Mr Smith goes to Kurdistan?

Many Kurds including KRG lawmakers have expressed understandable frustration at these delays. Rather than react with the hysterical brutality we have all too often come to expect from the enemies of secular democracy, the KRG reconciled itself to the delay because it believed in a peaceful and legal solution. It should be congratulated for its moderation and a peaceful “Article 140” process supported and resourced.

Australia’s track record in capacity building on numerous overseas assignments places it in a special position to offer aid: in the crucial civil society, infrastructure and institution building. I am certain that it will find an eager partner and interlocutor in the KRG. It should offer aid and resources to ensure that a free and fair Kirkuk referendum is properly prepared for, and held.

The Kurdish parties have long been members of the Socialist International - the organisation of social democratic parties of which the ALP is a long standing member. Iraqi President - the Kurd Jalal Talabani gave the keynote address to the last Socialist International Council Meeting in Geneva.

The Kurds of Iraq have been the victims of heartless and ruthless foreign policy “realism” of the left and right for far too long. It’s time for the forgotten, displaced and victimised Iraqi Kurds to receive the international solidarity and tangible support which is their due. What better way to say “sorry” for decades of international indifference to genocide? What better way to keep alive the memory of the victims of Anfal? Stephen Smith and Australian Labor should heed their call.