Stop indulging nationalists

Sir, - The contrasts between the Catalan and Iraqi Kurdish independence referenda are unsettling.

Catalonia is divided with as many people opposed to its separation from Spain as in support of it.

Although Catalan as a language is distinct from Castilian Spanish, there is no great cultural or ethnic divide.

Legally, if harshly, the Spanish Government sought to disrupt and undermine the vote at every turn.

‘No’ voters largely stayed at home.

And yet the Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont claims a mandate to unilaterally declare independence.

By contrast, support for independence among Iraqi Kurds is rock solid, as it would be among the Kurds of Turkey, Syria and Iran, if they were ever to be asked.

Also, there are deep ethnic and linguistic differences between the Kurds and their Arab and Turkish neighbours.

So the Catalan nationalists on limited support and an illegitimate referendum are throwing Spain and the EU into crisis and may soon achieve independence, while the Kurds, the victims of repeated genocidal injustice, will just have to wait.

It is time we stopped indulging Catalan, Scottish and other micro-nationalisms unsupported by any substantial ethnic difference, where demagogic politicians seek to split successful countries for personal glory and selfadvancement. Otto Inglis. 6 Inveralmond Grove, Edinburgh.