US Tells Turkey Unilateral Military Action
into Southern Kurdistan Will Solve Nothing
Turkish Zaman May 26, 2007
The US capital has expressed its objection to a
potential military operation by Turkey into northern Iraq (Southern Kurdistan)
-- aimed at eliminating the presence of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party
(PKK) -- in clear terms, with US State Department Deputy spokesperson Tom Casey
referring to a trilateral cooperation mechanism between Iraqi, US and Turkish
officials as the correct address for dealing with the PKK threat.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has long been seeking the right to stage an
incursion into northern Iraq to eliminate the PKK presence there, with Chief of
General Staff Gen. Yashar Buyukanit last month publicly asking the government
for approval to launch such a military operation.
The government's response to this call came
directly from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said late on Wednesday
that the government would back the military if the generals seek to stage such
an incursion into northern Iraq to fight the PKK.
In terms of the US view on the matter, Casey' said: "In terms of our position
with respect to Turkey and its relations with Iraq, we've been quite clear. We
believe, as does the Iraqi government, that the PKK represents a real threat and
it's a threat that needs to be dealt with. That's why we've had Gen. Ralston
assigned as a special envoy to work on issues related to the PKK with the
government of Turkey, as well as with the government of Iraq. But certainly the
best way to deal with the threat that's posed by the PKK is through continued
cooperation between us and the Turkish government and the Iraqis. And we
certainly don't think that unilateral military action from Turkey or anyplace
else into Iraq would solve anything," Casey said.
When asked about the possibility of postponement of general elections in Turkey
scheduled for July 22 in case of a military operation into northern Iraq in line
with the Turkish constitution's related articles, Casey reiterated that, "The US
intends to continue working with the Iraqi and Turkish governments, who should
work together to deal with the challenges posed by the PKK."
He added: "We fully support Turkey's democratic institutions and leaders. We
want the people of Turkey to be able to decide on their president and their
other leadership. That's who needs to be in charge of decisions about who rules
Turkey."
