For the first time, a Spanish newspaper published an interview with President Mam Jalal.
In an interview, Mam Jalal strongly criticized the international community and the United Nations, holding them responsible for the genocide of the Kurdish people in Iraq. He stated: "The chemical bombings are a policy of genocide, a clear violation of human rights, and all countries of the world and the United Nations must answer for this crime."
Manuel Martorell is a Spanish journalist and an expert on the Kurdish issue. In 1988, he conducted an interview with President Mam Jalal for the Spanish newspaper Diario16 in Madrid. In a special conversation with Kurdistani Nwe, Manuel discussed the core content of his interview with President Mam Jalal, stating that his primary aim during his visit was to request the Spanish government halt the sale of chemical weapons and materials to Iraq. Simultaneously, he describes President Mam Jalal's vision for statesmanship, stability, and peace as not only essential for Kurdistan but for the entire Middle East. Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of President Mam Jalal's role in internationalizing the Kurdish cause.
* When and where did you see Mam Jalal for the first time? What did you talk about?
- My first opportunity to meet Kurdish leaders as a journalist specializing in the Kurdish issue came when I saw Mam Jalal for the first time in October 1988. This was during a special conference on Kurdistan held in Madrid, the capital of Spain. The conference was organized by the "Institute of Political Studies for Latin America and Africa."
Three prominent Kurdish figures had been invited. They were:
(Kendal Nezan), a Kurd from Northern Kurdistan and the Director of the Kurdish Institute in Paris. (Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou), a well-known Kurdish leader from Eastern Kurdistan. (Jalal Talabani)
I conducted an interview with Talabani, which was published in the newspaper Diario16. In it, he condemned the inaction of the international community in the face of the genocide of the Kurdish people in Iraq and also condemned the sale of chemical weapons and materials to Saddam Hussein's regime by Spain and other European countries.
* How many other times did you meet President Mam Jalal?
- In August 1991, I met Jalal Talabani again in Shaqlawa. At that time, Iraqi Kurdistan was in the midst of a full-scale uprising. We entered via the Fishkhabur border point; our group consisted of two journalists, a photographer, and a representative of the Spanish Red Cross. The Iraqi army had controlled many areas of Kurdistan, including the city of Erbil. We were forced to travel to Rawanduz via Amedi and Barzan, and from there to Shaqlawa, where Jalal Talabani was.
He welcomed us warmly. I presented him with the first copy of my book titled "Kurdistan, History of a Resistance." I gave him the list of questions I wanted to ask him, but he said, "I'm sorry, I don't have time right now." The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan assisted us in reaching Sulaymaniyah, which was under siege by the Iraqi army at the time.
In 2006, Mam Jalal welcomed me again in Dukan. There, we discussed a project for the protection and increase of green areas and forests. This project was a collaboration with the regional government of Navarre in Spain. We wanted to make progress on it in Kurdistan.
* What is your opinion of President Mam Jalal?
- Talabani represented those great statesmen who possess a diplomatic vision. Even in the most complex moments or deep crises, he had the ability to find solutions based on respect and dialogue. Talabani placed the general interests of the people and the Kurdish cause above partisan and personal divisions, and above the conflicts between different groups and political directions.
Talabani knew how to respect the decision of his comrade (Nawshirwan Mustafa) when he decided to form a new party, and he defended the poet (Farhad Pirbal) when everyone was attacking him. This respect for differences is essential for developing a spirit of democracy in Kurdistan.
In my belief, Talabani represented a fundamental shift in the political direction of the Kurdish national movement towards a more progressive stance and a modern way of thinking. These characteristics of Talabani led to the Kurdish question gaining greater international reception, particularly within the Socialist International organization, of which Talabani was one of the principal representatives.
* How necessary was President Mam Jalal for Kurdistan and the Middle East?
- I am proud to have known one of the most distinguished leaders of the Kurdish people. The spirit of dialogue and statesmanship that Talabani possessed is necessary for promoting stability and peace not only in Kurdistan, but throughout the entire Middle East. Today, as the Middle East is going through one of its worst crises, statesmen of stature and capability like Talabani are more needed than ever to solidify that global perspective specific to the Kurdish people, which is founded on respect for cultural, religious, and national differences. Kurdistan can become an example for achieving the stability and peace desired throughout the Middle East; something the international community as a whole needs and values. However, to achieve this goal, as I stated at the International Book Fair conference, "Politicians must follow Talabani's path."
* You have visited Kurdistan. What are your thoughts about the Kurdish people?
- I have visited the Kurdistan Region over 10 times, and I have also visited Eastern Kurdistan and Western Kurdistan. Kurdistan and the Kurds have been a "great master" for me in understanding the complex political, social, religious, and national situation of the Middle East. Thanks to the Kurdish people, I now have a good understanding of what is happening in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. The Kurdish people showed me a way to break down those old, conservative ideas prevalent in Europe, which portray Kurdistan with a image of radical Islam. The Kurdish people demonstrate that a more tolerant and respectful form of Islam exists.
Furthermore, I think it is very dangerous for the Kurds to base their economic development solely on one productive sector, like oil and gas extraction, because that means abandoning the vast potential available for comprehensive development in Kurdistan. Kurdistan is a rich country in terms of agriculture, industry, and tourism, not only in the cities but also in the rural areas, which ultimately represent the historical heritage of the Kurdish people. The rural areas must also be developed.
Summary of President Mam Jalal's interview with the Spanish newspaper
In the headline of the Spanish newspaper Diario16, it was written prominently, "Jalal Talabani accuses The United Nations of indifference towards the genocide of the Kurds." In a brief introduction, it mentioned that Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Kurdish armed forces in Iraq, once again in Madrid, condemned the genocide that his people were subjected to, and accused the international community, especially the United Nations, of indifference at that level. The interview, conducted in 1988 by the renowned Spanish journalist Manuel Martorell, noted that Jalal Talabani, the Secretary-General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which is one of the main forces against the Iraqi Ba'ath regime, emphasized that unless the national rights of the Kurds are guaranteed, there will be no peace.
Talabani noted that the current situation is different from 1975, when the Algiers Agreement was signed between Iraq and Iran and led to the collapse of the Kurdish revolution. Talabani says: "Now the Kurdish revolution is stronger and is determined to continue the struggle to achieve its goals. The Union has formed a joint front with the Democratic Party and the Iraqi Communist Party and is fighting with arms to obtain the right to self-determination for the Kurdish people." Talabani emphasized that he believes in all forms of struggle, both political and armed; negotiation is one of the methods. However, he has not rejected negotiation with the Iraqi government: "If they are ready, we are ready too." But Talabani says, "We do not trust the Iraqi government."
In the interview, Talabani strongly criticized the international community and the United Nations, holding them responsible for the "genocide" of the Kurdish people in Iraq. He stated: "The chemical bombings are a policy of genocide, a clear violation of human rights, and all countries of the world and the United Nations must respond to this crime." Talabani also pointed out that countries like France and the Soviet Union have assisted Iraq by providing chemical weapons.
Introducing the Kurdish Cause in Spain
Since the Kurdish people have possessed a just cause, throughout history there have been foreigners who have supported them and tried to introduce the rights of the Kurds to the world. One of these people is the journalist Manuel Martorell. He is 71 years old and has dedicated most of his life to the Kurdish cause, particularly in introducing the Kurds in Spain. At a time when practically no one in Spain was talking about the Kurds, he published his first report on Kurdistan in 1983. Manuel has written four books on Kurdistan. In 1991, he published the first article in the Spanish language in the world on the history of the Kurds, titled (Kurdistan, History of a Resistance). Apart from that, he has written four other books in collaboration with experts in the field. Manuel has published numerous articles and reports in newspapers, magazines, and on television. In addition to carrying out various activities in support of the Kurdish cause, Manuel says: "Due to my support for the Kurdish people and based on a false CIA report, the U.S. State Department labeled me an 'international terrorist' and banned me from traveling to the USA."
A summary about the newspaper.
Diario16 newspaper was first published in 1976 in Madrid, the capital of Spain. It was one of the prominent and famous newspapers in Spain, founded by a group of renowned journalists. The newspaper operated on defending civil liberties and gained significant fame for its investigative reports. It was a pioneer in investigative journalism and conducted interviews with many world leaders and heads of state. The newspaper printed more than 100,000 copies daily and won several journalism awards. In 2001, the newspaper ceased publication due to financial difficulties, but in 2015, it resumed operations in an electronic format.
Interviewer: Farid Dlshad