TURKISH PRESS PONDERS PURPOSE OF "MILITARY BUILD-UP" IN NORTH IRAQ

Yeni Safak website, Istanbul
2 Feb 07

Text of report by Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak website on 2 February

[Column by Ibrahim Karagul: "The PKK Reportedly Has Airplanes; What
About These Allegations?"]

Britain’s International Institute for Strategic Studies reports
interesting findings in its "Military Balances" report for 2007. The
most dramatic of these is related to Turkey. It is so dramatic that
if any individual, any reporter, or any writer in this country made
that same claim, he or she would be the subject of ridicule. The
allegation made is as substantial as the one about a "suicide attack
on Ataturk’s Mausoleum with an airplane."

For example, I wonder what we would hear if I came out with a similar
charge. There would be no sound from the circles that are supposed
to take the allegation seriously. After all, no one remembers the
allegation when they come out to be true. However, the allegation of
this institute was certainly taken seriously.

The report alleges that "the PKK is planning terrorist attacks on
selected targets using remotely controlled model airplanes." The
allegation is based on information obtained from Turkish intelligence
agencies. That means Turkish intelligence have raised the same
allegation as the institute. However, is it true? Is this allegation
well-founded? For now, we do not know.

What I am trying to say here is this: Why are not allegations at
least as important as the PKK airplanes not taken seriously? Are
those allegations more far-fetched? What were they? Let me recall
some of the allegations I reported at different times.

"Special operations squads are entering northern Iraq from Sirnak.

Peshmergas are being deployed in large numbers in regions near the
Turkish border. Specifically, 6,000 peshmergas have been deployed in
Kirkuk, 2,000 in Mosul, and 3,000 along the Turkish border.

Interestingly, US and Israeli commanders are in charge of the
peshmergas here. Military equipment is being moved to the region.

Weapons for short-range combat are being moved into the area.

Peshmergas will also be reportedly moved from Baghdad to the Turkish
border in the near future. The Kurds are being driven to the fireline
in the civil war in Iraq and against Iran and Turkey."

"Certain persons from Turkish special squads went to Israel.

Subsequently, missiles and weapons were sent from Israel to northern
Iraq. Israel and peshmergas are known to have stockpiled missiles in
northern Iraq, but nothing is done about them."

Here is one from another article:

"Turkish special operations units have been conducting cross-border
operations and monitoring developments, but the military build-up
continues in the same regions. Three days ago, missiles, night-vision
binoculars, thermal cameras, and weapons were delivered to the
Kurdish units in the region. Who delivered them? The United States
and Israel. These materials are also being distributed to [Kurdish]
units Kirkuk, Mosul, Arbil, and other areas. Soon, new missiles and
heavy weapons will arrive and be distributed."

Here is another:

"A military build-up has begun on the northern Iraqi side. Foreign
forces have been airlifted to the area around the Turkish border and
they have taken up positions. Indeed, foreign military units were
dropped just on the border in the Altintepe area of Sirnak a few days
ago. Actually, not on the border, but on the Turkish side. In other
words, on Turkish soil. Let us say that this is a joint operation
between Turkey and the United States and Israel. Then, why the
military build-up?"

Let me go on:

"The increased agitation in northern Iraq, deliveries of heavy
weapons, deliveries of missiles, construction of missile launching
sites and military bases, US soldiers airlifted to Turkey’s border,
various land surveys and explorations conducted in the border area –
are these preparations for Turkey’s intervention in the region?"

"What should we think when we see Ankara’s two allies airlift
military units to the Turkish border, conduct land survey operations,
determine the coordinates of certain locations, pinpoint targets
using satellites, and report the information back to their countries?"

"Is there a connection between the units airlifted around Cukurca and
Senoba and the sham US inspection of the Makhmur Camp? Conversely,
is the United States trying to mollify Turkey?"

Now let me make a few additions. Were US troops and peshmergas
airlifted with helicopters to a location near the Zap River two nights
ago? Land survey operations are under way in the region. Some people
need to answer certain questions. It is not just the Turkish-Iraq
border. What is the purpose of the border measurements and land survey
operations conducted by the United States and Israel from Iraq as
far as the Armenian border? Are these reports true or false? Why as
far as the Armenian border?

The northern Iraqi side of Turkey’s border with Iraq is being
fortified with missiles. Why are these heavy weapons moving to these
areas? Why are peshmerga units and US troops deployed in regions near
the border? For what purpose are peshmergas given satellite control
over these regions with technical support from Israel and the United
States? Why are high-technology satellite devices being installed
in these regions? If this continues, Turkey cannot intervene in the
region even if it wants to. Are some circles scheming to start a war
between Turks and Kurds? Or are there other scenarios?

There was only one question that Joseph W. Ralston, the PKK coordinator
of the United States, should have been asked when he came to Ankara:
What is the purpose of this military build-up and preparations? What
is the purpose of these weapon deliveries and against whom will they
be used?

It seems that there is nothing we can do. We have to wait until these
allegations are published in US or British media.