Corruption instead of development in Iraqi Kurdistan

30/04/2005 RFE/RL - By Kyle Madigan

While Kurdistan has flourished on many levels, it lags behind in many areas that are essential for democratic development.

One might expect the Kurdistan region to be leading the way in the development of Iraq’s civil society and infrastructure after more than a dozen years of self-rule. While Kurdistan has flourished on many levels, it lags behind in many areas that are essential for democratic development. In addition, corruption and government control are pervasive, leaving many Kurds feeling helpless, apathetic, and in disbelief that they are living in a "new" Iraq.

At the root of the problem in the Kurdistan region is the absence of the rule of law. Generally speaking, rule of law means that governments act according to written laws and regulations. Rules are applied consistently, whether to citizens or elected officials. Rights are upheld and protected through a functioning judicial system. Government authority is limited, and private property is protected. In the absence of the rule of law, arbitrary practices by the government discourage personal initiative, breed apathy, cynicism, and distrust.

It is easy to lose focus on the need to develop the rule of law when the rest of the country is wrapped up in an insurgency and is struggling with more critical infrastructure issues such as electricity and clean water. In the absence of international aid agencies, civil society development in Kurdistan is stagnant, leaving the regional governments to fund projects they deem worthy. Party membership is a requirement for anyone wanting to advance his or her cause.

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) must be free of party and governmental control if they are to flourish. Unfortunately, the climate in Kurdistan is not conducive to such development. Kurds say the desire is there, but many outside the parties lack the wherewithal to navigate the halls of bureaucracy in order to establish an NGO. Many say the impression is that no organization can get off the ground without the support of the Kurdistan administrations. Kurds not affiliated with either of the two dominant parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) or the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), see little hope of achieving such goals.

Another marker of a developing civil society is independent, functioning trade unions. A 22 April article on ft.com highlights the struggling trade union movement in Kurdistan. "Kurdish [union] leaders are clearly also officials of, or closely linked to, the two main parties," the reporter observed. "In a session with Imad Ahmed, the PUK leader in the region, he gives the game away by saying, ’the unions are weak: they are dominated by the parties. They need to become stronger and more independent.’" A visiting British trade union delegation wondered "why a union movement that is poor and needs funds as well as training is able to drive [the guests around] in big Toyota Land Cruisers and BMWs," the article noted.

There are signs everywhere of the same government control that was practiced by the regime of Saddam Hussein. Residents in KDP-controlled territory say it is impossible to voice dissent against KDP leaders or their relatives, who are said to have profited immensely from lucrative business deals. Enterprising Kurds say that in order to open a company or secure a permit, a cut, in the form of a payoff or a stake in the business must be paid. Perhaps the most lucrative practice allegedly employed by some government insiders is the revenue gained from taxes on oil tankers and other importers upon entering and leaving the KDP controlled areas of Turkey.

Kurds say that a different set of standards exists for foreign investors and expatriate Kurdish investors. Nowhere in KDP-controlled areas can the Iraqi national flag be found -- only the KDP and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) flags fly outside government buildings and military installations.

A 27 April report by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (http://www.iwpr.net) claims that the investment climate in the eastern part of Kurdistan controlled by PUK leader and new Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is the best in Iraq, but Talabani’s administration has also been accused of corrupt practices. Some critics say that left unchecked, party members and parliamentarians from both the KDP and PUK have usurped land and taken control of natural resources for their own personal use, growing wealthy off of smuggling and shady business ventures. Meanwhile, the parties maintain budgetary control over their administrations, and many report that economic data is a closely held secret.


The newly elected parliament resembles the last one, with its members split evenly between the two major Kurdish parties. The former parliament was known for the corrupt practices of its members, who often showed more interest in profit than in knowing the concerns of their constituency. The parliament functions in much of the same fashion as the rest of Kurdish administration.

Fereydun Hilmi wrote in a December 2004 article published on kurdishmedia.com that the problem stems from a lack of accountability and control. "The executive administration, which is owned by the party, is appointed one by one by direct order from the men at the very top or via party recommendations and not as a result of the qualifications or suitability or experiences of those holding office. Their allegiance is therefore to the people above them while the people below them [the major part of the masses] do not get any attention. Because of the lack of planning and the prevalent corruption, no department is required to prepare any job descriptions for their staff."

Party control over the media helps perpetuate the abuse. Kurdish peshmerga forces, also tied to the parties, operate with impunity as well. Kurds quietly speak about peshmerga forces seizing goods imported by the few humanitarian organizations operating in Kurdistan for their own personal use. As the peshmerga cruise across Kurdistan in new pickup trucks and land cruisers -- all sans license plates -- their authority is not questioned. The political and security apparatuses are further complicated by tribal loyalties that impede the establishment of the rule of law.

Kamal Berzenji wrote in an article published by kurdishmedia.com in December 2002: "The members of the [Kurdish] security services...try to make a business out of their powers by accusing and arresting anybody whom they think they could blackmail and extract money from." He says the practice has its roots in Hussein’s Ba’athist regime, but was also practiced during the Kurdish civil war in the 1990s. "One of the reasons [for that war is] business -- and profit making by some Kurdish warlords on both sides. Some of them grew [into] millionaires by confiscating and stealing the property of his fellow Kurdish brothers."

With no functioning judicial system in place, party members and representatives go about their business free from prosecution. In a conference paper republished this month on kurdishmedia.com, Rebwar Fatah identified three systems that can loosely describe the judicial system in Kurdistan: the civil, security, and tribal systems. "The judicial system needs to be independent and free from any external interference," he wrote. "The concept of ’rule of law’ must be implemented."

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressed the issue of corruption during his visit to Baghdad this month, telling newly elected officials that it must be rooted out. And there have been reports of across-the-board corruption within the interim administration of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. While Baghdad remains the focus, Kurdistan runs the risk of falling behind rather than leading the way in the new Iraq.

http://www.kurdishmedia.com/news.asp?id=6751

Okay, and how do things work in Turkey? How do things work in the whole region? How do things work in the former Soviet Republics? At least in this instance, we have the critisicim there to work with, you don't get your media unplugged (there are a gazillion Kurdish newspapers, and all of them are critical of everything they choose to be crtitical of...and you thought they would just step into being the US!? Well..truth be told, we don't even have the freedoms we think we do either, but critics hold feet to the flame in many cases.

I notice you pulled the two most crtitical articles. Why those? Why not the article about Syria torturing and assasinating that much beloved Kurdish Syrian leader? Why not the new parliamental meeting?

On CGCS, I focus on US policy and it's consequences.
I was struck by the economical reality in Kurdistan and the similarity with what has and still is happening here, in Imperial America.

Not that I don't have a strong opinion regarding the assassination of Sheikh Khaznawi, which would lead me to cry out in protest and for retaliation against Syria, and high hopes for the new Iraqi-Kurdistan's parliament, I just didn't feel CGCS visitors would connect to someone who hasn't made it in US MSM like Khaznawi, nor understand the meaning of the establishment of this new parliament, considering that half of the US population would applause to a Bush decision to simply dissolve the US congress, and redistribute all that money saved as tax cuts.

Yes, you're probably right....no one would have known about the other incidents. The Iranians just arrested a couple dozen Kurds for political reasons. They Syrians have done the same in the past month too. Turkey is arresting children age 12 and 14 for burning a flag. They tortured and killed Sheikh Khaznawi, and it's not exactly looking good for Kurds outside of Northern Iraq. I often wonder if that's because they want them to go there. Turkey has a dam they are building, and it will flood a bunch of Kurdish towns, and they are going to have to flee because Turkey won't compenstate them. The tribal affiliations/nepotism are a problem, but compared to the surrounding area and the plight of Kurds there, it's a cake walk. I do what I can....no magic bullets here.

This almost has a whiff of BushCons in the air within the Kurd's govt body. Oh that's right, we introduced western democracy to this (Arab) Iraq nation.

http://www.kurdishmedia.com/reports.asp?id=2626

Corruption undermines democracy
17May 2005

KurdishMedia.com - By Rauf Naqishbendi By its very definition, a democratic system is one of equality. This should mean that every citizen’s rights and properties are fully protected by the constitution, preventing both the deprivation of rights and the overstepping of rights. Thus the head of the state is as equally accountable for his actions as is the most underprivileged peasant. In democratic societies, a popular vote elects a political body that is then involved in the enactment of legislation. But this body’s powers typically extend beyond simple law making, since it must also involve itself in drafting and ratifying a budget to finance government programs, and sometimes in declaring war. Now, bearing in mind these fundamental principles that are the essence of a democratic system, let us evaluate the merits of the current democracy in Kurdistan.

Democracy cannot flourish within a system dominated by corruption, for corruption undermines the altruistic ideals of equality and equal opportunity. It is undeniable that Kurdistan has been plagued by corrupt political officials, perhaps not the Kurdish leaders themselves, but certainly their appointees to the governing body in Kurdistan.

More reason's for why US intervention must stop until deep seeded corruption in our BushCon govt is removed and better management is in place before ever again handing our monies and other assistances over to other countries. Prior to reading these articles I was for aiding the Kurds, but after seeing how their 'leaders' operates much in the same corrupt fashion as our govt does here, they too need to clean house before I will ever support US intervention over there again. Just wait until the Halliburton and their pals physically get their mittens on the Kurdish region..... talk about corruption running in high gear!! It's always about the money!

:no: :no: :no:



The economic monopolies and the modern feudalism in Kurdistan

http://kurdishmedia.com/

The article of Kyle Madigan, titled ’Corruption instead of development in Iraqi Kurdistan’ shows only the tip of the iceberg. The two Kurdish parties are taking advantage of the Kurdish people and independent enterprises in these critical days. The public is being silenced by using arguments that it could lead to a weakened position in Iraq. In the critical next months of writing constitution, the Kurdish parties are still only worrying about filling their pockets.

It is just a shame and disgrace for a government official to talk about democracy in Kurdistan. It is a shame for us Kurds to talk about our democratic experience which is not that much different from any other Middle Eastern country. People cannot influence the decision making in Kurdistan. Or maybe the definition of democracy by the Kurdish leadership is different. Yes, people have now more freedom of moving and making their own choices, which was a dream in Saddam’s era. But still the most important aspects of democracy are being suppressed. There is widespread corruption in governmental bodies and institutions. A free market enterprising is non-existent. You see all these Kurdish officials shouting these democratic slogans but without any practical knowledge and realisation on the field. In reality, it is only democracy on paper.

The government is working on a feudal base with modern aghas (so called officials). Every corner has its own agha and sheikh. Every free enterprising needs the permission of the local sheikh (agha). These aghas are asking every new business a share for giving you his permission and recommendation. This context has discouraged many Diaspora Kurds who were enthusiastically planning of putting Kurdistan ahead. Let alone the bureaucracy and the lethal routine in the government. There is a kind of allergic attitude being taken towards Diaspora Kurds. Governmental employees just hate to see Diaspora Kurds because of their critical attitude. A normal citizen is already surrendered to the will of these corrupted employees. A simple factory to produce Paracetamol was rejected because the person was not one of the KDP members. Well, actually if you are not from the ruling clan, you are a low ranking KDP anyway.

Any new enterprise that intends to establish new business is requested by the Asaish (Security and Intelligent Institution) to get party recommendation before getting permission. Starting a business without backing or sharing the revenue with one of the officials is almost impossible in Kurdistan. This has discouraged many Kurdish enterprises to invest and forced them to find other opportunities and try their luck in the south. Such a policy will destroy every enterprising spirit and put the economy in Kurdistan to one of lowest levels in the region. Ironically, many of the slogans and activities observed by both administrations is to encourage foreign companies to invest their capital in Kurdistan.

This can be seen as the inheritance of the Baath system which is being used in Kurdistan. You see in festivals or soccer matches, the party sheikhs and aghas are in the front row sitting on comfortable sofas and the rest of the public on shabby chairs. This scene is exactly the same as the rule of Baath. Besides the personality worship, which is another heritage from the Arab Baathist regime. Every corner of a government building is being filled with smiley leaders of the KDP or PUK.