Details from a critical
and secretive dialogue between Turkish authorities
and the Kurdish leader of Kurdistan (Northern Iraq),
Massoud Barzani, have emerged.
The focus of the talks was the presence of PKK
fighters in the Kandil Mountains in Kurdistan
(Northern Iraq). Carried in part in the the Hurriyet
today, a portion of the dialogue as follows:
(Turkish authority) There are around 3,500
PKK militants sheltered in Northern Iraq. They come
and go easily, making logistical arrangements with
no problem. You could take action against them. But
you don't: |
Massoud Barzani, President of Kurdistan
Region in Iraq |
|
(Barzani) Right
now it is not possible to do anything. They have
large cadres in the mountains. And also, since the
war, everything here has changed. Syrian and Iranian
Kurds are also here. There is a coming together.
Which is why, even if I were to give orders, Kurds
will not fire on other Kurds.
(Turkish authority) But if you were to set up
a network of pressure on them, the problem would be,
from our perspective, solved.
(Barzani)
Alright, but why does Turkey not accept me on the
level I wish to be accepted at?
(Turkish authority) What kind of level?
(Barzani) In
Iraq's new constitution, we achieved the status of
federation. Turkey does not want to accept this. It
is not behaving like it believes this. It has to
accept this reality though.
(Turkish authority) You know that Turkey
cannot accept the Northern Iraq aspirations to
becoming its own country.
(Barzani) I
know. But I am saying with my heart, that though I
wish to form a state, I know and respect the
realities. And so you, Turkey, have to accept the
reality of a federation. Look, after all these years
of not accepting the existence of Kurds, what
happened? You said there were no Kurds. And now look
at the point you are at. And so now if you don't
accept us as a federation, the result will be the
same.
www.hurriyet.com.tr
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