I was talking to some friends and we were wondering how feasible it would be for the US to offer to buy lands from Iran and Turkey that have indigenous Kurdish peoples and give the Kurds a separate nation.

The US can still put the offer of $30 billion back on the table but this time just offer to buy the land.

In turn, the Kurds can offer both Turkey and Iran, cut rate deals on oil prices.

Also in exchange for Kurdish autonomy, the Kurds can give Iraq a certain percentage of the oil revenues as form of compensation on a monthly or yearly basis. Iraqi citizens can still travel freely into and out of Kurdish territory of course.

Anyways, just an interesting thought.

[ 04-15-2003, 02:21 PM: Message edited by: Wutang ]

It is an interesting thought. And contains far too much common sense to bypass Turkish or Iranian nationalism. Plus, countries don't exactly like to sale land these days - being as it's all been claimed and there is no new "exploration." So, I'd say the best you could get is a string of 99-year leases.

<font color="#ffccff">Actually not a bad idea in theory, but just as the Arab need to completely eliminate the Israelis is somewhat irrational, so too is the hatred of the Turks for the Kurds. They simply do not want them to live as a free people....if at all. Not sure if it is a religious thing or what. </font>

I never really understood what the Turks had against the Kurds anyways. But I think the Turks never really had a good track record in dealing with minority groups.

Armenians, come to mind, as another group that were severely persecuted with ocassional bloodbaths at times.

I'm just curious as to how much it costs the Turks to patrol the areas dominated by Kurds etc. It just may be more cost effective and profitable to just let the Kurds form their own nation.

But the 99 year leases also sounds like a good idea. Hong Kong turned out to be a jewel for China after the leases were up and so far nothing bad has happened yet since the turnover of that portion of land.

The buying of land idea does open some unique possibilities and perhaps could be in discussion at some point in Iraq.

[ 04-15-2003, 05:06 PM: Message edited by: Wutang ]

Forget it - no country likes to cede territory.
Would the US consider selling off part of Alaska to Canada?

<font color="#ffccff">Probably for enough Money. Never underestimate the greed of politicians ;) </font>

Well the US did buy Alaska off of Russia so it wouldn't surprise me if one day Alaska would be offered for sale for the right price.

Not just sold to any govt either...maybe a super rich corporation like Microsoft.

heh I could see Bill gates president of his own country up there :)

<font color="#ffccff">I understand that Ted Turner actually owns a measurable percentage of one of the Southwestern states...so gates could conceivable do the same [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>

<font color=orange>You think Canada would be interested in California? How bout Mexico? We could probably make either a good deal! I'd much rather sell California, than Alaska. Much better hunting and prettier scenery than in California. :D </font>

So you think that kicking a bunch of people out of their homes, and then giving the land to another group of people, who probably won't be happy because its not the correct piece of land, is common sense?

Alaska is the American Siberia. Full of untaped natural resources, the US would have to be stupid to sell it.

[ 04-17-2003, 01:12 AM: Message edited by: Seraph ]