I have been watching the great debate over Scottish independence unfold in the British media with great curiosity, excitement and hope. Scotland was an independent country in the early Middle Ages. In 2007, the Scottish National Party (SNP) vowed to hold a referendum on Scottish independence if it won the Scottish Parliamentary Election. Later, in the 2011 election, SNP’s victory as a majority allowed it to uphold its promise. Subsequently, a referendum on whether Scotland should once again be an independent country will be held on September 18 of this year.
In 1997, the labor government offered the Scottish people a referendum on a devolved Scottish parliament. This move, similar to Iraqi Kurdistan being offered autonomy by the Baghdad government in 1970, only fuelled nationalist sentiment among what many call Scotland’s “Braveheart” generation.
The Scottish parliament has tired of regulation from London, and wants more control over oil and gas in the North Sea. This is coupled with rising nationalist sentiment under the conservative-led coalition government in England, which some believe does not represent the largely liberal Scottish people.
However, there are some projected downfalls if Scotland gains its independent status. Namely, Scotland will lose its European Union membership; economists have warned of financial issues that could ensue following independence.
A recent survey conducted by the Ipsos MORI polling firm shows that 57 percent would vote against Scottish independence while 32 percent would vote in favor, with 11 percent remaining undecided. With just seven months to go before Scots vote “yes” or “no,” the debate is intensifying, and it still remains unclear whether or not Scotland will become independent, given that different polls indicate different results.
As a Kurd, seeing Kurdistan become independent -- and excuse the cliche -- is a dream come true, because it will allow us to exercise more control over our natural resources. More importantly, we can better protect our rights, and the Kurdish people can live comfortably, without fearing budget cuts from Baghdad’s central government, as has been seen in recent times.
Unfortunately, sentiments of independence in Kurdistan are largely exercised during elections, and while calls of independence are being echoed by many parties throughout Southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan, a clear solution regarding disputed territories has not surfaced.
I think Scottish independence will be a great learning lesson for Kurdistan, if it happens in the near future. It will allow us to closely follow Scottish progress, and learn where they might make mistakes. However, unless Kurdish leadership over independence emboldens, it is unlikely that we will see Kurdistan become independent anytime soon.
What we can do in the meantime is prepare for the “big day” when Kurdistan does become independent. A roadmap is necessary. Not one that is tainted by political party bias, but which considers the long-term implications of independence and the responsibilities that will fall under a newly-found state. The potential threats to Kurdistan’s independence should be measured, and for every potential action a reaction must be considered.
Kurdistan has much to consider with its independence -- important questions such as what will be our currency and where will be our borders, as well as how will oil-rich disputed territories be dealt with.
Unless these questions are answered, we will not be coming any closer to independence.
