Pro-PKK Paper Warns PUK Against Bin Ladin "Profiteering" 

Turmoil Does Not Have Any Benefits
Ozgur Politika
October 4, 2001

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.
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