1. The Kurds
Celeste, Miranda, Natty

2. The Kurds
26 million population. The largest ethnic group in the middle east without a permanent government
Ancient people with reputation for military tradition
No nation of their own because of hostile rivalries and government

3. Kurds cont. 1991/Iraqi Kurds revolt against Saddam Hussein
Iraqi troops drove thousands of Kurdish rebels and civilians to borders of Iraq and Turkey
Many refugees died from starvation and exposure to freezing mountains
U.S. provided relief by giving supplies
Northern Iraq is where four to five million control territory

4. Election May 1992 105- seat assembly
Armed guerrillas left positions to vote
Tribal chiefs and Muslim Sheiks held power
Kurds loyalty divided

5. KDP Kurdistan Democratic Party Largest and oldest
Appeals to mountain Kurds
Founded in 1945 in Iran
Under control of Barzani family

6. Other Kurdish Political Parties
PUK
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
Jalal Talabani and Ibrahim Ahmad
Supported by Iran
Nationalists
Kurdish Communist Party
Islamic Movement of Kurdistan
Iraq should become Islamic state

7. PKK Kurdistan Worker’s Party Marxist group Under Turkish Law
Demands self rule and basic rights
Under Turkish Law
Kurds must go to Turkish language school
They are discouraged from speaking Kurdish

8. Turkey’s Promise Turkey and Iraq Kurdish groups have good relations.
Stop PKK from using Iraq as an attack base.
Turks aid Iraq
1998- Kurds sign peace agreement in Washington D.C.
Drive PKK guerrillas out of controlled areas

9. Current Events 2003 U.S. leads invasion of Iraq.
Overthrow of Saddam Hussein's gov
Encouraged Iraq Kurds to demand self gov
2004 Interim constitution
Gave the Kurds their own flag
Signed by Iraq gov. council
Gave three Kurdish provinces veto power
Gave veto power over approval of a permanent constitution
2005
Jalal Talabani elected president of Iraq