Text News

Commenting on the latest atrocities against the Kurds by the Arab terrorists in Kirkuk and Mosul, Barzani and Talabani warned that they will not stay silent while those crimes are unfolding daily

• Deployment of Kurdish Troops In Mosul Alarms Arabs

Now, with Mosul threatening to turn to chaos after most of the city's 4,000 police deserted, the Kurds are again proving staunch allies. "They're well-organised, fierce and get the job done," said Captain Robert Lackey, a company commander with the U.S. Stryker Brigade, which is responsible for northern Iraq. More

• News Snapshot

Talabani, Barzani and have revealed that they have reached an agreement with Iraqi political parties to postpone elections in Kirkuk which was planned to be held next January until the issue of Kurdish settlement resolved.

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Turkish FM Gul criticized Talabani and Barzani for their demand that local elections in Kirkuk be postponed until the issue of Kurdish settlement resolved. "They are not the ones who will decide. They might have some demands as Iraqi citizens; however, they cannot decide when elections will take place. There is a council in Iraq and it will decide on it. That the election is held on a designated date is crucial."

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Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan told US Vice President Cheney that the operation against terrorists in Falluja has caused outrage in Turkey and the Muslim world, reported Turkish Daily News yesterday.

Nov 21, 2004

• Election Setback

• Militants Try to Stir Arab-Kurd Violence

• Sunni Arabs Kill Two Kurds In Mosul

• The EU, Turkey and the Kurds - European Parliament Conference

Nov 19, 2004

• In Mosul, Kurdish Peshmarga Helps Keep Order

• In Mosul, Mortar Attacks Continue

Nov 18, 2004

• US And Kurds Attack insurgents In Mosul

American warplanes flew over Arab parts of the city, and some units of the American Task Force Olympia ventured out of their base on patrol. An insurgent unit crossed over to the mainly Kurdish west of Mosul and attacked offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Three of the four attackers were killed, and the fourth was wounded. More

• New Labour Tells Kurds To Return To Torture Or Death

Nov 16, 2004

• Kurdish Interpreter killed in Fallujah

• Kurdish Gov't Blocks Roads to Korean Base Town of Arbil

• Hear NPR's Philip Reeves

Nov 15, 2004

• Kurds' Separatist Ambitions Pose Challenge To Iraq Unity

• Kurds in Iran Cheer Iraqi Neighbors' Efforts for Greater Voice

• 300 Kurdish Families Leave Falluja, Rumadi

Nov 14, 2004

• Peshmerga Prevents Arab Terrorists From Crossing Into Eastern Side Of Mosul

"The Peshmergas captured five and killed eight," Mr Piri said. "The five captured did not carry identity cards, so we do not know yet whether they are Iraqi." The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Saleh, said the rebels were trying "to destabilise Mosul" and "to prevent elections" scheduled for January. More

Nov 13, 2004

• Turkish Generals calls for massive operation into Kurdish region

• U.S. Forces Launch Attacks On Militants In Mosul

• Insurgents Attack Fiercely in North, Storming Police Stations in Mosul

• Dutch Police Raid Kurdish Training Camp, Arrest 38

• Ashcroft's Departure May Help Jailed Kurd

Nov 12, 2004

• Kirkuk Governor Survived Car Bombing

Nov 11, 2004

• Turkey Warns US to Stop Operation in Fallujah

• Political Parties Stir Unrest In Kirkuk

• Barzani Trip To Taiwan Postponed

Nov 10, 2004

• Religious Appeals Have Turned Against The Kurds

• South Korean Bank Inaugurated In Irbil

• The Chairman of KDS Party Congratulates Bush

Nov 8, 2004

• Dutch Court Forbids Extradition Of Kurdish Leader To Turkey

Nov 7, 2004

• Minority Phobia Haunts Turkey

• Along border, Kurds Say, Iran Gives Boost To Uprising

Nov 6, 2004

• Kurdish identity key to Turkey’s EU entry: Roth

• Analysis: Is Mosul The Next Al-Fallujah?

Nov 5, 2004

• Kurds Walk Political Tightrope

• Swedish Delegation: Still Much To Do For Human Rights

• Turkey And EU Speak 'Different Languages' On Minorities, Says Minister

Nov 4, 2004

• Kurdish Politicians Lend Support To Zana's Call For New Party

• Ankara Hosts Kurdish Islamic Party Leader

Nov 2, 2004

• Turkey's Basbug Calls For Clampdown On Ocalan Lawyers

• Human Rights Report Sparks Row In Turkey

KurdistanObserver.com

French President Chirac Interprets The Summit And Kurdish Problem

Dec 18, 2004 Roj TV

French President Jacques Chirac stating he expected the candidacy of Turkey to the European Union (EU) would bring the principles of peace, dialog and especially respect with, interpreted the given date for negotiations as "If we remain engage for 15 years, this will result in a happy marriage."

In a press conference held in Brussels, Jacques Chirac , the president of France where was on the focus of the most intensive debates before the Oct. 17 summit of the EU, made crucial statements on the given date for starting talks, Cyprus and Kurdish problems. He emphasized that the date to be handed to Turkey does not mean candidateship and, gave the message Turkey should make great attempts to access to the European community. If Turkey does not make the required efforts and the unity decrees Turkey not to have done or not to want to do so, the EU will stand on a strong formula of relationship out of candidacy.'' President Chirac said and stated the way of parley was ''long and hard''.

'Turkey has many steps to take''

To question ''Will you make a call on Turkey, which has been fighting with Kurdish guerillas for 30 years, to start a dialog with the Kurdish side'', Mr.Chirac said the problem would be solved within the framework of Copenhagen Criteria. Taking attention to the existence of the Criteria which point out respect for human rights, the French President said: ''This should be implemented into practice for the Kurds, as should for the others. These criteria to be imbibed by Turkey will bring forth effects especially for the Kurds, too. One of the important problems is deliberation. If we believe the conditions of respect for human rights not to be fulfilled, this should be imposed upon ''He expressed that Turkey had many steps to take on that way, and warned the Turkish state that the debate will be stopped in case of Turkey violated human right.'' To enter this culture is needed. I hope the negotiations and the candidateship of Turkey bring the principles of peace, dialog and particularly respect with it. We call this Copenhagen Criteria, which will open the way of peace and dialog.'' he added.

If Cyprius is not recognized, the talks end'

By stating that Turkey was ready for signing the protocol related with the Ankara Agreement on the Cyprus Issue, Chirac emphasized the negotiations would end in case Cyprus was not recognized. He expressed a wish of marriage between the Turkish state and the EU by saying :'' If we stay engaged for 15 years, I believe, this will lead up to a marriage.''

'France is very sensitive about Armenians subject'

The president answering a question stated France was very sensitive especially about the Armenian problem and said that France opened its gates to Armenians in 1915 and there is an Armenian society well-integrated with the state. He also recorded that Turkey should have made a memorial examination on Armenian issue, otherwise Turkey would incur an intervention of the French people in the referendum to be held for the candidacy of Turkey to the EU.

KurdistanObserver.com