Documents Concerning The KDP-Iran For A Reunification Of The Party

The following is a letter from members of both wings of the KDP- Iran, the Kurdistan Democratic Party Of Iran (KDP-Iran) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran/Revolutionary Leadership (KDP- Iran/RL), and the reply from the Politburo of the KDP-Iran/RL. A similar letter was sent by Kurds living in exile in the U.S. to the leadership of both wings of the party.

Call To The Leadership Of Both Wings Of The Kurdistan Democratic Party Of Iran

As evervone knows, our party has waged an unending struggle for the last 50 years. Throughout this time, during which the political systems of the Shah and the Islamic Republic trampled the national rights of our people underfoot, the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDP-Iran), in its unending struggle, has brought great honour to our people, despite suffering, many casualties. Especially under the reign of terror of the Mullahs our rights have been more brutally and seriously violated than before and the party has become more resolute in its struggle and activities.

Sadly, it has now been 7 years since the party, the hope of all oppressed peoples in "Iranian" Kurdistan, split and became disunited. Sadly, this disunity has led to a sense of hopelessness among the Kurdish population and a sense of joy on the part of the Islamic Republic and all enemies of our people who have exploited this opportunity. At this time, when the struggle of our people finds itself at a difficult and also a crucial historical phase, it is the duty of all active Kurds to do more than ever to help our exploited people. In this sense, everyone should view it as their revolutionary and historical duty to stand up for this matter. That is the wish of all our people and all our friends. For this reason, we, some former members of the KDP-Iran who live in south Kurdistan, support the call of 180 Kurds living in exile in the United States, and we stress the following :

Only unity among activists will make it possible for the long suffering Kurdish people to reach their goal and be victorious. That’s why it is vital that the reunification of both wings of the KDP-Iran is so historically urgent. Because of historic responsibilities and the recognition of the current situation, we are making these just demands to you, the leaders of both wings of our party. We expect with good intentions and positive thoughts for the Kurdish predicament that you will make a clear analysis of the Kurdish situation and thereby engage yourselves to help us reach our goal, which is the goal of all classes of Kurdish society. Long live the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, the party of the immortal martyrs Qazi, Ghassemlou, and all the martyrs of Kurdistan !

A positive answer from you will fulfil your commitments to the following leading martyrs : Sadegh Scharafkandi, Ali Kaschef Pour, Abdollah Schrifi, Schapour Firouzi, Fatah Abduli, Osman Fatahi, Abdollah Ghaderi, Raschad Hosseini, Ghafour Hamzai, and Sadegh Firouzi.

Signed by 112 members and sympathizers of both wings of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran.

Reply From The KDP-Iran/RL

Recently, a call was issued by 180 Kurdish patriots spread out among the U.S. and the states of Europe. In this call, "both wings of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran" are called on to strengthen the Kurdish movernent in "Iranian" Kurdistan and to resolve their differences by means of a political dialogue so as to open the way for a reunification of the party. In addition to our thanks, we would like to say the following to these Kurdish patriots :

Without a doubt, your call, for all Kurdish patriots who deeply desire the liberation of Kurdistan, is an important step towards the years-long hope of the long-suffering Kurdish people of "Iranian" Kurdistan and all the friends of our people.

Who isn’t aware of the fact that the determination and unity of all the forces of our divided people would be the most important step towards the liberation of our people ? Who isn’t aware of the fact that our disunity is the most important reason for the failure of Kurdish movements, particularly during the past two centuries ? Who can deny that internecine wars have spilled lots of blood in Kurdistan ?

Everyone who is patriotic knows full well where the causes of our sorrows lie and how to heal them. If that’s true, then we are like everyone who places the welfare of the people as the highest priority, as we have shown in our radio and newspaper announcements and through our activities in our society and among the friends of the Kurdish people.

Along with our heartfelt thanks to our sisters and brothers in the United States, who signed the call, we would like to state that we are prepared for all forms of reconciliation, coordination, and cooperation, and all other steps leading towards a reunification of the party. We are certain that the reunification of both wings would be an act which would make the enemies of our people unhappy while causing great joy to all honourable Kurds and all the friends of our people. By doing so we hope, for the first time in history, to bring distress to our enemies and joy to our friends.

Signed by the Politburo of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, Revolutionary Leadership

(Source : Kurdistan Report #22, September-October 1995)