KurdistanObserver.com

PKK Official: Turkey Interprets The International Law As It Wishes

PKK: Turkey Cannot Enter Iraqi Kurdistan. We Did Not Start Combat

Al Mustaqbal

Qandil Mountains (Iraqi Kurdistan): Aug 11, 2005- Abdel Rahman Al Jaderji, official of foreign affairs in the political council of the Kurdistani Labor party, has ruled out Turkey's invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan and chasing party elements. In a statement to Al Mustaqbal, in Qandil Mountains, north of Iraq, he believed, "Turkey is adopting the jungle law, which is even its sole philosophy in dealing with us."


He said, "Iraqi of today is not the same as Iraq of the past, as it is on its way to gather its resources, and retrieve its identity and vitality in international relations and establishing a coherent, democratic federal state, and consequently it shall not accept any interference by any country in its internal affairs. In addition, there is another factor, which is the heavy presence of the Americans in Iraq."

Al Jaderji has described the recent Turkish statements as "impetuous" and "a result of two factors: First, Turkey says that to inform the US that Turkey is discarding the activities of the labor party, so that the US performs the mission of stopping these activities; therefore Turkey would be working from behind the scene. Second, Turkey desires to embarrass Iraq, and put Iraqi Kurdistan in a more embarrassing situation before the Americans, on the one hand, and the Iraqi forces, on the other hand, which we are well aware of."

Al Jaderji said, "From its threats of interfering in Kirkuk, Turkey basically desires that the Kurds do not get Kirkuk so that it does not return to be included in Kurdistan. Then the core of the problem is Kirkuk."

Al Jaderji has warned Turkey from the seriousness of its interference. He said, "In case Turkey interfered, whether for chasing us or to enter Kirkuk, it would be going into an adventure and would not be considering the consequences. Many cards would be mixed and we would not stand still."

He considered, "Turkey should confess that the current conditions are different from the past. Iraq of today is different from Iraq of the past; i.e. Iraq of Saddam Hussein, to sign agreements as it wishes without considering the consequences."

As regards his opinion whether there is a legal ground or a justification in the international law that allows Turkey to enter Iraqi Kurdistan and chase elements of the Kurdistani labor party in Kurdistan, as recently announced by Turkey. He said, "Turkey interprets the international law as it wishes. It considers the laws according its desire and wish, as the ottoman state used to do in the past. We say that what Turkey is claiming is nonexistent in the international law, but is present in the jungle law as I previously stated at the beginning."

Al Jaderji denied that the United States has given any promises or green light to Turkey as "the United States does not give promises in this manner. Washington even denied that it has given promises in this respect. When I say that the United States does not give promises, this is due to the presence of other parties in the issue. The statements and threats of Turkey are not only our concern, as they are relating to a number of parties. I believe that Turkey's entry into Kurdistan means burning itself."

Al Jaderji has considered Turkey as responsible for what is taking place on the Turkish arena, in addition to the bloodshed. He said, "Turkey is the one that is attacking us. We do not have any intention for combat. On the contrary, we have rejected combat. We have and are still asking for dialogue. Turkey is the one that does not desire a solution. It desires the aggravation of the situation, or solving it in a military manner. Therefore, we were forced to defend ourselves."

He clarified, "Turkey is launching combing campaigns and military campaigns against us and our bases. It is practicing the policy of seclusion policy against our president (Abdullah Ocalan). We do not attack but Turkey is attacking us and we have no other way, except for defending ourselves."

He continued, "Iran, for example, is practicing suppression and murder campaigns against our Kurdish people in Meriwan and Mahabad. What are we supposed to do? Turkey and Iran desire to deprive us even from the right of defending ourselves."

As regards the political identity and works of "Eagles of Freedom" organization, Al Jaderji said, "I know that this organization is Kurdish. But we have no relation with it. We stated that and have introduced the truth to the public opinion. I would repeat: What can the Kurdish people do? This nation believes that an unjust policy, which lacks the least rights of a political prisoner, is practiced against him."

He pointed out, "In general, we adopt a civilization and democratic logic. Our culture stems from the democratic civilization. We are against murdering tourists and condemn all acts of terror."

As regards whether the presence of elements of labor party in Iraqi Kurdistan is legal, Al Jaderji said, "We know the legality of things. We also realize that Iraq is just standing on its feet, but there are challenges. We know our interests. In addition, we are here as these are Kurdistani lands. We are also interested in the interests of Iraqi Kurdistan. Then, you should not imagine that we are here with a great presence. Our comrades in Iraqi Kurdistan are not the ones that fight Turkey. We do not fight Turkey out of Kurdistan."

With respect to the circulated news that Muraq Karialan, the commander of the military wing in the Workers Party is ready to submit himself to Turkey, in addition to 1000 gunmen, and the piece of news published on an Iranian website that Murad Karialan has requested political asylum from Iran, Al Jaderji said, "This is not true. Murad Karialan is present with us. I do not know the purpose of publishing such news I just wonder. I would like to draw your attention that the two pieces of news are from fabricated sources. The first is from a state owned Iranian website, and the second is from a Turkish magazine. Therefore, any news of this type, which are issued by our enemies are not true."

Regarding whether the Kurdistani Workers Party is ready to take the steps of the Irish Republican Army in refraining from violence, Al Jaderji said, "No. The situation is different. Turkey is not Britain and Kurdistan is not Ireland."