Turkey’s current steps, if exactly President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan, remind of Iran’s actions in 1992, when this country rescued Armenia, said head of the center of political innovations and technologies Mubariz Ahmedoghlu at a press conference on the political results of August.
In September-October of 1992, when Azerbaijan put Armenia against the wall, Iran opened its borders with this country and provided it with fuel and food. (more…)
During 2004 the USA looked at Middle East with important experiences because of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, other Arab states, Gulf area, petrol and other events. There was a tension between the US, France and Germany.
In 2004, the USA tried to secure their position in Middle East although other’s position. Maybe there will be conflict between the USA and other NATO members. We can think that the USA thinks about only self-interests. But politic ways are giving these situations.
In Greater Middle East project without European coordinating is unknown. There is a problem of member states about how Bush administration will act with other European powers. They should keep the balance with the USA. And they didn’t understand the US’s actions.
We explain a circumstance as a period like post-cold war focus between European countries which are member of NATO, European Union and the USA. In the Middle East, there are several benefits of states as Greater Middle East project. But nobody decide to any thought about them as certainly.
US Efforts to Western Security on the Greater Middle East
There is a tension among powers. But Bush administration looked 2004 year as a new succesful and meaningful with NATO. The USA explain the Greater Middle East as a western, not only for the US responsibility But the US’s politics are not clear.
The US’s initiatives about Greater Middle East :
– The US encourage to build up NATO security in Afghanistan to defeat Al Qaida. With more than 6000 men the US can leave from responsibilities of heavy circumstances by this way. NATO also can look after this country.
– Another level is about Iraq. NATO and the US goes to modify the military posture in Iraq. NATO has serious power projection in Iraq; taking role of Polish-led international division and British division.
– The US is going to restructure force posture in Middle East and Central Asia. It wants to make new projects here which like European style.
– New power projection capabilities in NATO focused to Greater Middle East.
Some Important Things
When the USA is making these changes in Middle East ; there will be a different election of American president. Strongly againsts of Bush policies can win the elections easily and keep control of Congress. It will attack to policies of the Iraq War.
By the against ideas to policies maybe there will be disasters on Iraq policies and security. Because Bush administration was going to make big plans in here. But this is changable. It can be better…
For president Bush, there are some unguarantee circumstances. Because America trade terms are fragile. There is a big budget deficits.
About American Transformation
The USA has some problems about modernisation their army. The US’s defence budget is 400 $ billion for 2004. And there are some problems about future of army.
The US doesn’t has capability for long wars and additional attack. We can see this in Iraq war.
However the US need to helps from NATO and Europe. They sent NATO forces to Afghanistan. And they have British forces in Iraq. But it is not enough. They try to make some new additions.
Also the USA have three potential risks we can explain them easily :
– Another land, there is a unification of Taiwanese. Also the US and China association is good. But Taiwan will can be critic situation.
– In Latin America there is an influence of the US to Colombia. Their economic and politic structures are not good to the US.
For these circumstances the US need to stop their some budgets and they need to transformation their army. These are contradictions.
The European Security Datas
Untill this time, European countries have priorities on economic and social subjects. But later from this moment it will spend much money to defence.
The US is spending % 3.5 to defense of its GNP. Its 18 allies in NATO are spending something on the order of 140 $ billion.
In Transatlantic alliance, tensions of the US and France have made all situations. But France has tried another ways on modernisation, reform and militaric spending.
German works on their social and domestic problems. They spend to militaric modernisation less than cold war season.
TODAY
German spends 1.3-1.5%
The USA 3.6%
France 2.4%
Britain 2.6%
Spain 1.2%
Other European countries spend to specialize slowly. They are joining new world style of specialazition. We can give example for these countries like Spain, Norway, Poland. But there are other states, lie Belgium that is not making specialiaze.
By these actions we can not say something about European and NATO member countries achievement at their projects. There can be false and worse things.
Europe has also some afraids from Cold War. They went to make tampon areas to them and get from here some energy sources in the Persian Gulf and North Africa.
The World’s oil consumption : (million barrel)
1990 – 2000 -2005 – 2010 – 2015 – 2020 – 2025
66.1 – 76.9 – 81.1 – 89.7 – 98.8 – 108.2 – 118.8
Algeria Libya Oil Production :
2001 – 2010 – 2020 – 2025
3.3 – – 4.0 – – 5.0 – – 5.7
MENA – Total Production :
1990 – 2001 -2005 – 2010 – 2015 – 2020 – 2025
22.9 — 27.5 — 29.9 — 34.9 — 37.2 — 46.4 — 53.6
MENA – World Capacity : (%)
1990 – 2001 – 2010 – 2015 – 2020
33 – – 34.7 – – 39.5 – – 40.1 – – 43.0
The world need to strong energy as oil. They pay for this very much. And the USA also pay attention to this. And it should share all its imports with oil companions under the International Energy Agency.
Some Security Problems
With the threat of Soviet as Cold War, Europe planned to make tampon area the Middle East countries including as Greater Middle East.
With planning of the Greater Middle East plan, Islamic problems had existed in Muslim countries. After from Cold War, only problem is Islamic extremism an terrorism. With the mediatic influencings and circumstances about Arab-Israeli problems Western colonialism and religious problem, the Greater Middle East project was damaged.
Population Growth
With all growing, educational, political, social and economic systems must be balanced to these subjects. And with growing population, working also is growing. Working age is between 15 and 20.
MENA Population (million)
1950 – 1960 – 1970 – 1980- 1990 – 2000
78.6 – 101.2 -133.0 -177.9 – 244.8- 307.1
2010 – 2020 – 2030 – 2040 – 2050
376.2 – 449.3 – 522.3 – 592.1- 656.3
MENA Working Age Population
1950- 2000 -2050
20.5 -87.8- 145.2
Mean of growing is not only good things. It is bringing some social and economic turbulences. And there should be some solves to these problems.
By the all statistic datas, governing systems are also important in Middle East. Monarch as traditional interfere social structures. There should be democratic structure.
Afghanistan – Iraq – Arab and Israeli Conflicts
If the USA want to be succesful about Greater Middle East, it should regulate social situations in Afghanistan. There are some social pressures that are preventing access of the USA.
Also there is an influencing of Pakistani Islamic circumstance to Afghanistan. And as we know, Al Qaida is living in this state now. Al Qaida’s influence is very important.
On the other hand, there is a Russian interest in this area. Russian influence as important as other circumstances. The USA should prevent all negative subjects.
If the USA want to make peace and prevent Israeli-Arab war in Palestine, it should work with European states. Israel has some relations with all European states. If there is a common judge to Israel, it can go to finish.
But nobody finishes the war of Israel because there are common interests in this area with Israel. And the USA also has some interests. All meetings are unreal. For the USA and European states, the most important thing is oil. And they are meeting as friendly Arab states for oil. We can see these events in Arafat’s and Abbas’ season. This war can be finished by Muslim attack on Israel or common negotiations.
The biggest mistake of the USA is the bad acting to Iran. Because if we think rationally, the USA has a project about Middle East, but it is acting as badly with these countries. It is very interesting. It should repair their relations.
Bush administration or other Western thinkers are talking about clash between civilizations. But according to them, only Muslim geography has clashing problem among each other. We should think that Western world doesn’t want to peace among the Muslims. Because their self interests are important.
Another hand, there is clash among Western societies. This clash theory had been told for making false thoughts amon Muslims.
The USA knows all situations and they balance all events for their interests.
New Security Mission
According to our datas, the Greater Middle East project will be defeated. Because the USA is losting all balance powers on this area. Already, this is for the USA.
They want to take oil because the USA’s blood is only oil. So, their greed is only for these things on this project. They are making wars in all Muslim countries. We need to time for looking all defeatings of Western world if they are on only this way.
Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu
Baku Qafqaz University
Energy Institute
Turkey’s exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August surpassed exports to its number one economic partner, Germany, for the first time in history, thanks to strengthening economic relations.
Exports to the UAE last month reached nearly $1.15 billion, according to the latest figures released by the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM) on Monday.Germany ranked second among the top 20 nations Turkey exports to, with $988.6 million, followed Britain with imports worth $576.06 million. Russia ranked fourth with $530.56 million, while France ranked fifth with nearly $434.17 million.
Turkey’s exports to European nations, its strongest trade partner, stalled due to a painful economic slow down, while exports to the Gulf increased thanks to strengthening economic relations, TDN reported citing the Anatolian Agency on Tuesday.
Among the leading countries that Turkey exported to in August, Italy recorded $394.62 million, the U.S. reached $373.15 million, while Saudi Arabia ranked eight with $357.67 million, and also in the top ten was Romania with $341.59 million, while Iraq imported $351.82 million of Turkish goods during the past month.
Turkey’s exports in August increased 27.59 percent to more than $10.9 billion, according to TIM’s figures. The industry sector held an 87.41 percent share of the country’s August exports, while agriculture and mining held a 9.41 percent and 3.18 percent share respectively.
Source : Hurriyet
![A Talk with Kurdish President [sic], Massoud Barzani](https://www.turkishnews.com/en/content/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Middle_east.jpg "A Talk with Kurdish President [sic], Massoud Barzani 4")
01/09/2008
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you believe that the federal government in Baghdad considers you as its partners in government?
[Barzani] This is the main problem. During my recent visit to Baghdad, I emphasized this point. We asked them: Are we partners or not? If you consider us as your partners then this is one issue; if you do not then this is another issue. They stressed that we are partners. However, in real practice, I doubt this.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you yourselves feel that you are partners in the federal government?
[Barzani] This is a coalition government and we are partners in it. But the actions of this government are weird. We are partners but we do not have a role in the government. We are not partners in security, economic, and military issues and we do not know anything about these institutions.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you talk openly to them in Baghdad? What is happening is that during you meetings with the federal governments, optimistic reports are issued but later the opposite happens.
[Barzani] During our recent visit, we reached good agreements and mechanisms to implement these agreements. We have a program on which we are in agreement with the government in Baghdad. But when we returned to the Kurdistan region, everything we had agreed upon was ignored. The programs agreed upon are being marginalized. This state of affairs does not serve our coalition or Iraq or the future of Iraq. Performance should be based on the principle of partnership and agreement. This is the only way to build the new Iraq. The consequences of monopolizing authority are well known. This situation will not lead to any result in favor of Iraq.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] After five years in rule and prior to that many long years of joint political action in the opposition where the goals and mechanisms were agreed upon at the opposition’s London conference in 2001, what does the federal government and where have you reached?
[Barzani] Indeed, this is a question that puzzles us. We do not wish for anything outside the constitution and we do not want anything more than what the constitution gives us. We do not want anything more than what we have agreed upon in the constitution. The constitution was agreed upon by the majority of the Iraqi people and it sets rights and duties. We in the Kurdistan district are accurately committed to the articles of the constitution. We are not asking for more than what the constitution gives us. This includes Article140 (pertaining to the issue of Kirkuk and the disputed regions). Commitment to the constitution is the guarantee for safeguarding the unity of Iraq. It guarantees security and stability in Iraq and the building of a prosperous future for the Iraqi people. Thus, the constitution is the judge. No abiding by the constitution means potential disaster.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you think that the Kurds in Baghdad – I mean President Jalal Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, and even the Kurdish members of parliament – are capable of intervening in the political or security decision-making process?
[Barzani] President Talabani definitely plays a major role in the political process as Mr. Talabani. However, as president of the republic, he does not have many powers. We do not know how the powers are distributed. He constitutes the gathering point of many political factions and entities in Iraq. Furthermore, the presidency of the republic, the prime ministry, the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies (the Parliament), and the ministers have specific powers. However, these powers are very often ignored and sidestepped.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you think that the government in Baghdad continues to behave with the logic of the strong brother and the weak brother?
[Barzani] Unfortunately, we seem to be still under the influence of a totalitarian regime. The one that takes over power thinks he has the last word in everything and that it is his right to make decisions without consulting others. He forgets the coalitions, the commitments, and the constitution.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] There are critical media reports inside and outside Iraq against the Kurds in Iraq. Are you aware of such reports?
[Barzani] This is very true. This is what we feel and it constitutes a grave danger. This is part of the injustice that we have suffered and that we continue to suffer from. The media is trying to distort the image of the Kurds and the Kurdish people. However, we are fair. The role played by the Kurds in safeguarding Iraq, the unity of Iraq, and the Arab-Kurdish brotherhood is much bigger than the roles played by others in this regard. The Kurdish role is well known and cannot be denied. Unfortunately, however, they do not wish to recognize this role; they want to distort this role. After the fall of the regime, everyone knows that we could have proclaimed something else. However, Brother Talabani and I went to Baghdad and tried with the brothers to fill the vacuum that resulted. We helped in the electoral process and in the elections and in drafting the constitution. We protected vast regions in Iraq from terrorism and the terrorists. We protected and continue to protect many Arab families that fled from their regions as a result of the terrorist operations and came to the Kurdistan region. During the uprising (of 1991), two Iraqi army corps (the First Corps and the Fifth Corps) surrendered in our regions, but not a single Iraqi soldier was harmed. In fact, we gave them the options of returning to their families or immigrating to another state or staying in Kurdistan although we were still bleeding from the effects of the Operation Al-Anfal and the chemical shelling by the Iraqi army. I say yes, this is unfortunately an unjust [media] campaign. We call on those that are fair like yourselves and through your fair newspaper to help us in conveying the true picture of what you see here. We do not ask anyone to polish or embellish our image. We ask the media to tell the truth about the Kurds and about Kurdistan for the sake of honesty.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] On the other hand, the Kurdish media is weak in conveying the true image of the Kurds and of the Kurdistan region and it ignores certain important issues that are taking place here.
[Barzani] This is true; I agree with you that the performance of the Kurdish media is unsuccessful. This is regrettable.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you expect a confrontation to take place between you and the federal government or, shall we say, a Kurdish Arab government confrontation rather than a popular confrontation?
[Barzani] We oppose any escalation and any confrontation. We have to abort the chances of those that are lying in wait for democratic Iraq and its democratic experiment. There are wicked and ill-intentioned hands that are pushing night and day toward escalation and confrontation. However, we are exerting all our efforts to avoid such a situation. Matters have not reached this stage of escalation between the [Kurdistan] region and the federal government. However, there are misunderstandings, differences in viewpoints, and differences on many issues. Through dialogue and meetings, we shall try to agree on the common points. The points that unite us are more than those that separate us from one another. But we have to admit that there are points of agreement. There may be differences on the concepts of democracy and federalism but we hope that matters would never reach the point of confrontation.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] But the situation almost reached the point of confrontation in Khanaqin.
[Barzani] Yes, it is true that it almost reached the point of confrontation, but this was the result of a big mistake. Everyone should understand that the Iraqi army is our army and it includes many Kurdish forces. There was the peshmerga and they later joined the Iraqi army. In fact, our Kurdish forces were the nucleus that formed the new Iraqi army. We want the Iraqi army to be educated well. It should be given a patriotic education based on the principle of protecting the homeland rather than on the principle of killing the citizens. The incidents that took place in Khanaqin constituted a big mistake. First of all, the Kurdish forces that were deployed in the region contributed to the consolidation of security and stability in Khanaqin. They purged the area of the terrorists and gangs that tampered with the security and safety of the citizens there. Secondly, these Kurdish forces went to Khanaqin at the invitation and request of the federal government. When the government asked the Kurdish forces to withdraw, they actually withdrew. However, the military forces that replaced the Kurdish forces arrived to raise provocative slogans and acted exactly like the former army that had committed crimes against the Kurdish people in the past, including the crimes that were committed during Operation Al-Anfal. Unfortunately, these forces arrived with the same slogans, the same mentality, and acted in the same manner. Naturally, we do not consider this to be the army of new Iraq. We consider it as an extension of the dictatorial Baathist army that destroyed Kurdistan and destroyed Iraq. I reiterate that we are not opposed to the deployment of the Iraqi army. If we are subjected to any aggression we shall ask the Iraqi army for help and if the Iraqi army asks for our help we shall send our forces to wherever they wish. We did that on several important and dangerous occasions. We are the ones that founded the Iraqi army but the conduct of a specific commander in the region is raising problems and reminding us of the tragic past.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Is it true that the government did not consult or take the opinion of Chief of Staff Babaker Zebari (a Kurd) and that the dispatching of the forces of the Iraqi army to Khanaqin was made without his knowledge?
[Barzani] I believe that everything during this period is taking place behind the back of the chief of staff. He was not consulted and his presence has become nominal. Perhaps there is no use anymore for his remaining in this position.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you think that the events will drive you to proclaim your independence from Iraq?
[Barzani] Independence is a natural right but it should be under reasonable and suitable conditions that can be implemented. We reserve this right and we consider it a natural right. It is not a crime to demand this right at all. Iraq belongs to us and to all the Iraqis. There are Kurds in Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul just as there are Arabs in Irbil, Al-Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk. Irbil is for all the Iraqis just as Al-Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, Basra, Baghdad, and Al-Najaf. I am surprised at this chauvinist attitude. If they do not consider us as Iraqis, they should tell us so frankly. We refuse to be treated as second-class Iraqis. We should have equal rights and duties. We have equal rights and we have equal duties. Otherwise, let them have the courage and proclaim that we are not Iraqis. Let them proclaim this and then we shall have an answer. Our Iraqi identity was not given to us as a gift by anyone. We have been on this land before those that now claim that they are more Iraqi than we are. We do not accept such outbidding from anyone.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Is it true that the restoration of Kirkuk of its “Kurdish identity” is one of the conditions for your independence or are you waiting to annex Kirkuk to the Kurdistan district in order for you to proclaim your independence, as some are saying?
[Barzani] This is a wrong notion. Kirkuk is the symbol of the suffering of the Iraqi Kurds. The past wrong policies in Kirkuk have turned it into a special and very sensitive issue. These policies have left a deep wound in the heart of every Kurd. We want to resolve the issue, not to exacerbate it. Not solving the issue of Kirkuk means keeping a problem that is subject to explosion at any minute. Why do we not learn from our experience and from our past? There is an article in the Iraqi constitution that set a mechanism to resolve the issue of Kirkuk and other similar problems related to it since the issue is not just Kirkuk alone. The issue of Kirkuk can be solved and the problem ended in accordance with this article in the Iraqi constitution. Kirkuk is an Iraqi town just as Baghdad, Al-Sulaymaniyah, and Basra. But the problem is the insistence that Kirkuk should not be restored to the district of Kurdistan. We do not wish to regain Kirkuk by force. In accordance with Article 140 in the constitution, if the people of Kirkuk decide to return to the district of Kurdistan, they should not be prevented from doing so by anyone. If the majority of the people of Kirkuk decide – based on the mechanisms of Article 140 and following normalization, the census, and the referendum – not to return to Kurdistan, we shall respect their wish and we will not annex Kirkuk to Kurdistan by force. I firmly say and I firmly reiterate that the issue of Kirkuk regaining its Kurdish identity has nothing to do with the independence of Kurdistan. I reiterate that the independence of Kurdistan is a natural and legitimate right regardless of whether Kirkuk joins the Kurdistan district or not. It is a right that God has granted to every nation and every people.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What do the people of Kirkuk want? Do they want to return to the historic documents or do they want reality?
[Barzani] They do not want to read the historic documents that date back to the Ottoman Empire or to the 1957 census. They claim that perhaps these are forged. I went to Kirkuk and said that I bring the message of brotherhood, peace, and amity. Part of the Arabs and Turkomen boycotted the meeting while a large part of Arab and Turkomen personages attended the meeting and I met with them. I told them with a brotherly spirit that we wish to turn Kirkuk into a model for religious, ethnic, and denominational co-existence. We told them that we would be open to them in a manner they cannot imagine. But we should solve this problem on the basis of Article 140. I told them that we will respect their opinion and whatever they decide. I found that many of the Arabs and Turkomen understand this issue and that it is in their interest to resolve the problem of Kirkuk just as it is in the interest of Iraq. I told them: Believe me, not solving this problem and finding alternatives to Article 140 is not in anyone’s interest and will make the problem get out of hand of everyone. Is this in the interest of Iraq? No, of course it is not. Furthermore, why did we exert efforts to draw up the constitution that we approved and that was approved by the majority of the Iraqi people? What use is the constitution if we do not respect it? We should respect our constitution.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Some are saying that the validity of Article 140has expired.
[Barzani] How has it expired? This is an article in the constitution. If the validity of this article has expired it means that the validity of the whole constitution has expired. This is illogical.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Are there any worries that Turkey may interfere in the issue of Kirkuk?
[Barzani] Kirkuk is an Iraqi town and its problem is an internal Iraqi affair. Neither Turkey nor any other country should interfere in this subject since it is an internal issue. Why should there be worries when Kirkuk is not a Turkish affair?
[Asharq Al-Awsat] You have described the vote on Article 24 of the provincial elections law that took place in the Iraqi parliament last July as a conspiracy. By whom and against whom was this conspiracy?
[Barzani] It was a conspiracy by countries in the region and some tools of these countries inside the Chamber of Deputies. But how were other deputies tricked and voted on the law? How did this conspiracy deceive those that we call partners who later felt the danger inherent in this issue? This is indeed what perplexed us.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Will you be forced to give up Kirkuk under certain circumstances?
[Barzani] Never, we will not relinquish Kirkuk whatever the circumstances are. At the same time, we emphasize that the solution to the issue of Kirkuk will be clear and constitutional. We do not wish to resort to other means and we emphasize our constitutional and legal right.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] If you discover that the door to negotiations is closed, will you resort to force to annex Kirkuk?
[Barzani] We are working hard not to resort to this solution. We are seeking to implement Article 140 so that the issue would be resolved on the basis of the constitution.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What is your opinion on the call made by the provincial council in Kirkuk to join the district of Kurdistan? Do you think it is serious?
[Barzani] Yes, it is a serious call and a subject of interest for Kurdistan. We are waiting for the federal parliament to resume its sessions. If they insist on finding an alternative to Article 140, we shall immediately respond to the request of the provincial council in Kirkuk.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you think there is an Arab campaign against the Kurds?
[Barzani] The fact is that, yes, there is such a campaign. But how deep are the roots of this campaign and how is it conducted? We have to make certain of this. We have good relations with some Arab countries and leaders and I have personally visited several of them, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Syria. I have also recently responded to an invitation by brother Muammar al-Qadhafi where we were very warmly received in Libya. When we talk to the leaders of these countries, we discover that they understand the Kurdish position and the historic and geographic partnership between the Arabs and Kurds. At the same time, we feel that there is an Arab campaign that is targeting us and that aims at distorting the image of Kurdistan and the Kurds. All we need are friends to help us in conveying the facts.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Are there many accusations against you in the[Arab] media?
[Barzani] They have accused us of welcoming half a million Iranian and Turkish Kurds in order to change the demographic structure in Kirkuk. For God’s sake, brother, is it possible to hide half a million birds in Kirkuk, let alone half a million Kurds from Iran and Turkey? So far, we have not succeeded in returning half the Iraqi Kurds originally from Kirkuk that had been expelled by the former regime from their homes. How can we bring in Kurds from other countries and settle them in Kirkuk? I defy anyone to prove to me and to the world that there are Iraqi Kurds from Dohuk or Irbil or Al-Sulaymaniyah in Kirkuk in order to change the demographic structure. They have also accused us of assaulting the Arabs and Turkomen in Kirkuk. This is unacceptable. The Arabs and Turkomen are Iraqis and they are our brothers. We will not allow any Kurdish official to attack any Arab or Turkoman. Anyone that has any information about an attack by a Kurdish official let him bring it to us. Our record has to remain clean in this regard. Throughout the long years of the Kurdish revolt and after that, we did not kill a single captive of the Iraqi army or anyone else. The events of the resurgence [in 1991 against Saddam Hussein’s regime] and our welcoming of thousands of members of the Iraqi army that surrendered is the best evidence that attests to this fact. We respected the captives and we respected the principles of brotherhood and good neighborliness. When we were subjected to chemical bombardment and to the Al-Anfal operations we did not commit any act that harms the brotherhood so how can we do it now? These are all false charges. We welcome any Arab or western international commissions to come to Kurdistan on fact-finding missions to investigate these charges or to search Kirkuk for any Kurds that are not the original residents of the town. If it is proven that we attacked any citizen, we shall apologize and correct the mistake. In return, we want the true pictures to be conveyed about the warm relationship between the Kurds, Arabs, and Turkomen in Kirkuk or in any other region of Kurdistan. These are false rumors that are made by people that do not wish stability for this country. There are people that are not mature. They know the facts that are known to the Arabs but they do not wish to listen.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] In your opinion, why were no Arab consulates opened here while western consulates have been opened in Irbil?
[Barzani] We should first ask whether the Arab countries opened embassies or consulates in Baghdad before asking about Irbil. Last March, the conference of members of Arab parliaments was held in Irbil. This was a good omen, a good initiative, and a major step forward toward breaking the ice.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Have you sent invitations to Arab officials to visit Kurdistan?
[Barzani] We do not wish to embarrass our Arab brethren. We send invitations only when we are almost certain that the invitation will be accepted. We understand the positions of the Arab officials in this regard.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] The Iraqi flag is waving in Kurdistan and in front of the building of your headquarters. Were your positive responses to the requests of the Iraqi government met with similar responses by the federal government?
[Barzani] The federal government is delinquent in this regard. Unfortunately, however, the media and some Iraqi politicians are blaming us for this and accusing us of being delinquent in this regard. The federal government makes many promises to us but does not implement them. I personally was given many promises when I visited Baghdad but many of these promises were not met. This is something that we do not understand.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What is your opinion on the demonstrations that recently erupted in Al-Najaf against annexing Kirkuk to Kurdistan?
[Barzani] This was indeed odd and weird for us. It is one of the quirks of fate. Why were these demonstrations staged in Al-Najaf? We would understand if such demonstrations are staged in Kirkuk, but Kirkuk is distant from Al-Najaf.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] How is your relationship with Turkey?
[Barzani] Our relationship is normal. There is a slight improvement. We look forward to better development of these relations.
His Majesty the King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s suggestion to establish a railway link between the GCC states and Turkey has been welcomed by observers as a strategic vision for a bright economic and political future for the region.
Half of the ambitious project would be carried out by Saudi Arabia while the rest would be taken care of by the other GCC states which will enact laws and put in place mechanisms to implement the suggestion.
During his recent visit to Turkey, King Hamad laid the moral cornerstone for the economic integration with Turkey through the project connecting Turkey with the Arabian Gulf.
Observers did not expect such a suggestion and said it was the perfect time to start working on it thanks to the economic and political options offered by Turkey and the GCC states.
There is a proposal to set up a link from Oman, the uae, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi, Kuwait, Iraq and then to Turkey. Another proposal suggests the network to start from Oman, the uae, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria to Turkey.
The King Fahad Causeway will be the integral part in either project to reach Turkey.
The gcc states set up a financial plan for the project by signing an agreement to establish a free trade zone with Turkey in May, 2005 in Bahrain. Negotiations are expected to start to implement the agreement.
Bahrain has signed agreements with Turkey on avoidance of dual taxation and tax evasion to provide suitable atmosphere to attract investment.
During the dinner banquet hosted in King Hamad’s honour, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said HM the King’s visit was a turning point in friendly ties between both countries.
Gul said Istanbul paid great attention to the agreement on promoting strategic dialogue between Turkey and the gcc states.
Turkish people believe that their economic potential meets the region’s demands and their country is a secure place for investment.
King Hamad highlighted Turkey’s importance in the region and said the country links Asia and Europe and seeks peace, freedom and development for all which is the goal of every body in the Gulf.
© Bahrain Tribune 2008
Source: www.zawya.com, 1 Septewmber 2008
Syrian authorities have arrested two Kurdish leaders and charged one with a capital offence, as part of a campaign to crush political dissidents that has triggered international protests.
The two men were arrested ahead of a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the Syrian capital on Wednesday.
Sarkozy has been trying to convince President Bashar al-Assad to release leading political prisoners who have been campaigning for minority rights and a democratic constitution as an alternative to four decades of Baath Party rule.
Talal Mohammad of the banned Wifaq party, an offshoot of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), which is also active in Turkey and Iraq, was arrested without warrant in northeastern Syria last week and not heard from since, according to the National Organisation of Human Rights in Syria.
Authorities earlier arrested Mashaal Tammo, an official in Future Movement, which like all opposition parties in Syria is banned.
Future Movement advocates democracy and equal rights for Syria’s one million Kurdish minority.
The Kurdish language is not allowed to be taught in schools and tens of thousands of Kurds were denied citizenship after a 1960s census.
Tammo had said before his arrest that Syrian policy toward the Kurds risked a repeat of riots that killed 30 people in Syria in 2004. The riots started in a Kurdish region.
Tammo was charged on August 27 with committing aggression and arming Syrians to start civil war, an accusation that carries the death penalty and is rarely directed against well-known political activists.
Other charges regularly used against dissidents were also levelled at Tammo, including belonging to an organisation that aims to change the basis of society and causing racial and sectarian tension.
Denies charges
Tammo has denied the charges and human rights lawyer Mohannad al-Hassani said it would require a great deal of evidence to prove that Tammo, who renounces violence, had wanted to start civil war.
“The authorities cannot resort to such fearsome charges just because they disagree with someone’s opinions,” he said.
The U.S. State Department denounced Tammo’s arrest, saying he was held incommunicado for 15 days before he was charged.
“We condemn the detention of Tammo and other Syrian prisoners of conscience and call for their immediate release,” State Department spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement.
“We encourage the international community to join us in calling on the Syrian government to stop its policy of arresting critics of the regime and to comply with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
Syria, which has been controlled by the Baath Party since it took power in a 1963 coup and imposed emergency law, has thousands of political prisoners, human rights lawyers say.
Assad said during a visit to Paris last month authorities only arrest those suspected of violating the constitution and that criticism of his rule was permitted.
Under Turkish pressure, Syria has cracked down on the PKK, which it once backed.
A security court handed several PKK members long sentences in 2006 in trials branded illegitimate by international human rights groups.
“What is this? You armed us and now you imprison us,” one defendant shouted at the judges before he was sentenced to seven years in jail.
Source: tvnz.co.nz, 1 September 2008