INTERVIEW ─ Al Riyadh Newspaper with KODAR’s Cawîd (Part 2)

Rêzan Cawîd, co-chair of the Free and Democratic Society of Eastern Kurdistan (KODAR) told at an interview for the Arabic newspaper Al Riyadh, that KODAR will remain the pioneer of the people of Rojhelat (Eastern Kurdistan) and Iran and will not cease its efforts for freedom and democracy. KODAR will be continuing its struggle in Rojhelat and Iran strongly, he added.

The interview / Part 2

Q: Would you be able to point instances of clashes between your guerrillas and sepah-e pasdaran occurred?

I wish that there were no clashes with the army and that we could sort out our differences through dialogue and negotiations. Unfortunately, the Iranian regime is devoid of any intentions of dialogue and resists any of our attempts of democratization. On the contrary, Iran continues its repressive policies and negates our efforts through extensive military operations. Consequently, we take actions based on the principles of self-defense and for long periods of time there were strong clashes occurring between our guerrilla fighters and the forces of Sepah-e Pasdaran (IRGC).

Our guerrillas have been able to resist all of the attacks and indeed we have countered strongly against the regime’s attempts. The most important fighting has been carried out in hell’s valley (is this a place?) which is located in the northern parts of Rojhelat or Eastern Kurdistan. Other clashes have occurred in Hawraman, Rawansar, Shaho Mountains and big clashes have also occurred in Qandil.

The overall tally for the clashes amounts to almost 200 guerrillas and comrades achieving martyrdom whilst 2,500 Iranian soldiers, including Pasdaran forces, discipline forces (Entezami), betray armed, leaders of Ettelaat and judiciary have been killed. The responsibility for all this bloodshed falls on the Iranian regime. Why? Because we have warned the Iranian regime frequently that only democratic solutions can fix these issues and that negotiations are necessary.

Q: You say that Iran does not believe in negotiations but talks are underway between America and Iran over nuclear program. What do you think about that?

The fact is that Iran has become a serious concern in the region and the world. Political, ideological and military activities of the regime have created serious problems regionally and internationally. The issues of political groups and forces, such Hashdi Shaabi (Pro-Iranian forces in Iraq) and Hezbollah, act as Trojan horses for the Islamic Republic of Iran. They have full support from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, “Sepah-e Pasdaran”. These forces act in areas such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Palestine and are a major source of instability and conflict in the Middle East.

In addition, the Iranian government intentionally creates issues and conflicts between them. This way, it will be easier for the government to suppress their opponents and to expand and consolidate their power. In fact, the threat of Iran’s nuclear program is very little compared This paragraph needs fixing – missing a couple of sentences.

Unfortunately in these negotiations, we see the P5+1 group focusing on issues of marginal importance and ignoring key, central issues that can resolve the problems in Iran. As such, this view can be seen as criticism of the current government policies of the United States and especially of President Obama. One can view the success of the negotiating team, in terms of the nuclear program, as a public relations campaign for future elections in America. It is clear that the Iranian government is well aware of the campaign in America. Iran uses this knowledge to their advantage demanding greater concessions. It is clear that despite the successes of the negotiations in regards to the nuclear program, Iran continues its goals and policies at the local, regional and global levels.

Q: You talked about Iran’s policies in attempting to win over Iranian nationals (of different ethnicity). However, this policy is clear not only in Iran but in all of the Middle East. How do you analyse this issue?

The regime uses the dirty, old trick of monopolizing the creation and control of conflicts. Instead of viewing the rich variance of national identities, religions and cultures as a propellant for the development of democracy, the regime sows divisions and conflicts between nations, religions, cultures, cities, tribes and so on. They create these conflicts and then manage any crises with oppressive policies, shaping the hegemonic ideology of the regime in the region. Thus, with this understanding of the evil policies of the Iranian regime, the people must make great efforts to appreciate and build unity and brotherhood amongst the peoples of different identities. Therefore, by default, this will result in a struggle against the tyranny of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Unfortunately, serious conflicts and wars are now underway in the Middle East. Of particular importance are the mercenary forces of ISIS, who exist because of the conflict between the different nations of the region. We, as KODAR (Democratic and Free Society of Eastern Kurdistan) believe that ISIS forces do not have any communications or relations with the world of Islam and Muslims in general. Unfortunately, some regional powers are trying to use the conflict between Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq against ISIS as a war between the Kurdish and Arab nations to prolong the conflict in the region.

Therefore, we ask all the troops of Kurds and Arabs, especially the Arab states in the Middle East, to be fully aware that these policies have failed them ? Heval Aso, is this sentence correct? Kurdish and Arab peoples have lived without problems, in brotherhood together for well over a thousand years. They have strong cultures and the ability to promote the fundamental transformation of democracy and peacekeeping in the Middle East. It is safe to say that the Kurdish and Arab peoples can be real leaders and key allies for the transcendence of enlightenment and to establish true democracy in the Middle East.

Q: Final question, what are your demands from the Iranian regime?

Our goals are to achieve all the rights and freedoms that a free and democratic nation has. If the regime prevents the recognition of those rights and freedoms, no doubt we will continue our struggle with all our strength in order to achieve our demands. We have announced their readiness to accomplish this and will not neglect any options.

Click here to read first part of the interview

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