BY ASLI AYDINTASBAS
SABAH- Rumors have recently been circulating around diplomatic circles that Turkey is preparing to hold a ‘cross-border operation’ against the terrorist PKK in the months to come in northern Iraq. Last week Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul implied that holding such an operation isn’t merely a rumor but is becoming a serious intention. ‘We know how to deal with it and we do what our security necessitates,’ Gul said. Furthermore, last week Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also made a similar statement stressing that Ankara could not watch people being killed by the PKK and would do whatever is necessary to stop the terrorist organization.
As a matter of fact, the motion passed by the Parliament in October to deploy Turkish troops in Iraq grants the government opportunity to hold a cross-border operation in northern Iraq. Besides, armed forces and security units believe that an operation must be launched in the region before the winter comes.
Despite all these rumors, statements and motivation, it is very difficult for Turkey to hold an operation in northern Iraq. First of all, Iraq is currently controlled by the United States. Washington opposes Turkey’s operation plans as they are very likely to upset already delicate balances in the war-hit country. Similarly, Brussels has also warned Ankara that such a development would adversely affect Turkey’s EU membership bid.
US President George W. Bush’s National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice recently said that Washington was planning to fight the PKK terrorism with non-military methods. Her statement dissatisfied our government as Ankara strongly opposes such options as a politicized PKK. As a matter of fact, many believe that allowing the PKK to integrate itself into legitimate political processes would be more dangerous to Turkey’s territorial integrity than the armed struggle. There has recently been a serious rise in the number of PKK’s terrorist activities throughout Turkey; which is why our premier has wanted to underline that Turkey will make no concessions on its combat with terrorism. Erdogan is currently trying to convey a message to terrorists that his government is resolved to fight them and very serious in its plans.