Axis of Counterterrorism: Turkey, U.S. and Iraq to Apply Pressure on PKK
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan made a voyage to the Oval Office yesterday to press President Bush to crack down more firmly on the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), which has been waging guerilla attacks on the Turkish government since 1984. Neither head-of-state mentioned the group by name, indicating the delicacy of the politics surrounding American, Turkish and Iraqi interactions, as well as those involving Syria and Iran, which also have substantial Kurdish minorities and a history of complex relations with the PKK.
The United States has lost face with the Turkish public for appearing to permit PKK activity in northern Iraq, while also proclaiming it will no longer tolerate states that give terrorist groups safe haven. Turkey recently threatened military action against PKK guerrillas, and there have been noises that Iran and Turkey may be preparing a joint campaign against Kurdish militants in Iraq. Last April, Iraq accused Iran of bombing Kurdish rebels on Iraqi territory.
Iraq has declared the PKK a terrorist organization. Nevertheless, Kurdish president Jalal Talabani expressed anger last week over perceived Turkish, as well as Syrian and Iranian, interference with Iraqi sovereignty, reiterating claims that Iraq would support "the opposition of other countries" – such as Kurdish separatists – should interference continue.
Under U.S. pressure, the Iraqi government announced in September its intention to shut down all PKK offices. Yesterday, the Iraqis appointed Shirwan al Walli, a Shiite minister, as a special envoy to combat PKK activitiy in Kurdish-majority northern Iraq. He joins Turkish and American counterparts. The three plan to meet in the near future.
Comments
“”"The United States has lost face with the Turkish public for appearing to permit PKK activity in northern Iraq, while also proclaiming it will no longer tolerate states that give terrorist groups safe haven.”"”
To paraphrase a US President (when he referred to General Norriega) “They may be terrorists, but they are OUR terrorists.”.
“”"Under U.S. pressure, the Iraqi government announced in September its intention to shut down all PKK offices.”"”
All well and good, but does the Baghdad government actually control the Kurdish Autonomous Zone, or is it controlled by the Kurds. To all intents and purposes, the Baghdad government (at least the Iraqi one) has as much control over the Kurdish Autonomous Zone as the Baathist government did after 1991 - that is to say, not one hell of a lot.
“”"Yesterday, the Iraqis appointed Shirwan al Walli, a Shiite minister, as a special envoy to combat PKK activitiy in Kurdish-majority northern Iraq.”"”
Considering that the Kurds want their independence from (amongst others) the Shi’ites, is there really much chance that they will listen to a Shi’ite when the Shi’ite tells them to stand down their “Kurdish Freedom Fighters”?
It’s not clear that the PKK can be now be counted as “our terrorists’” — that is, ignored or granted special favor by the U.S. As of November, 20 6, Turkish concern over the growing weight and independence of the Kurdish region in the North, as well as Turkish noises that it may see Iran as an ally against Kurds have kept the PKK high on the U.S. agenda, and the ban on the party by the Baghdad government meaningful.
How can PKK be Kurdish Freedom Fighter?
I
PKK is the terror organization, they killed innocent people.