MICHAEL GUNTER - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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DRoshani
Jul 21, 2009, 6:36:08 AM7/21/09
to KURDISTANICA Network
(*)- How is the Situation and the political weight of Kurds in Iraq &
Middle East now in your viewpoint?
The Iraqi Kurds have become a “player” in Iraq and the Middle East as
they have become stronger than ever before. However, they are still in
a perilous position given the hostility of their regional neighbors
and the coming U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. More immediately threatening
is the growing strength of the Baghdad government under Prime Minister
Nouri al-Maliki, who seems determined to centralize the Iraqi
government at the expense of the KRG. Indeed, KRG President Massoud
Barzani is not even on speaking terms with al-Maliki since Barzani
told al-Maliki that he was beginning to smell like a dictator. Given
the horrific history between Baghdad and the Kurds, Barzani had every
right to say this.
(*) What are the main pitfalls of Iraqi Kurdish politicians after 2003
and American occupation?
The main pitfall of the Iraqi Kurdish politicians after 2003 has been
reaching too far in trying to annex Kirkuk and the surrounding area to
the KRG. Since Kirkuk is not just inhabited by Kurds, the needs of its
Arabs, Turkomans, and Christians must also be considered. More to the
point, however, is that the Arab Iraqis have gradually been regaining
their strength and are simply not going to give Kirkuk away to the
Kurds. Even if the Kurds somehow took it, it would result in a Pyrrhic
victory as the Arabs would never accept it. Kurdish politicians must
understand this situation and adequately explain it to their people.
(*) Why Kurds have no friends but mountains most of the time?
The Kurds usually have no friends but the mountains because the
Kurdish goals of autonomy or independence challenge the territorial
integrity of those existing states (Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria)
they inhabit. Furthermore, even states more friendly towards the Kurds
such as the United States are not going to support the dismantling of
other states because of the dangerous threat to their own security
such a doctrine might present.
(*) Should Iraqi Kurds fight Iranian and Turkish Kurds in order to
preserve Kurdistan Regional Government and its achievements?
It would be the height of folly and betrayal for the Iraqi Kurds to
fight against the Iranian or Turkish Kurds in a misguided effort to
preserve the KRG. The Iraqi Kurds actually tried to do this when they
supported Turkey against the PKK in 1992 and the result was disastrous
on Kurdish morale throughout the world. On the other hand, the KRG
cannot be seen as giving outright support to the KRG or PJAK. What is
needed is astute diplomacy and compromise on this issue. The KRG must
explain and argue that the problem is not the fault of the KRG, but
that of Turkey and Iran for their failure to grant their ethnic
Kurdish populations their minimal rights.
(*) personally, do you regard PKK as a terrorist Organization?
I do not regard the PKK as a terrorist organization. In the case of
the PKK, it is largely a propagandistic term used to brand opponents
as illegitimate. When I met and interviewed Abdullah (Apo) Ocalan in
March 1998, he admitted that on occasion the PKK had used terrorist
tactics, but rightly declared that if you studied history you would
see that the real terrorists were the states that had so egregiously
mistreated the Kurds over the years. All parties to the Kurdish
problem should move beyond mere name-calling and seriously open
negotiations in an effort to satisfy legitimate Kurdish demands within
the existing borders. This means real democracy for the states in
which the Kurds live.
(*)Should Kurds depend on American policy on Iraq? And before that, do
you think there is something present to be regarded as American-
Kurdish alliance in Iraq?
The Iraqi Kurds have no choice but to cooperate with the U.S, policy
in Iraq. The Kurds would not have all the achievements of the KRG they
now do if it were not for the United States. Of course, this does not
mean that the Kurds cannot diplomatically and discreetly debate and
argue behind the scenes when U.S. policy seems to be sacrificing the
core goals of the KRG such as federalism for Iraq. Given the long-
standing American admiration for the Kurds and the specific gratitude
for Kurdish support in the 2003 war to remove Saddam Hussein from
power, there is a de-facto U.S.-KRG alliance, which the Kurds can call
upon. However, as I have already stated, the Kurds must use this de
facto alliance in a diplomatic and discreet manner or risk losing it.
After all in geopolitical terms, Turkey and Iraq are more important to
the United States than the KRG.
(*)In your opinion, among the Kurdish politicians, who is the most
successful player in his role?
Although there are a number of successful Iraqi Kurdish politicians,
Barham Salih might be the most successful as he has combined a sense
of intelligent and modern governance for the people with the overt
backing of the existing leadership, which is now being challenged by
Nawshirwan Mustafa’s Change List. In this sense, Barham Salih has not
only played a most important and intelligent role in Baghdad as well
as the KRG, but he has also done so without challenging what many
would see the founding fathers of the KRG. Of course, I am saying this
before we know the results of the KRG elections on July 25, 2009, so
we will have to await these returns to see what Barham Salih’s future
will be.
(*)How you you see Kurdish future?
In general, I am cautiously optimistic about the future of the Kurds
in general. For the first time in their modern history, the Kurds in
Iraq and Turkey at least are cautiously ascending which is the title
of my latest book on the Kurds! There are two basic reasons for my
cautious optimism. (1). The creation of the KRG in Iraq; and (2).
Turkey’s EU candidacy is having the fortuitous side effect of granting
that state’s ethnic Kurds their full democratic rights.
Michael Gunter Interview: July 20, 2009
Professor Dr. Michael M. Gunter - Tennessee Technological University -
USA
Middle East now in your viewpoint?
The Iraqi Kurds have become a “player” in Iraq and the Middle East as
they have become stronger than ever before. However, they are still in
a perilous position given the hostility of their regional neighbors
and the coming U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. More immediately threatening
is the growing strength of the Baghdad government under Prime Minister
Nouri al-Maliki, who seems determined to centralize the Iraqi
government at the expense of the KRG. Indeed, KRG President Massoud
Barzani is not even on speaking terms with al-Maliki since Barzani
told al-Maliki that he was beginning to smell like a dictator. Given
the horrific history between Baghdad and the Kurds, Barzani had every
right to say this.
(*) What are the main pitfalls of Iraqi Kurdish politicians after 2003
and American occupation?
The main pitfall of the Iraqi Kurdish politicians after 2003 has been
reaching too far in trying to annex Kirkuk and the surrounding area to
the KRG. Since Kirkuk is not just inhabited by Kurds, the needs of its
Arabs, Turkomans, and Christians must also be considered. More to the
point, however, is that the Arab Iraqis have gradually been regaining
their strength and are simply not going to give Kirkuk away to the
Kurds. Even if the Kurds somehow took it, it would result in a Pyrrhic
victory as the Arabs would never accept it. Kurdish politicians must
understand this situation and adequately explain it to their people.
(*) Why Kurds have no friends but mountains most of the time?
The Kurds usually have no friends but the mountains because the
Kurdish goals of autonomy or independence challenge the territorial
integrity of those existing states (Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria)
they inhabit. Furthermore, even states more friendly towards the Kurds
such as the United States are not going to support the dismantling of
other states because of the dangerous threat to their own security
such a doctrine might present.
(*) Should Iraqi Kurds fight Iranian and Turkish Kurds in order to
preserve Kurdistan Regional Government and its achievements?
It would be the height of folly and betrayal for the Iraqi Kurds to
fight against the Iranian or Turkish Kurds in a misguided effort to
preserve the KRG. The Iraqi Kurds actually tried to do this when they
supported Turkey against the PKK in 1992 and the result was disastrous
on Kurdish morale throughout the world. On the other hand, the KRG
cannot be seen as giving outright support to the KRG or PJAK. What is
needed is astute diplomacy and compromise on this issue. The KRG must
explain and argue that the problem is not the fault of the KRG, but
that of Turkey and Iran for their failure to grant their ethnic
Kurdish populations their minimal rights.
(*) personally, do you regard PKK as a terrorist Organization?
I do not regard the PKK as a terrorist organization. In the case of
the PKK, it is largely a propagandistic term used to brand opponents
as illegitimate. When I met and interviewed Abdullah (Apo) Ocalan in
March 1998, he admitted that on occasion the PKK had used terrorist
tactics, but rightly declared that if you studied history you would
see that the real terrorists were the states that had so egregiously
mistreated the Kurds over the years. All parties to the Kurdish
problem should move beyond mere name-calling and seriously open
negotiations in an effort to satisfy legitimate Kurdish demands within
the existing borders. This means real democracy for the states in
which the Kurds live.
(*)Should Kurds depend on American policy on Iraq? And before that, do
you think there is something present to be regarded as American-
Kurdish alliance in Iraq?
The Iraqi Kurds have no choice but to cooperate with the U.S, policy
in Iraq. The Kurds would not have all the achievements of the KRG they
now do if it were not for the United States. Of course, this does not
mean that the Kurds cannot diplomatically and discreetly debate and
argue behind the scenes when U.S. policy seems to be sacrificing the
core goals of the KRG such as federalism for Iraq. Given the long-
standing American admiration for the Kurds and the specific gratitude
for Kurdish support in the 2003 war to remove Saddam Hussein from
power, there is a de-facto U.S.-KRG alliance, which the Kurds can call
upon. However, as I have already stated, the Kurds must use this de
facto alliance in a diplomatic and discreet manner or risk losing it.
After all in geopolitical terms, Turkey and Iraq are more important to
the United States than the KRG.
(*)In your opinion, among the Kurdish politicians, who is the most
successful player in his role?
Although there are a number of successful Iraqi Kurdish politicians,
Barham Salih might be the most successful as he has combined a sense
of intelligent and modern governance for the people with the overt
backing of the existing leadership, which is now being challenged by
Nawshirwan Mustafa’s Change List. In this sense, Barham Salih has not
only played a most important and intelligent role in Baghdad as well
as the KRG, but he has also done so without challenging what many
would see the founding fathers of the KRG. Of course, I am saying this
before we know the results of the KRG elections on July 25, 2009, so
we will have to await these returns to see what Barham Salih’s future
will be.
(*)How you you see Kurdish future?
In general, I am cautiously optimistic about the future of the Kurds
in general. For the first time in their modern history, the Kurds in
Iraq and Turkey at least are cautiously ascending which is the title
of my latest book on the Kurds! There are two basic reasons for my
cautious optimism. (1). The creation of the KRG in Iraq; and (2).
Turkey’s EU candidacy is having the fortuitous side effect of granting
that state’s ethnic Kurds their full democratic rights.
Michael Gunter Interview: July 20, 2009
Professor Dr. Michael M. Gunter - Tennessee Technological University -
USA
kurosh abdi
Jul 23, 2009, 9:24:51 AM7/23/09
to dros...@gmail.com, KURDISTANICA Network
Slaw berrézan,
Tikaye em wutarey xuwarewe be wurdí bixwénnewe ú boçúní xotanim bo email biken.
Lew maweye ke basí Elfabéy Yekgrtúy Kurdí hatuwete arawe, bedaxewe heshta kes ewende bírí nekirduwetewe ke cíyawazí heye le néwan elfabe ú dengekaní ziman da. Herboye sergerdaníyekí tewaw heye le néw ew zimanewane Kurdaney ke elfabekan péshníyar deken. Léreda amaje be sé xall dekem, pashan nimúney gorrawí elfabeye Yekgirtúy Kurdí péshníyar dekem.
- Le zimaní Ínglísí da hendék deng wekú sh, zh, r (flapped), heye bellam be hoy ewey ke pítí taybetí xoyan níye hergíz le rízí elfabe da nabínrén. Eme híç kemúkúrríyek bo zimaní Ínglísí drúst nakat. Ke wate çak waye émey Kurdísh heman shéwaz bigríne ber. Katék le elfabey zimanék da dú pít dengékí taze drúst deken, bo nimúne “sh” nabét ew dú píte pékewe wekú yek pítí elfabé hisab bikrén. Herwekú zimaní Ínglísí: “sh” wekú deng le zimaní Ínglísí da heye bellam nek wekú pítékí elfabé.
- Hebúní píthayek ke xoyan le çend pítí díke pék hatún rúwalet ú qebarey wushekan nashírín ú qors dekat, boye péwíste ta cégayek ke dekrét kemtír bekar bihénrén: ew píte duwananey ke ésta le Kurdí Latín da deybínín brítín le 'rr', ‘ll’, ‘sh’, ‘jh’. Sé pítí yekem (‘rr’, ‘ll’, ‘sh’) be hoy péwístí yekcar zor ú bawbúní ewan le zimaní Kurdí da grínge herweha biménnewe. Bellam “jh” be ray min shitékí napéwíste u híç lazim níye éme sé pítí Kurmancí 'ç c j’ le Yekgirtú da bigorín, we yekék lewan cégay xoy bidat be 'jh'. Em pítane hemú Unicodin we híç késheyekyan níye. Kewate ba em pítane herwekú Kurmancí le Yekgrtúyísh da bekar bihénrén.
- Pítekaní ح, غ, le dréjey zemanda hatúnete néw zimaní Kurdí. Kewate péwíste emane le zimanekeman la bibeyn yan be bew pítane bínúsín ke bem dengane nizíkin. Yané bo ح heman H, bo غ heman X bekar bihénín. Be heman shéwe ke le Kurmancí de deybínín. Pítí ع be hoy ewey ke bestrawe be dengí bizwéní pash xoy, le elfabéy Latín da péwíst níye hebét, bo nimúne: عەلی = Elí, عوسمان = Osman, عارف Arif.
- Bo pítekaní ‘ll’ ú ‘rr’ hemú shiték rúne. Eger le seretay wushe da nebin ú dengí ڵ yan ڕ-yan hebét ewa be duwane denúsrén. Le seretay wushe da hemíshe yekdaneyí denúsrén, çunka le sertay wushe da 'R' hemishe qellewe u 'L' hemishe nasike.
Pash em rúnkirdnewe, ésta Elfabéy Yekgirtú be shéwey gorrdirawí xuwarewe péshniyar dekem. Eweman le bír neçét ke eme zor benirxe bo handaní Kurmancekan bo ewe elfabéy Hawar bigorrin bo yekgírtú, çunka zor le emcareyan yektír nizík debin
Elfabey Yekgirtúy Kurdí:
A B Ç C D E É F G H İ Í J K L M N O P Q R S T U Ú Ù V W X Y Z
a b ç c d e é f g h i í j k l m n o p q r s t u ú ù v w x y z
Dengekaní Díke ke pítí taybetyan níye: ll, rr, sh
Be híwaye serkewtiní níshtim
Legell Rézda,
Kúrosh Ebí
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