PUK Politburo: KDP Formally Invited Regime to Erbil on August 31 Betrayal

P.U.K 03:17 PM - 2024-08-30

PUK's logo.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Political Bureau released a statement on the 28th anniversary of the August 31 betrayal. "In this sad, bitter, and sorrowful memory, the PUK restates its demand for a united, accountable, and democratic endeavour, guided by a vibrant Kurdish moral compass and drawing upon the stronghold of previous sacrifices for liberty, social harmony, and the prosperity of Kurdish future generations." the statement said.

The PUK Political Bureau's full message said: 

The greatest misfortune in the political history of our people—the betrayal on August 31st—has passed twenty-eight years ago. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) issued an official invitation to the fascist Ba'ath army to invade Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan. A Kurdish call and peaceful concern would have effectively resolved the internal conflict and prevented much suffering and bloodshed, rather than enforcing treason and non-national supremacy. Furthermore, our experience's already-established international reputation could have been preserved.  

This betrayal had far-reaching consequences that went beyond damage done to the PUK and the Peshmerga forces, killing and expelling many PUK and Kurdistan fighters and wounding and uprooting Iraqi opposition forces resisting Saddam's despotic rule. The Kurdish nation also suffered a deep wound that has lasted for 28 years, leaving enduring political, social, economic, and cultural traces in our area. It harmed the reputation of being a Kurd in the international community for a long time, as well as the genuine and independent identity of being a Kurd. Unfortunately, the KDP's repeated imposition of unfavourable policies brings back memories of the summer of betrayal and the horrors of the occupied city on August 31st.

The PUK and the tenacious and resilient Kurdish people have made the decision over the last 28 years to move past this sad day in Kurdistan's history in order to better foster opportunities for harmony and tolerance in our nation. Due to the martyrs' sacrifice and the years of Kurdish struggle, they have suffered the denial of numerous rights. Rather than succumbing to deep wounds from betrayal, we have ushered in a new era of peaceful politics and discourse, building on our experience and advancing peace, ultimately realising our objectives. Unfortunately, whenever internally disputed situations arise, the KDP exacerbates the suffering of the nation and the country rather than looking into their mistakes and helping to settle historical grievances. By utilising the unfair balance of power and control gained in the aftermath of August 31, they seek to place the blame for betrayal and deceit on others. The political crisis and the shameful practise of blaming others for alleged treason, national grievances, historical revisionism, and denial of sovereignty to anyone involved in the long struggle of the Kurdistan People's Liberation Movement have become the dominant discourses of this party.  
This vile phenomenon has hindered a candid evaluation of events and fails to address any future concerns that seek to spare the dark history of betrayal to a promising future for our people.

To the future youth of Kurdistan:

The PUK reiterates its call for a united, responsible, and democratic effort to revive the new Kurdish struggle, correct the governance, restore the balance of power in Kurdistan, and eradicate all factors contributing to monopoly, discrimination, oppression, and more on this sad, bitter, and sorrowful day, while also reflecting on its previous sacrifices for freedom, social peace, and the future of Kurdish generations. The betrayal of August has robbed many aspects of our experience of its national, democratic, and just content, especially against the backdrop of a morally regressive culture that continues to acknowledge and shamelessly defend this political misdeed as a purported national accomplishment.

On the occasion of the twenty-eighth anniversary of the August wound,

To comfort the spirits of our martyrs, especially those who opposed the occupation of the capital, Erbil, let us put an end to this national tragedy through unwavering civic and peaceful resistance, aided by transparent elections supervised by both Iraq and international bodies.

Let us go forward

Towards correcting the course of governance and restoring the balance of power in Kurdistan.

Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

 

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