Really interesting things are happening there. I think we are going to war. Also of interest is the change in strategy of the Kurdistan Workers Party, as mentioned in the third piece below.
Sabri ++++++ MILLIYET - March 25, 2002 SENATOR MCCAIN: ''YOU SHOULD PRERARE YOUR LIST'' U.S. Senator John McCain addressed on March 20 a group of Turkish and American businessmen, and said that U.S. President George W. Bush would call Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on the phone sooner or later about the issue of Iraq. He said that Turkey should prepare its list of demands, and added that the U.S. Congress could not reject them. Giving the example of Pakistan, McCain said General Musharraf had put forward a series of demands, and reached all of them. He said that success of a possible military operation against Iraq depended on Turkey's support. +++++++++++++ NTVMSNBC - March 25, 2002 ISAF talks continuing: Ecevit Ecevit said that Cheney told him the US would provide Turkey with a two part funding package totalling $228 million. March 25— The conditions set out by Turkey for it to assume command of the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan have not yet been met and technical talks are continuing, Turkish Premier Bülent Ecevit said on Monday. Speaking at a press conference at Ankara airport before departing for a NATO meeting in Romania, Ecevit said that there were problems over the responsibilities and area of the deployment of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF). These had yet to be resolved he said. Referring to a proposal from the US to provide funds for Turkey to meet the expenses of taking over command of the 4,800 strong ISAF, mooted during the recent visit of US Vice President Dick Cheney to Turkey, Ecevit said that the fund would come in two parts and there was no information as where the instalment of $200 million was to be spent. ++++ NTVMSNBC - March 25, 2002 PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) to try the political arena Meeting called on Turkey to improve the conditions of the PKK’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, currently being held on an island in the Marmara Sea and under a sentence of death. March 25— The so-called 8th Congress of the terrorist organisation the PKK has voted to drop the group’s name in favour of the People’s Freedom Party. The PKK agreed to the proposal to lay down its weapons and end its armed struggle, on the condition that all PKK members barring the head Abdullah Öcalan would be granted an pardon as part of a general amnesty. The meeting of senior PKK figure, which took place in a number of locations in Northern Iraq also declared that the execution of the group’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, would constitute a cause to return to the use of armed force. The PKK also wants Ocalan to be moved to another prison than the island where he is currently being held as the only prisoner and demand better conditions for him. The meeting of the PKK also was reported to have called for only the minimum the usage of the word “Kurdistan” and then only for geographical purposes. +++++ Anatolian Agency - March 25, 2002 Cem: Turkey Has Two Targets ISTANBUL, March 25 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Sunday that Turkey had two targets, noting that one was full membership to the European Union (EU), and the other one was to be a center to Eurasia. Cem attended a lunch in the opening of a Conference held by East-West Institute Eurasia Strategy Group, based in the United States. Cem, who made a speech at the opening of the conference, pointed out that Turkey supported the works of East-West Institute and that they would continue to expend support. Cem said the institute, which has been set up 21 years ago, was very important with its dynamic structure. ''Turkey has two targets; one is to be a full member of the EU, and the other one is to be a center to Eurasia,'' Cem said, noting that Turkey wanted improve relations both with the EU and Eurasia. ''I believe the fact that the more our relations are positive with the EU, the more our relations would be positive with the Balkans and Eurasia,'' Cem stressed, and noted that thus Turkey's image would be better in the EU circles. Cem said Turkey was one of the several countries situated both in Europe and Asia, and added that it was closer to Asia in historical and cultural means. ''There are many clashes in the region, there is intolerance toward religion. There is lack of radicalism and democracy. However, it is a region where there are international investments.'' Pointing out that Georgia was a key country in the region and that problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan was within the field of interest of Turkey, Cem said foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan would convene within two months, and discuss general issues. Cem said this was a positive development. Cem said another important item on the agenda was Afghanistan, and voiced the seriousness of the problems in the country. Cem said, ''there are extreme elements, and radical elements in Afghanistan. There are lots of things to be done for the development of peace here. There are threats in the region. We should work very much to improve our situation.'' Stressing that Turkey had cultural historical ties with Central Asian republics, Cem said, ''I believe that we will contribute relations between the east and the west within the framework of our capacity.'' The conference is expected to end on Monday. +++++++ SABAH - March 25, 2002 Post- Saddam Period Retired Ambassador Sukru Elekdag writes on Turkish-Iraqi relations and what may be done in case of an operation against Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows: Even as Turkey’s strategy towards Iraq should be focused on the post-Saddam period, we see that it is being bogged down in dealing with issues saving the day. With this near-sighted approach, it is impossible for Turkey to defend its national interests in the post-Saddam period when the cards will be dealt anew. In fact, just like the other states in the region, Turkey has also pointed out to the US the dangers of a military operation and asked Bush to solve the feud between him and Saddam within the framework of the UN. However, if despite all warnings, the US insists on toppling Saddam, Turkey has three alternatives to choose from. First, it may decline participate in any way in a military operation. Second, it may open up Incirlik and other bases for the use of the US and help in supplying logistical support. Third, it may not limit its contributions to the operation to bases and logistical support but actually participate in the military operation. Reportedly, both civilian and military officials are both a taking realpolitik appproach in not dwelling on the first option, but instead are in favor of limiting Turkey’s contribution in line with the second. I believe that such a line of action would create serious threats for Turkey’s national interests as a war against Saddam will lead to a natural alliance between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by Barzani, the Kurdistan Patriotic Union (KPU) led by Talabani and the United States. Thus, when new political restructuring and arrangements are taken up, Barzani and Talabani will have a say on the matter, and opportunities will be created for the establishment of a Kurdish state. That is why Turkey has to take its place in the operation against Iraq to protect its vital interests and not leave the field in northern Iraq to Barzani, Talabani or other opposition leaders. However, if Turkey actively participates in an operation against Iraq, it has to reach an accord with the US on the following issues apart from the compensation of the financial losses it may suffer: In the post-Saddam period, Ankara must have a say in the new Iraqi political restructuring on constitutional arrangements and all doors for the establishment of a Kurdish state should be closed. Musul and Kirkuk, where Turkmens live, should be left in an autonomous Turkmen region and the rights and security of Turkmens should be constitutionally guaranteed on an equal basis with Arabs and Kurds. In addition, the US must be able to end Israel’s stance regarding Palestine and gather the sides around a negotiation table. Thus it will soften the opposition in the Arab world against a military operation and reduce the tension in the region. In such a climate some Arab states may participate in the operation and the problems which could emerge on Turkey’s participation as the only Muslim state will be averted. SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION BYEGM 3/25/2002 7:25:42 AM
