Kurdish Independence Conference in Kurdistan

November, 2005 • Salahaddin University & University of Sulaimani • Kurdistan

"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be" Voltaire. We say "Nations are free at the moment they want to be". Concurrent with the Iraqi National Elections, 98% of the population living in Southern Kurdistan voted to form an independent state. This resolve is also shared by an overwhelming majority of Kurds in Iranian, Syrian and Turkish occupied Kurdistan as well as Kurds in Diaspora who are determined to make statehood a reality, not only for Southern Kurdistan but also for the other parts of their divided homeland.

History has tied the political and economic destiny of Kurdistan to its four neighboring countries thus making it clear that achieving self-determination will need different strategies in different parts of Kurdistan. Whether we believe in formation of four independent states united in a regional pact or one independent federal Kurdistan, the end result must include full membership in international organizations such as the United Nations and a democratic system that ensures religious, political, cultural and economic freedom and prosperity for all who live in Kurdistan.

The Kurdish National Congress of North America (KNC) is committed to bringing scholars and political leaders from around the world to discuss a roadmap to realizing our goal of a "United Free Kurdistan".

The KNC will hold a two-day Independence Conference: "Kurdish Independence, Democracy and Regional Stability" in Southern Kurdistan. Speakers will include dignitaries, representatives of the Referendum Movement, foreign and local intellectuals, political and community leaders as well as academics.

Venue/Dates: Salahaddin University (Nov 10, 2005) – University of Sulaimania (Nov 13, 2005) – Registration will be required; please check www.kncna.org for update.

Program Summary:

• Welcome and Opening Remarks by Dignitaries, Local Leaders and KNC President
• Session 1: Roadmap to Independence
• Session 2: Current Borders, Challenges to a United Kurdistan and/or Basis for Independent, Predominately Kurdish States
• Kurdish Nation State(s) Shaping the Region, Democracy and Stability in the "New Middle East" and the Near East

Conference Chair: Dr. Asad Khailany      Conference Vice Chair: Mrs. Soraya Serajeddini

For information, please call 408-834-5557 or email knc@kurdishnationalcongress.org

Travel information for the conference