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INTRODUCTION
Late in 1972, “Ath-Thawra” — central organ of the Arab Ba’ath Socialist Party (ABSP) — carried a series on the serious obstacles impeding the implementation of the peaceful and democratic settlement of the Kurdish problem and jeopardizing relations between the ABSP and the Kurdistani Democratic Party (KDP).
Meanwhile, the paper presented constructive proposals for surmounting difficulties to speed up the implementation of the March Manifesto(') and for restoring the alliance between the two parties on the basis of allegiance to the sovereignty and unity of the country and the dedication to the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish people and to genuine and fruitful cooperation for building a flourishing progressive Iraq.
“Ath-Thawra” ventured upon running that series, which disclosed serious facts and figures that aroused deep alarm and concern both inside and outside the country, with the aim of enriching the dialogue then under way between the two parties and promoting it to the standard of the serious challenges facing the country. Indeed the situation in northern Iraq had presented a mounting danger at a time when the imperialist-Zionist alliance had been escalating its conspiracies against the Arab homeland. It was, therefore, inevitable to call upon the people "To Safeguard Peace and Consolidate National Unity” as mentioned in the title of the series.
Another important motive for publishing those articles was the need to acquaint the people with the real situation in order to further the new democracy [which has now developed into a popular National and Nationalist Progressive Front (NNPF) guided by an agreed National Action Charter and enjoying the full support of the overwhelming majority of the people] exercised in Iraq and to enable the masses play their decisive role in overcoming all difficulties and defending the aims and gains of the July 17 Revolution.
As a matter of fact, ‘‘Ath-Thawra’s” series meant to champion the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish people as specified in the March Manifesto, which had been unanimously supported by the people. It also confessed shortcomings on the part of state and ABSP organs and welcomed constructive criticism.
While accentuating the necessity for full understanding and confidence as well as sincere cooperation between the ABSP and the KDP, the paper dealt with the nature and mission of the alliance between the two parties. It stressed the progressive essence of the alliance and showed how it could be revived so that the Kurdish movement could shoulder its responsibility in the development and progress of the entire country. In the light of practical experience, the paper pointed out how the KDP assumed the role of the “opposition” instead of acting as a faithful ally and referred to the reactions created by this contradiction.
Dealing with reciprocal commitments under the March Manifesto, “Ath-Thawra” held a comparison between the commitments honoured by each party and explained why the remaining commitments had not been attained.
The paper stated the constitutional amendments and the laws enacted to confirm the Kurdish presence and guarantee the Kurdish national rights.
In the economic field, the paper showed how a special consideration was given to the Kurdish area. It also enumerated the development achieved in the social and cultural spheres.
As to the participation in government by the KDP, “Ath-Thawra” disclosed the whole story and defined the ABSP’s concept of the general basis for the full and equitable participation of the Kurdish movement in accordance with the March Manifesto.
The paper also showed how the administration and the running of local affairs in the Kurdish area had been entrusted to the Kurds themselves.
‘‘Ath-Thawra’’ exposed the deterioration of the situation in the Kurdish area, pointing out that it had become the scene of dangerous and tragic incidents. It published statistics of the crimes being committed — including burning down villages, murder, tobbery, sabotage etc. — and mentioned facts relating to the hinderance of state organs and the implementation of government programmes, including even services.
The paper dealt with the relationship between the KDP and the ruling reaction of Iran and warned against the grave consequences of that relationship which menaced the safety and sovereignty of Iraq.
Regarding the implementation of self-rule, the paper unveiled the intransigent attitude of the KDP. Particularly towards the population census which is stipulated in the March Manifesto as indispensibie for delineating the autonomous region.
Despite this, the paper presented realistic proposals for the implementation of self-rule and suggested the participation of representatives of other political parties and forces in the ABSP-KDP talks.
This book is a translation of the series run by “Ath-Thawra”. Relevant documents are also attached. An important document is the attached Autonomy Law.
The draft law for autonomy was originally formulated by the ABSP. It enjoyed broad democratic discussion before being finalized and endorsed by the NNPF in the light of the outcome of that discussion. On 11/3/1974, Comrade Saddam Hussein, Vice-Chairman of the RCC(2) introduced the draft law to a final meeting called for by the Supreme Committee of the NNPF. The meeting, which was attended by over a thousand progressive national and nationalist personalities, unanimously confirmed the law.
Thus, the Revolution honoured its pledge and crowned its devoted efforts for the realization of the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish people by the implementation of the last remaining clause of the March Manifesto — the historic agreement unanimously supported by all citizens.
The new Autonomy Law, which was spontaneously supported by the people of Iraq, was also hailed by the forces of good outside the country.
"Ath-Thawra"
(1) This is the agreement on the peaceful and democratic settlement of the Kurdish problem announced by the Revolution Command Council on March 11, 1970.
(2) While this book is under printing, Comrade Ahmed Hassan Al-Bakr, Chairman of the Revolution Command Council (RCC), promulgated, on the prescribed date — 11/3/1974 — the "Law for Autonomy in the Region of Kurdistan".
1. Whu to be Frank with the Masses?
Lately, talks began between representatives of the Arab Sa’ath Socialist Party (ABSP) and the Kurdistani Democratic Party (KDP) to study the problems and obstacles encumbering the progress of the peaceful and democratic settlement of the Kurdish question and marring relations between the two parties.
These talks are characterized by frankness and explicitness. It is indeed our belief that telling the whole truth to the masses, and acquainting them with all points of view pertaining to the difficulties and matters at issue, will greatly help bring these talks to a successful end. This will also help elevate the talks to the serious standard dictated by the nature of past experience and by the imperialist and reactionary menance converging on the homeland and on its militant national and nationalist forces.
Furthermore, such an attitude will, eventually, promote the talks to a mature level that is compatible with the magnitude of the general responsibilities entrusted to both parties. Hence, keeping the people informed of all developments is a prerequisite to enabling them play their natural role in maintaining peace, cementing national unity and in defending their progressive and democratic gains.
In our estimation, discussing the Kurdish question, under all circumstances and on all occasions, is always useful; it is rather imperative. This fact remains valid whether the atmosphere is shrouded with clouds of passivity or bright with rays of positiveness. The Kurdish question was, and still is, one of our most outstanding national problems and, therefore, deserves perpetual study and analysis. The very nature of the development of this question and its concomitant host of complications …
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