Int'l Community Against Cross-Border Operation, Ankara Under Strain
pril 14, 2007
SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ-DUYGU GÜVENÇ
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
The International community is against any Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK)
unilateral operation in northern Iraq (Southern Kurdistan), urging that this
move would violate international laws and cause new tension in the already
destabilized region after the U.S invasion in 2003.
Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt on Thursday declared
willingness for cross-border operations saying “It would be useful and
successful” in the fight against terrorism, adding, they need parliamentary
authorization first.
Sabah Al Umran, Iraqi Ambassador to Turkey, speaking to TDN yesterday, said
there was nothing new in Büyükanıt's speech. “These words (cross-border
operation) have been appearing in Turkish press' headlines during the last few
days.” The Iraqi Ambassador added that he can not further elaborate on
developments since he has not yet received Iraq's official reply to Turkey's
written note urging Baghdad to co-operate with Ankara against Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) located in autonomous northern Iraq.
European Union (EU) term president Germany's Ambassador to Turkey, Eckhart Cuntz,
speaking to reporters on Thursday in Ankara, said he cannot directly comment on
Gen. Büyükanıt's words about cross-border operations, stressing, “There is a
very important point in his speech. He reminded us that a cross-border operation
requires political decision. I believe the Turkish government will always take
responsible decisions.”
A high-level diplomat from a permanent member of the United Nations Security
Council, on the condition of anonymity, told TDN that, such a move by Turkey
would bring about a protest by the UN Security Council, adding, “Our relations
would be damaged severely.”
Dülger: There is no political will
Meanwhile the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy and head of
Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission, Mehmet Dülger, told TDN, “As far as I
know, there is no political will for a cross-border operation. We should avoid
turning the Iraqi issue into an adventure.”
Noting that American officials already warned Turkey about any such operation,
Dülger underlined that “American generals are openly saying ‘You will find us
countering you, if you enter'. Turkey should be very careful. Büyükanıt's
proposals are very much in line with our sensitivities. But we should avoid
being adventurous. Responsible people should behave diligently.”
Similarly, a Foreign Ministry official stressed that the government is not
inclined toward a cross-border operation and thus there is no attempt to ask for
parliamentary authorization.
