MESOP : The wolf in sheep dress / Iran welcomes progress of region’s Kurds, Kurdish language teaching under study, official tells

28-4-2014 – Kurdpress – The representative of the Iranian President for the affairs of the minorities and races, Ali Yunesi, said in Sanandaj on Monday that the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the advance of the region’s Kurds and stated teaching Kurdish language for Iran’s Kurds in under study. What follows is the official’s a short exclusive interview with Kurdpress News Agency on sideline of a funeral ceremony for the city’s Friday Imam who passed away on Saturday.

There are developments in the region. Kurds in Kurdistan Region, northern Syria and southeast Turkey have achieved some of their demands and the Syrian Kurds have established three autonomous cantons. What’s your idea on the changes?

The Islamic Republic of Iran is happy with the positive changes for the Kurds in the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the Kurds in Iraq and backed Jalal Talabani’s presidency.

The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the situation and Turkey Kurds to have freedom and facilities and Iran is happy to see the situation of the Kurds in the region has been bettered. That’s a happy event that Kurds in Turkey held their Newroz freely and we hope Turkey continue the situation and give the rights of the Kurds.

Kurdish language is taught in universities in Diyarbakir and some other Turkey Kurdish cities and the move is due to be done in Syria as well…

There is no problem. There is no problem.

For sure there is no problem. But our question is the move, teaching Kurdish, does not due to be done in Iran?

Why not. Needed planning will be done. That’s quite good.

Do you have any special plan and timetable for the move to be launched in some places or the universities sooner?

Education Ministry is working on the issue.

God willing, in what levels Kurdish language is due to taught?

The issue is being discussed and we will seek advice from local officials.

There are criticisms in Kurdistan Province why Kurdish officials, and especially the Sunnis, are not used in the government and management posts.

 The criticisms are right. Local officials expect the government to fulfill its promises and the president himself has given promises about the races and he is with the promises and will accomplish them in right time.

In one of your interviews in the last year you said you would ask the foreign minister to choose two of his ambassadors from Sunnis. Is the promise due to be accomplished?

All the issues will be studied and God willing more than two ambassadors will be selected.

Supreme Leader visited Kurdistan Province about five years ago and pointed to valuable issues about the Kurds and Kurdish language. As journalists have many questions to be answered is it possible for you to return to the province on the anniversary of the visit (14 days later) and answer the questions?

My today visit was to extend my condolence. It is not a provincial visit. I will study my schedule  and will God willing come back to the province.