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"We
have always fought for our national and democratic
rights within Iran’s framework."
Translation: Ali
Meysoumi
This interview was
published on 27th July 2008 by
Eleftherotipia which has the highest circulation
among Greek newspapers and its’ special issue
circulation tops 200,000 on Sundays. Niclos Zirganos who
has conducted this interview is a well known Greek
journalist who has interviewed some of the most
prominent world figures.
Bombardment of
nuclear facilities won’t topple Islamic regime in Iran.
Mr Mustafa Hijri is
a brave and courageous individual who has assumed
leadership of Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran after
two of his predecessors were assassinated. He is a
democrat who leads a party which has been banned by
Iranian regime. In a time when his country is under
threat from its outside enemies, you can find a lengthy
list of Iranian Kurds who are tortured and executed,
hanged teenagers, women who committed suicide in prisons
and men who are gone missing.
Mr Hijri seeks
regime change but he is clearly against any possible
military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
We met this Iranian
Kurdish leader in International Socialist conference in
Athena.
Q: Although
Kurdish question in Iraq and Turkey has had its’
reflection in media, often we are not hearing much about
Kurdish question in Iran. What is the situation in your
region?
A: Prior to fall of
Saddam Hussein, condition of Kurdish population in Iran,
Iraq and Turkey was in same level more or less.
Regarding Iranian Kurds and other minorities, they are
under pressure from Tehran regime for their Kurdish
identity in addition to religious pressure. We are in
struggle with a political and theocratic dictatorship.
Kurds is Turkey and Syria are dealing with political
dictatorship but religious phenomenon is added to that
in Iran. Parts of Iranian Kurds are Sunni Muslims whilst
Persian Iranians are Shiats. Following establishment of
Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq, Tehran regime has
mounted its pressures on its’ citizens as they believe
because of the opportunity provided for our brothers in
Iraq, our hopes are revived and we might seek
separation. Our people are being prosecuted,
imprisoned and tortured. Especially members of Kurdistan
Democratic Party of Iran are a main target. Our party is
considered to be the oldest, the most prominent and
popular party in Iranian Kurdistan.
Q: You only seek
self-determination. Is Tehran right to accuse you of
being separatist?
A: Our party is not
asking for separation. On contrary, we have always
fought for our national and democratic rights within
Iran’s framework. “Establishment of a federal
democratic government” is our goal today, within which
Kurds and other nationalities in Iran must have their
own national identity; all can live together and take
part in government in line with law and democracy.
Q: In your
opinion, is there any possibility of reaching your
objectives whilst having Islamic Republic in power? Do
you support a regime change?
A: We don’t
believe we can reach our goals whilst Islamic Regime is
in power. Not only they don’t recognise nationalities
within Iran, but also they are planning to annihilate
these nationalities. They want to suppress any
nationalist movement. They believe that concept of
nation would weaken and marginalise Islamic ideology.
They believe Islam is the only ideology which can gather
all humans around itself. For them existence of
Kurdish, Turkish and other nationalities is not
important. What matters is that all of them are Muslims.
Q: How is your
relationship with Kurds and other parties in other parts
of Kurdistan? Are you following same objectives? How do
you look at the possibility of creating a big and united
country called Kurdistan?
A: I am not talking
about future here. Our party talks about today. There is
a possibility that next generations make a decision
about this issue, but today our party believes that
Kurdish nation, in all parts of Kurdistan must live
freely in its’ land whilst progressing toward
development and obtaing of its democratic rights.
Q: But have you
resorted to peaceful ways and have you dispensed with
armed struggle?
A: That’s right;
today we have chosen democratic method.
Q: But some
Iranian Kurds like PJAK have chosen armed struggle?
A: We believe there
is no difference between PJAK and PKK. It’s part of PKK
and is under leadership of PKK. They receive military,
economic and political support from PKK and receive
their orders from them. We have no relation with PJAK.
Q: Today world
is facing with Iran’s nuclear weapons crisis. Although
allegations on Iran’s military nuclear program have not
been proved yet, in spite of that, Israel threatens to
bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities and possibility of US
military attack is not so remote. What is your position
on bombardment of your country?
A: In our opinion
any military attack on Iran by Israelis or Americans
won’t topple Iranian regime. In contrary, it enables
regime to attract more people to it and to claim a
political victory by using these strikes. If Israel
attacks Iran, regime will use it as weapon in their
propaganda campaign among Arab and Muslim nations.
Bombing Iran will also harms democratic movement inside
Iran as it is diverting global attention to another
issue. Partial military attack is not in favour of
Iranian nation.
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