10 October 2001

1. "Turmoil does not have any benefits", a warning to PUK against Bin Laden "profiteering".

2. "US Warns Iraq Not to Take Advantage of Sept Attacks", the United States has delivered a stern warning to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein he would pay a heavy price if Baghdad took advantage of the crisis surrounding the Sept. 11 attacks, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

3. "US warns Europe for emphasis on Turkey", visiting Brussels to enhance cooperation against terrorism, top-level U.S. officials told their European counterparts to give emphasis to dialogue with Turkey.

4. "Turkey Asks to Send Troops", Turkey's government asked parliament Tuesday for permission to contribute troops to the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, expressing concern the fighting could spread beyond Afghan borders.

5. "Turkey and the US discuss relations with Iraq", columnist Tuncay Ozkan writes on Turkey's stance concerning a possible attack on Iraq. We give a summary of his considerations.

6. "Fogg: Amendment only the beginning", Turkey Representative of the European Union, Karen Fogg, regards the constitutional amendments recently passed by Turkish Parliament as insufficient and just a beginning.

1.- Ozgur Politika - "Turmoil does not have any benefits":

Warning to PUK against Bin Laden "profiteering"

Lately, preparations for war are underway in south Kurdistan. Following the negative change in the relations between the PUK and the Islamic movements, who were under PUK's control and cooperated with it for a long period of time, attention is drawn to future possibilities. The PUK, who--following the 11 September attacks in the United States--cried out that the extensions of Usama Bin Ladin were in south Kurdistan and who subsequently launched a low-scale military operation, is now trying to collect the fruits of its deeds in Ankara and Washington.

Prior to his departure to Washington, Barham Salah, a PUK official who acts as PUK prime minister, held talks with officials from the Foreign Ministry and the General Staff in Ankara.

While he was in Ankara, Salah asserted that Turkey can rely on PUK. Now he will ask for aid from the United States. A few days earlier, PDK representative Hosyar Zebari had also passed through Ankara on his way to Washington. Ankara is taking an interesting course with regard to its policy toward south Kurdistan. Officials of Turkey, which was involved in the turmoil in south Kurdistan, are issuing one statement after another--whatever the reason may be--and maintain that they have proceeded "with caution." It is known that double tactics are employed during crises, i.e. to lead to confusion as well as to ignore.

This is the policy of profiteering. Although the Kurds should not be involved in such policies, it is impossible to say that this is true with regard to the south. The PUK, which created a striking turmoil around Halabjah, drew the attention of the international community to this region as a result of the "international terrorism" flame incited by Washington.

In Ankara, PUK's Salah conveyed the message that stated: "Close cooperation with secular and democratic Turkey is to our benefit. We understand Turkey's security related and political concerns. We are committed to Iraq's territorial integrity." He added: "The 11 September attack will affect the Kurds and Iraq in various ways, and it appears that the Middle East will be the major battlefield in the struggle against terrorism. We are looking for an answer to the question concerning the options of US policy."

Following this statement, it is definite that Salah will be asking Washington for some financial reward and credit as well as military aid, on account of his "service" and "loyalty." Salah's statements are indicative of this. PUK may be asking the United States to send ground troops to south Kurdistan. The United States, which has activated its army and war
technology worldwide and which spends billions of dollars for intelligence and military
units, probably will not act ungenerously and will look after the PUK.

The meeting that will be held between the joint delegation of PDK and PUK and the officials
from the Secretary of State and the National Security Council offices is one of the most
important parts of Washington talks. In this meeting the Americans will probably ask the
two parties to be ready for a possible air and ground operation against Iraq.

At this point, the situation in south Kurdistan is an important issue. In addition to the role
that the PDK and PUK will assume, the condition of the people is not good. The recent exaggerated propaganda has affected the people in particular. People are now concerned about a US attack against Iraq, they are stockpiling food and fuel oil, whose price increased by 25 percent after Iraq shut the valve. Migration has increased as well. The only reason that lately boats full of refugees have hit the Adriatic and Aegean shores is the hysteria created by the PUK in the south, without any regard for the interests of the people. This will just benefit those who desire to bring about turmoil in Kurdistan.

2. - The Kurdistan Observer - "US Warns Iraq Not to Take Advantage of Sept Attacks":

The United States has delivered a stern warning to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein he would pay a heavy price if Baghdad took advantage of the crisis surrounding the Sept. 11 attacks, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

New York / by Evelyn Leopold

The United States has delivered a stern warning to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein he would pay a heavy price if Baghdad took advantage of the crisis surrounding the Sept. 11 attacks, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte sent a message to Saddam on Sunday through his U.N. envoy, Mohammed Aldouri, who replied on Monday to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, the officials said.

One official said Negroponte's message said: "Don't try to take advantage of the situation or there will be a price to pay."

"It was a stern warning," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "There was enough in there to indicate that they really got the message."

Specifically, Negroponte told Aldouri that Iraq should not make any moves against Iraqi Kurds, who live in areas generally outside of the control of the Baghdad government, and keep its hands off its neighbors, the official said.

Iraq in 1980 attacked Iran and invaded Kuwait a decade later. It rained missiles on Israel during the 1991 Gulf War when a U.S.-led coalition drove Baghdad's troops from Kuwait. Aldouri told Reuters an American emissary had "knocked on the door and we answered it and received him."
"The Iraqi policy is that we confront the United States openly so we don't need a crisis to gain benefit," he said. "We have no aggressive intentions vis-a-vis our neighbors at all."

"Certainly, we are against the war in Afghanistan not because it is an American war but because it is illegal and against international law and they have not given any acceptable evidence that Afghanistan was involved in what happened on September 11," Aldouri said.

Iraq is one of the few countries that has not condemned the suicide attacks against the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington, as well as the downing of a plane in Pennsylvania. More than 5,500 people were killed in the attacks, most in New York.
Aldouri told the U.N. General Assembly last week it would be hypocritical for Iraq to do so in light of U.S. bombing raids against his own country and 11-year-old U.N. sanctions. But he said messages of condolences had been sent to individuals in the United States sympathetic to Iraq's case.

In Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri said the United States could target Iraq to settle old scores.

Sabri was speaking before an emergency meeting of the 56-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference after the United States launched another barrage of air strikes on Afghanistan.
"It is a hope, more than an expectation, that Muslim countries should defend themselves and their religious values which are being targeted by the new U.S.-Zionist war campaign," Sabri told reporters.

3. - Turkish Daily News - "US warns Europe for emphasis on Turkey":

Visiting Brussels to enhance cooperation against terrorism, top-level U.S. officials told their European counterparts to give emphasis to dialogue with Turkey.

ANKARA

The officials, refraining to disclose their identity to the press, stated an agreement between the United States and Europol is in the agenda. Europol is as joint organization established for coordination of police cooperation within the EU framework.

Europe concerned on respect to private life

The Bush administration delegation emphasized on the links between terrorism and money-washing activities, while Europol officials confirmed the agreement with the U.S. officials. However, Europol officials stressed the importance of respect of privacy while determining the rules of engagement.

The U.S. officials had their own reserves. They said no one can remain neutral in this war, as a response to the European reservation concerning human rights. Another American reservation was the emphasis on the difference between the continental and the American legal system, which remains an issue to be solved for the cooperation with Eurojust, the justice cooperation institution of the European Union.

Bush administration officials told the press that the enlargement of the European Union will provide developments in the candidate countries' economy, security and human rights issues. The officials mentioned the special emphasis to relations with Turkey during their speech in this context.

The U.S. officials stated that dialogue with Turkey has to be improved, and a special effort has to be spent to overcome sensitive issues, such as the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP).

Belgian Press notes Turkey's concerns

The Belgian press, meanwhile, harshly criticized the European Union for sustaining its tradition of remaining passive in critical international operations.

Le Soir, one of the prominent national newspapers, claimed the only concern of the European Union was to survive within its borders, not to be recognized in the global context. The Le Soir editorial called attention to the fact that U.S. President George W. Bush has never mentioned the European Union once in recent statements.

The Belgian press noted that the lack of an agreement on the fight against terrorism among the European countries gives disturbance in the international arena.

Le Soir also noted the problematic issues in the ESDP, which makes the European countries lose credibility. It has been noted that the United States prefer one-to-one relations with NATO countries such as England, France and Turkey, however, the majority of European countries hesitate and remain ineffective just like in the previous examples of Bosnia and Kosovo.

Le Soir mentioned the concerns of Turkey in an analysis on the Arabic countries. The analysis said Turkey favors a strong fight against terrorism, and supports the attitudes against religious extremism, however, makes no comment taking the economics and the stability of neighbour countries Iraq and Syria into consideration.

The analysis further noted that Turkey's hand is stronger in ESDP negotiations after the Afghanistan operation.

4. - Associated Press - "Turkey Asks to Send Troops":

Turkey's government asked parliament Tuesday for permission to contribute troops to the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, expressing concern the fighting could spread beyond Afghan borders.

ANKARA / by Selcan Hacaoglu

Turkey ``must make every contribution within its limits for the quick success of the operation that has been started before it gets broadened,'' the government said in a letter to lawmakers.

Although Turkey supports the operation in Afghanistan, it is worried about being engulfed in a war against its eastern neighbor, Iraq, should the campaign be extended to other countries suspected of sponsoring terrorism.

A vote is expected Wednesday on the government's request, which includes parliamentary approval for an earlier Cabinet decision to let U.S. forces use Turkish air bases and airspace.
In the meantime, the Turkish army has ordered a unit of 50 special forces to prepare for deployment, private CNN-Turk television said. Turkey previously offered its forces for use in training Afghan fighters opposed to the Taliban.

Turkish troops fought a 15-year war against Kurdish rebels in southeast Turkey, in mountainous conditions that resemble parts of Afghanistan. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said the United States had not yet made any specific military demands on Turkey, where polls show 80 percent of the public oppose military involvement.

However, Turkey could be asked to send troops to Afghanistan under NATO's Article 5, activated last week at the request of the United States, which says an attack on one member of the alliance is an attack on all. As NATO's only Muslim member, Turkey defended the operation as a campaign against terrorism.

``Those who try to portray this operation as an action against Islam are contradicting with Islam, which is a religion of peace,'' the government said. ``The success of this operation is for the good of humanity.''

5. - Milliyet - "Turkey and the US discuss relations with Iraq":

ANKARA / by Tuncay Ozkan

Columnist Tuncay Ozkan writes on Turkey's stance concerning a possible attack on Iraq We give a summary of his considerations.

An important problem, has been discussed during the security summits. America is in favour of striking Iraq after Afghanistan. Turkey is opposed to this view and is trying to persuade
the US not to attack Iraq. At present Ankara is incredibly busy . From Turkey's standpoint, we are on the verge of deciding on the most critical issue probably for the next hundred years. There is great activity in Ankara due to the 'New Order Wars' waged by the US and her allies.

America may target Iraq and other neighbouring countries in the course of these wars. Turkey is opposed to this and says that if the US strikes Iraq, it will be wrong and lead to critical
consequencues for Turkey. In this historical turning point, Turkey agrees with the US on the definition of terrorists. However, she differs in the methods and targets during the fight against it. The US had not listened to what Turkey had to say on the Iran-Iraqi war. What will happen now? The General Staff which is the most influential organization in these issues, believes that the wars for the new world order would create great troubles if they cross the borders of Afghanistan and reach Iraq or Turkey's other neighbours. The concerns over Pakistan may constitute an example for this. The possibility of a war with Iraq disturbs Turkey.

The territorial integrity of Iraq cannot be maintained if there is an attack to this country . This means new formations and consequently new clashes. Some of the allies want to support the Kurdish fractions in the region as before and form a new state. As their stances cannot be seen clearly by Ankara, problems grow. It is not known how China, India, Russia or Pakistan will react in such a situation. What is more it is not clear how Germany and France will receive the decision to attack Iraq and other countries besides Afghanistan.

Turkey has openly declared that she would not allow the establishment of a Kurdish state. At the moment, Ankara is trying to stay clear away from the war, and defend the territorial integrity of Iraq. However, the US who knows the Turkish stance, is conveying her views to the people and is trying to apply public opinion pressure over the Turkish Government. Will the US and Turkey reach a compromise over the issue?

6. - Turkish Daily News - "Fogg: Amendment only the beginning":

Turkey Representative of the European Union, Karen Fogg, regards the constitutional amendments recently passed by Turkish Parliament as insufficient and just a beginning.

ANKARA

In her speech at the "Turkey on the verge of integration with the EU" seminar, organized by the Turkish Young Businessmen Association (TUGIAD), Fogg said Turkey had taken the right steps according to the plan.

Fogg stated that the EU Investment Bank had reserved 450 million Euro for Turkey, to be used for new structures. However, she said this financial aid mustn't be conceived as a part of adaptation to the European Union.

Fogg didn't spare hope, however, saying Turkey was a part of the EU enlargement process, and there will be an acceleration before the new year. She expressed the European dilemma by mentioning the irregularities in Turkey. Turkey is the most interesting and most strategical candidate, which has the most disrupted income distribution, the lowest education level, and the lowest rate of health budget, Fogg recalled.

Europe wants to see concrete developments

Karen Fogg reiterated Turkey's obstacles to membership as economic difficulties, Cyprus and the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). Fogg expressed hope on a solution in the long Cyprus issue, and said the ESDP does not threaten Turkey's interests.

Fogg replied to a question on how the constitutional amendments affected the membership process, as the developments are basically positive.

"It only constitutes the beginning of the membership process," said Fogg. "It isn't possible to call these sufficient. The changes have to be reflected in the citizens' lives in a concrete manner."
Fogg mentioned the financial aid to Turkey from the European Union, noting the annual average as 170 million Euros. Some 100 million Euros of this aid are for basic education, and 50 million Euros are for professional education and family health.