-regions-too

A New Nation On Earth

I am an ethnic minority from Myanmar. I knew the suffering of ethnic minority not only in Myanmar but also in other countries around the world. I have been reading and studying a lot about the history of the Middle East such as the founding of Israel, the founding of Syria and Iraq and Turkey and how the Kurdish People, the world largest ethnic minority group, lost they country, culture, ethnic identity for century and how they have suffered under the rules of Iraqi leaders and Syrian leaders and Turkey leaders. Every educated people in the world knew the long-suffering and plights of the Kurdish people in Turkey, Iraq and Syria until today.

Especially the Kurdish people in Iraq have suffered a long brutal treatments under the Iraqi rulers for more than 100 years. Saddam Hussein abused them and tried to wipe out the Kurdish people from the earth by all means using helicopters, fighters jets, bombers, artillery shelling and killing thousands in wars against the Kurds. Even Halabja Massacre was killing agaist the Kurds by chemical agents by Saddam Hussein's regime. Between 3,000 to 5,000 people were killed and about 10,000 were injured on March 16, 1988.  Those killed were mostly innocent civilians and most of them women and children and elderly people. That is the most painful chemical attack the 20th century.

Many thousands of Kurd died for their homeland under Saddam Hussein's regime. Nobody helped and rescued the Kurds. They died like rats under Saddam's Hussein' regime. UN did not protect them. Neither European Union nor NATO protect them. No Western countries stood up for the Kurds in that time. They suffered politically, physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and economically. They endured long sufferings from the wrath of Iraqi army. Why the Iraqi government abused the Kurds? Why they violated their rights as a human being? Whey the Kurds wered tortured and killed by the Iraqi armies? Were they their own citizens?

When the ISIS invaded their homeland they stood firmly against the evil ISIS army. No Iraqi government protect the Kurds. Whey? Were they their own fellows? Are the Kurds their country's citizens? Why didn't the Iraqi help them by weapons, money, human resources from the ISIS? It is clear enough that Iraqi government had no concern for the safety and survival of the the Kurdish people at all. Why?

The answer is clear. The Iraqi people didn't like the Kurds. So, why should the Kurds stay with the Iraqi people? Why should KRG stayed with Iraq? Why should Kurdistan be part of Iraq who always tried to destroy the people and the land of Kurdish people?

Kurdish people need to go back and read and reread their own history deeply and ask the questions themselves. Why should the Kurdish people be in Iraq who abused their rights for century? Could the Kurdish people trust the Iraqi people and government after all these years of fighting and killing by the Iraqi government? All atrocities and bullying by the Iraqi army?

The Kurdish people should think and ask for themselves that would the Iraqi government say "Yes" for Kurdish independence? Would the Iraqi government thump for the Kurdish independence referendum? It is clear that Iraq will not thump or say "Yes" to the Kurdish independence movement until the end of the world. So, should the Kurdish people wait until the Iraqi say "Yes" for their independence?

The history is clear. They need a new country ruled by the Kurdish people themselves. This is the only and first and last solution for their existence as a people. That is their only hope and future. They need to realize independence is the best answer for the future of Kurdish people. They must also realize the timing of getting independence from Iraq.

This is the right time and the best time and the greatest opportunity and the golden chance for the Kurdish people to choose their fate and future whether they should be under the the Iraqi government with very little freedom and choices or whether they should decide their future and fate freely?  If the Kurdish people choose independence the Iraq could not win against their wish because all colonies under the British Empire got Independence. Many small countries like Kosovo and East Timor got independence from a very strong governments in their country. Why could not Kurdish people got independence in this time? Even South Sudan got independence from powerful Sudan government. Why could not Kurdistan region get independence?

Freedom, democracy and independence is in the hands of Kurdish people in Iraq. No country other than Iraq itself should involve in the internal affair of Kurdistan region in Iraq. Neither Iran nor Turkey nor Syria has no legitimate authority over Iraq internal affair at all. Iran said they would close their border upon the Kurdistan independence referendum. That is fine. That is up to them. That is their border but Iran has no right at all to interfere in the internal affair of Kurdistan people and their land. Turkey has no right at all.

Nouri al-Maliki, the former Prime Minister and the Vice President of Iraq that "He will not allow the establishment of "another Israel" north of the country through a referendum on the Kurdistan Region's independence from Iraq" in Iraqinews.com. His position is clear. It is Iraqi government's policy and position that Iraq did not allow Kurdish people to decide their future and fate. Iraqi government will use constitution as a weapon not to allow the Kurdish people decide their wills and rights. So, how long the Kurdish will loose their God's given rights to Iraqi regimes? Now the time is come for the Kurdish to decide their own future and write their history.

Kurdistan army Peshmerger and their people need to stand up together for their freedom for the people and their land. They should not be bothered by the the Iran and Iraqi tactics of "fear and intimidation" which is not a working tactic for any people on earth for many thousand of years who want freedom and self determination. The world history proved it. Fear is the most dangerous thing for Kurdistan people right now. Iraq is trying to intimidate the Kurdish people so that they can dominate and manipulate the Kurdish people and their land. Kurdish people need to know Iraqi tactics of divide and rule too. It is the most dangerous political idea for the Kurdish people.

The clear thing is that Iraqi government and army will threaten or make use scare and fear tactics among the Kurdish people to divide them peace by peace and rule them later easily. Burmese government uses this tactics for its own ethnic minority groups and which destroyed the unity among the many ethnic groups. Kurdish leaders must understand all the pressures and cheating tactics of Iraq and stand up against those dangerous idea. All Kurdish people need to unite against Iraq.

The most important things for the Kurdish people are to defend their God's given rights; they need to protect and defend their people and mother's land and need to safe guard their ethnic identity such as their religion, culture, custom, language, music and arts; they need to protect their natural resouces and need to write their own history now and forever until the end of the world. They should not allow any other nations on earth to write the history of their land and people.

Kurdistan people must understand that no British colonies were allow to get independence from the British constitution but the colonies fought for their own freedom to get independence against the British empire. Constitutions of Iraq should not be used as a tool or weapon to blog the right or wills of the Kurdish people since the constitutions are most of the time drafted by the people who are the powerful and the rulers. Kurdistan people must understand that they will never be free from Iraq if they follow the Iraqi constitutions of 2005 or before.

Therefore, the Kurdish people must fight and earn their freedom and decide their future and fate. It is their original and given right and they should take that right sooner than later. Today is the best day for them. This time is the golden chance for them to get independence. Unless they will loose their freedom forever. It is time to defend their forefather's land with blood and sweat.

The whole worlds also need to remember and understand the position of NATO and EU countries when Kosovo declared independence. The NATO and EU supported Kosovo independence. The UNO also needs to understand that clear recent history. When Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, many of EU  countries and NATO countries recognized Kosovo Independence declaration in February 17, 2008.

According to the Wikepedia the whole world know that the following countries already recognized Kosovo independence even though the government of Serbia rejected it vehemently:

As of 27, 2017, the Republic of Kosovo has received 115 diplomatic recognitions as an independent state. Notably, 111 countries out of 193 (57.5%) of the United Nations member states, 23 out of 28 (82%) of European Union (EU) member states, 25 out of 29 (86%) of NATO member states, and 36 out of 57 (63%) Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states have recognised Kosovo. Serbia does not recognise it as a sovereign state, but has begun to normalize relations with the Government of Kosovo in accordance with Brussels Agreement. 

Why should not EU and NATO countries recognize Kurdistan Independence referendum? Even NATO bombed Serbia to protect Kosovo. Why should not NATO bomb the Iraq or Iran or Turkey to protect Kurdistan people who were the most persecuted ethnic group in the world for many decades? NATO member countries and EU countries  are too bias in the world's politics. Even UN is too bias a lot of times. If many of the UN member state recognizes they should also recognize the Kurdish independence referendum which is their moral obligation.

Regarding the Kosovo declaration of independence in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly requested the advisory opinion to the International Court of Justice. It was the first case to be brought before the International Court of Justice regarding the declaration of independence by one region or province in a country. The court declared that "the adoption of the declaration of independence of the 17 February 2008 did not violate general international law because international law contains 'no prohibition on declaration of independence.'

The above declaration was delivered on 22 July 2010 by the vote of 10 to 4.


Therefore, the Kurdistan declaration of independence vote on 25 September 2017 does not violate international law and the Kurds should have absolute rights to declare independence from Iraq. This is the internal issue between Baghdad and Erbil. Turkey or Iran or Syria should not interfere in the affairs of Kurdistan independence referendum militarily because that is not their affairs. 

So, the whole worlds are looking right now. What would the NATO do when Kurdish people vote their independence referendum in September 25? What would EU countries do on that day and beyond? If they don't support the Kurdistan independence that mean NATO and EU countries are the most bias countries in the whole world. Time will tell whether they are bias or not.

Right now the Israel is the only country that supports the Kurdish independence referendum because they never forgets their history of 2000 years "a nation without a country." Kurdish people are a nation without their own country. Now they need to create their nation on their forefathers' land which they lost to Iraq over one hundred years ago. This is the right time and the best time for them. This may be the only chance Kurdish people have the best opportunity to create their own nation and their own country.

Iraqi government also needs to realize and recognize the truth about the Kurdish history and they cause and they need to grant independence peacefully which will dignify their country. They should grant the right of self determination to the Kurdish people after 100 years of their control. The Iraqi should not choose fighting and violence against the Kurds instead it is better to give them independence peacefully.

 If the Iraqi government does not grant independence to Kurdistan people the struggles of Kurdish people will go one as long as the Kurdish people live until they get their independence in the end. Independence is a natural thing. The Iraqi should realize the reality in their country that Roman Empire grant independence to many countries. The British governments, the most powerful empire in the world history, granted independence to many of their colonies because they were no longer capable of controlling and ruling their colonies. Iraq is not strong like Roman Empire or British Empire. The clear thing is that Iraqi government will grant the independence to Kurdish people one day sooner or later. It is better to grant independence to Kurdish people sooner than later for the sake of their future relationship.

If the Kurdish people choose to get independence from Iraq the whole world needs to support them. NATO countries need to support them. EU countries need to support them. The United States and Russia need to support them. Most of the UNO member countries except Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran need to support them. All Arab countries except Syria and Turkey need to support them.

After all,  all minorities around the world who are struggling for their existence and freedom, need to support and stand firmly with the Kurdish people for their independence movement because they are the best example for all ethnic minorities in the world who are suffering right now in their own countries under the regimes of their countries.

In fact, Kurdistan independence is a symbol of freedom, democracy and self determination ethnic minority. We, all ethnic minority groups around the world, are happy and proud of the Kurdistan independence movement which is our symbols also. Kurdish people should never give up their independence movement until they are given their God's given original right. They need to stand up against all the odds and forces against them.

It is clear nos that Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey will never want the strong and united Kurdish people and they will never want to grant the freedom and self determination to the Kurds. So, the strong army of KRG, Peshmerger, who are the symbols of freedom and justice for Kurdistan people, need unite under the leadership of KRG's leaders and fight all their enemies who are trying to destroy the Kurdish people and block the creation of the free country of Kurdistan. No country in the world including USA and EU countries support the Kurdistan independence referendum except Israel but they would not make any good decision for the Kurdish people. Therefore the Kurdish people and leaders should ignore any negative advise or criticism of the Western countries because they have been always bias in the world's politics and international laws.

I strongly endorse, support and pray for Kurdish independence referendum so that peace can be restored by all parties. We all need to pray for peace and justice for Kurdistan people and the Iraqi government to avoid wars between them so that a new nation "Kurdistan" can be born in their homeland freely. The world need to help to get Kurdistan people to get independent in their country.
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Endnote 

1. International Recognition of Kosovo Independence quoted in Wikepedia

2. International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the declaration of Kosovo Independence, Wekipedia.