A lot has been written about the Kurdish referendum, but little has been said about the man behind this project and what he stands for. It is true that an entire nation are dreaming of independence, but Masoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Region, is the man at the helm and he is the public face of this campaign.
I know the case for independence would be stronger if it is not made about one man and rather kept about a people, but it is a fact that Barzani is and has been one Kurdish leader who has pushed for a referendum and for independence not since June 7, but for many years, and most certainly since Baghdad started sailing towards authoritarianism and militia rule.
There’s nothing wrong with one man leading a project like this and people and parties, his political opponents too, must rally behind him and be thankful that he is willing to put on his own shoulders such a big responsibility. Those who worry that a Kurdish state will be an achievement for Barzani alone, must know this from John F. Kennedy: “Victory has a thousand fathers.” A Kurdish state will be for all, most importantly our future generations.
It is sad to see that the world seems to have come together to ensure this project doesn't succeed. Barzani is fighting singlehandedly while everyone else is throwing before him one obstacle after another.
Since the day it was decided that a referendum will be held in September and even before then, Barzani has not used a single threatening word against Iraq or Kurdistan’s neighbours or anyone else for that matter. Dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful partition have been the cornerstone of his plan and he has reiterated that in every meeting or interview. I don’t think he only says that for the sake of the referendum. I truly believe his words and trust that a Kurdish state will pose a threat to none of its neighbours and Iran, Turkey, Iraq and Syria will be most at ease about their borders with Kurdistan.
“If we possess the power of the entire world we will not attack anyone, and if the entire world attacks us we will fight back,” is what Barzani believes in, and that concept alone, should make the world drop their opposition to Kurdish statehood. The Kurds only want to have a state of their own and live in peace with their neighbours.
Kurdistan can be the peaceful missing link between its hostile neighbours. It could become a place where warring parties meet face to face. Historically it has been a safe haven for Iraq’s Shiite and Sunni leaders and for whoever has needed shelter from persecution. As a state it could elevate itself to the role of peacemaker, mediator, arbitrator. Just a few days ago at the Erbil airport I saw flight details to Baghdad, Tehran, Ankara, Damascus, Doha and Dubai. I smiled to see how those countries, who are in all kinds of war with each other, meet in Kurdistan.
Those who try to delegitimise the Kurdish referendum by saying it is a Barzani project are acting against the will of a people. Barzani is one in a long line of leaders who fought for a dignified life for their people. It only happens that he is the leader at this stage of Kurdish history where a golden opportunity has risen and must not be missed.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rudaw.
