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US-Kurdish relations, short term venture
or a long term partnership
8.9.2010
By Hiwa Osman - ekurd.net |
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September 8, 2010
The visit of US vice-president Joe Biden to Erbil
was an important recognition of Iraqi Kurdistan and
president Barzani and the role the region plays in
Iraq’s political process.
It was also seen as a reassurance that US relations
with Kurdistan region are intact. But what type of
relations exist today?
Depending on the size and gravity of the problem,
the level of contact between the two have ranged
between the Americans inviting Kurdish leaders to
the White House to a phone call or meeting in
Baghdad when the American president is in town.
Other means of contact are usually left up to the
vice-president or the secretaries of state or
defense, who call Kurdish leaders and occasionally
visit Kurdistan.
Thus far, Kurdish-US relations have fluctuated based
on the issue at hand – with the problem usually
involving Baghdad, Kirkuk or Turkey.
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Hiwa Osman, IWPR Iraq’s country director, previously
served as Iraqi president Jalal Talabani’s media
adviser. |
The typical scenario is
that the Kurds are adamant about a certain issue,
and the US steps in with either a visit, invitation
or a phone call. The Kurdish stance softens soon
afterwards.
A key issue that the Kurds are debating now is
whether they are getting their money’s worth out of
this relationship.
Some Kurds say that the US needs Iraqi Kurdistan
more than Iraqi Kurdistan needs the US today, as
Iraqi Kurdistan is the only success story of the US
liberation of Iraq.
This may not be a very popular statement amongst the
Kurds in general. Many still want to believe that
the US is Iraqi Kurdistan’s key partner and ally.
But this could change. Relations are usually based
on give and take. The Kurds maintain that despite
positively responding to all of America’s requests,
the US is not as responsive when the Kurds ask for
help on any their issues.
The issues of article 140, revenue-sharing,
relations with Turkey and the constant shelling of
borders are all issues that the Kurds believe that
the US could play a more effective role in solving.
Thus far, on the surface at least, America’s
high-profile political engagement with Kurdistan
came during crises, when they wanted the Kurds to
soften their position.
While it is clear that the Kurdish relationship with
the US is a valuable, strategic option that the
Kurds cannot abandon, they can certainly manage it
better. Relations with the United States are deeply
rooted and long-term – they are not just with the
administration that happens to be in power.
America’s pride in Iraqi Kurdistan’s achievements is
mostly limited to security and stability. They are
still hesitant to speak out when it comes to
democracy, good governance, transparency, anti
corruption, freedom of speech and human rights.
While steps have been taken on a democratic path,
Iraqi Kurdistan still has some way to go.
It is not difficult to become an ally of the United
States, but it may be more of a challenge to become
a true ally and partner.
Measures to combat corruption, promote transparency
and good governance, and uphold human rights and
freedom of speech are all steps that Iraqi
Kurdistan’s leadership can take.
This would create a much more solid foundation for
Kurdish-US relations. It would also open the scope
for more partners. Let’s not forget that some Kurds
argue that compared to its neighbors,www.ekurd.netIraqi
Kurdistan is much better off in terms of democratic
progress.
But this comparison doesn’t stand because no country
in the region constitutes a good example of
democracy, human rights and good governance. The
Kurdistan region should look at the European
democracies as a model.
Kurdish-US relations are at a crossroads. They can
either resemble US relations with its pseudo allies
in the region like Egypt or Saudi Arabia, or they
can be modeled after America’s relations with
democracies in Europe.
It is now up to the Kurds and the US to decide which
way it will go.
Hiwa Osman
is IWPR’s country director in Iraq, previously served as
Iraqi president Jalal Talabani’s media adviser.
Copyright © 2010 ekurd.net
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