Masoud Barzani and the KDP proved their friendship when it mattered. They fought
against the PKK at the most critical time and helped Turkey. 

Isn't KDP a friend? 
Editorial by Ilnur Cevik        ilnur.cevik@tdn1.com
Oct 23, 2001

The headline asks openly "Isn't KDP a friend?" Our answer is clear: Yes
of course. They have proven this over time by fighting the PKK separatist terrorist when
it really mattered for Turkey. 

That means the Kurdistan Democracy Party (KDP) has put its heart into the fight
against the separatist organization at a very high cost. Not only the KDP forces but also
ordinary Kurds have been killed at the hands of PKK terrorists. The KDP regards the
PKK as a terrorist organization and says even if Turkey halts the fight against it Barzani
and his forces will continue this fight to the bitter end. 

The KDP of Masoud Barzani is the leading power in northern Iraq and will remain so
even when Iraq's sovereignty is properly restored throughout that country. It has a very
strong tribal background as well as a democratic structure which has been clearly
manifested since the KDP has gained control of a major portion of northern Iraq. 

It is true that the current situation in northern Iraq is a temporary arrangement with KDP
and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) running the region through their respective
administrations. They have both done a good job establishing respectable
administrations which have been serving the region and its people well. They have
managed to build the neglected infrastructure of the region and the process is still
continuing. As a matter of fact both administrations want Turkish contractors to be
involved in this building process. 

At times people here in Turkey have been highly suspicious that the Kurds are quietly
building all the institutions of a state and will create a de factor situation. The Kurds
vehemently deny this and say even if they wanted to do this it would be practically
impossible. 

However, it is also true that some of the applications have been more in the direction of
state functions and of a more permanent nature than a temporary arrangement. Turks
think that this will close the door for the reintegration of the region with Iraq and this is
creating nightmares for officials in Ankara. 

These kind of misunderstandings can be sorted out with positive applications and
goodwill. Some local Kurdish officials may have misrepresented the issue or have
created wrong impressions with their nationalistic attitude. But this does not change the
fact that the general intention of the KDP is to be a part of democratic Iraq. 

The KDP could contribute to the democratic development of the whole of Iraq and not
only the north. The Iranians are fully aware of this and the key role Barzani and his
administration plays in the region. That is why they are eager to court Barzani and the
KDP. 

Necirvan Barzani, prime minister of the KDP administration, is leading a government
which is serving the people. The Iranians hosted him last week and he could have gone
on from there to his trip to Europe. But he made a point of coming to Ankara to iron out
some of the misunderstandings. Ankara has openly told him its concerns. Necirvan
Barzani has explained to them his side of the story and his concerns. Now is the time to
mend fences and make a fresh start on the part of friendship and cooperation.
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