The Kurdistan Democratic Party Celebrates 74 Years of Establishment

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

On the occasion of the 16th of August, the 74th anniversary of the establishment of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), I extend my warmest congratulations and greetings to the families of the martyrs and the people of Kurdistan.

The founding of the Kurdistan Democratic Party was an important turning point in the history of the Kurdish Liberation Movement; therefore, it became a national school for the Kurdish freedom figters. The aim of its formation in those difficult circumstances was to keep the Kurdish political spirit alive and to strengthen self-confidence among the Kurds. The KDP was on all stages a major party and a symbol of defence of the legitimate rights for the people of Kurdistan, and it has proved this in word and action. It has always been a place of hope for the people of Kurdistan, but at the same time it has been a target of conspiracies and tactics from enemies of Kurdistan.

This year, as we remember the 16th of August, our people face great challenges and obstacles and Kurdistan faces economic and health problems and countless conspiracies of the envious. These obstacles, challenges and conspiracies make the duties of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, its leadership, cadres, members and supporters more difficult than ever before. In order to overcome these difficult situations, it is essential that the officials and cadres of our party rise to the level expected of them among the masses and become means to address the problems the people face. It is necessary for all members of the party to remember that they have the main responsibility to defend Kurdistan and progress its prosperity, and to do more than others for a stronger Kurdistan.

On this occasion, we emphasize the message of coexistence and peaceful pluralism among the Kurds, because one of the main duties of the Kurdistan Democratic Party is to maintain coexistence between the religious and national components of Kurdistan and to maintain social and political peace among the people of Kurdistan.

On the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, we affirm that throughout its history of struggle and politics, the Kurdistan Democratic Party has not refused to negotiate and has always wanted to address the problems through understanding and tolerance. At present, we highlight the continuation of the same approach, and that the struggle of the Kurdistan Democratic Party will be with Kurdistani activists and patriots in order to establish the constitutional rights of the people of Kurdistan and to counter the ideology and mentality that wants to marginalize the struggles and sacrifices of the people of Kurdistan and their partnership within the State of Iraq; or those who want to destroy the entity of Kurdistan, which is the product of 100 years of the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs and the tears of hundreds of thousands of mothers of martyrs. We are well aware that currently there is no appropriate level of great sacrifice and democratic aspirations of our people. However, we believe that with the current Prime Minister of Iraq, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, who has an understanding of the issues of the people of Kurdistan, there is still an opportunity to address the problems between Erbil and Baghdad within the framework of the constitution and to achieve satisfactory results on both ends. The constitution, if implemented as it is, most of the problems which now exist between Erbil and Baghdad would not otherwise.

On the 74th anniversary of the creation of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, we remind our beloved Kurdistani people that the Kurdistan Democratic Party is a product of unity, struggle and will of the Kurds, and was not born as a result of a split. This logic believes that all the victories and gains achieved by the people of Kurdistan were achieved when harmony and fraternity existed among the Kurdish parties. It is always time for brotherhood, peace and unity.

I call on the KDP and the Kurdish political parties to work together in the spirit of brotherhood and take responsibility in order to overcome the challenges and problems that threaten the Kurdistan Region. I want to emphasize the importance of salaries in the lives of citizens, and the need for everyone to cooperate to conduct general reform in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and to address the problems and try to improve the living conditions of citizens. Yet, there are other serious fundamental problems that cannot be overlooked or accepted, such as the principle of partnership, the implementation of the Constitution, article 140, eshmerga, the policy of cleansing and demographic change, all of which have priority and particular importance, and the problems of the People of Kurdistan cannot be reduced only to salaries.

The process of Arabization in the Kurdistan Region, which began in the 20th century; unfortunately, continues in various ways. This treacherous process must be stopped as soon as possible and solutions must be found to stop the cleansing, Arabization and demographic change that have been carried out against the Kurds in the Kurdistani territories outside of the Kurdistan Region. I also believe that it is necessary to call on the Kurdish forces in other areas to take into account the situation in the Kurdistan Region and not turn into elements of harm to the Kurdistan Region because the people of Kurdistan can no longer bear more losses, bombings and other difficulties. I also call on neighbouring countries and Kurdish forces to respect the sovereignty of Kurdistan and Iraq, and not turn Kurdistan into an arena of conflict between them.

In conclusion, I convey congratultions once again to all the members, supporters and cadres of the party and the people of Kurdistan. I remind them of the words of never dying Barzani, “Not to be arrogant during victories and not to despair during setbacks.” I also call on all the members, supporters and cadres of the party to keep their wishes and will strong, because they are the will and hope of all the people of Kurdistan. You must support each other, support and defend the oppressed Kurdistan. All those who are trying to overthrow the Kurdistan Democratic Party know very well that the Kurdistan Democratic Party belongs to the people and it is a party that does not bow and never falls.

I wish safety and happiness to all the beloved citizens of Kurdistan.

 

Masoud Barzani

16 August 2020