‘Kurdish independence shouldn’t rely on international community’

Kurds should not depend on the support of the international community to declare independence, says former French editor of Le Monde diplomatique on Thursday.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Kurds should not depend on the support of the international community to declare independence, says former French editor of Le Monde diplomatique on Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with K24, French journalist and former editor of Le Monde diplomatique newspaper Alain Gresh stated that Kurdish independence will be delayed if they wait for others to grant it to them.

“The United States and Russia are not fighting for principles; they are fighting for their interests. I think it will take time for them to support Kurdish Independence,” he said. “Kurds will never get the full support of the global community.”

He mentioned that unfortunately, the European countries do not care about their political and moral responsibilities in supporting Kurds. "Moral does not make a state to act, but interests [sic]," he said

Gresh noted that the co-existence of different ethnic and religious groups in the Kurdistan Region alone will not bring Kurds independence. There remains a question of borders and demography of disputed territories, especially Kirkuk Province.

“It is true that it is unjust, but this is the reality. Kurdish politicians have to think [about] how they will succeed in their aim in making a Kurdish State, nation-state,” Gresh added.

Regarding the Sykes-Picot agreement, he stated that it was not a treaty but rather an understanding between England and France. It aimed to give self-determination to Kurds, but it was not implemented due to the evolution in Turkey in the 1920s. Gresh said that it is evident that Kurds have the right to an independent state.

Asked about humanitarian aid for the Kurdistan Region, he argued that the international community is not providing enough for the 1.8 million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Gresh urged the worldwide community to assist the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) with this matter.

He also touched upon the Geneva III talks and complained about the exclusion of some Kurds in Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan). Gresh believes that not inviting Kurds to the conference is “a big mistake because Kurds are part of what is happening in Syria.”

 

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Yadgar Ismail conducted the interview from Erbil)