Kurds' Faith in New Iraq Fading Fast

[kskiska]

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But as the US and British authorities dither over Iraq's post-war political settlement, growing numbers among the strongly pro-western Kurds here worry that their fundamental political concerns are being swallowed by the ethnic, religious and political problems in post-Saddam Iraq. Their demands for a federal state appear to be falling on deaf ears.

"Kurds are realising that their special status in Iraq is no longer a given," said a European diplomat visiting the regional capital ofIrbil.

"Unless they believe that their position within a future Iraq will... consolidate their hard-won autonomy, it is uncertain that a majority would opt to remain within the current boundaries, despite what their more pragmatic leaders may tell them."

For most Iraqis, travel to the Kurdish autonomous zone had been almost impossible since it was established in 1991. Now Arabs and Kurds are seizing the chance to reacquaint themselves.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1067275,00.html