A strong and measured reply to Barzani
What Massoud Barzani said regarding Turkey during an interview with al-Arabiya was grave and cannot be accepted. The reaction, a proportional and pretty strong one, came from Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan.
“We were invited to attend the Riyadh summit of the Arab League. While there, we spoke with Iraqi President Talabani and it was agreed that we should not talk to the media,” said the Prime Minister. “I gave some reasons as to why, but now it seems that they broke their promises again.
“I would recommend that they walk the walk and talk the talk. They should establish their position clearly,” continued Erdoğan. “Or else, they will squirm beneath their own words. Northern Iraq, neighboring Turkey, is making serious errors for not adhering to their own policies, and they could pay dearly. We are a natural state, a state whose history dates back centuries. History knows what we have done in relation, to even Baghdad, let alone northern Iraq.
“Thus, one needs to be very careful when using such strong rhetoric. Barzani, unfortunately, has ignored that line again,” he said. “I don't know if he is satisfying himself with these remarks, but the Turkish Republic does not need to respond in kind in order to gain satisfaction. They should be writhing under those words. It would be to their benefit to be more careful.”
The reaction is strong, but still, “measured.”
*** *** ***
So, what did Barzani say?
First of all, it has to be noted that what Barzani said at the “Frankly Speaking” program of al-Arabiya television was not specifically about Turkey and the interview encompassed Iran, viewpoint on Israel and the situation inside Iraq. When the al-Arabiya reporter said, “Turkey says they would not let the Kurds to annex Kirkuk to Iraqi Kurdistan,” Barzani replies, “We will not allow the Turks to interfere in the issue of Kirkuk.”
Afterwards, the journalist reminded Barzani that the Turks have “a huge army.” Barzani continues, “I do not fear their military power. No matter how strong their military power might be, it will not be stronger than that of Saddam. I do not fear their military or diplomatic power because they interfere in an affair that does not concern them. They interfere in an internal affair of another country. Kirkuk is an Iraqi city of Kurdish identity. History, geography, and all facts prove that Kirkuk is part of Iraq's Kurdistan and Kurdistan is part of Iraq. Therefore, Kirkuk is an Iraqi city with a Kurdish identity and Turkey has no right to interfere in the issue of Kirkuk. If it does, we will interfere in the issue of Diyarbakır and other cities.”
Asked if this is a threat, Barzani replies, “This is not a threat but a reply to interference. What right does Turkey have to interfere in the issue of Kirkuk?” He then says, “If they allow themselves to interfere in the issue of Kirkuk for the sake of a few thousand Turkomans there, we will then interfere for the 30 million Kurds in Turkey.”
The journalist then asks if things will reach this limit. Barzani says he hopes not, and continues, “If the Turks insist on interfering in the issue of Kirkuk, I will be ready to bear all the consequences and not allow them to peddle their plan in Kirkuk.”
Responding to another question, Barzani adds, “If we are denied our right to settle down and live freely, I swear by God that we will not allow others to live in security or stability. We are ready to defend our freedom and our cause to the end.”
This reply brings forth the question whether the Iraqi Kurds are helping Kurds in Turkey and Iran. “Frankly speaking, we support their rights,” says Barzani. “We do not interfere in their affairs; they choose the way to demand their rights or to struggle for their rights.”
Barzani denies supporting them with funds and weapons and says, “They do not ask us and we are not ready to interfere in their affairs, but we support them morally and politically. We are against the use of violence. It is impossible to support them with weapons, but we are ready to help them with all other means.”
*** *** ***
This is not a “wise” speech. In addition, it is riddled with mistakes. He says there are 30 million Kurds in Turkey, thus lying through his teeth. Moreover, what he says regarding Kirkuk amount to “tautology.” Claiming that Kirkuk is a city of “Kurdish identity,” and that “history, geography and all facts prove that Kirkuk is part of Iraq's Kurdistan,” is a self-styled allegation. He tries to build politics on this claim, but you cannot build politics upon tautology.
His father had made the same mistake in 1974 and this “miscalculation” resulted in obliteration and great suffering for Kurds. The reason for Jalal Talabani's breaking up and forming a separate organization is a grave mistake of father Barzani. Thus, decision makers in Turkey should not think Talabani and Barzani are “the same thing.”
In fact, this rhetoric was not viewed positively by the Talabani. Two weeks ago, a Kurdish minister from the Baghdad government was in Turkey for a meeting and he complained of the “inciting remarks” of Barzani.
Why is Barzani behaving this way? It is related with his personality. Massoud Barzani has a “rigid” personality. Plus, he lives 20 kilometers north of Irbil, on top of a mountain in Selahaddin, closed off from the world. One cannot say he has a broad field of view. However, those words cannot be counted as a “miscalculation” as a whole. Barzani thinks Turkey is in an atmosphere of elections and cannot act freely because of domestic balances. He thinks the rhetoric against him in Turkey in essence stems from Turkish inner politics, and is about the ongoing power struggle. He is also aware that the United States is cornered both in domestic politics and in Iraq. Thus, he comes up with the conclusion that his room for maneuvering has widened during this critical year for Kirkuk.
Add to those the fact that Barzani thinks Turkey's real issue is not PKK, but the formation in Iraq's Kurdistan region, and that Turkey is determined not to recognize this formation. Adding his personal traits to this conviction, Barzani toughens more and more. It can also be thought that he is following the general “diplomatic line” in the Middle East, which is basically aiming to reach a “consensus point” by “escalating” issues first.
But, he is wrong. Of course, it is not on the agenda for Turkey to militarily intervene in northern Iraq “immediately.” Turkey's national interests, the situation in Iraq, the United States, regional and international stability, etc. would not let this happen. It is expected that the relations between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdish leaders would continue with “harsh declarations” for a while. Thus, Barzani might think he has got a “tactical advantage.”
But, it is pretty dubious that he gets a “strategic advantage” out of this situation. Enmity between Kurds and Turks would benefit none, but when one looks at the “balances of power,” it would be especially harmful for Kurds.
The “message” in Tayyip Erdoğan's measured but strong reply should be understood as such....
Cengiz Candar
“We were invited to attend the Riyadh summit of the Arab League. While there, we spoke with Iraqi President Talabani and it was agreed that we should not talk to the media,” said the Prime Minister. “I gave some reasons as to why, but now it seems that they broke their promises again.
“I would recommend that they walk the walk and talk the talk. They should establish their position clearly,” continued Erdoğan. “Or else, they will squirm beneath their own words. Northern Iraq, neighboring Turkey, is making serious errors for not adhering to their own policies, and they could pay dearly. We are a natural state, a state whose history dates back centuries. History knows what we have done in relation, to even Baghdad, let alone northern Iraq.
“Thus, one needs to be very careful when using such strong rhetoric. Barzani, unfortunately, has ignored that line again,” he said. “I don't know if he is satisfying himself with these remarks, but the Turkish Republic does not need to respond in kind in order to gain satisfaction. They should be writhing under those words. It would be to their benefit to be more careful.”
The reaction is strong, but still, “measured.”
*** *** ***
So, what did Barzani say?
First of all, it has to be noted that what Barzani said at the “Frankly Speaking” program of al-Arabiya television was not specifically about Turkey and the interview encompassed Iran, viewpoint on Israel and the situation inside Iraq. When the al-Arabiya reporter said, “Turkey says they would not let the Kurds to annex Kirkuk to Iraqi Kurdistan,” Barzani replies, “We will not allow the Turks to interfere in the issue of Kirkuk.”
Afterwards, the journalist reminded Barzani that the Turks have “a huge army.” Barzani continues, “I do not fear their military power. No matter how strong their military power might be, it will not be stronger than that of Saddam. I do not fear their military or diplomatic power because they interfere in an affair that does not concern them. They interfere in an internal affair of another country. Kirkuk is an Iraqi city of Kurdish identity. History, geography, and all facts prove that Kirkuk is part of Iraq's Kurdistan and Kurdistan is part of Iraq. Therefore, Kirkuk is an Iraqi city with a Kurdish identity and Turkey has no right to interfere in the issue of Kirkuk. If it does, we will interfere in the issue of Diyarbakır and other cities.”
Asked if this is a threat, Barzani replies, “This is not a threat but a reply to interference. What right does Turkey have to interfere in the issue of Kirkuk?” He then says, “If they allow themselves to interfere in the issue of Kirkuk for the sake of a few thousand Turkomans there, we will then interfere for the 30 million Kurds in Turkey.”
The journalist then asks if things will reach this limit. Barzani says he hopes not, and continues, “If the Turks insist on interfering in the issue of Kirkuk, I will be ready to bear all the consequences and not allow them to peddle their plan in Kirkuk.”
Responding to another question, Barzani adds, “If we are denied our right to settle down and live freely, I swear by God that we will not allow others to live in security or stability. We are ready to defend our freedom and our cause to the end.”
This reply brings forth the question whether the Iraqi Kurds are helping Kurds in Turkey and Iran. “Frankly speaking, we support their rights,” says Barzani. “We do not interfere in their affairs; they choose the way to demand their rights or to struggle for their rights.”
Barzani denies supporting them with funds and weapons and says, “They do not ask us and we are not ready to interfere in their affairs, but we support them morally and politically. We are against the use of violence. It is impossible to support them with weapons, but we are ready to help them with all other means.”
*** *** ***
This is not a “wise” speech. In addition, it is riddled with mistakes. He says there are 30 million Kurds in Turkey, thus lying through his teeth. Moreover, what he says regarding Kirkuk amount to “tautology.” Claiming that Kirkuk is a city of “Kurdish identity,” and that “history, geography and all facts prove that Kirkuk is part of Iraq's Kurdistan,” is a self-styled allegation. He tries to build politics on this claim, but you cannot build politics upon tautology.
His father had made the same mistake in 1974 and this “miscalculation” resulted in obliteration and great suffering for Kurds. The reason for Jalal Talabani's breaking up and forming a separate organization is a grave mistake of father Barzani. Thus, decision makers in Turkey should not think Talabani and Barzani are “the same thing.”
In fact, this rhetoric was not viewed positively by the Talabani. Two weeks ago, a Kurdish minister from the Baghdad government was in Turkey for a meeting and he complained of the “inciting remarks” of Barzani.
Why is Barzani behaving this way? It is related with his personality. Massoud Barzani has a “rigid” personality. Plus, he lives 20 kilometers north of Irbil, on top of a mountain in Selahaddin, closed off from the world. One cannot say he has a broad field of view. However, those words cannot be counted as a “miscalculation” as a whole. Barzani thinks Turkey is in an atmosphere of elections and cannot act freely because of domestic balances. He thinks the rhetoric against him in Turkey in essence stems from Turkish inner politics, and is about the ongoing power struggle. He is also aware that the United States is cornered both in domestic politics and in Iraq. Thus, he comes up with the conclusion that his room for maneuvering has widened during this critical year for Kirkuk.
Add to those the fact that Barzani thinks Turkey's real issue is not PKK, but the formation in Iraq's Kurdistan region, and that Turkey is determined not to recognize this formation. Adding his personal traits to this conviction, Barzani toughens more and more. It can also be thought that he is following the general “diplomatic line” in the Middle East, which is basically aiming to reach a “consensus point” by “escalating” issues first.
But, he is wrong. Of course, it is not on the agenda for Turkey to militarily intervene in northern Iraq “immediately.” Turkey's national interests, the situation in Iraq, the United States, regional and international stability, etc. would not let this happen. It is expected that the relations between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdish leaders would continue with “harsh declarations” for a while. Thus, Barzani might think he has got a “tactical advantage.”
But, it is pretty dubious that he gets a “strategic advantage” out of this situation. Enmity between Kurds and Turks would benefit none, but when one looks at the “balances of power,” it would be especially harmful for Kurds.
The “message” in Tayyip Erdoğan's measured but strong reply should be understood as such....
Cengiz Candar
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