Iraqi Kurds reject coalition's call to disband militia

[DuctapeFatwa]

Kurdish leaders in the northern autonomous area are refusing to disband their military forces, the peshmerga, and are pushing for a veto over any deployment of the Iraqi army in their region.
Kurdish officials are proposing that the 50,000-60,000 fighters controlled by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic party, both of which have a seat on the Iraqi governing council, should be transformed into a regional self-defence force similar to the US national guard.

The proposal comes amid alarm in the Kurdish areas at the suicide bombings in Irbil, and the violence in neighbouring Sunni Arab areas. It also highlights the problems faced by US and British administrators trying to find common ground among the country's ethnic and sectarian groups.

Mustafa Sayid Qadir, the deputy commander of the PUK's peshmerga, said: "After the Irbil attacks, security has become our number one concern. Our history has taught us the risks of leaving ourselves defenceless."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1150364,00.html

[lovedems]

1. After years of being uncomfortable neighbors in the same country

now they want the Kurd's to dismantle their army? I saw a guy, (sorry can't remember his name) on The News Hour tonight and he was of the belief that the Iraqi governing council will not be willing to give up power when it is time. He stated that after control of the country for X amount of time, they are going to want to keep control. These elections should interesting to say the least.

[Taeger]

2. Kurds should NOT disband ...

They've kept Saddam Hussein at bay for YEARS. No need to just hand their territory over to control by Halliburton and Bechtel.

[htuttle]

3. Welcome to the Republic of Kurdistan

Formal announcement to follow, when it's more convenient.


"Well, I think we're fucked."
-- Former Ambassador Joseph Wilson

[Matilda]

4. I'm sure they won't disband voluntarily.

They're vulnerable to Turkey and Iran, and to other Iraqui
sects. They've also been betrayed before by the West,
in particular by the U.S., so I don't think they'll be bought
off by any promises of having their local autonomy protected.

They also want Kirkuk back, and while it seems to be a distant
possibility at the moment, they won't forget about it.

They're very much the meat in the sandwich, however you look at
it. Everybody's had a go at them at some time.