Topic: Question of Kurdistan
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Tucker Marks
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United States position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The United States of America is well aware of the ongoing desire for independence of the Kurdish people. They have been persecuted for centuries by various governments, including the former Iraqi government under Saddam Hussein. The United States sees that the Kurdish people truly desire self-government, and sees that they have gone great lengths to attain this goal in northeastern Iraq, where they have regional autonomy, and have become a beacon of stability in a chaotic area. The problem of terrorism related to a group within the Kurdish population is also of great concern, as it threatens the peace and stability of this region. A solution needs to be reached that meets the needs of the Kurdish people and eliminates the terrorism of groups like the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).
This solution, however, is not the creation of an independent Kurdistan, in the view of the United States. Creating an independent Kurdistan would harm many more things than it would solve; the countries on this new nation’s borders would be very hostile, damaging this new nation’s growth. This action would also have negative effects on the surrounding countries, particularly in the volatile nation of Iraq. Currently, Iraqi Kurdistan is a model for the rest of Iraq to follow, peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable. They are largely autonomous from the rest of Iraq, with their own laws, own Prime Minister, and their own borders. Right now, Iraqi Kurdistan is a stronghold for stability, and were it to leave, the results would be disastrous. An independent Kurdistan would provide a new target for insurgents, and create more instability and volatility in the Iraqi government. A single, unified Iraq is critical to any success in calming the region, as separating even part of it would cause a domino effect of secessions from Iraq, further destabilizing the region.
The people of Kurdistan would also be better off as an autonomous region in Iraq. They would be supported by the United States Military, as they are currently, for the duration of our presence in the region as needed. They would also have less to fear regarding hostile neighbors, as the opposing country would not just be attacking Kurdistan, but also Iraq. When Iraq’s economy recovers, it will create a mutually beneficial trade relationship that would be possible under an independent Kurdistan.
As previously mentioned, the issue of terrorism is also of great concern. The actions of the PKK in Turkey are entirely unacceptable, and must be eliminated. The War on Terror does not exist only in Iraq and Afghanistan, but in all parts of the world. The United States of America has zero tolerance for terrorism of any kind, and will assist Turkey as we have already in removing the threat of the PKK in the region. This terrorism threatens to destabilize the most stable region of Iraq, and if this violence increases and spreads further into Iraq from Turkey, the results would be disastrous.
The United States of America looks forward to working with all countries that wish to end terrorism, help the stability of the Middle East, and help the people of Kurdistan. While we eagerly await discussing this topic with our European allies, many of who have differing policies, and all who would support our goal, the most important group to consider are the people of Kurdistan themselves, as any resolution that is to be reached must be for their benefit.
