By Yusuf Kanli
TDN- Ankara spoke in clear terms during talks with KDP leader Barzani: Iraq's Kurds and Turkmens are our neighbors; we can't remain silent in the face of the suffering of either. Turkey is sensitive about the preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity and won't object to any form of administrative system provided it receives the backing of the Iraqi people and maintains Iraqi unity
Two days of talks between Ankara and Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani appear to have helped both sides form a clearer opinion about the intentions of the other as well as helping eradicate some misconceptions emanating from the bad habit of communicating through the press.
The first important outcome of the talks, perhaps, was that Ankara now has a better idea as regards what Barzani and other prominent northern Iraqi leaders mean when they talk about a "federal Iraq." Afraid that federation would just be the initial step of Iraq's eventual disintegration, Ankara was sounding alarms whenever Iraqi Kurdish leaders spoke about a federal Iraq. Now, Ankara says it will not object a federal Iraq provided that an elected Parliament decides on a system of federation when writing a new constitution and that the constitution receives the support of the Iraqi people in a "free referendum." All Ankara wants to see is that a federal Iraq maintains its territorial integrity.
So this understanding between Turkey and Barzani is indeed a revolutionary move, as it will help eradicate the deep distrust between northern Iraqi leaders and Ankara.
It's no secret that Iraqi Kurdish leaders' remarks about the "Kurdish identity" of Kirkuk were leading to raw nerves in Ankara.
Barzani's trip has helped Turkish officials explain to the KDP leader why such remarks were antagonizing Turkey. Barzani was told in clear terms that the Kurds and Turkmens of northern Iraq -- irrespective of their religious background -- are relatives of the people of Turkey. Turkey cannot ignore the sufferings of either. If the demography of Kirkuk is changed and if the city is subjected to forced impositions, it could explode. If Kirkuk explodes, then Iraq will explode. Turkey should not be expected to remain silent in the face of such a development. Secondly, if scores of Turkmens start flocking to the Turkish border, Ankara cannot be expected to ignore their plight. Just as it helped the Kurds when needed, it will help the Turkmen people as well.
Another important message regarded the future situation of the country. The Americans will leave sooner or later, but Turkey and Iraq and their peoples will remain in this geography. When needed, Turkey rushed to the help of the Kurds; however, the current policies of the Iraqi Kurdish leaders are not conducive to such help from Turkey. Ankara expects the Iraqi Kurds to develop policies that will enable the Turkish government to extend its hand of brotherhood if and when needed.
Barzani's approach and his remarks both upon arrival and departure did not much please the Turks, but after the talks there was a marked increase in Turkish confidence in the Iraqi Kurdish leader.
The two days of talks Barzani had in Ankara with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and the top Foreign Ministry people have helped to clear up some confusion as well as eradicate some trouble spots, demonstrating once again that there is always hope if we manage to keep talking to each other.