from time to time, I’ll share some letters from around the world…makes it all worthwhile (and brings a few tears to the eye as well…does this sound too “corny?”)
—– Original Message —–
From: xabat
To: honigman6@msn.com
Cc: letters@americandaily.com
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2005 5:37 PM
Subject: American Daily column feedback
Dear Mr Honigman,
I am a student of International Relations in the United Kingdom and I regularly keep myself informed on the situation in Iraq and the greater middle-east. Being a Kurd from South Kurdistan (what the international community refers to as northern Iraq) and a native of the city of Halabja, I am always on the look out for articles and reports which speak out in defense of the Kurdish struggle.
I, like most Kurds, voice a conscience and non-hypocritical concern to the International community, but our effort seem to be in vain. Our concern regards the double standards of the world community in its approach to resolving the Palestinian “issue” while staying silent on the Kurdish “Problem”. I say non-hypocritical because most Kurds believe that Palestinians deserve a state of their own, as long as it doesn’t pose a threat to the ancient inhabitants of the holy land, the Jews, and the state of Israel. However I cannot say that many Arabs are so sympathetic towards our historical struggle which predates the establishment of Israel.
My message to you is that of gratitude as it keeps our hope alive. That our voice isn’t recieved with deafened ears. I am not sure of how many Kurdish people have written to thank you for your defense and help for our people, but I am sure that thanking you isn’t enough.
I once spoke to a Jewish friend about how Jews managed to endure so much oppression and then to finally establish themselves, alone, as a powerful people within global society. He told me that their hardest struggle was that of the pen, and establishing themselves within the media, so that they could communicate thier struggle, and pressure the world to act.
I say this to you because I feel that the Kurdish race needs friends such as yourself to help liberate us from our pariah status within this ever globalizing world. The struggle of the gun is something that we are more than capable of continuing, however we must learn the struggle of the pen.
When I have finished my degree I hope to contact all those people who have helped our voice grow louder through their articles, reports, documentaries, essays and so on.
I thank you sincerely on behalf of all my people.
Amanj
Here’s my response:
Original Message —–
From: Gerald A. Honigman
To: xabat
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2005 7:02 PM
Subject: Re: American Daily column feedback
Dear Amanj
Thanks for touching base with me. The problem has always been that Arabs expect their 22nd state to replace Israel–not live side by side with it.
Please scroll down to see my other articles listed under the one you read on www.KurdishMedia.com
Check out Talking Turkey About Turkey or it’s earlier version, State Department Math, for starters. What Would Ibn Khaldun Say? is another unique piece.
Mullah Morality… will give you some insight to my own background and confrontation with the hypocrisy and double standards I faced in academia on these issues…and the high price I paid for expecting otherwise as a doctoral student.
I am with you and your people, my friend, and have been writing such things for several decades now.
Keep in touch.
Best of luck in your studies.