Below is an excerpt from an article published by The Journal of Turkish Weekly:

A former Iraqi Kurdish government minister says Turkey's positive role for the future of the Kurdistan region of Iraq is vital, adding that if Ankara makes mistakes on this issue it will hurt not only its own interests but also the region as a whole.

Hussain Sinjari, a former government minister regarded as an independent liberal Kurdish intellectual and currently president of the Tolerance Foundation, says Turkey can contribute to democracy building in Iraq and in the Kurdish region.

On arguments that the Kurdish region should turn its back on Turkey and rely on American backing, he said, "This is rubbish. Nothing replaces a valuable neighbor like Turkey, which is the most developed country in the region."

Asked why he set up the foundation, Sinjari said intolerance and hatred among religious sects and ethnic groups in Iraq prevented democracy building and despite American power, the country fell into a chaotic situation.

"We have to build tolerance in our society and goodwill. Without this, attempts to build democracy will fail," he said.

He said religious fundamentalism and terrorism are on the rise all over the world, adding, "To prevent a clash of civilizations we have to create an environment of tolerance and understanding to create a common ground of shared values."

Sinjari lamented that "a lot of misunderstandings" are creating differences between Ankara and the Iraqi Kurds.

He admitted that the future of Iraq is uncertain and said Turkey can play a greater role not only in the Kurdish region but also in Iraq "with its lively Parliament, brave civil society organizations, Muslim population, free market economy and strategic importance in the world."

He said Turkey's secularist experience is also very important for Iraq and the Kurds. "In Iraq we're suffering from warfare between faiths and we can gain a lot from the Turkish experience."

Sinjari said Turkey has suffered many problems in the path of democratization and still had woes. "Turkey is still building democracy and we could make use of these important experiences."

He said Iraq has many neighbors "but only Turkey is truly democratic and we can share experiences."

He pointed to how a recent Iraqi Sunni meeting hosted in Istanbul drew many angry reactions from the Kurds and other Iraqis. "Such things are negative. It gave the wrong message, as if Turkey was supporting sectarian differences. Turkey should act to show its support for democracy building in Iraq and should cooperate with all communities."

Sinjari said the Kurdistan region is a part of Iraq and is an immediate neighbor of Turkey and close cooperation is only natural. He said Turkish goods have flooded the Iraqi Kurdish market and Turkish companies are dominating the contracting sector. "We have to promote economic, financial, trade and cultural relations and forge a strategic political relationship."

"If there is better understanding and Turkey comes to support and help the Kurdistan region Turkey will be very proud in the future that it has helped this society to develop."

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He said Turkey needs the Iraqi Kurds and the Kurds need Turkey. "The Kurdish proverb says the large stone and the small stone support each other to build a house. In some cases if you take out a small stone the house collapses."

He warned that people here suffered much oppression at the hands of the late Saddam Hussein and they are very sensitive to the recent heated speeches made by Turkish leaders. "I hope that with more cooperation and efforts to create a welfare society here we will have less nationalism and less slogans of hatred."

Asked if an independent Kurdish state is viable, Sinjari said, "Under the right circumstances Kurds could be independent but realities now say that Kurds will be better off if they are a part of a free Iraq where their rights are respected."

When asked if the Kurdish region could survive if Iraq collapsed, he replied, "With positive help from Turkey it can. If Turkey makes mistakes it can hurt the region and itself. Turkey shouldn't shoot itself in the foot."