SULAIMANIYAH: Kurds have won promises of self-rule from Iraqi Arabs and the Americans but they are still worried about a return to the past, a time when they suffered as a weak minority, particularly under the rule of Saddam Hussein.
Iraq's interim Governing Coucil has already agreed to a federal structure for the country, enshrining Kurdish autonomy in three northern provinces in the fundamental law, a mini-constitution to precede 2005 national polls.
But with the fate of three more provinces over which the Kurds have claims yet to be decided, and mixed rhetoric over what should happen to the oil-rich region, there are strong doubts about Arab and American intentions.
Optimism is currently high among Kurdish political groups, even if their key claims to the oil centre of Kirkuk, which last week ignited deadly ethnic tensions in the city, have been put on a backburner until 2005 or 2006.
The Governing Council's federal plan, and the fundamental law to be brought in by the end of February, should legitimise an autonomy enjoyed by three Kurd-dominated northern Iraqi provinces since the end of the Gulf War in 1991.
But the pledge has not inspired widespread confidence.
"People are very anxious, given the experiences of the past," said Jamal Abdu, governor of Sulaimaniyah province between 1992 and 1994, who now heads a Kurdish human rights organization.
The Kurds have a long history of suffering, particularly under the regime of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, which carried out a brutal campaign, known as Anfal, against them in the 1980s and a notorious chemical weapon attack on the town of Halabja that left 5,000 dead in 1988.
"How can it be different? We knew only cruelty and oppression, particularly under the reign of Saddam. We had Anfal, the chemical massacre at Halabja. We know the neighbouring countries are our enemies and do not want an independent Kurdistan," Abdu said.
"Lastly, we are not sure the United States is behind us 100 per cent. It wouldn't be the first time we were betrayed."
Two months after Saddam's fall last April, the former governor created a movement known as Istiftaa (Referendum), to promote the idea of a referendum to allow the Kurds to choose their own future.
Claiming the support of thousands of citizens, Abdu said the move was aimed as a preventative measure "in case the Governing Council doesn't keep its promises".
Abdulhaman Ciyayi, a university researcher from Dohuk province, said the move was popular because many doubted the intentions of their "Arab brothers" and the objectivity of the Arab media, as the Kurds tried to pursue legitimate claims.
"What we claim today is our minimum legitimate rights," he said.
Mulla Bakhtiar of the powerful Patriotic Union of Kurdistan said the fall of Saddam had had the effect of weakening support for federalism among former anti-Saddam elements.
"The Iraqi opposition (to Saddam) parties were agreed on the question of federalism. But unfortunately, I have the impression that Arab parties are now backtracking," said Bakhtiar.
"We want clear answers," said Sado Khader, a political analyst close to the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
"The problem is that everyone agrees on the principle of federalism, but if you go into details, it is hard to know what the intentions of each party are," he said.
A question mark also remains over Washington's position. US Secretary of State Colin Powell, seeking to ease Turkish and Syrian concerns, said earlier this week that the United States was committed to a united Iraq that included Kurdish regions.
"The Kurds are worried because they feel abandoned by the United States. Until now the US has yet to officially approve our plan for federalism. We would like them to clarify their position," said Bakhtiar.-AFP