This underdog site (remember the PLO?) reflects an open-ended running story.  All characters involved are real, from President Saddam Hussein to Presidents Bush (I & II) & Clinton, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and all the other players.  Besides being instructive, it could be an amusing study of human nature and Realpolitik.  If it were not for the very real tragedies of the millions of Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians, Jews, Kurds and Turkomans trapped in Northern Iraq (Mosul Vilayet) whose "internationally protected" properties - i.e. Europe's strategic petroleum reserves - revealingly continue to be looted in favor of a purportedly ostracized Iraqi regime and a bankrupt United Nations.  All moves, tricks and fumblings thus brought to light are authentic, even though their traces presented here do not always tell the full story - or the latest or where it all will really lead to.

    So don't jump to hasty conclusions.  See for yourself what the official documents say.  See how far - on paper at least - the aspirations of the peoples concerned have already been formulated unmistakably.  Look at some of the actions and political (mis)steps at the UN and elsewhere and at their results.  And take a sniff at how, over the past decade, things have come about and - like an idea whose time has come - may not be stopped by any means, pundits to the contrary notwithstanding.  For who, only a few years ago, would have envisioned tribal structures, rather than externally imposed democratic institutions, to provide the road map for a way out of the conflict which has ravaged Afghanistan?  Is this lesson applicable to the situation in Iraq, where leaders of ethnic tribes have long been sidelined in favor of externally upheld leaders of political tribes?  If yes, will it be heeded by the powers that be any time soon?  Only time will tell.  Meanwhile, you may also draw inspiration from the wisdom expressed on the reverse side of Victor Hugo's medal:

    All of which will allow you also to decide for yourself whether you, too want to get into the act - perhaps, as a 21^st Century Gulbenkian, by becoming part of the solution and by throwing your hat into the ring while the dices are still rolling.  In the event just contact us at swissbit@solami.com    At any rate, you may be interested to stay tuned, to scroll or click on any link and let your curiosity be your guide.

Our introductory remarks are followed by Iraq's Request for Admission to the League of Nations, including its Declaration of 30 May 1932.  On the basis of these precedent-taking Iraqi "obligations of international concern"  Iraq became independent, was admitted to the League of Nations and, with none of these minority and property protection obligations diminished or even voided, joined the United Nations in 1945.  As these and related documents are not easily accessible, they are reproduced either fully or - as in the case of the UN study on the continued validity of such undertakings - in the relevant passages.

     The other sections giving voice to the people concerned contain - also in extenso - the official founding documents of the Mosul Vilayet Council and the declarations notably of their Representatives as delivered to the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.  Finally, there is a considerable, indexed section, FOR THE RECORD, for readers interested in background material - i.e. historians, political scientists, lawyers, lawmakers, journalists, etc.   It is devoted to how all this came about, went so far, and may go where?

Mosul Vilayet

Baghdad     141227      524414      750421    62565     20771    1360304
Basra          138741        42558      721414    10088       2551      785600
Mosul           91009      579713        22180    14835     55470      703378
total            370977    1146685     1494015    87488     78792    2849282

Editor's Introduction

    In his capacity as Secretary of the Good Offices Group of European Lawmakers, the editor outlined the Mosul Vilayet Project as follows in his note of 18 June 1992 "To Whom It May Concern":

This opens up interesting possibilities and perspectives for all those who pay not only lip services but are genuinely interested in having the butchers and hostage-takers of Baghdad promptly removed from power, and to bring peace and stability to this region. All of the Mosul Vilayet, in an urgent first step, must be effectively liberated from the whims, mercy and bloody rule of Baghdad. This may be achieved by corresponding UN decisions - e.g. creation of a UN trust territory there. The key terms of reference could be the international guarantees which have been in place for those all-too-long neglected and indeed grossly abused minorities. And if the people there so desired, it could facilitate a return to the structure which seems to reflect best their traditions and strong tribal roots, i.e. a kingdom.

On this background it is a telling sign of the time that the leaders of the some 75 tribes of the Mosul Vilayet which, historically, have not been known to agree and join forces on many things, almost unanimously have agreed, put their signature on the dotted line and now have actually taken charge in the above sense on behalf of all ethnic groups and religious communities there. At the conclusion of their meeting in Ankara they adopted on 15 May 1992, the fundamental Declaration of Self-Determination, and they set up the Mosul Vilayet Council as that territory's supreme authority in political, humanitarian, economic, cultural and other matters. With the recent - essentially rigged elections in the liberated part of the Mosul Vilayet having manifestly failed to produce the indispensable unity and competent leadership for effectively addressing the urgent humanitarian and reconstruction needs there, the Council - working through the traditional tribal links - is now putting into place the structures which can be relied upon for all related tasks. As such, and with the cooperation of the humanitarian organizations seeking to effectively help the people who are victimized by an embargo of both the UN and Baghdad, the Mosul Vilayet Council may finally put an end to the wasteful and corruption-prone system of international humanitarian aid being channelled through externally built-up political parties and scrupulous, opportunistic and essentially self-serving party leaders. This should also make the external aid more effective and worthwhile, and provide for its gradual replacement by self-help programs based on regular, mutually beneficial economic terms.

The Good Offices Group of European Lawmakers [by way of its research branch CORUM] has assisted the tribe leaders in this promising initiative. We invite our friends and interested persons to contact us and to consider in their own fields of competence such ways and means which might contribute to the ultimate success of this challenging and demanding enterprise."