Aljazeere TV – Sınırötesi Operasyon Hakkında Mülakat (İng.)

Interview of Mr. Onur Öymen, Deputy Chairman of CHP to ALJAZEERE TV  -

26.10.2007
 
Baghdad government has repeatedly said that they decided to close PKK offices. Today they are repeating what they have said previously. The problem is that the Iraqi government apparently does not have enough power to combat terrorists on the Iraqi territory near the Turkish border. Iraqi government, according to article 140 of the Iraqi constitution is in charge of combating terrorism on Iraqi territory. But in reality no action is taken so far by the Iraqi authorities against PKK. Until now not a single terrorist is arrested and was delivered to Turkey. Therefore, we do not believe that such palliative measures like closing PKK offices will help us to finish with this terrorist group.

This information published in the press claiming that Turkish and American troops would operate together in Northern Iraq against PKK was lately denied. The problem is that approximately 150,000 American troops have been stationed in Iraq since 2003, but so far they have not engaged to any operation against PKK. At this moment, northern Iraq is the only place in the world where a terrorist organization is deployed but there is no security force in charge of eliminating or neutralizing them. Neither the American government nor Barzani or Talabani are operating against PKK. Therefore, he only possible alternative is that Turkish troops should operate in this region to neutralize the PKK. We have done this in the past, together with Barzani and Talabani. At that time they were considering the PKK formally as a terrorist organization and they were fighting against PKK, when I was a co-chairman of the Ankara process. The British and American diplomats and we had a very close cooperation with Barzani, Talabani and the Turcoman at that time.

The result is that in the year 2002 the Turkish causalities as a result of PKK attacks were only six soldiers. Today the figure is 15 times higher. In one single operation last week, we have lost 12 soldiers. Unfortunately, after the American operation in Iraq, Turkey refrained from sending troops and from continuing its operations. So, nobody is now dealing with the terrorists in the northern Iraq and the causalities in Turkey are increasing. Therefore, there is an incredible reaction of the Turkish people. At this moment, there are tens and thousands of Turks who are demonstrating in all cities in Turkey and pressing the government for a military operation. No government can resist to that pressure under the promise that the offices of the PKK will be banned. We are not willing to hear any more promises. We are willing to see concrete actions and so far we have not seen any.

Talabani himself has promised the Deputy Prime Minister Ecevit on the 10th of November on 1998 that they will effectively combat terrorism. I do not believe that at that time Barzani and Talabani’s troops were stronger than they are today. So, how were they able to fight with them 10 years ago but not anymore today?

As an answer to the American colleague, I would say that we appreciate the recognition of the US of PKK as terrorist organization. We recognize their verbal and diplomatic cooperation with Turkey, but when he suggests that there should be a political solution to this problem, I wonder whether there is a political solution of the US in combating terrorism. Is it the way they choose to combat El Kaida in Afghanistan? Does it mean that they chose diplomacy instead of fighting in Afghanistan? So, what they suggest today to Turkey is not very much in line with the American policy of combating terrorism.

Political discussions, negotiations imply direct negotiations with terrorists. This has never been our policy, and we believe that through the methods that have been tried in last four years since the American intervention, there was absolutely no result at all. American government has appointed a retired  four-star general. General Ralston and General Baser tried to use diplomacy as a tool, but they both failed and resigned. So, we do not believe that at this moment Turkish people will be satisfied with such advices, talks and negotiations. We do not remember a case that such type of terrorist responsible of the killing of 30 thousand people, ten times more than the causalities in twin towers in New York, will be appraised and will accept to give up their arms. So far they have not given any sign of reconciliation of giving up arms. I am afraid that we have no other option but to intervene, not against Iraq, not against northern Iraq, not against Barzani or Talabani regions, but against the terrorists. This is the only way out and I am afraid that the Turkish people will be not be satisfied with verbal commitments anymore.