The Kurdistan Regional Government Condemns Erbils Terrorist Attacks
Two simultaneous suicide attacks took place earlier today
Sunday 1st February 2004 will be remembered as one of the
bloodiest days in the history of the Kurdish people Two simultaneous suicide
attacks took place earlier today as hundreds of people were gathered to celebrate
the Islamic holiday, Eid al-Adha, as two unidentified men entered the crowd
and blew themselves up. The bloody attacks took place in the two main political
offices in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan and left at least 100 people dead and scores
of others injured. Among the dead are top political representatives from both
KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) administrations
and other party officials as follows: Sami Abdulrahman, Deputy Prime Minister
KRG, Polite Bureau Secretary, KDP Shawkat Shekh Yezdin, Coordination Minister,
KRG, Central Committee Member, KDP Sa'd Abdulla, Polite Bureau Member, Head
of Branch 2, KDP Mehmmod Halo, Deputy Finance Minister, KDP Akram Mentik, Governor
of Erbil, KDP Mehdi Khoshnaw, Deputy Governor of Erbil, KDP Ahmad Rojbeyani,
Head of Administration of the City of Erbil, KDP Neriman Abdul-Hamid, Head of
Police in Erbil Shakhewan Abbas, Leadership Member, PUK Khasro Shera, Leadership
Member, PUK These attacks have in brutal way shaken the entire Kurdish society.
KRG strongly condemns these horrific acts, which are one of the deadliest attacks
in Iraq since the Coalition Forces gained control in May last year. Todays
attacks are also evidence of a new terrorist strategy targeted at a specific
group in Iraq, its political administration and its democratic achievements.
These attacks are not only an attempt to undermine the Kurdish political administration,
but are also a strike against the positive democratic developments that have
taken place in Iraqi Kurdistan. It is also clear that these acts of terrorism
were aimed at jeopardizing all future prospects regarding a formalised federal
Kurdish administration. The Kurdistan Regional Government is determined to continue
its path towards a democratic and federal solution for Iraq and will under no
circumstances be set back by these acts of violence. The international communitys
recognition and support of the Kurdish claim for continued territorial self-rule
is vital in the struggle towards a peaceful and democratic Iraq. The Kurdistan
Regional Government United Nations representative urges the international community,
the United Nations and non governmental organisations to openly condemn todays
terrorist attacks. A memorial service for the victims will be held on Saturday
7th February. More information will be provided within short. For those who
are less familiar with the situation in IKR, allow me to offer some background
information. Iraqis living in the IKR are the most pro-American people in the
Middle East. Masoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Jalal Talabani's
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are two brother political parties who have
struggled long and hard against the regime of Saddam Hussein. During the war,
KDP and PUK fighters fought as allies with U.S. forces and suffered disproportionate
casualties, including the highest number in a single day. In October 1991, Saddam
Hussein's regime withdrew its administration from the IKR and established a
militarized line separating the Region from the rest of Iraq. In November 1991,
the regime expelled over 100,000 Kurds from Kirkuk into the Region. With winter
approaching, the regime imposed an embargo on critical home fuels for heating/cooking,
and other essential goods. There were no sources of revenue to pay over 200,000
civil servants needed to maintain essential services. Retired government employees
no longer received their pensions from the Baghdad regime. It is no accident
that the IKR is the most secure and politically stable part of today's Iraq.
It did not happen by itself. Despite almost insurmountable difficulties, internal
conflicts, and against great odds, with US-UK no-fly support the KDP and PUK
sorted the situation out. From 1991 to 2003, Saddam Hussen threatened to return;
his forces were only 20 minutes south of Erbil. Turkey to the north invaded
the Region numerous times and occasionally closed its border to essential goods.
Iran to the east also invaded and shelled communities near its border, and also
occasionally closed its borders to essential goods. Syria on the west side severely
restricted the flow of essential goods and people. Until the recent war, few
non-Iraqis could enter the Region. Nevertheless, with neighbours like these,
the challenges were met. The officials who were killed and injured today, and
the many good visitors who were also victims, have contributed to making the
Iraqi Kurdistan Region a piece of Iraq to be emulated throughout the country.
The Region needs such good, dedicated people. It will surely miss those who
left today. The Region is what it is today because of them. Thanks. For further
information please contact: Dindar Zibari, Special Representative United Nations
and International organisations Iraqi Kurdish administration Geneva Office 34
rue du Moillelbeau 1209 Geneve, Tel: (0041) 22 732 1656 Fax: (0041) 22 732
1659 Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.krg.org