KURDS WON AUTONOMY?
The Aref regime announce. March $ that it had aoiteed to "the principle of decentralization of government" for the some two million Kurdish people who live in Iraq and who were in rebeleen Seesnek: the Kassen negine that was toppled in a coup d'etat ast month.
wild celebrations of joy were reported underway in the Kurdish area where the announcement was received as equivalent to recognition of Kurdish autonony.
In Baghdad, however, the exact meaning of the announcement remained equivocal. It was accompanied by the rather ominous proviso that the Kurds must turn in their arms. Odce disarmed, the rebellious people, who have fought for many years for self— ruie, may find that they gravely over-estimated what the Aref regime meant by "decentralization."
If the Aref regime finds itself actually compelled to ge through with the agreement in the sense in which it has been taken by the Kurds, however, the event will have wide repercussions, The Kurdish people extend into Syria, Turkey and Iran. These sectors, too, will expect self-government if not unicn with the Kurds in Iraq.
The success of the Kurds will also inspire similar movements by other subject peoples for greater voice in handling their own affairs if not complete self-government. The fact that an Arab government grants autonomy will, in the final analysis, bring greater strength and cohesion to the movement for Arab unification by yas the support of other peoples living in this part of the world,
The March 12 Le lionde carries an asbicle by special cecrrespondent Eric Rouleau, purporting to give the inside story cf the negotiations. The Kurdish leader, General Barzani, he reperts, was brought into the plot to overthrow Kassem about a t year ago. The price for his support was autonomy.
Barzani exhibited great mistrust of the plotters and insisted that one of the first declarations of the new government, if it succeeded in toppling Kassem, mest be to grant autonomy to the Kurds.
Various nowinetione which Dersand made for posts in the government, including Aref, were made when the plotters succeeded; but nothing was said about autonomy for the Kurds. —
The Barzani group ‘felt that they had been betrayed anc the younger ones especially prepared to resume battle. ‘The 59-year-old general , chill decided to make still another try at negotiating
a.
and sent a delegation to Baghdad headed by 27-year-old Jalai Talabani. :
The Aref regime stalled for time, explaining that meny Iragis would misunderstand autonomy as dismemberment of the country and that the "brother Arab’ countries" would object. They suggested that Talabani go to Caire and Algiers and present | his case. Talabani agreed.
Much to the astonishment of the Aref regime, Talabani met with a favorable reception. ‘
According to Le Honde, Nasser said, "No one can deny that the Kurd people do exist. Consequently they have their rizshts. and one of these is to lay ciaim to autonomy." :
Nasser then turned to the Iraqi members of the delegation and said, "I don't see why the word autonomy should frighten you. liany European countries have adopted the system of decentralization on an ethnic basis without thereby putting in danger their - national unity.” :
He also argued that it would strengthen Arab nationalism because it would win the friendship and suppert of the Kurdish people in confronting the enemies of Arabisn.
In Algiers the delegation met with a similar response. Ber Bella adopted an attitude like Nasser's. He even drew a parallel between the insurrection of the Kurds against the Baghdad zevernment and that of the FLN (National Liberation Front) against France
One of the main arguments of the Aref regime was thus ‘destroyed and they had to fall back on the alleged resistance of the Iraqi people te granting autonomy. Stalling again, 4ref demanded a period of "psychological preparation" like that used by de Gaulle in opening the way for Algerian independence.
He proposed a series of partial steps to Barzani that would take some time. But the leader of the Kurds rejected this kind of haggling and delay. His reply was “Recognition of the principl of autonomy publicly first of all, and then we will negotiste the modalities and limits of this autonomy..." Baghdad's response to this was the announcement of "decentralization."
It remains to be seen whether the Aref regime can negotiate the stubborn Kurdish fighters into handing in their arms.
INDONESIAN COMMUNIST PARTY