In The Shadows Of Iraq: Qubad Talabani (Part 8)

If you have read much of world news lately, you will notice there has been ongoing tension between the Kurdish region and Turkey. Reflecting back on the stability issues, this must be diffused in order to allow significant external investment to take place.

SM: How do you answer the questions regarding the recent threat of invasion by Turkey? — this is the type of thing that would be certain to concern potential investors. QT: On the Turkish issue, the recent increase in tension is the result of Turkey’s objection to the presence of the group formerly known as the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) inside Iraq.

This group has been camped inside Iraqi Kurdistan for several years and the KRG has constantly sought a sustainable long term solution to the issues pertaining to their presence in Iraq. Turkey has urged both U.S. forces and Kurdistan’s defense forces to counter the PKK presence inside Iraq.

It is unfeasible to expect the KRG, or the U.S. for that matter, to re-allocate its forces when we are at the forefront of the War on Terror, when we are engaging in the Baghdad Security Plan, and when our forces are already tied up trying to maintain the calm and prosperity of Kurdistan. This is especially so, as there is no indication that the terrible attacks that have occurred inside Turkey have emanated from this group that is camped in the mountainous areas of Kurdistan.

We have said all along, there are plenty of forces inside Turkey that if they wanted to harm Turkey’s interest, unfortunately, could do so with relative ease. Turkey is also undergoing a complex internal dynamic with several powerful forces inside the country sometimes at odds with one another on key issues and, unfortunately, the Iraq issue, and in particular, the Kurdish issue in Iraq, has been dragged into this internal clash.

The KRG does not support the PKK and has continuously worked toward resolving the issue through diplomatic dialog with Turkey and remains committed to working with the U.S.’ s special envoy, General Joe Ralston, to find a peaceful and lasting solution to this issue.

Additionally, ties between Kurdistan and Turkey have been strained due to the forthcoming Kirkuk referendum. Turkey has threatened to sever economic relations with Kurdistan should the referendum take place, as Kirkuk is expected to become part of the KRG’s jurisdiction in the event of a referendum. But the KRG continues to call on Turkey to respect Kirkuk as a national issue for Iraq — a matter for the indigenous people of Kirkuk to resolve — neither Iraq, nor the KRG, would tolerate intervention on this issue.

[to be continued]

[Part 7]
[Part 6]
[Part 5]
[Part 4]
[Part 3]
[Part 2]
[Part 1]

This segment is part 8 in the series : In The Shadows Of Iraq: Qubad Talabani
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9