P.K.K. / Kadek Is The Key Point

BY FIKRET BILA
MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila writes on Turkish-US relations and the problem of the terrorist group PKK/KADEK. A summary of his column is as follows:
The most crucial reason behind Turkey’s desire to deploy its troops in Iraq is the problem of the terrorist group PKK/KADEK. Ankara expects Washington to keep its promises on this issue. Military sources often remark that the US’ attitude on this sensitive matter will play a key role in overcoming the recent tension between the armies of the two countries. They also underline that Turkey cannot tolerate being put off with trumped-up excuses.
‘Turkey is clearly the most important country capable of contributing to peace and stability in the region,’ said one military source. ‘However, Turkey’s support depends wholly upon how the PKK/KADEK issue is resolved between Ankara and Washington. The US should surrender PKK/KADEK militants to Turkey along with their weapons. This is the only way to establish a basis for sound cooperation between the two countries. Otherwise, Turkish soldiers cannot serve as peacekeepers in the region.’
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also conveyed similar messages to US officials during his recent visit to Washington. Sources state that Gul clearly expressed Ankara’s views on the issue during his meetings with top US officials like Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. ‘Turkey never regarded the US as who it should speak to on this issue, because no political authority existed in northern Iraq,’ Gul reportedly said. ‘However, now there is a central authority in Iraq, and the US represents it, which is why Washington is now our interlocutor. The terrorist PKK/KADEK must be completely eradicated. As long as it exists, Turkey cannot serve peace and stability in the region.’
According to sources, the US has responded positively to Turkey’s request. Washington is now waiting for Ankara to approve a bill allowing amnesty for repentant militants of the PKK/KADEK, which is publicly known as the ‘Return to Home’ Bill. [Note: This opinion piece does not reflect Parliament’s approval yesterday of the bill in question.] Washington expects that membership in PKK/KADEK will plummet after this bill is passed by Parliament. However, if the law doesn’t have the expected impact, the US military is to force PKK/KADEK militants to obey the law. The final alternative is to launch another military operation to eliminate them. This is the ‘PKK/KADEK road map’ drawn up by US officials.
According to the officials, the US is very likely to make a simultaneous move with Turkey to implement this road map as soon as Ankara deploys its troops in Iraq. Although it has yet to be officially announced, the key point for both countries is the problem of PKK/KADEK.