February 2, 2004
Press Release
Washington, D.C. — The President and Board of the Washington Kurdish Institute (WKI) issued the following statement following the tragic suicide bombings in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan on February 1, 2004:
“We are greatly saddened by the tragic loss of life and appalling violence visited upon our compatriots in Erbil during the Muslim Holy Day of Eid al-Adha. We offer our sincerest condolences to the families of those taken by this evil act and convey our best wishes to survivors for speedy and full recoveries. Many of those killed and wounded have served Kurdistan for decades and will always be remembered for the sacrifices they made for their country, including the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives.”
“As long as the scourge of terrorism casts its shadow over Iraqi Kurdistan, the Middle East, and indeed the entire world, we affirm that the Kurdish people will remain steadfast in their determination to confront this evil. Whatever the twisted motivations of those who destroy innocent life, their intentions to derail Kurdish aspirations for security, stability and self-rule will never succeed. In fact, these atrocities will only strengthen the resolve of Kurds and all others struggling to build a better future in the region.”
“We urge the CPA and US military to work more closely with Kurdish security forces to help ensure that similar horrors are avoided in the future. We also pledge to continue our work to help build civil society in Kurdistan and promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms which must be the foundations of a new Iraq and a new Iraqi Kurdistan.”