INSTITUT

KURDDE PARIS E

Information and liaison bulletin N°330

september 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 : : 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° 330 September 2012

• IRAQI : A PARTIAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BAGHDAD AND IRBIL.

• : THE KURDISH REGIONS MANAGE THEIR “LIBERATION” WITH UNCERTAINTY.

• : TARIQ al-HASHIMI IS SENTENCED TO DEATH.

• PARIS: A CONFERENCE ON .

• ROME: DEATH OF MIRELLA GALLETTI

IRAQI KURDISTAN A PARTIAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BAGHDAD AND IRBIL t the beginning of the meeting with Elizabeth Jones, payments that it made to month, Kurdistan Assistant Secretary of State for Kurdistan (17% of the State bud- announced that it would Middle Eastern Affairs. get, according to the constitution) extend the exporting of to repay itself for the losses A its crude oil to Iraq until However, the State Department incurred by the stoppage of 15 September, its deadline for spokesman did not confirm this, exports — which, according to Baghdad to settle its debts to simply answering the Reuters Baghdad amounted to over $3 bil- Kurdish oil companies. Iraq, for its Agency, regarding another dis- lion. Ali Mussavi, one of the Iraqi part, had accepted to settle 560 pute — that over contracts, the Prime Minister’s Advisors, million US dollars, but there were one over contracts — that announced that a Kurdish delega- delays in releasing payments due. Washington just “advised” tion had received a one-week ulti- American companies regarding matum to start negotiations or else On 4 September the Iraqi Prime Iraqi affaires, especially regarding these 3 billion dollars would be Minster stated, in a communiqué, contracts signed with the deducted from the Kurdish bud- that the United States had told the without Baghdad’s prior approval, get. creditor companies to “cooperate” but that the companies make their with the central government own decisions. Despite the apparent escalation of rather than to take part in a freeze reciprocal threats, few observers of exports of gas and crude. Nuri On the same day, the Iraqi Central believe in any point of no return in al-Maliki indicated that he had Government let it be understood relations between Irbil and received this information during a that il might, in its turn, cut the Baghdad. This Tony Hayward, • 2 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 330 • September 2012

Genel Energy’s General Manager, two countries. The output of con- signed contracts with the KRG considers that Kurdistan would densed natural gas from Khor Mor have hardly suffered from the sit- have more to win than to lose by is about 3000 barrels a day, which uation. Moreover, the cancellation failing to resolve the conflict and is pretty minute but is sold at $100 of most of the contracts for oil that the issues at stake are too a barrels at Mersin. exploration and operation in Iraq high for them not to reach a com- would be far more damaging to promise: “In one or two hears As the 15 September deadline was Baghdad and would push the Kurdistan’s production capacity will approaching, a false alarm occurred “banned” companies into invest- have grown to about a million barrels on 11 September when the Iraqi Oil ing more in . a day — that’s too much oil to be cut Minister announced that the Kurds Consequently the announcements off because of a political quarrel. Thus, had reduced their oil exports to of possible contract signings in one way or other, it will be about 75,000 to 80,000 barrels a day, between foreign companies and resolved” (Reuters) as against 115,000 to 120,000 previ- Irbil have been multiplying. ously. It emerged, however, that Having said this, Genel Energy’s this drop was due to a technical On 22 September close t the KRG Manager recognised that if, despite breakdown at Khurmala, which let it be understood that the Royal everything, Kurdistan decided to had required pumping to be tem- Dutch Shell envisaged working in freeze its oil exports to Iraq, the porarily stopped. Kurdistan. However, Shell’s crude oil that his company extracts French spokesman straight away from the Taq Taq and Tawke fields In the end, as Tony Hayward had denied that such discussions had (respectively 105,000 and 70,000 foreseen, an agreement finally begun, recalling that they were barrels a day) could well be sold to took place on 13 September already working on three large local firms who pay $60 a barrel, between Iraq and the KRG, the lat- scale projects in Iraq, where they that is slightly less than the market ter committing itself to continuing were among the most important price but enough for the company to export oil exports to Baghdad investors, while also adding that to manage. while the latter promised to pay they always looked for “new oppor- the Kurdistan creditor companies tunities and projects that could add to If an agreement is reached $857 million (a trillion Iraqi Iraq’s value”. between Irbil and Baghdad, a new dinars). The objective is to reach gas pipeline will connect Taq Taq 200,000 barrels per day from Nevertheless, in October 2011m to Khurmala, the point at which Kurdistan by the end of the year. according to sources from oil the Iraq- oil pipeline enters Meanwhile the output will remain industry circles, Shell had planned Turkey. Regarding direct sales of at 140,000 barrels a day. to move into Iraqi Kurdistan, but crude oil and gas to Turkey, it is had dropped the idea on seeing being carried out by tanker trucks This dispute, temporarily buried, the violent reaction Exxon´s had for the moment. Thus it is estimat- remains based on the contracts aroused from Sharistani. It is ed that about 15 trucks a day leave signed with foreign companies probable that some companies are the Khir Mor plant to deliver oil to and that of oil exports to Turkey. hesitating between Irbil and Mersin (Adana). In return, the So far, despite the fury of Hussein Baghdad or more probably want Kurd receive small amounts of Sharistani, the Iraqi Deputy Prime to keep well in with both, are diesel fuel and paraffin, a barter Minister in charge of fuel and waiting to see what real measure deal that is considered the “sym- power, and the threats of reprisals are taken against Exxon, Chevron, bolic” starting point of the future against their interests in Iraq, the Total and all those who have imports and exports between the foreign companies that have dared to breach the Iraqi bans.

SYRIA: THE KURDISH REGIONS MANAGE THEIR “LIBERATION” WITH UNCERTAINTY ince the “withdrawal” shortages are accentuated by the devoid of Syrian forces and state or partial disengage- influx of refugees fleeing the administrations. Mustafa Juma, ment of the Syrian fighting in Aleppo. Thus the the General secretary of the forces from the bulk of Kurdish internet site Welaté me Kurdish Azadi Party, who is a S Kurdish towns, their (Our Country) describes long native of Koban, confirms the inhabitants are enjoying a fragile queues lasting several hours out- food shortage, especially of peace — but also suffer from side the bakeries of Koban, the flour, and highlights both the shortages of food and fuel. These only town to be completely fighting between the Syrian n° 330 • September 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 3•

Army and the “Free Syrian lapses under the blows of the founder of a youth movement Army” (FSA) that hinder traffic revolution. (Reuters). and prominent member of the and circulation of goods but also KNC. He was shot down by two the checkpoints set up by the At Qamishlo, the only Kurdish men riding a motorbike in the PYD (the Syrian branch of the town of which the Baath has town of Ras al’ayn (Hassaké PKK) which it says are to pre- chosen to keep control, the Province). Nine months earlier, vent the FSA from entering the arrested and he was kidnapped and severely Kurdish areas. Mustafa Juma imprisoned 25 young Kurds for torture before being released. At accuses these checkpoints of tak- “insubordination” (that is to say the time he had accused the PYD ing money from those bringing desertion), which brought hun- of being behind his kidnapping, food into the town, even though dreds of people out on the which they denied. He had recognising that the end of the streets to demonstrate for their received many death threats ad fighting in Aleppo would con- release. The Komelên ciwanên was in hiding most of time, only siderably improve the situation, Rojavayê Kurdistan (KCRK, an coming out to take part in as the an important part of the organisation of young Kurds demonstrations. burden on this town of 350,000 is from Western Kurdistan) also the influx of Kurdish refugees organised a rally in from of the On 30 September a suicide bomb from Aleppo. mosque on the Friday following attack took place at Qamishlo — these arrests, while shopkeepers the first of its kind in Kurdistan. It The problems also come, as the lowered the shutters of their was principally aimed at the remarks of the Azadi Secretary shops as a sign or solidarity. Syrian police and security forces, show, from the difficulty the Some of these arrests are more in but no Kurdish organisation Kurdish parties have in agreeing the nature of kidnappings claimed responsibility for this car between themselves, on the undertaken to exchange prison- bomb attack. administration and management ers. Thus 3 young Kurds of the of days to day affaires, since village of Girké Legê were taken In an interview given to the daily they had not prepared them- away by the Syrian Army after paper Rudaw, on 25 September, the selves for such tasks and a cer- some Kurdish forces from that PYD leader, who carried out a tain distrust reigns between village had captured 5 soldiers. political tour of Europe the month movements linked by a too There followed a reciprocal before, refuted the accusations fre- recent agreement to be really release of hostages. quently aimed at his party of being effective on the spot. Thus there more of an ally then an adversary has not yet been any opening of In Aleppo, the Sheikh Maqsud of the Syrian regime. According to schools in Koban, a fact recog- district, a quarter largely inhabit- him, the government could hold nised by Abdulhaq Yusuf, a ed by Kurds, an air raid killed a out for another 2 years, relying on member of the political woman, two of her children and its 170,000 men strong security Committee of the PYD. their young cousin, as they were forces and that the Syrians would Education is, in principal man- taking part in a funeral proces- have everything to lose from the aged by the Kurdish High sion. The Kurdish National fall of Bachar al-Assad, especially Committee, which is completely Council described this act as the Alawiites who might want to overwhelmed with work and “criminal”. So far the PYD’s dig themselves in, backing their subject to internal quarrels. Kurdish forces, that control fortified mountainous region, Efrin, have not had any con- which could, embryonically be a Muhammad Musa, the leader of frontation with the Syrian Army, region politically separated from the Kurdish Left Party, consid- and have also kept the FSA at the rest of Syria. ers, for his part, that the situa- bay. It is hard to tell whether the tion in Koban is fairly good, raid was deliberate of was a Asserting that the PYD indeed though less so than at Efrin, but Syrian Army blunder. wanted the fall of the Baathist that the Jeziré region is the most State, pointed to the disorganised. He confirms, what Another murder whose motiva- dangers and uncertainties the Abdul Hakim Bashar, the presi- tions are hard to untangle is one Kurds would face in the new Syria, dent of the KNC had pointed out that of Mahmoud Wali Babijani darkening in the process, the pic- last July, that the local staff of (nicknamed “Abu Gandhi”), ture of post-Saddam Iraq regard- the Syrian administration, about which took place on 21 ing the situation of the Kurds, 150,000 in number, continue to September. Abu Ghandhi was a asserting that their rights are not be paid, but that this will doubt- Kurdish political activist, mem- ensured and that Article 140 has less stop if the Syrian State col- ber of the Azadi party, co- still not been applied. Finally he • 4 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 330 • September 2012

recalled the failure of the National tion the Kurds as an “ethnic people and a territory”. Finally it Syrian Council conference in group” that should be mentioned mentions ensuring the same civic Cairo, from which the Kurds had in the constitution along side the rights to all its citizens, whatsoever withdrawn. other minorities like the Assyro- their religious or ethnic member- Chaldeans, and that Kurdish ship. However, last July in Cairo The final declaration of the first affairs, like those of the Assyro- the Kurds had presented as “not Conference of the Syrian National Chaldeans should be handled “in negotiable” the mention of a Council that took place in Tunis in the context of the country’s general “Kurdish nation” in the Syrian October 2011, does indeed men- business” and of a “Syria united as a Constitution.

IRAQ: TARIQ al-HASHIMI IS SENTENCED TO DEATH n top of the disputes the country is experiencing. The the Vice-President alluded to over the exporting of Kurdish Region’s Prime Minister, Iranian manoeuvres in this case as Kurdish gas and the sur- Neçirvan Barzani, judged this sen- in others, and criticised the United prise visit of Ahmet tence “unwise” and considered that States for its blindness regarding O Davutoglu to , the conflict can be resolved “politi- the present Iraqi government. the death sentence passed on cally, but not in this manner”. The Vice-President Tareq Al- President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, For his part, the Turkish Prime Hashemi, now a refugee in whose main function is to ensure a Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey with all his family, has form of mediation between the again refused to extradite al- become both an international con- antagonistic blocs in the country, Hashimi, as had done the Kurds flict and an internal clash between expressed his “pain” at the when the Iraqi Vice President had at two Iraqi political factions. announcing of this sentence, which first fled to Iraqi Kurdistan. He then he considered would be one more personally attacked Nuri al-Maliki, On 9 September, the Baghdad obstacle to “national reconciliation”. accusing him of deliberately inflam- Criminal Court sentenced to death While affirming his commitment to ing “sectarian tensions in Iraq”. in absentia, Tareq al-Hashimi, who judicial independence, Jalal has been in flight for several months Talabani called for the holding of a Tareq Al-Hashimi was considered for organising a terrorist attack on national conference to resolve all one of the principal opponents of the Baghdad Parliament, causing the existing conflicts, including the Iranian influence in Iraq. The al- the death of Member of Parliament Hashemi case. Iraqiyya list includes Sunni and Suhad al-Khafail and Talib Balasim, Shiite Arab members of Parliament a police office. This sentence pro- From his exile in Turkey, Tareq Al- and presents itself as “secular”. voked the indignation of his Hashimi again reoudited the accu- Thus this is less a matter of a clash Parliamentary Group, al-Iraqiyya, sations and attacked the sentence. between Sunni and Shiite blocks as while a wave of bomb attacks took He stated that he would only return of interest groups — between place causing 88 deaths, without it to Iraq with the guarantee of a fair Turkey, Irbil and the Syrian opposi- being possible to establish any cer- trial and of his personal safety. He tion on the one side and Iran sup- tain connection between them and appealed to the United Nations ask- porting the Syrian Baath regime and this announced sentence. ing for the setting up of a court that regularly accused by the opponents would help the Iraqi Criminal Court of the Iraqi Prime Minister of carry- Far from creating unanimity in Iraq, by sending judges to Baghdad who ing out a political takeover of Iraqi this sentence aroused serious reser- could investigate his case. In addi- politics since the withdrawal of US vation from the Kurdistan Regional tion to charges of corruption and troops, in particular by publicly Government, whose spokesman, on abuse of power that he has several supporting Nuri al-Maliki since the 11 September, warned of the danger times made against his political beginning of his second term in of it aggravating the political crisis rival, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, office, in 2010. PARIS: A CONFERENCE ON IRAN n tribute to Dr. Sadegh assassinated with him in Conference on the subject of “Iran Sharafkandi, General September 1992, in Berlin while at the time of Arab revolts”. This Secretary of the Kurdistan attending the Socialist International was held in the Victor Hugo Hall Democratic Party of Iran, Congress, the Paris Kurdish of the French national Assembly on I and to his colleagues Institute organised an International 14 September. n° 330 • September 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 5•

The Symposium was opened by geo-strategic point of view, there In a second stage, the Rafsanjani Pouria Amirshani, the Socialist is a major point to keep in mind — then the Khatami regimes trued to Party’s National Secretary for the actors of Kurdish civil society”. move out of the revolution and the International Cooperation and revolutionary dynamics either by Human Rights. She spoke of the The first Round Table was moder- increasing bureaucracy or by end of the period of “two great ated by Hamit Bozarslan; Research reforms. These experiments also powers” at the end of the 70s, that Manager at Paris’s EHESS and showed their limitations. of the aegis of “ultra-conservative” covered “Iranian Society Today”. powers like the governments of The speakers were Hashem A third stage arrived with Thatcher and Regan and the pow- Ahmadzadeh, Lecturer in Middle Ahmedinjad, when the authorities ers that had led to the overthrow Eastern Studies, at Exeter injected a strong of messianic dose, of the Shah and the rise to power University, Great Britain, Stéphane one of expecting a millennial break, of the Khomeiny regime. This has Dudoignon and Marie Ladier, to consolidate it authoritarian char- weighed heavily on international researchers at the CNRS, Gilles acter. Today, however, this “magic relations by encouraging the Roux, researcher at the IRSEM and formula”, which worked quite well emergence of radical religious Nuri Yesilyurt, at Ankara University between 2005 and 2009, seems to be groups, at first in the Middle East, of Political Science. running out of breath then throughout the world. In Hamit Bozarslan’s opinion, the In the year 2012-2013, Iran faces an As against that, the new period, present situation is not with extremely serious crisis, indeed, even which is beginning opens with analogies with that of the 80s, four successive crises: a crisis of the revolts in Iran and in the Arab with a “resort to massive violence” meaning and legitimacy, since the world, with movement that are and encompassing the borders bitter pill of electoral frauds in 2009 not religious but political and because of “long distance military was hard to swallow; a crisis of legiti- democratic, fighting against social movements”. macy at regional level, since today injustice, movement that have Moslem public opinion classes Iran established “the strength of civil Another similarity with the 80s: with the hangmen, particularly in societies”. “two States are particularly Syria; a serious crisis of nationality, involved, two countries that have in Baluchistan, Kurdistan and Pouria Amirshani saw the “uncer- already gone through intense inter- Azerbaijan; and finally a very serious tain but real possibilities of building communal and civil wars, Iraq and social crisis whose effects have been a better world for the coming genera- , in which Iran plays an accentuated by the embargo”. tions, even if nothing pre-ordained. extremely important role (…) in There are, on both side s of the these countries’ future”. Hashim Ahmadzadeh’s contribu- Mediterranean, serious dangers of tion covered “the ethnic challenges clashes and of falling back on nation- As for the Kurdish domain, it is of the Iranian world”. He first alist and identity issues. once again “involved”, and even if recalled that, 3 weeks earlier, an the contest is very different from agreement had been signed There is, in Iran, a deep-seated will of that of the 80s, it is equally “in the between the Kurdistan its people to emancipate itself in the front line”. Democratic party-Iran and other political area and in that of the shar- Kurdish political movements, ing of wealth. The Syrian crisis also “The internal movements are also called “the cooperation between par- acts as an issue in the relations important and raise questions about ties”, so as to harmonise the between Turkey and Iran. In Syria’s the life span of these regimes and demands for their rights in Iran. case it is necessary, so as to avoid about the possible dynamics for Although the tenor of this decla- repeating the strategic errors made in change. ration includes no new elements, Libya, to act together with the neigh- many political figures of the bouring countries to avoid the whole The Iranian regime has three times Iranian opposition, particularly in region exploding. and by three different methods, the diaspora, condemned it very ensured its durability. In an initial severely as an attempt at “sepa- Turkey and Iran are the region’s phase by the war and violence that ratism”. two great non-Arab powers, followed the1979 revolution, because through which new East-West even if the war was forced on Iran by In Iran it is generally considered relations can be hinged and, Saddam Hussein’s regime, if then that this State is a “nation”, since through that, the Kurdish question became a means of consolidating the the modernisation of the system, also becomes a central issue. power of the clergy and the personal by going back to Iran’s pre- “Over and above the cultural and authority of Ayatollah Khomeiny. Islamic history to find legitimacy • 6 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 330 • September 2012

for this national entity. Thus independence to one of citizen- Two important and interesting arguments that oppose this ship and recentralisation, in public figures among the princi- Kurdish agreement deny that which Iran’s border regions, pal religious leaders and preach- the latter are a nation, since there especially the Eastern ones, ers of the so-called Sarbaz school is only one nation, Iran, whose (Khorassanian and Baluchi in have appeared as the initiators territorial integrity must never particular) are plying an extreme- of an “embryonic Sunni communi- be questioned — even though ly important part. Thus all ty” throughout Iran. One is the Kurds’ declaration never through 2012, there have been Mawlawi Abdal-Aziz mentions separatism. campaigns in the regional Iranian Mollahzadeh Makkî and his son- press in defence of Kak Hassan in-law and successor Mawlawi Official discourse in Iran talks of Amini, a very important religious Abdal Hamid. The latter was non=Persian minorities as qewm leader of Sanandal (Sine, in born in 1947 and is, today, the (communities) but the Kurds ). He has been principal spokesman of the Iran reject this and use the term netwe, faced, since the end of 2011, with Sunnis, and calls himself the which etymologically come from considerable legal problems, “khatib of Iran’s Sunnis”. There is the same root as nation, consider- which has aroused, throughout thus appearing an alternative ing it more adapted to their situa- Iran’s Eastern border regions political religious authority with tion. considerable solidarity cam- pan-Iranian claims and is, today, paigns. at the head of the attacks on the One of the greatest challenges to “corrupt and criminal” Bachar al- the contemporary Iranian system Sunni , this “borderline reli- Assad regime, which enables a is that of accepting that these gion” in Iran, now occupies a number of Baluchi leaders to “ethnic groups” are nations, even quite central position. We would apply these terms to other situa- if deprived of national sovereign- have to go back to the Britain’s tions… The great advantage of ty. One of the means of making consistent policy in the region, the Arab Springs is that it Iran democratic is by accepting from 1917 to 1947, and their sys- enables the raising of a certain these ethnic differences and that tematic promotion of the Sunni number of subjects without the Kurds prefer to describe religious schools, like the appearing to do so. themselves as a nation. Deoband School. These schools were seen as excellent fire breaks For the last quarter of a century, Stéphane Dudoignon, of the against Bolshevik and then Soviet since the death of his father-in- CNRS, spoke about “Iran’s rela- influence reaching the Indian law in 1987, Mawlawi Abd al tions with its Eastern borders”, borders. Well versed at legal Hamid, this Sunni this Sunni through “some ethno-denomina- exercises and modern communi- khatib in the town of Zahedan, tional aspects”. Iran is living cation techniques, the present the principal Sunni city South- through a period in which its day Sunni clergy of the Deoband East Iran “has occupied a central eastern border has come to be “at school were rapidly able to con- position at the heart of the political the heart of public discussion”. A front the authority of tribal chiefs sociability” in this region of Neo-traditional Islamic tradition, and landlords and so appear as Eastern Iran, extended to include that of the Deoband School, has alternative leaders — at first at Khorassan in 1979, with the spread throughout India up to regional level then of the whole expansion of so called Deobandi Iranian Baluchistan, then to of Iran. They have now estab- schools. Khorassan to the Gulf and lished themselves as the most Central Asia. Although its aspira- active spokesmen for the In their expansion, the networks tions are fairly medaeval, it has response being given in Iran to of Deobandi schools throughout become, in the Islamic Republic the Arab Spring. Iran have been accompanied by today, leading factor in the the network of a transnational defence of the most open Unlike the situation in India and missionary organisation: the Parliamentarism possible, a quite Pakistan, in Iran the Deoband Tabliai jama’at, founded in the astonishing Human Rights school has enjoyed favourable 20s in India to fight against approach, for a party that prac- conditions for its expansion in Hindu revivalism and, above all tices the taqlid of pre-modern the South-East of the country, to work towards the re- Islamic jurisprudence. This party both under both the Pahlevis and Islamisation of tribes. In Iran it has developed centripetal forces, the Islamic Republic with the aim is sponsored and organised by in Iran. In the last 30 years we of “tearing into pieces any attempt the representative of the Guide, have moved from a period of for the emergence of a secular Khamenai who arranges the dis- demands for autonomy and even national intelligentsia”. tribution of the resources of the n° 330 • September 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 7•

Tabliai jama’at among the various An extremely important change as a consequence of the Iranian missionaries of this organisation, took place in 2007, the year that movement, be they Baluchi or otherwise. Ayatollah Khamenei proclaimed as “the year of national and reli- During a recent meeting with Another very important trans- gious union”, following the cam- students, Hashemi Rafsandjani, border network, both for uniting paign of attacks by the Jundallah the President o the Council of the Iranian Sunni community in Baluchistan. This led Teheran discernment of the Higher inter- and for extending Iranian influ- to adopt a new line in its rela- ests of the regime, compared the ence beyond its borders is tions with its Sunni minorities, political situation with that just formed by affiliations with tradi- especially the Baluchis, and with after the end of the Iraq-Iran tional Sufi mystical paths, partic- all the countries on its South War, which he considered was ularly those of the Eastern borders. The offices of much more serious that today; Naqshbandiyya and Qadiriyya the Guide’s representatives in Then it’s budget had been trends, which remain closely the Eastern provinces of Iran, halved and much of the coun- associated with the most power- run by Ayatollah Abbas Sayyid tries infrastructures destroyed. ful Baluchi tribes of Sistan- Ali Soleïmany in Sistan- Baluchistan, and are often found Baloutchistan, worked to create However, Rafsanjani underesti- behind the teachings of the several areas for discussion and mates the present day economic Deoband school. From a theo- debate (thus trying to neutralise and financial difficulties linked logical view point, these connec- dissidence). This institution to the sanctions against Iran and tions between the Deoband included a wide range of protag- the seriousness of the political school and the historic Sufi onists, public figures and institu- crisis. At the end of the war and, paths are a striking illustration tions under the Guide’s direct especially after Khomeiny’s of the extreme adaptability of authority. death, the Iranian political sys- the deobandi movement in Iran tem went through a crisis but that has been inspired by both Since 2007, the initiatives aimed there was an essential consensus the Pahlevi monarchy for cen- at making the discussions and amongst the clergy, who man- tralism and by the institutions of negotiations as broad as possible aged to emerge from the crisis Iranian Shiism, like the city of have multiplied. The general sit- by appointing Khamenei as Qom, to enable Zahedan to uation remains marked by some Guide of the Revolution. emerge as the Sunni religious very powerful tensions and the centre of Iran and also to ally repetition of demands that Today the situation seems explo- itself with the most traditional remain unanswered since sive. The Islamic republic is Sufi paths. Today, these have Mahmud Ahmedinjad’s re-elec- going through its greatest crisis become the preferred instru- tion. Thus there is both an ini- since 1979. This is characterised ment for promotion and expan- tiative by the Islamic Republic by two aspects: that of the legiti- sion, particularly in the direction to try and open discussion and, macy of power of which Hamit of former Soviet areas: the at the dame time, a strengthen- Bozarslan has already spoken, Eastern provinces of Iran, ing of this Sunni community after the fraudulent re-election of Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan and that is trying, on the basis if Ahmadinjad. The other is the even to Tartaristan and Iran’s most marginal regions, to trial of strength between the Bachkortostan. propose a coherent alternative Guide and Mahmud policy. Ahmedinjad since 2010. This is Unlike the world of madrassas, the first time that a head to the like the Deoband School, whose Marie Ladier, a researcher at the executive has stood up to the principal intellectual centres are CNRS, returned to Iran’s politi- Guide in the whole history of the to the East of Iran, the intellectu- cal situation since the fraudulent Islamic Republic. Until the end al centres of Sunni Iranian re-election of Mr. Ahnedinjad in of 2009, Mahmud Ahmadinajad Sufism continue to be clearly 2009. had been loyally supported by located in Kurdistan. There is, the Guide, who had full confi- therefore, a double polarity with- The Iranians have been the first dence in him. However I think in which this link between the revolt in this region of the that from the start Ahmedinjad Deoband School and historical world, but they seem to have had a political project for the traditional Sufism contributes to remained on the sidelines of the Islamic Republic that ran counter bring together these differing movements in the Arab world to that of the Guide and those regions located at the Eastern since the end of 2010. Which, close to him after the 2009 and Western extremities of Iran. moreover, could be interpreted Presidential election. Indeed, • 8 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 330 • September 2012

since his re-election he has not future even more uncertain and guages. During the same period hesitated to reveal his political extremely worrying. some activists entered the politi- intentions for Iran — proposing cal field that put this national another regime for an Islamic Gilles Roux, a researcher at identity forward and presenting Republic but without the clergy. INSERM, dealt with “the themselves as not only Iranians. The pact between them has been Configuration of Relations On the fringes of this politicisa- broken and Parliament has between the centre and the tion of ethnicity, violent actions received the green light from the periphery under the Islamic could be observed in several Guide to attack the government. Republic” and with the dynam- peripheral regions: Kurdistan ics of political mobilisation and Baluchistan. Eve if these Since 2009 Ahmadinjad has set between the Centre and the violent actions must be taken up a population policy that aims periphery over the last decade. into account they remain limit- at reversing the recent drop in ed. However, these events led to the birth rate with object of Iran The Persians represent less than rethinking the ethnic issue, that reaching a population of 150 mil- half of the population of this had been somewhat forgotten lion in the near future. He has multi-ethnic Iranian empire. for several years, and to trying also reformed the system of sub- Throughout the 20th Century the to understand how these ethnic sidies, by stopping subsidies of central power made great efforts movements have appeared and many products and services so as to impose its domination over how they work on the political to finance direct subsidies. Since the country as a whole to put an system. December 2010, Ahmedinjad’s end to an “Iran of great tribes government has transferred a and of provinces”. These ethnic dynamics can be sum equivalent to between 20 linked to the central dynamics of and 40 euros to the bank account The 1079 revolution could seem the political movement, particu- of every household. Prior to that to be the finalisation of this poli- larly that which followed the Iranians received subsidies indi- cy of national unification carried 2009 elections — the Green rectly, through a variety of con- out by the Pahlevis. The new movement. There could then be sumer items and services, so that regime then appeared to be in a seen very important demonstra- these subsidies had not “visible position to adopt a more concil- tions — the first since the Iran face”, whereas now they know iatory attitude towards the eth- revolution — and that, in the ter- that they receive State help. nic groups, as shown by the ritorial location of these demon- While not all economists are Constitution of the Islamic strations, they were much opposed to this reform because of Republic, which recognised the greater and more lasting in the the present overall situation, the country’s very great cultural cities of the Persian plateau. The new system enables diversity, while still affirming towns of the peripheral regions Ahmedinjad’s government to set Persian supremacy (Art. 15). stayed s little more in the back- up a “principle fund” that gives However, the Republican regime ground during this period of him some autonomy to manage always wanted to confine this mobilisation. the currency and the oil revenues ethnic diversity to its most con- together. Other projects are the ventional expression and ensure Since the end of the 90s, a certain Other projects are being: re-writ- that any ethnic expression differentiation can be noticed in ing Iran’s history in the school remained strictly a private mat- the political participation of the books so as to reinforce the ter that should not be the subject Provinces of the Iranian plateau indoctrination of the younger of political demands. When this and that of the peripheral generation, to Islamise Social occurred it automatically very regions, both regarding voting studies and consolidate the rapidly treated this an opposi- and demonstrations. national status by giving priority tion to the Iranian regime. of “Iraniousness”, with a nation- Under the Islamic Republic, elec- alist discourse to increase his Since the middle of the 90s, Iran tion participation was consid- standing with the population. has been facing a certain “politi- ered an essential element for the This trial of strength is the back- cisation of ethnicity”. The sub- regime’s legitimacy. The ground to the 2013 Presidential ject of nationalities has become a Republic’s dignitaries unceas- elections, though already the very important part of public ingly spoke of the importance of 2012 parliamentary elections had discussion, impelled by a multi- the polls and to pride them- shown that the two men and tude of publications dealing selves on “the people’s support”. their respective camps are almost with ethnic and national identi- During the 1997 elections that equally strong, which makes the ty, in both Persian and other lan- saw Khatami take office, is was n° 330 • September 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 9•

clearly seen that he was particu- This does mean that the ty, complicate the unification of larly well supported in the provinces of the Iranian plateau the discontent on a national peripheral provinces , and the were soared the social conflicts scale. same held for his re-election. In that took place in the years 2005 the reforming candidates, 2000L there were many riots in Mr. Nuri Yesilyart, who teaches who stood in a disorganised Iranian cities and the adminis- political science at Ankara manner, did not make it to the trative distribution of con- University and is a specialist in second round, yet here too they stituencies created very strong international relations, particu- enjoyed strong supporting the tensions. The one million signa- larly those of Turkey with its peripheral regions: Karoubi tures ”campaign against dis- neighbours, described the ended up first in the province crimination against women was “Evolution of Turco-Iranian rela- with a Lori majority and won a also important. However, there tions before and after the Arab very good score in peripheral was a difference if timing and Spring”. provinces of the South and the territory in these demonstrations West of the country. Mostafa as between the centre and the Turkey and Iran are, except for Mo’im, who is a Turkish speaker periphery Israel, the two major Non-Arab from Azerbaijan, had substantial powers in the region. They have had scores on the mainly Sunni An important work of preserv- had many conflicts since the 16th province of Meralizadeh, and ing ethnic cultures has been con- Century, when the Ottomans though he finished last in the ducted has been carried out and Safavides were in “strategic election competition won much under the Islamic Republic and and ideological conflict” and this larger scores in the North-West has so greatly influenced rela- rivalry is still present even of the country. tions between the centre and the though there as a very short and periphery. The accusation of dif- exceptional period of more With regard to the conservative ference of treatment by the favourable relations, According candidates, it should be noted Pehlevi regime between the cen- to Nuri Yeşilyurt the events of that in 2005, Ahmedinjad tre and the periphery has been the Arab Spring have re-activat- enjoyed his greatest support in carried over to the Islamic ed this traditional rivalry. the provinces in the centre of the Republic, which has become the country. target of nationalist activists. The last series of conflicts This discourse has spread in sev- between Turkey and Iran began In view of the massive fraud, it eral social sectors: students, in 1979, during the Islamic revo- is impossible to draw any con- teachers, and trade Union cir- lution. During the cold war the clusions from the 2009 elections. cles. These criticisms have bee two countries were on the same relayed by members of side, allied to the United States, The alignment crisis that divid- Parliament. and both played an important ed the reformers in 2005 opened political role against the Soviet the way for autonomous activity This discourse on discrimina- Union in the Near East. After in the ethnic movements, tion of peripheral regions should 1979, Turkey remained a pro- favoured, at the beginning of the be seen alongside the gradual Western regional power, secular 2000s by a general context that conquest of the Republic’s insti- and economically liberal while allowed them to grow in tutions by the neo-conservatives. the new Iranian regime rede- strength — particularly the This has led to an approach fined itself as an anti-Western, weakening of the social move- much more centred on questions Islamic and economically statist ments that had carried the of security, on ethnic issues and country, thus opening a new reformers into office. These eth- with a massive use of repression period of ideological and strate- nic movements multiplied their along side a weakening of gic rivalry between the two protest actions in the 2000 regional development. countries. decade: riots in Khuzistan, major Moreover, the political organisa- demonstrations in Azerbaijan in tions close to Ahmedinjad no The 90s were the worst with honour of Babak and then m longer even try to establish regard to their relations, with over the Danish caricatures as political roots in the peripheral subversive actions on both sides. well as in Baluchistan. regions. As against this, the years after 2000 was the “golden age” of bi- Some of the countries provinces These alternative mobilisations lateral relations between the two saw acts of violence in in the peripheral regions that countries. Three main factors Baluchistan and Kurdistan. make appeal to national identi- contributed to this: • 10 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 330 • September 2012

Firstly there was a change in ations against Kurdish militants Turkey and Brazil. It had a limit- power in both countries: in the Qandil Mountains of Iraqi ed success because the West was Khatemi, a reformer, was elected Kurdistan. Thus an operation not ready to compromise on the President of Iran in 1997 and re- took place in December 2009 at nuclear issue and showed little elected in 2001. In Turkey, the the “zero point” between enthusiasm ar Turkey playing AKP, a “pro-Islamic” party won Turkey, Iran and Iraq. the role of intermediary. Indeed, the elections in 2002 and 2007. the latter maintained its neutrali- The Khatemi government tried The third factor is linked to the ty by voting NO on a Security to reduce the radical trends in economy and the energy policy. Council resolution that provided Iranian foreign policy and to The Turkish economy has flour- for sanctions against Iran. throw a line to the Western ished after the economic crisis of world at the same time as the 2001 and consequently the fuel Despite this, there were always AKP tried to reduce the pro-sec- and power sector needed several moments of suspicion and dis- ularist tendencies in Turkey and sources of reliable and readily trust between the two countries throw a line to the Islamic world available power. Thus, during regarding regional politics. — especially its Near-Eastern this period, Iran became a good Firstly because both countries neighbours. The two countries trade partner for Turkey since, at supported the idea of a united experienced a period of ideologi- that time, it was the only country Iraqi state but had different views cal convergence and in the 2000- in the region apart from Russia, regarding the composition of its 2010 decade they did not inter- which could supply Turkey with regime. Iran supported the Shiite vene in one another’s domestic natural gas via pipelines. This groups and their domination of affairs. This in 2009, the Turkish source represented about 40% of the government while Turkey leaders decided not to make any Turkey’s electricity. For this rea- tried to forge a dialogue between comments on what was happen- son is was very important to pre- all the Iraqi parties, in co-ordina- ing n Iran. While this period of vent to avoid total dependence tion with the United States — at positive relations lasted after on Russia for the supply of natu- least until 2010. A similar situa- Ahmedinjad came to power in ral gas. Turkey thus began to buy tion existed in the Lebanon. 2005, these factors still encour- natural gas from Iran, but the lat- aged a continued reconciliation. ter was only able to supply 20% Secondly, because Turkey and of its needs and the rest contin- Iran supported opposite sides in The second factor was the ued to be supplied by Russia. the Caucasus Turkey supported Kurdish question, which encour- Iran and Turkey nevertheless Azerbaijan while Iran supported aged cooperation between the began to draw up draft agree- Armenia. two countries. After the US ments on the production of natu- intervention in Iraq in 2003, both ral gas and projects for the trans- Thirdly, even though both coun- Turkey and Iran began to suffer fer of Iranian natural gas, even if tries were fighting Kurdish from the actions of Kurdish mili- this hasn’t yet been made con- rebels in the Qandil Mountains, tants. The PKK, which had crete. Iran always suspicious of declared a cease fire after Turkey’s cross-border operations Ocalan’s arrest in 1999, renewed Be cause of these three factors, against Iraqi Kurdistan, since its attacks against the Turkish Turkey opposed any external they could cause a changes in Army in June 2004 the PJAK, intervention that might desta- the balance of power between which has organic links with the bilise Iran and their bi-lateral the two countries. Moreover Iran PKK, started an armed struggle relations. Thus any foreign supported Islamist parties in against Iran. PJAK poses a much intervention could give the Iraqi Kurdistan while Turkey lesser danger to Iran than the Kurdish separatists more power preferred to support the PKK to Turkey, but Iran consid- and prevent Iranian exportations Turcomen and the Barzanis. ered the PJAK’s activity to be a to Turkey. This could also dis- Fourthly, Turkey had always, form of US “conspiracy” and turb the trade routes between after all, been suspicious of consequently wanted to ensure Turkey and central Asia. This is Iran’s potential for securing Turkey’s friendly support. Iran why the Turkish State worked to nuclear arms. Finally Turkey and Turkey, therefore, began to find a diplomatic solution and remained a US ally and a candi- fight together against a common chose not to take any stand on date for European Union mem- enemy, thus strengthening coop- Iranian nuclear activities, but bership. eration in security matters. After tried to mediate. Thus, in May 2008they were, in particular, 2010 the Teheran declaration During the Arab Spring, Turkey able to set up co-ordinated oper- was signed between Iran, adopted a more explicitly Sunni n° 330 • September 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 11 •

policy, pro-Western and aggres- To conclude, Turco-Iranian rela- lishing the domination of Shiism sive in the Middle East, which tions have entered into state of on the whole of Iran. was a turn away from its previ- conflict and rivalry through the ous policy of neutrality. The dis- Arab Spring. These relations Yet, quite apart from this recog- agreement was mainly about have had many ups and downs nised and tolerated opposition, Syria: Turkey broke off all rela- in the course of history and at there is that of the many popula- tions with the Assad regime in present we are in anew phase in tions who have their own 2011, by agreement with the which the controversies over demands and aspirations, who West and the pro-Western Arab regional policy predominate are not sufficiently reflected in states, which supported the over all others. The level of their the media or in public opinion rebels. Iran, however, consid- cooperation has not yet fallen to and even less at the level of ered the revolt in Syria was a its lowest level, as in the 90s — political decision making. Western conspiracy aimed at the economic and energy forms of strongest link in the anti-Israeli cooperation are not yet affected. One of the objectives of this bloc in the region. Similarly the However, the future of these symposium is to give the floor to two countries had divergent relations will be determined by representatives of minority peo- views on the Bahrein crisis. the situation in Syria, both long ples of Iran who rarely have a and short term, It is unrealistic say. In Iraq, Iran´s influence is to hope for a return to the gold- increasing daily within the en years of the previous decade. Nasser Boladel , First Secretary Shiite majority while Turkey of the Baluchi People’s Party, want to remain close to the Arab The second round table was recalled that Baluchistan has Sunnis and the Kurds. Thus its moderated by Kendal Nezan, been divided between three links with the Maliki govern- President of the Paris Kurdish countries, Afghanistan, Iran and ment have worsened. Institute on “The Question of the Pakistan ever since 1839, the non-Persian Peoples”. year in which British forces Turkey’s acceptance of NATO’s attacked the State of Kalat, system of an anti-missile shield Also taking part are: Mr. Karim which radically changed the sit- in September 2011 again showed Abdian, of the Al-Ahwaz uation of the Baluchis. A Baluchi that Turkey’s alliance with the Democratic Solidarity Party; Mr. region existed even before West and irritated still further Yussef Azizi, former Professor at Persian became Iran and before the Iranian political deciders, Teheran University; Mr. Boladel the establishment of Pakistan or who consider this is only to pro- , First Secretary of the Baluchi Afghanistan. Many revolts took tect Israel. People’s Party; Mr. Mustafa place in Baluchistan after con- Heiru, General Secretary of the quest and domination by the These controversies have affect- Kurdistan Democratic Party of Qajar dynasty in Persia in the ed several areas of co-operation Iran and Mr. Hedayat 19th Century, but they all failed between the two countries: the Soltanzadeh, a member of the because of the political interplay cooperation regarding security Executive Committee of the between the British and the against the Kurdish rebels; the Azerbaijan Federal Democratic Persians. In the struggle for Iranian authorities suspended Movement. power between two major pow- the agreement with Turkey ers, the Baluchis were just little exempting people over 50 from Introducing the Round table, local actors. needing visas in August 2012, Kendal Nezan explained that officially because of a meeting of when the media speak about Having succeeded in preserving Non-aligned nations in Teheran “Iran” it is nearly always on the their language and their culture, (but unofficially because of subject of the nuclear issue, the the Baluchis are trying to estab- increasing tensions between the security of Israel or of negotia- lish their right to autonomy, two countries). Iran had com- tions — but the Iranians them- which is not recognised in Iran, plained that Turkey s not play- selves are rarely given the right where the Baluchi language and ing its role as mediator in the to speak. Otherwise they cite the culture are forbidden. At school, nuclear issue even before the “opposition” which, in fact, is an all teaching is in Farsi, from the meeting of the 5 powers + 1 at internal opposition of the primary schools to university. in April 2012. The lead- Islamic republic, that is “those There are a whole series of ers of the two countries have who are opposed over the best man- exclusions and discriminations, reciprocally criticised one anoth- ner of applying the principles of the particularly financial, that aim at er’s stands on foreign policy. Islamic Republic” and of estab- keeping young Baluchis out of • 12 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 330 • September 2012

the educational system. It then nationalities, and the women all revolution. With the coming to becomes difficult for a Baluchi to demand immediate change not power of the Pehlevis, a new sys- find work. Last week 9 Baluchi ones in a distant future. tem was set up with a single prisoners, toe of them still “nationality” — a system based teenagers, were sentenced to The Iranians fear that if the on the political hegemony of the death — had they been from country became a federation, the Persians and that of the Persian Teheran they would have been situation would become worse language as official language the defended by NGOs and Human than that suffered by others being forbidden. Rights organisations. Yugoslavia. However, if Iran refuses to accept this plurality There are two levels of discrimi- According to Nasser Boladel, the they will end up in a situation nation and repression: the Baluchis are wrongly accused of even more serious than that of Pahlavi dictatorship was a classi- contributing to general insecuri- Yugoslavia and Syria. cal dictatorship, but with the ty whereas it is the regime’s own Islamic revolution arrived a unofficial forces that are carry- The Baluchi claims are very close totalitarian regime based on an ing out assassinations and the to those of the Kurdish people ideology — an Ayrian and Baluchis are constantly threat- and we have the example of the Islamic ideology. The national ened by these clandestine forces. Kurds, who have been fighting question has become intrinsic to They are also accused of terror- for a long time. What is said of the regime and is expressed by ism and armed violence but this the Kurds in Teheran, “that they daily acts of violence against is either because they have lost are incapable of agreeing, of working non-Persian peoples. national all hope of institutional reforms together and cooperating” is also cohesion has become a serious or the actions of people who said of the Baluchis, who are also problem in Iran, which will have had close relatives assassi- said to be “anarchic by nature”. never be as it was before. Any nated. It can be feared that this The Iranian opposition must change in the new central power increasing violence may get even rethink this equation otherwise will raise the question of nation- worse on the spot. The secretary there is a danger that Iran will alities. of the Baluchi party accused the disintegrate and that any per- “total passivity” of Human spective of democracy will be Recently an earthquake in Rights defence organisations, even further away. Axerbaijan caused uproar who turn a deaf ear to these per- because the government had secutions. “We are constantly told The Baluchis are said to number prevented aid services from that Iran is a single and whole 2.7 million in Iran, but statistics helping the population. Some country, that it is a united country, are variable, We think there are Central aid services did come, but this is a myth”. 3 to 4 million Baluchis in Iran. but they were unable to commu- Some estimates indicate about 4 nicate with the local population. The Baluchi People’s Party says million Baluchis in Pakistan and The economic situation today it wants a Federal Iran and mili- about 2 million in Afghanisatan, has deteriorated as has ecologi- tates for this with other parties in Kandahar for example. Some cal housing … Lac Urmiah has like the Azeri Federal Baluchis also live in the Gulf been completely dried out by Movement, the Solidarity Party States and Oman. dams and flood barriers. No and the Kurdistan Democratic investment has been made in Party of Iran, the Komala and all Mr. Hedayat Soltanzadeh, a Azerbaijan and Azeris must emi- the parties that make up the member of the Executive grate to the Republic of Congress for a Federal Iran. Committee of the Azerbaijan Azerbaijan and Baku — or else However they are always told Federal Democratic Movement. to Teheran or Istanbul. There are that they should wait for democ- Recalled that with the accession Azerbaijanis rotting in prison for racy to be established in Iran, to power of the Pehlevis, Persia having demanded the right to whereas the country is just changed its name to become use their own language. From falling lower and lower in a “Iran” and that the present size Kinderganden onwards it is for- most worrying situation. of Iran is not at all that of the bidden to speak Azeri. Persian Empire — that it is not Officially Iran calls itself a pluri- the same country. This country is A federal system is needed for national, multi-ethnic country multi-national and there is no the people to live together. that respects the differences of such thing as an “Iranian nation”, language and religion. Those but a mosaic of nations that did Mr. Mostafa Hejri, General who claim their rights, the not exist as such until the French Secretary of the Kurdistan n° 330 • September 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 13 •

Democratic Party of Iran, is the identity. To create a new politi- democratic government in this successor of Abdulrahman cal system in Iran, that would be country that would respect their Ghassemlou and Sadeq really democratic the fact of this individual and collective rights. Sherefkandi, both assassinated current reality must be accepted. by the Iranian government, In 2005 a great number of politi- which has, in all, assassinated In , oppression cal organisations representing 162 of its opponents while is institutionalised and has polit- the different nationalities of Iran abroad. During the 90s alone 151 ical, cultural, economic and created a Congress for a Federal members of the KDP-I were social repercussions Kurds are Iran so as to co-ordinate our assassinated while living as refused education in their moth- struggle. However this Congress refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan, and er tongue as well as the preser- needs the moral and political Mr. Heiri began by recalling the vation of their culture and right support of the international memories of his predecessors to self-determination. Kurdish community. Already, in 2993 Dr. political records. culture is constantly threatened. Sherefkandi had gone to Berlin Arbitrary arrests and torture to explain to the European polit- Terrorism, both internal and occur daily, aimed at Human ical elites this vision of a demo- abroad is an integral part of the Rights activists, intellectuals and cratic Iran — and he lost his life Iranian regime’s strategy. It even ordinary citizens. there enables it to keep itself in power Kurdistan is permanently kept and the victims of this regime economically underdeveloped Mr. Yussef Azizi, former are not only Iranians but also as a matter of deliberate State Professor at Teheran University, foreigners — Europeans for policy. This and the lack of edu- recalled that there were Arabs in example. cation lead to absence of Iran and the requests they had employment perspectives. The made in 1979 to the provisional Regarding the Iranian nuclear result is a state of anxiety in the government at the time of crisis, the struggle against the population and tragic side change of regime. Amongst regime is not only morally legiti- effects— a very high level of sui- these were autonomy for the mate but can ensure peace in the cides, especially among women, Khuzistan region and the return region and a lasting stability — drug addiction and other social or its original name of this means not only the absence evils. Arabistan; recognition of the of wars low intensity conflicts Arabs as a nation within the by a real and durable democracy The population of Iranian Islamic Republic; an of a European type. Kurdistan supports a change of autonomous council for the regime. The low election Arab region that would legislate Today, the dictatorial States are turnouts come from the boy- at local level; that Arabic be the the mortal enemies of their own cotting of these phoney elections official language of the citizens. The Arab Spring has organised in Kurdistan. If regu- autonomous region, Persian recalled that reality. It is thus no lar and free elections took place remaining the official language surprise that the greatest threats the Kurds would vote for a fed- of Iran; education in Arabic as to these regimes are not external eral secular state. In 1979 a refer- from elementary school, an but internal. endum was organised to ask the Arabic language University, Iranians if they supported the freedom of expression and of Yet Iran has the capacity to be creation of an Islamic Republic. publication as well as media in transformed into a great country In Iranian Kurdistan this refer- Arabic; priority of employment and to make a positive contribu- endum was purely and simply to be given to Arabs in the tion to the international commu- boycotted. region; that some funds derived nity were it to chose democracy. from oil revenues be allocated to However, millions of Iranians, If the present regime is con- develop agriculture and indus- whatever their ethnicity or their vinced that it enjoys the support try in the region; that the topog- sex are oppressed in different of the majority of the Iranian raphy should use the historic way. The Kurds, the Azeris, the population why does it not Arabic names; that young Arabs Arabs, the Baluchis, the organise free and fair elections be integrated into the Army and Turcomen and also members of in the presence o international the Police and have access to religious minorities — the observers. more senior ranks, which had Bah’ai, the Yarsans, are never been the case. oppressed because of their The Iranian population in all its nationals, linguistic or religious diversity, must bring about a The situation today: the port city • 14 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 330 • September 2012

of Khorramshahr (formerly major towns is worsened by only 5% of them hold major gov- Mohamerah) that had once been dust storms (110 days a year), ernment positions. The other “the jewel of Iranian ports” has nit the drying out of the marshland posts are held by Persians. In the yet been completely reconstruct- caused by the dams all give a last 80 years no Arab has held ed while unemployment and picture of am eclological catas- the post of Provincial Governor. poverty are endemic. Many trophe. Water drunk by many dams have been built and their residents is unhealthy Ahwaz The Arabs were the first ethnic waters turned towards Ispahan, being one of the most polluted group to be targeted by national- Yard and Kerman for non-essen- cities in the world. ist and racist policies as from the tial crops (lettuces and melons) middle of the 19th Century and at the expense of the cultivation Despite the oil revenues extract- also following the accession to of wheat and barley and of the ed from this region, the majority power of the Pahlevis. This anti- Arab peasants. The pollution of its inhabitants live in poverty. Arab feeling has begun to be from industrial water emptied part of the general culture, both into the rivers, the atmospheric Arab people make 70% of the among the middle classes and pollution of Ahwaz and other population of Khuzistan, but even the less comfortably off.

ROME: DEATH OF MIRELLA GALLETTI

ur friend Professor Dr. in university symposia in vari- leagues and public figures from Mirella Galletti, Died ous countries. During the 2000s, the scientific world as well as suddenly early in she has been successively teach- official representatives from Iraq September 2012 ing the law of Islamic communi- and Kurdistan. O ties at Venice’s Ca' Foscari This eminent specialist in University and the history of Dr. Saywan Barzani, Iraqi Kurdish studies, an active mem- transnational peoples of western Ambassador to Italy, with whom ber of the Kurdish Institute of Asia at Milan-Bicocca. she had forged close links of Paris since its foundation in University. Appointed Professor work and friendship, came with 1983, was born in 1949, near at Naples Orientale University, all the embassy personnel. Also Bologna, in Italy. She received she has been teaching Arab and present were the Iraqi her Ph.D. in Political Science Moslem History there. Ambassadors to the Vatican, the in1974, at Bologna University United Nations and to the Arab with a thesis on “the political She has produced an abundant League and their colleagues, as structure and cultural values of bibliography, covering not only well as Monseigneur Haddad, Kurdish society”. the Kurds, their history, society Greek Melikite Catholic and traditions but also the Archbishop, who has known Ever since the 1970s, she has Christian minorities of the Mirelia well and who was theon- travelled to the Middle East, Middle east, particularly those of ly person asked to make the especially in Kurdistan, to carry Iraq and of Kurdistan. She has funeral oration. out her research work. When the also published books and papers Iraq0Iran War broke out 1980, on Iraq and Syria. When asked Monseigneur Haddad recalled, she was in Teheran. The follow- what she had wanted to achieve in an eloquent manner, the ing year, she secured a press card in her work and her career, she importance of Mirelia’s work, and was one of the first replied “to know and make which as reiterated several Europeans to interview A. known the living conditions and times, has made better known Ocalan, in June 1988 in the difficulties of the Arab and the Christian communities estab- Lebanon, and in 1988 she met the Islamic world” and to observe lished in the Middle East since Iraqi Kurdish refugees who had “with empathy and without times immemorial and which fled from the . prejudice different cultures”. aspire to continue living in peace and harmony with their Moslem Since the 1990s she has been Her funeral took place on neighbours. He not only stressed teaching Kurdish history and Saturday 8 September 2012 at Mirelia’s erudition but also her civilisation at Bologna and 4.30 p.m. in the Basilica dei SS. kindness and generosity. Trieste Universities, while con- Apostoli, Piazza Santi Apostoli, tinuing to make long visits to hear her home. The church was The Kurdish Institute of Paris Iraqi Kurdistan and taking part filled with relations, friends, col- was represented by Joyce Blau, n° 330 • September 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 15 •

moved at the loss of a friend of Oriente Moderno, anno LVII, 9- 1994: “Ahmad Khânî ‘Mem û thirty years, who brought the 10, Rome. Zîn’: L’amore per la patria”, in saddened condolences of its In Forma di Parole, 3e série, 2e President and staff. 1978: «Curid e Kurdistan in année, 4, Crocetti Editore. opere italiane del XIII-XIX seco- Among the crows who sur- lo», in Oriente Moderno, anno 1994: “Kurdistan, polveriera rounded Mirelia’s family, her LVIII, 11, Rome. dimenticata : un popolo in cerca nephews and nieces, should be di una patria sicura. Minoranze mentioned Dr. Paola Orsatti, 1987 : «Kurd û Kurdistan la in pericolo : gli assio-caldei. Professor of Persian Language Nusrâwakany Italy da, la saday ‘Noi, vasi di coccio tra arabi e and literature at the “La Sêzdam - Nozdam (Les Kurdes curdi?’” , in Mondo e Missione. Sapienza” University of Rome, et le Kurdistan dans les textes Professor Angelo Michele italiens du XIIIe au XIXe siècle), 1995: «Italian Policy Toward Piemontese, of Rome University, trad. Jasim Tawfiq, Binkay Assyrians and Kurds», in Claudio Caprotti, Professor of Hangaw, Stockholm. Journal of the Assyrian ancient languages and Mirelia’s Academic Society, vol. IX, 2, colleague, Professor Gian-Maria 1990: I Curdi nella Storia, Santa Barbara. Piccinelli, President of the Jean Vecchio Faggio Editore, Chieti. Monnet Faculty of the Seconda 1995: “The Woman’s Role in the Universita degli studi of Naples, 1991: «I Curdi nella il guerra del Kurdish Society according to where Mirelia taught, the Arabic Golfo», in Oriente Moderno European Literature”, in Iran- specialist Isabella Camera nuova serie, anno X, 1-6, Rome. Nameh, 1 (11). d’Afflitto of La Sapienza University and several dozens of 1991: Bollettario 1 (dir) ; 1996: “Cristiani d’Iraq. Un esodo other colleagues and friends, Qadrimestrale di scrittura e criti- senza terra promessa”, in may of whom had come from a ca, Associazione culturale Le Mondo e Missioni. great distance, and all upset at Avanguardie, Modène. the sudden loss of this excep- 1996 : “La terra di tutti gli olo- tional woman. 1990 : « Sviluppo del problema causti. ‘Quand Hitler seppe curdo negli anni ’80 » in Oriente quello che Saddam fece ai curdi Mirella Galletti was a great Moderno, nº1-6, pp. 75-125, pianse?’” in Corriere della Serra, friend of the Kurds, who she Rome ; 7-12. Milan. 2 septembre 1996. loved deeply. She leaves behind a fascinating and very rich work 1993: «Kurdistan, un mosaico di 1996: «Intervista con Abdullahg of inestimable value to Kurdish sei popoli», in ARES, Revue de Hassanzadeh, Segretario Studies. All her colleagues and Politique Intenrationale et Generale del PDK Iran», in members of the Institute will Conflits Ethniques, 1. Politica Internazionale, anno miss her warm, friendly and XXIV, nuova serie, 3-4. always cheerful presence. 1993: Cenni sulla letteratura curda, trad. de «Bâzne», in 1996: Favole curde, Campomarzo Almanaco letterario», Edizioni Editrice, San Lazzaro di Savena. The following are some of her della Lisca, Milan. works. The full bibliography 1999: I Curdi : un popolo will be collected shortly. 1994: “Kurdistan: I giochi transnazionale, EdUP, Rome. regionali proseguono : I Curdi in 1974: Struttura politica e valori Iran, intervista a Mustafa Hijri» 1999 : “Shakir Hasbak : un intel- culturali nella società curda, in Politica Internazionale nº 3, lettuale iracheno ponte tra Arab thèse préparée sous la dir. Rome. e Curdi”, in Oriente Moderno, d’Antonio Marazzi. Università XXI, 2-3, Rome. degli studi, Bologne. 1994: «La politica italiana verso assiri e curdi» in Storia contem- 2002: Le relazioni tra Italia e 1975: “L’ultima rivolta curda in porana nº 3. Kurdistan, coll. Quaderni di Iraq”, in Oriente Moderno LV, 9- Oriente Moderno, Instituto per 10, Rome. 1994: «Kurdistan : A Mosaic of l’Oriente, Naples. Peoples», in Acta Kurdica,the 1978: “Sviluppi del problema International Journal of Kurdish 2002: Incontri con la società del curdo negli anni 1975-1978”, in & Iranian. Kurdistan, Name, Gênes. • 16 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 330 • September 2012

2003: Cristiani del Kurdistan, 2008: Kurdistan. Cucina e 2010 : “L’âne dans la société et la Jouvence, Rome. tradizioni del popolo curdo, culture kurde - passé et présent”, Ananke, Turin. in Revue d’Ethnozootechnie, 87. 2005: “Kirkuk: The Pivot of Balance in Iraq. Past and 2008: “Some Catholic Sources on Present”, in Journal of Academic Jazira (1920-1950)”, Kervan - 2011: “Correspondance between Assyrian Studies, vol. 19, 2. Rivista Internazionale di Studi Eugenio Pacelli, Secretary of afroasiatici. State and Angelo Giuseppe 2007: “La bataille de Chalderan Roncalli, Apostolic Delegate to dans un tableau du XVIe siècle”, 2009: “Cuisine and Customs of Turkey (1935-1939)” in Surdi in Studia Iranica t. 36, Paris. the Kurds and their Neighbors” sull’Oriente Cristiano, 15, in Journal of Assyrian Academic Academia Angelica- 2007: “I Curdi da vinti a vinci- Studies, vol. 23, nº1. Costantiniana di Lettere, Aerti e tori?” in Il Ponte nº 11, Rome. Scienze, Rome. 2010: Le Kurdistan et ses chré- 2007: “Ufficiale, medici e fun- tiens, édition du Cerf, Paris. zionari in Medici, tra Impero 2011: Iraq, il Cuore del Mondo, ottoman et Persia”, in Oriente 2010: Kürt yemek kültürü, (Iraq, the Heart of the World), Moderno, Rome. Avewsta yayinlari, Istanbul. Iraqi Embassy to Italy, Rome.. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 3 septembre 2012 TURQUIE: 30 morts dans un accrochage entre soldats turcs et kurdes

Des véhicules blindés de l'armée turque sont stationnés en face de l'avant-poste militaire de Gecimli, le 8 août. (STR/AFP) Dans les années qui ont suivi son arrivée au pouvoir, en 2002, le parti gou- Par Le Nouvel Observateur avec AFP Dans une première réaction à cette vernemental de la Justice et du dévelop- attaque, le vice-Premier ministre Bekir pement (AKP, issu de la mouvance isla- Bozdag a assuré sur la chaîne privée miste) du Premier ministre Recep La tension est montée d'un cran NTV que "la lutte contre le terrorisme se Tayyip Erdogan, a lancé sous dans le dossier kurde le mois poursuivra sans relâche". l'impulsion de sa candidature à l'Union européenne certaines initiatives en dernier, les autorités turques Attaque kamikaze ayant menacé de sévir contre le faveur de la minorité kurde, estimée à Dans un incident séparé survenu 12 millions sur une population de 75 PKK en territoire syrien. dimanche soir, un membre du PKK, millions. vraisemblablement un kamikaze, a fait Toutefois, cette politique exploser sa charge sur un barrage rou- ix soldats turcs et environ 20 d'ouverture pro-kurde a fait long feu et tier à Viransehir (sud-est), se tuant sur le rebelles kurdes ont été tués dans Recep Tayyip Erdogan n'a cessé depuis coup et blessant trois agents de sécurité. Ddes combats survenus tard dimanche 2 2009 de hausser le ton contre les milieux septembre dans le sud-est de la Turquie, Le PKK a multiplié ses attaques avec Kurdes, poussant l'appareil judiciaire à nouveau signe de la recrudescence, à l'été contre les forces d'Ankara. Le 20 réprimer toute forme de militantisme l'heure du conflit syrien, des combats août, une attaque à la voiture piégée a kurde. entre l'armée d'Ankara et les séparatistes fait dix morts dans la ville de Gaziantep Recep Tayyip Erdogan a visé systé- kurdes. (sud-est), un attentat imputé au PKK. matiquement le parti pro-kurde BDP Celui-ci a démenti. "Neuf agents de sécurité ont été tués (Parti de la paix et de la justice), en et huit autres sont blessés", a déclaré le Multiplication des attaques l'accusant ouvertement de "terrorisme". gouverneur de la province de Sirnak du PKK (sud-est, à la frontière irakienne et Depuis 1984, 45.000 morts Les opérations des rebelles se sont syrienne), Vahdettin Özkan. Ses services Des centaines de militants ou sym- intensifiées dans le sud-est, peuplé ont par la suite précisé que toutes les pathisants de la cause kurde ont été majoritairement de Kurdes, mais aussi victimes, côté forces de sécurité, étaient incarcérés depuis l'an dernier et le gou- dans l'ouest, où une attaque a tué un des soldats, et qu'un soldat blessé avait vernement a menacé de faire lever soldat près d'Izmir. perdu la vie. l'immunité parlementaire des députés du BDP. Attaque aux lance-roquettes Et la tension est montée d'un cran dans le dossier kurde le mois dernier, Et pour cause: ces derniers ont Les heurts dans la localité de les autorités turques ayant menacé de défrayé la chronique en donnant Beytüssebap, qui dépend de cette pro- sévir contre le PKK en territoire syrien l'accolade, devant les caméras, à des vince, ont en outre fait environ 20 morts déchiré par un conflit généralisé si ce rebelles du PKK dans une zone reculée dans les rangs du Parti des travailleurs dernier était utilisé par les rebelles pour du sud-est anatolien. Les images ont du Kurdistan (PKK), ont indiqué des déstabiliser la Turquie. provoqué une onde de choc dans une sources locales. Plusieurs zones du nord de la Syrie, Turquie qui déplore quasi quotidienne- Un groupe de rebelles, qui disposent riveraines de la Turquie, sont actuelle- ment des pertes dans les rangs de son de bases arrière dans la montagne ira- ment au mains de groupes kurdes armée. kienne, ont attaqué avec des fusils syriens, dont certains sont proches du Le conflit avec le PKK, considéré par mitrailleurs et des lance-roquettes un PKK. Ankara a accusé Damas d'avoir Ankara comme une organisation terro- complexe de sécurité de Beytüssebap, favorisé l'installation du PKK dans ces riste, a déjà coûté quelque 45.000 vies tuant les soldats. La police et les soldats régions pour nuire à la Turquie. dans des combats qui durent depuis ont riposté, provoquant de violents N 1984. heurts, a ajouté le gouverneur. Des initiatives en faveur des Kurdes

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

ICJÏÏOlldC ÇA PEUT AH HI VER DEMAIN

Dimanche 2 - Lundi 3 septembre 2012 L'Irak va redevenir un grand du pétrole

ans l'ancestrale rivalité opposant l'Irak ÉVOLUTION DE LA PRODUCTION DE PÉTROLE DE L'IRAN

à l'Iran, le premier de ces Etats vient de ET DE L'IRAK, IN MILLIONS DE BARILS PAR JOUR marquer un point plus que symboli¬

que : en juillet, sa production pétrolière Ir.ik a dépassé celle de son voisin persan, du jamais-vu 4 3,08 depuis 1988. Il est devenu le deuxième produc¬

teur de l'Organisation des pays exportateurs de 3 pétrole (OPEP), derrière l'Arabie Saoudite. Et / l'écart se creuseradans les prochainesannées. Bag¬ 2 ran

dad a en effet relancé son activité,pétrolière avec 2,82

le concours de majors américaines, européennes, 1 russes et chinoises. Téhéran voit la sienne décli¬ \l 1 / 1 ner, frappée au cparl'embargo décrété par les 0 Etats-Unis et l'Union européenne pour obtenir Juil. 2002 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 Juil. 201:

l'arrêt de son programme nucléaire. Son pouvoir SOURCE :OCDr/Ali: au sein de l'OPEP- où il est à la tête des « faucons »

avec le Venezuela - ne peut que s'émousser. ont accepté des conditions très dures pour relan¬

L'Iran, riche des deuxièmes réserves mondiales cerla production de champs géants (Rumaila, Qur-

de pétrole et de gaz, n'a jamais retrouvé la produc¬ nà-Ouest...). Depuis 2011, la production a progres¬

tion de 5,5 millions de barils par jour atteinte au sé de 12%, trois fois plus vite qu'entre 2006 et milieu des années 1970. Tombée à moins de 1 mil¬ 2010. Si la barre des 3,5 millions de barils est lion de barils au début de la guerre contre l'Irak en franchie en 2013, l'Irak retrouvera son niveau de 1980, elle est péniblement remontée jusqu'à 1979 alors que de vastes zones désertiques, dans

3,5 millions en 2011. Avant de rechuter de l'ouest du pays) ont été.peu explorées.

700000barils depuis que' de nombreux pays A Bagdad, tous ces chiffres montent un peu vite européens ou asiatiques refusent le brut iranien. à la tête des autorités. Certains voient déjà leur

Cet embargo pourrait durer de longs mois, voire pays rejoindre, voire dépasser, l'Arabie Saoudite

des années, si la République islamique persiste dès 2017 et produire jusqu'à 12 millions de barils,

dans la poursuite de son programme nucléaire. comme l'affirmait récemment le ministre du

La mise au ban de l'Iran par une partie de la pétrole, Abdoul Karim Luaiby. La plupart des ana¬

communauté internationale coïncide avec le lystes pétroliers n'y croient pas, tablant plutôt sur

retourde l'Irak sur la scène pétrolière. Les grandes 4,5 à 5 millions à un horizon de cinq ans.

compagnies se précipitent dans l'ancienne Méso¬ Mais la rivalité pétrolière n'est plus synonyme potamie, malgré une série de contraintes : vétus¬ de guerre fratricide depuis que des dirigeants chii¬ té des infrastructures (ports, routes, pipelines), tes sont aux commandes à Bagdad. Après la publi¬

manque de main-d' qualifiée, contrats de cation d'une enquête du New York Times, le

service peu lucratifs imposés aux sociétés étran¬ 19 août, le président des Etats-Unis s'est inquiété gères, attentats à répétition (notamment contre du soutien que l'Irak apporte à l'Iran pour l'oléoduc vers la Turquie), absence de loi pétroliè¬ contourner l'embargo par le biais d'institutions

re et dossier toujours pendant de la province financières comme Elaf Islamic Bank. Les Améri¬

pétrolière du Kurdistan. cains lui reprochent aussi de fermer les yeux sur

Les dirigeants de Bagdad savent que leur pays la contrebande de pétrole. Autant d'activités dont est incontournable sur la scène pétrolière. Il est des proches du premier ministre chiite, Nouri

riche de la troisième réserve mondiale de pétrole Al-Maliki, tireraient profit, a

(143 milliards de barils). Depuis 2009, les majors Jean-Michel Bezat

Conflit sur le pétrole: Bagdad menace le Kurdistan de réduire son budget

BAGDAD, 4 septembre 2012 (AFP) a privé le budget fédéral de trois milliards de dollars de revenus.

En conséquence, Bagdad donne "une semaine au gouvernement régional du Kurdistan pour venir se défendre. Si tel n'était pas le cas, les fonds LE GOUVERNEMENT irakien a menacé mardi le Kurdistan de sous¬ seraient retirés de son budget", a déclaré Ali Moussaoui, porte-parole du traire 3 milliards de dollars aux fonds qui lui sont alloués, si la région Premier ministre Nouri al-Maliki. autonome ne comblait pas le manque à gagner engendré par sa déci¬ sion de suspendre temporairement ses exportations de pétrole. Les relations entre Erbil et le gouvernement fédéral se sont considérable¬ ment dégradées ces derniers mois en raison de différends sur des contrats La région autonome du Kurdistan est en conflit avec Bagdad sur pétroliers et des revendications territoriales. l'exploitation de ses ressources en hydrocarbures. Elle lui réclame 1,5 mil¬ liard de dollars d'arriérés de paiement. En avril, le Kurdistan avait décidé de Le Kurdistan a signé des dizaines de contrats pétroliers avec des compa¬ suspendre ses exportations de pétrole, pour les reprendre quatre mois plus gnies étrangères sans l'approbation de Bagdad, qui exige que ce type de tard. négociations passent à travers son ministère du Pétrole et considère illégal tout contrat conclu en dehors de ce circuit. D'après un rapport remis au gouvernement irakien mardi, cette suspension Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

Le chef de la diplomatie iraki- Bagdad souhaite enne Hoshiyar Zebari./Photo d'archives/REU se tenir à distance du TERS/Maxim conflit syrien Shemetov 5 septembre 2012 - Par Patrick Markey | Reuters

BAGDAD - L'Irak observe avec méfiance les tensions grandis- santes entre chiites et sunnites dans le monde arabe exacerbées par divisée entre un axe chiite Téhéran-Damas-, favorable au plus de dix-sept mois de violences en Syrie, déclare le chef de la maintien au pouvoir du régime de Bachar al Assad, et l'Arabie diplomatie irakienne Hoshiyar Zebari dans une interview à Saoudite et le Qatar sunnites qui souhaitent armer les opposants. Reuters. LIGUE ARABE Les chiites, au pouvoir en Irak après des années de persécution sous Bien que proche de l'Iran, allié indéfectible de Damas, le gouverne- le régime de Saddam Hussein, craignent qu'une chute du régime du ment irakien dément soutenir le régime syrien sous la pression de président syrien Bachar al Assad ne fasse voler en éclats l'équilibre Téhéran et fait valoir l'indépendance de sa politique étrangère. religieux en Syrie et n'ouvre la voie, à plus ou moins long terme, à la Bagdad s'est abstenu lors d'un vote sur la suspension de la Syrie de mise en place d'un régime sunnite hostile à Bagdad. la Ligue arabe en novembre dernier et résiste aux appels lancés en faveur de l'adoption de sanctions arabes. L'intensification des violences entre les rebelles syriens, majoritaire- ment sunnites, et le régime alaouite, une branche du chiisme, fait éga- "La Ligue arabe devrait avoir un rôle à jouer et si elle devient une part lement planer une menace sur le fragile équilibre des pouvoirs entre du problème, elle n'aura aucun rôle", estime Hoshiyar Zebari. "Si kurdes, chiites et sunnites dans l'Etat irakien voisin. Le conflit syrien nous prenons parti, nous devons soit déclarer la guerre soit contri- a d'ores et déjà exacerbé les tensions entre le pouvoir central irakien buer à armer quelque chose que nous ne soutenons pas." et la province autonome kurde. En privé, les dirigeants chiites irakiens reconnaissent que s'ils ne sou- "Nous sommes préoccupés par la multiplication des milices, des tiennent pas le régime syrien, ils redoutent l'après-Assad et un retour groupes armés et la montée du fondamentalisme qui ébranlent notre des anciens membres du parti Baas qui pourraient s'allier aux système politique", explique le ministre des Affaires étrangères. groupes islamistes sunnites pour déstabiliser le pays. "Nous ne voulons pas être plongés" dans la bataille sunnite-chiite qui "L'Irak affirme depuis le départ qu'il soutient les aspirations légitimes fait rage dans la région. du peuple syrien à plus de liberté, de démocratie et de processus poli- Alors que les autres pays du monde arabe et du Golfe ont officielle- tique", souligne le chef de la diplomatie irakienne. "Mais l'Irak a ses ment pris position en faveur de la rébellion syrienne, l'Irak a adopté propres inquiétudes concernant les événements en Syrie, des inquié- une approche plus discrète et ne s'est pas joint, jusqu'à présent, aux tudes en matière sécuritaire, religieuse et terroriste. Nous ne connais- appels lancés en faveur de la démission de Bachar al Assad. sons pas l'issue (du conflit), nous ne savons pas ce qu'il va se passer." La guerre civile en Syrie risque de rebattre les cartes dans la région,

7 septembre 2012

Depuis juin 2011, les violences sépara- tistes ont coûté la vie à 500 combattants du PKK, à 200 membres des forces turques et Vingt-six séparatistes kurdes à 85 civils, selon les estimations de l'International Crisis Group, un cercle de tués par l'armée turque réflexion. Depuis 1984, le bilan dépasse les Seyhmus Cakan / (Reuters) de sécurité. 40.000 morts. L'offensive est centrée sur le mont Ankara soupçonne la Syrie de jouer un IYARBAKIR, Turquie - L'offensive Kato, une zone isolée de la province de rôle direct dans l'aggravation de la situa- en cours de l'armée turque contre les Sirnak, mais des habitants font état de tion, ce que Bachar al Assad dément. Drebelles kurdes a fait 26 morts en deux jours bombardements aériens au Kurdistan ira- Autrefois proche du président syrien, parmi les séparatistes du Parti des travail- kien. Plusieurs chasseurs F-16 ont décollé le Premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip leurs du Kurdistan (PKK), a-t-on appris jeudi soir et vendredi de Diyarbakir, chef Erdogan, est devenu l'un de ses plus fer- vendredi de source proche des services de lieu de la région, selon un correspondant vents détracteurs après le soulèvement sécurité. de Reuters sur place. populaire contre le régime baassiste il y a L'opération a débuté mercredi soir Aucune incursion terrestre en territoire dix-huit mois et n'exclut pas une interven- dans la province de Sirnak (Sud-Est), fron- irakien n'a en revanche été signalée, bien tion armée contre les positions séparatistes talière de l'Irak et de la Syrie. Elle mobilise que l'armée turque dispose d'un millier en Syrie. 2.000 hommes soutenus par l'aviation qui d'hommes dans le secteur en vertu d'un Lors de ce qui ressemble à un avertis- opère des deux côtés de la frontière ira- accord conclu dans les années 1990. sement, l'armée turque a effectué mercredi L'été qui s'achève a été l'un des plus d'importantes manoeuvres militaires près kienne. G "L'intense opération se poursuit", a-t- meurtriers depuis que le PKK a pris les de la frontière avec la Syrie. on déclaré de source proche des services armes, en 1984.

3 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti september 1, 2012

Apart from Arabs, there's also a significant number of Christians in the area under your control. Some of them have already said that they 'Syrian Kurds' fate don't feel comfortable under the new Kurdish rule. As far as I know there are very good relations between Kurds and Christians. I met the Armenians a few days ago and they asked us to will affect whole protect them. We've already told them that they have to protect them- selves; if they cannot, we will do it. Even Arabs are also going to set up Middle East' mediation centres, asking for help to solve their problems. We've lived Syria's Kurds have emerged as a crucial player in together for centuries and that's what we are planning to do in the the conflict. DW spoke to the head of the main future ahead. Kurdish political party in northeasten Syria, Salih But there have been allegations pointing to several abuses by armed Muslim Muhammad, about the impact of the cri- Kurdish fighters at checkpoints or street patrols. sis on the Middle East. First of all, I want to make clear that the PYD (Democratic Union Party - the ed.) is just a political organization. That said, we know there have been many mistakes because everything is new for us. We lack the DW: DW has met Kurdish necessary experience to make things work from the beginning. Besides, fighters at checkpoints not everybody people likes the PYD so some will try their best to give who claimed not to have us bad press at the first opportunity. fired a single shot. It's Turkey is alarmed at the growing influence of the PYD and suspects it difficult to believe given of having links with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has the increasing levels of fought a 28-year old conflict in Turkey. violence in the rest of the country… Turkey is trying to convince the rest of the world that we are terrorists, Kurdish leader Salih Muslim simply because they are afraid of us getting our rights. We are a Syrian Salih Muslim Muhammad Copyright: Karlos Zurutuza political party with no organic relations whatsoever with the PKK. We Muhammad: Believe it or don't even have armed forces, those committees are just for civil pro- not, this might be one the tection and they brought their weapons from their houses. Besides, we only region in the country where the Syrians' will is still respected were also among the people who established the opposition in Syria so because there are no foreign hands interfering in our areas. From the Turkey shouldn't interfere. very beginning we Kurds were demonstrating for freedom and demo- cracy; we wanted a peaceful revolution, not an armed one. It was the Many Syrian Kurds say they're fighting for a "federal state" with a regime which dragged the protests into an armed conflict because they Kurdish Autonomous Region, similar to the one in Iraq. Do you favour are stronger. For the time being, we have managed to protect ourselves such an option? and keep our areas quiet despite a few local incidents in Kobani and We've been victims of this regime for decades and we just want our Afrin. We're doubtless part of the revolution but this is the Syria we democratic rights. But that doesn't mean that we are aiming to break want, not what others want. Syria into pieces. Basically, we want to solve our problems in But rumors have it that your party has negotiated a truce with Bashar Damascus, and not elsewhere. We're asking for local civil organizations Assad's government. linked to each other where our people would be represented. We call it "radical democracy" and it's not the classic model of autonomy but a There's been no agreement with anybody whatsoever. Just tell me: who system which accepts differences and dissent and where people can wants the fighting in Syria? Turkey? We have no relations with Turkey. take their own decisions and immediately execute them. Saudi Arabia? Qatar? NATO? We have no relation with them as they've never recognized our existence; none of them has ever supported the Still, there are around 15 Kurdish political parties in Syria today. Are Syrian Kurds. Damascus knows we just want our constitutional rights, your people as divided as the figures suggest? that is why they're not afraid of us. We knew Assad would not fall in Alongside the PYD, they are all under the umbrella of the Syrian just two months, that's why we organized our people into civilian National Kurdish Council. The majority of us are united in the essen- defence committees long ago. Actually, we already had some check- tial points which focus on the achievement of our democratic rights. points a year ago and the government simply couldn't do anything We have the moral support of the rest of the , Iraq, Iran about it. In July there were clashes between the and and the Diaspora. All of them are trying to help us. In fact, if we Assad's troops, very close to Kobani, a critical area for Damascus' intel- manage to achieve our democratic rights, it will be a great step for all ligence. Nonetheless, in areas like in Qamishli, Assad has his own the Kurds. The Syrian Kurds' fate will affect the whole Middle East. checkpoints but they're not manning them, nor are they patrolling the city. So what is your proposal to end Syria's escalating conflict? How high, in your opinion, is the risk of Syria becoming a sectarian- Just let the Syrians decide by themselves! Assad's is a bloody regime ridden country like neighboring Iraq? but, even today, Syrians would still be able to find their way out if so many foreign forces weren't involved. Unfortunately, the government The risk of getting dragged into a sectarian conflict is very high. is taking weapons from Iran and Russia while the Free Syrian Army is Actually, the situation is inexorably taking that path but, as said, that's being backed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey… Kofi Annan's road map not something the Syrian people have chosen. We know we have to could have worked but neither the regime nor the foreign actors wan- fight for our rights and not let anybody steal our revolution as it has ted it to develop. Even China and Russia were ready to convince the already happened in other Arab countries. Look at Aleppo now, it's full regime to put down its weapons but the plan proposed in Geneva last of armed people, many of them foreigners. What are they doing here? June was not taken into consideration on the ground. We'd never allow al Qaeda or any related group to operate in our areas. Today nobody knows whether Syria will be divided or not. Whatever But several sources point out that Arab villages around the area have happens, we have to be ready to protect ourselves in any possible sce- been given weapons by Damascus. Is that true? nario, whether it is under the current regime, under the opposition's N We are aware that the government has handed them weapons but we rule … even against a Turkish military operation in our area. won't fight against them as long as they don't attack us. We must avoid Salih Muslim Muhammad is the leader of the Democratic Union Party, the an Arab-Kurd confrontation by any means necessary. We need to live dominant Kurdish political force in northeastern Syria. as neighbors so we are very careful about not igniting violence between us. Interview: Karlos Zurutuza, Qamishli, northeastern Syria

4 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti SEPTEMBER 2, 2012 Could a state for Greater Kurdistan be on the horizon? As the Middle East is being remapped, this may be the Kurds' last shot at having their own state.

Pepe Escobar Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu - Pepe Escobar is the roving corre- he of the defunct "zero problems with our spondent for Asia Times. His latest book is named Obama Does neighbours" doctrine - is still toeing the line Globalistan (Nimble Books, 2009) that the country could not accept more than 100,000 Syrian refugees (there are already 70,000 and counting); in this case, illions of Kurds, observing the meet- some fuzzy "safe haven" would have to be ing of the Non-Aligned Movement installed in Syrian territory. This Thursday, M (NAM) in Tehran last week, must have Ankara will press the complexities of the thought: "What about us? What about our refugee crisis at a ministerial-level meeting non-aligned nation to be? We should be at the UN. there. Maybe next time..." Ankara has insistently accused both The current remapping of the It may be just possible that Kurds - which Damascus and Tehran of supporting PKK Middle East could possibly see the themselves admit their notoriety for inter- guerrillas active in Anatolia and the porous creation of a Greater Kurdistan nal squabble - are finally getting their act border areas. Yet at the same time, Ankara state [AFP] together; after all, history may be dictat- has developed a quite secretive narrative; ing, roughly a century after World War I and Turkey, once again, is aligned with Israel's ranking Kemalists. Over 60 generals are in its aftermath, which dealt a big blow to strategy (the Mavi Marmara incident is now jail, accused of plotting a coup - and lower- Kurds. This is the last chance for the emer- water under the bridge). ranking officials may even try it again. gence of a Greater Kurdistan. Alevis and Kurdish conscripts will refuse to Tel Aviv avidly bets on Ankara becoming the fight an AKP-incited war. And the Turkish After the two Syrian Kurdish parties made a hegemonic regional power in the - still hazy economy - not to mention tourism - will deal - sealed by Iraqi Kurdistan President - event of a post-Assad Syria. As Israel has inevitably go down the drain. Masoud Barzani - to jointly run northeast been deeply infiltrated in Iraqi Kurdistan Syria, Kurdish parties in Iran are also com- for years, with very good connections - the IS THERE A LEADER IN THE HOUSE? ing together. Mossad uses it as an operational base One can imagine whether Kurdistan against Syria and Iran - this will be manipu- Meanwhile, Ankara behaves like a bunch of Regional Government (KRG) President lated as a bargaining chip to seduce headless chickens. Barzani's political scheming will be enough Ankara. for him to embrace the Angel of History, Kurds are carefully paying attention to how Meanwhile, in Syria, the red, green and yel- and rise to the occasion. Ankara decided to boycott NAM - even low Kurdish flag is now flying in places like though Turkish President Abdullah Gul was He certainly sees a Greater Kurdistan inde- Girke Lege - only 35 kilometres from the personally invited by Iran's President pendent from Arabs, Persians and Turks. Iraqi border and only 15 kilometres from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Egypt's But for that to happen in a grand scale he the Turkish border. Over 3 million Syrian President Mohammed Morsi proposed a would have to conduct himself as a unifier Kurds now see an ideal opening to revert Syria contact group - Turkey, Egypt, Saudi - not only sharing power inside Iraqi the official Ba'ath Party Arabisation policy. Arabia and Iran - to try to solve the but also managing conflicting tragedy. The Kurdish PYD (Democratic Union Party) Kurdish aspirations in Syria, Iran and President Salah Muslim vehemently denies Turkey. This implies a visionary streak plus This means that Egypt - under a Muslim that there was a tacit agreement with the tremendous diplomatic skills. Brotherhood president - privileges media- Bashar al-Assad government. But in fact tion for a civil war inside a fellow Arab What's certain is that Washington and Tel there was; as long as Syrian Kurds don't country, while Turkey sticks to a colour- Aviv are on board; this implies that Brussels attack Damascus forces, they can do what- blind regime change strategy, which would sooner or later will follow. BRICS members ever they want in Western/Syrian only be possible with a NATO no-fly zone (it Russia and China are not exactly against it. Kurdistan, which by now is assuming the won't happen). There are two possibilities here. A Greater contours of a an autonomous region. Kurdistan forged as a model for the Middle So the pressing question for the Kurds US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, by the East - in terms of a secular, dynamic, pro- becomes how to profit from Ankara's each way, has already delivered the message to gressive entity respectful of religious and every move. Ankara; even in a post-Assad Syria, this minorities. Or yet another Western stooge. AND THE WINNER IS... ISRAEL should be seen as a fact on the ground. And A major geopolitical volcano is erupting. Not even Turkish public opinion knows what it happens to dovetail with Israel's charm Ankara certainly has not analysed the blow- exactly are the contours of Ankara's policy offensive among Kurds - emphasising what back of weaponising Syrian Sunnis just for for Syria - apart from regime change. would be their common agenda. the weapons to find their way back into President Gul claims that Damascus So what can Ankara do? Invade? Kurdish Turkey to be used by the PKK against weaponises PKK guerrillas (there's absolute- blowback is bound to be devastating. Ankara itself. ly no evidence), and that would be a casus Despite official rumblings, Turkish options This anti-imperialist analysis may be very belli. for invading Western/Syrian Kurdistan are useful to understand the Kurdish dynamic. Damascus for its part does not want a war not exactly stellar. The Turkish army's But there's still much more to it. with Turkey. morale is low - after the purge of several Jeremy Salt, professor of History and

5 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Politics of the Middle East at Bilkent remapping it again - and again to suit their between Russia and Britain." interests. It is not coincidental that this University, Ankara, and author of The Make no mistake; each day makes it more programme dovetails with Israel's own Unmaking of the Middle East, in a conversa- likely that an unintended - or rather long-term strategic planning. Russia and tion with La Stampa's world news editor intended - consequence of this Great Game China are fully aware of what is going on, Claudio Gallo, neatly summarised it: remix will be the emergence of Greater which is why the present situation can be "In 1918 the imperial powers divided the Kurdistan. H seen as a 21st century extension of the Middle East in a certain way that suited 'Eastern question' or of the 'Great Game' their interests at the time. They are now

september 1 st 2012

Turkish politics Erdogan’s counterproductive ambition

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is too focused on becoming Turkey’s next president ANKARA AND ISTANBUL

THE Turkish prime minister, Recep him of reverting to his Islamist roots. Tayyip Erdogan, has recently been seen Calling for a “more religious youth”, he sporting a Cossack-style hat like Ataturk’s. has proposed to restrict abortions and has Kemalists were horrified. Yet nobody reintroduced imam hatip (clerical-trai- could dispute that Mr Erdogan has been ning) middle schools. A new curriculum Turkey’s most impressive leader since the includes optional Koran and Arabic-lan- great man’s death in 1938. His mildly guage classes. Mr Erdogan’s embrace of Islamist Justice and Development (AK) pious nationalism is calculated to appeal party came to power in 2002 on a wave of to the far right and to conservative voters. popular support and a rejection of But he may be overplaying his hand. The decades of inept rule. Mr Erdogan has lif- Of course not,” says Levent Gultekin, a army’s battle against the PKK has had lit- ted Turkey out of stagnation and political pro-Islamic commentator. Many suspect Mr tle effect. Scores of soldiers have been paralysis and made it an inspiration in its Erdogan wants the AK party to produce its killed this year and the rebels have car- region. own blueprint that would boost the ried their battle from the mainly Kurdish He has chipped away at the generals’ powers of the presidency, enabling him to south-east as far west as Izmir. might, improved the rights of women and keep running the country after the party’s Mr Erdogan has taken to blaming the Kurds, doubled GDP per head, built rules require him to step down as prime Syrian president, Bashar Assad, for the modern roads and hospitals and empowe- minister. Since he does not have a two- renewed violence. Mr Assad has ceded red the downtrodden. His reforms prod- thirds majority in parliament, a new control of Kurdish towns along the border ded the European Union into opening constitution would need to be put to a to a Syrian Kurdish group affiliated to the membership talks in 2005. Despite worries referendum; most polls give AK a big lead. PKK. Yet critics point to Turkey’s overt about a gaping current-account deficit, Still, he is not taking chances. Over support for the Syrian rebels, which has the economy has slowed but not crashed, the past year he has been increasingly antagonised not only Mr Assad but also unlike others in the Mediterranean. hawkish over the Kurds, scrapping secret Iran. With scores of generals jailed on In this section talks with the separatist Kurdistan coup-plotting charges the army has been It was no surprise when AK won a third Workers’ Party (PKK) to end their bloody cowed into silence. But even Mr Erdogan’s term of single-party rule in June 2011. Yet 28-year insurgency. He has reverted to supporters are questioning his Syrian gam- a year on Mr Erdogan is being tested as force and the mass arrests of thousands of ble. His gibes at Turkey’s Alevi minority, never before. Setbacks include an alleged Kurdish activists. “The bond between which has spiritual bonds with Mr Assad’s bout with cancer, a row with the powerful Turks and Kurds is growing weaker by the Alawite sect, have not helped. Muslim Gulenist group, escalating Kurdish day,” warns Selahattin Demirtas, leader of With America distracted by its presi- violence and the war in Syria. He has the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy dential election, Europe bogged down in grown increasingly authoritarian, his judg- Party. the euro crisis and the EU membership ment perhaps clouded by an ambition to Media bosses fearful of losing govern- talks stuck, Turkey’s Western friends have be elected president when the term of the ment contracts have sacked critical jour- little sway. A recent poll suggests that incumbent, Abdullah Gul, ends in 2014. nalists. At least 80 journalists are in jail, only 17% of Turks now believe they can It is this ambition that critics say is many of them Kurds accused of PKK mem- join the EU. Many fear their country may undermining Mr Erdogan’s promises to bership. The government’s intolerance be sucked into a regional war. Mr Erdogan deliver a new democratic constitution. A extends to students, 2,824 of whom are in is a master at scenting the public mood, parliamentary committee supposed to prison, almost a quarter of them charged but his popularity is falling. His priority produce a draft text appears designed to with “membership of a terrorist group” ought to be putting his house in order, fail. It needs unanimous approval from all for calling for free education and other with a constitution that supports all its members for every article. “Are the “sins”. Turkish citizens rather than his presiden- nationalists going to agree to the Kurds’ Mr Erdogan’s secular opponents accuse tial aspirations. I demands for Kurdish-language education?

6 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 2, 2012

areas to the war-racked city of Aleppo, said Jordi Tejel, a Kurdish expert at the Graduate Turkey facing renewed test Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.

from Kurdish militants “The PYD can count on the government’s By Justin Vela, checkpoints on public roads, prompting the complicity so far. That will never be the case military to respond. According to a local in Turkey. Even in Syria, the so-called liberat- STANBUL — For nearly three weeks Kurdish politician, the militants discontinued ed zones are fragile,” he said. this summer, Turkey’s military and their traditional “hit and run” strikes and I Kurdish guerrillas have fought one of the instead attempted to retain control over areas The near-daily clashes have continued in the longest battles in their decades-long conflict, around Hakkari. Hakkari district. experts say. Not long before the fighting began in Hakkari, “When we think of the PYD success in Syria, The guerrillas usually carry out spectacular government forces in Syria had abandoned the PKK would think that they can do the same attacks in the summer and fall, but the fight several Kurdish towns and villages along the thing in Turkey,” said Emrullah Uslu, a this year has been especially long and intense. border with Turkey, leaving them largely Turkish terrorism expert. under the control of the Kurdish Democratic The clashes have taken on new significance Union Party, or PYD. That has left Syrian The Turks also blame the PKK for an Aug. 20 given the conflict in neighboring Syria, a Kurds effectively in control of parts of the bor- bombing that killed 10 people in the city of country with a large of its der with Turkey, alarming the Turkish govern- Gaziantep, which is near the border with own. Syria’s Kurds have made significant ment. Syria. The PKK has denied responsibility for gains in recent months, which experts say may the attack. be inspiring Turkey’s Kurds to fight harder. The Syrian Kurds have remained at arm’s length from the rebel uprising against the Roj Welat, a spokesman for the guerrillas The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has Syrian government. But the Turkish govern- fighting in Turkey, said the militants were try- been battling the Turkish state since 1984 and ment says the are, in fact, col- ing to push government forces out of the east- is considered a terrorist organization by the laborating with Damascus in order to gain the ern part of the country. In August, the PKK United States. At least 40,000 people have greatest possible benefit from the situation kidnapped several soldiers and two parliamen- died in the conflict as the guerrillas have there. From early on in the conflict, the Syrian tarians. The politicians were later released fought for autonomy in the southeast of the government offered Kurds concessions to unharmed, but Welat warned that the group country, cultural rights and the release of their keep them from joining the opposition, would continue to target Turkish government leader Abdullah Ocalan, who was captured in observers say. representatives. 1999. “The Syrian regime has left some places in the “All the people working for the Turkish state In recent weeks, the Turkish government has Kurdish-dominated areas of its territory,” said and its government in the Kurdish region accused the group of reviving its past connec- a Turkish official speaking on the condition of should leave their work and go back to their tions to the Syrian government in what many anonymity. “It shows cooperation.” homes, otherwise we have every right to arrest see as a growing regional conflict. and question all those people working for the While Turkey’s Kurds might find some inspi- fascist state,” he said, speaking via telephone Details are sketchy, but in mid-August the ration in the Kurds’ gains in Syria, the situa- from a PKK base in northern Iraq. N Turkish military ended an operation against tions in the two countries differ greatly, ana- Kurdish guerrillas who had taken up positions lysts say. The Syrian Kurds were able to make in Turkey’s eastern Hakkari district, which gains largely because the Syrian government borders Iraq and Iran. The guerrillas had set up needed to send troops stationed in Kurdish

Turkish PM says Syria has become “terrorist state” (Reuters) / 5 September 2012 the uprising against him began 17 months ago. Turkey, struggling to cope with an influx of around 80,000 Syrian TURKISH PRIME Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday refugees, has repeatedly pushed for a foreign-protected safe zone that President Bashar al-Assad had created a “terrorist state” in inside Syria, but the proposal has gained little international support. Syria and voiced further frustration at the lack of international Turkey has accused Assad of supplying arms to Kurdish PKK insur- consensus over the chaos there. gents who have fought government troops in southeast Turkey for “The massacres in Syria that gain strength from the international almost three decades, and has raised the possibility of military inter- community’s indifference are continuing to increase,” Erdogan told vention in Syria if the PKK becomes a threat there. Assad has a meeting of his ruling AK Party. “The regime in Syria has now denied that Syria allowed PKK militants to operate on Syrian terri- become a terrorist state.” tory close to the Turkish frontier. Ankara initially cultivated good relations with Assad’s administra- The PKK is listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United G tion, but Erdogan has become one of Assad’s harshest critics since States and the European Union.

7 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 03 September 2012 Syria and Iran 'backing Kurdish terrorist group', says Turkey Turkey has accused Syria and Iran of backing Kurdish terrorist attacks on military outposts in the south-east of the country that left 30 dead.

regimes have been fuelled by a By Damien McElroy, simultaneous PKK offensive in Sherween, Aleppo the eastern province of Semdinli, which borders Iran. Turkish newspapers last week urdish-dominated pro- reported claims that more than vinces in Turkey have 100 Iranian agents were active beenK swept by an upsurge in in Turkey working on behalf of attacks by the Kurdistan the PKK. Workers Party (PKK) in recent Meanwhile Syrian regime docu- weeks. ments seized by rebels include Fighting has spiked since the instructions to resist the group gained control of dozens advance of Turkish influence. of villages across northern Syria Towns such as Afrin, west of this summer, when the regime Aleppo, and Qamishli, to the Turkish soldiers block a street as Kurds demonstrate on in the concentrated its forces on east, are controlled by the PKK center of Beytussebap Photo: AFP/Getty Images Aleppo. and its local offshoot the Ten soldiers and twenty PKK Kurdish Democratic Union fighters were reported killed Party (PYD), and are off-limits "Some of the people have gone behalf of the rebels less feasible. yesterday in overnight clashes to Syrian rebels. away because they fear there "The idea behind this policy is in the town of Beytussebap in will be fighting." Mohammad Haj Hassan, the to create an administration that the Sirnak province of Turkey. most prominent Kurdish com- Mr Hassan, a schoolteacher tur- will be fundamentally opposed It was the largest of four sepa- mander in the rebel movement ned warlord, said the PKK's to Turkish domination of that rate PKK attacks near the fighting in Aleppo, told The strong organisation in the area area, or to act as a buffer zone Syrian border. Daily Telegraph the PKK exerts made it difficult for local mode- or deterrent in the case of direct In a separate incident, a suspec- a strong grip on his fellow rates to stand up against its military invasion from Turkey," ted suicide bomber was shot Kurds. cadres. said Prof Abbas Vali, at dead by the security forces near Istanbul's Bogazici University "There are no-go places for us "Assad has been cultivating the Sanliurfa city. told Zaman newspaper. because of the PKK's ties to the PKK since the 1980s to provide The PKK has been at war with regime," he said. "When the just this level of protection for Turkey's government had Ankara for thirty years and the rebellion broke out the PKK his regime," he said. "It is a card begun a tentative peace process conflict has claimed 45,000 was given arms and they fought for Damascus and they are with the PKK, whose leader lives. But recent fighting has us. Now they defend the towns playing it against us and Turkey Abdullah Ocalan languishes in been the worst for more than a they control but don't let us at the same time." solitary confinement in a decade and Turkish leaders enter. It is one of the greatest Turkish prison, before the Syrian rebels fear their uprising have pointed the finger directly problems for the revolution." Syrian crisis erupted. has been exploited by the PKK at President Bashar al-Assad. With a large ethnic Turkish to ship weapons and explosives But with the organisation's "It's known that the PKK works population residing cheek-by- across the border. Rebels in return to full-scale guerrilla arm in arm with Syria's intelli- jowl with the Kurds, northern Aazaz on the Turkish border attacks, hopes for a settlement gence organisation," said Syria is pockmarked with said they had set up check- that would grant formal auto- Huseyin Celik, the deputy potential flashpoints. points to screen traffic in the nomy to the country's 14 mil- chairman of Turkey's AK party. days leading up to a car-bomb lion Kurds have been dashed. Hisham Mousa, a Turkmen far- "Assad is inclined to view attack last month in Gaziantep mer from the town of Jaqala, "The refugees will one day go Turkey's foe, the PKK, as a that killed ten. "There was a said threats from the PKK in home," said one Turkish offi- friend." checkpoint to stop suspicious Doudian, the next-door village, cial. "But the foreign influence vehicles just before the attack," had forced some of his neigh- over the PKK means that this Officials said the cross-border said Abu Amir, a local revolu- bours to flee. problem is here to stay." N element to the attacks can be tionary. "However the bomb got traced to eastern Syrian "We have very little to do with through to the city." enclaves where the flags of the Doudian. They have their ways PKK and its allies have been Turkish security analysts and we have ours," he said. "But hoisted to demonstrate de facto believe that by unleashing the now they are under the control control. PKK, Mr Assad has achieved a of the PKK and very threatening tactical victory that makes to those of us who have joined Turkish suspicions of a conspi- foreign military intervention on racy between neighbouring the revolution.

8 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 5, 2012 Kurds and (the Turkish) Way

By ANDREW FINKEL

STANBUL - When I first started cove- ring Turkey in the early 1990s, my foreign colleagues and I were sometimes Imocked for referring to the brewing resentment in southeastern Turkey as "the Kurdish problem." There was no sec- tarian or ethnic discrimination, we were told; the problem was terrorism. The Kurdistan Workers Party, better known as the PKK, resorted to violence and extortion, which no civilized society could abide. A Kurdish man wearing a T-shirt with the portrait of Abdullah Ocalan, the jai- The major flaw in this argument was led PKK leader, guards a checkpoint near the Syrian-Turkish border. that the Turkish state also resorted to tactics unworthy of a civilized society. For years, to argue for Kurdish rights - October 2009, after the PKK tried to cast of political games in Syria, as well as a let alone regional autonomy - or simply as a victory parade the return of a group ploy by Iran to use the PKK against the to write in Kurdish could mean prison; of its militants at the Habur border Turkish government to punish it for sup- such acts were considered aiding and crossing with Iraq. The AKP, despite porting the . abetting terrorism. Kurdish political par- commanding a strong majority in ties were shut down. Political activists Parliament, simply wasn't prepared to Ankara has not responded so far, but it were tortured. In what became Turkey's brave nationalist sentiment and the could get sucked into the conflict by try- own dirty war, thousands of people many Turks who saw compromise as ing to enforce a buffer zone along the were assassinated or disappeared. weakness. Just as in Northern Ireland, Syrian border. It is already trying to get where a bloodier-than-thou faction of the international community to establish It's not just the Kurds who suffered. Fear the IRA was shadowing the peace a no-fly zone to protect the growing tide of Kurdish secession has long been the process, there were factions within the of refugees from Syria. Some of those are canker in Turkish democracy, the justifi- PKK with no intention of giving peace a deserters from the Syrian Army, and cation for a raft of laws that restrict chance. there is little doubt that the Turkish gov- human rights and the freedom of expres- ernment is encouraging them to re-enter sion. Now it is compromising Turkey's After Habur, the Turkish government the fight on the side of the rebels. attempt to play a greater role in its abandoned the carrot and picked up the region, particularly as Syria implodes. stick. It was determined to stop the All this has prompted Cemil Cicek, the How can Ankara deal with Kurds spread of a campaign of civil disobedi- speaker of Parliament and a former beyond its borders if it can't manage ence to cities with large Kurdish popula- hardline AKP minister of justice, to call relations with its Kurds at home? tions, by way of mass arrests and pretri- for a "national consensus" - code for re- al detention. opening the Turkish government's And as long as Turkey blurs the line Kurdish initiative and granting Kurds between terrorism and legitimate These harsh policies have brought more power locally. This sort of plan protest, it will continue to alienate its Turkey little security, and the bloody might have worked miracles decades Kurdish population while legitimating events in Syria are now making matters ago. And it might still succeed today, the men of violence. worse. President Bashar al-Assad of except that Cicek is being criticized, and Syria has voluntarily ceded control of by his own party. The Justice and Development Party the Kurdish north of his country to the (AKP) was aware of this challenge when Democratic Union Party, a Syrian variant Instead of declaring that there is no it came to office in 2002. And so in early of the PKK. There has recently been an Kurdish problem, as it did two decades 2009, after having consolidated power, it upsurge in PKK attacks against Turkish ago, the Turkish government now initiated a "Kurdish opening." It started soldiers and police near the Iranian bor- appears to be saying there is no Kurdish I a Kurdish-language television station der, as well as a rise in acts of random solution. Does that count as progress? and offered amnesty to young PKK mili- terrorism -- including a bomb explosion tants to lure them back into civilian life. on Aug. 20 near a police station in Gaziantep that killed 10 civilians. Many But that opening famously shut down in suspect the bloodshed is the direct result

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

jCeDfoiule Mercredi 5 septembre 2012 irruptiondébut août, sur une route, et de rebelles se succèdent chaque

venant au-devant d'un groupe de jour. «Toute là région retient son

représentants du BDP. Les images souffle, chacun des deux camps est Combats meurtriers de ces embrassades entre députés prêt à tçut. La situation est très et rebelles en treillis et kalachnikov inquiétante », note un commerçant ont passablement irrité l'opinion de Yûksekova, près de Semdinli. turque, déjà chauffée à blanc parles Plusieurs villages de la région ont . entre l'armée slogans nationalistes placardés à la étévidés de leurs habitants par l'ar¬ « une » des journaux : «Notre coeur mée, comme au plus fort de la est enflammé», «Nous ne céderons guerre civile, dans les années 1990. turque et le PKK jamais aux terroristes», affichait ' Pour la plupart des analystes et ainsi la presse turque lundi. autres «experts enterrorisme «qui La Turquie a connu l'un de ses se bousculent sur les plateaux télé¬ Les indépendantistes kurdes sont accusés les plus sanglants depuis les visés, cette brutale escalade serait années 1990, et le bilan incertain liéeàrévolutionduconflitenSyrie. parAnkara de collusion avec Damas des combats qui font rage depuis Le PKK et son extension syrienne, le PYD (Parti de l'Union démocrati¬ deuxmois entre l'armée etles rebel¬ que), contrôlent une bonne partie les du PKK s'élève sans doute à plus I/.er Noiic- du Parti pour la paix et la démocra¬ du nord-est de la Syrie et de la fron¬ d'une centaine de victimes. «Nous y tie (BDP), formation légale proche tière avec la Turquie. avons véculepire étédepuis quator¬ des rebelles kurdes. Cette prise de D'ailleurs, le gouvernement de ze ans, depuis l'arrestation du lea¬ :x contrôle seraitle signe d'un change¬ Recep Tayyip Erdogan a accusé les derdu PKK, Abdullah Ôcalan », esti¬ TURQUIE ment de tactique de la part du PKK rebelles de collusion avec le régime me l'expérimenté éditorialiste qui, jusqu'alors, menait des opéra¬ honni de Bachar Al-Assad. «Il est Beytussebap ^ffllMIilll Mehmet Ali Birand. tions de harcèlement depuis les connu que le PKK travaille main Gaziantep Au moins 90 membres des for¬ camps du mont Qandil, côté ira¬ dansla main avecles services de ren¬ "V' "" ces de sécurité sont tombés en kien, où le gros de ses troupes est seignements syriens », assure Qandil «martyrs» depuis avril, selon les Mossoul Erbil ^-? retranché : embuscades contre des Hùseyin Celik, le vice-président de chiffres officiels. Le PKK avance le SYRIE / véhicules blindés ou des colonnes l'AKP, le parti au pouvoir. Kirkouk nombre de 400 pour le seul mois X de militaires, enlèvements. M. Erdogan avait lancé une accu¬ J < d'août. Unetrentainede personnes, IRAK De la «propagande de terroris¬ sation similaire au lendemain de dont 10 soldats et 20 assaillants, ont tes», a répliqué le gouvernement l'attentat à la voiture piégée qui été tuées dimanche soir, au cours Bagdad d'Ankara à cette annonce. Mais il a avait tué au moins neuf civils, dans ' 200 km de violents accrochages surles hau¬ tout de même jugé utile de le centre de Gaziantep, à 80 km dela teurs de Beytussebap, à deux pas de Zone de peuplement kurde déployer plus de 2 000 hommes frontière syrienne, le 20 août. Une la frontière irakienne, une zone [22 Kurdistan irakien autonome supplémentaires vers le territoire attaque attribuée aux rebelles kur¬ tombée, à son tour, sous le contrôle insurgé, autour de Semdinli, une des, pour laquelle le PKK a réfuté du PKK, affirme le commande¬ Istanbul petite ville encaissée dans les mon¬ toute responsabilité. Bahoz Erdal, le ment de la rébellion mardi. Correspondance tagnes aux frontières de l'Irak et de chefmilitaire de la rébellion, a affir¬ l'Iran, là oùle PKK déclencha sa pre- mé lundi que l'attentat portait au «Situation inquiétante» Quelque 400km2. C'est la por¬ mière attaque, en août 1984. Le dra¬ contraire la signature de la police et Dix jours plus tôt, l'explosion de tion du territoire turc que la peau turc flotte de nouveau sur le des services secrets turcs. quatre mines au passage d'un guérilla du Parti des tra¬ sommet des montagnes, a tenu à Guillaume Pirrier convoi militaire et les représailles, vailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) tien¬ rassurer l'armée, images à l'appui. de l'armée avalent fait au moins drait «sous son contrôle», selon Mais pour prouver leur avancée, 32 morts. Les funérailles de soldats Selahettin Demirtas, le dirigeant les hommes du PKK avaient fait

tier de Cheikh Maksoud (nord) et ce pour la première fois depuis que le Une dizaine de morts conflit a gagné la métropole il y a plus d'un mois. dans un quartier kurde Ni l'armée ni les rebelles ne se touvent dans ce quartier jusque là épargnée d'Alep (témoins, ONG) par les violences.

ALEP (Syrie), 06 septembre 2012 (AFP) Selon l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'Homme (OSDH), citant des mili¬ tants dans le quartier, au moins 10 personnes ont été tuées et des dizaines d'autres blessées après la chute de deux obus près d'une mosquée. UNE DIZAINE de personnes ont été tuées jeudi soir après la chute D'après l'ONG, le quartier est contrôlé par des comités populaires en charge d'obus de mortier pour la première fois dans un quartier à majorité de défendre le quartier. kurde à Alep, deuxième ville de Syrie où la guerre fait rage entre rebelles et armée, selon une ONG et des témoins. Il n'était pas possible de connaître dans l'immédiat l'origine des tirs.

Des témoins ont affirmé à l'AFP que trois obus se sont abattus dans le quar

Ce nombre ne comprend que les réfugiés qui se sont enregistrés auprès Plus de 21.000 Syriens des autorités, et pourrait en réalité être plus élevé, précise le HCR dans un ont trouvé refuge en communiqué. Irak, selon le HCR La province de Dohouk, au Kurdistan, accueille 13.997 Syriens, selon le HCR. Quelque 2.984 personnes ont trouvé refuge dans la province d'Erbil, BAGDAD, 7 septembre 2012 (AFP) également au Kurdistan, et 492 personnes dans celle de Souleimaniya,

dans cette même région. QUELQUE 21.744 Syriens ont fui les combats pour trouver refuge en Enfin, 4.271 Syriens sont réfugiés à Anbar, une province de l'ouest de l'Irak Irak, la plupart dans la région autonome du Kurdistan, a annoncé ven¬ où se trouve le camp de réfugiés de la ville-frontière de Qaïm. dredi le Haut commissariat pour les réfugiés des Nations unies (HCR).

10 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 03,2012 Official: Kurdish rebels attack security posts in Turkey, killing 10 By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA as well as the idea, so far shunned by allied nations, of mounting a similar operation in Syria. STANBUL – Kurdish militants have In remarks reported by Firat, a pro- killed 10 police and soldiers in an Kurdish news agency, Karayilan said there assault near the Iraqi border, Turkish offi- was a "historical opportunity" in which Icials said Monday, amid concern that rebels Syria's Kurdish minority could obtain its are seeking to capitalize on regional ten- "fair basic rights and gain recognition as a sions caused by Syria's civil war with a people." more intense campaign of attacks in Many Kurds in the PKK have Syrian Turkey. origins, and reported moves toward auto- The attack happened late Sunday in nomy by Syrian Kurds may have invigora- southeastern Sirnak province, a traditional ted the militant group's hopes that increa- area for militants who have bases in nor- Turkey's President Abdullah Gul on sed pressure on the battlefield could draw thern Iraq. An undetermined number of Monday condemned what he called the Turkish concessions. Turkey, which has Kurdish guerrillas were also killed. "separatist terrorist organization" for the granted more cultural rights to Kurds but The rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party, or attack in Sirnak province. fears autonomy could split the nation, is PKK, has benefited from past upheaval "The internal and external supporters caught between its stated desire for recon- and power vacuums in the region, notably of this shameful game will sooner or later ciliation and its handling of the conflict as after the 1991 Gulf War and the fall of understand that they have made a wrongful a strictly law-and-order or terrorism pro- Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in a U.S.- calculation and will be punished," he said. blem. led invasion in 2003. Iraqi Kurds consoli- "It should not be forgotten that those who Turkey has also turned its attention to dated their own mini-state in northern Iraq, believe that a timely opportunity has ari- Iran, which has a history of fighting inspiring those Kurds in Turkey who want sen, will soon realize their great historic Iranian Kurds allied with the PKK. self-rule. mistake and will be disappointed." Turkish media reported last week that an In Syria, regime forces locked in a civil The PKK is conducting some of its Iranian spy ring was broken up in an eas- war with opponents of President Bashar most brazen operations since its 1990s tern province, a sign of how relations have Assad ceded control in some areas near the heyday, though it is limited to hit-and-run deteriorated over the Syrian conflict. Turkish border to Kurdish fighters said to tactics rather than seizing and holding Newspapers reported that suspects had be linked to Turkey's Kurdish militants. population centers. obtained information on police and mili- Turkish analysts suspect the regime's see- "More complications bring them more tary posts, and other government sites, and mingly passive conduct was aimed at stir- power because they are feeding from had also had contact with PKK members, ring trouble for Turkey, which opposes chaos," Umit Ozdag, a terrorism expert at though details on the discussions have not Assad, by providing additional space for the 21st Century Turkey Institute, a been reported. the PKK to organize. research center, said of the PKK. The Two suspects are Iranian and half a Dogan News Agency video Monday group, which has been fighting since 1984, dozen others are Turks, according to showed Turkish security forces patrolling is defined as terrorist by Turkey and the Anadolu Agency. the town of Beytussebap, where militants West, but still retains the backing of many Turkey, a NATO ally with a strong eco- attacked police and military posts, as well in the Kurdish minority, which comprises nomy, has won praise for backing pro- as apartment buildings that house security up to 20 percent of Turkey's 75 million democracy movements in the region, but forces' families. An official is seen remo- people. increasing tensions with its neighbors as ving weapons from the rucksack of what Syria resembles a proxy battle in well as internal problems with minorities appears to be a slain guerrilla, wearing an which the regime, backed by Iran and have muddied its image. olive-green uniform and lying in a gutter. Russia, is pitted against Turkey and its On Monday, Human Rights Watch said In another sequence, Kurdish townspeople Western and Arab allies. Ozdag said the members of the Turkish security forces are heard shouting slogans in support of PKK, which used to have close ties to the and public officials should be held accoun- jailed rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan as Syrian regime, has "partisans" on both table for thousands of unlawful killings armored vehicles roll through the streets. sides of the conflict, giving militants "an and enforced disappearances during figh- Hurriyet newspaper reported Monday extensive maneuvering range" in which to ting between the military and the PKK in that police had fired into the air in the town press their political aims. the 1990s. Rebels were also accused of to disperse a group of Kurds who wanted Turkey is hosting more than 80,000 human rights abuses in that time. Emma to take three rebel corpses away for burial. Syrian refugees and has urged the United Sinclair-Webb, a senior research for the It was the latest in a surge of operations Nations to set up buffer zones inside Syria, rights group, said Turkey's international blamed on the PKK, including a deadly a step that would require military interven- credibility was on the line as long as it bombing near Syria on Aug. 20 that inten- tion. Last year, the PKK's military chief, does not address allegations of state impu- sified questions about the security of Murat Karayilan, spoke in favor of the nity stretching back two decades. Turkey's borders in an unstable region and uprisings that had had swept the Middle "The non-solution of the Kurdish issue the possible involvement of outside actors. East and North , but criticized the in general casts such a shadow over Turkish officials have not ruled out possi- idea of outside intervention to oust Turkey's efforts to be a broker, or have this ble Syrian or Iranian involvement in the regimes. The remark seemed aimed at the regional role," she said. H bombing, which killed eight people. NATO military campaign in Libya that led to the ouster of leader Moammar Gadhafi,

11 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 2 SEPTEMBER 2012

As Aliza Marcus argues in the foreign policy journal The National Interest: “Ankara, for one, has long worried that what happens to Kurdish The Arab Spring and the minorities in Iraq, Syria or Iran would strengthen Turkish Kurdish separatists or legitimize interna- Kurdish Awakening tional calls for Turkey to grant Kurds national ÖMER TAŞPINAR became common characteristics of both France rights. Turkey is right to be concerned. After [email protected] and Turkey. Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003, the crea- The Kurdish challenge to the Kemalist pro- tion of a Kurdish federation in northern Iraq rein- “The real fear is not that Syria is dividing. It's ject traumatized Turkey from the early days and vigorated nationalist demands by Turkish Kurds, that the Kurds are uniting,” Aliza Marcus -- the continues to do so today. From the Sheik Said who demanded no less for themselves. (These author of the best book published so far on the uprising in 1925 to the PKK's current struggle for demands were one reason why in 2005 the PKK Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), “Blood and self-rule, the Kurdish question remains the abandoned the cease-fire it had called after PKK Belief: The PKK and the Kurdish Fight for Achilles heel of the Turkish nation-state. leader Abdullah Öcalan was captured and impri- Independence” -- argues in a recent article about Assimilation was probably an easier proposition soned by Turkey in 1999.) If Syrian Kurds win Kurds in the Middle East. There are approxi- in the 19th and early 20th century. It became autonomy, Turkey's reasons for denying its mately 35 million Kurds in the Middle East. increasingly difficult to assimilate a minority with Kurdish minority the same will sound specious. Although exact numbers are often disputed it is growing ethnic and political consciousness in the After all, it's hard to keep claiming that Kurds widely accepted that at least half of the total last few decades. don't know what they want -- or don't really want Kurdish population -- about 15 to 20 million -- live Today, Turks are facing an increasingly what they say -- if almost one-half of the region's in Turkey. The Palestinians may be the most nationalist Kurdish generation with growing Kurds govern themselves.” often proclaimed “nation without a state.” The expectations and aspirations. And Turks know It is time for Turkey to realize that the Arab Kurds, on the other hand, who outnumber the the power of nationalism. They lost their empire Spring at its core is a movement for democratic Palestinians by a factor of five, are the most pop- because of nationalist minorities determined to self determination. Such sweeping change in the ulous such nation in the Middle East. establish their own nation-states. Ethnic region was bound to have a major impact on The concept of a nation-state is of course a demands for self-determination, supported by Kurdish demands for self-determination. The Western invention, with relatively recent roots in President Woodrow Wilson in the United States, emergence of an independent greater Kurdistan the 18th and 19th centuries. France, with its became the nightmare of the crumbling imperial is the dream of millions of nationalist Kurds. The famous revolution in 1789, is often considered center. It is therefore not surprising that today only hope for stemming this growing tide in the textbook example of this European trajectory Ankara is equally alarmed about prospects of Turkey is to co-opt the Kurds in the framework of for nation-state formation. If France is par-excel- Kurdish nationalism and a greater Kurdistan federalism and autonomy. This may be a bridge lence the most illustrative European example of emerging in the region. It is very likely that in the too far for a country that constantly fears dis- a strong nation-state, there is little doubt that the wake of the dissolution of the Assad regime a memberment due to its vivid memories of France of the Muslim world is Turkey. The semi-autonomous Kurdish regional government Ottoman disintegration. Turkey has already Kemalist revolution modeled itself after the will be formed in northern Syria. With the pre- given up strict assimilation. But it has yet to French Republic's anti-clerical laicism and assi- sence of the Kurdish regional government in adopt genuine multiculturalism. Nothing less milative nationalism. Although France is today Iraq, a newly formed Kurdish region in Syria, and than serious steps towards democratization, far more advanced than Turkey in terms of its Iran's own Kurdish region, soon Turkey will see multiculturalism and federalism will co-opt the democratic evolution, an aversion to religiosity, nothing but Kurdish entities at its southern bor- Kurdish tide. minority rights, multiculturalism and federalism ders.

April halted its share of national oil exports in protest over central government payments to companies working in its region. It Baghdad threatens resumed exports at around 120,000 bpd last month, below the agreed 175,000 bpd in the budget. Kurds with budget cut Baghdad's decision comes after the Kurdish authorities decided on Saturday to continue pumping oil until September 15 to give the central government more time to settle their payment dispute. Byover Ahmed Rasheed oil | row Reuters – Tue, Sep 4, 2012 The extension seemed to signal tensions were easing in the long- running feud over oil rights, territory and power-sharing, a dispute BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's central government is considering that is testing the country's uneasy federal union. cutting federal budget payments to the country's Kurdistan by But Baghdad's move could further complicate relations with the more than $3 billion to cover losses it says came from the Kurdish regional government, and might provoke its government to autonomous region's oil exports, a government spokesman said again halt exports. on Tuesday. "A week's deadline is the last chance for the Kurdish authorities to Ali al-Moussawi, advisor to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, said a settle the oil exports issues and we will not give more time," committee found losses of more than $3 billion resulting from Moussawi said. Kurdistan's failure to pump the amount of oil agreed in the budget, Kurdistan halted exports in April, saying Baghdad had not made and from its recent halting of oil exports. agreed payments to companies working there. It restarted ship- "In today's cabinet meeting we gave a delegation from the ments on August 7, in what it said was a goodwill gesture, with a Kurdistan regional government a week to come to Baghdad to dis- warning they could be halted again if the payments were not made. cuss this or we will move ahead and deduct this amount from their Iraq says Kurdistan's oil shipments have fluctuated around 100,000 budget share," he said. to 120,000 barrels per day since they restarted, below the 175,000 G Kurdistan, caught in a long dispute with Baghdad over oil rights, in bpd that Baghdad says was agreed.

12 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dent.ro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

îtcralo^^feSribunc Monday, September 3, 2012

quietly proposed a "stop the clock" U.S. plans its next moves agreement to get Iran to halt production of the fuel that is closest to bomb-grade and to ship it out of the country, ac¬ in Iran nuclear standoff cording to diplomats from several coun¬ tries involved in the discussions. But so far Iranian officials have rejected those

WASHINGTON calls, insisting on a lifting of all sanc¬ None of the steps being taken by the tions, and there has been no talk of a administration address the most imme¬ broader, more permanent deal. Measures include diate goal: Slowing Iran's nuclear de¬ Iran has long denied that it is pursu¬ velopment. So inside the American and big naval exercises ing a nuclear weapon, and U.S. intelli¬ Israeli intelligence agencies, there is gence officials have said they have no and antimissile system continuing debate about possible suc¬ evidence that Iran's top leaders have cessors to "Olympic Games," the covert . decided to take the final steps toward a cyber operation, begun in the Bush ad¬ BY DAVID E.SANGER weapon. ministration and accelerated under Mr. AND ERIC SCHMITT Mitt Romney, Mr. Obama's Republi¬ Obama, that infected Iran's nuclear can challenger, has taken a far harder With Israel openly debating whether to centrifuges and, for a while, sent them line, saying he would never agree to al¬ strike at Iran's nuclear facilities in com¬ spinning out of control. An error in the low Iran to enrich uranium at any level ing months, the Obama administration computer code alerted Iran to the attack a restriction even many Republicans, is moving ahead with a range of steps in 2010, and since then many ofthe coun¬ including some of Mr. Romney's ad¬ short of war that it hopes will buy time try's nuclear sites have been hardened, visers, say there is virtually no chance from the Israelis and force the Iranians according to experts familiar with the Iran will accept, since it has a legal right to take more seriously negotiations that effort. to peaceful enrichment. are all but stalemated. All of these options are designed to One option Mr. Obama has already These steps include naval exercises buy time to offer Israeli officials a approved is the military exercise, and new antimissile systems in the Gulf, credible alternative to a military strike scheduled for Sept. 16 to 27, in which the and a more forceful clamping down on that would almost certainly trigger an United States and its allies will practice Iranian oil revenue. The administration Iranian reaction and, the White House detecting and destroying mines with is also considering new declarations by and Pentagon fear, could unleash a new ships, helicopters and robotic underwa¬ President Barack Obama about what conflict in the Middle East. ter drones. The ships will stay out of the might bring aboutAmerican military ac¬ While Mr. Obama's national security narrow Strait of Hormuz, to avoid direct tion and covert activities that have been team has been closed-mouthed about interaction with the Iranian Navy. previously considered and rejected. the tense discussions with Mr. Netan¬ In advance of exercise, the U.S. Navy The first of the steps will begin soon: yahu, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of earlier this summer doubled the num¬ Later this month the United States and Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, gave ber of minesweepers in the region, to more than 25 other nations will hold the voice to the concerns in London on eight vessels. The deployments are part largest-ever mineswéeping exercise in Thursday, where he was attending the of a larger series of military reinforce¬ the Gulf, in what military officials say is Paralympic Games. ments into the Gulf in recent months, all a demonstration of unity and a defen¬ General Dempsey, who has been described by the United States as defen¬ sive step to prevent Iran from attempt¬ deeply involved in both planning the ef¬ sive. ing to block oil exports through the forts to contain Iran in the Gulf and con¬ That is also the explanation for the Strait of Hormuz. tingency plans on how the United States American efforts to create a regional In fact, the United States and Iran would respond if Israel attacks, re¬ missile defense system across the Gulf have each announced what amount to peated the familiar American position to protect cities, oil refineries, pipelines dueling defensive exercises to be that an Israeli attack would "clearly and military bases from an Iranian at¬ delay but probably not destroy Iran's conducted this fall, each intended to dis-, tack. The latest eiement is a high-reso- suade the other from attack. nuclear program." lution, X-band missile defense radar in The administration is also racing to But then he went far beyond any Qatar, meant to underscore that Iran's complete, in the next several months, a warning Mr. Obama has given to Israel Arab neighbors are as concerned about new radar system in Qatar that would in public, saying, "I don't want to be ac¬ Tehran's capabilities as is Israel. That is combine with radar systems already in cused of trying to influence nor do I underscored by the sale of billions of place in Israel and Turkey to form a want to be complicit if they choose to do dollars of new defense systems, includ¬ broad arc of antimissile coverage, ac¬ it." ing a variety of missile interceptors and cording to military officials. He added that the international coali¬ radars, to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the The message to Iran would be that tion Of countries applying sanctions United Arab Emirates. even if it developed a nuclear weapon against Iran "could be undone" if the "The United States does not have to and mounted it atop its growing fleet of threaten preventive strikes," Anthony missiles, it could be countered by anti¬ 'Unless Iran sees this clear red H. Cordesman, a longtime military ana¬ missile systems. line and this clear resolve it lyst at the Center for Strategic and In¬ On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin will not stop moving forward ternational Studies, wrote in a recent Netanyahu of Israel appeared to criti¬ paper, "Iran: Preventing War by Mak¬ cize Mr. Obama for being too vague with its nuclear program." ing It Credible." "It simply has to make about how far Iran can go with its nucle¬ its capabilities clear in terms of a wide ar program, building on his critique that range of possible scenarios." sanctions against Iran have been inef¬ country was attacked "prematurely." But there is concern that Iran will see fective. General Dempsey's comments these actions as encirclement, and that "The international community is not seemed to be another in what one senior the actions could encourage those ele¬ placing a clear red line for Iran, and Iran American diplomat called "our refrain ments in the country who want to move does not see international resolve to of mixed messages," in which Iran is faster to a nuclear "capability," if not a stop its nuclear program," he told his periodically warned that its activities weapon itself. cabinet, according to Reuters. "Unless could provoke attack, and Israel is Iran sees this clear red line and. this warned that an attack would be counter¬ clear resolve it will not stop moving for¬ productive. ward with its nuclear program." The administration has already

13 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 6, 2012

sures to prevent Iran shipping arms through its airspace. "The easiest way, we think, is for them U.S. urges Iraq to inspect to require these aircraft to land and be ins- pected in Iraqi territory," he said. Iran supply flights to Syria Iraq, fearing any spill over of the Syrian conflict could upset its own fragile balance By Patrick Markey official urged Baghdad to inspect the among Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish parties, Iranian flights. says it backs no side in the Syrian crisis. "This could really have some impact AGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. officials are But Iraqi Shi'ite leaders fear a hardline on Iraqi-U.S. relations if it were true. The questioning Iraq about Iranian flights in Sunni government hostile to Baghdad fact of the matter is they have the right to Iraqi airspace suspected of ferrying wea- could follow Assad's fall. B order a plane to land if they think they may pons to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Iraq has had no real air force since the be violating their airspace," Sen. John whose conflict with rebels threatens to drag fall of Saddam Hussein and says it cannot McCain told Reuters. his neighbours into a regional struggle. defend its airspace. But Iraqi officials say McCain said Maliki told the visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's they have no evidence that Iranian flights lawmakers he had still not received evi- government is close to the regional Shi'ite are carrying weapons or military hardware. dence of arms supplies that Iraq requested power Iran, Assad's main ally, and he has "The prime minister confirmed that when U.S. officials raised the Iranian opposed demands by Sunni Arab Gulf Iraq's stance is clear to not allow the pas- flights earlier this year. nations that Assad step down to end the sage of anything, of any weapon or any- "If we make the allegation, I think is a escalating conflict over his rule. thing linked to military activity," said Ali al- legitimate request on his part to see the Three prominent U.S. senators visiting Moussawi, Maliki's media adviser. "He is proof of it," McCain said. N Baghdad told Maliki that ties with ready to follow up on any evidence." U.S. State Department spokesman Washington would be damaged if his Patrick Ventrell said on Wednesday Iraq government permitted Iran to use its airs- had a responsibility to continue with mea- pace to deliver arms to Syria. One U.S.

September 7, 2012

increase in PKK attacks, and the raids have fuelled tension between Ankara Turkish troops kill 18 PKK and the Kurdistan Regional rebels in major offensive Government (KRG). By Seyhmus Cakan / (Reuters) Security sources said one Turkish sol- dier had been killed during clashes IYARBAKIR, Turkey - Turkish with PKK militants at the start of the soldiers have killed 18 Kurdish offensive on Wednesday night. Drebels in two days in an offensive involving over 2,000 troops, as well as On Sunday, PKK fighters killed 10 by F-16 fighter jets operating on both members of Turkey's security services sides of the Turkey-Iraq border, secu- in simultaneous attacks on four state rity sources said on Friday. and security installations in Sirnak.

The operation against separatist rebels More than 40,000 people have been from the Kurdistan Workers' Party killed since the start of the conflict (PKK) began on Wednesday night in between the Turkish state and the A Turkish military helicopter flies over the Sirnak, a southeasterly province bor- PKK, which is considered a terrorist border of an area between Iraq and Turkey dering Iraq and Syria and the site of organization by Turkey, the United during a military operation against PKK frequent clashes between rebels and States and the European Union. Kurdish militants October 25, 2011. Turkish troops. In the 15 months to August, some 800 The summer has been one of the people were killed, including about bloodiest in Turkey since the PKK took Diyarbakir air base on Thursday night 500 PKK fighters, more than 200 secu- up arms against the state in 1984 with and Friday morning. Diyarbakir is the rity personnel and about 85 civilians, the aim of carving out a Kurdish state. main city in Turkey's predominantly according to estimates by the Kurdish southeast. International Crisis Group think-tank. "Eighteen PKK members have been killed. The intense operation is contin- There were no reports that Turkish Ankara has linked the upsurge on the uing," security sources told Reuters. ground troops had crossed the border unrest in neighboring Syria and Prime into northern Iraq, although Turkey Minister Tayyip Erdogan has accused The operation has largely focused on has sent soldiers into the region in the Syria's President Bashar al-Assad of Kato mountain, a remote area in past, and still has some 1,000 troops arming the PKK militants. Sirnak, but Turkish security sources based there under an agreement with as well as Iraqi residents said war- Iraq dating from the 1990s. Turkey has raised the possibility of planes had bombed areas inside military intervention in Syria if the northern Iraq's semi-autonomous PKK ATTACKS ON THE RISE PKK were to launch attacks from Kurdistan region. Syrian soil. On Wednesday, the mili- Turkey has stepped up air operations tary conducted a major military exer- on suspected PKK rebels in northern cise on the Syrian border, a clear A Reuters witness said he had seen Ë several F-16 jets take off from Iraq over the past year after an warning to Damascus.

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

ftllîoiuk

Samedi 8 septembre 2012 Ala frontière gréco-turque, les migrants en quête de nouveaux passages vers TUE

Quelque soixante Syriens sont morts dans le naufrage d'un navire, jeudi, au large d'Izmir

té un afflux récent, principale¬ Istanbul (Turquie) -^f Edirne ment de Syriens. Depuis le début Correspondance de l'année, les Syriens sont les plus

Projet d'un mur Toute la journée, les gardes- nombreux à franchir la frontière, ' de 12 km côtes turcs ont sorti de la constate le responsable de la mis¬ sion locale de MSF. mer des corps sans vie de / Lemnos Très organisés, les réseaux de femmes et d'enfants. Un navire goumenitsa

qui transportait clandestinement passeurs s'adaptent rapidement Lesbos aux nouvelles contraintes. Les vers la Grèce plus d'une centaine Mit iTgi-c GRECE de migrants a coulé à pic; jeudi déploiements de policiers formés .6 septembre, après avoir, heurté par l'agence européenne de sur¬ Chios Izmir un récif aux abords des côtes veillance des frontières (Frontex) 0 ©Athènes Samos égéennes, au sud d'Izmir, causant Palras depuis fin 2010 ont à peine ralenti

l'un des accidents les plus meur¬ l/.C-ï le rythme des entrées.

triers de ces.dernières années sur Ionienne Lews Cet été, Athènes a ordonné l'en¬

la frontière orientale de l'Union voi de 2 000 policiers sur sa fron¬

européenne. Au moins 61 person- » tière nord, principalement le long Rhodes nés, dont 31 enfants^ sont mortes, à du fleuve Evros, et s'est félicité d'une baisse de 84% du nombre cent mètres à peine des côtes. Une Trajet des clandestins [/.CI Cil- Cic-tc des arrestations dans cette région. cinquantaine d'autres, parmi les¬ a Ports de dépari vers #Héraklion 100 km quels les deux passeurs turcs, ont l'ouest de l'Europe D'où le récent déplacement des

pu regagnerla rive à la nage, saines routes migratoires vers le sud, par

et sauves. La plupart des victimes péens quitentent de pénétrer clan¬ se semblait avoir été abandonnée, la mer. « Si des gens veulentfuir la se sont retrouvées piégées dans la destinement dans la zone de libre- l'immense majorité des migrants Syrie, ils trouveront toujours une cale, a précisé Ardahan Totuk, le circulation de Schengen. Plus de empruntant la voie terrestre, au route, elle sera juste plus risquée et

gouverneur adjoint d'Izmir. 80 % des entrées dans cette zone se nord, par la régionturque d'Edirne. plus contrôlée par les passeurs »,

La grande majorité des passa¬ font par la frontière gréco-turque, estime M'"c Erçôban.

gers - des familles et de jeunes par mer ou par terre. Toutes les Nouvelles routes Pour cette militante associati¬ adultes - étaient des Kurdes de nationalités s'y croisent: Algé¬ «Depuis début 2010, le nombre ve, les victimes du naufrage de jeu- Syrie, qui avaient fui leur pays et riens, Afghans, Irakiens... d'arrivées dans les îles étaitproche di se sont également heurtées à la

tentaient de passer en Europe. Au Jusqu'en 2008, la voie maritime . de zéro, atteste Piril Erçoban, coor- politique turque d'accueil. «C'est

moment du naufrage, ils venaient était la plus empruntée, certaines dinatrice de l'association pour les unepolitique deprotection tempo¬ de quitter les côtes turques à bord îles grecques du Dodecanese ne se' réfugiés Mùlteci-Der, basée à raire, pas d'accueil de réfugiés.-Il

d'une embarcation de pêcheurs. situant qu'à quelques kilomètres Izmir.Mai's depuis quelques semai¬ n'y apour les Syriens aucunepossi¬

Ce « voyagedel'espoir», d'après les des côtes turques. Des centaines de nes, ily à de nouveau des arresta¬ bilité défaire une demande d'asile premiers témoignages recueillis migrants débarquaient chaque tions, ce qui pourrait montrer un en suivant la procédure normale. .

auprès des survivants, devait les mois sur les îles de Samos, Leros ou changement dans l'achemine¬ Certains sont dans des camps

conduire vers la Grèce voisine et Lesbos, rapidement saturées. En ment des migrants. » depuis un an et demi, sans avenir, jusqu'en Grande-Bretagne. 2007, un navire avait chaviré près Au cours d'une mission dans les sans espoir. La tentation estgrande La Turquie, depuis quelques des côtes, quelques kilomètres îles qui vient de s'achever le 4 sep¬ de tenter sa chance par ses propres années, est le principal pays de plus au nord, faisant 79 morts. tembre, l'organisation Médecins moyens », explique-t-elle.

transit des migrants non euro- Mais depuis, cette route dangereu- sans frontières a, elle aussi, consta Guillaume Peskier

Samedi 8 septembre 20:2 Combats à Homs, Alep et Damas Dans le nord du pays, l'armée a repris mercredi le pont Barkoum, à DAMAS. Les combats et les bombardements dans plusieurs régions de 20km au sud d'Alep, dont les rebelles s'étaient; emparés il y a trois Syrie ont fait au moins 131 morts, jeudi 6 septembre, selon un bilan four¬ semaines. Toujours à Alep, une dizaine de personnes ont été tuées jeudi ni par l'opposition. Dans la province de Homs, les rebelles ont attaqué soir après là chute d'un obus sur un quartier à majorité kurde visé pour plusieurs barrages tenus par les forces loyalistes dans la région du krak la première fois. A Deraa, plus de 50 hommes auraient été arrêtés tard des Chevaliers, qui abrite le célèbre fort croisé, ainsi que dans Wadi dans la soirée par les forces de sécurité. Sur le plan diplomatique, le pré¬ Al-Nàssara, qui regroupe des villages chrétiens. Dans la banlieue sud-est sident russe Vladimir Poutine a appelé les pays occidentaux à « modi¬ de Damas, les combats ont eu lieu aux abords du tombeau de Sayyida - fier leurposition », soulignant leurs échecs en Irak et en Afghanistan. A Zeinab, un important lieu de pèlerinage chiite, et dans le quartier de Londres, le président français François Hollande s'est dit en «plein Qadam (sud), où deux civils, frères d'un chef rebelle, ont été découverts accord »avec le premier ministre britannique David Cameron pour morts, après avoir été enlevés mercredi-soir à un barrage tenu par l'ar¬ «accélérer la transition politique » en Syrie. -fAFPj» mée.

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

9 septembre 2012 Allemagne - Mannheim : un rassemblement kurde dégénère, 80 policiers blessés n festival kurde a dégénéré en violences en usant de gaz lacrymogènes. samedi soir à Mannheim, dans l’ouest La police, dont 13 véhicules ont été Ude l’Allemagne, où 80 policiers ont été bles- endommagés au cours de ces violences, a sés, dont un grièvement, a-t-on appris de procédé à 31 arrestations. Des couteaux sources officielles. et un poing américain ont été saisis. Environ 40.000 Kurdes venus de De source policière on n’était pas en toute l’Europe s’étaient rassemblés mesure de préciser de quelle organisa- samedi soir à Mannheim pour une mani- tion interdite le drapeau avait été brandi. festation culturelle. Les incidents ont commencé lorsqu’un garçon de 14 ans a Plusieurs centaines de milliers de brandi le drapeau d’une organisation Kurdes, pour la plupart originaires de Turquie, vivent en Allemagne.( par AFP) interdite, et des milliers de personnes y engins incendiaires ont été lancés sur les ont pris part. forces de l’ordre, appelées à intervenir JJJ Des pierres, des bouteilles et des par les organisateurs, et qui ont répliqué

L'aviation turque a frappé le PKK 10 septembre 2012

premièresen Irak informations, 14 25 ter- foisFUSIL MITRAILLEUR en quatrevince jours de Sirnak, au cours 'aviation turque a bom- roristes ont été neutralisés», Une vaste opération de duquel dix soldats turcs et une bardé des sites appartenant selon l'état-major. l'armée impliquant des milliers vingtaine de rebelles ont été Laux rebelles kurdes du Parti des «Les travaux de collecte et de soldats, de policiers et de tués. travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) d'enregistrement «gardiens de village» -une L'armée turque a régulière- dans le nord de l'Irak à 14 d'informations concernant les milice kurde mise sur pied par ment recours à des frappes reprises entre le 5 et le 9 septem- objectifs atteints dans le nord les autorités turques pour lut- aériennes contre le PKK dans le bre, tuant 25 rebelles, a affirmé de l'Irak se poursuivent», ter contre les rebelles- a été lan- nord de l'Irak, où les rebelles, ce lundi l'état-major des armées conclut le communiqué. Ces cée la semaine dernière avec un considérés comme une organi- turques sur son site Internet. frappes aériennes surviennent appui aérien dans des zones sation terroriste par de nom- «Du 5 au 9 septembre, 14 alors que les combats se sont montagneuses de la province breux pays, disposent de opérations aériennes ont eu intensifiés cet été entre les de Sirnak, riveraine de l'Irak. camps qu'ils utilisent comme lieu contre des cibles de forces de sécurité et les rebelles Elle faisait suite à un assaut bases arrières pour leurs opéra- G l'organisation terroriste sépara- dans le sud-est de la Turquie, meurtrier au fusil mitrailleur et tions en Turquie.( AFP) tiste dans le nord de l'Irak et 32 peuplé en majorité de Kurdes. au lance-roquettes du PKK abris, trois dépôts, un véhicule contre un complexe de sécurité transportant un canon antiaé- ASSAUT MEURTRIER AU de Beytüssebap, dans la pro- rien ont été détruits. Selon les

de Hakkari, impliquant environ 5.000 hommes appuyés par des avions de Quatre soldats tués par chasse, au cours de laquelle 75 rebelles et quatre soldats ont été tués, l'explosion d'une mine selon des sources officielles turques citées vendredi par l'agence de presse Anatolie. dans le sud-est de la Turquie Cette opération fait suite à une série de bombardements menée par DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 15 septembre 2012 (AFP) l'aviation turque au début du mois contre des positions du PKK situées en territoire irakien. Ces frappes ont provoqué la mort de 25 rebelles, selon un bilan fourni par l'état-major de l'armée d'Ankara. QUATRE SOLDATS ont été tués et cinq autres blessés samedi dans le sud-est de la Turquie par l'explosion d'une mine posée par des rebelles Le PKK a multiplié cet été ses attaques contre les forces de sécurité dans kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) au passage de leur le sud-est de la Turquie, peuplé en majorité de Kurdes, mais aussi dans véhicule, ont affirmé des sources locales de sécurité. l'Ouest. L'engin, commandé à distance, a explosé sur la route reliant la localité de Ce regain de tension intervient alors qu'Ankara accuse la Syrie, en proie à Cukurca à celle de Hakkari, dans la province de Hakkari, riveraine de l'Irak une grave insurrection sur son territoire, de soutenir le PKK pour nuire à la et de l'Iran, alors que passait un convoi militaire, selon ces sources. Turquie, favorable aux rebelles qui luttent contre le président Bachar al- Assad. Une opération a été lancée par les forces de sécurité pour intercepter les auteurs de l'attaque, ont-elles ajouté. Plusieurs zones du nord de la Syrie, frontalières de la Turquie, sont actuel- lement aux mains de groupes kurdes syriens, certains proches du PKK. H L'armée mène depuis le 8 septembre une vaste offensive dans la province

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

LyiBMATIONM. îwralo^#^©ributtc SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 In Jordan camp, hate festers among young Syrians

ZAATARI, JORDAN Jordan of the nonprofit group Save the der with Jordan, asked rhetorically. "Be¬ Children, which provides toys to cause we are asking for our freedom."

BY DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK refugee children and tries to teach them His father interrupted to explain what understanding. "There is a concern that freedom might mean. "The biggest gen¬

Like all the small children in the desert this is a whole generation that is being eral in Hauran, a young Alawite soldier refugee camp here, Ibtisam, 11, is eager brought up to hate, that can't see the can step his foot on the general's head,"

to go home to the toys, bicycles, books, other's side." his father said. ''A young Alawite soldier cartoons and classmates she left behind The roots of the animosity toward the can humiliate the biggest officer." in Syria. Alawites from members of Syria's Sunni His son picked, up the theme. "The But not ifthat means living with Alaw- Muslim majority, who make up about 75 Alawites say, 'Kneel in front of my ites, members of the same minority off¬ percent of the population, run deep into shoe,'" Ahmed said before looping the shoot of Shiite Islam as the Syrian pres¬ history. During the 19th century, under subject back to the revolt. "We can't be ident, Bashar al-Assad. "I hate the the Ottoman Empire, the two groups free with Assad because he kills us." Alawites and the Shiites," Ibtisam said lived in separate communities, and the The convictions of Heza, 13,. were as a crowd of children and adults nodded Sunni majority so thoroughly marginal¬ blunt. "We will never live together," he in agreement. "We are going to kill them ized Alawites that they were not even al¬ said. "All the Alawites are security with our knives, just like they killed us.' ' lowed to testify in court until after agents. After the revolution, we want to If the fighters seeking to oust Mr. As¬ World War I. kill them." sad sometimes portray their battle as a Then, in a pattern repeated across the Even if it might mean killing a Syrian struggle for democracy, the Sunni region, said Joshua Landis, a Syria child his own age? "I will kill him," Heza Muslim children of the Zaatari camp tell scholar at the University of Oklahoma, said. "It doesn't matter." a much uglier story of sectarian re¬ French colonialists collaborated with Ms. Mobaslat, of Save the Children, venge. Asked for their own views of the the Alawite minority to control the said aid workers with her group avoided grown-up battle that drove them from conquered Syrian population as colo¬ bringing up sectarian feelings directly their homes, child after child brought up nialists did with Christians in Lebanon, because they tried not to start conversa¬ their hatred of the Alawites and a thirst Jews in Palestine and Sunni Muslims in tions they could not resolve. She also for revenge. Children as young as 10 or 11 Iraq. The French brought Alawites into said she believed that some children at vowed never to play with Syrian Alawite the colony's military to help control the the camp were Alawites, Shiites or other children or even pledged to kill them. Sunnis. After Syria's independence from minorities who were pretending to be Parroting older relatives some of France, the military eventually took Sunni Muslims for their own safety, so whom openly egged them on the control of the country, putting Alawites raising the issue in a group could create in top government positions, much to trouble.. "I hate the Alawites and the the resentment of the Sunni majority. She said her group's workers tried to "Now the Alawites believe possibly Shiites. We are going to kill talk about children accepting one anoth¬ correctly that the Sunnis are going to them with our knives, just er, making their own decisions and de¬ try to kill them, and that is why the ciding for themselves whom to trust, to like they killed us." Alawite army now is killing Sunnis in hate or to love. The goal isto encourage this beastly way," Dr. Landis said. "The children to see others as individuals Alawites feel justified in brutality be¬ rather than part of a group, she said, youngsters offered a disturbing pre¬ cause they fear what may be in store for "but that doesn't happen overnight, monition of the road ahead for Syria. them if they lay down their guns. just because of an uprising." Their unvarnished hatred helps ex¬ "I don't see any way out of that," he "Sunnis are Muslims, and Shiites and plain why so many Alawites, who make said, "except to say that we are in for a Alawites are the ones who kill us," up more than 10 percent of the Syrian long, difficult ride, and you pray that the Salem, 12, explained matter-of-factly. population, have stood by Mr. Assad Syrians are going to get over this some¬ even as the world has written him off. how." Ranya, 13, insisted that "there will al¬ ways be a problem between Sunnis and They see him as their best protection At the Zaatari camp, a desolate tent Alawites, because they are the ones who against sectarian annihilation. city where nearly half of the 25,000 res¬ are doing this to us." The children's refusal to share a play¬ idents are younger than 12 and desper¬ A few paces away, a 41-year-old moth¬ ground or a classroom with Alawites ately bored, many of the children retain er was swaying with her 2-year-old dramatizes the challenge of ever put¬ a disarming innocence. "Who will rule daughter, Malek, in her arms so the ting together a political solution to the Syria next? Another president, but we baby could sing for a visitor to the fam¬ conflict. The easy talk of blood and will choose him," Rahaf, 11, said confi¬ ily's dusty tent: "Heaven, heaven, killing from such young children illus¬ dently. "I don't know who yet, because heaven, Syria is heaven." trates the psychic toll that the revolt and we have not seen the names." repression are taking on the next gener¬ Just as the Syrian uprising began as a Ranya Kadri contributed reporting. ation of Syrians. peaceful protest movement inspired by "We hear it all the time from the kids, calls for democracy around the Arab but also from the parents that this is world, some children at the Zaatari not political at all, and not a call for de¬ camp sought to describe the struggle in mocracy, but is about people fed up and ideological terms. angry at rule by a minority, the Alaw¬ "Why are they bombing us?" Ahmed; ites/ ' said Saba al-Mobaslat, director for 12, from the Hauran region near the bor

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

. mroottiioNAi. jttcralb^lsSrUnmc Thursday, September 6, 2012 Iran has an enormous stake in Syria. It is Iran's staunchest Arab ally, a nation that borders the Mediterranean and Iran flying aid Lebanon, and has provided a channel for Iran's support to the militant group Hezbollah. As part of Iran's assistance to the As¬ to Syria over Iraq sad government, it has provided the Syrian authorities with the training and technology to intercept communica¬ tions and monitor the Internet, accord¬ WASHINGTON ing to U.S. officials. Iranian Quds Force use of Iraqi airspace suggests the limits personnel, they say, have been involved of the Obama administration's influence U.S. is pressing Baghdad in training the heavily Alawite paramil¬ in Iraq, despite the U.S. role in toppling itary forces the government has in¬ to shut down air corridor, Saddam Hussein and ushering in a new creasingly relied on, as well as Syrian government. The United States' influ¬ but so far to no avail forces that secure the nation's air bases. ence also appears limited despite Wash¬ The Iranians have even provided a ington's assertion that it is building a cargo plane that the Syrian military can BY MICHAEL R. GORDON strategic partnership with the Iraqis. use to ferry men and supplies around the Mr. Maliki has sought to maintain re¬ Iran has resumed shipping military country, according to two U.S. officials. lations with Iran, while the United equipment to Syriavia Iraqi airspace in a In a new twist, according to one U.S. States has led the international effort to new effort to bolster the embattled gov¬ official, there have been reliable reports impose sanctions on the Tehran govern¬ ernment of President Bashar al-Assad, that Iraqi Shiite militia fighters, long ment. At the same time, the Iraqi prime according to senior U.S. officials. backed by Iran during its efforts to minister appears to look at the potential The United States pressed Iraq to shape events inside Iraq, are now mak¬ fall of Mn Assad as a development that shut down the air corridor that Iran had ing their way to Syria to help the Assad might strengthen his Sunni Arab and been using earlier this year, raising the government. Kurdish rivals in the region. Some states issue with Prime Minister Nuri Kamal While they have not specifically dis¬ that are the most eager to see Mr. Assad al-Maliki of Iraq. But as Syrian rebels cussed the assistance it is airlifting to go, like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, have gained ground and Mr. Assad's Syria, U.S. officials have spoken publicly have poor relations with Mr. Maliki and government was rocked by a bombing about Iranian involvement there. "Iran his Shiite-dominated government. that killed several high officials, Iran is playing a larger role in Syria in many A spokesman for the Iraqi govern¬ doubled down in supporting the Syrian ways," Defense Secretary Leon E. Pan- ment, Ali al-Moussawi, acknowledged leader. The flights started again in July etta said last month. "There's now an in¬ Wednesday that Iran was ferrying sup¬ and, to the frustration of U.S. officials, dication that they're trying to develop, plies through Iraqi airspace, but said have continued ever since. or trying to train, a militia within Syria Tehran had assured Mr. Maliki that the Military experts say the flights have to fight on behalf of the regime.'' flights contained food and other human¬ enabled Iran to provide supplies to the David Cohen, a senior Treasury De¬ itarian aid for victims of the conflict in Syrian government despite the efforts partment official on terrorism issues, Syria, The Associated Press reported. Syrian rebels have made to seize sever¬ said last month that Hezbollah had been He said the United States had promised al border crossings where Iranian aid training Syrian government personnel to provide proof that the Iranian flights has been trucked in. and had facilitated the training of Syrian were shuttling arms but that Iraq was "The Iranians have no problems in forces by Iran's Quds Force. still waiting. the air, and the Syrian regime still con¬ In his comments last month, Mr. Pan- Iraq could take several steps to stop trols the airports," said a retired Leba¬ etta insisted that the Iranian efforts the flights, including insisting that cargo nese Army general, Hisham Jaber, who would merely "bolster a regime that we planes that depart from Iran en route to heads the Middle East Center for Stud¬ think is ultimately going to come down.'' Syria land for inspection in Baghdad or ies and Public Relations in . But some Iranian experts believe that declaring outright that Iraq's airspace Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., the Iranian leadership may be unlikely cannot be used for the flights. who has played the lead role on Iraq to stop its involvement in Syria even if Iraq does riot have a functioning air policy for the Obama administration, Mn Assad is overthrown, having calcu¬ force, and since the withdrawal of discussed the Syrian crisis, in a phone lated that a chaotic Syria is better than a . American forces last December, the callwith Mr. MalikionAug. 17. The White new government that might be sympa¬ United States has no planes stationed in House has declined to disclose details, thetic to the West. the country. Several airlines have been but a U.S. official who would not speak "Plan A is to keep Bashar Assad in involved in ferrying the arms, according on the record said that Mr. Biden had power," said Mohsen Sazegara, an Ira¬ to U.S. officials, including Mahan Air, a registered his concerns over the flights. nian pro-democracy activist who lives commercial Iranian airline that the U.S. The Iranian flights present searching in the United States and who was one of Treasury Department said last year had questions for the United States. The the founding members of Iran's Revolu¬ ferried men, supplies and money for Obama administration has been reluc¬ tionary Guards. "But Plan B is that, if Iran's paramilitary Quds Force. tant to provide arms to the Syrian rebels they can't keep him in power anymore, One former U.S. official said it was not or establish a no-flight zone over Syria they will try to make another Iraq or an- entirely clear what cargo was being sent for fear of being drawn deeper into the other Afghanistan civil war. Then you to Syria before the flights stopped in Syrian conflict. But the aid provided by can create another Hezbollah." March. But because ofthe type ofplanes Iran underscores the reality that the As vocal as the Pentagon and State , -involved, the nature of the carriers and . Department have been about the Irani¬ the Iranians' reluctance to have the "The Iranians have no an role, they have been loath to publicly planes inspected in Iraq, it is presumed discuss the Iranian flights or the touchy problems in the air, and the to be tactical military equipment. questions they pose about U.S. relations Syrian regime still controls At the time the flights were suspen¬ with the Maliki government. The State ded, Iraq was preparing to host the Arab the airports.'' Department, when asked Tuesday League summit meeting, which brought about the Iranian flights over Iraq and to Baghdad many leaders opposed to Mr. what efforts the United States had made Assad. Immediately after the meeting, country has no such hesitancy in pro¬ in Baghdad to encourage the Iraqi gov¬ President Barack Obama, in an April 3 viding military suppliés and advisers to ernment to stop them, would not call to-Mr. Maliki, reinforced the mes¬ keep Mr. Assad's government in power. provide an official comment. sage that flights should not continue. And Mr. Maliki's tolerance of Iran's

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

MmlSlsSrUmiw Friday. September 7. 2012

many as four border crossings for resi¬ dents to flee into Jordan, but Syrian sol¬ France aids Syrian diers frequently shoot at the refugees and occasionally succeed in reducing the nightly exodus to just 700 from peaks that reached as high as 5,000 in 36 hours. Two opposition groups that track the rebel civilian councils violence, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, and the Local Coordination Committees, also re¬ ported heavy fighting in the suburbs of French are providing money for specific Damascus, where the Syrian Army is PARIS projects in each city. Officials would not shelling neighborhoods considered be precise about the amount of money havens for the opposition. Diplomats stress money involved, but it was believed to be about By early afternoon, the coordination million, or $6 million. committees reported 41 bodies in the Da¬ is for sanitation and The local authorities and fighters have mascus area, including 23 in the neigh¬ health services, not arms asked for better antiaircraft weapons, borhood of Zamalka and 5 in the Yar- for example, to protect themselves from mouk camp for Palestinian refugees. the Syrian Air Force. France has so far Fighting continued around Aleppo in BY STEVEN ERLANGER refused to provide any lethal military as¬ sistance, but diplomats said the requests the north, Dara'a in the south and Deir The French government is providing el-Zour in the east. All together, the co¬ were being taken seriously. money to five revolutionary councils in ordination committees said they had re¬ rebel-held parts of Syria to help them re¬ Mr. Hollande has urged the divided ports as of Thursday afternoon of 67 store water supplies, sanitation, health Syrian opposition to unite and form a dead across Syria. services and bakeries, a senior French provisional government, promising that diplomat, Éric Chevallier, said Thurs¬ France would recognize such a govern¬ day. ment as legitimate as soon as it could be France is not supplying money for established. And Mr. Fabius has been weapons or providing weapons to the vocal in decrying the government of rebels, but diplomats are in regular con¬ Bashar aUAssad as illegitimate. versation with armed rebel groups to Last month, visiting a refugee camp hear their requirements and to encour¬ Morsi fires back for Syrians on the Turkish border, Mr. age them to unite and to protect minor¬ Fabius said: "The Syrian regime should ities and democratic values. France also at Assad as war be smashed fast. After hearing the wanted to ensure the support of the refugees and their account of the mas¬ armed rebels for the program of aid to sacres of the regime, Mr. Bashar al-As- of words escalates these civilian councils, French diplo¬ sad doesn't deserve to be on this earth." mats said. French diplomats have been in direct BEIRUT Mr. Chevallier, who is the most recent contact with the revolutionary groups, French ambassador to Syria and is in both civilian and military, but are moni¬ BY DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK charge of Syria at the Foreign Ministry, toring the use of the money through said in an interview that President Fran¬ President Mohamed Morsi of Egypt Syrian nationals who have been work¬ çois Hollande decided to begin the initia¬ warned President Bashar al-Assad of ing with the French for more than a year tive on Aug. 29. Foreign Minister Laurent Syria on Wednesday that "your time and who are said to be independent ac¬ Fabius mentioned it the next day at the won't be long," as Syrian warplanes and tors, the diplomats said. U.N. Security Council, and "on Friday artillery shelled the battleground city of Other countries, like Qatar and Saudi morning, we started to deliver this sup¬ Aleppo and opposition groups reported Arabia, are reported to be providing port to these revolutionary councils." heavy fighting around the eastern city of military and other aid directly to the Deir el-Zour along the Euphrates River. It is "an important but imperfect be¬ rebels, who are made up of a number of Mr. Morsi, an Islamist who won ginning," he said, to supporting civilian disparate groups that are also under Egypt's first open presidential election, authorities who are filling the vacuum pressure to unite under a single corii- assailed Mr. Assadjust days after the top left when Syrian government forces are mand structure. Syrian government spokesman mock¬ forced to withdraw. France is not pro¬ ingly said that the only change in Cairo moting military action to help the Syrian Army storms village since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak was rebels, as it did in Libya, partly because Mr, Morsi's beard. Mr. Morsi had pub¬ The Syrian Army stormed the village of the opposition is so divided arid because licly called for nations of the region to there is no U.N. Security Council man¬ Tal Shehab near the Jordanian border, come together to support the Syrian op¬ date for the use of military force. opposition groups and activists said position and end the bloodshed, and the Thursday, raising fears that the forces of But France, a former colonial power exchange dramatized the widening po¬ in Syria, is eager to be seen as on the Mr. Assad may seek to cut off the torrent larization of the region as Syria contin¬ side of the rebels inside Syria and not of tens of thousands of refugees who ues to spill blood and pour out refugees. just aiding refugees who have fled the have been fleeing across the border, Dav¬ At an Arab League meeting in Cairo, -country. Paris is acting more openly id D. Kirkpatrick reported from Beirut. Mr. Morsi urged Mr. Assad to heed the than other Western countries, like the The move into Tal Shehab is the latest lessons of "recent history": the over¬ United States, which has also been pro¬ step in a sweeping military campaign throw of leaders in Tunisia, Libya, Ye¬ viding some nonlethal- assistance, like carried out by aircraft and ground troops men and Egypt. "There is still a chance radios, to the rebels. seeking to wipe out support for the upris¬ to stop the bloodshed," he said from the The French program involves five lo¬ ing against Mr. Assad around its birth¬ Arab League hall. "There is no room for cal revolutionary councils in cities in place in the nearby city of Dara'a. stubbornness. Don't listen to the voices three governates in eastern Syria Refugees and aid workers inside the that tempt you to stay." Aleppo, Idlib and Deir el-Zour and Jordanian border near Dara'a have said covers 700,000 people. Council leaders that the opposition fighters operating as Scott Sayare in Cairo contributed report¬ include a former train driver and a the Free Syrian Army have kept open as ing. former mathematics professor. The

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

j^jttOltfi? Mardi u septembre 2012 Tarek Al-Hachémi, soutenu par Al-Maliki) secondé par deux vice- une bonne partie de l'opinion sun¬ premiers ministres sunnite et kur¬ nite, accuse la justice d'agir sur de, et un président de l'Assemblée ordre dupremierministre, qui dési- sunnite(OussamaAl-Noujaifi),lui- Près de 100 morts reraitsedébarrasserdetouteoppo- même entouré d'un chiite et d'un sition avant les élections générales kurde, ne répond à aucune règle prévues en 2014 mais qui se tien¬ écrite comme au Liban. Dominé dront probablement avant tant le dans une vingtaine par l'ambitieux Nouri Al-Maliki] le blocage politique est corhplet. Il système politique irakien est enco¬ nie farouchement l'accusation qui re en plein ajustement. lui est faite d'avoirfinancé et dirigé Résultat, laviolence, après avoir d'attentats en Irak des escadrons de la rnort responsa¬ connu une décrue constante pen¬ bles de l'assassinat de quelque danttrois ans, est repartie à la haus¬ 150 responsables irakiens. S'il est se. Et la branche irakienned'AI-Qai¬ La condamnation à mort par contumace probable que Tarek Al-Hachémi a da, qui avait quasiment disparu, sa part de responsabilité dans des dû sunnite Tarek Àl-Hachémi attise la violence est en pleine résurgence, surfant meurtres lors de la guerre civile, sur le ressentiment sunnite. c'est le cas de la quasi-totalité du Cette âpre lutte d'influence, qui en plus exclue du jeu politique. La journée de violence du personnel politique irakien. a suscité un rapprochement entre Le même jour, le vice-président dimanche 9 septembre a Pour les élus d'Irakiya, l'accusa¬ les minorités sunnite et kurde sunniteTarek Al-1 lachémi, en fuite ramené l'Irak aux pires heu¬ tion n'est donc qu'un prétexte. Ils contre la majorité chiite, trouve . en Turquie, a été condamné à mort res de la guerre civile, entre 2006 à en veulent pour preuve les aveux des échos jusque chez les voisins par contumace, pour avoir com¬ 2008. Au moins 92 personnes ont deTarek Al-Hachémi, mis en scène régionaux de l'Irak, qui prennent mandité le meurtre d'une avocate péri et plus de 350 ont été blessées à la télévision comme au temps de partie pour l'un ou l'autre camp, et d'un général. Le mandat d'arrêt dans une vingtaine d'attentats qui Saddam Hussein, et la conduite accentuant ainsi les tendances du visant Tarek Al-Hachémi, l'un des ont frappé plusieurs villes du sud expéditive du procès. pays à l'éclatement. La Turquie, plus véhéments critiques de au nord du pays, dont' la capitale protectriceautoproclaméedes sun¬ M.MalikLqu'ilaccusededérivedic- Bagdad. Cette vague d'attaques Résurgence d'AI-Qaida nites d'Irak, refuse d'extrader tatoriale, avait été lancé en décem¬ non revendiquées, mais qui sem¬ Ces règlements de comptes poli¬ Tarek Al-Hachémi. Ce dernier a bre 2011, le lendemain même du ble avoir prioritairement visé des tico-confessionnels illustrent éga¬ d'ailleurs été reçu, le jour de sa départ du derniersoldat américain cibles chiites et gouvernementa¬ lement la nature instable du systè¬ condamnation, par le chef de la d'Irak. Les tensions, déjà latentes, les, intervient sur fond de regain me institutionnel irakienaprès l'in¬ diplomatie turque Ahmet Dayuto- entre le premier ministre et Ira- des tensions politiques et confes¬ vasion américaine de 2003 et huit glu. Un geste qui va un peu plus kiya, la principale formation politi¬ sionnelles entre la majorité chiite, années d'occupation. Le partage détériorer les relations, déjà au que représentant les sunnites à laquelle appartient le premier du pouvoirentre un président kur¬ plus bas, entre Bagdad et Ankara. ministre Nouri Al-Maliki, véritable d'Irak, avaient alors éclaté au grand de (Jalal Talabani) flanqué de deux Christophe Ayad homme fort du pays, et la minorité jour. Elles n'ont cessé de s'aggraver vice-présidents sunnite et chiite, sur fond de retour de la violence. sunnite, qui se plaint d'être de plus un premier ministre chiite (Nouri leBonde

: Mardi 11 septembre 2012 Le plus grand procès de la presse turque s'ouvre à Istanbul

Les médias kurdes, dont 79 employés ont été arrêtés fin 2011, sont visés par cette répression judiciaire

lisme », écrit l'historien et spécialis¬ montre la dimension politique de notamment, de documents retrou¬ Istanbul te de la Turquie Etienne Copeaux. ce procès, fait remarquer la défen¬ vés dans leurs ordinateurs. Le

Correspondance Ces professionnels travaillaient se. Les conversations téléphoni¬ Tûbitak, l'équivalent turc du CNRS, pour le quotidien Ôzgùr Giindem, ques entre journalistes ou avec est arrivé à la conclusion que ces Ceux qui disent qu'il n'yapas l'agence de presse Dicle, la revue . leurs sources, les courriels et les appareils avaient été infectés par de liberté de la presse en Tur¬ DemokratikModernite... Autant de articles publiés ont parfois été rete¬ des virus qui auraient pu servir à quie sont des menteurs. Ceux médias réputés proches de la cau¬ nus comme preuves de leuractivi- télécharger ces documents. qui disent qu'ily a de la censure en se kurde, si ce n'est des rebelles du té criminelle présumée. Malgré ces doutes, la demande Turquiesontdes menteurs », a asse¬ Parti des travailleWs du Kurdistan La journaliste du quotidien de de libération de Soner Yalçin a été né BùlentArinç, lebras droit du pre¬ (PKK). «C'est un procès politique», gauche BirGùn, Zeynep Kuray, a rejetée le 27 août. Il reste détenu mier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdo- a déclaré Oguz Birinci, rédacteur été inculpée pour « tentative d'hu¬ dans une cellule où, selon sa des1 gan. Même avec des arguments de en chef à'Ôzgûr Giindem. Huit de miliation de l'Etat turc», pour cription, « ily a des coupures d'eau ce genre, le gouvernement turc avoir écrit sur le harcèlement pendant 17heures et de la lumière ses collègues sont sous les verrous, aura du mal à convaincre, alors sexuel au sein de la compagnie ainsi que le propriétaire du jour¬ 24 heures sur 24, et où je suis sur¬ que s'ouvre, lundi 10 septembre, aérienne nationale Turkish Airli¬ veillé en permanence par deux nal, Ziya Ciçekçi. devant la 15e cour de justice crimi¬ nes. Une cons également caméras». Selon lui, le gouvernement ten¬ nelle d'Istanbul, le plus grand pro¬ visée, de l'agence Dicle, avait révé- te, par ces procès collectifs, d'affai¬ L'agence de presse indépendan¬ cès de l'histoire de la presse turque. lé-en début d'année le scandale de blirles voixprokurdes et la base de teBianet dénombreautotal 95 jour¬ Pas moins de 44 journalistes, nalistes dans les prisons turques. soutien au PKK en Turquie. En la prison pour mineurs de Pozanti, dont 35 sont depuis neuf mois en Le vice-premier ministre, Bùlent août, le ministre de l'intérieur où des enfants étaient systémati¬ détention préventive, comparais¬ Arinç, reconnaît que 70 journalis¬ Idris Naïm Sàhin a assimilé les quement violés. tes sont incarcérés, «mais seule¬ sent pour « terrorisme » et « appar¬ journalistes sympathisants de la La presse kurde n'est pas la seule ment un ou deux sont en procès tenance à une organisation crimi¬ guérilla à des « terroristes », enesti- en cause. Ainsi le directeur du site pour ce qu'ils ont écrit ».m nelle». D'autres procès suivront mant qu'il n'y avait « aucune diffé¬ d'information odatv.com, Soner Guillaume Perkier dans les prochaines semaines. Au rence entre les balles tirées [par les Yalçin, et cinq de ses journalistes, total, ce sont 79 employés de rebelles dans le sud-est du pays] et opposants farouches au gouverne¬ médias kurdes qui ont été arrêtés les articles écrits depuis Ankara ». ment, sont détenus depuis en décembre 2011. « Un véritablecri- Dimension politique février20ii. Ils ont été accusés de me de masse envers le journa La lecture de l'acte d'accusation tentative de complot, sur la foi,

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

jOeHIOÎIWÉ Mercredi 12 septembre 2012 Au Kurdistan, une caméra très subjective

Clarisse Hahn filme sa belle-famille dans un documentaire où se mêlent cruauté et affection

Kurdish Lover ne de sortir de la pièce où l'un des fils se débat avec les exigences de : sa petite amie d'Europe de l'Ouest. V<| Et les quartiers fumants du mou¬ Au cinéma, les belles-familles

sont généralement em ton que l'on vient de tailler fini¬ ployées à des fins comiques. ront dans des seaux en plastique

Celle de Clarisse Hahn pourrait fabriqués en Chine. fournir une demi-douzaine de tra¬

gédies, sans parlerdes épopées his¬ Habité par des êtres toriques et des récits magiques. Le Rien n'est simple : les soldats compagnon de la réalisatrice, turcs qui patrouillent dans le villa¬ OktaySengul (crédité comme assis¬ ge, éléments d'une armée qui tant à la réalisation et collabora¬ mène une lutte d'éradication teur artistique, au générique du contre les séparatistes, sont de film) est issu d'une famille kurde sympathiques appelés. Et si le de l'est de la Turquie. Ses parents nom d'Allah est souvent invoqué ont émigré en France et retour¬ dans la conversation, Clarisse nent régulièrement, avec leurs Hahn filme plus de rites magi¬ ;»*fÂ-f*".'- ë^r enfants, dans la bourgade où s'est ques que de visites à la mosquée. établi le clan, après que leurvillage Sùftout/chacune de ces situations >^i originel eut été détruit. Au gré de est habitée par des êtres que le n*-- ces séjours, Clarisse Hahn a filmé regard de la cinéaste transforme

un portrait de famille qui témoi¬ en personnages de cinéma.. Les gne d'une attention minutieuse, efforts maladroits de l'un pour sor¬ '«-.A d'une profonde affection doublée tir de son célibat font une petite d'une espèce d'effronterie lucide. comédie villageoise pendant que % Il suffit de découvrir l'aïeule du la persécution de la bru par l'aïeu¬ clan, dans la première séquence le tourne bientôt au huis clos proprement dite (après un prolo¬ Le portrait sans manichéisme d'une famille kurde de l'est de là Turquie. étouffant. gue qui montre des militants kur¬ Reste la présence mystérieuse des en exil) pour comprendre que du couple que forment la cinéaste l'album familial échappera aux et son compagnon. Même s'il peut normes. Cette vieille femme n'est se prévaloir de tenir le rôle-titre, ce Ui Him du PnMot & Hmt f*H (mwiuhmmm\ pas de celles qui racontent des M»»! J dernier reste une figure voilée, contes de fées, on l'y rencontrerait \n mu niltuj dont on devine à peine quelques plutôt sous les traits d'une sorciè¬ traits.On en apprend presque plus re. Avare, cruelle avec sa bru, elle surTauteure, souvent interpellée tourmente toute sa descendance derrière la carhéra par les person¬

de l'histoire et des us et coutumes kurdes, on ira de questionnement en étonnement. Jusqu'à l'émer¬ veillement.

La réalisatrice privilégie les moments de violence et d'incerti¬ tude. Ils vont de la modernité, d'une rupture surSkype, au sacrifi¬ ce d'un mouton que l'on dépèce. La rupture numérique n'est pour¬ tant pas si moderne, puisqu'elle est-consommée au vu et au su de tout le clan, qui ne prend pas la pei Nour,,

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

Ecralb^lJASribunc Monday, September 10, 2012 tured the water pipe; The A.P. reported that a Syrian official blamed rebel sab¬ otage. Diplomats trade The opposition groups, the Syrian Ob¬ servatory for Human Rights and the Lo¬ cal Coordination Committees, reported that water flooded" into the neighbor¬ hoods of Al Midan and Bustan al-Basha barbs over Syria in the north of the city. Activists distrib¬ uted video images of brown water

CAIRO them as foreign agents acting against "Our American partners Syria. have a prevailing tendency Assad spokesman assails Mr. Annan had failed to bridge a sharp division among the permanent to threaten and increase France; U.S.-Russia talks members of the U.N. Security Council. pressure." fail to bridge divide Russia and China have vetoed three Western resolutions regarding Syria, but with the violence worsening, Secre¬ coursing over curbs and flooding base¬ BY DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK tary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton ments as residents carrying children or had hoped Russia would show more weapons in their arms waded past. The Syrian government accused France flexibility at the Asian-Pacific Economic In Paris, a French doctor who just re¬ of "schizophrenia" on Sunday for Cooperation meeting in Vladivostok, turned from a two-week medical mis¬ pledging to support a peaceful resolu¬ Russia. But she was rebuffed. sion to a rebel-controlled hospital in tion to the uprising challenging Presi¬ "We haven't seen eye to eye with Aleppo said he was surprised by the dent Bashar al-Assad and simulta¬ Russia on Syria," Mrs. Clinton said Sun¬ number of militants from outside Syria neously aiding the armed groups day at the conclusion of the meeting be¬ who hadjoined the fight in the goal of es¬ driving it. fore returning to the United States. tablishing an Islamist government, one ; Days after the French government "That may continue." of the concerns that has deterred West¬ ' said that it would provide humanitarian The Russian foreign minister, Sergey ern governments from supplying more and reconstruction assistance directly V. Lavrov, publicly rebuked her on Syr¬ muscular aid to the armed opposition. to the rebels controlling five Syrian cit¬ ia, as well as on Iran. The doctor, Jacques Bérès, a 71-year- ies, a spokesman for the Syrian govern¬ "Our American partners have a pre¬ old surgeon who is known for missions ment accused France of undermining vailing tendency to threaten and in¬ to war zones and co-founded the hu¬ the first trip to the region by the new crease pressure, adopt ever more sanc¬ United Nations envoy charged with ne¬ manitarian group Médecins Sans Fron¬ tions against Syria and against Iran," gotiating a peace, Lakhdar Brahimi. tières, said in an interview with Reuters Mr. Lavrov said. "Russia is fundamen¬ "On the one hand, it supports that he had treated about 40 wounded tally against this, since for resolving Brahimi's mission, while at the same patients a day and that 60 percent were problems you have to engage the coun¬ time it makes statements demonstrat¬ rebel fighters, and half of the fighters . tries you are having issues with and not ing that it supports the militarization of had come from outside Syria. isolate them." the crisis in Syria," the Syrian spokes¬ "It's really something strange to Inside Syria, air assaults, shelling and man, Jihad Makdissi, said of the French see," he said. "They are directly saying . street battles continued around the government in an interview with The that they aren't interested in Bashar al- country, including in the battleground of Associated Press. "The only way to Assad's fall, but are thinking about how Aleppo, where clashes between the Syr¬ make Brahimi's mission a success is the to take power afterwards and set up an ian military and rebel fighters burst a cooperation of all parties to enable him Islamic state with Shariah law to be¬ main pipe that delivered drinking water to bring about calmness and then the come part of the world emirate. to hundreds of thousands of residents political process." "Some of them were French and were Saturday. Western leaders and the Syrian completely fanaticai about the future." The sudden water shortage was the rebels say the Assad government ex¬ Dr. Bérès said the high proportion of latest pinch in a particularly acute hu¬ pressed similar support for peace pro¬ foreign Islamist fighters was a sharp manitarian crisis in Aleppo, the largest posals of the previous envoy, Kofi An¬ contrast to his impressions on earlier city in Syria, that was brought on by nan, but in fact failed to curb its military trips to Syria this spring, to makeshift more than a month of street fighting and clinics in the cities of Idlib and Homs. campaign to wipe out the opposition. weeks of air attacks. A witness and two Mr. Annan, the former U.N. secretary Activists and rebel fighters inter¬ opposition groups that track the vio¬ general, quit in frustration. And the As¬ viewed over the Internet consistently lence said that heavy shelling from Syr¬ sad government has since ruled out describe far lower numbers of foreign ian helicopters appeared to have rup- talks with the Syrian rebels, dismissing fighters a^d Islamist militants among the opposition, and the few reported in¬ terviews with Islamists . among the fighters have suggested little agree¬ ment on what kind of Islamist govern¬ ment they envision. Dr. Bérès said that the Syrian govern¬ ment bombing appeared indiscriminate and that the death toll was far higher >A than reports had previously indicated; those reports have put the number of dead in the Syrian conflict at more than 21,000. "What people have to know is that the number of dead is a far cry from what's been announced," he told Reu¬ ters. "I'd say you have to multiply by two to get the real figure."

Free Syrian Army troops carrying a wounded rebel in Aleppo over the weekend. A water main

supplying hundreds of thousands of residents ruptured as a result of the fighting.

22 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 7, 2012 Syria funeral is focus of Kurdish anger A bombing in Aleppo that killed a woman, two of her children and their young cousin triggers outrage among Kurds at a village funeral and throughout the region.

FRIN, Syria — The mourners Kurds at the mar- E chanted, "Long live Kurdistan!" as tyrs cemetery in the doleful cortege moved slowly toward Efrin condemning the hillside cemetery, past the olive Friday's massacre in groves and pomegranate orchards. Aleppo by Syrian Funerals have long become settings security forces. for political theater in strife-ridden Syria, where each side has tried to turn burials of war dead into highly public affirma- tions of their adversary's barbarity. But the procession Friday through the village of Basuta wasn't just another ins- tance of a funeral becoming a rallying cry against the government of President among those who paid their respects. The woman's dead children were Bashar Assad. "We are one people, Kurdish and identified as Jowan, 7, and Shirin, 3. The cousin wasn't identified. In this case, the victims — a woman, Arab," a rebel who gave his name as Abu two of her children and their young cou- Abdo, 32, said afterward. The father, described as a laborer who sin, all killed Thursday when bombs fell He and several comrades had come has worked as a shoemaker and taxi dri- on an Aleppo neighborhood — were from the front-line battle in Aleppo's ver, was seriously injured and remained members of Syria's Kurdish community, Salahuddin district, they said. hospitalized in Aleppo, said friends and relatives of the family. The couple's two the nation's largest ethnic minority. One PYD official, however, questio- other children also survived. The deaths triggered widespread ned whether the Kurds may have been outrage in the region, a vast expanse of unintended victims of wayward bombs. A man who gave his name as Mustafa heavily farmed valleys and rocky high- "This has to be investigated," said the said he witnessed the attack and helped lands dotted with Roman-era ruins and official, who like others interviewed decli- bring victims to the hospital. He said a other ancient sites. ned to be named. government aircraft was responsible. The Syrian military has used aircraft to devas- The four died in an aerial bombing "This was a criminal act," declared tating effect in their battle to push back strike on the Sheik Maqsood neighbo- Said Najjar, an official of the Kurdish rebels in Aleppo. National Council, who attended the fune- rhood in Aleppo, according to Kurdish ral along with other Kurdish leaders. "It is authorities. The district is home to many The first bomb struck about 6:20 p.m. proof of the regime's criminality." migrants from Kurdish villages in Aleppo Thursday, hitting a four-story apartment province. building where the family lived, Mustafa Whether the bombing would push said. Then, a few minutes later, as volun- The four buried here Friday were Kurds into a more active role in the teers struggled to remove victims from among at least 21 killed and 38 injured in almost 18-month rebellion remained the smoldering rubble, another bomb the bombing, officials said. Funerals were unclear. exploded on the street outside. also held in other area villages. Some Kurdish leaders have avoided "People who tried to rescue people For those gathered for the public taking sides in Syria's raging conflict. were killed by the second bomb," Mustafa funeral, there seemed to be no question Instead, they have seized on the state's said. debilitated status to gain de facto control that the bombing was a deliberate strike of Kurdish areas, including this sprawling on a Kurdish civilian enclave. The four coffins, draped in Kurdish flags, were taken to the cemetery in township — where Assad's administra- "We will take revenge!" mourners pickup trucks and then carried to the tion left months ago and Kurdish groups declared in one of a number of rhythmic graves. Loudspeakers played songs cele- have filled the void. chants assailing Assad's government. brating Kurdish "martyrs" of past strug- Several officials of the most powerful Women wearing head scarves and gles. A speaker who was no more than 12 and best-armed Kurdish faction, the dressed in traditional Kurdish long years old used a microphone to lead anti- Democratic Union Party (known as the dresses ululated in grief. Many knew the government chants. PYD, its Kurdish initials), said Friday that family and couldn't hold back tears. Beneath a blazing sun, the four vic- the group was committed to maintaining "None of us could believe this happe- its "neutral" stance in Syria's civil conflict. tims were lowered into their final resting ned," said a woman who described herself place, amid the wails of loved ones and The PYD has had an uneasy relationship as a relative of the deceased mother, iden- with the rebel Free Syrian Army, domina- volleys of ceremonial gunfire from rebel tified as Amina Mohamad Hassan, 35. fighters positioned on the hillside above. ted by Sunni Arabs, though the Kurdish "We heard that there had been a bombing ËËË party has denied charges of collaborating near the Marouf mosque in the neighbo- with the Assad government. rhood and were so worried. Then we lear- At the funeral, a contingent of camou- ned it was Amina and her family. That flage-clad Free Syrian Army fighters were was shocking."

23 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 4 September 2012

democratic alternative is in the interest of both Syria and the Kurdish President visits Domiz camp Kurdish nation. The country Barzani hails Erbil Agreement as positive and unifying needs to have a strong guarantee for their future, and for this pur- The Kurdish Globe pose the Region is attempting Kurdish with foreign nations and coun- urdistan Region's President tries to provide this guarantee. President Massoud Barzani Massoud The Kurdish President also visited the Domiz Refugee Camp K Barzani talks to reiterated that unifying the in Duhok, where the displaced displaced Kurdish nation is a sacred issue Syrian Kurds are settled, on Syrian Kurds at and the Erbil Agreement signed Sunday, 2nd September, 2012. the Domiz by the Syrian parties is a posi- President Barzani met with Camp in Duhok, tive and valuable step for uni- the refugee families and told September 2, fying their actions and efforts them that they are not guests but 20212./krg.org for the purpose of guaranteeing rather in their own homes, a bright future for the Kurds in Kurdistan. Syria. Hence there should in no He also promised that the Barzani said that in case the Syrian nation will make the way be any conflicts and disa- Kurdistan Regional situation fails to return to nor- decision by itself and that greements among them. All of Government (KRG) will be mal by winter time, the KRG Kurdistan Region will respect them should work for this future doing its best in assisting them, and the Duhok Governorate will that decision. But what is impor- and have a strong relationship reassuring them that they are in make other arrangements for tant for the Kurdistan Region is with the other nations, groups safe hands and hoping that in a them and provide them with all the future of the Kurds in Syria and components of the Syrian very near future they can return the basic and required services. who are still deprived of Syrian N society. to their homes with dignity and Regarding the future of citizenship and basic human self-esteem. Syria, Barzani said that the rights. Hence the existence of a

densate, but crude oil from other fields will also be exported. "Turkey believes that Kurdistan's export of oil and gas does not run Kurdish oil trade contrary to Iraq's constitution," said the official, who asked not to be named. "And Turkey is a logical exit route for the KRG," he added. The KRG's oil can be shipped to world markets through a Baghdad- with Turkey rising, controlled pipeline from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan. But this has been a stop-start process over the years due to a long- more to come running feud between Baghdad and Arbil, the KRG's seat of gov- KHOR MOR, Iraq, September 9, 2012 - By Peg Mackey ernment, over oil and land rights. The KRG halted exports in April in a dispute over payments from KURDISTAN is taking its first steps towards gaining independ- Baghdad to companies working in the region. It restarted them in ence from Baghdad in the sale of its oil and gas with a convoy of August, but warned it would cut shipments by mid-September if trucks taking the condensate liquid fuel bi-products of a remote there was no progress on payments. gas field directly into Turkey. For now about 120,000 barrels a day of KRG oil is being exported At least 15 trucks a day are loading up with high quality condensate through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline and the KRG's energy minister at Khor Mor's gas plant and then trundling down a bumpy road to Ashti Hawrami says the region's oilfields could ship up to 200,000 start the two-day journey to Mersin on the Turkish Mediterranean. bpd. The central government exports roughly 2.4 million bpd, with In return, Turkey is trucking back small quantities of diesel fuel and much of that coming from Iraq's southern oilfields. kerosene to use in the autonomous region's power plants. At around 3,000 bpd, the condensate flow from Kurdistan's Khor "It's a very simple but symbolic start to direct oil trade between the Mor field to Turkey is a mere trickle. But if it's sold on the world Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Turkey - and there will market from Mersin, this very valuable product could fetch over be more to come," said an official familiar with the barter-type oper- $100 a barrel, say oil market sources. ation between private companies. Khor Mor - developed by the UAE's Crescent Petroleum and Dana "Neither side is thinking about stopping." Gas, alongside Austria's OMV and Mol of Hungary - supplies gas But Baghdad wants them to. It believes Iraq's central government for power stations in the Kurdistan region, produces liquefied has the sole right to export oil and gas produced throughout Iraq petroleum gas (LPG) and pumps out up to 17,000 bpd of conden- and says deliveries by truck from Kurdistan across the border into sates. Turkey are illegal. Arbil is also routing some of the condensate volume to Khurmala, Ankara is meanwhile encouraging the swap, which kicked off with where it is exported through the central government's Iraq-Turkey five tankers in July. And Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz says pipeline system, industry sources say. the volume could gradually build up to 200 trucks a day - roughly Technicians at Khor Mor declined to comment on the final destina- 40,000 barrels per day (bpd). tion of the condensate because Kurdistan's Ministry of Natural Resources is in charge of the marketing effort. Industry sources say the KRG is now supplying only Khor Mor con- ⇒

24 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ⇒ Kurdistan began its crude-for-products trade with Turkey in order is a major investment and trading partner for Iraq, especially for to help plug a product shortfall it says was created by Baghdad. It Kurdistan. receives only 15,000 bpd of fuel from southern Iraq, far below its With open support from Ankara, Kurdistan has plans to begin 140,000 bpd allocation, according to the Kurdistan government. exporting its oil along a new 1 million bpd pipeline to the Turkish But Turkey's delivery has been slower than hoped, with the first border by August 2013. Production from the region is expected to products crossing the border at the end of last month, say industry rise towards the 1 million mark by then. sources. The process got bogged down in bureaucracy. "The KRG needs the infrastructure - they can't have trucks bumper- G Ankara has increasingly courted Iraqi Kurds as its relations with to-bumper on the roads," says an oil industry source in Arbil. the Shi'ite-led central government in Baghdad have soured. Turkey

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 The attacks come amid a fresh cam- Attacks Target Shiite paign by the al Qaeda-linked group known as the Islamic State of Iraq against the country's Shiite majority and the govern- Worshippers in Northern Iraq ment's pillars of power, including the army and security forces. By SAM DAGHER Iraq's ruling Shiite political parties, inclu- ding the movement of anti-American cle- Tensions also remain high in the oil rich city of Kirkuk, which is contested bet- KIRKUK—Eight Iraqis were killed ric Moqtada al-Sadr, residents said. ween the Shiite-led government in and 88 others wounded on Friday in bom- The worst attack involved two impro- Baghdad and the self-ruled Kurdish bings targeting three Shiite Muslim vised explosive devices and a car bomb region of northern Iraq. Kurds are houses of worship in the northern Iraqi outside a Shiite house of worship affiliated blocking forays by Baghdad to expand its city of Kirkuk, Iraqi police officials said. to the Dawa Party of Prime Minister Nouri military grip in Kirkuk and other contes- al-Maliki. The attacks happened during the busy ted areas in the north. I Friday weekly prayers. The religious insti- There were no immediate claims of tutions that were hit are all affiliated to responsibility.

September / 10 / 2012

Erdoğan shifts to a harder Kurdish policy MURAT YETKİN with the BDP since the PKK escalated its threat to the BDP to strip them of their acts of terror in July. The last example parliamentary immunity, which might ither stay in the Parliament and must be painful for Erdoğan, with his pro- well lead to trials, them being thrown out earn respect, or go to the Kandil vincial chairmen gathering in Ankara with of Parliament, and ending up in jail. Mountains,E Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip one absence this time. Mecit Tarhan, the Referring to the group of BDP members of Erdoğan challenged the Kurdish problem- AK Parti chairman for Hakkari province, Parliament who were photographed focused Peace and (BDP) which borders both Iraq and Iran and embracing and saluting a group of mili- members of Parliament on Sunday, in a which contains both Şemdinli and tants (who are wanted by security forces speech to the provincial chairmen of the Beytüşşebap – the site of the latest PKK on suspicion of a number of killings) ruling Justice and Development Party (AK attacks – is currently being held as a hos- during a road block a few weeks ago, Parti). tage by the PKK. When main opposition Erdoğan said he thought “the judiciary A range located along the Iranian bor- Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader would consider that a warrant of arrest.” der of Iraq, Kandil is a byword in Turkish Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said that Tarhan’s bro- “If the judiciary does what is neces- politics for the outlawed Kurdistan ther had asked for his assistance in secu- sary, we will do what is necessary in Workers’ Party (PKK), which has had its ring a release, Erdoğan also called the bro- Parliament,” he said, implying that the headquarters and military camps there for ther and later denied that the family had necessary vote would be taken in nearly twenty years, from where it has asked for the CHP’s help. Parliament following a legal probe. Here, carried out an armed campaign that has The Syrian situation is another reason he also took the risk of being accused of claimed more than 40,000 lives in the last for the hardening of the Turkish govern- intervening in judicial affairs by the oppo- three decades. ment’s policy on the Kurdish issue. Some sition. For some time, Erdoğan has been Syrian towns and border posts on the The Turkish government of 1994 wal- accusing the BDP parliamentarians of Turkish border are under the control of ked a similar path, kicking a number of being “tools” and the “extended arms” of militia groups related to the Kurdish-ori- Kurdish deputies out of Parliament and the PKK, lacking any initiative indepen- gin Democratic Union Party (PYD). The into jail, which only resulted in an escala- dent of the PKK and failing to clearly PYD is parallel to the PKK, like the PJAK tion of the clashes-operations cycle. There condemn the PKK for its acts of terror. In in Iran. Turkish intelligence believes that is now a totally different set of national his Sunday speech, he escalated his rheto- Bashar al-Assad’s forces have left these and international circumstances, and the ric against the BDP: “You will either serve posts for the PYD in order to cause a fur- chances of a peaceful solution to the ther pain in Turkey’s neck. Kurdish problem is nowhere in sight, at the people who have voted for you, or J serve your armed masters,” he said. What Erdoğan meant when he said least not in the short run. Erdoğan has become more furious “either Parliament, or Kandil” is a direct

25 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 10, 2012 Sectarian fury, Syrian turmoil pressure Iraq's Maliki By Patrick Markey | Reuters An Iraqi soldier keeps guard near the site of AGHDAD (Reuters) A fugitive vice bomb attacks in Ur dis- Bpresident condemned to death and trict in northeastern rallying opposition to Iraq's "sectarian" Baghdad September 10, prime minister, fresh bloodshed in the 2012. A series of bombs streets and the entire Middle East divi- ripped through mainly ded by religion over the war across the Shi'ite Baghdad dis- border in Syria - Nuri al-Maliki has no tricts on Sunday easy task in holding his government, …more after Iraq's and his nation, together. fugitive Vice President The Iraqi premier was denounced on Tareq al-Hashemi was Monday by Sunni Muslim Vice sentenced to death, end- President Tareq al-Hashemi as a ing one of the bloodiest conspirator and oppressor, in league days of the year with with fellow Shi'ites in Iran and driven by more than 100 killed religious hatred to engineer the death across the country. sentence handed down on Hashemi on REUTERS Sunday for murders committed by sec- political manipulation of the judiciary attacks. tarian death squads. by a Shi'ite leader who they say controls Iraq authorities quickly blamed The verdict against a mainstream the security forces by keeping a perso- Sunni insurgents seeking "sectarian leader of Iraq's once-dominant Sunni nal grip on the vital defense and inter- pursuits and sedition" for Sunday's minority was accompanied by bombings ior ministries. attacks that hit security forces and and attacks on Shi'ite targets that killed Since the fall of Saddam nine years cafes and mosques in Shi'ite districts. about 115 people, making it one of the ago and the rise of Shi'ite leaders in No group claimed responsibility, but bloodiest days since U.S. troops pulled U.S.-sponsored elections, many Iraqi Iraqi security forces are battling a lethal out in December. Maliki's government Sunnis feel they have been sidelined. mix of Sunni Islamist fighters, inclu- was quick to blame Sunni insurgents. Sunni politicians accuse Maliki of fai- ding a local al Qaeda wing and former Hashemi, speaking from exile in ling to fulfill deals to share power, a members of Saddam's Baath party, all Turkey, called for "calm" but firm oppo- charge Maliki's backers dismiss, poin- determined to undermine the Shi'ite-led sition to a premier whose efforts to ting to Sunnis in key posts. government. stitch together an administration uni- "This will not complicate or destroy SYRIAN DIMENSION ting Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurds have the political process," Saad al-Muttalibi, While weakened by years of fighting looked distinctly ragged since an arrest a leading member of Maliki's State of the U.S. forces, al Qaeda's local wing, warrant for the vice president was Law coalition, said of the death sen- the Islamic State of Iraq, has begun to issued the very day after the Americans tence on Hashemi. "We refuse to convert benefit from funds and morale as Sunni left. this into a political issue. This is a judi- Islamists have been crossing into neigh- "Yesterday Prime Minister Maliki cial issue." boring Syria to fight. and his ... judiciary concluded the final Maliki has already shown himself to "The terrorists may be trying to exa- phase of the theatrical campaign be a tough adversary. cerbate any inter-communal tensions," against me using a kangaroo court," A former Arabic teacher who worked said John Drake, a security analyst Hashemi told a news conference in his way up the ranks of the Shi'ite with AKE Group consultancy. "It Ankara. "My people, don't give Maliki Islamist Dawa party, he has proved doesn't show that the terrorists are in and those who stand behind him the adept at playing Iraq's factions against league with Hashemi, but it is very chance ... They want to make this a sec- one another, and juggling the tricky likely that they are trying to capitalize tarian conflict. balance of the region's diplomacy. on the sectarian sensitivity of his case." "Oppose his conspiracies and provo- After Hashemi fled the country ear- The insurgents aim to tap broader cation calmly." lier this year, Maliki survived a short- disaffection among Iraqis impatient Iraq's domestic troubles pitch the lived boycott of parliament and the with government failures to restore full majority Shi'ites, long oppressed until cabinet by the Sunni-backed Iraqiya security and even basic services like U.S. forces deposed Saddam Hussein in party, which ended up more fractured, electricity, more than nine years after 2003, against Saddam's fellow Sunni eventually strengthening the Shi'ite lea- the U.S. invasion. Arabs, as well as a substantial ethnic der's hand. A larger question mark over the Kurdish minority. Tensions are particu- More recently, Maliki exploited Iraq's longer-term stability may lie next larly high over the distribution of Iraq's splits in Kurdish and Sunni blocs to door in Syria, where Sunnis are the potentially massive oil wealth. defeat an attempt by opponents to join majority and Sunni Islamists fighters But the country of 32 million also forces with some of his Shi'ite allies to are the core of the insurgency against straddles the region's ethnic and secta- force a vote of no-confidence. Assad, whose Alawite minority is an rian faultline across which the Sunni, Although Iraq is much quieter than offshoot of Shi'ite Islam and whose Western-allied leaders of most other at the peak of violence in 2006-07, family has long been an ally of Shi'ite Arab states confront Shi'ite, non-Arab Sunday's attacks followed a pattern Iran. Iran and allies including Syrian that has emerged since the U.S. troops Maliki is also close to Iran, which President Bashar al-Assad. withdrew at the end of last year: every like Syria gave him refuge after he fled MALIKI IN CONTROL three or four weeks bombers strike on a persecution under Saddam, and he has For many Iraqi Sunni leaders, the massive scale across the country, kil- resisted calls from Sunni Arab leaders Hashemi case was a clear example of ling scores of people in coordinated to take a harder line against Assad. ➨

26 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➨ Prime minister since 2006, Maliki and Sunni Islamists after the 2003 of al-Qaim this week, killing a young has relied on Tehran's help to shore up invasion, Iraqi leaders criticized girl. domestic Shi'ite support behind him. Damascus for sheltering insurgents Along the border, in Iraqi provinces Tehran and Damascus both backed his who slipped across the border. that are a stronghold for Sunnis, many fragile new government after an incon- Baghdad worries former Baathists and tribes share common ties and sympa- clusive parliamentary election in 2010. other Sunni Islamists could again use thies with their Syrian Sunni brethren Syria is delicate matter for Maliki. Syria as a haven to strike at Iraq under over the frontier. Iraqi and Iranian Shi'ite leaders fear a a new regime. "Iraq will have a storm," said Sheikh collapse of Assad's government could Violence is already washing back Hatim Sulaiman, a chieftain of one of splinter Syria along sectarian lines, and from Syria into Iraq. Baghdad officials Anbar province's largest tribes. "In a eventually lead to the rise of a hardline say Sunni Islamist fighters are crossing few months Syria's crisis will likely end. Sunni regime hostile to Baghdad. into Syria from Iraqi territory, and And what comes next will be difficult for When U.S. forces fought al-Qaeda Syrian rockets hit the Iraqi border town Iraq." N

september 10, 2012 Iraq’s fugitive vice president convicted as attacks kill 92

Citizens and security forces inspect the scene of a Iraq's Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi car bomb speaks to the media as he leaves a meet- attack in ing with Turkey's Foreign Minister Kirkuk, 290 Ahmet Davutoglu, unseen, in Ankara, kilometers Turkey, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (180 miles) north of drew from the country last December — Baghdad, sparked a government crisis and fueled Iraq, Friday, Sunni Muslim and Kurdish resentment Sept 7, 2012. against al-Maliki, whom critics say is monopolizing power.

Violence has ebbed significantly, but insurgents continue to stage high-profile ing Shiites and undermining the govern- bombings and shooting rampages. Al- ment. Qaida’s Iraq branch has promised a come- By Lara Jakes / Associated Press back in predominantly Sunni areas from Al-Hashemi fled to Turkey in the months which it was routed by the U.S. and its AGHDAD: Iraq’s fugitive Sunni after the Shiite-led government accused local allies after sectarian fighting peaked vice president was sentenced him of playing a role in 150 bombings, in 2007. Sunday to death by hanging on B assassinations and other attacks from charges he masterminded death squads 2005 to 2011 — years when the country “These attacks show al-Qaida’s ability to against rivals. was mired in retaliatory sectarian violence hit any place in Iraq and at any time,” said that followed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion Ali Salem, 40, an elementary school His trial has fueled sectarian tensions in that ousted Saddam Hussein’s Sunni teacher in Baghdad. “The lack of security the country. Underscoring the instability, regime. Most of the attacks were allegedly could take us back to zero.” insurgents unleashed an onslaught of carried out by al-Hashemi’s bodyguards bombings and shootings across Iraq on and other employees, and largely targeted The worst violence on Sunday struck the Sunday, killing at least 92 people in one of government officials, security forces and capital, where bombs pounded a half- the deadliest days this year. Shiite pilgrims. dozen neighborhoods — both Sunni and Shiite — throughout the day. But the It’s unlikely that the attacks in 13 cities The vice president declined to comment deadliest attacks in Baghdad hit Shiite were all timed to coincide with the after- about the verdict after meeting with the areas Sunday evening, hours after the al- noon verdict, which capped a monthslong Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Hashemi verdict was announced. In all, case against Vice President Tariq al- Davutoglu in Ankara. He said he would 42 people were killed in the capital and Hashemi, a longtime foe of Shiite Prime “tackle this issue in a statement” in com- 120 wounded, according to police and Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Still, taken ing hours. hospital officials who spoke on condition together, the violence and verdict could of anonymity because they were not energize Sunni insurgents bent on return- The politically charged case — which was authorized to release the information. Ë ing Iraq to the brink of civil war by target- announced the day after U.S. troops with-

27 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 11 September 2012 Dozens of Kurdish journalists face terrorism charges in Turkey Human rights groups say country's biggest ever media trial is attempt to intimidate press

Constanze Letsch, Istanbul and Luke Harding Kurdish women protest against the he biggest media trial in Turkey's his- trial of 44 journal- tory has begun in what human rights ists in Istanbul. T groups say is an attempt by the Photograph: Bulent government to intimidate the press and Kilic/AFP/Getty punish pro-Kurdish activists. Images A total of 44 Kurdish journalists appea- red in court in Istanbul on various terro- rism charges, including accusations that they have supported the KCK, an illegal pan-Kurdish movement that includes the right to freedom of expression. both sides for the worsening situation. It PKK, the armed Kurdistan Workers' party. Andrew Gardner, Turkey researcher of says the government needs to "reform Of those, 36 have been in pre-trial deten- , said: "[This] prose- oppressive laws that jail legitimate Kurdish tion since December. cution forms a pattern where critical wri- politicians" and to "make amends" for the The hearing was delayed after the ting, political speeches and participation at excessive behaviour of its security forces. defendants made an attempt to defend peaceful demonstrations are used as evi- But it adds: "The Kurdish movement, inclu- themselves in Kurdish, their mother lan- dence of terrorism offences." ding PKK leaders, must abjure terrorist guage, a request denied by the judge. More than 100 journalists are currently attacks and publicly commit to realistic Twelve of the defendants are said to have in jail in Turkey, more than in Iran or political goals. Above all, politicians on all led a terrorist organisation and 32 are accu- China. Many of them work for Kurdish sides must legalise the rights most of sed of being members of a terrorist organi- media outlets. About 800 more face Turkey's Kurds seek, including mother-lan- sation. Prosecutors have demanded prison charges and many journalists have been guage education, an end to discriminatory sentences ranging from seven and a half to fired or have quit their jobs because of laws, fair political representation and more 22 and a half years. direct or indirect pressure from the Turkish decentralisation." The contentious case comes amid an government. The report also claims Ankara has "zig- escalation of Turkey's 28-year-old Kurdish In a recent speech, the interior minister, zagged" on its commitments to Kurds' insurgency, with renewed clashes between Idris Naim Sahin, compared writers and rights. At times it has given "positive the PKK and Turkish security forces. Over journalists to PKK fighters, saying that signals" including scheduling optional the past 14 months, the country has seen its there was "no difference between the bul- Kurdish lesson in schools. "At others, they worst violence since the PKK's leader, lets fired in [the Kurdish south-east] and appear intent on crushing the PKK milita- Abdullah Öcalan, was captured and jailed in the articles written in Ankara". rily, minimise the true extent of fighting, 1999. Since June 2011, at least 708 people The government maintains that none of fail to sympathise with Kurdish civilian have been killed, according to the Brussels- the journalists on trial have been arrested casualties, openly show their deep distrust based International Crisis Group. The vic- for their work as members of the press. of the Kurdish movement, do nothing to tims include 405 PKK fighters, 209 soldiers However, the 800-page indictment stop the arrest of thousands of non-violent and police, and 84 civilians, it said. includes charges for "denigrating the state" activists and generally remain complacent Meanwhile, a peaceful initiative by against one journalist who wrote about as international partners mute their criti- Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip sexual harassment at Turkish Airlines. cism at a time of Middle East turmoil." Erdogan, and his ruling Justice and Özlem Agus, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish Since 2009, 8,000 pro-Kurdish politi- Development party (AKP) to improve Tigris News Agency (DIHA), was singled cians, lawyers, academics, writers and Kurdish rights has fizzled out. Instead, out for bringing to light sexual abuse of members of the media have been arrested thousands of non-violent Kurdish politi- minors in the Pozanti prison in Adana. on terrorism charges. cians and sympathisers have been arrested Other offending articles include interviews The new media trial "is clearly politi- and charged with terrorism offences. The with the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy cal," said the investigative journalist journalists are the latest group to go on party (BDP) leader Sebahattin Demirtas, Ertugrul Mavioglu, who faced terrorism trial, activists say. and reports on casualties in the fights bet- charges, dropped last December, for inter- "This is bad for Turkey's international ween the PKK and Turkish armed forces. viewing the KCK's leader Murat Karayilan, image," said Hüseyin Bagci, of Ankara's "All of the defendants are on trial for who operates from a base in northern Iraq. Middle East Technical University's interna- doing their jobs," the defence lawyer Meral Mavioglu said: "The government wants tional relations department. Bagci descri- Danis Bektas said. "A free press and free- to set an example, it wants to intimidate. bed Erdogan's Kurdish political initiative – dom of expression are cornerstones of Journalists are being told: 'There are limits unpopular with many Turks – as dead, but democracy. Without them, democratic poli- on what you are allowed to say.'" said the government remained divided over tical participation becomes impossible. • This article was amended on 11 how to deal with the worsening insurgency, Erdogan now openly threatens journalists September to correct the English transla- with no clear strategy. or dictates [what to write]. This attitude tion of the BDP's name, from the Freedom Human rights groups have repeatedly creates a terrible climate for press free- and Democracy party to the Peace and criticised the Turkish government for the dom." Democracy party  prosecution of pro-Kurdish politicians, A report by the International Crisis activists and journalists who exercise their Group to be published on Tuesday blames

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

rtHïonÔe

Jeudi J3 septembre 2012

M. Nétanyahou choisit de "souli¬ passés du feu vert des Etats-Uriis. Il gnerles divergences israélo-améri¬ en a été de même pour la destruc¬ caines : «Le monde dit à Israëld'at¬ tion du réacteur syrien d'Al-Kibar, Le nucléaire iranien tendre, parce qu'il y a encore du le 5 septembre 2007. temps, mais je pose la question: Dans la dernière édition du Attendre quoi? Jusqu'à quand? magazine américain The New Yor¬ Ceux qui, dans la communauté ker, le journaliste David Makovsky perturbe la relation internationale, refusent de fixer apporte des informations inédites une ligne rouge à l'Iran n'ontpas le sur les circonstances de cette opé¬ droit moral d'enfixer une à Israël. » ration, jamais reconnue par l'Etat La menace de recourir à l'option israélo-américaine juif. Il explique que le Mossad, le militaireest implicite, mais parfai- service de renseignement exté¬ tementclaire:ElletraduitI'exaspé- rieur, a obtenu la preuve de l'exis¬ Des révélations sur un raid israélien de 2007 ration du premier ministre israé¬ tence de ce réacteur en cambrio¬ lien face à ce qu'il considère com¬ en Syrie relativisent l'influence de Washington lant le domicile, à Vienne, d'Ibra¬ me le dangereux attentisme de him Othman, chef du service Washington. Il n'est pas exclu syrien de l'énergie atomique.

Jérusalem tions. Cette déclaration rassure un Les agents israéliens ont rappor¬ Correspondant peu : lorsqu'on envisage de fixer à AJérusalem, té des photos, qui Ont été mon¬ un adversaire des « lignes rouges », trées aux dirigeants américains. les mises au point S'il s'agissait d'un jeu de rôle c'est qu'une attaque n'est pas Mais le président George Bush, entre Israéliens et Améri¬ imminente. de la secrétaire d'Etat échaudé par la polémique sur les cains pour convaincre l'Iran Mais dès dimanche soir, la secré¬ prétendues armes de destruction américaine sont et la communauté internationale taire d'Etat américaine, Hillary massive de Saddam Hussein, ne : que l'Etat juif est de plus en plus Clinton, met les choses au point : ressenties comme s'est pas laissé convaincre, du « nous nefixons pas de dates limi¬ moins pas suffisamment pour enclin à recourir à l'option militai¬ des camouflets re contre les installations nucléai¬ tes» [à l'Jran]. Les négociations, ordonner une attaque militaire res de Téhéran, la mise en scène ajoute-t-elle, «sont de loin la américaine. cependant qu'elle participe de cet¬ serait parfaite. Mais tout porte à meilleureapproche ». Lundi 10 sep¬ David Makovsky relate les te « stratégie de la tension » pour¬ croire que la cacophonie qui se tembre, la porte-parole du départe¬ tiraillements au sein de l'adminis¬ suivie depuis des mois par Israël développe depuis quelques jours ment d'Etat revient à la charge : le tration américaine, et explique pouramener- avec un certain suc¬ reflète une dissension croissante président Obama « a dit de maniè¬ pourquoi, au bout du compte, cès-la communauté internationa¬ entre le président américain, re univoque qu'il ne laisserait pas Israël a estimé qu'il n'avait plus le le à accroître ses sanctions contre BarackObama,et le premierminis- l'Iran obtenir l'arme nucléaire (...) temps de tergiverser. Certes, l'Iran Téhéran. tre israélien, Benyamin mais il n'est pas utile d'établir des n'est pas la Syrie, notamment par¬ Israël pourrait-il passer outre Nétanyahou. dates butoirs, des lignes rouges ». ce qu'il s'agirait d'une opération les objections américaines ? C'est Dimanche 9 septembre, ce der¬ A Jérusalem, ces mises au point militaire infiniment plus comple¬ laquestion-clé, à laquelle deux pré¬ nier assure que les deux pays dis¬ sont ressenties comme des camou¬ xe, mais les exemples d'Osirak et cédents incitent à répondrepar l'af¬ cutent de la fixation de « lignes flets. Un représentant officiel réa¬ d'Al-Kibar, ainsi que les propos firmative. Lorsque l'aviation israé¬ rouges» que l'Iran ne devra pas git vertement, estimant que ce va-t-en-guerre de M.Nétanyahou, lienne a détruit le réacteurnucléai¬ franchir dans son programme type de déclarations ne peut que nourrissent une inquiétude non re irakien d'Osirak, le 7 juin 1981, nucléaire, sauf à risquer une atta¬ «faciliter la tâche de l'Iran ». feinte, à Washington et au-delà. les dirigeants de l'Etat juif se sont que militaire contre ses installa Enfin, mardi 11 septembre, Laurent Zecchini

Le Kurdistan irakien confirme la teneur de l'accord sur le brut avec Bagdad

ERB1L (Irak), 14 septembre 2012 (AFP) exportera l'an prochain et évaluer le montant dû aux compagnies pétrolières étrangères implantées dans la région.

En contrepartie, Bagdad doit verser à la région une "avance" de 833 millions LA REGION AUTONOME du Kurdistan irakien, en conflit avec Bagdad de dollars. sur l'exploitation des hydrocarbures, a confirmé vendredi qu'elle comptait signer un contrat avec le gouvernement irakien par lequel Erbil percevra 17% du pétrole raffiné en Irak et 17% du brut destiné aux cen¬ elle s'engage à exporter 200.000 barils de pétrole par jour. trales électriques dépendant du gouvernement fédéral, selon le texte.

En avril, le Kurdistan, qui réclame de Bagdad 1,5 milliard de dollars Le contrat, qui doit être signé la semaine prochaine, institue une commis¬ d'arriérés de paiement, avait décidé de suspendre ses exportations de sion formée de représentants des deux gouvernements afin de suivre la pro¬ pétrole, puis les avait reprises au mois d'août. Le 1er septembre, la région duction et le raffinage du brut et les rémunérations des sociétés étrangères autonome avait annoncé la poursuite de ses exportations jusqu'au 15 sep¬ travaillant au Kurdistan. tembre. Enfin, une seconde commission aura pour tâche de s'assurer de Jeudi, une réunion organisée dans le bureau du vice-Premier ministre Roz l'application de l'accord. Nouri Chawis avait permis de parvenir à un accord aux termes duquel la Les relations entre Erbil et le gouvernement fédéral se sont considérable¬ région autonome s'engage à exporter 200.000 barils de pétrole par jour ment dégradées ces derniers mois en raison de différends sur les contrats jusqu'à la fin de l'année. pétroliers et des revendications territoriales. Dans un communiqué publié vendredi sur son site internet, le gouvernement Le Kurdistan a signé des dizaines de contrats pétroliers avec des compa¬ d'Erbil a confirmé la teneur de l'accord et ajouté qu'il exporterait 140.000 gnies étrangères sans l'approbation de Bagdad, qui exige que ce type de barils par jour jusqu'à fin septembre, pour passer à 200.000 barils par jour négociations passent à travers son ministère du Pétrole et considère illégal dès le mois d'octobre. Il doit en outre déterminer le volume de pétrole qu'il tout contrat conclu en dehors de ce circuit.

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

Dimanche 16 - Lundi 17 septembre 2012 La France se prépare à affronter une crise A syrienne de longue durée .En.!°.y.ée.s.pé.c,.a!e. Le ministre de la défense n'envisage pas de fournir d'armes lourdes ne nouvelle étape à l'opposition syrienne s'ouvre-t-elle dans la ges¬ tion de la crise syrienne? Parallèlement à leur travail diplo¬ matique, les pays qui soutiennent l'opposition au régime de Bachar Al-Assad ont décidé, de façon beau¬ coup plus discrète, de coordonner leurs actions en faveur de la résis¬ tance syrienne. Sans parler d'état- major, une structure d'échange de renseignements et de planification est en train d'être instaurée par les Etats-Unis, la Grande-Bretagne, la é France, laTurquie et Ja Jordanie. Le i dispositif inclut des discussions avec les Etats du Golfe, l'Arabie Saoudite et le Qatar. t- \ Paris, qui entend prendre sa pla¬ ce dans cette nouvelle initiative, multiplie les consultations avec i-SI y^-> ses partenaires. C'est dans cette optique que le ministre de la défen¬ se, Jean:Yves Le Drian, s'est rendu à

Amman (Jordanie) et Beyrouth le la défense français, Jean-Yves le Drian (au centre), en compagnie d'officiers marocains, (Liban), du 12 au 14 septembre. Les visite le camp de réfugiés syriens d'Al-Zaatari, en Jordanie, le 13 septembre, balkis press-mousse/abaca rendez-vous espérés en Turquie

n'ont pu avoir lieu. La France tuellement. Les Etats-Unis, le cal dans le camp de Zaatari, qui militaire a, là aussi, été renforcée. essaie «par de nopibreux moyens Royaume-Uni et la France tra¬ compte à présent 23 000 Syriens En revanche, « la France nefour¬ défaire en sorte que l'opposition vaillent depuis plusieurs mois sur eh majorité sunnites. Paris et nira pas d'armes» à l'opposition syrienne s'unifie», a déclaré le la sécurisation des sites syriens. Aman vont accroître leur coopéra¬ syrienne. Pour Paris, les condi¬ ministre français à la presse, jeudi C'est un domaine de coopération tion en matière de renseignement. tions politiques ne sont pas réu¬ 13 septembre, à Beyrouth. «Si Von pourles forces spéciales, qui inclut Les allées et venues de membres nies pour voir des armes lourdes veutpréparer lejour d'après, ilfaut la Jordanie. « Une bonne armée se des groupes d'opposition syriens aux mains des insurgés, comme le un embryon de ce quipourraitdeve¬ dans le pays sont aussi un atout. souhaiteraient certains pays du nir un gouvernementprovisoire. » Paris n'adhère pas La France a, plus largement, Golfe. La défense affirme vouloir Le ministre a par ailleurs confir¬ offert de renforcerson aide militai¬ s'en tenir pour l'heure à du maté¬ mé implicitement que les services à l'idée d'une zone re à Amman. Cette coopération, riel «non létal», ce qui recouvre français avaient aidé le général d'exclusion aérienne : ancienne, est nourrie depuis que des moyens de communication et ManafTlass - un ancien intime de l'armée française a aidé sonhomp- de vision. L'aide pourra aller jus¬ Bachar Al-Assad - à s'exfiltrerdu l'importance des logue à constituer ses forces spécia¬ qu'à une aide financière aux pays : «S'il le dit c'est que ce doit moyens mobilisés les à la fin des années 1990. La délé¬ régions «autonomes». être vrai, je ne puis, pour ma part, gation ministérielle comptait un En outre, Paris n'adhère pas à faire aucun commentaire. » reviendrait à se placer officiergénéralquifutrun des arti¬ l'idée d'une zone d'exclusion En raison du statu quo sanglant en état de guerre sans de cette coopération. aérienne : l'importance des qui paraît s'installer sur le terrain Au Liban sud, où sont déployés moyens mobilisés reviendrait à syrien, la crise est à présent analy¬ les casques bleus de la Finul, la se placer en état de guerre, sans sée par la défense française dans prepared toutesîeséventualités», a situation démeure calme dans les feu vert de l'ONU. En revanche, «te temps long», avec toutes les indiqué à ce propos le roi Abdallah fiefs du Hezbollah, bien que le M. Le Drian a indiqué que des conséquences que cela implique : il dans la presse jordanienne jeudi. mduvemerit chiite soit soupçon¬ actions de «sécurisation de zones. s'agitautantde structurerune alter¬ Le royaume demande d'abord né de participer aux combats au de liberté» étaient à l'étude, après native politique au régime Assad de l'aide civile, caril craint une arri¬ côté de l'armée syrienne. Les sol¬ la proposition turque de créer des que de cqntenir une contagion vée massive de réfugiés en raison dats du contingent français de la zones tampons. régionale désastreuse et de plani¬ de la crise humanitaire qui sévit Finul ont pu entendre l'écho des De quoi offrir une perspective fier d'éventuelles opérations mili¬ dans le sud de la Syrie, privé d'eau, tirs de canons lors de combats à aux groupes de l'Armée syrienne taires en cas de rupture brutale. d'électricité, de transports publics. Damas, en juillet. La force onusien¬ libre? Le ministre de la défense a Cette anticipation vise notam¬ La Jordanie a accepté de laisser ne, que l'Elysée avait mise à l'hon¬ précisé que les «préalables» ment la perte de contrôle éventuel¬ ouvertes ses frontières ; les risques neur le 14 juillet, serait en difficul¬ n'étaient pourl'instant pas réunis. le des armes chimiques syriennes. de déstabilisation sont réels. Quel¬ té en cas d'embrasement. Parmi ceux-ci, il a cité « un périmè¬ La menace de leur utilisation par que 200 000 personnes sont déjà Face auxinquiétudes, Paris mar¬ tre de liberté homogène et suffi¬ Bachar Al-Assad en juillet a été entrées sur son territoire. tèle que « l'Etat libanais ne tiendra samment vaste» et «une autorité considérée comme sérieuse. Des A la demande du roi Abdallah, sa souveraineté que si les forces reconnue, potentiellement doutes existent sur le. fait que ces l'armée française a déployé en août armées libanaises sont vigoureu¬ embryon d'autorité nationale ». m armes aient été déjà utilisées ponc- un groupement médico-chirurgi ses et structurées ». La coopération Nathalie Guibert

30 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Mardi 18 septembre 2012 l’Irak: la Région autonome du Kurdistan qui borde la Turquie sur toute la longueur de sa frontière avec l’Irak. Son gouverne- SYRIE : Le poker kurde ment (KRG) s’est montré désireux de nouer des relations avec la Turquie mais rechigne à combattre les rebelles du PKK de Bachar el-Assad qui ont fait des montagnes de Qandil un sanctuaire d’où leurs militants mènent des opérations transfrontalières en Turquie. Manifestation de militantes du En réaction à l’émancipation des Kurdes PYD à Qamishli en Syrie, Recep Tayyip Erdogan a claire- qui réclament la ment fait savoir qu’il considérait la créa- libération du tion d’une enclave kurde comme une men- leader Abdullah ace à la sécurité et aux intérêts de son pays. Öcalan. (Boris «Nous avons un droit naturel à intervenir Mabillard) dans le nord de la Syrie», a-t-il déclaré lors d’une interview télévisée le mercredi 25 juillet. La secrétaire d’Etat américaine, Hillary Clinton, l’a assuré de son soutien en promettant, lors de sa visite à Ankara le Par Boris Mabillard de soldats syriens qu’ils pourchassent mais les 11 août, que la zone ne deviendrait pas «un Qamishli et Derik combattants du PKK.» sanctuaire pour les terroristes du PKK».

En jouant une communauté con- Dans un rapport publié mardi 11 septem- Derrière ses parpaings de béton armé, tre les autres, Damas prend le bre, l’institut de recherche International l’hôtel International d’Erbil, la capitale de Crisis Group (ICG) établit à plus de 700 le la Région autonome du Kurdistan, risque d’étendre le conflit à toute nombre de morts depuis les élections par- la région. Mais les Kurdes syriens accueille, pour la troisième fois depuis le 9 lementaires turques de juin 2011 dans la juillet, les leaders politiques du Kurdistan ne sont pas dupes. Ils espèrent guerre que se livrent le PKK et les forces tirer leur épingle du jeu syrien à l’invitation du président du KRG, gouvernementales. Ce qui fait de cette Massoud Barzani. A côté des discussions période la plus meurtrière depuis officielles, qui se tiennent depuis le 9 sep- n no man’s land sépare les villes l’arrestation du leader historique Abdullah tembre dans le secret des salons privés, jumelles de Qamishli en Syrie et de Öcalan en 1999. Et cette tendance s’est sig- Saleh Muslim Mohammed, le coprésident Nusaybin en Turquie. Les drapeaux U nificativement accrue ces deux derniers du PYD, reçoit ses invités au lobby, sans turcs et syriens flottent sur les postes de mois. chichis. Vêtu d’un costume simple et arbo- douane respectifs, que plus personne ne rant une moustache fournie, il parle douce- traverse. Au loin, arrimé à une citerne en Le gouvernement du premier ministre turc, ment, obligeant ses interlocuteurs à se béton qui surplombe Qamishli, un autre Recep Tayyip Erdogan, associe la recrude- pencher pour suivre ses propos. Son parti drapeau, celui du Kurdistan syrien. Depuis scence des attentats imputés au PKK au est l’une des composantes principales du fin juillet, les Kurdes ont hissé leurs conflit syrien. Il accuse Damas et le PKK Conseil suprême kurde créé le 11 juillet couleurs, trois bandes, jaune, rouge et d’être de mèche et de se servir du très 2012 sous l’impulsion de Massoud Barzani verte, au-dessus de ceux et de celles des influent Parti de l’union démocratique pour réunir tous les partis kurdes syriens. quartiers, des villages et des villes du (PYD) pour couvrir leurs activités. Enfin, Son idéologie est inspirée d’Abdullah Kurdistan syrien qu’ils ont soustraits à la il voit derrière l’émancipation des Kurdes Öcalan, mais il se défend des accusations tutelle de Damas. Après des décennies de de Syrie une tactique du régime de Bachar turques: «Nous n’entretenons aucun lien ségrégation et de privation de leurs droits, el-Assad pour le menacer. D’abord, les avec le PKK.» les Kurdes syriens ne boudent pas leur autorités d’Ankara craignent que la Syrie bonheur. Mais du côté turc, on ne partage ne se désintègre en plusieurs entités eth- Lors d’un entretien précédent, Saleh pas le même sentiment: le gouvernement niques, dont une serait kurde, à la manière Muslim Mohammed avait expliqué la ligne pointe la région kurde syrienne où, selon de ce qui s’est passé en Irak, où les Kurdes suivie par son parti: «Nous n’avons pas de lui, des combattants du Parti des tra- jouissent d’une autonomie importante. relations avec le gouvernement de Damas. vailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) se seraient L’avènement d’une deuxième région kurde Pas non plus avec le Conseil national infiltrés et accuse Damas de les manipuler. autonome pourrait inspirer les 15 millions syrien (CNS) ni avec l’Armée syrienne Avec la question kurde, le conflit syrien de Kurdes de Turquie qui réclament plus libre (ASL). Nous ne partageons pas le déborde sur toute la région et permet à de droits depuis des années. Ensuite, elles même agenda. D’une part, nous ne nous Bachar el-Assad de jouer ses atouts. redoutent que le PKK ne s’installe dans de associons pas à la mouvance islamiste. nouvelles zones sous les auspices d’un Etat D’autre part, ils refusent de prendre en Du toit de son immeuble décrépit, un com- bienveillant. compte la reconnaissance de nos droits.» merçant de Nusaybin montre les miradors turcs qui, de loin en loin, hérissent la ligne- Ces appréhensions sont fondées sur le La porte d’entrée du Kurdistan syrien se frontière: «Malgré les mines et les bar- précédent irakien. La première guerre du trouve à la frontière avec la Région belés, les contrebandiers réussissaient à se Golfe en 1991, puis l’invasion de l’Irak en autonome du Kurdistan. Le passage se faufiler. Mais c’est fini. Depuis deux mois, 2003 ont libéré les Kurdes de l’oppression fait en barge à travers le Tigre, sous l’œil l’armée turque a multiplié les patrouilles et ➤ et leur ont donné un pays, à l’intérieur de bienveillant des peshmergas, les opérations militaires. Ce ne sont pas les

31 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ les combattants de l’armée kurde dans le même temps d’Erbil. Ils ont densi- d’Irak. De l’autre côté, les bâtiments La mairie de Qamishli abrite paradoxale- fié leur partenariat avec le KRG et signé anciennement tenus par l’armée sont à ment une double administration. Les fonc- des accords pétroliers. Conséquence ou l’abandon. «Il n’y a pas eu de combat, tionnaires dépendent encore de Damas, pas de la stratégie de Damas, le gouverne- explique un habitant d’un village voisin. mais les cadres kurdes des comités popu- ment turc qui avait dans un premier temps Les soldats sont simplement partis.» laires se sont invités dans le bâtiment. défendu ardemment une intervention mili- C’est donc dans un bureau qui n’est pas le taire et l’armement des rebelles a montré Alors que depuis des années, le gouverne- sien et sous un portrait de Bachar el-Assad moins de vigueur ces trois derniers mois. ment de Damas opprimait la minorité que l’un des responsables locaux du PYD kurde, représentant 9% de la population et membre du nouveau conseil de la ville La partie est loin d’être gagnée pour les syrienne, il s’est montré plus conciliant à met en garde contre toute tentative de Kurdes de Syrie. Si Bachar el-Assad repre- leur égard à mesure que la contestation se déstabilisation: «Nous avons recruté des nait le contrôle du pays, pas de doute qu’il généralisait. En avril 2011, il promet volontaires prêts à se battre au sein des reprendrait aussi en main la région kurde. d’accorder la citoyenneté aux milliers de Unités de défense du peuple (YPG) pour Dans le cas où le régime s’effondrerait, il Kurdes qui vivaient comme des étrangers nous protéger contre les agressions est improbable que les autorités du nouvel dans leur propre pays. Puis autorise Saleh éventuelles des rebelles, des Turcs ou Etat soient disposées à accorder une Muslim Mohammed à rentrer de son exil même des forces syriennes.» Combien autonomie relative aux Kurdes. «Les forcé. Dernier épisode en date, fin juillet, sont-ils? Qui sont-ils? D’où viennent leurs tribus arabes, les chrétiens et les une partie de l’armée, des services du ren- armes? Mystère. Mais aux abords d’un vil- Turkmènes forment plus de la moitié de la seignement intérieur, les moukhabarat, et lage éloigné, une séance d’entraînement population. Les Kurdes devront revoir à la de la police ont été redéployés vers Alep, est encadrée par des combattants mani- baisse leurs revendications et négocier. laissant ainsi le champ libre aux Kurdes. festement aguerris et portant singulière- Enfin, les importantes ressources Ce que Bachar el-Assad refuse ailleurs, il ment les mêmes treillis que ceux des pétrolières et gazières que recèle la région l’a concédé aux Kurdes, non sans arrière- rebelles du PKK. seront convoitées par tous, à commencer pensées. par la capitale», explique Osman Bahadir En retirant une partie de ses troupes sta- Dincer. Quels sont les buts suivis par les autorités tionnées dans le nord-est pour les redé- syriennes? Pour Osman Bahadir Dincer, ployer dans la région d’Alep, où Saleh Muslim Mohammed prône la expert pour le Moyen-Orient à l’institut de l’insurrection fait rage, le régime syrien retenue: «Nous voulons rassurer les recherche stratégique USAK, le message n’a pas pris beaucoup de risques. Les Arabes et les chrétiens, nous pouvons est clair: «Il s’agit d’une menace sans dirigeants kurdes ont exclu toute alliance vivre ensemble. Quant à nos voisins, nous ambiguïté à l’encontre du gouvernement avec les rebelles de l’ASL. Une intrusion ne voulons pas de confrontation. Jamais le turc. Si celui-ci continue à soutenir des militaires turcs liguerait par ailleurs PKK n’utilisera ce territoire pour mener à l’insurrection et à fournir une base arrière tous les Kurdes dans un front commun bien ses attaques en Turquie.» A Qamishli, aux rebelles, Damas aidera le PKK. Et si contre l’agresseur. Elle remettrait aussi en lors d’une manifestation pour réclamer la les militaires turcs interviennent sur le sol cause le rapprochement stratégique et libération d’Abdullah Öcalan, mardi 11 syrien, ils auront contre eux tous les économique entre Erbil et Ankara. En con- septembre, des militantes du PYD n’ont Kurdes.» Dès novembre 2011, Bachar el- séquence du conflit syrien, de nouvelles pas montré la même prudence. Elles ont Assad menaçait de faire éclater la Syrie en alliances ont vu le jour. Les diplomates crânement défilé au centre d’un square une multitude de factions ethniques et con- d’Ankara se sont éloignés de Téhéran et de coincé entre le poste frontière et une base fessionnelles. Bagdad, l’axe chiite, et se sont rapprochés militaire syrienne en activité. N

17 septembre 2012

pour désigner le PKK. La Turquie affirme avoir tué 500 Les propos de M. Erdogan interviennent au lendemain rebelles kurdes du PKK en un mois de la mort de huit soldats dans l'explosion d'une mine e premier ministre turc, posée, selon des sources Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a L locales de sécurité, par le PKK annoncé lundi 17 septembre près de la localité de Karliova, que l'armée avait tué près de dans la province de Bingöl. La 500 rebelles kurdes du Parti veille, quatre autres militaires des travailleurs du Kurdistan avaient péri dans des circons- (PKK) en un mois dans le sud- tances analogues à Cukurca, est de la Turquie. "Dans les dans la province d'Hakkari. seuls dix derniers jours, 123 Le PKK a multiplié cet été terroristes ont été neutralisés ses attaques contre les forces rien que [dans la province de sécurité dans le sud-est de d']Hakkari", aux confins de la Turquie. Les forces de sécu- l'Irak et de l'Iran, a précisé le Le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan a multiplié cet été ses attaques contre rité ont riposté en déployant premier ministre, utilisant le les forces de sécurité dans le sud-est de la Turquie. Le Parti des travailleurs massivement des troupes et vocable habituel chez les auto- du Kurdistan a multiplié cet été ses attaques contre les forces de sécurité en infligeant des pertes rités turques de "terroriste" dans le sud-est de la Turquie. | REUTERS sévères chez les rebelles I

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

16 septembre 2012 Turquie: 8 policiers tués dans une attaque du PKK uit policiers turcs ont été vistes selon les services du gouver- tués et neuf autres blessés neur de la province de Hakkari Hdans l'explosion d'une mine dis- dans le sud-est de la Turquie. simulée au bord d'une route, ce Le conflit entre le gouver- dimanche en Anatolie orientale, nement truc et le PKK a fait ont annoncé des responsables plus de 40.000 morts depuis de la sécurité. La mine, déclen- que le PKK a pris les armes en chée au moment du passage 1984 dans le but de créer un d'un autocar à Karliova dans la Etat kurde indépendant. Plus province de Bingöl, a sans de 700 personnes ont été tuées doute été actionnée par des depuis les élections législatives membres du Parti des travail- de juin dernier. C'est la période leurs du Kurdistan (PKK), a-t- des services de sécurité. Il n'a la plus meurtrière depuis on précisé. Samedi, l'attaque kurdes présumés ont blessés pas été immédiatement possi- l'arrestation de l'homme fort d'un convoi militaire par des quatre gardes lors d'une ble de vérifier le nom de la du PKK, Abdullah Ocalan en séparatistes kurdes présumés attaque contre une société société. Dans le cadre de sa 1999, a indiqué le groupe près de la frontière avec l'Iran et étrangère de prospection pétro- grande offensive lancée contre International Crisis Group l'Irak a fait quatre morts et cinq lière, au nord d'Hasankeyf (ICG) dans un rapport publié les bases du PKK, l'armée G blessés chez les soldats turcs. dans la province de Batman, a- turque a tué 123 activistes ce mois-ci.(Reuters) Samedi toujours, des acti- t-on appris de source proche kurdes ces dix derniers jours,

27 September 2012 Iranian Kurdish Opposition Groups Drift Closer to Unification By SAKAR ABDULLAZADA rudaw.net

RBIL, Kurdistan Region -- Representatives from the two major EIranian Kurdish parties met in Koya last week in a bid to unify the divided groups. The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) are both armed opposition groups of the neighboring Islamic Republic of Iran. The two groups have refused to meet in recent years but have held talks since mid-September. They previously met at the French Consulate in Erbil. Before its split, the KDPI was widely Leaders of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) and the Komala known as the largest Iranian Kurdish Movement following an agreement signed between both groups in August. Photo opposition party. Mustafa Hejri/Facebook. The talks have sparked hope among Iranian Kurds that the two sides will “Kurdish society, especially in liberation movement.” merge again. Eastern (Iranian) Kurdistan, can hardly Ahmed Salihi, a member of the cen- Aram Mudarisi, a member of the cen- accept divisions. People are used to the tral committee of one of the splinter tral committee of the Revolutionary KDP and Komala and not KDPs and groups from Komala, said, “The demo- Society of Iranian Kurdistan's Toilers Komalas,” said Mudarisi. crats don’t have political or ideological (Komala), described the talks as a “very Behruz Ardalan, the head of relations problems among them. It is all about good and necessary step.” at the Kurdistan Struggle Organization, power and a fight over seats.” Komala, a Marxist opposition group, another Iranian Kurdish opposition party, The KDPI was founded in 1946 by has been split into several groups over the told Rudaw that divisions in the ranks of Qazi Mohammad, the president of the past few years. The KDPI and Komala Kurdish opposition parties “will negati- short-lived Republic of Kurdistan➩ in used to be major rivals before their splits. vely affect the Kurdish people and the Mahabad. Since its establishment,

33 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➩ the group has experienced several lines. With the democrats, it was about KDPI’s political bureau, told Rudaw, splits and divisions. internal democratic problems.” “Our policy as the KDPI is to hold talks Asked if the current reunification The KDPI, however, does not reco- and meet with our former comrades. We attempts between the KDP and KDPI will gnize the splinter KDP as a proper politi- believe that, in order to resolve the issues have any impact on Komala and its split, cal party and its members are still refer- and move toward unity, dialogue with our Salihi said, “It will not have any impact red to as “former comrades” by the comrades is a political and organizational G on Komala’s groups because the problem KDPI. necessity.” in Komala is over ideology and political Nazif Qadiri, a member of

20 September 2012 New Statistics Reveal the Size of

By MASHALLAHTurkey's DAKAK Kurdish Population rudaw.net

IYARBAKIR, Turkey – The Turkish Statistical Institute D(TurkStat) recently published the birth records of Kurdish citizens in Turkey. According to these records, there are 22,691,824 Kurds in Turkey, mostly born in Kurdish cities in the southeast of the country. Therefore, out of Turkey’s 74.7 million citizens, more than 30 per- cent are Kurds. These records only include people who have been registered at official government institutions. After the founding of the Turkish Republic, the first census was carried out in 1927. According to that census, the Turkish population was 13,464,564. The most populated cities of Turkey are Istanbul, Konya, Urfa, Diyarbakir and At that time, Serhat was the most popu- Izmir, consecutively. Photo: AFP. lous Kurdish city with 38,000 residents. The second most populous city was Dilok. Tokat-Amasya, 23 in Kaysari and 26 in give an idea of the actual figures. Official census records show that the Cankiri and Kizilirmak. There are Not all those who were born in Kurdish population in 1927 was around 313 Kurdish villages in central Kurdish cities are Kurds. There are 2,323,359. This number increased to Anatolia. many other ethnicities who live in 3,850,723 in 1950, to 5,147,680 in 1960 Additionally, a large number of Kurdish regions but have been counted and to 10,505,672 in 1990. Anatolian Kurds have fled to European as Kurds due to their place of birth. According to TurkStat, the number countries. There are no official records But, taking 22.7 million as the num- of Kurds in Kurdish cities of Turkey in of the number of the Kurds in central ber of Kurds and adding the 1 million 2000 was 12,751,808; in 2012, this Anatolia, but it is estimated to be no less who live in central Anatolia and other number increased to 14,733,894. than 1 million people. regions, then subtracting the number of There are 8,902 Kurdish villages, Kurdish researcher and historian citizens of other ethnicities who live in 108 towns and 275 districts, according Jalili Jalil has presented an important the Kurdish regions, leads to an accepta- to TurkStat. document related to the Gozanogullari ble figure of around 20 million. In the 2000 census, only residents of that shows a 1888 message from Turkstat has published the census Kurdish cities were taken into account. Suleyman Beg, a Gozanogullari mem- records of 81 provinces of Turkey. They From 1990 to 1997, under the pretext of ber, directed to the Russian ambassador include the place of birth and the num- security measures, around 4,000 in which he presented himself as a Kurd. ber of the citizens. Kurdish villages were evacuated and TurkStat also published the number The most populated cities of Turkey destroyed. The villagers left for other of the migrants. The largest number of are Istanbul, Konya, Urfa, Diyarbakir Turkish towns, and thus were not taken migrants appears to be those who left and Izmir, consecutively. The least into account in this census. Mardin for Izmir. There are also many populated cities are Yalova, Bayburt and Adana migrants in Urfa, and Arzrum Bilecik. The least populated Kurdish Rohat Alakom, a researcher and wri- G ter, said that there are 102 Kurdish vil- migrants in Bursa. cities are Kilis and Jolemerg. lages in Ankara, 75 in Konya, 44 in The real number of Kurds cannot be Kirsehir, 17 in Aksaray, 41 in Yozgat- determined with these statistics, but can

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

MralbM-SSlttuiW TUESDAY,^'"-"^''"'"'^''""''n"SEPTEMBER 11, 2012«<-.- nounced the verdict as false and un just," depicting the court's finding as "an acquittal, confirming my inno¬

cence." Iraqi official denounces The verdict, announced on Sunday, coincided with a wave of bombings and insurgent attacks that claimed at least 100 lives, making the day one of the deadliest in Iraq since American troops death sentence withdrew last year. Together, the verdict and the violence threatened to deepen an already in¬ BAGHDAD BY OMAR AL-JAWOSHY tractable political crisis among the

AND MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ country's ruling factions. Sunni vice president, Sunni leaders who support Mr. A day after being convicted of murder Hashimi responded angrily to the and sentenced to death in a trial, in Turkey, calls verdict court's action, accusing the Shiite-led conducted in absentia, the Iraqi vice government of trying to sideline them politically motivated president Tariq al-Hashimi, a promi¬ from a power-sharing arrangement nent Sunni Muslim, on Monday de- meant to guard against the sectarian vi¬ olence that continues to plague the

country. 3imUÏÏISM>imC WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012

TENSIONS RISING IN IRAQ

The murder conviction of the country's fugitive vice president has inflamed ..Mfc ,»> sectarian passions.

Nearly nine months after the withdrawal of U.S. troops, Iraq is still crippled by sectarian politics and insurgent violence. A "-'/ decision by a panel ofjudges to sentence a vice president,

Tariq al-Hashimi, to death in the killing of two Iraqis is sure to exacerbate those tensions in Iraq and the wider region. k Mr. Hashimi is a leading Sunni Muslim politician in a coun¬ Ï* try where Shiites are the majority. He fled Iraq after an arrest \ warrant was issued in December. Initially accused of running \v a death squad during the worst period of sectarian slaughter The Iraqi vice president Tariq al-Hashimi Mr. after Saddam Hussein was overthrown, he was convicted in fled to Turkey in December, called the verdict "false and unjust." absentia on Sunday of the murders of a lawyer and a security

official. Mr. Hashimi said the verdict was "false and unjust." The panel that decided the case included Sunni and Shiite Speaking in Arabic in a televised news conference in Turkey, where he is judges. It is hard to weigh the merits of the case from a dis¬ in self-exile, Mr. Hashimi declared, "For tance, but given Iraq's fragility, sentencing Mr. Hashimi a me, this verdict is an acquittal, confirm¬ vocal critic of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki to jail ing my innocence." would have been punishment enough. . "All the accusations set against me Mr. Maliki has shown more interest in reprisals against the are false and unjust," he added. Sunni minority than in encouraging inclusion, and he has of¬ He asserted that the verdict was polit¬ ten interfered with the court. His attempts to monopolize ically inspired and that he was prepared to be tried by "ajust court, but never at power have led Sunni and Kurdish politicians to try to re¬ a court which is under the influence of" move him by a no confidence vote. But opposition groups also Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, a deserve blame. They would better serve their constituents by Shiite. working with Mr. Maliki to carry out the power-sharing deal Mr. Hashimi urged his followers to re¬ struck in 2010 and to strengthen democratic institutions. main calm and refrain from violence Iraq's tensions have reverberated beyond its borders. Tur¬ against their adversaries. He described key is a Sunni-majority state and its support for Mr. Hashimi, himself as "a symbol of all oppressed,

who is living there, and for the Sunni rebels seeking to over¬ when hundreds of thousands of people remain in prisons." throw President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, a member of a He was speaking a day after attacks Shiite sect, has. created bad blood with Mr. Maliki. Turkey were reported in at least 10 Iraqi cities, sees Mr. Maliki as too close to Iran, Mr. Assad's closest ally. including Shiite neighborhoods of Bagh¬ Saudi Arabia and Qatar are also backing the Syrian rebels dad, where two markets, a restaurant and encouraging the Iraqi opposition. Mr. Maliki worries that and a crowded square were struck, he could be the next target of the forces arrayed against Mr. capped by a car bomb that exploded late Assad. He is also concerned that a resurgent local Al Qaeda Sunday in Sadr City, a Shiite stronghold

wing could lead to further violence. in the capital. The White House is trying to calm the situationf>y persuad¬ The attacks underscored the increas¬ ing potency of insurgent groups in Iraq, ing Turkey and Iraq that they share common interests, among which appear to have blossomed amid them ensuring a cohesive, stable Syria and tamping down sec¬ the political paralysis that followed the tarian conflict. Mr. Maliki could make a contribution by trying American departure. Their attacks have to make political peace with the Sunnis in his own country. tended to come in coordinated waves

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

across the country, including the at¬ vived a sense of siege in the cities. death of two people, a lawyer and a se¬ tacks by Sunni extremists on July 23 In February, a panel of judges ac¬ curity official. Mr. Hashimi and his son- that killed about 107 people and ap¬ cused Mr. Hashimi of overseeing para¬ in-law were convicted of murder in both peared to reflect a spillover of sectarian military death squads that were respon¬ killings. strife from Syria, and the car and road¬ sible for carrying out more than 150 No one immediately took responsibil¬ side bombings of Aug. 16 that killed, attacks on political opponents, security ity for Sunday's bloodshed, which about 100, including dozens at an officials and religious pilgrims over a capped a summer of deadly violence. amusement park in eastern Baghdad. period of six years. Mr. Hashimi has Lately, Al Qaeda in Iraq, a mainly Sunni The country seemed to be moving to¬ denied the charges. When an arrest insurgent group, has claimed responsi- : ward a sense of normalcy this summer, warrant was issued, he fled Iraq for Tur¬ bility for most high-profile attacks. The with an easing of checkpoints in the cap¬ key and remained there while the trial group recently announced on a jihadi ital, new buses going into service and went ahead without him. Web site that it would try to reassert

women returning to local movies theat¬ Verdict handed down on Sunday did control over Sunni regions in the coun¬

ers. But the mounting insurgent vio¬ not address the death-squad charges di¬ try. lence has prompted the government to rectly but focused narrowly on the reimpose security measures and has re-

lyrFJWA'noNM.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 nan The lesser of two evils

the uprising and repression remains other government seems willing to carry out such a resolution, it is un¬ William Pfaff support for the established govern¬ ment of Bashar al-Assad, and for the likely to be voted upon or approved. peace conference former U.N. Secre- This is just as well because military in¬ tary General Kofi Annan has proposed, tervention would make things worse. on the model of the U.N. mediation has been resumed by PARIS The major threat in the Middle Taif agreement in the former Algerian foreign minister East to international peace is Syria's This is not a 1989, which ended Lakhdar Brahimi. He has been in Cairo, civil war, not the rhetorical battles be¬ crisis made the civil war in Leba¬ where a meeting of Turkish, Saudi Ara¬ tween Iran and an Israel that claims to for Western bian, Iranian and Egyptian officials, un¬ non. be straining against its American leash. intervention. The conference der Egyptian President Mohamed Mor- The Syrian war is the focus of Sunni- It will have would be composed si's sponsorship, took place on Monday Shiite rivalry, the clashing interests of to be solved of representatives of on the subject of a Syrian cease-fire. Iran and Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the the Syrian regime Mr. Brahimi now intends to go to Syria Russian investment in the Mediter¬ by the Arab and the insurgents, and see Assad. ranean and in Syria, and the Israeli- states them- together with leaders This is important because the Syrian promoted American hostility to Syria of the Christian, civil war must be understood in the and Iran. Druze and Alawite context of the rivalry between Sunnis Syria's conflict is a war that neither and Shiites in Iran and their Hezbollah communities (there are still other side can win, although, based on the minorities: Kurds, Turks, Iraqis, Ar¬ allies in Lebanon, and what now is testimony of the Syrian Observatory menians), and of the interested outside Shiite-dominated Iraq (thanks to for Human Rights, some 27,000 people parties, which would include Russia George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, the have now been killed, more than two- neoconservatives, Israel and Aipac and the United States, as well as thirds of them civilians. all collectively responsible for the inva¬ France, the former colonial power. The Syrian government in recent Russia has a small naval base in Syr¬ sion and destruction of Sunni Iraq). days has systematically bombed suc¬ The Sunni alignment in the Middle ia and an interest in Syria's survival cessive zones of the country's largest East is led byfSaudiÂrabïa and Qatar, : and oldest city, Aleppo, in the northwest. that derives from the Cold War years and some of the other Gulf principalit¬ The rebels have no effective defense or and from the fact that there is now a ies, which are the principal supporters counter to the destruction being de¬ large Syrian-Russian community as the and hinders of the Muslim Brotherhood livered by the Syrian Air Force. They result of the marriages between Syri¬ groups in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia that haveno reason to hold the ground they ans and Russian sailors, officials and have been the main political beneficia¬ have already taken, as the residents others stationed in the country. ries of the Arab Awakening. leave out of fear of the air attacks or in Bogdanov also said that Assad has This is not a crisis made for Western despair. Until the war, Aleppo had a pop¬ assured Moscow that he is prepared to intervention, whatever the opinions ulation of a little over two million people, leave office if an election took place and voiced in French interventionist circles mostly Sunnis, but including some Syrian voters rejected him. There is no and during the.American presidential quarter of a million Christians. Its Old confirmation of this promise from Da¬ campaign. It will have to be solved by City is one ofthe oldest continuously mascus, and in a sense, it states what the Arab states. The lead taken by populated settlements on earth, with would be inevitable were such an elec¬ Egypt's new president as well as the origins that may stretch back to the tion to take place. However, this offer is part of what appointment of an Algerian mediator sixth millennium B.C. It has been desig¬ by the U.N. secretary general, Ban Ki- nated a Unesco World Heritage Site. . Russia seems prepared to bring to the moon, are positive signs. The very fact Under the incessant violence, the table if the conference proposed by An¬ that this war approaches stalemate is country is in serious danger of break¬ nan, which is endorsed by the U.N. Se¬ reassuring. There is nothing to be down, on its way to becoming another curity Council, were to be held. gained by continuing. Somalia This was the warning given by Meanwhile, the United States and its the Russian vice minister of foreign af- . Western allies have been discussing a draft U.N. resolution under Chapter VII William pfaff is a Paris-based columnist fairs, Mikhail Bogdanov, during a visit . of the United Nations Charter, which and the author, most recently, of "The last weekend to Paris, where he met Irony ofManifest Destiny: The Tragedy with Syrian dissidents and French gov- would authorize an armed intervention, ofAmerica's Foreign Policy." ernment officials. as was done in Libya last year. But TRIBUNEMEDIASERVICES The Russian position with respect to since neither the United States nor any

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

TIME

September 17, 2012

TURKEY

Aleppo ce» l("* v SYRIA

Jabal al-Zawya The Making of a Syrian Rebel tbAKU I Damascus The saga of Abboud Barri shows there IRAQ is no such thing as civility in a civil war /

By Rania Abouzeid/Jabal al-Zawya Child's play now sometimes includes pre¬ tending to man a checkpoint and asking passersby for ID. "Are you with the revo¬ lution or against?" one child asks as he stands at his front door. Yet enemies can still easily become friends with a switch ofallegiance. Barri ABBOUD BARRI JIGGLES THE DOG TAGS AS Ramadan. After several minutes, the recalls with fondness an Alawite lieuten¬ ifthey belonged to animals being raised phone rings. It is the father. "Read him ant colonel who defected along with his in a puppy mill. "I have a lot of these," the fatiha," Barri says dismissively to unit about a year ago. He says he came to Bam says. "Any buyers?" He is joking. the parent, referring to a Muslim prayer like and respect the Alawite officer. "He The tags belong to human beings, sol¬ often recited for the dead. "May God was a good man. He didn't leave us his diers ofthe regime who are now held have mercy on his soul." Some ofthe ammunition when he left, but he was a captive or were killed by Barri, a local other men, who admire Barri's bravado, good man." commander of one ofthe franchise are taken aback by his coldness. "I was Barri admits the war has changed groups of the rebel Free Syrian Army very uncomfortable when I heard him him. "You know," he says quietly, "I don't (FSA). Unlike some other militia leaders, say that," one ofthe men says. "I was sad have a heart anymore. I've seen so many Barri says he isn't interested in ransom for the father." things. I saw three ofmy friends killed, from his captives' families. He says he one ofthem crushed under a govern¬ keeps the ID tags so those families know ment tank. I try to forget sometimes, "to look for them in hell." *f but I can't." In the past five months, Barri, along with 20 or so other men he has been wounded three times. from several different FSA units in Idlib, He walks with a limp, courtesy ofa is reclining on deep red cushions spread shrapnel wound. The background on out on plastic straw mats under a sprawl¬ his Nokia phone is a picture ofhis ing almond tree in the Jabal al-Zawya re¬ younger brother Ahmad, who was gion in northern Syria. Some ofthe men killed when the government shelled laugh as they recount Barri's wilder an¬ their hometown. tics, like the time he set out on an ex¬ Barri pulls out a notebook with tremely perilous but heroic journey to an image of three red roses on its deliver much needed bags required for cover that his men confiscated from blood transfusions. Others recall how On the front line Free Syrian Army rebels in Aleppo a checkpoint they captured. There one respected revolutionary refused to are names and phone numbers. He give Barri a gun, fearing what the for¬ War is dehumanizing, and civil wars hands it to an FSA fighter from a differ¬ mer agricultural worker might do with in particular can brutalize a society in ent area ofIdlib. "Do you know any of . it. A few months after that revolution¬ ways that fundamentally alter its very them?" Barri asks. "They're all Alawite. ary died in an ambush, Barri formed a nature. Neighbors become enemies; They are responsible for massacres in militia, which he now says includes 58 differences social, economic, religious Idlib." The man peruses the page. men. "He was always a risk taker," one become magnified as a means to confirm "They're not all Alawite," he responds. man says about Barri. "In the beginning the otherness of the enemy. Local accents Barri doesn't seem to care for the oth¬ of the revolution, before there was so and surnames can reveal sectarian iden¬ er pages in the notebook handwritten much destruction, we didn't want tities and, by extension, presumed politi¬ poetry. The words could well have been hot-blooded risk takers who didn't cal views. There is little room for nuance by one ofthe men whose dog tags jingle carefully study their actions. Now it or civility in a civil war. in his pocket. On one page, there is a doesn't matter." The longer the conflict persists, the drawing of a high-cheeked woman with As Barri speaks, one of his phones greater the likelihood that Syria's diverse hoop earrings, hair falling around her beeps. Like a few others in his posses¬ social and religious fabric will fray, with shoulders. Beside it, the following lines: sion, the device belongs to one ofhis hatred and fear becoming a part ofevery¬ "Whoever challenges me to love you, I prisoners. It has received a text message day life, rending Sunni Muslims from accept that challenge. Whoever chal¬ from the captive's father, wishing him a minority Christians and Alawites, the Is¬ lenges me for your love, I will eliminate happy 'Id al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday lamic sect to which President Bashar from the earth." that marks the end of the holy month of Assad and most ofhis inner circle belong. It was signed, "I love you."

37 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 13, 2012

Syria. Kurdish sources, in relating to Arab World:Turkish difficulty, the renewed fighting in southeast Turkey, prefer to focus on Turkey’s longstanding failure to Kurdish opportunity address the grievances and By JONATHAN SPYER demands of the Kurds. They note the failure to rescind discrimina- tory laws, inadequate political he PKK is upping attacks representation and refusal to in Turkey's south. Is this allow Kurds to educate their chil- evidenceT of a bargain between dren in the Kurdish language as the movement, Syria and Iran? factors ensuring the continuation Aserious escalation is cur- of conflict. rently under way in the ongoing Kurdish denial notwithstan- conflict between the Kurdistan ding, it appears that a certain Workers Party (PKK) and the amount of coordination between Turkish state. the PYD and the Assad regime The renewed clashes come did take place as the regime pre- amid claims by Turkish officials pared to pull out of designated that the PKK is increasing pres- Turkish soldier near Iraq border. Photo: REUTERS areas of northeast Syria. This, sure on Ankara as part of a rene- however, may well have been due wed alliance between the Kurdish Whatever the precise truth regime. to a narrow and transient organization and the Assad regarding casualty figures, the Control of the towns has pas- confluence of interests rather regime in Syria. last period has been the bloo- sed to the Democratic Union than a strategic grand bargain. In the latest round of fighting, diest seen in this conflict since Party (PYD), which is the pro-PKK Assad is short of men and is the PKK last week attacked four PKK founder and leader Abdullah franchise among the Syrian therefore reluctant to expend Turkish state and security instal- Ocalan was captured in 1999. Kurds. Turkish officials have alle- scarce manpower on securing lations in the Sirnak Province of Amidst the ongoing violence ged that the Syrian authorities left remote parts of Syria’s north. The southeastern Turkey. Ten mem- and the flurry of claims and coun- heavy weapons in the area, which PYD, meanwhile, is glad to take bers of the Turkish security forces ter claims between the Turks and are now under the control of the control of a de facto autonomous were killed. the PKK, a fascinating question PYD. Kurdish area at almost no cost. Of The Turks struck back, laun- remains: why is the PKK choosing Kurdish sources close to the course, Assad and his father follo- ching a major ground and air to escalate hostilities at the pre- PKK dismiss claims of a renewed wed for 40 years a policy of brutal operation against PKK positions sent time? For the Turkish authori- strategic alliance between the repression against Syria’s Kurds. beginning at the end of last week. ties, the reason is very clear: organization and the Assad This legacy and account has Around 2,000 Turkish troops Ankara claims that the Assad regime. They point to recent ins- not been forgotten. A resurgent took part in the operation. regime has in recent months re- tances of violence between PYD Assad would have no hesitation in While the ground attack was kindled its long defunct alliance militants and the Syrian armed reverting back to type. limited to Turkish territory, with the organization. Ankara also forces. Turkey’s difficulty is the Turkish aircraft also bombed tar- alleges the existence of a rene- Three Syrian soldiers were Kurds’ opportunity. Ankara is cur- gets in the Qandil Mountains in wed agreement between the PKK killed this week in the Sheikh rently deeply embroiled in the northern Iraq. The PKK maintains and Iran, and claims that the Masoud area of Aleppo by PYD Syrian crisis. its main headquarters in this Iranians are actively aiding the militants. This attack was carried Turkey is facing the possibi- mountainous area adjoining the Kurds in the latest round of out, according to Kurdish media lity of a long civil war just across borders with Turkey and Iran. attacks. sources, following the killing of 21 its south-western border. There is The Turkish general staff this Prior to the outbreak of revolt Syrian Kurds by Syrian forces in a refugee problem. Turkey is week released figures claiming and civil war in Syria, relations the city. committed to the victory of the that its forces have killed 373 PKK between Ankara and Damascus PYD leaders have made clear, rebels against Assad, but this vic- militants over the past five and Teheran had been steadily however, that they are opposed to tory does not currently appear months. The Turkish statement improving. But Turkey has taken a any Turkish military intervention imminent. also acknowledged that 88 mem- harsh stance against the Syrian into Syria. PKK leader Murat Even without a formal bers of Turkish security forces dictator, domiciling the political Karayilan stated clearly that any alliance between Turkey’s were killed. and military opposition against attempt by Turkish forces to enter enemies, it is easy to say why the The PKK, meanwhile, dismis- him and calling for his ouster. areas of Kurdish population in PKK would find the present time sed these figures. The Firat news In response, according to northern Syria would be resisted. an opportune moment for rene- agency, which is close to the Huseyin Celik, deputy leader of This is presented by sources wing pressure on the Turks. As for organization, issued a rival state- the ruling Turkish AKP party, close to the PKK as deriving from the possibility of a “grand bar- ment saying that 1,035 Turkish “Assad is pursuing the idea that the determination of the move- gain” between Iran, Syria and the soldiers and 101 PKK fighters ‘my enemy’s enemy is my ally… ment to protect Kurds in Syria PKK – it should not be ruled out, have been killed over the past he’s taking the PKK under his from Turkish assault, rather than but it would be wise to wait for five months. wing and using it against as an element of a grand bargain further clear evidence to emerge The PKK has also issued a Turkey.’” The Turks point to the between the movement and the beyond statements by the Turkish number of direct statements in peaceful ceding by the Assad Assad regime. authorities before drawing any recent weeks alleging that the regime of a number of towns in Similarly, the Kurds note that definite conclusions in this Turkish authorities are using the the Kurdish northeast of Syria as the Assad regime has been regard. N bodies of slain PKK fighters for further proof of rapprochement arming Arab tribes opposed to organ harvesting. between the PKK and the Syrian Kurdish autonomy in northeast

38 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 16, 2012

The attack comes amid a surge in fight- Turkey: 8 police killed ing between Turkish security forces and Kurdish rebels who seek self-rule in southeastern Turkey. On Saturday, a in landmine blast similar attack on a military convoy killed four soldiers and wounded five in Hakkari province in the southeast, according to the provincial governor's office.

Officials in Hakkari said a total of 123 "terrorists," a reference to Kurdish rebels, had been killed in military opera- tions in the past 10 days. Hakkari bor- ders Iraq, where Kurdish militants have bases from which they launch hit-and- run attacks on Turkish targets.

While Turkey and its Western allies con- sider the PKK to be a terrorist group, Turkish authorities have sought to STANBUL(AP) — Suspected Party, also known as the PKK, is active. address the grievances of many in its Kurdish rebels detonated a land- Video posted on the Dogan News Agency Kurdish minority by granting more cul- I mine along a highway in eastern website showed the mangled remains of tural rights and initiating economic pro- Turkey on Sunday, killing eight police a white minibus with blown-out win- grams in predominantly Kurdish areas. officers and wounding nine, Turkish dows that had been carrying the police. However, Kurdish activists say the meas- media reported. The vehicle lay at a bend in a road, and ures do not go far enough, and recent ambulances and armored vehicles had fighting has overshadowed such peace The attack occurred in Bingol province, gathered in the area as part of the rescue initiatives. Ë where the rebel Kurdistan Workers' mission.

Kurdish rebels attack military convoy in southeast Turkey; 10 killed, 70 wounded September 18, 2012 - Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey - Suspected Kurdish rebels attacked a mili- tary convoy in the southeastern province of Bingol with a rock- et Tuesday, killing 10 soldiers and wounding more than 70, offi- cials said. It was the second attack on a military vehicle in the region this week. The convoy, which included a vehicle carrying unarmed conscripts traveling to join their units, was hit on a highway in Bingol, where the rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, are active. Cevdet Yilmaz, the Turkish minister for development, said around 70 soldiers were wounded in the attack. On Sunday, suspected Kurdish rebels detonated a roadside bomb in rule in southeast Turkey. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Bingol, killing eight police officers. said Monday that as many as 500 Kurdish rebels have been killed Private NTV television said the military launched an offensive in or captured in fighting in the past month, and he again urged the Bingol after Tuesday's attack and that police are searching for a PKK to lay down their arms. vehicle believed to be carrying the assailants. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people since the rebel There has been a surge of fighting in recent months between group — considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Turkish security forces and the PKK rebels, who are seeking self- Western allies — took up arms in 1984. H

39 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Drawing an Uncertain Kurdish Map

QAMISHLI, September 17, 2012 (IPS) By Karlos Zurutuza

OVER A YELLOWISH MAP, Qehreman Meri draws an oblong surface along the Turkish-Syrian border. “We want an autonomous region with clearly defined boundaries,” says this spokesman from Yeketi A meeting of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Syria in (Unity), one of 15 Kurdish political parties in Syria. Darna town. Credit: Karlos Zurutuza/IPS. “Of course there are differences between us, but we all stand together so our revolution is not stolen by foreign actors,” says the activist. Unlike the Kurds of Iraq, we have no mountains to protect us from Many people believe that Arab countries and Jihadist organisations are Arabs and Turks.” backing the Free Syrian Army, the main Syrian opposition armed group. Widespread uncertainty over the FSA’s agenda for the region is causing Several villages in the northeast of the country are for the present growing concern among the local Kurds. under Kurdish control after a series of protests last July. Many like Sheref think this new scenario is the “clear outcome” of a secret truce “We have nothing against them, but they must stick to their area,” between the PYD and Syrian President Basher Al Assad. Meri says. In the border city Qamishli, 680 kilometres northeast of Damascus, PYD Founded in 2000, Yeketi is one of 15 political parties within the Kurdish chairman Salih Muslim strongly denies such claims. National Congress (KNC). Masoud Barzani, president of the Autonomous Kurdish region in neighbouring Iraq, sponsored its creation in October “Damascus knows we just want our constitutional rights, that is why 2011, in the wake of the war scenario in Syria. they’re not afraid of us,” Muslim tells IPS. Last July, and also under Barzani’s direction, the coalition reached an “We knew Assad would not fall in just two months, so we organised our agreement with the dominant Kurdish political force in Syria, the people into civilian defence committees long ago. Actually, we already Democratic Union Party (PYD), to set up the Kurdish Supreme had some checkpoints a year ago and the government simply couldn’t Committee. Today, most Syrian Kurds remain under its umbrella. do anything about it,” adds Salih Muslim, Syrian Kurdistan’s most pro- minent leader. Azadi (“Freedom”) also follows suit. Majid Hanush, executive leader of this party founded in 2005, agrees on the need for unity towards buil- Turkey has repeatedly expressed concern over the growing influence ding a Kurdish autonomous region within a Syrian federal state. the PYD has in the region. Ankara sees evidence of links between them and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) operating within Turkey. “The Kurds deserve it more than anyone else because we are the main victims of the Sykes-Picot treaty,” says Hanush from his home in Darna “Turkey is trying to convince the rest of the world that we are terro- in the northeast corner of Syria, five kilometres from the Turkish bor- rists, simply because they are afraid of us getting our rights,” says Salih der. The activist refers to the agreement signed in 1916 by France and Muslim. “We are a Syrian political party with no organic relations what- Britain that lead to partition of the Ottoman Empire and the division soever with the PKK. We’re not even asking for an autonomous region of the Middle East into the still existing borders. within Syria but just for Constitutional recognition.” Numbering around 40 million people, the Kurds are the largest state- Despite the PYD’s apparently humble demands, analysts do not rule out less ethnic group in the world today. About half are in Turkey, large a possible Turkish military operation in the area, or even Turkey fun- numbers in Iraq and about two to four million in Syria. nelling FSA fighters to the region to quell the Kurds’ self rule. Like most local dissidents, Hassan Syfaldin has endured imprisonment. The Organisation for a New Kurdish Society, set up in the heat of the He claims to have worked for over ten years for the Kurdish Democratic revolt against Assad, strongly rejects such a hypothesis. “We’re waiting Progressive Party of Syria (PDPKS), but he disagrees with his colleagues for our Syrian brothers from the FSA to come and help us liberate our on the formula to achieve long awaited rights. area,” says executive member Bave Sipan. “Dividing Syria into autonomous regions would lead to a similar scena- Sipan says they have no contact with the PYD, while he talks about a rio to that in Iraq, or even worse,” says Syfaldin from the party’s newly “fluent communication” with the FSA. Unsurprisingly, his residence is opened headquarters in Girke Lege town, 700 kilometres northeast of the only place in the region where this IPS correspondent spotted the Damascus. Syrian rebels’ flag: black, white and green stripes with two red stars in the centre. He calls for “building bridges to reach everybody, even outside the Syrian borders.” He refers to the support they have historically recei- “The future of Syria is a federal state divided in four autonomous ved from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, one of the two main politi- regions: Sunni Arab, Kurdish, Alawite and Druze,” says Sipan. cal parties in the Iraqi Kurdish Region whose historical leader, Jalal Azad, a friend of the family, joins the conversation. This 38-year-old oil Talabani, is also Iraq’s president since 2005. worker and a member of Avahi (Reconstruction) – a civil organisation “We survived a brutal regime – the Assads – but, today the Kurdish “committed with Syria’s Kurdish society” – disagrees with his host. revolution must be done by and for the Kurds,” Ismail Ali Sheref, local “Everybody is discussing federalism, but nobody knows exactly what leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Syria (PDKS) tells a large they’re talking about,” says Azad. “Our main priorities are rights, edu- crowd in the small town Darna, standing before a portrait of Mustafa cation…we are very poor.”  Barzani, father of the current president of the Autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq, Massoud Barzani. But Sheref says the so far successful Iraqi federal model cannot be imported into Syria’s Kurdish north. “Geography is not on our side.

40 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 16 September 2012

Angelina Jolie Meets With Syrian Refugees

rudaw.net in Kurdistan Region

RBIL, Kurdistan Region— Hollywood Star Angelina Jolie visited ESyrian Kurdish refugees at Domiz camp in Duhok on Sunday. "The most important thing is coopera- tion from the countries on the (Syrian) border... and to make sure these borders in all countries stay open," said Jolie, AFP A Kurdish boy from Syria waves a pos- reported. (Hollywood star and UNHCR special ter of Angelina Jolie at Duhok pro- Jolie, who is UN refugee agency’s spe- envoy Angelina Jolie meets with vince's Domiz camp for Syrian refu- cial envoy, visited the camp accompanied Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan gees. Photo: Rudaw. by Duhok governor Temer Ramazn. Barzani to discuss the situation of "I've been of course very encouraged Syrian refugees at Domiz camp.) to be here and hear the government speak saw firsthand the conditions of Syrian of continuing this wonderful, life-saving Kurdish refugees and listened to their open border policy," Jolie told reporters. concerns. The refugees asked Jolie to Jolie’s visit to the Kurdistan Region Since the start of anti-government pro- bring their voice to the world,” was part of a tour to Turkey, Lebanon and tests in Syria last year, which soon turned Bahram said that a children’s music Jordan to meet with Syrian refugees. into an armed revolt, hundreds of Kurdish band from Qamishli dressed up in colorful "With the continuation of the bloods- families have escaped Syria, among them dresses and welcomed the Hollywood star hed in Syria, we have to all be prepared defected soldiers and they are settled in with . for a greater influx (of refugees), and I'm camps set up by Kurdish authorities in According to an AFP report, UN sta- so happy to hear that the government is continuing to commit to these people," Duhok province. tistics puts the number of Syrian refugees G Barzan Bahram, a member of the registered in Kurdistan at 16,833 with Jolie told the media in Kurdistan. Domiz camp managing committee told thousands more awaiting registration. Rudaw, “During her visit Angelina Jolie

through the Iraqi oil pipeline and to work to increase production to 200,000 barrels per day as a first stage." Iraq, Kurdistan end Current shipments from the Kurdistan region as part of national oil exports are around 120,000 bpd, though Baghdad says the agreed amount should be 175,000 bpd. The statement gave no details on oil dispute, exports when the increase to 200,000 bpd would occur. Kurdistan in April halted shipments of its oil in protest over what it said were payments due from the central government to companies continueBy Suadad al-Salhy | Reuters – Thu, Sep 13, 2012 in the Kurdish region. It restarted shipments later, but said it would cut them off again by September 15 if there was no agreement on BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's central government and the coun- payment. try's autonomous Kurdistan agreed to end an oil payment dispute Baghdad and Kurdistan are still caught in a dispute over major oil after Kurdistan pledged to continue exports and Baghdad said it companies like Exxon Mobil and Chevron who have agreed to sign would pay foreign companies working there, a senior Iraqi offi- exploration deals with the Kurdistan Regional Government, con- cial said on Thursday. tracts the central government says are illegal. The decision resolves part of a broader feud between Baghdad and Kurdistan, autonomous with its own regional authority and armed Kurdistan about control over oil and territory that has involved forces since 1991, gets central government funding and uses nation- major companies including Exxon Mobil , Chevron and Total . al pipelines to ship its oil. Baghdad says only the central govern- Deputy Prime Minister Rosh Nuri al-Shawish, a Kurd who is part ment has the right to ship oil and gas produced in the country. of the central government negotiating team, said Kurdistan would The Kurdish region has been looking for more energy autonomy. keep pumping its share of national oil exports, and Baghdad would Already Kurdistan is shipping liquid fuel bi-products to Turkey in pay foreign companies in the Kurdish region. exchange for diesel and kerosene for the region's power plants. "The two delegations agreed to resolve all disagreements and pay A draft national oil law that aims to resolve the disputes over crude the foreign oil companies working in Kurdistan based on the budg- has been caught in political infighting for years, though both et law," Shawish's office said in a statement. Baghdad and Kurdistan say that there is progress on reaching an G "The two sides agreed to continuing oil exports from the region agreement on that legislation.

41 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 19, 2012 Kurdish violence undermines Turkey's stance on Syria By Nick Tattersall | Reuters ate on Syrian soil. Qatar have been directing vital military and "The Syrian administration has a history of communications aid to them through Turkey, Gulf sources have said. NKARA (Reuters) - An explosion of supporting terrorist organizations, includ- separatist violence in Turkey's Kurdish ing the PKK, and using terrorism as a tool The lack of international consensus on southeastA is fuelling criticism of the for its politics and diplomacy," a Turkish Syria has further piqued public sentiment, government's bellicose rhetoric on Syria foreign ministry official said on condition of fuelling a sense that Turkey, increasingly and dampening what little public appetite anonymity. isolated, is being used by Western powers there is for intervention in its crisis-torn "We have some information or evidence eager to see Assad's regime fall but reluc- neighbor. that an active link has been re-estab- tant to intervene themselves. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has been lished," the official said, declining to com- "The Turkish government doesn't have its one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ment further. own policy in Syria, Western countries do, harshest critics, accusing him of creating a Ankara has warned it could take military and the AK Party acts like their spare "terrorist state", allowing the Syrian oppo- action if the PKK were to launch attacks wheel," said Ilker Yucel, president of the sition to organize on Turkish soil, and from Syrian soil and has conducted mili- Turkish Youth Association, who took part pushing for a foreign-protected safe zone tary exercises on the border in a clear in the demonstration in Antakya. inside Syria. warning to Damascus. Taken together, rising public skepticism at Washington sees Turkey as the key player But the idea of sending Turkish troops into home and a lack of consensus abroad both in supporting Syria's opposition and majority Kurdish northern Syria, even could lead the Turkish government to tone in planning for what U.S. officials say is the under any sort of international mandate, down its rhetoric on Syria, Ulgen said. inevitable collapse of the Assad govern- would risk inflaming public sentiment fur- "The combination of these two elements ment. ther while Turkey battles to contain the would certainly militate for a change in But with soldiers engaged in some of the PKK on its own soil. posturing on the Turkish side, but so far heaviest fighting in more than a decade "The current terrorism in Turkey is heavily we have not seen signs of this … I think with Kurdish militants in the mountainous influenced by the government's Syria, Iraq there is mounting pressure for the govern- southeast, public sentiment is swinging and Iran policies," Faruk Logoglu, vice ment to scale down its ambitions." against deeper Turkish involvement in chairman of the main opposition "UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION" Syria. A televised procession of military Republican People's Party (CHP), told Erdogan has been passionate in defending funerals has turned the focus of national Reuters. his stance. feeling inward. "Both its domestic policies and foreign poli- "We are a country with a 910 kilometer "I think the Turkish people have now made cies are contributing to the escalation in common border, connected by relatives. the connection, rightly or wrong, between violence." For Syria, we are not the USA, nor are we the government's ambitiously assertive pol- POSTURING England, nor Iran, nor Russia. A country in icy on Syria and the rise in PKK (Kurdistan Asia can remain indifferent over Syria but Workers Party) terrorism," said Sinan Erdogan's ruling AK Party enjoys wide pop- ularity and public demonstrations of anger Turkey does not have this luxury," he told Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and an AK Party meeting this month. chairman of the Centre for Economic and over its Syria policy have been rare. But Foreign Policy Studies think-tank. frustrations are growing, not least in the "While Syria is boiling and exposed to bru- southern border province of Hatay, which tal killings, we could not, and did not, turn "It is very clear that it is going to be even has absorbed a large proportion of the our backs." more unpopular going forward if the gov- 80,000 Syrian refugees who have fled to The stance is damaging fragile relations ernment continues to scale up the rhetoric Turkey. (on Syria) at a time when, egregiously in a with Iran and Iraq. way, it is unable to deal with Turkey's own Riot police fired teargas to disperse hun- Some fear it could also fan sectarian ten- security problems." dreds of demonstrators protesting the gov- sions in Sunni Muslim Turkey, which has ernment's Syria policies in the provincial Alawite and other minorities. Militants from the PKK - considered a ter- capital Antakya on Sunday. Several dozen rorist organization by Ankara, the United more chanted slogans against U.S. policy Syria's mainly Sunni Muslim rebels are States and European Union - have in Syria outside the U.S. Embassy in supported by Gulf Arab states in their ambushed military convoys, kidnapped Ankara the same day. struggle to topple Assad, whose minority government officials and laid roadside Alawite faith is an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam. bombs in recent weeks. Erdogan has called on domestic media to Shi'ite Iran has been Assad's staunchest limit their coverage of PKK attacks on sol- ally. The military has responded by bombarding diers. Turkish TV networks barely men- PKK camps with fighter jets and attack hel- tioned an ambush on Tuesday in which 10 "Turkey finds itself in the uncomfortable icopters, in some of the heaviest fighting troops were killed, though several newspa- position of taking sides with Sunnis. We since the PKK took up arms in 1984 with pers carried pictures. have to take ourselves back from this per- the aim of carving out a Kurdish state. ception," one source close to the govern- A cartoon in Wednesday's opposition ment told Reuters recently, saying the Turkish analysts suspect Assad of allowing Cumhuriyet newspaper showed Erdogan a major Syrian Kurdish movement believed international community had underesti- reading a blank newspaper and comment- mated the extent of Assad's support. to be linked to the PKK to seize control of ing: "There's no news or analysis, just as I security in some towns in northern Syria to wanted it." "Alawites, Christians, Kurds are support- prevent locals from joining the rebel Free ing him not because they love him but Syrian Army. Ankara has repeatedly denied it is supply- because they see the alternative as ing any weapons to Syria's rebels, but chaos."N Assad has denied allowing the PKK to oper- countries including Saudi Arabia and

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

Himmmmi

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 Syrian war deflates Turkey s high hopes

ISTANBUL I

BYTIMARANGO

As the war in Syria rages next door,

Turks have grown increasingly weary of almost-daily reports of troubles at home: Iranian spies working with Kurd¬ h ish insurgents, soldiers ambushed and killed, millions spent caring for aflood of refugees, lost trade and havoc in border villages.

"This is how we start our morning," Mehment Krasuleymanoglu, a book¬ seller in a narrow alley in central Istan¬ bul, said recently as he laid out several newspapers, each with a blaring head¬ line about an explosion at a munitions Syrian refugees on Tuesday at a camp at Altinozu, a Turkish border town in Hatay Province. depot that killed more than two dozen soldiers. The government called it an The government in Ankara is facing a backlash on its support of the Syrian uprising. accident, but in the current environ¬ ment, many Turks, including Mr. Krasu¬ Syria policy, the country is being com¬ prosperity as an inspiration for those leymanoglu, are not so sure. pelled to reassess its overall strategy countries in turmoil. "What do we have to do with Syria?" for spreading its influence and interests Turkey, it seemed, was ascendant, he said. "The prime minister and his across the Middle East, including and the public was largely supportive. wife used to go there for tea and coffee." Egypt, Iraq and Iran. Increasingly frus¬ "We loved it," said Soli Ozel, an aca¬ The Turkish government is facing a trated with its efforts to join the Euro¬ demic and columnist. "It was like, we're spasm of reproach from its own people pean Union, Turkey turned noticeably back. The empire is back." over its policy of supporting Syria's up¬ toward regaining and elevating its Perhaps causing the greatest unease rising; hosting fighters in the south, op¬ standing in the Muslim world, espe¬ for Turks these days is an increase in vi¬ position figures in Istanbul and cially amid the chaos and reordering of olence by Turkey's separatist Kurdistan refugees on the border; and helping alliances caused by the Arab Spring. Workers Party, or P.K.K., which seems ferry arms to the opposition. While "Turkey's Syria policy has failed," emboldened by the success of Syria's many Turks at first supported the policy wrote Dogan Heper, a columnist for the Kurds in gaining territory. The P.K.K. as a stand for democracy and change, newspaper Milliyet. "It has turned our has waged an insurgency against Tur¬ many now believe that it is leading to in¬ neighbors into enemies. We have been key since the 1980s in a conflict that has stability at home, undermining Tur¬ left alone in the world.' ' claimed an estimated 40,000 lives. More key's own economy and security. Selcuk Unal, the spokesman for the than 700 people have died in the past 14 Turkey's call for military interven¬ Foreign Ministry, acknowledged that tion, which much of the international months, Ihe deadliest level in 13 years, the Syria policy had become a domestic community opposes, has only added to according to a report published last policy issue. Even though it may not be the domestic frustration. Now, in the week by the International Crisis Group. popular, he said, "that doesn't mean it is wake of the anti-American protests that The P.K.K. has now set up daylight wrong." have convulsed the Muslim world in re¬ checkpoints in villages in the southeast, "I don't think we are wrong so far," action to a film that denigrated Islam, it carried out deadly ambushes against Mr. Unal said. "Turkey is on the right seems less likely that Turkey will find Turkish forces and kidnapped law¬ side of history on this." partners in the West to join its call for makers. Recently, the Turkish military Before the Arab uprisings, economic military action in Syria. carried out an' offensive involving F-16 and political engagement with Syria The souring mood presents the first fighter jets and 2,000 soldiers, Reuters was a centerpiece of Turkey's regional obvious setback for the foreign policy of reported. On Tuesday, assailants sus¬ strategy, which some described as an ef¬ Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip pected of being P.K.K. rebels struck a fort to integrate the Middle East along Erdogan, who has ridden the turmoil of military convoy with arockèt in the Bin- the lines of the E.U. Visa restrictions the Arab Spring to promote Turkey's in¬ gol Province, in the southeast, killing 7 were lifted and trade increased. Mr. Er¬ fluence abroad and his standing at home. soldiers and wounding more than 60, dogan and Mr. Assad even vacationed Suddenly, Turkey appears vulnerable The Associated Pressreported from An¬ together. Initially, Turkey urged dia¬ on multiple fronts. kara, citing officials. logue and reform in Syria, but as the "A lot of Turks are seeing this as a di¬ The Assad government has effective¬ killing increased, Turkey turned against rect result of Turkey's aggressive pos¬ ly ceded some territory near the Turk¬ ture against Assad," said Soner the government. ish border to Syria's Kurds, who have That shift was part of its broader re¬ Cagaptay, the director ofthe Turkish Re¬ not joined the opposition in large num¬ gional strategy. Last year Mr. Erdogan search Program at the Washington In¬ bers. These gains have fanned the toured Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, offer¬ stitute for Near East Policy, referring to flames of Kurds' historical ambitions for ingTurkey's support for the democratic the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad. an independent state that would include In the face of criticism from colum¬ aspirations of the Arab world's revolu¬ Kiirdish areas in Syria, Iraq, Turkey and tionaries, and holding up Turkey's mix nists and opposition politicians, and Iran, analysts say. of Islam, democracy and economic signs of rising public opposition to its "There has been a thunderbolt in the

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

minds of people there," said Sezgin Tan- gion and the limits of Turkish power, spotlight with anyone, including rikulu, a Kurdish member of the Turkish most evident. in its policy in Syria, Turks." Parliament, referring to Kurdish areas where nearly 23,000 people have been Analysts say Turkey has hardened in southeast Turkey. P.K.K. fighters killed and the Assad government clings sectarian divisions in the region by have become more visible, he said. ' to power. Now the joke is that there are working with Saudi Arabia and Qatar in An influx of refugees more than "no neighbors without problems." backing Syria's Sunni rebels against 100,000 Syrians have sought safety in Last year Mr. Davutoglu spoke ex¬ Mr. Assad's Alawite sect, an offshoot of Turkey has tested government re¬ pansively about a political, economic Shiite Islam, and by supporting Sunnis sources and raised tensions in border and military, alliance with Egypt that in Iraq against the government of Prime areas, prompting the Turkish govern¬ could serve as a linchpin of a new re¬ Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, a Shiite. ment to try to relocate refugees further gional order. Almost nothing has come Tensions with Iran, the region's largest inland. The government says it has of that, although a spokesman for Mr. Shiite power, have been heightened Davutoglu said Turkey would soon be¬ spent jffOO million providing for refugees since Turkey agreed to allow NATO to gin a high-level dialogue with the gov¬ and has complained of a lack of support place a radar station on its territory as ernment of Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's from the international community. part of a missile defense system. new president, who was a member ofthe According to Mr. Cagaptay of the To its credit, analysts say, Turkey will Sunni Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. Turkish Research Program, Turkey re¬ quickly shift from policies it deems mis¬ Now, the talk is more about a rivalry mains "the only country that is econom¬ taken. For example, it opposed NATO ically and politically stable in the re¬ between Egypt and Turkey over which intervention in Libya and then swiftly changed tack. gion." Turkey's ambitious Middle East will become the region's power broker. policy has been centered on Foreign "Egypt will try to restore its central But it may be too late to change course Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's much-her¬ role in Arab affairs, and it will be inter¬ on Syria. "They are stuck in this conflict alded vision of "no problems" with esting to see Morsi and Erdogan com¬ so deeply, there is no way out," said Mr. neighbors. But that approach has pete for influence in the region," Mr. Tanrikulu, the Kurdish lawmaker. stalled amid the hard realities of the re- Cagaptay said. Mr. Ozel, the columnist, was more em¬ SebnemArsu contributed reporting. "Turkey's policy has failed. It phatic. "The fact of the matter is that when all is said and done, Turks are has turned our neighbors into Turks and Arabs are Arabs," he said. enemies. We have been left "Egypt believes it is the crown jewel of alone in the world." the Arab world, and it will not share the

&T*REUTER

pipeline whose capacity is yet to be determined will both be built to Kurds expect Turkey in the first half of 2014, he said.

The KRG plans to eventually supply Turkey with 15 billion cubic Baghdad's first oil metres of gas. Beyond that, "we will be looking at additional gas that can transit via Turkey to Europe, whether by pipeline or an LNG payment next week plant at Ceyhan," Hawrami added. Kurdistan in April temporarily halted shipments of its oil in protest

First payment will be more than $850 million over what it said were payments due from the central government to companies in the Kurdish region. Exports to be 200,000 bpd in October, rising in 2013 Small oil producers like London-based Genel Energy and DNO of Oil, gas pipelines to Turkey to be completed in 2014 Norway have been in the region for about a decade. Majors including

Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Total are newer arrivals. September 24, 2012 (Reuters) -By Ayla Jean Yackley

The dispute over the exports is part of a broader feud about control

over oil and territory. A draft national oil law that aims to resolve the ISTANBUL Iraqi Kurdistan expects an initial payment of 1 trillion disputes over crude has been caught up in political infighting for dinars ($858 million) from Baghdad to clear next week after the two

sides settled their dispute over payments to oil producers, Oil years.

Minister Ashti Hawrami said on Monday. 'The deal reached with Baghdad is a temporary deal before we have

an oil and gas law. It allows the oil companies to be compensated The autonomous region's exports will resume in October at 200,000 according to their oil contracts, then the surplus revenue will go to barrels per day and continue at that rate until the end of 2012, then Baghdad, which we will all benefit from under the budget alloca¬ rising again, Hawrami told reporters at an energy conference in tions," Hawrami said. Istanbul.

'The agreement is designed as such so that exports are not disrupt¬ "By 2015, we are looking at 1 million barrels per day. We're on track, ed... The previous problem was it was not expressly stated in the regardless of whether exports stop again," he said. budget," he continued. Baghdad and Kurdistan agreed earlier this month to end an oil pay¬ Kurdistan, with its own regional authority and armed forces since ment dispute after the latter pledged to continue exports and 1991, gets central government funding and uses national pipelines to Baghdad said it would pay foreign companies working there. ship oil. Baghdad says only the central government has the right to Increased production from Kurdistan, as well as from oilfields further ship oil and gas produced in the country. south controlled by Baghdad, in the coming years means that Iraq Hawrami said next year the KRG would double oil refining capacity needs a new pipeline to Turkey to handle combined output that could from about 70,000 bpd now, making it self-sufficient. reach 6 or 7 million barrels per day (bpd), Hawrami said.

"We will no longer need products from Baghdad by early next year," An oil pipeline with a capacity of 1 million barrels per day and a gas he told the conference.

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

<*"*"*°»» j_,e nord de la Syrie

sous untapis de bombes

Gaziantep (Turquie) Cette zone, selon là chercheuse, > Envoyé spécial est soumise à « une politique de > bombardements aériens, à l'aide Îl n'y a plus un village, plus un d'armes imprécises, destinées nor¬ hameau du nord de la Syrie qui M malement à des champs de échappe à la punition du pou¬ bataille, mais utilisées contre des voir syrien. Maisons détruites, ' o zones résidentielles, avecdes consé- populations tuées : pendant que quencesdésastreusespourlapopu- les forces gouvernementales conti¬ lation civile. Dans chacun des villa¬ nuent d'affronter l'Armée syrien¬ ges et villes que j'ai visités dans les ne libre (ASL) dans Alep, Ja politi¬ semaines passées, les bombarde¬ que de terre brûlée menée par les ments aériens, les tirs au canon ou forces de Damas s'étend à l'ensem¬ au mortier sont devenus une réali¬ ble des zones où se trouvent les té quotidiennepour la population. insurgés. Les victimes sont invariablement Après la ville, les campagnes. :,f-3~ civiles et beaucoup sont des Entre Alep et Idlib, et jusqu'à enfants». ^ Homs, ou leurs environs, ce ne D'autres villes insurgées de sont plus les bombardements spo- Syrie,;ou leurs environs, de Deraa à radiques des mois passés, quand Deir-Ez-Zor, sont aussi sous les l'ASL prenait pied dans les zones bombes. Mais dans le nord de la Des douilles d'obus, le 12 septembre, dans une rue du village rurales, mais des tapis de bombes de Saraqib, au nord de la Syrie, près d'Idlib. reuters Syrie, de la frontière turque à celle à l'échelle d'une région. En témoi¬ du Liban, dans un large ovale où gne Donatella Rovera, d'Amnesty l'armée syrienne, depuis le mois teindre l'ennemi, il faut détruire maison par maison et d'y rester. International, qui revient d'un de mai, a été progressivement ses ressources vitales. Cela revient A Alep, l'armée piétine, faute de séjour de plusieurs semaines chassée, elle fait son retour par le à viser la population avec des troupes solides que requiert la «dans les régions dont l'armée ciel, partout où illui est possible de canons, des avions et des hélicoptè¬ guerre urbaine, et pour conserver syrienne a étéchasséepar lesforces bombarder. C'est le premier objec¬ res. Les forces loyalistes bénéfi¬ ses meilleures unités pour la de l'opposition », au nord-ouest de tif de cette campagne de bombar¬ cient du contrôle absolu du ciel, « Syrie utile », à commencer par la la Syrie. dement stratégique: faute d'at- mais s'appuient également sur capitale. Lorsque l'ASL a infiltré des positions militaires au milieu Alep, vers le mois de mai, il s'agis¬

L'Iran reconnaît la présence de Pasdaran en Syrie de zones insurgées. sait de préparer le terrain pour des Des hélicoptères décollent ainsi unités rebelles constituées dans

L'Iran a admis, dimanche 16sep¬ «Nous fournissons [à ces deux de la base de Meneg, tout près d'A- les localités des environs, avant de

tembre, pour la première fois, pays] dès conseils et des avis et zaz, une ville où la concentration lancer un assaufcohjoint surlavil¬ avoir envoyé des membres des les faisons bénéficier de notre de troupes ASL est forte. le, vers le 20 juillet. La grande

Gardiens de la révolution en expérience», a déclaré le géné¬ Cinq minutes de vol leur suffisent bataille dans la capitale économi¬

Syrie pour aider le régime face à ral lors d'une conférence de pres¬ pour mitrailler des véhicules sur que syrienne était supposée faire

la rébellion. « Un certain nombre se à Téhéran. Début août, les les routes avoisinantes oubombar- vaciller le régime. Des katibas (bri¬

de membres des forces Al-Qods rebelles syriens avaient enlevé der des marchéset des maisons au gades) aguerries avaient fait le

sontprésents en Syrie etau un groupe de 48 Iraniens circu¬ hasard. L'ASL a tenté à plusieurs voyage dTdlib ou encore d'Hama.

Liban», a déclaré le général lant en Syrie, affirmant, contrai¬ reprises de prendre d'assaut Avecl'appui de combattants étran¬

Mohammad Ali Jafari, comman¬ rement à Téhéran qui les présen¬ Meneg, sans succès. Comme elle a gers, Alep est devenu un carrefour

dant en chef des Gardiens de la tait comme de simples « pèle¬ échoué à prendre ou à détruire les de la guerre.

révolution (Pasdaran), la garde rins», qu'il s'agissait de Gar¬ aéroports de la région d'Alep et d'I- : Début août, l'armée annonçait

prétorienne du régime iranien. diens de la révolution. - (AFP.) dlib. Sans parler de bases militai¬ une offensive majeure pour res comme l'académie militaire reprendre la ville. Elle a échoué. d'Al-Ramoussa; ou le camp d'Al- Une guerre d'usure s'est instaurée,

Mouchat, dit des « rangers », juste, dont l'armée syrienne tente de sor¬ au nord d'Alep, depuis lequel l'ar¬ tir en faisant le vide dans les zones

mée syrienne utilise son artillerie insurgées. Faute de pouvoir contre les villages avoisinants reprendre la moitié est d'Alep, le tenus par l'ASL pouvoir syrien en poursuit la des¬ D'autres parties de la Syrie truction méthodique, étendant

insurgéese trouvent aussi sous les cette méthode au nord insurgé.

bombes" Mais Alep est particulière¬ Les Comités de coordination

ment visée, parce qu'il reste.enco- locaux (LCC), une organisation de

Mt'[lii?iiant.« re beaucoup à détruire, et que la militants ayant établi un réseau de résistance de l'ASL y est implantée correspondants à travers le pays,

sur une large bande. A Damas, la . disent avoir recensé 167 victimes à capitale, l'ASL était parvenue à travers la Syrie, dimanche 16 sep¬

infiltrer des armes et des combat¬ tembre, dont-, 50 à Alep. Sur des Lattaquié SYRIE tants, mais leurs forces s'y sont vidéos, on distingue les morts du UAK heurtées à une armée déterminée, : jour, des cadavres méconnaissa¬ 25 km capable de reprendre des quartiers ; bles, empilés sur le sol, devant l'un

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

des hôpitaux d'Alep. La présence de l'ASL dans une Mais ce piège guette aussi les for¬ les bombes ou vers les quartiers Le choc est d'autant plus dur zone implique désormais sa des- ces de l'ASL, qui échouent à faire la ouest, encore épargnés. Selon le que « la ville s'est retrouvée du jour tructiohàl'aveuglepar les bombar¬ ministère de l'éducation syrien, il au lendemain dans la guerre civi¬ dements. Selon Peter Harling, Le pouvoir ne peut y a actuellement des déplacés ins¬ le», remarque Thomas Pierret, directeur du projet Moyen-Orient tallés dans plus de 800 écoles à chercheur au centre d'études de à l'International Crisis Group plus convaincre travers le pays. L'Unicef a dénom- ' l'islam et du Moyen-Orient (Isla¬ (ICG), « le régime syrien lutte d'une qu'il s'attachera bré 2 000 écoles détruites ou ' mic and Middle Eastern Studies) à façon qui rend toute victoire impos¬ endommagées par des combats l'université d'Edimbourg. Quel est sible, en procédant à une escalade à la sécurité ou des bombardements. A Homs, l'état d'esprit des habitants, à la desformes et des niveauxde vioîen- . de ses habitants un demi-million de déplacés fois dans les zones ASL, et dans la ce, dans l'espoirde rétablirsonpou¬ vivent dans cent bâtiments

partie ouest de la ville, où se trou¬ voirgrâce à la peur». en cas de victoire publics. L'ONU espère,distribuer

vent les classes les plus favorisées Cette peur au sein de la popula¬ de la nourriture à la moitié d'en¬

et l'administration? Une source tion semble difficile à réinstaller démonstration qu'elles peuvent tre eux.

familière de la ville évoque des au sein d'un nombre croissant de protéger les zones où elles opè¬ «Dix-sept mois de bain de sang membres de l'élite d'Alep, qui familles dont des proches ou le rent. etde destruction n 'ontpas étésuffi¬ «ont donné des fonds à l'opposi¬ domicile ont été emportés par les L'ASL peut-elle gagner la santspourque lepouvoirou l'oppo¬ tion, dans le plus grand secret», bombes et qui, au sens littéral, bataille de la capitale d'une écono¬ sition parviennent à trouver une

mais commencent «à se poser des n'ont plus rien à perdre. En détrui¬ mie dévastée ? La guerre d'usure solution qui n'impliquepas l'éradi- questions en réalisant que la sant une partie du pays, le pouvoir n'exclut pas les retournements. cation de l'autre», analyse le der¬

guerre s'approche de chez eux et ne peut convaincre qu'il s'attache¬ En attendant, les quartiers est de nier rapport d'ICG sur la guerre en

qu'avec elle, c'est la destruction qui ra à la sécurité de ses habitants et à la ville continuent de se vider, ' Syrie.

menace». leur bien-être en cas de victoire. vers des villages désormais sous Jean-Philippi Rémy

SUR 18 septembre 2012

10 soldats tues et 70 blessés dans une embuscade du PKK

DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), (AFP) - Dix

soldats turcs ont été tués et 70 blessés

mardi au cours d'une embuscade tendue

par des rebelles séparatistes kurdes contre

un convoi militaire dans le sud-est de la

Turquie, a-t-on appris de source sécuritaire . . locale.

Un précédent bilan de cette attaque fourni

par un responsable local faisait état de sept

morts et de 58 militaires blessés.

L'attaque des rebelles du Parti des travail¬ v^^ leurs du Kurdistan (PKK) s'est produite sur

une route entre les provinces de Bingôl et

celle voisine de Mus, ont précisé ces i J

sources.

Les rebelles ont pris pour cible avec des L'attaque des rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du... (PHOTO REUTERS) lance-roquettes un convoi qui transportait

200 soldats à bord de véhicules civils sous

l'escorte d'un blindé, a déclaré le gouver¬ Elle dispose également d'un soutien aérien, de Kurdes. neur de Bingôl Hakan Gûvençer, cité par selon Anatolie. 11 a aussi une nouvelle fois appelé les l'agence de presse Anatolie. Le PKK a multiplié depuis cet été ses rebelles à déposer les armes et promis que Généralement, le PKK utilise des mines attaques contre les forces de sécurité dans ce cas l'armée cesserait ses opéra¬ télécommandées contre les véhicules mili¬ turques dans le sud-est de la Turquie. Les tions. taires, plus rarement des lance-roquettes. troupes d'Ankara y ont répondu par des Les séparatistes kurdes n'ont pour leur part "C'est nous qui aurons le dernier mot après déploiements de troupes massifs et de communiqué aucun bilan. cette attaque par traîtrise en nettoyant au nombreuses opérations impliquant les Le PKK, classé comme organisation terro¬ plus vite Bingôl de ces assassins", a forces aériennes. riste par la Turquie et de nombreux pays, a déclaré M. Gûvençer, soulignant qu'une Lundi, le Premier ministre turc Recep ouvert les hostilités en 1984 dans le sud-est opération avait été lancée impliquant des Tayyip Erdogan a annoncé que l'armée de la Turquie, déclenchant un conflit qui a policiers et des membres des forces spé¬ avait tué environ 500 rebelles kurdes en un fait plus de 45.000 morts. ciales de la gendarmerie. mois dans le Sud-Est, peuplé en majorité

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

September 20, 2012

now in solitary confinement in a Turkish that he can join in peace talks. The PKK’s prison, in 1999 commander in the field, Murat Karayilan, Turkey Hit Turkey’s relations with Syria have been said this week that “the time has come” for hostile since Erdogan backed the rebels Ocalan’s freedom, and vowed to respond in fighting President Bashar al-Assad, allow- kind to the Turkish army’s drive against the by Wave of ing some to shelter on Turkish soil. A group, according to the Kurdish Firat news Turkish plane crashed into the east agency. Mediterranean in June after it was fired on So far, the latest wave of violence hasn’t Attacks as from Syria. affected financial markets, because attacks The collapse of ties gave Kurdish militants were viewed as isolated incidents that more freedom to operate over a 911-kilo- would not threaten political stability, said Syria Fallout meter (566-mile) border where Turkey and Inan Demir, chief economist at Finansbank Syria had previously staged joint exercises. AS in Istanbul. Emboldens When Assad’s troops withdrew from parts HUMAN CAPITAL of north Syria in July, Kurdish groups Turkey’s benchmark stock index is up 31 seized control of several towns. Front-page percent this year, and yields on two-year PKK stories in Turkish newspapers said that the bonds have slid more than four percentage area was being administered by the PKK. points, nearing a record low. While growth By Selcan Hacaoglu Those reports were exaggerated, Deputy has eased after last year’s 8.5 percent Prime Minister Besir Atalay said in an inter- boom, the economy still expanded at an urkey’s war with Kurdish militants has view last week. annual 2.9 percent rate in the second quar- entered its bloodiest phase in more ter. Tthan a decade, with attacks on soldiers and BLOODY HANDED police almost every day and a breakdown After a car-bomb killed nine people in the An escalation to the level of conflict seen in in ties with neighbors that had helped to southern city of Gaziantep last month, gov- the 1990s would “threaten Turkey’s human contain the threat. ernment ministers raised the possibility that capital,” Demir said. “Less importantly, but unmistakably, it would weigh on fiscal bal- On Sept. 18, an army convoy in the largely Syria may have collaborated with the PKK ances and jeopardize the public debt Kurdish southeast was ambushed, leaving in the attack. dynamics.” 10 dead. Two days earlier, eight police The Syrian conflict has hurt Turkey’s ties were killed when a mine blew up their with Iran, an Assad ally. Its friendship with Erdogan’s government has invested $30 minibus, and the day before four soldiers Iraq has been strained by the presence in billion in the southeast, building hospitals, died in a similar blast. Police defused a Istanbul of fugitive Vice President Tariq al- schools and airports, since coming to bomb today near the airport in Diyarbakir, Hashimi, sentenced to death in his home- power in November 2002, Atalay said at his the largest city in the southeast, while the land for running death squads, and made Ankara office. He cited an airport project in state-run Anatolia agency reported an welcome in Turkey. Kurds control northern Yuksekova, a town in the largely Kurdish attack on a Netherlands-based energy Iraq and account for much of the population region, as an example of the difficulties. company in southeast Turkey that injured in nearby parts of Syria and Iran. “They are burning down construction four earlier this week. The army has killed machines, harassing the contractor there,” Nine Turkish citizens were arrested last 500 members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Atalay said. month on charges of working for Iranian Party or PKK since February, Prime intelligence, Today’s Zaman newspaper PIPELINE ATTACK Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says. reported on Sept. 7. The suspects were Militants fired on a helicopter on Sept. 15, Turkey’s fraying ties with Syria, Iran and also accused of relaying positions of wounding four security personnel working Iraq, neighbors with their own Kurdish Turkish forces to the PKK, Today’s Zaman for Netherlands-based NV Turkse Perenco, minorities that have collaborated against reported, citing security forces. which is searching for oil in the southeast, the PKK, offer new openings for the group. NEW PROCESS the Anatolia agency said today, citing the Erdogan, who had vowed to end the company. The helicopter came under Kurdish conflict, now risks presiding over Erdogan, speaking in the western city of attack as it took off from an oil exploration an escalation that could undermine the Denizli on Sept. 17, said Turkish security site in Batman province, Anatolia said. $800 billion economy and encourage a forces would only halt operations if the An attack on a pipeline in the southeast backlash by Turkish nationalists. PKK, classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, lays briefly cut oil flow from northern Iraq on “It certainly is the broadest PKK challenge down its weapons. He promised to pursue Sept. 16, prompting the government to step since the late 1980s,” said Michael Rubin, a economic growth at the same time as up security, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz Middle East scholar at the American “fighting the bloody handed terrorist organ- said. The PKK has targeted energy and Enterprise Institute. “With events in Syria, ization.” construction workers, threatening invest- Iraqi Kurdistan’s growing wealth, and ten- ment in the region, which has Turkey’s low- sion between Iran and Turkey, there has Kurdish politicians supportive of the PKK est employment rates. never been a better time for the PKK to argue that there can only be progress if the Earlier in his premiership, Erdogan raised stake its claim.” Turkish army also halts operations. expectations in the southeast by removing BACKING REBELS “Both sides should pull their fingers from some restrictions on the Kurdish language the trigger, without any conditions,” The Kurdish conflict has killed almost in education and media, part of a promised Selahattin Demirtas, co-leader of the legal 40,000 people over three decades, and “opening” to a group that accounts for as Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, said cost more than $300 billion according to much as 20 percent of Turkey’s 75 million this week. “If they can do that then we can official estimates. Fighting peaked in the people. build a new negotiation process.” first half of the 1990s and eased after the PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY capture of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, His party also calls for Ocalan’s release so ➤ In the past three years, the government

47 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ has taken a tougher line. sentenced to eight years and nine months security policies alone,” said Hugh Pope, in prison on Sept. 18, though she won’t an analyst for the International Crisis About 8,000 people are under arrest on serve the sentence unless her immunity is Group in Istanbul, which published a report charges of belonging to the PKK’s urban lifted. on the conflict this week. “Previous admin- arm, the Peace and Democracy istrations have tried and failed with this Party’sDemirtas said this week. Adding to local grievances was a botched air attack in December, which was aimed at strategy.” The government has threatened to strip ### the PKK and instead killed 34 Kurdish vil- some of the party’s lawmakers of their par- lagers smuggling goods from Iraq. liamentary immunity, so that they can be charged and jailed for being PKK support- “Erdogan is currently indicating that he ers. One of them, Sebahat Tuncel, was believes this can be solved by military and

September 20, 2012 Kurdistan looks to awaken giant

Development of the Florian Neuhof and April Yee Kirkuk oilfield, above, has been UBAI and LONDON // Through blocked by a disagree- Dwar and peace, northern Iraq's ment over whether the Kirkuk oilfield - endowed with 10 bil- federal government or lion barrels of reserves, equal to half the Kurdistan regio- of America's total - has effectively lain nal government has fallow. rights to the land. Proposals have been floated to revive Marwan Ibrahim / today's anaemic production of 280,000 AFP barrels per day (bpd) but progress has been blocked by a disagreement over whe- ther the federal government or the Kurdistan regional government has rights delayed since 2007. For Mr Salhi, Kurdistan wing into Turkey from Kurdistan in to the land. has already won. exchange for petrol, signalling that Ankara "Years passed and still we are in "I am very optimistic [for] all the com- is supportive of the Kurdistan regional limbo," says Ali Salhi, the chairman of the panies working in the north - all the rights government's efforts. oil and economic development council of and the contracts they have will be [ made The Kurds believe their ambitious pro- the Kirkuk governorate. Today, his hopes legitimate]," he said. duction targets give them additional leve- are buoyed by the success of Kurdistan, In the past year, ExxonMobil, Chevron rage against the central government. which has partnered the world's biggest oil and Total have all signed agreements to "When you have a volume increase, companies in the face of opposition from explore acreage in Kurdistan, in spite of everybody is forced to make the right deci- Baghdad. the central government policy of excluding sion," Mr Hawrami said at a conference in "With this new era and new Kirkuk and companies operating there from future London. new Kurdistan - with these huge resources licensing rounds in the south. Oil majors A national oil law enshrining the legiti- - the local people should become a benefi- complain the onerous terms imposed on macy of the profitable contracts signed by ciary," Mr Salhi said at a conference in them by Baghdad leave little room for pro- the Kurdish regional government and oil Dubai. fitability. companies, including those owned by the Kirkuk is the next battleground in the This week, Iraq's central government UAE, could be signed by the end of the spat between Baghdad and Erbil, the ratified an agreement that releases pay- year. A committee including Mr Hawrami Kurdish capital. ments to international oil companies in and his Baghdad counterpart is being set This year, the Iraqi oil ministry hosted Kurdistan. up to revive efforts to revive the long-stal- BP executives in Kirkuk to evaluate the Oil exports, which were suspended last led law, said the minister. possibility of doubling production to month over the payment dispute, will now "I believe this export initiative and 600,000 bpd. resume at previous levels of 140,000 bpd, companies being paid according to their The Kurdish oil ministry said such a said Ashti Hawrami, the Kurdish minister contracts is a big breakthrough to pave the deal would require its approval. It is plan- for natural resources. Exports will rise to way to get the draft oil and gas law wor- ning to award a contract to a major to tre- 200,000 bpd next month, and increase to king," said Mr Hawrami. N ble output at the Khurmala dome, one of at least 250,000 bpd next year. Kurdistan three geological formations in the Kirkuk is also forcing the central government's field. Such moves exacerbate long-running hand with a planned 1 million bpd export tensions over the fate of Kirkuk. In Tamim, pipeline to Turkey next year, which will the province that is home to the field, a allow it to export crude without using referendum over whether to join Kurdistan infrastructure controlled by Baghdad. A or remain federally governed has been limited amount of oil product is already flo-

48 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 17, 2012 500 Kurdish rebels killed or captured in past month, says Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan says military offensives against PKK will end only after rebels lay down arms Associated Press in Ankara ving seven battalions – several thousand troops – near the border with Iraq, from urkish security forces have killed or where the rebels launch hit-and-run Tcaptured almost 500 Kurdish rebels in attacks on Turkish targets. the past month, the prime minister, Recep Erdogan said 500 Kurdish rebels had Tayyip Erdogan, has said. been "rendered ineffective" in south-east Erdogan said military offensives Turkey since mid-August, including at against the Kurdistan Workers' party, or least 123 PKK fighters who were killed in PKK, would end only after the rebels laid fighting near the border with Iraq in the down arms. The group is fighting for self- past week. An aide said the prime minis- 1984. In the latest violence, suspected rule in the Kurdish-dominated south-east ter was referring to hundreds of rebels Kurdish rebels detonated a roadside of Turkey. either killed or captured by the security bomb in eastern Turkey on Sunday, kil- An upsurge in violence between forces. ling eight police officers. government forces and the PKK has dim- Turkey and its western allies consider The military said last week it had med hopes of a resolution to the conflict, the PKK to be a terrorist organisation. Ë launched a large-scale operation invol- which has killed tens of thousands since

June last year, making this the deadliest period since the capture of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in 1999, the International Crisis Group Fighting in said in a report this month. The upsurge in violence has been linked by some to the failure of Turkey kills soldier, secret peace talks, thought to be held in 2010, between the PKK and Turkish intelligence officers in Oslo. three Kurdish militants Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accuses neighboring Syria of arming TUNCELI, Turkey - September 23, 2012 (Reuters) the rebels, who are mainly based in northern Iraq. Erdogan has been CLASHES IN Turkey overnight killed one soldier and three an outspoken critic of President Bashar al-Assad's 18-month-old Kurdish militants, the latest in the heaviest fighting the country crackdown on a popular uprising. has seen in more than a decade, security sources said on Sunday. The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984 to establish Fighting erupted outside the southeastern town of Tunceli after two an ethnic homeland. More than 40,000 people, mainly Kurds, have groups of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters simultaneously died in the violence. The PKK has since scaled back its demands to attacked two military outposts, the sources said. greater political autonomy and cultural rights for Turkey's 15 million G More than 700 people have been killed since national elections in ethnic Kurds.

barrels per day, the statement said. Baghdad and Kurdistan have been feuding over major oil companies Kurdistan like Exxon and Chevron who have signed exploration deals with the Kurdistan Regional Government, contracts the central government seals oil products deal says are illegal. Kurdistan, autonomous with its own government and armed forces with Baghdad since 1991, gets central government funding and uses national BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Septeber 20, 2012 pipelines to ship its oil. Baghdad says only the central government has the right to ship oil and gas. IRAQ'S autonomous Kurdistan said on Thursday it will receive 147,000 barrels of oil products per day, as part of a deal concluded Barzani said Kurdistan had formed a committee to calculate oil con- with Baghdad to end a dispute over oil payments. tract revenues and expenses in Kurdistan. He said a report on this would be published at a later date. The deal, which was first outlined last week, will solve only few points of a broader feud between Baghdad and Kurdistan over oil Kurdistan has said it will keep its oil production for export at 140,000 exports, energy policy and territory which have become increasingly barrels per day this month before raising it to 200,000 bpd for the rest contentious topics. of the year. It also said Baghdad would pay 1 trillion Iraqi dinars or around $857 million for foreign companies working in the Kurdish "This deal cannot solve all the problems currently but it is considered region. a good step," Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said in a statement posted on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Kurdistan halted shipments of its oil in April in protest over what it website on Thursday. said were payments due from Baghdad to companies. It restarted shipments later, but had said it would halt them again by September Under the terms, the federal government in Baghdad will send 17 G 15 if there was no agreement on payment. percent of its oil products to Kurdistan, which works out at 147,000

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

îî«ralSSBbunc monday, September 24, 2012 In Iraq pullout, White House fell short on several main goals

BY MICHAEL R. GORDON .

The request was an unusual one, and President Barack Obama himself made the confidential phone call to Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi president.

Mr. Obama asked Mr. Talabani, a con¬ summate political survivor of years of 1 .'- upheaval in Iraq, to give up the presi¬ dency. It was Nov. 4, 2010, and the United States hoped that Ayad Allawi . would take Mr. Talabani's place. I Under Mr. Allawi, a secular Shiite and the leader of a bloc with broad Sunni r ( ... support, the Obama administration cal¬ culated, Iraq would have a more inclus¬ ive government and would counter the mt-w»-- worrisome drift toward authoritarian¬ '.f ''.'.'. ism under Prime Minister Nuri Kamal '

al-Maliki. But Mr. Obama did not succeed. "They were afraid what would hap¬ pen if the different groups of Iraq did not reach an agreement," recalled Mr. Talabani, who turned down Mr. r

Obama's request. Mr. Obama has pointed to the with¬ drawal of U.S. troops from Iraq as proof that he has fulfilled his promise to end the Iraq war. But winding down a con¬ flict, it turns out, entails far more than In 2011, the White House sought an agreement that would enable U.S. forces to stay in Iraq beyond extracting troops. that year, but talks collapsed, ending hopes for a continued U.S. military presence. In the case of Iraq, the U.S. goal has been to leave a stable and representa¬

tive government, to avoid a power vacu¬ Iraq is low compared with 2006, when move all U.S. combat brigades within 16 um that neighboring states and terror¬ the Iraq war was at its height. Politics, months, a deadline that enabled him to ists could exploit and to maintain not violence, has become the principal outflank His hiain rival in the Democrat¬ sufficient influence so that Iraq would means for Iraqis to resolve their differ¬ ic primary, Hillary Rodham Clinton, but be a partner, or at a minimum not an op¬ ences, they say. that the military said was too risky. ' ponent, in the Middle East. "Recent news coverage of Iraq would Once in office, he. adjusted the sched¬ But the U.S. government has fallen suggest that as. our troops departed, ule for withdrawing a U.S. presence in short of some of those objectives. American influence went with them and Iraq, keeping U.S. brigades in place The attempt by Mr. Obama and his se¬ our administration shifted its focus longer but making their primary mis¬ nior aides to fashion an extraordinary away from Iraq," Antony Blinken, na¬ sion to advise Iraqi forces. power-sharing arrangement between tional security adviser to Vice President All U.S. forces were to leave Iraq bythe Mr. Maliki and Mr. Allawi never materi¬ Joseph R. Biden Jr., said in March. "The end of 2011, the departure date set in an alized. Nor did an agreement that would fact is, our engagements have in¬ agreement signed by President George have kept a small U.S. force in Iraq to creased." W. Bush and Mr. Maliki in 2008. Even so, train the Iraqi military and to patrol the To many Iraqis, the United States' in¬ Mr. Obama left the door open to keeping country's skies. A plan to use U.S. civil¬ fluence is greatly diminished. "Ameri¬ U.S. troops in Iraq, to train Iraqi forces, if ians to train the Iraqi police has been can policy is very weak," said Fuad an agreement could be negotiated. severely cut back. The result is an Iraq Hussein, the chief of staff to Massoud The situation the Obama administra¬ that is less stable domestically and less Barzani, the president of the semi- tion inherited was complex. Many Iraqi reliable internationally than the United autonomous Kurdish region in northern politicians were worried that Mr. Ma¬ States had envisioned. Iraq. "It is not clear to us how they have liki, a Shiite, was amassing too much The story ofthese efforts has received defined their interests in Iraq," Mr. Hus¬ power and overstepping the Iraqi Con¬ little attention in the United States, a sein said. "They are picking events and stitution by bypassing the formal mili¬ country that is weary of the conflict in reacting on the basis of events. That is tary chain of command and seeding in¬ Iraq, and U.S. officials have rarely the policy." talked aboutthem. This account is based telligence agencies with loyalists. Those

on interviews with many of the prin¬ CAMPAIGN VS. REALITY concerns mounted with the political gridlock that plagued Baghdad after the cipals, in Washington and Baghdad. As a presidential candidate in 2008, Mr. elections of March 2010. White House officials portray their Obama had one basic position on Iraq: Convening a vidéoconférence on Oct. exit strategy as a success, asserting He was going to bring a "responsible 6, 2010, Mr. Biden and other U.S. officials that the number-of civilian fatalities in end" to the conflict. He vowed to re

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

International Hcralb Sribunc reviewed the options. He favored a plan <; meeting on April 29, Thomas E. Donilon, SEPTEMBER 22-23, 2012 that would keep Mr. Maliki as prime .; Mr. Obama's national security adviser, minister but that involved installing his asked Mr. Gates whether he could accept main rival, Mr. Allawi, leader of thé Ir- up to 10,000 troops. Mr. Gates agreed. Iranian group wins aqiya bloc, near the top of the political . pyramid. . ANOTHER OBSTACLE fight for removal To make way for Mr. Allawi, Mr. Biden In a vidéoconférence meeting with Mr. suggested that Mr. Talabani, an ethnic Maliki on June 2, Mr. Obama empha¬ from terrorist list Kurd, be shifted from the presidency sized that any agreement would need to and given another position. "Let'smake : be ratified by the Iraqi Parliament. But him foreign minister," Mr. Biden said, not everybody in the U.S. camp agreed WASHINGTON according to the notes of the meeting. with this stipulation. "Thanks alot, Joe," Mrs. Clinton said, Brett H. McGurk, an aide in the ad¬ BY SCOTT SHANE noting that Mr. Biden had cast the For¬ ministration of George W. Bush whom An Iranian opposition group that moun¬ eign Ministry as a consolation prize. the Obama administration had asked to ted an extraordinary lobbying campaign Concerned about the need to seat an return to Baghdad to help with the talks, to get off the State Department's list of Iraqi government, Mr. Obama decided thought that a bruising parliamentary terrorist organizations has succeeded in not to oppose Mr. Maliki as prime minis- battle could be avoided by working out meeting that goal, officials said Friday. : ter while pursuing a deal that would an understanding under an existing urn-.- The decision, by Secretary of State bring Mr. Allawi and other members of brella agreement on economic and secu¬ Hillary Rodham Clinton, was based in his Iraqiya bloc into the fold. But engi¬ rity cooperation an approach Mr. Ma¬ part on the recent cooperation of the neering a power-sharing arrangement liki himselfhad suggested several times. group, the Mujahedeen Khalq,. or was not easy. After Mr. Talabani re¬ But the White House wanted airtight im¬ People's Mujahedeen, in completing a buffed Mr. Obama's request, thé White munities for any U.S. troops staying ini move of more than 3,000 of its members House decided to go around him. Iraq, which U.S. government lawyers,,- out of its longtime location in Iraq, In a letter to Mr. Barzani, Mr. Obama the Iraqi chief justice and James F. Jet: known as Camp Ashraf, said two offi¬ again argued that Mr. Talabani should frey, the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad,; cials who spoke on condition of anonym¬ give up the presidency and highlighted all said would require a new agreement ity in advance of an official announce¬ the help that the United States would endorsed by the Iraqi Parliament. ment. A final convoy of 680 people from continue to provide to the Kurds. But Mrs. Clinton' and Leon E. Panetta, Ashraf arrived at Camp Liberty, near Mr. Barzani rejected the proposal, com¬ who succeeded Mr. Gates as U.S. de¬ the Baghdad airport, on Sept. 16. plaining that he was being asked to fense secretary, argued that talks The group, known as the M.E.K., car¬ solve a problem between Shiite and should continue and that the goal, as be¬ ried out terrorist attacks in the 1970s Sunni Arabs at the expense of the fore, should be to keep a force of up to and.l980s, first against the government Kurds. 10,000. of the Shah of Iran and later against the The United States had a fallback posi¬ On Aug. 13, Mr. Obama settled the clerical rulers who overthrew him. Sev¬ tion: a new council on strategic policy matter in a conference call in which he eral Americans were among those would be established, with Mr. Allawi in ruled out the 10,000 troop option and a killed. In the 1980s, it allied with Saddam charge. But Mr. Maliki and Mr. Allawi smaller 7,000 variant. The talks would Hussein, who permitted it to operate wrangled over what powers the new proceed but the size of the force the from Camp Ashraf. council would have, and it was never . United States might keep in Iraq was re¬ But by most accounts, the M.E.K. has formed. duced: The new goal would be a con¬ not carried out violent attacks for many Some members of Mr. Allawi's party tinuous presence of about 3,500 troops, a years. While it is described by some crit¬ secured prominent government posts: rotating force of up to 1,500 and half a ics as cultlike and unpopular with Irani¬ But the most important, feature the dozen F-16 fighter jets. ans, the group has been able to gather White House had sought in a power- But there was no agreement. Some crowds at U.S. and European rallies to sharing arrangement existed only on experts say that given the Iraqis' con¬ press its bid to reverse the U.S. terrorist paper. The White House, a spokeswom¬ cerns about sovereignty, and Iranian designation, imposed in 1997. an said, had not been "wedded" to any pressure, the politicians in Baghdad Over the last two years, the M.E.K. specific option and had achieved an "in¬ were simply not prepared to make the has enlisted an array of prominent clusive government." hard decisions that were needed to se¬ American politicians and former mili¬ cure parliamentary approval. Others tary officers to help make its case that it INTERNAL DEBATES . say the Iraqis sensed the Americans' has abandoned violence and should be As the process of forming a new Iraqi ambivalence and were being asked to. removed from the terrorist list. government dragged on, the Obama ad¬ make unpopular political decisions for a ministration began in January 2011 to modest military benefit. turn its attention to negotiating an On Oct. 21, Mr. Obama held another agreement that would enable U.S. vidéoconférence with Mr. Maliki his Without U.S. forces to train and assist forces to stay in Iraq beyond 2011. first such discussion since the talks Iraqi commandos, AI Qaeda in Mesopot¬ The first talks U.S. officials had were began in June. The negotiations were amia, the homegrown Qaeda affiliate in among themselves. Saudi Arabia and over, and all of the U.S. troops would be Iraq, is still active in the country and in¬ other Arab states had told Pentagon offi¬ coming home. creasingly involved in Syria. cials they were worried that the United The White House insisted that the col¬ With no U.S. aircraft to patrol Iraqi States was pulling back from the region. lapse of the talks was not a setback. airspace, Iraq has become a corridor for Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of "As we reviewed the 10,000 option, we Iranian flights of military supplies to the the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and De¬ came to the conclusion that achieving Syrian government of President Bashar fense Secretary Robert M. Gates the goal of a security partnership was al-Assad, U.S. officials say. It is also a po¬ favored leaving 16,000 troops to train not dependent on the size of our foot¬ tential avenue for an Israeli strike on the Iraqi forces, prepare them to carry print in-country, and that stability in Iran's nuclear installations, something out counterterrorism missions, protect Iraq did not depend on the presence of the White House is seeking to avoid. Iraqi airspace, tamp down Arab and U.S. forces," a senior U.S. official said. Kurdish tensions and to maintain U.S. It is too soon to fully assess that pre¬ This article is adaptedfrom "The End¬ influence in the region. diction. But tensions have increased to game: The Inside Story ofthe Struggle But the White House, which was wary the point that Mr. Barzani has insisted for Iraq,from George W. Bush to Barack ' of big military missions and also looking that Mr. Maliki be replaced and Iraq's Obama," by Michael R. Gordon and re¬ ahead to Mr.. Obama's re-election cam-, only Sunni vice president has fled tor tired Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor, to be paign, had a lower number in mind. At a Turkey to avoid arrest. published on Tuesday.- ,

51 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

AuthoritiesARBIL in Kurdistan ASPIRES are seeking foreign TO investment BE A in REGIONAL tourism and infrastructure HUB projects

By Layelle Saad, GCC/Middle East Editor While much of Kurdistan still lags hile Iraqi Kurdistan is reaping the ben- behind in terms of mod- efits of massive oil reserves, estimated ern infrastructure, there atW 45 billion barrels, there has been a strategic are visible indications of push from its leaders to develop other sectors rapid development in of the territory — specifically tourism, invest- Arbil, the capital city. ment and infrastructure projects. While much Foreign investors are of the country still lags behind in terms of mod- slowly beginning to dis- ern infrastructure, there are visible indications tinguish between of rapid development. Kurdistan and Iraq. Image Credit: Layelle Saad/Gulf News In Arbil, the capital of Kurdistan, with a popula- tion of 2 million, housing developments are sprouting everywhere from undeveloped lands, In fact, northern Iraq (now Kurdistan) was one Not only does Kurdistan hope to attract tourists paved roads are modern with traffic lights and of the prime tourist destinations in the region through its luxury hotels but unlike other more police providing organisation, and five star during the ’60s and ’70s, with many Gulf modern cities, it offers the charm of remnants hotels are emerging. As foreign investors are nationals visiting its scenic mountainside on of ancient civilisations, such as the citadel slowly beginning to distinguish between vacation. With the Iraq-Iran war in the ’80s and which sits in the city centre and is the oldest Kurdistan and Iraq, they become more com- the US invasion in 2003, Iraq lost billions in continuously inhabited town in the world. Arbil fortable and at ease to invest in Iraq’s northern tourism revenue and investments. has hosted many different civilisations dating and more secure territory. Proof of this is the back from the Ur III civilisation 6,000 years growing number of international flights opening Maulawy Jabar Wahab, the head of the ago. It has also been ruled by Neo-Assyrians up, the most recent of which was Emirates Tourism Board, told Gulf News that slowly and Mongols. And during the Sassanian and Airlines — making it the third city after Kurdistan is attracting tourists again, mainly Abbasid periods, it has been an important cen- Baghdad and Basra. from its neighbours Iran, Turkey and Syria. tre for . Many Arab Iraqis also choose to vacation there Kurdistan’s progress has not been an — and view it as a safe haven. As more and TOURIST APPEAL overnight venture but, in fact, began in 2006 more Gulf airlines are operating flights to Arbil, after a government initiative put in place a com- Kurdistan also hopes to gain back the interest An excavation in the Zagros mountains outside phrensive development plan to see the region of Gulf nationals. Surely, with popular destina- of Arbil in 1957 by a team from Colombia through the next few decades with the goal of tions for Gulf nationals become increasingly University found the first adult Neanderathal opening up its tourism industry and to model unstable, such as Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, skeletons in Iraq dating back 80,000 years. Arbil as a regional hub for investment, enter- Kurdistan could become a popular alternative This and other historical sites could peak the tainment and business. quickly. interest of archaeological tourists worldwide. But a lot of groundwork has to be done to Speaking to Gulf News, Andrew Jones, com- During Eid holidays, Wahab says that 90 per attract these tourists. mercial development advisor for the Arbil cent of hotels in the city of Arbil were booked. International Airport, says he envisions the air- He estimates $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) in To be sure, Arbil and the surrounding areas in port to be an international and regional hub, tourism revenue this year. “We are working the countryside have a long way to go in terms modelled much after Dubai’s airport. Surely, hard to attract Gulf residents to Kurdistan by of tourist appeal. There is little nightlife in the with its location between Europe and Asia and increasing the number of travel companies and city as most places close extremely early and its close proximity to Turkey, Iran and Syria, the advertisments in the Gulf,” he said. “Our mar- the options are few. If marketed properly, Arbil potential for revenue is enormous. However, keting team has been studying the needs of dif- could be an attractive destination for the party the main obstacle the Kurdish government ferent nationalities to attract them,” Wahab scene as it has very lax laws related to alcohol faces is to dispel the fear factor surrounding added. licensing. The most attractive shopping mall, Iraq and promote itself as a modern and safe called Family Mall, does little to entice foreign territory amidst a turbulent region. However, because only two five star hotels are tourists — as it pales in comparison to malls in currently open in Arbil, prices are exorbitant, other surrounding countries such as Lebanon To be certain, Kurdistan has first and foremost with a room starting at $450 at the Rotana. The and Turkey. The lack of available outlets for invested in security, with multiple checkpoints, other five star hotel is the Turkish-owned Divan tourists to shop and party could be a chief searches and scans at the airport. Five star hotel, where prices reach up to $10,000 a night obstacle to its growth. hotels also have checkpoints for luggage at the for deluxe suites. However, prices could go entrance. Also, it was clear that police were down in the future as new five star hotels have That is where the investment board comes in. heavily deployed, both in uniform and plain- been approved for construction, including the While 80 per cent of investment in Kurdistan clothed, in Arbil and near tourist areas in the Kempinski, Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott. has been domestic, it is hoping to attract for- countryside. While seemingly over-the-top, the Currently, tourism revenue makes up for 6.7 eign investment too. Foreign investment in level of security could comfort developers who per cent of Kurdistan’s GDP but the tourism Kurdistan is still young and makes up only 14 wish to join the current wave of investment. board is working towards the goal of doubling per cent of the total investment in the region. ➩ this share. Lebanese, Turkish, Egyptian and IMPACT OF WAR ON TOURISM

52 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➩ German companies are the biggest for- The prime focus of the investment board is to added advantage of being culturally close with eign investors, involved mostly in housing developing housing and infrastucture as a a broad range of nationalities such as Arabs, development projects. starting point to attract future investments. Turks, Iranians and Europeans. This could make for a more welcoming and tolerant envi- Lebanon, meanwhile, has a unique edge in the Kurdistan has a long way to go but with a ronment to attract expatriates wanting to invest banking sector. Currently, the Emirati Trojan booming oil industry and a sharp marketing in its economy. The UAE model could work in Company is working on a housing develop- strategy, investors will surely see Kurdistan’s Kurdistan but it must be followed through with ment project and will be completed in three potential. Already many Kurdish citizens have smart leadership and proper management of N years. UAE-based Deyaar is also in discus- lived in Western countries and have brought its resources. sions with the investment board in Arbil to back a unique perspective on how the future of develop a project to attract medical tourism. their country should look. Kurds have the

25 September 2012 Looking for Friends in the Middle East: Try the Kurds David L. Phillips with the KRG. Iraqi Kurdistan has a booming economy and huge Director, Program on Peace-building and Rights, energy reserves, including 45 billion barrels of oil. U.S. energy com- Columbia University Institute for the Study of panies should be encouraged to develop Iraqi Kurdistan's oil and Human Rights natural gas fields notwithstanding Baghdad's objections. When it comes to Syria, KRG President Masoud Barzani is playing ngry mobs recently attacked U.S. diplomatic facilities in a helpful role bridging gaps between Syrian Kurds. In the 1990s, dozens of countries, but not everyone in the Muslim world Kurdish controlled territory in the northeast of Syria was a staging A hates America. More than 25 million , Iran, ground for the PKK, which the U.S. and EU consider a terrorist Syria and Turkey are largely secular and pro-Western. Kurds organization. To prevent a recurrence, the Obama administration understand that democracy and individual rights are compatible should pro-actively engage factions of Syrian Kurds to establish a with Islamic values. The United States should take steps to consoli- secular, pro-Western platform within Syria. Kurdish democratic date friendly relations with the Kurds. U.S.-Kurdish rapprochement aspirations can be realized peacefully, in cooperation with Turkey would serve as a counter-weight to political demagogy and Islamist and the West. extremism. It can also leverage reforms in countries where Kurds Regardless of the outcome to Syria's civil war, the United States will reside. have no friends in Syria except the Kurds. The Alawites deeply A steely-eyed approach is needed towards governments in the resent the West for abandoning them. Arab Sunni rebels feel let region. Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has shunned U.S. inte- down by the United States; Washington is rightly reluctant to arm rests. He also pursues polarizing policies, which fuel sectarian and the Muslim Brotherhood lest its weapons eventually target U.S. ethnic conflict between Iraqis. Baghdad scorns Iraq's constitution, interests. preferring confrontation to power-sharing. It systematically In Iran, more can be done to provide political support to the encroaches on Kurdish territory, inflaming tensions along "disputed Kurdish Iranian opposition. Iranian Kurds want to replace Iran's internal boundaries." The Iraqi Government uses its security appa- theocracy with a federal democratic state. They supported the 2009 ratus to trample the rights of Iraq's Sunnis and target political oppo- Green Revolution and have links to both the Iranian opposition and nents. Acting as a proxy for Iran, it facilitates the transfer of wea- oppressed minorities -- Arabs, Baluchis, and Azeris. Deposing the pons from Tehran to Syria. mullahs is the best to ensure that Iran does not cross the nuclear In contrast, Iraqi Kurds are unabashedly pro-American. Not a sin- threshold. gle American has died in Iraqi Kurdistan since Saddam's overthrow U.S.-Kurdish regional rapprochement will be deeply unsettling to in 2003. Iraqi Kurdistan has functioning democratic institutions, a Turkey. The Obama administration will have to bend over back- vibrant civil society and an independent media. While corruption is wards to reassure Turkey that its affinity for Kurds does not imply still a problem, Iraqi Kurdistan is less corrupt than most neighbors. support for "Greater Kurdistan" or compromise its strategic part- Iraqi Kurds are America's best and only friends in Iraq. To further nership between Turkey and the United States. strengthen U.S.-Kurdish amity, the United States should deepen Focusing on the Kurds might ultimately create conditions benefi- security cooperation with the Kurdistan Regional Government ting Turkey. Prime Minister Erdogan announced a "Democracy (KRG). While Baghdad rejected a status of forces agreement with Opening" in 2010, aimed at addressing Kurdish grievances. the United States, the KRG welcomes it. The Pentagon should can- However, he failed to deliver on promises for greater political and cel its sale of Abrams-A1 tanks and F-16 fighter jets to Baghdad. cultural rights. When Washington makes Kurdish issues a priority Such weapons will most likely be used against Iraqis, rather than to in the region, Erdogan might decide it is expedient to renew his protect Iraq from Iran and other rogue regimes with which Baghdad commitment to Kurdish cultural and political rights, addressing the has cozy relations. root causes of conflict and draining the swamp of support for the The KRG's relations with Turkey have vastly improved since it star- PKK. ted sharing intelligence on the PKK, a terrorist organization with Iraqi Kurds are proven, reliable partners. Washington should also remote bases in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. Working hand- nurture the pro-Western affinities of other Kurds. The United States in-hand with Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan may one day become the must not take its friends for granted, while trying to placate its Eastern flank of NATO. enemies. G The United States also stands to gain economically by partnering

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

Vendredi 21 septembre 2012

SYRIE : Lutte d’influence dans le Kurdistan l’ont contrainte à revenir à Derik: «Je voudrais terminer mes études, devenir A Qamishli, ingénieur, contribuer à la prospérité du des jeunes pays. Pas seulement pour les Kurdes, mais intrépides pour tous les Syriens.» narguent les militaires A une dizaine de kilomètres de Derik, sur la syriens avec route de Qamishli, on aperçoit les premières le nouveau torchères des champs gaziers. Pour drapeau l’instant, Damas conserve la mainmise sur kurde. (Boris toutes les installations ainsi qu’une Mabillard) présence militaire aux alentours. Sur la piste en terre qui permet d’éviter le barrage de police, personne ne se cache vraiment. Fonctionnaires syriens et militants kurdes cohabitent mieux que s’ils avaient signé un moins la plupart de leurs prérogatives, partenariat. Par Boris Mabillard l’étau s’est desserré dans plusieurs localités de Qamishli et Derik et la ville de Derik, Al-Malikiya en arabe, Même à Qamishli, le chef-lieu kurde, où le échappe désormais à l’emprise gouverne- régime maintient les symboles de son En Syrie, les Kurdes ne sont plus mentale. emprise sur la société (services de sécurité, prisonniers, mais pas encore vrai- garnison, portraits monumentaux du prési- Le buste d’Hafez el-Assad veille encore sur ment libres Après des décennies dent), le voisinage des militants kurdes ne le rond-point principal de Derik mais, non provoque aucun accroc. Réunis dans une d’exclusion, les Kurdes veulent loin de là, une avenue a été rebaptisée devenir des citoyens à part entière. échoppe au cœur du quartier kurde de la square Azadi («liberté» en kurde). Le mot ville, trois jeunes informaticiens nuancent Dans les territoires libérés du nord est dans toutes les bouches. Avec la fin des de la Syrie, ils goûtent à une cer- le tableau: «Tout paraît calme, mais les par- persécutions, une ère nouvelle peut com- tis, les factions sont pris dans une lutte taine liberté. Mais le principal mencer. «Nous voulons vivre comme des d’influence. Les Arabes et les chrétiens parti kurde ne tolère déjà pas la citoyens à part entière, ne plus avoir peur», contre les Kurdes, et surtout les partis poli- critique. Reportage à Qamishli et à clame Mohammed pour couvrir le chahut tiques contre le Parti de l’union démocra- Derik de la fête: un mariage qui bat son plein, tique (PYD).» L’irruption d’un membre du avec des centaines de convives, et une PYD met fin à la confidence. Il signale arim s’apprête à plier bagage. Ce musique entraînante. C’est la saison des deux occupants d’une Mercedes blanche fonctionnaire de police syrien quitte mariages, comme si la guerre n’avait pas stationnée de l’autre côté de la route, «des K le village où, à une dizaine de kilo- lieu. Les nouvelles autorités de Derik veu- moukhabarat [service de sécurité], ils veu- mètres de la frontière irakienne, il vivait lent imprimer la marque du changement dès lent qu’on les remarque, un signal pour depuis près de cinq ans avec sa famille. maintenant, même si la tâche est colossale nous effrayer». Karim est un nom d’emprunt «car, dit-il, il et que l’ancienne administration continue pourrait être exécuté si ses supérieurs de fonctionner, mais au ralenti. Tout le para- Mieux organisé que les autres partis poli- apprenaient qu’il s’était entretenu avec des doxe est là: officiellement rien n’a changé, tiques, le PYD occupe le terrain, multiplie journalistes». Son arme, il l’a déjà donnée mais la vacance du pouvoir donne de facto les comités, celui des femmes, des martyrs, aux miliciens kurdes qui sont arrivés fin aux Kurdes la liberté de s’autogérer. Une de la culture. Les liens qu’il entretient avec juillet dans le village. Derrière ce qui des premières conquêtes, éminemment les militants armés lui donnent un autre ressemble à une passation de pouvoirs en symbolique, concerne la langue kurde, dont avantage. Si, officiellement, les Unités de douceur se déroule, en sous-main, une le gouvernement interdisait jusqu’alors défense du peuple (YPG) dépendent du bataille complexe pour le contrôle de la l’enseignement. Dans les écoles primaires Conseil suprême kurde où sont représentés région. Les partis kurdes prétendent la tenir, de la ville, en attendant la rentrée des class- d’autres partis politiques, c’est le PYD qui pourtant leur autorité est relative. Est bien es, chaque jour en fin d’après-midi des règne sur la milice composée pour une part réel en revanche le vent de liberté qui volontaires proposent des cours de kurde. de ses propres combattants, ainsi que de depuis l’été balaie le Kurdistan syrien. transfuges du PKK, de déserteurs de Hemrin Ibrahim Ibrahim a offert son aide, l’armée régulière et de 600 nouveaux venus La zone kurde a été largement épargnée par mais elle ne maîtrise pas encore assez bien entraînés dans la Région autonome du les violences. Les miliciens kurdes ont sim- l’écrit: «En nous privant de notre langue, le Kurdistan, en Irak, par les peshmergas de plement remplacé policiers et militaires gouvernement nous a coupés de nos Massoud Barzani. Ali Ibrahim, le représen- syriens lorsque ceux-ci se redéployaient. Si racines.» Elle étudiait la pétrochimie à tant du Parti démocratique kurde de Syrie à ➤ les autorités de Damas conservent néan- l’Université de Homs, mais les violences Derik, ne cache pas ses désaccords:

54 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ «La transition devrait se faire par des la nouvelle église syriaque orthodoxe à nait normale, nous retournerions chez moyens démocratiques uniquement et sans Derik, Yacoub, au milieu d’un groupe de nous.» Beaucoup, même parmi les armes.» jeunes, tous chrétiens, avertit: «Pour opposants à Bachar el-Assad, voudraient l’instant, les milices kurdes nous protègent préserver la coexistence pacifique de toutes Le PYD en appelle à l’unité en cette péri- contre les Arabes, mais cela ne doit pas les communautés. Karim, le fonctionnaire ode révolutionnaire et qualifie de traîtres durer. Nous ne voulons pas vivre sous de police, quitte un village qui l’a ceux qui s’adonnent à la critique. Dans un l’autorité des Kurdes. Nous voulons garder chaleureusement accueilli, alors qu’il est communiqué de presse du 15 septembre, le notre président, Bachar el-Assad.» «C’est Arabe: «Si les Kurdes prenaient le pouvoir parti s’en prend aux politiciens réticents: le meilleur», ajoute son voisin. et s’ils nous laissaient rester, alors je «Ils facilitent le travail de sape des puis- resterais. On ne peut pas séparer les peu- sances régionales qui n’entendent rien Alors que Karim s’apprête à partir, d’autres ples les uns des autres.» N céder aux Kurdes.» La majorité des Kurdes arrivent dans le village. Une famille des de Syrie ne prêtent pas l’oreille aux environs de Damas s’est installée pour fuir querelles de chapelle. Ils ont pour princi- les violences: «Qu’allons-nous faire ici? Il pale préoccupation la sécurité. En face de n’y a pas de travail. Si la situation redeve-

25 septembre 2012

Turquie: sept morts dans un attentat contre un véhicule de l'armée

ept personnes, six soldats turcs et un civil, ont été tuées mardi lors de l'explosion d'une bombe au passage Sd'un véhicule de l'armée turque dans la ville de Tunceli, dans l'est de la Turquie, selon un nouveau bilan communiqué de sources hospitalières. L'engin a explosé à la sortie de l'agglomération de Tunceli, incendiant un véhicule de l'armée (bien de l'armée) et endommageant également un minibus civil, a-t-on indiqué de sources sécuritaires locales. Une autre personne a également été blessée lors de cette explosion, a pré- Un véhicule de l'armée turque en feu à Tunceli, dans l'est de la Turquie, cisé de son côté le bureau du gouver- le 25 septembre 2012 neur de la province cité par l'agence de presse Anatolie. "Sept personnes ont perdu la vie selon les premières consta- revendiquée. Tayyip Erdogan a annoncé la semaine tations et une autre a été blessée", a-t- Elle intervient cependant dans un dernière que l'armée avait tué environ on ajouté sans autre précision. contexte d'intensification des combats 500 rebelles kurdes en un mois dans le La chaîne de télévision privée entre les forces de sécurité et les sud-est. Il a aussi une nouvelle fois turque NTV a diffusé des images mon- rebelles kurdes du Parti des tra- appelé les rebelles du PKK à déposer trant des pompiers tentant d'éteindre vailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) dans le les armes en échange d'une suspension des flammes s'élevant d'un amas de sud-est de la Turquie, peuplé en majo- des opérations de l'armée. tôles et d'un minibus dont un côté était rité de Kurdes. Les séparatistes kurdes n'ont pour enfoncé. Le PKK a fréquemment recours à leur part communiqué aucun bilan. De nombreux véhicules militaires des engins explosifs commandés à dis- Le PKK, classé comme organisation et des ambulances étaient visibles sur tance dans ses attaques contre l'armée. terroriste par la Turquie et de nom- ces images. Un hélicoptère de l'armée La semaine dernière dans la pro- breux pays, a ouvert les hostilités en était également en patrouille autour du vince de Bingöl, voisine de celle de 1984 dans le sud-est de la Turquie, lieu de l'explosion, a indiqué NTV. Tunceli, dix soldats ont été tués par les déclenchant un conflit qui a fait plus de J Les autorités turques n'ont pas rebelles séparatistes qui ont pris pour 45.000 morts. immédiatement fait de commentaires cible avec des lance-roquettes leur sur les auteurs possibles de cette convoi. attaque, qui n'a pas non plus été Le Premier ministre turc Recep

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

Dimanche 23 - Lundi 24 septembre 2012 ral à la retraite Engin Alan, élu qué avec la Grèce et de faux atten¬ député du parti ultranationaliste tats contre des mosquées, dans le (MHP) et qui n'a jamais pu siéger à but de faire intervenir l'armée. Des Lourdes condamnations l'Assemblée nationale. documentsétaientparvenus au siè¬ L'épilogue de l'affaire Balyoz, ge du journal Tarafattestant de ce " contre des militaires turcs du nom du plan de déstabilisation complot. Les accusés ont tous qui aurait été fomenté dans les démenti, certifiant qu'il ne s'agis-

rangs de l'armée en 2003 pour ren¬ sait que d'un exercice théorique.

Le procès du « Balyoz » témoigne des tensions verserlé pouvoir islamo-conserva¬ . Comme le souligne Dani entre l'armée et le pouvoir islamo-conservateur teur, a été accueilli avec stupeur Rodrik, économiste à l'université . dans les milieux kémalistes et pro de Harvard et gendre de Cetin Dogan, les preuves sur lesquelles

militaires. Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, le se fondent ces jugements sem¬ Istanbul ancien commandant de la premiè¬ chef du principal parti d'opposi¬ blentextrêmementminces. Princi- ; Correspondance re armée, Ôzden Ôrnek et Ibrahim tion, (CHP, kémaliste), a dénoncé Firtina, les chefs de la marine et de pale incohérence, le fichier infor¬ « unprocèspolitique ». matique contenant le plan de Des jets de bouteilles d'eau, l'armée de Tair, considérés comme Les soutiens du gouvernement coup d'Etat, censé avoir été rédigé des crises de nerfs et des les principaux cerveaux du com¬ y ont vu au contraire une avancée en 2003, aurait utilisé un logiciel évanouissements ont ponc¬ plot - ont chacun été condamnés à de la démocratie et la fin de l'impu¬ qui n'existait pas encore. tué la lecture d'un verdict fleuve 20 ans d'emprisonnement pour nité des généraux, auteurs de qua¬ Pour nombre d'observateurs, au tribunal spécial de Silivri, à «tentative d'entraver par la force tre coups d'Etat dans les cinquante l'affaire Balyoz est le signe d'un 50 km d'Istanbul. Le procès de l'action du gouvernement de la dernières années et acteurs omni¬ vaste règlement de compte au dizaines de militaires accusés de République » et sont repartis vers le présents de la vie politique. «Le sommet du pouvoir. Depuis 2007, tentative de coup d'Etat contre le centre de détention. ' pointfinal n'a pas encore étéplacé, près de 400 personnes, dont des gouvernement de Recep Tayyip Les autres, officiers écopent de le processus continue», a déclaré militaires, sont jugées dans une Erdogan, un complot baptisé peines allant de 12 à 18 ans de réclu¬ vendredi soir M.Erdogan. Les accu- autre affaire de coup d'Etat présu¬ «Balyoz» (masse de forgeron), sion. C'est notamment le cas de sés.tousdesadversairesdupartiau mé, le procès du réseau Erge- s'est achevé vendredi soir par la Sukrii Sarhsik, ancien secrétaire pouvoir, avaient imaginé un plan nekon.» condamnation de 326 d'entre eux général du Conseil national de de déstabilisation du pays articulé à de lourdes peines de prison.' sécurité (MGK), la plus haute insti¬ Guillaume Pekriir autour d'un incident aérien provo Trois généraux - Cetin Dogan,. tution turque, ou encore du géné

*&afrr 27 septembre 2012

Kirkouk, une ville et quatre langues

Dans un Moyen-Orient déchiré par les querelles ethniques et religieuses, la ville irakienne est devenue

un symbole de coexistence entre quatre groupes ethniques, chacun parlant la langue de l'autre.

Karouan Al-Salehi créer des divisions, cette diversité n'a pas prendre de mes élèves." Quant à Mourad empêché les gens de se rapprocher les uns Ali, étudiant à la faculté d'anglais et

des autres, ni même les mariages mixtes. d'origine turkmène, il explique que la plu¬ Assis dans la salle d'attente, il se Mohamed Jebari, 33 ans, a fondé un foyer part des professeurs sont des Kurdes et des demande s'il arrivera à expliquer sa avec son épouse arabe ii y a quatre ans. Arabes, mais qu'il leur arrive de répondre maladie au médecin. "Je pensais que "Moi et ma belle-famille étions voisins. à la question d'un étudiant turkmène dans j'allais devoir me débrouiller en arabe, que Nous nous fréquentions et parlions aussi sa langue. Lui-même ne parle "pas néces¬ je parle mal. Mais, quand mon tour est bien en arabe qu'en kurde. C'est pour cela sairement tout le temps en turkmène. Avec venu, j'ai entendu le docteur parler en qu'on a pu se marier." De son côté, la jeune certains, je peux aussi bien parler en kurde kurde au téléphone. J'allais déjà mieux, Turkmène Sarah Khalil explique qu'elle ou en arabe."De même, Amina Karim, pro¬ puisque cela voulait dire que je pouvais lui parle trois langues grâce à son mariage fesseur kurde en sciences de l'éducation, parler dans la seule langue que je maîtrise avec un jeune chrétien arabe. Elle ajoute : estime qu'"un des facteurs de la cohabita¬ vraiment", raconte Arass Ahmad, un "Chaque fois que quelqu'un nous parle tion est le langage de la tolérance. Les gens Kurde de 27 ans résidant dans les environs dans notre langue alors qu'il n'est pas turk¬ s'entendent dans quelque langue que ce de Kirkouk. "En général, quand je viens en mène, cela nous fait chaud au cceur. C'est soit, sans s'arrêter sur les différences eth¬ ville, je ne m'inquiète pas trop, ajoute-t-il ainsi qu'on entretient les liens de convivia- niques." Et d'affirmer qu'entre amis et voi¬ aussitôt. Je sais que je peux me faire com¬ lité."On dit de Kirkouk que c'est la ville sins, qu'ils soient turkmènes ou arabes, on prendre, puisque tout le monde parle et aux quatre visages et que ses habitants ont parle alternativement la langue de l'un ou comprend la langue des uns et des tous un peu de sang des uns et des autres. de l'autre. "A l'université, moi et une col¬ autres."Kirkouk, l'une des grandes villes "Ceux qui se moquent ainsi de nous sont lègue et amie chrétienne, nous parlons en du nord de l'Irak, vieille de plus de cinq juste jaloux de ne pas avoir autant de com¬ kurde ou en arabe. Et souvent nous répon¬ mille ans [et revendiquée aujourd'hui par pétences linguistiques que nous", proteste dons à la question d'un étudiant dans les les Kurdes, les Turkmènes et les Arabes], se Hafel Chaoul, Assyrien chrétien et fameux quatre langues."Selon le sociologue Satar compose essentiellement de quatre champion irakien de basket. "Chaque habi¬ Jebbar, la connaissance linguistique est un groupes linguistiques, à savoir les Kurdes, tant de la ville doit parler les quatre facteur important de bonne cohabitation : les Turkmènes, les Arabes et les Assyriens langues, parce que c'est là-dessus que "En cas de coexistence de plusieurs [chrétiens d'Irak]. Auxquels s'ajoutent la repose la bonne entente entre les commu- groupes linguistiques, une seule chose per¬ petite minorité [religieuse] des sabéens, nautés,"Hicham Atallah est enseignant met la bonne entente entre eux : que cha¬ désignés aussi sous le nom de mandéens, dans une école kurde alors que lui-même cun parle et comprenne la langue de ainsi que quelques familles juives. Loin de est arabe : "J'arrive à bien me faire com l'autre."

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

IMBOOTIOKU.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 Hard lessons for Obama in Arab Spring

M-

**> V

/ /

i

I President Barack Obama spoke by telephone with President Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 1, 2011, as senior aides and members

the national security team worked in the Oval Office.

Even as the uprisings spread to but staunchly pro-American, Egyptian Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria, the WASHINGTON government. president's sympathy for the protesters Nineteen months later, Mr. Obamawas infuriated U.S. allies in the conservative BY HELENE COOPER at the State Department consoling some and oil-rich Gulf states. AND ROBERT F. WORTH of the very officials he had overruled. In mid-March, the Saudis moved decis¬ Anti-American protests in Egypt and President Hosni Mubarak did not even ively to crush the democracy protests in Libya had led to the deaths of four Amer¬ wait for President Obama's words to be Bahrain, sending a convoy of tanks and icans, including the U.S. ambassador to translated before he interrupted and heavy artillery across the 25.kilometers, Libya, J. Christopher Stevens. A new or 16 miles, ofthe King Fahd Causeway. shot back. Egyptian government run by the Muslim "You don't understand this part ofthe That blunt show of force confronted Brotherhood delayed in condemning at¬ world," the Egyptian' leader broke in, Mr.- Obama with the limits of his ability, tacks on the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. . sounding increasingly hostile. "You're or his willingness, to midwife democrat¬ Television sets in the United States ic change. Despite a global outcry over young." were filled with images of Arabs, angry the shooting and tear-gassing of peace¬ Mr. Obama, during a tense telephone over a video made in the United States ful protesters in Bahrain where the call in the early evening of Feb. 1, 2011, a that ridiculed the Prophet Muhammad, United States maintains a naval base Tuesday, hadjust told Mr. Mubarak that burning American flags and even effi¬ seen as crucial for maintaining the flow his speech, broadcast to a crowd of hun¬ gies of Mr. Obama. of oil from the region the president dreds of thousands of protesters con¬ Speaking privately to grieving State largely turned a blind eye. verged in Cairo, in Tahrir Square, had Department workers, the president His realism and reluctance to be not gone far enough. Mr. Mubarak had tried to make sense of the unfolding drawn into foreign quagmires has held to step down, Mr. Obama said. events. He talked about how he had sway ever since, notably in Syria, where Minutes later, at 6:44 p.m., a grim Mr. /been a child abroad, taught to appreci¬ many critics continue to call for a more Obama appeared before hastily ate' American diplomats who put their aggressive U.S. response to the brutal¬ summoned cameras in the Grand Foyer lives at risk for their country. That work, ity of President Bashar al-Assad's rule. of the White House. The end of Mr. and the outreach to the Arab world, he Mr. Obama's journey from Cairo to Mubarak's 30-year rule, Mr. Obama said, must continue, even in the face of the Causeway tookjust 44 days. In part, mob violence that called into question it reflected the vastly different circum¬ His bold backing of change what the United States can accomplish stances in the countries where protests could hot be sustained in light in a turbulent region. broke out, despite their common origins In many ways, Mr. Obama's remarks of U.S. security interests and and slogans. But his handling of the up¬ at the State Department last Wednes¬ his own pragmatism. risings also demonstrates the gap be¬ day reflected hard lessons the president tween the two poles of his political per¬ had learned over almost two years of sona: his sense of himself as a historic political turmoil in the Arab world: Bold said, "must begin now." With those bridge-builder who could redeem Amer¬ words and support for democratic aspi¬ words, Mr. Obama upended three de¬ ica's image abroad, and his more cau¬ rations are not enough to engender cades of American relations with its tious adherence to long-term U.S. in¬ good will in this region, especially not most stalwart ally in the Arab world, terests in security and affordable oil. when hampered by America's own na¬ putting the weight of the United States To some, the stark difference between tional security interests. squarely on the side of the Arab street. the outcomes in Cairo and Bahrain illus¬ In fact, Mr. Obama's staunch defense It was a bold move by a young U.S. trates something else, too: his impa¬ of democracy protesters in Egypt last president, flying in the face of advice tience with back-room diplomacy, and year soon drew him into a historic up¬ from elders on his staff at the State De- ; his corresponding failure to build close heaval that would test his judgment, his partment and at the Pentagon, who had personal relationships with foreign nerve and his diplomatic skill. spent decades nursing the autocratic" leaders that can, especially in the

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

Middle East, help the White House to in¬ id Karzai, the Afghan president, and fluence decisions made abroad. King Abdullah, the Saudi ruler. His message to Arab allies In many ways, Mr. Obama's decision In any case, after an awkward phone was this: "Ifyou are governing to throw U.S. support behind change in call between the V.S. and Egyptian these countries, you've got to the Arab world was made well before a presidents on Jan. 28, Mr. Obama sent a Tunisian street vendor set himself on senior diplomat with long experience in. get out ahead of change." fire and ignited the broadest challenge' Egypt, Frank G. Wisner, to make a per¬ to the region in decades. sonal appeal to the Egyptian leader. But Mr. Obama, whose campaign for the . Mr. Mubarak balked. Meanwhile, the that would clearly not be turned back presidency was in part inspired by his rising anger in Cairo's streets led to a and it would only be delayed by sup¬ new moment of reckoning for Mr. pression and bloodshed." early opposition to the Iraq war, came Obama. So "now" stayed in Mr. Obama's into office in January 2009 determined On the afternoon of Feb. 1 at the White statement. Ten days later, Mr. Mubarak not to repeat what he viewed as the mis¬ House, top national security officials was out. Even after Mr. Obama's re¬ takes of his predecessor in pushing a were holding a meeting in the Situation marks, Mrs. Clinton was still publicly "freedom agenda" in Iraq and other Room to decide what to do about the de¬ cautioning that removing Mr. Mubarak parts of the Arab world, according to se¬ teriorating situation in Egypt. Thirty too hastily could threaten the country's nior administration officials. ; minutes into it, the door opened, and the , transition to democracy. Instead^ Mr. Obama focused on mutu¬ president walked in, crashing what was In the end, many of the advisers who al respect;and understanding. During a supposed to be a principles meeting. initially opposed Mr. Obama's stance speech to the Arab world in 2009 from Attending were Vice President now give him credit for prescience. But Cairo, the president did talk about the Joseph R. Biden Jr.; Secretary of State there were consequences, and they importance of governments "that re¬ Hillary Rodham Clinton; Defense Sec¬ were soon making themselves felt. flect the will of the people." But, he retary Robert M. Gates; the Joint Chiefs On Feb. 14, in Bahrain, Internet calls added pointedly, "there is no straight of Staff chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen; for a "day of rage" led to street rallies line to realize this promise." . and the national security adviser, Tom and violent clashes with the police. The Two weeks later, as street .protests Donilon. Margaret Scobey, the ambas¬ next day at a news conference in Wash¬ broke out in Iran after a disputed prèsi- sador in Cairo, appeared on the video ington, Mr. Obama seemed to suggest dential election, Mr. Obama initially fol¬ conference screen. that this revolt was much like the oth¬ lowed a low-key script, criticizing vio- . ers. His message to Arab allies, he said, lence but saying he did not want to' be The question on the table was one that was this: "If you are governing these seen as meddling in Iranian politics. would have been unthinkable just a countries, you've got to get out ahead of Months later, administration officials week before. Should Mr. Obama call for change." said, Mr. Obama expressed regret about Mr. Mubarak to step down? But in the following weeks, Mr. Obama his muted stance on Iran. "There was a Midway through the meeting, an aide fell silent. Away from the public eye, the feeling of 'we ain't gonna be behind the walked in and handed a note to Mr. president was coming under furious as¬ curve on this again,' " one senior ad¬ Donilon, who read it aloud. "Mubarak is sault from leaders in Saudi Arabia, the ministration official said. He, like almost on," he said. ' United Arab Emirates, even Israel. two dozen administration officials and The Egyptian leader was making his Angry at the treatment of Mr. Arab and U.S. diplomats interviewed for much-anticipated address to the coun¬ Mubarak, which officials from the Gulf this article, spoke on the condition of an- : try. Every screen in the Situation Room states feared could forecast their own onymity. was turned to . The Egyptian abandonment, Saudi Arabia and the By the time the Tunisian protests leader said he would not run again, but U.A.E. drew a line in the sand. Some U.S. erupted in January 2011 ah angry Mr. did not offer to step down. and Arab diplomats say this angry re¬ Obama accused his staff of being caught In the Situation Room, there was si¬ sponse could have been prevented if Mr. "flat-footed," officials said he publicly lence. Then Mr. Obama spoke: "That's Obama had worked behind the scenes to backed the protesters. But the real test not going to cut it." ease out Mr. Mubarak, rather than go¬ of the new posture came 11 days later, If this were Hollywood, the story of ing public. when thousands of Egyptians converged Barack Obama and the Arab Spring on Tahrir Square for a "day of rage." would end there, with the young Amer¬ On March 14, White House officials Mr. Obama was keenly aware, one ican president standing with the pro¬ awoke to a nasty surprise: the Saudis

aide said, of the need for the United testers against the counsel of his own had led a military incursion into States, and for he himself, to stand as a . advisers, and hastening the end of the Bahrain, followed by a violent crack-

moral example. entrenched old guard in Egypt. In the down in the capital in which the security "He knows that the protesters want Situation Room, Mr. Gates, Admiral forces cleared Pearl Square by force.

to hear from the American president, Mullen, Jeffrey D. Feltman, then an as¬ The moves were widely deplored as a but not just any American president," a . sistant secretary of state, and others blunt act of repression, but Mr. Obama

senior aide to Mr. Obama said as the balked at the inclusion in Mr. Obama's and Mrs. Clinton offered only veiled cri¬

protests in Tahrir Square grew larger. planned remarks that Mr; Mubarak's ticisms, calling for "calm and restraint

"They want to hear from this American "transition must begin now," arguing on all sides" and "political dialogue." president." that it was too aggressive. The reasons for Mr. Obama's reti¬

In other words, they wanted to hear Mr. Mubarak had stood by the United cence were clear: Bahrain sits just off from the first black president of the States in the face of opposition from his the Saudi coast, and the Saudis were United States, a symbol of the possibil¬ own public, they said. The president, of¬ never going to allow a sudden flowering ity of change. ficials said, countered swiftly: "If 'now' of democracy next door, especially in

If the president felt a kinship with the is not in my remarks, there's no point in light of the island's sectarian makeup. youthful protesters, he seems to have me going out there and talking." Bahrain's"people are mostly Shiite, and

had little rapport with Egypt's aging John O. Brennan, chief counterterror- they have long been seen as a cat's paw

president, or, for that matter, any other ism adviser to Mr. Obama, said the pres¬ for Iranian influence by the Sunni rulers Arab leaders. In part, this was a func¬ ident saw early on what others did not: of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

tion of time : he was still new to the pres¬ that the Arab Spring movement had Moreover, there was the U.S. Navy

idency, and had hot built the kind of cozy legs. base in Bahrain, seen as a critical bul¬

relationship that the Bush family, for in¬ "A lot of people were in a state of deni¬ wark against Iran. stance, had with the Saudis. al that this had an inevitability to it,'' Mr. "At that stage, we realized that the

But Mr. Obama has struggled with Brennan said in an interview. "And I possibility of anything happening in little success to build better relation¬ Saudi Arabia was one that couldn't be¬ think that's what the president clearly ships with key foreign leaders-like Ham- come a reality," said William M. Daley, saw, that there was an inevitability to it Mr. Obama's chief of staff at the time.

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

. INTïRÎMTONAl ÏUtàlbmMmfâxxbunt Tuesday, September 25, 2012 "For the global economy, this couldn't happen. Yes, it was treated differently from Egypt. It was a different situ¬ ation." Some analysts give Mr. Obama credit Iranian, in U.S., for recognizing early on that strategic priorities trumped whatever sympathy he had for the protesters. Others, however, say the administration could denigrates Israel have played a more effective mediating role between the Bahraini government while trying to shut down Iran's nuclear and the. protesters, largely Shiite, and NEW YORK program. "Some members of the Secu¬ thereby avoided what has become a rity Council with veto rights have dangerous sectarian standoff in one of BY RICK GLADSTONE chosen silence with regard to the nucle¬ the world's most volatile places. AND NEIL MACFARQUHAR ar warheads of a fake regime, while at If Mr: Obama had cultivated a closer Defying a warning bythe U.N. secretary the same time they impede the scientific relationship with the Saudis, he might general against inflammatory remarks, progress of other nations," he said. have gained time for negotiations be¬ President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of He also indirectly attacked the United tween the Bahraini authorities and the Iran said Monday that Israelis had no States arid others for defending freedom chief Shiite opposition party, al Wéfaq, historical roots in the Middle East and of speech even when it defames religion, according to one U.S. diplomat who was that the existence of Israel was just a a reference to the online video attacking there at the time. Instead, the Saudis passing phase in the region's long his¬ the Prophet Muhammad that incited gave virtually no warning when their tory. demonstrations around the Muslim forces rolled across the causeway link¬ Mr. Ahmadinejad, who arrived in world, including Iran, over the past ing Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and the New York on Sunday for the annual three weeks. ensuing crackdown destroyed all hopes General Assembly meeting, made the Mr. Ahmadinejad is scheduled to de¬ for a peaceful resolution. remarks in a breakfast session with se¬ liver his General Assembly speech on The lingering resentment over the lected members of the news media. He Wednesday, which coincides with Yom way Mr. Mubarak's ouster was handled said the Israelis had been around the re¬ Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. had another apparent consequence. gion for only 60 or 70 years, in contrast Negotiations over the Iranian nuclear Mrs. Clinton's criticism, during a televi¬ to the Iranians, whose civilization had program will be afocus atthe world body, sion interview in Paris, of the military in¬ existed for thousands of years. where about 120 world leaders will con¬ tervention angered the Emiratis, whose "They have no roots there in history,'' verge, but intractable diplomatic prob¬ militarywas also involved in the Bahrain Mr. Ahmadinejad said of the Israelis, ac¬ lems will share the stage at the U.N. Gen¬ operation and who shared the Saudis' cording to Reuters. "They do not even eral Debate, aweeklong eventthat began anger about the Mubarak episode. enter the equation for Iran." on Monday. Officials of the U.A.E. threatened to In a meeting with Iranian expatriates They include the spread of Al Qaeda withdraw from the coalition that was in New York on Sunday evening, Mr. Ah¬ across the Western Sahara; the slow ne¬ then being assembled to support a madinejad belittled Israel's significance gotiations over the Iranian nuclear pro¬ NATO-led strike against Libyan leader, and the military threats Israel has made gram ; global riots prorhpted by religious Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. The against his country over its disputed nu¬ intolerance; and sharp new tensions in Emiratis knew their presence was clear program. "A number of uncul¬ Asia over competing claims to small, po¬ needed to give the coalition legitimacy. tured Zionists that threaten the Iranian tentially mineral-rich islands. They quickly named their price for stay¬ nation today are never counted and are And, of course, the raging conflict in ing on board, according to Arab and never paid any attention in the equa¬ Syria will be front and center. Western diplomats familiar with the in¬ tions of the Iranian nation," he said, ac¬ Lakhdar Brahimi, the newly appoin¬ cident: Mrs. Clinton must issue a state¬ cording to a summary of his remarks on ted Syria peace envoy, gave a bleak as¬ ment that would pull back from any crit¬ his English-language Web site. sessment ofthe stalemated war there on icism of the Bahrain operation. Mr. Ahmadinejad, known for incendi¬ Monday. He told Security Council diplo¬ The statement, hastily drafted and ary language against Israel, is in the last mats that the government of President vetted by Emirati and U.S. officials, ap¬ nine months of his final term in office, Bashar al-Assad had no wish to change peared soon afterward, in the guise of a and there had been widespread expec¬ and that there was no immediate pros¬ communiqué on Libya. tations that he would use his remaining pect for a diplomatic breakthrough. The tensions between Mr. Obama and appearance at the General Assembly to The assessment by Mr. Brahimi, a the Gulf states, U.S. and Arab diplomats excoriate and provoke Iran's enemies, veteran United Nations diplomat and say, derive from an Obama character who suspect that Iran is developing the former Algerian foreign minister who trait: he has not built many personal re¬ ability to make nuclear weapons. Iran represents the United Nations and the lationships with foreign leaders. has repeatedly denied that its nuclear Arab League, was his first to the Securi¬ "He's not good with personal rela¬ energy program is for military use. ty Council- since he took over the posi¬ tionships that's not what interests The secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, tion at the end of August from Kofi An¬ him," said one U.S. diplomat with long who has repeatedly admonished Irani¬ nan, who resigned in frustration. experience in the region. "But in the an leaders against making anti-Israel The Security Council meeting was Middle East, those relationships are es¬ and anti-Semitic remarks, had a conver¬ held in private, but diplomats told re¬ sential. The lack of them deprives D.C. sation with Mr. Ahmadinejad on Sunday porters afterward that Mr. Brahimi had of the ability to influence leadership de¬ to reiterate the warning that such lan¬ told them that Mr. Assad's government cisions." guage could cause "potentially harmful appeared entrenched in its belief that consequences," Mr. Ban's press office the Syria conflict was a foreign-instig¬ said in a statement. ated plot and that Mr. Assad wanted to Mr. Ahmadinejad's speech on Mon¬ return the country to the political struc¬ day came during a one-day high-level ture that existed before the uprising conference on effecting universal stan¬ against him broke out in March 2011.! dards oflaw. In his comments, he sound¬ : Speakihg to'reporters later outside ed many of the themes that have run the council chambers, Mr. Brahimi said: through all his past appearances. "all I can tell you is that the situation is Without mentioning any country by indeed extremely difficult. There is a name, he lashed out at the United States stalemate, there is no prospect today or for ignoring Israel's nuclear arsenal tomorrow to move forward."

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

25 SEPTEMBER 2012 Turkey blast 'kills seven' in Tunceli A LARGE EXPLOSION has rocked the 'Hundreds dead' Turkish city of Tunceli, killing seven peo- This incident comes amid a surge in fighting ple, mainly security personnel. in the three-decade conflict between the The blast targeted a vehicle carrying secu- military and the PKK which in total has kil- rity forces. led more than 40,000 people. The city is near the country's Kurdish area In mid-September, Prime Minister Recep and suspicion will automatically fall upon Tayyip Erdogan said 500 Kurdish rebels had Kurdish rebel group the PKK, says the BBC's been "rendered ineffective" by Turkish Istanbul correspondent James Reynolds. forces in the space of a month. Fighting between Turkish troops and the Many have died in Turkish aerial campaigns PKK - the Kurdistan Workers' Party - has against suspected PKK hideouts in the escalated in recent months. south-east of the country. the city. Six members of the security forces and one PKK fighters killed 17 Turkish soldiers and civilian died in the attack in the Ataturk Some reports said a civilian vehicle was also injured scores over three days in Bingol pro- neighbourhood, said local media and hospi- damaged in the explosion. vince last week. tal sources. One report, in Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News, Earlier this month, one soldier and three Turkish TV stations showed pictures of wor- said security forces arriving on the scene Kurdish militants were killed when insur- kers trying to put out fires in two burnt-out clashed with suspected PKK militants, with gents attacked army outposts in Tunceli. one militant killed. vehicles. This has become the most violent period in Reports said a vehicle carrying explosives No-one has yet said they carried out the fighting with the Kurds since the capture of was remotely detonated as an armoured attack, but Kurdish rebels are active in the the PKK's leader, Abdullah Ocalan, in 1999, vehicle carrying security forces passed by, city, which is the capital of the province of our correspondent says. I sending a huge plume of dark smoke over Tunceli.

26 September 2012

The leader of the PUK and Change Movement (Gorran)-left-visits Jalal Gorran Meet Talabani, the secretary general of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan for First Time (PUK) following his return from Europe. Byin HEVIDAR Six AHMED Years Photo: kurdsat. rudaw.net

ULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — The result, Mr. Mustafa and his delegation deci- There has been speculation that the KDP leaders of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan ded to visit Mr. Talabani.” might be alarmed by the recent rapproche- S(PUK) and the Change Movement (Gorran) Following the meeting, both leaders told ment between the PUK and Gorran. met on Sunday for the first time in six years. journalists that they shared identical views on But Gorran leaders say they have infor- Nawshirwan Mustafa visited Iraqi many issues in Iraqi and Kurdish politics. med the KDP about their meeting with the President and PUK leader Jalal Talabani after They also added that the draft version of PUK. years of tension and rivalry between the two Kurdistan’s constitution, ratified last year by Fazil Mirani, a senior KDP politician, sides. Mustafa was Talabani’s deputy in the MPs, needs to be returned to the chamber for apparently told Gorran leaders that his party PUK until he split and formed his own further amendment and that some other laws “has no suspicions about the relations bet- Gorran party in 2009. “with a national dimension” need to be revi- ween the PUK and Gorran.” The visit came after Talabani returned sed by parliament. During the Kurdistan Region’s parlia- from receiving treatment in Germany where President Talabani said that the power- mentary elections in July 2009, Gorran emer- he was hospitalized for around three months. sharing “strategic agreement” that exists bet- ged as a major power, taking over PUK “We have had meetings and open chan- ween the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic stronghold Sulaimani and forming the oppo- G nels of communication for nearly a year,” Party (KDP) needs to be adjusted as well. sition. said Azad Jundiyani, PUK’s spokesman. The KDP and PUK are the two ruling parties “Some social figures mediated and, as a in Kurdistan’s government.

60 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Turquie: décès d'un procureur blessé dans une attaque attribuée au PKK DIYIRBAKIR (Turquie), 20 septembre 2012 (AFP) cette même source, étaient toujours en fuite jeudi. La police et l'armée sont les cibles privilégiées des actions attribuées au UN PROCUREUR d'une zone kurde de l'est de la Turquie, grièvement PKK, les magistrats étant plus rarement visés. blessé mercredi dans une attaque attribuée par les autorités aux sépa- ratistes kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), est Les séparatistes kurdes ont multiplié depuis l'été leurs attaques contre les décédé jeudi, a-t-on appris de source sécuritaire. forces de sécurité turques dans le sud-est du pays. L'armée a riposté par des opérations massives impliquant les forces aériennes. Murat Uzun, procureur général de la ville d'Ovacik, dans la province de Tunceli, avait été atteint mercredi d'un coup de feu tiré en pleine tête. Lundi, le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan a affirmé que l'armée avait Conduit à l'hôpital dans un état critique, il est mort jeudi des suites de ses tué environ 500 rebelles kurdes en un mois. blessures, a précisé cette source à l'AFP. Mardi, dix soldats ont été tués dans l'attaque de leur convoi dans le sud-est Les auteurs de l'attaque, un homme et une femme membres du PKK selon anatolien. H

une ville de la province de Hassaké à majorité kurde, ont précisé Un militant kurde l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'Homme (OSDH) et des militants. assassiné dans Wali, qui avait reçu des menaces de mort, se cachait, apparaissant unique- le nord est de la Syrie ment pour participer à des manifestations. Nombre de militants et d'intellectuels ont été attaqués par le régime d'Assad DAMAS, 21 septembre 2012 (AFP) depuis le début de la révolte en mars 2011, qui s'est militarisée depuis, face UN MILITANT KURDE connu, Mahmoud Wali, alias Abou Ghandi, a été à la violente répression menée par le pouvoir. tué par balles par un inconnu dans le nord-est de la Syrie, ont annoncé En août 2011, le caricaturiste Ali Ferzat, dont les dessins satiriques sont des militants vendredi. dénoncés par le régime, avait été violemment battu par les forces de sécu- Mahmoud Wali, une figure du Conseil national kurde et un dirigeant du rité et les milices pro-régime. "Mouvement des jeunes de la Révolution", hostile au régime du président Le militant Adnane Wehbé a été assassiné en juin dans son cabinet médi- Bachar al-Assad, a été assassiné jeudi par un homme masqué circulant sur cal près de Damas, par un agent de la sécurité habillé en civil, selon des une moto, qui a lui tiré deux balles dans la tête, ont-ils indiqué. militants. Et le chanteur de la Révolution, Ibrahim Qashoush, a été retrouvé L'assassinat a eu lieu devant le bureau du Conseil national à Ras al-Ain, mort en juin 2011, les cordes vocales arrachées. H

28 septembre 2012 Conflit kurde en Turquie: le chef emprisonné du PKK appelle à l’apaisement e chef emprisonné des rebelles kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan Un Kurde lors L(PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, a appelé ses d'une manifesta- troupes à l’apaisement alors que les affron- tion pour la libéra- tements avec les forces de sécurité se sont tion du chef du multipliés cet été, a affirmé son frère cité PKK Abdullah vendredi par le quotidien Taraf. Öcalan, le 14 juil- “Lors de notre dernier entretien, il m’a let 2012 à confié ce message: «désormais, plus aucun Diyarbakir soldat, policier ou guérillero ne doit mourir. Mon seul souhait est que le sang cesse (de couler), que cette question soit réglée», a afp.com déclaré à Taraf Mehmet Öcalan après avoir vu son frère sur l‘île-prison d’Imrali (nord- ouest). Erdogan a affirmé mercredi que 144 mem- rencontre entre Abdullah Öcalan et son Mehmet Öcalan n’a pas donné de bres des forces de sécurité et 239 rebelles frère, pour faire taire les rumeurs propagées détails sur la date de cette rencontre, mais kurdes avaient été tués depuis le début de selon lui par le PKK sur un possible décès selon le journal à grand tirage Hürriyet, l’année. du chef rebelle. celle-ci a eu lieu vendredi dernier. Il a également indiqué qu’il était prêt à Le chef historique du PKK a été capturé Ces appels au calme du chef historique relancer des négociations avec le PKK, par des agents turcs à Nairobi puis transféré du PKK interviennent alors que les combats comme celles qu’il avait organisées entre en Turquie et condamné à mort pour trahi- entre les rebelles et l’armée turque se sont 2009 et 2011 à Oslo, qui avaient capoté. “Si son en 1999, une peine commuée en prison intensifiés au cours des derniers mois dans (des) entretiens nous permettent de régler à vie. le sud-est de la Turquie, peuplé en majorité quelque chose, faisons-le. Si ça doit être à Il est privé depuis plus d’un an de la de Kurdes, pour atteindre une de leurs Oslo, alors à Oslo”, a-t-il dit. visite de ses avocats, qu’il recevait aupara- phases les plus meurtrières de la dernière M. Erdogan a également mentionné le vant régulièrement et par le biais desquels il décennie. fait qu’il avait encouragé la tenue d’une communiquait avec l’extérieur. Par AFP J Le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip

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

£zMmèt ÇtïTIÛ lûC nrAiiTTAr Dimanche 23 -Lundi 24 septembre 2012 -J m# 1 IF I f^^% I J I C"^ 1 J %/»"^^

'est une simple tombe du grand cimetière Beheshte de l'implication militaire c Zahra, à Téhéran. La tombe d'un pasdar, un gardien de la révo¬ lution, mort en martyr pour la patrie. A côté de la date de son iranienne s'accumulent décès, le 19 janvier 2012, à l'âge de 33 ans, figure un nom de lieu : Damas. C'est le site iranien Vahid Hommes, armes... Téhéran s'engage de plus en plus Online qui a mis en ligne la photo ; . elle est la première preuve tangi¬ ouvertement auprès de Damas pour sauver son principal ble de l'aide militaire du régime ira¬ nien à son homologue et allié allié arabe, enfermé dans une répression sanglante syrien. Une recherche plus pous¬ sée a permis au Monde de trouver, sur le site de la mairie de Téhéran, bassidjis, une milice intérieure, est des photos des funérailles de devenu gardien de la révolution à Washington vers un geste en faveur d'opposants iraniens Moharram Tork, enterré avec les la fin des années 1990.

honneurs officiels et des bandero¬ Lé corps d'élite des pasdarans Deux parlementaires américains Unis, du camp d'Achraf, que les

les à l'effigie du Guide suprême, Ali est en première ligne dans l'aide ont annoncé, vendredi 21 sep¬ Moudjahidine du peuple occu¬

Khamenei, premier personnage de iranienne à la Syrie. Leur comman¬ tembre, que les Etats-Unis vont pent depuis des années en Irak.

la République islamique. dant en chef, Mohammad Ali Jafa- rayer les Moudjahidine du peu¬ Ces opposants s'y étaient instal¬

Dernière pièce du puzzle, le tex¬ ri, a confirmé ce secret de Polichi¬ ple, une formation d'opposition lés pendant la guerre Iran-Irak

te d'un blogueur prorégime pré¬ nelle, le 16 septembre, précisant - iranienne en exil, de leur liste (1980-1988), avec le soutien du

sent aux funérailles. «Ilparaît que sans convaincre - qu'il s'agissait des organisations «terroris¬ régime de Saddam Hussein,

MoharramTork estmort en martyr : d'une aide non militaire. Lors de tes». La décision doit être prise pour mener des actions armées

lors d'un entraînement organisé cette conférence de presse, le res¬ par Washington avant le 1er octo¬ et des attentats en Iran. L'Euro¬

par les Gardiens de la révolution . ponsable iranien a menacé d'une bre et consacrer l'évacuation, pe a retiré cette organisation de

[ou pasdarans], lorsqu'une grena- , intervention de Téhéran aux côtés réclamée par l'ONU et les Etats- sa liste en 2009. - (AFP.) deluiaexplosédanslamain »,écnt- de Damas si les « circonstances » le

il. On y apprend également que le nécessitaient. Un message on ne bie Saoudite, du Qatar et de la Tur¬ soldat Tprk, ancien membre des peut plus clair à l'attentionde l'Ara- quie, qui aident et financent les Deux jours plus tard, le chef de insurgés syriens, sur les limites à la diplomatie iranienne, Ali Akbar

ne pas franchir. Salehi, était à Damas pour rendre . Le lendemain, M: Jafari a été visite.au président syrien Bachar Al-Assad et l'assurer à nouveau du ï=t!. démenti par le ministère des affai¬ soutien de Téhéran. Les émissaires . 1 res étrangères iranien, en plein iraniens se succèdent à un rythme effort pour obtenir du «groupe de soutenu dans la capitale syrienne. contact» quadripartite {Iran, Ara¬ Depuis le début du soulèvement bie Saoudite, Egypte et Turquie) syrien, l'Iran ne ménage pas son l'envoi d'observateurs internatio¬ soutien à son meilleur allié dans le naux. Cette manoeuvre diplomati¬ monde arabe : l'alliance, tissée en que, visant à obtenir un «règle¬ ' "^M*E| 1980 et renforcée depuis l'émer¬ * ment pacifique » et « un arrêt de gence du Hezbollah libanais, ne b

darans, que du gouvernement. ses, en mai2on, Téhéran a fourni son savoir-faire en matière de L'alliance, tissée répression urbaine. » Ahmad Reza Radan, numéro deux de la police en 1980 et renforcée antiémeute à Téhéran et impliqué depuis l'émergence dans la répression des manifesta¬ tions de juin 2009, aurait fait le du Hezbollah libanais, voyage de Damas. «A lafin de20U, ne s'est jamais quandl'Arméesyriennelibreacom- .* mencé à vraiment émerger, on a démentie basculé dans l'aide militaire. » Le général Qassem Souleimani, M chef de la force Al-Qods, chargée des opérations extérieures au sein Image diffusée sur le site iranien Online : dans le grand cimetière Beheshte Zahra, à Téhéran, des pasdarans, serait venu à la tombe d'un gardien de la révolution, Moharram Tork, « mort en martyr pour la patrie » à Damas, dr

62 Revue de Presse-Press Reviezv-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Damas au mois de janvier. L'Iran

aurait alors offert d'entraîner l'ar¬ Vendredi 21 septembre 2012

mée syrienne, mais aussi proposé

des tireurs embusqués, qu'elle a

formés en grande quantité, tout irm comme elle produit des fusils de Téhéran accusé de ravitailler précision Dragonov en grande quantité sous licence russe. - le régime Assad en armes via l'Irak. Une nouvelle étape est franchie .

après l'attentat, du 18 juillet, qui NATIONS UNIES. L'Iran a utilisé des avions civils pour transporter en

décapitela cellule de crise syrienne Syrie des militaires et de grandes quantités d'armes via l'espace aérien

en tuant quatre hauts responsa¬ irakien, dans le but d'aider son allié, Bachar Al-Assad, à réprimer les

bles sécuritaires, dont AssefChaw- insurgés, affirme un rapport des services de renseignements occiden¬ kat, le beau-frère de' Bachar taux, révélé jeudi 20 septembre par l'agence Reuters. «Des avions se ren¬

Al-Assad. Dans le même temps, l'in¬ dentpresque tous les jours d'Iran en Syrie enpassantparl'Irak, avec à

surrection armée a gagné Damas . leurbord des Gardiens delà révolution iraniens, et des dizaines de tonnes et Alep. Said Jalili, l'envoyé spécial . d'armes destinées auxforces de sécurité syriennes et aux milices qui com¬

du Guide, vient sur place. Selon des battent les-insurgés », indique le document, dont une copie a été obte¬

sources informées, l'accord de nue grâce à une source onusienne. - (Reuters.) m défense mutuelle, signé en 2006 et

renforcé parun protocole addition¬

nel secret en 2008, aurait été invo¬ centaines de gradés des gardiens (OMPI), un groupe d'opposition par le Hezbollah libanais et la mili¬ qué: Damas se serait engagé à delà révolution, chargés de restruc¬ radical en exil, le soutien de la ce chiite irakienne Badr, coïncide - ouvrir un deuxième front en cas turer les forces restées fidèles au République islamique va plus loin avec un effort particulier de la Rus¬ d'attaque israélienne contre l'Iran, président Assad. et touche quasiment à tous les sie dans les secteurs de l'aviation, en échange d'un soutien « illimi¬ David Rigoulet-Roze y voit un aspects du conflit : la protection des radars et de la sécurisation des té » de Téhéran à Bachar Al-Assad projet de mettre sur pied « unefor¬ des frontières pour empêcher l'ap¬ télécommunications. D'où les pro¬ afin qu'il reste au pouvoir. ce équivalente aux pasdarans » en provisionnement en armes et en. grès récents de l'armée syrienne, C'est à cette époque qu'une cin¬ fondant la IVe division de l'armée, combattants, la surveillance par qui a entrepris un bombardement quantaine de pasdarans présumés commandée par le frère du prési¬ des drones, la protection des hau- systématique des quartiers d'Alep ont été kidnappés par la rébellion dent Maher Al-Assad, la Garde tes personnalités, l'assistance tech¬ et des localités du Nord tombés syrienne à Damas. Mais l'effort ira¬ républicaine et les troupes d'élite nique à l'artillerie. L'OMPI a identi¬ aux mains des insurgés.» nien ne s'est pas démenti. Que ce aéroportées. Une armée dans l'ar¬ fié le général dé brigade iranien Christophe Ayad it Assai Reza soit à travers l'envoi de militaires HosseinHàmedani comme le prin¬ mée, dévouée au seul régime. Un et d'armes pardesvols civilsbénéfi¬ cipal officier de liaison iranien à projet similaire serait en cours ciant de la complicité passive de Damas. C'est elle qui avait identifié avec la transformation des cha- l'Irak, au grand dam de Washing¬ le général Abedine Khoram parmi biha {civils armés pro-Assad) en ton, comme l'a révélé un rapport les48 otages iraniens, une informa¬ miliciens de type bassidj. de services de renseignements occi¬ tion confirmée depuis parle « mou¬ Selon l'Organisation des moud- dentaux dévoilé récemment par vement vert » (opposition) en Iran. jahidines du peuple iranien l'agence Reuters. Ou par l'envoi de Cette aide iranienne, renforcée

P. WJ ÏCSIÎ1I ¥12 i/iL^x*

elui qui s'éloigne desyeux, de l'image ; ce qui a sûrement M. Moussavi n'a eu de cesse de nées à réécrire l'histoire et la

finiraparpartirdu cbur. » facilité la tâche des censeurs, critiquer le pouvoir en place et mémoire collective. Ce n'est pas

Le proverbe persan, équiva¬ qui l'ont simplement coupé, lui ses méthodes, qu'il qualifiait de une nouveauté en République lent du « loin desyeux loin du et la personne qui se tenait «staliniennes». islamique d'Iran, où même les c français, ne s'applique pas debout derrière lui. photos de l'arrivée de l'imam histoires d'amour qui s'ef¬ Mir Hossein Moussavi est assi¬ Au rythme des épurations Khomeyni à l'aéroport de Téhé¬ facent avec le temps et la distan¬ gné à résidence à Téhéran depuis « Ce genre depropagande ran, en février1979, ont été modi¬ ce. C'est en tout cas ce que sem¬ février 2011, ainsi que sa femme [contre Mehdi Karoubi et lui- fiées au fil des années et au ryth¬ blent espérer les autorités ira¬ Zahra Rahnavard. Très peu de même] appartient au tempspas- me des épurations. niennes en éliminant Mir Hos¬ nouvelles filtrent à son sujet, si ce séet [le régime] utilise les mêmes Ironie du sort, le nom de Stali¬ sein Moussavi, principal diri¬ n'est son hospitalisation en août, méthodes que celles mises en ne a été évoqué par le numéro un geant de l'opposition, de la photo suite à un malaise cardiaque. Can¬ par les régimes totalitaires du régime iranien, Ali Khamenei, du gouvernement en 1981 dans didat réformateur contre Mah¬ comme l'URSS de l'époque Staline lors d'une rencontre avec des étu¬ les manuels scolaires destinés moud Ahmadinejad à la présiden¬ ou la Roumanie sous Ceausescu », diants bassidjis au cours de l'été. aux élèves de troisième. tielle de juin 2009, M. Moussavi a avait accusé Mir Hossein Moussa¬ «Je nesuispas [comme] Staline Deux ans après la révolution été vaincu dès le premier tour vi en janvier 2011, dans un de ses qui disait des choses et quifaisait islamique en 1979. le candidat selon les résultats officiels. derniers entretiens avant sa venirdes genspour les théoriser», malheureux à la présidentielle Quand la contestation a envahi la mise au secret. a expliqué le Guide suprême. Cet¬ de 2009 occupait le poste de rue iranienne le 13 juin 2009, il a La dernière man de te citation, rapportée par deux ministre des affaires étrangères. été intronisé chef de l'opposition, TEtatiranien pour faire oublier étudiants dimanche 16 septem¬ Sur la photo originale, rééditée aux côtés de l'autre candidat cet homme politique tombé en bre, ne figure pas sur le site offi¬ dans le manuel de sciences socia¬ réformateur, Mehdi Karoubi. disgrâce s'apparente aux métho¬ ciel du Guide suprême.» les, il figure à l'extrémité droite Avant sa « détention », des en vigueur sous Staline desti C.A.

63 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 25, 2012

Turkey began providing safe haven to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Syrian opposition groups, and media Arinc told reporters that the govern- Turkey's reports have even indicated that Ankara ment had "received information that has been arming the Syrian rebels. [PKK] terrorists infiltrated from the Iranian side of the border" before Kurdish Assad responded by letting the PKK launching a massive assault on the town operate in Syria after keeping a lid on of Semdinli in Hakkari. Tehran denies the group for more than a decade. In this. Calculus 1998, Assad's father had cracked down Ankara re-embraces its old on the longtime presence of Kurdish Rejuvenated by its welcome in Syria and allies in Washington, at the militants in Syria, after Turkey threat- Iran, and also by Ankara's stunted expense of Tehran and ened to invade if Syria continued to har- "Kurdish Opening"—an aborted effort in Damascus. bor the PKK. This spring, Assad allowed 2009 that had aimed to improve Kurds' the PKK to move some 2,000 militants rights in Turkey—the PKK is now into Syria from their mountain enclave spreading tension beyond the Kurdish- By SONER CAGAPTAY in northern Iraq. Assad, in effect, sig- majority areas of southeastern Turkey. naled to Ankara: "Help my enemy, and I On Aug. 20, the group killed nine people he Kurdistan Workers' Party, or will help yours." with a car bomb in Gaziantep, a prosper- T PKK, has made a bloody comeback ous and mixed Turkish-Kurdish city that in Turkey. According to a recent report The Iranian regime has spoken in simi- had been spared from PKK violence. by the International Crisis Group, PKK- lar tones. In September 2011, immedi- Once again, the Syrian-Iranian axis cast related violence has killed some 700 ately after Ankara started to confront its shadow over the assault: Turkish offi- people since the summer of 2011. This the Assad regime, Tehran reconciled cials alleged Syrian complicity in the deadly toll recalls the horrors of the with the PKK's Iranian franchise, the Gaziantep attack, and when Iranian 1990s, when thousands of civilians were Party for Freedom and Life in nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili met with killed in PKK terror attacks and a brutal Kurdistan. Tehran had been fighting its Turkey's prime minister in Istanbul on war in eastern Turkey between the gov- Kurdish rebels since 2003, as part of a Sept. 18, he was also reportedly admon- ernment and Kurdish militants. strategy to take advantage of the rift ished. between Turkey and the U.S. at the The resurgence of PKK violence is no onset of the Iraq War. By helping Turkey Ankara's Middle East policy rests on one accident. It is directly related to Turkey's defeat Kurdish militias, Iran had hoped basic premise: that anyone who sup- defiant posture in support of the Syrian to win Ankara's favor at the expense of ports the PKK is Turkey's enemy. It fol- uprising and against the Assad regime its own archenemy: Washington. But lows that Ankara has a problem with and its patrons in Iran. The upside for Iran flipped this posture last year, and Damascus until Assad falls, and a long- the West is that Ankara is starting to re- by making peace Kurdish militants, it term problem with Tehran even after embrace its old friends in Washington. gave the PKK freedom to target Turkey. Assad falls.

The breakdown in Turkish-Syrian ties The new stance on the PKK could not Accordingly, these shifting stones in the began in the summer of 2011. Since have worked so well against Turkey had Middle East are also bringing Ankara then, Damascus has once again allowed the Syrian uprising not excited Kurds closer to its longtime ally the U.S. the PKK to operate in Syria. Meanwhile, across the Middle East, including in Turkey has agreed to host NATO's mis- to punish Ankara for its Syria policy, Turkey. As Syrian rebels eroded the sile-defense system, which aims to pro- Iran's leaders have made peace with the regime's power in northern Syria this tect members of the Western alliance Kurdish rebels they had been fighting, summer, Kurds started taking control of from Iranian and other nuclear threats. letting the PKK focus its energy against cities there, just across the border with Turkey. Turkey. After weeks of attacks and riots against their embassies elsewhere in the Middle This was not Ankara's plan. When the Encouraged by this development, the East, Americans may well be wondering Syrian uprising began in spring 2011, PKK has tried to wrest control of if the Arab Spring has had any positive Turkish leaders initially encouraged Turkish towns, targeting especially vul- consequences at all for the U.S. The sev- Bashar Assad's regime to reform. In nerable spots in the country's rugged ering of Turkish-Iranian ties, at least, August 2011, Turkish Foreign Minister and isolated southernmost Hakkari can count as one. Ahmet Davutoglu spent six hours in province, which borders Iraq and Iran. Damascus asking Assad to stop killing Although the PKK has not yet secured Mr. Cagaptay is a Beyer Family Fellow civilians. any territory, the battle for Hakkari has and director of the Turkish Research caused hundreds of casualties over Program at the Washington Institute for The Syrian tyrant not only disregarded recent months. Near East Policy. Turkey's pleas; he also sent tanks into Hama hours after Mr. Davutoglu left the Iran appears to be complicit in this new capital. Thereafter, Ankara broke from PKK assault, at least in part. Last month Assad and began calling for his ouster.

64 Revue de Presse-Press Revùw-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basm Ôzeti

îttratb*i»Sribttnc Wednesday. September 26, 2012

they resent it." Syria war exposes Iskander Witwit, a former Iraqi Air Force officer who is now a member of Parliament's security committee, said, "God willing, we will be arming Iraq with weapons to be able to shoot down

Iraq s weaknesses those planes." The U.S. military withdrew at the end of last year after negotiations for an ex¬ BAGHDAD space to ferry weapons and fighters to tended troop presence collapsed be¬ the Assad government, although The cause the Iraqis would not agree to ex¬ Associated Press reported that over the BYTIMARANGO tend legal immunities to any remaining weekend a government spokesman said force. Once the Americans left, Iraq cel¬ The civil war in Syria is testing Iraq's Iraq would begin random searches of ebrated its sovereignty, even as military fragile society and fledgling democracy, Iranian aircraft. worsening sectarian tensions, pushing While some U.S. lawmakers have "Iraq recognizes they don't Iraq closer to Iran, and highlighting se¬ threatened to cut off aid to Iraq if the curity shortcomings just nine months flights do not stop, the United States is control their airspace." after U.S. forces ended their long and trying to speed weapons sales to Iraq to costly occupation. secure it as an ally, said Lt. Gen. Robert officials in both countries fretted about Fearing that insurgents in Iraq will L. Caslen Jr., the U.S. commander in the deficiencies of the Iraqi military and unite with extremists in Syria to wage a charge of that effort. As regional securi¬ sought ways to work together that two-front battle for Sunni dominance, ty deteriorates, the United States is would not require a public debate about Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki finding it hard to deliver the weapons immunities. recently ordered guards at the western especially antiaircraft systems So even as the country leans closer to border to block adult men, even hus¬ Iran and contemplates buying weapons bands and fathers with families in tow, from Russia, it still seeks the military . from crossing into Iraq along with thou¬ support of the United States. This is be¬ sands of refugees seeking to escape the cause Iraq is still facing a potent insur¬ war next door. gency whose frequent recent attacks Farther north, Iraqi officials have an¬ have raised questions about the ability other concern, also related to the fight¬ of Iraq's counterterrorism forces to face ing across the border. Turkish war- the threat. planes have stepped up attacks on the In Anbar, said Mr. Hayes, the tribal mountain hide-outs of Kurdish insur¬ leader, insurgents have created Qaeda- gents galvanized by the war in Syria, affiliated units under the name the Free underscoring Iraq's inability to control Iraqi Army, to mimic the banner under its own airspace. which Syrian Sunnis are fighting. "They The hardening of the antagonists' po¬ are having meetings and are recruit¬ sitions in Syria reverberating across THAIERAl-SUDANI/REUTERS ing," he said. The group also has a Twit¬ Iraq was made clear on Monday atthe A Syrian woman at a refugee camp at the ter account and a Facebook page. United Nations when the new special Iraqi town of al-Qaim, Anbar province. Similar units have sprouted in Diyala envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, gave Province, and they have used a call to a bleak appraisal ofthe conflict to the Se¬ arms in Syria as a recruitment tool, ac¬ curity Council and said he. saw no pros¬ quickly enough to satisfy the Iraqis, cording to local officials. When fighters pect for a breakthrough anytime soon. who in some cases are looking, else¬ die in Syria, local families hold funerals The Syrian war's spillover has called where, including Russia in secret so as not to alert the Shiite- attention to uncomfortable realities for "Although they want a strategic part¬ dominated security forces that they U.S. officials: Despite nearly nine years nership with the United States, they rec¬ have sent their sons to Syria. of military engagement an effort that ognize the vulnerability, and they are in¬ As Western policy makers consider continues with a $19 billion weapons terested in going with the nation that intervention in Syria, they worry that sales program Iraq's security is un¬ will be able to provide them, and meet country's war could turn into a full¬ certain and its alliance with the theo¬ their need, their capabilities gap, as blown sectarian conflict like the one that cratic government in Tehran is growing. quickly as possible," said General engulfed Iraq from 2005 to 2007. For Iraq's Shiite-dominated leadership is so Caslen, who oversees a Pentagon office Iraqis who fled to Syria and are now re¬ worried about a victory by Sunni radic¬ in Baghdad, under the authority of the turning, not by choice but to save their als in Syria that it has moved closer to U.S. Embassy, that brokers weapons own lives, Syria already is Iraq. Iran, which shares a similar interest in sales to Iraq. "It's exactly like it was in Iraq," said supporting the Syrian president, The United States is providing Iraq Zina Ritha, 29, who returned to Baghdad Bashar al-Assad. with refurbished antiaircraft guns, free, after several years in Damascus. Refer¬ There is some indication that Sunni but they will not arrive until June. In the ring to the Free Syrian Army, Ms. Ritha insurgents in Iraq have tried to coordi¬ meantime, the Iraqis have collected said: "The F.S.A. is destroying Shia nate with Syrian fighters'to set off a re¬ Cold War-era missiles found in a junk¬ houses. They are kidnapping people, es¬ gional sectarian war, Iraqi tribal leaders yard north of Baghdad, and they are try¬ pecially the Iraqis and the Shia." said. ing to get them in working order. Iraq is "Fighters from Anbar went there to negotiating with Russia to buy air de¬ Duraid Adrian, Yasir Ghazi and Omar al- support their sect, the Sunnis," said fense systems that could be delivered Jawoshy contributed reportingfrom Sheik Hàmid al-Hayes, a tribal leader in much more quickly than those bought Baghdad, and an employee ofThe New Anbar Province, in western Iraq. He from the United States. York Timesfrom Diyala Province. once led a group of former insurgents "Iraq recognizes they don't control who switched sides and joined the their airspace, and they are very sensi¬ Americans.in fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq. tive to that," General Caslen said. Each In response, the United States has time Turkish fighter jets enter Iraqi air¬ tried to secure its interests in Iraq. It space to bomb Kurdish targets, he said, has unsuccessfully pressed Iraq to halt Iraqi officials "see it, they know it, and flights from Iran that traverse Iraqi air

65 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti SEPTEMBER 28, 2012 Kurds Prepare to Pursue More Autonomy in a Fallen Syria By TIM ARANGO Kurdish language, something the Assad government had prohibited. “We are organizing our society, a OHUK, Iraq — Just off a main Kurdish society,” said Saleh Mohammed, highway that stretches east of this the leader of the Democratic Union Party, city and slices through a moonscape of or P.Y.D., which is viewed with deep sus- Dcraggy hills, a few hundred Syrian Kurdish picion by other Kurdish groups for its ties men have been training for battle, mar- to Turkey’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or ching through scrub brush and practicing P.K.K. rifle drills. The P.K.K. is considered a terrorist The men, many of them defectors organization by the United States and from the Syrian Army living in white trai- Europe and has lately stepped up its guer- lers dotting a hillside camp, are not here to rilla attacks in Turkey. since the Western victors of World War I join the armed uprising against President The Kurds say they are girding for a set down arbitrary new borders for the Bashar al-Assad’s government. They are fight, should the government try to Middle East that divided the Kurdish peo- preparing for the fight they expect to come reclaim Kurdish cities or if the Sunni- ple among four nations: Turkey, Iraq, after, when Mr. Assad falls and there is a dominated militias, loosely organized Syria and Iran. scramble across Syria for power and turf. under the banner of the Free Syrian Army “It’s a historical moment for the Kurds These men want an autonomous and fighting to bring down the govern- to take advantage of, to achieve change,” Kurdish region in what is now Syria, a ment, try to move into Kurdish areas. said Kawa Azizi, a Syrian who is a profes- prospect they see as a step toward fulfil- “Of course, we’ll defend ourselves,” sor of politics and a Kurdish opposition ling a centuries-old dream of linking the Mr. Mohammed said. “According to politician. He works out of Erbil, the capi- Kurdish minorities in Iraq, Turkey and Kurdish tradition, we have weapons in our tal of Iraq’s Kurdish region, serving now Iran into an independent nation. houses. Every house should have its own as a hub for the Syrian Kurdish militia and But that desire, to right a historical weapon.” civilian activities. grievance for a people divided and oppres- Much of the Syrian Kurds’ efforts are When the uprising began nearly 18 sed through generations, also threatens to being guided by Masoud Barzani, the head months ago, some observers worried that draw a violent reaction from those other of Iraq’s northern Kurdish region, whose the Kurds could make common cause with nations. They have signaled a willingness autonomy and relative prosperity serves as Mr. Assad in exchange for more rights and to take extreme actions to prevent the loss a model for Syrian Kurds. The men at the autonomy. Many described the Kurds as of territory to a greater Kurdistan. camp are being trained and provided wea- sitting on the fence, waiting to choose The first step is already in motion, as pons by an Iraqi Kurdish special forces sides. Many Kurds dispute that analysis. the Iraqi Kurds provide haven, training unit that is linked to Mr. Barzani’s politi- They say they have always hated President and arms to the would-be militia. “They cal party. Assad. are being trained for after the fall, for the Mr. Barzani has sought to play a king- In ceding control of the Kurdish cities, security vacuum that will come after the maker role with his Syrian brethren by the Assad government has been able to Assad government collapses,” said uniting the various factions, like he has in focus its heavy weapons on the fight with Mahmood Sabir, one of a number of the sectarian and ethnic tinderbox of Iraqi the Sunni-led opposition. The move has Syrian Kurdish opposition figures opera- politics. In July he reached a deal to orga- also antagonized Turkey, which has sup- ting in Iraq. nize more than a dozen Kurdish parties ported the opposition but worries that an That the Kurds are arming themselves under the Kurdish Supreme Council, and autonomous Kurdish region in Syria could for a fight, one that could prove decisive in many of the officials work out of an office become a free zone for Kurdish insurgents shaping post-revolutionary Syria, adds in Erbil, in a mixed-use complex of cul- to launch attacks on Turkey. another element of volatility to the de-sacs and tidy subdivisions called the In Turkey, the fight with the P.K.K. has conflict. It suggests that the government’s Italian Village. recently resulted in casualties at a level not fall would not lead to peace — but, ins- Oppressed for decades under Arab seen since the late 1990s, according to a tead, an all-out sectarian war that could autocrats, denied rights by one post- recent report published by the drag in neighboring countries. Ottoman Turkish leader after another, and International Crisis Group. Against the backdrop of the raging betrayed after World War I by Allied Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip civil war, Syrian Kurds have already powers who had once promised Kurdish Erdogan, has suggested that Turkey has a etched out a measure of autonomy in their independence, this time the Kurds are right to intervene in Syria’s Kurdish areas territories — not because they have taken determined to seize the upheaval of the if it believes Turkey’s security is under up arms against the government, but Arab Spring and bend history to their will. threat. because the government has relinquished The civil war in Syria, whose nearly The Kurds of Syria, divided among Kurdish communities to local control, two million Kurds are mostly clustered more than a dozen factions of shifting allowing the Kurds to gain a head start on near its northeastern border with Turkey, alliances, seem united in at least two res- self-rule. Kurdish flags fly over former has excited the aspirations for statehood pects: they are opposed to the Assad government buildings in those areas, and that the Kurds have held for centuries. government, but deeply suspicious of schools have opened that teach in the These dreams have been kept in abeyance

66 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

the ambitions of the Free Syrian Army. dents. In his home, a concrete husk with a their oppression stretch back centuries, to “First of all, they are Arabs,” Mr. Azizi tented roof, he hangs a placard of Mr. the exploits of a Muslim Kurdish warrior said of the Free Syrian Army. “We do not Barzani’s late father, Mullah Mustafa named , the first sultan of Egypt, want the Arabs to control us.” Barzani, a famous Kurdish military and who achieved victory over European cru- While there is little fighting in the political leader. As Mr. Suleiman drank saders in the 12th century. Syrian Kurdish towns, and officials inter- peach nectar and smoked cigarette after Some Kurds believe that what follo- viewed in Iraq say that a measure of calm cigarette, he explained that the Kurds wed in the 20th century — the denial of a has settled over the areas, Kurdish refu- were never on the fence in Syria’s upri- Kurdish state by the allies after World War gees are steadily streaming into northern sing. I, support by the international community Iraq. Refugees say government intelli- “We suffered a lot,” he said. “Now it’s for Arab autocrats who shunned Kurds as gence operatives are still harassing Kurds, time that we stand and have our own second-class citizens, policies of forcibly and threatening them if they do not join region so we can get our rights.” removing Kurds from their lands and the government’s army. The Syrian military has kept a low resettling Arabs, the gassing of the Kurds Food and medical supplies are also profile in Kurdish areas. For now, with the by Saddam Hussein — was cosmic retri- running low, contributing to the exodus of focus on Syria, Kurdish leaders acknow- bution for Saladin’s victories. refugees. At the Domiz refugee camp near ledge the ambition of an independent Mr. Azizi, the professor and politician, Dohuk, a tent city of nearly 25,000 peo- nation that unites the Kurdish communi- said: “The West had been punishing us for ple, about 150 to 200 new refugees arrive ties in Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq, but what he did. Now I think that punishment I each day. “The only place we could come they say they will settle for independence is over.” was Kurdistan in Iraq,” said Jawan within a united Syria — as an interim step. Suleiman, 32, who has lived at the camp In the Middle East, historical grie- Duraid Adnan and an Iraqi employee of since April. vances are never fully in the past, but only The New York Times contributed reporting Mr. Suleiman earns money selling prologue to current circumstances. As from Dohuk and Erbil. snacks and cigarettes to other camp resi- some Kurds see it, the historical roots of

September /28 / 2012

September 2011. Erdoğan was referring to talks bet- ween the National Intelligence Turkish PM: Gov’t taking Organization (MİT) chief Hakan Fidan and Öcalan, who is jailed in a prison on İmralı Island in the Marmara Sea. At the risks to solve Kurdish issue time, Fidan had been deputy undersecre- ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News down, then the operations by the Turkish tary at the Prime Ministry. He was also referring to talks among MİT officials, he Turkish government is taking risks including Fidan, who later became the to attempt to solve the country’s long- chief of the agency, and representatives of Tstanding Kurdish problem, Turkish Prime the outlawed PKK that were held abroad Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said yes- between 2009 and 2011 in a series of mee- terday during a televised interview with tings publicly known as the “Oslo talks.” the private NTV news channel. The talks were known to have collapsed “Our intelligence service can take this after a PKK attack killed 13 soldiers near kind of step when it needs to be taken,” Silvan, Diyarbakır, in July 2011. Erdoğan said. “We are ready to do whatever is Amid ongoing clashes between the necessary to [find] a solution,” Erdoğan Turkish security forces and the outlawed said, but added that the militants who Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Erdoğan have been fighting the Turkish state since also said the jailed PKK leader Abdullah 1984 must lay down their weapons enti- Öcalan could participate in a new negotia- rely, rather than merely suspending figh- tion process to end the bloody battle. ting, which is called “silencing the wea- “Meetings concerning İmralı can take ‘How did we break from the status quo? pons.” place again,” he said, referring to the We broke from it by sending our adviser “If talks enable us to resolve some- Marmara island on which Öcalan is incar- to the island, by sending [him] to Oslo,’ thing, let’s do it,” he said, suggesting that cerated. “We are ready to do whatever is Erdoğan says in a televised interview. talks could again be held in Oslo. necessary to [find] a solution,” Erdoğan DAILY NEWS photo, Selahattin SÖNMEZ “If the separatist terror organization said Sept. 26, but added that the PKK [PKK] is still holding their arms, then this must completely disarm itself rather than is a provocative action. If the terror orga- just call a cease-fire. “If talks enable us to military will cease, Erdoğan said even as nization leaves its arms, then we will resolve something, let’s do it.” fresh fighting in the east claimed many minimize the [military] operations,” he Erdoğan also said a rumor campaign lives. At least two soldiers and 13 PKK said. suggesting that Öcalan had either died or militants died in fighting in the eastern “If our friends have gone to İmralı had been killed was proven to be untrue province of Hakkari. and Oslo for a solution, these are the most decisive steps that are being taken for a after the PKK leader’s brother, Mehmet Erdoğan, however, said the talks J Öcalan, went to İmralı. actually collapsed after the content of the solution,” he added. If the PKK militants lay their arms Oslo talks was leaked on the Internet in

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

Mardi 25 septembre 2012 Syrie : l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU paralysée

échec. « Un déplus, cène serapas la première fois»,, déclare, cynique, New York (Nations unies) un diplomate, qui rappelle' l'im¬ Correspondante puissance de l'ONU quant au pro¬ t cessus de paix au Proche-Orient et £: V a Syrie est la priorité de mon au conflit en Afghanistan. ' M agenda», assurait, ily a quel- La seule vraie concertation sur eL»J quesjours,lesecrétairegéné- le drame syrien sera celle des Amis fc;s- ral de l'ONU, Ban Ki-moon, en allu¬ de la Syrie, qui regroupe des dizai- sion aux réunions bilatérales qu'il . nés de pays occidentaux et arabes, *U «r aura avec les chefs d'Etat, les pre¬ déterminés à soutenir l'opposi¬ miers ministres et les ministres tion syrienne. Cette absence d'ini¬ de plus de 120 Etats:membres en tiative à haut niveau sur la Syrie, marge de la 67e session annuelle alors que les violences font désor¬ de l'Assemblée générale des mais plus de 1000 morts par Nations unies, qui s'ouvre mardi semaine selon les ONG, est une 25 septembre. aubaine pour le président syrien Le conflit syrien, avec ses Bachar Al-Assad : divisée, la com¬ 29 000 victimes, ses 250 000 réfu¬ munauté internationale n'a giés et ses 2,5 millions de civils même plus la force d'être simple¬ dans le besoin, devrait être pré¬ ment menaçante. sent dans tous les esprits lors de ce Ce conflit sera sans aucun dou¬ grand raout diplomatique. Aucu¬ te au centre des discours pronon¬ s - ne réunion de haut niveau ne lui cés à la tribune de l'Assemblée. Les sera pourtant formellement Un immeuble à Alep détruit par les bombes des forces du responsables occidentaux pour¬ consacrée. La crise malienne et, régime, le 23 septembre, miguel medina/afp ront, à tour de rôle, y aller de leurs plus largement, la crise sahélien- diatribes ou cris du c contre le ne, la région des Grands Lacs régime syrien, auteur de crimes -avec notamment la résurgence contre l'humanité. Mais aucune de combats à l'est de la République décision n'est à attendre. contre son peuple. Les forces démocratique du Congo -, la Si des experts soutiennent Après le 3e double veto russo- syriennes peuvent continuer leur coexistence entre les deux Sou1 qu'Al-Qaida n'est pas présent en chinois en juillet, l'ambassadrice sinistre besogne. dans ou encore le dossier nucléai¬ Syrie en tant que force organisée, américaine, Susan Rice, avait fait Le dilemme des Américains, re iranien auront l'attention de la des rapports font état depuis plu¬ miroiterla possibilité d'une action soulignent des diplomates euro¬ communauté internationale le sieurs mois de l'arrivée par la Tur¬ «hors cadre ONU», assurant que péens à NewYork, est qu'ils ne peu¬ temps d'une conférence ou d'un quie de combattants djihadistes, Washington avait l'intention vent nîse permettre d'apparaître sommet. enprovenance notamment d'Algé¬ « d'intensifier ses efforts avec diffé¬ trop faibles face à la répression, ni La Syrie, elle, sera évoquée en rie ou de Tchétchénie. Est-il trop rents partenaires hors du Conseil s'embarquer dans une nouvelle coulisses ou en marge de l'Assem¬ tard? de sécurité pourfaire pression sur guerre en pleine période électora¬ blée. Le Conseil de sécurité, seul Au Conseil de sécurité, les Occi¬ le régimeAssad etfournir de l'aide le. Le président sortant et candidat organe des Nations unies à même dentaux se plaignent de l'impossi¬ à ceux qui en ont besoin ». à sa réélection, Barack Obama, ne d'imposer des sanctions et d'auto¬ bilité de dialoguer avec les Russes, L'administration Obama a, riser une action militaire, a préfé¬ fera d'ailleurs qu'un passage aliant jusqu'à parler de «confron¬ depuis, défini une «ligne rouge» ré organiser une session ministé¬ éclair au siège de l'ONU, mardi. tation violente». L'appel lancé par au-delà de laquelle - et seulement rielle plus générale sur le « prin¬ 25 septembre. Aucune réunion Ban Ki-moon aux dirigeants mon¬ au-delà de laquelle - les Etats- temps arabe ». bilatérale ne figure à son. agenda. diaux pour qu'ils assument leur Unis pourraient envisager une Les trois veto mis par la Russie «Le sort de la Syrie ne se décidera responsabilité collective en pré¬

et la Chine à des projets de résolu¬ pas à New York », insiste une sour¬ sentant un front uni sur la Syrie a tion qui ne faisaient que condam¬ Les trois veto ce occidentale. peu de chances d'être entendulors ner ou menacer de sanctions.le Alors que son pays présidait le de cette 67e session. Le représen¬ mis par la Russie régime syrien ont eu raison de la Conseil de sécurité en août, l'am¬ tant spécial de l'ONU et de la Ligue mobilisation des Occidentaux. et la Chine bassadeur de France, Gérard arabe pour la Syrie, Lakhdar Brahi¬ « Une réunion sur la Syrie n'aurait Araud, n'a eu de cesse de mettre en mi, de retour de sa première visite ont eu raison fait qu'enfoncer le clou», déclare garde contre les conséquences à Damas, s.era-t-il plus convain¬ d'une inaction s'inscrivant dans la un diplomate européen, convain¬ de la mobilisation cant, lundi 24 septembre, devant cu qu'un tel rendez-vous aurait durée, citant le risque d'une « radi- les 15 pays membres du Conseil ? des Occidentaux «exacerbé la polarisation» dont calisation de l'opposition syrien¬ «Il n'a pas le quart d'une idée de la souffre le Conseil de sécurité ne». Aux Russes et aux Chinois, stratégie à adopter, lâchait la veille depuis 18 mois, et se serait révélé riposte militaire : le recours aux qui assurent qu'ils n'aiment pas un diplomate occidental, sa nomi¬

« contre-productif». armes chimiques par le régime particulièrement le président nation permetjuste à l'ONUdéfai¬ L'organe exécutif des Nations syrien., «Cette menace est à dou¬ Assad mais le préfèrent aux isla¬ re acte de présence» sur le dossier

unies n'a plus les moyens de sa ble tranchant», estime un diplo¬ mistes radicaux, le représentant syrien. Un service minimum.» mate arabe, les Américains préve¬ permanent répond qu'avec leur politique. Sur la Syrie, il est Alexandra Geneste contraint de déroger à sori mandat nant Bachar Al-Assad qu'ils n'in¬ politique d'obstruction, « nous de-garant de la paix etde la sécuri¬ terviendront pas, sauf à ce qu'il allons avoir d'abordAssad, puis les té dans le monde. C'est l'aveu d'un utilise des' armes. . chimiques islamistes radicaux!»

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

îtMûnèt

Mercredi 26 septembre 2012 Les Kurdes syriens profitent de la guerre pourfaire avancer leurs revendications

Rencontré à Paris, Saleh Muslim, le chef de la principale formation kurde syrienne, défend

Dans ia syrie d'aujourd'hui, une stratégie qui lui a permis de prendre Les 19, 20 et 22 juillet, le PYD a pris possession de Kobané, Affrin et sabLTnïqïe0où l'avenir de toutparTnerespon¬ le contrôle de certaines villes des régions sable politique paraît ne Derik, trois importantes villes kur¬

tenir qu'à un fil, il est l'un des rares kurdes du pays des, où il règne en maître. «Nous à pouvoir se targuer d'être là pour n'avons pas souhaité nous empa¬

longtemps. Saleh Muslim, 61 ans, rer de Ras Al-Aïn et de Oamichlé [la est le chef dùPYD, le principal par¬ « capitale » des Kurdes de Syrie]

ti kurde syrien. A la faveur de la pour ne pas heurter les popula¬

révolution syrienne, sa formation tions arabes et certaines sensibili¬

a pris le contrôle.d'une bonne part tés », concède M. Muslim.

des territoires kurdes, désertés par Sur le terrain, les forces de sécu¬

les forces armées gouvernementa¬ rité sont là mais ne sortent plus

les, trop occupées à mater le soulè¬ des casernes et commissariats. vement. L'homme, petit, mat et L'armée syrienne çst non grata,

râblé fait moins que ses 61 ans. Il tout comme l'ASL. Quant aux

offre une vague ressemblance administrations, elles continuent avec Abdullah Ôcalan, le fonda¬ de fonctionner, mais sous la hou¬

teur du PKK, le parti kurde déTur¬ lette du PYD, qui perçoit même des # taxes et distribue le gaz. Venu récla¬ quie, en guerre contre Ankara

depuis 1984. Pour la plupart des mer de l'aide à Paris, où il n'est pas

observateurs, le PYD n'est que la branche syrienne du PKK. Au Kurdistan, Depuis le début de la révolution le PYD a été accusé syrienne, le-PYD joue sa partition en solo. Un - petit - pied dans la d'encadrer révolution, un autre avec le régi¬ les manifestations me à Damas, il manluvre pour en \ cueillir les fruits sans en faire les antirégime, voire <* frais. Dans les faits, le PYD a évité if.j; de les réprimer toute confrontation avec le régi¬

me syrien.obsédé avant tout par \

son ennemi turc. Rencontré lundi prévu de rencontre officielle, Saleh Muslim regrette que les 24 septembre à Paris, Saleh Mus¬ \JK% i lim insiste aujourd'hui sur l'enga¬ régions kurdes ne fassent pas par¬ gement de son mouvement dans tie dés «zones libérées» que la .J+* la révolution syrienne, déclenchée France envisage d'aider.

le 15 mars 2011, et qu'il voit comme Les autres partis kurdes crai¬

,«la continuation du soulèvement gnent une hégémonie du PYD, même si pour l'instant règne une kurde de 2004». \ fragile entente, conclue le 11 juillet En fait, -le président Bachar ->v Al-Assad a tout fait pour « neutrali¬ Des manifestants brandissent des drapeaux kurdes 2012 à Erbil, sous le patronage du chefkurde irakien Massoud Barza¬ ser » les Kurdes en général, et le et de l'opposition syrienne, le 31 août, à Kobané, près d'Alep. reuters

PYD en particulier, dès les pre¬ ni. L'ensemble des forces kurdes de Syrie sont regroupées au sein miers jours de l'insurrection, en rai¬ appelant à sa chute. En échange, il opposés aux droits des Kurdes. du Conseil suprême kurde, mais son de leur fort potentiel militaire. a bénéficié d'une totale liberté Pour lui, c'est « la militarisation de l'intégration des forces/armées est Il a promis de délivrer des papiers jour se réorganiser et s'implanter, la révolution, poussée par des inté¬ loin d'être une réalité. d'identité aux centaines de mil¬ au grand dam de la dizaine rêts étrangers, qui est la cause de Cette indépendance de facto liers de Kurdes syriens privés de d'autres partis kurdes regroupés l'impasse actuelle ». pose laquestiondu modèlesouhai- nationalité depuis les années i960, dans le Conseil national" kurde «Sans cela, le régime n'aurait té par Saleh Muslim 1 « Nous vou¬ a veillé à réprimer « avec mesure » (CNK), aux inclinations nettement pas tenu six mois, assure-t-il. lons une reconnaissance constitu¬ les manifestations au Kurdistan plus antirégime. Aujourd'hui, à cause des ingéren¬ tionnelle des droits des Kurdes au syrien et a levé la condamnation SalehMuslimexpliquesastraté- ces étrangères, le destin des Syriens sein d'une Syrie unie, démocrati¬ par contumace visant Saleh Mus¬ gie parla prudence -.«Dès le début, n'est plus entre leurs mains. Dans que et laïque. Nous ne sommespas lim, qui peut aller et venir sans être nous n 'avonspas voulu d'une révo¬ ces conditions, les Kurdes doivent pourle modèle d'autonomieà l'ira¬ inquiété. En échange, le PYD a lution arméepourempêcherque la seprotégereux-mêmespar tous les kienne, avec desfrontières intérieu¬ rejoint, la Coordination nationale région kurde ne se transforme en moyens. » Il entend par là la prise

pourlechangementdémocratique champ de bataille: » D'où sa volon- en mairfpolitique, administrative res. Les frontières sont sources de problème. » En attendant cet hypo¬ (CNCD), une coalition d'opposants . té de se teniraussi éloigné que pos¬ et militaire des régions kurdes. thétique futur, il ne donne « pas de l'intérieur jugés acceptables par sible de l'Armée syrienne libre C'est ce qui s'est passé dans les plus d'un ou deux ans de survie au Damas et enclins au compromis. (ASL) et du Conseil national syrien faits à la mi-juillet, quand le régi¬ régime de Bachar Al-Assad... Mais Au Kurdistan, le PYD a été accu¬ (CNS), la plus importante coalition me, ébranlé . par l'attentat de pas moins de dix ans deguerre civi¬ sé d'encadrer les manifestations de l'opposition syrienne, à qui il Damas et l'offensive de l'ASL dans antirégime, voire de les réprimer reproche d'être une création de la la capitale et à Alep, a laissé le Kur¬ le en Syrie ».m

lorsqu'apparaissaient des slogans Turquie et du Qatar, tous deux distan s'émanciper sans résister. Christophe Ayad

69 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 25, 2012

some Shiite groups for a clerical system similar to Iran's. Tehran is widely believed Iran Ayatollah Is Poster to be lobbying for a member of its ruling theocracy, Grand Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, to succeed Iraq's 81- Boy for Influence in Iraq year-old Shiite spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Al-Sistani opposes a formal political role for Iraq's religious establishment, while Shahroudi is part of Iran's system of "velayat-e-faqih," or rule by Islamic cle- rics. Iraq's Sunnis and Kurds, however, have no taste for blurring Shiite politics and religion. Ever since the ouster of Saddam's Sunni-dominated regime, political leaders in Iraq have sought to rebuild and streng- then relations with Iran, which has respon- ded in kind. Many of Iraq's Shiites sought sanctuary in Iran during Saddam's reign, and some now hold key government posts. Tehran has not been shy about wielding its influence. It was at Iran's urging that hardline Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr grudgingly threw his political support behind longtime foe Nouri al-Maliki, allo- By LARA JAKES / Associated Press efforts to bring a Western-style democracy wing him to remain prime minister in 2010 here. after falling short in national elections. AGHDAD — After years of growing Sheik Ali al-Zaidi, a senior official in In return, al-Maliki last year all but influence, a new sign of Iran's presence the militia, said they distributed some ignored Iranian military incursions on Bin Iraq has hit the streets. Thousands of 20,000 posters of Khamenei across Iraq. Kurdish lands in northern Iraq. The signs, that is, depicting Iran's supreme lea- He said Khamenei "enjoys public support government also has delayed, and in al- der gently smiling to a population once all over the world" including Iraq, where Sadr's case, quashed, arrest warrants on mobilized against the Islamic Republic in he "is hailed as a political and religious lea- militants backed by Iranian forces and eight years of war. der." financiers. The campaign underscores widespread Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or Band of the Still, even some Iraqi Shiites, like the doubts over just how independent Iraq and People of Righteousness, carried out cleric al-Sadr and the cafe owner Salman, its majority Shiite Muslim population can deadly attacks against U.S. troops before advocate retaining strong Iraqi nationalism remain from its eastern neighbor, the their withdrawal last year. This month, the and their Arab identity instead of becoming region's Shiite heavyweight, now that U.S. group threatened U.S. interests in Iraq as a Persian outpost. troops have left the country. part of the backlash over a film mocking Iraqi government spokesman Ali al- The posters of Grand Ayatollah Ali the Prophet Muhammad. Dabbagh condemned the Khamenei pos- Khamenei first appeared in at least six Iraqi and U.S. intelligence officials ters and said they could add to the already- Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad and have estimated that Iran sends the militia strained political unrest in the country. But across Iraq's Shiite-dominated south in about $5 million in cash and weapons each he said the federal government is power- August, as part of an annual pro- month. The officials believe there are less to remove them. Palestinian observance started years ago by fewer than 1,000 Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia- "These posters are adding a new dis- Iran. They have conspicuously remained men, and that their leaders live in Iran. pute in Iraq's politics and they might lead up since then. Tensions between Iraq and Iran have to a negative impact," al-Dabbagh said. "When I see these pictures, I feel I am never fully dissipated over their 1980-1988 "The local governments should deal with in Tehran, not Baghdad," said Asim war that left nearly half a million dead. But such situations," he said. Salman, 44, a Shiite and owner of a Iran's clout with Iraq's Shiites picked up Sunnis were less diplomatic in their Baghdad cafe. "Authorities must remove after Saddam Hussein's fall from power in assessment. these posters, which make us angry." 2003, and, in many ways, accelerated since Hamid al-Mutlaq, a leading lawmaker, In Basra, located 550 kilometers (340 the U.S. military pulled out. blasted the poster campaign, which he said miles) south of the capital, they hang near Iran has backed at least three Shiite shows Iran's efforts to amass power in Iraq. donation boxes decorated with scripts in militias in Iraq with weapons, training and Raad Abdul-Rahman, a government wor- both countries' languages — Arabic and millions of dollars in funding. Billion-dol- ker, said the posters prove that Iraq is beco- Farsi. lar trade pacts have emerged between ming "a total Iranian stooge." A senior official in Baghdad's local Tehran and Baghdad, and Iran has opened "In the past, we used to encounter the government said municipal workers fear at least two banks in Iraq that are blacklis- pictures of the Arab dictator Saddam," retribution from Shiite militias loyal to Iran ted by the United States. Abdul-Rahman said, referring to the pos- in if they take them down. He himself Religious ties also have been renewed, ters and statues of the former president that spoke on condition anonymity out of with thousands of Iranian pilgrims visiting used to be ubiquitous across Baghdad and concerns for his safety. holy Shiite sites in Iraq daily, including in the rest of the country. "But now pictures One such militia, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Najaf, where Iranian rials are as common a of the Persian dictator are taking over." I even boasted that it launched the poster currency as Iraqi dinars, and Farsi is easily campaign, part of a trend that's chipping understood. away at nearly a decade's worth of U.S.-led The posters may reflect a push among

70 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

27 septembre 2012 Ankara s’enlise dans le conflit kurde

ce regain de violence par son ont capoté. Depuis un an députés du BDP sont égale- clairage D’embuscades en soutien aux Kurdes, en riposte maintenant, la guerre a donc ment menacés de perdre leur raids aériens, d’attentats en au soutien affiché par les repris ses droits. Aux offen- immunité parlementaire pour funérailles,É la guerre que se Turcs aux rebelles qui ont juré sives des rebelles et à leur avoir été filmés en train de livrent la Turquie et les sépara- sa perte. nouvelle stratégie donner l’accolade à des tistes kurdes est tombée dans De fait, la dégradation d’occupation du terrain rebelles du PKK. une des ses phases les plus récente des relations entre la répondent les opérations de Une politique qui inquiète meurtrières depuis dix ans, Turquie et la Syrie, l’Irak et représailles musclées de les défenseurs des droits de éloignant chaque jour un peu l’Iran, qui abritent de fortes l’armée. L’heure est à la fer- l’homme. « Il faut que le gou- plus la perspective d’une paix minorités kurdes et lui ont meté. « Notre combat contre vernement mette un terme négociée. Depuis des souvent prêté main-forte le terrorisme continuera sans aux abus de la législation anti- semaines, en effet, les combats contre le PKK, a offert une aucune hésitation », a martelé terroriste et aux internements sont quotidiens et les morts se ouverture aux séparatistes le chef du gouvernement la de masse, estime Emma Webb comptent par dizaines, dans kurdes de Turquie. « Le PKK a semaine dernière, affirmant Sinclair de Human Rights les deux camps. Mardi encore, compris ce nouvel environne- que « les terroristes doivent Watch, sinon il ne fera six membres des forces de ment comme une opportunité savoir que les opérations de qu’alimenter la violence. » « sécurité et un civil sont morts », juge Hugh Pope, de l’armée dans le pays ne ces- Le gouvernement a choisi une dans l’explosion d’une bombe l’International Crisis Group. seront que s’ils déposent les option militaire qui a toujours à Tunceli. La semaine dernière, Mais cette conjonction armes ». échoué, insiste Hugh Pope, une vingtaine de soldats ou n’explique pas tout. « Nous en Sur une ligne extrême, le c’est un piège, sa seule policiers ont été tués dans des serions au même point sans la Parti nationaliste (MHP) chance est de faire des attaques similaires, attribuées Syrie », assure la députée du encourage le pouvoir à durcir réformes qui donneront aux au Parti des travailleurs du Parti pour la paix et de la le ton. Dénonçant « la négli- Kurdes le sentiment qu’ils sont Kurdistan (PKK). démocratie (BDP,prokurde) gence et l’apathie du gouver- traités équitablement. » « Nous Comme en riposte, le Gülten Kisanak, rappelant que nement », son chef Devlet souhaitons simplement la Premier ministre Recep Tayyip « le PKK avait prévenu qu’il Bahçeli l’a même exhorté à levée de l’embargo qui frappe Erdogan a affirmé que ses intensifierait sa guerre en cas décréter la loi martiale. Le les droits des Kurdes », affirme troupes avaient éliminé 500 « d’échec des négociations avec chef du principal parti Mme Kisanak, et « si le gou- terroristes » du PKK en un seul le gouvernement ». d’opposition, le Parti républi- vernement fait le choix de mois. Invérifiable, douteux cain populaire (CHP), Kemal négocier, le PKK n’aura pas même, mais ce bilan et la rhé- IMMUNITÉ PERDUE Kiliçdaroglu, a lui aussi rejeté d’autre choix que de le suivre torique guerrière qui Arrivé en 2003 à la tête du toute discussion sur une éven- ». G l’accompagne témoignent gouvernement, M. Erdogan tuelle autonomie des régions (Source : AFP) d’un progressif retour du pays avait annoncé sa volonté de à majorité kurde « avec vers les heures sombres des mettre un terme à un conflit l’organisation terroriste ». La années 1990. qui, depuis 1984, a fait 45 000 guerre a gagné le terrain judi- Ankara a en outre accusé morts. De 2009 à 2011, son ciaire, avec l’emprisonnement le régime du président Bachar gouvernement a négocié avec de milliers de personnes el-Assad d’être à l’origine de le PKK. Mais ces discussions jugées proches du PKK. Des

30 septembre 2012

visé par l’attentat est le siège principal de la Sécurité pour l’ensemble de la Premier attentat-suicide dans zone kurde. L’Armée syrienne libre (ASL), principale composante de une région kurde de la Syrie l’opposition armée, n’est pas présente dans cette région qui ne compte que n attentat-suicide à la voiture pié- de l’Observatoire syrien des droits de quelques groupes rebelles autonomes. gée a secoué dimanche 30 septem- l’Homme (OSDH), Rami Abdel bre la ville à majorité kurde de Rahmane. Son organisation a confirmé U Cette ville est habitée en grande Qamichli, située à quelque 680 km au une attaque contre le siège des forces de majorité par des Kurdes qui se sont nord-est de Damas, dans l’extrême sécurité et fait état d’au moins huit prudemment engagés dans la révolte nord de la Syrie, faisant au moins qua- morts et de plus de quinze blessés contre le régime syrien, cherchant tre morts et plusieurs blessés, a indiqué parmi les membres de ces forces. surtout à tenir leur région à l’abri des la télévision d’État syrienne. G violences. Selon Rami Abdel Rahmane, l’armée C’est le premier attentat du genre dans s’est retirée il y a plusieurs mois des cette ville, a indiqué à Beyrouth le chef régions kurdes du nord et le bâtiment

71 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dent.ro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

111 SAMEDI 29 ET DIMANCHE 30 SEPTEMBRE 2012

Syrie: «Nous, alaouites, Alep «Lattaquié Banias SYRIE Tartous» ., allons être tués deuxfois» Homs Damai La rriinorité dont est issu le clan de Bachar al-Assad craint des représailles De nombreux jeunes fuient le pays pour éviter de rejoindre l'armée.

ParHALAKODMANl au téléphone- Souad, de retour, à- -Abou à chaque maison et dans chaque/village de Dhabi où travaille son mari, après un sé¬ la région eôtière. «Les hommes de mafa-

Lattaquié, Jableh, Banias et Tar¬ jour dans sa famille près de Jableh. Elle dé¬ mffle, qui ont longtemps refusé ces armes of¬

tous : les quatre villes étendent du signe «les mercenaires salafistes à la solde fertes, viennent d'accepter quelques kalach¬

Nord au Sud leurs plages de sable de l'Arabie Saoudite et du Qatar, guidéspar nikovs à la maison», raconte Souad, qui

blanc, leurs palmiers et leurs cor- les appels des cheikhs sunnites contre les nus- précise que les siens n'ontjamais apprécié

niches bondées tout l'été de promeneurs sayri [appellation historique des alaouites, les Al-Assad.

et ornées de portraits de Bachar al-Assad, ndlr]». Et elle cite les raids ciblés de l'Ar¬

seul ou en famille. «Tartous, c'est Mo¬ mée syrienne libre (ASL) contre des villa¬ «ÉMIGRATION». Ces dernières semaines,

naco !» affirme Kamal, un médecin origi¬ ges alaouites ou des embuscades dans la l'appel aux réservistes pour rejoindre l'ar¬

naire de la région - qui connaît les deux -, campagne autour de Lattaquié. Ces atta¬ mée a fait monter la pression, d'autant

en décrivant la marina, les ques, parfois confirmées par plus que le recrutement s'adresse surtout piscines, le spa, les restau- TÉMOIGNAGES les groupes de l'ASL, «en re¬ aux chrétiens et aux alaouites. Les pre¬ rants de poissons et les jolies présailles» aux tirs de l'armée miers, qui comptent pour 20% de la popu¬

filles bronzées de «Porto Tartous» , le tout depuis ces localités, se multiplient, tandis lation de la région de Tartous, «sont en

récent complexe -touristique de la ville. que des rumeurs de règlements de comptes train defairefuir leursjeunes vers le Liban

Chrétiens, alaouites et même sunnites : et de massacres sont amplifiées. notamment», indique Georges, l'un d'entre '

dans cette région, toute la mosaïque com¬ Les réserves et les hésitations de certains eux, arrivé en France il y a peu.

munautaire syrienne est représentée. à soutenir le combat de Bachar al-Assad Ces départs provoquent, en outre, des ten¬

Etonnés, fascinés ou indignés par le con¬ n'ont plus leur place. Le frère de Souad, qui sions au sein du bastion du régime, comme

traste entre ce qu'ils ont vu sur place et avait «une sympathiepour la révolution au en témoigne une réflexion sur la page Fa¬ l'actualité de la Syrie que rapportent les début», s'est retourné ily a quelques mois, cebook de Banias : «Tandis que lesfils de

médias internationaux, la plupart des visi¬ après que «trois de ses plus proches amis pauvres sont alignés devant les bureaux de

teurs ont adopté le discours local. Ils dé¬ recrutement de l'armée de Iapatrie, noncent la «propagande» et le «complot» «Les alaouites tiennent tous les lesfils de richesfont la queue dans les services de l'émigration et des contre le pays. Ils ont rencontré la «Syrie postes administratifs et pratiquent heureuse», stable et sûre, celle des patrio¬ passeports pour quitter Iapatrie !» ouvertement la discrimination tes «amoureux d'Al-Assad», fiers des ex¬ Ramy, 32 ans, fait partie de ces

ploits de leur «armée arabe syrienne» qui depuis l'époque de Hafez al-Assad. derniers. Arrivé à Dubaï il y a. quelques jours, ce descendant pourchasse les «terroristes» et qui est sur Mohamed un commerçant sunnite le point de les vaincre. d'une grande famille alaouite de dans tes services ont été tués dans des actes Jableh se défend d'avoir fui le pays. Il dit

SURVIE. Chez les «gens de la côte», de pure vengeance» . qu'il est venu régler quelques formalités comme on désigné, en syrien politique¬ La conviction grandit parmi les alaouites bancaires pour le compte de sa société

ment correct, les habitants du fief du ré¬ qu'ils sont visés en tant que tels etnon d'import-export, car les virements inter¬

gime de Bachar al-Assad tout porte à croire parce que partisans du régime, y compris nationaux sont devenus impossibles avec

que l'issue de la bataille est proche et cer¬ dans leur'région, où les sunnites comptent la Syrie. Il n'a pourtant pas fixé la date de

taine. «C'est fini! Et demain sera plus pour plus de la moitié de la population. son retour et reconnaît qu'il- a entrepris son

beau», disent les graffitis dans les rues ou «Quiconque a grandi à Lattaquié a été élevé voyage après que sonjeune frère, tout juste sur les 4 x 4 des chabïha (sbires du régime) dans le confessionnalisme, reconnaît Moha¬ diplômé de la faculté de Lattaquié, a été

qui sont ici chez eux. Mais, derrière le med, commerçant sunnite joint par appelé sous les drapeaux. «Compte tenu des

triomphalisme, on ne cache plus que la Skype, parce que les alaouites ont toujours batailles meurtrières qui se déroulent et de

guerre contre «les terroristes à la solde d'Is¬ raisonné en ces termes: Us tiennent tous les l'augmentation du nombre de soldats tués, .

raël», qui s'est intensifiée ces dernières se¬ postes administratifs etpratiquent ouverte¬ ilfautavoirlaconvictionpoury aller», ob- :

maines à Alep, Damas ou sur les routes de ment la discrimination depuis l'époque de serve Georges.

Hama ou Homs, est dure et coûteuse. Les Hafez al-Assad. Notre attitude est une réac¬ L'hémorragie déjeunes alaouites inquiète

portraits des «martyrs» en tenue régle¬ tion à leur communautarisme. Pour nous, de plus en plus fortement le régime, qui

mentaire de la Garde républicaine ou des aujourd'hui, le conflit est celui du régime «se met à tricher sur le nombre de tués et ca¬

services de sécurité sont accrochés aux contre la révolution, mais, pour eux, c'est les che parfois leur mort auxfamilles, surtout

murs des villages ou publiés sur les pages alaouites contre les sunnites. » quand il s'agit de chabïha», affirme Moha¬

Facebook locales. Des rendez-vous sont Les uns et les autres s'accusent mutuelle¬ med. Quand ils.perdent des hommes, cer- .

donnés à la population pour les funérailles ment de pousser vers une confrontation tains alaouites commencent à se plaindre

et les hommages aux «héros de Iapatrie», confessionnelle qu'ils jugent inévitable, du régime qui les a entraînés jusque-là. Le

largement couverts par les médias officiels. même s'ils disent la regretter. Cette exa¬ prolongement et l'aggravation du conflit

Autant d'occasionsde serrer les dents et cerbation identitaire, mobilisatrice poul¬ n'épargnent plus personne. «Nous, alaoui¬

les rangs autour de la lutte pour la péren¬ ies deux parties, se traduit par une peur de tes, allons être tués deuxfois, soupire Ramy.

nité du régime, devenue synonyme, parmi plus en plus forte chez la minorité alaouite. La première pour défendre le régime, et la

les alaouites, d'une lutte pour leur propre Peur anticipée et entretenue par le régime deuxièmeparce que les sunnites vont se ven¬

survie. «Ils veulent nous éliminer!» assure qui, depuis des mois, distribue des armes ger de nous quand il va tomber !» -

72 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti September 27, 2012 Turkey's Erdogan signals talks with Kurdish militants possible by Daren Butler Turkey's Prime Minister STANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Prime and leader of Justice and Minister Tayyip Erdogan signalled that Development Party (AKP) Tayyip Erdogan Inew talks between the state and Kurdish militants might be possible as his govern- makes a speech during a ment faces an upsurge in separatist vio- party meeting in lence in the country's southeast. Istanbul September 22, 2012.REUTERS/Murad Sezer Turkish intelligence officials have main- tained contact with senior figures from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in recent years to try to end a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives, but dis- military also had the capability to launch a cussions have broken down. Clashes in recent months between sustained operation against the PKK in Turkey's armed forces and militants from northern Iraq. "Regarding Imrali, there could be more the PKK - considered a terrorist organisa- talks," Erdogan said in a televised inter- tion by Ankara, the United States and Erdogan gave the interview days before view with broadcaster Kanal 7 late on European Union - have been among the his ruling AK Party's congress where he is Wednesday, referring to the island south heaviest since the group took up arms 28 expected to set out the party's future as it of Istanbul where PKK leader Abdullah years ago. goes through its biggest overhaul since Ocalan is imprisoned. coming to power a decade ago. Ankara has also linked the surge in vio- "There is a military dimension to this, a lence to the unrest in neighbouring Syria. Since elections in June 2011, the conflict security dimension which is separate and Erdogan has accused President Bashar with the PKK has killed more than 700 will continue. But beside this there is a al-Assad of arming the PKK militants, and people, according to the International diplomatic, socio-economic and psycho- raised the possibility of military interven- Crisis Group, the highest toll in a 15-month logical dimension," he said. tion in Syria if the PKK were to launch period since Ocalan was captured and attacks from Syrian soil. jailed in 1999.  Erdogan spoke after Turkey's main pro- Kurdish party called for the resumption of The head of Turkey's armed forces said in talks between the state and the PKK to a newspaper interview on Wednesday the prevent a further escalation of violence.

FIRAT NEWS AGENCY ...... 28 SEPTEMBER 2012 KCK: No talks in hand in the current situation

urdish Communities Union (KCK) Executive Council KPresidency has released a statement in response to Turkish authorities’ most recent statements on Kurdish Leader Abdullah Öcalan and new talks with the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) movement.

KCK evaluated recent statements of government authorities as a “new tactical move” and underlined that “Our movement is cur- rently not having any talks or conducting negotiations with the claimed that Kurdish guerrillas have been pushed into their Turkish state”. “caves” by means of military operations in the Kurdish region, KCK said that, “The PM’s statements about the ongoing conflict The purpose of the statements on the possibility of new talks is and war environment in Kurdistan don’t reflect the truth as the to lead to an expectation among the Kurdish people, not to find guerrilla domination in the region continues to expand every day a solution to the problem, stated KCK and added that “The in the midst of intense aerial attacks of the Turkish army. Our Turkish government should expect a response from Kurds after movement's new "area domination tactics” is being advanced in taking concrete and evident steps so that Mr. Öcalan can play his not only emdinli but also many other parts of the country.” N role in the process of dialogue and negotiation.

Denying Turkish Prime Minister Erdoan’s statements which

73 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 25 SEPTEMBER 2012

132 students apply for Kurdish elective

TODAY'S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL course21,000 students in chose Diyarbakır the Kurdish language regular schools into imam-hatips. According to course. statistics, 108,000 students started in imam- ollowing a new education law introducing Zararsız said that the application process hatip middle schools, while 125,000 freshmen elective courses for the Kurdish language, for the elective courses ended on Friday. started imam-hatip high schools. The total Fthe Quran and the life of the Prophet The government's decision to designate number of imam-hatip middle schools is Muhammad at schools for the first time this Kurdish as an elective course in secondary 1,105. year, the number of students who have applied education has been met with enthusiasm The new law, passed in Parliament in for the Kurdish course in the Kurdish-populated among representatives of nongovernmental March and approved by President Abdullah province of Diyarbakır is 132, while 19,627 high organizations and universities in southeast Gül within weeks, increased the current dura- school students applied for the other two elec- Turkey as they believe the decision will take tion of compulsory education from an uninter- tive courses in the same province. the country a step further on the path of demo- rupted eight years to 12 years and divided it According to figures released by Emin cratization. “This is one of the most important into three four-year stages -- primary school, Zararsız, Education Ministry undersecretary, steps taken so far in Turkey. We appreciate it,” middle school and high school -- and is popu- the elective course that was chosen by most said Fahrettin Akyıl, president of the larly known as the “4+4+4” education law. The students across Turkey is mathematical prac- Diyarbakır Commodity Exchange. But the changes also increased the age of starting tices, with 495,000 students. The mathemati- number of students applying for the course in school to 66 months -- about 5.5 years of age cal practices course was followed by a foreign Turkey has proved to be lower than expected. -- which most pedagogues have vehemently language course, with 410,000 students choo- Zararsız explained that it is normal to have opposed, saying most children at that age sing to study English, French, German, such a figure, because only certain people in have not reached the level of mental and Arabic, Chinese or Russian, and the Quran certain regions will opt for that course. motor development needed for school. course, for which 400,000 students have The educational changes made with the The new school year started on Monday applied. The number of students applying for new law also made it possible for religious with the amendments being implemented for the course on the life of the Prophet imam-hatip high schools to open middle the first time. Muhammad was found to be 256,000, while schools, accomplished by transforming some

27 September 2012

a n the Islamic Republic.” “The prime minister will also discuss the current political situation in Iraq,” Commander of Iran's Quds Argushi said. Relations between Iran and the KDP Force Visits Erbil deteriorated after Kurdistan Region rudaw.net President Massoud Barzani attempted to withdraw confidence from Iraqi Prime RBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Minister Nuri al-Maliki, seen as a close commander of Iran’s Quds Force, ally of Iran. EQasem Soleimani, visited Erbil this week However, a recent agreement between and met with top officials from the Erbil and Baghdad over oil and gas issues Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), seems to have eased tensions. among them Prime Minister Nechirvan Relations between the Kurdistan Barzani. Regional Government (KRG) and Tehran A source from the Erbil International are often affected by political disagree- Airport told Rudaw on condition of anony- ments between Erbil and Baghdad. mity that Soleimani’s plane arrived from Soleimani’s visit to Kurdistan may indi- Sulaimani where the Iranian commander Major General Qasem Soleimani, cate a change in Iran’s attitude towards had met with officials from the Patriotic commander of Iran’s Quds Force. Erbil. Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Photo ISNA. “The KRG and the prime minister are Meanwhile, Prime Minister Barzani’s eager to maintain good relations with the press secretary told the media that the PM neighboring countries,” Argushi said. has received an official invitation to visit “And as a neighbor, Iran has been valuable the Islamic Republic of Iran. important wing of the Iranian to the Kurdistan Region in many aspects.” “The prime minister received an invi- Revolutionary Guard Corps, alongside The source at the airport told Rudaw tation from the Islamic Republic to visit other visits between Iranian and Kurdish that the head of the Kurdistan Islamic Tehran and meet with top Iranian officials, officials, is a sign of strengthening rela- Union (KIU), Muhammad Faraj, boarded but he has not set a date for his visit yet,” tions between Iran and the Kurdistan Soleimani’s plane to embark on an official Sami Argushi, the PM’s press secretary Democratic Party (KDP). visit to Tehran. said. According to Argushi, the prime The Islamic Union’s new leader Political analysts believe this visit by minister’s visit will be to “strengthen announced earlier that he had a standing G Major General Soleimani, who commands mutual relations between Kurdistan and invitation from Iran to visit.

74 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 27 septembre 2012

LES KURDES DE SYRIE RENFORCENT LE CONTRÔLE DE LEUR RÉGION

G écrasé par le portrait d’Abdullah Au nord de la Syrie, à la Comment expliquer, alors, que la Öcalan, suspendu au-dessus de lui. « frontière turque, les Kurdes région soit épargnée par les combats ? « L’armée syrienne libre (ASL) est tout à syriens contrôlent leur terri- À l’inverse de l’Armée syrienne libre fait légitime, mais nous ne voulons pas toire, épaulés par le Parti des (ASL), nous sommes très organisés et qu’elle se serve de notre territoire déterminés. Bachar Al Assad ne peut comme base arrière et nous ne nous travailleurs du Kurdistan tout simplement pas se battre contre battons pas à ses côtés contre le régime (PKK) de Turquie. nous. Il a suffisamment à faire ailleurs. ». « Mensonge, riposte un opposant G » kurde de la ville. On sait que certains Ils ne revendiquent pas membres du PYD rencontrent les com- l’indépendance, mais une cer- ABDULLAH ÖCALAN, HÔTE DE battants de l’ASL et leur donnent un taine autonomie dans une DAMAS coup de main pour attaquer les forces future Syrie qui ne serait pas Pourtant, en avril, afin de s’assurer la de Bachar à Idleb » , au sud-ouest seulement arabe. neutralité des Kurdes, Bachar Al Assad d’Afrin. a accordé la nationalité syrienne à 300 G Le leader kurde d’Irak, 000 Kurdes qui avaient été privés de Ce jeune kurde syrien, étudiant à Alep, Massoud Barzani, tente de leurs droits pendant quarante ans. Il a militant de la révolution syrienne, aussi libéré quelques milliers de prison- n’admet pas la mainmise du PYD, qu’il fédérer les Kurdes de Syrie. niers kurdes, principalement du PYD. décrit comme un parti « doctrinaire qui Et il a laissé entrer sur le territoire ne tolère aucune opposition. Il muselle syrien des combattants du PKK. Il leur la ville. Le PYD ne vaut pas mieux que Agnès Rotivel, à Afrin (Syrie) aurait également promis un certain Bachar Al Assad. Opportuniste, il degré d’autonomie. « Si Bachar reste au attend de voir qui remportera la guerre es champs d’oliviers s’étendent à pouvoir, on traitera avec lui, s’il quitte et se tiendra à ses côtés » . perte de vue sur les collines le pouvoir, on négociera avec les autres d’Afrin. Cette ville porte bien son nom. ! », lâche Ahmad Daoud, ancien institu- Jusqu’où iront les revendications des LEn kurde, Afrin évoque « la délicieuse teur, en charge de la coordination des Kurdes en Syrie ? Une autonomie ? « eau fraîche ». Les terres sont riches, tout questions culturelles et artistiques à Nous voulons plus de décentralisation pousse, des arbres fruitiers aux Afrin. et d’autonomie de décisions dans une légumes. La récolte des olives a com- future république syrienne qui ne serait mencé ; les tracteurs vont et viennent Les relations entre la Syrie et le PKK ont plus seulement “arabe” » , poursuit entre les champs et l’huilerie comme si connu des hauts et des bas. Pendant des Mohamed Djornass. Les nouvelles rien ne se passait autour. Et pourtant, à années, Abdullah Öcalan, le leader de autorités de la ville ont déjà mis en 13 kilomètres d’Afrin, la ville d’Azzaz la guérilla anti-turque a été l’hôte de place des cours en kurde, le samedi est submergée de déplacés de la guerre Damas. Mais en octobre 1998, après un pour les enfants, mais manquent de en Syrie et les murs portent les traces accord syro-turc et des pressions améri- livres. Et dans les bureaux administrat- des combats de ces derniers mois entre caines, Hafez Al Assad, le père de ifs, les cartes, auparavant en arabe, sont l’opposition et l’armée syrienne. Bachar, fit savoir à Abdullah Öcalan, en kurde. « Sous Bachar, parler kurde que sa présence ainsi que celle du PKK en public était passible de cinq ans de Afrin a été épargnée par la guerre. Ville sur son territoire n’était plus souhaitée. prison » , rappelle Ahmad Daoud. kurde, entourée de villages majoritaire- Il fut arrêté quelques mois plus tard, le ment kurdes, c’est une oasis de tran- 15 février 1999 au Kenya, au cours « En tant que Kurdes, nous quillité sur une terre syrienne à feu et à d’une opération menée par les services appartenons à une nation kurde, quel sang. La mairie, qui date du mandat secrets turcs, américains et israéliens. que soit le pays dans lequel nous français, tient toujours sur ses fonda- vivons. Nous ne voulons pas nous tions. Dans le bureau du Parti de À travers le PYD, c’est le PKK qui fait séparer de la Syrie. Nous avons tou- l’union démocratique (PYD), formation un retour remarqué en Syrie. Au quarti- jours le rêve d’un pays kurde indépen- kurde armée réputée proche des er général de la sécurité, la porte-parole dant. Mais il est encore trop tôt », ajoute rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du est une femme qui, suspicieuse, refuse Mohamed Djornass. Qui cependant Kurdistan (PKK) qui combat le régime de donner son nom. Vêtue à parle désormais de la Syrie kurde turc, Mohamed Djornass nie tout l’occidentale, elle parle kurde mais avec comme du « Kurdistan de l’ouest ». accord secret passé avec le régime de un accent turc qui n’échappe pas au tra- Bachar Al Assad qui aurait permis aux ducteur syrien. Nul doute qu’il s’agit UN PIED DANS CHAQUE CAMP Kurdes de prendre les commandes de d’une des combattantes du PKK. Si le PYD règne en maître à Afrine et zones peuplées de Kurdes et d’y dans sa région, en revanche, plus à l’est planter leur drapeau. « On ne peut pas REVENDIACTIONS KURDES de la Syrie, dans la grande ville de soutenir un homme qui se bat contre Retour dans le bureau de Mohamed Qamishli, près de la frontière avec ➼ le son peuple », assène-t-il. Djornass. De petite taille, il semble Kurdistan irakien, le PYD ne fait

75 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➼ pas l’unanimité chez les Kurdes où le PYD et la douzaine de partis kurdes de la répression de l’insurrection des les divisions sont nombreuses. réunis dans le « conseil national kurde Frères musulmans contre le régime de », favorable au renversement de Damas, dans la ville de Hama, les Aussi, pour tenter de fédérer les Damas. Kurdes étaient restés à l’écart. Les Kurdes de Syrie, Massoud Barzani, Frères ne l’ont pas oublié. » président du Kurdistan irakien et chef « Les Kurdes de Syrie n’aiment pas le du parti démocratique du Kurdistan régime syrien, mais ils craignent encore Un pied dans chaque camp, tout en (PDK) a pris l’initiative de convier plus l’arrivée au pouvoir des Frères affirmant leur neutralité, c’est le diffi- début juillet tous les partis kurdes musulmans, majoritaires dans les rangs cile exercice d’équilibriste auquel se G syriens à une réunion à Erbil. Cette ren- des révolutionnaires, tempère le jeune prêtent les Kurdes de Syrie. contre a débouché sur un accord entre opposant kurde. En février 1982, lors

Erdogan accuse Paris et Berlin de ne pas aider la Turquie à lutter contre le PKK

ANKARA, 27 septembre 2012 (AFP) qui a fait près de 45.000 morts depuis 1984, M. Erdogan a engagé des négociations avec le PKK en 2009. Mais ces discussions ont achoppé en 2011. LE PREMIER MINISTRE turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a accusé jeudi soir Depuis, les combats entre rebelles du PKK et l'armée turque ont repris de la France et l'Allemagne de ne pas aider la Turquie à lutter contre les plus belle dans le sud-est de la Turquie, pour atteindre, ces derniers mois, rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) et répété qu'il une de leurs phases les plus meurtrières. était prêt à rouvrir des négociations avec le mouvement séparatiste. M. Erdogan a indiqué mercredi que 144 membres des forces de sécurité et Lors d'un entretien télévisé accordé à la chaîne privée NTV, M. Erdogan a 239 rebelles kurdes avaient été tués depuis le début de l'année. accusé, comme il en a l'habitude, les Européens d'accueillir et de protéger certains responsables du PKK sur leur territoire mais il a cette fois particu- Le Premier ministre a une nouvelle fois indiqué jeudi soir que les opérations lièrement mis en cause la France et l'Allemagne. de représailles de l'armée ne cesseraient que si les rebelles déposaient les armes. "Nous les limiterons si le PKK dépose les armes", a-t-il dit. "Les Occidentaux ne veulent pas que nous réglions ce problème. Je le dis clairement, l'Allemagne ne le veut pas, la France ne le veut pas et elles ne Le chef de file des nationalistes au Parlement turc, Devlet Bahçeli, a nous aident pas sur cette question", a déclaré M. Erdogan. dénoncé jeudi la volonté de M. Erdogan de dialoguer avec les rebelles, par- lant de "folie impardonnable". "Les pays scandinaves accueillent sans restriction (le PKK)", a dénoncé M. Erdogan, "D'un côté ils s'expriment devant l'Union européenne et classent Le principal parti turc pro-kurde (BDP, Parti pour la paix et la démocratie) a le PKK dans leur liste des organisations terroristes et de l'autre ils autorisent appelé ces dernières semaines à la reprise des discussions avec le PKK leurs représentants à circuler librement dans leurs pays", a-t-il déploré. pour éviter une escalade de la violence. Plusieurs de ses députés sont menacés de perdre leur immunité parlementaire pour avoir donné l'accolade Comme il l'avait fait la veille sur une autre chaîne privée turque, Kanal-7, M. à des sympathisants présumés du PKK. Erdogan a répété jeudi soir qu'il était éventuellement prêt à rouvrir des négociations avec le PKK. "Nous prendrons ce type de décision lorsque ce "Je ne suis plus en situation de négocier avec les bras politiques (du PKK)", sera le bon moment (...) lorsque nous l'estimerons nécessaire", a-t-il indi- a dit jeudi soir M. Erdogan, qui s'est toutefois refusé à envisager la dissolu- qué. tion du BDP. "Je suis contre l'interdiction des partis", a-t-il assuré, "mais qui- conque commet une faute doit en payer le prix". Mercredi soir, le chef du gouvernement turc avait déjà évoqué la possibilité d'une reprise des discussions avec le PKK. "Si (des) entretiens nous per- Le parti du Premier ministre, le Parti pour la justice et le développement mettent de régler quelque chose, faisons-le", avait-il dit, "nous sommes (AKP), tient son congrès annuel dimanche. La non-résolution du conflit prêts à faire tout ce qui est nécessaire pour (trouver) une solution". kurde est considérée comme l'un de ses principaux échecs depuis son arrivée au pouvoir. H Arrivé à la tête du pays en 2003 avec la promesse de régler le conflit kurde,

Deux soldats, 13 rebelles tués dans des combats dans le sud-est de la Turquie

DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 27 septembre 2012 (AFP) du renseignement au troupes au sol, ont-elles ajouté. Les combats, qui se poursuivaient jeudi, ont également fait quatre blessés dans les rangs des militaires, ont-elles précisé. DEUX SOLDATS turcs et 13 rebelles kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) ont été tués depuis le lancement mercredi par Ces nouveaux combats interviennent alors que le PKK a multiplié cet été l'armée d'une opération près de la frontière irakienne, dans le sud-est ses attaques contre les forces de sécurité, qui ont répondu par des de la Turquie, ont affirmé jeudi des sources locales de sécurité. déploiements de troupes massifs, de vastes opérations et des bombarde- ments de positions des rebelles dans le nord de l'Irak. Les forces de sécurité mènent depuis mercredi une opération contre le PKK dans la vallée de Kazan et la région de Kavusak, des zones monta- Le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan a affirmé mercredi soir que 144 gneuses proches de la localité de Cukurca (province de Hakkari), où des membres des forces de sécurité et 239 rebelles du PKK avaient été tués commandos ont été acheminés par des hélicoptères, ont indiqué ces depuis le début de l'année. sources. Le PKK, classé comme terroriste par la Turquie et de nombreux pays, a Des avions de combat F-16 ont également bombardé des objectifs dans ouvert les hostilités dans le sud-est de la Turquie, peuplé en majorité de la zone de l'opération tandis que des drones ont été déployés pour fournir Kurdes, en 1984, déclenchant un conflit qui a fait jusqu'ici 45.000 morts.H

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

tObservateurî

Du :r/ septembre au 3 octobre

ENTRE LES GROUPES REBELLES, C'EST LE CHACUN-POUR-SOI Assadpeut-il encore gagner ?

Face à une opposition affaiblie par ses divisions politiques Kurdes et Druzes, par exemple, mais d'autres groupes sonten compétition comme par les rivalités de ses mouvements armés, le régime ouverte et parfois violente. estime que le temps joue en sa faveur. Et la communauté Depuis que le Conseil national syrien (CNS) a échoué à mettre en internationale reste paralysée place un conseil de défense chargé de chapeauterl'opposition aimée et d'or¬

Dans la province dTdlib, la financements. Les clivages entre mili¬ ganiser son financement, la règle est

région du nord de la Syrie taires recoupent d'ailleurs ceux qui celle du chacun-pour-soi. Certains

sous le contrôle presque opposent les politiques entre eux: groupes armés prennent leurs dis¬

exclusif de l'opposition au entre séculiers et religieux, comme tances vis-à-vis de l'état-major de

régime de Bachar al-Assad, ils font entre ceux dontle commandement se l'ASL réfugié en Turquie. Et pour évi¬

flotter leurs drapeaux noirs. Combat¬ trouve enSyrie etceuxqui sontdirigés ter que le contrôle de l'ASL lui

tants d'Al-Qaida, extrémistes reli¬ de l'étranger. échappe, le général Riad al-Asaad

gieux, ils se sont fait, petit à petit, une «Sur le terrain, les groupes armés vient de déplacer son centre de com¬

place à côté des combattants laïques se multiplient mais lesfinancements mandement dans les zones «libé¬

de l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL). Parce nesontpasextensibles, explique Kha- rées» à l'intérieur de la -Syrie. C'est

qu'ils sont les plus riches, les mieux ' led Issa, du Comité national pour le aussi pour yvoir plus clair dans cette

armés et les plus déterminés, il faut Changement démocratique (CNCD), myriade de groupuscules armés que désormais composer avec eux. et les plus riches, bien sûr, sont les les Américains tentent dé séparer le

Comme à Saraqib où les tribunaux groupessalafistes qui reçoiventdirec¬ bongrainde l'ivraie fondamentaliste.

religieux rendent dorénavant la jus¬ tement l'argent de l'Arabie Saoudite Car radministration Obama ne vou¬

tice à côté destribunauxtraditionnels, et des centres de charité musul¬ drait pas, comme le lui reprochent malgré l'opposition du conseil muni¬ mans. » Issa raconte qu'ilvient juste¬ déjà les républicains, que les armes

cipal démocratiquement élu. ment d'être contacté par le chefd'un fournies à larébellionparun canal ou

A Londres, il y a quelques jours, au groupe armé qui réclame un soutien un autre finissentpar atterrirentre les

cours d'une réunion qui rassemblait, financier. «Ce militaire m'a expliqué mains des djihadistes. A commencer

au Foreign Office, plusieurs hommes qu'ilcraignaitque,fauted'argent,ses par ceux du Front Al-Nousra pour la

politiques syriens, l'un des respon¬ hommesn'aillentrejoindre lesgroupes Protection du Levant, un groupe affi¬

sables du mouvement des Frères les plus extrémistes ou même, pire, lié à Al-Qaida, mais dont il se dit qu'il

musulmanssyriens, M al-Bayanouni, deviennent des bandits », dit-il. Signe estsans doute manipulé parle régime

a reproché au représentant britan¬ de la tournure confessionnelle que etqui arevendiqué les attentats meur¬

nique auprès de l'oppositionsyrienne, commence à prendre la guerre civile, triers d'Alep en février dernier.

Jon Wilks, de privilégier systémati¬ on trouve aujourd'hui des milices De soncôté, l'oppositionpolitique a quement l'ASL au détriment du chrétiennes qui dépendent des toujours autant de difficultés à s'unir. groupe armé de son mouvement. Eglises d'Alep, des brigades druzes ou Malgré l'engagement du gouverne¬

A présent, l'opposition politique turkmènes dont chacune défend sa ment français d'une reconnaissance syrienne n'a plus l'apanage des que¬ communauté et marque son terri¬ officielle, aucun conseil représentatif relles et des dissensions: le torchon toire dans la perspective de l'après- regroupant les différentes compo¬ brûle aussi entreles différentsgroupes Assad. Certaines milices concluent santes n'a encorevu lejour. «Ils ne ces- armés, lancés dans la course aux des pactes de non-agression, entre sentdemédirelesunsdesautres,

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

crise syrienne un moyen d'affaiblir . s'agace un diplomate.PoHrîarct, les Iraniens, arment les groupes les on ne leurdemande mêmepas des'ac- plus fondamentalistes sans se sou¬ corder sur un projet politique, juste cier des souffrances de lapopulation d'élire un comitétransitoire. .. » civile, victime des représailles du Dernière manifestationsymptoma- régime de Damas. Tandis que la Jor¬ tique de ces divisions: la réunion des danie, elle, refuse que des armes tran¬ Amis de la Syrie au Caire le 3 juillet a \ ,- ** sitentpar son territoire par crainte de fini, au sens propre, en bagarre géné¬ voir les extrémistes qui se battent en rale. Délicieuxspectacle pourles alliés Syrie se retourner bientôt contre le du régime de Bacharal-Assad! L'oppo: royaume hachémite. sition, loin de réunir ses forces, en est Même la Russie, principal soutien venue aux mains. Coups de poing V~ du régime de Bacharal-Assad, semble échangés, chaises quivolent, femmes ':ii à son tour gagnée par les divisions. en larmes..., ce représentant kurde L'ambassadeur russe àl'ONU al'airde n'estpas près d'oublierlaréunion cen¬ Faut-il en conclure que la Syrie Talbiseh(prèsde plus en plus désolé chaque fois qu'il sée sceller la réconciliation des frères d'après Bachar al-Assad sera forcé¬ Homs), le 31 août. doit opposer sonveto aux résolutions ennemis de l'opposition, laïques et ment fondamentaliste? «Certaine- Un enfant dans du Conseil de Sécurité. Vladimir Pou¬ religieux, Kurdes et Arabes, partisans mentpas, répond lachercheuse, mais la maison tine semble terrifié par la montée de de laluttearméeetpacifistes. Pomme si vous me demandez si les Frères de ses parents, l'islam qu'il entend gronder à ses de discorde: la question de la recon¬ musulmans, quisont lesplus détermi¬ bombardée par portes. Et Mikhaïl Bodganov, le vice- naissance du peuple kurde. Une idée nés d'entre nous, joueront un rôle les forces armées ministre russe des Affaires étran¬ impossible à accepter pour les Frères important dans la Syrie de demain, de Bachar al-Assad. gères, appelle à un « Taëfsyrien », du musulmans du Conseil, comme pour oui, j'en suis sûre!» Pourtant, l'an¬ Le conflit a déjà fait nom de l'accord qui avait mis fin à la les représentants du gouvernement cienne vice-présidente du CNS s'ap¬ entre 20000 guerre du Liban en confortant les turc qui participent activement à plique encore à défendre un Conseil et 30 000 morts. fractures confessionnelles du pays et toutes les réunions de l'opposition. qui ne serait pas, selon elle, tellement en le plaçant sous latutelle de la Syrie. «Nous voulions reprendre leslogan du plus divisé que lacommunauté inter¬ Des accords comparables - malgré congrès syrien de 1913: "La religion nationale elle-même. «Un jour, la l'évidente nocivité qu'avaient eue pour Dieu et la patrie pour tous", France défend^ l'idée d'âne zone d'ex¬ ceux de Taëf au Liban - pourraient, explique l'un des participants, mais le clusion aérienne, le lendemain, elle selonBassmaKodmani, obtenirl'aval représentant des Frères musulmans a l'abandonne. .. C'estpourquoi les négo¬

refuséenprétextantquec'étaitinsulter ciations diplomatiques entreprises du gouvernement syrien: «Si le régime parvient à préserver sur une lepeuple.de Syrie. ..» depuis le début de la crise n'ont pas portion du territoire l'appareilsécuri¬ De rage, Haytham al-Manaa, porte- infléchi d'un iota le cours de laguerre taire qui le maintient en vie, ilpourra parole du Comité national pour le sur le terrain!» Une analyse confir¬ considérer cela comme une victoire. » Changement démocratique, organi¬ mée par ce diplomate qui déplore le Selon un diplomate en contact avec sation rivale du Conseil national manque de cohésion des Occiden¬ le président syrien et son entourage, syrien, a déchiré les documents qui taux: «D'un côté, ïly a la France, qui «pour l'instant, le régime considère devaient marquer la reconnaissance soutient le Conseil national syrien, de qu'il vagagner et, malheureusement, du peuple kurde et les prémices de sa l'autre, les Etats-Unis et les Britan¬ je ne suis pas sûr qu'il ait complète¬ réconciliation avec le Conseil. Résul¬ niques, qui s'en méfient...» Bassma ment tort». Et cet expert des dicta¬ tat, les Etats-Unis ont pris leurs dis¬ Kodmani raconte que, pendant des tures arabes estime, au contraire de tances avec le CNS, que les Occiden¬ mois, elle a fait le tour du monde, par¬ l'opposition qui croit à un effondre¬ tauxconsidéraientjusqu'ici comme la fois au rythme de deux pays par jour, ment du pouvoir, que la guerre peut structure laplus solide, en constatant car tout le monde voulait se rappro¬ continuer pendant des mois. Et que qu'il restait dominé par les Frères cher du CNS. «On nous répétait sur la majorité silencieuse du pays, bien musulmans, incapable de faire taire tous les tons: "Unissez-vous! Unissez- qu'épuisée par un conflit qui a déjà ses divisions pour élire une instance vous!" Mais s'unir pour quoi faire? fait entre 20000 et 30000 morts, représentative et, surtout, sans grande s'interroge-t-elle aujourd'hui. Nous reste indécise. Mais quelle que soit la influence sur la rébellion armée. avonsperdu neufmois à chercher une durée de la guerre, Figure centrale du CNS depuissa créa¬ solution arabe qui s'est soldée par un met en garde la communauté inter¬ tion, lachercheuse BassmaKodmani, échec. Puis on nous a dit que la situa- nationale: «Le monde a regardé, elle-même acculée à la démission, tionhumanitaireallaitentraînerune impuissant.laSyries'enfoncerdansle admetque le Conseil n'apas su établir réaction et dénouer la crise. chaos, mais il devra gérer l'après- de véritables ponts avec l'opposition Aujourd'hui, avec 2,5 millions deper¬ Assad, et envoyer des casques bleus de l'intérieur. Elle décrit aussi une for¬ sonnes déplacées, rien n'a bougé, et la pourcontenirla crise régionale. Caria mationdominée parles Frères musul¬ Syrie continue de se décomposer. . . » Syrie neferapas l'économie dupire. » mans, dont la diaspora a fait fortune Les pays arabes ont aussi de Sur ce point, il semble que tout le dans le Golfe et qui ne rendaient pas sérieuses divergences sur le dossier monde, pour une fois, soit d'accord. compte des contacts directs qu'ils syrien. Les Etats du Golfe, par

nouaient avec l'opposition armée. exemple, qui voient surtout dans la SASA DANIEL

78