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Professor William Mitchell, an American Specialist in the field of Middle-Eastern Affairs and American National Security, presented in a lecture on “The United States and the Future of Kurdistan”, given at the University of Dohuk (UoD) yesterday. Prof. Mitchell confirmed that if Iraq were to collapse and a civil war began, causing an Iraqi division, Turkey would be the greatest political barrier in establishing a Kurdish country.



In a conference attended by Gorgies Shlemon - deputy governor of Dohuk, Dr. Asmat - president of the university, representatives of political parties and many professors from UoD, Prof. Mitchell stated: “Turkey has her own national security and international security problems regarding the military and politics, Cyprus, the European Union, and the PKK, in addition to her involvement in the Kurdish affairs through the city of Kirkuk.”



Prof. Mitchell is the former director of the International education Center in Baylor University, USA and researcher in Turkish studies. He suggested a meeting between the Kurds and Turkish leadership in association with the United States, since American forces will not be staying in Iraq for an extended period of time. Prof. Mitchell added, “because of the perception that exists in Turkey, especially the view point concerning Kirkuk and opposing it to be a part of Kurdistan, it is better to solve the problem of Kirkuk bye negotiation".



Prof. Mitchell assumed a sovereign Kurdistan would result in increasing battles against the PKK in Turkey, and this would require Kurdistan to secure its border against any PKK crossings. Prof. Mitchell has written extensively about the countries of the region (Syria, Turkey, and Iraq) and the problems concerning water, disasters, and American National Security. He stated that he cannot predict the future but if Kurdistan became an independent country, the United States would stand with Turkey as they have strong ties and many long standing American military bases already situated inside Turkey.



During the presentation, in offering suggestions on how to address challenges now facing the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Prof. Mitchell stressed the importance for the Iraqi Kurds to deliver their case to the centers of power in the world generally and the United States specifically. Those Kurds residing in the United States need to organize political action groups to bring attention to their plight and influence those who make American political decisions. He added, “President George Bush is supportive of the Iraqi Kurds and will continue to be their friend. However, I don’t know about the administration that follows. If the candidate from the opposing party wins the election, is he going to feel the same about the Kurds and support them or not?”



Asked about the current situation in Kurdistan and the Kurds’ fears of not being supported by the United States in establishing a Kurdish country, Prof. Mitchell, who has spent many years in Turkey replied, “Many friends say that the United States must help the Kurds in Iraq to establish a Kurdish country. Here the United States tries to find solutions regarding relations with the Kurds and Turkey. Hence the question: do the Kurds rely only on their relationship with the United States or do they move towards one with Turkey as well?” Prof. Mitchell clearly answers, “It is important for the Kurds to go in both ways. Some may think that this is a naïve possibility, but it is the best way.” On this context, Prof. Mitchell suggested that not all Turks think as Kurds assume they do because many who refuse to deal with the Kurds are a minority of ultra-nationalists.



In addition to his previous suggestion, Prof. Mitchell suggested activating the role of the media and the scientific establishments in the region as well as developing the economy so Kurdistan can be an example for the rest of Iraq in the issues of democracy and economic development and security.”



Prof. Mitchell is concerned with Kurdish higher education and affairs and has visited Kurdistan and UoD for the 4th time. He led a delegation that visited UoD in 2003, and smaller ones in 2003, and 2005. During that visit, he made some workshops at the College of Law on democracy.