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Kurdish Supplement, 21-27/10/01 * Iraq Expects U.S. Attack With Kurdish, Turkmen Cooperation * Kurdish MPs Discuss Troop Deployments to Southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan [This is difficult to understand through the less than perfect English translation, but it seems that the Turkish Grand Assembly has passed a bill to permit Turkish occupation of Southern Kurdistan/Northern Iraq] * A Rocket Attack At A U.N. Station In Zakho [Attacks on UN offices in Southern Kurdistan/Northern Iraq. It appears they are quite frequent. No indication here of who is responsible] * Iran Pressures Talabani to Terms of Agreement with Islamic Groups [Readers will remember recent press reports of a Saddam/bin Laden plot to introduce into the autonomous Kurdish zone a terrorist Islamic movement - the Jund Al-Islam. This is referred to in the William Safire article, Advance the story ...ı above. Here it appears that the J.al-I is an extremist offshoot of well-established local Kurdish Islamist forces, supported by Iran] * Turkish Minister Insults Kurdish Cause and KDP on TV [Strained relations between the KDP and Turkey. The possibility of an intensification of the US war on Iraq brings with it the possibility of Kurdish independence in northern Iraq. That brings with it the possibility of a Turkish invasion. The KDP are anxious to assure the Turks that they donıt want independence, and they are willing to do this at the expense of the Kurds in Turkey] * Isn't KDP a friend? [A Turkish newspaper defends the KDP on the grounds that they have faithfully supported Turkey against the PKK] * Nechirvan Barzani gives three messages in Ankara [Assuring the Turks that he is their friend. Note that The KDP had no evidence proving the claim that the Jund-ul Islam group was being directed by Osama Bin Ladenı] * Turkey must not let Barzani and Talabani to have a clear field in Northern Iraq. [See comment on Turkish Minister Insults Kurdish Cause ...ı above] * Turkish troops move into Iraq * Talabani Declares Amnesty For The Militant Islamists http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/19-10-01-rfe-us-kurds-to-battle-ir q.html * IRAQ EXPECTS U.S. ATTACK WITH KURDISH, TURKMEN COOPERATION Kurdistan Observer, 19th October Iraqi authorities have taken precautionary military measures inside the oil-rich city of Kirkuk in anticipation of a U.S. military strike with Kurdish and Turkmen cooperation, according to a report in London's "Al-Hayat" of 15 October. An informed Kurdish source in Al-Sulaymaniyah has told "Al-Hayat" that Iraqi military authorities have completed the building of 65 large military shelters northwest of Kirkuk. They have also started to distribute light and medium weapons to the Arab tribes living in the Saliyi area, northeast of the city, and have begun crash course to train the newly armed men in the Saqazli Camp near Kirkuk. The source pointed out that a Special Guard unit executed three officers inside the army's 1st Corps headquarters in Kirkuk. One of the executed officers is said to be Staff Major General Hamad Al-Jamali. Also, the director of the press office in Al-Ta'mim province was arrested. In addition, five military companies from the northern branch of the ruling Ba'th Party have been formed; they have the task of controlling the conditions inside the city in case of sudden disturbances. These companies are directly linked to the office of Qusay Saddam Husseyn. http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/19-10-01-op-kurdish-mps-discuss-tk y troops.html * KURDISH MPS DISCUSS TROOP DEPLOYMENTS TO SOUTHERN (IRAQI) KURDISTAN by Oktay Ucar Kurdistan Observer, 19th October (from Ozur Politika,18th October) Deputies elected from the Kurdish provinces considered the deployment of Turkish troops to South Kurdistan as the war against Afghanistan continues, a wrong and unnecessary attempt. Mahfuz Gulen, Enlightenment and Development Party (AKP) Deputy, made a striking statement on the claim of Turkish officials ³We support the integrity of territory of Iraq² which conflicts with the military deployment. Gulen stated that they have recently gone to Bagdat, capital city of Iraq, adding that the Chairman of Iraqi Parliament have said ³We cannot make decision about the Northern Iraq. The region is in the hands of Kurds. Turkey should negotiate its problems in Northern Iraq not with us but with the Kurds in the region.² Mustafa Kamalak, Husamettin Korkutata and Ibrahim Konukoglu, deputies from Maras, Bingol and Antep respectively gave statements on the matter as well as Gulen. The four deputies agree on not approving the deployment and think that Turkey will end up suffering harm in case of a military operation or even occupation. Here is the comments of the deputies: Mahfuz Gulen, Bingol Deputy: We do not want war any more. We as 11 Turkish parliamentarians have recently gone to Iraq. All Iraqi deputies including the chairman did not made any statement on the split apart of Iraq. They said that they could [not? PB] make decisions on Northern Iraq, saying that the region was in the hands of Kurds. The deputies pointed out that Turkey should negotiate its problems in Northern Iraq not with them but the Kurds in the region. That means that even Iraqi parliament agree that Northern Iraq belongs to Kurds. I still do not understand what Turkey pursues. Ever Iraq does not debate on its integrity. Turkey brings up the matter, I do not understand this as well. I do not think that Turkish army will attempt to occupy Northern Iraq. It does not have enough strength to do this. The region is passing through a very critical period. Mustafa Kamalak, Maras Deputy: The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) has passed a bild [sic] to deploy troops abroad We are against this bild [sic]. We will apply to the Constitution Court for it to be annulled. I do not have enough information about the deployment of troops to Northern Iraq. Turkey is the country which will be most effected by a conflict in the region. Husamettin Korkutata, Bingol Deputy: Turkey is against any operation on Iraq especially now. A conflict climate in the region will give Turkey harm. If Turkey deploy troops to Afghanistan, it should guarantee Iraq. Otherwise Turkey will drag into a big fire. Ibrahim Konukoglu, Antep Deputy: Turkey deploys troops to Northern Iraq from time to time and these troops are withdrawn. Turkey is trying to do its best in order to prevent a violent climate in the region. We do not want the war in Afghanistan to leap into Iraq. Iraq is our neighbour. Operations there will effect us, like it or not. Deployment troops to Northern Iraq does not comply with the policies of Turkey. http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/19-10-01-ko-rocket-attack-zaxo.htm l * A ROCKET ATTACK AT A U.N. STATION IN ZAKHO The Kurdistan Observer, 19th October A U.N. headquarter in Zakho responsible for distribution of food in accordance with U.N. Resolution 986 was attacked Thursday by rockets from a nearby location, reported sources from Duhok in Southern Kurdistan. Two guards were injured as the result of this attack. The KDP forces rushed to the scene to investigate this incident. This type of attack is unprecedented as all previous aggressions toward U.N. personnel have been in the form of planting small explosives. http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/19-10-01-ko-iran-puts-pressure-on- puk.html * IRAN PRESSURES TALABANI TO TERMS OF AGREEMENT WITH ISLAMIC GROUPS The Kurdistan Observer, 20th October A Kurdish source in Southern Kurdistan told the Kurdistan Observer today that in a meeting held a few days ago between the PUK leader Jalal Talabani and a high ranking Iranian government official, the Iranian government strongly denied claims made by the PUK suggesting that the Jund Al-Islam is linked to and funded by Bin Ladenıs organization. The Iranian officials charged that these suggestions were baseless allegations that had been fabricated by Israeli agents. Last month, Jund Al-Islam, an organization founded by extremists from the Islamic Movement of Kurdistan (IMK) and from the Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG), ambushed a unit of PUK forces in Hawraman areas, resulting in many casualties including the killing of some 40 PUK members following their capture. In retaliation, the PUK deployed their elite troops to Halabja areas, declaring war against Jund Al-Islam, the IMK, and the KIG. Consequently, the PUK forces took control of Halabja and its surrounding areas following the defeat of the Islamic groups. Subsequently, Iran succeeded, after placing pressure on the PUK leadership, in convening a meeting between Jalal Talabani and the Islamic groups in the city of Qasri Shireen in Eastern Kurdistan. According to the source, the Iranian officials persuaded Talabani to agree on their terms that called for the return of the Islamic parties, the IMK and KIG, to Halabja, and giving in return the PUK a symbolic presence in that region. As to Jund Al-Islam, the Iranian officials asked the group to dismantle their organization and rejoin their parent parties of the IMK and KIG. http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/22-10-01-gkdp-tky-insults-kdp.html * TURKISH MINISTER INSULTS KURDISH CAUSE AND KDP ON TV Kurdistan Observer, 22nd October (from Gulan Media ( KDP)) In a TV-interview in October 10, Turkish Interior Minister, Abdulqadir Chai, describes the Kurdistan Democratic Partyıs forces as a group of ³bandits², and makes rude remarks on Kurdıs struggle for self-determination. In his written statement, an unnamed spokesman for KDP condemns and severely criticizes Mr. Chaiıs remarks and writes that the Ministerıs comments are ³against the spirit of good neighborliness and diplomacy. The spokesman writes that his party and Kurds hope that Mr.Chaiıs remarks reflect only his own personal view and are not representative of the whole of the Turkish Government or national opinion. In a new era in the worldıs history where democracy and dialogue seem to have the last words, it is sad that a neighboring Turkish Minister would hurt the feelings of millions of people in Kurdistan by offending them and their struggle, the spokesman writes in his written statement. http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/23-10-01-opinion-cevik-isnt-kdp-fr iend.html * ISN'T KDP A FRIEND? Editorial by Ilnur Cevik Kurdish Observer, 23rd October (from Turkish Daily News) The headline asks openly "Isn't KDP a friend?" Our answer is clear: Yes of course. They have proven this over time by fighting the PKK separatist terrorist when it really mattered for Turkey. That means the Kurdistan Democracy Party (KDP) has put its heart into the fight against the separatist organization at a very high cost. Not only the KDP forces but also ordinary Kurds have been killed at the hands of PKK terrorists. The KDP regards the PKK as a terrorist organization and says even if Turkey halts the fight against it Barzani and his forces will continue this fight to the bitter end. The KDP of Masoud Barzani is the leading power in northern Iraq and will remain so even when Iraq's sovereignty is properly restored throughout that country. It has a very strong tribal background as well as a democratic structure which has been clearly manifested since the KDP has gained control of a major portion of northern Iraq. It is true that the current situation in northern Iraq is a temporary arrangement with KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) running the region through their respective administrations. They have both done a good job establishing respectable administrations which have been serving the region and its people well. They have managed to build the neglected infrastructure of the region and the process is still continuing. As a matter of fact both administrations want Turkish contractors to be involved in this building process. At times people here in Turkey have been highly suspicious that the Kurds are quietly building all the institutions of a state and will create a de factor situation. The Kurds vehemently deny this and say even if they wanted to do this it would be practically impossible. However, it is also true that some of the applications have been more in the direction of state functions and of a more permanent nature than a temporary arrangement. Turks think that this will close the door for the reintegration of the region with Iraq and this is creating nightmares for officials in Ankara. These kind of misunderstandings can be sorted out with positive applications and goodwill. Some local Kurdish officials may have misrepresented the issue or have created wrong impressions with their nationalistic attitude. But this does not change the fact that the general intention of the KDP is to be a part of democratic Iraq. The KDP could contribute to the democratic development of the whole of Iraq and not only the north. The Iranians are fully aware of this and the key role Barzani and his administration plays in the region. That is why they are eager to court Barzani and the KDP. Necirvan Barzani, prime minister of the KDP administration, is leading a government which is serving the people. The Iranians hosted him last week and he could have gone on from there to his trip to Europe. But he made a point of coming to Ankara to iron out some of the misunderstandings. Ankara has openly told him its concerns. Necirvan Barzani has explained to them his side of the story and his concerns. Now is the time to mend fences and make a fresh start on the part of friendship and cooperation. http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/23-10-01-tdn-n-barzani-messages-to tky.html * NECHIRVAN BARZANI GIVES THREE MESSAGES IN ANKARA by Saadet Oruc Kurdistan Observer, 23rd October (from Turkish Daily News) Massoud Barzani-led Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) reiterated its commitment to the territorial integrity of Iraq in Ankara, demanding Turkey "to stop using the Habour border gate as a red card" against themselves, a leading official of the Iraqi Kurdish party said on Monday. In an exclusive interview with the Turkish Daily News on Monday in Ankara, Nechirvan Barzani, head of the local government in Northern Iraq stated that they felt that there was a misunderstanding among Turkish officials about the KDP. "Perhaps, there was false information from whatever circles, maybe from the region," Barzani told TDN. Turkey has been declaring its concerns regarding the possibility of the establishment of an independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq and repeated remarks came from Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit that any development concerning northern Iraq will negatively affect Ankara. Stopping in Ankara on his way to Europe, Barzani met with senior officials from the Middle East Department of the Turkish Foreign Ministry and tried to ease Turkey's concerns which were strongly expressed by Turkish officials. Barzani was received by Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. Three key messages given by KDP to Turkish officials are as follows: Iraqi Kurdish problem should be solved inside a united Iraq, The KDP had no evidence proving the claim that the Jund-ul Islam group was being directed by Osama Bin Laden, Ankara uses Habour border gate as a red card against the KDP. Technical experts to meet for Habour Turkish officials and the KDP decided to meet with technical experts for solving the deadlock concerning trade through the Habour border gate. Diesel trade through the Habour border gate stopped recently and KDP argues that there is a political attitude against themselves. Position on PKK remain unchanged Barzani told TDN that their position on the PKK remains unchanged. "We still consider the PKK as a terrorist organization," he said. However, the rejection of KDP for launching crossborder operations against the PKK in lands controlled by itself created anger in Ankara among military officials and Turkish military assets were pulled back, regional sources stated. Turkey deployed its land forces troops, but not the gendarmerie, along the southern border. http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/24-10-01-sabah-tky-not-let-clear-f ield.html * TURKEY MUST NOT LET BARZANI AND TALABANI TO HAVE A CLEAR FIELD IN NORTHERN IRAQ. by Sukru Elekdag (former Turkish ambassador to the United States) Kurdistan Observer 24th October [from TDN Press Scanner, October 23, 2001] Sabah : Ankara is seriously worried about the possibility that a military operation will be staged against Iraq in the course of the process of waging war on terrorism in the wake of Sept. 11. On CNN's Larry King Live program last week Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stressed that if that happened Iraq would be split up, and that this would create problems for Turkey's independence and territorial integrity. Ecevit's remarks require that we ask the following questions and analyze the relevant issues: Is it definite that a Kurdish state will be founded in Northern Iraq if Saddam gets overthrown? How would Turkey be affected by the establishment of an independent Kurdish state? Is the United States supporting establishment of a Kurdish state? What kind of strategy should Turkey have? Ankara's view on the first question is quite clear. Ankara believes that Iraq's unity can be preserved only with an authoritarian rule; and that if Saddam gets overthrown Iraq will be split up. During the Ottoman era Iraq was governed as three separate provinces or states: The Baghdad province was predominantly Sunni-Arab, Basra Shiite-Arab and Mosul Kurdish and Turcoman. Ankara thinks that such a state would forge alliances with some of Turkey's neighbors as well as with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to make territorial demands on Turkey, adhering to the "Greater Kurdistan" cause and fueling Kurdish nationalism. These worries are not groundless, considering that in the aftermath of 1991 the U.S. policy has favored the establishment of a Kurdish state. Indeed, it was only with Washington's support that a parliamentary election could be held in Northern Iraq in May 1992 and a Kurdish government could be formed. And the "Kurdistan Federated State" was proclaimed on Oct. 4, 1992 in the wake of the visit [Northern Iraqi Kurdish leaders] Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani paid to the United States. During the Gulf crisis, Turgut Ozal, the president at the time, maintained elbow contact with U.S. President George Bush of how to split up Iraq. Ozal's "vision" was as follows: First a Kurdish state would be established in Northern Iraq and then ensure that it joins Turkey as a "Kurdish federated state." Thus, a "Turkish-Kurdish Federal State" would be created. Turkey's being plunged on such a dangerous path was prevented thanks to Gen. Necip Torumtay to resigned as chief of staff when Ozal gave him instructions to "occupy" Iraq's Mosul and Kirkuk regions. Yet, the "Iraqi [Kurdish? - PB] Federated State" proved short-lived because the tribal system that prevails in the region is hardly suitable for creation of a state. It is a fact that at a certain point the United States' Northern Iraq policy took a path hazardous to Turkey, and that was due to a great extent to the erroneous reasoning of Ozal. Under the current international conditions, on the other hand, the United States should well be aware that it would go against American interests if the United States conducted the kind of policies that would result in the establishment of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq. If the United States did create a landlocked Kurdish state surrounded by hostile countries on all sides, a state which would be dependent on the United States in all aspects, Washington would, whether it liked it or not, have to "index" its Middle East policy to the safeguarding of that state. That would cause Iraq, Syria and Iran, countries who have a Kurdish minority of their own, would be inclined to resolve the differences among them and to create a bloc against America and Israel. In other words, the consequences of such a policy could undermine the U.S. interests in the region. It is a very strong possibility that the moment they decide that the United States has -- relatively -- attained its goals in Afghanistan, the "hawks" in Washington will push for the opening of a second front and succeed in initiating a military operation against Iraq. Turkey must be prepared for such developments. Turkey must not let Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani to have a clear field in Northern Iraq. Otherwise, Turkey will not have a say in the restructuring of Iraq in the post-Saddam period. http://www.baghdad.com/?action=display&article=10111400&template=baghdad/ind exsearch.txt&index=recent * TURKISH TROOPS MOVE INTO IRAQ ISN (International Relations & Security Network), 25th October Iraq accused Turkey on Thursday of stationing troops in its Kurdish-controlled north and asked UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan to press Turkey to withdraw its forces. Iraq's UN envoy Mohammed Aldouri said in a letter to Anan that Turkey sent 25 to 30 tanks and 45 to 60 trucks laden with troops into northern Iraq earlier this month and some were stationed there. "The UN should shoulder its responsibility and demand the Turkish government to stop immediately its military aggression against Iraq," the letter said. Turkish troops regularly pursue separatist Kurdish rebels from southeast Turkey into northern Iraq, which Iraqi Kurds, with the help of the US and Britain, wrested from Baghdad's control after the 1991 Gulf War. Some 5'000 Turkish Kurd separatists are believed to be based in northern Iraq and Iran since fighting in their campaign for independence dropped off dramatically after the 1999 capture of Abdullah Ocalan, commander of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerrillas. Aldouri's letter said dozens of Turkish vehicles laden with troops and military supplies entered Iraq from Turkey on October 6 and 9 and headed for Safat in the north. US and British warplanes based in Turkey patrol a no-fly zone over northern Iraq established in 1991 to prevent Baghdad regaining control of the Kurdish enclave. http://members.home.net/kurdistanobserver/26-10-01-gulan-puk-declares-amnest y islamists.html * TALABANI DECLARES AMNESTY FOR THE MILITANT ISLAMISTS Kurdistan Observer, 26th October ERBIL, Kurdistan, (GULAN) The militant Muslim rebels of Jund Al Islam may return home under a general amnesty granted by Patriotic Union of Kurdistanıs leader Jalal Talabani. In a written statement published in the daily Kurdistani New Thursday, Mr. Talabani urges the rebels to abandon Jund Al Islam and return to their homes in Kurdistan. The statement, which is issued by the Talabani secretariat, says that the general amnesty embraces both the rebels and the leaders of Jund Al Islam, with the exception of the assassins of KDP member F. Hariri and those who participated in the massacre of the Kheli Hama village. Fierce fighting broke out between PUK forces and Jund Al Islam at the end of September this year, in which more than 45 people were killed and many more wounded. PUK accused this fraction of starting the fighting by attacking their military positions in Halabja area, Southern Kurdistan. Most political parties, including Massoud Barzaniıs KDP, condemned the rebels and offered Talabani their support. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk CASI's website - www.casi.org.uk - includes an archive of all postings.