Turkey Analyst, 12 March 2008

NEWS DIGEST, February 19-March 9, 2008

SECTION III: Iraq

Summary: Turkish forces conducted the largest military operation on Iraqi soil against the PKK in a decade. Coming before the end of winter, the 8-day land and air attack was designed to take the PKK by surprise and pre-empt the expected PKK spring offensive. While claimed a success, the end of the operation generated acrimony. While the Government and the army defended the operation and argued it ended by their own decision, the opposition CHP and MHP both argued it had been ended prematurely and due to American pressure.

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (MGK) MEETING HELD
February 21
A meeting of the National Security Council (MGK) chaired by President Gül was held. Toward the end of the meeting it was emphasized that the operations against the PKK will continue “as long as needed”. As the end of winter is approaching, suggesting a resumption of PKK terrorist attacks, a land operation in Northern Iraq in cooperation with the United States was assessed. In a declaration at the end of the MGK meeting, it was stated that “considering the positive developments in Iraq, the enhancement of relations in the political, economic, cultural, military and energy sectors together with increasing humanitarian aid were discussed”. According to analysts, this indicated a thims up to Iraqi president Talabani, following recent speculations of his possible visit to Ankara. However, Ankara first expects Mr. Talabani, as the President of Iraq, to declare the PKK a terrorist organization. (Hurriyet)

LAND OPERATION LAUNCHED INTO IRAQ
February 24
Thousands of Turkish troops crossed into Northern Iraq in the largest ground offensive in a decade against the illegal Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which uses bases in the Kurdish-controlled region for attacks on Turkey. The military stated that the ground offensive began at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, after aerial strikes against PKK targets in Northern Iraq throughout the day. "The Turkish Armed Forces [TSK], which attaches great importance to Iraq's territorial integrity and stability, will return home in the shortest time possible after its goals have been achieved," the General Staff said in the statement posted on its website. In Washington, D.C., the White House announced that the US had been informed in advance of Turkey's offensive in Northern Iraq. "We were notified in advance," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel told reporters. He said the US had urged Turkey to restrict its military operations to precise targeting of the PKK. Turkey's top political and military officials confirmed on Thursday that the cross-border operations would continue as long as they are necessary in the fight against the PKK but emphasized Ankara's desire to develop relations with neighboring Iraq. A statement released after a regular meeting of the National Security Council (MGK) said on Thursday that Turkey wanted to develop relations with Iraq in all areas. (Today’s Zaman)

INTERNATIONAL PRESS REACTS TO IRAQ OPERATION
February 24
Turkey’s land operation toward Northern Iraq has produced many reactions from the world press. The Washington Post stated that the operation further emphasized the relationship between Turkey and Iraq and that the Bush administration was Turkey’s active partner in the campaign against the PKK. The New York Times wrote that the role of the US and Turkey, a NATO ally bordering with Syria, Iraq and Iran and Iraqi Kurds, an important partner of the US during the Iraq war, is unclear. The Daily Telegraph stated that this was the biggest operation since the destruction of the Saddam Hussein regime, and that Ankara promised to step back from Iraq as soon as possible. The Times wrote that the moderate statements from the Western capitals indicated that Turkey had the support of the US. The Financial Times stated that the size and duration of the operation is unknown, and although the Bush administration was informed beforehand, Washington and Brussels are vigilant. Die Welt wrote that in case the operation remained limited and against the PKK, international law supports Ankara. Frankfurter Rundschau reported that the operation of Ankara caused concerns all over the world. (Radikal)

DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY PARTY MEMBERS PROTEST IRAQ INCURSION
February 25
The Turkish military's incursion into Northern Iraq should be “denounced,” said a former lawmaker and politician from the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) Saturday. “Those who speak of Kurds as brothers and of Islam, of the ummah, are today attacking Kurds,” Leyla Zana said at the party's First Extraordinary Congress held in Diyarbakir and continued: “I do not want the closure of the path to a democratic solution. Kurds are like fire. If you approach them in good faith, they will warm you. But if you approach in bad faith, they will burn you.” Meanwhile, tension broke out between DTP members who wished to denounce the military operation and some citizens in Malatya, 670 kilometers Southeast of Ankara. Members of the pro-Kurdish party gathered yesterday in front of the Malatya Post Office, in an attempt to brief the press on their opinions about the incursion. Some citizens proceeded to verbally assault the DTP members, but police intervened and dispersed both sides. DTP members went to the party's district office, chanting slogans against the military incursion, while other citizens chanted nationalist slogans against the PKK. (Turkish Daily News)

IRAQI MINISTER THREATENS TURKEY
February 26
Iraqi Minister of Internal Affairs Javad Al-Bolani stated that “if the Turkish operation in Northern Iraq expands, Iraq will have to defend its territory.” Mr. Al-Bolani also stated that the Iraqi constitution does not permit the Kurdish regional authorities to move against the Turkish army on its own. While saying that the US should work more to encourage Turkey to withdraw from Iraq, he claimed that despite the statements of the Iraqi authorities, Turkey did not consult with Iraq before starting the operation. The reason for this, he concludes, is that no Iraqi authority would accept anyone entering Iraqi soil. On the other hand, the regional Kurdish parliament in Northern Iraq claimed that Turkey had a secret agreement with Baghdad. The report by the Kurdish parliament stated that the regional population was being psychologically harmed by the current incursion, and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Turkish soldiers. (Vatan)

DTP PROTEST IN DIYARBAKIR
February 26
Approximately 3,000 DTP supporters, including deputies and mayors, walked in the streets of Diyarbakir in order to protest the ongoing Turkish cross-border operation in Iraq. While police followed the protesters from a distance, Leyla Zana, former member of parliament for the closed party DEP, addressed the public by saying “Enough! Do not play with us. Do not try our patience. Either death or equality and brotherhood!” After the meeting, a number of persons from the group threw rocks to the Diyarbakir Police Station while others threw rocks at shops and other buildings. Several people from the group, which fled to the streets and lit fires, were arrested. (Sabah)

BAGHDAD CRITICIZED TURKEY’S OFFENSIVE
27 February
The Iraqi government criticized Turkey’s cross border operation in Northern Iraq and demanded that the Turkish forces, which it accused of violating Iraqi sovereignty, withdraw. Expressing the Iraqi cabinet’s criticisms, Ali Dabbagh said, “The Cabinet blames and rejects the Turkish operation which was considered a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. A unilateral military operation is unacceptable and threatens the good relations between the two countries”. This was the sharpest statement yet made by the Iraqi government. (Radikal)

TURKEY WITHDRAWS FROM IRAQ
29 February
The cross-border operation of the Turkish Armed Forces concluded with the withdrawal of 16,000 soldiers yesterday. The Turkish Chief of General Staff declared, “The schedule of the offensive was determined by us. There are no effects from outside.” This comment came as the decision to end the operation coincided with the US requesting that the offensive should end as soon as possible. During the operation, 240 terrorists were killed and 27 Turkish soldiers lost their lives. According to the declaration of the Turkish General Staff, the PKK terrorist organization was the only target in the offensive, and civilians were not harmed throughout the operation. The declaration also acknowledged that it was unfeasible to destroy a terrorist organization with an operation conducted in a limited area. However, it demonstrated to the PKK that Northern Iraq is not a safe region for them. By preventing the terrorist organization from using Iraqi territory to establish its bases, the operation contributes to Iraq’s long-term internal peace and stability. The declaration concluded by underlining that the Turkish Armed Forces would be watching Northern Iraq closely for PKK activity. The struggle against terror continues within and outside the country. (Sabah)

TURKISH GOVERNMENT “BEHAVED FAIRLY”: TALABANI
1 March
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was satisfied with the decision of the Turkish Armed Forces to withdraw from Iraq. According to a declaration by the Iraqi President, Mr. Talabani stated that “the withdrawal of Turkish forces showed the honesty of the Turkish government’s statements, saying that the offensive would be limited and short in time”. Mr. Talabani also expressed his enthusiasm to visit Turkey upon the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gül. (Milliyet)

US RESPONDS TO SPECULATIONS OVER IRAQ OFFENSIVE
1 March
US Secretary of State Spokesman Tom Casey acknowledged that Turkey ended its cross-border operation in Northern Iraq on its own initiative, not as a result of US pressure. Mr. Casey maintained that the PKK terrorist organization remains a problem for Turkey, Iraq and the US. He stressed that the US wishes to continue working together with the Turkish and Iraqi governments in order to end the threat posed by the PKK. “The main point is that the PKK is a threat to everyone. The PKK is a threat to Turkey, Iraq and the United States. We must work together to solve this problem, because it is not something that can be managed by any of us alone” (Vatan)

CHP CHAIRMAN BAYKAL ASSESSES WITHRAWAL FROM IRAQ
2 March
Deniz Baykal, Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), said that Turkey was blocked while fighting terror in Northern Iraq, adding that the government was unable to affect the length of the operation. Noting that Turkey had a plan forced on it that envisages the existence of the PKK in Northern Iraq, Mr. Baykal stated, "Now we should draw appropriate conclusions." (ANKA)

GENERAL STAFF: CLAIMS REGARDING WITHDRAWAL ARE DISRESPECTFUL
3 March
Turkish Chief of General Staff Yaşar Büyükanıt stated that the offensive toward Northern Iraq had achieved its objectives. Mr. Büyükanıt addressed the claims that the decision to withdraw was affected by US pressure by stating that “this is a graceless attack not only on the Turkish Armed Forces but also on Turkey. This shows disrespect for our soldiers’ blood.” Mr. Büyükanıt gave a briefing to the media in Ankara and stated that the number of PKK causalities amounted to 240. “However, the PKK losses are much higher in accordance with our evaluations, because the PKK’s losses resulting from air attacks are not included in this number.” Mr. Büyükanıt stated that the PKK would not be entirely disbanded with one operation, and added that more operations would be conducted if necessary. (Anatolian News Agency)
 
US: FUTURE OPERATIONS AGAINST PKK WILL BE OK
3 March
The United States has confirmed its continued support for Ankara’s fight against the PKK inside Iraq, but stated the need to appease some Iraqi Kurdish sensitivities while underlining the necessity to terminate the land incursion. Ankara decided to comply with the US request on the condition that Washington would not obstruct future operations. Turkish military leaders evaluated the gains made by the Turkish forces in the eight-day operation against PKK hideouts in Northern Iraq. They determined that the operations had reached a satisfactory stage, and thus confirmed the possibility of a withdrawal. The Turkish military planned to conclude the operation and wait for the warmer season in late March or April, and then resume land operations against terrorist targets. Meanwhile, Turkey will continue air raids against PKK hideouts on the basis of intelligence information received from the US and other Turkish assets in the region. Kurdish sources in Erbil confirmed that the peshmerga and local villagers were not affected by the operations. (The New Anatolian)

ERDOĞAN’S TO CHP: “DON’T DRAW ARMED FORCES INTO POLEMIC”
4 March
Prime Minister Erdoğan responded to CHP chairman Deniz Baykal’s allegation that the operation in Northern Iraq was stopped due to US pressure by stating “Not everything is party politics. Do not show disrespect to our soldiers and heroes in order to oppose the governing party”. In a group meeting of the AKP, Mr. Erdoğan underlined the success of the offensive by stating “The most important success of the Turkish Armed Forces in this operation is that no civilian was harmed during the offensive”. Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanit also responded to the claims and added that the Turkish Armed Forces will launch new operations if needed. (ANKA News Agency, Anatolian News Agency)

AHMEDINEJAD CALLS UPON IRAQ AND TURKEY TO FIGHT THE PKK
4 March
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called upon Iraq and Turkey to jointly cooperate with the Iranian government in the fight against Kurdish terrorists. When asked for his opinion about the recent incursion by Ankara in Northern Iraq to remove terrorists in the outlawed PKK, Mr. Ahmadinejad responded, "Terrorism is presently damaging everybody. Everybody should fight terrorism. We must coordinate the governments of Turkey, Iran and Iraq," he said, adding, “Any action taken must respect the sovereignty of Iraq”. (Turkish Daily News)

US: “WE DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS”
5 March
US Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Chase Beamer stated “There is no change in our policy. We do not negotiate with terrorists and do not advocate anyone to do so”. Two weeks ago, Lieutenant General Ray Odierno, second in command in Iraq, stated that pressure must be exerted on the PKK for talks and negotiations with this organization to begin. (Anatolian News Agency)

REACTIONS OVER TALABANI’S PROSPECTIVE VISIT
5 March
Spokesmen of political parties in Turkey discussed the prospective visit of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to Ankara. While the AKP regarded the visit as a positive development, opposition parties including the DTP reacted against Mr. Talabani’s visit. Yaşar Yakış from the AKP asserted that the visit would be from the president of a friendly neighboring country while Onur Öymen from CHP said that they did not deem the visit appropriate. Selahattin Demirtaş of the DTP stated that the visit was discreditable for the Kurdish people. (ANKA News Agency)

BAYKAL: WE FELT THE NEED TO MAKE A STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE INSULTS
7 March
The Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Deniz Baykal said that the CHP needed to respond to the offensive statements made against them. During the group meeting of the CHP, Mr. Baykal addressed the dispute between Mr. Büyükanit and himself by stating “It is obvious that US pressure effected the termination of the operation. The government and the prime minister is our interlocutor in our claims and questions. However, the Chief of Staff regarded himself as the interlocutor and responded in an insulting manner. We felt quite disturbed. We have always defended our army and seek to prevent the army from entering political disputes. Nevertheless, we have to put forward our stance firmly when it is necessary. We were compelled to respond in this point because of the insulting words of the Chief of Staff.”(Radikal)

TALABANI WELCOMED, WITHOUT MILITARY
8 March
No representatives from the Turkish Armed Forces were present at the greeting ceremony for Iraqi President Talabani at the Ankara Esenboga Airport. Additionally, Chief of Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanit was not present at the dinner given for Talabani in the presidential residence. In the press conference after the meeting of the presidents, Mr. Gül stated that “The pain of terrorism is most clearly known by the Iraqi people. Hence I believe that they understand our struggle against the PKK. We regard that a ‘common problem’.” Mr. Talabani did not state that the PKK was the ‘common problem’, despite the words of Mr. Gül. He said that “Iraq’s constitution does not permit any armed group to exist on Iraqi soil. Iraq is faithful to security cooperation with Turkey. The regional Kurdish administration demanded the PKK units to hand over their weapons or to abandon the region by exerting pressure on the organization. We informed them that they are posing a problem in the area. If this problem includes armed action against Turkey, we clearly stated that this is unacceptable for us”. (Milliyet)

The Turkey Analyst
The Turkey Analyst is a publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Joint Center, designed to bring authoritative analysis and news on the rapidly developing domestic and foreign policy issues in Turkey. It is published weekly, and includes a topical analysis, as well as translations and summaries of selected Turkish news reports. It is edited and compiled under the supervision of Svante E. Cornell, Halil M. Karaveli, and M. K. Kaya.

The analyses appearing in the Turkey Analyst are unsigned, being the consensus view of the three Editors. The Turkey Analyst occasionally publishes signed guest analyses, which are normally solicited.

The Joint Center
The Joint Center was created in 2005 through the merger of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, and the Silk Road Studies Program, at the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy.

The Turkey Initiative
The Joint Center launched a Turkey Initiative in 2006 in order to improve understand of Turkish domestic and foreign affairs in Europe and the United States.

To Subscribe:
To subscribe to the Turkey Analyst email announcements, please contact Martina Klimesova with an email containing "subscribe Turkey Analyst" in the subject line.