No to the occupation of South Kurdistan (Northern Iraq) by Turkish military forces

In a press statement from 28.08.02 we informed the public of Turkey’s aggressive intentions towards South Kurdistan (Northern Iraq) and called on the international community to put a stop to any such plans.

Unfortunately our fears have been confirmed. Although the international community, through the negotiations between the US administration and Turkey, are aware of the situation it remains silent on Turkish intentions to militarily occupy not only the self-governing Kurdish regions in Northern Iraq, but also the town of Mossul.

According to reports in the Turkish media, Turkey did get its way during  bargaining with the US on costs, including those in post Saddam Iraq.

Turkish plans are as follows:

a)    The stationing of around 50,000 troops and war materials in South Kurdistan, allegedly to prevent a wave of refugees reaching the Turkish border;

b)    To prevent PKK/KADEK guerillas, who have retreated into Northern Iraq, from reentering Turkey;

c)     To prevent the federal government in South Kurdistan from proclaiming an “independent Kurdish State”;

d)    To disarm all Kurdish military forces in Northern Iraq in the “post Saddam era”;

e)    To prevent the province of Kirkuk from being part of the Kurdish self-administration region in a future Iraq;

f)      To prevent a federal state based on ethnic boundaries from being established in a post Saddam era;

g)    Acting as a protection force and to get international recognition for Turkmen in Iraq in order to enforce special rights for this minority;

h)    To have a share in oil revenues in a future Iraq.

To achieve these plans Turkey intends:

1.)     Again declaring states of emergency in the six Kurdish provinces in southeast Turkey (North Kurdistan);

2.)     Requisitioning private vehicles such as trucks, buses and off road vehicles, especially from the Kurdish provinces, in order to transport troops and war equipment;

3.)     Coordinating the implementation of theses plans by a state of emergency governor (Super Governor) in the Kurdish city of Diyarbakir.

4.)     Providing military training from special forces in Turkey to more than 3,000 Turkmen;

5.)     Employing 300 Turkish teachers in South Kurdistan to implement Turkish assimilation policies there.

Kurdish political parties in Iraq and the democratic Iraqi opposition are against both the occupation or presence of Turkish military forces in Northern Iraq and against any occupation plans.

The Iraqi opposition, including the Kurds, want the fall of Saddam’s dictatorship and of his regime and a future, democratic and federal Iraq in which all ethnic and religious groups can live together in equality. They do not want any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

If Turkey implements its plans in Iraq there will be unforeseeable consequences for the whole of the region. Iranian and Syrian involvement  will be unavoidable.

Kurdish forces will not simply accept Turkish occupation of South Kurdistan and will put up an armed defense.

The consequences would be catastrophic:

-  Again hundreds of thousands of refugees in Turkey and Iran;

- Again hunger and misery;

-  Again the destruction of the newly restored infrastructure in South Kurdistan.

We therefore support the legitimate demands of the Iraqi opposition and call on the United Nations and the European Union to also give their support.

We also call on the UN Security Council to draw up a resolution against Turkish plans and to impose sanctions in the event of an occupation of South Kurdistan.

The EU enlargement commission should suspend entry negotiations with the Turkish government until the Turkish side renounce their plans for expansion and refrain from interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs.

Bonn, 25th February 2003

International Association for the Human Rights of the Kurds– IMK e.V.

Abubekir Saydam
(Office Head)
IMK e.V.

Postfach 200738, D – 53 137 Bonn
Tel.: +49 / 228-36 28 12
Fax: + 49 / 228-36 32 97
E-mail: imkkurds@aol.com