For the ones who are interested. This journal is actually obligatory for the exchange and a tool do describe what we encountered. Every student needs to describe one day and I decided to do this on my birthday. This journal is purely content based and quite long. So, if you have time; read on If not; don't.
Day journal 04-06-2011
Jort Statema
Kurdistan Hawler
For me the day actually started at midnight. The 4th of June is my birthday and together with the guys we enjoyed a few whiskeys at the rooftop of our dormitory. When we woke up we started the day with a visit to the Bazaar. To mingle in Kurdish society, Jordy, Shafiq, Umut and I decided to buy a traditional Kurdish suit. Umut was joyful again, after having retrieved his suitcase from the airport in the morning. Buying a Kurdish outfit is not something you do in a few minutes. It requires time, patience and some devotion as well. We were brought to different places to find the suit, a matching belt and typical Kurdish hat. When we finally had everything, we immediately became the talk of the town. Everybody was so delighted that we wore this dresses, that we received a lot of compliments, took a lot of pictures and at some times were the target of friendly laughter. The thing that furthermore caught my attention during the Bazaar trip was the friendliness of the people. They we so eager to help and assist and were in no way pushy. This made the walk really comfortable and allowed us to truly enjoy the experience.
After lunch we went home to change clothes, because we had a very special visit to the foreign department of Kurdistan. I call it a department, because foreign affairs is in principle the responsibility of the central government in Baghdad and therefore not a ministry. Out of diplomatic considerations Mr. Bakir enjoys a ministerial rank, but his office is a department and not a ministry.
Mr. Bakir first explained the importance of academic mobility and a dialogue between international students. When Mr Bakir was young it was his dream to become a university professor. This dream was destroyed by the Baath regime of Saddam Hussein and this is how he got interested in politics. He does not like it when Kurdistan is addressed as the northern section of Iraq, because the Baath regime used to call Kurdistan 'our beloved North' when they were using toxic gas to eliminate the Kurds. This operation, known as the Anfal operation, destroyed 4.500 Kurdish villages, killed 185.000 Kurds and druing this operation 12.000 Kurds ' dissapeared'. This history is what made the Kurds strong. They have always fought to survive and are the largest nation in the world without a state. Mr. Bakir realizes it is not easy to achieve a independent Kurdistan, because you can not easily change the boundaries of five states. However he sees a window of opportunity if the whole region democratizes and stops the use of violence. As he said himself: " it is crucial to use reason above unreason". He went on by describing that the process of turning from a revolutionary movement to formal governance is not easy. When the Kurdish Regional Government took over in 2003, people did not have food nor elektricity and hated the police. It is therefore a tough challenge, but they are on the right way.
After a question from Umut about how the department functions and what its priorities are, Mr. Bakir went on to describe the department as an organization with its objectives and targets. The department was established in 2007 with the aim to run the International Relations of the KRG. The priorities are to represent the Kurdistan nation and identity in foreign countries and coordinate policy with Internation Organizations. The KRG wants to have a democratic and pluralistic Iraq with respect to for the Kurdish language, equal rights to all and federalism as its constitutional form. Shia, Sunni and Kurds can go together under federal governance, as long as there is tolerance for religion, people's background and sectarianism. A culture of tolerance must be established. The foreign department now enjoys ties with twenty countries around the world, including Jordan and Egypt. When Umut asked again about the priorities in taking care of the KRG interests, Mr. Bakir gave some very specific answers. The foreign department wants a proper understanding of the Kurdish situation by other countries. They especially want to have good relations with their neighbours. They don't want others to interfere with their internal affairs, or in other words respect for sovereignty. They also want good relations with the International Community in general and Arab countries. Mr Bakir explained that the Kurds have dealt with the Arabs in a respectful manner and he believes the Arabs in Iraq understand this. They realize that the Kurds were fed up with the regime and not the Arabs.
Then Paul asked two questions. One about foreign policy and if the US forces should leave or not and one about Turkey, which Paul described as their most difficult neighbour. Mr. Bakir first answered with regards to the US policy. He stated that business is not completed and that they can't determine if they should stay or leave. He did say Iraq is not capable of defending itself, because their might be an increase of Iranian influence if US troops leave. Nobody dares to say that Americans need to stay because of the public opinion. Military commanders should report to Iraqee leaders that the American should stay and then Iraqee leaders can anounce it publicly. Mr. Bakir further stated there is not necessarily a need for a lot of American troops, but commitment from the Americans is crucial. To summarize this in my own words: there is a discrapancy between the private and public and there must be found a way to address that problem. People privately say they want the Americans to stay, but will not admit this in public. If the Americans leave, the likelihood of a civil war drastically increases. There could be tension between Shia and Sunni groups and between Arabs and Kurds. Iraqee leaders need to stand up.
Then the ' Turkey-issue' . Mr. Baker indicated that the Kurds have shown to Turkey they are stable and a good neighbour. No harm is done and they pose no threat. It is their believe to act peacefully and use democratic tools. Turkey tried to deal with Baghdad and Mosul, but were not able to get issues solved. They also need to have a good relationship with the Kurds and recognize them as a legitimate power. In 2003 Turkey still had a very negative stance against the KRG, but in 2008 they realized the KRG is a legitimate entity. Turkey invited Barzani and recognized him as the president of Kurdistan. Mr. Bakir stressed the fact that the Turks are important to the Kurdistan region, because the most active companies in the area are Turkish. He spoke of a win-win situation. The policy of denial is over and he believes they can become mutually beneficial.
When some questions were raised about the Arab Spring and the uprisings in Kurdistan, Mr. Bakir explained that the KRG has justed started the journey to democracy. They still have faults and flaws and no true experience in governance. Opposition is new and they are trying their best. He acknowledged that their should be a better distribution of public funds.
Afterwards Camaran raised a question about Foreign Direct Investment in Kurdistan. The question was if Kurdistan can bring in other industries to produce Kurdish material and start to export and therefore industrialize? The answer of Mr. Bakir was that Iraq is still seen as a warzone, which has a very negative impact. It is the result of capitalist cowardice; if their is risk, they will not come. But the KRG focuses on agriculture, tourism and oil and indsutry to try to develop the nation. The point is not Kurdistan, it are others that need to have courage, but he believes in the energy of the private sector.
Then there were some critical remarks made about the difficult relationship between Iran and Kurdistan and that this is something that need to be paid attention to in the future. The discussion came to an end and we made some pictures to remember the fantastic setting. Our meeting was also mentioned on the website of the KRG website which was really nice to see.
After our meeting with Mr. Bakir we went to the Citadel. It is a six to seven thousand year city which lies about thirty metres above the city of Erbil. Its long diameter is about 430 meters and its short diameter is about 340 meters. Its overall area is slightly more than 10 hectares. We got a short introduction and then received a guided tour through the ruines. The city is being renovated by UNESCO and it is the aim to occupy the city with people again in the future. The state of the city nowadays is really worn with age and it requires a lot of attention and money. Its potentional is huge: it could serve as the pride of the Kurds and also become a big tourist attraction. lets hope money will be spent and renovations will proceed faster.
When the tour was finished, we set out to have dinner. It was amazing to have a birthday together with everybody and share this day with such lovely people. It is really a privilege to be in such diverse company and share thoughts. It was a birthday I won't every forget.
Jort
Day journal 04-06-2011
Jort Statema
Kurdistan Hawler
For me the day actually started at midnight. The 4th of June is my birthday and together with the guys we enjoyed a few whiskeys at the rooftop of our dormitory. When we woke up we started the day with a visit to the Bazaar. To mingle in Kurdish society, Jordy, Shafiq, Umut and I decided to buy a traditional Kurdish suit. Umut was joyful again, after having retrieved his suitcase from the airport in the morning. Buying a Kurdish outfit is not something you do in a few minutes. It requires time, patience and some devotion as well. We were brought to different places to find the suit, a matching belt and typical Kurdish hat. When we finally had everything, we immediately became the talk of the town. Everybody was so delighted that we wore this dresses, that we received a lot of compliments, took a lot of pictures and at some times were the target of friendly laughter. The thing that furthermore caught my attention during the Bazaar trip was the friendliness of the people. They we so eager to help and assist and were in no way pushy. This made the walk really comfortable and allowed us to truly enjoy the experience.
After lunch we went home to change clothes, because we had a very special visit to the foreign department of Kurdistan. I call it a department, because foreign affairs is in principle the responsibility of the central government in Baghdad and therefore not a ministry. Out of diplomatic considerations Mr. Bakir enjoys a ministerial rank, but his office is a department and not a ministry.
Mr. Bakir first explained the importance of academic mobility and a dialogue between international students. When Mr Bakir was young it was his dream to become a university professor. This dream was destroyed by the Baath regime of Saddam Hussein and this is how he got interested in politics. He does not like it when Kurdistan is addressed as the northern section of Iraq, because the Baath regime used to call Kurdistan 'our beloved North' when they were using toxic gas to eliminate the Kurds. This operation, known as the Anfal operation, destroyed 4.500 Kurdish villages, killed 185.000 Kurds and druing this operation 12.000 Kurds ' dissapeared'. This history is what made the Kurds strong. They have always fought to survive and are the largest nation in the world without a state. Mr. Bakir realizes it is not easy to achieve a independent Kurdistan, because you can not easily change the boundaries of five states. However he sees a window of opportunity if the whole region democratizes and stops the use of violence. As he said himself: " it is crucial to use reason above unreason". He went on by describing that the process of turning from a revolutionary movement to formal governance is not easy. When the Kurdish Regional Government took over in 2003, people did not have food nor elektricity and hated the police. It is therefore a tough challenge, but they are on the right way.
After a question from Umut about how the department functions and what its priorities are, Mr. Bakir went on to describe the department as an organization with its objectives and targets. The department was established in 2007 with the aim to run the International Relations of the KRG. The priorities are to represent the Kurdistan nation and identity in foreign countries and coordinate policy with Internation Organizations. The KRG wants to have a democratic and pluralistic Iraq with respect to for the Kurdish language, equal rights to all and federalism as its constitutional form. Shia, Sunni and Kurds can go together under federal governance, as long as there is tolerance for religion, people's background and sectarianism. A culture of tolerance must be established. The foreign department now enjoys ties with twenty countries around the world, including Jordan and Egypt. When Umut asked again about the priorities in taking care of the KRG interests, Mr. Bakir gave some very specific answers. The foreign department wants a proper understanding of the Kurdish situation by other countries. They especially want to have good relations with their neighbours. They don't want others to interfere with their internal affairs, or in other words respect for sovereignty. They also want good relations with the International Community in general and Arab countries. Mr Bakir explained that the Kurds have dealt with the Arabs in a respectful manner and he believes the Arabs in Iraq understand this. They realize that the Kurds were fed up with the regime and not the Arabs.
Then Paul asked two questions. One about foreign policy and if the US forces should leave or not and one about Turkey, which Paul described as their most difficult neighbour. Mr. Bakir first answered with regards to the US policy. He stated that business is not completed and that they can't determine if they should stay or leave. He did say Iraq is not capable of defending itself, because their might be an increase of Iranian influence if US troops leave. Nobody dares to say that Americans need to stay because of the public opinion. Military commanders should report to Iraqee leaders that the American should stay and then Iraqee leaders can anounce it publicly. Mr. Bakir further stated there is not necessarily a need for a lot of American troops, but commitment from the Americans is crucial. To summarize this in my own words: there is a discrapancy between the private and public and there must be found a way to address that problem. People privately say they want the Americans to stay, but will not admit this in public. If the Americans leave, the likelihood of a civil war drastically increases. There could be tension between Shia and Sunni groups and between Arabs and Kurds. Iraqee leaders need to stand up.
Then the ' Turkey-issue' . Mr. Baker indicated that the Kurds have shown to Turkey they are stable and a good neighbour. No harm is done and they pose no threat. It is their believe to act peacefully and use democratic tools. Turkey tried to deal with Baghdad and Mosul, but were not able to get issues solved. They also need to have a good relationship with the Kurds and recognize them as a legitimate power. In 2003 Turkey still had a very negative stance against the KRG, but in 2008 they realized the KRG is a legitimate entity. Turkey invited Barzani and recognized him as the president of Kurdistan. Mr. Bakir stressed the fact that the Turks are important to the Kurdistan region, because the most active companies in the area are Turkish. He spoke of a win-win situation. The policy of denial is over and he believes they can become mutually beneficial.
When some questions were raised about the Arab Spring and the uprisings in Kurdistan, Mr. Bakir explained that the KRG has justed started the journey to democracy. They still have faults and flaws and no true experience in governance. Opposition is new and they are trying their best. He acknowledged that their should be a better distribution of public funds.
Afterwards Camaran raised a question about Foreign Direct Investment in Kurdistan. The question was if Kurdistan can bring in other industries to produce Kurdish material and start to export and therefore industrialize? The answer of Mr. Bakir was that Iraq is still seen as a warzone, which has a very negative impact. It is the result of capitalist cowardice; if their is risk, they will not come. But the KRG focuses on agriculture, tourism and oil and indsutry to try to develop the nation. The point is not Kurdistan, it are others that need to have courage, but he believes in the energy of the private sector.
Then there were some critical remarks made about the difficult relationship between Iran and Kurdistan and that this is something that need to be paid attention to in the future. The discussion came to an end and we made some pictures to remember the fantastic setting. Our meeting was also mentioned on the website of the KRG website which was really nice to see.
After our meeting with Mr. Bakir we went to the Citadel. It is a six to seven thousand year city which lies about thirty metres above the city of Erbil. Its long diameter is about 430 meters and its short diameter is about 340 meters. Its overall area is slightly more than 10 hectares. We got a short introduction and then received a guided tour through the ruines. The city is being renovated by UNESCO and it is the aim to occupy the city with people again in the future. The state of the city nowadays is really worn with age and it requires a lot of attention and money. Its potentional is huge: it could serve as the pride of the Kurds and also become a big tourist attraction. lets hope money will be spent and renovations will proceed faster.
When the tour was finished, we set out to have dinner. It was amazing to have a birthday together with everybody and share this day with such lovely people. It is really a privilege to be in such diverse company and share thoughts. It was a birthday I won't every forget.
Jort
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