XXXIV. CAN PKK’S PRESENCE IN NORTHERN IRAQ CONTRIBUTE TO A JUST AND FINAL SETTLEMENT?

Upon the declaration of "Safe Haven" in Northern Iraq, Iraqi government has lost its control where Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan have stayed as dominant groups. The disputes over the share of the revenues originating from the crossings of the Turkish-Iraqi border and the disagreement on the control of some areas of the region sparked an armed conflict between the two groups and the PKK has exploited the lack of authority by having bases in Northern Iraq to launch terrorist attacks in Turkey. Turkey, which in no way can tolerate attacks against its citizens and security forces had to carry out military operations against PKK bases in Northern Iraq. Therefore, as long as PKK’s presence in Northern Iraq continues, Turkey’s security will be at stake and Turkish troops may be obliged to enter Iraqi territory.190 Hence, the PKK becomes an element of instability in Northern Iraq. The PKK, which is concerned of being excluded totally from the region in the outcome of the meetings held near Dublin on August 9-11, 1995 and September 12-16, 1995, began attacking KDP forces and intensified its efforts to form a federation in "Southern Kurdistan".191 Many Kurds lost their lives in the fightings between the PKK and KDP which erupted with PKK’s attacks. The PKK has a leader in a dictatorial position living for years out of Iraq, in Syria.192 The PKK, which is only striving to sustain its leader, Öcalan’s personal position of dictatorship, uses every terrorist method. Bloody fightings caused by the PKK in Northern Iraq further proves that with PKK’s presence no peace and stability could be achieved. For this reason, Öcalan’s positive response on December 10, 1995 to the cease-fire call made to the PKK and KDP should not be expected to bring a lasting long term peace and stability into the region. A KDP statement on May 15, 1997 said: "the KDP have repeatedly urged the PKK not to establish military bases inside Northern Iraq to avoid another crisis in the area, since their domain of activity is not there. Yet the PKK did not heed KDP’s requests and consequently have turned the region once again into a battleground where the real victims would be the population of the border region. The KDP called upon the PKK to end its presence in the border areas so the indigenous people could return to their homes and live in peace and security." In parallel with these calls of the KDP, Turkish troops entered once again into Northern Iraq in May 1997 to wipe out PKK’s positions.

190 Prime Minister Tansu Çiller told the Turkish parliament on April 25, 1995 that Turkish Forces would intervene again and again if required. See Wyllie, "Turkish Objectives...", p. 307.

191 Evrensel, 20 September 1995.

192 The statement by KDP member, Necirvan Barzani, Sabah, 8 September 1995.