Friday, March 16, 2007
PKK open to negotiation with Turkey
Politics, Security, Kurdistan
(AP) - Kurdish rebels say they have enough weapons to defend themselves against Turkish raids on their bases in northern Iraq but remain open to a political settlement with Turkey that recognizes Kurdish national identity. Turkey is pressing Iraq and its American ally to crack down on
rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, who launch attacks on Turkey from bases in northern Iraq. During an interview last week with the a PKK mountain stronghold, a spokesman for the PKK insisted that the rebels have the weapons to resist any Turkish incursion. Rustam Jawdat said that the PKK was open to a deal - but on its terms. "We want to solve the problem with Turkey peacefully. We have simple weapons. If we have guarantees to recognize Kurdish national identity, we would not need to carry weapons," he said. The interview occurred in a PKK base in the rugged mountains of northern Iraq. Access to the camp was on foot, and the fighters would not allow photographs of the area for security.
Jawdat indicated the rebels are more confident now because they believed Kurdish politicians would put pressure on the United States, and by extension Turkey, to avoid any armed incursion.
On Thursday, Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston, said in Washington that the U.S. is addressing Turkish complaints about PKK activity. "As the snows melt in the mountain passes along the Turkish-Iraqi border in several weeks, we will see if the PKK renews its attacks and how the Turkish government chooses to respond," Ralston said.
Jawdat said the PKK was willing to work with the Americans and Europeans to resolve the conflict with Turkey. "America and the European Union should know that we will not give up our weapons as long as (the Turks) do not accept our rights and do not recognize our national identity," Jawdat said. "It is impossible to get the right of self-determination in the Middle East without using armed struggle."
Jawdat indicated the rebels are more confident now because they believed Kurdish politicians would put pressure on the United States, and by extension Turkey, to avoid any armed incursion.
On Thursday, Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston, said in Washington that the U.S. is addressing Turkish complaints about PKK activity. "As the snows melt in the mountain passes along the Turkish-Iraqi border in several weeks, we will see if the PKK renews its attacks and how the Turkish government chooses to respond," Ralston said.
Jawdat said the PKK was willing to work with the Americans and Europeans to resolve the conflict with Turkey. "America and the European Union should know that we will not give up our weapons as long as (the Turks) do not accept our rights and do not recognize our national identity," Jawdat said. "It is impossible to get the right of self-determination in the Middle East without using armed struggle."
Labels: Gen. Joseph Ralston, Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, Rustam Jawdat, Turkey
