INSTITUT KURD E DE PARIS

Information and liaison bulletin N°324

march 2012 The publication of this Bulletin enjoys a subsidy from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGCID) aqnd the Fonds d’action et de soutien pour l’intégration et la lutte contre les discriminations (The Fund for action and support of integration and the struggle against discrimination)

This bulletin is issued in French and English Price per issue : France: 6 € — Abroad : 7,5 € Annual subscribtion (12 issues) France : 60 € — Elsewhere : 75 € Monthly review Directeur de la publication : Mohamad HASSAN Numéro de la Commission Paritaire : 659 15 A.S. ISBN 0761 1285

INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tel. : 01-48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01-48 24 64 66 www.fikp.org E-mail: bulletin@fikp.org Information and liaison bulletin Kurdish Institute of Paris Bulletin N° 324 March 2012

CONTENTS

• : NEWROZ IS CELEBRATED IN VIOLENCE THIS YEAR . • IRAQI : TENSION IS RISING BETWEEN IRBIL AND . • : A KURDISH NEWROZ AND A SYRIAN SPRING. • TURKEY: THE ACAT REPORT ON TORTURE . • CULTURE: “ I WILL NOT STAND ALONE ” A NEW CD ALBUM BY KAYHAN KALHOR .

TURKEY: NEWROZ IS CELEBRATED IN VIOLENCE THIS YEAR very year, the degree to trial of strength between the gov - equinox, it can, depending on which Newroz, the ernment and the Kurdish popula - the year, occur on the 20th or the Kurdish New Year, is tion than a celebration of the 21st, in all countries where it is E accepted by the Turkish arrival of Spring. an official public holiday, be it in authorities is a pretty , , Georgia certain indictor of the way the Indeed, this year the celebrations and a number of countries in the Kurdish question will be treated by were “limited” by the governor of Caucasus and Central Asia. As the government, which has alter - Diyarbekir, to the date of 21 for the Spring holidays and cele - nated, since 2000, between periods March, which was a Wednesday, brations, they can last a lot of openness and repression. whereas the Kurdish municipali - longer, stretching from one to ties and organisations, had most - three weeks in Iraqi Kurdistan or Since 2011 and the beginning of ly planned to organise concerts Iran. 2012 have seen a worsening of and rallies on the 18th, a Sunday, breaches of human rights and of which is not a working day. However, the ban was main - armed violence, as well as police However, the Turkish authorities, tained by the local authorities and judicial intimidation directed stating that Newroz is just on the while the BDP party stuck my its against Kurdish elected represen - 21st, used this date lag to ban any programme. Unsurprisingly tatives and political activists, earlier demonstrations. there were outbreaks of violence. intellectuals, journalists and aca - In Diyarbekir, the police used demics, it is not surprising that Yet, since Newroz is specifically tear gas grenades and water can - the 2012 Newroz was more like a set on the day of the spring nons against groups of demon - • 2 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 324 • March 2012

strators who were waving the increasing use of police in this Raci Bilici also pointed out the Kurdish flag and trying to reach kind of military operation, hith - increase recourse to torture and the esplanade near the city erto undertaken by troops and ill treatment in the prisons. The walls. They were unable to stop the gendarmerie. State is also accused of having the 5,000 strong march, accord - provided insufficient aid to the ing to AFP correspondents on A few days later, 15 women, all homeless people and other vic - the spot. Several clashes took PKK fighters, were killed during tims of the Van earthquake, place in the surrounding neigh - clashes with “village guardians” whereas the inhabitants had bourhoods and Molotov cock - (pro-government militia) at received considerable assistance tails were thrown at the police. Bitlis. from the Regional Government of Iraqi Kurdistan. In Istanbul, groups of Kurdish The outcome of this Spring cele - activists were stopped by the bration thus marks the end of The figures of the IHD report for police as they were trying to the AKP governments moderate 2011 are as follows: reach Kazlicesm Square, where “opening” to the Kurdish ques - - 149 members of the security the Peace and Democracy Party tion and rather would announce forces killed and 295 wound - (BDP, the main Kurdish political the renewal of military strategies ed by bullets organisation in Turkey) had and police repression in Turkish - 189 PKK fighters are said to planned to organise the celebra - Kurdistan. have been killed and 6 tions. In response, many set up wounded. barricades and threw stones at In any case, the year 2011 was a - regarding civilian victims, the police. A group of BDP very black one for human rights 129 people were killed and Members of Parliament were in Turkey. On 2 March, the 259 wounded in attacks by dispersed by tear gas and water Diyarbekir office of the Human “persons unknown”, extra- cannons. The Governor of Rights Association (IHD) pub - judicial executions and vio - Istanbul, Huseyin Avni Mutlu lished a report on Human Rights lence with firearms. Mines reported 7 injured, including 2 violations committed at local and bomb attacks caused police and 106 arrests. level. In the course of 2011, another 6 deaths and 49 29,366 such violations occurred injured. Clashes continued throughout as against 23,520 in 2010. The - 45 people died of wounds Newroz week . On 20 March, in report notes the market increase through neglect or faults by Batman, violent clashes between in the use of firearms against the State by the organs. police and demonstrators caused civilians and a spectacular - 1917 people were jailed and 15 injured, one of them serious - increase in the number of arrests 6306 taken into detention. ly. At Cizre (Sirnak Province) and of the use of torture and - 1555 cases of torture or inhu - and at Yuksekova, several police inhuman treatment. man treatment have been came under fire from assault recorded rifles and one of them, seriously The Secretary of the Diyarbekir - 1421 cases of breaches of the wounded, died in hospital. IHD, Raci Bilici, described the human rights of prisoners year 2011 as one of “ intensified have been recorded, 932 peo - However, these acts of violence war ” instead of a search for a ple were wounded by the were not limited to street fight - peaceful solution to the police during demonstra - ing as on 21 March other police Kurdish problem. The present tions. forces were confronted by PKK climate reminds him of the - 4496 asylum seekers and fighters near Mount Cudî 1990s, in which the Kurdish immigrants have been (Sirnak Province): 6 of them regions had become “ a concen - detained were killed and 5 others wound - tration camp ” for the politi - - 4 villages have been burnt ed. This was during mountain cians, journalists, lawyers, stu - down and forcibly evacuated mopping up operations carried dents, trade unionists and - inally complaints have been out jointly by the army and the human rights defenders, nearly registered regarding 1699 police, with air and helicopter all of whom ended up behind people who have “disap - support. Political commentators bars if they were not simply peared” or been found in 111 stressed, in this connection, the assassinated. mass graves. n° 324 • March 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 3•

IRAQI KURDISTAN: TENSION IS RISING BETWEEN IRBIL AND BAGHDAD

he interminable conflict “Kurdistan is part of and many Iraqi governments attitude to the between Iraq and the firms are investing in Iraqi ’ successes: Kurdish Region over Kurdistan, so I do not see why Total T oil operations is contin - cannot do the same. We are thus look - “The leaders in the central govern - uing and following the ing at opportunities, we are dis - ment who refuse to accept these con - lines of the overall political and cussing, but we have not yet finalised tracts are failures who have been diplomatic relations between Irbil anything ”. unable to give Iraq what we are giv - and Baghdad — which have also ing in Kurdistan. They want us tended to become more acrimo - He also, moreover, indicated that down to their level. The problem is nious. he was considering making not these contracts nor is it the agreements with companies Constitution but just that they do not Last autumn a major US compa - already having permits to explore want the region to develop ”. ny, Exxon Mobile, had triggered for hydrocarbons in Kurdistan so off a sharp controversy by as to take part in their prospect - Two days later, an Iraqi govern - announcing it had signed a con - ing projects but “ in all cases, the ment spokesman announced that tract with Iraqi Kurdistan cover - agreement of the Kurdistan govern - Exxon, in a letter to the Iraqi Oil ing exploratory drilling of six oil - ment is needed ”. Ministry, was giving up the con - fields, without sought prior tract signed wit h the Kurds. agreement from the Baghdad, On 15 March, the President of the However, this news was straight which the central government Kurdish Region, Massud Barzani, away denied by the Kurdish always demands. The latter had accused Iraq, in a communiqué Presidency, through its General threatened the to cancel a contract on his official web site, of min - Secretary Fuad Hussein, who between Exxon and Iraq regard - imising oil exports from Iraqi pointed out, to AFP, that “ the ing the West Qurna oilfield in Kurdistan. ExxonMibile oil company is still Southern Iraq. working in Kurdistan and has made “Kurdistan has been exporting not statement to the Kurdish govern - The Americans had adopted a 90,000 to 100,000 barrels a day since ment regarding any freezing of its cautious and indecisive attitude, the start of the year, but Baghdad activity in Kurdistan. Meetings are saying that the Iraqi demands states that exports are only 65,000 constantly taking place between the would be examined. At the end of barrels a day and that this has caused parties concerned in the region and February, an ExxonMobil repre - “daily financial losses” (…) If the Oil those of the American Group ”. sentative had a meeting with Ministry’s statements are correct, Hussein Sharristani, now Deputy this means that 25 to 35,000 barrels a On 20 March, on the occasion of Prime Minister while still remain - day are being lost on the way to the Newroz, the national Festival of ing the Energy Minister, whose market (…) Kurdistan considers that the Kurdish New Year, Massud intransigent attitude on this ques - this discrepancy must immediately be Barzani sharpened his criticisms tion has not varied by a jot. The the subject of an enquiry, in case of the Iraqi government, this American company had assured someone is allocating the difference to time directing them more specif - the Minister that it would make themselves ”. ically at t he Prime Minister, its decision public “ in the coming Nuri al-Maliki. He was accused days ”. The Kurdish Presidency also of wanting to concentrate all complains that, since May 2011, State power in his own hands At the beginning of March, it was the Central government has been and of, in particular, taking con - the turn of the French company, blocking payment to oil compa - trol of the Army. Thus the Total, to announce it had contact - nies and points out that Baghdad President considered that the ed with the Kurds regarding oil owes the Kurdish Region over a Irbil agreements between the contracts. However, Christophe billion dollars for 2011 and that in Sunni and Shiite parties that fol - de Margerie, the Chairman of the 2012, “ not a single dollar has been lowed the general elections of company, asserted that nothing paid for exports ”. 2010 had “ lost any meaning ” and had yet been signed, in a press that the partnership between the statement as he was visiting On the same day, in a speech two Arab political blocks under Kuwait for the 13th International made in Irbil, Massud Barzani Kurdish mediation, was now Energy Forum, on 13 March: condemned in scathing terms the “totally inexistent ”. • 4 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 324 • March 2012

“We are witnessing an attempt the Kurdish Region for main - to the oil issue, threatened to to set up an army of 1 million taining an army of Peshmergas suspend its exports of crude oil men devoted to a single person. had not yet been paid. if Baghdad did not settle its Where in the world can you see indebtedness to the Region. person who is at once Prime Returning to the issue of the oil Another object of contention: the Minister, Head of the Armed contracts, Massud Barzani Central government seems on Forces, Minister of Defence, declared that none of the agree - the point of reaching an agree - Minister of the Interior, Head of ments signed by the Region with ment with BP. The latter hopes the Secret Services and head of foreign companies was against to increase the production of oil the National Security Council? the Constitution and repeated from Kirkuk — but since this that the only reason for region is being claimed by the Indeed, the Ministries of Defence Baghdad’s opposition was its Kurds, the latter judges any such and of the Interior, assumed as refusal to see Kurdistan “ go for - agreement “ illegal ”. an “ interim measure ” by Nuri al- ward ”. Maliki to allow time for agree - ment on nominations, are still “It is time to say enough! The pre - A sign that al-Maliki’s populari - vacant and the Prime Minister’s sent situation is, in our view, unac - ty is at its lowest ebb — even if opponents accuse him of thus ceptable and I call on all Iraqi politi - the Iraqi man in the street mod - seeking to concentrate the pow - cal leaders to try to find a solution erately disapproves the sepa - ers of security and national as a matter of urgency. Failing that, ratist tenor of the remarks and defence as had the former Raïs we will turn to our people to take all considers them unrealistic, it Saddam Hussein. the decisions it many judge appro - considers Barzani’s criticisms of priate ”, concluded the Kurdish the present government quite The Kurdish President also leader in terms that have been justified. The inhabitants of recalled that the question of widely interpreted as a barely Baghdad also complain about Kirkuk and the other regions veiled threat to declare the inde - the dilapidation of infrastruc - that were due to chose their sta - pendence of Kurdistan. tures, the water and electricity tus by referendum was still in distribution services and the suspense and that the funds that A week later, on 26 March, the generalised corruption that puts should have been allocated to Kurdish government, returning a brake on any development. SYRIA: A KURDISH NEWROZ AND A SYRIAN SPRING ince Kofi Annan’s visit came under fire from the security avoid clashes with them, fearing to Syria has produced forces, using real bullets and at really violent confrontation”. no concrete results on least 30 people were wounded.. S the spot, demonstra- Since Newroz day is traditional- tions and violent Videos, put on line, show ly an opportunity for political repression are continuing in demonstrators in another demonstrations against the Syria, specially as the “Syria Kurdish town, Amoude, climb- regime in office, it was especially Spring” will, this month, be cele- ing onto the roofs of a Security celebrated this year by the brating it first anniversary. service building, waving the Syrian Kurds, as is testified by Kurdish flag and the former the many videos put on line. At Qamichlo, according to the Syrian flag prior to the Baath Syrian Observer of Human seizing power. A statue of Hafez In Aleppo, which has a very large Rights (SOHR) tens of thousands al-Assad, the father and prede- , a very big of Kurds marched to celebrate cessor of the current President, rally took place, accompanied by another anniversary — that of 12 being thrown from the top of the shouts of “Azadi” (freedom in March 2004, when clashes took building to be smashed and Kurdish) and “Religion for God — place between the Kurds and trampled on by the crowd. the Nation for everyone”, “Our Arab militia, armed by the Baath Syrian Revolution is for Justice, and the Security forces, that Despite all this, the President of dignity and freedom”. The caused 40 deaths. SOHR, Rami AbdelRahman, demonstrators also shouted “Clear points out that the Syrian regime off” to President Bashar al=Assad According to SOHR, the proces- “still treats the Kurds with caution, and “No more studying no more sions, that waved Kurdish flags and tries, as much as possible to school till the President falls”. n° 324 • March 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 5•

At Qamichlo, pictures of the “persons unknown” have not, Machal Temmo’s nephew, and Kurdish leader Machaal Temo, however, ceased as well as the the Kurdish opposition and his assassinated last October ware arresting and torturing of oppo - family accuse the State of being brandished, accompanied by nents. On 25 March, the body of behind both murders. A member songs calling for the overthrow of a Kurdish activist from of the family stated to AKNews the regime, and the same occurred Derbassiyeh (Hassaké) Ciwan that Ciwan Khalef was an active at Hassaké. The order town of Ras Khalaf Mohammad al-Qatna, 22 member of the Youth al-Ain also saw the old pre-Baath years of age, was found a few Organisation of the Syrian Syrian flag brought out. hours after he had been kid - Revolution as well as of the napped by 4 masked men, who Derbassiyeh Free Youth and that While the Syrian authorities are suspected of being members his kidnapping and execution have not yet massively repressed of the secret services. Ciwan were the work of the security the Kurdish demonstrations, the Khalef, who was a literature stu - forces. He pointed out that the assassination of individuals by dent at Aleppo University, was body had been found mutilated.

TURKEY: THE ACAT REPORT ON TORTURE he Christian Action for are tried and sentenced by virtue stations in Turkey where they the Abolition of of articles of the anti-terrorist resort to torture the most are Torture (CAAT) has laws, such as Article 220 and 314 those attached to the anti-terror - T published “A World of of the Penal code, against ist units in the Kurdish regions Torturers: a report on “groups intending to commit like those at Diyarbekir or the continued practice of torture in crimes against State security or Adana. several countries in the course of against constitutional order or 2011 ”. Amongst the countries its smooth operation or against In the detention centres, much of recorded was Turkey. the law governing demonstra - the torture and ill treatment is tions and public assemblies”. carried out by the gendarmes In a chapter devoted to this and prison warders, mainly country, it was stated outright It also stresses that many minors against political prisoners, be that “ a substantial part of the accused of having thrown stones they children or adults. The pris - attacks on human rights committed at policemen or of having taken ons at Kürkçüler, of Ceyhanm in the country by the Turkish part in demonstrations suffer the (in Adana), of Diyarbekir , authorities is linked with the politi - same ill treatment as adults, Erzurum, and Konya are the cal conflict between them and the even though, on 22 July 2010 ones where this is most frequent. Kurdish people ”, .since the foun - Parliament amended the ant-ter - dation of the Republic rorist laws so that youths under Torture methods have altered the age of 15 years of age could with a reduction of the methods Based on data provided by IHD no longer be sued and sentenced that leave the most visible after for Turkey, CAAT ’s report like adults for offences related to effects (falaka, electric shocks, shows that, after having terrorism. Palestinian hanging) in favour of dropped between 2004 and 2007, less visible ones like “ frequently “recourse to torture and ill treat - An amend to the law on the repeated slaps, stripping naked, ment has considerably increased powers and obligations of the sleep and food deprivation, spraying since 2008 ” and that “ the principal police, dated June 2007, allows with cold water, threats of rape, pre - victims of torture and ill treatment police to resort to firearms while tended executions, isolation, expo - are Kurds ”. capturing a suspect or when sure to extreme cold as well as loud they meet “ resistance that can only music or screaming. The same Kurdish victims of torture are, or be overcome by physical force ”. In methods are used on the children ”. are suspected of being, members fact, these circumstances are Regarding the Kurds, the pur - of organisations the authorities often quoted cited “ in an exten - pose is principally to extort con - accuse of being affiliated to the sive manner against Kurds ”. Acts fessions that would enable their PKK, such as the BDP party and of brutality are now frequently being sentenced for terrorism. the Union of Communists of carried out by the police in their Kurdistan. They can also be peo - vehicles or in the streets since Finally, Kurdish women who ple arrested in the course of cameras have been installed in have been subjected to rape demonstrations. Most of them detention centres. Those police while in detention often choose • 6 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 324 • March 2012

to be silent about this for fear of dignity and who causes that person 431 police officers in Istanbul for reprisals from their families, any physical or mental suffering, torture or ill treatment resulted in who might resort to “honour affects that person’s perception or any sentencing ”. More often, the crimes”. his capacity to act according to his officers were charged under will or who insults him, shall be Article 256 of the Penal Code for CAAT recalls that “ Article 90 of imprisoned for a period of 3 to 12 “using excessive force” or for the Constitution gives legal force to years ”. “intentional assault and battery” the international conventions, in Art 86), for which the penalties particular the convention against In principle the sentence provided are between one and a torture, ratified in 1988” and that incurred is eight to fifteen years half and four more often for “as a member of the Council of if the victim is “ a child, a person often and a half years jail. Europe, Turkey is bound by the physically or mentally incapable of Furthermore, the officers tried European Convention for protecting defending themselves or a pregnant are more often charged under fundamental human rights and free - woman ” or else “ a civil servant or Article 51 of the Penal Code: doms. Consequently it is liable to a lawyer [targeted] because of “any prison sentence of under two being brought before the European duties ”. If sexual violence is com - years can be commuted to a sus - Court for Human Rights, where it mitted, the sentence is a mini - pended sentence ”. has, indeed, already been found mum of ten years. In Article 95, guilty several times under article 3 there is a provision that if the Moreover, the majority of of the Convention that forbids tor - victim should die, the sentence enquiries into cases of torture ture ”. could be one of life imprison - are entrusted to the police them - ment”. selves and not to a public prose - In its own constitution, the cutor. The police, instead of car - Turkish State condemns torture However, a report of the Turkish rying out such enquiries, retali - and ill treatment. Thus article 94 Parliamentary Enquiry ate by filing complaints against states: “ Any public official who Committee on Human Rights, their victims for “ resisting the carries out any act to any person showed that, between 2003 and security forces ” (Art 265) or for that is incompatible with human 2008, “ none of the 35 trials against “defaming the police ” (Art. 125).

CULTURE: “I WILL NOT STAND ALONE ” A NEW CD ALBUM BY KAYHAN KALHOR he Kurdish singer, the shah-kaman, a kemençe altered Regarding the album itself, Kahn Keyhan Kalhor, origi - to his specifications, with five Kahlo pointed out that it con - nally from Kermanshah, strings instead of four and with jured up “ one of the hardest T and a master player of seven resonating cords that vibrate moments in my life , when the the kemençe (a kind of when the main strings are touched. shadows of darkness seemed to have hurdy-gurdy) has introduced an The creation of this i nstrument the upper hand ”, alluding to the innovation in his new album, “I was done jointly with the Austrian political upheavals Iran has been will not stand alone” (Harmonia lute-maker Peter Biffin. He is experiencing since 2008, when Mundi), recorded by in February accompanied in this album by Ali Kahn Kahlo himself was arrest - 2011 in Teheran. This time he plays Bahrami Fard on the santour. ed on at least two occasions. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

XcTIÎondc )La bataille d'Homs Vendredi 2 mars 2012

Comment la tranquille ville mosaïque est devenue la place forte des révolutionnaires

L'incapacité du tissu industriel à absorber l'exode rural et la politique de favoritisme de

la communauté alaouite ont déstabilisé Homs

HOMS Si l'on avait dit aux Damas- Sinaa cènes ou aux Aleppins, aux premières heures de la SYRIE Kussur contestation, en mars 2011, que ; Bayada Homs serait, douze mois plus tard, la capitale du soulèvement anti- ® Damas .» .- -, Khaldiyé £ Assad, beaucoup auraient pensé à IRAK une bonne blague. Car dans la Ghouta ..^entre^-^ Bab Tadmour culture populaire syrienne, Homs t-\ e r Grande mosquée d'Àtnour n'est pas tant la ville des fiers à « 3© bras ou des fortes têtes que celle ""Vieille des simples d'esprit. Comme ville..- Hébrondans les territoires palesti¬ : Bab .; \§ibaa-' niens, elle est raillée depuis des siè¬ Inchaat \ cles pour la naïveté supposée de :": Bastion ses habitants. de l'opposition Baba Amro «Pourquoi les Homsis superpo¬ Q Principales zones sent-ils deux postes de télévision, Akrama de combat 5C0m quand Us veulent regarder le jour¬ nal télévisé ? demande l'une de ces plaisanteries. Pour voir les jambes de la présentatrice. » Les stéréoty¬ pes ont à ce point la vie dure, que selon le site Internet du magazine américainForeign Policy, un parti¬ san du régime démandait récem¬

ment sur son compte Twitter: «Pourquoi les Homsis se soulèvent- ils?Parce que les blagues surHoms leur tapent sur le système. » Aujourd'hui, la troisième ville M\ de Syrie, 1,5 million d'habitants, n'a plus le c à rire. Detoutes les pro¬ '?'

vinces du pays, c'est elle qui a payé y le plus lourd tribut à la révolte. Eh 1 » I novembre, les activistes locaux déploraient plus de 1100 morts. Compte tenu de l'intensification de la répression, avec un bombar¬ dementdes quartiers rebelles com¬ me Baba Amro quasiment ininter¬ rompu depuis le début du mois de février, il est probable que ce bilan Un combattant de l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL) tire sur des positions ait doublé voiretriplé. Les vidéos et des forces de sécurité lors d'un accrochage avant le début des bombardements les photos envoyées par les mili¬ sur le quartier de Baba Amro, le 3 février. M !. 1 ) 11 1 1 mmnih » tants montrent des morceaux de ville fantômes, grêlés par la Damas à 160 km au sud, le couloir s'estforméeautour.du noyauhisto- de ville libanaise voisine, sunnite mitraille et les explosions. Com¬ vers le port de Tartous à l'ouest et rique. La bourgeoisie n'a rien vu elle aussi. «Les enfants de la bonne ment en est-on arrivé là ? Pourquoi le chemin du Liban, à 35 km) a aspi¬ venir. C'estpour cela que la révolte société homsie avaient interdic¬ Homs est-elle devenue un champ ré des milliers de jeunes paysans a pris si vite.» tion d'allerdans ce secteurque l'on de bataille alors que Damas et Alep chassés de leurs terres par l'échec Parmi les quartiers informels, disait malfamé, se rappelle un hésitent encore à basculer dans la de la réforme agraire. Un afflux qui émergent dans les années natif de la ville. C'était comme le contestation? que le tissu industriellocal, notam¬ 1960-1970, figurent Baba Amro, 9-3pourParis, aujourd'hui. » Pourlesbonsconnaisseursdela ment les raffineries et l'usine l'actuel camp retranché de l'Ar¬ La frustration des nouveaux Syrie, la réponse est d'aborddémo¬ d'automobiles de l'Iran Khodro mée syrienne libre (ASL), peuplé arrivés, condamnés au système D, graphique. Dans la seconde moitié Company, n'a pas pu absorber. principalement de sunnites. A est d'autant plus grande que l'im¬ du XXe siècle, la ville de Homs, «L'exode rural a paupérisé la ville, l'époque, c'est une zone de petits migration alaouite trouve à s'em¬ située au carrefour des principaux analyse un diplomate en poste à trafics, un repaire de contreban¬ ployer sans peine. Les adeptes de axes de circulation du pays (la rou¬ Damas. Une ceinture de misère diers, connecté surTripoli, la gran cettebranche du chiisme, à laquel- te de la Turquie au nord, celle de Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ûzeti

le appartient le clan Assad, sont chutage d'un de ses intimes, Iyad dats et ses miliciens contre ies cortè¬ facilement recrutés par l'Acadé¬ Ghazal, au poste de gouverneur de ges. Objectif: faire dévier Homs Onze mois d'insurrection mie militaire, fondée sous le man¬ Homs, en 2005. Cet ex-directeur l'entêtée de sa ligne non-violente.

dat français, à l'instar de Hafez, le des chemins defer de Syrie écha- Durant l'été, assassinats et kidnap¬ 18 mars. Trois manifestants tués père de l'actuel chef de l'Etat, qui faude un projet de développe¬ pings se multiplient dans des condi¬ par ies forces de sécurité à Deraa.

en sort diplômé en 1955. La plupart ment pharaonique, baptisé tions mystérieuses. Les cadavres de Début du soulèvement syrien. des postes de l'appareil adminis¬ «Homs Dream». Le chantier, qui quatre alaouites sont retrouvés

tratif qui se met en place à cette prévoit la construction de tours de mi-juillet avec les yeux crevés. Des 10 au 23 mai. Premier train de époque leur sont par ailleurs réser¬ bureaux gigantesques, est mené à magasins situés dans des quartiers sanctions de l'Union européenne

vés. «Les natifs de Homs, essentiel- coups de trique et de pots de vin. contrôlés par les insurgés sont (UE) contre les hauts responsa¬

«Ily a eu des saisies de terre et des dévastés. Le spectre du sectarisme bles du régime. Ec expulsions arbitraires, dit M. Kawa¬ plane surle laboratoire de la révolu¬ kibi. Ghazal s'est comporté comme tion. En réaction, la communauté 31juillet. Les chars syriens lesbains de sang, le parrain de la mafia. Il a dressé la alaouite évacue la ville. entrent dans Hama. 80 morts en des dizaines de population contre lui. » En septembre, éc par les moins d'une semaine. Quand Deraa lance le mouve¬ bains de sang, des dizaines de sol¬ soldats jettent leur ment de contestation, à la dats jettent leuruniforme et se réfu¬ 2 septembre. L'UE impose un uniforme. L'Armée mi-mars 2011, Homs lui emboîte le gient dans la ville de Rastan, au embargo sur les importations de nord de Homs. L'ASL est née. Pilon¬ pas au bout de quelques jours. Des pétrole syrien. syrienne libre est née centaines de milliers d'habitants nés par les forces régulières, les

s'en vont manifester sur la place déserteurs se replient ensuite sur 15 septembre. Création du lementchrétiens etsunnites, onteu de l'horloge, le c de la cité. La Baba Amro, dont ils font leur cita¬ Conseil national syrien, principale le sentiment que le parti Baas et les mobilisation se veut pacifique et delle. «Homs est devenue la capita¬ plateforme de l'opposition. alaouites leur confisquaient leur unitaire, dans l'esprit de cette ville le de la révolution malgré elle, dit

ville, explique le politologue mosaïque, sorte de Syrie miniatu¬ M. Kawakibi. C'estla répression tour¬ 4octobre. Premier veto sino-rus- Salam Kawakibi. Le même phéno¬ re, où les communautés ont tou¬ nante du régime, ville par ville, qui se à un projet de résolution à mène s'est déroulé à Damas. Mais jours vécu en bonne intelligence. désigne celle quifait l'actualité. » PONU condamnant la répression. comme c'est une ville immense, ily Mais BacharAl-Assad saitle dan¬ Si Baba Amro tombe, le flam¬

a eu un effet de dilution. Laprise en ger que constitue la propagation de beau de la révolte sera repris par 13 décembre. Bilan de mainparle régime aparuplus sup¬ la révolte dans une agglomération Idlib. Un bastion de l'ASL, à la fron¬ 5 000 morts en Syrie selon l'ONU. portable. » de la taille de Homs. Après avoir ten¬ tière avec la Turquie, déjà encerclé

Les choix de Bachar Al-Assad té d'apaiser ses opposants en limo¬ par les snipers du régime. 22 décembre. Les observateurs avivent la tension. Comme le para geant Iyad Ghazal, il lance ses sol Benjamin Barthe de la Ligue arabe arrivent à Damas.

10Janvier. Bachar Al-Assad pro¬ Maher, le frère jusqu'au-boutiste de met de frapper les terroristes

«d'une main de fer». Bachar Al-Assad 22Janvier. Plan de la Ligue arabe qui prévoit une mise à l'écart pro¬

Profil dentiel - ou presque. Autre analo gressive de M. Assad. gie, fabriquée par le régime : les

Cette fois-ci, Maher a enlevé son Frères musulmans étaient les fau¬ 3 février. Début du pilonnage du pyjama. Jusqu'à la fin du mois de teurs de troubles en 1982 ; aujour¬ quartier de Baba Amro, contrôlé janvier, les Syriens utilisaient cet¬ d'hui, c'est au nom de la lutte par l'Armée syrienne libre. te expression («Maher est encore contre des «groupes islamistes en pyjama ») pour expliquer que armés » que le régime prétend 4février. Second veto sino-russe le régime n'avait pas encore don¬ «libérer» Homs. àun projet de résolution endos¬ né toute la mesure de sa capacité sant le plan de la Liguearabe. de répression. Mais depuis le Ligne dure début de l'offensive lancée sur Agé de 44 ans, Maher Al-Assad

Homs, le 3 février, le frère cadet s'est très tôt consacré au metier du président a revêtu son treillis. des armées, contrairement à son Il serait même venu personnelle¬ Maher Al-Assad, au côté de son frère Bachar, ophtalmologue de ment superviser l'assaut finaî sur frère Bachar, en 2000. reuters formation. On le voit peu en tion en Syrie, sa 4e division est le les derniers quartiers insurgés public, où il se montre toujours fer de lance de la répression. Des d'Homs, mardi 28 février. aux côtés du président. Il ne s'ex¬ activistes syriens disent l'avoir Comme un hoquet de l'histoi¬ prime jamais. Selon les rares identifié sur une vidéo amateur re, Maher Al-Assad est à son grand connaisseurs du très fermé cercle en train de tirer sur des manifes¬ frère Bachar ce qu'était Rifaat au familial au pouvoir à Damas, il tants dans la banlieue de Damas, père fondateur de la dynastie, incarne la ligne dure dans la en mai 2011.

C.A. Hafez : tout à la fois l'exécuteur Les brigades de défense, qui famille. C'est lui qui aurait fait des basses le chef militai¬ ont compté jusqu'à 50 000 hom¬ pression sur Bachar pour ne pas re et le jusqu'au-boutiste. Malgré mes, ont été démantelées après la annoncer de réformes au tout ses dénégations régulières, c'est tentative de coup d'Etat de Rifaat début de la révolte, de peur d'ap¬ en effet Rifaat Al-Assad qui, à la contre son frère, le président paraître faible. Réputé pour ses Hafez Al-Assad. La 4e division, diri¬ tête de ses brigades de défense, accès de colère incontrôlable, il gée aujourd'hui par Maher - qui avait contrôlé l'écrasement de la aurait tiré une balle sur son beau- commande aussi la garde républi¬ révolte des Frères musulmans à frère Assef Chawkat, lors d'une dis¬ caine -, est l'héritière de cette véri¬ Hama, en févrieri982, qui avait pute familiale en 1999. Il aurait table armée dans l'armée : suré¬ personnellement supervisé l'écra¬ causé 10 000 à 30 000 morts en quipée, bien entraînée, elle comp¬ trois semaines selon les sources. A sement d'une mutinerie à la pri¬ te 15 000 soldats, tous alaouites l'époque, le massacre s'était dérou¬ son de Sednaya, en 2008. -la communauté du clan prési lé quasiment à huis clos. Depuis le début de la révolu- Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

îtMmàt La bataille d'Homs Vendredi 2 mars 2012 Le lieutenant Tlass, figure de la résistance armée de Baba Amro

Appartenant au clan familial de l'ancien ministre de la défense, le jeune homme est un

ex-officier des troupes fidèles au régime de Damas

«M

antisémites. Sa fille, mariée un ;:?:'. Portrait temps au marchand d'armes saou¬ dien Akram Ojjeh, a eu une liaison

A Baba Amro, il est le visage de avec Roland Dumas puis avec *r.. .' -. l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL). FranZ'Olivier Giesbert. Son fils *31 "-. _ - ' \ : 1. ii.>j#s-.' . Un jeune homme de 26 ans cadet Manafest unofficierde la gar¬ aux épaules larges, cheveux en de républicaine, réputé proche de arrière et sourcils sombres. Son ton Bachar Al-Assad. L'aîné, Firas, est assuré, sur les vidéos postées par un riche homme d'affaires bien les opposants sur Internet, tranche introduit auprès du régime. avec ses traits encore juvéniles. Le lieutenant Abdelrazzak Tlass, Abderrazzak Tlass commande la lui, est l'un des tout premiers offi¬ katiba (brigade) Al-Farouk, de l'ASL, ciers à avoir fait défection de l'ar¬ à Baba Amro. Ses hommes défen¬ mée syrienne. Officier de la 5e divi¬ dent le quartier, bombardé sans sion d'infanterie, basée près de relâche à l'arme lourde depuis le Deraa, dans l'extrême sud du pays, 3 février par l'armée régulière. Ce il a été aux premières loges de la sont eux aussi qui ont organisé l'ex- révolution. C'est là que le soulève¬ filtrationvers le Liban du photogra¬ ment a éclaté, mi-mars, lorsqu'une phe britannique Paul Conroy, mar¬ \cV douzaine de gamins ont été arrêtés di 28 février, et du reporter espa¬ - « ' «&* ï.»\ ... et torturés pour avoir inscrit des gnol d'EI Muhdo, Javier Espinosa, graffitis contre le régime. Lorsque mercredi. la population est descendue dans La défection d'Abderrazzak les rues, les forces de sécurité ont Tlass, dès les premiers mois du sou¬

A lèvement syrien, en juin 2011, avait tiré sans somation. Pour tuer. fait grand bruit. Pas tant à cause de «L'armée devrait être neutre, elle ,jk-\.j-y \-*v son grade, que de son nom, le devrait protéger le peuple, expli¬ tymù;-*^*. même que celui de l'indéfectible quait-il aux envoyés spéciaux du Le lieutenant Abderrazzak Tlass, commandant de la Katiba ministre de la défense de Hafez Monde à Homs en janvier dernier. Al-Assad puis de son fils Bachar, le Là-bas, on a vu le contraire. Les bar¬ Al-Farouk de l'ASL, dans les rues de Baba Amro, à Homs. mani pour « le monde » maréchal Moustapha Tlass, en fonc¬ rages tiraient sur les gens. Deraa tion de 1972 à 2006. était sinistrée. Les gens essayent de En fait, le jeune lieutenant n'est convaincre l'armée de se joindre à

pas un proche parent du vieux eux, contre les moukhabarrat Après sa désertion, il rentre chez pas aisée non plus, les premiers à maréchal mais il appartient à son [services de renseignements} Mais lui, à Rastan, où il fonde la brigade avoir déserté estimant être plus clan familial, originaire de la ville ça n 'apas marchéparce que les offi¬ Khaled ibn Walid, du nom d'un légitimes que les plus récents, de Rastan, près de Hama. En trente- ciers ont donné l'ordre d'attaquer. compagnon du Prophète. Dès le même si leur grade est inférieur.

cinq ans à la tête du ministère de la Ce sont des alliés d'Assad et du régi¬ début, il est convaincu que seule la Fin janvier, Abderrazzak Tlass défense, Moustapha Tlass a recruté me. La majorité sont alaouites. lutte armée viendra à bout du régi¬ mettait en garde ses interlocuteurs nombre d'officiers dans sa tribu. Quantauxsunnites, ils obéissentou me. Rastan est attaquée violem¬ étrangers: «Si ça continue, on va C'est pourquoi une bonne partie ils vont en prison.» ment par l'armée à l'automne 2011. devenircommeAl-Qaida. Si le mon¬ des officiers sunnites de l'armée Le jeune lieutenant réapparaît à de nous abandonne et soutient syrienne, où l'encadrement est plu¬ «Si le monde Homs, « capitale de la révolution », Al-Assad, on va attaquer Israël et tôt alaouite, sont originaires de Ras¬ à la tête de la brigade Al-Farouk. Elle d'autres pays, internationaliser le tan, au centre de la Syrie. nous abandonne, compterait 2000 a 4 000 hom¬ conflit, pourforcer la communauté A cause de ses racines sunnites, et soutient Al-Assad, mes, en majorité des civils ayant internationale à intervenir. On va le maréchalTlass n'a jamais joué de pris les armes. La chaîne de com¬ déclarerle djihad. » rôle militaire de premier plan. Il a onva devenir mandement et la coordination La chaîne de télévision Al-Dou- notamment été écarté de la répres¬ comme Al-Qaida » avec le commandement de l'ASL à nia, proche du régime, a annoncé la sion de Hama en 1982. Il était plus l'étranger ne sont pas claires, com¬ mort d'Abderrazzak Tlass le Abderrazzak Tlass réputé pour son goût de l'argent et me c'est le cas de la plupart des 9 février, sans qu'elle soit jamais commandant de l'ASL des femmes, ainsi que ses préten¬ groupes rebelles armés- syriens, confirmée.» à Baba Amro tions littéraires et ses penchants dont l'ancrage est avant tout local. Christophe AYad La cohabitation entre gradés n'est Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Vendredi 2 mars 2012 Ali Khamenei, arbitre de l'affrontement entre ultraconservateurs en Iran

Les législatives du 2 mars sont le premier scrutin organisé depuis l'élection contestée dé 2009

mence à être sérieusement affectée es Iraniens ont eu la surprise, Karoubi, sont maintenus au secret compterles provocations du prési¬ par les sanctions économiques mercredi, de voir de drôles de sous bonne garde à leur domicile. dent iranien qui n'a eu de cesse, adoptées par les pays occidentaux textos au ton menaçant arri¬ Les cadres de ce mouvement aux lors de son second mandat -qui pour forcer Téhéran à faire toute la ver sur leur téléphone portable : contours flous ont été emprison¬ s'achève en 2013-, de s'émanciper lumière sur son programme «Les Etats-Unis nepourront envisa¬ nés, intimidés ou contraints à de celui qu'il appelle son «père » nucléaire, qu'ils soupçonnent gerd'attaquer l'Iran qu'à condition l'exil. Les rares réformateurs enco¬ en public. Mahmoud Ahmadine¬ d'avoir des visées militaires. Le rial que la participation [aux élections re en activité, comme l'ancien pré^ jad a tenté, en 2011, de mettre la a chuté de plus de 40 % ces six der¬ législatives] soit inférieure à50 % . » sident Khatami, font profil bas. main sur les deux piliers du pou¬ niers mois, l'inflationdépasse 20 %. Le même genre de message inquié¬ Mais les. millions d'électeurs voir que sont le ministère du pétro¬ Pour Bernard Hourcade, direc¬ tant est apparu sur des affiches, ayant voté pour Moussavi et le et celui des renseignements. A teur de recherche émérite au CNRS liant explicitement les menaces Karoubi seront-ils au rendez-vous chaque fois, le Guide l'a brutale¬ et spécialiste de l'Iran, tout dépen¬ pesant sur le pays et le scrutin du vendredi? Depuis les appels au ment rappelé à l'ordre. dra de la nouvelle génération d'élus vendredi 2 mars. Panique d'unrégi- boycottage des leaders « verts », le Depuis, la guerre est déclarée. Le locaux qui pourraient arriver au me en manque de légitimité face à taux de participation est devenu conseiller de presse de M. Ahmadi¬ Parlement à la faveur du scrutin de l'abstention massive qui s'annon¬ un enjeu majeur du scrutin et un nejad, Ali-Akbar Javanfekr, a été vendredi: «Ce sont des technocra¬ ce, ou manipulation de l'opinion? test pour la légitimité du régime. tespeu aufait des enjeuxintematio- Difficile de savoir, comme c'est sou¬ C'est tout particulièrement le Les électeurs ayant naux et soucieux de bonne gestion. vent le cas en République islami¬ cas pourle personnage le plus puis¬ voté pour Moussavi Vont-ils se rallier à Ahmadinejad, que :.c'est, en tout cas, la première sant du système, le Guide suprême qui leur ressemble ou vont-ilsfaire fois que les autorités font référence . Ali Khamenei, dont les pouvoirs et Karoubi seront-ils allégeance au Guide?» Ali Khame¬ de manière aussi explicite à la tem¬ procèdent pourtant du divin et au rendez-vous ? nei a laissé entendre qu'à l'avenir le pête qui s'annonce autour de l'Iran non des urnes. Seulement, Ali Kha¬ président de la République pour¬ et de son programme nucléaire, menei a dû descendre dans l'arène rait ne plus être élu au suffrage uni¬ quitte à affoler l'opinion. lorsque le régime a été menacé condamné à un an de prison en jan¬ Les législatives du 2 mars sont dans ses fondements durant les ter¬ vier. Son dauphin présumé, Esfan- versel direct, source d'une fâcheuse incertitude et d'une légitimité le premier scrutin national en Iran ribles journées de juin-juillet 2009. diar Rahim Mashaie, est visé par potentiellement gênante. depuis la réélection contestée, en «Il a été obligé de cautionner une des accusations de déviationnisme Sur. les cinq grandes coalitions juin 2009, du président Mah¬ répression qui est allée trop loin, religieux et une enquête pour en lice, trois sont clairement affi- . moud Ahmadinejad. Les manifes¬ notamment avec les viols en pri¬ détournements de fonds. Depuis liées à Khamenei et hostiles à tations massives contre la fraude son », rappelle un ancien responsa¬ un an, l'essentiel de la vie politique Ahmadinejad. Les fidèles du prési¬ présumée avaient débouché sur la ble politique iranien qui a travaillé tourne autour de cet affrontement dent, regroupés dans le Front du plus grave c.rise de régime de la par le passé à son côté. - d'une-âpreté rarementvue -entre monothéisme et de la justice, ne se République islamique depuis la Piégé par son soutien à Ahmadi¬ factions ultra conservatrices, qui sont découverts que deux jours révolution de 1979. nejad, Ali Khamenei a du affronter met aussi aux prises plusieurs grou¬ avant la fin de la campagne électo¬ Trois ans plus tard, le « mouve¬ les critiques d'une partie du clergé pes du corps d'élite des Gardiens de rale, probablement par peur d'être ment vert» a été complètement chiite de Qom, qui plaide pour une la révolution (pasdarari), devenus réprimés. Ce qui en dit long sur le neutralisé. Ses deux dirigeants, implication moins directe des reli¬ prépondérantstant dans la défense , niveau de suspicion qui règne au Mir Hossein Moussavi et Mehdi gieux dans la vie politique. Sans que l'économie iraniennes. A l'extrême droite de ce spectre sommet de l'Etat iranien. 48 millions d'Iraniens appelés à élire 290 députés du Majles figure notamment le général Qas- La question nucléaire, devenue sem Suleimani, de la force Al-Qods, le symbole indépassable du natio¬ nalisme iranien, est instrumenta- Une compétition tronquée Ali Khamenei chargée du soutien aux groupes chiites radicaux en Irak et au Liban. lisée par les différentes factions, 3 500 des 5 400 candidats à la Front dé l'Endurance (Mohsen qui se livrent à une dangereuse deputation ont été validés par le Reza'O : pro-Khamenei. Allié à l'hodjatoleslamTaeb, ancien surenchère. A laquelle viennent Conseil des gardiens de la Consti¬ Voix de la Nation (Ali Motahari et chef des bassij (miliciens du régi¬ s'ajouter, enfin, les menaces tution, une assemblée de 12 juris¬ Hamid-Reza Katouziari) : anti- me) et actuel responsable des ren¬ seignements des pasdaran, il a joué pesant surle régime syrien, princi¬ tes religieux ; auparavant, 750 Ahmadinejad. pal allié régional de l'Iran avec le candidats avaient déjà été écar¬ Front de la Persistance (ayatollah un rôle essentiel dans la répression Hezbollah libanais. Ce faisceau de ; tés par le ministère de l'intérieur. Mohammad Taghi Mesbah de 2009. Les tensions avec Israël et Yazdi) : proche d'Ahmàdinejad et les Etats-Unis le renforcent. tensions intérieures, régionales et Tout l'enjeu pour Ali Khamenei, internationales forme un cocktail Les principales listes du Guide, critique de Mashaei. contesté dans la rue et bousculé qui ne laisse pas d'inquiéter. Front uni des conservateurs Front de monothéisme et de jus¬ dans ses prérogatives, est donc de Christophe Ayad (Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, tice: pro-Ahmadinejad. constituer une majorité qui lui sera avec Assal Reza allié à Ali Larijani, Mohammad

BaqerGhalibaf, Mànoùchehr Mot- Le vote Le mode de scrutin est un fidèle pour affronter les périls du moment, qui n'ont jamais été aussi taki et l'ayatollah Mohammad scrutin plurinominal à deux tours graves. L'économie iranienne com Yazdi) : proche du Guide suprême par grandes circonscriptions. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Ihubuu 1March2012

in Iran is a waste of time." Iranian Opposition Iranian Kurdish dissident groups have often been criticized for their disu¬

nity and lack of a common agenda.

Demands Federalism for But Ahangari believes that, at the

recent meetings in Europe, the Kurds Kurdistan were united. "Kurds are a strong and active part

of the Iranian opposition," he said.

"During the two meetings, most of the

time the Kurds spoke with one voice

due to the fact that most of the Kurdish S! groups demanded establishing a demo¬ ». *- r- ! fi cratic federalist state as an alternative to - x ? the Islamic Republic of Iran."

At the meetings, some Iranian dissi¬ ,-^,-w dents rejected the Kurdish identity as a

separate ethnicity. This, Mahmudi said, \1 shows a lack of understanding by those

groups.

"The Kurds' right to self-determina¬

tion is not in need of approval from

other nationalities," he said. "All the

principles exist for the right of the

Kurds to self-determination, and those Secretary General of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) Mustafa who oppose it must be living on some Hijri in London for meetings with British MPs. Photo courtesy of Loghman H. other planet. Such thinking doesn't exist Ahmedi. nowadays."

For his part, Bawajani also believes talk about the rights of Kurds or other that Persian opposition groups show lit¬ By SAKAR ABUBAKIR minorities in Iran. tle regard for minority groups in Iran. rudaw.net "The aim of these meetings is for "Unfortunately, Persian opposition opposition groups to get to know each groups do not hide the fact that they COLOGNE, Germany - For four other, to get closer to each other for a oppose the rights of Kurds and other days in January and February, common fight against the Islamic oppressed minorities in Iran, more than Iranian opposition groups held two mee¬ Republic of Iran," he said. the current government does," he said. tings in Germany and Sweden to discuss Political groups of "They think of every Kurdish demand the future of minorities in Iran. were divided over whether the Kurds as one for separation and reject it vio¬ Kurdish opposition leaders focused should attend the meeting or not. lently in their media outlets." on achieving federalism for the Kurdish Tahir Mahmudi, the public relations In the end, Misri believes, every areas of Iran, but Persian opposition spokesperson of the KDPI in Erbil, tal¬ plan and agenda for the Kurds has to be groups strongly opposed the idea for ked to Rudaw about the importance of made clear now. Kurds and other minorities. the meeting. "We believe that at this time we Their proposed solution was the "Any meeting that benefits the cause should talk about the essential issues creation of a free and democratic state. of minority rights in Iran, and helps the and not waste time on wording state¬ After nearly a year of planning and process of the democratization of Iran, ments," he said. "When we talk about lengthy debates, .the Iranian opposition has a positive effect for all of us," he federalism in Iran, we talk about having groups could not agree on an alternative said. a Kurdistan Federalist Government, for the current Islamic regime that has Some Kurdish opposition leaders running our own affairs according to the been ruling Iran since 1979. said the meeting in Germany was a power we have with the central govern¬ Kavva Ahangari, a representative of chance for other Iranian dissidents to ment. If they approve that, then let them the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran meet with Kurds and listen to their aspi¬ call it whatever way they want it to be (KDPI) at the meeting, told Rudaw, rations after nearly three decades of called."D "The meeting was to gain knowledge repression and indifference.

about the demands of various groups; it However, Arif Bawajani, the head of

was a meeting to discuss various the Kurdistan Freedom Party, disagrees.

topics." "A meeting with the Persian general Ahangari said the meeting led to the opposition would not benefit the Kurds

creation of an 18-member committee of in anyway," he said. "The meeting in

opposition figures. Stockholm was a good chance for the

Muhammad Misri, head of the Kurds to show their demands. We

Worker's Revolutionary Group of should not be afraid in such meetings to

Kurdistan based in Germany, believes ask boldly for our independence; just that the meeting was not held in order to talking about freedom and democracy Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

1 March 2012

Syria: The geopolitical dimensions

by Robert Olson* todayszaman.com

!i-ton-;;\'/*^'v . The next several months will deter¬ " p;op!e t. .- * Lon mine whether the authoritarian

Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria will -i be able to withstand the growing num¬ r ber of countries arrayed against it. - \ - On Feb. 24, some 50 countries, //. notably minus Russia and China, call¬ ing themselves the "Friends of Syria," Ch**r«un gathered in Tunis calling for more forceful intervention in response to the bloodshed occurring. ofthe Syrian people Foreign Minister

Saud al-Faisal, the main advocate of Tunisia's Foreign Affairs Minister Rafik Abdessalem (c) prepares to address the Assad's overthrow and the main ally of Friends of Syria conference in Tunis on Feb. 24, 2012. (photo renters, JASON REED) the US in the Middle East, along with

Israel and Turkey, called for armed intervention. Qatar Foreign Minister ned that if military action against Iran since 1975; two, by getting rid of the Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani were to be necessary, either before or Assad regime and bringing a predo¬ lobbied for an Arab force to be created after the US presidential election, it minately Sunni (70 to 75 percent of to impose peace and open humanita¬ would be desirable if the Assad regime the population in Syria is Sunni) rian corridors to the resisting forces were no longer in power and replaced regime to power in Syria, the Gulf and population. by a Sunni-led government. This sce¬ Arabs and Turkey, also a predomina¬ But two days later on Feb. 26, in a nario could take place whether or not tely Sunni country (80 per cent), rebuff to the "Friends," the Assad Iran and the International Atomic would be able to better manage any government went ahead with a refe¬ Energy Agency came to an agreement political challenges from the Shiite rendum for a new constitution, one regarding the then determined status populations of the Middle East, espe¬ supposed to redress many of the grie¬ of Iran's nuclear programs. cially in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and vances of the regime's opponents and Saudi Arabia. other Syrians as well. Indeed, the refe¬ Facilitating a regime The Saudis and Gulf Arabs hope rendum for a new constitution was that by toppling the Assad regime passed with a favorable vote although change in Iran they will be better able to overthrow it will probably never be known how the Shiite dominated government of many people actually voted in the It seems established that the Lebanon, whose current prime minis¬ referendum. But new parliamentary escalation of activities, both overt and ter, Najib Mikati, although a Sunni, is, elections are to be held within 90 covert, against Syria became more however, tolerant toward Hezbollah days. The Assad regime's electoral forceful after March 2011 along with and Shiite parliamentarians, while the maneuvers mean that if the "Friends the unfolding of other Arab revolu¬ Saudis favor his Sunni opposition. of Syria," armed principally by the US, tions and resistance. But, unlike the Mikati is disliked by Israel, the US EU, Gulf Arabs and Turkey, decide to other Arab revolutions, the actions, and the Gulf for this reason, but must strike before parliamentary elections, both overt and covert, against Syria, take into consideration that 38-40 the invasion will take on a preemptive especially those by the US, EU and percent of Lebanon's population is character. If this were to occur, cer¬ Turkey after June 2011, were meant Shiite. tainly, Russia and China, two of most to facilitate regime change in Iran.

powerful countries with stakes in the For one thing, all of the Republican Of course, Israel, as well as some

Middle East, will be unhappy and may presidential candidates, with the groups in Lebanon and Jordan would

well make other challenges to the US exception of Ron Paul, repeatedly also like a weakened Syria as well as

and Europe in other places in the call for the overthrown of the Iran the supporters of Israel in the US; a

Middle East and elsewhere, i.e. regime and even the destruction of weakened Syria, like a fragmented

Afghanistan and Pakistan. much of Iran's infrastructure. Iraq, would serve Israel and many of its neo-conservative supporters in the There is no question that the The Arab monarchies of the US. Turkey would also benefit as a momentum for stronger intervention in Persian Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia weakened, but not decentralized Syria occurred at the same time as the and Qatar, are also eager to get rid of Syria with a Sunni dominated govern¬ unfolding of the Arab revolutions in the Assad regime before any ment would enable Ankara to better Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and Israel/US attack on Iran's nuclear manage the growing Kurdish nationa¬ Yemen. The main reason for this is sites and infrastructure. There are list movements in Syria. In order to that if the US, Israel, EU and Gulf Arab several reasons for this: one, the manage the growing challenges of states, mainly Saudi Arabia, determi- Shiite, Alawite Assad regime in Syria the Kurdish nationalist movements in is a strong ally of Iran's and has been Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

Turkey, Ankara will likely determine the long-time leader of Hamas in exile Syria. The Palestinians already were that it is necessary to extend its politi¬ in Damascus, announced that the aware that the "Friends of Syria" were cal and economic zone of expansion headquarters of Hamas in Damascus the enemies of lran> to the Kurds of Syria as well. Turkey would be closed and be moved to undoubtedly thinks that it will be able Qatar. This was yet another indication * Robert Olson is a Middle East to elicit the help of the Kurdish that Palestinian leaders in Syria, analyst based in Lexington, Kentucky. Regional Government (KRG).in this Lebanon, Jordan and Gaza, are also endeavor. concerned that the "Friends of Syria"

In mid-February, Khaled Meshal, would be staging increasing attacks in

TheNational march 4, 2012

A crisis in Ankara's backyard that does not involve Assad

Gonul Toi Maliki and Mr Erdogan flared up in tual Iraqi Kurdish autonomy might lead

January after the Maliki government thenational.ae to similar territorial claims among issued an arrest warrant for Sunni Vice Kurds within its borders. . WHEN leading politicians from President Tarek Al Hashemi on charges This fear is driving Turkey to urge of supporting terrorist acts. around the world met in Tunis Baghdad to adopt a more inclusive The Turkish and Iraqi leaders accu¬ late last month to discuss what to do approach in its domestic political sed each other of stoking sectarian next to help Syrians under siege, many arrangements, allowing Sunnis and tensions, with Mr Erdogan warning that of the "Friends of Syria" focused on the Kurds to feel they have a real share of Ankara would not remain silent if it pivotal role that Turkey, Syria's large power. In recent months, though, Mr Al felt Baghdad was pushing Iraq into a and influential northern neighbour, can Maliki appears to have acted with the sectarian conflict. Later in the month, play in shaping the outcome. opposite impulse, appointing Shia loya¬ rockets were fired at the Turkish lists to key positions in the army and But Turks themselves are equally embassy in Baghdad, which Turkey took focused on another neighbour just as arresting Sunni politicians on terrorism as a warning by Mr Al Maliki's forces. troublesome: Iraq, with its rising sec¬ charges. The diplomatic row between the Mr Erdogan has not lost hope, tarian tensions and semi -autonomous two countries stems from differences Kurdish region. The potential for the however, that he can repair the rift over several issues. Iraqi political standoff to deteriorate and improve ties, given the importance First, Mr Al Maliki didn't much Turkey plays in Iraq's regional integra¬ into a full sectarian conflict, with all appreciate Turkey's relatively open that might portend for Kurdish irreden- tion. While Iraq's stability and unity support for his rival, Ayad Allawi, in tism both in northern Iraq and in remain of primary importance to the 2010 Iraqi elections. Turkey proper, fills Ankara's strategists Ankara, Baghdad has no interest in Second, Baghdad's rapprochement with almost as much angst as the losing Turkey as a friend and partner. with Iran makes Turkey nervous, as it Syrian nightmare. With high unemployment, poor infra¬ does Iraq's Sunni Arab neighbours to structure and ongoing terror attacks in Thus, in a bid to defuse tensions, the south. both between Turkey and Iraq and Iraq, Mr Al Maliki desperately needs Third, the two governments differ foreign investment to be able to deli¬ among the Iraqi factions, Turkey starkly in their reaction to the Syrian ver on his promises of an improving recently announced that it was plan¬

crisis, with Turkey voicing sharp criti¬ economy. ning to invite leading figures from cism of the Bashar Al Assad regime and Iraq's divided Sunni and Shia communi¬ Turkey currently runs neck-and- hosting opposition elements, whereas ties to Istanbul in the coming weeks to neck with Iran as Iraq's biggest trading Iraq has tacitly backed Mr Al Assad, build confidence and discuss possible partner, but with Iran's increasing iso¬ fearing a civil war in Syria would have steps towards resolving the political lation and economic fragility under the a violent spillover effect. pressure of severe sanctions, the Turks crisis in Iraq. Finally, the Turks perceive that Mr The invitation comes at a pivotal are betting Iraq will realise they can ill Al Maliki has been trying to push time, with domestic and regional dyna¬ afford to alienate their giant northern influential Sunnis out of positions of neighbour. mics making Iraq a sensitive issue not power, thereby increasing the likeli¬ only for Turkey but also for the United It should be a very interesting mee¬ hood of a reversion to the kind of sec¬ States, and the region. The political ting in Istanbul indeed. tarian war witnessed in 2006 and 2007. deadlock on Turkey's Kurdish question, Such a scenario, in Ankara's view, could the violent instability in Syria, and the Gonul Tot is the Executive Director of even lead to the break-up of Iraq into persistent threats of a strike on Iran, the Middle East Institute's Centre for three regions, with the Kurds in the together with the US withdrawal from Turkish Studies in Washington north finally gaining their indepen¬ Iraq, have served only to add fuel to dence, a development with important the recent spat between Iraqi Prime implications for the status of Turkey's Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Turkish own Kurdish minority. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Evidently, Turkey fears any even The heated rhetoric between Mr Al Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

[TheDailyStar 1 March 2012

Arab Alawites in the Syria : For minorities, province of Iskenderun, were Syria to break up. If

Syria's Alawites decide they now is the time to report can no longer hold on in Damascus, they may seri¬

ously contemplate falling

back on an Alawite mini- States invaded Iraq, remov¬ state in the northwest. For ing the minority Sunni Arab nationalism has By Michael Young much of my youth I was told regime of Saddam Hussein. played a critical role in The Daily Star how Israel and Henry The Americans, for a shaping so stark an outlook. Kissinger intended to frag¬ moment, naively aspired to In Syria and Iraq, ruling Ot is unfortunate that ment the Middle East into sponsor an equitable Iraqi minorities drew on among those most anx¬ weak sectarian entities. Now social contract, with federal¬ Baathism to detract from iously observing the upris¬ that purported scheme ism at its core. In reality, their status by positing a ing in Syria (and not only threatens to be carried out they ushered in a Shiite- larger Arab identity to which Syria) have been members by Syria's Alawites, with a dominated regime, while all had to bend. The unifor¬ of the Middle East's reli¬ sympathetic partner in federalism permitted the mity this tenet enforced was gious and ethnic minorities. Lebanon's Shiites under Kurds to consolidate their as much designed to stifle Indeed, Syria's Alawite lead¬ Hezbollah's authority. Iran autonomy in the north. The alternative identities as to ership is perpetrating a must be confused. A Syria Sunni Arabs, despite com¬ justify crushing dissent. butchery partly because it in pieces would compel bating Al-Qaeda, have since Where majorities have gov¬ expects its community to be Tehran to guarantee that then grown alienated from erned, they have been no marginalized if Bashar Alawites and Shiites cooper¬ Prime Minister Nouri al- gentler with minorities, Assad falls.' ate. But if one of those Maliki's government, gener¬ while non-Arab states such pieces is a self-ruling ating worries that Iraq's as Turkey and Iran have Minority solidarity is a dan¬ Kurdish entity in Syria's centrifugal forces may similarly deployed a muscu¬ gerous impulse. It has led northeast, alongside Iraqi become unmanageable. lar nationalism against their many of Syria's Kurds and Kurdistan, then the minorities. Druze to watch from the Iranians, like the Turks, Fear of what might happen sidelines as their country¬ could face a major headache in Syria if the majority In Lebanon, where minori¬ men have been slaughtered with their own Kurds. Sunnis regain power has ties coexist, the story is - when they have not active¬ colored the behavior of the somewhat different. ly participated in the repres¬ Some Lebanese minority country's minorities. Their Christians by and large sion. In Lebanon, it has leaders are looking afar for fixation has been deformed rejected Arab nationalism pushed leading figures in new friendships. Walid by the expectation that if during the first three the Christian community, Jumblatt and Samir Geagea the Sunnis return, they will decades after independence, among them Maronite visited Iraqi Kurdistan in do so as resentful Islamists. extending this to include Patriarch Beshara Rai, to recent months. Both men wariness with the defend the Assad regime. are astute enough to sense So much in that expectation Palestinian cause when And the vile Sister Agnes that the Kurds will be big is left unsaid. First, that Beirut hosted the Palestine Mariam of the Cross, of the players during the coming minority apprehensions, Liberation Organization Catholic Media Center, has decade, and are unlikely to including those of the starting in 1970. Shiites, been a useful idiot on behalf fall under the thumb of Alawites, are based on an too, remained mistrustful of of Syria's intelligence servic¬ Islamists. Jumblatt and impression that the brutali¬ Arab nationalism, which es, echoing regime propa¬ Geagea support the Syrian ty and absoluteness of they regarded as a surrogate ganda. uprising, but are also aware Alawite conduct will neces¬ for Sunni pre-eminence. that the policies pursued by sarily bring an equally bru¬ And yet ironically, The foolishness and inhu¬ the Assad regime, as well as tal and absolute reckoning Hezbollah, created and sus¬ manity of these reactions the aid Syria's opposition is from Sunnis; that, just as tained by Iran, later sought does not mean minority receiving from Qatar and the Alawites favored those to hijack the symbols of questions will be any less Saudi Arabia, may cede the from their community, at Arab nationalism and the important once the current initiative to Islamists and least those integrated into Palestinian struggle to legit¬ consignment of autocrats Salafists, who are as hostile the political and military imize itself among Sunnis disappears. Minorities will toward the Druze as toward elite, and calculated on the while drawing attention gain in significance, the Maronites. In such cir¬ basis of communal inter¬ away from its Shiite person¬ because in many countries cumstances, novel minority ests, so too will their foes; ality. the breakdown of authori¬ alignments may prove use¬ and that at the heart of the tarian rule also represents a ful in the event communal Arab world's political As the old political struc¬ breakdown of the "ideological self-preservation becomes arrangements there must be tures disintegrate in Syria, and intimidatory underpin¬ the name of the game. antagonism between many are panicking. nings that once kept minori¬ minorities and majorities, Turkey's leaders, for ties in line. Christians have used the because that was always the instance, worry about what fate of their coreligionists in nature of things, even before might happen to their own The edifice began collapsing Iraq as a cautionary tale for independence. Kurdish population, or to in 2003, when the United what awaits minorities in

8 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

the Middle East. That's a be vital in defining what sarily descend on us all is to come.

shallow way of looking at occurs next in the region. Be underestimate the influence Michael Young is opinion

things. Minorities - Kurds, that good or bad, to assume of those, secular Sunnis and editor of THE DAILY STAR.

Shiites, Druze, Alawites and that an iron curtain of Islamist Shiites included, He tweets @BeirutCalling.

Christians in general - will Sunni will neces who reject such an out

. NTHCWnONAL îtoalsSSritrune "arch 2, 2012 Israels deadline for striking Iran

nuclear facilities from power to prevent Iran from developing a successful attack a nuclear weapon." Israel takes him at Without AmosYadlin On June 7, what Israel's leaders his word. The problem, however, is one 1981, 1 was ironclad have called the "zone of time. Israel doesn't have the safety of one of eight security of immunity." distance, nor do we have the U.S. Air Israeli fighter Some experts op¬ Force's advanced fleet of bombers and assurances TEL AVIV On June 7, 1981, 1 was one of pilots who pose an attack be¬ fighters. America could carry out an ex¬ eight Israeli fighter pilots who bombed from the bombed the cause they claim that tensive air campaign using stealth the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak. As U.S., Israel Iraqi nuclear even a successful technology and huge amounts ofam¬ we sat in the briefing room listening to strike would, at best, munition, dropping enormous payloads may well the army chief of staff, Rafael Eitan, be¬ reactor at delay Iran's nuclear that are capable of hitting targets and fore starting our planes' engines; I re¬ Osirak. decide to program for only a penetrating to depths far beyond what called a conversation a week earlier attack Iran short time. But today Israel's arsenal can achieve. when he'd asked us to voice any con¬ almost any industrialized country can on its own. cerns about our mission. This gives America more time than produce a nuclear weapon in four to We told him about the risks we Israel in determining when the moment five years hence any successful foresaw: running out of fuel, Iraqi retali¬ of decision has finally been reached. strike would achieve a delay of only a ation, how a strike could harm our rela¬ And as that moment draws closer, dif¬ few years. What matters more is the tionship with America, and the limited fering timetables are becoming a campaign after the attack. impact a successful mission might have source of tension. When we were briefed before the perhaps delaying Iraq's nuclear quest On Monday, Mr. Obama and Prime Osirak raid, we were told that a success¬ by only a few years. Listening to today's Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel ful mission would delay the Iraqi nuclear debates about Iran, we hear the same ar¬ are to meet in Washington. Of all then- program for only three to five years. But guments and face the same difficulties,, encounters, this couldhe the most criti¬ history told a different story. After the even though we understand it is not 1981. cal. Asking Israel's leaders to abide by Osirak attack and the destruction of the Shortly after we destroyed Osirak, America's timetable, and hence allow¬ Syrian reactor in 2007, the Iraqi and Syr¬ the Israeli defense attaché in Washing¬ ing Israel's window of opportunity to be ton was called in to the Pentagon. He ian nuclear programs were never fully closed, is to make Washington a de was expecting a rebuke. Instead, he was resumed. This could be the outcome in facto proxy for Israel's security a tre¬ asked a single question : How did you do Iran, too, if military action is followed by mendous leap of faith for Israelis faced it? The U.S. military had assumed that tough sanctions, stricter international , with a looming Iranian bomb. It doesn't the F-16 aircraft they had provided to Is¬ inspections and an embargo on the sale help when American officials warn Is¬ rael had neither the range nor the ord¬ of nuclear components to Tehran. Iran, rael against acting without clarifying nance to attack Iraq successfully. The like Iraq and Syria before it, will have to what America intends to do once its mistake then, as now, was to underesti¬ recognize that the precedent for military own red lines are crossed. mate Israel's military ingenuity. action has been set, and can be repeated. Mr. Obama will therefore have to We had simply maximized fuel effi¬ Others claim that an attack on the shift the Israeli defense establishment's ciency and used experienced pilots, Iranian nuclear program would destabi¬ thinking from a fociison the "zone of trained specifically for this mission. We lize the region. But a nuclear Iran could immunity'* to a "zone of trust." What is ejected our external fuel tanks en route lead to far worse : a regional nuclear needed is an ironclad American assur¬ arms race without a red phone to defuse ance that if Israel refrains from acting to Iraq and then attacked the reactor an escalating crisis, Iranian aggression in its own window of opportunity and with pinpoint accuracy from so close in the Gulf, more confident Iranian sur¬ all other options have failed to halt and such a low altitude that our un- rogates like Hezbollah and the threat of Tehran's nuclear quest Washington guided bombs were as accurate and ef¬ nuclear materials' being transferred to will act to prevent a nuclear Iran while fective as precision-guided munitions. terrorist organizations. it is still within its power to do so. Today, Israel sees the prospect of a Ensuring that Iran does not go nucle¬ I hope Mr. Obama will make this nuclear Iran that calls for our annihila¬ ar is the best guarantee for long-term clear. If he does not, Israeli leaders may tion as an existential threat. An Israeli regional stability. A nonnuclear Iran well choose to act while they still can. strike against Iran would be a last re¬ would be infinitely easier to contain sort, if all else failed to persuade Iran to than an Iran with nuclear weapons. amosyadlin, aformer chief of Israeli mili¬ abandon its nuclear weapons program. President Obama has said America tary intelligence, is the director ofIsrael's That moment of decision will occur will "use all elements of American Institutefor National Security Studies. when Iran is on the verge of shielding its Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

INTERNATIONAL,. HcralbiâÉiiè&ribunc

MARCH 1, 2012 Fear of Sunni takeover

NAJAF, IRAQ in Syria Uprising raises concerns for Shiites and other groups of a sectarian war the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq toppled ahi, the most widely followed Shiite reli¬ Saddam Hussein and his own Baath gious leader in Iraq, said, "We wish for Party, which for decades had repressed the survival of Bashar al-Assad, but the BYTIMARANGO and brutalized the Shiites. prophecies of the Shiite books expect "This is difficult," Sheik Ali Nujafi, him to be killed." Abu Ali fled his life as a Shiite cleric and the son of one of Najaf's top clerics and As Western and Arab governments student in Homs, the besieged Syrian his chief spokesman, said of the Shiite consider actions to stop the bloodshed city at the center of an increasingly support for Mr. Assad. "But what is options that have been explored in¬ bloody uprising, but it was not the gov¬ worse is what would come next." clude more aggressive diplomacy, arm¬ ernment he feared. The paradox, of Shiites supporting a ing the rebels or military intervention It was the rebels, who he said killed Baathist dictator next door, has laid those discussions have been en¬ three of his cousins in December and bare a tenet of the old power structure cumbered by three problems: a lack of dumped a body in the family garbage that for so long helped preserve the cohesion among the , bin. Middle East's strongmen. Minorities of¬ evidence that some of the rebels may be "I can't be in Homs because I will get ten remained loyal and pliant and in ex¬ affiliated with Al Qaeda and credible re¬ killed there," he said from this religious change were given room to carve out city in Iraq where he has taken refuge. ports of sectarian killings. communities, even if they were more "Notjust me, but all Shiites." At the core of the unity problem is an broadly discriminated against. Like his fellow Shiites in Iraq, Abu Ali, issue of sectarian identification. Sunni As dictators have fallen in neighbor¬ who used his nickname to protect his radicals with the , ing countries, religious and ethnic iden¬ family back in Syria, said he regarded an umbrella group that includes the lo¬ tities and alliances have only hardened, the Syrian rebels as terrorists, not free¬ cal branch of Al Qaeda, have urged while notions of citizenship remain slow dom fighters, underscoring one of the fighters to go to Syria, which makes it to take hold. The fighting in Syria has complexities of a bloody civil conflict harder for the West to embrace the op¬ exacerbated that, as Shiites worry that that has persisted as diplomatic efforts position. Recently the group released a a takeover of Syria by its Sunni majority have failed. In spite of President Bashar statement on its Web site calling for new would herald not only a new sectarian al-Assad's willingness to unleash a pro¬ violence against Shiites.here in Iraq, ac¬ war but actually the apocalypse. fessional military on a civilian popula¬ cording to the SITE Intelligence Group, People here say that is not hyperbole, tion, with lethal results, Mr. Assad re¬ which monitors the communications of but a perception based in faith. Some tains some support at home and abroad jihadist groups.

from allies, including religious and eth- Shiites here see the burgeoning civil Syria's minorities have the example nic minorities who for decades relied on war in Syria as the ominous start to the of Iraq in considering their own future, the police state for protection from sec¬ fulfillment of a Shiite prophecy that should the Assad government fall: As¬ tarian aggression. presages the end of time. According to syrian Christians, Yazidis and others ' 'What the government is doing is try¬ Shiite lore, Sufyani a devil-like, apo¬ were brutally persecuted by insurgents. ing to protect the people," Abu Ali said, cryphal figure in gathers an In Egypt, where a similar paradigm was echoing the Assad government's propa¬ army in Syria and after conquering that toppled with the long-serving dictator ganda. "They are targeting terrorist land turns his wrath on Iraq's Shiites. Hosni Mubarak, Christians have experi¬ groups in the area." ' 'Among these stories we get from the enced more sectarian violence, increas¬ The insurrection in Syria, led by the Prophet and his family is that Sufyani ing political marginalization and a country's Sunni majority in opposition will come out and will start to kill the be¬ growing link between Islamic identity to a government dominated by Alaw¬ lievers in Syria, and then come to Iraq,= and citizenship. ites, an offshoot of Shiism, is increas¬ where there will be many killings and "Christians are all saying that Syria ingly unpredictable and dangerous be¬ massacres," Mr. Nujafi said. risks becoming the new Iraq, a country He said events in Syria were "similar divided among ethnic and religious cause it is aggravating sectarian but not completely the same" as the sto¬ lines where there is no place for Christi¬ tensions beyond its borders in a region ry of Sufyarii. With an easy grasp of his¬ ans," said the Rev. Bernardo Cervellera, already shaken by religious and ethnic tory, he recalled the siege of Najaf and editor in chief of AsiaNews, a Roman divisions. the sacking of Karbala, another holy Catholic news agency. Syria, while not a For many in the region, the fight in city to the north, in the early 1800s by democracy, "at least protects them," he Syria is less about liberating a people radically orthodox Sunni Muslims, an said. under dictatorship than it is about Abu Ali recalled hearing anti-Shiite power and self-interest. Syria is draw¬ slogans chanted in Horns by rebels in ing in sectarian forces from its neigh¬ "What the government is opposition to Syria's alliance with Iran, bors, and threatening to spill its conflict doing is trying to protect the which, like Iraq, is a majority-Shiite into a wider conflagration. There have people. They are targeting state in a region that is predominantly already been sparks in Lebanon, where terrorist groups in the area." Sunni. He heard calls for "Christians to Sunnis and Alawites have skirmished. go to Beirut," and "Alawites to the And Here in Iraq, where Shiites are a grave." majority, the events across the border invasion that raised the same apoca¬ have put the nation on edge while lyptic fears Shiites have now. Elisabetta Povoledo in Rome, Duraid Ad- hardening a sectarian schism. As Abu In Hilla, another Shiite town north of nan and Iraqi employees of The New Ali discovered, Iraq's Shiites are now here, Mohammed Tawfiq al-Rubaie, the York Times in Hilla and Najaf, Iraq, and lined up on the side of a Baathist dicta¬ representative for Ayatollah Ali al-Sist- Yasir Ghazi in Baghdad contributed re¬ torship in Syria, less than a decade after porting.

10 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

THE RTJPHN'GTQN POST 3 MARCH 2012

Alon Ben-Meir icy. The Assad regime is currently exploiting the Kurdish division by

Senior Fellow, NYU's Centerfor Global Affairs allowing the PYD leadership to return from exile while permitting it

to open Kurdish language schools, cultural centers, and party offices Syrian Kurds: in Syrian cities. The success of the Syrian Kurds in achieving true equality will ultimately depend on their ability to unite, and remain

united, throughout the revolutionary process. PYD leadership must Time to Assert be reminded that its pro-Assad approach is a losing strategy in either case: if the regime survives, albeit unlikely, it will not hesitate to

revoke all of the concessions it has made in time of crisis, and if the

Their Rights regime falls, which is more likely, the new government will probably

settle the account (for supporting Assad) with the PYD and the

Kurds. aegardless of what may come out of Kofi Annan's peace plan to Third, the leadership of the Kurds must demand and insist on pro¬ end the internal conflict in Syria, and whatever may emerge portional representation within the (SNC). from the Arab League meeting this week in Baghdad, the Currently there is only one delegate, which is hardly representative of prospect of Assad's fall offers the Kurdish minority in Syria a historic the size of the Kurdish community in Syria, a community that consti¬ opportunity to gain equal political and civil rights. Given the totali¬ tutes 10-12 percent of Syria's total population (or almost two million tarian nature of Baathist rule under Assad, the regime's fall in Syria people). While KDPS, the SNC's main Kurdish component, should will take the entire system of government down with it, much like work harder to convince other reluctant parties, particularly the PYD, Saddam's Iraq in 2003. But unlike Iraq's Kurds who have enjoyed to join forces, the SNC should be aware that it could also significant¬ virtual autonomy since 1991 when the United States enforced a no-fly ly benefit from a broader Kurdish representation ifit wants to be seri¬ zone over northern Iraq, Syria's Kurds are less organized and more ously representative of the Syrian people and its political, ethnic, and divided. Syrian Kurds need to close ranks, fully join the Syrian peo¬ religious mosaic. ple in pursuit of freedom, and not allow this historic window of Shortchanging the Kurds will undoubtedly raise serious concerns opportunity to slip away. among other minorities within the country such as the Armenians, Unless it wishes to preside over a divided Syria where the Kurds the Druze, and other groups, that will fear similar marginalization could contribute to prolonged instability, any elected government within the new Syria. emerging in the post-Assad Syria must commit itself to the equality Fourth, the Kurdish leadership should approach their relationship of all Syrian citizens, regardless of their ethnic background. The with Turkey with caution. Since the SNC is headquartered in Kurdish nation constitutes a population of more than 40 million peo¬ Istanbul, it is certainly influenced by the Erdogan government, which ple, the majority of whom live on a contiguous landmass that does not want, for obvious reasons, to encourage federal or includes Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria. The Kurds are the world's autonomous solutions for the Kurds. Syria's Kurds have every reason largest minority group that remains stateless. The nearly century-old to question Turkey's intentions because Ankara clearly wants to see denial of equal political and civil rights for Kurds in these four coun¬ the Muslim Brotherhood, with which it has a close affinity, in power tries has been a contentious issue with all Kurdish minorities ever in Damascus. Moreover, the Kurds do not rule out a possible Turkish since the Kurdish territory was divided after World War I between military intervention in Syria to ensure stability. Such an interven¬ Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria, with the sole exception of the short¬ tion will still be used to solidify the dominance of the MB. lived Kingdom of Kurdistan from September 1922 to July 1924 when Nevertheless, the Syrian "Kurdish leadership should cooperate and the Kurds enjoyed political independence. Although in all host coun¬ enhance its relations with Turkey not only because it is premature for tries the Kurds are discriminated against in varying degrees, their liv¬ Syria's divided Kurds to challenge Turkey's plan but also because the ing conditions in Syria are even worse as many are denied citizen¬ Kurds' sole other option is anathema: an Assad regime that is closer ship, land ownership and even the freedom of movement within the than ever to Iran. country. Finally, the Syrian Kurds should learn from, and ask for the support To fully gain from the popular revolt and achieve equal rights with of, their brethren, the Iraqi Kurds, who benefited greatly from the fall the rest of the Syrian people, Syria's Kurds need to take five central of Saddam Hussein and are currently running the Kurdistan region steps and remain consistent and unwavering, regardless of how as a prosperous island of stability within a conflict-torn Iraq. Since treacherous the road to freedom may be. affinity between the Kurds (regardless of their country of residence) First, they must organize themselves and develop a coherent agenda, is stronger than the affinity to their separate host states, Iraq's which they can use to advance from the early stages of the revolution, Kurdistan Region is a natural ally and is freer to help the Kurds' cause until President Assad is deposed and the country moves toward a in Syria in contrast to the Iraqi government, which tacitly supports clear reform. The Syrian Kurds need to assert themselves as an inte¬ Assad. Syria's Kurds can benefit from their Iraqi brethren in experi¬ gral part of the Syrian population and identify with the Syrian peo¬ ence, ranging from the reconciliation between the rivaling Talabani- ple's just and non-violent struggle to remove the regime and elect a faction Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party and Barzani-faction government committed to the universal values of freedom, human Kurdistan Democratic Party, to the gradual, peaceful approach to rights and democracy. The Syrian Kurds should not, at this juncture, achieving autonomy within a nation state should the effort to attain seek either the establishment of a federal system or strive for an full integration fail. autonomous region. Instead, they should commit themselves to In conclusion, it is time for Syria's Kurds to close ranks and join the Syria's unity and its constitutional laws, which will be collectively- Syrian people's march for freedom and demand their own basic enacted by a new parliament. rights from a future Syrian government, which they themselves must Second, rival Kurdish groups must end their deep divisions and pres¬ help shape. The Arab revolutions are as historically exceptional and ent a unified approach if they want to be recognized and dealt with unparalleled as the victory of the Kurd-turned-Arab Saladin over the seriously. The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Syria (KDPS) supports European Crusaders in the twelfth century, and this time, too, Arabs the removal of the Assad regime while the Democratic Union Party and the Kurds can join forces to defeat injustice that has plagued (PYD), which has close ties to Turkey's PKK, is concerned that them from within.Q Assad's removal will lead to the dominance of the Turkish-supported

Muslim Brotherhood which would maintain the same anti-Kurd pol

11 Revue de Presse-Press Review.-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

TheNational march s, 2012

Ancient Kurdistan meets modernity

April Yee

thenatiqnal.ae

... *|ft* # The chapel - a damp cave carved ^i* IU+ ****** into the rock on the riverside - wel¬ «Ail comed worshippers from both sides of

the water for 1,300 years. Catholic ai families gathered for Mass every F« iv Sunday and afterwards in each others' > * homes, just a short walk from the ..'flfr.'.?>

church or across the shallow waterway. * But some 25 years ago, modern politics 'S sliced the parish in two along the river's

path.

"It's a political issue, you see. They

are Syria and we are Iraq," says Yousif

Gebow, the priest in Fishkabour, a vil¬

lage in the northern Iraqi region of

Kurdistan. Turkey and Iran have built up bil¬ and oil. Resources including minerals Today, residents of Fishkabour, Iraq, lions of dollars of trade with resource- and fertile land are drawing investors communicate with their relatives in rich Kurdistan, even as Kurdish rebels to the region from Norway, France and Khanik, Syria, only by telephone. skirmish with the Turkish and Iranian the UAE and creating more reasons to

Kurdistan - the semi-autonomous militaries. venture into the stunning countryside

region in northern Iraq - is an amalga¬ and small villages outside the capital. The Kurdish capital of Erbil is locked mation of identities and allegiances in a dispute with the Iraqi federal The development can be seen that sometimes come into conflict. government in Baghdad over borders during the three-hour drive from Erbil

to Fishkabour. Rolling green hills are

dotted by oil rigs. A small town hosts a

Q&A: A land of opportunity Chinese art centre. The rare stretches of newly smoothed asphalt were provi¬ Business opportunities are growing in Iraqi Kurdistan ded by foreign companies seeking good¬

will. The drive will inevitably involve a Where exactly is Kurdistan? local tea house - a welcome chance to Picture the place where Syria, Turkey, Iran and Iraq meet. This semi-autonomous sip sugary black tea from small cups. region of northern Iraq technically operates under laws made in Baghdad, but it In Fishkabour, visitors are fewer, also administers its own budget and ministries. The capital, Erbil, maintains an and all the more welcome to Father often contentious dialogue with Baghdad over matters including oil contracts and Gebow. the disputed border.

Some 200 families still gather here

Is it safe in Kurdistan? on Sundays.

We stayed in the Erbil Rotana, which puts all visitors through a security check Their numbers are too large fer .the

before they can even enter the parking lot. Beyond Erbil, we travelled with the ancient cave chapel, so they worship at

oil company DNO's security consultant, a former member of the British military. a pristine white church just above. It

Since five-star hotels are few and far between outside the capital, DNO grants i was built in 1861, but locals who view

visitors use of dormitory-style accommodations at its Tawke field work camp. history over a 1,300-year trajectory

still call it new. What companies are active in the region? The Quote: "In a flat country a Oil companies from Norway, the US, Canada, South Korea, Turkey, Austria and hillock thinks itself a mountain." the UAE are active in Kurdistan's biggest industry. Agricultural companies from as Kurdish proverb far away as France are also establishing a presence in the under-farmed region. Barham Salih, the prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, project¬

ed 12 per cent GDP growth this year and characterised the northern region as a

gateway to the Iraqi market.

12 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ûzeti

fflÏÏoiuk

Vendredi 2 mars 2012 armée, un mois après le vote, en der sur ses panneaux d'affichages, France, de la loi Boyer, pénalisant la dans le métro et aux arrêts de bus, négation du génocide arménien de des appels à manifester, tandis Poussée de fièvre 1915. Ce texte, qui a finalement été que dans les quotidiens stambou- censuré, mardi, par le Conseil liotes, une pleine page de publicité - constitutionnel, avait soulevé les exhortait les Turcs à donner de la

protestations de la Turquie. Le pré¬ voix: «Ne restez pas silencieux antiarménienne sident de la République, Abdullah face aux mensonges arméniens. » Gûl, a estimé mercredi que le Le gouverneur d'Istanbul et le Conseilconstitutionnel avait « sau¬ ministre de l'intérieur, Idris Nairn enTurquie vé la France de la disgrâce ». Sahin, étaient aux premières loges, dimanche, parmi les manifestants, Eruption de violence le ministre s'en prenant vigoureu- Rassemblant des organisations Les nationalistes accusent l'Arménie de sement«auxbuveursdesangamié- nationalistes turques et azéries, ou niens». Les jours précédents, génocide vingt ans après la guerre du Karabakh des ONG islamistes tels que 1THH, M. Sahin s'était rendu à Bakou, où il la manifestation de dimanche a avait rencontré le président îlham bénéficié d'une mobilisation sans Aliev, pour préparer ces cérémo¬

Istanbul baïdjan, contrôlée par l'Arménie. A précédent. Toute la semaine, la nies. II avait estimé que Khojaly

Correspondance l'époque; environ 600 civils, mairie d'Istanbul avait fait placar- constituait « un point noir dans avaient été tués par des miliciens l'histoire de l'humanité».

Les critiques se multiplient arméniens, selon le régime de Quelques éditorialistes et acti¬ Génocide arménien :pas contre les autorités turques, Bakou, quiréclamela reconnaissan¬ vistes ont réagi à cette éruption de de nouvelle loi en France après la tenue d'une manifes¬ ce du « génocide de Khojaly ». violence, encouragéeparle gouver¬ tation antiarménienne, dimanche Mais le recueillement pour les nement. L'Association des droits Le gouvernement a repoussé à la 26février, à Istanbul. Les slogans Victimes a très vite laissé la place à de l'homme d'Istanbul(IHD) et l'or¬ prochaine législature, mercredi racistes, ont soulevé l'indignation undéferlement de haineantiarmé¬ ganisation antiraciste DurDe ont 29février, un éventuel réexamen d'une partie de l'opinion. «Mort à nienne, comme le souligne le jour- déposé une plainte, mardi, à par le Parlement de la question la diaspora arménienne», «Vous nalisteCengiz Candar, dansle quoti¬ Istanbul, pour incitation à la hai¬ de la négation du génocide armé¬ êtes tous Arméniens, vous êtes tous dienRadikal. Sur la vaste place Tak¬ ne, contre les organisateurs et nien, malgré le souhait de Nico¬ des bâtards », scandaient en effet sim, de jeunes militants distri¬ contre le ministre de l'intérieur. las Sarkozy de travailler surun de jeunes jnilitants, réunis sur la buaient des rouleaux de papier toi¬ Des appels à la démission ont nouveau.texte, formulé après place Taksim, dans le centre d'Is¬ lette, produits depuis janvier sous été.lancés contre M. Sahin. Le pre¬ l'annonce de la censure par le tanbul, en formant de la main une la marque « Sarkozy », en Turquie, mier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdo¬ Conseil constitutionnel de la foi' tête de loup, signe de ralliement pourmarquerleurhostilité au pré¬ gan a lui, préféré minimiser l'am¬ punissant la négation du génoci¬ des ultranationalistes turcs. sident français. D'autres, membres pleurde la manifestation et a parlé de arménien. La porte-parole du Environ 20000 manifestants d*un petit parti nationaliste, bran¬ de «slogans isolés», ce qui était gouvernement, Valérie Pécres- turcs et azéris, étaient réunis pour dissaient unebanderole inquiétan¬ loin d'être le cas. La justice a été se, a admis que le Parlement ces¬ commémorerles massacresdeKho- te: «Aujourd'hui Taksim, demain contrainte d'ouvrir une enquête. sant de siéger le 6 ou le 7 mars, il jaly, le 26 février 1992 : l'un des épi¬ Erevan, nouspouvons vous tomber GUILLAUME PERKIER ne serait «vraisemblablement sodesles plus sanglantsde laguerre dessus dans la nuit. » pas possible d'adopter une loi pourle contrôledu Haut-Karabakh, Ces commémorations ont pris avant lafin de la législature». une province séparatiste d'Azer une tournure politique cette

3REUTER Une bombe télécommandée explose à Istanbul, 15 blessés

ISTANBUL - 1 mars 2012- (Reuters)

UNE BOMBE télécommandée a explosé au passage d'un véhi¬ cule de police jeudi à Istanbul, blessant quinze policiers, ont Vl annoncé les forces de l'ordre.

La bombe était placée sur une moto à proximité du siège du parti [ I lî islamiste AKP, au pouvoir en Turquie, a précisé le chef de la police I tr d'Istanbul.

r "Une bombe télécommandée placée sur une moto a explosé au

passage d'un véhicule de police transportant 21 policiers. Nos

équipes enquêtent", a déclaré Huseyin Capkin. Le Premier ministre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a vivement L'attentat n'a pas été revendiqué pour le moment. condamné l'attentat, commis dans le quartier pauvre de Sutluce,

De nombreux mouvements terroristes ont commis des attentats à au bord de la Corne d'or. la bombe par le passé en Turquie, dont les séparatistes kurdes, des "Notre combat contre le terrorisme se poursuivra avec la plus groupes d'extrême-gauche et des groupuscules islamistes liés à Al grande détermination", a-t-il dit lors d'une conférence de presse à Qaïda. Ankara.

13 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

LE FIGARO mercredi 7 mars 2012

par Pierre Rousselin editorial m [email protected] Syrie: Poutine, dernier recours

QUn an après le début du Aucune solution n'est satisfaisante : qu'il

soulèvement anti-As- s'agisse de corridors humanitaires, de zones sad, la. Syrie n'en finit d'exclusion ou même de bombardements

pas de s'enfoncer dans aériens des positions de l'armée, comme

la violence, sans que vient de le proposer le sénateur républicain

personne ne propose John McCain.

une alternative viable. Les chancelleries débattent de l'opportunité De plus en plus isolé et replié autour de la fa¬ d'armer les rebelles, au risque d'alimenter la mille du tyran, le régime est convaincu qu'il guerre civile, de favoriser les extrémistes et peut tenir, grâce à l'effet dissuasif d'une de faire le jeu des djihadistes. Certains pays brutalité extrême. Peu lui importe l'état n'ont pas ces scrupules : l'Arabie Saoudite et dans lequel il plonge son propre peuple. le Qatar ont décidé d'en finir avec un régime Il est encouragé par le soutien diplomatique qui s'est allié avec l'ennemi iranien. et sécuritaire d'une Russie motivée par son Même si l'on a.un peu vite clamé en Occi¬ aversion à ce qu'elle perçoit comme uii acti¬ dent que le régime de Bachar el-Assad était visme occidental dans le monde arabe. condamné, la logique voudrait que l'on L'opposition syrienne est divisée, minée par épuise les voies diplomatiques. L'ancien les rivalités de personnes et les antagonis¬ secrétaire général de l'ONU, Kofi Annan,

mes ethniques, incapable" d'adopter une cherche à négocier une transition. Son seul plate-forme politique, ou bien de coordon¬ espoir est de faire changer d'avis la Russie

ner ses actions sur le terrain. pour accroître la pression sur Bachar el- Et puisqu'elle n'est pas parvenue, en douze Assad. mois, à fragiliser le système sécuritaire de la L'impuissance occidentale est telle que Vla¬

dictature, son seul -recours est de s'en re¬ dimir Poutine est devenu un dernier re¬ mettre à une intervention étrangère, com¬ cours. À peine revenu au tout premier plan, me si celle-ci pouvait suffire- à sauver le le maître du Kremlin a peut-être là une car¬

pays du chaos. te à jouer.

Xtmonde

Dimanche u - Lundi 12 mars 2012

KofiAnnan à Damas pourl'opération de la « dernière chance »

gères russe, Serguei Lavrov, avec affluent. Environ 1000 Syriens New York (Nations unies) huit heures à Damas, l'ancien lequel il devait d'ailleurs s'entrete¬ sont arrivés par les montagnes cet¬ Correspondante secrétaire général de l'ONU devait te semaine, faisant passer le nom¬ rencontrer le président syrien, nir au Caire avant son arrivée à Damas, et il est «fortement soute- bre de réfugiés en Turquie à envi¬ LES DIPLOMATES sont nombreux Bachar Al-Assad, des responsables nu par les Etats-Unis». ANewYork, ron 12 000. Parmi eux figurent des à en parler comme de « la tentative gouvernementaux et de la société les discussions sur un projet améri¬ éléments de l'Armée syrienne diplomatique de la dernière chan¬ civile locale. Ses entretiens avec cain de résolution à portée huma¬ libre. Dans le camp d'Apaydin, ce». Quelques heures avant que des dirigeants de l'opposition sont nitaire ont tourné court, la Russie tenu au secret par l'armée turque, l'émissaire spécial de l'ONU et de prévus eh dehors de la Syrie. Selon le jugeant «déséquilibré». se trouvent des déserteurs et leurs la Ligue arabe pour la Syrie, Kofi son successeur, Ban Ki-moon, les familles. Le nombre de militaires Annan, n'entame sa mission, same¬ « troispriorités » de sa mission Assauts de haut rang présents varie selon di 10 mars à Damas, l'humeur au sont -. un « cessez-le-feu immé¬ La Syrie sera au centre des dis¬ les sources. On parle de 4 à 6 géné¬ siège des Nations unies était à l'op¬ diat», « une solution politique glo¬ cussions du Conseil de sécurité, raux et d'une quinzaine d'officiers. timisme prudent. L'initiative de bale », et « l'accès et l'aidehumani- lundi, qui doit tenir une réunion Après sa mission en Syrie, Kofi paix de la Ligue arabe n'ayant pas taires ». ministérielle sur « les défis et les Annan doit se rendre dans d'autres recueilli le consensus de la commu¬ Le diplomate ghanéen de 73 ans opportunités » du « printemps ara¬ pays de la région et notamment en nauté internationale - les vetos dispose de «deux atouts majeurs », be ». Ces tractations interviennent Turquie, où ilvisitera les camps de russe et chinois l'ont démontré -, estime Bruce Jones, spécialiste de alors que les forces de sécurité réfugiés. Selon l'ONU, plus de « la médiation de Kofi Annan est l'ONU et de la sécurité internatio¬ syriennes ont lancé, vendredi, plu¬ 25 ooo.Syriens ont été recensés aujourd'hui la seule carte que nous nale à la Brookings Institution : il sieurs assauts contre desrégions dansles pays voisins de la Syrie. pouvonsjouer, nous n'avonspasle entretient depuis ses deux man¬ rebelles, tuant près de 50 civils, en Alexandra Geneste choix », fait remarquer une source dats à la tête des Nations unies majorité à Idlib. A la frontière (avec Guillaume Pemueh proche du dossier. (1997-2006), des « liens étroits » turco-syrienne, les réfugiés à Istanbul) Lors de sa visite de quarante- avec le ministre des affaires étran

14 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

mercredi 7 mars 2012 LE FIGARO Akil Hachem. L'opposition syrienne minée par les divisions d'une ambiguïté. Depuis plusieurs mois, le général Hachem multipliait les Partisan d'une intervention militaire rapports - certains internes, d'autres publiés sur le site du Conseil national - internationale, le conseiller militaire examinant les diverses options militai¬ res, les possibilités diplomatiques et les du CNS claque la porte. conséquences d'un engagement de l'étranger. Le CNS l'écoutait sans vali¬

général Hachem explique qu'il avait au der officiellement ses propositions, tout PIERRE PRIER dernier moment tenté de négocier une en sachant qu'elles reflétaient celles des formule plus vague, demandant en manifestants, ceux qui meurent sous les

PROCHE-ORIENT Le général Akil Ha¬ substance «une intervention de la com¬ balles et qui réclament à cor et à cri une

chem est en colère. La semaine der¬ munauté internationale laissant ouver¬ intervention étrangère. nière, ce conseiller militaire dé l'oppo¬ tes toutes les options». Mais le CNS s'est Le retrait temporaire d'Akil Hachem sition a claqué la porte. Motif : le refus borné à décider de «superviser l'appro¬ donne aussi un coup d'arrêt à la tenta¬ du Conseil national syrien (CNS) d'ap¬ visionnement en armes de l'Armée sy¬ tive d'unifier l'opposition militaire. peler à une intervention militaire inter¬ rienne libre (ASL)», appellation dési¬ Celle-ci compte déjà deux chefs, tous nationale en Syrie. «le ne quitte pas le gnant les différents groupes de deux installés à l'extérieur de la Syrie : CNS. Je reviendrai dès qu'il adoptera militaires déserteurs et les civils armés le colonel Riad al-Asaad, qui se désigne clairement une position demandant une qui mènent la guérilla contre le régime. comme chef dé l'ASL, et le général intervention internationale», dit cet an¬ Ahmed al-Cheikh, qui a fait défection cien des guerres contre .Israël, ex-pro¬ Fin d'une ambiguïté en janvier et, annoncé unilatéralement fesseur de stratégie à l'Académie mili¬ C'est l'autre point de dissension avec le le 6 février la création d'un «Haut taire syrienne et auteur de nombreux général Hachem: l'ancien professeur Conseil militaire révolutionnaire de la ouvrages spécialisés, mis à ia retraite à plaide pour l'établissement d'une véri¬ Syrie». Tous deux figurent dans la di¬ sa demande en 1989. Pour lui, les réti¬ table chaîne de commandement qui rection collégiale du Bureau militaire cences de la communauté internatio¬ structure tous les groupes dans une consultatif. Un organisme «mort-né», nale sont dépassées : « C'est déjà une hiérarchie claire. Akil Hachem prône selon le général Akil Hachem. Son re¬ guerre internationale, la Russie et l'Iran également une stratégie offensive, avec trait pourrait également accélérer une aidant ouvertement le régime. » l'établissement d'un état-major sur le recomposition du CNS, dont de nom¬ Sa décision illustre les graves dissen¬ terrain à la première occasion. «On ne breux membres souhaitent une aide sions qui minent l'opposition syrienne peut pas diriger une guerre de l'exté¬ militaire internationale. Le président dès que l'on évoque le volet militaire de rieur», insiste-t-il. Burhan Ghaïioun pourrait en faire les La rupture provisoire entre le CNS et frais le premier. son conseiller militaire marque la fin AkU Hachem prône une stratégie offensive, avec rétablissement Iran : Obama critique les propos d'un état-major va-t-en guerre des républicains rébellion. L'affrontement a eu lieu en public, la semaine dernière à Paris, lors BARACK OBAMA a mis en garde politiquement Isolé. Et ce quej'ai dit, d'une conférence de presse destinée à mardi contre des frappes militaires c'est que nous empêcherons l'Iran de annoncer la création d'un « Bureau mi- en Iran comme en Syrie, accusant ses se doter de l'arme nucléaire », a -fitaire. consultatif» rassemblant les dif¬ adversaires républicains de parler à la déclaré M. Obama. Visant ses férents groupes armés. Une étiquette légère lorsqu'ils exigent des adversaires républicains qui l'accusent posée sur la table annonçait la présence Interventions contre ces deux pays. de mollesse, Barack Obama a critiqué du général, dont le nom venait en tête Lors de sa première conférence de « la légèreté avec laquelle certains

des six membres de la direction collé¬ presse depuis le début de l'année, M. parlent de guerre, (...)]'en vols qui

giale de ce «Bureau». Mais, au dernier Obama a plaidé une nouvelle fols fanfaronnent et parlent beaucoup mais moment, une vive discussion a éclaté pour la prudence et pour laisser aux quand on leur demande vraiment ce entre Akil Hachem et le président du sanctions internationales le temp's de qu'ilsferaient, Ils reprennent à leur CNS, le professeur Burhan.Ghalioun. faire leur effet sur le régime de compte les décisions que nous avons «J'avais donné mon accord à la création Téhéran, au lendemain d'une prises au coursées trois dernières de ce bureau à condition qu'il appelle rencontre à la Maison-Blanche avec années ». clairement à une intervention mùitaire le premier minlstreJsraélien Sur la Syrie, le président américain Bçnyamin Nétanyahou. s'est dit « bouleversé » par la violence, extérieure, 'explique dans un bon an¬ « L'Iran est en train de ressentir tout en disant que les États-Unis ne glais le général, qui a gardé une pres¬ profondément l'effet de ces lanceront aucune action militaire tance d'officier. Burhan Ghàlioun a re¬ sanctions. Le monde est uni, l'Iran est unilatérale contre Damas. (AFP) fusé. J'ai préféré quitter la salle. » Le

15 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

n° 1114 ] du 8 au 14 mars 2012 £

Syrie

L'Iran et la Russie aident Damas, les Occidentaux tergiversent

Face au soutien logistique STRIA HHttflWimturuwiwrw accordé par Moscou au régime, «flimun \wunw«mw éx»j 9-*»-» la rébellion a besoin de renforts. uh um «u«ï «m «w wi w D« imufl unimtmtm Mais Washington hésite toujours, o« m iw »r. 1*1 w. 1*1 regrette un quotidien libanais. j«i t»n ht <*n w * '***

f ' ltc w; wn The Daily Star (extraits) Beyrouth 1 ^^^^k e gouvernement de Barack ^B^^r Obama a souvent été raillé pour f ^« ce qu'il appelle sa stratégie du

'Headingfrom behind" (leadership en cou¬

lisses). Le plus souvent, c'est une excuse

pour éviter de prendre une direction quel¬

conque, et ce flottement n'a jamais été

aussi manifeste qu'en Syrie.

Ce sont les Etats-Unis, par exemple,

qui ont accrédité les accusations du régime syrien selon lesquelles Al-Qaida prêterait

main-forte à l'opposition syrienne. Le

16 février, le patron du renseignement amé¬ "t" Dessin de Haddad paru dans Al-Hayat, Londres.

ricain, James Clapper, a déclaré qu'il pen¬

sait que la branche irakienne d'Al-Qaida en Syrie pour imposer leur volonté. Selon continuent à tergiverser, les Etats du Golfe, avait infiltré les forces de l'opposition certains rapports, les Etats-Unis ont eux eux, agiront et des armes entreront de syrienne et commis les attentats de Damas aussi envoyé des effectifs dans le pays pour toute façon en Syrie, d'ailleurs c'est déjà le et d'Alep [du 6 janvier à Damas, faisant 26 organiser l'opposition syrienne, mais en cas. Mieux vaut que le gouvernement morts, et du 10 février à Alep, faisant 28 nombre si réduit qu'ils ne servent prati¬ Obama adopte une politique qui com¬ morts, revendiqués parle Front Al-Nusra, quement à rien. porte une dimension militaire - sous un groupe islamiste qui s'est récemment Washington est pris entre le désir de contrôle -, de façon à pousser Bachar El- manifesté]. Clapper n'avait pas à faire cette voir partir Bachar El-Assad et la peur Assad à reconsidérer ses options. Le point déclaration en public. Comme il fallait s'y d'une guerre civile en Syrie. C'est sans de départ de toute résolution en Syrie doit attendre, l'opposition syrienne y a vu le doute le cas de presque tous les pays, mais être la chute du régime actuel. Le plan de

signe d'une hostilité américaine envers ses la plupart des gouvernements ont hiérar¬ transition de la Liguearabe peut servir de aspirations. Mais le problème de Washing¬ chisé leurs objectifs. Pour la Russie et l'Iran, base, avec des garanties aux minorités ton est que les Etats-Unis n'ont pas de stra¬ la ligne rouge est la défense de leurs inté¬ syriennes. La Russie doit être partie pre¬ tégie pour le pays. rêts, et cela passe par le maintien d'Assad nante de cette initiative, peut-être avec l'as¬

C'est d'autant plus préjudiciable que au pouvoir. Si les estimations russes des surance que ses intérêts seront préservés les Russes et les Iraniens en ont une : sou¬ chances du régime de Damas de perdurer dans la Syrie de l'après-Assad.

tenir activement la répression exercée par sont incorrectes, ce qui est fort possible, Washington doit se ressaisir. Sa poli¬ l'armée et les forces de sécurité syriennes ; la diplomatie américaine peut travailler sur tique syrienne est étrangement coupée de amener l'opposition, ou tout au moins une son autre priorité dans la région, à savoir cette ligne. Les Russes défendront le diri¬ partie de l'opposition, à la table des négo¬ contenir l'Iran. lia fallu des mois au gou¬ geant syrien, mais lejour où ils lejugeront ciations ; introduire des réformes, ne serait- vernement pour qu'il reconnaisse la gravité gênant et qu'ils considéreront que sesjours ce que de façade, pour redonner l'initiative de la crise syrienne. Aforce de soutenir, offi¬ au pouvoir sont comptés, ils envisageront politique à Bachar El-Assad ; intégrer des ciellement et en privé, qu'ils ne pouvaient d'autres options. De leur côté, de nom¬ personnalités marquantes de l'opposition rien faire en Syrie, les dirigeants américains breux régimes arabes sont déjà arrivés à la dans un gouvernement d'union nationale sont effectivement arrivés à ne rien faire. conclusion que le seul moyen de fragiliser pour neutraliser le mécontentement sur le Leur conduite est lâche et superficielle - en le régime d'Assad était de fournir des armes terrain'; et donner au régime la possibilité un mot, pitoyable. Michael Young de gouverner à nouveau, afin d'éliminer les à l'Armée syrienne libre. Une guerre civile syrienne est une perspective effrayante, poches de contestataires. Moscou et Téhéran ont déployé des mais l'indécision américaine ne permettra

soldats et des agents de renseignements pas de l'éviter. Si les Etats-Unis et l'Europe

16 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti "SS*- Syrians have right to self-defense, Saudi official says

tens of residents execution-style and the worst-hit district of the city of Homs. BEIRUT burning homes in revenge attacks The Red Cross is trying to help famil¬ ies who fled Baba Amr after a monthlong against those believed to be supporting THE ASSOCIATED PRESS siege and took shelter in-nearby villages, the rebels. As the brutal siege of Homs dragged As concerns mounted over the humani¬ a spokesman for the International Com¬ on, Western pressure on President tarian crisis in Syria, Saudi Arabia said mittee of the Red Cross said in Geneva. Bashar al-Assad intensified. The United Sunday that Syrians had a right to take "The needs are, so far, mainly in the States has called for Mr. Assad to step up arms to defend themselves against forms of food and also blankets because down, and Secretary of State Hillary their government, which it accused of of the cold," said the spokesman, Rodham Clinton said he could be con¬ "imposing itself by force." Hicham Hassan. In a rare televised news conference, Government forces have blocked hu¬ sidered a war criminal. The European Union committed itself to documenting the Saudi foreign minister, Saud al-Fais- manitarian access to Baba Amr since al) said that his kingdom welcomed in¬ Friday, the day after troops seized it war crimes in Syria to set the stage for a ternational efforts to broker à cease-fire from rebels. Opposition fighters had "day of reckoning" for the country's in Syria but added that they had "failed been in control of the neighborhood for leadership, in the way that former Yugoslav leaders were tried for war to stop the massacrés." several months, and a government of¬ crimes in the 1990s by a special United "Is there something greater than the fensive on Homs that began in early right to defend oneself and to defend hu¬ February aimed to retake rebel-held Nations tribunal. While they continued to appeal for un¬ man rights?" he said, adding that the neighborhoods inside the city. fettered access to Homs, Red Cross Syrian people wanted to defend them¬ Syrian troops managed to take con¬ selves. "The regime is not wanted by trol of Baba Amr after nearly a month of workers were focusing on distributing aid in the village Abel, about three kilo¬ the people." intense and relentless shelling, and ac¬ "The regime," he said, "is insisting tivists say hundreds were killed in the meters, or two miles, from Homs. They on imposing itself by force on the Syrian daily bombardments that led up to the hope to distribute aid in the Inshaat and Tawzii neighborhoods on Monday. people." final battle on Thursday. Some Baba Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been dis¬ Amr residents were killed when, in des¬ Homs has emerged as a central cussing military aid to the Syrian oppo¬ peration, they dared to venture out of battleground in the conflict, which star¬ ted last March with protests calling for sition. But the United States and others their homes to forage for food. have not advocated arming the rebels, Activists have said residents face a the ouster of Mr. Assad in some of the in part out of fear that it would create an humanitarian catastrophe in Baba Amr country's impoverished hinterlands. even deadlier and more prolonged con¬ and other parts of Homs, Syria's third- The protests spread as the govern¬ flict. Saudi Arabia's Sunni dynasty is largest city, with a population of one mil¬ ment waged a violent crackdown on dis¬ wary of the wave of Arab Spring upris¬ lion. Electricity, water and communica¬ sent, and many in the opposition have ings, particularly in Bahrain, where a tions have been cut off, and recent days taken up arms to defend themselves Shiite majority is demanding ^greater have seen frigid temperatures and and attack government troops. The rights from its Sunni rulers. The king¬ snowfall. Food was running low, and United Nations says that more than 7,500 people have been killed in the up¬ dom, however, strongly backs the large¬ many are too scared to venture out. rising. ly Sunni uprising in Syria. The government had said it would al¬ On Sunday, Red Cross teams handed low the Red Cross into Baba Amr on Fri¬ Syrian activists said more than a out food, blankets and medical kits in the day but then blocked access, citing secu¬ dozen artillery shells struck the town central Syrian province of Homs, but the rity concerns. In the meantime, Rastan, near Homs, killing at least three government blocked access to BabaAmr, activists accused Syrian forces of killing people Sunday and wounding others.

Tt ts^T^sf -t. MARCH 5, 2012

"epic" sign of support for Iranian theo¬ Iranian elections give more cracy and a thumb in the eye of the West. It was the first national vote since a disputed presidential election in 2009, and scenes of crowded polling places power to supreme leader and voters with ink-stained fingers dominated state television and online reduce the president to a lame duck news sites, alongside none-too-subtle after he sowed divisions by challenging editorials declaring that the vote defied TEHRAN the authority of the supreme leader, Western perceptions of domestic dis¬ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the govern¬ content in Iran. Iran's opposition move¬ FROM NEWS REPORTS ing hierarchy. ment, whose leaders have been jailed or Iran's supreme leader has tightened his With 90 percent of ballot boxes coun¬ placed under house arrest, had called grip on Iran's factional politics after loy¬ ted, Khamenei loyalists are expected to for a boycott of the vote. alists won more than 75 percent of seats occupy more than three-quarters of the Ayatollah Khamenei and other top of- in parliamentary elections at the expense ! 290 seats in the Majlis,' or Parliament, ficials had urged a high voter turnout as of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a according to a list published on Sunday a way to show defiance toward the West

near-complete count showed on Sunday. by the Interior Ministry. at a time of extraordinary tension. The widespread defeat of Ahmadine¬ Over the weekend, the Iranian govern¬ Iran's economy is staggering under the jad supporters including his sister, ment declared an enormous turnout for latest round of trade sanctions and Parvin Ahmadinejad is expected to the elections, calling them another there is rising speculation that Israel

17 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

will bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. asserted that the government, which has opposition. The elections are not likely to have long held up voter turnout as a sign of its Lying below the surface of the latest any bearing over issues most relevant democratic legitimacy, was likely to de¬ election is a fierce struggle between par¬ to the West, like the efforts to reach a clare high numbers no matter what. tisans and rivals of Mr. Ahmadinejad, diplomatic compromise on Iran's nucle¬ But others cautioned that the official whose second and final term ends next

ar program. numbers could be accurate, especially in year. He hopes to maintain influence by Interior Ministry officials reported an light of a recent campaign by senior Ira¬ electing lawmakers who are loyal to increase of 8 to 9 percent over the nian officials and clerics declaring voting him. That has angered Ayatollah turnout in the last parliamentary elec¬ a national and religious duty at a time of Khamenei, who has empowered law¬ tions, in 2008, according to the Mehr danger. The appeals to patriotism and maker allies to trim the president's

News Agency. The Islamic Republic piety are especially effective in Iran's power. News Agency declared the elections an¬ hinterland, away from the more worldly Parliament is weak and, if the election other "recurrence of epic incidents in precincts of northern Tehran. yields an even more compliant body, it the history of the Islamic Republic of Results of the vote have been dis¬ could become easier for the supreme Iran that blinded the enemies." missed as meaningless by many of the leader to abolish the office of the presi¬ The reported turnout seemed at odds opposition supporters who filled the dent in a further consolidation of his with the short lines and relatively empty streets during the anti-government power, something he hinted at last year.

voting booths described by a number of protests set off by the 2009 presidential (REUTERS, 1HT) Iranians in Tehran and afew other major election. That was followed by a harsh cities over the course of the day. Many crackdown that effectively destroyed analysts and government critics had the reformist movement and any allied

feîïïonde

Mercredi 7 mars 2012

geste a suscité des interrogations Symbole de cette défaite de dans le camp réformateur, partagé M. Ahmadinejad: sa soeur Parvin,

entre ceux qui pensent qu'il a vou¬ qui se présentait à Garmsar (nord), Sévère défaite pour lu ainsi éviter un durcissement de saville d'origine, a été battue. La der- la répression et ceux qui y voient le snière année du mandat présiden¬ présage d'une négociation, voire tiel s'annonce difficile. M. Ahmadi¬ M. Ahmadinejad d'un assouplissement à venir. nejad va devoir venir, s'expliquer Difficile, en tout cas, de croire dès le 9 mars devant les députés sur au taux officiel de participation, sa politique économique. en progrès de 9 % par rapport aux AVec la défaite des réforma¬ lors du scrutin législatives de 2008. Plusieurs teurs, qui passent de 60 à 20 dépu¬ sources en Iran rapportent des irré¬ tés, ainsi que celle des partisans de gularités ou bizarreries propres à M. Ahmadinejad comme de ses législatifiranien remettre en cause la validité des détracteurs les plus acharnés, Àli chiffres annoncés : ainsi, la circons¬ Khamenei se replace au centre de la cription de Téhéran et Alborz vie politique iranienne. Mais il n'y a De nombreuses irrégularités remettent en aurait perdu 2 millions d'inscrits pas d'assouplissement à attendre en deux ans ; dans celle d'Ham, le de cette reprise en main dans le dos¬ cause le taux de participation annoncé de 64 % nombre de votants est supérieur à sier nucléaire de la part d'un hom¬ celui des inscrits... me qui incame la ligne dure de la Au-delà des polémiques sur le République islamique. C"est un lapsus pesant' 30% tion aurait donc dû être de-54%. Christophe Ayad d'électeurs qu'a commis La question de la participation taux de participation, impossible avec Assal Reza samedi 3 mars en direct à la était essentielle aux yeux du régi¬ à vérifier en l'absence d'observa¬ télévision nationale le directeur de me. Soumis à une forte pression teurs indépendants (Le Monde ne Israël veut « rester la commission électorale, Solat extérieure en raison de son pro¬ s'est pas vu accorder de visa), le maître de son destin » Mortazavi, .lorsqu'il a estimé le gramme nucléaire, il a été, en outre, principal enseignement de ce scru,-

taux de participation aux élections contesté dans la rue en juin 2009 à tin est la déroute des partisans de Le premier ministre israélien, législatives iraniennes du 2 mars à la suite de la réélection controver¬ Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Benyamin Nétanyahou, reçu lun¬ 34%, avant de s'excuser et de recti¬ sée du président Mahmoud Ahma¬ di 5 mars à la Maison Blanche, à fier: «64,4%». Ce taux officiel de dinejad. Ce premier scrutin depuis Ligne dure Washington, a assuré au prési¬ 64 %, a claironné le ministre de l'in¬ la grande vague de répression du Le grand nombre de nouveaux dent Barack Obama qu'Israël térieur, Mostafa Najar, est un « mouvement vert » avait donc été élus -une centaine-, l'élection de n'avait pas encore pris la déci¬ «coup de poing" dans la bouche et érigé entest de légitimité et d'adhé¬ nombreux candidats indépen¬ sion de s'attaquer aux installa¬ une véritable claque au visage des sion par le régime, alors que les lea¬ dants'(89 élus) et la possibilité d'ap¬ tions nucléaires iraniennes, puissances arrogantes [les pays ders réformateurs lylir Hossein partenir à deux listes concurren¬ a-t-bn appris de sources pro¬ occidentaux] qui vont restersonner Moussavi et Mehdi Karoubi, tous tes ne facilitent pas la lecture des ches de leurs discussions. longtemps». Mais le même minis¬ deux en résidence surveillée, résultats. Mais il semble bien que M. Obama a quant à lui invité le tre s'est emmêlé les pinceaux dans avaient appelé au boycottage. les partisans du Guide suprême Ali premier ministre à laisser les ses calculs. Evoquant, le même Bonne surprise pour le régime, Khamenei, ultra-conservateur lui- sanctions faire leur effet. En jour, le. chiffre de 26 millions de ; l'ancien président réformateur aussi, ont raflé la majorité des 225 répétant que l'Etat juif enten¬ Mohammad Khatami s'est rendu votants, il avait conclu à une partici¬ sièges attribués au premier tour, dait rester «maître de son des¬ pation de 64 % ; or le corps électoral aux urnes, alors qu'il avait implici¬ 65 sièges devant faire l'objet d'un tin», M. Nétanyahou a claire¬ étant de 48 millions, la participa tement appelé à l'abstention : son second tour, fin avril début mai. ment refusé d'exclure un recours à la force. - (Reuters.)

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K NTERNATIONAl ÎUralbgMmÇktimne Wednesday, march 7, 2012 Preparations for the resumption of talks had been going on for several weeks, and the decision to go ahead was a result of a show of good faith by Iran. "We hope that this time Iran is POWERS AGREE ready," said the E.U. official, who em¬ phasized the importance of "a clear written commitment by Iran to be will¬ ing to address the nuclear issue in ON IRAN TALKS talks." The official would not comment on whether the European Union was pre¬ pared to ease sanctions once negoti¬

usually blunt warning to his Republican ations got under way, but he said, "We BRUSSELS rivals against irresponsible "bluster" have made it clear that sanctions are or any incautious rush to war. not an end in themselves." Nuclear negotiations "Those folks don't have a lot of re¬ In a letter sent Monday to Saeed Jalili, Iran's chief negotiator, Ms. Ashton said, to resume despite deep sponsibilities," he said, referring to the Republicans. "They're not commander "dialogue will have to focus on this key reservations in Europe in chief." issue" of the nuclear program. Now that "This is not a game and there's noth¬ Mr. Jalili has made that pledge, the talks ing casual about it," he said. BY JAMES KANTER can resume "as soon as possible," Ms. Hanging over the resumption of talks AND NICHOLAS KULISH Ashton wrote. is deep concern about a rerun of previ¬ But that will first require a period of The global powers dealing with Iran's ous discussions in Istanbul that broke preliminary discussions between. E.U. disputed nuclear program said Tuesday off in January 2011 when the Iranians re¬ and Iranian diplomats, possibility in¬ that they had accepted its offer to re¬ sisted discussing . the nuclear issue. cluding a top aide to Mr. Jalili, that are sume negotiations that broke off in Failed talks like those in Istanbul could expected to take place over the next two stalemate more than a year ago a increase the risk of military action, said weeks to decide important details like a move that could help relieve mounting Trita Parsi, president of the National site for the talks, according the E.U. offi¬ pressure from Israel to use military Iranian American Council, a Washing¬ cial. force against Tehran. ton-based advocacy group. No formal negotiations would take "I have offered to resume talks with "If you have talks going, it will make place until after New Year holiday in Iran on the nuclear issue," said Cather¬ it much harder for the Netanyahu gov¬ Iran later this month, the official said. ine Ashton, E.U.'s foreign affairs chief, ernment to take military action," Mr. Senior French officials said talks could who represents the United States, Rus¬ Parsi said. "It is critical that the talks formally get under way in early April, sia, China, France, Britain and Ger¬ end up becoming a real negotiation, a but they also noted the pressure to show many in dealings with Iran. "We hope real process, and not just another ex¬ rapid progress, saying a military strike that Iran will now enter into a sustained change of ultimatums. If the two sides by Israel could otherwise be the result. process of constructive dialogue which fail to establish a process rather than One French official said Mr. Jalili will deliver real progress." just another meeting, the risk of war will could still try to divert the talks from the The announcement of a new round of rise significantly." core matter of Iran's intentions with its face-to-face negotiations which E.U. Fears of an attack on Iran have driven nuclear enrichment program. "We officials said would probably take the upoilpricesand represent athreat to the don't want to waste our time talking to form of a series of meetings with no fragile state of a global economy reeling fixed deadline came as Prime Minis¬ from a sovereign debt crisis in Europe. "We don't want to have talks ter Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, At the same time, Iran has felt the which regards Iran as its most danger¬ squeeze from a round ofsanctions aimed for talks. We want concrete ous enemy, was in the midst of a two- at getting Iran to freeze its uranium en¬ results. They are very, very day visit to the United States to press richment program, which Western lead¬ important talks." his view that diplomatic and economic ers suspect is designed to give Tehran a pressures on Iran to persuade it not to nuclear weapons capability. Iran says develop a nuclear weapon were not the program is for peaceful purposes. the Iranians about the international working. President Barack Obama, who "Our approach to sanctions has been cost of pistachios," the official said. has said a nuclear-armed Iran is unac¬ proven to be the right one not tar¬ The E.U. official said pressure had ceptable, urged Mr. Netanyahu to give geted against population but meant to been brought to bear on Tehran by the diplomacy and sanctions more time. change the Iranian approach to the nu¬ "unity"' shown by the United States, At a news conference in Washington clear file," a senior E.U. official who Russia, China and the Europeans. after the announcement, Mr. Obama spoke on the condition of anonymity The British foreign secretary, William largely repeated his recent comments told reporters in Brussels. Hague, issued a statement reflecting on Iran. But he coupled them with an un- "We don't want to have talks for that vision. talks," the E.U. official said. "We want "We all agree that the international concrete results. They are very, very community should demonstrate its important talks and we do not want commitment to a diplomatic solution by them to fail." acknowledging Iran's agreement to Henning Riecke, expert on European meet, by testing its desire to talk and by security at thé German Council on For¬ offering it the opportunity to respond to eign Relations, said Europeans in gen¬ our legitimate concerns about its nucle¬ eral had "a distrust of military means to ar intentions," Mr. Hague said. solve complex problems" and favor di¬ In France, Bernard Valero, the For¬ plomacy for practical reasons as well. eign Ministry spokesman, warned "It is clear that a military strike against a repeat of "the experience of would maybe impede a nuclear the fruitless discussions in Istanbul" weapons program technically, but it is and underlined that Iran faced a Catherine Ashton, the E.U. foreign affairs also likely that it would speed up a nu¬ "united" front from global powers. chief, sought "constructive dialogue." clear weapons program politically," Mr. Guido Westerwelle, Germany's for¬ Riecke said. eign minister, warned Iranian officials

19 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

against stalling. Iran only damages its HeralM&Sributw march 7, 2012 own interests through "tactical maneu¬ vering and playing for time," Mr. West-

erwelle said. The prospect of new talks emerged IRAN AND ISRAEL against a background of mounting ten¬ sions, with Iran facing a European oil embargo in July and other sanctions Obama is right that an attack should that have deepened its economic gloom. be the last resort, but Israel shouldn't At the same time, Israel signaled in¬ doubt his mettle. Neither should Iran. creasing readiness to attack Iran's nu¬ clear facilities to set back the enrich¬ ment program, while the United States President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Net¬

wants more time for economic sanc¬ anyahu share responsibility for the strains in their relation¬

tions and diplomatic pressure to press ship. But there should be no doubt about Mr. Obama's commit- , Tehran toward a settlement. ment to Israel's security. When he warns that an Israeli attack . There were conflicting reports on on Iran could backfire, and that "there is still a window" fof Tuesday about Iran's readiness to per¬ diplomacy, he is speaking for American and Israeli interests. mit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Na¬ Iran's nuclear appetites are undeniable, as is its malign in¬ tions' nuclear supervisory body, to visit tent toward Israel, America, its Arab neighbors and its own

a secret military complex to which they people. Israel's threats of unilateral action have finally fo¬

have been denied access. An Iranian cused the world's attention on the danger. Still, there must be news agency, ISNA, said that Iran had no illusions about what it would take to seriously damage reversed its refusal to permit IA.EA. Iran's nuclear complex, the high costs and the limited returns. inspectors to visit the complex at This would not be a "surgical" strike like the Israeli attack Parchin, southeast of Tehran. in 1981 that destroyed Iraq's Osirak reactor, or the 2007 Israeli But a news release from Iran's repre¬ sentatives at the I.A.E-A. headquarters strike on an unfinished reactor in Syria. Iran has multiple facil¬ in Vienna suggested that the offer was ities, and the crucial ones are buried or "hardened." Pentagon

conditional, preliminary and limited to analysts estimate that even a sustained Israeli air campaign

only two of the five areas that the would set back the program by only a few years, drive it fur¬ agency's experts wished to investigate. ther underground and possibly unleash a wider war. It would It also accused the agency of ignoring also cast the Iranian government as the victim in the eyes of an agreement to postpone its request to an otherwise alienated Iranian public. It would tear apart the visit the secret site at Parchin until after a meeting this week of the agency's international coalition and undermine a tough sanctions re¬

board of governors. gime, making it even easier for Iran to rebuild its program.

The ISNA report was apparently Israelis have every right to be fearful and frustrated. For too

based on the same news release , which long the world ignored Iran's misdeeds and shrugged off Isra¬ the Iranian mission at the I.A.E.A. said el's alarms. But while President George W. Bush blustered it had issued on Monday. and made no progress, Mr. Obama with a sharp nudge from The I.A.E.A. believes that secret mili¬ Israel and Congress has had increasing success rallying the tary work may have been carried out at international community to isolate and punish Tehran. Parchin and has been pressing for ac¬ cess. Last month, a senior delegation Mitt Romney's claim that "if Barack Obama gets re-elect¬ from the atomic agency held its second ed, Iran will have a nuclear weapon" is purely cynical; his

round of talks in a month with Iranian own prescription for "crippling sanctions" and "military op¬

officials in Tehran. tions" barely differs from Mr. Obama's policy. The presi¬ "During both the first and second dent's offer to negotiate with Tehran has made it easier to round of discussions, the agency team persuade others to ratchet up the pressure. requested access to the military site at We don't know if there is any mix of sanctions and diploma¬ Parchin. Iran did not grant permission for this visit to take place," the I.A.E.A. cy that can persuade the mullahs to abandon their nuclear

said at the time. ambitions. U.S. officials are right not to overpromise. Iran is ''Intensive efforts were made to reach feeling the bite from restrictions on its banking system, and

agreement on a document facilitating the pressure and pain should rise in coming months as the the clarification of unresolved issues in European Union imposes an embargo on Iranian oil imports. connection with Iran's nuclear pro¬ Tehran's recent offer to return to the negotiations is almost gram, particularly those relating to pos¬ certainly another feint, but must be tested. sible military dimensions. Unfortu¬ What if sanctions and diplomacy are not enough? Mr. nately, agreement was not reached on this document," its statement said. Obama has long said that all options areon the table. In re¬ cent days his language has become more pointed urged on,

Nicholas Kulish reportedfrom Berlin. undoubtedly, by Israel's threats to act alone. Last week he

Alan Cowed in London, Brian Knowlton in told The Atlantic, "when the United States says it is unac¬ Washington and Steven Erlanger and Al¬ ceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we ison Smale in Paris contributed reporting. say." In a speech on Sunday to the American Israel Public Af¬

fairs Committee, he declared that his policy is not to contain

Iran, it is "to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."

The U.S. military is far more capable of doing serious dam¬

age to Iran's facilities than the Israeli military, but the cost

would still be high. Mr. Obama is right that military action

should only be the last resort, but Israel should not doubt this

president's mettle. Neither should Iran.

20 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

. INTOtWKMU

MARCH 7, 2012 Russia resisting new

FROM NEWS REPORTS U.S. efforts on Syria Foreshadowing a potential diplomatic standoff, Russia was reported on Tues¬ day to have signaled opposition to new efforts by the United States to frame a

U.N. Security Council resolution seek¬ &H ing humanitarian access to shattered neighborhoods in the central Syrian city

Homs.

The Syrian Arab News Agency, mean¬ while, showed a photograph of a bull¬ dozer said to be removing debris from the Baba Amr district of Homs, where a monthlong siege by the government forces ended late last week as rebels melted away in what they called a tac¬ tical withdrawal.

The International Committee of the

Red Cross has been refused permission to enter Baba Amr, and activists have said that the government forces who overran the area conducted summary executions. Women fleeing the district Refugees from the conflict in Syria received humanitarian aid from an Islamic group on Tuesday told a BBC television reporter in footage in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. aired Monday night that the government forces had rounded up and killed men from the area, where armed rebels and a resolution urging Mr. Assad to step to expel Syrian ambassadors from their army defectors had resisted days of gov¬ aside. respective countries in response to the ernment artillery, sniper and tank fire. The developments came as the tone Assad government's intensifying crack¬ But the government blamed "armed turned increasingly hawkish in Wash¬ down. terrorist groups" the official term for ington. Senator John McCain, a leader France's ambassador to Damascus opponents of President Bashar al-Assad among Republicans on military mat¬ was returning to Paris on Tuesday after for the destruction in Baba Amr and ters, called on the United States on Mon¬ closing the embassy following Presi¬ another neighboring area, accusing day to conduct an extensive air bom¬ dent Nicolas Sarkozy's decision to cut them of setting up roadblocks and "oth¬ bardment of Syrian targets, with Arab its diplomatic presence in Syria. er caches and dens which the armed ter¬ League permission, to protect anti-gov¬ The Foreign Ministry spokesman, rorist gangs resorted to in their opera¬ ernment fighters and civilians there. Bernard Valero, said that Syria's am¬ tions against civilian residents." On Tuesday, the White House said bassador to France had not been asked The official account from the Syrian that President Barack Obama remained to leave yet, but that talks were taking Arab News Agency and other state committed to diplomatic efforts to end place to remove Syrian envoys from news media outlets bears no resemb¬ the violence in Syria. other European capitals. lance to activists' accounts and video "The president has repeatedly called "We are discussing it with the Euro¬ showing widespread destruction from for an immediate halt to the violence in peans. At this stage we're not there sustained bombardment by the govern¬ Syria," said Tommy Vietor, a White yet," he said, adding that the decision ment. House spokesman. "Currently the ad¬ could be taken on an individual country In the international diplomacy sur¬ ministration is focused on diplomatic basis. rounding the crisis, the Syrian govern¬ and political approaches rather than a The Spanish foreign minister, José ment made diplomatic gestures Monday military intervention. Our best chance Manuel Garcia-Margallo, said that in re¬ toward seeking an end to the uprising to do that and to usher in a political tran¬ sponse to savage killings and human that has convulsed the country, agree¬ sition is to continue to isolate the re¬ rights abuses the country would cease ing for the first time to allow visits by the gime, cut off key revenue streams, and activities at its embassy in the capital, top U.N. relief official and by the newly push the opposition to unite itself under Damascus, but would not formally close designated envoy who represents the a clear transition plan that makes space the Spanish mission. United Nations and the Arab League. for Syrians of all creeds and ethnicit¬ Spain would maintain an active diplo¬ But there was little indication of a rap¬ ies." matic presence through the European prochement between Washington and In contrast to Mr. McCain's com¬ Union's delegation in Syria "to monitor Moscow over international efforts to ments, other lawmakers, including the the situation of Spaniards in the zone, halt the bloody confrontation. In a com¬ speaker of the House, Representative maintain contacts with the opposition ment on his Twitter account, Gennadi John A. Boehner, are urging a more cau¬ and send a political message that what Gatilov, the Russian deputy foreign tious approach. is happening in Syria is not acceptable,"

minister, said a new U.S. draft of a Secu¬ "The situation in Syria is pretty com¬ Mr. Margallo said. rity Council resolution on Syria was "a plicated," Mr. Boehner told reporters The United States, Britain, Switzer¬ slightly modified version of the last ve¬ when asked about Mr. McCain's com¬ land and Canada have closed their em¬ toed document it should be substan¬ ments. "Until there's a clear direction bassies in the Syrian capital as violence tially balanced." as to what is happening there, involving intensifies across the country. The remark came a day after Prime ourselves at this point in time would be "It is no longer a regime," said Mr. Minister Vladimir V. Putin claimed vic¬ premature." Valero, the French spokesman. "It is a tory in the Russian presidential elec¬ On Tuesday, a French Foreign Min¬ clan that is plunging itself deeper into a tion. istry spokesman said that European repressive policy that is leading the Last month, Russia and China vetoed governments were discussing whether country to collapse." (iht.reuters)

21 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

îtodbiÈ&Sribtuw Thursday, march s, 2012

U.N. relief chief visits Obama asks battered Syrian city for military

how many Chinese workers were in Syr¬ Opposition says arrests ia, the announcement reflected what ap¬ options are continuing in Homs peared to be lost confidence in Mr. As¬ sad's powers of governance. after monthlong assault "The Chinese government and minis¬ against Syria tries must seriously undertake the pro¬ tection of Chinese firms' production and BY RICK GLADSTONE projects overseas, and the protection of WASHINGTON The United Nations' top relief official the lives of Chinese citizens overseas, visited the ravaged Syrian city of Homs especially engineering teams," China's Pentagon leaders assert on Wednesday as part of her assess¬ commerce minister, Chen Deming, was ment of emergency needs in swathes of quoted as saying by Xinhua, the state- diplomacy and sanctions

the country devastated by a yearlong run news agency. remain the best solution uprising against President Bashar al- Other signs of Syria's deepening isola¬ Assad, international aid officials said. tion emerged Wednesday, including

The visit by the official, Valerie Amos, Spain's announcement that it was fol¬ BY ELISABETH BUMILLER the under secretary general and emer¬ lowing other European nations and the gency relief coordinator, represented United States in closing its Damascus President Barack Obama has asked the Pentagon for military options on Syria, the first inspection of Homs by an inde¬ embassy, and Air France's suspension of pendent outside observer since Syrian commercial flights to the Syrian capital. the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, armed forces first besieged it more than Anti-Assad activists reported that Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, told the Sen¬ a month ago in a ferocious campaign to government forces had begun to turn ate on Wednesday, even as the general crush an epicenter of armed resistance their attention away from Horns and fended off questions about why the ad¬ ministration was not considering U.S. to Mr. Assad's rule. were moving north toward Idlib adjoin¬ Officials of the International Commit¬ ing the Turkish border, a bastion of military strikes there. General Dempsey and Defense Secre¬ tee of the Red Cross said Ms. Amos had armed resistance. The Syrian National tary Leon E. Panetta said the adminis¬ toured the devastated Baba Amr neigh¬ Council, an expatriate opposition group, borhood of Homs, accompanied by offi¬ said in a statement on its Web site that tration still believed that diplomatic and economic pressure were the best solu¬ cials of the Syrian Red Crescent, the armored columns and troop carriers country's Red Cross affiliate organiza¬ were observed heading to the area. The tion for protecting Syrians from the gov¬ tion, which had been waiting for nearly ernment of President Bashar al-Assad. In testimony before the Senate Armed a week to enter that sector of Homs be¬ «** Services Committee, Mr. Panetta and cause the Syrian military was allowing £ ^ s y General Dempsey fended off sharp no outsiders. -\1 T. It was unclear precisely what she saw questions from Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, about why the and she made no statement. But the Red .£ Cross said in a Twitter message that administration was not preparing a more muscular approach. On Monday, Red Crescent teams stayed about 45 minutes in Baba Amr and that "the vast Mr. McCain called for a series of U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria, becoming the first majority of inhabitants have fled the senator to call publicly for that ap¬ neighborhood." proach. He described airstrikes as "the Ms. Amos's two-day visitto Syria came WAELHAMZEH/EPA as awave of new arrests were reported in A Syrian girl in Arsal, Lebanon, on Wed¬ only realistic way" to stop the slaughter. But Mr. Panetta said intervention Homs by the Local Coordinating Com¬ nesday after fleeing her home near Homs. could expedite a civil war in the country mittees, an activist group, and new signs emerged that even Mr. Assad's closest and make an explosive situation worse. foreign supporters were losing faith in group condemned what it called ' 'the in¬ He said bluntly that the Obama admin¬ istration recognized "that there are lim¬ his government's longevity. ternational silence toward continued Accounts of torture and deprivation crimes by Assad's forces that aim to itations of military force, especially with in Homs, conveyed by fleeing civilians, crush the people's demands for free¬ U.S. boots on the ground." Mr. Obama said during a televised have been denounced as enemy propa¬ dom." ganda by the government of Mr. Assad, Security officers also swept through news conference Tuesday that "what is who has belittled the mass demonstra¬ the Damascus suburb of Qalamoun, one happening in Syria is heartbreaking tions against him and insisted that his of several places around the capital and outrageous." He repeated previous forces have been battling terrorism for where there were demonstrations Tues¬ statements that the question of Mr. As¬ the past year. While China and Russia, day night, making arrests on Wednes¬ sad's leaving was only a matter of time, his biggest foreign supporters, have de¬ day, said a local activist reached via but again dispelled the notion that there feated attempts by the United Nations Skype. would be any quick military solution, Security Council to condemn Mr. Assad Telephone services were interrupted calling Syria a ' 'much more complicated and hold him accountable, fractures so it was difficult to gauge how wide¬ situation" than Libya. There, the West have surfaced in that support. spread the arrests were, the activist intervened militarily and contributed to On Monday, Russia's prime minister said, and the electricity only functioned the downfall of its autocratic ruler, Col. and president-elect, Vladimir V. Putin, for about nine hours per day. Muammar el-Qaddafi, in October. "For us to take military action unilater¬ reaffirmed his support for Mr. Assad but said he did not know how much longer Neil MacFarquhar, Hwaida Saad and an ally or to think there is some simple solu¬ Mr. Assad's government would last. On employee of The New York Times con¬ tion, I think, is a mistake," Mr. Obama said, noting that military intervention Wednesday, China announced it was tributed reportingfrom Beirut, Michael withdrawing workers from Syria, leav¬ Schwirtzfrom Moscow, Edward Wong must both be effective and address prob¬ ing only about 100 to guard Chinese from Beijing and Alan Cowellfrom Lon¬ lems that are essential for U.S. security. On Wednesday, both Mr. Panetta and properties there. While it was unclear don.

22 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

General Dempsey also said repeatedly tion. In addition, both said the opposi¬ that Syria was far different from Libya. tion was so splintered that it was diffi¬ General Dempsey told the committee cult to know whom the United States that although "we can do anything," should potentially supply with arms. Syria had five times the air defenses "In Libya, there were leaders who that Libya did and that establishing a came to the front," Mr. Panetta told the no-flight zone would take "an extended committee. But in Syria, "it's very diffi¬

period of time and a great number of air¬ cult to be able to know who we deal with craft" He said an air campaign would in terms of an opposition." be "almost unquestionably" be led by General Dempsey said the opposition the United States because of American was composed of as many as 100 differ¬ electronic-warfare capabilities. ent groups. J.SCOTT APPLEWH1TE/AP Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of In the meantime, General Dempsey Leon E. Panetta said intervention could Rhode Island, pressed further to draw said, the Pentagon is preparing options make an explosive situation worse. General Dempsey out on what he saw that had been requested by Mr. Obama as a potentially protracted operation. for review, ranging from humanitarian ' 'So from a perceptual view alone," he airlifts, naval monitoring, aerial surveil¬ said; "the opening stages in any mili¬ lance of the Syrian military and the es¬ and effectively protecting Syrians. Is tary operation would be an extended, al¬ tablishment of a no-flight zone. that a fairjudgment?'' most exclusive air campaign by the A further complication, General De¬ "It is a fair judgment," General United States against Syria, presum¬ mpsey said, is that both Iran and Russia Dempsey replied. ably supported politically by. the Arab are supplying Syria with weapons. Both also predicted civilian casualties League, NATO, the E.U. and everyone in an air campaign because forces loyal else. But the kinetic part of the opera¬ to Mr. Assad are intermingled in dense tion would be ours for several weeks be¬ urban areas with the general popula fore we actually decided even going in

HAAKETZ.coni 8 MARCH 2012 When it comes to Kurdish rebels, Turkey doesn't have a problem invading Syria

In order to protect itself against the infiltration of PKK members, Turkey has threatened to deploy troops to

Syria and establish a security zone between the countries.

By Zvi Bar'el it will allow other countries to follow suit. Special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan

also joined Turkey in his opposition to "The government of Turkey is pre¬ arming the Syrian opposition. According pared to seek the approval of its parlia¬ to Annan, "arming the Syrian opposition ment in order to deploy its forces in t< may greatly complicate the situation in Syrian territory should the violence esca¬ the country." Annan, who is staying in late and pose a threat to Turkey's national f Cairo in the leadup to his visit to Syria security," warned Turkish Foreign heard similar things from Egyptian Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Thursday. Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr, who This is the first time that Turkey has threa¬ clarified that Egypt is against arming the tened the use of force and military deploy¬ Assad, left, shaking Erdogan's hand opposition, as it may "increase the ment in Syria months after Turkish rheto¬ chances of a civil war." On the other hand, ric has harshened toward the Assad during a meeting in 2009. Photo by: AP Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have regime, despite its previous opposition to demanded to arm the opposition, as they foreign military intervention. Turkey, ding shelter to Abdullah Ôcalan, who cur¬ believe that due to the West unwillingness which demanded on Wednesday to esta¬ rently sits in a Turkish prison. to attack Syria, there is no other choice blish a security zone in Syria for the pur¬ turkey Syria but to arm the opposition. pose of protecting Syrian refugees fleeing There is no doubt that if the Turkish Foreign Ministers to the Arab League cities which are being bombarded by the government asks the parliament for are set to meet in Cairo on Saturday in Syrian military, something it had pre¬ approval to deploy its forces in Syria, it order to discuss the situation in Syria. viously been opposed to as well. will receive it, as the parliament is Furthermore, they will meet with Russia's Davutoglu's warning comes after an controlled by Erdogan's Justice and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who, as it investigation by Turkish intelligence Development Party. However, alongisde seems, will clarify that Russia has no revealed that members of the PKK Turkey's willingness to use force to pro¬ intention of changing its supportive stance (Kurdistan Worker's Party), which is clas¬ tect its national interests, it opposes toward the regime. Another conference is sified as a terrorist organization, infiltra¬ arming the opposition or non-Arab mili¬ set to take place later on this month in ted Turkey from the Syrian border. tary intervention. Turkey distinguishes Istanbul, in which countries friendly to "Turkey will not allow Syria to use between using force in order to prevent Syria will come up with a plan to aid its Kurdish terror against Turkey," the trickling of terror from Syria into its citizens and assist the thousands of refu¬ Davutoglu threatened. During the 90s, territory and using force against the gees which fled the country to Jordan, Turkey and Syria were on the brink of war Syrian regime. If Turkey should use its Lebanon and Turkey. once it became clear that Syria was provi- force in Syria territory - for any reason -

23 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

mardi 13 mars 2012 LE FIGARO Syrie : Moscou et Pékin ne se laissent pas fléchir à l'ONU

La principale composante de l'opposition appelle à une intervention militaire.

ADÈLE SMITH ,r

NEW YORK '

DIPLOMATIE La réunion, lundi, du Conseil de sécurité, au niveau ministériel, a une nouvelle fois mis en évidence les .^'<.. profondes divergences entre Occiden¬ taux et Russes sur le bilan du printemps arabe et en particulier la Syrie, tout en ' ; ; . laissant planer l'espoir d'une possible avancée sur ce dossier. Les chefs de la di¬ plomatie américaine, française, bri- '

tannique, russe et d'autres pays se sont retrouvés au quartier

général des Nations unies pour un débat en présence 47 du secrétaire général, Ban

Ki-moon. Les Occidentaux corps de femmes ont condamné la répression et d'enfants massacrés « cynique » du régime Assad, à Homs ont rendue possible par le soutien été découverts à~ de la Russie et de la Chine ; ils ont appelé, sans trop y croire, Mos¬ À Idlib, dans le nord-ouest du pays, les résistants tentent de répondre aux attaques de cou et Pékin à renoncer au blocage d'une l'armée gouvernementale . rodrigo abd/ap troisième résolution, humanitaire, pro¬ posée par les États-Unis, alors que la Rus¬ sie et la Chine ont déjà opposé leur veto à de nouveaux massacres de civils ont été deux résolutions précédentes. pas intervenir. «Nous ne croyonspas que le respect de perpétrés à Homs. Au moins' 47 corps de Ban Ki-moon a-dénoncé l'usage «dis¬ la souveraineté demande que femmes et d'enfants, dont certains car¬ proportionné et honteux» de la force par bonisés, ont 'été découverts dans la ville l'Étatsyrien. Alain Juppé, qui a appelé ré¬ le Conseil de sécurité reste si¬ rebelle. Les images insoutenables d'en¬ cemment à la saisine de là Cour pénale lencieux lorsque les gouverne¬ fants mutilés, dont certains égorgés, poi¬ internationale (CP1) de La Haye, a affirmé ments massacrent leur propre gnardés, et de femmes violées puis tuées que « les crimes du régime syrien ne sau¬ population » , a-t-elle dit. à leur tour, ont été diffusées par les mili¬ raient rester impunis ». S'exprimant de¬ Une bataille morale tants. vant la presse après son discours, le mi¬ L'opposition syrienne a pour la pre¬ nistre français a rappelé l'urgence d'un Tout en exprimant la «grave préoccupa¬ mière fois appelé lundi à une intervention accord au Conseil de sécurité, en soutien tion » de sonpays, le chef de la diplomatie militaire étrangère «urgente» pour à l'initiative de Kofi Annan, sur « un arrêt russe n'a rien cédé aux pressions occi¬ mettre fin à la répression menée par le immédiat des violences » et « un accès hu¬ dentales, déclarant que le Conseil de sé¬ manitaire », soulignant qu'il était exclu curité était «manipulé» sur la crise sy¬ régime. La principale composante de de mettre «oppresseur» et «victimes» rienne «comme auparavant sur la Libye » . l'opposition, le Conseil national syrien La Russie, qui arme le gouvernement sy¬ (CNS), demande «une intervention mili¬ sur le même plan et de «geler la situation rien et redoute de perdre son dernier allié taire internationale et arabe urgente », la politique par un statu quo de fait». De dans- la région avec l'Iran, soutient à mise en place « d'une zone d'exclusion source diplomatique française, Hillary quelques nuances près la thèse de Bachar aérienne » et des «frappes » contre l'ap¬ Clinton serait sur la même longueur el-Assad, selon laquelle l'opposition est pareil militaire du régime, dans un com¬ d'onde. Sergueï Lavrov avait suggéré ce aux mains d'extrémistes et d'al-Qaida. muniqué lu lors d'une conférence de week-end au Caire que le plan de sortie Russes et Chinois, conscients qu'ils sont presse à Istanbul par l'un de ses diri¬ de crise pourrait abandonner tout trans¬ en train de perdre la bataille morale sur la geants, George Sabra. Burhan Ghalioun, fert de pouvoir de Bachar al-Assad. Le Syrie, notamment auprès des Arabes le président du CNS, s'est rallié à cette plan en cinq points conclu avec la ligue dont ils n'ont pas soutenu les mouve¬ position, estimant que « la communauté arabe ne parle plus clairement de « tran¬ ments populaires, mènent leur propre internationale ne pouvait continuer à faire sition» mais seulement de «dialogue poli¬ despromesses vides et la Ligue arabe àpu¬ tique». contre-offensive diplomatique dans la blier des communiqués de presse si elles La secrétaire d'État américaine région. veulent mettre fin à la violence meurtriè¬ .Hillary Clinton a rejeté les argu¬ La paralysie de la communauté inter¬ re». À. New York, les diplomates n'ont ments russo-chinois de sou¬ nationale devient de plus en plus intena¬ guère montré d'enthousiasme pour ar¬ veraineté nationale, faux ble alors que les forces gouvernementales mer la rébellion.» prétextes à ses yeux pour ne bombardent Idlib depuis trois jours et que

24 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

LE FIGARO lundi 12 mars 2012 Syrie : les Occidentaux craignent « une paix

pourtant « optimiste » après son entre¬ des cimetières » tien. « Le régime est visiblement décidé à en finir une bonne fois pour toutes avec l'opposition, avance un haut responsable À la veille d'une réunion cruciale de l'ONU, européen. Son objectif pourrait être d'of¬ frir ensuite un cessez-le-feu, sur les posi¬ Juppé redoute le piège d'un cessez-le-feu tions les plus avantageuses. Et il nous se¬ rait bien sûr très difficile de dire non... » sans changement de régime à Damas. Droit à la démocratie

Cette « paix des cimetières » ferait aussi le confesse le chef de la diplomatie. À New JEAN-JACQUES MÉVEL jeu de Moscou, laisse entendre un res¬ York, le ministre retrouvera l'Américai¬ ENVOYÉ SPÉCIAL À COPENHAGUE ponsable français. La Russie pousse offi¬ ne Hillary-Clinton, le Russe Sergueï La- ciellement l'idée d'un cessez-le-feu et vrov, le Britannique William Hague et d'une aide humanitaire aux villes assié¬ DIPLOMATIE Le pessimisme gagne les l'Allemand Guido Westerwelle. Le pour¬ gées. Mais elle rejette catégoriquement le Européens, les Américains et les capitales rissement pourrait déborder d'autres « changement de régime » qui est l'objec¬ arabes : ils ne peuvent plus compter que dossiers, comme le conflit israélo-pales¬ tif politique numéro un des Occidentaux sur un improbable assouplissement de tinien ou l'arsenal nucléaire de l'Iran. et de la ligue arabe. Les Européens l'ont Moscou pour isoler le régime de Bachar Sur la Syrie, la même impression de martelé à Copenhague : les Syriens ont le el-Assad et faire stopper une répression paralysie a baigné un rendez-vous euro¬ le droit de manifester, comme les Tuni¬ féroce qui a déjà fait plus de 7 500 victi¬ péen à Copenhague. Le blocage russe siens, les Égyptiens ou les Libyens. mes. À l'approche d'une réunion cruciale sape l'objectif affiché de la mission de « Nous n'accepteronspas que lerégime el- au Conseil de sécurité, lundi, le pronostic Kofi Annan : contraindre le régime de Assad et l'opposition soient renvoyés dos à est plutôt sombre : « Nous pensions Damas à discuter de bonne foi. L'Europe dos, dit Alain Juppé. Le régime el-Assad qu'unefois l'élection de Poutine passée, la « sera bientôt au bout de ce qu'elle peut est condamné à disparaître. Il est impératif foire » sur le plan des sanctions, recon¬ naît un ministre en privé. L'intervention que la transition politique soit mise en « n est impératif que militaire internationale, enfin, est barrée auvre. » Pour l'Europe, c'est un critère la transition politique à l'ONU. Même à but humanitaire, elle essentiel dans la. réussite de la mission Annan. Mais cela reste mie incantation. soit mise en suvre » risquerait de rallumer la zizanie. Bachar el-Assad, lui, profite de cette À l'inverse, geler la situation par un ALAIN JUPPÉ impuissance pour pousser son avantage,, simple cessez-le-feu ne ferait qu'accroître

discussion serait plus consensuelle, dit comme en témoigne un bombardement les tensions sur le terrain, au risque de

Alain Juppé. Mais cet espoir ne s'est pas provocant de la ville rebelle d'Idlib au plonger la Syrie dans une vraieguerre ci¬

concrétisé. » La Russie persiste à bloquer moment même où il recevait l'ancien se¬ vile, dit-on à Paris. Les voisins directs et «la Syrie m'empêche de dormir», crétaire général de l'ONU qui se voulait s'alarment déjà de retombées humanitai-

V

'* >®< r 1 -\ l

... c ... s \ f-« - A -JH; ? C* *»..î

Kofi Annan, lors de sa rencontre avec le grand mufti de Syrie et le patriarche orthodoxe Hazlm, hier à Damas, k. al-hariri/reuters

25 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

res et politiques à leurs frontières . Le Liban l'opposition de rebondir à partir de poches Le ministre néerlandais Uri Rosenthal est en première ligne. Les vieux adversai¬ sûres, comme en Libye. Sur cet horizon suggère à TUE d'offrir « une meiReurepro- res de la dynastie el-Assad, comme l'Ara¬ obscurci, les récentes défections du vice- tection » à tous ceux qui voudraient suivre

bie Saoudite et les monarchies du Golfe, ministre du Pétrole et de quatre généraux l'exemple. Mais cette couverture ne s'ap¬

appellent à armer les rebelles. D'autres de l'armée syrienne offrent un rayon de pliquerait qu'à ceux qui ont déjà réussi à

poussent discrètement l'idée -d'une zone soleil apprécié : elles permettent au moins prendre la fuite.» d'interdiction aérienne, qui permettrait à d'espérer une décomposition du régime.

lundi 12 mars 2012 LE FIGARO

Ankara tergiverse face à l'offensive d'el-Assad

contre Idlib couloirs humanitaires pour porter as¬ une nouvelle réunion ne vaut pas la peine sistance aux civils, sans fournir plus de et n'est pas nonplus intéressante pour les détails sur le rôle dévolu à la Turquie organisateurs turcs. » dans un tel dispositif -. l'établissement Les hésitations de la communauté in¬ de corridors pose inévitablement la ternationale dans le dossier syrien, question de l'utilisation du territoire et autrement compliqué que le libyen, de la participation de l'armée turcs. s'ajdutent aux intérêts propres à la Tur¬ quie. Si elle prend ouvertement la main, Base arrière pour l'opposition elle court le risque de se mettre à dos la LAURE MARCHAND Mais «comment convaincre la Syrie Russie, son premier fournisseur d'éner¬ ISTANBUL d'ouvrir des couloirs sans pression mihV gie. Ankara veut également éviter que la taire s'interroge un diplo¬ carte 4e la rébellion du PKK, LE .CASSE-TÊTE syrien tourmente la le Parti des travailleurs du mate européen. Ankara ne ABDULLAH GUL Kurdistan, dont la branche Turquie, écartelée entre la tentation de veut pas y aller seul. La PRÉSIDENT syrienne joue actuellement le jouer un rôle chez son voisin et sa crain¬ question est de savoir avec DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE te d'être prise au piège d'un conflit qui qui et comment intervenir. » TURQUE statu quo avec Damas, ne soit pourrait déborder les frontières. L'of¬ Tant que Moscou bloque, actionnée par les autorités fensive depuis vendredi dès chars de une intervention sous l'égi¬ syriennes. Qui ont déjà com¬ « La répression, Damas contre la province d'Idlib, qui de des Nations unies n'est mencé à la manier, selon An¬ (Injustice et la borde le territoire turc, place-,plus.que pas d'actualité. Pas plus kara : le ministre des Affaires Dictature ne étrangères, Ahmet Davuto¬ jamais Ankara aux avant-postes. La se¬ qu'un engagement au nom peuvent pas glu, a déclaré que nombre de maine dernière, plus d'un millier de Sy¬ de l'Otan : «Les Turcs pas¬ continuer» rebelles kurdes pénétraient riens, fuyant les prémices d'un deuxiè¬ seraient dans la région pour me Homs, sont arrivés dans la province des suppôts impérialistes », «actuellement en Turquie de¬ puis la Syrie » et qu'aucun turque de Hatay, dans le Sud, selon le ajoute-t-il. Le gouverne¬ ministère des Affaires étrangères. Les ment islamo-cohservateur pays ne serait «autorisé à sa¬ camps accueillent désormais près de a sorti l'artillerie verbale, per » la sécurité de son terri¬ 13000 réfugiés. Les autorités turques mais il sait que le terrain toire. Malgré sa prudence, la redoutent un afflux massif. Au moins des actes est dangereuse- \ Turquie est bel et bien enga¬ quatre généraux ont également rejoint ment miné. Déplus, «l'idée > gée. Elle accueille dans ses le commandement de l'Armée syrienne que les pays occidentaux qui hôpitaux les rebelles syriens blessés, sert libre (ASL) dans un centre réservé aux ne veulent pas brûler dans le feu syrien y de base arrière à l'opposition militaire et déserteurs, sous protection et sur¬ poussent Ankara est largement répan¬ politique. «Nous sommes totalement li¬ veillance turques. due », analyse Semih Idiz, éditorialiste bres de mener nos activités, se félicite Après avoir appelé, ces derniers spécialiste de politique étrangère. Khaled Khoja, le représentant en Tur¬ mois, leur ancien allié Bachar el-Assad Le retard pris dans la programmation quie du Conseil national syrien, qui cha¬ à quitter le pouvoir, les Turcs musclent . de la deuxième réunion des « Amis de la peaute des partis de l'opposition. Les leur rhétorique 'depuis quelques jours. Syrie » , après celle qui s'est tenue à Tu¬ autorités n'ont pas réagi publiquement En déplacement en Tunisie, jeudi, le nis en ''février, est révélateur de cette lorsque nous avons annoncé qu'un bureau président de la République, Abdullah somme de paramètres. La conférence de liaison militaire pourrait être établi sur Gui, a déclaré que son pays était hostile avait préalablement été annoncée à Is¬ le territoire turc, cela signifie qu'il n'y a à une intervention en Syrie qui serait tanbul pour la-mi-mars. Elle se tiendra pas d'opposition de leur part. » Les dissi¬ conduite par des pays extérieurs au désormais au mieux à la fin du mois, dents syriens demandent désormais une Moyen-Orient, mais il ne s'est pas dit après la visite de M. Erdogan à Téhéran, aide plus concrète. «Nous voulons une contre une participation à une force ré¬ prévue le 27 mars, voire en avril. «La 2one tampon et un soutien armé pour gionale. Deux jours auparavant, le pre¬ question de son contenu n'estpas résolue, l'ASL, ajoute-t-il. Mais Ahmet Davutoglu mier ministre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, souligne mie source française. Si c'est réclamait l'ouverture «immédiate » de pour répéter la même chose qu'à Tunis, a réservé sa réponse. »

26 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

iff! 12 mars 2012

Damas, où ils forment une

Syrie: des dizaines de milliers importante minorité.

Affirmant faire l'objet

de Kurdes manifestent contre le d'une politique discrimina¬

toire depuis plusieurs régime décennies, ils réclament la reconnaissance de leur

AFP Les forces de sécurité Selon le président de langue et de leur culture et

ont ouvert le feu pour dis¬ l'OSDH, Rami Abdel veulent être traités comme Plusieurs dizaines de perser les manifestants, Rahmane, "le régime syrien des citoyens à part entière. milliers de Kurdes ont mani¬ blessant trois personnes, a est prudent vis-à-vis des Ils disent aussi revendiquer festé lundi dans le nord de indiqué l'OSDH. Kurdes et tente d'éviter tant des droits politiques et la Syrie contre le régime du Dans une vidéo mise en que possible des heurts administratifs. président Bachar al-Assad ligne par des militants, des avec eux, craignant un La communauté kurde et à l'occasion du 8e anni¬ images montrent des per¬ affrontement violent". de Syrie compte une dou¬ versaire d'affrontements sonnes sur le toit d'un Le 12 mars 2004, des zaine de partis politiques, meurtriers avec les forces immeuble appartenant, affrontements avaient tous interdits par les autori¬ de sécurité, selon une ONG. selon eux, à la Sécurité mili¬ opposé les Kurdes d'une tés. Elle a participé aux "Des dizaines de milliers taire dans la ville proche de part à des tribus arabes et nombreuses manifestations de personnes ont manifesté Amouda, agitant le drapeau les forces de sécurité de contre le régime de Bachar dans la ville pour le hui¬ kurde et celui de la Syrie l'autre à Qamichli faisant 40 al-Assad depuis la mi-mars tième anniversaire du sou¬ d'avant le parti Baas. morts en six jours, selon des 2011. Q lèvement de Qamichli", a Une statue de Hafez al- sources kurdes, 25 selon affirmé l'Observatoire Assad, ancien président et Damas. syrien des droits de père de Bachar, est jetée du Les Kurdes représentent l'Homme (OSDH), ajoutant haut du bâtiment, se casse environ 9% de la population que des "drapeaux kurdes puis est piétinée par des et sont installés essentielle¬ étaient brandis par des gens, selon ces images. ment dans le Nord-Est et à manifestants".

12 mars 2012

Ils ont jeûné pour leur chef tl*9| < Plus de 4 000 kurdes en grève de la faim 9 en Europe

Christophe Castieau

M V,, <;) * > Soutien Le leader du PKK, Abdullah ôcalan, est emprison¬

né en Turquie V

Leur action a pris fin dimanche soir mais pourrait être rapide¬

ment réactivée. Quinze Kurdes de Montpellier se sont joints, le Quinze Kurdes de Montpellier ont cessé de s'alimenter temps d'un week-end, au combat des grévistes de la faim de durant le week-end. Strasbourg. Ces derniers jeûnent depuis presque un mois

devant le Conseil de l'Europe afin que ce dernier obtienne des pour Ôcalan » ou « Vive le peuple kurde », les grévistes de nouvelles du leader du PKK (le parti des travailleurs du Montpellier espèrent que cette pression sur l'Europe permettra Kurdistan), Abdullah Ôcalan, emprisonné et placé à que le prisonnier puisse recevoir la visite de son avocat et de l'isolement en Turquie. « Cela fait huit mois qu'on ne sait médecins. Ils aimeraient également qu'une mission du Comité rien », explique Mehmet, le porte-parole des quinze Kurdes - pour la prévention de la torture (CPT) soit diligentée par le dont deux femmes - qui ont passé le week-end sans Conseil de l'Europe. « Si on n'a pas de nouvelles, on pour¬ s'alimenter au local de l'association montpelliéraine Mala suivra ou on recommencera », assure une jeune femme en Kurda. grève. « A Strasbourg, reprend Mehmet, ils sont prêts à

mourir et nous, on prendra le relais », insiste-t-il.B « Prêts à mourir » Couverts de draps blancs, sur lesquels est inscrit « Liberté

27 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

S3jetDasfrin$ton|lost march s, 2012

of Mashaal Tammo, a prominent Kurdish SYRIAN KURDS SEEN activist. As he was buried, tens of thou¬ sands of people took to the streets in the northeast, marking one of the relatively AS REVOLT'S WILD rare instances in which security forces were accused of firing live ammunition

into crowds in the area, Kurdish activists BY ERNESTO LONDONO anonymity. said. The predominantly Kurdish region, IRBIL, Iraq Syria's long-oppres¬ In addition to chants against Assad, strategically important because it shares sed Kurdish minority is emerging as demonstrations in Kurdish areas featu¬ borders with Iraq and Turkey and has a key wild card with the potential to red calls for greater sovereignty and self- substantial oil reserves, remains essen¬ boost the momentum of a scattered determination. Protesters waved the red, tially up for grabs. and beleaguered opposition move¬ white and green Kurdish flag. Security Officials in Turkey, whose own ment as a year-old revolt appears poi¬ forces kept close tabs on activists and oppressed Kurdish minority includes an sed to become more violent. demonstrations, Kurdish activists said, insurgent wing, and in Iraq, where So far, the Kurds have not been and sought to disperse some with tear Kurds have attained a great degree of enthusiastic supporters of the wider gas. But security forces have shown a sovereignty, are watching the conflict revolution, which is primarily led by notable degree of restraint in Kurdish closely, worried about cross-border rip¬ Syria's Sunni Arab majority and has cities, a stark contrast from its recent ple effects. The Kurds, an ethnic group increasingly taken on sectarian over¬ bombardment of Homs. spread out in Iraq, Turkey, Iran and tones. They remain fearful that a new "The regime doesn't want to start Syria, have long aspired to have their government dominated by Sunni Arabs clashes with the Kurds," Saleh Kado, a own state, an ambition that has often led could deepen their marginalization. leader in the Kurdish Leftist Party in to their persecution. But largely unnoticed, the Kurds in said in a phone interview. The story of the uprising of Syrian the northeast of the country have been "Until now, we stress that the revolution Kurds, based on interviews with experts engaging in daily peaceful protests must be peaceful. Our belief is that and with Kurdish leaders in Syria and against the regime of President Bashar al- change will come through peaceful neighboring Iraq, is key to understan¬ Assad. The government has concentra¬ means." ding why the revolt in Syria has been ted most of its efforts to suppress revolt Denise Natali, an expert on Kurdish slow to gather decisive momentum and on Sunni Arab cities such as Homs and politics at the National Defense just how messy the post-Assad era could Hama, and it has, for the most part, University, said the Assad regime has become. refrained from using force against the sought to woo certain Kurdish factions, When Syrians first took to the streets Kurds. making concessions such as offering full in March, buoyed by successful upri¬ Sunni Arabs make up a majority in citizenship to Kurds who have for years sings in Tunisia and Egypt, Kurdish poli¬ the nation of 22 million, which for been denied official documents. tical leaders were reluctant to rise up, decades has been ruled by members of "To repress the Kurds violently according to those who were intervie¬ the Shiite Alawite sect. Kurds are estima¬ would be another nail in the coffin," she wed. As a long disenfranchised segment ted to make up between 8 and 15 percent. said. "It is one of the communities the of society with an extensive history of Syria's deep ethnic and religious divides regime is trying to co-opt." revolt, Kurds had every incentive to join make its revolt far more complex and the protest movement. But political lea¬ Although Kurdish leaders say most potentially divisive than those in Libya, ders decided that they shouldn't play a Syrian Kurds remain staunchly opposed Egypt and Tunisia. visible role early on. to Assad, the Kurds have become increa¬ Syrian Kurds appear divided , over singly alarmed by the leading role that 'The Baath regime has always tried what kind of role they want to carve out Turkey has played in organizing the to teach that the Kurds are trying to for themselves if the opposition move¬ opposition. Turkey has become a haven divide Syria," said Abdul Baki Youssef, a ment succeeds in toppling the Assad for Syrian refugees and members of the Syrian Kurdish politician, said in an government. But U.S. and allied Western opposition's armed faction, known as the interview in Irbil, referring to Assad's nations are increasingly trying to find . Baath political party. "If we had started, ways to bring the Kurds into the mains¬ the regime would have just said we were As Turkish leaders have devised their tream opposition, an effort that remains starting to partition." Syria policy, they have probably been elusive. mindful of the Kurdish angle at every As the revolt gathered steam in the A Western diplomat involved in Syria turn. Members of the Kurdistan Workers' southern Syrian city of Daraa, Kurds policy said the United States and Party, which has for years fought the began holding large protests in the nor¬ European allies have worked behind the Turkish government in a bid for indepen¬ theastern town of Qamishli and other scenes to encourage the mainstream dence, have used remote Syrian areas as predominantly Kurdish areas, at times opposition to make commitments about staging grounds for attacks in the past drawing tens of thousands, Kurdish lea¬ Kurdish rights in a post-Assad era. and could more easily do so with the ders say. Protesters tore down once-ubi¬ "If and when the Kurds decide to get complicity of the Assad regime. quitous posters and portraits of Assad involved in a big way, it could cost the and toppled a statue of his late father, Kurdish groups boycotted a summit regime physical control over an entire longtime Syrian President Hafez al- of Syrian opposition parties in May region and could also be key to getting Assad, Youssef said. because it was held in Turkey. Few atten¬

Aleppo and Damascus to rise up," said ded a conference in Istanbul in August Kurdish antipathy toward the regime the Western diplomat, who insisted on during which the Syrian National soared in October, after the assassination

28 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentrp de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

w Council was formed. want to recognize the rights of the support of the prosperous region as

'The regime has sought to divide Kurdish people." long as Syrian Kurds found a way to band together. The Kurdish elder' also the opposition through divide-and- Seeking to bridge the divisions emphasized that they should not join conquer tactics," Shelal Gado, a among Syrian Kurdish groups, the armed resistance. Kurdish political leader, said in an inter¬ Massoud Barzani, the president of the

view in , an Iraqi city semiautonomous Kurdistan region in 'The era of armed struggle is over,"

where he is now based. "We regret that northern Iraq, hosted a gathering of he said*

the majority in the opposition think the Kurdish politicians from the neighbo¬ same way as the regime; They don't ring country last month. He pledged the

8 March 2012 HilcLaw Kurdish Parties Consider United Front

in Kirkuk Elections

By NAWZAD MAHMOUD R : p. rudaw.net ? tfj KIRKUK, Iraqi - Kurdish political

parties from the Kurdistan Region appear to have reached a consensus to run r , r » , / ^ in a united bloc in the future elections in «1- ' Kirkuk.

v Factional divisions among Kurdish parties in the past has rendered thousands / A '"V ? of Kurdish votes ineffective.

Rebvvar Sayid Gul, the head of the

Kirkuk branch of the Kurdistan Islamic <-»y Union (KIU) says the idea of the joint

bloc was first proposed by his party.

The KIU is Kurdistan's largest \

Islamic party and the second biggest

opposition group in the Kurdistan parlia¬ Suporters ofKurdish candidates drive on the streets ofKirkuk during Parliamentary elections. ment.

Thirteen Kurdish parties are holding

talks to study the possibility of entering will later devise a- mechanism to deter¬ tions, Kurdistan Region's opposition

the elections as a united front. mine the results and names of winners." groups ran separately, but failed to win

Islamic and secular parties seem to be Kurds consider Kirkuk part of their any seats in Iraq's Parliament.

on board for a joint plan thanks to their historical homeland and seek to annex it The PUK and KDP won the pro¬

concern about the loss of a considerable to the autonomous Kurdistan Region. vince's six seats.

number of votes among Kurdish resi¬ Political and security tension is often "We have received the message of

dents of the multiethnic province. A the main feature of the province as Kirkuk's resident and we will follow it

multi-party meeting was held on the topic Kurdish, Arab and Turcoman parties hold for sure," said Rebwar Tofiq a senior

this week. different views on the future of the pro-- KDP official in the province, referring to

Abdulqadir Muhammad, the head of vince. the demand for one Kurdish bloc in elec¬

the Kirkuk office of the Change Iraq's constitution stipulates that a tions.

Movement (Gorran), Kurdistan's largest referendum is held whereby Kirkuk's "We as the KDP prefer (all Kurdish

opposition group, said there has been no residents can determine whether they parties) to be together in all of Kirkuk's

agreement yet on the creation of a joint want to join the Kurdistan or stay with elections and not only the provincial

list but talks continue toward that end. Iraq. one," he added.

During Iraq's Parliamentary elections This move by Kurdish parties to Tofiq said that nearly 70,000 Kurdish

in 2006, Kurdish parties gained only half create a join electoral slate has been votes were lost in the 2010 elections due

of the votes with the other half going to received positively by the province's to lack of unity among Kurdish groups.

Arab and Turcoman groups. Kurds. "We should not let that happen

Rawand Mala Mahmoud, the deputy Ali Shwani, 34; a Kurdish resident of again," he maintained.

head of the local branch of the Patriotic Kirkuk says, "Kirkuk is not like Erbil and Kurdish parties won more than

Union of Kurdistan (PUK) rejected Sulaimani so they can fight as they like 270,000 votes in Kirkuk and the rival al-

claims that the idea of a joint bloc is the and then let the Arab parties win." Iraqiya bloc of former Prime Minister

brainchild of the Islamic Union. Erbil and Sulaimani are the two Ayad Alawi won 206,000 votes.

The PUK under Jala] Talabani, the major cities of Iraqi Kurdistan and the Ibrahim Saeed, 45, a Kurdish resident

president of Iraq, is one of the two ruling power centers of the Kurdistan of Kirkuk urged Kurds to stand united in

parties in Kurdistan. Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK the elections. If Kurds are not united,

"All parties want that and let no one respectively. The KDP is the major ruling Saeed believes, "Kirkuk will get out of

party take credit for the idea," said party in Kurdistan. Kurdish hands."-*

Mahmoud. "We will have one slate and During the 2010 parliamentary elec

29 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

ïiemlb^SrUnnw friday, march 9, 2012 Not fond of Assad, Syrian Kurds are wary of

what might come next

QAMISHLI, IRAQ

As their leaders face tough options, refugees trickle across Iraq border

BYJACKHEALY

Inside a muddy village named for a I I * failed revoltagainst the Syrian authorit¬ ies, ahistory offlight and exile is repeat¬ ing itself. Over the past few months, scores of Kurds have begun streaming into Iraqi .^~, » Kurdistan, fleeing security forces and the violence that is threatening to '/U sweep Kurds from the sidelines of Syr¬ ia's uprising into its main currents.

ADAM FERGUSON FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES Though the numbers have been small, the new arrivals speak to a possi¬ Ftom left, Radwan Madhan al-Ali, Mohammed Jafo and Rosif Mohammed Sharif Sulei¬ ble change in thinking among Syria's man are among the Syrian Kurds who have taken refuge in Iraqi Kurdistan. largest ethic minority that could poten¬ tially shift the momentum against Pres¬ ident Bashar al-Assad just as his mili¬ "They are against the Assad regime. they are discovering they are not the tary forces have gained an upper hand. They have been for years. They have no first. The Kurds, a group that has long com¬ rights. But they are not sure about In 2004, a riot erupted at a soccer plained of repression and discrimina¬ which people will come after." match in the heavily Kurdish city of tion by the Assad regime, have failed to Mr. Assad has in part been able to re¬ Qamishli, in northeast Syria, setting off unify and declined to join the Sunni- tain support throughout the popular up¬ clashes with security officers and days dominated opposition, with some con¬ rising by courting Syria's minority of demonstrations as Kurds vented cerned that a post-Assad government groups that looked to the police state for their rage. Thousands fled the ensuing led by the uprising's leaders may be no protection. Recognizing the potential crackdown and .wound up here, in à better or perhaps even worse. danger of a unified Kurdish opposition refugee camp they named Qamishli, to Thousands of Kurds, who make up an and a chance to exploit their divisions, memorialize the violence. estimated 10 percentof Syria's 23 million Mr. Assad offered long-sought citizen¬ Nearly eight years later, their seem¬ people, have been willing and eager to ship rights to tens ofthousands of Kurds ingly permanent exile may offer a protest decades of discrimination. They and invited Kurdish leaders to the nego¬ glimpse of the future for thousands of say they are prevented from speaking tiating table. Syrians who have crossed into Leba¬ Kurdish in schools, denied a political But Abdul Basit Sida, a Kurdish oppo¬ non, Turkey and Jordan, a distressing voice and subjecttointûnidation and ar¬ sition leader, said that the government's omen that the emergency along Syria's rest ifthey speak up fortheirrights. brutal response to dissent was gradually borders could persist for months, if not

With young activists as their hack- unifying Kurds against Mr. Assad, and years. bone, have formed their that they were ironing out differences "When 1 first came to Kurdistan, 1 own opposition groups and confronted with Arab leaders of the opposition. thought 1 would stay for a few weeks," the security forces in the streets. Last Still, mainstream Kurd opposition said Barzan Bahram, a leader in the October, five protesters were re¬ leaders have pledged not to fight the As¬ Qamishli camp. "I didn't expect to live portedly shot and killed at the funeral of sad government or join rebel fighters, in exile." Mashaal Tammo, a Kurdish opposition for fear of drawing a lethal response The recent influx of Kurdish refugees leader who many Kurds believe was as¬ from the security forces. That reluc¬ represents the first real movement of sassinated by the government. tance could blunt their role given how Syrians into Iraq since the uprising But the Kurdish activists remain di¬ the government has deployed tanks, against Mr. Assad erupted a year ago. vided, and so are not a full force in the soldiers and pounding force to crush The newest arrivals are young men drive to oust Mr. Assad. Like Syria's centers of dissent. evading conscription, soldiers desert¬ Christians, many are deeply suspicious "We support the Free Syrian Army," ing the army and civilians and protest¬ and, fear that a new Sunni government said Kawa Azéri, a Kurdish exile in Iraq ers fleeing the spreading instability. will marginalize them even further. In and an opposition member, referring to Their numbers 100 to 500 are a meetings of Syrian opposition leaders, the main armed opposition group. "We trickle compared with the thousands Kurdish representatives have have a deal with them and we are coor¬ who have poured into other countries. quarreled over which rights, freedoms dinating with them, but we are not fight¬ The United Nations refugee agency said and powers Kurds would have or ing with them." that there was no pressing humanitari¬ would be denied in a new Syria. But their presence here highlights an¬ an emergency inside Kurdistan, and "The Kurds in Syria have their own other potential ramification of the up¬ that the people crossing the border had problems," said Mahmoud Othman, a heaval and violence in Syria, because as been finding shelter with families, ac¬ Kurdish Iraqi member of Parliament. the refugees arrive in northern Iraq, quaintances and other refugees.

30 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

But they are living as a people apart. weapons to the Syrian opposition, but death toll and broad international con¬ In Iraq, the Kurdish refugees are many Shiites worry about new waves of demnation of the Syrian government's

strangers, welcomed into refugee violence if Mr. Assad's Alawite-domi- brutal tactics. nated government falls to a largely The patchwork tents and cinder-block Kurdish officials are allowing Sunni uprising. homes of Qamishli feel far removed Iran, Kurdistan's powerful and in¬ the Syrian Kurds to stay, even from those questions. The new arrivals creasingly besieged neighbor, is the huddle in shadowy living rooms, texting as the officials refuse to take Syrian government's staunchest re¬ their friends and checking their Face- sides in a . gional supporter. Turkey, à crucial eco¬ book pages for updates from inside Syr¬ nomic partner for Kurdistan, is rallying ia. They, worry about reprisals against behind the opposition. Yet the govern¬ their families, and wonder about the

camps and the homes of family friends ments of both nations are wary that shape of their future. and distant relatives, but still living in greater Kurdish autonomy in a post-As¬ Mohammed Jafo, 26, a Kurdish stu¬ limbo. sad Syria could stoke separatist move¬ dent at Damascus University, said he They say they hope to return should ments among their own large Kurdish fled Syria rather than be conscripted in¬ Mr. Assad's government fall. They want populations. to the army. After paying smuggler,and to begin working to carve out guaran¬ Syrian Kurds say more control is pre¬ then walking across the border, he tees so that they, like Iraq's Kurds, could cisely what they want. To some, self- eventually ended in Qamishli. have greater rights and control over rule inside Syria could be a critical step "I need to find a job, I need to find a their lives. But as opposition fighters re¬ toward creating a single independent house," he said. "I don't know anyone. treated from their stronghold of Homs Kurdistan, a long-term dream that itself This is the problem." last week, any hopes of a quick return complicates the regional calculus. He is staying in the spare bedroom of crumbled as the state forces moved ag¬ "We are definitely seeking to obtain a long-term exile named Adnan Yousef, gressively to regain control with heavy what Iraqi Kurds have gained,' ' said Mr. who still speaks bitterly of how Syrian weapons, including tanks. Azeri, the exiled opposition member. "I officials made him change his true Kurdish officials are allowing the Syr¬ think what they have got so far is be¬ Kurdish name Shiro for an Arab ian Kurds to stay, welcoming them on cause of their long-term struggle, mass one. Mr. Yousef said he had a duty to humanitarian grounds even as the offi¬ graves and chemical bombs. This is our take in the Kurds now fleeing Syria. cials refuse to take sides in a Syrian civil minimum right." "When I came here," he said, war that has turned into a global power Kurdistan's president, Massoud Barz- ' 'someone else took care of me.' '

struggle. ani, has made several overtures to Syr¬ Iraq's Kurdish leaders are trying to ian Kurdish opposition groups. He in¬ Omar al-Jawoshy and Yasir Ghazi con¬ thread the needle in a bewilderingly vited them to Èrbil, the Kurdish capital, tributed reporting. complicated clash of political, sectarian and urged them to demand their rights and ethnic interests. Iraq's Sunni Arab as Kurds. But he has not called for Mr. minority has channeled money, aid and Assad to step down, despite the rising

I REUTERS

Prosecutors want to question MIT chief Hakan Fidan and four Turkish spy chiefs other MIT officials about secret talks held with representatives of

the PKK in Oslo in 2010 and about MIT infiltration of a PKK-lin- under pressure on ked group. In tapes of the 2010 PKK talks leaked on the internet

last year, Fidan, then the prime minister's special envoy, said

Kurd rebels Erdogan was prepared to take a great political risk to pursue peace

talks. MARCH 9, 2012 By Daren Butler I Istanbul I Reuters

The investigation has fuelled speculation of a power struggle bet¬

TURKISH state prosecutors have sought permission from Prime ween the police, judiciary and the MIT, though Erdogan has

Minister Tayyip Erdogan to question spy chiefs over their secret denied any rift within the state apparatus. In an interview with contacts with Kurdish militants, media reports said on Friday, Reuters last week, President Abdullah Gul asserted the state's challenging government moves to curb the investigation. right to hold secret as well as open talks to seek a solution to the Kurdish conflict, and said within that framework initiatives "are Nationalists in the conservative establishment are deeply suspi¬ still being realised." Erdogan says he is determined to solve the cious of making concessions to separatists or negotiating with the Kurdish problem and bring an end to a separatist conflict that rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is designated a terro¬ began in the mid-1980s and has resulted in over 40,000 deaths. rist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union. "Whatever the price, with God's permission and the nation's sup¬

Erdogan appears likely to turn down the request, given the way port and prayers this problem will be solved. We will continue to the government rushed through legislation three weeks ago to struggle with this aim until our last breath," he told members of protect the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) from the courts. the ruling AK Party earlier this week.

Media reports say the prime minister has 60 days to decide. What Erdogan's government has in recent years pushed through is surprising is that the prosecutors, armed by the government reforms, such as allowing Kurdish language broadcasting, in a bid with special powers to tackle terrorism and investigate alleged to address Kurdish minority grievances and end the conflict. He coup plots, have refused to give up their pursuit of an agency that had also given his blessing for thealks between MIT and represen¬ answers directly to the prime minister. tatives of the PKK, who took up arms in 1984 with the aim of crea¬ ting a separate state in the mainly Kurdish southeast of the coun¬ The prosecutor's office declined comment on the reports. In recent try. The Istanbul prosecutor who initially summoned Fidan for years, these special prosecutors had earned reputations targeting questioning has been taken off the case, while several high ranking military officers, journalists, lawyers and academics, over alleged police officers in the city, where the investigations of Kurdish mili¬ anti-government conspiracies, as well as Kurdish politicians and tants is focused, have been reassigned. activists suspected of links with separatist militants.

31 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

AsiaTimes MARCH 9, 2012

il " y "«' The Turkish-Iranian Struggle for Syria

Sami Moubayed. Ataturk, and his strong brand of will target NATO's missile although Tehran has been trying

secularism. In the 1990s, the defense shield in Turkey and to win affection of the Syrian

One of the aftershocks of the two countries signed a US$24 then hit the next targets." .people for over 30-years, while

Syrian uprising is an abrupt billion gas deal, despite mutual Then came a statement by the Turks have been doing it only

end to a Turkish-Iranian honey¬ accusations of backing the Ali Akbar, senior advisor to Iran's since 2003.

moon, which started shortly after Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The Turks managed to win

the Justice and Development After the Israeli war of 2006, who said that Turkey's model of affection of ordinary Syrians -

Party came to power in Turkey Prime Minister Erdogan saw to it "secular Islam" was actually a regardless of politics - despite 80

almost 10 years ago. For many that $50 million worth of aid was "version of Western liberal years of indoctrination in Syrian

years Turkey and Iran - heirs to provided for the reconstruction democracy that is unacceptable media against the Ottoman

two strong empires - found plenty of south Lebanon, a Hezbollah for countries going through an Empire and its legacy in the Arab

in common thanks to Syria. They stronghold, which was music to Islamic awakening". In response, world. There was no such indoc¬

now have a million reasons to the ears of Iranian officialdom. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister trination ever against Iran - and

disagree, also because of Syria. In June 2010, Turkey voted Bulent Arinc said: "I am addres¬ yet, Syrians prefer to do busi¬

The countries cooperated on against a US-backed UN Security sing the Islamic Republic of Iran: ness with Ankara and to go

post-Saddam Hussein Iraq, wor¬ Council resolution imposing fur¬ I do not know if you are worthy sightseeing in Turkey rather than

ked side-by-side to crush Kurdish ther sanctions on Iran. Despite of being called Islamic; have you Iran. This is noteworthy,

separatists, and united efforts on the slump in political relations said a single thing about what is although Iran is a breathtaking

Lebanon and Gaza after the wars since mid-2011, Turkey still relies happening in Syria?" country with magnificent history,

of 2006 and 2008 respectively. on Iran for one-third of its oil Iran realizes that although it breathtaking tourist attractions

That marriage of conve¬ supply. has the ear of top Syrian offi¬ and plenty of wealth.

nience began to fall apart - cials, its popularity on the Syrian The crux of the struggle

rather rapidly - when the Syrian Differences surface street is very thin when compa¬ today, therefore, is Syria.

uprising began in March 2011. One view says that Tehran red with that of Turkey. Relations will continue coopera¬

Turkish Prime Minister Recep and Ankara soon realized that It has tried non-stop since ting on bilateral trade, regardless

Tayyip Erdogan took a radically apart from short-term political 1979 to boost people-to-people of how much politics divides

anti-Damascus stance, calling for issues, the two countries had relations through tourism, cultu¬ them, but Syria remains a

the regime's downfall, whereas very little in common, thanks to ral exchange, and investment sticking point in Iranian-Turkish

Iran stood firmly behind its Syria. Another view, of course, projects in Syria. Religious tou¬ relations.

Syrian ally, with whom it has speaks the exact opposite, clai¬ rism did indeed flourish, for Iran is worried that regime

held strategic relations since ming that economic interests example, but it was one-sided, change in Syria would give the

1979. It all boils down now to a overshadow political differences from Iran to Syria and not vice- Turks unlimited access to Syria,

Persian-Turkish struggle for between Ankara and Tehran. versa. Few Syrian tourists went excluding Tehran from all politi¬

Syria. The truth, of course, lies to Tehran for sightseeing. cal, military, cultural, and econo¬

somewhere in-between. Turkey's However, in Turkey's case, mic influence. The Turks after

Historical background AKP was indeed a religious party where Syrian tourists visiting all, are strongly allied to the

According to Daphne that marketed a strong brand of Turkey jumped from 332,847 in opposition Syrian National

McCurdy, a senior researcher moderate , whereas 2007, for example, into almost Council (SNC), which was esta¬

associate with the Project on Iran was a Shi'ite theocracy bent 900,000 in 2010. In Iran's case, blished in Istanbul last summer,

Middle East Democracy: 'Turkey on marketing radical political 800,000 Iranians came to Syria and currently host the Free

has traditionally viewed Iran, Shi'ite Islam to the world, auto¬ in 2010, for example, but the Syrian Army (FSA).

unlike how it has viewed other matically challenging countries Iranian Ministry of Tourism All talk about a no-fly zone

Middle East countries, as a large like Turkey. refrained from mentioning how on the Syrian-Turkish border

and important nation-state that Last November, Turkey many Syrian tourists visit Iran raises red sirens in Tehran, but

must be managed, rather than agreed to host an early warning per year. at the end of the day, the

confronted." radar as part of the North Turkish soap operas have Iranians are unable to go to war

Back in 1979, for example, Atlantic Treaty Organization's been translated into Arabic and for Syria. If the Syrian Army ven¬

the Turks were among the very missile defense system, infuria¬ are very popular in Syria, but the tures into the northern Syrian

few regional heavyweights who ting the Iranians, who saw it as same cannot be said for the city of Idlib, as it did in Homs,

did not panic when the Islamic a direct threat to their security. numerous Iranian works transla¬ then this would place it dange¬

Revolution took place in Tehran. The Europe Missile Shield, after ted into Arabic - and an entire rously near the Turkish border,

It also became one of the first all, was originally created to Iranian channel dedicated to and the Turks are ready to act,

countries in the world to reco¬ intercept Iranian missiles. broadcasting Iranian works dub¬ invoking Article 51 of the UN

gnize the Khomeini government, Turkey of course only agreed bed from Persian into Arabic. Chatter, being "self-defense".

and to refuse to impose sanc¬ to host the defense shield in This of course is namely due to In fact, Erdogan might even

tions upon it, after the 1979- September 2011 after tensions joint Syrian-Turkish history, inter¬ see it as a blessing in disguise,

1981 US hostage -crisis at the had begun to mount between marriage, and the fact that Turks giving him the pretext to put his

American Embassy in Tehran. the two countries over Syria. The are Muslim Sunnis while Iranians loud words into action. That

Turkey did this, it must be head of the Iranian are Muslim Shi'ites, creating an explains why Iran is very wor¬

noted, despite a systematic Revolutionary Guard's aerospace invisible religious barrier that is ried. They realize that contrary

Iranian campaign to tarnish the division, General Amir Ali very difficult to transcend. to what they believed, there is

image of the Turkish Republic's Hajizadeh, snapped that, Iran feels outsmarted by an entire street in Syria, being

founder, president Kamal "should we be threatened, we Turkey at a grassroots level, the majority, that doesn't like

32 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

them, and has little affection sing began in mid-2011. The two countries - and both cally speaking, both countries

anymore, for Hezbollah. Supporting the resistance in Mahmud Ahmadinejad and are losing ground within Syria,

That doesn't mean the Syrian Lebanon, however, is no longer Recep Tayyip Erdogan - will have both with ordinary Syrians, and

street likes Erdogan any better. enough for Iran to win the minds to do things differently from now against each other, rather

On the contrary, ordinary Syrians and hearts of the Syrian people. on to win over ordinary Syrians. rapidly.

are beginning to view him also Also, loud words in favor of the Otherwise, both will be viewed

with plenty of suspicion and Syrian rebels are also no longer as nothing but hot air balloons. Sami Moubayed is a university pro¬

scrutiny for saying nothing but enough for Erdogan to score Turkey may have the upper hand fessor, historian, and editor-in-chief

loud words since the Syrian upri points with ordinary Syrians. at a grassroots level, but politi of Forward Magazine in Damascus.

WAR.8

terparts. The problem is that Peshmerga troops are only in Iraq: Fearful Kurds Diyala with hesitant permission from Baghdad, and the central government may not want more Kurdish forces in contested Want Increased areas. Unfortunately, ttempts to protect themselves have been effectively thwarted. Peshmerga Protection Although no violence was reported in Diyala province today, at least seven Iraqis were killed elsewhere. Another 11 were

Sunday: 7 Iraqis Killed, 11 Wounded wounded.

March 04, 2012 by Margaret Griffis, In Mosul, a grenade killed one woman and wounded four

other civilians. Clashes left two dead and one person wounded.

FEAR continues to drive Kurdish Iraqis in multi-ethnic In Baghdad, gunmen killed an employee of the Interior

Diyala province to demand extra protection, preferably from Ministry. Two civilians were wounded in the Khadraa neighbo¬

Kurdish forces. Meanwhile, at least seven Iraqis were killed rhood when a sticky bomb exploded on their car.

and 11 more were wounded in attacks across the country. An official was killed and three others were wounded in

Over 500 Kurds have been killed since about the end of 2010, Wassit province.

prompting Kurdish families to demand protection by Peshmerga Gunmen killed a policeman's brother in Balad.

forces. Since Feb. 23 alone, when attacks left almost 100 people An attack on a bus in Kut left one person dead.

dead across the country, about 170 Kurdish families were forced A sticky bomb in Tikrit wounded an employee of the provin¬

to flee Jalawla for safer areas. They claim that Iraqi police are not cial council.

as diligent in looking out Kurdish families, as they are when A grenade tossed at a preacher's home in Diwaniya caused

guarding targeted Arab officials friendly to their Kurdish coun material damage only.

MWA^SIjWTJOOML March 6, 2012

more days in order to decide its stance on the contract it signed

Iraq Says Exxon with Kurdistan," Faisal Abdullah, a spokesman for the Iraqi oil

ministry, said. Mr. Abdullah said Exxon's request was submitted Seeks More Time last week by a company representative who met with Mr. Shahristani in Baghdad. on Kurd Decision An Exxon spokesman declined to comment. The Iraqi government has sent Exxon Mobil three letters

asking it to choose between its deal to explore six areas in By HASSAN HAFIDH Kurdistan and its contract to develop West Qurna Phase 1, which

has proven reserves of 8.7 billion barrels. Exxon Mobil Corp. XOM +0.26% has asked the Iraqi central Mr. Abdullah said the central government is waiting for government to give it "few more days" to decide whether or not Exxon's response to its letters, after which Bagdhad will make a it will cancel an exploration deal with Iraqi Kurdistan, a deal which decision on the matter. Baghdad strongly opposes, a spokesman for Iraqi Deputy Prime Last month, Iraq barred Exxon from bidding in its May auc¬ Minister for Energy Hussein al-Shahristani said Tuesday. tion, in which 12 promising exploration blocks are up for grabs. Iraq has asked the U.S. energy giant to choose between its deal Exxon has also been excluded from a contract worth up to $10 bil¬ with the semiautonomous northern Iraqi region and its central- lion to build a joint water-injection project in southern Iraq. government contract to develop the 370,000 barrel-a-day West In December, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met with Qurna Phase 1. The impasse means Exxon has also been barred senior Exxon executives during a visit to the U.S. and said after¬ from Iraq's fourth oil-and-gas licensing auction, scheduled for ward that the Irving, Texas-based company had promised to May. reconsider its dealings with the KRG. The Iraqi government considers as invalid any deals signed Some of the blocks in the Exxon-KRG deal are in a hotly with the Kurdistan Regional Government, or KRG, which in turn contested oil-rich territory claimed by both the central govern¬ insists that such deals comply with the country's constitution. The ment and the KRG, stretching from the Iranian border in the east KRG has signed nearly 50 oil and gas deals with international oil to the Syrian border in the northwest. companies, mostly second-tier or wildcat explorers, and was Baghdad has already blacklisted companies that maintain hopeful that Exxon's presence would entice other majors. deals with the Kurds, excluding them from working elsewhere in "[Exxon] has asked the Deputy Prime Minister to give it some Iraq. Among those is New York-based Hess Corp*

33 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

mardi 13 mars 2012 Recep Erdogan affaibli par la rumeur

L'incertitude sur l'état de santé du premier ministre turc, beaucoup moins présent sur la scène intérieure et internationale, réveille les ambitions et fait craindre une implosion de l'AKP.

LAURE MARCHAND

ISTANBUL

TURQUIE Le premier ministre turc s'en est remis à l'autorité divine, évitant de

répondre à la question qui taraude la

Turquie depuis qu'il asubi une opération de l'intestin fin novembre. « Seul Dieu et

uniquement Dieu sait combien de temps il , ' ii . ' reste à vivre à chacun de nous, a proclamé *.:*& i'-i-'*'. " Recep.Tayyip Erdogan. Ceux qui propa¬ A , ;>fS?* .-' * gent des rumeurs (...) sont des impu¬ ' 'A ' dents. » Ses considérations sur le destin font suite à une correspondance de

Stratfor, agence américaine de rensei¬

gnements, dévoilée par WikiLeaks et Le premier ministre turc lors d'une cérémonie militaire à Ankara, adem altan/afp

publiée, dans le quotidien Taraf, la se¬ maine dernière. L'auteur du mail rap¬

porte que 20 centimètres de côlon jnev », en référence à la maladie cachée de haine », précise Mehmet Altan. La

auraient été retirés à M. Erdogan, âgé de du dirigeant soviétique. prochaine élection présidentielle est 58 ans, au cours d'une première inter¬ « L'incertitude sur son état a modifié programmée en 2Q14. Gûl ne veut pas

vention : «Le pronostic n'est cependant l'atmosphère, décrypte un diplomate céder son fauteuil à Erdogan. Il serait

pas Von » et n'excéderait pas « deux européen. Après une troisième victoire tenté de créer son propre parti, avec des ans », selon une estimation attribuée à. d'affilée aux législatives (en 2011, députés frondeurs^ Pendant la conva^

un des chirurgiens. Les services du pre¬ NDLR), tout le monde croyait être entré lescence du premier ministre, il a fait

mier ministre ont beau assurer qu'iljouit dans une période de "poutinisation" du savoir qu'il ne souffrait d'aucune mala¬

« d'une très bonne santé » et ne souffre pouvoir. Désormais, même ceux qui die, bulletin de santé à l'appui. Surtout,

pas d'un cancer, sa longue éclipse de la voyaient en hii un dictateur en devenir di¬ il a mis son veto à une loi qui abaissait les scène politique fait ressortir les problè¬ sent : "pourvu qu'il ne parte pas trop peines de prison encourues par des diri¬ mes issus de son exercice autoritaire du vite". » Le vide politique fait peur. geants de clubs de football corrompus.

pouvoir et adéclenché des luttes intesti¬ L'AKP est une coalition composée de De son lit, Recep Tayyip Erdogan a or¬

nes au sein de l'AKP poursa succession. nationalistes, d'islamistes et de libé¬ donné aux députés de revoter le texte. raux. Tenu par Erdogan, cet attelage ap¬ Ils se sont exécutés. L'étendue réelle du pouvoir d'un ac¬ ^ « On ne parle même porte une stabilité à la Turquie qui a tant teur de l'ombre complique encore le dé¬ ' 4p plus de concurrence souffert par le passé de coalitions stéri¬ les. L'AKP évitera-t-il l'implosion sans cryptage de cette guerre, larvée. La i» V v avec Abdullah Gui, l'autorité de son chef ? En tout cas, de¬ confrérie religieuse de Fethullah Gûlen, mais de haine» puis trois mois, la discorde règne au sein imam exilé aux États-Unis, est suspec¬ MEHMET ALTAN, du gouvernement et de l'État. tée d'avoir noyauté la police et lajustice. INTELLECTUEL LIBÉRAL Le mois dernier, un procureur a voulu

Après une deuxième opération le Concurrence et haine convoquer des agents du MIT, les servi¬

10 février, celui qui dirige la Turquie « Erdogan est toujours le patron, assure ces secrets turcs, dont Hakàn Fidan, son

d'une main d'airain depuis 2003 a repris Mehmet Altan, intellectuel libéral qui a actuel directeur et protégé d'Erdogan, à du service là semaine dernière'. Plu¬ ses entrées dans les hautes sphères. Mais cause de contacts noués avec la rébel¬

sieurs voyages à l'étranger sont pro¬ ûyaun chaos, des conseillers veulent diri¬ lion kurde du PKK. De nombreux ana¬ grammés ce mois-ci. Devant les camé¬ ger, des rivalités éclatent. » Le président lystes y ont vu une tentative de déstabi¬ ras, il est aussi apparu facétieux, buvant du groupe AKP à l'Assemblée nationale lisation du premier ministre orchestrée

un thé chez ses voisins et répondant au a, par exemple, concocté une réforme de par la puissante communauté. S'agit-il téléphone de son hôtesse. Cet exercice l'éducation, jugée catastrophique pour d'une théorie du complot dont les Turcs de proximité, dans lequel il excelle, ne les filles, sans consulter le premier mi¬ sont friands ? « Cette affaire montre en

suffit pas à faire oublier sa mise en re¬ nistre et en passant par-dessus la tête du tout cas que le gouvernement a des enne¬ ministre de l'Éducation. Dans le premier mis à l'intérieur et ne contrôle pas entiè¬ trait de la vie publique. Alors qu'il mo¬ cercle, « là concurrence est incroyable, rement les institutions », juge le diplo¬ nopolisait l'espace médiatique, Recep explique un fin connaisseur de l'AKP. mate. Il est notoire que la confrérie Tayyip Erdogan s'exprime désormais Même Ahmet Davutoglu (ministre des n'apprécie guère Recep Tayyip Erdo¬ avec parcimonie, limite ses déplace¬ Affaires étrangères) convoite la place gan, jugé trop rigoriste, et lui préfère ments à Ankara. 11 se murmure que sa Abdullah Gvï. « Il est encore trop tôtpour â'Eràogan et a perdu sa.confiance. Dans villa à Istanbul a été transformée en hô¬ dire qui nous soutiendrons », se contente le parti, il se dit qu'il cherche à se placer pital. Plusieurs conseils des ministres de lâcher un giileniste influent. auprès des Américains. » ont été annulés. Et en décembre, le vi¬ La compétition la plus sérieuse est ce-président américain Joe Biden avait celle qui l'oppose à Abdullah Gui, prési¬ dû se rendre à son chevet à son domici¬ dent de la République. Les deux hom¬ le. Une photo avec son invité le montrait mes, fondateurs du parti, ont longtemps fatigué, les traits émaciés. Mais seuls de fonctionné en tandem. « On ne parle rares journalistes osaient briser la loi du mêmeplus de concurrence entre eux mais silence, dénonçant « un syndrome Bre-

34 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

14 mars 2012

Turquie : la cause kurde est raflée

Malgré les promesses d'ouverture, le gouvernement multiplie les arrestations et accentue la

répression par crainte d'un «printemps kurde».

vement kurde qu'il voit définition très large qui per¬ kurde et le chef des services

Par MARC SEMO comme une menace pour son met tous les abus de la part secrets Hakan Fidan, un

Envoyé spécial à Ankara hégémonie», martèle des cours spéciales. proche d'Erdogan. L'opinion

Sebahat Tùncel, députée du est stupéfaite, le gouverne¬

BDP, le principal parti kurde L'écrasante majorité des ment embarrassé. Ce sabo¬

Chaque mois ou presque, de Turquie, dont les cadres et détenus tombés sous le coup tage des négociations a été

il y a un nouveau coup les militants sont les pre¬ de cette loi est liée à la cause apparemment organisé par de filet, avec des policiers mières victimes des rafles. kurde et au KCK. Parmi eux, la puissante confrérie surarmés qui débarquent à plus de 70 journalistes, 67 islamiste de Fethullah Gùlen, l'heure du laitier. A Istanbul, antiterrorisme. Celles-ci ne avocats, mais aussi de sim¬ proche de l'AKP, qui a mas¬ c'est en général le mardi ; font même plus les gros ples manifestants, des sivement infiltré l'appareil dans le sud-est du pays à titres, sauf quand elles visent dizaines de maires, de con¬ policier et judiciaire. Depuis, majorité kurde, c'est le plus des personnalités de seillers municipaux... Dans le pouvoir est intransigeant. souvent le jeudi. Les arresta¬ l'intelligentsia, comme en certaines provinces, comme «Il n'y a pas de question tions visent élus locaux, octobre, avec les incarcéra¬ celle de Sirnak dans kurde, juste un problème de cadres des organisations de tions de la consbtutionnaliste l'extrême sud-est, la quasi- Kurdes», martèle le Premier jeunesse ou de femmes, diri¬ Bûsra Ersanli et de l'éditeur totalité des élus est derrière ministre. geants d'associations profes¬ Ragip Zarakolu. «C'est une les barreaux. «H n'a pas été sionnelles... Ils sont tous campagne pour intimider les trouvé une seule arme, Dans le sud-est, les heurts, accusés d'être membres du intellectuels démocrates et même pas un couteau, et on ralentis par la neige, risquent

KCK (Union des communau¬ priver les Kurdes de leur ne leur reproche aucun acte de reprendre dès le print¬ tés du Kurdistan) que les appui», a écrit depuis sa de violence : les dossiers sont emps avec encore plus autorités turques accusent prison celui qui fut aussi le vides et les accusations sont d'intensité. Craignant les d'être l'organisation urbaine premier à publier en Turquie, purement politiques», arrestations, de plus en plus de la rébellion kurde du PKK il y a déjà quinze ans, des s'insurge Hasip Kaplan, de jeunes partent dans la

(Parti des travailleurs du livres sur le génocide député du BDP et ancien montagne. L'engrenage est

Kurdistan) qui mène la lutte arménien. L'un et l'autre sont avocat, qui dénonce les en marche, même si l'AKP armée depuis 1984 contre accusés d'avoir participé à procédures des cours spé¬ sait qu'une intensification

Ankara. des universités du BDP évo¬ ciales avec leurs témoins des affrontements mettrait à

quant des actions non-vio¬ anonymes, et les restrictions mal l'image du «modèle

«L'ouverture kurde» promise lentes comme celles pra¬ dans l'accès au dossier pour turc» censé inspirer les tran¬ il y a deux ans par le Premier tiquées à Tunis ou au Caire. les avocats. Les enquêtes sur sitions démocratiques ministre, Recep Tayyip Le gouvernement de l'AKP le KCK ont commencé en arabes. Sebahat Tùncel, la

Erdogan, le leader de l'AKP, craint un «printemps kurde» 2009 quand, lors des élec¬ députée kurde, ne cache pas parti islamo-conservateur et la répression se durcit. tions municipales, le BDP son inquiétude : «Je sens qui dirige le pays depuis avait triomphé dans la plu¬ monter une immense colère.

2002, semble bien enterrée. Actuellement, 6 400 person¬ part des villes du sud-est. Si les gens, les jeunes notam¬

Et ce, même s'il y a désor¬ nes - un record parmi les ment, n'ont plus d'espoir, la mais des télévisions diffu¬ pays démocratiques - sont Engrenage. Deux ans plus situation deviendra incon¬ sant en kurde, ou des pan¬ emprisonnées au titre d'une tard, les consignes de boycott trôlable.»* neaux indicateurs avec le loi antiterrorisme durement lancées par le BDP contre un nom des villages en turc et critiquée par les organisa¬ référendum constitutionnel en kurde dans le sud-est où tions de défense des droits ont été suivies à 70%, voire vivent la majorité des 15 mil¬ de l'homme et par l'Union 90%, dans les régions kurdes. lions de Kurdes du pays (sur européenne. Cette loi consid¬ Inquiète, l'AKP a alors

75 millions d'habitants). ère comme membre à part entamé des négociations

entière d'une organisation clandestines avec le PKK.

«Le pouvoir montre son vrai terroriste toute personne Elles ont capoté l'été dernier,

visage nationaliste et répres¬ dont les écrits ou les propos après la mise en ligne

sif et veut mettre à terre s'insèrent dans la stratégie d'images de rencontres entre

toutes les structures du mou supposée de celle-ci. Une les émissaires de la guérilla

35 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

LE FIGARO mardi 13 mars 2012

Un rebelle syrien s'est installé dans une salle de classe et pointe son arme à l'extérieur, le 22 février à Deir Baalbeh, dans la région de Homs.

AP

3

,e. : *\^> . *

o y

'%

Armer les insurgés syriens : un pari dangereux

CIA a réussi à infiltrer les groupes de combattants, qui ont franchi la frontière entre l'Irak et la Syrie. « Sur des photos, les Américains ont reconnu des moudjahidins qu'ils recherchaient en Irak », relève GEORGES MALBRUNOT depuis Bagdad un proche du premier ministre

gma8jrunot9leffgaro.fr Nouri al-Maliki. La douzaine d'observateurs ira¬ F kiens, déployés en janvier à Homs, a également pris de nombreux, clichés, utiles aux services de sécurité. « Dans de nombreux cas, souligne James Clapper, le patron du renseignement américain, les insurgés syriens ne sont même pas au courant de

'-'"-'-, aut-il armer les révolutionnaires laprésence de djihadistes » parmi eux. v pour faire tomber Bachar el-Assad ? , Si oui, comment ? Et ne risque-t-on Le réservoir irakien

pas de précipiter une guerre civile Sans être encore très forte, la marque djihadiste \ encore plus sanglante, qui ferait le commence pourtant à se faire sentir, comme l'ont jeu du régime? Après la défaite des prouvé les deux attentats revendiqués par l'Émirat rebelles à Homs, qui ne disposaient islamique d'Irak - la succursale locale d'al-Qaida - que de kalachnikovs, de RPG et de vieux obus so¬ Souvent, contre des bâtiments des services de renseigne¬ viétiques de 71 mm, ces questions alimentent le ments à.Damas..« Envisionnantlesvidéos des grou¬ débat entre partisans et opposants d'une militari¬ les insurgés pes rébelles, "confie un expert israélien, je suis trou¬ sation de la révolte. L'Arabie Saoudite et le Qatar y blé par des références salafistes de plus en plus sont favorables. « Face à un régime qui tue son syriens marquées, notamment près de Lattaquié et d'Idtib », peuple, quelle est l'alternative ? », se demande un où l'armée mène l'assaut depuis quelques jours. diplomate saoudien, après un an d'une féroce ré¬ ne sont pas Des dizaines de moudjahidins sont arrivés en Syrie pression qui a tué plus de 7 000 civils. En face, les pendant les 26 jours de pilonnage dé Homs, le mois principales réticences viennent des responsables au courant dernier. Selon un médecin militaire joint par un américains, relayées par Israël et d'autres pays responsable de l'opposition en exil, une soixantai¬ qu'il y a arabes, inquiets de ce «jeu dangereux ». Entre lès ne de corps de combattants étrangers ont été rele¬ deux, la France et la Turquie hésiteraient. des djihadistes vés après la chute de Homs, .parmi lesquels une « Soutenons-nous aî-Qaida en Syrie ? », s'est vingtaine de Libyens et des Libanais venus de Tri¬ récemment interrogée la secrétaire d'État, Hillary parmi eux poli. Depuis, les miliciens à la solde du régime Clinton. Le Pentagone et la CIA redoutent que les chercheraient à monnayer la restitution des cada¬ armes fournies aux opposants d'el-Assad finissent JAMES CLAPPER, vres àleurs familles, notamment celles du Golfe. entre les mains de djihadistes, qui ont gagné le PATRON DU RENSEIGNEMENT À l'automne, l'Irak est devenul'une des princi¬ champ de bataille syrien. Grâce à sa collaboration AMÉRICAIN pales voies d'infiltration de djihadistes. « Dés Ira- avec les services de renseignements irakiens, la

36 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

kiens mais aussi des Saoudiens et des Koweïtiens qui lachnikovs vaut 100 000 dollars. Le problème, c'est se sont fait établir de fausses pièces d'identité ira¬ que début décembre, le-Hezbollah (maître de la Be¬ kienne dans la province.d 'al-Anbar (limitrophe de la kaa, NDLR) a découvert le pot aux roses. OK, vous Syrie, NDLR), observe le professeur Adel al-Kayar continuez, mais Vous nous renseignez », a fait sa¬ à Bagdad. Dans les mosquées, de fausses collectes voir le Hezbollah aux passeurs. Même si les trafi¬ d'argent pour la famine en Somalie ont été organi¬ quants ne disent pas tout au Parti de Dieu, ce der¬ sées pour aider ces moudjahidins, qui sont partis en nier alerte ensuite ses alliés au pouvoir à Damas. groupes de trois ou quatre, après avoir acheté des « Le régime laisse entrer des armes qu'il confisque armes. Rs ne partent pas forcément au nom d'al- ensuite grâce à ses mouchards parmi les passeurs, Qaida, mais du djihad contre el-Assad. Chez les sun¬ constate Haytham Manna, un cadre de l'opposi¬ nites irakiens, souligne l'analyste politique, tout le tion en exil. Et chaque soir ou presque, la télévision monde espère que le régime syrien tombera pour officielle expose ces armes saisies à nos jeunes », qu'on en finisse ici avec l'influence de son allié ira¬ ajoute ce responsable, hostile à l'armement des in¬ nien. » D'ici là, les Américains redoutent l'appari¬ surgés. Depuis la reprise de Homs, le renforce¬ tion d'un « arc djihadiste », reliant, via la Syrie, al- ment de la présence militaire libanaise et syrienne

Anbar en Irak à Tripoli au Liban. Un axe radical de part et d'autre de la frontière a réduit les trafics sunnite qui s'ajouterait au « croissant chiite » (Té¬ à partir de la Bekaa. Côté irakien, les forces gou¬ héran-Bagdad-Damas et Hezbollah à Beyrouth) vernementales ont également resserré là sur¬ que les Occidentaux peinent à affaiblir. veillance de la frontière. C'est donc par la Turquie

Ces dernières années, de nombreux allers et re¬ que transite aujourd'hui le gros des armes desti¬ tours de djihadistes ont été observés entre le Li¬ nées aux rebelles. Mais le trafic y est étroitement ban, la Syrie et l'Irak. Tandis que Damas poussait surveillé par les « anges gardiens » turcs du colo¬ les Arabes à aller combattre les soldats américains nel Riad el-Assad, qui dirige les déserteurs de à Bagdad, d'autres insurgés empruntaient le che^ l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL). Après avoir désarmé min inverse pour échapper aux troupes américai¬ ces derniers, Ankara rejette toute présence d'op¬ nes et se réfugier côté syrien de la frontière, où ils posants armés sur son sol. « Pour que la militarisa¬ allaient être instrumentalisés. Mais depuis un an, tion des rebelles soit un succès, prévient Abou la tragédie syrienne a donné lieu à de spectaculai¬ Hillal, nous devons disposer d'une zone libérée et res retournements de situation. Abdallah al-Jana- d'une protection aérienne, qui permettraient à une bi; cet imam radical irakien de Faloudja abrité en direction mihtaire dissidente d'organiser notre lutte

Syrie et recherché par les Américains, a lâché ses armée. Sinon, chaque groupe va continuer de faire anciens protecteurs baasistes pour rallier l'insur¬ ce qu'il voudra, avec le risque que certains finissent rection à Hama. Est-on prêt à armer celui qui tirait en milices. Si on leur livre des armes lourdes, cela va les ficelles contre les Occidentaux en Irak ? Ins¬ devenir dangereux avec tous les extrémistes du truits par les échecs.du passé, en Afghanistan no¬ monde entier qui viendront chez nous. Or nous n'en tamment, les responsables américains s'alarment. voulons pas. » « Gardez votre révolution pacifiste, sinon vous fini¬ rez par le payer très cher », a mis en garde un am¬ Un bureau militaire avec l'ASL bassadeur américain à un groupe d'opposants. La fragmentation de l'insurrection est l'un des

Sous-entendu, le régime en profitera pour massa¬ principaux obstacles à cette militarisation. Pour la crer encore plus de civils. Mais à Washington, tout seule région dTdlib que le Qatar et l'Arabie Saou¬ le monde n'est pas hostile à une militarisation de la dite voient comme une tête de pont pour muscler rébellion. Jeffrey Feltman, le sous-secrétaire la rébellion, « nous avons repéré une vingtaine de d'État en charge du Moyen-Orient, estime que le factions armées », note l'expert israélien. Riad el- risque mérite d'être pris. « Mais il réclame une uni¬ Assad ne contrôlerait en fait qu'une poignée fication des groupes rebelles et l'établissement d'un d'hommes en armes sur le territoire syrien. Pour canal unique d'acheminement des armes »., fait va¬ combler cette lacune, le CNS a annoncé la création loir un opposant en exil en contact avec l'Admi¬ en Turquie d'un bureau militaire, en coordination nistration Obama. Vaste programme ! avec l'ASL. Mais le colonel el-Assad s'est aussitôt Jusqu'à maintenant, des Saoudiens et des Qata- désolidarisé de cette initiative. « Regardez ce qui riens sont soupçonnés d'avoir financé l'achat se passe dans la région de Deraa au Sud », insiste d'armes légères. Mais aux frontières turque, ira¬ Abou Hillal. « La majorité des déserteurs ne sont kienne ou libanaise du territoire syrien, la logisti¬ que de simples volontaires. Nous avons dans les que est ensuite laissée entre les mains de passeurs à montagnes de Lahja un conseil militaire de la révo¬ la fiabilité douteuse. « C'est l'anarchie laplus com¬ lution composé de gradés. Mais ses membres refu¬ plète », regrette Abou Hillal, un activiste de la ré¬ sent d'entrer en contact avec Riad el-Assad parce gion de Deraa, joint par Skype. Jusqu'à la prise de qu'ils ne font pas confiance aux Turcs. Nous avons Homs, la principale voie de pénétration des armes également des gradés qui sont réfugiés, de l'autre passait par la plaine de la Bekaa au Liban, distante côté de la frontière en Jordanie. Logiquement, ce d'une trentaine de kilomètres seulement de l'ex¬ sont eux qui devraientformer nos bataillons et orga¬ capitale de la révolution. niser la distribution d'armes que nous parvenons à

Deux clans de trafiquants y jouent les intermé¬ faire entrer. Hélas, les Jordaniens refusent qu'ils diaires. « Ces passeurs chiites ont reçu de l'argent travaillent avec nous. » Dans ces conditions, Abou

de différents canaux, notamment de responsables Hillal préfère encore attendre : « Si on nous arme, politiques libanais hostiles à la Syrie », dévoile un le nombre de tués augmentera encore, et le régime dirigeant de l'opposition, qui a utilisé l'un de ces finirapar tous nous écraser. » clans pour acheminer de l'aide humanitaire à Homs. « Us ont fait passer des armes légères, type kalachnikov, et des munitions, mais l'argent pollue ces trafics. Aujourd'hui, unconvoi de 50 ou 60 ka

37 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

îto^Àngeles ©unes MARCH 11, 2012

Turkey struggles in the role of Mideast

power during Syria crisis

Turkey, once friendly to Syria, Iran and Iraq, has seen its relations with all three tested as it has tried to stop the violence in Syria.

* Turkish Prime By J. Michael Kennedy Minister Recep Reporting from Istanbul, Turkey r*^ijfr- Tayyip, shown at a meeting in parlia¬ s.» w>»! urkey envisions itself as a Middle * 1 -J, ment in Ankara, has .-: V East power, a dynamic Islamic called on Syria to u democracy with a thriving econo¬ \ . \ifV-" end its violent my that can help guide the region crackdown on the

through the turmoil ofthe "Arab Spring." opposition. (Adem

But it has stumbled in its efforts to stop Altan, AFP/ Getty the violence and repression in its neigh¬ Images / March 6,

bor and onetime ally Syria. 2012)

Although Turkish officials have harshly

criticized President Bashar Assad's because of the fighting. Turkey harbors take." response to a yearlong uprising that is an estimated 11,000 refugees who have increasingly taking on the character of a fled Syria. Although Erdogan talks tough, Turkey civil war, they have not budged the has been neutralized, at least for now. Syrian leader. And they are aware that a That is a huge change from just a year tougher stance could backfire. ago, when Syria was one of Turkey's best Turkey has one of the world's largest

friends and trading partners. standing armies and is experienced in The harder they squeeze Syria, the more peacekeeping missions, but there is little likely they are to anger the other non- Turkey, proud of its growing status in the appetite for intervention. U.S. officials Arab power with regional ambitions, region and the world, was in the enviable have said they are unlikely to take mili¬ Iran, which remains loyal to Assad. And position of having good relations with tary action. And vetoes by Russia and Assad could retaliate by fomenting not just one but three difficult neighbors: China of U.N. Security Council resolu¬ unrest within Turkey's borders. Syria, Iran and Iraq. But those good rela¬ tions critical of Syria indicate that the

tions came at a price, as does changing United Nations is not likely to provide an The result has been a diplomatic and them. umbrella for an international military public relations nightmare for Turkey. mission,

Gokhan Bacik, director of the Middle "I think in a way Turkey has become a East Strategic Research Center at Zirve Assad is playing a tactical game in which victim of its own self-image," said Soli University in Gaziantep, Turkey, near the he calculates how far he can go each day Ozel, an international relations expert at Syrian border, said Turkey didn't really without incurring the collective wrath of Istanbul's Kadir Has University. "For six understand the complicated dynamics of the international community, said Peter or seven months, Turkey tried its best to the Arab world. The government- had Harling of the International Crisis get Assad to change, and the allies waited turned a blind eye -toward Syria's iron- Group, a Brussels-based think tank. for Turkey to deliver." fisted regime in exchange for peace along More than 7,500 people have been killed

the 500-mile border, lucrative trade and in the uprising. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan a safe transit corridor to deliver millions last week renewed his criticism of Syria of dollars' worth of goods to the prosper¬ Turkey also must weigh other issues, and those countries that stand by as the ous Persian Gulf. including the fact that a major interven¬ bloodshed continues. tion in Syria could cause Assad to arm

"The strategy was successful as long as the insurgent Kurdish population on "I am addressing the entire world, and they did not look into the problems," both sides of the border, intensifying countries that remain silent and indiffer¬ Bacik said. "Many people believed the Turkey's long-standing struggle with that ent and ignore or tolerate the massacre agenda was very easy. Now it's not like ethnic group. in Syria," he told deputies of his Justice that." and Development Party in parliament. "I Kurds make up about 10% of the Syrian am also addressing international organi¬ He said Turkey's hardening policy population, with most of them living in zations, which cannot produce solutions against Syria came too early, in effect the northern part of the country next to to this crisis and which encourage its shutting down any room for diplomatic Turkey. During his long rule, Assad's continuation." maneuvering. father rallied Syrian Kurds behind him

by arming the Kurdish rebellion move¬ Erdogan suggested that humanitarian "Turkey was very quick to finalize its ment in Turkey. But that assistance sub¬ corridors be opened immediately to pro¬ position on Syria," he said. "It was a mis- sided with warming relations between vide assistance to Syrians suffering

38 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Ankara and Damascus in recent years. for an Iran-Turkey influence contest, Has University. including the threat of proxy wars in the

In the meantime, the region is looking region. Political analyst Saban Kardas said it was much less hospitable to Turkey than it up to Turkey to thread the diplomatic

did two years ago. The Kurdish issue also Turkey and Iran have a long history of needle on Syria. Sometimes, such chal¬

comes into play in relations with Iraq. vying for influence. Iran is particularly lenges provide an opportunity, he said,

Turkey is currying favor with Kurds in keen on maintaining its sway in Syria but it is far from clear whether things will

northern Iraq, who control vast oil because of that country's strategic loca¬ fall its way.-* reserves, and it has sided with a mostly tion neighboring Lebanon and Israel.

Sunni Muslim political coalition that is And although Turkey and Iran are major Kennedy is a special correspondent.

at odds with the Shiite prime minister, trading partners, they keep a wary eye on Nouri Maliki. each other.

Iran has sided with the Assad regime and "They dance together with poison dag¬

the Maliki government, setting the stage gers in their hands," said Ozel of Kadir

MTERUSALEMPOST March 13,2012 The Kurdish Quiet Spring

The big question mark is if Kurds will be able to enhance their national cause for self-determination.

By Ofra Bèngio

With the tectonic changes taking

place in the heart of the Middle

East little attention is given to developments in the periphery, one of the most important of which is the quiet revolu¬ . * > . . v.* y. -r » - ; tion taking place in Greater Kurdistan, namely among the Kurds of Iraq, Turkey,

Iran and Syria.

* »i *s The best illustration of the new Kurdish r dynamism was the congress held on

February 19, 2012, in Irbil, Iraq, to com¬ !fc»f- memorate the 66th anniversary of Kurdistan i

Republic, better known as the Mahabad

Republic. This short-lived Republic was February in Irbil reflected the changes that established in northwest Iran on January, 22, have been taking place in the past decade, The speakers sought to send a few assertive

1946, with Soviet support but it crumbled 1 1 especially in Iraq and Turkey. The event messages to the world and especially to their months later on December 10, 1946, and its which brought together Kurdish representa¬ governments. Barzani stressed that the president, Qazi Muhammad, was hanged on tives from the four parts of Kurdistan under Kurds, like any other nation, had the natural

March 30, 1947. the watchful eyes of the governments of right of self-determination, that the govern¬

these states was unimaginable only five ments were required to acknowledge this

Kurdistan Republic was unique because it years ago. right but were not in a position to accord it was the first time in Kurdish history that the to the Kurds, that the Kurds were striving to

Kurds had established a republic of their Among the many Kurdish personalities par¬ act in unity even though they had been sep¬ own; because it was an attempt to change ticipating in the commemoration were arated into four parts, and that they were the territorial map ofthe region at the end of Mas'ud Barzani (son of Mulla Mustafa), bent on achieving their goal through peace¬

World War II; and because there was a cer¬ president of Kurdistan Regional ful and democratic means. tain level of cooperation and unity of pur¬ Government (KRG) in Iraq, Selahattin pose between the Kurds of Iran and Iraq. Demirtas, co-chair of the Kurdish Peace and Most of the speakers highlighted the quick

Democracy party (BDP) in Turkey, 'Abd al- and sweeping changes taking place in the

Thus, Qazi Muhammad, the president of the Hakim Bashar, head of Kurdistan Middle East as a result of "the Arab spring"

republic and the Iranian Kurds, provided the Democratic Party in Syria and Hussein and the Kurds' need to take advantage ofthis territorial and political basis for the repub¬ Yazdanpana of Kurdistan Freedom Party window of opportunity to achieve their own

lic, while Mulla Mustafa Barzani and the (PAK) in Iran. There were also many goals. Signaling a desire to resurrect the

10,000 people (3,000 of whom were fight¬ Kurdish representatives from the diaspora Mahabad experience, the speakers sought to

ers) who came with him from Iraq provided who have been active in disseminating the impress upon the world the idea of continu¬

the military backbone. idea of in the world at ity between 1946 and the present. A symbol

large. of this continuity, it was emphasized, was The commemoration of the event this

39 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

the fact that after the collapse of the Kurdistan. The Kurds present a map of Irbil, and two airports which connect the

Republic, Qazi Muhammad handed over the Greater Kurdistan constituting one unit. landlocked region to the world. Moreover,

Kurdish flag to Mulla Mustafa Barzani, stat¬ Portraying it as such they refer to Kurdistan the KRG has managed to turn itself into the

ing that the flag was in "safe hands, and a of Turkey as bakur, (north), that of Iraq, epicenter of Pan-Kurdish activity. Kurds

day will come when the flag would be raised bashur (south), Iran roshalat (south east) and from all the other parts as well as from the

[again]." Syria rojava (west). Curiously enough, 1 am diaspora frequent the region on a regular

told that children were selling ornaments basis to exchange ideas, learn from the expe¬

Indeed, Mulla Mustafa continued the strug¬ carrying this map of Greater Kurdistan in the rience and take advice. Indeed, all the other

gle until 1975, bequeathing later the flag to streets of Irbil. three parts are looking at the KRG as a

his two sons Idris and Mas'ud. It was further model to follow.

emphasized that even though The Mahabad Another no less important development is

republic was short-lived the Kurds have to the process of legitimizing the Kurdish lan¬ The cooperation and coordination between

look at it as a model to attain in present time. guage, which is one of the important pillars the Kurdish leaders in the KRG and others

of Kurdish nationalism. Noticeably, all the found expression among others in the many

Not only the speeches but the terminology, speakers made a point of speaking in all-Kurdish conferences held in Irbil. An

the symbols, and the general ambiance Kurdish even though in their countries it had ambitious meeting of Kurdish leaders from

attested all to the changing dynamics in been suppressed for long time. all parts of Kurdistan is expected to be held

Kurdistan. Anyone who watched the cere¬ in Irbil this year, with the aim of unifying

mony, which was aired in its entirety time Kurdish is now the official language in Kurdish parties and discussing Kurdish

and again on Kurdistan TV, would have been Kurdistan of Iraq. The Kurdish language, questions in such revolutionary times.

impressed by the Kurdish nationalist atmos¬ which was prohibited for many years there,

phere and the new-found sense of pride is also being revived in Turkey. Furthermore, All in all, at the turn of the 21 st century the

which surrounded it. in early March 2012, a conference of whole region is in turmoil and so are some of

Kurdish linguists was held in Diyarbakir in the states in which the Kurds reside.

Thus for example the Kurdish anthem of Turkey with the aim ofunifying the language Accordingly, the Kurds are now at an impor¬

Mahabad, "Ey Reqip," which became also and its alphabet. tant crossroads. The big question mark is if

the current anthem of the KRG and all the they will be able to use this window of

other Kurds, was played many times during Politically speaking, the short-lived opportunity to reverse the outcome of the

the ceremony. Similarly, only Kurdish flags Kurdistan Republic in Iran gave way to the 20th century and enhance their national

were to be seen in the hall, reflecting the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq, cause for self-determination.

general situation in the KRG where Kurdish which is 20 years old now. The distinctive

flags, but not Iraqi ones, are raised in build¬ status of the KRG is most conspicuous. Thus The writer is senior research associate al

ings, being etched on mountain slopes and Kurdistan region has all the trappings of a the Moshe Dayan Center at Tel Aviv

curiously enough also configuring as badges state, with all its practical and symbolical University. She is the author oftheforth¬

on the uniforms of the Kurdish men of arms, characteristics, including constitution, par¬ coming The Kurds ofIraq: Building a Slate

the Peshmerga. liament, government, president, army, flag within a State and editor ofthe monthly

and anthem. newsletter Tzomet Hamizrah Hatichon.

NO LESS intriguing is the conception and

terminology used while referring to The KRG has a vibrant economy, a capital,

13 MARCH 2012

French Total seeks business in ^f TOTAl Iraqi Kurdistan: chief

ATP International Energy Forum.

He said Total was seeking entry into the FRENCH oil giant Total is in talks to sector through companies that already tap opportunities to invest in autono¬ has permits to explore in the oil-rich 7 mous Iraqi Kurdistan, its chief said region. Tuesday as Baghdad insists contracts

should go through the central govern¬ 'Definitely we will go through discus¬

ment. sions with owners of existing blocks", but French oil giant Total is in talks to tap oppor¬

"in any case you need the approval of the tunities to invest in autonomous Iraqi "Kurdistan is part of Iraq. A lot of compa¬ Kurdish government," he said. Kurdistan, CEO Christophe de Margerie nies are investing in Kurdistan-Iraq and said Tuesday as Baghdad insists contracts we don't see why Total couldn't do it," Baghdad regards any contracts not should go through the central government. Total chief executive officer Christophe signed with the central government as

de Margerie told reporters in Kuwait. invalid. gly opposed.

"We are looking at opportunities. We are On October 18, Kurdistan signed a deal In December, Prime Minister Nuri al- discussing, but there is nothing done with US giant ExxonMobil for it to Maliki said ExxonMobile has promised to yet," he said on the sidelines of the explore six areas, a deal Baghdad stron- reconsider the deal.*

40 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Mercredi 14 mars 2012 L'opposition syrienne divisée sur la place de la lutte armée

ans espoir immédiat d'inter¬ Face aux hésitations du Conseil national syrien, d'autres groupes, vention extérieure, la protec¬ plus radicaux, cherchent à s'allier àTArmée syrienne libre tion des manifestants syriens repose désormais sur la seule Armée syrienne libre (ASL). Cette « armée » anti-Assad, créée pendant l'été 2011 à l'initiative de quelques officiers déserteurs et. exilés en Turquie, est pour l'ins¬ tant plus un label qu'une véritable structure, mais elle est appelée à jouer un rôle de plus en plus important en l'absence d'une action internationale dans le cadre du Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies, paralysé par les divisions de la communauté internationale.

Après leveto brandi à deuxrepri¬ ses parla Russie et la Chine, les pays les plus en pointe dans leurvolonté de venir en aide aux révolutionnai¬ res syriens et de renverser le régi¬ me de BacharAl-Assad-en particu¬ lier les pétromonarchies de l'Ara¬

bie Saoudite et du Qatar-n'ontpas caché leur intention de fournir des armes aux groupes armés combat¬

tant les troupes régulières en Syrie. L'ASL est ainsi devenue l'objet de

toutes les convoitises et se trouve Idlib, le 11 mars. Des rebelles syriens déposent à la morgue le corps d'un combattant. RODRIGO ABD/AP aujourd'hui courtisée par plu¬

sieurs groupes de l'opposition. ce Saoud Al-Fayçal, ministre des au Monde. Les Frères musulmans baasiste, Maarouf Al-Dawalibi a affaires étrangères saoudien, L'Arabie Saoudite étaientà la manhuvre. On ne nous fait quelques mois de prison avant n'avait pas caché son mécontente¬ a proposé que cinq sièges sur 240. de quitter le pays pour le Liban, et le Qatar n'ont pas Finalement, nous nous sommes puis l'Arabie Saoudite, où il s'est ment face aux pudeurs de la com¬ caché leurintention retirés et avons préféré laisser le installé définitivement. Conseiller munauté internationale sur la CNSfaire ses preuves. » du roi Fayçâl (1964-1975), Maarouf question du soutien à la lutte de fournir des armes Cinq mois plus tard, il tire un Al-Dawalibi est devenu un missi armée. Le risque sous-jacent à une aux groupes armés bilan sévère de l'action du CNS. dominici de la monarchie saou¬ telle démarche est que chaque pays «Ils n'ontpas obtenu de reconnais¬ dienne, notamment au Pakistan et impliqué finisse par pousser son anti-Assad en Syrie sance internationale et n'ontpas en Afghanistan au temps du dji- « poulain » sur la scène syrienne.

pu faire parvenir d'aide humani¬ had contre les Soviétiques. Conscient qu'il risque d'être Face aux hésitations du Conseil taire ou militaire en Syrie. Il est Les contacts avancés entre le débordé par des groupes politi¬ national syrien (CNS), la principale clairque ce régime ne peut tomber colonel Riyad Al-Assaad, le chef ques plus radicaux, le président plate-forme d'opposition, face à la du CNS, Burhan Ghalioun, qui a que par la force. A l'intérieur du autoproclamé de l'ASL, et Nofal lutte armée, d'autres groupes, plus longtemps milité pourune révolu¬ pays, la- rue nous donne raison.» Al-Dawalibi, qui a aussi l'intention radicaux, cherchent à s'allier à tion pacifique, a annoncé, le M. Dawalibi dit avoir le soutien de de mettre sur pied un gouverne¬ i"mars, la création d'un bureau l'ASL, devenue l'acteur central des grandes tribus syriennes arabes ment provisoire, sont donc à pren¬ militaire consultatif, chargé de forces anti-Assad. En sommeil sunnites - les Haddidin, les Jbour, dre au sérieux depuis la volonté coordonner l'aide>à l'ASL et son depuis plusieursmois, la plate-for¬ les Al-Naïm, les Baggara et les affichée par les dirigeants saou- me d'opposition regroupée Shammar- ainsi que de plusieurs action. Une avancée jugée insuffi¬ personnalités chrétiennes et sante par le général en retraite Akil autour de Nofal Al-Dawalibi, intitu¬ Le Conseil national lée le Conseil national syrien uni¬ alaouites. Mais le soutien qui Hachem, conseiller militaire du fié (CNSU), entend bien jouer un compte le plus est celui de l'Arabie syrien unifié (CNSU), CNS, qui milite pour une « inter¬ vention militaire extérieure ». Ce rôle de premier plan. Saoudite, aux capacités financiè¬ regroupé autour dernier a suspendu sa participa¬ M. Dawalibi est un homme d'af¬ res quasi illimitées. tion au bureau exécutif du CNS. faires saoudien d'origine syrien¬ Le passé de M. Dawalibi est à cet de Nofal Al-Dawalibi, Christophe Ayad ne. Installé à Riyad, il a participé égard intéressant. Son père, Maa- entend jouer un rôle durant l'été aux différentes réu¬ rouf, a été le dernier premier

nions qui ont mené à la constitu¬ ministre de la Syrie avant le coup de premier plan

tion, début octobre 2011 à d'Etat du parti Baas en 1963. A la

Istanbul, du Conseil national tête du Parti du peuple syrien, ce diens de fournir des armes aux syrien (CNS), dont il dit avoir été dernier était particulièrement insurgés syriens. A la première écarté. «Nous étions tenus à bien implanté dans la région conférence des Amis du peuple

l'écart, explique Nofal Al-Dawalibi d'Alep. Après la prise de pouvoir syrien, le 24 février à Tunis, le prin

41 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivistg Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

TIME March 12, 2012

World The Debate over Syria

Arising death toll raises the question: To intervene or not?

WhyWeMustFight are the risks ofnot intervening. Opponents ofintervention Alongside the Rebels have warned ofmilitarization, ByShadiHamid civil war, Iranianmeddling and an exodus ofrefugees. Well, all these things have already come

THE SYHIAN UPRISING to pass. Syria today is in danger

began nearly a year ago, ofbecoming a failed state. The and despite renewed in¬ regime has lost control over 5s # ternational efforts, the regime large swaths ofterritory. Al- has intensified the killing. Qaeda and other extremists are The death toll approaching hoping to take advantage ofthe . 8,000 is now five times what growing powervacuum. Can it was in Libya on the eve of the world afford a failing state the NATO intervention there. and protracted civilwarin such

These are "crimes against a vital region? humanity," a U.N. panel con¬ Ifthe objective ofinterven¬ ^'v> cluded recently. tion is to protect civilian popu¬

lations, then the first step is for Vu r

that it might set a precedent, so withboth light arms and more- that the next time, the U.S. and advanced antitank and anti¬ 4& Europe would act quickly and aircraft weaponry. The rightto decisively to protect civilian self-defense is a right guaran¬ "^'.v/r populations in the event of teed byinternational law. The mass slaughter during the second step wouldbe the desig¬ Arab Spring. The Syrianoppo¬ nation ofliberated zones which would breathe new cease-fire talks. In late May, an sition has issued unambiguous particularly those along the life into diplomatic efforts increasingly desperate Libyan

calls for foreignmilitaryinter¬ border with Turkey as safe or at the very least secure regime went further, offer¬ vention. This is no Western im¬ havens, as was done in Bosnia cease-fire agreements around ing to negotiate with rebels position. It is Syrians like during the 1990s. To protect key population centers. Such and institute constitutional Libyans before them who are these areas, airpower and some efforts could be accompanied reforms. Intervention and pleadingthat the West do special forcesi preferably sol¬ by a naval blockade and an air diplomatic efforts need not more, not less. diers fromArab nations orTur¬ campaign against key govern¬ be mutually exclusive. They Already, military interven¬ key, would be needed. The goal ment and military positions should proceed in parallel. tion enjoys considerable Arab wouldnotnecessarilybe to and installations as in Bos¬ and Muslim legitimacy. The change the regime but ratherto nia, Kosovo and, more recent¬ None ofthis, though, will be Turks, Qataris, Tunisians and demonstrate international re¬ ly, Libya. In Bosnia, NATO possible without U.S. support Saudis have all calledforvari¬ solve, encourage regime defec¬ power forced the Serbs to the and leadership. Despite budget¬ ous degrees ofintervention, tions and compel the Syrian negotiating table, eventually ary constraints, this is not the whetherthrough safe zones, government to alter its calcula¬ leading to the Dayton Accords time for the Obama Adminis¬ peacekeeping forces or arms for tions about the use offorce. and the introduction ofmulti¬ trationto shrinkfromthe chal¬ the Syrian rebels. But these Currently, President national peacekeeping forces. lenge at hand. Even ifthe U.S. countries cannot do it on their Bashar Assad believes he The Gaddafi regime in Libya insists on leading from behind, own. They are waitingfor the can outlast the opposition showed more interest in ne¬ it still needs to lead. U.S. to lead efforts to assemble a and ultimately obliterate it gotiating with the opposition coalition that can intervene ef¬ through sheer force and bru¬ after, rather than before, mili¬ Hamid is directorofresearch fectively andthen help stabilize tality. Helping the rebels peel tary intervention. Within a at the Brookings Doha Center Syria after hostilities cease. offlarge pieces ofterritory few weeks ofthe start ofthe and afellow at the Saban Center No doubt the risks ofinterven¬ would demonstrate to Assad NATO operation, Gaddafi forMiddle East Policy at the tion are considerable. But so too that he cannot win militarily, envoys were engaging in Brookings Institution

42 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Thrown out A portrait of

Assad sticks up amid the

refuse and litter in al-Qsair

transition in Syria. Arming level, challenging the U.S. The U.S. and its allies can

the opposition or using West¬ and its allies to escalate their also do more to increase pres¬ ern airpower against Syrian commitment. Is the West sure on Assad and his regime. territorywill likely only play willing to engage in another There is already an impres¬ into Assad's hands. Iraq-style occupation ifthat is sive coalition, supported by a what it takes? broad international consen¬

The only hope for avoiding Fortunately, military inter¬ sus manifested in the 137-to- an escalation ofthe slaughter vention is not the onlywayfor 22 vote in the U.N. General in Syria is to persuade the un¬ the U.S. and its allies to help Assembly in support of a decided middle ground ofSyr¬ the Syrians. Instead, those who transition plan. The E.U., Tur¬ ians, many ofwhom continue hope to help the Syrian people key, the Arabs and the U.S. to support Assad out of fear should focus on helping unify have all imposed meaningful for the future, to abandon the the opposition, increasing sanctions, which have isolat¬ regime. That means helping pressure on the Assad regime ed regime figures and con¬

'» 0 the divided opposition unify fromthe outside and accelerat¬ tributed to the collapse of the and develop a convincing ing the process ofdefections. Syrian economy. More

transition plan to reassure The necessity ofunifying should be done to bring Syr¬ minorities and other uncom¬ the opposition is obvious. ian officials to international mitted communities oftheir Even those who back military justice and to shame the 4i ^ place in a post-Assad Syria. intervention or the arming of regime's remaining backers And it means rebutting the re¬ opposition forces like the Free like Russia. China, in partic¬ gime's narrative that the up¬ Syrian Army acknowledge ular, should be targeted by rising is the work offoreign that doing so is impossible the oil-producing Gulf states

powers and armed gangs. with the current divided and on which its economy so The appeal ofintervention ineffective independence heavily depends. is clear. Why should Western groups. The Syrian rebels The goal should not be bombers not come to the res¬ may think they most need simply overthrowing Assad InterveningWill cue ofthe Syrian people? Who weapons, butwhat they really but rather creating the condi¬ OnlyHelp Assad could in good conscience deny need is a political strategy. tions for a relatively smooth opposition forces the means to All factions ofthe opposition transition after he falls. The By Marc lynch defend themselves? should focus less on asking for U.S. and its allies must con¬ But establishing safe areas guns and more on laying out tinue to pursue a prudent,

would require massive bomb¬ a clear, compelling political tough strategy ofmobilizing

THE ESCALATING BLOOD- ing to destroy Syria's anti¬ vision which should in turn international consensus

shed in Syria has aircraft capability and ensure be backed by international while helping unify the Syr¬ shocked the world and the safety ofallied planes. guarantees of economic and ian opposition and carve out prompted calls for military in¬ Declaring a safe area is mean¬ political assistance. the space for a real political tervention. Dozens ofSyrians ingless ifthere is no military transition. That may not be are being killed every day by means orwill to defend it, as as morally satisfying a battle the forces ofPresident Bashar we discovered to ourhorror cry as a demand for military Assad, spiraling violence in Bosnia. Andbytunneling THE GOAL SHOULD action, but it is far more threatens to drag the country arms to the rebels in the ab¬ NOT BE SIMPLY likely to help Syrian civilians into a regional proxy war, and sence ofanyunified leadership, OVERTHROWING in the long run. increasing numbers ofSyrians we could nothope to even the ASSAD BUT are begging for help. military balance ofpower. Lynch is the director ofthe Insti¬ RATHER CREATING The Obama Administra¬ These measures would tuteforMiddle East Studies at tion clearlywants, as it should, also likely fuel the fighting THECONDmONS George Washington University to help protectthe Syrian while foreclosing any chance FORARELAT1VELY and the authorofThe Arab of a political solution. The Uprising: The Incomplete people. But it also should un¬ SMOOTH derstand that military inter¬ crisis would not end the first Revolutions ofthe New TRANSITION vention is not the way to help day the bombs fell it would Middle East, to be published by civilians or hasten a political only shiftto a more extreme AFTER HE FALLS PublicAffairs

43 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

îtaalSiSrihune Monday, march 12. 2012 W A Christian exodus from Iraq

*s ; . Sa.»

i lift**

**'' '4- 4/

DAILY struggles A laborer guiding a donkey at the Rabban Hormizd Monastery in Qosh. By some estimates, more than half of Iraqi Christians

have fled the country since 2003. photographs by adam ferguson for the new york times

beneath the hulking mountains, but little else besides poverty, boredom and TENNA, IRAQ TURKEY ste^ cold. Villagers estimate that half of the ^ Dawudiyah ^ '*&&» 50 or so Christian homes are now empty, Kurdish north offered Zskrto 1 OOHUH their families abroad. 4 W refuge, but little else, Walid Shamoon, 42, wants to be the next to leave. He said he left the Iraqi :- so many look abroad "">» , "") IRAN capital in January 2011 after a confronta¬ QosK- mMHiXTJi '« PLUH tion with Shiite militia members set off a Mosul*. nightmare of escalating death threats "Erbil ' BYJACKHEALY and an attempt on his life. A brother had Iraq's dwindling Christians, driven already been killed in a mortar attack : \ from their homes by attacks and intimi¬ six years earlier, so he said he quit his ' $UL4»*W4 dation, are beginning to abandon the contract job with the Australian Em¬ havens they had found in the country's bassy, giving up a monthly salary equiv¬ north, discouraged by unemployment alent to $1,500, and came here. ,. IRAQ and a creeping fear that the violence These days, all he can think about is they had fled was catching up to them. his application to emigrate to Arizona. Their quiet exodus to Turkey, Jordan, "This is not a life," he said one recent Europe and the United States is the afternoon, as a blizzard raced down Baghdad latest chapter of a seemingly inexorable from the mountains. "There is no im¬ \ decline that many religious leaders say provement. There is no work." tolls the twilight of in a land Many of the people now struggling in where city skylines have long been the Kurdish north of Iraq came in the distan. They joined tens of thousands of other Christians from Baghdad, Mosul marked by both minarets and church wake of a suicide attack in Baghdad at and other cities who traced similar arcs steeples. Recent assessments say that Our Lady of Salvation Church in Octo¬ after earlier attacks and assassination the Christian population in Iraq has now ber 2010. It was the single worst assault fallen by more than half since the U.S.- on Iraqi Christians since the war began, campaigns. led invasion in 2003, and with the mili¬ one that left nearly 60 worshipers and "They traded everything for securi¬ tary's departure, some Christians say two priests dead and that turned the ty," said the Rev. Gabriel Tooma, who they lost a protector of last resort. church into a charnel house of scorched leads the Monastery of the Virgin Mary in the Christian town of Qosh, which Their flight is felt in places like the pews and shattered stained glass. wind-scoured village of Tenna, which took in dozens of families. Christian families in Baghdad has sheltered dozens of Christian mi¬ The Christians in northern Iraq make grabbed clothing, cash and a few other grants over the past nine years. The up a tiny fraction of Iraq's legions of dis¬ provisions and headed north for the families fleeing Baghdad's death placed people. In all, there are 1.3 mil¬ Christian communities along the Ninev¬ squads and bombings found safety here lion of them across the country, accord- eh plain and the three provinces of Kur-

44 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

ing to the most recent estimates by the United Nations. Many live in garbage dumps, shantytowns and squalor far worse than anything facing the Christi¬ an families in Kurdistan. Still, Christians and other minorities were singled out in the years of sectari- . an cleansing that bifurcated a once-di¬ verse Baghdad into pockets of Sunnis and Shiites. Estimates by the United States and international organizations say that the Iraqi Christian population of 800,000 to 1.4 million before the war now stands at less than 500,000. "The consequence of this flight may be the end of Christianity in Iraq," the U.S. Commission on International Reli¬ gious Freedom wrote in its most recent

annual report, summarizing the con¬ empty pews A service in Qosh. The Monastery of the Virgin Mary there took in dozens of cerns of church leaders. families, who had "traded everything for security," according to the Rev. Gabriel Tooma. In January, the International Organi¬ zation for Migration found that 850 of

1,350 displaced Christian families it was ..#. .. . -y; tracking in northern Iraq had left in the .#*, past year. Many cited fears about securi¬ '* ..'1 ty as well as the strains of finding work, 1RV housing and schools in an unfamiliar place where they had few connections and spoke only Arabic, not Kurdish. "No one has done anything for us," said Salim Yono Auffee, a member of the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council, a Christian group in northern Iraq. "These people are trying to figure out how to build their futures, to find homes, to get married. And they are leaving Iraq." Even in the relative safety of Kur¬ distan, some Christians say they still live in apprehension. A kidnapping of a Christian businessman in Erbil, the Kurdish capital, and a recent outbreak of riots and arson attacks against Christi¬ an-owned liquor stores in Dohuk Province the northernmost in Iraq, uprooted Berkho Odeesho, center, the mayor of Dawudiya, with fellow Christians. "We found along the Turkish border have deeply safety in Kurdistan, but things are getting unstable," he said. "We dont know where to go." unsettled Christian migrants to the area Seven years ago, after retrieving his son from kidnappers, Salam Meti Abdul city where the riots were centered, and dren have dropped out. Karim moved his family from Mosul to a parade of government officials and re¬ The mountain village of Dawudiya is a the small Christian community of Shioz, ligious leaders have emphasized Kur¬ study in trade-offs, a place whose resi¬ a half-hour drive from the center of distan's historical tolerance, and its dents share similar stories of fear and Dohuk Province. The years passed deep ties to Assyrians, Chaldeans and flight from their homes in Baghdad. One quietly, until one night in December, other branches of Christianity. man was threatened with death if he did when a pickup truck full of men pulled "They are part of us," said Fadhil not hand over his daughter to militants. A up at the edge of town and set fire to a Omar, the head of the provincial council couple's son was killed on his way home liquor warehouse. in, Dohuk. from work. Another family's son was "I felt like history was repeating, it¬ The Kurdish government has offered gunned down with three friends.. They self," Mr. Abdul Karim said. "We worry land, free fuel and other assistance to gave little thought to the consequences of the situation is just going to devolve into Christians as they have arrived from leaving. Theyjust had to get out. violence. I was thinking to just take my Baghdad, and it has opened its universi¬ "It was unbearable," said Berkho family and go up to the mountains." ties to students from Mosul, officials Odeesho, the village's mayor. "We The village hired armed guards after say. And Christians do not lack a politic¬ found safety in Kurdistan, but things are the attack, Mr. Abdul Karim said. al voice. They sit on local and provincial getting unstable. We don't know where No Christians were killed in the riot¬ councils throughout the north and hold togo." ing against Christian store owners. seats in Parliament in Kurdistan and But like others here, Mr. Odeesho has Local officials say they were not specif¬ Baghdad. a plan. He has applied for an immigra¬ ically targeted because of their religion, Despite the help, many families say tion visa, and he is now busy preparing but because the mobs who burned their they are straining to stay afloat. Those for his consular interview. Uprooting his stores and the conservative clerics close to cities have found jobs, but those family from Iraq may be difficult, he who had incited them viewed the al¬ in villages are largely unemployed, and said, but it would be in service of a new cohol sales as un-Islamic. they subsist on government pensions or future, away from Iraq, .in a distant Still, Kurdish officials, who have wel¬ relief payments amounting to about place called Illinois. comed Christians to the region, rushed $200 per month. They skip meals and to defuse fears conjured by the clash. share heating fuel. They are often some Omar al-Jawoshy contributed reporting. Massoud Barzani, the Kurdish presi¬ distance from schools that teach in dent, visited Christians in Zakho, the Arabic, and some parents say their chil

45 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

£zlÏÏmèt Jeudi 15 mars 2012 Les raisons de Y impasse

diplomatique en Syrie

syrien. Faute de quoi, Kofi Annan a contexte électoral en France et aux La Syrie, ou l'intervention qui En effet, selon nos informa¬ prévenu qu'il annoncerait mercre¬ Etats-Unis, l'attention est accapa¬ n'aura pas eu lieu... Un an tions, la mission de l'émissaire di 14 mars, à Genève, où il est basé, rée par d'autres thèmes. Nicolas après le début du soulève¬ Kofi Annan chargé par l'ONU et la le refus total syrien de coopérer. Sarkozy n'a pas dit un mot de la ment contre le président syrien Ligue arabe d'obtenir un arrêt de Le souci de légalisme est invo¬ Syrie dans son discours de Villepin- BacharAl-Assad, et alors qu'appro¬ violences et un début de négocia¬ qué en premierlieu pourexpliquer te, où il a été question de l'Europe et che l'anniversaire du déclenche¬ tions politiques en Syrie a essuyé l'absence d'intervention en Syrie : du Proche-Orient. Le 2 mars, à ment de l'opération armée en un refus radical de Bachar sans mandat du Conseil.de sécuri¬ Bruxelles, il avait insisté: «Il n'est Libye, la communauté internatio¬ Al-Assad. Après deux jours d'entre¬ té, rien ne peut se faire. « Une inter¬ pas question d'agir, directement ou nale continue d'étaler le spectacle tiens à Damas, la réponse du diri¬ vention sans mandatpourla bonne indirectement, tant que le Conseil de son impuissance à faire cesser geant syrien est arrivée mardi cause servirait dejustification àtou- de sécuritén'aurapas établi la stabi¬ les massacres. 13 mars. Elle est « totalement néga¬ te intervention sans mandat pour litéjuridique. » Lors de la prochaine La spirale de violences, dont le tive », indiquait-on dans la soirée, la mauvaise cause», explique-t-on rencontre Obama-Cameron à bilan est selon l'ONU bien supé¬ de source occidentale. En ajoutant côté français. Le tir de barrage russe Washington, le thème de la Syrie rieur à 7 500 morts, ne cesse pour¬ avec consternation: «le pouvoir à l'ONU a été puissant, pour à la fois devrait être largement éclipsé par¬ tant de s'amplifier à en juger par syrien a choisi l'option militaire. Il protéger l'allié stratégique syrien la situation dégradée en Afghanis¬ les récits de tortures et exécutions va écraser. L'opposition ne peut au Moyen-Orient et ménager la tan, qui d'ailleurs nefait que confor¬ sommaires.y compris de femmes pasgrand-chose, sicen'estharceler relation avec l'Iran, tout en préten¬ ter ce sentiment qu'il est décidé¬ et d'enfants, provenant d'Homs, [les forces gouvernementales]. Le dant lutter contre l'extrémisme ment risqué de s'aventurer en terre ville « reprise » par la soldatesque. vrai risque est que ça pourrisse, et islamiste et faire payerles Occiden¬ musulmane pour faire du change¬ L'impasse diplomatique à que des armées soient fournies taux pour l'épisode libyen. ment de régime. l'ONU et l'absence d'ingérence [auxiebelles]parl'Arabie Saoudite Depuisles déclarations concomi¬ humanitaire créent une impres¬ et le Qatar.» Le scénario de la tantes de Barack Obama, David Les man uvres sion d'inaction que camouflent guerre civile qui se prolonge... Cameron, Nicolas Sarkozyet Ange- mal les déclarations emphatiques Kofi Annan, en voyant la répon¬ la Merkel, appelant en août 2011 au dilatoires de Moscou condamnant les crimes syriens et se de Bachar Al-Assad a aussitôt départ du pouvoir de M. Assad ont fait gagner critiquant ceux qui, côté russe, téléphoné à Serguei Lavrov, le chef aucun dirigeant occidental n'a pris s'emploient de facto à les « cou¬ de la diplomatie russe, lui don¬ la tête de manière ostentatoire du temps à Bachar vrir». Et cette image de paralysie nant vingt-quatre heures pour ten¬ d'une mobilisation pour venir à Al-Assad pour écraser risque encore de s'aggraver. ter de faire atténuer le vocabulaire bout du régime syrien. Dans le la contestation

Les Occidentaux mesurant

L'ambiguïté de la demande de « transition » l'obstacle russe à l'ONU avaient

voulu le contourner en sous-trai¬ tant d'une certaine manière le dos¬ New York (Nations unies) bres à mettre de côté leurs différen¬ ce au plan de la Ligue arabe pré¬ sier syrien aux organisations régio¬ Correspondante ces. Selon le chef de l'ONU, une voyant un transfert des pouvoirs nales, Ligue arabe en tête. Mais le résolution courte, dont les trois de M. Assad à son vice-président dernier épisode de cette implica¬ Les Nations unies échouent-elles priorités seraient « l'arrêt immé¬ pourrait ne plus être qu'implicite. tion - les entretiens de Serguei en Syrie ? «Nous serons tous tenus diat de toutes les violences, l'accès Ce que les optimistes assimilent à Lavrov au Caire, le 10 mars - en a

pour responsables,y compris moi- de l'aide humanitaire et l'ouverture une «ambiguïté constructive». dit long sur les limites de l'exerci¬ même»^ prévenu, mardi 13 mars, de négociationspolitiques » sous la Reste la question-clé de là ce : c'était la confusion totale ! Les le secrétaire général de l'ONU, Ban houlette de l'émissaire spécial de « séquence temporelle », sur laquel¬ responsable's arabes assurant que Ki-moon. Aux grandes puissances l'ONU et de la Ligue arabe, Kofi le ont jusqu'ici achoppé les discus¬ le Russe avait dit « qui » à leur plan qui siègent au Conseil de sécurité, Annan, pourrait faire l'unanimité. sions, Moscou refusant d'exiger du 22 janvier prévoyant Une mise le diplomate coréen avait déclaré Avec la Russie et la Chine « à des militaires syriens qu'ils dépo¬ à l'écart politique de Bachar la veille que cette «part de respon¬ bord», cette résolution aurait, assu- sent les armes tant que les groupes Al-Assad. Le Russe prétendant tran¬ sabilité» dans l'incapacité à stop- re-t-il, « un impact sur lapsycholo¬ d'opposition n'en feront pas quillement qu'il n'en était rien... ; per les violences leur serait repro¬ giepolitique » de Bachar Al-Assad. autant. La proposition russe de Les man dilatoires de

chée s'ils n'agissaient pas au plus Moscou, qui par deux fois a oppo¬ déployer des observateurs interna¬ Moscou qui cnerche a taire croire

vite. «Plus longtemps vous discu¬ sé sori veto à des résolutions tionaux pour contrôler l'arrêt par des opérations de communica¬

tez, ou.reportez le moment d'agir, condamnant Damas, de concert simultané des violences est à l'étu¬ tion que sa politique ne se résume

etplus ilyaura depersonnes (...), avec la Chine, refuse toute référen¬ de, dit-on à l'ONU. Pas question pas à un soutien systématique au

qui seferont tuer. Il n 'y apas de ce à un changement de régime. Le toutefois de demander à l'opposi¬ dictateur syrien, auront eu cette temps àperdre », a-t-il martelé aux scénario yéménite, où le chef tion de baisser ses armes légères, efficacité : faire gagner du temps à

chefs de la diplomatie russe, améri¬ d'Etat a quitté le pouvoir en vertu tant que le régime « n'aurapas ces¬ M. Assad pour écraser la contesta¬ cain, britannique, allemand et fran¬ d'un accord de transition lui accor¬ sé d'utiliser tanks et artillerie lour¬ tion, tout en le mettant à l'abri

çais, venus débattre à New York dant l'immunité, est cité en de », fait savoir M. Ban. Quant au d'une transition politique brus¬

des « défis et chances » du prin¬ « modèle ». « On s'achemine douce- président syrien, « s'ilpense qu'il quée de l'extérieur.

temps arabe. mentvers un traitementpurement peut surmonter la crise » sans pro¬ Un «permis de tuer», comme « Le Conseil de sécuritédevrait symptomatique de la crise », admet céder à des réformes substantiel¬ l'ont écrit les auteurs d'une récen¬ adopter une résolution immédiate¬ une source diplomatique, le règle¬ les, « il se berce d'illusions », fait te tribune publiée dans la presse

ment », a insisté M. Ban, expliquant ment du volet politique risquant' remarquer le secrétaire général. internationale. Signe des temps,

qu'il avait exhorté les 15 pays mem d'être remis à plus tard. La référen Alexandra Geneste les intellectuels qufs'étaient forte-

46 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

ment mobilisés pour l'ingérence à d'un renversement de régime. tes contre chiites, et d'une volonté armée en Libye adoptent un profil Au-delà des défis militaires d'endiguer l'Iran, que de la lutte bien plus discret. Ce n'est pas la lourds que présenterait le terrain pour les aspirations démocrati¬

signature de Bernard-Henri Levy syrien, la gêne des Occidentaux est ques. «Intervenir, ce seraitajouter mais celle de Rony Braumann, criti¬ accentuée par le fait que les parte¬ la guerre à la guerre », dit-on à Paris. que de l'opération en Libye, que naires arabes, qui avaient appuyé L'accent est mis surl'idée que les Cri¬ l'on retrouve en bas de ce récent l'expédition anti-Kadhafi de 2011 minels devront un jour rendre des

appel « Tous unis pour la Syrie », sont animés, face au régime syrien, comptes. Pour encourager, sem-

qui se concentre sur la nécessité de motivations qui relèvent bien ble-t-il, les défections. d'un arrêt des violences et non pas plus dela guerre de religieux sunni Natalie Nougayrède

£tM&uèt Un an de révolte en Syrie

Jeudi 15 mars 2012

l'Iran dans la région. » John McCain L'armée régulière syrienne Le débat sur confirme : ce serait « le coup le plus reprend le contrôle d'Idlib sévère porté à l'Iran en vingt-cinq

ans ». Mais le président est en cam¬ L'armée syrienne a pris le contrô¬

pagne électorale et ne souhaite pas ; le total de la ville rebelle d'Idlib, l'affrontement avec Téhéran avant j une intervention dans le nord-ouest du pays, au d'avoir exploré la voie des négocia- terme d'un assaut qui a duré qua¬

tiojîs-qui doivent s'engager à nou¬ tre jours et qui a poussé les insur¬ agite Washington veau sur son programme nucléaire. gés à se retirer, a affirmé, mercre¬ La Maison Blanche a néanmoins di 14mars, un militant. «L'Armée

fait savoir que les plans avaient été syrienne libre a préféré se retirer.

étudiés pour définir ce qu'un éven¬ Tout le monde sait qu'elle est Washington L'échange résume le débat qui tuel rôle américain pourrait être. incapable de faire face à [la puis¬

Correspondante s'est intensifié ces dernières semai¬ «On peut tout faire», a assuré le sance de feu] de l'armée», a ajou¬ nes sur une éventuelle interven¬ chef d'état-major interarmes le té le militant. « Troisjours après

Iohn McCain en a fait une ques¬ tion. Débat qui a été tranché par la général Martin Dempsey. En privé, le début de l'opération d'envergu¬

tion d'honneur. Le 5 mars, il a décision de Barack Obama de ne les chefs militaires ont exposé tou¬ re dans la ville d'Idlib (...) celle-ci été le premier responsable amé¬ tes les difficultés de l'entrepri- pas intervenir de manière unilatéra¬ s'est terminée en un temps

ricain à réclamer des frappes aérien¬ le - ce serait « une erreur», a-t-il dit se.Damas possède une défense anti¬ record», avait indiqué le quoti¬

nes contre les forces syriennes. dans sa dernière conférence de pres¬ aérienne sophistiquée, située près dien privé Al-Watan, proche du

Deux jours plus tard, le sénateur se - mais que John McCain et ses pouvoir, qui a par ailleurs annon¬ républicain de l'Arizona, qui a lui- amis « faucons humanitaires » s'ef¬ « Combien de civils cé la tenue d'élections législati¬ même combattu au Vietnam, a forcent d'entretenir. ves le 7 mai. - (AFP, Reuters.) doivent encore bousculé le secrétaire à la défense Le lendemain de l'appel du séna¬ LeonPanettalors d'une audition au teur, le président a eu l'air sincère¬ mourir? Congrès : « Combien de civils doi¬ ment tourmenté. «Ce qui se passe 10 000 ? 20 000 ? » vent encore mourir? Vous pouvez en Syrie est scandaleux et boulever¬ t". Ils se battentparce qu'ils veulent John McCain, nous dire ? 10 000 ? 20 000 ? Com¬ sant», a-t-il réagi. Mais « l'idée selon les mêmes droits que ceux qui sont bien ? », a-t-il demandé. laquelle la manière de résoudre cha¬ sénateur républicain garantis dans notre Constitution. » Tassé sur son fauteuil, Leon cun de cesproblèmesestde déployer La secrétaire d'Etat Hillary Clin¬ Panetta a répété la ligne officielle. notre armée, cela n'a pas été vrai des centres de population, ce qui ton a rencontré mardi son homolo¬ L'option militaire est «à l'étude», dans le passé et cela ne le sera pas renforce les risques de dommages gue russe Serguei Lavrov. L'admi¬ a-t-il dit, mais l'administration pré¬ plus maintenant». Pour M. Obama, collatéraux. Il faudrait « une pério¬ nistration ne désespère pas d'adou¬ fère s'en tenir h «une approchepoli¬ il est hors de question de lancer des de de temps étendue et un grand cir la position de Moscou lorsque tique et diplomatique», et elle tra¬ nombred'avions », a précisé le géné: frappes sans mandat de l'ONU. Le Barack *Obama prendra contact vaille à forger «un consensus sur la présidentne veut pas risquer de dis¬ rai Dempsey. Pour protéger un cor¬ avec le président Vladimir Poutine marche à suivre». John McCain l'a soudre les fragiles coalitions qu'il a ridorhumanitaire le long de la fron¬ à Camp David le 18 mai. morigéné. «L'Amérique devraitêtre réussi à assembler sur la Corée du tière turque, des troupes au sol CORINE LESNES en tête. L'Amérique devrait forger Nord ou l'Iran. Et il est réticent à seraient nécessaires. Armer l'oppo¬ des coalitionsau lieu de déclarerque considérer une action militaire sition ? Il n'en est pas question pour nous n'interviendrons 'pas quelle alors qu'il y a encore 90 000 sol¬ l'instant, a répété mardi le porte- que soit la situation. » dats américains en Afghanistan. parole de la Maison Blanche Jay Car¬

Sévèrement, le ministre a souli¬ Depuis le début dusoulèvement ney : ce serait risquer d'entraîner gné les risques d'une intervention, syrien, il a avancé avec une grande «une plus grande militarisation» qui serait beaucoup plus ambitieu¬ réserve. Ce n'est qu'en août qu'il a de la Syrie. Mais les Américains se que l'opération en Libye. Contre acceptent de fermer les yeux sur les

Mouammar Kadhafi, il a fallu sept appelé Bachar Al-Assad à démis¬ fournisseurs d'armes actuels. Et ils mois à l'OTAN et 7 700 bombes et sionner. En Libye, rien ne mettait ont fait savoir qu'ils livreraient du missiles. « Nous dépensons presque en jeu l'intérêt national américain. matériel de communication et de

1 000 milliardsparanpourla défen¬ En Syrie, « nos valeurs et notre inté^ renseignement à l'opposition. se nationale. Si nous sommes inca¬ rêt coïncident», relève Martin Ils s'inquiètent aussi du morcel¬ pables de détruire l'aviation syrien¬ Indyk, le vice-président de la Broo¬ lement de la rébellion. Là non plus, ne, alors c'est un gaspillage total de kings Institution. «Ce serait un John McCain a fait savoir qu'il l'argent des contribuables ! », a bon¬ coup dévastateur porté à l'Iran. n'était pas dupe. «Je rejette l'argu¬ di le sénateur. Assad est le canal d'influence de ment "nous ne savonspasgui ils son-

47 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

Irak/pétrole: nouvelle passe d'armes entre Bagdad et le Kurdistan

ERBIL (Irak), 15 mars 2012 (AFP) interdit à toute compagnie pétrolière ayant un contrat avec le Kurdistan de participer à des appels d'offres dans le reste du pays.

Le Kurdistan et Bagdad s'opposent notamment depuis des mois sur le cas LE CONFLIT OPPOSANT de longue date le gouvernement irakien à la de la major pétrolière américaine ExxonMobil, qui a signé un contrat région autonome du Kurdistan a rebondi jeudi lorsque les dirigeants d'exploration avec le Kurdistan. kurdes ont accusé Bagdad de minimiser les exportations de la région et de freiner volontairement son développement. Le groupe s'est vu sommer par Bagdad de choisir entre ce contrat et celui qu'il a dans le champ pétrolier de Qurna-Ouest (sud), où il produit avec la Le Kurdistan exporte 90.000 à 100.000 barils de pétrole par jour depuis le compagnie anglo-néerlandaise Shell environ 370.000 bj. Il s'agit d'un début de l'année, mais Bagdad affirme que les exportations n'atteignent que contrat de service avec le gouvernement irakien, pour lequel le cartel ne 65.000 bj et que cela lui occasionne "des pertes financières quotidiennes", touche que 0,92 dollar par baril extrait. déplore le gouvernement régional kurde dans un communiqué sur son site. "Les responsables au gouvernement central qui refusent d'accepter ces "Si les affirmations du ministère du Pétrole sont correctes, cela signifie que contrats sont des ratés qui n'arrivent pas à.donner à l'Irak ce que nous don¬ 25.000 à 35.000 bj sont perdus dans le processus de mise sur le marché nons au Kurdistan", s'est insurgé le dirigeant kurde Massoud Barzani lors (...) Le Kurdistan estime que cette divergence doit faire immédiatement d'un discours jeudi à Erbil, la capitale régionale. l'objet d'une enquête, au cas où quelqu'un s'attribuerait la différence", sou¬ ligne le communiqué "Ils veulent que nous soyons comme eux", a-t-il ajouté.

Le Kurdistan accuse en outre le gouvernement central de bloquer depuis "Le problème n'est pas que ces contrats violent ou non la Constitution, mais mai 2011 les paiements aux entreprises concernées, et de lui devoir plus qu'ils ne veulent pas que la région se développe", a-t-il accusé.

d'un milliard de dollars de chiffre d'affaires pour 201 1 . "De plus, pas le moin¬ L'Irak échoue depuis 2007 à adopter une loi régissant l'exploitation de ses dre dollar n'a été versé pour les exportations en 2012", affirme-t-il. ressources en hydrocarbures, vitales pour sa reconstruction, ce qui pèse

Le Kurdistan prévient que ses exportations pourraient être menacées à lourdement sur le climat d'investissement.

terme si le gouvernement n'honore pas ces arriérés. Dans le cas contraire, Le pays a toutefois augmenté sa production ces derniers mois et pompe la région pourrait les faire passer à 175.000 bj "ou même 250.000 bj". actuellement environ 3 millions de barils par jour, son plus haut niveau

Le Kurdistan irakien a signé dans le passé une quarantaine de contrats depuis 1979, ont indiqué de hauts responsables début mars.O avec des compagnies étrangères. Or, le gouvernement irakien ne reconnaît que les accords signés avec le ministère du Pétrole, et a jusqu'à présent

Le PKK dénonce un raid turc sur l'Irak et revendique un attentat à Istanbul

ERBIL (Irak), 14 mars 2012 (AFP) tions dans le sud-est de la Turquie, peuplé en majorité de Kurdes.

Le PKK a par ailleurs revendiqué l'explosion d'une bombe au passage d'un car de police ayant fait 16 blessés dont 15 policiers dans le centre-ville LES REBELLES KURDES du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) d'Istanbul le 1er mars. ont dénoncé mercredi un nouveau raid contre une région du nord de l'Irak où ils maintiennent des bases et ont revendiqué un attentat à la "Cette opération fait suite au nettoyage militaire et politique auquel le gou¬ bombe à Istanbul le 1er mars. vernement turc continue de se livrer", a ajouté le groupe, en accusant ce dernier de vouloir "mener un génocide contre notre peuple et nos forces". Dans la nuit de mardi à mercredi, des avions de chasse turcs ont mené "des raids et des bombardements" contre la région de Dohouk, dans la région En octobre, la Turquie a lancé une grande offensive par air et sur terre autonome du Kurdistan irakien, a indiqué le PKK dans un communiqué. contre les séparatistes kurdes dans le sud-est du pays ainsi que dans le nord de l'Irak. Déjà le 8 mars, l'aviation turque avait mené des attaques dans des zones voisines, a ajouté le groupe sans préciser si ces séries de raids avaient fait Le PKK, qui a pris les armes en 1984, est considéré comme un mouvement des victimes. terroriste par Ankara et une bonne partie de la communauté intemationale.O

Le nord de l'Irak est utilisé par le PKK comme base arrière pour ses opéra

Total en discussion pour marge du 13e Forum international de l'énergie qui se déroule jusqu'à mer¬ credi au Koweït. des contrats pétroliers Il a précisé que Total cherchait à négocier avec d'autres sociétés déjà pro¬ au Kurdistan irakien priétaires de permis d'exploration d'hydrocarbures au Kurdistan irakien, en vue d'acquérir des participations dans ces projets d'exploration, mais que KOWEÏT, 13 mars 2012 (AFP) "dans tous les cas, il faut l'accord du gouvernement du Kurdistan".

La compagnie pétrolière américaine ExxonMobil a signé à la mi-octobre un TOTAL est entré en discussions en vue de décrocher contrats pétro¬ accord d'exploration pétrolière avec la région autonome du Kurdistan ira¬ liers au Kurdistan irakien mais n'a signé aucun accord à ce sujet pour kien, s'attirant les foudres du gouvernement central irakien, qui considère le moment, a déclaré mardi le PDG de la compagnie pétrolière fran¬ cet accord comme nul et non avenu. çaise Christophe de Margerie, au cours d'un déplacement au Koweït. Le gouvernement de Bagdad ne reconnaît que les accords signés avec le "Le Kurdistan fait partie de l'Irak, et beaucoup d'entreprises investissent au ministère du Pétrole, et a jusqu'à présent interdit à toute compagnie pétro¬ Kurdistan irakien, et je ne vois pas pourquoi Total ne pourrait pas le faire, lière ayant un contrat avec le Kurdistan de participer à des appels d'offres donc nous regardons les opportunités, nous discutons, mais nous n'avons dans le reste du pays.O rien conclu encore", a déclaré le patron de Total à des journalistes, en

48 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

ÎUralb*fi»®rlb»me Friday, march is, 2012

In Aleppo, the government reported Assad supporters large pro-Assad demonstrations, while activists said security forces fired on an antigovernment protest there. Claims and counterclaims of fighting march 'for Syria' and casualties in the Syria conflict are impossible to corroborate because of government restrictions on outside

press access. BEIRUT help Syrian rebels as government Activists have said hundreds of forces, having flushed insurgent strong¬ people had been killed in Homs alone as Regime puts on a show holds in the north, swept into Dara'a. rebel fighters, their pleas for weapons of force on anniversary The government's near-complete unanswered, were heavily outgunned takeover of the cities of Homs and Idlib by the Syrian military in more than a as opposition splinters fueled frustration with the exile group, month of shelling. the Syrian National Council, said one ac¬ "What happened in Homs is betray¬ tivist who had resigned, Kamal al-Lab- al," Mr. Labwani said in an interview/ BY ANNE BARNARD wani, a respected dissident released "There is a sense of irresponsibility on Many thousands of Syrians gathered in from Syrian prison last year halfway the part of the council.' '

a central square in Damascus on Thurs¬ through a 12-year sentence. The council, he added, was in danger day, waving Syrian flags and pictures of Although the government's role in the of causing splits in Syrian society by President Bashar^al-Assad in what the Damascus demonstration was clear, not failing to create a single rebel military

government billed as a "global march all the support for Mr. Assad is manu¬ command under its control, leaving in¬ for Syria" and against the year-old up¬ factured. Some Syrians back him out of dividual militias to seek their own rising that it portrays as led by terror¬ worry that his departure could usher in sources of help. He accused Muslim ists and foreigners. sectarian revenge against his Alawite Brotherhood members within the exile The state had ordered people to show sect and the Christian population, which opposition of "monopolizing funding up for work on a national holiday is wary of rule by the Sunni Muslim ma¬ and military support." Teachers' Day that fell on Thursday, jority fears that Mr. Assad's govern¬ The 270-member council has been the one-year anniversary of mass ment has stoked by portraying itself as plagued by internal disagreements. A demonstrations centered in the south¬ a bulwark of protection for minorities. member of its executive committee, ern city of Dara'a that turned sporadic Others simply want to see an end to in¬ Samir Naehar, played down the latest protests against the government into a stability and economic hardship frictions, saying the members had not national uprising. The government brought on by a year of unrest. submitted formal resignations. One, he threatened punishments for truants in A Syrian soldier reached by tele¬ said, was simply frustrated at his exclu¬ what anti-Assad activists called a trans¬ phone, who gave his name as Samer, sion from a meeting with the United Na¬ parent move to make it easier to bus in said no one had forced him to attend the tions special envoy, Kofi Annan. Mr. state employees and students to attend rally, along with his wife and sons. "We Naehar said Mr. Labwani had attended the rally. danced the dabkeh," a traditional celeb¬ few meetings. Men jumped up and down, cheering, ratory dance, he said. "I would shoot in Mr. Naehar acknowledged the council needed to improve but said disagree¬ as the flags of Russia, Syria's main in¬ the.air if they allowed me." ments were inevitable, noting that ternational backer and arms. supplier, To him, the rally celebrated victory many members had never met before and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant over traitors instigated by Qatar, a sup¬ the uprising and had widely varying group that has been a stalwart support¬ porter of the uprising, and other coun¬ backgrounds and opinions. er of Mr. Assad, whipped in the wind tries. "We defeated the traitors," he But this time the departing members alongside the black, white and red Syri¬ said. "We won over the conspiracy." include some well-known figures with an tricolor. Syrian television channels Mr. Assad received more public sup¬ deep credibility among Syrians both in¬ continuously broadcast the scenes from port from Hassan Nasrallah, the leader side and outside the country, including Umayyad Square. of Hezbollah, the powerful Shiite mili¬ Mr. Labwani and Haitham Maleh, an ex¬ "I am ready to go one and two and a tant group that is part of Lebanon's rul¬ ecutive committee member and lawyer thousand times for the sake of Bashar,'' a ing parliamentary coalition, shares Mr. in his 80s who served many years in woman attending the rally told the Syri¬ Assad's hostility toward their common, prison after defending Syrian dissi¬ an TV channel Addounia. Another wom¬ enemy Israel, and is believed to depend dents, including Muslim Brotherhood an dressed in a military uniform told the on Syria as an arms supplier and con¬ members. channel: "We're here to say we won." duit for weapons from Iran. Mr. Maleh could not be reached for. In elaborately produced advertise¬ Anti-Assad activists reported shelling comment, but told Al Jazeera that he ments, Addounia said the pro-govern¬ in the city of Homs on Thursday and had resigned because of chaos within ment demonstrations would last through said they had discovered the bodies of the group and doubt over what it could Saturday and exhorted viewers to "join 23 people in the city of Idlib who appar¬ accomplish, adding, "We have not got¬ us in the global march for Syria.' ' ently had been summarily executed. ten very far in working to arm the The Damascus rally came a day after The bodies were handcuffed and blind¬ the main Syrian exile opposition group folded, each with a bullet to the head, rebels." suffered a serious fracture as several and no identifications, according to the Hwaida Saqd contributed reporting. prominent members resigned, calling Local Coordinating Committees, an ac¬

the group autocratic, dominated by the tivist network. Muslim Brotherhood and powerless to Members of the Free Syrian Army, the main armed opposition group, killed "I am ready to go one and two five members of the security forces in and a thousand times for the an ambush in Tafass, on the outskirts of Dara'a, said Yazid al Baradan, an activ-' sake of Bashar. We're here to ist reached by telephone. Other activists

say we won." reported via e-mail that government forces retaliated with a tank assault.

49 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti *ffS^ Weighing the perils and promise of Syria

ISTANBUL

Slobodan Milosevic, the Serbian strong¬ crisis has made Turkey's prime minis¬ ter Recep Tayyip Erdogan an indispens¬ Reluctant to intervene, man who plunged his country into an ethnically driven civil war. able ally to President Barack Obama. Turkey feels pressed by Yet for all of its bluster and resolve, The conflict in Syria, however, has laid bare the limits of Turkey's power in refugees and reputation Turkey has also been reluctant to inter¬ vene, insisting that it will not take uni¬ the region. Just a year ago, Turkey was lateral military action and that any such emerging as one of Syria's closest allies, BY DAN BILEFSKY initiative should come from the Arab with the two countries holding joint cab¬ League or the United Nations. inet sessions and Mr. Erdogan and Mr. The intensifying crackdown by the re¬ Proposals to create à buffer zone or a Assad even vacationing together. Tur¬ gime of President Bashar al-Assad has humanitarian aid corridor within Syria key's 910 kilometer, or 500-mile, border prompted more than 1,000 Syrians to as well as to arm the rebel Free Syrian with Syria is its longest, and trade be¬ cross into Turkey during the past 24 Army or to establish an Arab peace^ tween the two countries had more than hours, Turkish officials said Thursday, keeping force are expected to be dis¬ tripled to $2.5 billion in 2010. amid growing fears of a refugee crisis cussed at a Friends of Syria meeting set Despite years of diplomatic engager spilling into the country. for April 2 in Istanbul. ment and economic investment, Turkey The yearlong uprising in Syria has Turkish officials say they have not could not persuade Mr. Assad to back proven both deadly and intractable, ruled out having its military participate down. confronting the world with the potential in an international plan to create a buf¬ The conflict in Syria is seen as a cru¬ for a regional war and a humanitarian fer zone in the event that Mr. Assad con¬ cial test for Turkey as it struggles to crisis even as the international commu¬ tinues to slaughter his own people and carry out its newly muscular foreign nity is accused of looking the other way. an even larger influx of refugees en¬ policy in the region. Turkey's aspira¬ The spiraling crisis in Syria has sues. tions to join the European Union are all presented Turkey with an opportunity, Turkish officials say privately that but dormant. The conflict with Cyprus both perilous and promising, to show its Ankara will not act unilaterally in im¬ appears as intractable as ever. Efforts posing such a zone because Russia and heft to the world as the large Muslim to reach a solution over Armenia are at Iran are backing Syria, making the risks country of 79 million people strives to an impasse. too high. become a regional leader. But so far Tur¬ Meanwhile, diplomatic ties with Isra¬ Analysts say Turkey is also extremely key has been largely stymied in its ef¬ el are frozen over an Israeli commando forts to influence events within Syria. wary of taking military action partly be¬ raid on a vessel that tried to reach Gaza Despite heavy deployment by Syrian cause of concerns that sectarian strife in from Turkey. Iran remains deeply suspi¬ forces along the Turkish border, Syria could migrate to Turkey. Turkish cious of Turkey's agreement to host a frightened Syrians are continuing to officials fear that Turkish boots on the NATO missile shield. ground could undermine Turkey's pop¬ Bordered to the east by countries in¬ flee, with more than 14,700 now sheltered in five camps in Hatay, a Turk¬ ularity in a region where memories of cluding Syria, Iraq and Iran, Turkey Ottoman rule still run deep. with its majority Sunni population ish province on the border. "There has been an increase in those Despite its limited room to maneuver, risks becoming mired by the sectarian Turkey has been jockeying to position it¬ divisions convulsing its neighbors. fleeing from Syria to our country," the self as a country that can influence a While Syria is tipping toward civil war, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal said Thursday. "Yesterday, post-Assad Syria. It is hosting the Syri¬ Iraq is once again buffeted by sectarian an opposition, including the Syrian Na¬ strife and Iran has aligned itself firmly the number of people who had come was 13,700. This morning, the number is tional Council, and the rebel Free Syrian behind the Assad regime. Army, a group of some 10,000 soldiers Sami Kohen, foreign affairs columnist 14,700." that is being housed in an army camp in He said that a top Syrian general was at Milliyet, a leading Turkish newspa¬ among the newest refugees, the seventh Turkey near the Syrian border. per, noted that sectarian divisions But as Mr. Assad continues to cling to threatened to spill over into Turkey. The high-ranking military officer to have de¬ power, Turkey risks finding itself the country is home to around 10 million fected. Turkish officials said Ankara patron of a failed revolt while also being Alawite citizens, some of. whom are sym¬ was making contingency plans in the saddled with a refugee crisis or, worse, a pathetic to Mr. Assad, also an Alawite. event of a massive inflow of Syrians; it civil war on its doorstep. Meanwhile, Turkish officials express had built a camp of prefabricated "The stakes are very high for Turkey concern that Syria, backed by Iran, houses to host 15,000 people in Kilis, an in Syria," said Soli Ozel, columnist for could seek to embolden the militant eastern border town. Another camp was Haberturk, a leading Turkish newspa¬ Kurdistan Workers' Party, or P.K.K, as a being built in Sanliurfa province, along per. "If Turkey proves to be ineffectual means to punish Turkey for supporting the border with Syria, to house up to the Syrian opposition. 20,000 people. While Turkey could clearly benefit if While the Syrian opposition remains "The stakes are very high Mr. Assad were overthrown, analysts hopelessly divided and the world has for Turkey in Syria." note that Arab countries would be loath been unable to unify against the Assad to see Turkey exert too much influence. regime amid intransigence by Russia in resolving the Syrian conflict, then all "Arab countries don't want Turkey to and China, a Europe distracted by eco¬ of the claims of its regional prowess will be the kingmaker in Syria," Mr. Ozel nomic malaise and a United States re¬ take a big hit." said. "Arabs are Arabs and Turks are luctant to become mired in a volatile re¬ Turkey has been playing a leading Turks." gion, Turkey has intensified its criticism role in marshalling a coalition to put of the Syrian regime. pressure on Syria in the Arab League. S,ebnem Arsu contributed reporting. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of At the same time, aides say, the Syrian Turkey recently likened Mr. Assad to

50 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

rama news 17 March 2012

Syria's Kurds undecided over future

By Tom Little BBC Monitoring V .[-. SYRIA'S KURDS appear divided and unsure whether to IS t* ' '' 0 ^T^_ / join the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad as they marked the anniversary of bloody clashes between r ? the Kurdish minority and security forces in 2004. V « A . - ': ; v/. 1 Syria's Kurds live mostly in the north-eastern border region with - , " Iraq and Turkey, and make up 10-15% of the population. iV<> / v.

For decades the authorities have discriminated against the Kurds for fear that they might seek self-determination. Many were denied Protesters in Qamishli in March 2012, some waving Kurdish citizenship under a controversial law in the early 1960s. flags

Frustration at this treatment boiled over in March 2004 in the town Syrians Kurds perform a traditional dance in Qamishli during a pro¬ of Qamishli, when Kurds rioted before security forces moved in. test on 12 March 2012 Many Syrian Kurds have taken part in the

Although the world's media have largely forgotten the riots, online current protests against the government activists opposed to President Bashar al-Assad have" found new Some of these sites advertised the eighth anniversary of the significance in the Qamishli events and urged their compatriots to Qamishli clashes in the weeks running up to 12 March, encoura¬ mark the date. ging Syrians to mark the date.

Qamishli riots These calls were initially published on sites aimed at Syrian Kurds,

The Syrian football teams Al-Fatwa, which is largely supported by but spread to larger Facebook pages like The Syrian Revolution

Arabs, and Al-Jihad, favoured by the Kurds, played in Qamishli on 2011, which has over 300,000 members.

12 March 2004. The commemoration appears to be part of a new trend, as activists

Riot police moved into the stadium not long after play began, and have used the anniversary of past crackdowns in Syria to further a slanging match turned violent. Six supporters were killed and discredit the government and persuade more to oppose it. another three died in a stampede to escape the stands. In February, online activists marked the 30th anniversary of the

The next day anger amongst Kurds erupted when security forces bloody attack on the central town of Hama in 1982, during an insur¬ fired on the funerals of the supporters, and unrest spread to neigh¬ rection by the Muslim Brotherhood. bouring towns and villages. Kurds undecided

Kurds demonstrated in the streets of Qamishli, chanting anti- The 2004 riots showed that the Kurds have little love for the government slogans and even toppling a statue of the former pre¬ government in the main, and many have been ready to take part in sident, Hafez Assad. protests in the current uprising.

In a now familiar development, Syrian security forces moved swiftly But many of the Kurdish political parties, which have been opera¬ to crush the unrest, and many Kurds fled to Iraqi Kurdistan. ting secretly in Syria for decades, have yet to join the Syrian

Eight years on National Council (SNC), an umbrella body trying to unite opposition

groups. In light of the uprising in Syria, President Assad's online.opponents have. sought significance in the Qamishli events, seeing clear Some community leaders feel the SNC has not done enough to parallels with the current nationwide crackdown. ensure Kurdish rights, which has led them to withhold full support. The SNC has more recently tried to reach out to minorities in Syria, Since the beginning of the uprising in March 2011, social media including Kurds. sites have carried reports. and footage from Syria, where journalists have been prevented from reporting freely. There are also tensions between some Kurdish groups due to long¬ standing political differences.

Some Kurdish anti-Assad activists in Syria have accused members

of the Democratic Union Party of Kurdistan (PYD) of supporting the

government. t ^,-- The PYD, a party that operates clandestinely in Syria, has denied the allegations, but the episode shows the minority is far from uni¬

ted.

,\ In a gesture to placate the Kurds, President Assad granted full citi¬ zenship to many Kurds last April, although there has been no clear

indication of how Syrian Kurds have received this.

The priority for Syria's Kurds is to secure their civil rights rather

than to ally themselves with any particular opposition group. Many Syrian Kurds have taken part in the current protests Whatever their decision, it is certain that Kurds will play an impor¬ against the government tant role in the outcome of the Syrian uprising.

51 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

IN^iM^i 16 mars 2012

Irak: la corde dfffAli le chimique1 f donnée à

une ville victime d'un massacre

HALABJA (Irak)-(AFP) c * >

La corde ayant servi à exécuter Ali Hassan al-Majid, dit "Ali le chi¬

mique", a été remise vendredi aux auto¬ "V^ > rités de Halabja, ville du Kurdistan ira¬ kien dont il avait été reconnu coupable ** d'avoir fait massacrer près de 5.000 habitants en 1988.

La corde sera conservée dans le monu¬

ment consacré aux quelque 5.000 victimes,

pour la plupart des femmes et des enfants,

tuées le 16 mars 1988 dans le bombarde¬

ment au gaz de la ville par les avions de

Saddam Hussein, dont il était l'homme de

main.

"Ali le Chimique", condamné quatre apaisées", a estimé Alaa Talabani, une Le 16 mars en fin de matinée, des fois à mort, dont l'une pour le massacre de députée kurde. avions de chasse irakiens avaient com¬ Halabja, avait été pendu le 25 janvier 2010. mencé à survoler la zone et, pendant cinq En 1988, alors que la guerre avec l'Iran Le Parti démocratique du Kurdistan, heures, allaient lâcher un mélange de gaz tirait à sa fin, les peshmergas kurdes principale formation politique dans la moutarde et des neurotoxiques Tabun, s'étaient emparés de la ville, dans les mon¬ province de Souleimaniyeh où est située Sarin et VX. tagnes du Kurdistan irakien. Halabja, a indiqué dans un communiqué Ali Hassan al-Majid, cousin et homme L'armée irakienne avait riposté en vendredi que les autorités locales avaient de main de Saddam Hussein, avait écopé pilonnant la localité, forçant les combat¬ tenté en vain d'obtenir que l'exécution se de trois autres peines de mort, dont une tants kurdes à se replier vers les collines déroule dans la ville. pour la répression de la rébellion kurde, la alentours, laissant derrière eux les femmes "Le don de la corde va aider les campagne Anfal de 1987-1988, qui avait et les enfants. familles des victimes à se sentir mieux et fait près de 180.000 morts.Q

Le Kurdistan menace de cesser ses exportations

faute de paiement de Bagdad

BAGDAD, 26 mars 2012 (AFP) niers mois, le cas de la major pétrolière américaine ExxonMobil, qui sou¬ haite s'implanter à la fois dans les deux parties du pays, ce que refuse caté¬ goriquement le gouvernement, a suscité une vive polémique. LA REGION AUTONOME du Kurdistan irakien, en conflit avec le gou¬ Erbil et Bagdad s'opposent aussi sur la souveraineté d'une bande longue de vernement central sur des questions territoriales et d'exploitation 650 km, riche en hydrocarbures, à cheval sur quatre provinces et compre¬ pétrolière, a menacé lundi de mettre fin à ses exportations de brut si nant la ville multiethnique de Kirkouk. Cet épineux dossier est considéré Bagdad n'honorait pas ses dettes envers elle. comme l'une des principales menaces sur la stabilité de l'Irak à terme. Le Kurdistan a également reproché à Bagdad de vouloir conclure un accord Un nouveau point de litige est apparu lundi soir lorsque les autorités kurdes selon lui illégal avec la major BP pour accroître la production de pétrole ont reproché au gouvernement central de vouloir conclure un accord avec dans la région de Kirkouk, au coeur du conflit territorial, selon un communi¬ BP sans les avoir consultées, ce qui est selon elles contraire à la qué distinct lundi soir. Constitution. "Les exportations de pétrole de la région du Kurdistan ont été réduites à Cette prise de position intervient "suite à des informations selon lesquelles 50.000 barils par jour (bj) et pourraient cesser d'ici un mois si le gouverne¬ la compagnie publique North Oil Company a signé ou est sur le point de ment fédéral à Bagdad continue de bloquer les paiements aux compagnies signer un accord préliminaire avec BP pour accroître la production dans le productrices", affirme le gouvernement régional dans un premier communi¬ gisement de Kirkouk", selon le communiqué. qué publié sur son site internet. Le Kurdistan "demande au ministère fédéral du Pétrole et à la North Oil Le texte, qui cite le porte-parole du ministère kurde des Ressources natu¬ Company de respecter la Constitution du pays et de s'asseoir rapidement relles, souligne que la dette cumulée du gouvernement central envers le avec toutes les parties concernées pour décider de la meilleure façon de Kurdistan s'élève à "près de 1,5 milliard de dollars". Le dernier versement renforcer et revitaliser les gisements actuels de Kirkouk". remonte à mai 2011. "En attendant, le Kurdistan demande aux compagnies pétrolières internatio¬ Le Kurdistan précise qu'il "maintient son objectif d'exportation de 175.000 bj nales de s'abstenir de toute activité enfreignant la Constitution", selon le prévu dans le budget 2012 de l'Irak et pourrait exporter beaucoup plus si le texte. gouvernement honorait ses engagements à payer". Le président kurde Massoud Barzani avait accusé la semaine dernière le Le Kurdistan et Bagdad sont en conflit sur de nombreux thèmes. Ces der Premier ministre Nouri al-Maliki de monopoliser le pouvoir.O

52 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

la Croix vendredi 16 mars 2012

>t.'

H t ......

S. #. / / /

* " ÏLArT 'WWW» *' ^^ Kofi Annan fou centre], lors de son passage en Syrie, a rencontré les autorités religieuses du pays. L'émissaire de l'ONU et dé la Ligue arabe doit rendre compte, aujourd'hui, au Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies, des premiers résultats de sa mission de médiation. Après un an d'insurrection, les scénarios pour la Syrie

| La répression s'accentue, s'emploie à sécuriser ses frontières Trois résolutions ont été proposées

la contestation s'étend. avec le Liban et la Turquie en les au Conseil de sécurité des Nations | Impasse, solution négociée, minantpour empêcher les livraisons unies, toutes rejetées par la Russie guerre civile aboutissant d'armes à l'opposition et le passage et la Chine, qui ont opposé leur veto. à une « recomposition » des combattants. Le plan de sortie de crise, proposé du pays, La Croix examine Le rapport deforce entre l'armée en janvier par la Ligue arabe, qui

les trois scénarios plausibles. régulière et l'opposition armée est appellate président à déléguer « des totalement déséquilibré. L'Armée prérogatives au vice-président pour

syrienne libre (ASL) est mal enca¬ traiter avec un gouvernement

drée, pas formée et peu équipée. d'union » nationale avec « une per¬ 1. L'impasse Elle est composée de civils qui ont sonnalité de consensus » à sa tête, Les diplomates européens le re¬ pris les armes et de quelques soldats qui préparera des élections législa¬

connaissent : « On est dans une qui ont fait défection. Même si les tives et présidentielle « pluralistes

impasse totale en Syrie. » Sur le ter¬ promesses de l'Arabie Saoudite et et libres », a lui aussi été rejeté par rain, la répression s'accentue, la du Qatar de lui fournir armes et Moscou. contestation s;étend. Ce constat munitions se concrétisent, le rap- Un homme d'affaires syrien ré¬ éloigne toute perspective de négo¬ sume assez bien l'ambiance dans ciation et de résolution pacifique « Beaucoup son pays : «Beaucoup de Syriens ne de ce conflit. L'équilibre des forces bougent pas. Ils ont peur. Ils voient de Syriens est.clairement en faveur du régime : leur pays aller à vau-l'eau. Le clan « L'armée syrienne est toujours très ne bougent pas. Assad nefaitpas.de quartier. H tient soudée, confie un Syrien. Les officiers Ils ont peur. tout et décide de tout. Le gouverne¬ ment n'existe plus, les ministres se qui l'encadrentsont presque tous Ils voient leur pays alaouites. Ils détiennent le pouvoir taisent. Personne n'ose lever la tête,

dufeu. La troupe, elle suit. » aller à vau-l'eau. » personne n'ouvre la bouche. Le pou¬ Le pouvoir s'est lancé avec succès voir a acheté le silence des grandes

dans la reconquête des villes et port de force n'en sera pas boule¬ familles commerçantes sunnites, en

zones abandonnées à l'opposition versé avant longtemps. Armer l'op¬ échange de leur sécurité. Très natio¬ et les verrouille : Homs, Idleb et position reviendrait, selon des nalistes, les Syriens redoutent un Deraa aujourd'hui. L'armée syrienne diplomates, à entrer dans le jeu de éclatement du pays et l'immixtion

s'inspire de-la stratégie militaire la confrontation, ce que souhaite le des militants djihadistes dans le

russe, éprouvée pendant la guerre régime qui ne cesse de dénoncer conflit. L'opposition est hétéroclite. en Tchétchénie : bouclage des quar¬ ces « groupes terroristes armés » Burhan Ghalioun, chefdu Conseil tiers périphériques et carrefours, soutenus par l'étranger. national syrien (CNS), est un intel¬ bombardements massifs pour ef¬ Sur le plan politique, les tentatives lectuel, pas un homme politique. »

frayer les civils, afin qu'Us quittent de contraindre le président Assad

la zone avant de donner l'assaut. au départ - particulièrement fran¬ 2. La solution négociée Les insurgés n'ont plus d'autres çaise et américaine - ont échoué. Seule une solution politique peut choix que de se retirer comme ils D'autant que ni la France ni les stopper le cycle, de la violence. l'ont fait à Baba Amr, à Homs ou à États-Unis n'ont caché qu'ils n'in¬ L'émissaire de l'ONU et de la Ligue Idleb. En même temps, l'armée terviendraient pas militairement. arabe, Kofi Annan, s'y emploie. « Il

53 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ùzeti

L'opposition est le mieux placé pour obtenir protège leurs intérêts) ; et renforcer v Conseil national syrien (CNS). l'opposition politique. quelque chpse du régime syrien, car Fondé en octobre 2011 et présidé il connaît tous les acteurs de ce 3 . La guerre civile par Burhan Ghalioun, le CNS est conflit, confiait un diplomate à considéré comme la principale l'ONU. Mais si dans quinzejours il et confessionnelle mouvance d'opposition. Il prône n'obtient rien, le scénario du pire est et la création l'intervention militaire étrangère à craindre. » d'un « réduit » alaouite pour faire tomber le régime. Kofi Annan doit rendre compte L'influence des islamistes sur le aujourd'hui au Conseil de sécurité Gilles Chenève, ancien des ser¬ tonseil, qui pourraient détenir . des Nations unies des premiers ré¬ vices de renseignements, est un jusqu'à la moitié des "sièges, et sultats de sa mission de médiation expert du monde arabe. Dans son 'le caractère peu représentatif de en Syrie. Il a reçu une réponse de livre Le Réveil du monde arabe, sa composition, sont souvent Bachar Al Assad à ses propositions douze scénarios d'avenir (1), il es¬ mis en question. Le CNS a été de règlement de la crise syrienne, time qu'à court terme, si la situation reconnu comme un «interlocuteur mais il a souligné que « des ques¬ de confrontation sur le terrain per¬ légitime» par la France. tions » demeuraient et qu'il avait dure, on s'achemine vers une «frag¬ demandé des clarifications. Il a ré¬ mentation de la Syrie et un affaiblis¬ o Croupe patriotique syrien clamé un arrêt immédiat des vio¬ sement de l'axe chiite ». Dans ce (GPS). Créé en février 2012 schéma, dit-il, « l'opposition au ré¬ lences et des meurtres, un accès par l'avocat Haytham Al Maleh, pour les organisations humanitaires gime se militarise (grâce à l'aide Kamal Al Labwani et Catherine et un dialogue politique. extérieure) et s'étend à l'ensemble Al Talli (entre autres), le groupe Mené par des dirigeants poli¬ du territoire, la contestation évolue a fait sécession mardi du Conseil tiques européens de premier plan, en une guerre civile, marquée par national syrien. Plus radical que le Conseil européen des relations des luttes confessionnelles. Les com¬ le CNS, le CP5 prône un soutien étrangères (ECFR) propose, quant munautés se regroupent dans des matériel direct à l'insurrection à lui, un schéma de négociation qui zones où elles se sentent en sécurité. » armée, en renforçant les liens passe « au minimum par l'assenti¬ Selon lui, la minorité alaouite entre l'opposition politique et ment de la Russie ». « Sans lapres- (dont est originaire le clan Assad), l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL). sion de Moscou, estime-t-il, le régime pourrait alors migrer vers sa région

syrien n'acceptera ni de réduire la d'origine (Lattaquié) où ils sont Comité national répression, ni d'entrer dans un pro¬ majoritaires pour y créer un « réduit de coordination pour cessus politique. » alaouite. Fortement militarisée et le changement démocratique Moscou doit être considéré moins autonome, cette région, pour être, (CNCCD). Coprésidé par comme un obstacle que comme viable, encadrerait le Djebel Ansa- Haytham Al Manna et Hassan une courroie de transmission et de rieh, avec, à l'ouest, la plaine littorale Abdul Hazim, il regroupe dialogue avec les forces de Bachar et, à l'est, la plaine du Ghab qui suit plusieurs autres figures de Al Assad qu'il arme. D'autant que la vallée de l'Oronte vers le sud, l'opposition comme l'économiste les Russes ont montré des signes jusqu'à lafrontière libanaise. » Aref Dalila. Le CNCCD (fondé d'exaspération devant la lenteur des Cette recomposition laisserait le en juin 2011) est opposé à toute réformes en Syrie et ont annoncé reste du pays sous l'autorité des intervention étrangère, prône la qu'ils étaient favorables 0©0 sunnites, majoritaires. Une région résistance pacifique et, dans une majoritairement kurde s'établirait ©@® à une solution négociée, à moindre mesure, le dialogue avec le long de la Turquie et dans la ré¬ condition qu'elle ne se fasse pas au le régime. Il bénéficie d'un certain gion nord-est de la Djezireh. détriment de ses intérêts. écho auprès de la population Et les chrétiens ? « Pour ceux qui L'ECFR fait le constat que, bien syrienne, en particulier auprès n'aurontpas choisi l'exil, ils seraient; que Bachar Al Assad soit politique¬ des minorités et des classes selon lui, regroupés dans quelques ment et économiquement affaibli, moyennes de Damas et Alep. îlots, des zones refuges comme le son départ peut prendre des mois, Golan (sous protection israélienne) voire des années. Le coût humain Conseil pour le changement ou en zone alaouite. » n'en sera que plus élevé. L'instau¬ national (CCN). Créé par AGNÈS RODVEL ration d'un dialogue politique fa¬ et autour d'Ammar Al Qurabi,

voriserait automatiquement l'op¬ il se définit d'abord par Cl] Éditions du.Cygne, 159 p., 16 position, à condition qu'elle s'ouvre opposition au CNS, dont

davantage aux minorités du pays il critique l'influence islamiste.

(chrétiens, alaouites, druzes), et, à Prônant un soutien direct terme, pourrait conduire au départ REPERES à l'insurrection armée, le CCN de Bachar Al Assad. est assez proche des thèses UN AN du GPS. Ammar Al Qurabi Les experts de l'ECFR préconisent DEREPRESSION et Kamal Al Labwani se la formation d'un groupe de contact avec des représentants de la Russie, sont d'ailleurs rencontrés la Le bilan humanitaire du régime syrien, de l'opposition et semaine dernière à Istanbul. Le bilan de la répression par des voisins de la Syrie, auquel il fixe le régime syrien du soulèvement Construire la libération (CLL). trois objectifs : établir un consensus populaire qui a commencé Fondé mercredi dernier international ; déconnecter la crise le 15 mars 2011 est d'environ syrienne d'objectifs stratégiques par le cheikh Nawaf Al Bashir, 8 000 morts, au moins plus large (pour l'Occident et cer¬ chef de la tribu Al-Baqara, 200 000 personnes déplacées tains pays du Golfe, affaiblir l'in¬ le mouvement s'oppose en Syrie et 31 000 réfugiées fluence de l'Iran par la chute du au CNS dont il dénonce au Liban, Turquie et Jordanie, régime Assad, et, pour l'Iran et le l'impuissance et l'absence selon des estimations Hezbollah, maintenir un régime qui de soutien au sein des des Nations unies. militants sur le terrain.

54 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

£zMmèt

Dimanche 18 - Lundi 19 mars 2012 Syrie : Moscou en passe d'imposer ses vues à l'ONU

Kofi Annan, dont le plan politique a été rejeté par Damas,

lance une mission « exploratoire » soutenue par la Russie

près un -an de tuerie en saire russe pour le Proche-Orient, plaidé dans ce sens. Les Etats-Unis Syrie, et alors que les Occi- Mikhail Bogdanov. Dans ce contex¬ semblent aussi tentés. Le prési¬ . dentaux craignent de plus te, l'idée d'une mission exploratoi¬ dent Barack Obama qui redoute en plus une explosion régionale au re pour un mécanisme d'observa¬ tout scénario de bourbier régional Moyen-Orient dont la fuite en tion - qui semble avoir été agréée a récemment souligné, devant la

avant sanguinaire du régime de par le pouvoir de Damas tout en y presse, qu'il fallait traiter la ques¬ Damas et les engrenages intercom¬ posant des conditions - servi- tion syrienne avec prudence, «en munautairesformeraient l'épicen- ra-t-elle de diversion pendant que évaluant bien les conséquences tre, l'idée russe de placer la Syrie se poursuivent les massacres, de avant d'agir». Il a assuré: «Assad sous la surveillance d'observa¬ ville en ville? Bref, un jeu de va partir. La seule question est de teurs internationaux semble faire «dupes» comme s'en méfie Alain savoir quand.»

son chemin. Juppé, le chefde la diplomatie fran¬ Vendredi, Kofi Annan a assorti Lors d'un briefing à huis clos, çaise, dans un entretien accordé au son appel à IV unite' » du Conseil de réalisé vendredi 16 mars parvidéo¬ Monde} sécurité.d'un rappel des périls au conférence depuis Genève, l'émis¬ La France a fait savoir qu'elle ne Proche-Orient. j5i cette crise n'est saire de l'ONU et de la Ligue arabe renoncerait pas à l'exigence d'un pas gérée de marlière appropriée,

pour la Syrie, Kofi Annan, a confir¬ processus de transition politique à « e//e peut avoir des conséquences mé au Conseil de sécurité l'envoi Damas, considérant que c'est le dans toute la région au-delà de la dans les prochains jours d'une mis¬ «minimum», inscrit d'ailleurs Syrie», a-t-il dit. Il a rappelé com¬

sion à Damas pour discuter de cet¬ dans le mandat même de Kofi ment, en 2005, un vote unanime

te éventualité. L'objectif: définir Annan, qui découle d'une résolu¬ du Conseil avait convaincu la Syrie les modalités d'un mécanisme tion de l'Assemblée générale de de retirer ses forces du Liban. Rus¬ d'observation, dans la perspective l'ONU faisant référence à un plan ses et Chinois ne se sont pas oppo¬ d'un accord de cessez-le-feu. de la Ligue arabe daté du 22 janvier. sés au principe d'un «message «J'espère qu'ils auront accès à Selon ce texte, le président syrien uni » pour appuyer la mission de tout ce qu'ils demandent», a décla¬ doit «accorder à son premier M.Annan. -Britanniques, Améri¬ ré l'ancien secrétaire général de adjointl'autoritépleinepourcoopé- cains et Français tentaient vendre¬ l'ONU, qui se plaint de n'avoir obte¬ reravec un gouvernement d'union di de s'accorder sur le type de tex¬ nu de Damas que des «réponses nationale» chargé de «préparer te : une résolution, à valeur contrai¬ décevantes jusqu'ici». De source des élections libres, législatives et gnante mais sans référence explici¬ diplomatique européenne, le com- présidentielles ».L'abandondu pou¬ te au plan de paix de la Ligue arabe mentaire est plus lapidaire: voir par Bachar Al-Assad n'est pas prévoyant un transfert des pou¬ « Bachar Al-Assad a envoyé paître explicitement exigé, mais il est cen¬ voirs de Bachar,A1-Assad, ou une KofiAnnan ! » La rebuffade a été tel¬ sé découler d'un futur processus déclaration présidentielle, qui a un le que le diplomate ghanéen a électoral. Autrement dit, le plan moindre impact politique. attendu plusieurs jours avant de laisse une marge d'interprétation, La Syrie pose déjà des condi¬ rendre compte devant l'ONU de sa tions : la mission d'évaluation doit mission à Damas, où il n'a pas réus¬ Dire que M. Al-Assad se limiter à un soutien technique si à faire valider un plan prévoyant est iÛégitime, c'est et Damas doit la conduire... Bachar un arrêt des violences, un accès Al-Assad, tout en se" déclarant humanitaire et. l'ouverture de « contre-productif » «ouvert au dialogue», a dit à négociations politiques. Faute de M. Annan à quel point il était déter¬ mieux, Kofi Annan s'apprête-t-il à Mikhaïl Bogdanov miné à combattre les « terroristes» remettre de facto les clefs du dos- diplomate fusse -terme qu'il use pourl'opposition. sierà la Russie? Appuyé par Moscou, il refuse de Celle-ci a fait de son opposition dont la Russie s'est vite emparée. donner, le premier, l'ordre à ses for¬ à toute politique extérieure de Mais pas seulement elle, sem- ces armées de cesser le feu. Dans ce changement de régime à Damas ble-t-il. A l'ONU, les Britanniques marasme diplomatique, la Tur¬ une ligne rouge absolue. Le « troc » qui président ce mois-ci le Conseil quie, qui prépare une prochaine russe peut se résumer ainsi : les de sécurité de l'ONU aimeraient se réunion du Groupe des amis de la armes cesseront de parler en Syrie prévaloir d'un succès et poussent Syrie, a recommencé à parler, ven¬ si le monde extérieur renonce à pour le vote d'un texte, après des dredi, de « zone tampon » en Syrie demander le départ de son allié mois de blocage russe et chinois - pour protéger des civils. Bachar Al-Assad. Dire que le prési¬ quitte à accepter certains accom¬ Alexandra Geneste dent syrien est illégitime, c'est modements. Ban Ki-moon, le secré¬ (NewYork, Nations unies) et « contre-productif» a insisté l'émis taire général des Nations unies à Natalie Nougayrède

55 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

LE FIGARO

lundi 19 mars 2012 Syrie : trois attentats avant une médiation

Trente personnes sont mortes à Damas et

Alep, avant l'arrivée d'experts onusiens.

Comme en décembre - juste avant GEORGES MALBRUNOT l'arrivée d'observateurs arabes en Syrie J^"-. -, ces opérations coïncident avec l'en¬ MOYEN-ORIENT Alors qu'Alep, la voi ce lundi à Damas d'experts manda¬ deuxième ville du pays, commence à tés par Kofi Annan pour négocier la mise j . .^y être gagnée par la contestation, un at¬ en place d'une mission d'observation m & tentat à la voiture piégée y a détruit di¬ visant à mettre fin aux violences, qui ont manche le siège de la sécurité politique, fait plus de 9 000 morts en un an. Cette faisant au moins trois morts et de nom¬ mission fait suite au déplacement à Da¬ breux blessés. La veille, deux autres at¬ mas la semaine dernière de l'ancien se¬ taques à la voiture piégée avaient fait 27 crétaire général de l'ONU, qui était

morts et 140 blessés à Damas. mandaté par les Nations unies et la Ligue L'un des attentats avait visé le quar¬ arabe pour trouver une sortie de crise tier général des renseignements de l'ar¬ auprès de Bachar el-Assad. mée de l'air, dans le secteur chrétien de Ù Qassaâ. «Nous avons eu très peur», Armer l'insurrection

nous déclarait peu après un habitant de Mais vendredi, Annan a qualifié de «dé¬ Qassaa. Pour les autorités, ces attaques cevantes » les réponses syriennes à ses Combattants de l'Armée syrienne libre à Idlib le 11 mars. L'armement de la sont l'cuvre de « terroristes islamis¬ propositions : arrêt des violences de la rébellion réclamé par le Qatar et l'Arabie tes ». L'opposition, elle, accuse le régi¬ part des forces armées, aide humanitai¬ Saoudite ne fait pas l'unanimité parmi me d'avoir fabriqué une « machina¬ re et amorce d'une solution politique. les pays occidentaux, r. abd/ap tion ». Fin' décembre, deux attentats du El-Assad, lui, a répondu qu'un dialogue même type avaient déjà visé des centres avec les insurgés ne pouvait être-envisa- de la sécurité à Damas. Ils avaient été re¬ gé avant leur désarmement. En coulis¬ vendiqués quelques semaines plus tard ses, la Russie cherche à convaincre son par la branche d'al-Qaida en Irak, une allié syrien d'accepter le plan Annan, revendication jugée crédible par l'Ad¬ mais Moscou ne veut pas entendre par¬ dépendante du Conseil national syrien, ministration américaine, inquiète de¬ ler d'une transition sans Bachar, un qui ambitionne de regrouper la plupart puis de la pénétration djihadiste en Sy¬ préalable posé jusqu'à présent par l'op¬ des courants de cette opposition. De son rie. « Ces attentats surviennent tout de position et les pays occidentaux. Tandis côté, un diplomate arabe a confié à l'AFP même à un moment un peu particulier », que sur le terrain, l'offensive du régime que l'Arabie Saoudite armait les rebelles, remarque notre interlocuteur chrétien, contre les rebelles s'est poursuivie di¬ via la Jordanie, ce qui. a été démenti par tandis qu'un autre habitant de la capita¬ manche, avec un assaut sur une localité Amman. Riyad et le Qatar ont pubhque- le, chrétien lui aussi, jure que ces « atta¬ de la province d'Idlib, l'opposition en ment réclamé que des armes soient ques de barbus"font peur à tous les indé¬ exil continue à afficher ses divisions. À fourmes aux activistes, une initiative qui cis, qui hésitent entre le régime et son Istanbul, cinq groupes ont annoncé la fait maintenant quasi l'unanimité contre opposition ». formation d'une nouvelle coalition, in- elle, parmi les pays occidentaux.

Irak/pétrole: ExxonMobil toujours actif au Kurdistan (présidence kurde)

BAGDAD, 17 mars 2012 (AFP) qué à l'AFP, sans plus de détails.

ExxonMobil avait signé à la mi-octobre un accord d'exploration pétrolière avec le Kurdistan, s'attirant les foudres du gouvernement central irakien, qui LA PRÉSIDENCE de la région autonome du Kurdistan irakien a considère cet accord comme nul et non avenu. démenti samedi que la major pétrolière américaine ExxonMobil ait sus¬ pendu un contrat d'exploration passé avec elle à l'automne, comme Le gouvernement de Bagdad ne reconnaît que les accords signés avec le l'avait affirmé plus tôt un responsable gouvernemental à Bagdad. ministère du Pétrole, et a jusqu'à présent interdit à toute compagnie pétro¬ lière ayant un contrat avec le Kurdistan de participer à des appels d'offres "La compagnie pétrolière ExxonMobil continue de travailler au Kurdistan et dans le reste du pays. Le Kurdistan a signé dans le passé une quarantaine n'a fait aucune annonce au gouvernement kurde relative à un gel de ses de contrats avec des compagnies étrangères. activités au Kurdistan", a indiqué samedi à l'AFP le secrétaire général de la présidence kurde, Fouad Hussein, à Erbil. Le groupe américain s'est vu sommer par Bagdad de choisir entre le contrat kurde et celui qu'il a par ailleurs, dans le champ pétrolier de Qurna-Ouest "Il y a constamment des réunions entre les parties concernées dans la (sud), où il produit avec la compagnie anglo-néerlandaise Shell environ région et les dirigeants du groupe américain", a souligné ce responsable. 370.000 bj. Plus tôt dans la journée, un responsable gouvernemental avait indiqué à Le bras de fer autour d'ExxonMobil en Irak est perçu comme hautement l'AFP sous couvert d'anonymat que le groupe "suspendait" ce contrat, au significatif pour les autres grands groupes pétroliers internationaux, dont sujet duquel Bagdad et la région autonome sont en conflit depuis plusieurs beaucoup convoitent les vastes réserves pétrolières du pays. mois. Le groupe français Total a récemment indiqué être entré en discussions "ExxonMobil a envoyé une lettre au ministère irakien du Pétrole ce mois-ci pour des contrats pétroliers au Kurdistan irakien mais n'avoir signé aucun pour l'informer qu'il avait suspendu son contrat avec le Kurdistan", a-t-il indi accord à ce sujet pour le moment.

56 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

QkS&Ofr March 20, 2012

Barzani accused Baghdad of pressu¬ Iraqi Kurd leader denounces ring oil companies against working in the north. 'They in Baghdad get mad whene¬

ver any corporation come to the region to

Baghdad 'power grab1 sign contracts," he said.

Barzani's heated complaints come the By MAZIN YAHYA 1 Associated Press week before top Arab leaders are to meet

in Baghdad in what the government

BAGHDAD The president of hopes will showcase Iraq's move toward

Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region stability and national unity after years of

threatened Tuesday to pull support sectarian fighting. The Kurdish president

from the nation's already wobbly coali¬ predicted that Iraq will not resolve any of tion government, criticizing the central its political feuding until after the Arab

government for a power grab he League summit ends March 29. denounced as ideological terrorism. Sami al-Askeri, a close Shiite aide to Kurdish Regional Government al-Maliki, called the speech "unjustified" President Massoud Barzani stopped and said Barzani was just jealous he does short of directly saying he would declare Barzani said in a speech that his aides bil¬ not have a role to play in the summit. independence for the three-province led as a major announcement. He delive¬ "It comes in a period that we should Kurdish region from the that makes up red it on the occasion of Nowruz, the have harmony, because we are close to Iraq's north. But he called political agree¬ Kurdish and Iranian new year. the Arab League summit," al-Askeri said ments between the region and Baghdad in an interview about Barzani's speech. "meaningless" and said he was willing to He said Iraq is facing "a serious crisis, "He wants to make a crisis, not to solve put a decision to his people "in order not and this situation absolutely is not accep¬ the situation." to blame us in the future." table to us." It's not the first time in recent months The speech signaled a sharp deterio¬ Baghdad has been arguing for that Iraq's government has been on the ration in Iraq's already shaky political ali¬ months with Kurdish leaders over whe¬ brink of falling apart. In December, the gnment. Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al- ther Exxon Mobil Corp. should be allo¬ Sunni-dominated Iraqiya block walked Maliki kept his job only with Kurdish wed to develop lucrative oil fields in the north without the central government's out of parliament and the Cabinet in pro¬ support after his party fell short of a test after the government issued an arrest majority in the 2010 parliamentary elec¬ approval. warrant against Vice President Tariff al- tions. Iraq's Oil Ministry last week said Hashemi on terrorism charges he says are Exxon agreed to shelve its plans to avoid It came a week before an Arab sum¬ politically motivated. The boycott mit is set to convene in Baghdad, already being blacklisted from other oil deals in brought government work to a standstill shaken by a wave of deadly attacks by Iraq until the country passes its oil law, until Iraqiya returned in February. which could take months at least, if not militants. years. A spokesman for the Kurdish Talks to enact a power-sharing agree¬ "It is time to say that enough is region denied that Exxon has frozen its ment between Iraqiya and al-Maliki's enough, because Iraq is headed toward plans, and Exxon officials have not com¬ coalition have limped along without an abyss, and a small group of people are mented. resolution for more than a year.O about to pull Iraq into a dictatorship,"

AHTIZ March 23, 2012 WAR 8

PKK: An Excuse for Turkish Invasion of Syria?

PKK's Sudden Support for Assad Changes the Equation by Jason Ditz , news.antiwar.com Assad, a long-time Turkish ally, of using the PKK as an auxiliary wing against the rebel forces. Yet Turkey's backing of the SNC

and FSA rebel factions was in many ways a cynical effort to Is the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)'s sudden support for tamp down calls for Kurdish autonomy in by Syrian President Bashar Assad an excuse for Turkey to invade replacing Assad with a more populist Sunni Arab faction. Syria, or a risk so great it might convince Turkey not to launch a In many ways, the PKK's insinuation into events is exactly what planned incursion to create a buffer zone? Turkey wanted, a direct Kurds versus Sunni Arabs battle. Yet the Since PKK commander Murat Karaylian's recent comments, Turkish-backed rebels are losing the civil war quickly, and the oft- promising to turn "all of Kurdistan into a war zone" if Turkey threatened direct Turkish invasion threatens to make the PKK violence invades, the speculation about a Turkish ground invasion of inside Turkey itself dramatically worse, a risk it seems they can ill

Syria has centered entirely around the Kurds. afford to take.Q A complicated situation made moreso - Turkey is accusing

57 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

(Hie (Telegraph March 21, 2012 .

Wave of attacks kill 49 in Iraq

AFP

US invasion

ATTACKS in more than a anniversary: A

dozen cities have killed at least man examines

49 people on the anniversary of the scene of a car »v the US-led invasion. n =v bomb in Kirkuk, The wave of deadly attacks yester¬ one ofa series of

day came just days before Baghdad ''\ hosts a landmark Arab summit. i country that The violence, which left more than it have been blamed 250 people wounded, bore the hall¬ if on al-Qaida. < v marks of al-Qaida, which typically .?rJ> Picture: AP tries to launch coordinated nation¬ - ft^V,. Source: AP

wide mass-casualty bombing cam¬

paigns, although no one immediately until after the summit, while security ded 42, officials said. claimed responsibility. forces have mooted the possibility of A later roadside bombing in It was swiftly condemned by Iraq's imposing a city-wide curfew on March Ramadi targeting Anbar provincial parliament speaker as a bid by the 29, when Arab leaders are expected in governor Qassim Mohammed Abed jihadist group to derail this month's Baghdad. left two people wounded, although summit, while United Nations envoy Yesterday's deadliest attacks Abed himself was unharmed. Martin Kobler described the violence occurred in Kirkuk and Karbala, Separate gun and bomb attacks in as "atrocious". where 26 people died in total. Salaheddin province, north of the Bombings and shootings rocked 14 In ethnically-mixed Kirkuk, a sui¬ capital, killed four people, including a towns and cities spanning the nor¬ cide bomber blew up a vehicle at a city councillor, police said. Gunmen thern oil hub of Kirkuk and the Shiite police building, killing 13 people and also killed a member of the Shabak shrine city of Karbala, south of wounding 50, according to Major minority in the main northern city of Baghdad, from 7:00 am local time, in Salam Zangana. All of the dead were Mosul. the deadliest violence to strike Iraq in police, as were the vast majority of Bombings in Mosul, the refinery more than two months. those hurt. town of Baiji, the northern towns of "We lost everything," said The explosion, which was followed Baquba, Daquq and Al-Dhuluiyah, Mohammed Sobheh, a policeman minutes later by a smaller car bomb, - and the central town of Mahmudiyah wounded in the Kirkuk attack. "Not also badly damaged dozens of police left 32 people wounded. A car bomb in one of my colleagues is alive - they cars and nearby homes belonging the Salaheddin city of Samarra caused were all killed." mostly to the tiny Kakaiyah religious no casualties. "I will never forget their screams, minority. Security forces also said they defu¬ as long as I live." "We have also received parts of sed six more car bombs. In central Baghdad, a car bomb bodies, but we do not know who they Yesterday's violence was Iraq's exploded in the car park opposite the belong to," said Mohammed Abdullah, deadliest day since January 14, when foreign ministry, despite dramatically a doctor at Kirkuk hospital. 53 people were killed in a suicide bom¬ heightened security in the capital in In Karbala, two roadside blasts at bing outside the southern port of preparation for the March 27-29 Arab thé entrance to the city killed 13 peo¬ Basra. League summit. ple and wounded 48, according to pro¬ The attacks come on the ninth At least three people were killed vincial health spokesman Jamal anniversary of the beginning of the and nine wounded, officials said, Mehdi. US-led invasion of Iraq which ousted underscoring concerns over Iraq's abi¬ Karbala police spokesman Major Saddam Hussein, and just days before lity to maintain security for the mee¬ Alaa Abbas gave the same casualty toll Baghdad hosts the Arab League sum¬ ting. in the city, which is home to the mit, the first meeting of the 22-nation Parliament speaker Osama al- shrines of revered Shiite leaders Imam bloc to be held in the Iraqi capital Nujaifi condemned yesterday's "brutal Hussein and Imam Abbas. since Saddam's 1990 invasion of criminal" attacks, and said they were Hours before yesterday's foreign Kuwait. part of efforts by al-Qaeida to "derail ministry attack, a car bomb set offby a Officials insist Iraq's forces are the Arab summit, and keep Iraq fee¬ suicide attacker in the centre of the capable of maintaining security for the ling the effects of violence and des¬ capital killed four people and woun¬ summit, but admit they may need to truction." ded eight, officials said. effectively shut down Baghdad to do Following the attacks, the govern¬ An early-morning gun attack on a so. ment declared a week of public holi- Baghdad church also left three police . days from March 25 to April 1. dead. Coupled with Kurdish New Year Car bombs in Hilla, south of festival Nowruz today and the weekly Baghdad, and Ramadi, west of the Muslim day of prayer on Friday, much capital, killed four people and woun- of the country will be largely closed

58 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

TIME In Turkey1 s Kurdish Southeast, an MARCH 20, 2012 Incendiary Celebration

By Piotr Zalewski / Diyarbakir V Demonstrators, , Vi*:: holding a portrait Hn Sunday morning on the ofjailed Kurdistan outskirts of Diyarbakir, the «v Workers Party biggest city in Turkey's (PKK) leader Kurdish-majority southeast, a pair Abdullah Ocalan, of boys, no older than 12, took a walk past a burn¬ ing mobile tele¬ break from throwing stones at a bur¬ , i ning carcass of a truck to set the phone relay sta¬ record straight. "We were the ones tion in Diyarbakir, southeastern who set fire to it, and also to the ,.. others," one of them proudly told Turkey, March 18, me, pointing to a row of nearby vehi¬ 2012.Reuters cles swallowed by flames. The trucks I had belonged to Turkcell, Turkey's biggest mobile phone operator.

Before I could ask what had made Tayyip Erdogan's government has Kurdish southeast will explode. the vehicles a legitimate target taken some steps to give new cultu¬ "What people are saying this Newroz perhaps the widespread rumor that ral rights to Turkey's 12 million to 15 is that this is the last chance for the company had colluded with million Kurds (as much as 20% of peace." Turkish authorities to wiretap the country's population), Ankara Standing below the stage, Yildiz, Kurdish activists a police car has made it clear that political auto¬ an elderly housewife decked out in approached. The boys scampered nomy is not up for discussion. In the her Newroz finest, her head wrapped off. face of a backlash by Turkish natio¬ in a green-yellow-and-red headscarf, Thousands of men and women nalists, a series of proposed reforms said she would rather dance and streamed past the burning trucks en packaged as a "Kurdish opening" has celebrate than politic. But because route to an open field where the cele¬ come to naught. the authorities cut electricity to the brations of Newroz, the Kurdish new Muhittin Ozel, a pensioner, stop¬ stage, she complained, there was no year, were due to take place. Many ped to take photos of the burning musical program to speak of. "We'll had spent the morning battling trucks the mountains on one side still come, even if the state doesn't squadrons of riot police who had and half-built apartment blocs on allow it, and even if there's no attempted to block access to the the other appeared to make for a music." area. Molotov cocktails and stones good background. "Erdogan suspen¬ From atop a party bus in the mid¬ had been met with water cannons, ded dialogue, that's why we're at war dle of the field, Selahattin Demirtas, tear gas, batons and, in some ins¬ again," he said, referring to renewed the leader of the BDP, cursed the tances, live ammunition. (A few poli¬ clashes between the Turkish army police helicopters hovering over¬ cemen had fired warning shots into and the separatist Kurdistan head. As he announced that Turkish the air.) Workers' Party (PKK). "We want to police had tried to break up Newroz Even before the government's live alongside the Turks, but with demonstrations in Istanbul a BDP decision to deny the Kurds' request autonomy and language rights." politician was killed in the resulting to organize Newroz on March 18 From a stage set up at the edge of clashes the surrounding crowd the authorities in Diyarbakir and the field, Abdullah Demirbas, the broke into chants of "Erdogan mur¬ Istanbul insisted that it be held on BDP mayor of central Diyarbakir, derer" and "PKK is the people, and the traditional date, March 21, a took in the view crowds of tens of the people are here." weekday the stage was set for thousands who had arrived in "When there are protests in some sort of showdown. In late defiance of the government ban, Egypt or in Syria, Erdogan tells their December, a botched airstrike by the smoke from the bonfires lit to cele¬ leaders to listen to the voice of the Turkish army had killed 34 Kurdish brate Newroz, and smoke from the people," Demirtas said. "If he smugglers near the border with Iraq. burning cars and warned of things doesn't want to be like the dictators And in the days preceding Newroz, to come. "We're the last generation in the Middle East, he has to do the dozens of Kurds became the latest in that wants a peaceful end to this same." a wave of some 5,000 activists conflict," he told me, our conversa¬ including members of the pro- Three young men, having made tion occasionally drowned by chants, Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party their way onto the roof of another music and applause. "If there is no (BDP) detained on terrorism-rela¬ bus parked less than a hundred solution, the Kurdish politicians will ted charges since 2009. Weapons yards away, interrupted Demirtas' no longer have any authority, and and explosives were seized during speech, yelling the text of a prepared the young people will go to the some of the arrests, according to statement into a microphone. The mountains [to join the PKK]." Turkish media. armed struggle must be kept alive, Unless the government puts a stop they insisted. For lack of a mask, one Although Prime Minister Recep to the arrests, Demirbas said, the

59 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

had wrapped a banner with the victims of armed clashes, brutal The PKK's great success is that it has image of the PKK's jailed leader reprisals by Turkish security forces crystalized Kurdish identity around Abdullah Ocalan around his face. and terrorist attacks by the PKK. [itself]." "Without the leader, there'll be no Today, says Rahima, violence no lon¬ As the festivities died down and the freedom," the men shouted, intoning ger makes sense. "Ocalan may have crowds trickled back to the city cen¬ Ocalan's name. The crowds around been the first to speak up for the ter, I spotted another pair of GSM me, turning their back to Demirtas, Kurds, but no one has ever elected trucks to the left of the stage, burnt- repeated the chant. him. I want Kurds to listen to their out, disfigured, belching clouds of politicians, not him." Standing next to me, Rahima, a ash. Groups of children surrounded young Kurd living in Sweden, rolled Easier said than done. Even if the them. The girls, wearing bright her eyes. "These guys, they make it PKK tries to keep the BDP on the sequined dresses, watched as the hard for the politicians," she said. In same wavelength, Kurdish politicians boys set about gutting the vehicles' the 1980s and 90s, "when no one lis¬ "don't have to be told to do any¬ remains for scrap metal.

tened to the Kurds, the PKK was thing," Henri Barkey, a Turkey expert ODD necessary. Not now." Over 30 years, at Lehigh University, told me. "Most the conflict has claimed 40,000 lives, of them really buy into the PKK line.

21 March 2012 KÂda.tu No Consensus on Kurdish Flag at Erbil Youth Conference

By BARZAN MUHAMMAD accepted by the Kurds was first raised

rudaw.net in 1946 when Qazi Muhammad decla¬ red the Kurdistan Republic of

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Al the Mahabad in western Iran. It is red,

International Kurdish Youth green and white with a sun in the mid¬

Conference in Erbil this month, youth dle. The PKK uses a different flag that groups could not reach a consensus on I is red, yellow and green. the issue of the Kurdish flag. Osman Ocalan, brother of jailed

Some youth organizations closely PKK leader Abdulla Ocalan and one¬ tied to the Kurdistan Workers Party time leader of the PKK, expressed his

(PKK) even boycotted parts of the surprise at the attitude of the youth

conference. groups, saying that the PKK leadership

The conference presented a num¬ accepted the current flag of Iraqi

ber of proposals, among them the state Kurdistan in 2002. A youth speaker at the Kurdish Youth of the Kurdish flag. Ocalan, vyho has since resigned Conference in Erbil. Photo D1HA. "The national Kurdish flag must be from the PKK and lives in Koye city,

respected and raised above political said, "At that time, a delegation from

party flags," stated the proposal. the National Kurdish Congress visited "For this reason, we boycotted the As the proposal was read out, it us in the mountains and asked the PKK conference," said Ulkem. received warm applause from the to accept the Kurdish flag as their own Youth groups who walked out of majority of attendants, but youth flag. The PKK were divided into two the conference returned only after representatives from the PKK, the groups and one group did not accept organizers agreed to adjourn the issue Party of Free Life of Kurdistan this flag. But later, in the name of the of the flag for a national convention in (PJAK), the Democratic Unity of PKK leadership council, the flag was the future. Kurdistan Party (PYD) and the accepted as the national flag of all Umed Khoshnaw, secretary of the Democratic Solution Party of Kurds." Union of Kurdistan Youth, said, "We Kurdistan (PCDK) opposed the Ocalan believes youth members of did not choose the national flag of motion. the PKK are influenced by their ideo¬ Kurdistan and call for respect to be Shi mal Ulkem, coordinator of logical and ethnic tendencies. shown to the flag. Let the national Civvanen Kurdistan of the PKK, said, "Now the leftist and the Alawite convention decide on the matter of the "We can decide on Kurdish youth groups are influential within the PKK flag and select a flag that can be res¬ issues, but not the whole Kurdish and they work together," he said. "The pected by ali parts of Kurdistan." nation. A 23-year-old person cannot support base of these two groups is Kurdistan Region President decide for all the Kurds in the world among young people who have little Massoud Barzani spoke on the first and choose a Kurdish flag." nationalistic sentiment and can refuse day of the conference, saying a natio¬ Ulkem also delivered a speech at this flag. This is not nice for the nal convention would be held in the the conference, suggesting that the Kurdish nation."* future. Now it seems the issue of a issue of choosing a national flag be national flag will bring some argu¬ decided at a national convention, not at ments to that congress as well. the youth conference. The current flag that is widely

60 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

LE FIGARO 21 mars 2012 Syrie : la minorité kurde cherche sa voie

Damas tente de se ménager le soutien de ce groupe fort de deux millions de personnes, dont

une partie réclame le départ d'el-Assad.

Par Fatma Kizilboga

Aldar Xelîl est absorbé par les Anion «

images de manifestations retrans¬ ï TOIQU1E Mrr mises sur l'écran plasma du petit hôtel Coipironr dans lequel il reçoit. «Les villes à majo¬ Urk rité kurde sont celles où la rue reste la V plus mobilisée», lâche fièrement ce res¬ Mer Uêilttrrouf ponsable du parti de l'Union démocra¬ IBM tique (PYD), rencontré à Erbil, capitale . STBII du Kurdistan irakien et nouveau bas¬ UJUC tion de l'opposition syrienne kurde en 2w exil. Le rassemblement est diffusé sur millions de Kurdes en Syrie Ronahi TV, la dernière chaîne du pay¬ sage audiovisuel kurde, lancée au mois Turquie. le Conseil national kurde en Syrie. d'octobre par la diaspora de Suède. Formée en octobre 2011, cette organisa¬

Réunie par dizaines, une foule majori¬ Si le PYD revendique le soutien de 60% tion regroupe 11 partis politiques tairement constituée de femmes et de la communauté kurde de Syrie, ses prokurdes et souhaite s'imposer d'enfants affiche les couleurs kurdes et liens avec le PKK suscitent la méfiance comme représentante légitime de la entonne des chants populaires ponc¬ du reste de l'opposition. Car les rap¬ minorité. Fin janvier, le KNCS ainsi que tués de «Azadi!», «Liberté!». Au ports entre le groupe armé kurde et le 200 figures de l'opposition se sont réu¬ moment où la répression menée par le régime syrien ont toujours davantage nis à Erbil à l'appel de Massoud régime el-Assad s'intensifie dans les dépendu du degré d'entente entre Barzani. Le président du Kurdistan villes du Nord-Est, un curieux vent de Ankara et Damas que du climat poli¬ irakien, qui soulignait le «caractère his¬ liberté caresse la minorité kurde de tique intérieur. Pendant dix-neuf ans, torique de la période pour l'avenir des

Syrie, estimée à plus de deux millions c'est depuis la plaine de la Bekaa, alors Kurdes dans la région», appelait cette et longtemps victime de la politique sous contrôle syrien, qu'Ôcalan dirige coalition à mettre de côté les divisions

d'arabisation du régime baasiste. son mouvement en guerre ouverte con¬ et à s'entendre au plus vite avec le tre la Turquie. Face au refus de Damas Conseil national syrien. Des négocia¬

«On ne peut pas parler de progrès en d'extrader l'ennemi public numéro un tions qui semblent avoir porté leurs

matière de droits, dans la mesure où les d'Ankara, la Turquie menace en 1998 fruits. À l'issue de la réunion des «amis

lois restent les mêmes. Mais nous d'entrer en guerre. Rapidement, le fon¬ de la Syrie» tenue le mois dernier à comptons bien mettre à profit la situa¬ dateur du PKK est prié de quitter le ter¬ Tunis, le secrétaire général du Conseil

tion actuelle», explique Aldar. Sur le ritoire. S'ensuit une cavale qui prendra national syrien, Burhan Ghalioun,

terrain, cela s'illustre notamment par fin en février 1999. À l'heure où promettait la reconnaissance de

des cérémonies de réattribution sym¬ l'équilibre régional est à nouveau l'identité kurde, ainsi que la mise en

bolique de noms de villages kurdes et fragilisé, Ankara met en garde le place d'un système décentralisé si le

l'ouverture de centres culturels, de régime baasiste contre toute tentative régime el-Assad venait à tomber. Qamishli à Alep en passant par Damas. de manipulation du groupe armé

Ceci, sans que les autorités syriennes kurde, alors qu'un récent rapport des «Tout le monde semble aujourd'hui

interviennent. services secrets turcs rend compte de accepter la future création d'une région l'infiltration de combattants du PKK autonome kurde en Syrie, à l'instar du

«Que doit-on faire? Leur demander de par la frontière syrienne. Des informa¬ modèle irakien. La question est aujour¬

nous envoyer leurs tanks?», ironise tions auxquelles a réagi le ministre turc d'hui de savoir qui sera à la tête de cette Aldar. «Le gouvernement est débordé des Affaires étrangères, Ahmet région», explique une source proche du

par la contestation dans les villes sun¬ Davutoglu, qui a prévenu qu'Ankara gouvernement régional kurde en Irak, nites, la majorité des forces de sécurité n'hésiterait pas à déployer ses troupes avant de poursuivre: «En laissant le

est donc concentrée à l'ouest du pays», dans le nord-est de la Syrie si la sécurité champ libre au PKK, el-Assad menace poursuit l'homme, les yeux à nouveau de la Turquie était menacée. indirectement la Turquie. Au-delà de rivés sur le petit écran alors que la l'urgence humanitaire, la chute du caméra s'attarde sur un portrait «PÉRIODE POUR L'AVENIR DES régime baasiste est donc devenue pour d'Abdullah Ôcalan. La manifestation KURDES DANS LA RÉGION» Ankara un enjeu sécuritaire. Difficile de

prend soudain des airs de meeting en prédire comment se terminera ce bras faveur de la libération du leader du «Nous n'avons rien à voir avec ces per¬ de fer, mais une chose est sûre: la posi¬ PKK, le Parti des travailleurs du sonnes!», s'empresse de clarifier tion des Kurdes de Syrie, comme ce fut

Kurdistan, emprisonné à perpétuité en Abdulhamit Bashar, à la tête du KNCS, le cas en Irak, n'en sera que renforcée.»

61 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

[55222^ 22 mars 2012

Turquie: vaste opération anti-PKK, 6 policiers et 6 rebelles tués

dans le nord de l'Irak, frappées régulière¬

DIYARBAKIR (Turquie)-(AFP) - Six ment par l'aviation turque, profitent de la

policiers et six rebelles kurdes du fonte des neiges au printemps pour

Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan s'infiltrer d'Irak en Turquie afin d'y orga¬

(PKK) ont été tués en deux jours niser des attaques.

d'intenses combats dans le sud-est de la C'est pendant cette période que les Turquie, art-on indiqué jeudi de source "-»* forces d'Ankara intensifient les opéra¬ de sécurité. tions contre les rebelles.

La police est de plus en plus impli¬

Plusieurs milliers de soldats et de quée dans la lutte contre les rebelles du

policiers participaient aux opérations PKK, alors qu'auparavant cette tâche

appuyées par l'aviation turque (hélicop¬ revenait essentiellement à l'armée.

tères de combat et chasseurs) aux abords Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus afp.com/Mustafa Ozer du mont Cudi, dans la province de de 45.000 morts, selon l'armée, depuis le

Sirnak, proche de la frontière avec la début de l'insurrection du PKK en 1984

Syrie et l'Irak, a-t-on précisé. M. Sahin et de hauts responsables dans le sud-est anatolien, peuplé majori¬

Le ministre de l'Intérieur Idris Nairn militaires se sont rendus sur les lieux des tairement de kurdes.

Sahin avait annoncé mercredi soir que combats, les plus violents de cette année, Le PKK est considéré comme une

cinq policiers avaient été tués dans les qui se poursuivaient jeudi. organisation terroriste par la Turquie et

heurts survenus depuis mardi. Pour sa part, le porte-parole de l'aile de nombreux pays. Son chef Abdullah

Mercredi, un sixième membre des militaire du PKK, Bakhtiyar Doghan, a Ôcalan, purge depuis 1999 une peine à

forces spéciales de la police a été tué et six indiqué par téléphone à l'AFP à Erbil vie dans une prison de Turquie d'où il

rebelles abattus dans l'offensive turque dans le Kurdistan irakien, que "les dirige son mouvement armé par le biais

contre un nombre indéterminé de mem¬ patrouilles du PKK avaient tué huit sol¬ de ses avocats qui lui rendent régulière¬

bres du PKK qui se cachent dans cette dats turcs mercredi". ment visite.B

zone montagneuse, selon la source de Les membres du PKK, retranchés

sécurité. dans des caches situées en Turquie et

En Turquie, l'interdiction de la célébration E de Nowrouz enflamme les régions kurdes

mercredi 21 mars 2012 à Istanbul, Jérôme Bastion

La célébration du printemps kurde, Nowrouz, est à nouveau

entachée de violences en Turquie, après l'interdiction des

rassemblements prévus par l'opposition kurde. Après les

troubles du dimanche 18 mars 2012, particulièrement violent

à Istanbul, c'est le sud-est qui a connu des affrontements / , entre policiers et manifestants, faisant des blessés des deux

côtés.

Dans cinq provinces du sud-est, à majorité kurde, il y a eu des

scènes d'intifada comme on en avait plus vues depuis 'v

longtemps. C'est l'interdiction de tout rassemblement, d'abord

décrétée à Istanbul, qui a mis le feu aux poudres alors Van, Cizre et Yùksekova qui ont dégénéré en affrontements

qu'habituellement, et depuis des années, les célébrations étaient d'une grande intensité. fortement encadrées certes, mais autorisées. Plusieurs députés du BDP ont été molestés et l'un d'eux a même

Des coups de feu tirés été hospitalisé après avoir reçu un coup de poing dans l'

Dimanche 18 mars, à Istanbul, les quartiers prévus pour accueil¬ apparemment administré par un policier en tenue. Dans deux de

lir le rassemblement du parti prokurde BDP a été le théâtre ces manifestations, des coups de feu ont même été tirés contre

d'importantes déprédations et de bagarres de rue, dans les forces de sécurité, blessant au moins huit policiers.

lesquelles un homme a été tué par une grenade lacrymogène

reçue en pleine tête. Ce mardi, ce sont des manifestations spon¬ Les célébrations prévues ce mercredi 22 mars à Diyarbakir ont

tanées et interdites dans les villes de Mersin, Batman, Sirnak, également été interdites.*

62 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

22 mars 2012 la Croix

La fête du Newroz tourne aux affrontements en Turquie

Delphine Nerbollier (à Istanbul)

# Les célébrations du \ printemps kurde ont été interdites, sauf le jour du 21 mars, par le gouvernement » ». ' turc. V y »

# Ankara durcit sa poli¬ tique envers les Kurdes de Turquie. .V r » A QUOI CORRESPOND LA FÊTE DU NEWROZ ?

Célébrée le 21 mars dans les pays turcophones, en Afghanistan, en Iran

- où elle correspond au Nouvel An- (MUSTAFA OZER/AFP)

et par les Kurdes, elle marque le pre¬ En Turquie, des Kurdes protestent contre le gouvernement d'Ankara tout en

mier jour du printemps. En Turquie, effectuant le « saut au dessus du feu » l'un des symboles de la fête de Newroz. cette fête a une dimension très poli¬ tique. Elle est devenue l'un des et une «décision personnelle du pre¬ temps forts de la communauté kurde, les milieux libéraux qui estiment que mier ministre» . Elle l'a appelé à dont le mouvement armé du PKK cette interdiction, sans fondement, a faire du 21 mars une fête nationale, (Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan), attisé les tensions déjà très vives. mais sa demande est restée sans qui en a fait un symbole de la résis¬ Pour l'intellectuel Cengiz Çandar, ce réponse. Malgré les interdictions, des tance au pouvoir d'Ankara. Les Newroz, « le plus violent des vingt dizaines de milliers de personnes se autorités turques ont cherché à se dernières années », révèle « l'échec sont réunies dimanche dernier à réapproprier cette fête. Ainsi, mer¬ de la politique sécuritaire» Diyarbakir, principale ville kurde de d'Ankara depuis les élections de juin credi, le préfet d'Istanbul a accompli l'est du pays. Le rassemblement a le saut au-dessus d'un feu, lors d'une 2011 et l'abandon des négociations tourné aux affrontements. De même cérémonie très encadrée, aux côtés secrètes avec le PKK. à Van, Mersin, Istanbul où le prési¬ de représentants du monde turcopho- dent d'un bureau local du parti BDP ne et au son des fanfares ottomanes. Depuis l'été dernier, un régime dra¬ a été tué d'un jet de grenade lacryT conien d'isolement a été imposé au POURQUOI LES CÉLÉBRA¬ mogène. Mardi, le très respecté leader kurde Abdullah Ôcalan, député Ahmet Turk a été frappé au emprisonné depuis 1999, tandis que TIONS ONT-ELLES MAL TOURNÉ ? visage par un policier en uniforme. les arrestations de militants et sym¬ Et, mercredi, un pathisants kurdes (dont des maires et policier est mort en service à Cizre. La tension est forte lors de ces des avocats), soupçonnés de liens célébrations, et les heurts fréquents. avec le PKK, se poursuivent à un QUELLES CONSÉQUENCES rythme quasi quotidien. Mercredi 6 Pour la première fois depuis de nom¬ POUR UNE ÉVENTUELLE breuses années, Ankara a interdit soldats et 7 membres du PKK sont RÉSOLUTION DE LA QUES¬ toutes célébrations en dehors du mer¬ morts lors d'affrontements dans le TION KURDE ? credi 21 mars, qui n'est pas un jour sud-est du pays.Q férié. Les organisations kurdes Les célébrations du Newroz servent avaient prévu concerts et meetings de baromètre à l'état des relations dans 130 localités. Pour Giiltan entre Ankara et les groupes kurdes. Kisanak, coprésidente du parti BDP La gestion de cette fête par les (Parti pour la paix et la démocratie), autorités turques est critiquée dans cette décision est une « provocation »

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^fj 1 1 I 24 mars 2012

Turquie: 15 femmes rebelles kurdes

tuées par les forces de Tordre

de la frontière irakienne.

ANKARA (AFP) - Quinze En moins d'une semaine,

rebelles kurdes, des les combats ont ainsi coûté la

femmes, ont été tuées samedi vie à 29 personnes, 21 rebelles dans des combats avec les et huit membres des forces de

forces de sécurité dans le sud- sécurité, signe d'une recrudes¬

est de la Turquie, a annoncé le cence des violences avec

ministère turc de l'Intérieur. l'arrivée du printemps.

Les heurts se sont produits Les membres du PKK, dans une zone rurale de la retranchés dans des caches

province de Bitlis, un des situées en Turquie et dans le

théâtres de la rébellion armée nord de l'Irak, frappées régu¬

du Parti des travailleurs du lièrement par l'aviation

Kurdistan (PKK), précise un turque, profitent de la fonte

communiqué, rapporté par des neiges pour s'infiltrer

l'agence de presse officielle d'Irak en Turquie afin d'y

Anatolie. organiser des attaques. Quinze rebelles kurdes, des femmes, ont été tuées samedi dans Un "gardien de village", C'est pendant cette de combats avec les forces de sécurité dans le sud-est de la force supplétive kurde armée période que les forces Turquie, a annoncé le ministère turc de l'Intérieur. ( © AFP par l'Etat turc contre le PKK, a d'Ankara, l'armée et de plus Mustafa Ozer) été tué et trois autres blessés en plus des unités spéciales de

dans les combats, selon le la police ces derniers temps, vie dans une prison du nord- ramifications du PKK, cher¬ document. intensifient les opérations ouest de la Turquie d'où il cherait, selon le journal libéral

De source de sécurité contre les rebelles. dirige son mouvement par le Milliyet, à s'allier le président

locale dans le sud-est anato- La presse turque a rap¬ biais de ses avocats qui lui du Kurdistan irakien,

lien, zone peuplée majoritai¬ porté ce derniers jours que le rendent régulièrement visite. Massoud Barzani, pour obte¬

rement de Kurdes et champ gouvernement du Parti de la Un politique d'ouverture nir notamment un désarme¬

d'action du PKK, on précise justice et du développement pro-kurde de l'AKP lancée en ment des rebelles retranchés

que le mouvement séparatiste (AKP, issu de la mouvance 2009 a fait long feu, et a été dans la montagne irakienne.

kurde dispose d'unités entiè¬ islamiste) avait décidé de très critiquée par ses détrac¬ Le conflit kurde en

rement constituées de femmes changer son fusil d'épaule, teurs car elle impliquait des Turquie a fait plus de 45.000

et c'est une telle formation qui cessant tout contact direct premières discussions directes morts, selon l'armée, depuis le

a été décimée. avec le PKK, dans un nouvel avec la direction du PKK. début de l'insurrection du

Sept policiers et six effort politique d'en terminer Le Premier ministre Recep PKK en 1984 dans le sud-est

rebelles avaient été tués lors avec ce mouvement. Tayyip Erdogan, qui a préféré anatolien. -Le PKK est consi¬

d'une vaste opération qui a Le contact sera également adopter un ton plus ferme à déré comme une organisation

duré trois jours et s'est ache¬ rompu avec Abdullah Ôcalan, l'égard du PKK, multipliant terroriste par la Turquie et de

vée vendredi aux abords du le chef historique du PKK qui les opérations armées et une nombreux pays.*

mont Cudi (sud-est), proche purge depuis 1999 une peine à offensive judicaire contre les

Le PKK met en garde la Turquie contre

22 mars 2012 toute incursion en Syrie

Reuters Prise de position pour le régime de Bachar al Assad Les séparatistes kurdes du PKK ont menacé, ce jeudi, de Les nationalistes kurdes regroupent sous l'appellation de transformer en «zone de guerre» toutes les régions Kurdistan occidental les régions du nord-est de la Syrie. Dans kurdes si les forces turques pénètrent en Syrie. leur lexique, le Kurdistan englobe, lui, toutes les régions «L'Etat turc prépare une intervention contre notre peuple», kurdes, en Turquie, en Irak, en Syrie et en Iran. a affirmé Murât Karayilan, commandant du Parti des travail¬ La mise en garde suggère que le PKK pourrait prendre posi¬ leurs du Kurdistan (PKK), à l'agence de presse Firat, proche des tion pour le régime de Bachar al Assad en Syrie, où le mouve¬ séparatistes. «Que les choses soient claires: si l'Etat turc inter¬ ment séparatiste compte des alliés et où la communauté kurde vient contre notre peuple au Kurdistan occidental, tout le représente au moins 10% de la population.Q Kurdistan se transformera en une zone de guerre», ajoute-t-il.

64 . Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ûzeti rm Irak: Maliki accusé par ses alliés kurdes de monopoliser le pouvoir

BAGDAD, 20 mars 2012 (AFP)

LE DIRIGEANT KURDE Massoud Barzani a lancé mardi une attaque en règle contre le Premier ministre irakien Nouri al-Maliki, accusé de O monopoliser le pouvoir, laissant craindre une nouvelle crise politique à quelques jours d'un sommet de la Ligue arabe à Bagdad.

Le président du Kurdistan a célébré à sa façon le Nouvel An kurde, qui tombe mercredi, en se lançant dans une violente diatribe contre le Premier ministre chiite, dont sa faction est l'alliée au gouvernement depuis les élec¬ tions législatives de 2010. 4

"Il est très regrettable qu'un petit nombre de gens à Bagdad se soit imposé \ et ait monopolisé le pouvoir", a-t-il tempêté dans un discours à Erbil, capi¬ \ tale du Kurdistan irakien, selon une traduction de son discours en anglais.

"Le partage du pouvoir et le partenariat entre Kurdes, arabes sunnites et comprenant la ville multiethnique de Kirkouk. Cet épineux dossier est chiites, et autres est à présent totalement inexistant et a perdu tout son considéré comme l'une des principales menaces sur la stabilité de l'Irak à sens", a-t-il accusé. terme.

Les députés kurdes occupent près d'un cinquième des sièges du L'Irak est coutumier des crises politiques: la dernière avait éclaté en Parlement, et l'alliance kurde, constituée des deux principaux partis de la décembre entre M. Maliki et un autre de ses alliés, le bloc Iraqiya, lorsque région, compte cinq portefeuilles au gouvernement. l'un de ses dirigeants, le vice-président irakien Tarek al-Hachémi, avait été accusé d'avoir dirigé un groupe de tueurs et avait trouvé refuge au M. Barzani a aussi accusé M. Maliki de mettre sur pied une force à ses Kurdistan. ordres. "On assiste à une tentative de mettre sur pied une armée d'un mil¬ lion d'âmes dévouées à une seule personne", a-t-il souligné. Le conflit, qui avait suscité des craintes de guerre confessionnelle, est depuis retombé et Iraqiya en est considéré comme le principal perdant. "Où, dans le monde, une seule et même personne peut-elle être Premier ministre, chef des armées, ministre de la Défense, ministre de l'Intérieur, Reste que les critiques de M. Barzani, qui dénotent un vif accroissement chef des services secrets et chef du conseil de sécurité nationale ?", a-t-il des tensions entre Bagdad et Erbil et suggèrent une possible rupture, tom¬ martelé. bent mal pour l'Irak.

Deux ans après les élections législatives, M. Maliki n'a toujours pas dési¬ Le pays a connu mardi une nouvelle journée sanglante, avec une série gné de ministres de la Défense et de l'Intérieur, en dépit de la situation d'attentats qui a fait 50 morts. Bagdad s'apprête en outre à accueillir les 27- sécuritaire toujours précaire de l'Irak. 29 mars un sommet de la Ligue arabe sur lequel il compte énormément pour retrouver un rôle régional après le départ des forces américaines en Les disputes entre les Kurdes et Bagdad ne sont pas nouvelles. Ces der¬ décembre 2011. niers mois, le cas de la major pétrolière américaine ExxonMobil, qui sou¬ haite s'implanter à la fois dans les deux parties du pays, ce que refuse Les critiques à rencontre de M. Maliki font écho à celles de l'organisation catégoriquement le gouvernement, a suscité une vive polémique. de défense des droits de l'Homme Human Rights Watch (HRW), qui avait dénoncé en janvier rautoritarisme" croissant de l'Irak, qualifiéd'"Etat poli¬ Erbil et Bagdad s'opposent aussi sur la souveraineté d'une bande longue cier en devenir".0 de 650 km et riche en hydrocarbures, à cheval sur quatre provinces et

Irak: Bagdad minimise d'importants arriérés de paiement et d'avoir conclu un accord illégal avec la major BP. les menaces kurdes sur Ces nouveaux litiges interviennent sur fond de conflit territorial persistant le pétrole (ministre) entre le Kurdistan et Bagdad, et alors que ta capitale s'apprête à accueillir son premier sommet de la Ligue arabe depuis plus de 20 ans, signant le retour de l'Irak sur la scène régionale. BAGDAD, 27 mars 2012 (AFP) Le Kurdistan a menacé lundi de mettre fin à ses exportations de brut si Bagdad n'honorait pas ses dettes envers elle.

LE MINISTRE IRAKIEN des Finances a relativisé mardi les menaces "Les exportations de pétrole de la région du Kurdistan ont été réduites à proférées la vieille par le gouvernement autonome du Kurdistan sur 50.000 barils par jour (bj) et pourraient cesser d'ici un mois si le gouverne¬ un éventuel arrêt des exportations de pétrole. ment fédéral à Bagdad continue de bloquer les paiements aux compagnies

"Nous n'avons pas peur si la région du Kurdistan décide d'arrêter les expor¬ productrices", a affirmé le gouvernement régional dans un communiqué.

tations", a dit à l'AFP le ministre Rifaa al-lssawi en marge du sommet des Le texte souligne que la dette cumulée du gouvernement central envers le ministres arabes de l'Economie et des Finances qui se tient à Bagdad. Kurdistan s'élève à "près de 1,5 milliard de dollars". Le dernier versement

Il a précisé que le gouvernement fédéral avait provisionné cette année 650 remonte à mai 2011.

milliards de dinars (546 millions de dollars) dans le budget et était prêt à Le Kurdistan précise qu'il "maintient son objectif d'exportation de 175.000 payer les compagnies étrangères opérant dans les trois provinces kurdes bj prévu dans le budget 2012 de l'Irak et pourrait exporter beaucoup plus du nord, une fois reçus les documents appropriés du gouvernement auto¬ si le gouvernement honorait ses engagements à payer".0 nome.

De nouvelles tensions liées au pétrole ont surgi lundi entre la région auto¬ nome du Kurdistan irakien et le gouvernement central, accusé par Erbil

65 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Foreign Policy March 22, 2012 America T needs a Kurdish

policy s-JT'

BY JOHN HANNAH

_ _ mong the Iraq-related anniver- " saries to consider, here's one

more: Twenty-one years ago this week, millions of Iraqi Kurds set flight for the desolate, snow-capped ment remain serious problems. But mountains bordering Turkey and It's a story of deliverance and certainly no worse than, say, South Iran, frantically seeking to escape the American leadership well worth Korea circa the 1970s, at a similar advancing armies of Saddam Hussein. recalling, especially this year. For the point in that country's experience Fresh off his humiliating defeat in the first time in a generation, Iraq's Kurds under America's wing. first Gulf War, Saddam had quickly find themselves without direct trained his guns oh wiping out all American protection. President Properly nourished, Iraqi Kurdistan internal opposition to his tyrannical Obama's decision to withdraw U.S. has all the makings of a U.S. strategic rule. troops from Iraq has once again left asset. Iraq's Arabs may have been pro¬ the Kurds largely alone. While no foundly ambivalent about a continued Where the Kurds were concerned, his longer confronting Saddam's terror, role for American troops. But not the purpose seemed clear. Saddam aimed the long shadow of their anguished Kurds, whose leaders loudly pro¬ to eliminate once and for all the per¬ history remains, as do unresolved ten¬ claimed their desire for a permanent sistent challenge this proud, irrepress¬ sions not only with Iraq's majority U.S. presence, and whose population ible minority had long posed to his Arabs, but with powerful neighbors in of some 5 million is overwhelmingly dictatorship. Genocide was on tap, the Iran, Syria and Turkey struggling with pro-American. Sharing borders with completion of a job begun in 1988, disadvantaged Kurdish minorities of Iran and Syria, Kurdistan could play a when Iraqi forces razed thousands of their own. vital role in U.S. strategy to combat Kurdish villages, murdered their the serious threats now emanating inhabitants, and rained chemical It's a mix of fear, loathing and foreign from those anti-American regimes. weapons down on the innocent men, meddling that, left untended, could Kurdish security and intelligence women and children of a town called easily lead to conflict and even war forces are competent and battle-hard¬ Halabja. both inside Iraq and, perhaps, region¬ ened, and after years of cooperation ally. That, indeed, would be tragic have built up excellent working rela¬ Now, with their hacks literally to the for the often-betrayed Kurds, to be tions with their U.S. counterparts, wall, freezing to death on a barren sure, but also for the prestige and including in fighting Al Qaeda. And mountainside, facing Saddam's full long-term interests of their main sitting atop 40-50 billion barrels of vengeance, the Kurds' destruction benefactor, the United States. oil, Kurdistan is poised to become one seemed nigh. of the world's largest petroleum pro¬ Say what you will about the American ducers, a major contributor to global Until, that is: America. Said. No. project in Iraq, its application in energy security. Working with a small group of allies, Kurdistan was well down the path the United States, quite simply, saved toward success. As happened in Confident in its U.S. backing, the Kurds. Saddam's army was . Germany, Japan and South Korea Kurdistan could serve as both engine ordered to stand down or face after World War II, a few decades of and anchor for the rest of Iraq's dem¬ renewed hostilities. U.S. ground forces intense American engagement had ocratic development. But America's deployed to northern Iraq and organ¬ begun working wonders for the Kurds. precipitous retreat has left behind a ized one of history's greatest humani¬ Excellent security indeed, not a sin¬ dangerous vacuum, a potential breed¬ tarian rescues, Operation Provide gle U.S. combat death in areas under ing ground for destructive acts of self- Comfort. A no-fly zone was estab¬ Kurdish control. A booming economy help that could easily spiral out of lished over Kurdistan, which U.S. air¬ with growing levels of foreign invest¬ control That vacuum urgently needs craft patrolled until 2003, when ment. And an emerging democracy to be filled by a concerted American America finally settled its score with that, while far from perfect, has seen strategy to define a new, "special" Saddam for good, liberating almost 30 real opposition parties emerge, as well relationship with Iraq's Kurds. million people from his republic of as a burgeoning civil society and Making clear that Kurdistan's well- fear, including the long-suffering media. Yes, corruption, lack of being within a truly federal Iraq is a Kurds. accountability, and uneven develop high U.S. priority could serve both to ,

66 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

deter potential aggressors while ior foreign service officer of ambassa¬ vided to support Kurdish efforts to encouraging Kurdish restraint, dorial rank, perhaps seconded by a battle corruption, strengthen the rule patience and cooperation in dealing retired general. Under the rubric of of law, and ensure human rights. with the turmoil of Baghdad's day-to¬ U.S. security assistance for Iraq, pro¬ day politics. grams for equipping and training More than two decades after saving Kurdish security and intelligence Iraq's Kurds from annihilation, it's When Kurdish President Masoud services should be established, time for America to institutionalize a Barzani visits Washington next including robust channels for infor¬ long-term strategic relationship with month, the Obama administration mation sharing and other cooperative them one that understands that a would be well advised to use the efforts. A joint initiative to expand secure and prosperous Kurdistan, opportunity to establish a new Joint dramatically American investment in confident in its ties to the world's sole Commission on U.S.-Kurdish rela¬ Kurdistan needs to be launched, with superpower, can be a boon to U.S.

tions to oversee the bilateral relation¬ a focus on expediting the region's interests, and a force for stability and ship, composed of high-level officials emergence as a reliable energy modernism throughout Iraq and the from both sides. America's consulate exporter to Western markets. broader Middle East.# in Kurdistan should be led by a sen Technical assistance should be pro

DamUJrcss March 22, 2012

Turkish officials say they are Kurd militants threaten Turkey watching closely for signs Syria may renew its support for the

PKK, which it dropped in late if it enters Syria 1998 after Turkish tanks massed on the Syrian border.

Damascus was forced to deport By Jon Hemming I Reuters Western Kurdistan is the term their own umbrella group after PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan Kurdish nationalists use to complaining of being sidelined who was later seized by describe Kurdish areas of by the main opposition Syrian ANKARA - Turkish Kurd Turkish special forces in Kenya. northeast Syria, while by National Council (SNC), which militants threatened on Kurdistan they mean the they say is dominated by Arab Thursday to turn all Kurdish Turkish Foreign Minister Kurdish areas of Turkey, Iraq, nationalists. populated areas into a "war Ahmet Davutoglu has repeat¬ Syria and Iran. zone" if Turkish troops entered edly said Syria "would not But the comparative calm in Syria, a sign the Kurdistan dare" make such a mistake Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Syria's Kurdish northeast may Workers Party (PKK) which has again. Erdogan said last week that set¬ also be related to what some allies in Syria may be taking ting up a "safe zone" or a Kurdish analysts say is the sides in the conflict there. Kurds make up at least 10 per¬ "buffer zone" along the border growing influence of the cent of Syria's population. Like with Syria to protect civilians Democratic Union Party (PYD), A renewed alliance between the majority of Syrians, they are from Assad's forces was among a Syrian Kurdish group allied Damascus and the PKK would Sunni Muslims, but have strug¬ the options being considered to the PKK which has kept anger Turkey and could gled to assert their ethnic iden¬ should the stream of refugees away from the opposition. prompt it to take an even tity under 40 years of Arab turn into a flood. stronger line against Syrian nationalist Ba'ath Party rule. President Bashar al-Assad over TURKEY WARNS SYRIA ON Setting up such a zone would PKK his brutal repression of anti- The Assad regime had denied involve troops entering Syria to government protesters. some stateless Kurds Syrian secure territory. Turkey has The PKK, set up in 1984 to fight nationality documents but it turned sharply against its for¬ for Kurdish home rule in south¬ PKK field commander Murat has made concessions since the mer friend Assad and has taken east Turkey, is commanded Karayilan said Turkey was start of the uprising to ease a lead in trying to forge interna¬ from bases in the remote moun¬ preparing the ground for an unrest in Kurdish areas. tional agreement on the need tains of northern Iraq, but was intervention in Syria. for stronger action on Syria. once backed by Syria. Some Arabs are concerned that

'The Turkish state is planning the Kurds, mostly based in While Syrian government Though Turkey has the second an intervention against our northeast Syria on the borders forces are clashing daily with biggest army in NATO, it has people," the Europe-based Firat with Turkey and Iraq, secretly insurgents demanding the failed to quash the PKK in 27 news agency, close to the mili¬ seek a separate state that downfall of Assad, Syrian years of bitter fighting. More tants, quoted him as saying. includes cross border territo¬ Kurdish areas have remained than 40,000 militants, soldiers ries. relatively calm, despite many and civilians have been killed "Let me state clearly, if the Kurds' long-standing opposi¬ in the conflict. Turkey, the Turkish state intervenes against Syrian Kurd opposition groups tion to the government. United States and the European our people in western deny wanting a separate state, Union all list the PKK as a ter¬ Kurdistan, all of Kurdistan will but say they want autonomy Some Syrian Kurdish groups rorist organization. turn into a war zone," he said. similar to that of the Iraqi opposed to Assad have formed Kurds.

67 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

7 Kurdish rebels and 6 Turkish police 00HNEWS officers have been killed in clashes in 22 MARCH 2012 the far south-east of the country

Turkish forces launched a large-scale operation against the involves both army troops and special operations police forces.

Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) near Mount Cudi, in the province On Sunday, police in the south-eastern city of Diyarbakir used tear gas of Sirnak, on Wednesday. and water cannon to prevent thousands of Kurds from holding a demons¬

Helicopter gunships were used in this, the largest attack on rebels in tration timed to coincide with Novruz. The unrest later spread to other

2012. Turkish cities.

Correspondents say the fighting was sparked by tensions surrounding PKK rebels recently have stepped up their operations, correspondents

. the Kurdish New Year celebrations, Novruz. . . say.

Five of the officers died on Wednesday, while another was killed on The rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been fighting for autonomy

Thursday, security officials said. in Turkey's largely Kurdish south-east since 1984, in a conflict that has

claimed tens of thousands of lives.Q One rebel is reported to have been captured in the operation, which

middle east online MARCH 21, 2012 Qj!lip|#ijuuijl Jaio

Barzani tells Iraqi PM

'enough is enough'

Kurdish leader accuses Maliki of monop¬

olising power, building one-million-

strong army loyal only to him.

Middle East Online By Prashant Rao - BAGHDAD

Kurd leader Massud Barzani hinted on Tuesday at a possi¬

ble break with Iraq's unity government, complaining that nal unity government formed in November 2010.

premier Nuri al-Maliki was monopolising power and building Barzani continued: "We are committed to our alliance with the an army loyal only to him. Shiites but not with this group of people who have monopolised His remarks raised the rhetoric between his autonomous regional power and with their policies have even marginalised other government in Arbil and the central government in Baghdad, with Shiites." several key disputes festering between the two sides.

"It is time to say enough is enough. The current status of affairs in Barzani said the partnership that built a national unity government unacceptable to us and I call on all Iraqi political leaders to urgently formed at a meeting he had hosted was now "completely non-exis¬ try to find a solution. Otherwise, we will return to our people and tent and has become meaningless." will decide on whatever course of action that our people deem

"There is an attempt to establish a one-million-strong army whose appropriate."

loyalty is only to a single person," Barzani, president of Kurdistan, The central government and Kurdish regional authorities have said in a speech in Arbil, according to an English transcript. been locked in protracted disputes over oil contracts with foreign

He claimed that Maliki and the government were "waiting to get F- oil firms and the status of a swathe of disputed territory around the

16 combat planes to examine its chances again with the pesh¬ northern oil hub of Kirkuk.

merga (Kurdish militia)," referring to a government order for 36 The Kurdistan region has signed around 40 contracts with interna¬ warplanes from the United States. tional companies on a production-sharing basis without seeking

"Where in the world can the same person be the prime minister, the express approval of the central government's oil ministry.

the chief of staff of the armed forces, the minister of defence, the The national oil ministry, meanwhile, has awarded energy minister of interior, the chief of intelligence and the head of the contracts to international companies on the basis of a per-barrel national security council?" he asked. service fee. It has also refused to sign deals with any firm that has

Barzani said that while he was committed to an alliance with Iraq's agreed a contract with Kurdistan.

majority Shiites, he was not committed to one with Maliki. Arbil also wants Kirkuk and the disputed tract of land to be incor¬

The premier has yet to appoint permanent ministers of defence porated into its autonomous three-province region, but officials in

and interior, more than two years after parliamentary elections. Baghdad have steadfastly rejected those demands.

Kurdish MPs hold nearly a fifth of the seats in parliament, and That dispute is regarded by diplomats as one of the greatest

Barzani's Kurdish Alliance bloc has five cabinet posts in the natio threats to Iraq's long-term stability.

68 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Kivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

01ftoa6ljtaet

Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq have In Iraq, growing gap widened in recent years as the nor¬ thern région, which was largely insula¬ ted from the insurgency and had vir¬ sets Kurdistan apart tually no U.S. military presence during the war, continues to prosper while the

rest of the country remains beset by

violence.

"The Kurdistan region, in terms of

development and economic growth,

has the potential to become the Iraq the

U.S. had hoped for the entire country,"

said Denise Natali, a National Defense

University professor who has studied the Kurds for decades. '' jJL-é.'h f -. 'The other Iraq'

Irbil's new airport, completed in

2010, offers direct flights to Vienna,

Dubai, Istanbul and Cairo, and it has

been expanding steadily. Most forei¬

gners can enter Kurdistan without a

visa or may obtain one at the airport,

unlike in Baghdad, which manages a

cumbersome and expensive visa sys¬

tem that has long bedeviled prospec¬

tive foreign investors. Ernesto Londono/The Washington Post -

Iraq's northern Kurdish region is thriving as foreign investors pour in, lured by The construction boom in virtually its investment-friendly policies, security and vast oil reserves. The once sleepy every corner of Irbil stands in sharp city now has an air of Dubai grandeur. contrast to the dilapidated city of

Mosul, just 50 miles east, where vast

sections lie in ruins as a result of years BY ERNESTO LONDONO room. of bombings by al-Qaeda in Iraq. To Perhaps most alarmingly, its histo¬ enter Kurdistan from the parts of Iraq IRBIL, Iraq To land at the glea¬ rically acrimonious relationship with controlled by Baghdad, Arab Iraqis ming new airport in this booming Baghdad has become downright poiso¬ must apply for special permission from regional capital is to glimpse what the nous since the last U.S. soldiers left the Kurdish authorities, then navigate a United States hoped a decade ago that country last December casting a pall series of checkpoints manned by all of Iraq might become. over the sustainability of its aspira¬ Kurdish soldiers who often make little Cranes swivel across a skyline tions. attempt to hide their contempt for whose glittering high-rises and five- "If the other Iraq cannot lift itself Arabs. star hotels bring an air of Dubai gran¬ you will have a gap, and that gap will Kurdistan now markets itself as deur. Modern malls with brightly lit lead to conflict," Fuad Hussein, chief "the other Iraq," with a revenue base boutiques do a brisk business. Modern, of staff to Kurdistan's president, that had grown to more than $10 bil¬ wide highways include pedestrian Massoud Barzani, said in an interview bridges, some with escalators. lion this year, mostly from oil exports in his office in Irbil. and Turkish investment, from just $100 This is Iraqi Kurdistan, a region Under Hussein, Kurdistan sat on million in 2003. Its battles with the rest that was semiautonomous even under vast oil reserves, but there were no of the country revolve around how to Saddam Hussein, but one that has commercial flights into the region. The distribute oil wealth and whether the been transformed in remarkable ways gray, drab architecture spoke of a Kurds should be allowed to formally since the American invasion of 2003. bygone era. Roads were rudimentary. incorporate vast new areas into the While the rest of Iraq remains saddled Kurdish politics were infused with region. by scars and trauma from the conflicts mistrust and the deeply entrenched The growing schism has fueled the the U.S. invasion unleashed, the grudges of a civil war. hopes for statehood that Kurds have Kurdistan region increasingly stands long held. Zhenar Bakhtiar, 21, a sales¬ apart, with its own fractious, impoveri¬ Today, a combination of security, shed past mostly a distant memory. investor-friendly policies and the man at a perfume shop in a sleek mall allure of unexplored energy reserves in Kurdistan's second largest city, But Kurdistan can only be held up have attracted an increasing number of Sulaymaniyah, said he dreams of the as a success story with significant oil companies, including the world's day when he will no longer bear an caveats. Security has come at the largest, Exxon Mobil, which last year Iraqi passport. expense of the repressive features of a signed a landmark deal with Kurdish "Five years from now, the Kurds police state. Two ruling political par¬ officials. ties have held on to power through a will have their own state," he said on a recent afternoon. He identifies himself vast network of patronage that has At the same time, the social, cultu¬ given the opposition little breathing ral and political gaps between as Iraqi only when he travels abroad and must present his passport. "I'm a

69 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

Kurd." nal companies running the field, a less brokers. Those plans were later scaled Competing visions on oil attractive type of deal. The dispute has down as it became apparent that the prevented Iraqi lawmakers from produ¬ United States would not be able to leave At first glance, the prospect of cing a new hydrocarbons law. The behind a small number of troops in Iraq. Kurdish statehood might seem plausi¬ recent Exxon deal was particularly jar¬ ble, if not inevitable. But the two As oil production soars, and more ring to Baghdad because it includes regions remain intrinsically linked in money is at stake, anger among Arabs fields in disputed territories. two vital ways: Kurdistan gets its bud¬ who live in the disputed territories is get from Baghdad and must export the "Right now there are no negotia¬ likely to flare up, said Abdullah

bulk of its oil through a pipeline the tions, no process whatsoever," between Humaid Alyawar, the leader of the

centra] government controls. Baghdad and Irbil over the oil law, said influential Shammar tribe. "When citi¬ Joost Hiltermann, an Iraq expert at the zens see their political officials disap¬ Baghdad and Irbil have laid out International Crisis Group. "This can pointed them, we will see them rely on competing visions for how Iraq's vast only go on for so long. Once these fields themselves and their tribes," he said. oil reserves should be explored. In the start producing, Baghdad may draw a absence of an agreement, the two admi¬ Left to their own devices, Iraqis .are line and if the Kurds ignore that you can nistrations have signed separate unlikely to reach a solution, said end up with a conflict." contracts with international oil compa¬ Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish lawma¬

nies in recent years. Officials in During its final years in Iraq, the ker. U.S. military came to view the disputed Baghdad are particularly irked by the "It needs an influential broker," he territories along Kurdistan as one of the nature of - the Kurdistan region's said. "Between political blocs them¬ country's most potentially destabilizing contracts, which give the oil companies selves we can't solve it. The issue will problems. American officials drew up a direct stake in the reserves. stay as it is." plans to maintain large diplomatic mis¬ The deals Baghdad has signed offer sions in the provinces that border a flat rate per barrel of oil to internatio Kurdistan, in large part to act as honest

guardian March 24, 2012

Turkey: 15 female Kurdish rebel fighters killed in clashes with security forces

SUZAN FRASERAssociated Press Saturday's toll was the highest number of female PKK casualties killed in clash¬

ANKARA, Turkey Turkish forces es at any one time. killed 15 female Kurdish rebel figh¬

ters in clashes in southeast Turkey, offi¬ Earlier this month, unconfirmed .'-, \y\ cials said Saturday, in what is believed Turkish media reports said eight female 1»

to be the largest one-day casualty toll for fighters were killed in an avalanche in

women since their guerrilla group began neighboring northern Iraq, where the fighting for autonomy nearly 28 years rebels maintain bases that launch hit- r, ago. and-run attacks on Turkish targets.

JU The clashes occurred in a mainly The clashes in Bitlis coincided with an

Kurdish province of Bitlis, and in addi¬ upsurge in fighting between the rebels by granting them more rights stalled in tion to the women it killed a govern¬ and the security forces. At least seven 2009 amid a surge in fighting. ment-paid village guard helping Turkish Turkish security force members and 24 forces and wounded three others, the Kurdish rebels including the 15 The government has also acknowledged government said. The private Dogan women have been killed in fighting that officials have held secret talks with news agency said the clashes occurred this week. Spring is the time when fight¬ the PKK, but has since vowed to main¬ all day Friday. ing picks up as snow melts from moun¬ tain its military drive until the group tain passes, which the rebels use to lays down arms. The PKK, which is fighting for autono¬ sneak into the country from Iraq. my in Turkey's mainly Kurdish south¬ However, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip east, was born out of Marxist ideology The PKK, considered a terrorist organi¬ Erdogan and other government officials and believes in equality between men zation by the European Union and the have left the door open for dialogue with and women. It is believed to have sever¬ United States, took up arms in 1984. Kurdish groups not involved in violence. al female units. Female PKK militants The conflict has killed tens of thousands carried out suicide bombings in 1990s, of people since then. Still, Kurdish politicians accuse the gov¬ killing dozens of troops and civilians. ernment of insincerity, citing police A government campaign to reconcile roundups of Kurdish activists, journal¬ Many female fighters have been killed with Kurds who make up around 20 ists and others suspected of rebel links. alongside male comrades in clashes, but percent of Turkey's 74 million people

70 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

XeUîonde Bagdad et Riyad renouent à la veille 26 mars 2012 du sommet de la Ligue arabe

~ i s t-ce un nouvel effet de la diplomatie Nayef ? les tensions. Et l'Irak en guerre civile est devenu le ,. Depuis sa désignation commehéritierdu trô¬ champ de bataille de la guerre d'influence politique ne des Saoud, le prince Nayef Ben Abdel Aziz et religieuse que se livrent l'Arabie sunnite et l'Iran ~. ..J. se démène sur la scène régionale. Face à l'en¬ chiite.

nemi héréditaire, l'Iran perse et chiite, et son allié Lors des élections législatives irakiennes de 2010, syrien, le futur homme fort de l'Arabie Saouditecher¬ les Saoudiens avaient ouvertement soutenu la liste che à resserrer les rangs arabes. Malgré son hostilité Irakiya d'Iyad Allawi, principal rival du premier

à l'équipe au pouvoir à Bagdad, l'Arabie Saoudite a ministre sortant Nouri Al-Maliki. Bien qu'il soit arri¬ donc mis fin à une anomalie de près de vingt-deux vé derrière M. Allawi, c'est finalement Nouri Al-Mali¬ ans en rétablissant, fin février, des relations diploma¬ ki qui est resté à la tête du gouvernement avec le sou¬ tiques avec son voisin irakien. tien de Téhéran. L'Arabie Saoudite s'est vengée enfai- L'Irak et l'Arabie Saoudite n'avaient plus échangé sant capoter à deux reprises le sommet arabe que d'ambassadeurs depuis la guerre du Golfe de 1990. devait accueillir Bagdad, pour la première fois

L'invasion du Koweït par Saddam Hussein avait depuis 1990.

entraîné la rupture des relations diplomatiques. Ce sommet, qui marque le plein retour de l'Irak L'Arabie Saoudite reprochait à Saddam Hussein de dans la « famille arabe », se fient finalement du 27 au menacer la sécurité régionale et de vouloir contrôler 29 mars. Bagdad comme Riyad ayant intérêt à sa bon¬ par la force la majorité des réserves pétrolières du ne tenue, les deux pays ont mis leurs différends en Moyen-Orient. Le régime baasiste, quant à lui, sourdine. «L'Irak ne peut se permettre de diriger un "n'avait pas pardonné à Riyad d'avoir abrité l'énorme sommet sans te soutien des monarchies du Golfe, et armada américaine à la tête de la coalition internatio¬ l'Arabie Saoudite a besoin de la neutralité irakienne nale qui avait chassé l'apnée irakienne du Koweït à ' sur le dossier syrien », analyse un diplomate de la

l'issue de l'opération «Tempête du désert» en jan- Ligue arabe. vier-févrienggi. Depuis l'annonce, le 2lfévrier, de la nomination Depuis, malgré les bouleversements régionaux, d'un ambassadeur saoudien non-résident en Irak les choses étaient restées en l'état. L'invasion de -c'est le diplomate en poste ert Jordanie qui s'occupe¬ l'Irak par les Etats-Unis en 2003 et le renversement ra des deux pays -, une délégation irakienne de haut de Saddam Hussein auraient dû rouvrir la voie à des niveau s'est rendue à Riyad pour débloquer l'épineux relations diplomatiques normales. Mais l'afflux de dossier des prisonniers saoudiens détenus en Irak

djihadistes saoudiens en Irak, venus y combattre les pour terrorisme. Un premier échange va concerner occupants américains et les « hérétiques » chiites, soixante*deux Saoudiens et une quarantaine de déte¬ ainsi que l'irrésistible montée en puissance des par¬ nus irakiens de droit commun en Arabie Saoudite, a

tis chiites pro-iraniens en Irak ont causé de nouvel Christophe Ayad

£tlïïûMât 26 mars 2012

Tansu Ciller, la « dame de fer » turque

Seule femme (laïque) devenue premier ministre de son pays,

elle reste associée à la guerre sans merci qu'elle lança

contre la rébellion kurde. Quitte ày impliquer des réseaux i criminels avec lesquels elle fut accusée de complicité

tPSISQUl) PLUS distance des affaires politiques depuis sa v PERSONNE N'EN PARLE défaite aux législatives en 2002. L'arrivée du parti islamo-conservâteur de Recep GETTY IMAGES/AFP Tayyip Erdogan, l'AKP, au pouvoir depuis 1946 Naissance à Istanbul. lors, a poussé cette professeure d'écono¬ mie, aujourd'hui âgée de 66 ans, vers une 1990 Diplômée en sciences éca-. retraite discrète, dans un quartier huppé nomiques, Tansu Ciller quitte Guillaume Perkier d'Istanbul. Tansu Ciller reste célèbre pour son poste d'enseignante à l'uni¬ avoir été la première femme, et, à ce jour, versité du Bosphore et se lance Istanbul, correspondance dans la politique. la seule, à avoir dirigé un gouvernement en Turquie. Première ministre de 1993 à Les apparitions publiques de Tansu 1993-1996 Première ministre. Ciller se font rares. En 2011, elle 1996, M Ciller, qui dirigeait le Parti de la avait assisté, seule femme au juste'voie (DYP), une formation de centre 1996-1997Ministre des affaires milieu d'une assemblée officielle droit, avait su tirerprofit des jeux de coali¬ étrangères. masculine, aux funérailles de Necmettin tions pour s'imposer dans le sillage de Erbakan, l'ancien chef de file du mouve¬ Suleyman Demirel, devenu président delà 2002 Battue aux législatives, ment islamiste turc, mort à l'âge de 85 ans. République en 1993. elle se retire de la vie politique. La « dame de fer» se tient prudemment à Femme éduquéé et moderne, aux

71 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

brushings impeccables et aux tailleurs récemment ont commencé à révéler une faux papiers. Tansu Ciller elle-même et immaculés, M"" Ciller fut le symbole, mal¬ partie de ces horreurs. son mari, l'homme d'affaires Ozer Ucu- gré elle, de la laïcité turque, au nom de ran, furent accusés de collusion avec la

laquelle les femmes se virent accorder le Une fortune rondelette mafia. droit de vote et d'éligibilité dès 1934. Mais, Dans sa croisade sécuritaire, Tansu Un tribunal allemand l'avait même pour une majorité de Turcs, elle restera Ciller s'appuyait sur Mehmet Agar, qui, accusé de protéger le trafic de drogue avant tout associée aux heures les plus après avoir commandé la police turque et entre la Turquie et l'Europe. Le couple sombres des années 1990 : une période de organisé son unité de forces spéciales, se Ciller a, en peu de temps, amassé une fortu¬ violence ponctuée d'affaires judiciaires fit élire député et fut nommé ministre. ne rondelette (près de 50 millions d'eu¬ retentissantes qui firent éclater au grand Sous la conduite de ce duo de choc, l'Etat ros), achetant des propriétés à Istanbul,

jour les liens entre les autorités, les forces turc, pour lutter contre le PKK, n'hésita des centres commerciaux, un hôtel et une de sécurité et les clans mafieux. pas à impliquer dans la bataille les villa dans le New Hampshire (Etats-Unis). Les Kurdes se souviennent de l'ère Ciller réseaux criminels liés à l'extrême droite Une enquête pour malversation et corrup¬

comme celle d'une répression sanglante nationaliste et aux parrains mafieux pros¬ tion fut ouverte et rapidement refermée. contre la rébellion armée du Parti des tra¬ pérant notamment sur le trafic de drogue. Depuis l'avènement de Recep Tayyip

vailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK). Décidée à En 1996, le scandale de Susurluk confir¬ Erdogan en 2003, M" Ciller a parfois été

mener «uneguerre totale contre le terroris¬ ma cette stratégie. Dans l'épave d'une Mer¬ tentée par un retour en politique, comme

me», Mme Ciller donna les pleins pouvoirs cedes encastrée sous un camion, on en 2011, où elle avait été pressentie pour aux cellules clandestines de contre-gué¬ retrouva, côte à côte, Abdullah Catli, un prendre la tête du Parti démocrate (DP) afin tueur recherché par Interpol, sa compa¬ rilla, agissant au sein de l'appareil étati¬ de reconstituer un centre droit moribond gne, une ancienne reine de beauté, un que. Ce fut le pic de la « sale guerre » dans avant les élections législatives; La menace les régions insurgées du sud-est de la Tur¬ chef de la police, ainsi que Sedat Bucak, d'une procédure judiciaire qui plane sur sa quie. Des milliers d'exécutions extrajudi¬ député et puissant chef d'un clan kurde fin de carrière l'a sans doute découragée.» ciaires et d'enlèvements furent perpétrés. loyaliste, figure de proue du trafic de dro¬ La torture était pratiquée à grande échelle. gue à la frontière avec la Syrie. Ainsi que Plusieurs fosses communes découvertes des armes, du matériel d'écoute et des

ùlïionâc Mercredi 28 mars 2012 Jalal Talabani, qui présidera un me, mais surtout allié de l'Iran,

sommet arabe, le premier depuis tout comme Bagdad. Des tensions le début du « printemps arabe ». risquent donc d'apparaître avec Premier sommet Bagdad et l'Irak ne sont pas les les monarchies du Golfe, en parti¬ seuls à avoir changé. Quatre vieux culier l'Arabie Saoudite et le Qatar, habitués de ces sommets ont dis¬ les plus hostiles à Bachar Al-Assad paru de la scène depuis début 2011. et à son parrain iranien. Tandis de la Ligue arabe à Le Tunisien Zine El-Abidine Ben que des pouvoirs islamistes sunni¬ Ali l'Egyptien Hosni Moubarak, le tes s'installent enTurtisie, en Egyp¬ Libyen Mouammar Kadhafi et le te, et probablement bientôt en Yéménite Ali Abdallah Saleh ont Bagdad depuis 1990 Libye et au Yémen, le sommet ris¬ été successivement emportés par que de cristalliser l'affrontement la vague révolutionnaire. Cela entre chiites et sunnites à l' sçra-t-il le cas du Syrien Bachar Les pays membres sont très divisés sur le dans toute la région. Al-Assad ? Il est le grand absent, dossier syrien, qui devrait dominer les débats Un diplomate arabe tempère son pays ayant été suspendu des les risques de clash: «Vlrak ne

pourrapas se mettre à dos la majo¬ institutions de la Ligue arabe à l'automne pour non-application rité des autresArabes en soutenant Ce sont les quinze kilomètres Par la suite, le dictateur irakien de son plan de paix. trop ouvertement le régime syrien. les plus chers du monde. La était, resté brouillé avec ses pairs D'autant, poursuit ce diplomate, Le dossier syrien occupera l'es¬ longue avenue reliant l'aéro¬ arabes. Puis Bagdad, à partir de sentiel dès discussions du som¬ que l'essentiel des décisions de la port international de Bagdad à la 2003, est devenue une capitale met, dont la déclaration finale doit Ligue sontprises hors des sommets « Zone verte » sécurisée, là où se sous occupation américaine. Pas annuels, lors des réunions ministé¬ déroule le sommet de la Ligue ara¬ question d'y tenir un sommet sous être préparée par une réunion rielles, dont la présidence est assu¬ be, du mardi 27 au jeudi 29 mars, a la garde des Gis. Ces derniers ont ministérielle mardi et mercredi. L'Irak, dirigé par le premier minis¬ rée pour l'année à venir par le été rénovée à grands frais. Les tra¬ définitivement quitté l'Irak en Koweït. Et le Qatar va continuer à vaux, réalisés par des entreprises décembre 2011 et l'Arabie Saoudite tre chiite NouriAl-Maliki, est répu¬ té nettement plus favorable au diriger le comité spécial chargé du turques, ont coûté pas moins de a renoué des liens diplomatiques régime de Bachar Al-Assad, qui dossier syrien. » 200 millions de dollars (150 mil¬ avec Bagdad le 21 février, levant Mais les pays du Golfe vont aus¬ lions d'euros), et sont à l'origine du tous les obstacles à la tenue du som¬ appartient à la minorité alaouite, si devoir tempérer leurs positions, plus grand scandale de corruption met. L'Irak assure désormais la pré¬ une branche dissidente du chiis- souligne le diplomate. «Ils ontper¬ en Irak, en 2011. sidence tournante de la Ligue ara¬ du l'initiative depuis l'entrée en scè¬ En empruntant cette autoroute be, après le Qatar. ne de Kofi Annan [l'envoyé spécial enserrée dans des murs antibom¬ Les chefs d'Etat, qui ne passe¬ Les chefs d'Etat de la Ligue arabe et de l'ONU pour bes, les chefs d'Etat arabes auront ront qu'une douzaine d'heures sur la Syrie]. leur stratégie maximalis- donc-tout loisir d'admirer les rares place jeudi, ne sortiront pas de la ne sortiront pas te a trouvé ses limites, Bachar n'est espaces verts de l'ancienne capitale «zone verte». Le 20 mars, une de la «zone verte» pas tombé. » C'est désormais à Mos¬ abbasside, qu'ils n'avaient pas série d'attentats dans tout l'Irak, cou, principal soutien de Damas revue depuis 1990. Ce sommet, pré¬ ayant causé plus de 50 morts et ultrasécurisée ces derniers mois, que se joue le vu initialement en mars 2011, est le 225 blessés, a rappelé combien la de Bagdad, toujours sort du régime syrien. premier accueilli par Bagdad situation restait précaire dans ce Christophe Avad depuis... l'invasion du Koweït par pays. Pour la première fois, c'est la cible d'attentats Saddam Hussein, le 2 août 1990 un chef de l'Etat kurde, l'Irakien

72 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

£tMenèt Jeudi 29 mars 2012 Les Occidentaux changent de tactique surla Syrie

Le plan Annan, accepté par Damas, signe l'échec de l'approche

privilégiant un départ rapide de BacharAl-Assad

morce d'une sortie de crise, simple accalmie ou manau- i . vre dilatoire? Annoncé mar¬ J-* di 27 mars, le ralliement de Damas au plan de Kofi Annan, l'émissaire desNationsuniesetdelaLigueara- be en Syrie, laisse les chancelleries occidentales dans l'expectative. «C'est en goûtant que l'on sait si c'est bon », a ironisé Gérard Araud, l'ambassadeur de France à l'ONU, » résumant par cette boutade la cir¬ .-i* conspection de mise à New York, où l'on parle désormais de «plus deg 000 morts » en Syrie, après un 1 an de révolte et de répression. Le plan Annan, qui avait été approuvé le 21 mars par le Conseil de sécurité, ambitionneprincipale¬ v> ment de réduire les tensions sûr le terrain, de façon à empêcher la Mardi, Bachar Al-Assad a paradé dans les ruines de Baba Amro, l'Armée syrienne Syrie de basculer dans une guerre libre à Homs. renters civilegénéralisée . 11 préconisela ces- sation des violences «par toutes les mentvague pourque la Russieet la des dirigeants chinois. C'est là que Résistance inattendue parties», l'acheminement d'aide Chine, allergiques à toute idée de lui est parvenuela nouvelle de l'ac¬ Si ce profil bas se confirme, il humanitaireetlalibération dés pri¬ changement de régime par la force ceptationde son plan parle régime marqueraune ruptureavecl'attitu¬ sonniers. Son volet politique est et qui s'étaient opposées à deux syrien, qui n'avait pas d'autres de adoptée ces derniers mois par minimal, puisque au lieu de projets de résolution en ce sens du options que.de se ranger à l'avis de les grandes puissances occidenta¬ demanderlamise à l'écart du prési¬ Conseil de sécurité, aient donné ses deux protecteurs. « Un premier les et leurs alliés arabes. A la tacti¬ dent syrien Bachar Al-Assad, com¬ leur blanc-seing à Kofi Annan. pas important», a commenté que du passage enforce, principale¬ me le faisait le plan de la Ligue ara¬ Après avoir obtenu dimanche à M. Annan,qui a fait passer un mes¬ ment défendue par la France, le be concocté en janvier, il prône la Moscou l'aval du président russe sage impérieux à Bruxelles et aux Qatar et l'Arabie Saoudite, qui mise en place d'un «processuspoli¬ DmitriMedvedev,l'ancien secrétai¬ Vingt-Sept: «Evitez lés initiatives tablaient sur un effondrement à tiqueouvert, dirigéparles Syriens ». re général de l'ONU s'est rendu intempestives qui risquent de me court ou moyen ternie du régime La formulation est suffisam- mardi à Pékin, où il a reçu l'appui compliquera tâche. » syrien, pourrait succéder celle des

Des opposants syriens accusés de recourir à la torture

ponsables des pires exactions, sont COUP sur coup, Human Rights Conseil national syrien (CNS) est les manifestations puis pour arrachés sous la torture, notam¬ Watch (HRW) a publié deux rap¬ encouragé parla communauté mener des embuscades contre les ment à l'électricité. Enfin, HRW rap¬ ports gênants sur la Syrie. Dans le internationale à s'élargiret à se res¬ forces du régime. porte plusieurs cas d'exécutions premier, le 21 mars, l'ONG de défen¬ tructurerafin de constituer une Cette militarisation s'est accom¬ sommaires, par pendaison ou par se des droits de l'homme déplore alternative crédible. pagnée d'enlèvements, de torture, balles, de chabiha et de membres les abus commis par les groupes et d'exécutions sommaires. Cer¬ des renseignements de l'armée de armés affiliés à l'opposition syrien¬ Embuscades . tains enlèvements ne sont pas l'air, le service le plus redouté par ne. Dans le second, publié le HRW n'établit aucun parallélis¬ motivés par l'affiliation politique les manifestants. 25 mars, elle dénonce, exemples me entre les forces du régime et ou sécuritaire, mais par l'apparte1 Le CNS a « déploré» ces viola¬ précis à l'appui, l'utilisation par l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL), mais nance confessionnelle, voire l'ob¬ tions des droits de l'homme. l'armée gouvernementale syrien¬ le constat dressé de ces abus est tention de rançons. Les civils delà «Nous travaillons à l'instauration ne de boucliers humains lors de inquiétant pour l'avenir. Selon communauté alaouite, une bran¬ d'un code de conduite et d'une coor¬ ses récentes offensives dans le l'ONG, le mouvement de protesta¬ che dissidente du chiisme dont est dination entre les différents grou¬ nord de la Syrie. Si les exactions tion était très majoritairement issue la famille de Bachar Al-Assad, pes sur le terrainpournous assurer des forces de sécurité ne surpren¬ pacifique jusqu'en septembre 2011. sont particulièrement visés par qu'aucuneviolation des droits de nent pas, tant elles sont massives Mais à la sortie d'un mois de rama¬ des groupes armés d'obédience l'homme ne soit commise au cours depuis le début du soulèvement, il dan particulièrement sanglant, salafiste. de cette luttepourla liberté», a y a un peu plus d'un an, les accusa¬ des civils, rejoints par des déser¬ HRW liste plus d'une vingtaine affirmé Bassma Kodmani, porte- tions visant les insurgés sont plus teurs en nombre croissant, ont pris de cas où les aveux de chabiha, les parole du CNS. C.A. embarrassantes au moment où le les armes, d'abord pour défendre miliciens prorégime, souvent res

73 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

petits pas, qui prend acte des capaci¬ veutdire encore et encore des morts. times des provocations des servi¬ tés de résistance inattendue de la A chaque heure qui passe, nous ces de sécurité syriens et des calculs Un plan en six points

dictature baasiste. «Aujourd'hui, ce avons cinq morts. » de l'Arabie Saoudite, impatiente de Le diplomate arabe, peu suspect durcir la position de l'organisation sont les deuxgrands qui reprennent Fin de la violence Mise en place de sympathie pour le système panarabe. la main, analyse un diplomate ara¬ d'une pause de deux heures dans Assad, estime cependant que le Mardi, en dépit du feu vert de be. La Russie, qui veutqu'on la recon¬ les combats, puis d'un cessez-le- plan Annan est plus réaliste que Damas au plan Annan, les violen¬ naisse comme acteur central, et les feu permanent, sous la supervi¬ celui de ses prédécesseurs : «A l'ins¬ ces se sont poursuivies, faisant Etats-Unis, qui ont la hantise de ne sion de l'ONU. 31 morts, dont 18 civils. Le dirigeant pas répéter les erreurs de 2003 en tigation de Doha et de Riyad, la syrien a même paradé dans les rui- Irak, c'est-à-dire éviter la destruc¬ Ligue arabe est allée très vite, sans Aide humanitaire Achemine¬ nés de Baba Amro, l'ancien bastion tion de l'Etat en même temps que la avoir les moyens de ses positions, ment de l'aide dans toutes les de l'Armée syrienne libre à Homs, chute du régime. C'est pour cela dit-il. Si la seule négociation porte zones touchées par les combats. reconquis début mars par les trou¬ qu'ils y vont très lentement. C'est sur le départ de Bachar Al-Assad, pes régulières. Hillary Clinton, la cyniquemais rien ne sert de trop se pourquoi négocierait-il? D'autant Libération des détenus Multi¬ secrétaire d'Etat américaine, l'a invi¬ presser: tout le monde sait que qu'on a demandé à la Syrie de négo¬ plier les mesures d'élargisse¬ té à «prouver immédiatement» sa Bachar estfini, même sesalliés. » cier tout en la suspendant des ins- ment, assurer l'accès à tous les bonne foi « en ordonnant à sesfor¬ tancesdelaLigue.C'estcontradictoi- lieux d'emprisonnement. Cette évolution inquiète ceux ces de baisser les armes et de se reti¬ des opposants syriens qui aspirent re. » Et il ajoute : « On a parlé sur la rerdes zones habitées ». Un premier Syrie d'un processus à la yéménite Dialogue politique Mettre en pla¬ à une plus forte implication de la bilan sera tiré vendredi, lors de la sans réaliser qu'au Yémen la mise à ce un «processus politique communauté internationale,"voire seconde réunion du groupe des l'écartd'AliAbdallah Saleh [fex-pré¬ ouvert, dirigé par les Syriens ». à une intervention militaire occi¬ Amis de la Syrie, à Istanbul, une dentale, qui n'est pas à l'ordre du sident yéménite] a été l'aboutisse¬ grand-messe diplomatique de sou¬ Liberté delà presse Garantir la jour pour l'instant. « Le départ d'As¬ ment d'un processus, et non son tien au CNS. Pour ne pas réduire sa libre circulation des journalistes sad, nous ne pouvons pas y renon¬ point de départ.» marge de man déjà étroite, dans toute la Syrie. cer car des milliers de Syriens sont La caution de Moscou et de Kofi Annan pourrait rester à l'écart morts pour cela », dit Bassma Kod- Pékin incitera-t-elle Bachar de ce rassemblement. Réformes politiques Respecter mani, la porte-parole du Conseil Al-Assad à se prêter à un jeu similai¬ Christophe Ayad la liberté d'association et le droit national syrien (CNS), l'interlocu¬ re? En décembre, il n'avait eu it Benjamin Barthe, de manifester pacifiquement. teur principal des Occidentaux, en aucun mal à se défaire d'un pre¬ avec Jean-Pierre stroobants mier plan de la Ligue arabe, qui pré¬ marge d'une réunion à Istanbul, où (à Bruxelles) les différents courants de l'opposi¬ voyait un cessez-le-feu et des libéra¬ tion tentent de s'unifier. «Assad tions de prisonniers. Les observa¬ joue la montre, tempête Adib teurs déployés en Syrie avaient dû

Chichakli, un autre participant. Ça plierbagage au bout d'un mois, vic

Hlipiil la Syrie, avec des zones te¬ vée par le Conseil de sécurité 30 MARS 2012 La Ligue arabe nues par le pouvoir et d'autre et la Ligue arabe. Or, on sait part l'opposition. Confrontés déjà que Bachar al-Assad n'a à cette hypothèse, les pays nulle intention de respecter de la région seraient alors en division régionale le plan de l'émissaire spécial contraints de s'impliquer qui prévoit l'arrêt des violen¬ dans le conflit. Eclateraient Syrie La résolution adoptée contre Damas ne parvient ces et qu'il a pourtant for¬ au grand jour les divisions du pas à cacher les désaccords entre pays arabes. mellement accepté. Preuve monde arabe entre chiites et en est l'intensification des sunnites, entre monarchies Un sommet arabe, Balkanisation. Certes, la ré¬ opérations contre les rebelles du Golfe et Etats ayant fait pour quoi faire ? En solution finale, adoptée à au moment même où l'ONU leur révolution. tout cas, pas pour l'unanimité, «condamne les annonçait que Damas avait Livraison. Le Premier mi¬ trouver une solution à la violations des droits de accepté le plan. «Au lende¬ nistre irakien Nouri al-Maliki crise en Syrie. Lors de leur l'homme contre les civils et main de la prétendue accepta¬ a mis en garde hier contre les réunion hier à Bagdad pour considère le massacre de Bab tion par le régime de Damas, menaces d'une «guerre ré¬ la première fois depuis Amro [quartier de la ville de nous constatons que la répres¬ gionale et internationale par

vingt-deux ans, les repré¬ Homs, ndlr] commis par les sion a encorefaitplusieurs di¬ procuration» à laquelle con¬ sentants de 21 pays arabes forces syriennes comme des zaines de victimes en une seule duirait la livraison d'armes ont témoigné d'un certain crimes contre l'humanité». journée», soulignait hier le aux deux camps. Cela «pré¬

embarras face à la situation Mais, hormis la Tunisie, Quai d'Orsay. parera le terrain pour une in¬

dans ce pays au regard de la¬ aucun pays n'a demandé le Ce que les dirigeants arabes tervention armée étrangère en quelle ils se sont montrés dé¬ départ de Bachar al-Assad. commencent à prendre en Syrie, ce quiportera.it atteinte sunis. Ils ont même révélé Et, si la résolution appelle compte, c'est que Bachar al- à la souveraineté d'un pays qu'ils étaient eux aussi en «toutes les composantes de Assad ne va pas s'en aller du arabe frère», a-t-il ajouté. crise, comme l'indique bien l'opposition à s'unifier», elle jour au lendemain. D'où leur Une déclaration qui a dû faire la présaSa&de simples am¬ n'envisage pas d'armer la ré¬ actuel embarras, en particu¬ sourire les participants qui bassadeurs pour représenter bellion pour autant. Les par¬ lier pour l'émir du Qatar et-le ont un peu de mémoire : lui- l'Arabie et le Qatar en lieu et ticipants disent aussi privilé¬ roi d'Arabie Saoudite qui même a accédé au pouvoir place de leurs dirigeants. gier «le dialogue» entre le voulaient envoyer des armes grâce à une... intervention Suspendue de la Ligue arabe, gouvernement .et l'opposi¬ aux rebelles avec l'idée que le étrangère, celle de l'armée la Syrie n'avait pas été con¬ tion et «appuyer la mission de régime allait rapidement américaine qui a chassé Sad¬ viée au sommet. Kofi Annan pour entamer des s'effondrer. Or, l'hypothèse dam Hussein, en 2003. négociations politiques sur la la plus vraisemblable est JEAN-PIERRE PERRIN base de l'initiative» approu celle d'une balkanisation de

74 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

TheNatJonal MARCH " aa

Turkey eyes Syrian crisis through lens of Kurdish stability

MARIA FANTAPPIE Kurds to leverage the Syrian Kurdish par¬ long-term civil conflict provides the best

ties to accept negotiations. opportunity for the PKK in particular to www.thenational.ae consolidate its influence and proliferate But Turkey's strategy backfired. Mr Al within Syria. As the Assad regime persists urkey appears to be keeping all Assad has not fallen as Turkey wished. in its struggle to hold onto power, it could options open for intervening in The Iraqi Kurds are pushing for their own grant even more leeway to the PYD as its Syria - even arming the opposition. H agenda and Mr Al Assad is fighting back anchor for maintaining control of the nor¬ But Ankara's failure to monitor the by allowing the PKK free rein in Syria. thern Syrian Kurdish areas. If the armed development of the Kurdish issue in Syria, The Syrian National Council failed to conflict engulfs the Kurdish areas, it could and Bashar Al Assad's struggle for power, attract and retain Kurdish members. In help the PYD grow roots in the region. have left room for others to instil their January, Kurdish parties withdrew their Being the only Syrian Kurdish party to agendas there. membership from the Syrian opposition, bear weapons, the PYD could try to gain In Syria's Kurdish-populated areas, the and 11 of them eventually gathered in the legitimacy as the protector of Kurdish civi¬ Workers' Party, the Kurdish National Council under the Iraqi lians. PKK, is expanding its military front against Kurdish umbrella. The Syrian National Turkey has tried to step into the Syrian cri¬ Turkey. Leaders in Iraqi Kurdistan are Council was left with only a few Kurdish sis under the guise of an international stretching their political influence and members and without legitimacy to form front. But so far support for intervention, campaigning for the establishment of a the basis of negotiations. both military and humanitarian, has been Kurdish region in Syria. Under the auspices of the Kurdish met with resistance. The PKK and Iraqi Kurdish agendas in National Council, the Iraqi Kurds have Therefore, a newly empowered Syrian Syria could open a Pandora's box of the expanded their political grip over the National Council could be Turkey's best Kurdish issue in Turkey, furthering Kurdish Syrian Kurdish parties. Although Kurdish route to penetrate Syria and reinstate demands for autonomy and bolstering demands in Syria were previously limited some degree of control over the Kurdish armed struggle. Turkey is in a state of to decentralisation, the Kurdish National issue. alarm. It is using all means to influence the Council's executive body is calling for a situation in Syria to avoid a domestic crisis higher degree of autonomy - applying the The Syrian National Council is now ope¬ of its own. Iraqi vision of a Kurdish region to Syria. ning a military bureau, which should be in

charge of organising the Free Syrian Army Turkey sees the Kurdish question as the As the Syrian crisis drags on, the Iraqi against the regime. Through this body, most important threat to its stability. Kurds Kurds are empowering the Kurdish Turkey could attempt to channel the sup¬ account for nearly 20 per cent of the National Council as the sole representa¬ port of the Free Syrian Army, secure its Turkish population, and their demands tive of Kurdish demands. The Iraqi Kurds loyalty in keeping the northern Syrian pro¬ range from the recognition of Kurdish cul¬ are aware that any political entity aspiring vinces under control, and halt the military tural rights to the secession of the Kurdish- to govern Syria in the near future would advancement of the PKK. populated areas from the Turkish state. need the Kurds in order to establish itself

Since 2007, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip as a legitimate power. The council may Turkey might also hope to recast the Erdogan sought to mitigate this question raise the stakes and deal only with a coun¬ Syrian National Council as the sole legiti¬ by granting Kurds some cultural rights, yet terpart that will accept its demands for a mate opposition body in Syria, in order to still preventing them from attaining signifi¬ large degree of autonomy. bring the Kurdish members back into its cant autonomy and combating separa¬ fold, and regain oversight of negotiations The PKK is also furthering its agenda and tism. on the Kurdish issue in Syria. has found in Mr Al Assad a willing ally to

Turkey saw the fall of the Assad regime as consolidate and expand its military front Channelling armed support through the

an opportunity to influence Syria's Kurds. across the Syrian frontier. In the past few Syrian National Council might serve Turkey had hoped to oversee negotiations months, the party has had carte blanche to Turkey's interest in stemming the PKK and

on the Kurdish issue by hosting the Syrian conduct its activities in the northwest Iraqi Kurdish agendas. But instead of hel¬

National Council on its soil. Ideally, after Syrian district of Afrin, in Aleppo. From ping the Syrian revolution to achieve the

Mr Al Assad fell, Kurdish rights would be Afrin, the PYD is expanding east and ope¬ regime's downfall, Turkey risks plunging

recognised within "the unity of the Syrian ning new offices in the Syrian-Turkish bor¬ Syria into an extended domestic conflict.

state". Thus, Syria's Kurds would be pre¬ der cities of Ras AI Ayn and Ayn Al Arab. vented from gaining any form of auto¬ The PKK may now use the expansion of

nomy, the PKK's branch in Syria - the its Syrian branch to establish a military Maria Fantappie is a visiting scholar at Democratic Union Party (PYD) - would be front that stretches from western Syria to undermined, and Turkey's own Kurdish eastern Iraq. Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut separatist movement would not be further The escalation of the Syrian crisis into a inflamed. Turkey was relying on the Iraqi

75 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

The Eoonomkt March 24th 2012

Turkey and the Kurds had been trained by the police to make Molotov cocktails and to organise anti-

government demonstrations. Tekosin Rebellious days Bulca, a fellow suspect, said that she had been recruited to seduce BDP mem¬

bers and report on their activities. A fresh wave of protests shows how far Turkey is from Seyma Urper, a defence lawyer, claims pacifying its Kurds that "the idea is to use these children to

provoke violence against the security DIYARBAKIR AND NUSAYBIN forces allowing the latter in turn to jus¬

tify their arrests...it is another way of

dividing and weakening the Kurds."

"FROM here on we must stop serving in 1 'y.: Kurdnh-pofHiUtrd RUSSIA The government's broader strategy the Turkish army, paying taxes and using appears to be to beat the Kurds into the Turkish language. A new phase has n GEORGIA [_ submission before drafting a new demo¬ begun." The call for defiance came Manbul « , - -"^v cratic constitution that Mr Erdogan has ' AZER. from Murat Karayilan, the top field com¬ long been promising to produce. Yet mander of the rebel Kurdistan Workers' there is also talk of introducing optional Party (PKK). He issued it after another T U R K. C Y \ Kurdish-language classes in government spate of bloody clashes in the predomi¬ schools. One of Mr Erdogan's strengths is nantly Kurdish south-east. CYPRUS **"?«* H his knack for pulling back from the SYRIA , brink. Some of his supporters suggest The unrest was sparked on March 18th that a fresh round of peace talks and when, in defiance of a government ban, r. . i a q reforms may be in the works. tens of thousands of Kurds massed in the ISRAEL AN ' - 1 i <^'Cr- : " \ . streets of Istanbul and Diyarbakir to cel¬ EGYPT /O X t,:'' Sadly, the crackdown on Kurdish nation¬ ebrate the Kurdish new year (Nowruz). alists has bolstered the BDP's overblown One Kurdish politician and a Turkish claims that AK was insincere from the policeman died, hundreds of Kurds were crowned with a deal ending the PKK's beginning. Indeed, although Mr Erdogan arrested and many others were wound¬ 28-year-long rebellion. Despite a wave insists that it is all the PKK's fault for ed as riot police, backed by helicopters of anti-PKK sweeps that landed thou¬ escalating its attacks last summer, "It is and armoured personnel-carriers fired sands of Kurds in jail, AK won half the becoming increasingly difficult to tear gas to disperse the crowds. In votes in the south-east in the June 201 1 defend . AK," contends Sahismail Batman, Ahmet Turk, a revered Kurdish general election. Yet far from using this Bedirhanoglu, chairman of the South¬ politician and a heart patient, was mandate to push ahead with reforms, eastern Businessmen and Industrialists punched in the face by a policeman and the government has gone the other way, Association in Diyarbakir. "Bonds taken to hospital. "Was it a holiday or a pounding PKK bases in Kurdish-con¬ between Turks and Kurds have never war? I couldn't tell," said Arif Arslan, trolled northern Iraq and arresting thou¬ been this stretched, we are near the who runs Batman Cagdas, a daily news¬ sands more Kurds on thinly supported breaking point." paper. charges that they are "terrorists".

Elected mayors, fire chiefs, doctors and A bigger risk lurks in Syria, which is Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime even tea boys have all been locked up. home to an estimated 2m Kurds. Syrian minister, blamed the Kurdish Peace and Kurds are believed to make up as much Democracy Party (BDP). It picked a "The number of detentions doubled last as a third of the PKK's fighting force. fight, he claimed, by ignoring govern¬ year, and torture and sexual harassment The now irreversible breach between Mr ment orders to celebrate Nowruz on its of prisoners is on the rise," says Raci Erdogan and Syria's president, Bashar official date, March 21st. The BDP Bilici, acting chairman of the south¬ Assad, may have revived Mr Assad's retorted that last year the government eastern chapter of Turkey's Human friendship with the PKK. Growing dis¬ let it move the celebrations to the Rights Association. His predecessor has cord between Iraq's Kurds in Erbil and weekend, enabling more Kurds to been in jail since 2009. The associa¬ the Shia-led central government in attendso why not this time? tion's offices have been repeatedly raid¬ Baghdad is another worry. "Sooner or

ed and its files seized. later, an independent Kurdistan is bound Until last summer Mr Erdogan's Justice to emerge," says a senior Western diplo¬ and Development (AK) party had been Mr Bilici says the government's new tac¬ mat. Either way, Turkey needs to offer holding secret talks with the PKK in Oslo tic is to coerce Kurdish youths into its own Kurds a better deal. and with its imprisoned leader, Abdullah becoming agents. Botan Cankurt, a 19- DDD Ocalan. The so-called "Kurdish open¬ year-old bus steward who is now in

ing", which saw the inauguration of prison facing terrorism charges, told a

Turkey's first state-run Kurdish- lan¬ court in Diyarbakir last month that he guage TV station, was meant to be

76 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

Hliriiyet ''ÇjÊÊ March 24, 2012 DailyNewSx»t^>

'New' Kurdish strategy item by item

esterday (Thursday) in two newspapers (Milliyet ted through democratic means and are able to exert political

and Taraf), two stories almost identical with initiative will be the interlocutors. We are going around in circles in the desire to create "a legal Kurdish political move¬ each other were published about the state's new strat¬ ment alternative to the PKK." The life of this search, which egy on the Kurdish and the PKK issues. I want to dis¬ was brought back to the agenda recently with Kemal cuss this new strategy based on one of these stories, the Burkay's return to the country, was not even a few days. one daily Milliyet's Ankara Representative Fikret Bila Since it is out of the question for the BDP to challenge penned. Bila has summarized "the milestones and the Ymraly and Kandil, in the end it seems as if the AKP will try road map it envisions" in 10 items. to solve the Kurdish issue alone.

Let's go item by item: 6) As long as the PKK continues its armed actions, armed

clashes will continue: there is not too much to be said on this. 1) In solving the Kurdish issue, no channel other than the No state can stay quiet against a force rebelling against it channel of civil politics will be trusted or used: Here, it is with arms. remarkable that, instead of a flexible sentence such as "the

civilian politics channel will be taken as a basis," it is stated 7) If there are more negotiations with the PKK, these can that no other channel will be trusted. Actually this is not a only be for them to lay down arms. This is the most key item new discourse; several governments in the past persistently of the strategy. Operations against the PKK and the KCK defended this line. The ruling Justice and Development after the elections, the isolation of Ôcalan, were all seen as Party (AKP) had, at exactly this point, the opportunity to tools to bring the PKK to its knees. We also hear that, at this make a difference because it also trusted other channels. This point, quite a mission was loaded upon the Iraqi Kurds and means that they are giving up on the search to make a diffe¬ predominantly on Barzani. However, what has been expe¬ rence. Consequently, there is no "new" approach; there is rienced so far shows that the PKK has no intention of laying rather a "return to the past" in question. down its arms.

2) Ôcalan in Imrali and PKK, the outlawed Kurdistan 8) When the PKK hands in its weapons to Turkey, it will Workers' Party - in either Kandil or in Europe - will not be be determined what kind of a procedure will be applied to recognized as interlocutors, they will be left out of the circuit. those who do not have judicial responsibility. In the event We can read this item as a kind of a self-criticism from the that the PKK lays down its weapons, since the biggest debate AKP. This is because these channels, which were partially will focus on the future of the group's leadership, this item used by previous governments, were systematically used by cannot be called very meaningful. the AKP and serious investment had been poured in them. The stance that the prime minister took during the last MYT 9) There will not be a Kurdish identity or autonomy crisis was seen as a signal that there might be a return to arrangement in the new constitution; the new constitution these types of negotiations, but obviously this is not the case. will be based on human rights and the equality of all citizens

before the law. However, it cannot be said to be within rea¬ 3) Kurdish citizens living in the southeast and other son to draw such red lines for the new constitution at the

regions will be protected from the pressure of the PKK and beginning of the road. Besides, the existing constitution also KCK (the Kurdistan Communities Union, the alleged urban claims to be based on human rights and equality of citizens wing of the PKK). Again, this is a discourse from previous before law. times. The only thing that is new is the addition of the KCK

alongside the PKK. We have seen how this item was attemp¬ 10) Local governance will be strengthened and principles ted to be implemented during the mercilessly applied KCK based on international law will be taken as a basis: After the operations; however, the last incidents have shown that it is previous item, the promise to strengthen local governments not so easy to break the connection between the people and does not sound credible at all. At the end of the day, when the organization. In fact, those steps taken to break the bond you take a look at the mindset of the state, it does not look

actually strengthened the connection. possible that a new constitution will contribute much to the

solution of the Kurdish issue. 4) With this aim, a solution will be sought through the

civilian politics channel. In an environment from which the If all 10 of these items are evaluated collectively, it does not Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) has been excluded, it is seem possible to define this strategy as "new" and hope for a obvious that what is meant by "civilian politics" is the AKP. sustainable solution from them. Q However, we can say that the ruling party, which has selec¬ ted low-profile names as deputies for the southeast, has a Rusen Çakir is a columnist for daily Vatan in which this decreased chance to address the Kurds after the policies of piece was published on March 23. It was translated into oppression that were applied after the elections. English by the Daily News staff.

5) No platform outside Parliament will be accepted as a place for a solution. Members of parties who have been elec

77 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

thedailynewsegypt.com March 27, 2012

issues, Turkey ended up being Mountains inside the KRG. Turkey, Syria, accused of siding with the Now, Syria's Kurds have Sunnis in Iraq, too, by Iraqi finally emerged as part of the Iraq and the Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. picture nationally and regio¬ With its position diametrically nally. Assuming Syria does not

opposed to that of Iran in both break up, it is highly likely that Kurdish issue Syria and Iraq, Ankara's rela¬ Syrian Kurds will enjoy more tions with Tehran also soured. rights than they ever had

This tension had already been before. What makes this inte¬ BY SOLI OZEL have the strategic upper hand building up as a result of resting is that Turkey's neme¬ on the ground. As long as Iran Turkey's inclusion in NATO's sis, the PKK, enjoys a fair continues to back it and Russia Syria, as always, is more than missile shield and the deploy¬ degree of popularity in the does not withdraw its protec¬ just Syria. The outcome of ment of the radar for this sys¬ KRG and is politically very tion, the incentive for the the deepening civil war or the tem in the Turkish province of strong among Syrian Kurds. regime to accept a mediated violent fragmentation of the Malatya. Therefore, whatever the solution or a plan to leave country will have a bearing on Given their long shared future status of Syrian Kurds in power is very weak. developments in the region, border, Turkey will be part of the new Syria, an element of This configuration and the particularly for neighboring any plausible - development trans-border solidarity and weighing in of Tehran and states. concerning Syria. Recently, perhaps cooperation will flou¬ Moscow, with Beijing tagging The strategies chosen by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip rish. This should increase the along, have thrown Ankara off the regime to fight off the Erdogan declared that Turkey KRG's power and influence and balance. Turkey invested hea¬ challenge against it have inten¬ was considering the creation of pit it against the PKK's pre¬ vily in the Syrian regime in the sified sectarian divisions. A a buffer zone inside Syria. sence in Syria. past decade; arguably, Syria prolonged civil war that fur¬ Given that this would mean an As Idrees Muhammed, an was the centerpiece of Turkey's ther consolidates these divi¬ infringement on Syrian soverei¬ observer of Turkey's foreign much vaunted "zero problems" sions is likely to engulf neigh¬ gnty and that Turkey is against policy, notes, "Should Syria's principle in its regional foreign boring Lebanon and Iraq, both international military interven¬ Kurds be granted rights, while policy. Now, this principle is in of which have had their own tion and is reluctant to inter¬ not replicating the situation of tatters. In fact, since the sectarian calamities, and put vene militarily itself, how the Iraqi Kurds, they will certainly departure of the Americans pressure on Jordan and Turkey buffer zone would be protec¬ enjoy a better life. . . . Turkish from Iraq and the failure of and possibly Israel. On the ted is not clear. Nor is it clear Kurds will feel themselves fur¬ Turkey's efforts to convince other hand, the fate of the where the legitimation for ther oppressed by state-inspi¬ Assad to reform his system, regime and the future course such a move is going to come red obstacles to greater free¬ Ankara's relations with the of the country will also be from or whether the backing of doms and, encouraged by their governments of Iran, Iraq and determined by the geopolitical the self-selected "friends of co-nationals, will be motivated Syria are highly problematic to games that have intensified in Syria" would suffice. to obtain greater Kurdish say the least. the wake of the American The issue of the buffer rights." In other words, it After the effort to convince withdrawal from Iraq. zone also brings to the fore one would be much more difficult Assad proved futile, Turkey As had often been the case of the most downplayed issues to contain the Kurdish problem estimated (wrongly it now in the past, Syria is at the cen¬ related to developments in in distinct countries as a natio¬ seems) that the regime did not ter of a strategic power play Syria and one that ties Syrian nal issue. If regional sectarian have much staying power. that pits Arab countries, developments to those in Iraq. strife does not break out and Convinced of this prognosis and Turkey, the United States and Since the , and now Syria remains territorially desiring to hold the moral high Europe against Iran. Russia, in with the unfolding events in intact, this emergence of ground, Ankara toughened its turn, seething with anger after Syria, the region's Kurdish issue trans-border Kurdish politics stance and rhetoric vis-a-vis what it considers to be a dou¬ has become truly transnatio¬ may be the most important Damascus. It supported the ble cross in Libya, is using its nal. consequence of the Syrian cri¬ opposition, allowed it to orga¬ power and ties to the regime Already in Iraq, the Kurds sis. nize inside the country, settled to sustain President Bashar enjoy a near independent sta¬ Under such circumstances, refugees in camps and hosted Assad and family in power. ture in their autonomous the Turkish government ought the commander of the Free The all-important conti¬ Kurdistan Regional to be careful about the kind of Syrian Army. After last ditch guity between Iran and Syria Government. Ironically, after buffer zone it wishes to esta¬ efforts in August failed to and, beyond that, with years of writing off the Iraqi blish. As Gokhan Bacik from change Assad's ways, Ankara Hezbollah in Lebanon, is secu¬ Kurdish leadership as simple Zirve University warns, Turkey began to strongly condemn the red by the Iraqi government's tribal leaders, Turkey has esta¬ should make sure that the Baathists and cut all dialogue, support of Assad. Such choices blished the closest of ties with zone's borders are not drawn albeit while keeping its on the part of the Iraqi leader¬ the KRG. The Kurds have emer¬ along ethnic or sectarian lines. embassy open. ship help deepen the sectarian ged as Turkey's natural ally in Soon it became evident dimension of the geostrategic Iraq, its most important tra¬ Soli Ozel teaches at Kadir Has that Turkey had a soft spot for game and increase the pres¬ ding partner and investment University and is a columnist for the Muslim Brotherhood among sure on all regimes in the destination not just regionally Haberturk newspaper. This com¬ the groups that make up the region where religious minori¬ but globally, and a partner in mentary is published by DAILY hapless Syrian National ties exist and may be restless. containing the separatist NEWS EGYPT in collaboration with Council. Long insistent on pre¬ So far, the picture suggests Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Bitterlemons- international, org. senting itself, a secular coun¬ that the Syrian regime can whose stronghold is the Kandil try, above the fray in sectarian deploy enough violence to

78 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

Le Point 29 mars 2012 1

parsanTurkes, fondateurdu MHP, v \ ' u 'h est allé se battre contre les Armé¬ V \r ' niens du Karabakh et contre les Américains en Irak, du côté des ,'*'A Turkmènes. Il aurait aussi été im¬ t: pliqué dans l'attentat contre le Conseil d'Etat en 2006. Or, sur les photos figurant dans la note de la * DCRI, il est attablé, «peu après la «o» manifestationdejanvier20i2»,zvec TayfuretFadiméErdugrul-Tastan, adjointe au maire d'Hérouville et qui serait responsable des Loups gris locaux. «Ilestabsolumentnota- ble, assure même la DCRI, que le ; mairefRodolpheThomas, fidèle de Bayrou,NDLR] estapparemmenttrès informédesactivitésparairelesdeMme / Tastanetqu'illescauûonne^ansdoute pardientélismeélectoral»Contactée, lamairie d'Hérouville-Saint-Clair, qvà«travailkencoïïaborationétroite avec (...) l'association Amiûésfranco- turques de Basse-Normandie», nie avoir connaissance des liens d'Er- Les Loups sont entrés dans Paris tugrul-Tastan avec les Loups gris.

Vitrine. D'autres clichés des cor¬ tèges attestent la présence du re¬ Réseaux. Les «absohmentpaslecaractèrefédératif Infiltrés. Des Turcs présentant desLoups gris d'Anvers, que son nom laisse supposer. Il s'agit à Paris, de celuide Strasbourg, duprésident Loups gris et autres en vérité de la couverture des seuls le 21 janvier, contre de l'organisation des jeunes « idéa¬ Loups gris, orgamsation.nationaliste l'adoption de la loi listes »belges, MuhammedAksoy. ultranationalistes parfois violente». Les Loups gris? sur le déni de géno¬ Pour la DCRI, la Fédération des turcs militent Ces jeunes militants du MHP, ul- cide. Des membres TurcsdeFranceautilisésonréseau tranationalistes.antikurdes etanti¬ du Parti d'action pour rassembler les rancrurs aussi en France. communistes, ont semé la terreur nationale d'extrême contre le projet de loi, sans se met¬ enTurquie dans les années 70, dans droite (MHP), les tre en avant. Le centre culturel des attaques contre des groupus¬ Loups gris, font partie Anatolie,parexemple,estla«uitn"rie PAR CLAIRE MEYNIAL cules d'extrême gauche, jusqu'au des manifestants. ' présentaMedelamamfestaûon»,àarA

Dans la case «Date et objet de coup d'Etat de 1980. Et même si, je président, Demir Onger, cardio¬ la manifestation», le deman¬ depuis l'élection de Devlet Bahçeli logue, parle à la presse française.

deur a inscrit «21/1/2012, à sa tête, en 1997, le MHP tente de L'association Ataturquie, plus mo¬ Contestation de la pénalisation de se montrer plus fréquentable, les dérée, Turquie News et Radio MIT, la liberté d'expression »,noble mo¬ parcours de certains participants ou encore l'Association pour la tif revendiqué par la Fransa Turk aux manifestations françaises, penséed'AtaturketleComitéTalaat Federasyon de Pantin. Officielle¬ épingles parla DCRI, donnentune Pacha, qui «semble avoir étécrééau ment, c'est laFédération des Turcs idée des sympathisants.Ainsid'un plus haut niveau de l'Etat turc afin de Officiellement, de France qui a organisé la marche certainYusufZiyaArpacik, «para¬ nier le génocide des Arméniens», ont de protestation contre le projet de militaire qui a été impliqué dans de c'est la Fédération aussiprispartatrxmanifestations. loipénalisantlanégationdu géno¬ nombreuses opérations troubles, me¬ des Turcs de France Cequirassemblecesorganisations? c nées directementou indirectementpar «L'élément nationaliste», affirme la ' cide arménien. Sauf que, comme qui organise l'indique une note de la Direction la Turquie, dont la biographie mérite DCRLpourlaquellelanégationdu ; la manifestation. centrale du renseignement inté¬ en soi d'être rapportée». Arpacik, né génocide des Arméniens «semble j rieur(DCRI),lamultitudedetracts en 1958, cumule les faits d'armes : Mais la DCRI note constituer le socle identitaire». La loi ! diffusésmontrel'rmplicationd'une engagé dans les Foyers idéalistes l'implication d'une aétéannuléeparleConseilconsti- : (nationalistes), échappé de prison tutionnel et le nouveau texte sera nébuleused'organisations.Surtout, nébuleuse d'orga¬ la Fédération des Turcs de France, deux fois, il a organisé des attentats présenté après les législatives. De nisations natio¬ branche française d'une structure contre les « ennemis des Turcs » à quoimobiliser à nouveau les com¬ paneuropéenne, n'a,selonlaDCRI, l'étranger, été garde du corps d'Al- nalistes turques. munautés turques européennes

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WMmdl Samedi 31 mars 2012 La laborieuse quête d'unité des opposants syriens

Après un an de soulèvement contre le régime de Darrias, l'opposition

n'est toujours pas une alternative crédible

Dansje RUbik's Cube syrien,

cetteface-là n'est pas la plus -J..X-" aisée à assembler. Depuis

des mois,l'unificationet l'élargisse¬ % ment de l'opposition syrienne est ir devenu le mantra des diplomaties

occidentales. Plus qu'une invita¬

tion, une injonction. «C'est une

condition sine qua non si l'on veut- espérerunjour remplacerle régime s deBacharAl-Assad, dit un diploma¬ ^ te français. Mais pour cela, ilfaut

d'abord qu'émerge une alternative crédible. Et c'est loin d'être le cas. Il

faut que le Conseil national syrien

s'ouvre plus aux minorités, aux chrétiens, aux Kurdes, aux alaoui¬ tes, auxdruzes.LeCNSdoitdirequel- Ci-dessus, Burhan Ghalioun, chefdu Conseil national syrien (CNS).

le est sa vision de la Syrie de demain Ci-contre, HaythamAl-Manna (en haut), représentant extérieurdu

et de la période transitoire. » Comité national de coordination pourlechangement démocratique,

Critiqué tant par ses parrains et Haytham Al-Maleh, un avocat islamiste qui a rejoint le CNS. reuters

que par ses concurrents, contesté

jusque dans ses rangs et miné par

les divisions, le Conseil national deux sont islamistes, dont un Frère mier ministre turc Recep Tayyip syrien (CNS) a tenté de se relancer, musulman», tempère M"" Kodma¬ Erdogan, depuis la grande répres¬ lors d'une réunion lundi 26 et mar¬ ni. «Les Frères sont les seuls à être sion du début des années 1980 qui-

di 27 mars à Istanbul. Un impératif organisés en parti politique, note les a chassés de Syrie.. car le Groupe des amis du peuple un compagnonde route du CNS. Ils

syrien, une coalition internationa¬ sont bien plus efficaces et influents Méfiance des Kurdes

le opposée à Bachar Al-Assad, qui que les autres. » Leur poids devrait Cette proximité suscite la se réunit pour la seconde fois, pas des révolutionnaires sur com¬ se dilueravecl'élargissement, déci¬ méfiance des partis kurdes, regrou¬ dimanche 1" avril enTurquie, a fait mande », afnrme-t-il. dé à Istanbul, du CNS aux hommes pés auseinduConseilnationalkur¬

du CNS le pivot de sa stratégie. d'affaires, aux militants syndi¬ de (CNK), à l'exception du PYD, «Nous sorions de cinquante ans Interférences étrangères cauxet à plus de représentants des membre du CNCD. Ils ont claqué la de désert politique, plaide Bàssma Le CNCD n'est pas venu à comités révolutionnaires locaux. porte de la réunion d'Istanbul au Kodmani, la porte-parole du CNS. Il Istanbul. Il avait conclu avec le CNS George Sabra, membre du prétexte que leurdemande d'auto¬ n'estpasfacile de mettre surpied en au Caire, le 31 décembre 2011, un nomie, voire d'autodétermina¬ bureau exécutif du CNS, chrétien quelques mois unconseildesooper- accord qui a capoté à cause de la tion, n'était pas dans le document et marxiste, défend la confrérie : sonnes avec un fonctionnement pres.sion des islamistes etdu Qatar, final -.«On ne peutpps prendre des «ies Frères ont publié le 25 mars, bienrôdé. On nousdemandedepar¬ accuse M.Manna; parce que le engagements sur l'avenirà laplace une déclaration de principe que ler d'une seule voix, c'est irréaliste. CNCD ne voulait pas entendre par¬ du peuple syrien», rétorque j'auraipu signer. Ils reconnaissent Nous nesommespas lepartiBaas. » ler de l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL), M. Sabra. Malgré tout, le dialogue mêmela liberté de croyance. » Malgré ses dysfonctionne¬ explique le CNS. Depuis, la tension entre le CNK et le CNS Teste ouvert. Le CNS est sans cesse tiraillé ments, le CNS reste la seule plate¬ règne entre les deux organisations. Beaucoup plus qu'entre laïques entre Doha, Istanbul et Paris, où Atel point qu'un dirigeant occiden¬ et islamistes, laligne de fracture au forme largement reconnue par les chacun a une idée précise de la manifestants en Syrie. L'autre tal, exaspéré, a parlé de «suicide ». façon dont les choses doivent se sein du, CNS passe entre exilés coalition,* le Comité national de En revanche, d'autres forma¬ passer. Et où chacun a ses sources anciens et_exilés récents, comme coordination pour le changement tions, comme le Mouvement et ses relais. Ainsi.Bassmà Kodma¬ le note Thomas Pienet, spécialiste démocratique (CNCD), de Hassan démocratique pour la réforme ni, qui a fondé le centre d'études de la Syrie à l'université d'Edim¬ Abdel Azim, est jugé trop molle d'Ammar Al-Qourabi, viennent de Arab Reform Initiative, Basé à bourg. Les seconds, qui viennent avecle régime et trop « intellectuel- rejoindre le CNS. Haytham Paris, est régulièrement accusée tout juste de quitter l'enfer de la le» :sesprincipauxmembres vien¬ Al-Maleh, un avocat islamisteindé¬ d'être trop proche de la France ou répression en Syrie, ne compren¬ pendant,quiavaitannoncé sa dissi¬ nent quasiment tous de la gauche des Américains, parce qu'elle a diri- nent pas toujours que les premiers dence du CNS, est rentré au bercail. nationaliste arabe ou kurde. Pour gé un temps la succursale cairote hésitent à soutenir la lutte armée Lé reproche le plus souvent fait Haytham Ai-Marina, représentant de la Ford Foundation. où à appeler à une intervention au CNS est celui d'être manipulé du CNCD à l'étranger, le CNS est le Quant aux Frères musulmans étrangère. Ils acceptent mal de se par les islamistes, censés être sous jouet de puissances étrangères syriens, plusieurs d'entre eux sont voir dicter leurs positions, voire le influence étrangère. « Surles douze comme le Qatar, l'Arabie Saoudite membres de l'AKP, le parti du pre choix de leur représentant; pardes membres du bureau exécutif, seuls et la Turquie : «Nous ne sommes

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En demandant aux différentes, des groupes plutôt que sur celle des personnes connues en Occident au CNS. Les Occidentaux se sont positions». «Ilauraitfallu commen¬ mais absentes de Syrie depuis des aussi fourvoyés dans leur appro¬ factions de s'unir, on a provoqué un émiettement : chacun a voulu cerpar travailler sur un texte com¬ décennies. Enfin, les exilés récents, che. «Il auraitpeut-êtrefallu pren¬ arriver à la table des négociations mun et laisser de côté les questions comme George Sabra, reprochent dre le problème à l'envers, fait sous son étiquette, pour négocier organisationnelles », afffrme-t-il. au CNS de n'avoir pas assez soute¬ remarquer un bon connaisseur au mieux son ralliement. Un diplo¬ . Christophe Avad nu les révolutionnaires par des des affaires syriennes. Commencer mate arabe regrette pour sa part et Benjamin barthe dons et de l'aide humanitaire. par reconnaître le CNS aurait créé Tous les forts ne reviennent pas une dynamique d'intégration. » qu'on ait insisté sur « l'unification

. INTERNATIONAL îtalus^SribUttt MARCH 30, 2012

Baghdad summit meeting underscores

divisions among Arab leaders

cussed," Iraq's foreign minister, brambles of concertina wire, entire BAGHrJAD Hoshyar Zebari, said at a news confer¬ neighborhoods are blockaded. On Thursday, residents in several neighbor¬ ence on Wednesday night. BYJACKHEALY The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Thurs¬ hoods in western Baghdad said they had no cellphone service, suggesting that the Under heavy security and a clear blue day repeated its rejection of any moves government had cut the mobile net¬ sky, Arab leaders stepped off their related to Syria, whose membership of works to try to prevent terrorist attacks. private planes in Baghdad on Thursday the Arab League has been suspended be¬ So far, central Baghdad has been al¬ to gather for a meeting billed as a show cause of the violence in the country. The most eerily quiet, its congested streets of unity but underscoring divisions Syrian Arab News Agency, the state empty. The government has declared a among Arab nations about the bloody news outlet, quoted a spokesman, Jihad national holiday for the meeting, so crisis in Syria. Maqdisi, as saying Syria's relationship many Iraqis are staying home to watch Soon after they arrived, a muffled ex¬ with Arab countries since its suspension the coverage of the meeting on televi¬ plosion was heard near thé gathering, were conducted on a state-by-state basis. sion, or they have decamped to the north¬ apparently caused by a mortar landing "Therefore it won't deal with any Arab ern Kurdistan region to avoid the hassles not far from the Iranian Embassy. Offi¬ League initiative at any level in its ab¬ of checkpoints and random searches. cials at the Arab;League gathering said sence," the spokesman said. Security officials hailed their mea¬ there were no casualties. The area sur¬ For Iraqi officials, the goal of the Bagh¬ sures as a success. rounding the meeting had been sealed dad gathering was never a breakthrough "We were able to defuse the terrorist off by security-forces in advance. to resolve the increasingly sectarian plans and hold back the attacks," said The explosion underscored the fact conflict in Syria. Their aim was to show¬ Dhia al Wakeel, a security spokesman. that the city is rocked by mortar and case Iraq as a safe and stable country "That proves that they are helpless to rocket attacks and improvised explo¬ that had emerged from more than two disturb the atmosphere of the Arab sions nearly every day. As they sought dark decades of war, sanctions, occupa¬ summit." to secure Baghdad for the Arab gather¬ tion and status as a diplomatic pariah. ing, Iraqi officials pointedly avoided pre¬ At least 10 leaders are attending the Yasir Ghazi contributed reporting. dictions that they would be able to pre¬ summit, including those of Lebanon, Su¬

vent such attacks during the meeting. dan, Tunisia and Kuwait, which was in¬ The arrival of Arab leaders was the vaded by Saddam Hussein in 1990. The culmination of a three-day meeting of U.S. secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, Arab League nations, a landmark event was also in Baghdad to promote the six- for Iraqi leaders looking to polish their point peace proposal and addressed his reputation and prestige. But on the commepts on Thursday to Mr. Assad. most pressing questions facing the Arab "The world is waiting for commitments world, the gathering has offered more to be translated into action," he said. symbolism than substance. Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which have On Wednesday night, Arab diplomats led calls for more aggressive action urged Syria to adhere to a cease-fire against Syria's government, have sent only lower-level emissaries to Baghdad.

The meeting has offered more In an interview with Al Jazeera, Qatar's prime minister said his nation was symbolism than substance. "sending a message" about its displeas¬ ure with growing sectarianism among

plan brokered by the United Nations, Iraq's Shiite leaders. echoing calls from other international To prepare Baghdad for the meeting, diplomats. But the Arab ministers and Iraq spent $500 million on hotel renova¬ ambassadors signaled that they would tions, bouquets, lavish meals and sleek go no further, refusing to adopt mea¬ black Mercedes sedans, and placed the sures calling for the resignation of Syr¬ capital under a virtual lockdown. ia's president, Bashar al-Assad, or to As many as 100,000 security forces

arm opposition fighters. have descended on the city. Nearly "We have no new initiative to bring every bridge over the Tigris River is except for the issues we've already dis closed to traffic. Roads are closed by

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Wn-SNATCWAL ïleralo^llfinributte MARCH 27, 2012 Iraqi hope on

BAGHDAD

Hosting Arab League, display at summit leaders seek to reclaim peting ports and access to the Gulf. Its Muslims," said the Iraqi foreign minis¬ influential role in region own military leaders admit they cannot ter, Hoshyar Zebari. "It was one of our secure the desert borders that are con¬ major obstacles to get this country back duits for drugs, weapons and militants. BYJACKHEALY on its feet, to show it has become a nor¬ And its efforts at fence-mending as mal country." As Arab leaders converge on Baghdad well as Iraq's reluctant, tepid calls for Questions of how to stop the bleeding for a landmark summit meeting this change in Syria may be real steps to¬ in Syria are likely to dominate the sum¬ week, they will be treated to carefully ward reintegrating Iraq back into the mit meeting. The Arab League has sent chosen glimpses of a new Iraq: gleam¬ Arab world. Or they could simply be the monitoring teams into Syria which ing hotel lobbies, renovated palaces and price Iraqi leaders are willing to pay to failed to stem the violence there and young palm trees lining an airport high¬ avoid the embarrassment of a half-filled called for a peaceful transition. Its lead¬ way once called the Road of Death. meeting hall. ers are not expected to call for military For Iraqi diplomats and officials, the Syria, which has been suspended intervention or armed support to the op¬ three-day meeting of the Arab League is from the Arab League, will not attend. position. a banner moment for a country emerging Syria remains a divisive issue between Although Arab League members will from decades of war, occupation and dip¬ Iraq and its Sunni Arab neighbors. Re¬ probably acknowledge the waves of lomatic isolation. Iraqi leaders see a rare cently, Iranian cargo planes suspected popular uprising, few observers expect chance to reassert themselves as players of carrying weapons have crossed any of them to ask hard questions about in a transformed Arab world by hosting through Iraqi airspace, bound for Syriai, the pessimism, violence and stagnation the first major diplomatic event in Iraq whose government is a staunch Iranian that have set in after the heady rush of since U.S. troops withdrew in December. ally. After repeated entreaties from U.S. the Arab Spring. But just beyond the cement walls and officials, Mr. Maliki has responded and Iraq is eager to keep any discussion of freshly planted petunias of the Interna¬ the flights appear to have all but its own problems out of the meeting. It tional Zone lies a ragged country with a stopped. does not want to talk about accusations bleaker view. Out in the real Iraq, sui¬ Over the next few days in Baghdad, of the creeping authoritarian rule under cide bombings still rip through the the. leaders at the summit meeting will Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, a streets. Sectarian divisions have para¬ gather in the former Republican Palace,, Shiite; the bitter disenfranchisement of lyzed its politics and weakened its one of several government buildings Iraq's Sunni minority; or a worsening stature with powerful neighbors like and hotels that have been remodeled dispute between Baghdad and Kurdish Saudi Arabia and Iran, who use money with new chandeliers, marble, wood leaders in northern Iraq over control of and militias to aggressively pursue trim and the other gilded trappings of oil resources and division of the national their own agendas inside Iraq. Despite what Iraq aspires to look like. budget. its aspirations to wield influence as a The. government has also spent mil' But Iraq's weakness abroad starts at new Arab democracy, Iraq may well re¬ lions to redeploy thousands of security home. If it wants to truly re-engage with main more of a stage than an actor. forces to the capital and is juggling the region as an independent Shiite But that is not for lack of effort to re¬ transportation and accommodations for Arab nation that can counterbalance claim its role as a powerful player in the thousands of leaders, diplomats and powerful neighbors like Iran, Saudi Ara¬ region. In recent weeks, Iraqi diplomats journalists. It has bought 2,000 suits and bia and Turkey, analysts say it will have intensified a campaign of deal-making 2,000 ties with the summit meeting's in¬ to move beyond the rigid sectarianism and diplomacy aimed at wooing Sunni signia. It is corralling 600 cars. It is that defines its politics and divides its Arab nations while trying to refute the spending $600,000 on stationery and $1 voice abroad. popular suspicion that its rulers are million on flowers. ' 'Iraq's internal issues arid differing tools of Shiite Iran. In Baghdad's streets, the response to interpretations of threats and interests Iraq and Kuwait recently resolved a the Arab summit meeting is complex. make it difficult for the country to pur¬ $500 million dispute over reparations Some Iraqis see it as a source of national sue a coherent, unified foreign policy from the GulfWar, an agreement that will pride. Others, with a pessimism as hard- and to project its influence," Emma Sky, now allow Iraq's state-owned airplanes baked as desert soil, dismiss it as a a former adviser to Gen. Raymond T. to venture abroad without fear of being waste of money by a self-serving politic¬ Odierno, the onetime U.S. commander in seized to pay off its old war debts. Iraq al elite. Fears abound that the summit Iraq, wrote inaforthcoming paper. also agreed to provide $408 million in meeting will attract more suicide Just one day after the last U.S. troops back pay owed to Egyptian workers who bombers to Baghdad than heads of left the. Chiite government set off a fled Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait. state. maelstrom by accusing the Sunni vice And last month, Iraq and Saudi Arabia The meeting was postponed last April president of rurining death squads. The tried to overcome years of discord and because of the upheaval in the region, political opposition is divided and rud¬ distrust by signing ajoint security agree¬ giving Iraqi leaders more time to polish derless. And a progressive youth move¬ ment and discussing an exchange of the areas of the city visible to delegates ment, formed in the image of the Tahrir prisoners. The Saudis also named their with new sidewalks, streetlights, foun¬ Square uprising, has been pulverized by first ambassador to Iraq in two decades, tains and grass. But in the poorer pre¬ arrests, intimidation and infiltration by though he will remain based in Amman. cincts of Baghdad, where gutters flow Mr. Maliki's increasingly autocratic The summit meeting, the first such with raw sewage and the power comes government. meeting of the Arab League since popu¬ on for just four hours a day, little has Vestiges from decades of war linger. lar uprisings began to sweep the region changed. Every year, Iraq still pays billions of dol¬ last year, remains a great gamble for Every Iraqi did get one thing, though : lars in reparations to Kuwait for Saddam Iraq after more than two years and $500 In honor of the summit meeting and Hussein's disastrous invasion. Five per¬ million worth of preparations. to reduce the congestion and chaos of cent of Iraq's oil revenues are being gar¬ "This country has been isolated, vehicle bans- and checkpoints the nished as war reparations to Kuwait, and sanctioned, was a rogue state expelled government has declared a weeklong the two nations are scrabbling over com from the ranks of the Arabs and national holiday.

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TIME

February 27, 2012

In the Arena be Klein

TO READ JOE'S BLOG POSTS, GO TO ilme.com/swampland

Is Iran Dangerous or Desperate? Khalaji should know: his father is an ayatullah who was imprisoned for a time Both. How Obama and the Israelis have by the regime. The real power in Tehran is the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps backed Iran's leaders into a corner (1RGQand there are signs that the IRGC is growing impatient with the Supreme

Leader as well. Obama's diplomacy, aug¬

HOW DANGEROUS IS IRAN, REALLY? show that it is intimidated by Israel's re¬ mented by Israel's hints ofviolence to Rick Santorum, who truly is a severe taliatory capabilities: Where are the truck come, has backed Khamenei into a corner. conservative, says, "The theocracy bombs ofyesteryear? How intimidating His only reasonable option is to negotiate. that runs Iran is the equivalent ofhaving can attacks in New Delhi and Tbilisi be But Khamenei is not a reasonable man. al-Qaeda in charge of a country." Israeli compared with murders carried out in the

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be¬ streets ofTehran? Even Iran's nuclear proj¬ It is difficult to sustain fanaticism. Iran's lieves Iran is run by a theocratic death cult ect has been severely compromised by an religious zeal had faded by 1989, when its thatwill attack Israel as soon as it gets a ongoing, joint U.S.-Israeli sabotage effort; original revolutionary leader, Ayatullah nuclearweapon. And given Iran's twitchy, experts say a successful nuclear weapon is Ruhollah Khomeini, died. The country trigger-happy behavior this winter the at least two years away. was exhausted and decimated by a million alleged "stickybomb" attacks on Israeli The Iranian collapse has not happened casualties suffered in the war against Iraq. diplomats in India and Georgia, the bomb by accident. It has been stage-managed by "There were two models that Khamenei factory that exploded in Thailand, the the Obama Administration. Even the "fail¬ considered when he came to power," says alleged plot to kill a Saudi diplomat in ure" ofPresident Obama's initial efforts to Karim Sadjadpour ofthe Carnegie Endow¬ Washington, the threats to close the Strait ment for International Peace, who has ofHormuz, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's done a close study ofKhamenei's writings. nuclear braggadocio Santorum's and Ne¬ "There was the Chinese model, which was tanyahu's extravagant fears would appear favored by [then] President Hashemi Raf- to have some basis in fact. Israel is certainly sanjani: buildthe economy, seek rap¬ acting as ifIran were an imminent threat, prochement with the West but retain dropping hints very unusual for the tra¬ complete political power." Khamenei was ditionally mum Israelis that a military obsessed by a Russian example, though: strike against Iran's nuclear facilities may Mikhail Gorbachev had just proved that if be coming sooner ratherthan later. you compromise, you collapse. "Khame¬ nei has never compromised. He has been Or maybe not. The reality is that Iran unrelenting and unengageable." - right now is more desperate than danger¬ Today the Chinese path is more compel¬ ous. Its economy is collapsing under the lingthan ever especially since the Revo¬ weight ofbrutal sanctions. Its prime ally, lutionary Guards control about 30% ofthe

Syria, seems to be collapsing as well. Its in¬ economy and are getting clobbered by the ternal politics are fractured. Ahmadinejad negotiate with the regime served a larger sanctions. But there is a new model to con¬ has been humiliated and marginalized by purpose: it made clear to the Europeans, sider: Pakistan. "Some Revolutionary Supreme Leader AyatullahAli Khamenei; Russians and Chinese that Iran's leader¬ Guard leaders see that as soon as Pakistan most ofAhmadinejad's allies were struck ship was intransigent, which made Rus¬ gained nuclear capability, the world had to from the ballot for the coming parliamen¬ sian and Chinese cooperation on the U.N. treat itwith more respect," Sadjadpour

tary elections. And Iran's alleged attempts sanctions possible. Now Iran is nearly iso¬ says. But Iran's economy is likely to col¬

to cause mayhem in the world the lated inthe world, the regime is extremely lapse before the Pakistani option is viable. bombings, the assassination plot in Wash¬ unpopular domestically, and its revolu¬ And Obama shows no sign ofmaking any

ington (which, I'm toldby intelligence tionary fervor has ebbed. Far from being concessions until Iran stops enriching ura¬

sources, was as real as it was weird) have the theocratic martyrdom cult that Santo¬ nium and opens its nuclear books. been marked by ineptitude and utter fail¬ rum and others allege, Iran is a fairly tradi¬ Iran faces its greatest crisis since 1979. ure, especially when compared with the tional military dictatorship with a patina The Supreme Leader faces the defining

alleged, but likely, Israeli campaign to as¬ ofreligiosity. "Khamenei has marginal¬ choice ofhis career: compromise or col¬ sassinate Iran's nuclear scientists. Indeed, ized the clergy," says Mehdi Khalaji ofthe lapse. One way or the other, his time

the pathetic nature ofIran's responses Washington Institute for Near East Policy. is running out.

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. BmBlATTONAL Heralfcâ&Mnme friday, march 30, 2012 Belgium joined many other nations, in¬ cluding the United States, Turkey, Euro¬ Syria by the United Nations and the pean powers and Arab countries, in Arab League. Syrian rebels closing its embassy in Damascus. Mr. Assad said in a letter quoted by The Local Coordinating Committees, news agencies on Thursday that he a Syrian activist group, said 26 people would "spare no effort" to make Mr. An' stepping up had been killed in the country by mid- nan's mission succeed but that it would afternoon on Thursday. depend on an agreement from armed The activists, whose reports could not groups to stop what he called their "ter¬ attacks on be independently verified because of rorist acts." government reporting restrictions, said The Aleppo shootings also seemed to confrontations had been reported in underscore the increasingly violent and Assad forces many parts of Syria, from Aleppo and targeted nature of the uprising with at¬ Idlib in the north to the suburbs of Da¬ tacks on places regarded as relatively mascus, the capital. quiet bastions of support for Mr. Assad. BEIRUT Mr. Assad's exiled adversaries are The Syrian Arab News Agency reported meeting in Istanbul before a gathering that four assailants in a car opened fire BYHALADROUBI there on Sunday of the so-called Friends on thetwo officers, identified as Col. Ab- AND ALAN COWELL of Syria, a coalition including Western dul-Karim al-Raei from the Northern and Arab nations seeking Mr. Assad's Syrian rebels seemed to intensify at¬ Command and Col. Fouad Shaaban from ouster. Secretary of State Hillary Rod¬ tacks on individual members of Presi¬ what was called the military's appoint¬ ham Clinton is set to attend. dent Bashar al-Assad 's security forces ments directorate. The exiles, grouped mainly in the Syr¬ on Thursday, with the state news media The Syrian authorities accused the ian National Council, have not so far giv¬ in Syria reporting that insurgents had rebels of targeting "the national expert¬ en a formal response to the Annan pro¬ kidnapped an air force general near Da¬ ise and intellectuals." posals but have voiced skepticism about mascus while gunmen in the northern The news agency also said an "armed its chances of success, referring to a city of Aleppo fatally shot two army col¬ terrorist group" usually reference to proposal last November by the Arab onels as they drove to work. army defectors and rebels grouped in the League that Mr. Assad accepted but has The attacks, both in broad daylight, Free Syrian Army had "kidnapped" a not carried out. seemed to reflect an attempt by oppo¬ pilot holding the rank of brigadier gener¬ "We know that there was a initiative nents of Mr. Assad to demonstrate that al while "he was heading to his job" in of the Arab League and the regime pre¬ they could strike with impunity. Else¬ the countryside around Damascus. The tended that they agreed, but what where, video posted by activists showed happened?" said V?alid Banani, a mem¬ seemed to be evidence of a fresh "There are more killings, ber of the Syrian National Council, at a bombardment of the central city of mass murders and news conference in Istanbul. "There Homs, a focal point of the yearlong up¬ no withdrawal of are more killings, mass murders and ho rising. withdrawal of forces from streets." The shelling in Homs, coupled with forces from streets." "So, it's another way of going around the daily tally of violence elsewhere, ap¬ and gaining more time," he said, refer¬ peared to contradict assertions that Mr. ring to Mr. Assad's apparent accept¬ Assad has accepted a six-point peace agency identified the officer as Brig- ance of the plan, "so we hope that it's plan proposed by Kofi Annan, a former Gen. Pilot Mohammed Omar al-Derbas. not another maneuver by the régime secretary general of the United Nations Syria's international isolation, mean¬ and we lose more lives." who was designated a special envoy to while, seemed to deepen yet further as

THE TIMES March 30, 2012 OF ISRAEL

armed forces. According to one youth in the camp, training

Syrian Kurds began last week south of the Kurdish capital Irbil following a

decision of "the highest ranks of the Kurdistan Democratic 'training in Iraq for party (KDP)," led by the region's President Masoud Barazani.

The Kurdish youth told xabar24 that the training is shrouded in

the day after Assad' secrecy, with cadets banned from leaving the training grounds. He added that the military training will allow Kurds to "intervene Kurds break from Syrian opposition after hopes in the Kurdish areas [of Syria] to prevent chaos when the for an autonomous region are dashed Syrian regime falls."

Kurds, a Sunni Muslim ethnic minority, comprise an estimated By Elhanan Miller 9% of Syria's population,, mostly concentrated in the country's

north and north-east. Many Kurds have fled Syria to the neigh¬

Kurdish citizens of Syria have fled to the autonomous region boring Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, as Assad's crack¬

of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, where they are receiving mili¬ down on Syrian towns intensified over the past months. tary training in preparation for the post-Assad era, an Arabic-

language Kurdish website reported Thursday. Kurdish representatives stormed out of a Syrian opposition meeting in Istanbul Tuesday, after their demands for an

According to xabar24, at least 330 Kurdish Syrians are being autonomous federal region within Syria went unmet.O trained in a military camp run by the Peshmerga, the Kurdish

84 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

30 mars 2012 îallonor .lr

les dirigeants kurdes syriens affirment Les Kurdes, les grands ne vouloir qu'un système fédéral leur garantissant la citoyenneté, le droit de

propriété; un système éducatif en

langue kurde et une répartition équi¬

oubliés du conflit syrien table des recettes budgétaires.

Les Kurdes vivent pour la plupart dans l'est, riche en pétrole, de la Syrie et dans le nord-est limitrophe de la

Turquie, dans la région rurale d'Ifrine.

D'importants quartiers de Damas et

d'Alep, la capitale économique située à moins de 50 km de la frontière

turque, sont aussi dominés par des

Kurdes.

Certains dans les rangs de l'opposition syrienne ne cachent pas

leurs craintes de voir les revendica¬ tions des Kurdes déboucher sur une "* ak. tentation sécessionniste.

t {'/ . . ^ \\ "^C^ ' ""~* En outre, insistent-ils, leur accor- JSÉfk ,- *S i*'^ " t: der trop de droits risquerait de

_.~ *r ; ', déplaire à la Turquie, qui a déjà maille "' ' ^ '* ''.-> à partir avec sa propre et remuante

minorité kurde, et d'affaiblir le soutien

apporté par Ankara au soulèvement Manifestant brandissant des drapeaux kurdes et de l'opposition syrienne lors d'une svrien marche contre le Bachar al Assad la semaine dernière à Kamichli, dans l'est de la . . . Syrie. Photo prise le 23 mars 2012/REUTERS/Shaam News Network ,La Pnonté reste de faire chuter Bachar al Assad , explique 1 une des

figures de l'opposition, le sunnite

ment des Kurdes au mouvement Najati Tayyara, très respecté des

d'insurrection anti-Assad pourrait Kurdes. p«"^i'Ya^b"o^ek'-CROTte^)' cePendaf se révéler décisif et faire La mouvance kurde de Syrie a la pencher la balance. particularité d'être extrêmement frag-

ISTANBUL - Les Kurdes de Syrie, qui Mais leurs profondes divisions mentée, avec des partis régionaux représentent environ dix pour cent internes et la méfiance des Kurdes à kurdes soutenant des groupes rivaux, de la population, sont les grands l'égard du CNS et des autres mouve- Il existe même une formation kurde oubliés du soulèvement vieux d'un an rnents d'opposition arabes font que syrienne qui a pris fait et cause pour le contre le régime de Bachar al Assad. cette communauté ne s'est pas vrai- régime de Damas. "La question kurde est une bombe ment associée jusqu ici à la lutte La plupart des partis kurdes se à retardement. On ne peut attendre la armée. sont rassemblés cette année sous la chute de Bachar al Assad pour la La réunion d'Istanbul s'est achevée bannière du Congrès national kurde régler!", se lamente Radif Moustafa, sur un accord visant à élargir le CNS (CNK) pour soutenir le soulèvement

l'un des défenseurs de longue date de assorti d'une promesse de réconcilia- syrien et plaider la cause kurde,

la cause kurde. bon et de création d'un Etat démocra- Les espoirs des Kurdes syriens ont tique une fois le régime Assad ren- tjnjh "LIGNE ROUGE" POUR été douchés lors de la réunion, cette versé. ANKARA

semaine à Istanbul, du Conseil natio- Les Kurdes ont alors quitté les nal syrien (CNS), dominé par les isla- débats en refusant de signer la décla- T ^XTT^ ,, ,c , .. J c. a I a a ^ a i u. ,. .. * ** Le CNK, qui bénéficie du souhen mistes, qui a refusé une demande de rataon finale omettant toute référence , ± * i ? j ^ i^-ij-^ ,. ». du gouvernement regional au pouvoir reconnaissance de cette importante a leurs droits propres en tant que com- £ ,. . . , . ° ., .. . , .,, ,_ ,. .. r . ..* i . L j.t ,. i i ^ au Kurdistan irakien, est la principale minonté et ses revendicabons autono- munaute, le texte d Istanbul se conten- , ,. , , , , r, , r t . . ,, j . faction kurde a avoir claqué la porte mistes. tant d une promesse de reconnais- , _, , , . _,,T . , , r j j -,. j- -j i j ,. lors de la réunion d Istanbul. Adversaires de longue date du sance des droits individuels de tous ., _ . , ° j îpc Cvripn»; L autre grande faction kurde parb Baas au pouvoir a Damas depuis i«> oyn«is>. ° j ,, . r. T, , . r , syrienne, le Parb de 1 union démocra¬ des décennies, les Kurdes syriens sont J / i. - j n ^ j ,_ t L .. j ^ bque (PUD), a 1 appui du Parb des tra- pourtant restes, en grande partie soi- TENTATION SÉCESSIONNISTE? va\lleure du Kurdistan (PKK, forma- gneusement a 1 écart des dernières .. . , , . ° ., H bon kurde de Turquie qui prone la

Contrairement à l'Irak, où les lutte armée contre le gouvernement Pour le cercle de réflexion britan- Kurdes ont obtenu la création d'une central d'Ankara) et se tient à l'écart de nique Henry Jackson Society, le rallie- région semi-autonome dans le Nord, toutes les activités de l'opposition.

85 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

Le père de Bachar al Assad, Hafez, PKK constituerait une nouvelle "ligne aux Kurdes en promulguant notam¬

décédé en 2000, avait donné l'asile rouge" pour Ankara, qui s'est élevé ment un décret accordant la nationa¬

politique durant de longues années à contre la répression par le régime de lité syrienne aux Kurdes qui en

Abdullah Ôcalan, le chef du PKK turc, Damas des manifestations prodémo¬ avaient été privés à la suite d'un recen¬

avant de le renvoyer à l'étranger où il cratiques ainsi que contre l'escalade sement remontant aux années 1960.

a fini par se faire enlever par des du conflit. Mais d'après des activistes kurdes, agents secrets turcs. "Apo" croupit Le PUD, considéré comme un seuls 6.000 des quelques 150.000' actuellement dans une prison d'une île obligé de Damas, est accusé par Kurdes apatrides ont en fait retrouvé de la mer Egée. l'opposition syrienne d'agir au nom la nationalité syrienne et la plupart

Bachar al Assad a, pour sa part, du régime en place en réprimant les des mesures discriminatoires, comme

coopéré avec les Turcs pour réprimer manifestations dans les régions l'interdiction de l'enseignement de la

les maquisards du PKK dans le cadre kurdes et en assassinant des militants langue kurde, sont toujours en place.*

d'un réchauffement des relations entre anti-Assad.

Damas et Ankara. Au début de la révolte syrienne,

Un nouveau soutien de Damas au Bachar al Assad a fait des concessions

SB

Les minorités syriennes ne se sentent pas représentées par le CNS

mardi 27 mars 2012

ParRFI

Plusieurs organisations de l'opposition se sont réunies

ces 25 et 26 mars 2012 à Istanbul, en Turquie, pour tenter

de mettre en place une plateforme commune, une

semaine avant la conférence des Amis de la Syrie. Malgré

les appels à l'union d'une partie de l'opposition, les diver¬

gences persistent sur le fond.

La réunion à Istanbul de ce lundi 26 mars a été convoquée à

l'initiative du Qatar et de la Turquie. L'idée est bien de tenter d'unifier les voix de l'opposition, comme l'avait demandé Kofi t \»'* Annan. Mais toute l'opposition n'y sera pas représentée.

Khaled Issa est le vice-président de la section étrangère du

Comité de la coordination nationale pour le changement

démocratique (CCNCD), un groupe de l'opposition qui refuse 21 mars 2012, à l'occasion de la fête de Navrouz, un manifes¬ de participer à la réunion convoquée par le Qatar et la Turquie tant anti-al-Assad brandit le drapeau de l'opposition syri¬ ce 26 mars. Selon lui, les minorités -dont les Kurdes- ne sont enne (à dr. sur photo), à côté du drapeau kurde. © Reuters pas sûres d'être entendues, et le poids du Conseil national

syrien est déséquilibré : « Les chrétiens sont inquiets, les

alaouites, les druzes, les ismaéfiens, les Kurdes, inquiets. sont opposées au régime soient unifiées. C'est en étant Notre Comité de coordination qui regroupe 15 partis politiques présent au sein de cette opposition unie que les organisations et un grand nombre d'intellectuels, ne disons pas que nous ne peuvent peser de tout leur poids ! » représentons toute la population mais le Conseil national

syrien, non plus ». Malgré cet appel à l'unité du Conseil national syrien, les for¬

mations comme le CCNCD n'ont pas été à Istanbul. Elles Certains reprochent la présence importante de représentants souhaitent une réunion dans un lieu plus neutre qu'Istanbul, islamistes au sein du Conseil mais pour Bassma Kodmani, comme Genève par exemple, et sous l'égide directe de Kofi porte parole du CNS, l'heure est justement à l'union de toutes Annan pour réaliser sur le fond une véritable union de les forces d'opposition et il faudrait désormais trouver une l'opposition. base commune au-delà des divergences communautaires : «

Il est indispensable aujourd'hui que toutes les formations qui

86 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

PaiUllJtTss MARCH 30, 2012

individual rights for all. senior opposition figure Najati

SEPARATISM OR RIGHTS? Tayyara, a liberal Sunni respec¬

Kurds struggle Unlike Iraq, where Kurds ted by the Kurds.

rule a semi-autonomous region In the middle of Ayn al- for recognition in the north, Syrian Kurdish lea¬ Arab, secret police headquar¬ ders say they only want a fede¬ ters and observation points

ral system that would guarantee stand like fortresses, in marked in Syrian revolt citizenship, property rights, contrast to Mursitpinar, the Kurdish language education neat Turkish town just across

and an equitable budget distri¬ the border. The towns are sepa¬

bution. rated by the old Berlin-to-

They point to a wide distri¬ Baghdad railway.

bution of Kurds across several Intelligence agents fled the

regions of the country, and compounds during protests

their integration into Syrian that swept Kurdish areas of

society and the job market, Syria in 2004, returning after

which makes autonomy imprac¬ Assad's forces put down the

tical. revolt, in which 30 people were

Most of Syria's Kurds live in killed.

the east, where the country's When the revolt against

f oilfields he, in the arid region of Assad's rule broke out in sou¬

Ayn al-Arab, and in the Ifrin thern Syria, crowds took to the

agricultural area on the border streets across Kurdish regions

Se with Turkey. to denounce the president.

Large neighbourhoods of Authorities, fearful of provo¬

the capital Damascus and the king the Kurds, generally have

commercial hub of Aleppo, just refrained from using deadly Demonstrators holding Kurdish and Syrian opposition flags 45 km (28 miles) east of the bor¬ force to put down protests in gather during a protest against Syria's President Assad in der with Turkey, also are domi¬ Kurdish regions. Qamishli (HANDOUT, REUTERS I March 25, 2012) nated by Kurds. REGIONAL RIVALRIES

"When I went to school I did The Kurds also are deeply

not know a word of Arabic and divided among themselves, with guarantees minority rights," 1 was wondering why the tea¬ regional Kurdish parties By Khaled Yacoub Oweis Mustafa told Reuters. cher did not teach us to write backing rival groups and one 'The Kurdish issue is a time Kurdish," said Mustafa, who is Syrian Kurdish party taking bomb. It cannot be left to be DSTANBUL (Reuters) - from Ayn al-Arab, a Kurdish sides with Assad and his decided when Assad falls." Veteran Kurdish human town despite its name. government. Constituting about 10 per¬ rights campaigner Radeef "Our demands are about the Most Kurdish political par¬ cent of the population, Syria's Mustafa lived in the shadow of right to learn our own language, ties united under the Kurdish Kurds have long opposed the huge Syrian secret police com¬ to sing and to dance, and for National Congress (KNC) ruling Baath Party, but have lar¬ pounds towering over his decre¬ compensation for historic dis¬ umbrella group this year to sup¬ gely stayed out of the latest pit hometown on the border crimination," the burly, soft port the uprising and push demonstrations. with Turkey. spoken activist said, referring Kurdish demands, but this has If the Kurds fully joined When security police to what he described as land not translated into action on attempts to overthrow Assad, it cracked his son's head open taken from Kurds and given to the streets, where demonstra¬ could prove decisive, a recent with an iron bar in a demonstra¬ Arabs along the Turkish border tions mostly are staged by report by the Henry Jackson tion last year, Mustafa fled. in the eastern province of young men with little party affi¬ Society, a Britain-based think- He and his family came to Raqqa. liation. tank, said. Turkey where he joined the But some in the opposition The KNC is backed by the But deep internal divisions opposition Syrian National are wary that Kurdish demands Kurdistan Regional Government among the Kurds and distrust Council (SNC), hoping the year¬ could lead to separation and a in northern Iraq and was the of the SNC and the other Arab- long uprising against President copycat movement among other main Kurdish faction that wal¬ dominated opposition groups Bashar al-Assad would end dis¬ ethnic groups. Too much leeway ked out of the Istanbul meeting. have so far kept the Kurds lar¬ crimination against the coun¬ for Kurds, they say, also could The other main Syrian gely out of the fight. try's largest ethnic minority. upset neighbouring Turkey, Kurdish faction, the Democratic The Istanbul opposition His hopes were dashed, which has a large and restive Union Party (PYD), is backed by meeting succeeded in reaching though, when the SNC, domina¬ Kurdish population of its own, the Turkish Kurd militant an agreement to expand and ted by Islamists, vetoed a pro¬ and undermine Ankara's sup¬ Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) reform the SNC, and promised a posal at a meeting in Istanbul port for the revolt. and has kept out of all opposi¬ democratic state and reconcilia¬ this week to recognise Syria's "The priority is to bring tion activities. tion once Assad is removed. Kurds and their demand for down Assad. We have agreed on Assad's father, the late But the Kurds walked out self-rule. general democratic principles Hafez al-Assad, for years shelte¬ and refused to sign the declara¬ "This is chauvinism. The and guaranteeing the national red PKK leader Abdullah tion as there was no reference international community is wor¬ rights of everyone under the Ocalan, before the threat of a to rights for them as a commu¬ ried about civil war and is umbrella of the unity of Syria as Turkish invasion in 1998 forced nity, only promises to recognise demanding that the opposition a people and a landmass," said him to send Ocalan abroad >

87 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

> where Turkish agents even¬ cers for Assad, putting down Kurds have been given natio¬ mayed that the SNC, led by

tually captured him and demonstrations in Kurdish nality and most discriminatory Burhan Ghaloiun, a Paris-based

brought him back to Turkey. areas and assassinating anti- regulations, including banning secular professor, opposed

Bashar al-Assad later Assad activists, most notably the teaching of Kurdish, are mentioning the Kurdish cause.

cooperated with Turkey by Mashaal Tammo, a charismatic still on the books, Kurdish acti¬ "I don't understand why

cracking down on the PKK as Kurdish leader who was killed vists say. they did not make an effort to

relations between the two last year as he was seeking to Tension also have risen gain the Kurdish street," he

countries improved after he form a broad-based anti-Assad between Assad's opponents said.

inherited power in 2000. political coalition. and the Kurds after the oppo¬ "The Kurds are the first

Renewed Syrian backing Assad made concessions to sition declaration on who want to see the downfall

for the PKK would be a further Kurds early in the uprising, Wednesday pledged "equality of the Assad regime and are

red line for Turkey which such as a decree to grant state¬ to all citizens regardless of demanding a right of self

repeatedly has warned Assad less Kurds nationality they their religion or ethnicity" but determination within a united

over the violent crackdown on were deprived of as a result of did not mention the Kurds by Syria.

protests and escalating a census in the 1960s, and name.

conflict. easing laws making it difficult "Saideline Ismail, a senior

The PKK's Syrian proxy, the for Kurds to own property. Kurdish politician and a mem¬

PYD, is accused by the Syrian But only an estimated ber of the Kurdish National

opposition of acting as enfor 6,000 out of 150,000 stateless Congress said he was dis

Bloomberg Kurds May Halt Crude Exports If Iraq Withholds $1.5 Billion

March 27, 2012 - By Nayla Razzouk government, which paid producers in the Kurdish region a total of $514 million last year, according to the statement.

CRUDE EXPORTS from Iraq's semi- autonomous Kurdish region "We still remain hopeful that the authorities in Baghdad will rea¬

dropped to 50,000 barrels a day and may cease in a month if the lize the damage being caused to Iraq's economy by their continued

central government refuses to pay about $1.5 billion owed to failure to comply with their commitments," the KRG said.

producers, Kurdish authorities said. The Iraqi Finance Ministry has allocated 650 billion dinars ($558

The Kurdistan Regional Government also called today on foreign million) in the government's annual budget for payments to foreign

companies including BP Pic (BP/) not to make separate agreements companies working in the Kurdish region, and it will release the

with Iraq's central government to develop oil fields in and around funds upon completion of an official audit, Finance Minister Rafih

the disputed northern city of Kirkuk. The central government has Al-lssawi said.

said it is talking with BP about boosting output at a field called Halt Not Feared Kirkuk, near the same city. "We do not fear the halt of crude exports from the Kurdistan A dispute over oil revenues between Iraq's government and Kurdish Regional Government," he told reporters in Baghdad today, without authorities led to a yearlong halt in exports from the region that elaborating. ended in February 2011. Iraq holds the world's fifth-biggest crude

reserves, based on BP statistics that also include Canadian oil BP is in talks aimed at raising production at the Kirkuk field by

sands, and it seeks to boost oil exports to help rebuild an economy 300,000 barrels a day, more than double the deposit's current out¬

recovering after years of conflict, sanctions and sabotage. put, Hussain Gholam, the deputy director general of Iraq's North Oil Co., said in a March 22 interview. "This latest chapter in the protracted struggle between the central

and regional government puts something of a downer on the reali¬ The Kurdish ministry, in a separate statement on the KRG website,

zation of Iraq's vast crude export potential," JBC Energy GmbH, a said the central government doesn't have exclusive authority over

Vienna-based consultant founded by Managing Director Johannes Kirkuk or any other oil field. Developing the nation's energy depo¬

Benigni, said in a note today. sits requires the approval of regional governments, the KRG said.

Kurdish Potential The central government refuses to do business with companies wor¬ king in the Kurdish region. It said on March 22 that Exxon Mobil The Kurdish Ministry of Natural Resources cut its oil exports from Corp. (XOM) had agreed to freeze business the company had arran¬ 175,000 barrels a day "because of the production costs and the re¬ ged with the Kurds. investments needed by the producing companies in the region,"

according to a statement on the official KRG website. The Kurds are Iraq produced 2.76 million barrels a day of crude in February,

targeting 175,000 barrels a day, as specified in the Iraqi federal according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Most of the output

budget, and could export "significantly more" if the central comes from southern fields. The central government, which

government in Baghdad fulfills commitments to pay companies expects to pump 3.4 million barrels a day by the end of the year,

pumping crude at Kurdish fields, the KRG said. has awarded 15 energy licenses since the 2003 U.S. -led invasion that ousted former President Saddam Hussein. It plans a new licen¬ The Kurds export crude through a pipeline controlled by the central sing round in May.

88 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

samedi 31 mars - dimanche 1er avril 2012 LE FIGARO

Les Kurdes du PKK comptent sur Damas pour appuyer leur lutte contre Ankara

re », a-t-il menacé dans une déclaration laisse les mains libres dans le Nord-Est. LAURE MARCHAND à l'agence prokurde Firat. Cela lui permet de se concentrer sur .les ISTANBUL Le Sud-Est turc connaît toujours une fondations d'une zone semi-autonome.

situation de guerre civile larvée. L'inter¬ Une inquiétude supplémentaire pour les

DANS L'OMBRE du conflit en Syrie mais diction par les autorités turques de la ma¬ Turcs.

bien présent, le PKK, le Parti des tra¬ jorité des célébrations . de Newroz, le Ahmet Davutoglu, le ministre des Af¬

vailleurs du Kurdistan, en guerre contre Nouvel An kurde; a déclenché des émeu¬ faires étrangères turc; s'est plaint du pas¬

le pouvoir central turc depuis plus d'un tes dans tout le pays, il y a quinze jours. Et sage de combattants kurdes entre la Syrie

quart de siècle, inquiète Ankara. La Tur¬ les clashs entre les rebelles et l'armée se et la Turquie. Il a dit que son gouverne¬ quie redoute que son soutien à l'opposi¬ sont' intensifiés ces dernières semaines. ment pourrait derrlander au Parlement tion et à la résistance syriennes ne lui Un sanctuaire pour la guérilla, en terri- d'autoriser l'envoi de troupes sur le terri¬

vaille un sévère retour de bâton : le re¬ toire syrien afin dJempêcher le PKK de nouvellement de la traditionnelle alliance traverser la frontière.. Dans les années

entre Damas et le PKK. « Même un régime 1980 et 1990, la guérilla était hébergée en La rébellion kurde a réagi vivement à baasiste agonisant peut Syrie et il avait fallu une menace d'Anka¬ l'évocation d'une zone tampon le long ra de conflit armé pour que Damas finisse jouer encore cette carte de la frontière en Syrie, « un scénario » par expulser AbduEah Ôcalan, le leader mentionné à plusieurs reprises par le kurde contre la Turquie » du PKK, en 1998. « Même un régime baa¬

gouvernement turc. Pour Murât Karayi- UN ÉDITORIALISTE DU JOURNAL «MILLIYET» siste agonisantpeutjouer de nouveau cette

lan, commandant du PKK retranché carte kurde contre la Turquie », analyse

dans les montagnes du Kurdistan ira¬ toire syrien, juste de l'autre côté de la Kadri Gùrsel, éditorialiste à Mffliyet et

kien, une intervention turque en Syrie frontière, renforcerait sa lutte contre An¬ spécialiste de la question kurde. Précisant

serait dirigée contre son « peuple ». Les kara. La zone kurde en Syrie est déjà lar¬ que certains indices indiquent que Damas

Kurdes de Syrie, qui représentent envi¬ gement sous influence du Parti de l'union se serait mis à soutenir discrètement le

ron 10 % de la population, vivent princi¬ démocratique (PYD) , la branche syrienne PKK par mesure de rétorsion contre An¬

palement au nord-est du pays. En cas du PKK. Depuis le début de la répression, kara, qui a choisi le camp des opposants

d'entrée des troupes turques sur le sol le PYD ne s'est pas rangé du côté de l'op¬ syriens. Le pouvoir de nuisance de la ré¬ syrien, « tout le Kurdistan (à cheval sur position syrienne et a observé une certai¬ bellion oblige donc le gouvernement isla- la Turquie, l'Iran, l'Irak et la Syrie, ne neutralité à l'égard du régime de Da¬ mo-conservateur à jouer la prudence NDLR) serait transformé en zone de guer mas. En échange, Bachar el-Assad lui dans la gestion'de la crise en Syrie.

LE FIGARO samedi 31 mars - dimanche 1er avril 2012 Les Occidentaux recadrent l'opposition syrienne

core intervenir à Istanbul, Français et GEORGES MALBRUNOT Américains ont exigé que cette charte mentionne le 'Caractère «civil » (c'est-

ET SOUDAIN, le miracle se produisit. à-dire laïque) de la future Constitution Miné par les divisions, il y a deux semai¬ et qu'elle souligne bien l'égalité entre nes encore, le Conseil national syrien hommes et femmes, ainsi que le res¬ (CNS) vient miraculeusement d'accou¬ pect des minorités (chrétienne, alaoui¬

cher d'une «charte », sorte de projet te ou kurde). Problème : il fallait que les ' » islamistes, très influents au sein du politique dessinant la Syrie de l'après-el- i i Assad. Cette avancée a eu lieu à Istanbul CNS, acceptent d'avaler la pilule. «Us n'avaient'pas le choix », relève un op¬ posant. «Après la première conférence « Ceux qui dominent des Amis de la Syrie à Tunis en février, , le CNS restent les Occidentaux ont été mécontents de \ les mêmes barbus r voir les dissidences continuer au sein du i À sans barbe » CNS et que leurs appels n'aient pas été

! MICHEL KILO, OPPOSANT SYRIEN entendus. Us se sont faits plus mena¬

çants. »

juste avant la conférence des « Amis de la Il y a deux semaines, Alain Juppé dé¬ nonçait publiquement cette opposition Syrie ». Elle doit beaucoup à l'activisme Il y a deux semaines, Alain Juppé dénonçait publiquement les divisions qui se déchire, et mardi dernier, Hillary en coulisses des diplomates français et parmi les opposants américains. Jusqu'à maintenant, les par¬ Clinton, la secrétaire d'État américaine, à Bachar el-Assad. platiau/reuters rains occidentaux du CNS lui repro¬ déclarait vouloir «les inciter forte¬ chaient une double incapacité ; à unifier ment » à présenter un visage unifié à l'opposition, et à rassurer les minorités Istanbul. Résultat : à l'issue de longues religieuses ou ethniques. « Tout le monde palabres, une déclaration a été votée voulant être chef, nous avons finalement les/aire accoucher d'unprojet commun. » mardi par 400 opposants, donnant la renoncé à organiser le CNS, avoue un di¬ En échange d'une reconnaissance part belle à la laïcité, aux droits de plomate français, mais nous avons réussi à internationale, qui ne devrait pas en l'homme et au respect des minorités,

89 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

notion très importante dans un pays Les Kurdes claquent la porte conférence de presse, qui annonça la dont les divisions en multiples obé¬ charte. Bref, à quelques jours de la Si les islamistes ont accepté ce compro¬ diences font redouter une guerre civile. conférence d'Istanbul, cette réunion mis, la Turquie, elle, s'est farouchement des opposants devait montrer un visage Dans un esprit de «reconciliation natio¬ opposée à toute référence à la question plus conforme aux attentes de leurs al¬ nale », la justice dans la Syrie de de¬ kurde dans la charte de l'opposition sy¬ liés. Mais dans la réalité, rien ne dit que main ne sera pas fondée «sur la ven¬ rienne. Une ligne rouge pour Ankara, l'influence islamiste - que les Occiden¬ geance ou la vendetta », précise même qui redoute le précédent vis-à-vis de sa taux ont tenu à minimiser publique¬ le texte. Mission accomplie, dans la for¬ propre minorité kurde. D'où la cplère ment jusqu'à maintenant - va se rédui¬ me en tout cas. Pour ne pas donner des représentants kurdes syriens, qui re. « Ceux qui dominent le CNS restent l'impression que les islamistes s'étaient ont claqué la porte d'Istanbul, atténuant les mêmes barbus sans barbe, des- isla¬ fait tordre le bras, la branche syrienne la portée de cette avancée, «fl s'agit mistes ou des proches des Frères musul¬ des Frères musulmans avait pris les de¬ d'un simple toilettage », déplore l'oppo¬ mans », constate Michel Kilo, une figu¬ vants en publiant peu avant un «enga¬ sant. Pour que la marque islamiste soit re de l'opposition, qui a refusé d'aller à gement national » dans lequel elle pro¬ diluée, trois cents autres .opposants is¬ Istanbul. Rien ne dit qu'ils aient défini¬ met d'élaborer une Constitution civile. sus de la diaspora avaient pourtant été tivement renoncé à leur dessein, une

invités à ratifier le texte d'Istanbul. fois parvenus au pouvoir à Damas. E D'autre part, aucun intégriste ne de¬ vait être présent à la tribune de là

LE FIGARO samedi 31 mars - dimanche 1er avril 2012

22 janvier dernier) fixant les conditions Le front anti-Bachar id'une transition politique avec, notam¬ ment, un retrait de Bachar el-Assad.

«Organiser en quête d'un la transition politique » Le flou maintenu par le'plan de Kofi Annan sur les questions clés d'un règle¬ ment a permis l'accord de la Russie et second souffle autorise lés pays les plus en pointe, comme la France, à continuer d'affi¬ cher leur détermination. « L'enjeu est

maintenant d'organiser la transition po¬ Les « Amis de la Syrie », réunis litique. On peut laisser une marge, mais l'objectifreste le départ de Bachar el-As¬ dimanche à Istanbul, vont presser sad », souligne un diplomate français. Il est clair néanmoins que toute initiative Damas d'appliquer le plan de paix. faisant de ce départ un préalable, et non

l'aboutissement d'un processus comme

che le plan de paix en six points de Kofi ce fut le cas .au Yémen, serait vouée à . ALAIN BARLUET Annan prévoyant l'amorce d'un dialo¬ l'échec. À Istanbul, des sanctions addi¬

gue politique, le cessez-le-feu, un re¬ tionnelles contre Damas seront à l'étu¬

DIPLOMATIE Les représentants de trait de l'armée hors dés villes, l'ache¬ de même si les diplomates concèdent

soixante-dix pays, dont de nombreux minement de l'aide humanitaire et un que la panoplie est déjà très complète.

ministres, parmi lesquels Alain Juppé et libre accès pour la presse. La Russie, la Une mission d'observateurs de l'ONU Hillary Clinton, sont attendus diman¬ Chine et Damas ont accepté le plan - est également envisagée, un projet des¬

che à Istanbul pour la deuxième réu¬ sans toutefois que l'armée de Bachar ne tiné à pallier l'inexpérience démontrée

nion des « Amis de la Syrie ». Un pre¬ mette l'arme au pied. l'an dernier par les observateurs de la

mier rendez-vous, à Tunis le À Istanbul, le groupe des « Amis de Ligue arabe. L'opposition, largement 24 février, avait permis à ce ^--"" la Syrie » devrait réaffirmer son fragmentée, constitue un autre para¬ front anti-Bachar él-Assad /" soutien à la mission de Kofi mètre majeur de l'équation syrienne. de compter ses forces... et / ' Annan, qui - c'est sympto- Français et Américains ont été très ac¬

ses divisions, notamment matique - ne sera pas di¬ tifs pour accompagner le tournant qui a manche sur les rives du entre partisans et oppo¬ ~J été pris, (lire l'article ci-dessous). Pour Bosphore. Car l'ex-se- sants d'une militarisation cette opposition, « vouloir se débarras¬ crétaire général entend se de l'opposition. Depuis, ppj)o0tml ser de Bachar ne peut plus suffire, û lui i'imf-fcVM' préserver de toute initia¬ la donne a passablement ^ faut se projeter dans lefutur », explique évolué. La poursuite de la f-i*àfii)ilt Oil* ^ tiffafa tive qui mettrait en péril sa un diplomate à la man violence en. Syrie, l'inflexi y-kr: fragile démarche de média- 11 se félicite de l'adoption, cette se¬ bilité russo-chinoise à l'ONU ) ' teur. C'est désormais lui qui maine à Istanbul, par quelque 400 per¬ ont contraint les pays occiden¬ est en première ligne dans les sonnalités de l'opposition syrienne taux et arabes à tenter de relancer la di¬ grandes maneuvres diplomatiques, les d'une « charte » sur l'avenir du pays. plomatie sur une base minimale, accep¬ exigences a priori formulées par la Très précaire, l'ensemble de ce procès-, France, la Grande-Bretagne, les États- table par tous les protagonistes. sus tient néanmoins sa force du mandat Unis, le Qatar et l'Arabie Saoudite Le 20 mars, le Conseil de sécurité a qu'il a reçu de la communauté int|erna7 adopté une déclaration présidentielle, nïayânt pu amorcer un dialogue avec tîonale.plaide ce' même diplomate. « Si sorte de sous-résolution, appuyée, cet¬ Damas. Certes, côté occidental, on par¬ nous échouons, cela signifierait que la te fois, par Moscou et Pékin. Un texte le d' « imbrication » entre les diverses Russie et la Chiné ont aussi échoué re¬ initiatives et de « cartes » à jouer alter¬ qui, à la différence des précédents, ne lève cette source qui évoque, dans cette nativement (sanctions, menace de la distingue pas les violences perpétrées hypothèse, un possible retour devant le par le régime et par l'opposition et justice internationale...). À Paris, on fait Conseil de sécurité. n'appelle pas au départ de Bachar el- valoir que le plan Annan s'appuie sur Assad. La déclaration avalise en revan- celui de la Ligue arabe (adopté le

90 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

29 March 2012 KûxLatu Kurdish Officials: Development of Kirkuk Oil Fields Requires KRG Approval

RUDAW the statement adds.

The ministry released the constitu¬ ,#?"'$ tional reminder in response to news ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The that the state-owned North Oil Ministry of Natural Resources of Company was in the process of signing the Kurdistan Region released a state¬ an agreement with BP for increased ment this week reiterating its constitu¬ production at the Kirkuk oil field. tional rights to any oil development in The Kurdistan Regional the northern regions of Iraq. Government (KRG) has yet tô be The press release emphasizes that consulted about the negotiations. the Iraqi Ministry of Oil cannot unila¬ The Ministry of Natural Resources terally award contracts to develop oil An oil field outside the city of Kirkuk. warned that current activities risk brea¬ fields in the Kirkuk province or the Photo AFP. ching the constitution, saying, "The surrounding areas. Kurdistan Regional Government The statement points to Article 1 1 2 oil claimed that ExxonMobil had sent a requires the federal Oil Ministry and of the constitution which specifies that letter saying that they had suspended the North Oil Company to respect the the Iraqi government must work in their contract with the Kurdistan country's constitution and sit down conjunction with regional and provin¬ Region. soon with all the relevant parties to cial governorates in managing fields Days after the minister made the determine how best to enhance and that were in production at the time the claim, ExxonMobil CEO Rex W. revitalize the present Kirkuk fields, so constitution was approved in 2005. Tillerson clarified the matter by saying that the people of Iraq will benefit from "However, Article 1 1 5 provides the the company continued to honor the extra revenues in a timely manner, exclusive right to the regions and contracts with both the Iraqi govern¬ as the constitution obliges." governorates to manage all future ment and the KRG> This follows some confusion ear¬ fields that is, the undeveloped dis¬ lier this month, when Iraq's minister of coveries and unexplored structures,"

7% REUTER

Minister Rafie al-Esawi told reporters on the sideline of the

Iraq approves $560 Arab League summit on Tuesday.

Iraq's ministries and government offices are all audited by the mln for Kurdish oil board of supreme audit, an independent body. payments Iraq is hosting the meeting for the first time in 20 years, and the three day event opened on Tuesday, with talks focused on eco¬

nomic and financial cooperation between Arab states.

BAGHDAD, March 27 ,2012 (Reuters) Iraq approved a $100 billion budget for 2012 in February, based By Serena Chaudhry and Mariam Karouny on an average oil price of $85 per barrel and 2.6 million bpd in

crude exports. IRAQ'S CENTRAL government has approved payment of Its Deputy Finance Minister Fadhil Nabi told Reuters a total of close to $560 million to oil producers in the autonomous about $2.53 billion had been set aside as payment for oil com¬ Kurdish region, its finance minister said, after Kurdish panies working in Iraq, which included the $560 million for oil authorities threatened to halt exports due to a lack of pay¬ producers in the northern Kurdish zone. ments from Baghdad.

Iraq, which has the fourth-biggest oil reserves in the world, The central government has a long-standing dispute with the aims to boost its oil production capacity to 8-8.5 million bpd by Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in the north over the 2017, which could vault it into the top echelon of world produr control of oil in the region, which has throttled payments.

cers. Baghdad maintains it alone has the right to export oil.

As much as a third of the oil extracted in northern Iraq is refi¬ On Monday, the KRG said it had reduced exports to 50,000 bar¬ ned locally for domestic use, partly due to late payments from rels per day (bpd) and warned it would stop them altogether if Baghdad for crude pumped into the major pipeline to Turkey Baghdad was not forthcoming with payments, which" it said and in part because it reduces the costs of producers. amounted to around $1.5 billion.

Tensions between Baghdad and the KRG over oil have been "We've allocated 650 billion Iraqi dinars ($559.4 million) in the high since October, when Exxon Mobil announced a Kurdish 2012 budget to pay the companies, which we will release after exploration deal that the central government deemed illegal. we receive the audit from the board of supreme audit," Finance ($1 = 1161.9000 Iraqi dinars) J

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