Garner, in his short stay in position continuously backed Kurdish claims, impressing Kurdish people and leaders. He came to Kurdistan this time with a different agenda, that is business; bringing with him businessmen and companies. We saw him in the house of Slemani Governor, Dana Ahmad Majid: He accepted our interview, though for a short time only.
Jay Garner, former American administrator in Iraq, told The Hawler Tribune, a federalist system brings rapid solutions to the Iraqi quagmire. This does not signify a weakness of the central government, Nonetheless, it remains responsible for issues such as; currency, taxes, border and foreign policy. “If America practiced the federalist system at the commencement, it would not have faced the current difficulties it faces; However, it is not too late at this point to put the system into practice,”.He adds “if we want a stable Iraq it must proceed to be a Federalist state,”
During the interview Garner repeatedly assured us that he is a friend of the Kurds, however, he could not assure us America is a real friend of the Kurds. He said “I can not speak of the strategic relations between the Kurds and America because I am not a part of the American administration; I am unable to say what George Bush, Dick Cheney and Condoleza Rice think of the relations between America and the Kurds” When he was an administrator in Iraq, in his visits to Kurdistan he was always warmly welcomed with flowers, hence, his very positive attitude towards the Kurds in general.
Jay Montgomery Garner is a retired United States Army general who was appointed in 2003 as Director of the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq following the 2003 invasion of Iraq but he and his office were replaced after only one month by L. Paul Bremer, III and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). He had not expected to be in the position for such a short time span, He further informed the Hawler Tribune “prior to my visit to Iraq I was told that my time would be short, despite this, I had not expected it to be this short. The reason behind my replacement was that I am not a diplomatic person. I had not accomplished any diplomatic duties.”
Regarding, the situation in Iraq and Kurdistan Garner praised Kurdistan and described the rest of Iraq to be disappointing. He said “After 5 years on from the Iraqi war, the situation remains disappointing. In fact America achieved security development to some extent, nonetheless, if you look at the political process, it is very slow and the Kurdistan Regional Government is the only success story in Iraq” He further talked of Kurdistan, its success came down to two vital points. Firstly, its liberation 17 years ago from Saddam and secondly, the people of Kurdistan are very understanding and different.
“Look at the structure of the KRG, there are numerous females within it, especially in Slemani. Out of five plan managers three are females. This indicates the activeness of the KRG, in having female participants. There is a constitution in Kurdistan providing minority rights. We can say Kurdistan can be an example for the rest of Iraq.”
He further complimented the Kurdish leaders for their efforts for Kurdish unity. He said “In Iraq Kurds have suffered a lot; however, they have been able to remain intact. Currently, Kurds have various natural resources, yet the important thing here is the method of using these resources that are available. It should be used in a way that will encourage young people to remain in their land.”
Regarding democracy and human rights in Kurdistan, recently published numerous reports criticized the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in that democracy is still fragile, as well as the violation of human rights. Garner said “Democracy is not a perfect system and contains many flaws; to have a proper democratic system requires time and confrontations will be faced. Presently democracy in America is not flawless, despite the fact that it is a product of 200 years.”
In relation to the KRG’s oil contracts in Kurdistan, Garner said that oil is crucial in the region, although the oil’s revenue across Iraq should be returned to the central government in Baghdad, otherwise the Shittes in Basra will become extremely wealthy. Hence, the central government should equally distribute the revenue, including to those areas not possessing oil.
"Essentially, I guess the first day I got to Baghdad, I was a lame duck," Garner told the “Front line” while he said to The Hawler Tribune “If my plans were put into practice, there would have been a different outcome.”
One of the Kurdish leaders dreams is an American military base in Iraqi Kurdistan. Garner supported this idea of the base and said, “I always support the US military base in Kurdistan. Not a large, rather a small military base consisting of an air force and one brigade. This has its importance, which is strengthening the relations between Kurds and America. Also it will send a message to Middle Eastern countries, America will remain, for long term stability”
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