The Kurdistan Observer
Feb 11, 2001

The birth of the National Democratic Coalition in Syria as a Kurdish political movement
represents a significant event and raises many questions about the political environment in
Syria generally and the Kurdish situation in particular.  Why was this political organization
allowed to appear now? What does it imply? And does it point to a recognition of the Kurds
in Syria?

According to Mr. Muhammad Marwan Al-Zirky, President of the National Democratic
Coalition who spoke to Al-Zaman, an Arabic language publication, this political body does
not yet represent a recognized/official political party for the Kurds in Syria.  Through this
Coalition, according to Mr. Al-Zirky, the Kurds intend to take their rightful place and play
their political role in the Syrian society similar to the other national and political
organizations which operate under the umbrella of  the National and Progressive Front in
Syria.   The birth of this political body stems from two factors: the first is reality of the
Kurdish political and social life and aspirations, the second is the desire in Syria to
consolidate the brotherly relations among the various ethnic and political groups,
particularly the Arabic-Kurdish brotherhood.

The Kurds in Syria have been living under the discriminatory laws of the sixties which
suppresses their aspirations and denies them their cultural, educational and political rights
and freedoms. The National Democratic Coalition intends to raise the Kurdish issues to the
Syrian leadership through a peaceful and brotherly dialogue and the openness embraced by
the Syrian Government.

Mr. Al-Zirky denied accusations that the National Democratic Coalition is made up mainly
of PKK sympathizers, and expressed the view that this political body is specific to Syria and
open to all the Kurds in Syria and all Syrians who are willing to accept direction and
political agenda of the Coalition.
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The Kurdistan Observer
www.kurdistanobserver.com