PRESS RELEASE
March 10, 2003
WKI President: Kurds and Allies Must Work to Forestall Turkish Military Intervention;
Dialogue, Confidence Building Measures Needed to Defuse Conflict
WKI President, Dr. Najmaldin Karim, today issued the following statement concerning the threat of Turkish military intervention in Iraqi Kurdistan;
“For 12 years, Iraqi Kurdistan has enjoyed self-rule and exemplified the promise of democracy and prosperity for all who might soon be freed from Saddam Hussein’s cruel grip. Albeit not perfect, the democratic experiment in Kurdistan has fostered remarkable developments in civil society, including the proliferation of media, internet and NGOs. And, for the first time in Iraq’s history, a proportionate share of Iraq’s oil wealth has been shared with Kurds through the UN Oil-for-Food program. Many refer to the present times as a “Golden Age” for Kurds living in Iraqi Kurdistan, and anyone who recalls the devastation after the uprising was suppressed in 1991 understands that Iraqi Kurdistan today is a unique success story in the Middle East.
Despite good times and the great promise afforded Kurds in Iraq, both the PUK and KDP have consistently worked with the US government and Iraq opposition to advance regime change. The Kurds have suffered more than anyone at the hands of this brutal dictator. Yet now, as the US military operation to liberate Iraq is about to unfold, the Kurds fear another US betrayal. They fear the US will allow Turkey to send troops into Iraqi Kurdistan as the price for allowing US troops access to Iraq’s northern front. We Kurds rightfully fear that real politik will once again bring tragedy upon us and betray the very principals upon which US action is predicated. The heated rhetoric is creating an air of impending crisis and violence, something that neither Kurds, Turks, or Americans want in the least bit.
Raising our voices to protest any Turkish military intervention is the duty of all Kurds and our friends, but I believe just as firmly that we must also act to defuse this crisis. We Kurds have acknowledged Turkey’s contribution to the creation and protection of the Kurdish safe-haven, and have sought to address Turkey’s concerns through expanded and continuous dialogue so dangerous misunderstandings can be avoided. We must continue to communicate our fears, continue to seek reassurances, and continue to offer assurances to our partners and neighbors. I am much encouraged that discussions between Turkish, Kurdish and US officials will be intensified.
Our Kurdish leaders have reassured our Turkish neighbors that their concerns do not warrant military intervention. We must work with our US allies to specifically address each of Turkey’s four primary justifications for sending troops into our region.
First, Turkish officials have indicated troops could be sent to Iraqi Kurdistan to prevent a humanitarian refugee flow from overwhelming Turkish borders as in 1988 and 1991. Fortunately, the same armed might of Saddam Hussein cannot be brought to bear now on the Kurds, and the serious fighting units are being pulled back to Tikrit and Baghdad. Additionally, thousands of villages in rural regions have been rebuilt since 1991, and many families have plans to seek shelter with relatives in these safe areas. Flight to the borders of Turkey and Iran are unlikely, and in any event both countries have already pre-positioned tents and other equipment as a precaution.
Second, Turkish officials have expressed concerns about the treatment of the Turkmen minority and have suggested troops would be needed to protect this group. The complaints from Turkmen have come mainly from Turkmen Front officials who represent only a small fringe element of the Turkmen community. Mainstream Turkmen political leaders express confidence that any future governing structures will protect their political, cultural and other rights. The Kurds have consistently supported a future political system that gives everyone a stake and proportional say.
Third, Turkey has consistently intervened, and maintains thousands of troops presently in Iraqi Kurdistan, to combat militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK, now KADEK). Yet KADEK has suspended armed activities against Turkey and poses little threat now. The main Kurdish parties, US and allied troops could cooperate to further ensure that any security threat to Turkey was minimized. And surely, Turkey could implement long overdue reforms to address the issues that fuel discontent among Kurds and contribute to KADEK’s continued popularity and potency as a political force.
Finally, Turkey’s primary concern and oft-stated causus belli is the creation of an independent Kurdish state. Of course, all Kurds believe that they, like any other people, should have the right to choose their own destiny. But present reality dictates that, however appealing, independence is not yet possible, and as Kurdish and Iraqi opposition leaders plan for the future, none have advocated for such an independent entity. Instead, all consistently agree to pursue some type of federalism that would maintain Iraq’s territorial integrity and pose no threat to Turkey. In fact, I question why Turkey would fear an autonomous and democratic Iraqi Kurdistan on its border? Turks, Iraqis and Kurds on both sides of the border would surely benefit greatly from open and friendly relations.
Unilateral Turkish military intervention in Iraqi Kurdistan would be disastrous and likely lead to rapid escalation of protracted guerrilla warfare not limited to the Iraqi side of the border. The obvious dangers of such a situation should be clear to all involved parties. And while I share the passion of my compatriots, and yearn to return to my ancestral home in Kirkuk some day soon, we must all understand how much we stand to lose if Turkey intervenes militarily in our region.
Every Kurd must be encouraged by the spontaneous eruptions of protest in communities worldwide. I have been very heartened by the expressions of support from US Congressmen, officials and members of the general public who insist that the Kurds will not be betrayed again. A future for the Kurds without Saddam Hussein will enable us to expand our democratic experiment and indeed let it serve as a model for all Iraq. We must work with our friends and our neighbors to ensure that this future will live up to its potential.”