Some Recent Thoughts By Massoud Barzani

S2 · 22 Dec 08,, 05:57

From the CSIS, a transcript of a recent speech by Barzani taken Oct. 31, 2008-

Massoud Barzani- CSIS Transcript

Here, from the Q&A-

"Q: Yeah, question from the Kurdish Service of Voice of America addressed to President Barzani regarding the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Iraq. If that agreement was not signed between Washington and Baghdad, is there any possibility for American forces to be based in Kurdistan region of Iraq, and what would be the request of the United States or how would you see that?

MR. BARZANI: So far, the focus is on the agreement in order to be signed. We will try our best for that agreement to be signed. This issue has not been raised or discussed yet, but if there was no agreement or no agreement was signed and we did not reach an agreement, and if the United States requests for its forces to be based in Kurdistan region, I am confident that the Kurdistan regional parliament and the people of Kurdistan region and the Kurdistan regional government would welcome that."

Lots of interesting comments. I note the near open-invite offered U.S. forces were a SOFA not satisfactorily reached. We've un-played cards which we hold that go beyond the current SOFA.

Enjoy.

**osage18** · 22 Dec 08,, 06:11

Deuce,
I'm torn by my Kurdish loyalties. I think there is a lot to gain for the U.S. and the U.S. military, even after the SOFA, with the Kurds. U.S. bases there would be a statement, but strategically, it makes sense. I wouldn't want the Arab folks in Iraq to get upset, but it would make sense.

I'd like to see independence become a reality for them, but they basically have that now. I do sincerely wish them all the best, because when the times were most rough for us over there, the Kurds always had our back. I think you probably know that, though. Barzani is a great man.

**Ironduke** · 22 Dec 08,, 23:35

S-2, do you think there's any way US forces can "retrench" in Kurdistan in a way that goes against the SOFA with the blessing of the Kurdish leadership?

**TTL** · 25 Dec 08,, 12:42

How can KRG invite a foreign power to establish bases on Iraqi soil without Baghdad's permission? This finally will shatter the illusion of Americans respecting Iraq's unity. I think to be a federal part of Iraq will serve much better to Kurdish interests. They need stable times and cooperative neighbors to build up their economy - life standarts. Which they might not find if they pursue the independence before time is right.

**Herodotus** · 26 Dec 08,, 15:10

Originally Posted by osage18

Deuce,
I'm torn by my Kurdish loyalties. I think there is a lot to gain for the U.S. and the U.S. military, even after the SOFA, with the Kurds. U.S. bases there would be a statement, but strategically, it makes sense. I wouldn't want the Arab folks in Iraq to get upset, but it would make sense.

I'd like to see independence become a reality for them, but they basically have that now. I do sincerely wish them all the best, because when the times were most rough for us over there, the Kurds always had our back. I think you probably know that, though. Barzani is a great man.

Kurds=Good? Let's wait until they seriously crack down on the PKK, before we jump into having bases there. It is not really kosher to stand against a NATO ally; allowing it to be attacked from territory nominally protected by American troops. And why do the Kurds deserve their own state over any of the other 1,000 stateless nations out there?

S2 · 26 Dec 08,, 16:40

The best configuration for everybody concerned remains an autonomous KRG within a federated Iraq.

"...allowing it to be attacked from territory nominally protected by American troops."

This comment is salient. Any scenario that includes U.S. AFBs in Kurdistan would likely entail the dissolution of Iraq into ethnic partition. At that point all bets are off. Until then, it's imperative that America not shield the PKK in any way.

Herodotus is well aware of the lengths to which the U.S. government/military has gone to mollify Turkish rage at attacks by the PKK. It mirrors closely our situation with Pakistan. This includes our virtual assistance with intel during the periodic forays conducted by Turkish forces into Iraq.

Kurdistan could not exist as an independant entity without the goodwill of the United States and at least one of it's erstwhile neighbors. Preferably that would be Turkey. To do so, the KRG will need to make an active commitment to the destruction of the PKK. They will do so if Iraq dissolves and they are faced with the stark alternative of their nascent state being again absorbed by Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Commiting the Peshmerga against the PKK would assure the assistance of America and, likely, the cooperation of Turkey. America's presence assures the KRG's existence against Syria, Iran, and the remainder of Iraq.

Key to all of this seems to be the education of Iraq's kurdish citizens. The greater Kurdish understanding of the risks to their current nation associated with harboring PKK and other elements, the more likely these citizens will see their role as one of establishing a "final redoubt" for Kurds everywhere. Those which do will brook no endangerment of that status by groups such as the PKK.

It's the only sensible perspective.