Kurdish MPs Discuss Troop Deployments to Southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan

18 October 2001
Ozur Politika
Even Iraq does not defend it
by OKTAY UCAR 

Deputies elected from the Kurdish provinces considered the deployment of Turkish troops to
South Kurdistan as the war against Afghanistan continues, a wrong and unnecessary
attempt. Mahfuz Gulen, Enlightenment and Development Party (AKP) Deputy, made a
striking statement on the claim of Turkish officials “We support the integrity of territory of
Iraq” which conflicts with the military deployment. Gulen stated that they have recently
gone to Bagdat, capital city of Iraq, adding that the Chairman of Iraqi Parliament have said
“We cannot make decision about the Northern Iraq. The region is in the hands of
Kurds. Turkey should negotiate its problems in Northern Iraq not with us but with the Kurds
in the region.” 

Mustafa Kamalak, Husamettin Korkutata and Ibrahim Konukoglu, deputies from Maras,
Bingol and Antep respectively gave statements on the matter as well as Gulen. The four
deputies agree on not approving the deployment and think that Turkey will end up suffering
harm in case of a military operation or even occupation.

Here is the comments of the deputies:

Mahfuz Gulen, Bingol Deputy: We do not want war any more. We as 11 Turkish
parliamentarians have recently gone to Iraq. All Iraqi deputies including the
chairman did not made any statement on the split apart of Iraq. They said that they could
make decisions on Northern Iraq, saying that the region was in the hands of Kurds. The
deputies pointed out that Turkey should negotiate its problems in Northern Iraq not with
them but the Kurds in the region. That means that even Iraqi parliament agree that Northern
Iraq belongs to Kurds. I still do not understand what Turkey pursues. Ever Iraq does not
debate on its integrity. Turkey brings up the matter, I do not understand this as well. I do not
think that Turkish army will attempt to occupy Northern Iraq. It does not have enough
strength to do this. The region is passing through a very critical period.

Mustafa Kamalak, Maras Deputy: The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) has
passed a bild to deploy troops abroad We are against this bild. We will apply to the
Constitution Court for it to be annulled. I do not have enough information about the
deployment of troops to Northern Iraq. Turkey is the country which will be most effected by
a conflict in the region.

Husamettin Korkutata, Bingol Deputy: Turkey is against any operation on Iraq especially
now. A conflict climate in the region will give Turkey harm. If Turkey deploy troops to
Afghanistan, it should guarantee Iraq. Otherwise Turkey will drag into a big fire.

Ibrahim Konukoglu, Antep Deputy: Turkey deploys troops to Northern Iraq from time to
time and these troops are withdrawn. Turkey is trying to do its best in order to prevent a
violent climate in the region. We do not want the war in Afghanistan to leap into Iraq.
Iraq is our neighbour. Operations there will effect us, like it or not. Deployment troops to
Northern Iraq does not comply with the policies of Turkey.
-----------------------------