After living in exile for 24 years here in Britain I am now going back to Kirkuk in Iraq to vote in the first ever democratic election in Iraq.
Its actually not Iraq for me. Its Kurdistan and Kirkuk belongs to Kurdistan for me and for many other Kurds.
And this is why I made this ballot box to take with me. We should be voting for our rights which is Kurdish rights.
We never had a chance to vote for our destiny. Therefore I symbolically created this ballot box which I am going to take with me and give the opportunity to people to vote, whether they want to stay with Iraq or they want to be an independent free country.
Train leaving railway station
This is important because 30 to 40 million people they had never ever had this chance.
This is Turkey and here in the East Iran. In the South we have Iraq and here in the West we have Syria. In the middle of these 4 countries is the Kurdish land.
Our land was divided into 4 by the super powers after the first World War, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
And these 4 artificial borders were created to divide our land. They shouldnt be there.
I think the situation is really ripe for an independent southern Kurdistan
This is it: Welcome to Kurdistan of Iraq and all we have to do one day is to hide this so that we will just read Welcome to Kurdistan
I am actually here now and then down to Mosul and Hawler and finally Kirkuk my hometown.
This is amazing. Look at these little ones. I used to be just like them playing around in the street.
Take it back. Its ok. Just joking
This is where I grew up. This is where I became Karzan. This is where it all started. Wow, I have my family waiting for me here. Ah, I cant believe it, I am back! I am back!
There are no real roses in my country, no real flowers in this place. I managed to get some plastic ones.
I cry because I didnt have the chance to spend a bit more time with them. And I couldnt come back at the time when they passed away because Saddam was still in power and Kirkuk was in the hand of Saddam and I am on the Saddams black list.
I am on my way to a press conference led by Hoshyar Zebari. He is Iraqs Foreign Minister, a Kurd. The first Kurd to become a Foreign Minister in Iraqs new interim government.
Do you truly believe that a federal system within Iraq will work with the Sunnis trying to sabotage the democracy and the historical differences between the Kurds and the Shiites. Or dont you think it makes more sense that you as a Kurd should be lobbying for an independent free Southern Kurdistan.
I am very honest with you. I am lobbying for the goal and the objective set by my leadership, which is working for a democratic, pluralistic, federal and united Iraq.
The Kurdish leadership has nothing to do with the referendum movement for an independent Southern Kurdistan. My feeling is that they are actually out of touch with the Kurdish people. It will be very interesting to see the result of my opinion poll at the end.
I start my poll with some new recruits to the Iraqi police force. Among them my 19 year old nice Avin.
Do you want Southern Kurdistan to be independent? Tick the box
You really think this is worth it to take this big risk?
Its worth it if I risk to safe the children or the women. Everyday many innocent people are dying.
K question
How important is Kirkuk for you?
Avin
Kirkuk is my city. I am borne there.
So do you think Kirkuk should be included in a federal state of Kurdistan within Iraq, should be part of Kurdistan?
Avin
I hope, I hope that they could take it because Kirkuk belong to us.
Election campaigning, Kirkuk style.
This is the parade of the Kurds and its actually like a carnival, not Nottinghill carnival but this is Kirkuks election carnival and its very nice to see that on one side the Turkmen, on the other side the Assyrians, here the Kurds. They are all parading and are exited about the elections.
This is the Turkmen rally; they make up about 10% of Kirkuks population.
George Bush is a liar. Kofi Annan is a liar. Kofi Annan doesnt understand human rights.
They are against human beings and they came here to destroy us.
There is a hostility in this guy the way he speaks and I would prefer to get on to that car and make a move.
And I will tell you about the United Nations and Kofi Annan ..
Also some Iraqi Arabs are unhappy about the situation and have decided to pull out and boycott the elections.
Is this a political decision or is it because the Kurds will be a majority in Kirkuk?
Wasfi Al Asi Al Obedi, United Pan-Arabian Organisation
It is a political decision because we believe the election is doomed to failure.
And what about the views of Kirkuks smallest minority, the Christians?
Wilson Rostam Mush
All the minorities and faiths - the Kurds, the Arabs, the Turkomen, the Assyrians and the Caldanis, they live in peace and harmony and are happy together. The old regime is gone.
The new government is good and we feel content.
Of course the true power here in Kirkuk still lies with the American forces and not with the new Iraqi government and I fear moderate voices might be pushed aside.
Do you think there will be a civil war after the election in Kirkuk?
Major Thomas Williams 2nd Brigade 25th Infantry Division Light
I heard that Kirkuk is going to explode, there will be a civil war in Kirkuk. I heard that ever since I was appointed. Thats all what we heard: Kirkuk is a powder cake just waiting to ignite. Hasnt happened yet and I dont think at this stage it will.
I wish I could be so sure. Later that day a rocket hit the house of my niece Nazanin but fortunately nobody was hurt.
She is still here. She is alive. I cant believe it.
Just blandly shooting a rocket like this, into this district, because there are Kurds living here.
Nazanin is saying until these Arabs brought in by Saddam Hussein, brought in to settle in Kirkuk, until they live in Kirkuk, we will never have peace. We will never have reconciliation. How can we have peace with this people?
The attacks are believed to be coming form the Arab part of town.
I am on my way to Aruba district and it is the district of the extremists. People who actually were brought into Kirkuk by Saddam Hussein. I know its the dodgiest place in Kirkuk and I have been advised by everybody to avoid and not go there. Finger crossed.
Karzan; Why arent you going to vote?
Salem Sultan
We wont vote because we have 100 to 200 thousand of our people imprisoned. Anyone who votes is a coward and dishonest.
And then the big day
This city is never been so empty. I am in the centre of Kirkuk. Its like a ghost town. Of course its the morning of the election and people are not allowed to drive.
Karzan: Where are you going?
Kurds: To vote.
Karzan: Have you walked far?
Kurds: Yes, many kilometres. This election is our hope.
Karzan: Good luck and have a nice day.
So the Turkmen are turning up in great numbers to vote today
Zaynab Muzafer
In the past we couldnt vote. We didnt have the freedom to express ourselves. Now we are free to do it and to vote for whoever we want.
Lewa Sherko, Kirkuks Chief of Police
Police: I cant. This is a political decision. You are asking me: Do you want Southern Kurdistan to be independent? Obviously not.
Karzan: What about the second one?
Police: Do you want Southern Kurdistan to remain in Iraq? Yes.
Karzan: Then tick it please. Police: No, I dont want to.
Police: The British know better than you and me what we really want.
This is for new Iraq and a democratic new Iraqi government and I hope they will recognise the rights of the Kurds as well.
It had been a great day but then I heard some very bad news.
It was twenty to seven this morning when the rocket hit the refugees inside the stadium.
More than 1000 Kurdish refugee families have been living here since the fall of Saddam.
This is where the rocket hit and you can also see the trees half cut because of the rocket.
He says my sun just walked out and then suddenly there was this massive noise and shrapnel flying all over our heads and his older brother screaming: My brother is killed.
Despite all we will vote to increase the Kurdish voice in the Iraqi parliament. We give our lives to Kurdistan.
Karzan translating: She is saying, we are asking President George Bush to find a solution for our cause. We are asking the outside world to listen to us. Until when we have to live with bloodshed? Until when we have to suffer and losing members of our families. We demand you to recognise our rights.
My real worry is if the separate parts of Iraq are forced to stay together, they might explode like the former Yugoslavia.
May be Iraq should be cut into three independent states before it's too late.
Omar Fatah, Kurdish Prime Minister
Like you when I was young I wondered why Kurds werent demanding a free independent Kurdistan. I too wished we had Kurdish flags over the United Nations building. But after careful consideration I believe it is in the Kurds interest to gain their rights within the new federal Iraq. The surrounding countries and our geography dont allow the creation of a Kurdish state. But there is no Kurd who doesnt dream of an independent Kurdistan. But a dream is one thing and reality is another.
Wow, look at that! This is the best real way to find out what is right inside the heart of the people in Southern Kurdistan. This goes beyond the will and the decisions of the Kurdish politicians, the Kurdish leadership, the Americans, the British, the United Nations. This is the decision of the people themselves.
This big pile is the vote of those who want Southern Kurdistan to be separated from Iraq. Its a great result, fantastic. And this very thin layer is those who want Kurdistan to stay as part of Iraq.
There are 1329 votes
My instinct was right. 95 % of the votes are for an independent Southern Kurdistan. However, having spoken to many people and to minorities, Arabs, Turkmen, Assyrians, I would like to say, I would like to give one last chance to a federal system in Iraq. But if for some reason it goes wrong and the federal system collapses, I also would like the outside world to understand that there is really no solution to this but to split Iraq in three and create an independent Southern Kurdistan.
Editor: Chris Hogan
Presenter/Co-director: Karzan Sherabayani
Director/Cameraman: Claudio von Planta
Its actually not Iraq for me. Its Kurdistan and Kirkuk belongs to Kurdistan for me and for many other Kurds.
And this is why I made this ballot box to take with me. We should be voting for our rights which is Kurdish rights.
We never had a chance to vote for our destiny. Therefore I symbolically created this ballot box which I am going to take with me and give the opportunity to people to vote, whether they want to stay with Iraq or they want to be an independent free country.
Train leaving railway station
This is important because 30 to 40 million people they had never ever had this chance.
This is Turkey and here in the East Iran. In the South we have Iraq and here in the West we have Syria. In the middle of these 4 countries is the Kurdish land.
Our land was divided into 4 by the super powers after the first World War, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
And these 4 artificial borders were created to divide our land. They shouldnt be there.
I think the situation is really ripe for an independent southern Kurdistan
This is it: Welcome to Kurdistan of Iraq and all we have to do one day is to hide this so that we will just read Welcome to Kurdistan
I am actually here now and then down to Mosul and Hawler and finally Kirkuk my hometown.
This is amazing. Look at these little ones. I used to be just like them playing around in the street.
Take it back. Its ok. Just joking
This is where I grew up. This is where I became Karzan. This is where it all started. Wow, I have my family waiting for me here. Ah, I cant believe it, I am back! I am back!
There are no real roses in my country, no real flowers in this place. I managed to get some plastic ones.
I cry because I didnt have the chance to spend a bit more time with them. And I couldnt come back at the time when they passed away because Saddam was still in power and Kirkuk was in the hand of Saddam and I am on the Saddams black list.
I am on my way to a press conference led by Hoshyar Zebari. He is Iraqs Foreign Minister, a Kurd. The first Kurd to become a Foreign Minister in Iraqs new interim government.
Do you truly believe that a federal system within Iraq will work with the Sunnis trying to sabotage the democracy and the historical differences between the Kurds and the Shiites. Or dont you think it makes more sense that you as a Kurd should be lobbying for an independent free Southern Kurdistan.
I am very honest with you. I am lobbying for the goal and the objective set by my leadership, which is working for a democratic, pluralistic, federal and united Iraq.
The Kurdish leadership has nothing to do with the referendum movement for an independent Southern Kurdistan. My feeling is that they are actually out of touch with the Kurdish people. It will be very interesting to see the result of my opinion poll at the end.
I start my poll with some new recruits to the Iraqi police force. Among them my 19 year old nice Avin.
Do you want Southern Kurdistan to be independent? Tick the box
You really think this is worth it to take this big risk?
Its worth it if I risk to safe the children or the women. Everyday many innocent people are dying.
K question
How important is Kirkuk for you?
Avin
Kirkuk is my city. I am borne there.
So do you think Kirkuk should be included in a federal state of Kurdistan within Iraq, should be part of Kurdistan?
Avin
I hope, I hope that they could take it because Kirkuk belong to us.
Election campaigning, Kirkuk style.
This is the parade of the Kurds and its actually like a carnival, not Nottinghill carnival but this is Kirkuks election carnival and its very nice to see that on one side the Turkmen, on the other side the Assyrians, here the Kurds. They are all parading and are exited about the elections.
This is the Turkmen rally; they make up about 10% of Kirkuks population.
George Bush is a liar. Kofi Annan is a liar. Kofi Annan doesnt understand human rights.
They are against human beings and they came here to destroy us.
There is a hostility in this guy the way he speaks and I would prefer to get on to that car and make a move.
And I will tell you about the United Nations and Kofi Annan ..
Also some Iraqi Arabs are unhappy about the situation and have decided to pull out and boycott the elections.
Is this a political decision or is it because the Kurds will be a majority in Kirkuk?
Wasfi Al Asi Al Obedi, United Pan-Arabian Organisation
It is a political decision because we believe the election is doomed to failure.
And what about the views of Kirkuks smallest minority, the Christians?
Wilson Rostam Mush
All the minorities and faiths - the Kurds, the Arabs, the Turkomen, the Assyrians and the Caldanis, they live in peace and harmony and are happy together. The old regime is gone.
The new government is good and we feel content.
Of course the true power here in Kirkuk still lies with the American forces and not with the new Iraqi government and I fear moderate voices might be pushed aside.
Do you think there will be a civil war after the election in Kirkuk?
Major Thomas Williams 2nd Brigade 25th Infantry Division Light
I heard that Kirkuk is going to explode, there will be a civil war in Kirkuk. I heard that ever since I was appointed. Thats all what we heard: Kirkuk is a powder cake just waiting to ignite. Hasnt happened yet and I dont think at this stage it will.
I wish I could be so sure. Later that day a rocket hit the house of my niece Nazanin but fortunately nobody was hurt.
She is still here. She is alive. I cant believe it.
Just blandly shooting a rocket like this, into this district, because there are Kurds living here.
Nazanin is saying until these Arabs brought in by Saddam Hussein, brought in to settle in Kirkuk, until they live in Kirkuk, we will never have peace. We will never have reconciliation. How can we have peace with this people?
The attacks are believed to be coming form the Arab part of town.
I am on my way to Aruba district and it is the district of the extremists. People who actually were brought into Kirkuk by Saddam Hussein. I know its the dodgiest place in Kirkuk and I have been advised by everybody to avoid and not go there. Finger crossed.
Karzan; Why arent you going to vote?
Salem Sultan
We wont vote because we have 100 to 200 thousand of our people imprisoned. Anyone who votes is a coward and dishonest.
And then the big day
This city is never been so empty. I am in the centre of Kirkuk. Its like a ghost town. Of course its the morning of the election and people are not allowed to drive.
Karzan: Where are you going?
Kurds: To vote.
Karzan: Have you walked far?
Kurds: Yes, many kilometres. This election is our hope.
Karzan: Good luck and have a nice day.
So the Turkmen are turning up in great numbers to vote today
Zaynab Muzafer
In the past we couldnt vote. We didnt have the freedom to express ourselves. Now we are free to do it and to vote for whoever we want.
Lewa Sherko, Kirkuks Chief of Police
Police: I cant. This is a political decision. You are asking me: Do you want Southern Kurdistan to be independent? Obviously not.
Karzan: What about the second one?
Police: Do you want Southern Kurdistan to remain in Iraq? Yes.
Karzan: Then tick it please. Police: No, I dont want to.
Police: The British know better than you and me what we really want.
This is for new Iraq and a democratic new Iraqi government and I hope they will recognise the rights of the Kurds as well.
It had been a great day but then I heard some very bad news.
It was twenty to seven this morning when the rocket hit the refugees inside the stadium.
More than 1000 Kurdish refugee families have been living here since the fall of Saddam.
This is where the rocket hit and you can also see the trees half cut because of the rocket.
He says my sun just walked out and then suddenly there was this massive noise and shrapnel flying all over our heads and his older brother screaming: My brother is killed.
Despite all we will vote to increase the Kurdish voice in the Iraqi parliament. We give our lives to Kurdistan.
Karzan translating: She is saying, we are asking President George Bush to find a solution for our cause. We are asking the outside world to listen to us. Until when we have to live with bloodshed? Until when we have to suffer and losing members of our families. We demand you to recognise our rights.
My real worry is if the separate parts of Iraq are forced to stay together, they might explode like the former Yugoslavia.
May be Iraq should be cut into three independent states before it's too late.
Omar Fatah, Kurdish Prime Minister
Like you when I was young I wondered why Kurds werent demanding a free independent Kurdistan. I too wished we had Kurdish flags over the United Nations building. But after careful consideration I believe it is in the Kurds interest to gain their rights within the new federal Iraq. The surrounding countries and our geography dont allow the creation of a Kurdish state. But there is no Kurd who doesnt dream of an independent Kurdistan. But a dream is one thing and reality is another.
Wow, look at that! This is the best real way to find out what is right inside the heart of the people in Southern Kurdistan. This goes beyond the will and the decisions of the Kurdish politicians, the Kurdish leadership, the Americans, the British, the United Nations. This is the decision of the people themselves.
This big pile is the vote of those who want Southern Kurdistan to be separated from Iraq. Its a great result, fantastic. And this very thin layer is those who want Kurdistan to stay as part of Iraq.
There are 1329 votes
My instinct was right. 95 % of the votes are for an independent Southern Kurdistan. However, having spoken to many people and to minorities, Arabs, Turkmen, Assyrians, I would like to say, I would like to give one last chance to a federal system in Iraq. But if for some reason it goes wrong and the federal system collapses, I also would like the outside world to understand that there is really no solution to this but to split Iraq in three and create an independent Southern Kurdistan.
Editor: Chris Hogan
Presenter/Co-director: Karzan Sherabayani
Director/Cameraman: Claudio von Planta