We Shouldn’t Forget Northern Iraq

BY CUNEYT ULSEVER
HURRIYET- The person who is most pleased with our being engaged in arguments on May's presidential election is probably Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani since he likes fishing in troubled waters.
I would like to caution that we shouldn't forget northern Iraq while making discussions on upcoming presidential election. I defended military operation during the voting of the motion dated March 1, 2003 and still believe that if there had been a military operation then, this could have been in favor of Turkey. I am pleased that military officials say that rejecting March 1 motion gave harm to Turkey. However, it is too late to intervene in northern Iraq! On the contrary, now I advocate that we should establish closer ties with northern Iraq.
Although I believe ties should be closer with northern Iraq, I also support Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit's remarks last week that Turkey should intervene in northern Iraq. Is this a conflict? Why?
I have two reasons:
1- In this period the US administration's mind is confused especially concerning the Iraqi issue. If we put forth a determined stance, we can influence the US administration.
2- The US is playing a double game concerning Turkey through Pentagon and State Department. Barzani, who sees this, plays his own game.
Turkey should deliver a closed ultimatum to northern Iraq to avoid it holding a referendum in Kirkuk this year. In fact, it's not possible to get a healthy result from this year's referendum, which would have three stages.
Moreover, international observers accept that Kurds are accumulating disproportional population in the region.
The Foreign Ministry should tell northern Iraqi officials that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) could make humanitarian intervention in the region to protect Turkmen!
It's correct that under Iraq's Constitution (Article 140), a referendum should be held in Kirkuk by the end of 2007, but it's not clear whether all Iraqis or only citizens of Kirkuk would vote in the referendum. Moreover, Sunnis who didn't participate in the referendum on Constitution on Oct. 15, 2005 claiming that their rights weren't being protected attended the elections on Dec. 15, 2005 after receiving guarantee through an article added to Constitution (Article 142) that necessary amendments would be made in the Constitution.
Under Article 142, the northern Iraqi administration could request postponement of this year's referendum in Kirkuk. If the northern Iraqi administration can make this gesture, then a new period could begin between Turkey and northern Iraq! The new period will be a period, when the two sides understand from each other's language!