By Falah Mustafa Bakir
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is asking his country’s parliament this week to unanimously approve a "mobilization" against the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), an action that he and other Turkish leaders have signaled could include a Turkish military attack on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Such an attack would represent the gravest challenge to Iraq since our liberation from Saddam Hussein in 2003 and would jeopardize, perhaps fatally, the success of the American mission in Iraq.
The Kurdistan Region is Iraq’s safest and most secure. But we may soon pay a heavy price for the actions of the PKK in Turkey, and for a House Foreign Affairs Committee vote about Armenia in the U.S. – neither of which have anything to do with the Kurds of Iraq or the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG.)
The KRG seeks no conflict with Turkey. Quite the opposite: the KRG considers friendly relations with Turkey its top priority. We consider the Turkish people as close friends and neighbors with whom we have much in common. Turkish trade and investment has been instrumental to our region's economic growth. We are interested in pursuing stronger ties through direct dialogue with Ankara on any and all issues of common interest. Any problems or disagreements should be solved through diplomacy and dialogue, not threats of military force.
We condemn the killing of innocent people and we do not believe that violence ever solves problems. The KRG has supported U.S. mediation efforts with Iraq and Turkey about the PKK, and has encouraged efforts toward a comprehensive political solution to the problem of the PKK, which cannot be solved solely through military means.
The KRG does not and will not support the de-stabilization of Turkey or any of our neighbors. We respect and practice the principle of noninterference in the affairs of others, and expect the same in return. In that context, the Iranian intimidation and shelling of villages and towns along our eastern border must also stop. As with Turkey, we seek no confrontation with Iran. Since 1991, we have proven to Turkey, Iran and all of Iraq's neighbors that the Kurds are a stabilizing factor in Iraq and the Middle East.
The stakes could not be higher for Iraq, and for the peace and prosperity of the Kurdistan Region, which has proven itself the model and gateway for a new Iraq. The Kurds are America's most loyal and trusted allies in pursuit of an independent, democratic and federal Iraq. The current crisis on our borders comes at an especially inopportune and sensitive time with regard to on-going efforts in Iraq toward national reconciliation. This is very much a work in progress, but there is progress.
There is an emerging consensus among Iraqi politicians about federalism, which is Iraq's constitutionally mandated form of government. KRG President Masoud Barzani has called for a conference in Erbil among Iraq's political leaders to discuss how to implement a federal system of governance in our country. The diversity of Iraqi society is a source of strength, not division. Federalism has worked around the world – in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and in many other countries. It should be seen as the solution, rather than the problem, for the deep governance challenges in Iraq. Federalism is not "partition," as some have misrepresented it. We appreciate those in the U.S. Senate who understand and have recognized the reality of a federal Iraq through an amendment to the U.S. Defense Authorization bill.
Some neighboring countries see the shadow of independence falling across all that we do in the Kurdistan Region. When the Iraqi constitution was drafted four years ago, the Kurdistan Region’s leadership made a firm decision to remain part of Iraq. Despite the national tragedy that has befallen much of the rest of Iraq, we remain committed to that course of action today. We believe today that our future is best secured by becoming an active participant in a federal, democratic and secular Iraq.
Falah Mustafa Bakir is the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, with Ministerial rank, in the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq.
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Comments (309)
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March 1, 2008 12:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 1, 2008 12:49
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March 1, 2008 6:06 AM | Report Offensive Comments
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March 1, 2008 6:06 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 1, 2008 06:06
Turkey has proved to the world once again that they are unfit to be part of the European Union.
The Attacks on Kurds have more in common with Hitlers aid to General Franco in Spain, than to European standards of conduct. In this case Bush is taking Hitlers part.
The PKK is a straw horse, the ulterior motive is complete genocise of all Kurds, as Turkey did with the Armenians 100 years ago.
February 24, 2008 11:21 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 24, 2008 11:21
Firstly I would like to say that I am a Turkish Cypriot.
Back in time, from around 1950's to before turks and greeks lived happily, we had our differences but somehow managed to oversee that as we didnt invade no one. we was there for 500 years! how many years does it take for people to be seen as the society in one place?
The kurds, theyve been in Turkey and iraqi parts for HOW LONG?
In a funny way its like we asked for it to happen but the English and the U.S somehow appeared to be interested then the greeks thought yeah lets get rich then wars broke out. why? whos war was this really? the u.s supplying the greeks with weapons or the english who think they own the island?
but coming to the topic, hasnt anyone realised two years ago PKK wasnt a terrorist group, in fact the u.s has supported the kurds and there rights.. turkey was in the wrong right? okay so what happened? suddenly the English have full support for Turkeys progression into the eu. Anyone remember the bomb attacks in parts of Turkey, the English papers wrote DO NOT GO TO TURKEY on them! but now I feel sorry for whats happening over there! the u.s and allies went into iraq, people died, innocent people! and now this? this is all wrong and the english and u.s know exactly what theyre doing!
You want to know what i think? the u.s is just too far from the rest of the world, thats what kept them safe for the past, now they have grown and think they can play big brother to the rest of the world, only problem is they are not siblings, no one is to no one.
You know what i hope the u.s and turkey clash seriously I dont want there favor or the english! these countries have demoralized everyone. And the world is in so much pain i get the feeling it has always been like this maybe being evil is as part of us as much as being good... money politics religion all the these differences are not really any significant! what matters is that we dont destroy innocent lives and live to make it better for everyone and not to make more money! I hope Turkey doesnt enter eu as its only a paradox that u.s majorly (f*** it) owns. and if its not them then this is all the english and there mysterious ways of controlling and making there own lives better policy. And if it wasnt them then its someone else why is the world so f***** up everyone OPEN YOUR EYES
February 23, 2008 4:50 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 23, 2008 16:50
To Dairo
Reputation is relativity concept and the link you mentioned does not mean anything historicly. I recommend all contradictories to search the history toroughly. All our archives are open to contradictories. You stupid PKK supporters does not know what kind of fight you are in. very few Kurdish groups do support this foolish fight. You do not know how the majority of Kurdish people in Turkey live. They are quite reach and benefit from other weak Kurdish poeple. Especialy weak kurdish people adore kurdish tribe leaders and they can die for them for nothing. It is the same situation all over kurds. You should first solve your problems internally then you might have something (You still have nothing to say) to comment about others.
1 Turk value a world (Mustafa Kemal ATATURK)
January 23, 2008 4:41 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on January 23, 2008 16:41
Turks are losers in this war ..one of the most reputable think tank concluded. see the link
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2008/me_turkey_01_02.asp
January 3, 2008 11:44 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on January 3, 2008 11:44
It all goes back to Turkey being totally ignored and refused a membership in EU Community. Turkey was on the forefront during the cold war and they sacrificed a lot on behalf of NATO. When the time came to give them the membership all of a sudden they are a Muslin State hence it is a big "NO" ,whereas Greece Cyprus has been granted a membership. Now would you blame them if they start being a nation who have wrestled themselves out of US influence. Who is creating these divisions and paving the way for the religious parties to win in parliamentary elections?. My conclusion-the west.
December 25, 2007 9:18 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 25, 2007 09:18
I am not challenging any one and anything. i am truly in need of assistance ,financially so that i make use of my self and become something one day. i am a black young and vibrant lady, so much in desparation to get money and become a business woman in Botswana.AFRICA. In my country there are few if not less women in recognition . i need to be seen and respected of making a difference in my life and other black women lives
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December 15, 2007 6:46 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 15, 2007 18:46
I am not challenging any one and anything. i am truly in need of assistance ,financially so that i make use of my self and become something one day. i am a black young and vibrant lady, so much in desparation to get money and become a business woman in Botswana.AFRICA. In my country there are few if not less women in recognition . i need to be seen and respected of making a difference in my life and other black women lives
dmogotsi@debswana.bw
+267 72622292
p.o.box 919 Orapa Botswana
December 15, 2007 6:46 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 15, 2007 18:46
I am not challenging any one and anything. i am truly in need of assistance ,financially so that i make use of my self and become something one day. i am a black young and vibrant lady, so much in desparation to get money and become a business woman in Botswana.AFRICA. In my country there are few if not less women in recognition . i need to be seen and respected of making a difference in my life and other black women lives
dmogotsi@debswana.bw
+267 72622292
p.o.box 919 Orapa Botswana
December 15, 2007 6:45 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 15, 2007 18:45
I the word Turk speaks for it self,I am glad i am not turk.
pshtiwan
December 8, 2007 5:13 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 8, 2007 05:13
Why do you publish so many comment by the turks whcih is racist and block the kurds from comments?
Regards
Pshtiwan
Kurdistan
December 8, 2007 5:11 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 8, 2007 05:11
To Mr Malai
When the kurds demand freedom then thay play with fire,have you ever been under occupaition by turks,arabs and pesrsians?i gess not ,then do not comment about things you do not have any idea about.
What we see today in middeleast and islamist is mr Alsalahuddins fault becuase if he just stayed in kurdistan at that time and did not came to rescue islam then i belive the crusaiders will finished the bloody islam.
Pshtiwan
South Kurdistan
December 8, 2007 4:59 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 8, 2007 04:59
Be it turk, armenians, kurds, arabs, we are all human beings. Who needs war and destruction? It's a loss and war will eat on everyone. Sit down and star talking. My advice to turk, have patience and let's talk. For Kurds , do not play with fire, the Americans or MOSAD will not going to be there forever. For Armenians, what past is past, the current generation of turkmen do not even commit the crime that they have been accused. For Arabs, dont you know that Saladin is Kurdish?
Peace to all.
November 11, 2007 11:20 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 11, 2007 11:20
The PKK is an armed terrorist organization, listed as such by the U.S. Government and the European Union. It employs force and the threat of force against civilian and military targets to achieve its political goals. The PKK seeks to create an independent, communist, ethnically pure Kurdish state in an area that it calls Kurdistan. Calling PKK terrorists rebels or guerrillas undermines international efforts to fight terrorism in all its forms and shapes.
PKK’s ambition is Kurdish secession from the Republic of Turkey by force and the threat of force against civilians and military personnel.
The PKK attacks civilian and military targets alike. Since it started its campaign of violence, the PKK has killed thousands of Turkish citizens, especially targeting elementary school teachers, doctors, technicians, engineers of infrastructure projects, Kurdish village guards and police. Today, the PKK has roughly 5,000 members under arms, many of them very young adults. It recently started to use suicide bombers, mainly women, and also remotely detonated roadside bombs, as well landmines, techniques learned and developed in Iraq. Even though they are portrayed in the western media as Kurdish freedom fighters, the PKK has in fact killed thousands of their ethnic brethren who do not support it.
.The PKK is also a criminal enterprise, as it is funded by extortion, drug trafficking (particularly heroin) and the smuggling of illegal immigrants into Europe and the smuggling of petroleum products out of Iraq into Turkey.
Turkey’s ethnic Kurds are first class citizens. Turks of Kurdish ethnicity are well represented in government and in business and industry. They have been Presidents, Prime Ministers, and countless members of parliament of Kurdish ethnic origin. The vast majority of Turkish Kurds are well integrated into society and have the same rights and liberties as all other citizens. Restrictions that existed on cultural expressions of ethnic identities have long been lifted. Kurds in Turkey preserve their ethnic identity, language and local cultures. Turkey has taken laudable steps to open space for Kurdish culture in recent years: radio and television broadcasts in Kurdish have been authorized; the Turkish Public Television broadcasts in Kurdish; private instruction in Kurdish is permitted.
The southeast of Turkey, where a large number of Kurdish Turks live, has received the greatest per capita public investment, totaling well over 150 billion dollars through the course of the past three decades. In the past few years only, investments to the southeast of Turkey have surpassed 20 billion dollars in contrast to the fact that the region generates a miniscule contribution to the overall GNP of Turkey. In addition to public investment, Turkish civil society organizations, particularly charitable organizations that support education and healthcare, have poured millions of dollars in donations into projects specifically designed for the needs of this region.
Turkey has constantly extended a hand of friendship and help to Iraqi Kurds. Turkey gave safe haven to over 500 thousand Iraqi Kurds who fled Saddam’s wrath and were take care of by Turkey for several years. Today, Turkey is a major electricity supplier to northern Iraq, is its main supply route and has helped in the rebuilding of this part of Iraq. Friendly relations with Turkey are to the benefit of the Kurdish Iraqis. But Kurdish leaders are squandering this opportunity by harboring the PKK.
Under international law, Turkey enjoys a right to pursue the PKK into northern Iraq to protect its citizens and sovereignty, a right indistinguishable from the United States claim of authority to invade any country that harbors terrorists.
In sum, Kurds enjoy equal opportunity to pursue their political and economic ambitions in Turkey. Their achievements in those realms are impressive. The PKK is a Marxist-Leninist terrorist organization that has rejected Turkey’s democracy for violence and terror to pursue the illegal aim of secession. Turkey’s right to enter northern Iraq in pursuit of its PKK terrorist enemy is beyond question and fully in accord with international law and practice.
November 6, 2007 12:36 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 6, 2007 12:36
TO JAMSHID;; at least donkey is useful for something,what about you and your people? you and persians were our slaves for years ,,you done more job then the donkey in past, but you no good now and we still use donkeys, if you understand what i am try to say,you and persians dont even worth as much as donkeys any more ...that your stone age brain sayin that meanin of that word means that..but if you read the dictionary what TURK means in the world..but you cant say it because you know what it means realy,,you forget about us TURKS,you worry about USA,i dont know how you going to save yourself when they start to destroy you people soon,,,persia and iran or those bloody leaders of yours with stupid backward headed imams will be running to us TO TURKIYE for help ..are you gonna say the same things again,,no..beacuse you wont be alive to or see all this happening
November 4, 2007 6:12 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 4, 2007 06:12
If you exchange a Turk with a donkey..the donkey's owner losses why?..Turkha Khara are worth les...logic from Persia,,
November 1, 2007 11:54 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 1, 2007 11:54
Turkha Khara..come visit e in Persia.
October 30, 2007 2:34 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 30, 2007 14:34
Turka Khara (Turkish donkey) may have IQ of no mor than 40. I am being good to Turka Khara..... WE persians hate Turka Khara..
October 29, 2007 3:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 29, 2007 15:55
I wrie from Isfhan, Iran, In Iran we call Turks Turka Khara whicj means Turkish donkey. Turks are donkeys...They are not human beings. WE persians know that for longs. They not killed people in Kordestan but other areas. .Turka Khara is a wild wild animal...it needs to restrained.
October 29, 2007 12:03 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 29, 2007 12:03
The northern Iraq region is managed under one person the Barzani -Talabani family clans. The parliment is for birds to sing. Let me tell a bit about Mr Barzani Father Molla mustafa Barzani who attacked Turkey an incdent in record of history back in 1930, then asked To be granted asylum by Turkey a year later!. This is the pyhce two way street personality we are dealing with. This clan is like a big corporation with account executives. They do not have the skill and ability to have a state of their own. IT is claer that Brzani has been harboring,abading and financing the PKK which are killing turkish soldiers and civilians coming across the border. Turkey does not want a neigbor like this. its time the regions people wake to this.
October 29, 2007 5:51 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 29, 2007 05:51
TOO..ARAN,END TO PIGS LIKE HIM ..........................TO find out how much dignity we got ,you got to go and ask your mother she will tell you...and all kurds knows that..i know it will be very easy to talk front of moniter and on pc like this and you can say anything,,but when it comes to face to face you tribes running to mountains,hiding like womens,we got guts and glory,we dont hide if you want i give you my adress you come here and say that to my face ,if you want i will even send you airfares,,but i doubt, you and people weak and chicken like anything..and if your got a little bit of brain you understand what i say READ MY LIP kurds and TURKS NOT BROTHERS
October 27, 2007 7:26 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 27, 2007 07:26
The Turkish junta should treat the Kurds as a genuine people not as animals...A just peace is what is needed between the two brotherly nations of Kurdistan & Turkey. War is only brings disaster to Kurdistan & Turkey.
October 26, 2007 5:38 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 26, 2007 17:38
War is terrible..but the Kurds in Southren Kurdistan are attacked..the region will turn into a graveyard of Turkish army....Let's have peace with justice..
Kurds In Southern Kurdistan Vow To Fight Turkish Troops
By DOUGLAS BIRCH, Associated Press Writer
Oct 24, 2007
DERISHKIT, (Southern Kurdistan)- Two Turkish jet fighters streaked across the mountain peaks near this border village Wednesday as part of an expanding military force gathered to pressure Kurdish rebels to abandon their hideouts in Southern Kurdistan.
Residents claimed the planes were on a bombing run to hit a site about four miles inside Iraq, but could offer no details to back up their assertion. If true, however, the airstrike would mark a notable escalation of Turkish tactics against the Kurdish rebels.
The overflight came after three days of artillery shelling from inside Turkey at this area along the Zey-Gowra River, said Jalal Salman, the 45-year-old principal of the local school, and five other villagers.
Turkey's government has warned it will launch an offensive into Southern Kurdistan if Iraqi authorities don't move against bases used by the Kurdish Workers' Party, or PKK, which has waged a more than two-decade fight for autonomy in predominantly Kurdish southeastern Turkey.
Officials in Iraq's Kurdish region say there are no PKK bases, at least in populated areas under government control.
Local officials said the Turkish artillery fire had mostly hit orchards, roads, mountainsides and, in one case, a tourist restaurant in a cave. So far there were no casualties in this area, they said.
Five other Derishkit residents joined Salman and gestured toward a Turkish military post on a hilltop in the neighboring town of Khani-Mase. An armored vehicle stood on the heights, its gun pointing down the slope. The post is one of five bases established inside this part of Iraq in the mid-1990s with Iraqi Kurd agreement as part of Turkey's war against PKK separatists.
Salman said villagers were not intimidated by the base's soldiers, who they said sometimes fired machine guns at people gathering firewood on the slopes below.
They also said they won't hesitate to wage war on Turkish troops if an invasion comes.
"There will be a guerrilla war, and we will take up arms," Salman said as the other men nodded in agreement. "What else can we do? They are bombing us. They are committing aggression."
Popular anger at Turkey seems to be growing in Southern Kurdistan, along with quiet preparations for conflict. There have been large demonstrations in the region's major cities, and television reports on a Kurdish protest in Turkey's capital riveted viewers here.
According to a report in one Kurdish newspaper, people living near one of the largest Turkish bases in Southern Kurdistan threatened to attack the post if the Turkish army continued to fire artillery at the area.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish regional government has moved in units of its Peshmerga Defense Forces from the region's south. More than 100 of the fighters arrived aboard white buses Tuesday morning in Dohuk, capital of the region.
Smaller units of Peshmerga mustered in mosques and schools near the border, which they usually avoid because of the risk of clashes with Turkish troops. Several convoys of white SUVs, evidently carrying high-ranking Peshmerga commanders, were seen traveling in the area.
Muhammed Mohsin, an official with Southern Kurdistan's dominant Kurdish Democratic Party in the Amadiya border area, said more than 50 villages in his area had been bombarded by Turkish artillery in recent days but no casualties had been reported.
Mohsin, one of the most influential political figures in Amadiya, said residents and the Peshmerga have laid plans for fighting any Turkish incursion.
"Our tactic is partisan fighting, a partisan conflict," he said. "If they attack, we are going to launch a partisan war against them."
Mohsin insisted there are no PKK camps in the Amadiya area.
But he also said dozens or hundreds of villages near the border had been evacuated and burned during Saddam Hussein campaign against Kurds and most remained empty. The Kurdish regional government has no control over this "no man's land," he said.
The area consists of range after range of arid mountains topped by sawtooth rocks, towering over narrow, twisting river valleys. "A million men could hide in those mountains," Mohsin said.
Many Iraqi Kurd officials suspect Turkey's real aim is to try to destabilize Southern Kurdistan, the most peaceful part of the country, to discourage separatist sentiment among the millions of Kurds living in southeastern Turkey.
The PKK has been fighting against the Turkish government since 1984 in a war that has caused 30,000 deaths. While it previously demanded a separate Kurdish state in Turkey's southeast, it more recently has called for an autonomous region — similar to the region that the Kurds have in Southern Kurdistan.
While the United States and Iraq's central government in Baghdad have labeled the PKK a terrorist organization, most Iraqi Kurds appear to regard its guerrillas as freedom fighters. They accuse the Turkish government of a long history of suppressing the Kurdish language and culture.
Many people here look to the United States to prevent Turkey from launching a major offensive into Iraq, some suggesting that Washington should respond with military force to any incursion.
"The U.S. is an occupying power," said Fahmi Salman, another regional Kurdistan Democratic Party official in Adamiya. "It is the duty of the United States to defend Kurdistan."
Salman said that even if the Americans don't help, the Kurds are prepared to defend their homes.
"The Kurds don't like war fighting," he said. "But if this happens, it will be a popular war. It will be against the people, and the people will fight."
October 26, 2007 11:58 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 26, 2007 11:58
War is terrible..but the Kurds in Southren Kurdistan are attacked..the region will turn into a graveyard of Turkish army....Let's have peace with justice..
Kurds In Southern Kurdistan Vow To Fight Turkish Troops
By DOUGLAS BIRCH, Associated Press Writer
Oct 24, 2007
DERISHKIT, (Southern Kurdistan)- Two Turkish jet fighters streaked across the mountain peaks near this border village Wednesday as part of an expanding military force gathered to pressure Kurdish rebels to abandon their hideouts in Southern Kurdistan.
Residents claimed the planes were on a bombing run to hit a site about four miles inside Iraq, but could offer no details to back up their assertion. If true, however, the airstrike would mark a notable escalation of Turkish tactics against the Kurdish rebels.
The overflight came after three days of artillery shelling from inside Turkey at this area along the Zey-Gowra River, said Jalal Salman, the 45-year-old principal of the local school, and five other villagers.
Turkey's government has warned it will launch an offensive into Southern Kurdistan if Iraqi authorities don't move against bases used by the Kurdish Workers' Party, or PKK, which has waged a more than two-decade fight for autonomy in predominantly Kurdish southeastern Turkey.
Officials in Iraq's Kurdish region say there are no PKK bases, at least in populated areas under government control.
Local officials said the Turkish artillery fire had mostly hit orchards, roads, mountainsides and, in one case, a tourist restaurant in a cave. So far there were no casualties in this area, they said.
Five other Derishkit residents joined Salman and gestured toward a Turkish military post on a hilltop in the neighboring town of Khani-Mase. An armored vehicle stood on the heights, its gun pointing down the slope. The post is one of five bases established inside this part of Iraq in the mid-1990s with Iraqi Kurd agreement as part of Turkey's war against PKK separatists.
Salman said villagers were not intimidated by the base's soldiers, who they said sometimes fired machine guns at people gathering firewood on the slopes below.
They also said they won't hesitate to wage war on Turkish troops if an invasion comes.
"There will be a guerrilla war, and we will take up arms," Salman said as the other men nodded in agreement. "What else can we do? They are bombing us. They are committing aggression."
Popular anger at Turkey seems to be growing in Southern Kurdistan, along with quiet preparations for conflict. There have been large demonstrations in the region's major cities, and television reports on a Kurdish protest in Turkey's capital riveted viewers here.
According to a report in one Kurdish newspaper, people living near one of the largest Turkish bases in Southern Kurdistan threatened to attack the post if the Turkish army continued to fire artillery at the area.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish regional government has moved in units of its Peshmerga Defense Forces from the region's south. More than 100 of the fighters arrived aboard white buses Tuesday morning in Dohuk, capital of the region.
Smaller units of Peshmerga mustered in mosques and schools near the border, which they usually avoid because of the risk of clashes with Turkish troops. Several convoys of white SUVs, evidently carrying high-ranking Peshmerga commanders, were seen traveling in the area.
Muhammed Mohsin, an official with Southern Kurdistan's dominant Kurdish Democratic Party in the Amadiya border area, said more than 50 villages in his area had been bombarded by Turkish artillery in recent days but no casualties had been reported.
Mohsin, one of the most influential political figures in Amadiya, said residents and the Peshmerga have laid plans for fighting any Turkish incursion.
"Our tactic is partisan fighting, a partisan conflict," he said. "If they attack, we are going to launch a partisan war against them."
Mohsin insisted there are no PKK camps in the Amadiya area.
But he also said dozens or hundreds of villages near the border had been evacuated and burned during Saddam Hussein campaign against Kurds and most remained empty. The Kurdish regional government has no control over this "no man's land," he said.
The area consists of range after range of arid mountains topped by sawtooth rocks, towering over narrow, twisting river valleys. "A million men could hide in those mountains," Mohsin said.
Many Iraqi Kurd officials suspect Turkey's real aim is to try to destabilize Southern Kurdistan, the most peaceful part of the country, to discourage separatist sentiment among the millions of Kurds living in southeastern Turkey.
The PKK has been fighting against the Turkish government since 1984 in a war that has caused 30,000 deaths. While it previously demanded a separate Kurdish state in Turkey's southeast, it more recently has called for an autonomous region — similar to the region that the Kurds have in Southern Kurdistan.
While the United States and Iraq's central government in Baghdad have labeled the PKK a terrorist organization, most Iraqi Kurds appear to regard its guerrillas as freedom fighters. They accuse the Turkish government of a long history of suppressing the Kurdish language and culture.
Many people here look to the United States to prevent Turkey from launching a major offensive into Iraq, some suggesting that Washington should respond with military force to any incursion.
"The U.S. is an occupying power," said Fahmi Salman, another regional Kurdistan Democratic Party official in Adamiya. "It is the duty of the United States to defend Kurdistan."
Salman said that even if the Americans don't help, the Kurds are prepared to defend their homes.
"The Kurds don't like war fighting," he said. "But if this happens, it will be a popular war. It will be against the people, and the people will fight."
October 26, 2007 11:58 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 26, 2007 11:58
Kurdish nation has the name rights as Turkish people...All nations are brothers....
October 26, 2007 10:02 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 26, 2007 10:02
What dignity do you turkish bastards have! well we all know what dignity you turkish people have, all you have is the same dignity as Sibel Kekili.
with all resepect there has never been assyrians genocide otherwise united states would mention assyrians, that what I know, even if you wish you your nation name should be on the paper but according armanians there were only genocide of armanians and kurdish people.
October 26, 2007 9:56 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 26, 2007 09:56
kurds got what dignity? what pride they got? YEAH PRIDE FOR BACKSTABBING,,,TURKIYE open their hearts,open their arms to them,we turks give them food ,we give them water most of them we give them freedom to them AFTER THEY BEEN KICK OUT FROM RUSSIA,unfortunetly thats way soo much of them living in our country,,.but now what they want? because we give them our hand they want our arm..which country will do this? can you claim for a land from amerika or australia or europe countrys if you are refugee?because some kurds living in TURKIYE these tribes want land from us and to that they feeding terrorists soo when these pigs of pkk dead ,they are going to beg to other countrys saying TURKS killing kurds sooo they get mercy..they might have mercy to kurds but we TURKS wont,specialy if you try to touch us,if you hurt us. people like aran got no pride no dignity no self respect,and top of that he thinks giving your land giving your pride and giving your self is freedom and happiness... i told you people they are sooooo cheap,THAT they let everyone jump on their back.....LONG LIVE TURKIYE
October 25, 2007 12:15 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 25, 2007 00:15
Sick comment from the guy who wrote the note before this messaage and stated the only good Kurd is a dead Kurd!!. He is so liberal compare to Turkish junta that he qualifies for Turkish ACLU. KURDS ARE A PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY & RIGHTS. That right incluse what are mentioned in the greatest document of this great America: freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Kurdistan shall not only survive but also thrive!!
October 24, 2007 5:50 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 24, 2007 17:50
Sick comment from the guy who wrote the note before this messaage and stated the only good Kurd is a dead Kurd!!. He is so liberal compare to Turkish junta that he qualifies for Turkish ACLU. KURDS ARE A PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY & RIGHTS. That right incluse what are mentioned in the greatest document of this great America: freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Kurdistan shall not only survive but also thrive!!
October 24, 2007 5:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 24, 2007 17:49
when america travels 12000 kms after 9/11 to kill terrorist in irak everyone in the world silent..when TURKIYE,wanna deal with terrorist right next to their backyard it becames genocide.this shows how TURKISH POWER scares world and people like above comment maker aran.no need to scare people. what we do we do it for peace in the world as great ATATURK said;PEACE AT HOME PEACE ABROAD.. but people like slave kurds and armenians they have got no guts and balls to do same thing to russia who they kick them out of their homeland. you know why? because we are a elite people,we brave people,we are respected people and we are a nation with PRIDE ,,we got this pride and glory by cleaning up bad people in the world to have peaceful world.but people like aran ,or people that who support terrorizm like kurds,there is no peace to the world,and as long these type of pigs exist on the face of the world terrosizm is gonna be there,,we will deal with this tribes,what other nations going to do..give their land..LONG LIVE TURKIYE
October 23, 2007 9:21 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 23, 2007 21:21
TO; aran... with you kurd and with your thick head very hard to understand what i said , we got no kurd friends and we dont want kurdish friends and we never had ...you were just our slaves ..we got plenty friends like azerbaycan, turkmenistan,kazakistan others in that area,,what makes people like you to deal with us we dont wanna deal with you in anything,i dont know why you tribes try to sell youself that cheaply,,we only deal with you when we want ,not when you open your legs and bend over front of us like you to other nations and as you do it now to usa.because i am telling the truth and all the TURKS saying the same thing,, dont be cheap have bit of a pride thats if you got any,for once in your life try to get a life as a tribes kurds,good kurd is the dead one
October 23, 2007 8:56 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 23, 2007 20:56
The above comment shows the kind of people we are dealing with in Turkey. The Kurds wants peace...but it is very hard to clap with one hands becuase pigs like the above person are in control in Turkey. I still say Kurds & Turks are brithers..and Turkey is made up of 2 nationalites: Kurds & Turks.
May God bless Kurdistan as it faces enemies as vicious as Hitler, Stalinn..
October 23, 2007 9:10 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 23, 2007 09:10
one main thing is should be in the heads of all kurds tribes and to world that supports these gypsy tribes is, TURKEY BELONGS TO TURKS,AND TURKS ONLY FRIENDS IS TURKS..either you like it or you live TURKEY..we dont want kurds in TURKEY they can live any where they want but i tell you something,more they stay there or around us,we WILL DESTROY them sistematicly or with bullets..we try to tell everyone you dont f##k with TURKS..KURDS NOT OUR BROTHERS ,they are arabs or some kind of gypsy tribes..to be come a TURK or to be friend with TURKS,you got to be brave and strong like the definition of the word (TURK)..dream about our strength and start worrying,,because we will be the nightmares of our enemys...
October 22, 2007 9:54 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 22, 2007 21:54
They say that the first casualty of any war is the TRUTH. But the truth is always alien to the Turkish regime and its evil deiogns. Their aim is NOT PKK. They want to scare off the Kurds of Iraq from getting back the heart of Kurdistan, known as Kirkuk, through democratic process in Iraq known as article 140. While the criminal junta denies the genocide which happened 90 years ago against Armenians..it is preparing a new one against the Kurds. This time GENOCIDE WILL NOT BE A PICNIC...TURKISH JUNTA will be buried there in Kurdistan. Its place like Hitler, Stalin, ...
October 22, 2007 8:04 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 22, 2007 08:04
If lies could take place in the stomach then we would have seen the stomachs of the criminal fascist junta in Turkey burst long long time again. Their aim is not PKK. Their aim is to scare the Kurds of Southren Kurdistan into backing off of their freedom March. You see the criminal junta in Turkey wants the Kurds in other countries to have the same fate as as their 30 milion Kurds in Turkey: enslavement. Turkish junta, war is bad and Kurds more than others hate it. But if you feel like going to Southren Kurdistan..then maybe do it..the war you start will be finished by Kurds. It may result in the crumbling hungry crimninal state of Turkey.
May God's curse be upon the enemies of the Kurdish nation & Kurdistan.
October 21, 2007 6:38 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 21, 2007 18:38
This article was in the Conservative Voice..
by Craig Chamberlain
Turkish Temper Tantrum
October 20, 2007 01:00 PM EST
If the Armenian genocide of 1915 wasn't a genocide then why are the Turks so enraged whenever the subject comes up? Yes, it's true that the massacre happened during a time of war and that some Turks lost their lives. But the campaign was nothing more than an attempt by the failing Ottoman government to wipe out the Armenians. After all they weren't Turks and they weren't Muslims so why have them around.
Not that the Armenians were the first victims of Turkish agression. For over a century the Turks ruled and brutalized the Balkans, with acts of violence and forcibly taking Christian children from their homes and making them Janisarries in the Ottoman army. (Now all of that is in the past, although if Erdogan has his way the old Turkey might emerge again.)The Greeks who had been living in Asia minor since the bronze age were forcibly expelled by the Turks after world war one. The Kurds had every shred of the culture buried by the Turks(the Turks went so far as to deny that they Kurds even existed, referring to them as "mountain Turks).
In the old days the Turks targeted their victims for religious reasons. Non Muslims were the victims of their violence. After the rise of Ataturk Jihad was replaced by Turkish Chauvinism. Now Turkey is trying to combine the two. Erdogan is trying to create a new Islamism at home and nationalism abroad.
That being said Congress has better things to do. If they want to deal with genocide why not deal with the situation in Darfur, which is ongoing, instead of talking about something that happened in 1915? The answer is that Congress likes grandstanding and chest thumping, they just don't like to take any action.
Instead all they do is agitate a very touchy country, a country that already wants to invade Iraq so they can launch a new campaign against the Kurds(if Erdogan has his way he'll turn the hunt for a few PKK rebels into a new genocide) though it seems after Erdogan has gotten to rattle the saber he's backing down. The situation in Iraq is still dangerous, even after the success of the surge, and we couldn't have allowed the Turks to invade the Kurdish region which happens to be the most stable part of Iraq.
As allies the Turks are valuable, but not irreplaceable. Under Erdogan relations have gotten worse from cool to downright frozen. Still it would be in the interests of the United States to keep the Turks on our side. Congress should abandon the resolution, there's nothing that can be done about it. If they want to stop violence let them stop something that's still ongoing. The Turks are going to be Turks no matter how Congress votes.
October 21, 2007 11:16 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 21, 2007 11:16
This article was in the Conservative Voice..
by Craig Chamberlain
Turkish Temper Tantrum
October 20, 2007 01:00 PM EST
If the Armenian genocide of 1915 wasn't a genocide then why are the Turks so enraged whenever the subject comes up? Yes, it's true that the massacre happened during a time of war and that some Turks lost their lives. But the campaign was nothing more than an attempt by the failing Ottoman government to wipe out the Armenians. After all they weren't Turks and they weren't Muslims so why have them around.
Not that the Armenians were the first victims of Turkish agression. For over a century the Turks ruled and brutalized the Balkans, with acts of violence and forcibly taking Christian children from their homes and making them Janisarries in the Ottoman army. (Now all of that is in the past, although if Erdogan has his way the old Turkey might emerge again.)The Greeks who had been living in Asia minor since the bronze age were forcibly expelled by the Turks after world war one. The Kurds had every shred of the culture buried by the Turks(the Turks went so far as to deny that they Kurds even existed, referring to them as "mountain Turks).
In the old days the Turks targeted their victims for religious reasons. Non Muslims were the victims of their violence. After the rise of Ataturk Jihad was replaced by Turkish Chauvinism. Now Turkey is trying to combine the two. Erdogan is trying to create a new Islamism at home and nationalism abroad.
That being said Congress has better things to do. If they want to deal with genocide why not deal with the situation in Darfur, which is ongoing, instead of talking about something that happened in 1915? The answer is that Congress likes grandstanding and chest thumping, they just don't like to take any action.
Instead all they do is agitate a very touchy country, a country that already wants to invade Iraq so they can launch a new campaign against the Kurds(if Erdogan has his way he'll turn the hunt for a few PKK rebels into a new genocide) though it seems after Erdogan has gotten to rattle the saber he's backing down. The situation in Iraq is still dangerous, even after the success of the surge, and we couldn't have allowed the Turks to invade the Kurdish region which happens to be the most stable part of Iraq.
As allies the Turks are valuable, but not irreplaceable. Under Erdogan relations have gotten worse from cool to downright frozen. Still it would be in the interests of the United States to keep the Turks on our side. Congress should abandon the resolution, there's nothing that can be done about it. If they want to stop violence let them stop something that's still ongoing. The Turks are going to be Turks no matter how Congress votes.
October 21, 2007 11:16 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 21, 2007 11:16
Dear Ted,
what kind of image muslims have i donot know but i know one image of USA for example Guantanmo.The hidden prison.i suppose that you are aware of complaints done by HR organisations and other countries.
other image is CIA flights which are done through all around Europe and middle-east.
Genocide is a serious topic.There is a conflict between war conditions and genocide conditions.
do you imagine that 100 years later if iraqi people asked for genocide done against in iraqi would USA admit genocide?
October 20, 2007 11:30 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 20, 2007 23:30
"The Kurdish tribes involved in Hamidieh Cavalry took part in the Armenian massacre. Hundreds of thousands of Armenian and Assyrians were slaughtered and as many were forced to migrate during this massacre"
There are many Armenian,Kurdish and Assyrian people still leaving in Turkey.i have never heard of those.my dreampower couldnot catch yours.What kind of problem you have i donot know but please stay there whereever you are.We donot want
any ridicolous time consuming issues in Turkey anymore.
Genocide is something like killing whole nation systematically without leaving any of them.This is something like Adolf planned.But still we have Kurdish Armenian and Assyrian people in Turkey peacefully living.
And congrulations Kurdo:you have a problem.According to somebodies Kurdish people executed Assyrian genocide :) you have another duty instead of blaming firstly to struggle with this one:) good luck boy
Worryingly nobody mentions What ottoman Empire or Turkey did for Jewesh people in the history.Ottoman Empire moved many Jewesh people from Spain to help and save them.And Jewesh people have taken part in trading significantly.And still playing key roles in Turkey.
"The Turkish state is also following the same policy today. While aggravating the Alevi and Sunni people against each other, the government is also promoting the village guard system thus setting the Kurds against one another"
There had been problems between Alevi and Sunni people in the near past.There are organisations which negotiate with government.Problems are known and at least discussed.Also progress is followed by EU.
Village Guard System is supported and provided by Kurdish originated people living in south-eastern part of Turkey.PKK-TERRORIST ORGANIZATION calls those Kurdish People as traitor.
In the last Terrorist-massacre 15 Kurdish People were slaughtered.Most of them were member of Village Guard System.And they were on their way to work on constructing water chanelling system.Those victims were trying to get simply water to their village.why does PKK-TERRORIST ORGANIZATION kill Kurdish people?
"Zubeyir Aydar-Chair of the Executive Committee"
This guy is another terrorist who set up subdiary organisation of PKK-TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.Nothing more to say.
October 20, 2007 11:27 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 20, 2007 23:27
"Second to prove to you that this is not about pkk, Military option was exrcized in the 1990's with an ok from US and cooperation from Kurds"
Check Talabani's declaration,Mr Talabani says those forces purpose is observing and controlling terrorist activities in Northern Iraqi.
October 20, 2007 11:12 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 20, 2007 23:12
"which are officially verified by KRG authorities , we are sure that " TURKEY HAS ALREADY ATTACKED AND INTRUDED KRG !!!"
Soran you made me laughed.Who are those authorities? Barzani and Talabani can explain the reason briefly.
Please stop distorting! One fact you can search and easily find the this.Turkey and Northen Iraqi authorities fought against PKK-Terrorist Organization together.and Turkey and Northen Iraqi authorities signed an aggrement to fight against terrorism.That's what Turkey is there.
let me correct your propaganda :) TURKEY AND KRG FOUGHT AGAINST TERRORISM(PKK) IN THE PAST!!!
"an independent and unaffiliated commentator" or Kurdish racist? i prefer to say Kurdish racist.that's better
:)
"50 million Kurds all over the world" i suppose this is not enough let's make it 70 million all around the middle-east except Kurdish diaspora.Sorry i forgot it cause in the future you are gonna ask for Kurdish genocide :) Same theatre play
Actually the number of Kurdish people doesnot disturb Turkish people.Kurdish originated people made many things with Turkish people in the history.
"to expel those foreign aggressors" blablabla Turkey and Northern Iraqi Authorities have common and powerful relationships.They have now two choices 1-to support or let PKK go in their district 2-As known in the past to have good relatinships and work together with their neighbours.
"What logic and philosophy , judges that PKKs who are genuine defensive Kurds"
Talabani and Barzani's logic and philosophy judges and confirms that PKK is a terrorist organization and they donot support either want existency of PKK in their district.Check PUKMedia or watch few tvchannels.
"why they allowed the Turkish parliament , to approve this ridiculous bill to intrude and attack KRG unanimously " IT IS NOT KRG .IT IS PKK-THE TERRORISTS .FUNNY BOY.
if it were so Talabani and Barzani would be nuts.Talabani and Barzani still visit Turkey to make negatiations.Do you think that they support PKK or terrorist? Do you think that they want to lose Turkey support? Turkey has made many investmenst and supported them.They also know and declare this fact except few terrorist or their supporters.
October 20, 2007 11:09 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 20, 2007 23:09
"there were no numbers- the only numbers were that out of 27,000 displaced kurds- only 12,000 received monetary compensation from the truksih government."
Turkish government and military displace many villages to protect people from PKK-TERRORISM.Because of that Diyarbakir is now a huge village instead of city.PKK-Terrorism destroyed Kurdish originated people in south-eastern part of Turkey.Children cannot go to their schools,nurses are killed,policemen are killed ,soldiers are killed.Only purpose of PKK is to prevent all support and investments done by government to those areas in order to make its propaganda reasonable.
October 20, 2007 11:01 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 20, 2007 23:01
Mike Green is a footbal player? or rugby?
this is the first crap:
"Turkey is not pleased with the development of greater autonomy for the Kurds in Iraq. Last weekend, the Turkish military shelled areas of northern Iraq. Most Americans have no idea why, nor do they care"
how do you know that most americans have no idea? America has been neighbour to Turkey after Iraqi war.Two allies ,Two NATO allies,Two NATO allies who involved together also in Afganistan.
What kind of reality is this? do you think that this is a kind of game? you know nothing about
internatioanal relationships.It's impossible America doesnot have any idea.
second crap:
"Turkey is not pleased with the development of greater autonomy for the Kurds in Iraq"
This guy easily can ask Barzani and Talabani What kind of investments and supports Turkey has done till now northern Kurdish authorities.There are many turkish companies investments in Northern Iraqi.
Anyone who tries to destroy relationships between Turkey and Northern Iraqi Authorities could claim this.As PKK-Terrorist Organisation tries nowadays.PKK tries or supposes that Northern Iraqi Authorities,Iraqi Governemnt or either USA let PKK go further their terrorism
October 20, 2007 10:20 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 20, 2007 22:20
TURKEY HAS ALREADY ATTACKED AND INTRUDED KRG !!!
Above unexpected "article title", may be quite surprising for most readers , but in fact , it is seen and/or heard by majority of us , indirectly or even directly , confessed by Kurdish authorities , so is considered as an undeniable reality .
In order to avoid dissipating the precious time of diligent and savant readers, by repetitive arguments , I very briefly remind them , that even some KRG high ranking authorities , have confirmed repeatedly , that some Turkish troops are already stationed there from relatively long time ago ; and in recent days , in most of respective news bulletins , we have seen and head r , that KRG's territory is attacked by Turkish artillery shelling etc , even they demonstrate such shelling and attack scenes , in TV and other media reports etc . So , by analyzing and briefing the above news , which are officially verified by KRG authorities , we are sure that " TURKEY HAS ALREADY ATTACKED AND INTRUDED KRG !!! " .
As an independent and unaffiliated commentator , I deem the KRG authorities are seriously expected , not only to prevent Turkey to expand its previous mischief and malicious intervention , but also to close the old Turkish bases there ; and to retaliate any artillery or whatever attack , on KRG region , by any possible defensive means .
50 million Kurds all over the world along with nearly all the rational population of the glob , at 6 continents , will support the legitimate rights of Kurdish leaders , to expel those foreign aggressors ; and stop military daily routine attacks at Kurdistan.
What logic and philosophy , judges that PKKs who are genuine defensive Kurds , shall leave KRG soil which is part of Great Kurdistan , but Turkey's malignant army, must stay there ? If , in fact in Turkish ( Turkland's ) parliament , there are 80 Kurdish parliamentarians , why they allowed the Turkish parliament , to approve this ridiculous bill to intrude and attack KRG unanimously ? Why so called central Federal Republic of Iraq must unite with Turkey against PKK ?, Why Turkey and other neighboring countries shall have military bases there , why King ( President ) B. Asad is allowed to intervene and support such jungle ratification ? And many other questions , which are the token of Turkey's fascism nature , that require very serious and perhaps obligatory Kurdish sanguine reaction . This is a significant dilemma , which challenges the political fate of 50 million Kurds , at the commencement of 3rd millennium .
October 20, 2007 2:41 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 20, 2007 14:41
go to the Human Rights Group website...and see the crimes of the Turkish state against the Kurds. As the Turkish movie YOL stated in the eighties..Turkey IS A BIG PRISION,,,rub by the mightt Turkish general thugs. Those thugs are vicious, rutlhess, and criminal. If there is any justice in the world left..the Turkish miltary junta need to be taken to the Hague, Netherland to gace genocide Kurds against the Kurds.
October 20, 2007 10:41 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 20, 2007 10:41
go to the Human Rights Group website...and see the crimes of the Turkish state against the Kurds. As the Turkish movie YOL stated in the eighties..Turkey IS A BIG PRISION,,,rub by the mightt Turkish general thugs. Those thugs are vicious, rutlhess, and criminal. If there is any justice in the world left..the Turkish miltary junta need to be taken to the Hague, Netherland to gace genocide Kurds against the Kurds.
Octo