Kurds, Secure in North Iraq, Are Cool to a U.S. Offensive

NYT ^ | 7/8/2002 | JOHN F. BURNS

[Mortimer Snavely]

'After American troops liberated Kuwait, then stopped at Iraq's southern border, the first President Bush encouraged Kurds in northern Iraq and Shiite Muslims in the south to "take matters into their own hands." He then withheld American military support when their uprisings drew savage retribution from Baghdad. '

After something like this, it's no wonder they're not too excited about another Bush led attack on Saddam.

[Nam Vet]

Thanks for clearing that point up for me Bud. I've always been unclear about that situation.

Nam Vet

[a_Turk]

Hey, I think introductions are in order.. Nam Vet, this is river rat. river rat, meet Nam Vet.

[Nam Vet]

Thanks a_Turk. Hi there river rat. I've read many of your posts and gotta say I rarely have to respond after I read yours. We're on the same page. Good to meet ya Bud.

Nam Vet

[marron]

Aren't these the same guys that the Turks routinely enter Iraq to attack?

Its more complicated than that. Turkish Kurds (the PKK) would often thake refuge in Iraqi Kurdistan; but with permission (more or less) from the Iraqi Kurds, the Turkish army would enter the zone to attack the PKK.

Actually, the Iraqi Kurds could hardly refuse, dependent as they are on the Turks for their own survival. The US airbases that provide air cover are on Turkish soil, and the trucking routes that are the basis of their economy all go out through Turkish border posts that could be closed at any time. All aid and trade for the region comes through Turkey.

The PKK itself has been quiet lately. Their commander was captured, apparently by US special forces, and handed over to the Turks for trial. He has negotiated a cease fire from his cell, which so far the PKK has honored in hopes of avoiding a death sentence for him.

[historian1944]

Okay,

I was concerned that we would really be getting into a mess, supporting the guys who the Turks are trying to eliminate so that they in turn can eliminate Saddam.

[river rat]

Greetings....
Sorry to be so late in responding... I'm in Atlanta with some of my grandchildren - and won't get home until the coming weekend...
I'll try to catch up, and perhaps compare "note" laters.
Semper Fi

[MP5SD]

"Their commander was captured, apparently by US special forces, "

I do not think that US SF had any hand in the capture, and eventual execution by the Turks, of Abdullah Ocolan,but I may be wrong. One thing I know for sure is that he is dead as fried chicken.

[marron]

I do not think that US SF had any hand in the capture, and eventual execution by the Turks, of Abdullah Ocolan

I don't remember all of the details, but essentially the Greeks sold him out. A team of special operators did the grab. There was film released to the press that showed them, masked, in civilian clothing. Some commentators at the time remarked that, while supposedly the team was Turkish, that based on body language they assumed them to be US. I have no knowledge of my own, and I admit that is pretty flimsy evidence.

Others note that Israel has been training the Turkish Special Forces, and that Israel has a history of operating in Kenya, where he was captured. It is assumed that both the US and Israelis were tracking Ocalan as a favor to the Turks. Whoever actually made the grab, it was probably a joint operation.

He has been sentenced to death, but I believe the sentence has been stayed, and the PKK has been quiet while negotiations proceed.

[MP5SD]

I apologize. You are correct. I forgot they are keeping him alive, on pressure from the EU. They will keep him alive until they get into the EU.

Have some experiance working with turk conscripts (good men). I have no use for their Officers/Senior NCOs. Funny that the Turks arch enemies the Greeks sold him out. I never understood that link.