|
Pressure mounts for strikes against Kurds
in Iraqi Kurdistan
7.8.2006
|
|
|
|
NICOSIA, Cyprus,
August 7, -- Intensified attacks by Kurdish
separatists are putting increased pressure on the
Turkish government to strike at rebel bases in Iraq.
Washington has warned Turkey to refrain from any
cross-border action, but diplomats say Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has replied that
Kurdish violence "has gone beyond the limits of
tolerance."
The public and the influential Turkish military have
been demanding a more effective action against the
rebel Kurdistan Workers Party, known by its acronym,
PKK. Some diplomats say that sooner or later, Turkey
will enter Iraq in hot pursuit, whether Washington
likes it or not.
The United States acknowledges Turkish concern about
Kurdish guerrilla activities, but officials think
military action across the border would further
destabilize Iraq. The PKK's major bases are in Iraqi
territory.
The conservative Greek daily Kathimerini said Mr.
Erdogan "is trapped between a disillusioned public
and a superpower with strong links to Kurds in
Iraq."
Analysts say the situation is creating new strains
in the relationship between the United States and
Turkey, despite the "shared vision document" signed
during a recent Washington visit by Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul.
Bowing to his country's mood, Mr. Erdogan pledged a
full-scale war on the PKK and dismissed U.S.
pressure against a thrust into Iraq by saying his
government would judge for itself how to wage that
war.
Opposition politicians in Turkey have accused the
United States of practicing "double standards" by
supporting Israel's war on Hezbollah in Lebanon but
opposing any effective Turkish action against the
PKK, which Turkey and Washington both consider to be
a terrorist organization.
"These are two different cases, they should be
judged from different perspectives," said Ross
Wilson, the U.S. ambassador in Ankara.
Although Turkey has forged a friendly relationship
with Israel, Mr. Erdogan has bowed to popular
pressure. He has criticized Israel for "a new
culture of violence" and said "it is unthinkable to
remain silent in the face of this new manifestation
of power."
Foreign diplomats and the Turkish press see a
connection between the hardening mood toward the
Kurds and the appointment of a new chief of the
general staff.
He is Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, 66, current commander of
the land forces. He is known for his blunt
statements and calls for counterterrorist measures
against PKK militants and their supporters.
Gen. Buyukanit is due to take command at the end of
August from Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, whose political
influence has been considerably reduced by Turkey's
negotiations for membership in the European Union.
Some Turkish analysts think that the strongly
secular new chief of staff will be a more difficult
partner for a prime minister and a governing party
with strongly Islamic roots.
washingtontimes com
Southeastern Turkey:
North Kurdistan (
Kurdistan-Turkey) wikipedia
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 