Could tribal politics and cynicism end in Kurdistan

 By: Shwan Zulal

Maidani Azadi temporary committee has issued a statement today, asking the government to answer their demands and they point out a number of demands on the list that was not addressed by the government official response. One of the committee members also pointed out that there are many attempts by the incumbent to try to create divisions and disunity among its members.

It is over three weeks since the temporary committee gave the government a list of demands. On the current trend, the committee could become permanent due to lack of response from KRG. In today's statement, they mentioned over five points where the government failed to mention in the PM statement earlier in the month. Moreover, the committee mentions the fact that the government have not yet taken any tangible steps to address the issues agreed to adopt. The committee also spoke about their readiness to engage in dialogue and said; so far, they have not entered into any discussions with the government.

Faruq Rafiq, one of the committee members has spoken out and mentioned that there are continues efforts by the powers to be to try to undermine the protesters. He added, "The incumbents have sent people to spy on the committee, but we know who they are and their plans have been unravelled". He also mentioned the fact that government is even incompetent in spying as their spies were immediately identified.  The spokes person for the square, Nask Qadir, said that last night some people have been in talks with PUK and KDP in the mane of the temporary committee but they are not our representatives, and their names would be public soon, reported Hawlati.

In another development today in Maidani Azadi, Slemani, there were a report of disturbance and stabbings and eyewitnesses reported that a group of youngsters have intentionally tried to disturb peace in the square. As a result, a knife fight broke out and so far, there are no known casualties. The current efforts by government loyalists are very similar to those seen in Egypt charging on horsebacks and it is know how those efforts have failed to quell the demonstrations. 

Speaking to my father today about the situation in Kurdistan he reminded me of the events, which took place in 1959 where the nation was divided, and very similar scenes were taking place in Newroz that year. The disputed parties were the Iraqi communist party and KDP and the mood was very similar.
Newroz celebrations took place in two different areas, two different flags and two sets of supporters, only this year there were three disputed sides and different kind of demands. It is time for the Kurdish public to realise that the era of tribal politics is over and if we carry on with the same politics, the future does not look bright. What the public has to realise, today's politics is more about public services and people's well-being rather than personalities and ideology.

Protest continues and today Halabja protesters came out and they are adamant that the mayor must go. In contrast to yesterdays bloodshed the protest was peaceful and there were no reports of shootings.

Finally, the Syrian people have decided that they had enough of the Baath regime and many have made their voices heard on the streets. The coward Regime has been trying to stop protesters by shooting and using excessive force. Needless to say, western governments must support protesters wherever they are, otherwise a dangerous precedent could be set saying that only very brutal dictators can survive like Saudi, Bahrain, Iran, Syria and Yemen.