INSTITUT KURDE DE PARIS

Information and liaison bulletin N°296

NOVEMBER 2009 The publication of this Bulletin enjoys a subsidy from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGCID) aqnd the Fonds d’action et de soutien pour l’intégration et la lutte contre les discriminations (The Fund for action and support of integration and the struggle against discrimination) This bulletin is issued in French and English Price per issue : France: 6 € — Abroad : 7,5 € Annual subscribtion (12 issues) France : 60 € — Elsewhere : 75 € Monthly review Directeur de la publication : Mohamad HASSAN Numéro de la Commission Paritaire : 659 15 A.S.

ISBN 0761 1285

INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tel. : 01-48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01-48 24 64 66 www.fikp.org E-mail: [email protected] Bulletin 296 Nov 2009

Contents

• IRAN: THE EXECUTION OF A KURDISH STUDENT AROUSES THE INDIGNATION OF INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION.

• TURKEY: THE MEASURES TO RESOLVE THE KURDISH QUESTION CONSIDERED DISAPPOINTING.

• IRAQ: THE DRAFTING OF A FRESH ELECTORAL LAW DIVIDES THE COUNTRY.

• SYRIA: THREE KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONERS START A HUNGER STRIKE.

• PARIS: A SYMPOSIUM OF THE DERSIM MASSACRES (1937-38) AT THE FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

IRAN: THE EXECUTION OF A KURDISH STUDENT AROUSES THE INDIGNATION OF INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION n 11 November, Ehsan Revolutionary Court to 10 years had refused to “confess his crimes” Fattahian, a 29-year- jail following a trial in which the before a camera or to renounce old Kurdish student defence had been denied any his political convictions. who had earlier been right to argue his case. He had O sentenced to death by appealed, as ad the Prosecution, However, according to article 288 the Sanandaj Revolutionary and, with complete disregard for of Iranian law, sentences can only Court, was hanged despite a Iranian law, he was sentenced to be increased on appeal if they are number of protests and appeals death by the Fourth Chamber of lighter than the minimum pro- from a variety of NGOs, includ- the Kurdistan Province Court of vided for an offence. In Ehsan ing Amnesty International. Appeal in January 2009. Fattahian’s case, the minimum In a letter, Ehsan Fattahian for the offences with which he Ehsan Fattahian was arrested on described the tortures to which was charged was one year. As he 20 July 2008. He had acknowl- he had been subjected from the had been sentenced to ten years edged his membership of the first day following his arrest and imprisonment in exile (i.e. out- Komala and was sentenced by also mentioned the reason for the side his native province) increas- the First chamber of the Sanandaj toughening of his sentence: he ing it to death was quite illegal. • 2 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 296 • November 2009

Before his execution, Ehsan I the circumstances of Ehsan Fattahian had described the cir- Fattahian took part in a hunger Fattahan’s death remain cumstances of his arrest and of strike, alongside other Kurdish unknown, it is worth recalling that his two trials in a letter by way of political prisoners, who were this is not the first time that a a political legacy, which has protesting at the conditions of detainee has died under torture. In received wide distribution in their detention. He had never June 2001, Zahra Kazemi, a some papers and over Internet admitted any of the charges lev- Canadian woman photographer of and been translated into several elled against him other than Iranan origin was beaten to death languages: membership of Komala. On 10 and probably raped, according to November he was transferred to the forensic report. Akbar The last glow of the setting sun solitary detention and hanged the Mohammadi, a student sentenced next day without being able to to 15 year ail for having taken part Show me the path on which to see his family. Moreover, the lat- in a demonstration in 1991, died in write ter were unable to secure restora- suspicious circumstances in Evin tion of his body for burial before prison in June 2006, as well as The sound of dead leaves under being told that he had been Zahra batti-Yaghoub, a 27-year-old my feet buried anonymously in a ceme- woman doctor who died n tery in Kermanshah, where he Hamadan prison in October 2007. Tell me “Let yourself fall was born. Furthermore the Ebrahim Lotfallahi, a student who And you will find the road to free- authorities warned his relations died in detention was, like Ehsan dom” that they should not engage in Fattahian, buried hastily and in too conspicuous mourning cere- secret in a Sanandaj cemetery on (Margot Bickel, a German poet- monies or organise demonstra- 15 January 208, before his family ess, translated by Ahmad tions in his memory. was even informed of his death. Shamlou) On 30 October 2008, a member The announcement of this execu- of the Moujahiddin, Abdolreza I am not afraid of death, even now tion made indignant many Rajabi, died while being trans- that I feel it so close. I can smell its organisations and public figures ferred from Evin prison to one in stench, which has become so familiar in Iran and abroad. The 2003 Rajaei Shahr. On 6 March 2009, — it is an old acquaintance of this Nobel peace prize-winner and Amir Hossein Heshmat Saran, land and of its people. I do not just lawyer, Shirin Ebadi, attacked the founder of a political move- mean death but of the reasons for this sentence and its execution as ment, the United Nation Front, this death. Since it has become the °hasty” and “unprecedented” as died, after 5 years detention. price of justice and freedom, how can well as the fact that the Less than two weeks later, one fear this end? “They” who have Fattiahian family had been Omid-Reza Mir Sayafi, a blogger sentenced “Us” to death for having unable to see Ehsen before he who had been sentenced to 30 sought a narrow opening into a bet- was executed. “It is most unusual month’s jail six weeks earlier, ter world, freed from injustice — do to execute someone in such a precip- also died in Evin. they understand what they are itate manner that they were unable doing?” to allow the family to see him on his Moreover, Ehsan Fattahian was last night It is most unusual and not the only Kurd awaiting exe- My life began in the town of only increases suspicion regarding cution. Twelve others are facing Kermanshah, a name that, for my the real cause of his death”, she the same fate: Ms. Zaynab compatriots, has always meant stated on the BBC in person. “I Jalalian, Habib Latifi, Shirkouh Greatness, the cradle of civilisation do not want to prejudge anything Moarefi, Ramezan Ahmed, in our country. Very early I saw the … however, because of inappropri- Farha Chalesh, Rostam Arkia, discrimination, the oppression — I ate treatments carried our in Fazih Yasamini, Rashid felt them to the very depths of my Iranian prisons, particularly of pris- Akhkandi, Ali Heydarian, being — this cruelty and the where- oners, that have become the norm, it Farhad Vakili, Hossein Khazari fores of this cruelty and the attempts is fair to question the cause of and Farzad Kamangar. Amongst to remedy it have given birth of a Ehsan’s death”. them, Shirkouh Moarefi, who is whole host of thoughts within me. 24 years of ago, was also trans- Alas, They have blocked all the roads A little later, on the Rooz ferred to an isolated cell a few leading to justice and make the Internet site, the Shirin Ebadi days after the death of Ehsan atmosphere so oppressive that I could advised the Fattahian family to Fattahian’s death, as a possible find to way of changing things from have their son’s body examined prelude to execution. within. I left for another place (Iraqi by a trustworthy doctor. Some time before dying, Ehsan Kurdistan): I became a Komala n° 296 • November 2009 Information and liaison bulletin • 3 •

Peshmerga. It was the desire to find try and prove that I was involved in Courts obey orders from authorities myself, to find my identity, that an armed attack aimed at overthrow- external to the Department of made me take this road. It was diffi- ing the regime. Justice. Can they be blamed in conse- cult to leave my birthplace but I have quence? never cut the links that tied me to The only charges they were able to the city of my childhood. From time make against me was that of being a I judge has to swear an oath to to time I have wished to return home member of Komalah and of having remain just in all situations and at and renew old memories and it was taken part in propaganda activity all times to all people and to look at on one of these occasions that, thanks against the regime. The First cham- the world from a solely legal point of to “Them” the visit turned sour— ber of the Islamic Republic’s view. What judge, in this baneful they arrested and imprisoned me. Sanandaj Court sentenced me to 10 country, can claim never to have bro- From the first moment, thanks to the years in exile in the Ramhormoz ken this vow and to have always hospitality shown by my jailers, I Prison (East of Khuzistan). The remained just and equitable? In my realised that the tragic fate suffered government’s political and adminis- opinion you can count such judges by so many of my comrades would be trative constantly suffer from cen- in the fingers of one hand. When mine: torture, trumped up charges, tralisation, but in my case they tried Iran’s whole judiciary system arrest, trial in camera and to order, an to decentralise their justice and gave tries and executes people at the word unfair and politically motivated ver- the courts of appeal of Kurdistan of an interrogator (who has no dict and, in the end, death. Province the power to retry the understanding of legal issues), how crimes of political prisoners, even can you really blame little judges of a Allow me to tell you this, in the most with penalties as heavy as the death province that has always been relaxed manner: after my arrest at sentence. In my case, the Kamyaran repressed and been the victim of dis- Kamyaran on 20 July 2008, and Public Prosecutor appealed against crimination? Yes, the foundations of after some hours spent as the the sentence of the First Chamber this house are built on ruins. “guest” of that town’s security and the Kurdistan Court of Appeal office, while my handcuffs and blind- amended my sentence to one of Despite the fact that, at my last fold prevented me from moving of death, which is against the Islamic meeting with the Public Prosecutor, seeing, a person arrived who said he republic’s own laws. According to he admitted that the death sentence was the assistant Public Prosecutor Article 258 of the “Dadrasi Keyfari” was illegal, they also told me that it and started asking me a series of law, the Court of Appeal can only would be carried out. Needless to questions completely unrelated to increase a sentence if t is below the say, this insistence on carrying out a one another and full of false accusa- legal minimum provided for an death sentence is the result of pres- tions (I would like to stress that any offence. In my case, the crime sures from political and security legal interrogation outside a court- charged was “Moharebeh” (hostility forces quite foreign to Justice. Don’t room is forbidden by law). That to God) for which the minimum sen- you think that these people look at ended the first of my many interro- tence is one year’s imprisonment, the life and death of prisoners of gation sessions. That same night I while my sentence, of ten years opinion solely from the angle of their was transferred to the Kurdistan imprison and in exile, is far above own pay slips and political needs Provincial security office, in the the minimum. Any comparison of and that nothing else counts for town of Sanandaj. It was here that my sentence with the minimum laid them but their personal ends, even struggle really began: a filthy cell, down for this crime shows the com- with regard to the most fundamental disgusting toilettes and blankets that pletely illegal and political character issues of human rights and that of had probably not seen any water for of this death sentence. I must, how- life? Forget about international laws decades! From this moment on, my ever, mention that just before chang- — they totally ignore their own laws days and nights were spent in inter- ing the verdict, they took me to the and procedures. rogation rooms and the underground interrogation offices of the Snanadaj corridors where I was subjected to security department and asked me to So here are my last words: If, in the extreme torture and beatings. This confess to crimes I had not commit- minds of these leaders and oppres- lasted three months, and during ted in a filmed interview and to say sors, my death will rid them of the those three months my interrogators things that they themselves did not “problem” of Kurdistan, I affirm that no doubt in the hope of promotion or believe. Despite strong pressure, I this is an illusion. Neither my death a little increase in pay, made all sorts did not accept to make this filmed nor the death of thousands of others of accusations as weird as they were “confession”. They then bluntly told like me will remedy this incurable untrue, although they know better me that they would alter my verdict evil. They may even add fuel to the than anyone how far they were from to a death sentence, which they did fire. There is no doubt but that each reality. They made great efforts to soon after, showing how much the death leads to a new life”. • 4 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 296 • November 2009

TURKEY: THE MEASURES TO RESOLVE THE KURDISH QUESTION CONSIDERED DISAPPOINTING

nnounced since the a communiqué to the Firat News However, this outburst not only beginning of summer, Agency, that “the Kurdish ques- aroused indignation in Kurdish the government’s plan tion cannot be resolved with recog- public opinion but amongst to resolve the Kurdish nising the wishes of the Kurdish Alevis in general, who rebuked A question has finally people and stating a dialogue with the fact that a Turk could com- been made public, arousing dis- its spokesmen” (i.e. the PKK pare a war against an external appointment amongst the itself). enemy (the Allied Powers of Kurds, who consider the mea- Cyprus) with a military repres- sures completely insufficient, One demand, recently floated by sion against citizens that were while provoking protests from the PKK, is the recognition of officially considered “Turkish”. the Turkish nationalist parties, Kurdish at the constitutional Those most directly concerned, always quick to attack any com- level, which seems, for the the Alevi Kurds of Dersim, promises with “separatism”. moment, an impassable red line, whose grandparents were the psychologically at least, for victims of the 1937-38 massacres Amongst the measures pro- Turkish public opinion and its were the most virulent. Pictures posed, is the authorisation for political caste. All the more so of Onur Oymen made up to Kurdish or Syriac localities to since the AKP only has 367 resemble Hitler were pasted up regain their former names, that Members of Parliament, whereas on the town’s streets. The Alevis, had been officially “Turkified”, 550 are needed for Parliament to from hostility to religious parties to lift the interdictions on the pass any amendment to the and commitment to secularism, public use of Kurdish in election Constitution. traditionally have voted CHP, meetings, to authorise prisoners’ In the course of the debate on despite some swing towards the families to speak to them in the Kurdish question, a CHP AKP in 2007 and the fact that in Kurdish in the visiting rooms. Member, Onur Oymen, sparked the last elections the DTP had The government also hopes to of a separate but related contro- made a good score in Dersim. create an independent commis- versy, this time in connection sion to resolve the problems of with Kurdish history and torture and discrimination. Turkey’s official version of the Nevertheless, the M.P.s remarks Kurdistan revolts and the terri- had the merit of bringing to the Most analysts, however, consid- ble repressions that followed, in forefront one of the blackest er these measures, insufficient Dersim in particular. pages of the Republic’s history, for ending the conflict. As the unknown to the majority of editorial writer Murat Yetkin, of Indeed, on 9 November, replying Turks. It also highlights the the daily paper Radikal, wrote to the supporters of the AKP Alevis’ religious issue. The latter, “While what Atlay (the Minister reforms, this CHP Member who are officially classed as of the Interior) has announced are declared that the argument that Moslems and so coming under steps forward towards the develop- peace would spare many the control of the Islamic ment of democratic standards, they Turkish families from having to Diyanet (Directorate of Religious are a good thing … However, the go into mourning for their sol- Affairs) have always demanded PKK will not come down from its dier children was unacceptable: the status of a religious minority, mountain strongholds just because “Did not mothers cry during the like the Christian sand Jews, there is an independent commission war of independence, during the which is refused to them on Human Rights and because peo- Sheikh Said revolt or that in Dersim Consequently Alevi schoolchild- ple can speak their mother tongue in or in Cyprus? Did anyone call for ren are forced to attend the com- prison.” stopping the fighting then, so that pulsory Islamic religious classes For its part, the PKK declared, in mothers need not cry?” at school. n° 296 • November 2009 Information and liaison bulletin • 5 •

IRAQ: THE DRAFTING OF A FRESH ELECTORAL LAW DIVIDES THE COUNTRY

he parliamentary debates does not seem to have approved On 21 November, the Baghdad on the electoral law for his vice-President’s veto, seeming Supreme Court rejected Vice- the 2010 general elec- rather to have distanced himself President Hashemi’s veto on the tions in Iraq have from the latter in his statements grounds that the seat distribu- T aroused such controver- on French television on 24 tion was a function of the elec- sy that is seems virtually impossi- November: “I fear a further post- tion organisers and not of the ble to keep to the initially planned ponement of the elections so I decid- election law. Since the election date of January, and there ed not to oppose the election Bill”. Presidential Council’s veto only are even serious doubts about applied to constitutional issues, February. The Kurds, as well, are dissatis- it could not be exercised in this fied with the seat distribution specific case. Several religious and ethnic and the Speaker of the Irbil groups in Iraq protested at the Parliament, Kamal Kirkuki, has The new distribution of seats number of seats reserved for written to President Talabani between the different Iraqi minorities, that they considered asking him not to ratify the Bill, provinces was decided by the insufficient. The President of considering that the percentage Electoral Commission on the Iraq, Jalal Talabani, had himself of seats allocated to the Kurdish basis of the number of food asked Parliament to increase the Provinces was “not normal”. The ration cards renewed every year. number of seats reserved for President of the Kurdistan The figures, issued by the Trade Christians and Iraqis living Region even threatened to boy- Ministry, indicated that the Iraqi abroad. During his visit to cott the elections if the seat dis- population had increased to32 France he had even indicated tribution was not altered in an million in 2009 as against 27 mil- that he hoped that the number of “equitable” manner. Indeed, of lion in 2005. On the basis of seats for these groups would rise the 48 additional seats provided these figures, the Election from 5 to 15%. for in the new Bill, only three go Commission estimated the num- to the three Provinces of the ber of Iraqi electors at 19 million, This time, however, the threat of Kurdistan Region. each Parliamentary seat repre- a veto (the Bill has to be senting 100,000 electors. A quar- approved by the Presidential In opposition to the Sunni Arabs ter of these are reserved for Council) did not come from Jalal and the Kurds, Iraqis from the women, 5% for the 2 million Talabani but from the Sunni Southern Shiite Provinces Iraqi refugees in exile, 5 seats are Vice-President, Tariq al-Hasemi, demonstrated in front of allocated to Christians in the who publicly declared on televi- Government building in Basra three Kurdish provinces and sion that he would not ratify the against Vice-President Nineveh and a seat each for the Bill unless the number of seats Hashemi’s veto. They received Yezidis, Mandeans and Shabaks. for minorities was trebled. indirect support from the Americans, who hope for the However these figures are dis- As things stand, 8 seats are elections to take place as soon as puted, mainly by the Kurds, reserved for minorities possible to meet with their who point out that Nineveh (Christians, Mandeans and timetable of troop withdrawals. receives 13 more seats with a Yezidis) and 8 others for the very Thus Jalal Talabani has not con- population of only slightly more large number of Iraqis living cealed, in his press statements, than 2 million people whereas abroad. At the time of the 2005 the fact that Christopher Hill, the Kurdistan, with a total popula- elections the first of these was US envoy to Iraq, was personally tion of 5 million has only 15%, which has since been urging the Members of received 5 more. reduced to 5%. President Parliament to pass the Bill. Joe Talabani and his Vice-President Bidden, the US Vice-President, Mahmud Othman, a Kurdish had earlier asked that the former for his part has phoned the Alliance Member of the Baghdad figure be restored, officially “to Kurdish leaders at least three Parliament, also challenged the promote national reconciliation”. times to ask them not to block Iraqi Trade Minister’s figures, This time, however, Talabani the election process. pointing out that the number of • 6 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 296 • November 2009 ration cards was far from a reli- 14 for Anbar, 13 for Diyala, 12 for received 12 seats and a quota of able criterion in certain regions Salahaddin and Najaf, 11 for 8 allocated to minorities. such as Nineveh, where it had Wasit and Diwaniyah, 10 for been artificially inflated. Karbala and Misan and 7 for Thus, out of a total of 323 seats, Muthana. the Kurdish region will have 38 as In all, the distribution of seats against 57 in 2005. Since the last announced was as follows: 68 for For the Kurdistan Region, 15 for census was held in 1957 it is Baghdad, 31 for Nineveh, 24 for Suleimaniah, 14 for Irbil and 9 impossible to have any reliable Basra, 18 for Dhiqar, 16 for Babil, for Duhok, while Kirkuk figures for the Iraqi population.

SYRIA: THREE KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONERS START A HUNGER STRIKE n 15 November, three At the same time, a number of the prisoners. On 16 November, Kurds were sentenced Syrian Kurds have been on a rally took place in front of the to three years impris- hunger strike since 30October in Syrian Embassy in Brussels. On onment each for mem- the Adra Prison and the Sednaya 18 November, representatives of O bership of a banned military prison in Damascus, in the Democratic Union and of the political party, Azadi, although it protest at their conditions of Kurdish National Congress met has only ever undertaken peace- detention. They are demanding leaders of the European Union ful activities (appeals, demon- a proper trial, the right to exer- and of the Belgian government. strations) in support of Kurdish cise in the prison courtyard, the On the 19th, it was in front of the cultural rights and of the situa- right to be visited by family Syrian Embassy in London that a tion of the Kurds of Jezirah, who members, access to the media, Kurdish demonstration took were stripped of their Syrian the radio, newspapers and tele- place. On the 20th, some Kurds nationality during an vision, as is the case with other undertook a hunger strike in Arabisation campaign in the detainees. Geneva, in front of the United region. Mustafa Juma Bakr, Nations Building. On 23 Mohammad Said Hussein Omar Several demonstrations have November, a rally mainly com- and Saadun Mahmud were, nev- been organised in support of this posed of these prisoners’ family ertheless, found guilty of “incit- hunger strike. On 14 November, members took place in front of ing race hatred” and of “attacking some Kurdish members and these prisons in Damascus the dignity of the State and wanting sympathisers of the Democratic demanding, unsuccessfully, the to weaken national feeling”, which Union Party undertook a one- right to visit. are the standard charges against day hunger strike at the Brussels Five prisoners, Munthir Kurdish activists. A week earlier, Kurdish Institute. The same kind Abdullfattah Rasho, Ciwan four other Kurds had each been of demonstration took place in Mohammed Ahmed, Hassan sentenced to six years jail for Aachen, in Germany, on the Khalil Qudo, and Khalil Fidi membership of the Kurdistan same day. On 15 November, the Khalil, who were due to be tried Democratic Union Party, equally Syrian Kurdish Yekiti Party on 17 November had their trials banned. made a statement in support of postponed to 12 December. PARIS: A SYMPOSIUM OF THE DERSIM MASSACRES (1937-38) AT THE FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY n 27 November, a sym- by Joyce Blau and covered the the number of refugees of the posium was organised ideological context in which first who had found asylum in by the Paris Kurdish these massacres and the persecu- this region. The writer Mehmet Institute at the French tion of a whole population were Bayrak, for his part, situated O National Assembly, perpetrated. Thus Dr. Ugur Umit these events in a long-standing bringing together several histori- Ungor, of University College, tradition of persecution of Alevis ans and research workers on the Dublin, linked the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire that con- subject of the massacres in political movement, which had tinued into the Turkish republic. Dersim in 1937-38. instigated the Armenian geno- Finally Seve Evin Çiçek, a writer cide in 1915, and the planners of and research worker, recalled Te first Round Table was chaired the Dersim massacres, recalling that the Koçgiri massacres, in n° 296 • November 2009 Information and liaison bulletin • 7 •

1920-21, should be considered as researcher in Paris, set out a Kazim Gundogan, a documen- a “prelude to the Dersim events”. chronology of the events and Ali tary producer from Istanbul, The second Round Table, Kiliç examined the Dersim ques- tackled the policy of forced presided by Hamit Bozarslan tion through the French archives adoption of Dersim children into (EHESS) tackled the question, of the period. Turkish families. His contribu- both legal and historic, of the tion was followed by that of Ms genocidal aspect of the mas- The third Round Table, presided Marie Le Ray, a Ph.D. student at sacres. Dr. Hans-Lukas Kieser, of by Gérard Chalian, dealt with Aix-en-Provence, entitled Geneva, described the context, Dersim in the collective memory, “Dersim 1938, at the heart of a dis- the organisation and the “open with a reading of the testimony puted re-invention of a locality”, questions” round the “Dersim of Ihsan Sabri Çaglayangil (1908- and that of Serafettin Halis, campaign and Kemalist Turkey”. 1993), former President of the Member of Parliament for Dr. Ali Murat, of the Ankara Turkish Republic in 198o. Dr. Dersim: “Confronting History: fac- Alevi Institute analysed Dersim Bilgin Ayata, of John Hopkins ing up to the Dersim massacre”. through the “prism of the State”. University, dealt with the ques- Erdogan Aydin, an Istanbul tion memory of the amnesia of Finally the symposium ended writer and researcher, also victimised populations and with the reading of a message examined the policy of the State Professor Mithat Sancar, of the from the Ankara sociologist regarding Dersim and the char- Ankara Legal University, more Ismail Besikçi and the closing acteristics of the resistance that specifically of the Kurdish and speech by Kendal Nezan of the opposed it. Mete Tekin, a Turkish collective memories. Paris Kurdish Institute. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti la Croix LUNDI 2 NOVEMBRE 2009

Ankara fait un grandpas vers

les Kurdes d'Irak

Le chef de la diplomatie turque a effectué, vendredi, la première visite officielle

d'un ministre turc r V dans la région autonome kurde d'Irak

ANKARA

De notre correspondante

Le mot tabou de «Kurdistan» a A été soigneusement évité, mais la visite n'en reste pas moins historique. Le chef de la diplomatie turque a effectué vendredi la pre¬ mière visite officielle d'un minis¬ tre turc dans la région autonome Si le but central de ce voyage était la capitale kurde d'Irak. Après avoir reçu une du Kurdistan irakien, Ahmet Davutoglu a toutefois chaleureuse accolade du premier ministre de cette autorité venu veillé à ne pas se rendre uniquement dans le nord l'accueillir à l'aéroport d'Erbil, au milieu d'enfants portant drapeaux de l'Irak. Après Bassora, bastion chiite du Sud, kurdes, irakiens et turcs. Ahmet il s'est rendu à Mossoul, ville à majorité sunnite. Davutoglu s'est entretenu avec son président, Massoud Barzani. organisation kurde avec qui elle relations déjà existantes entre Cette visite, qualifiée de « tar¬ citoyens turcs et kurdes d'Irak, dive» par Ahmet Davutoglu lui- est en conflit depuis vingt-cinq comme le prouve la multitude même, scelle un changement ' ans. «Nous sommes contre la vio¬ de produits «made in Turkey» de fond de la politique d'Ankara lence et ne voulons pas la monde disponibles sur les étals d'Erbil envers les Kurdes d'Irak. Alors que jeunes Turcs et déjeunes Kurdes», ou de Dohuk. Erbil exporte son la Turquie s'est refusée durant des a répondu Massoud Barzani, qui pétrole via le port turc de Ceyhan années à tout contact direct avec a aussi qualifié de «pas en avant et, rien qu'en 2008, la compagnie eux, le ministre turc a annoncé courageux» l'ouverture démo¬ turque Genel Enerji a investi plus l'ouverture d'un consulat à Erbil cratique lancée par Ankara pour de 500 millions de dollars dans «dans les plus brefs délais». régler la question kurde. C'est l'exploitation du champ pétrolier Si le but central de ce voyage était dans ce cadre qu'une trentaine de de Tak Tak. Au total plus de 50 000 la. capitale du Kurdistan irakien, sympathisants et militants du PKK citoyens et 1 200 entreprises tur¬ Ahmet Davutoglu a toutefois veillé ont pu retourner définitivement y ques travaillent dans cette région à ne pas se rendre uniquement a deux semaines en Turquie sans dont la seule porte vers l'Occident dans le nord de l'Irak. Après Bas- être arrêtés. De sa prison d'Imrali, est Ankara. le chef historique du PKK, Abdul¬ sora, bastion chiite du sud du pays, Mais avec cette visite, le chef de lah Ocalan observe toutefois ces il s'est rendu à Mossoul, ville à ma¬ la diplomatie turque confirme jorité sunnite. Car la Turquie, avec développements avec suspicion. Il aussi l'importance d'Erbil dans 12 millions de citoyens kurdes, le vient d'annoncer qu'aucun autre la résolution de la question kurde. répète: elle souhaite le maintien groupe du PKK ne se rendra aux «Les montagnes ne nous sépareront d'un Irak unitaire et regarde d'un autorités turques. «Cette ouverture pas mais nous rapprocheront», a- très mauvais le spectre d'un est une comédie qui vise à liquider t-il déclaré aux côtés de Massoud Kurdistan irakien indépendant. le PKK», estime-t-il. Barzani, en allusion aux monta¬ DELPHINE NERBOLLIER Dans le même temps, avec ce gnes du nord de l'Irak où se sont déplacement. Ahmet Davutoglu repliés les militants du PKK (Parti anticipe le départ des troupes des travailleurs du Kurdistan) con¬ américaines d'Irak et donne corps tre lesquels l'armée turque mène à sa doctrine de bonne entente des raids depuis deux ans. avec ses voisins. Ankara souhaite désormais Accompagné de 70 chefs d'entre¬ collaborer directement avec les prise, Ahmet Davutoglu est aussi Kurdes d'Irak pour isoler cette venu entériner l'importance des Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

LE FIGARO mardi 3 novembre 2009

L'Irak reste en panne de loi Jk

électorale à deux mois ^.î d'un scrutin crucial

Les députés continuent de s'affronter sur le statut -T^ de Kirkouk, convoitée par les Kurdes et les Arabes. A'

GEORGES MALBRUNOT L'impasse poli¬ Les drapeaux tique a dégénéré en kurdes sont IfOYENtORIENT Le temps presse en Irak . affrontements déployés Alors que la violence aveugle frappe de entre groupes à Kirkouk, nouveau Je pays, des élections législatives armés rivaux, capitale de la sont prévues le 16 janvier prochain, mais conduisant les province riche les différentes factions politiques repré¬ .f^ù% Américains à tirer en pétrole, que sentées au Parlement restent incapables se disputent ' la sonnette d'alar¬ de s'entendre sur ime loi électorale. Kurdes, me. « Les tensions Avant-hier, la Commission électorale a Turkmènes et entre les commu¬ demandé au Majlis de fixer au plus tard à Arabes. nautés arabes et aujoxu-d'hui le mode de scrutin pour cette M.IBRAHIM/AFP kurdes dans le nord consultation, cruciale pour le partage du et l'est de l'Iraksont pouvoir dans un Irak fédéral. « Nous le principal facteur entrons dans une période critique » , décla¬ d'instabilité en I Le Parlement irakien rait récemment à l'AFP Qassern al-Ab- Irak », avertissait, 1 EN NOMBRE DE SIÈGES* Alliance Union islamique boudi, haut responsable de la commis¬ Liste il y a quelques kurde du Kurdistan sion. Selon lui, « le Parlement doit au Alliance Irak natkinale semaines, le général Steve Lanza, haut res¬ moins se prononcer sur les modalités du unifié (chiites) 52 5 Irakienne ponsable à Bagdad. Devant la menace ter¬ scrutin », c'est-à-dire le nombre de siè¬ 128 25 (laïques) roriste, même si le nombre de tués dans des r ges à pours'oir , les quotas pour les femmes attentats a doublé en octobre par rapport à Front et les minorités, le nombre de circons¬ septembre, avec 410 morts. . ^ d'accord criptions, et s'U s'agit d'un vote avec des Mais des mois de négociations, menées 44 irakien Listes ouvertes ou fermées. (sunnites) sous l'égide des Nations unies, n'ont pas 275 Impasse politique permis de rapprocher lespositions des uns 11 Front et des auttes. Selon nos informations, le sièges Les difficultés persistantes autour de ce national dernier compromis élaboré par l'ONU irakien du chantier électoral soulignent l'extrême consisterait à « rajouter des sièges au pro¬ Autres 10 dialogue fragilité d'institutions bâties, après fit des Arabes et des Turkmènes à (minorités) (sunnites) l'invasion américaine de l'Irak en 2003, 'Élections du 15 décembre 2005. Kirkouk » , et pour gagner les faveurs kur¬ et contestées depuis par plusieurs com¬ des, à conserver les listes électorales du munautés. Des Américains aux Nations scrutinprovincial de février 2009, quileur unies en passant par le premier ministre, Nouri al-Maliki, les appels à un vote rapi¬ sont favorables. Enfin, les députés de

de du Parlement se sont multipliés, ces Kirkouk ne seraient élus que pour une se demande cet expert. Et même si Nouri derniers jours. Mais une fois de plus, c'est durée d'un an, en attendant que le sort de al-Maliki entretient d'exécrables rap¬ la question de Kirkouk, où vivent Kur¬ la province soit définitivement tranché. « On doit toutfairepour que ces élections ports avec le président du « Parlement des, Arabes et Turkmènes, qui empoi- aient bien lieu le 16 janvier, affirme im autonome » kurde, Massoud Barzani, le soime les débats. diplomate occidental joint au téléphone à premier ministre irakien a besoin des 57 Les représentants des différentes com¬ Bagdad, }' compris à Kirkouk. » Mais les députés kurdes, s'ilveut obtenir l'investi¬ munautés de cette province riche enpétro- Kurdes, grands gagnants de l'après-Sad- ture du prochain parlement à Bagdad. le continuent de s'opposer sur la réparti¬ dam Hussein, campent sur leur intransi¬ Avant-hier, le vice-président améri¬ tion des sièges dans les instances geance. «Après 2003, ajoute un expert cain, Joe Biden, a décroché son téléphone dirigeantes de larégioii. Les Kurdes exigent français de retour d'Irak, les Américains pour s'entretenir avec Massoud Barzani. d'être majoritairesàKirkouk, qu'ils comp¬ ; ont autorisé les JCurdes à occuper Rien n'a fQtré de l'entretien, À Bagdad, les tent annexer à leurs trois provinces auto¬ 80 000 km^ limitrophes deleursprovinces, observateurs estiment généralement que si nomes, plus au nord. De leur côté, les Ara¬ c'est-à-dire le double de leur territoire. les députés ne votent pas, d'ici à la fin de bes et les Tiu-kmènes accusent les Kurdes Commentfaire rentrer leurs miliciens chez cette semaine, la loiélectorale, lescrutinne de s'y être installés en masse depuis 2003, eux maintenant ? C'est toute la question », poiu-ra pas être tenu à la date prévue. pour renverser l'équuibre démographique. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

IRAK/KURDISTAN: LE PREMIER MINISTRE VEUT UNE BAISSE DU SALAIRE DES OFFICIELS

ERBIL (Irak), 1 novembre 2009 (AFP) Sekxi la même source, cette mesure s'applkjuerait aux ministres ainsi qu'aux autres hauts responsables, politiques et de la sécurité.

LE CHEF DU gouvernement kurde irakien Barham Saieh veut obtenir une Barham Saieh était auparavant vice-Premier ministre irakien.

baisse de 10% du salaire des ministres et des autres hauts responsables Son gouvernement régwnal compte 21 ministres contre 42 (dont 13 sans porte¬ régionaux, afin de consacrer les montants économisés à rinvestissement, feuille) dans le précédent cabinet de Nachervan Barzani. Il a obtenu mercredi a affinmé dimanche un député kurde irakien. demier à Erbil la confiance du Parlement régional.

M. Saieh, qui vient d'obtenir la confiance du Parlement régional, a sollicité les Le scrutin s'est toutefois tenu en l'absence des députés de l'opposition, qui ont députés 'pour qu'ils légifèrent en ce sens", a indiqué à l'AFP ce député, Tarek quitté la séance en signe de protestation pour n'avoir pas obtenu un vote séparé Jawha. sur chaque ministre.

IRAK/ÉLECTIONS: JOE BIDEN PRESSE MASSOUD BARZANI D'ABOUTIR À UN ACCORD

ERBIL (Irak), 2 nov 2009 (AFP) Le vice-président américain Joe Biden (G) et le président Le vice-Président américain Joe Biden a insisté auprès du président du du Kurdistan ira¬ Kurdistan irakien Massoud Barzani sur la nécessité d'adopter la loi électo¬ i kien, Massoud rale pour que les élections se tiennent bien le 16 janvier, ont indiqué lundi Barzani, lois d'une les autorités kurdes. conférence de Les deux hommes se sont entretenus dimanche au téléphone alors que la tenue presse commune, le des élections générales à la date prévue semble de plus en plus compromise en 17 septembre 2009 à

raison du conflit opposant les Kurdes aux Arabes et Turcomans sur la répartition Arbil des sièges dans la riche région pétrolière de Kirkouk.

"MM. Barzani et Biden ont mis l'accent sur la question des prochaines élections mission électorale.

et les obstacles entravant le vote de la nouvelle loi électorale', a indiqué un com¬ Selon lui, les députés doivent se prononcer sur le nombre de sièges à pourvoir, muniqué du gouvernement autonome de la région du Kurdistan dans le nord de les quotas pour les femmes et les minorités, le nombre de drconscriptkms et l'Irak. décider d'organiser un scrutin avec des listes ouvertes ou fermées.

'Les deux parties ont souligné la nécessité de trouver une solution satisfaisante Le Pariement doit décider s'il veut faire passer son nombre de sièges de 275 à à ce problème', ajoute le texte. 311 pour s'ajuster à la Constitution qui prévoit un député pour 100.000 habitants.

Dimanche, la commission électorale avait demandé au Parlement de fixer Il doit aussi trancher la question de savoir si les listes seront bloquées ou si les immédiatement le mode de scrutin afin de permettre la tenue des élections électeurs poun'onl les panacher avec des candidats indépendants, comme le générales comme prévu le 16 janvier. demande le guide spirituel de la communauté chiite, le grand ayatollah Ali al- Sistani. 'Il y a un calendrier à respecter et nous entrons dans une période critique. Si le Parlement ne peut pas approuver la totalité de la loi électorale, il doit au moins 'Le temps presse et sans ces informations les élections sont en danger. La question de Kiri^ouk peut être tranchée par les députés ultérieurement', a-t-il se prononcer aujourd'hui (dimanche) ou demain (lundi) sur les modalités du ajouté. scrutin', a affirmé à l'AFP Qassem al-Abboudi un haut responsable de la corn-

DE LEUR BASTION IRAKIEN DES MONTS KANDIL, LES REBELLES KURDES NARGUENT ANKARA

MONTS KANDIL (Irak), 3 novembre 2009 (AFP)

1»

DE LEUR BASTION des monts Kandil, en Irak, les rebelles kurdes de Turquie se défient des efforts de paix du gouvernement d'Ankara et se disent prêts à soutenir une guerre de 50 ans. /

"Nous tenons des centaines de montagnes en Turquie, en Irak et en Iran. Rien qu'ici, les monts Kandil ont les dimensions d'un Etat européen: ils font deux fois la taille du Luxembourg. Nous pouvons continuer la guen'e pendant 30 ans, 50 ans s'il le faut', affirme, Sozdar Avesta.

Escortée par deux militantes en salvar (pantalon bouffant) kaki, Kalachnikov en bandoulière, cette figure historique du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), Cet espace, où les rebelles cohabitent avec des villageois kurdes irakiens, membre de sa direction politique, le KCK, reçoit les journalistes dans la 'zone héberge en revanche un hôpital -une femme médecin allemande y exerce, tien¬ politique' des monts Kandil, un massif montagneux du nord de l'Irak, près de nent à préciser les rebelles, soucieux de mettre en valeur le 'soutien internatio¬ l'Iran, abritant le quartier général de la rébellion. nal' à leur cause-, des infrastaictures de communkation et des points de ren¬

Ces montagnes irakiennes servent de base arrière au PKK, dans ses opérations contre avec les médias. de harcèlement des forces de sécurité turques. On y accède depuis la plaine irakienne par une route en bon état, où une gué¬

Dans la 'zone politk^ue', pas d'unités combattantes: elles sont dans les hau¬ rite arborant des drapeaux à l'effigie du chef emprisonné du PKK, Abdullah Oca¬ teurs, sous un régime de 'mobilité permanente' pour éviter d'être surprises par lan, et une escouade de 'douaniers' armés contrôlant les véhicules signalent une attaque aérienne de l'aviation turque ou les fréquentes salves des canons l'entrée dans le territoire sous contrrôle rebelle. iraniens, explique-t-on. Pour éviter les contrôles mis en place par le gouvernement autonome kurde Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

d'Irak, les convois 'sensibles' -dont ceux acheminant des joumalistes- doivent n'y a rien", assène cette femme d'une cinquantaine d'années. cependant opter pour de longs détours à travers les montagnes sur des chemins "Au regard du droit turc, nos huit camarades devraient aller en prison, mais le de contrebandiers. gouvemement préfère gérer la situation avec des petits arrangements plutôt que Le 19 octobre, huit rebelles ont quitté sur ordre d'Ôcalan les monts Kandil pour d'affronter les vrais problèmes: une réforme des cadres juridk^ues et de la rejoindre le poste frontière turc de Habur, dans un geste de soutien aux efforts Constitution pour prendre en compte la réalité kurde", poursuit la militante. de paix du gouvemenrent turc, qui s'apprête à présenter au Pariement une série Fines lunettes sur le nez et pistolet à la hanche, Roj Welat, préposé aux 'rela¬ de réformes renforçant les droits des Kurdes. tions extérieures", se dit lui aussi peu désireux d'abandonner le combat entamé La justice turque a laissé les rebelles en liberté -une décision d'une rare man¬ il y a 25 ans pour l'indépendance du sud-est anatolien, qui s'est transformé en suétude dans un pays où la simple affimiation de sympathies pour le PKK, consi¬ une revendication d'autonomie, en échange d'un hypothétique 'retour à la mai¬ déré comme une organisation terroriste par la Turquie et de nombreux autres son'. pays, peut conduire en prison. Pourtant, Sozdar Avesta se dit sceptique. 'Notre maison, c'est la liberté du peuple kurde', scande le militant. 'Les réformes du gouvemement ne sont que des mots en l'air. Conaètement, il

AU CAMP DE MAHMUR, LES OUBLIES DU CONFLIT KURDE AHENDENT /JfP L'HEURE DU RETOUR EN TURQUIE

CAMP DE MAHMUR (Irak), 4 nov 2009 (AFP) Dans le camp de réfugiés de Mahmur f (nord de l'Irak), AU CAMP DE réfugiés de IMahmur (nord de rirak), 12.000 Kurdes de 12.000 Kurdes de Turquie chassés par les violences attendent depuis 15 ans l'heure du Turquie chassés par retour. En dépit d'ouvertures d'Ankara, celle-ci n'est pas encore venue, les violences dans le affirment ces partisans affichés de la rébellion kurde. sud-est anatolien attendent, certains depuis 15 ans, La positbn des exilés est unanime: 'Nous sommes k^' pour une cause, et tant l'heure du retour. que nous n'auroris pas obtenu satisfaction, nous ne pourrons pas rentrer", résume Makbule Ören, 29 ans, mère de six enfants.

Alors que le gouvemement turc prévoit des réformes pour améliorer les droits des Kurdes, dont il doit révéler les grandes lignes la semaine prochaine, les habitants du camp, érigé en 1998 dans une zone semi-désertkjue à une cin¬ land qui séparait abrs le nord de l'Irak, sous contrôle kurde, du sud, aux mains quantaine de kilomètres au sud d'Erbil, posent leurs conditions. du régime de Saddam Hussein. Elles ne sont autres que celles des rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du "D'un côté, les Kurdes irakiens tiraient sur nous, de l'autre, c'était les champs de Kurdistan (PKK): reconnaissance constitutionnelle de l'identité kurde, enseigne¬ mines de Saddam', se souvient M. Manav, dont un fils a perdu une jambe dans ment en langue kurde, autonomie régionale, et arrêt immédiat des combats. l'explosion d'une mine. "Nous couchions nos enfants sous des sacs en plasti¬ Et pour cause. 'Nous sommes tous des partisans du PKK, même si nous n'en que, au milieu des scorpions... En une seule nurt 51 personnes ont été piquées sommes pas membres', affirme Mahmud Manav, un des conseillers municipaux par des scorpions." du camp. "Nous sommes les familles du PKK. Nos frères, nos enfants se bat¬ Depuis, la situation a considérablement évolué: le Haut-commissariat pour les tent en ce moment dans ses rangs." réfugiés de l'ONU a pris le camp en charge, les réfugiés ont bâti des maisons Au coeur de la petite ville, un mausolée abritant les photos de près de 600 "mar¬ de parpaings, des écoles, des cafés. Ils peuvent travailler sur les chantiers et tyrs" (rebelles morts au combat) originaires du camp, atteste de la puissance dans les champs alentour. des liens unissant les exilés au PKK, un mouvement considéré comme terroriste Une initiative du PKK, qui a envoyé le mois demier huit rebelles et 26 réfugiés par Ankara et de nombreux pays. se présenter à la frontière turque dans un geste de paix, a mis en évidence cette Des liens forgés par un destin tragique, aujourd'hui conté aux 5.000 enfants du aspiration au retour. camp comme un "destan", une épopée: la fuite à travers les montagnes en Pour désigner les membres de ce "groupe de paix", les responsables du camp 1994, alors que le conflit kurde battait son plein en Turquie, puis quatre ans d'er¬ ont ouvert un appel à candidature. "En une joumée, nous avons reçu 400 can¬ rance dans le nord de l'Irak, soumis au harcèlement des Kurdes d'Irak, alors didatures. Si notre assemblée municipale l'avait autorisé, tout le monde, de 7 à alliés d'Ankara contre le PKK. 77 ans, aurait déposé une demande", déclare M. Manav

Les exilés ont finalement trouvé refuge sur le 36e parallèle, dans le no man's

the issue and sent it on to members of Parliament on Tuesday, Turkish

Kurdish issue heads dally Hurrlyet reports. Lawmakers had scheduled Nov. 10 for considera¬

tions, the 71st anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the

to Turicish Parliament founder of the Turkish Republic.

ANKARA, Turkey, Nov. 3,2009 (UPI) ~ Opposition lawmakers In the Republican People's Party, or CHP, rejected

the proposed date, saying the measure was dishonorable to Ataturk.

Pro-Kurdish leaders In Turkey called for delays on talks on the Kurdish "Should we be discussing the Kurdish move on a day that Turkish flag files

Initiative due to conflicts with the key anniversary for the republic. at half-staff?" asked CHP leader Deniz Baykal.

Ankara submitted a motion to Parliament to consider a series of Initiatives Parliamentary consideration comes on the heels of a move by PKK leaders

Intended to find a political solution to the so-called Kurdish question. to form "peace groups" who would surrender to Turkish authorities as part of the reconciliation effort. Turkey has struggled with Kurdish separatist ambitions for decades. Pro-

Kurdish parties, for their part, made considerable gains In municipal elec¬ That program was met with mixed reaction by Turkish leaders and the

tions earlier this year. public.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a motion to discuss Ankara postponed further returns of Kurdish separatist from Europe In res¬ ponse to the outcry. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

LE GOUVERNEMENT TURC ESSAIE DE TROMPER LES KURDES, AFFIRME LE NUMERO DEUX DU PKK

MONTS KANDIL (Irak), 3 novembre 2009 (AFP)

LE GOUVERNEMENT TURC essaie de tromper les Kurdes et Popinion internationale en annonçant depuis plusieurs mois des réformes pour résoudre la question Iturde, a affirmé à l'AFP Murât Karayilan, le numéro deux de l'organisation rebelle liurde du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK).

"Le gouvemement du Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP) n'a jamais ^U eu l'intention de résoudre la question kurde. Il joue la comédie. (...) S'il l'avait vraiment voulu, en une joumée toutes les armes se seraient tues", a déclaré M. Karayilan, interrogé dans les monts Kandil, repaire du quartier général du PKK, dans le nord de l'Irak.

"Tout ce qu'ils font, c'est essayer de tromper le peuple kurde et l'opinion publi¬ "Nous avons confiance en notre leader Öcalan. Si le dialogue commence avec que intemationale", a insisté le président du KCK, organe de direction politique lui, le processus va progresser. Si on ne dialogue pas avec lui, on peut aussi du PKK, qui est le numéro deux de l'organisation derrière son chef historique parier avec nous", a-t-il dit, assurant qu'aucune négociation seaète n'avait Abdullah Öcalan, emprisonné en Turquie depuis 1999. pour l'heure eu lieu.

Le gouvemement turc a multiplié au cours des demiers mois les consultations 'Sinon, il y a un parti qui a été élu par le peuple et qui est au Pariement, avec avec la société civile dans le but annoncé de préparer des réfonnes renforçant qui (le gouvemement) peut aussi parier, c'est le DTP", a-t-il ajouté, faisant réfé¬ les droits de la minorité kurde, forte d'une quinzaine de millions de personnes rence au Parti pour une société démocratique, principale formation prokurde habitant principalement le sud-est anatolien. de Turquie, menacée de femefure par la justice pour des liens supposés avec le PKK. Les premiers détails de ce projet devraient être révélés dans une semaine, le 10 novembre, lors d'une séance de présentation au Pariement. Mais les retiel- Le gouvemement s'est toujours refusé à négocier avec les rebelles. les kurdes affichent leur scepticisme. En l'absence de négociations, le PKK poursuivra sa lutte, affirme M. Karayilan,

"Il s'agit de réfonnes de façade. La mentalité est toujours la même: le refus de précisant toutefois que l'organisation ne fera usage de ses armes qu'en cas de l'affirmation de l'identité du peuple kurde, le refus de le considérer comme un 'légitime défense'. interlocuteur", a commenté M. Karayilan, dénonçant les 'lignes rouges" éta¬ "Quelle que soit l'intensité des combats, le peuple kurde est avec nous et nous blies par Ankara, comme le refus d'inscrire l'identité kurde dans la Constitution, pouvons continuer de résister depuis les montagnes du Kurdistan pendant des le maintien en détention d'Ôcalan et la poursuite des opérations années. dizaines d'années", a-t-il assuré.

"Les Kurdes ne poun-ont pas être libres tant que le leader de cette insun'ec- Le PKK a entamé en 1984 une insurrection visant à l'indépendance du sud-est tion, Abdullah Öcalan, ne sera pas libre", a-t-il souligné. anatolien. Cette revendication s'est progressivement muée en une demande

Pour le chef rebelle, deux conditions sont nécessaires à une avancée vers la d'autonomie régionale et de renforcement des droits culturels des Kurdes. Le paix: l'arrêt immédiat des combats et le début d'un dialogue entre le gouveme¬ conflit kurde a fait quelque 45.000 morts, selon l'année turque. ment et les représentants des Kurdes.

Rudaw.N^' I PKK leader: Davutoglu wants to separate NOVEMBER 2, 2009 Kurds from Kirkuk

"Turkey wants to ojjen a consulate in both

Qandil - In an interview with Rudaw, Hewler and Kirkuk, to separate it from

senior PKK-leader Murat Karayilan said Kurdistan."

that the visit of the Turkish FM Ahmet Murat Karayilan also spoke al)out the

Davuto?lu was related to the Kirkuk comments of premier Nechirvan Barzani

issue. Karayilan also spoke atxiut the who warned in an interview with Rudaw,

comments of the outgoing premier that the PKK that provocative actions

Nechirvan Barzani. won't help the Kurdish issue. There was a

"The principles of the old Turkey, fierce Turkish nationalist backlash

cannot be found in the policies of against the celebratory welcome of the

Davutoglu. This means that he can go to PKK groups. According to Karayilan, the

Hewler [Erbil] and even to Qandil, as Turkish media distorted the words of the added that the PKK took some precau¬

long if he is not scared for the MHP Nechirvan Barzani. tions. 'To not disturb the peace process,

[nationalist Turkish party]," Karayilan The senior PKK leader said that he we have sent eight guerrilla's of which

said. didn't expect there were thousands of none participated in [military] actions."

The PKK politician thinks the new Kurds waiting on the two 'peace' groups

Turkish approach to the Kurdistan region sent by the PKK to Turkey. "We could

is positive, but he calls for caution. have been more careful," but Karayilan Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

TOPAIS ZAiillAN in Arbil is to be opened soon. Before Arisil,

november2, 2009 Davutoglu - accompanied by a large delega¬ tion of 80 businessmen, 20 reporters and VNf''v- ministers - had talks with top officiais in Turkey extends Basra and opened a Turicish consulate there. Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani peace initiative warmly wek:omed Davutoglu, praised Turkey's foreign policy vision and efforts to to northern Iraq address the Kurdish problem through demo¬ cratic reform, and said the PKK should either change or face massive pressure from the tive Implications were huge for both Turiiish- TODArSZAMAN ARBIL _ Kurds. Davutoglu upholds that Barzani's warm Iraqi relations and within Turt(ey, as the attack welcome reflects the northem Iraqi Kurds' affi¬

Only tvw years after coming to the brink worsened tensions between Turits and Kurds nity with Turicey. This welcome is a concrete in Turkey. However, Turicish diplomacy suc¬ of vrar over the presence of the outlawed sign of a change in atmosphere in northem cessfully transformed a probable crisis into an Kurdistan Woricers' Party (PKK) in the coun¬ Iraq. try's mountainous north, Iraq and Turkey are opportunity and developed ties with northern The friendly atmosphere is not only affec¬ Iraq. now building a partnership in areas ranging ting the ties with northem Iraq; indeed Turicey .Almost exactly two years after the times from economy and transportation to security has already taken steps to establish a strate¬ of high tension. Foreign Minister Ahmet at a breathtakinig pace. And Kurdish-run nor- gic cooperation wnth the central govemment in Davutoglu paid a landmart( visit to Art)il on Uiem Iraq, once the No. 1 target of Turidsh Baghdad. When Davutoglu phoned Iraqi Friday, the capital of the semi-autonomous accusations of hartwring terrorists, is a major Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, saying, 'I am Kurdish region, smashing Turicish foreign part of this historic rapprochement. on your lands so I wanted to say hello,' Malik! policy taboo. The minister officially launched a When 12 soldiers vrere killed in a PKK responded by saying, "These are your lands Turicish consulate in the northem Iraqi pro¬ raid on the Da?lica border post in 2007, nega- as well." vince of Mosul and announced the consulate

Barzani: PKK will either change or face november2, 2009 rejection by Kurds

to travel to Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdish

region.

.ByL§M..!<.ENES .. ARBIUMpS^ 'During our difficult days, you have always

been helpful to us. No harm came to us from you. While praising Ankara's steps to address We are people of the same region. 1 feel sad Turicey's decades-old Kurdish issue, Iraqi Kurdish when a Turicish youth is killed. We will resolve our ^ leader Massoud Barzani suggested the outlawed issues in time. We don't embrace the line of the

Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is now at a cross¬ PKK. I congratulate democratization. They [the roads requiring the organization to change. PKK] have two choices ahead: Either they will The govemment recently launched an initia¬ change themselves, or the Kurdish people will get tive that is expected to expand freedoms for rid of them," Barzani told Davutoglu. Turicey's Kurds. The reforms, which include In response, Davutoglu underiined his Davutoglu concluded his visit with a stop-by in easing restrictions on Kurdish language and cul¬ government's determination to continue its demo¬ Mosul on Saturday. In Basra and Mosul, ture, are important for advancing the country's cratization efforts. Davutoglu officially inaugurated Turkey's consula¬ application for membership in the European Ties between Ankara and the government of tes general, pledging to open another in Arijil. Union, which wants Ankara to meet the bloc's Iraq's Kurdish region were marred for years by In a speech delivered during the official inau¬ human rights standards. the presence of the PKK along the border, but guration of the consulate general in Mosul, which During a meeting with Barzani in Arbil late on relations have improved under the Justice and has been de facto functional since 2006, Mosul Friday, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Development Party (AK Party) govemment as the Governor Atheel al-Najafi underiined that much Barzani that "a bright joint future" is ahead of two sides have increased cooperation on security time had passed since they had hosted foreign Turkey and the Iraqi Kurds if the PKK, listed as a and expanded energy and trade deals. ministers in the city ten'orist organization by a large majority of the Acknowledging the very existence of the Najafi voiced his appreciation of Turicey's international community, is completely eliminated. Kurdish regional government, which has enjoyed stance of maintaining an equal distance from all that bright future is impossible so de facto autonomy from Baghdad since 1991, religious and ethnic groups in Iraq. long as sisters and brothers continue killing each had been taboo among Turicish politicians, mind¬ Also during the inauguration ceremony, the other. There is need to resolve the PKK issue by ful of reigniting Kurdish hopes of statehood on University of Mosul confen^ed an honorary docto¬ keeping track of it on three legs. The first leg is Turkish soil. rate on Davutoglu, who has an academic back¬ inside Turkey, and we will sort it out. The second Turicey has accused Barzani of failing to stop ground in political science and intemational rela¬ leg is in northem Iraq, in the Kandil [Mountains], PKK attacks, even as Iraq's Kurdish leaders tions. and here, we need your support. The third leg is openly called on the PKK to lay down its amis. Meanwhile, the Mosul governor gave two in Europe, and we also expect your cooperation Improving ties with Turicey has gained horses as a gift to Davutoglu and Foreign Trade on this leg," Davutoglu toW Barzani. "History can urgency as US forces withdraw from Iraq, leaving Minister Zafer Çaglayan, who also participated in move fonward if ft is written by the appropriate behind a possible security vacuum. the visit to northem Iraq. hands. We expect your support," Davutoglu said. Art)il was the second stop in Davutoglu's visit Davutoglu is the first Turicish foreign minister to the region, with Basra being the first. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

TODAYS ZAMAW november2, 2009

Turkish government reconsiders ^^- Kurdish initiative %

Organization (MIT), Emre Taner, and öcalan

in prison to find a way of accommodating PKK

members returning from the mountains. by WlajdimiQan Wjlgenbur^* Kurds celebrated the arrival of the eight

PKK insurgents from Kandil and 26 Kurdish refugees from the UN Makhmur camp with a live side by side, instead of provoking Turicish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) heroes' welcome and even fireworics and public opinion against this process, which "peace" group had planned to go to music on Oct. 19. The festivities were partly sb'engtiiens the people who are against ttie H Istanbul on Wednesday to convince organized by the pro-Kurdish Democratic process." Turkey to negotiate with the PKK upon the Society Party (DTP). This resulted in a back¬ The Kurdish prime minister is right ttiat it orders of the imprisoned PKK leader, lash among the Turicish population with pro¬ could result in a total failure of tiie initiative if Abdullah öcalan, but the Justice and tests against tiie PKK, the DTP and the AK tensions continue. It's clear ttial ttie AK Party Development Party (AK Party) govemment Party government in Afyonkarahisar, Mus, has backed down out of fear of a nationalist cancelled it at the last moment Konya, Yalova, Edime, Çanakkale, Istanbul backlash. The AK Party is vralking a tightrope The group says the govemment reftised to and Ankara. Many Turics had the same fee¬ between tiie Turicish opposition and Turicish grant visas to the 15 members of the group. II lings as the victims of the Lockertjie bomber, nationalists waiting to crush ttie party, and the seems that the AK Party is now reconsidering who was received witii a similar welcome in PKK which wants to be recognized as a legiti¬ its options for solving the Kurdish issue. Libya. mate negotiation partner. Kurds in Turicey comprise approximately There is a possibility that the demonstra¬ The PKK is putting pressure on ttie AK one-fifth of the country's population, but their tions were planned or supported by the AK Party govemment and even the pro-Kurdish identity was denied during the establishment Party's ulb'anationalist rivals, tiie Nationalist DTP party to legitimize the role of ttie PKK and of the Turicish Republic and their culture sup¬ Movement Party (MHP), and the socialist ttie role of öcalan. While during ttie peace pro¬ pressed. This resulted in a Kurdish insurgency Kemalist party, the Republican People's Party cess in Ireland, Sinn Fein pressured ttie IRA to by the militant PKK in 1982 that changed its (CHP) that form the opposition. The nationalist disarm, ttie PKK is following ttie opposite goals from separatism to more cultural rights statements of CHP leader Deniz Baykal and direction as a result of its leader's imprison¬ within Turicey. The PKK is listed as a terrorist MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli ttirew more oil on ment. The main goal of PKK supporters is ttie organization by Turicey, the European Union the fire by accusing tiie AK Party of ti'eason. recognition of its leader - other goals are and America. Baykal said on Tuesday that the AK Party "is secondary, v^ich limits ttie options of the PKK The charismatic Turicish prime minister, collaborating wntti Öcalan." to solve the Kurdish issue. Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, has taken the initiative It's no surprise ttial ttie AK Party now to end this insurgency that has cost the lives of An array of reactions needs time to ttiink. This can also seen by about 40,000 people and resulted in more than In addition, tiie influential Turicish military Erdogan's frank choice of words: "Let's take a 17,000 unsolved murders. Despite that ttie harshly condemned the celebrations as irres¬ break, and we will assess ttie process later." situation of Kurds in Turicey has improved ponsible. The leader of the pro-Kurdish DTP, The AK Party government is now reconside¬ considerably, significant obstacles remain for Ahmet Tiiric, accused the MHP and the CHP of ring a way to manage the Kurdish issue, but it achieving peace, such as renewed skirmishes inciting racist attacks against Kurds, reported promised to go ahead witti reforms. Analyst between the anny and the PKK and a nationa¬ tiie pro-Kurdish news agency ANR Emrullah Usiu wrote for Today's Zaman that list backlash of the Turicish population that On Tuesday, tiie PKK's European "peace ttie govemment should wait for people to inter¬ refuses any negotiations with the PKK. On group" released a press statement in Brussels. nalize and normalize ttie process first before Wednesday, five PKK members were killed in "It is clear to see the efforts by the CHP admi- taking ftjrther steps considering the return of a clash with the Turicish amny. nisti'ation, MHP and Ergenekon gang in sabo¬ PKK insurgents. If ttie AK Party govemment Apparentiy, the state negotiated indirectiy taging the peace and solution process. Ratiier were to carry out this process too quickly, it with the PKK through Öcalan's lawyers to tfian being under the influence of tills back¬ could easily backfire and result in earty elec¬ receive a PKK group at tiie border from Iraq. ward mentality vifhich gets its sü'engüi from the tions and a loss of votes. Solving ttie Kurdish All 34 members of the PKK group were relea¬ war, ttie AKP must be even more accountable, issue is "all or nothing" for ttie AK Party. sed. Previously, the govemment communica¬ assertive and strong-wnlled in its approach." ted with the PKK in Iraq indirectiy through The group urged ttie govemment to listen to Turicish journalists like Milliyet's Hasan Cemal, ttie ideas of ttie imprisoned PKK leader. 'Wladimir van Wilgenburg is a Dutch ana¬ who shared his observations witii Turicish offi¬ The outgoing Iraqi-Kurdish prime minister, lyst specializing in the Middle East and Turkey cials. When I was in Kandil myself for an inter¬ Nechirvan Barzani, cleariy wamed Uie DTP with expertise in journalism, Turkology, conflict view, there were also Turicish journalists there, and PKK against holding more of this kind of studies and intemational relations. vohile in the past they would have been imme¬ welcome celebration in an interview with the diately jailed for making lerrorist propa¬ Kurdish newspaper Rudaw on Sunday. "The ganda." There were also talks between the PKK should use tiiese groups to sti'engUien director of the Turicish National Intelligence the Turicish initiative, so that Kurds and Turics Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

CHINA DAILY KIRKUK OIL MAY MAKE OR November 5, 2009 BREAK IRAQ'S FUTURE

(China DaUy) during the rule of former dic¬ tator Saddam Hussein, tens r

of thousands of Kurds were ,-.p BAGHDAD: Iraqi politi¬ cians have been turning up displaced under a forced plan by Saddam to make their rhetoric over Kirkuk, Kirkuk predominantly Arab. the oil-rich city that both Kirkuk's rich oil Kurds in the north and Arabs Regaining control of the fields are coveted by city is thus extremely symbo¬ in the south want to control. lic for Kurds and many both the self-ruling The dispute has caused a Kurds have returned since deadlock over the country's Kurds and the Arab the 2003 US-led invasion of election law, threatening to central govemment. Iraq. But other groups claim delay Iraq's nationwide elec¬

tions set for mid-January. Kurds have packed more Kurds into the city than Any vote setback could, in that Kurds wiU gobble up all But a Turkomen lawma¬ before. turn, disrupt US plans to jobs and govemment benefits ker, Abbas al-Bayati, said withdraw troops fi-om Iraq, The population break¬ if Kirkuk joins Kurdistan. Iraq's parliament has not down remains in dispute but scheduled to ramp up after The US has been wat¬ given up hopes of a deal on the vote. US officials estimated last ching the debate intensely for the election law. "Delaying spring that Kurds make up The Iraqi Independent any repercussions it may the elections is a red Une. High Electoral Commission 52 percent of Kirkuk and its have for a US military with¬ Elections must not be jjost- province, with Arabs at 35 has wamed that today will be drawal. poned at any price." the last day for the lawma¬ percent and Turkomen about Under a plan by President The tensions over Kirkuk kers to agree on an election 12 percent. Barack Obama, all US com¬ - already high - rose last law. The Arab-led central bat troops wiU be out of the week after Massoud Barzani, government in Baghdad Commission head Faraj country by the end of August the president of the Kurdish al-Haidari told the parlia¬ vehemently opposes any¬ 2010, leaving about 50,000 autonomous region in the thing that would remove ment speaker late on trainers and support troops north, said in a speech: "We Tuesday in writing that if the Kirkuk from its control. A in Iraq. Those remaining refuse to give Kirkuk a spe¬ referendum on the city's law is not approved by troops would leave by the cial status in the election." today's end, it will be impos¬ future - required by the Iraqi end of 2011. The wording refers to an constitution - has been sible to cany out the vote on US military commanders April United Nations report repeatedly postponed. The Jan 16. say the majority of the troop recommending giving Kirkuk Turkomen have generally "We are getting to a cri¬ departures would come such "special status" with sis," said Marina Ottoway, sided with Arabs, believing about 60 days after the plan¬ oversight by both the near- they'll be treated better than director of the Middle East ned Iraqi election - the idea autonomous Kurdish region under the Kurds, a longtime Program at the Washington- being to get the country on and the central government based Carnegie Endowment enemy of their Turkish sup¬ stable footing before making in Baghdad. Kurds reject for Intemational Peace. 'They porters. any major troop changes. that. The immediate dispute have been trying for over a Any delay in the election The controversy over centers on voting rolls listing year to reach a compromise date could possibly push Barzani's words was further on Kirkuk." who can vote in Kirkuk in the back the troop withdrawal. complicated, at least initially, January national election. "Now," she warns, "it is US officials have ssdd that by a mistranslation of his h)ecoming a problem for the While many proposals have they are still hoping the Jan remarks on Iraqi state televi¬ United States." been discussed, Kurds have 16 date will go forward, but sion, which inaccurately favored using the 2009 voter For years, tensions have say their troop draw-dowrn quoted him as saying he simmered over Kirkuk and registry, which likely reflects plan is not set in stone. pledged to "annex" Kirkuk - a the Kurdish growth, while its surrounding province of Election politics more hardline position. Arabs generally prefer the about 1.3 million people, 290 As the election approa¬ The mistranslation aside, 2004 voter registry, when the km north of Baghdad. ches, tensions have increa¬ emotions run high. Kurdish population wasn't so Boasting an ancient citadel, sed with Arab lawmakers Fawzi Akram, a legislator large. That has delayed the it is in many ways an ordi¬ saying Kirkuk is an Iraqi city in radical Shiite cleric nary, if somewhat shabby, necessary deal on the elec¬ and Kurdish lawmakers boy¬ Muqtada al-Sadr's bloc, who tion law. Iraqi city. cotting a parliament session listened to Barzani's speech But it sits on a political last week over the issue. in the original Kurdish, cal¬ A diflerent divide and cultural fault line among Iraq's central government led his comments provoca¬ The Kurdish-Arab dispute ethnic Kurds and smaller should have tried to resolve tive. over Kirkuk is different from groups of Arabs and the underlying Kirkuk issue "We must contain the Iraq's main political dispute Turkomen, or ethnic Turks. long before now, asserts situation, not make it more between Sunni Arabs and Vast oil fields, dotted with fla¬ Mohammed Ihsan, the for¬ complicated," he said. Shiite Arabs, which plays out ming smoke stacks, lie just mer Minister of Disputed "Kirkuk is an Iraqi city." more in the capital of to the north and west, raising Territories, who is now in the Baghdad and surrounding the stakes. Kurdistan regional govern¬ areas. ment. Displacement by The Sunni-Shiite split 'They forget that without has less relevance in Kirkuk Saddam sorting out this issue, you where both Kurds and Arabs Kurds consider Kirkuk a cannot develop a serious Kurdish city and want it part are mostly Sunni Muslims. partnership throughout the There, the fear among Arabs of their self-ruled region. But country," Ihsan said. - both Sunnis and Shiites - is Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

licx&l'T^^^^nhmt Novembers, 2009 Protesters crash anti-U.S. rally in Tehran

BEIRUT

X \ BY ROBERT F. WORTH

Iran's opposition movement struggled to reassert itself Wednesday, as tens of thousands of protesters braved police beatings and clouds of tCEir gas on the 'h sidelines of a major government- sponsored anti-American rally. The protests in Tehran and several 'C-^ .= other cities were the opposition's largest street showing in almost two months, and came on a day of great

symbolic importance for twth Iran and 1 'J^. the United States: the 30th anniversary

of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in 1979. Although a huge deployment of po¬ lice officers beat back and scattered many of them, the protesters took heart at their ability to openly challenge the government despite a stream of stark Wearing masks, antl-govemment protesters braved police beatings and clouds of tear gas warnings from all levels of Iran's hard¬ in Tehran on Wednesday, the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. Embassy. line establishment Protesters openly flouted the day's of¬ ficial anti-American message, with cil that is aimed at averting a showdown ' On Wednesday, the sti-eets of central about a thousand people, many wearing over Iran's nuclear ambitions. Tehran were lined with police officers

clothing and accessories in the opposi¬ "The world continues to bear witness and Basij militiamen starting early in the tion's signature bright green color, gath¬ to their powerful calls for justice and morning, witnesses said, and in the sul>- ering outside the Russian Embassy in their courageous pursuit of universal ways, officers singled out people wear¬ Tehran and chanting, "The real den of rights," the statement said of the Irani¬ ing green armbands, bracelets, or head spies is the Russian Embassy." For de¬ an people. "It is time for the Iranian scarves and ripped them off. The protest turnout may also have been limited by cades, the Iranian government has said government to decide whether it wants the fact that it took place on a workday, that the U.S. Embassy was a "den of to focus on the past, or whether it will spies" when it was seized. Many opposi¬ make the choices that will open the door unlike the Jerusalem Day protest to greater opportunity, prosperity, and One young man who had been leading tion supporters were angered by Rus¬ justice for its people.' ' anti-government chants in Valiasr sia's early acceptance of Mahmoud Ah- Square summed up the day's events like madinejad's disputed victory in Iran's On TXiesday, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gave an angry this : "One day we come out cuid it's our presidential election in June. It was a day of scattered protests and speech accusing the United States of day, another day they suppress us. Today we did not get to have our say, but violence across central Tehran, and dictating the terms of the nuclear deal, it was good enough that we brought even some government officials seemed and suggested that Mr. Obama was no them out onto the streets." to grudgingly concede that the opposi¬ different from his predecessor. The day was a tonic to the opposition, tion had for the first time disrupted There were reports of several dozen which has struggled to maintain its mo¬ the annual anti-American rally. The offi¬ arrests Wednesday, including some out¬ mentum since the June election set off cial IRNA news agency reported in mid- side Tehran, and many injuries. The re¬ the country's worst domestic unrest afternoon that "rioters," many wearing formist cleric Mehdi Karroubi, who has become the government's most out¬ since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The the opposition's green symbols, had spoken critic, narrowly avoided injury authorities have brutally suppressed gathered in front of theii- offices on when pro-goverrunent forces fired a tear the movement in recent months Valiasr Street chanting "death to the gas cylinder at him as he marched with through a combination of arrests, show dictator" and other anti-government protesters in Tehran, according to Radio trials and intimidation. Many leading slogcins. Farda, which is financed by the U.S. gov¬ reformist figures remain in jail, and At the same time, a new theme emment Two of his guards leaped to de¬ while some . detainees have been re¬ emerged on Wednesday, with many pro¬ fend him and were hospitalized for their leased, the government continues to ar¬ testers declaring their impatience with wounds, the station reported. rest more every week. President Barack Obama's policy of dia¬ Mir-Hussein Moussavi, the opposition Many protesters seemed acutely con¬ logue with the Iranian government. , leader who was Mr. Ahmadinejad's main scious of the government's vulnerabil¬ Many could be heard chantmg: challenger in the elections, was preven¬ ity after a week during which Mr. Ah- "Obama, Obama either you're, with ted from attending the protests by securi¬ madinejad often seemed to be alone in them or you're with us," witoesses said. ty men on motorbikes who arrived at the his support for concluding a nuclear Mr. Obama issued his own statement Cultural Center in central Tehran, where deal with the West on Wednesday to note the 30th an¬ he has his offices. Radio Farda reported. "They should get rid of all this 'death niversary of the embassy takeover, re¬ Over îdl, the police apjjear to have to, death to' death to what?" said one peating his appeals to move beyond the fought back protesters more aggres-. middle-aged woman who was marching two countries' mutual distrust. The sively than they did in September, when with her two daughters. "On the one statement hinted at a sympathy for opposition supporters came out in much hand they shout 'death to America' and Iran's opposition movement and sug¬ larger numbers and virtually hijacked a on the other hand they go and make

gested that time was running out on a state-sponsored rally marking Jerusa¬ deals v«th them." plan backed by the U.N. Security Coun- lem Day. Mr. Ahmadinejad himself has argued Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

that Iran has tamed the West's arro¬ the form of fuel rods for a reactor. him, much as he did to them in years gance and should now agree to the pro¬ But his political enemies, both conser¬ past. The status of the plan remains un¬ posed nuclear deal, under which Iran's vative cuid reformist, have cissailed the clear, with Western leaders showing uranium would be shipped abroad for nuclear plan as a sunender to the West, signs of impatience over Iran's delays. processing and eventually returned in seizing on an opportunity to humiliate

itcralo' (tribune NOVEMBER 5, 2009

tober by signing two protocols with Ar¬ menia, providing for the restoration of The rise of Turkey diplomatic relations and the opening of the border between them. Not surpris¬ ingly, Turkey's ally Azerbaijan has Ankara has strongly objected to this development, Patrick Seale In'recent years, TVirkey's diplomacy since it is locked in conflict with Ar¬ emerged has scored many successes, winning menia over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Ar¬ great popularity in the Arab world cuid from its menian-populated pocket of Azerbaijan strengthening Tlurkey's hand in its bid pro-U.S. occupied by Armenian forces. It is generally accepted that America's to join the European Union. Some Indeed, Turkey's protocols with Ar¬ stréiitjacket destruction of Iraq overturned the bal¬ people wotdd go so far as to argue that menia are unlikely to be fully imple¬ there is no future for TXirkey without to become ance of power in the Gulf, opening the way for the Islamic Republic of Iran to the E.U., and no future for the E.U. with¬ mented until Armenia withdraws from : a powerful emerge as a major regional power, able out TVu-key. at least some"of the districts surround¬ ' regional to challenge the dominance of Sunni Turkey's dynamic multi-directional ing Karabakh but, at the very least, a Arab states and pose as a rival to both foreign policy started to take shape actor. historic staft has been made toward Israel and the United States. when the Justice and Development Hirkish-Armenian reconciliation. Its influence has spread to Iraq itself party, or AKP, came to power in 2002 From the Arab point of view, the most now under Shiite leadership imder Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Er¬ dramatic development has un¬ beyond to Syria, Lebanon, Palestine dogan and Abdullah Gul, now président doubtedly been tiie cooling of "Rirkey's and even perhaps to Zaidi rebels in of the Turkish Republic. These men are relations with Israel. The relationship northern Yemen fighting the central rightly considered to be conservative hcis lieen deunaged by the outrage felt government in Sana'a, a development and moderately Islamic then- wives : by many Tlirks at Israel's cruel oppres¬ that has aroused understandable anxi¬ wear headscarves but they are care¬ sion of the Palestiniems, which reached ety in Saudi Arabia. ful to stress that they have no ambition its peak with the Gaza War. However, the Iraq war has had anoth¬ to create an Islamic state. "Rirkey's pop- : Even before the assault on Gaza, er important consequence that is also ulation may be largely Muslim, but the Prime Minister Erdogan a strong sup¬ attracting serious notice. America's state itself is secular, democratic, capi¬ porter of the Palestine cause did not failure in Iraq and its equal failure to talist and close to both the West and the hesitate to describe some of Israel's bru¬ tame Israel's excesses has encour¬ Arab and Muslim world. Indeed, Tur¬ tal actions as "state terrorism." A total aged fXirkey to emerge from its pro- key sees itself as a bridge, vital to both. breach between the two countries is un¬

American straitjacket and assert itself Ahmet Davutoglu is credited with likely, but relations are unlikely to recov¬ as a powerful independent actor at the providing the theoretical framework for er their earlier warmth so long as Isra¬ heart of a vast region that extends from "nurkey's new foreign poUcy. He was el's hard-line prime minister, Benjamin the Middle East to tiie Balkans, the Mr. Erdogan's principal adviser before Netanyahu, and his foreign minister, Caucasus and Central Asia. being promoted foreign minister. Avigdor Liel)erman, reméiin in power. The TVirks like to say that whereas Two visits in Octolier illustrate fXir- Underpinning Tlirkey's diplomacy is Iran and Israel are revisionist powers, key's activisim. Prime Minister Er¬ its central role as cui energy hub Unking . arousing anxiety and even fear by their ; dogan, accompanied by nine ministers oil and gas producers in Russia and expansionism and their challenge to ex- ' and an Airbus full of businessmen, vis¬ Central Asia with energy-hungry mar¬ isting power structures, fXirkey is a sta- ited Baghdad, where he held a session kets in Europe. bilizing power, intent on spreading with the Iraq govemment and signed no One way and another, a resurgent Hff- peace and security far and wide. fewer than 48 memor¬ key is rewriting the rules of the power flu-key is extending its influence by di¬ anda in the fields of game in the Middle East in a positive A moderate plomacy ratherthan force. It is also forg¬ and non-confrontational manner. This is commerce, energy, Islamic lead¬ one ofthe few bright spots in a turbulent ing economic ties with its neighbors, and water, security, the ership forges and highly inflammable Middle East has offered to mediate in several persist¬ environment and so a multi-fa¬ ent regional conflicts. It has, however, forth. PATRICK SEAL£ IS the author of "The not hesitated to use force to quell the ceted foreign At much the same guerrillas of thé PKK, a rebel movement policy that time. Foreign Minis¬ Strugglefor Syria," "Asad ofSyria: The Strugglefor the Middle East" and "Abu fighting for Kurdish independence. reaches out in ter Davutoglu was in Nidal: A Gunfor Hire." But even here, 'Rirkey is now using a several direc¬ Aleppo, where he softer approach. The rebels have been signed agreements AGENCE GLOBAL tions. offered an anmesty and llirkey's influ¬ with Syria's foreign ential foreign minister, Ahmet Davuto¬ minister, Walidal- glu, has this past week paid a visit Mucillim, of which perhaps the most im¬ the first of its kind to the Kurdish Re¬ portant was the removal of visas, allow¬ gional Government in northem Iraq. ing for a free flow of people across their There is even talk of Tlirkey opening a common border. consulate in Erbil. Turkey also broke new ground in Oc- . ..

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

ïïcraiii tribune Iraq dttacks feed fears of spike in

NOVEMBER 2, 2009 pre-election violence

BAGHDAD

\T BYJOHNLELAND

A week after the deadliest day of vio¬

lence here in more than two years, a scattering of smaller Ijomb attacks <^--^^^ around Iraq killed at least 12 and wounded more than 50 on Sunday. Though violence in Iraq has fallen wt: shcuply over the course of the year,

many observers fear an escalation be¬ Hès-x fore parhamentary elections that are #'' scheduled to be held on Jan. 16. Since the Oct 25 attacks that killed 155 and de¬ stroyed three govemment buildings, the authorities have arrested dozens of susptects and security officers, and crit¬ ics have lashed the govemment for fail¬ if.- ing to provide security. Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi said in a statement that the attack last week MUSHTAQ MUHAMHED/REUTERS in Baghdad could have been prevented, Iraqi police officers transporting a woiAided woman after a bomb attack Sunday in KariMla. and he blamed "catastrophic gaps and

breaches in security forces."

The attacks Sunday came as Iraq's of Baghdad, was the site of a 2005 sui¬ Rcunadi, once one of the most danger¬ legislators again failed to agree on laws cidé bomb that killed at least 114 people, ous cities in Iraq, has for two years been governing the January elections, de¬ until then the deadliest single attack a model for progress in Iraq since tribal

spite warnings that any delay might since the 2003 invasion. leaders and United States counterinsur- prevent the vote from taking place on Elsewhere, a magnetic bomb at¬ gency forces defeated a Qaeda cell. But

time. Discussions in Parliament on Sun¬ tached to a minibus filled with 21 pcts- recent attacks there have led to concern day instead focused on other matters. sengers exploded near a checkpoint in that Al Qaeda and other insurgent , The bombs Sunday, the first day of the Karbala Province, southwest of Bagh¬ forces may be regaining strength. Iraqi workweek, killed police officers dad, killing three people and wounding Also on Sunday, an improvised explo¬ and civilians and struck Sunni as well as 12 others. Karbala, home of one of the sive device in Mosul Province killed two Shiite areas. In the deadliest of the at¬ most sacred Shiite mosques, had been Iraqi soldiers and wounded a third, and tacks, a bomb placed on a parked motor¬ relatively peaceful until a spate of at¬ four police officers were killed in two cycle exploded in a crowded fruit and tacks in the last few months. shootings there. vegetable market near the southern city Near Ramadi, the southwest point of

of Hilla, kiUing five people and wound¬ Iraq's Sunni Triangle, a car bomb and a

ing 37. suicide bomber wearing a belt laden Hilla, a predominantiy Shiite city with explosives küled two police officers about 100 kilometers, or 60 miles, south and wounded five people.

Hmlb^^ Sribunc. November lo, 2009 Iran accuses and toward the Iranian border. an government was trying to use one News of the spying accusations drew woman's cu-rest to gain leverage with a quick rebuke from Secretiary of State the United States. She was released in 3 American Hillary Rodham Clinton. May, a month l)efore disputed presiden¬ "We believe strongly that there is no tial elections in Iran.

evidence to support any charge whatso¬ The United States has been pursuing ever," she said in Berlin, according to the release of the American hikers hikers of The Associated Press. "And we would through Swiss diplomats in Tehran. renew our request on behalf of these Statements from family members and

three young people and their families the Kurdish authorities have said that espionage that the Iranian government exercise the three travelers, all graduates of the

compassion and release them so they University of California, Berkeley, had

can return home." crossed from Turkey into Kurdistan, BY JACK HEALY AND WAZILA FATHI The specter of three American tour¬ where they stayed at a hostel and

Three American hikers arrested in Iran ists on trial in Iran could add strain to re¬ camped as they headed toward Ahmed this summer after straying across its lations between Iran and the United Awa, a resort area of caves and water- . border with Iraq have been accused of States at a time when the countries £u-e falls on the border. spying, an IranicUi state news agency negotiating over Iran's nuclear pro¬ A statement on a Web site set up for

reported Monday. gram, and it raises questions about the hikers, freethehikers.org, makes a The Tehran prosecutor told Irîui's offi- whether Iran will try to use the Ameri¬ plea for their release: "We hope the Ira¬ . cial IRNA news agency that Ircuüan of¬ cans as a bargaining chip. EcU'lier this nian authorities understand that if our ficials were pursuing espionage year, the case of Roxana Saberi, an Ira¬ children and friends did happen to enter chcU"ges against the Americans, who nian-American journalist arrested in Iran, there CcUi only be one reason: be¬ were detcdned in late July after trekking Tehran, drew international attention cause they made a regrettable mistake through the Kurdistan region of Iraq and sparked accusations that the Irani and got lost."

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

DU 5 AU 11 NOVEMBRE 2009

IRAN Ce pays où la mori' comp^e plus que la vie

A la suite de plusieurs condamnations prononcées contre des opposants, l'écrivaine Fariba Amini dénonce la banalisation de la peine capitale et le culte des martyrs.

1RANIAN.COM (extraits) gation globale, appliquée à tous les New York opposants du régime, journalistes, militants et écrivains. C'est simple Il y a trente et un ans, quelques et pratique. Le régime iranien n'a

mois après la révolution [isla¬ besoin d'aucune justification pour mique] de 1979, les généraux tuer. La loi de qçsas (qui en arabe et les proches du chah, dont signifie "représailles et punition") est

son Premier ministre de longue date un code pénal discriminatoire ratifié

Amir Abbas Hoveida^ ont été tués sous Rafsandjani et qui autorise la sans autre forme de procès. La foule mort par exécution dans diverses cir¬ s'est réjouie. Quelque temps après, constances, même insignifiantes. le Premier ministre Mehdi Bazargan, L'exécution récente d'un jeune inquiet des exécutions massives [de homme, Behnoud Shojai, qui avait généraux et de partisans de l'ancien 17 ans au moment de son arrestation régime], vint demander à Khomeyni [et 21 au moment de son exécution, la grâce d'un général de 85 ans. Le le 1 1 octobre 2009], a suscité la rage fondateur de la République islamique et la consternation. Pourtant, beau¬ lui répondit : "Cette classe doit être coup n'ont pas vu d'objection à ce éradiquée." que l'on exécute ce "criminel". Sur Une fois enclenché, le carnage ne le réseau social Facebook, certains s'est jamais arrêté. Il est prouvé que s'interrogeaient pour savoir s'il devait des exécutions massives ont eu lieu à être considéré ou non comme un la prison d'Evine pendant les pre¬ martjT, étant donné qu'il n'était pas mières années du régime islamique. exempt de tout soupçon. Mais là -Au Kurdistan, des exécutions som¬ n'est pas le vrai débat ! Qu'il soit maires ont été commises. De jeunes Dessin d'Ajubel coupable d'actes criminels ou non, hommes, les futurs gardiens de la paru dans El Pais, aucun mineur au moment des faits révolution [milice du régime], ont tué Madrid. ne devrait être condamné à mort ! de nombreux protestataires. Puis les D'autant que la loi iranienne stipule nouveaux juges, intronisés par leur que des mesures doivent être prises turban plutôt que par leurs coimais- Les élections de 2009 n'ont fait pour réinsérer les criminels, ce qui qu'intensifier les tortures et qu'ac¬ sances juridiques, ont commencé à n'est que très rarement appliqué. croître le nombre des morts. La prononcer des peines de mort. Sadeq En Iran, la mort est devenue plus République islamique a légitimé une Khaikhali, surnommé le "juge qui importante que la vie. Le culte des culture de la mort (qui existait déjà pend", était l'un d'entre eux. Quand martyrs est profondément ancré dans on lui demandait : "Et s'ils étaient au temps du chah, mais de manière la religion chiite. Pour les chiites, imiocems ?" Il répondait : "Alors ils souterraine). Les Iraniens en sont devenir un martyr est l'ultime acte iront au paradis J" arrivés à l'accepter. Que les persoimes de courage. Dans chaque ville d'Iran, Peu d'Iranjens se sont opposés jugées soient innocentes ou cou¬ le premier panneau d'accueil que aux exécutions des partisans du chah. pables, la peine capitale est devenue l'on voit vous souhaite la "Bienvenue Quelques-uns ont exprimé leurs la norme plutôt que l'exception. Ces dans la ville du martyr UnuV\ en réfé¬ doutes lors des assassinats de moud¬ derniers temps, la peine de mort est rence à ceux qui sont morts pendant utilisée contre les prisonniers poli¬ jahidin. Beaucoup ont dit leur hor¬ la guerre Iran-Irak [1980-1988]. tiques comme ime tactique d'intimi¬ reur face aux exécutions massives KhomejTii avait prolongé inutilement dation, afin d'en dissuader d'autres d'Evine. Ceux qui l'ont fait ont été cetto guerre, le plus longtemps pos¬ de se lancer dans des activités sub¬ soit ignorés, soit emprisonnés. Mais sible, pour des raisons de politique versives. Souvent, la sentence est la culture de la mort est restée et s'est intérieure, au prix de centaines transformée en peine de prison. développée dans notre société. En de milliers de vies.

1986, l'ayatollah Montazeri, après DEVENIR UN MARTYR EST L*ACTE Un jour prochain, si un nouveau

ULTIME DE COURAGE système judiciaire se met en place, nous avoir été informé de ce qui se passait de\Tons éradiquer cette culture de la dans les prisons, a écrit à IChomeyni Comment détermine-t-on qu'une mort pour instaurer une société où la pour lui signaler les abus, mais celui- personne est engagée dans des acti¬ compte davantage que la mort. ci a balayé toutes les accusations d'un vités représentant une menace pour Fariba Amlni revers de main. la sécurité de l'Iran ? C'est une allé

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

(V 3lt01ldC Öimanche 8 - Lundi 9 novembre 2009

Turquie et Europe : l'intenable position française

La scène se déroule dans le café " veulent plus rester sur la touche. C'est ce d'Hamsiköy, un hameau perché AnolTrco qui risque d'arriver à Areva pour la centra- dans les montagnes de la région de la -^^ ^^^^J '^^ le nucléaire turque, promise aux Russes, mer Noire. Calés autour d'un poêle à bois «Si la France espère sauver les gros et d'un thé brillant, les représentants des rVHll«üm- p.rrier contrats avec cette position ambiguë elle 27pays européens, dont i4ambassa- ?" !^^"TZ.r^Lnr. se mettedo/gtdans/'ui/ «.ironise un diplo- ^/i"'y y . V _^. j^ stanbul, correspondance matAPnrrmppn i^^milipinfH'affairessou- deurs sontvenuspromouvoirlactionde mateeuropeen.Lesmmeuxaauu Bmxelles auprès des PME turques. Mais "' ' lignent aussi que Nicolas Sarkozy est aUe les anciens du café n'ont qu'un sujet en une relation très importante sur le plan vendre la France dans la plupart des pays tète:« Sarkozy veutfermer la porte au nez géopolitique et énergétique... Etpourtant, émergents: Brésil, Mexique, Chine ou de la Turquie en nous parlant departena- a-t-il dit, notre relation est dominée par Kazakhstan... Mais qu'il continue eton- riatprivilégié IMais qui êtes-vouspourlais- des querelles sur lafinalité du processus namment de bouder la Turquie, membre ser la Turquie à la porte ? », gronde l'un d'adhésion ». d- ^020 et i6' économie mondiale, d'eux. Le chef de la délégation européen- Lanouvellepositionfrançaise-«Jepro- Malgré le discours apaisant, le proces- ne à Ankara, le Français Marc Pierini, ten- cessus d'adhésion sans l'adhésion » - tient sus européen de la Turquie est sensible¬ re de le rassurer : « les Etats membres sont du funambulisme. EUe demeure inaudi- ment fireiné par l'attitude française : les libres de dire ce qu 'ils veulent Pourstopper ble dans une Turquie candidate à l'Europe cinq chapitres des négociations indissocia- le processus, ilfaut l'unanimité des Vingt- depuis 1959. Dans les milieuxturcs éclai- blés de l'adhésion restent bloqués. Une Sept, ce qui n 'arrivera pas. Les négocia- rés, elle est qualifiée au mieux d'« incohé- vingtaine de députés UMP rniUtent pour tions ne vontpas s 'arrêter, c'est la réalité » rente » voire d'« irrationnelle ». « Ce serait que les crédits de préadhésionaccordés à la comme célébrer desfiançailles en sachant Turquie, 3,9 milliards d'euros d'ici à 2012, T a nnnvfllp rM-»<;i1inn qu'onnepourropassemarierw.acomparé, soient drastiquement réduits. «les Fran- L,d liuuvcuc puMLiuii ^^^^ Baran, vice-président du patronat çais ne comprennentpas que Von encoura- ftancaise-« processus turc,aulancementdel'lnstitutduBospho- gefinancièrementcepaysàfairedesréfor- H'QrlV>ocir»r»cQr>cQHVi«icir>r»»- te, un cercle de réflexion mis sur pied mes », estiment les auteurs d'un amende a aonesion saill. aui ICMUIl ^^^^ renforcer les liens franco-turcs. ment au projet de loi de finances 2010. ressemble à un-numéro L'émergence de laTurquie comme puis- « Un amendement de cohérence avec la rJpfnnamhiiliQmp sance économique, géopolitique et éner- politique européenne de la France ».selon ue lUlldlllUUiismc gétique est devenue trop évidente pour le député Richard Mallié. Cohérent aussi - continuer à être ignorée. Une diplomatie avec l'atmosphère qui a entouré la visite à Du village d'Anatolie aux salons d'Is- hyperactive a replacé le pays au centre du Paris du président turc, Abdullah Gül, tanbul, l'opposition répétée de la France à jeu régional et son influence culturelle se début octobre. D'Istanbul à Hamsiköy, les l'adhésion de la Turquie à l'Union euro- diffuse à travers le monde musulman, Turcs ont lu dans les journaux que leur péenne a fait des dégâts. De quoi échpser mais aussi dans le Caucase et en Europe président avait été accueilli avec « désin- cinq ans de processus européen. Avec les orientale. Sa position géographique, argu- voiture » par M. Sarkozy, arrivé au Grand élites francophiles, intellectuels et entre- ment habituel des ântiadhésion (la Tur- Palais pour inaugurer l'exposition « De preneurs, le divorce est consommé. Le quie n'est pas en Europe mais en Asie), est Byzance à Istanbul », en mâchonnant un refus français est devenu le symbole vue comme un atout : la Turquie s'est chewing-gum. Là visite s'est effectuée au d'une Europe timorée et nourrie de préju- imposée comme carrefour des routes pas de charge, en douze minutes, dans gés. Pour ne plus hérisser les Turcs, la énergétiques à destination des marchés une gigantesque bousculade, diplomatie française a donc décidé de ne ' européens. Gaz de France courtise Ankara Enfin, en essayant de convertir la Grèce plus parler de «partenariatprivilégié». A pour intégrer le projet Nabucco... et Chypre à sa position sur la Turquie, la place, on évoque pudiquement des Economiquement, enfin, ce marché Paris commet une autre erreur d'apprecia- « liens particuliers » entre Ankara et l'UE. dynamique de 72 millions d'habitants gar- tion. Les pays voisins ont intérêt à voir la De passage à Istanbul, le secrétaire de un potentiel d'investissement allé- Turquie se démocratiser et intégrer le d'Etat aux affaires européennes, Pierre chant. M.Lellouche n'a pas manqué de concert européen. Le premier ministre Lellouche,qui,ilyaunan,défendaitl'ad- souligner l'intérêt français pour la grec, George Papandreou, s'est même pro- hésion, a tenté de convaincre que la Fran- construction du troisième pont sur le Bos- nonce pour une adhésion « dès 2014 ». ce et la Turquie devaient «se concentrer phore. Les entreprises hexagonales régu- : surles intérêts communs». «Nous avons lièrement exclues des marchés pubhcs ne Coumel: [email protected]

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

LE FIGARO jei idi J2 novembre 2009 Des rebelles kurdes déposent les armes

Les combattants du PKK attendent

un engagement fort d'Ankara pour régler

un conflit qui dure depuis 25 ans. 'i

12 000 Kurdes réfugiés en Irak, l'assou- LAURE MARCHAND ENVOYÉE SPÉCIALE A DIVARBAKIR pUssement de la « loi de repentance » afin de faciliter le désarmement, un usage élar¬

TURQUIE En pantalon et chemise de ville, gi de la langue kurde, comme son autori¬ -4',- Lütfi Tas, 59 ans, se sent un j)eu à l'étroit. sation dans les meetings politiques et son Sa tenuede guérilla était plus confortable. apprentissage optionnel dans l'enseigne¬ La nuit, le matelas en mousse le fait trans¬ ment secondaire ou encore la reconver¬ 4» pirer. Difficile de s'habiwer au sjTithéti- sion progressive des miliciens kurdes que après avoir dormi 15 ans à même le sol payés par l'État pour combattre la guérilla. dans les montagnes du Nord de l'Irak, où ^-^i f. sont installées les bases arrières du PKK Débats au Parlement

(Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan). La tâche qui attend le gouvernement L'homme ne reconnaît plus Diyarbakir, la s'avère néanmoins ardue. Le ministre de grande \Tlle kuide à l'Est de la Turquie. l'Intérieur, Besir Atalay, a estimé que le « Autrefois, on voyait les vieux quartiers temps était venu d'agir avec « courage, entourés par les remparts, aujourd'hui ils sincérité etdétermination ». Mais le soutien sont noyés dans un océan de béton. » Liitfi de l'armée est ténu. Et l'opposition, qui

est l'un des huit combattants de l'organi¬ compare cette initiative à une « conspira¬ sation kurde qui ont déposé les armes et tion », se déchaîne. «Ne laissons pas la ont été autorisés à rentrer en Turquie, le République tomber dans ce guet-apens », Le 19 octobre, des mHRers de Kurdes ont salué, à SIrnak, 19octobre. « J'ai tellement rêvé de ce retour s'est emporté Deniz Baykal, à la tète du le retour de combattants du PKK autorisés à rentrer en sur ma terre natcde, les mots manquentpour Parti républicain du peuple (CHP). Turquie après avoir cessé le combat figen ekti/nar photos-rea exprimer mon émotion, nous étions 1 000 « L'AKP (le parti au pouvon, NDLR) est en volontaires pour faire partie de cet instant train d'accomplir ce que le PKK n'a pas historique et porter ce message de paix », réussi par les armes », a renchéri Mehmet s'émeut-U. Àla frontière turco-irakienne, Sandir, le député d'extrême droite du Parti « long et difficile processus vers lapaix » est le «groupe de la paix», envoyé par pour une action nationaliste (MHP). enclenché. Abdullah Öcalan, le leader du PKK, pour Cette hostilité ulcère AbdullahDemirbas, Les débats à venir dans l'enceinte du tester la détermination du gouvernement maire de Sur, une municipalité de Diyarba¬ parlement turc constituent en eux-mêmes turc à régler le kir :« Quelle est cet¬ une avancée. « Jusqu'àprésent, les députés conflit qui dme : te mentalité ? Ilsveu- se limitaient à renouveler l'autorisation depuis 25 ans, a été lent donc que la donnée àl'armée de conduire des opérations accueilli en héros guerre continue? dans le nord de l'Irak, souligne l'avocat par des dizaines de N'ont-ils pas kurde, Sezgin Tanrikulu. Débattre dupro¬ Diyarbakir milliers de Kurdes. - .. d'enfants soldats ? » «Nous avons pris , L'édile, qui a déjà 23 blème kurde au Parlement est la bonne

les armes procès à son actif,- méthode même si on ignore ce qui en sorti¬

contraints, car nous revient d'ime ra. » Mais pour l'ancien bâtonnier de

n 'aw'ons pas d'autre audience au tribu- Diyarbakir aussi, il y a urgence. Au fil des TURQUIE choix pour réclamer . nal. Cette fois-ci, il ans, les nationalismes kurde et turc se sont renforcés mutuellement. « Le gouveme¬ nos droits, déclare est poursuivi pour Mehmet Serif Gençdal, le porte-parole. avoir édité des brochures en kurde. Une ment a conscience des risques d'affronte¬ L 'objectifde notre venue est depoursuivre la photo de son fils, en uniforme de lycéen, est ment entre les deux sociétés, ü sait qu'iln'a

lutte politiquement, il faut que l'État posée sur son bureau. En mai, l'adolescent pas le droit d'échouer. » m l 'accepte, qu'il cesse de nouspercevoir com - est parti rejoindre les rangs de la guérilla.

me des séparatistes mettant en danger « Je venais d 'être condamné à deux ans et six

l'unité delaTurquie. » mois de prison pour avoir fait l'apologie La reddition d'im plus grand nombre de d'Abdullah Öcakxn, raconte sonpère, lagor- rebelles dépendra de l'ampleur de genouée. J'câtentédeledissuader, maisUm'a r« ouverture démocratique » lancée par répondu que tout ce quejefaisais ne m'avait le premier ministre. Demain, Recep rien rapporté. » Malgré tout, même s'il esti¬ Tayyip Erdogan devrait présenter devant me que « les premiers pas du gouvemement le Parlement des propositions concrètes en sont encore insuffisants » pour mettre un faveur de la minorité kurde. Selon là pres¬ terme à ce conflit qui a fait plus de 45 000 se, pourraient être annoncés le retour de morts, Abdullah Demirbas croit que le

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

IRAK: LES MINORITÉS, VICTIMES COLLATÉRALES DU CONFLIT ARABO-KURDE

BAGDAD, 10 nov 2009 (AFP) Par ailleurs, seton elle, 'des éléments extrémistes de l'insurrection arabe sun¬ nite, qui conskJèrent ces communautés minoritaires comme des et des ont lancé des attaques dévastatrices qui ont tué des centaines LES MINORITÉS, notamment chrétiennes, du nord de rirak sont les vic¬ de civils'. times collatérales du conflit entre Arabes et Kurdes pour le contrôle de territoires disputés et doivent être protégés, affirme mardi l'organisation HRW appelle le gouvemement régkjnal kurde à modifier sa Constitution afin de défense des droits de l'Homme Human Rights Watch (HRW). que les chabaks et les yazidis 'soient reconnus légalement comme des grou¬ pes ethniques distincts et à cesser la répression contre les organisations de la société civile et politique qui s'opposent à la politique kurde dans les régions

Dans un rapport, celte organisation estime qu'elles "sont prises pour dble disputées'. dans la lutte opposant Arabes et Kurdes pour le contrôle de territoires dans la Elle lui demande aussi d'enquêter sur les agissements des milices kurdes région de Ninive', dont Mossoul est la capitale. accusées de s'attaquer aux minorités.

Les minorités visées par les attaques et les pressions sont les 550.000 chré¬ Le rapport appelle également le gouvemement irakien à protéger 'les minori¬ tiens, les 220.000 yazidis (une secte accusée d'être adoratrice du diable) et les tés au niveau local, provincial et natranal, et à enquêter sur les meurtres et les 60.000 chabaks (une minorité ethnique), ainsi que des minorités turicmènes et déplacements de chrétiens et sur les agressions mortelles dirigées contre des kurdes kakaïs (une communauté réduite aux aoyances synaétiques). d'autres minorités'.

'Elles se retrouvent dans une position de plus en plus précaire alors que le En août 2007, des attentats simultanés au camion piégé à Ninive, vraisembla¬ gouvemement central dominé par les Arabes et le gouvemement régional du blement commis par des islamistes sunnites, ont tué plus de 400 yazidis dans Kurdistan se disputent le contrôle des territoires convoités', assure HRW. la pire attaque contre les civils depuis 2003. "Un des principaux fronts du conflit est Ninive, la deuxième province la plus Fin 2008, une campagne systématique de meurtres et de violences ciblés a peuplée d'Irak, et qui présente une concentration unique de groupes de mino¬ fait 40 morts parmi les chrétiens, entraînant le départ de Mossoul de plus de rités ayant une présence historique dans la région', expiique-t-elle. 12.000 d'entre eux. Les diverses communautés se rejettent la responsabilité HRW, basée à New Yori«, accuse les forces kurdes de recourir, pour consoli¬ de ces attaques. der leur emprise sur ces temtoires, "à des détentions et arrestations arbitrai¬ En outre, les groupes rebelles ont repris les attentats à la bombe depuis le res, à des actes d'intimidation et dans certains cas à des vkilences de faible retrait des villes des forces américaines le 30 juin. Des attaques contre les intensité contre les minorités qui ont défié le contrôle du gouvemement régio¬ minorités entre juillet et septembre ont tué plus de 157 personnes et ont fait nal sur les territoires convoités". 500 blessés, selon HRW.

SYRIE: QUATRE KURDES CONDAMNES A SIX ANS DE PRISON

DAMAS, 10 nov 2009 (AFP) Les quatre Kurdes condamnés sont Nasser Ahmad Mohammad, Fawaz Ali, Saoud Tchikhmous et Abdel-Rahmane Moustapha Mohammad, qui avaient été an-êtés en 2008 et début 2009. LA COUR DE sûreté de l'Etat, un tribunal d'exception, a condamné dimanche à Damas quatre Kurdes syriens à six ans de prison pour L'OSDH, basé à Londres, a demandé aux autorités syriennes de 'supprimer* appartenance à un parti interdit, a annoncé mardi une ONG, la Cour de sûreté de l'Etat. l'Observatoire syrien pour les droits de l'Homme (OSDH). En Syrie, les détenus kurdes sont systématiquement accusés de vouloir ratta¬

"La Cour de sûreté de l'Etat a condamné dimanche quatre Kurdes syriens à cher une partie du territoire syrien à un futur Etat indépendant du Kurdistan. six ans de prison pour appartenance à un parti interdit qui est le Parti de Estimés à plus de 1 ,5 million de personnes, les Kurdes de Syrie représentent l'Union démocratique, et pour tentative de s'emparer d'une partie du temtoire environ 9% de la population du pays. Ils réclament la reconnaissance de leur syrien pour l'annexer à un Etat étranger", a indiqué l'OSDH dans un commu¬ langue et de leur culture. niqué.

IRAK: LE RAPT D'ENFANT, UNE INDUSTRIE FLORISSANTE A KIRKOUK

KIRKOUK (Irak), 11 nov 2009 (AFP) parents et les ravisseurs et quatre, dont deux filles, sont toujours séquestrés", a-t-il ajouté.

Fin octobre, le fils du chef de la tribu kurde des Zangana a été enlevé par des Les quatre jeunes encore détenus sont un sunnite de 12 ans enlevé le 23 octo¬ hommes amies sur le chemin de l'école à Kiricouk, dans le nord de Tlrak, où bre, un Kurde de 16 ans kidnappé le 27 octobre et deux Turcomanes de 13 et les rapts d'enfant sont devenus une industrie florissante. 14 ans enlevées les 29 octobre et 1er novembre, selon la police.

'Cela s'est passé à 07H40 (03H30 GMT) le 26 octobre et 36 heures plus tard En général issus de familles aisées, ils ont tous disparu sur le chemin de j'ai reçu une vidéo. Quand j'ai vu Mohammed enchaîné, les yeux bandés, qui l'école. "Beaucoup de familles n'osent pas nous signaler la disparition de leur criait parce qu'on le frappait, je me suis évanoui", confie à l'AFP cheikh enfant soit par peur des ravisseurs, soit parce qu'ils n'ont pas confiance dans Othmane Abdel Karim Agha, 55 ans. nos services ou soit pour des convenances sociales quand il s'agit de filles", assure le général Youssef. Après 11 jours de captivité et le versement d'une rançon de 40.000 dollars, son fils de 14 ans a été libéré dans une rue du sud de cette cité multiethnique de La semaine dernière, la police avait annoncé la libération de deux écoliers tur- 575.000 habitants. comans de 14 ans, enlevés le 20 octobre alors qu'un chauffeur les conduisait dans une école turque du centre-ville. "Depuis septembre, les rapts d'enfant se sont accrus. Nous connaissons au nxMns dix cas mais en réalité il y en a bien plus', affinne le chef-adjoint de la Le premier, Ahmad Mohammed Noureddine, est le fils d'un célèbre ophtalmo¬ police régionale, le général Torhan Youssef. logue et le second, Judat Sonay, appartient à une riche famille. Les parents d'Ahmad ont refusé de payer une rançon alors que ceux de Judat ont 'Deux ont été libérés par nos forces, un enfant a été relâché après paiement déboursé 50.000 dollars, sekm la police. d'une rançon, trois autres l'ont été après négociations directes entre les

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

LE GOUVERNEMENT TURC PRÉSENTE SON PLAN KURDE, /Ifp VEUT ÉLARGIR LES LIBERTÉS

ANKARA, 10 nov 2009 (AFP)

LE GOUVERNEMENT TURC s'est engagé mardi à "une ouverture démo¬ cratique" en Turquie, en présentant son projet de mesures en faveur de i la communauté kurde, une initiathre controversée censée apporter une solution politique à la sensible question kurde.

Le ministre de l'Intérieur Besir Atalay a expliqué lors d'un débat houleux la nécessité de ce plan d'action, avant que le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip I Erdogan expose, probablement jeudi lors d'un deuxième débat, les grandes k 4 lignes de cette 'ouverture démocratique' très critiquée par l'opposition, qui y

voit une menace pour l'unité nationale. 10 novembre, une vive discussion, notament sur les questions

'Aucune mesure pouvant porter atteinte à l'unité du pays ne figurera dans Kurdes qui devaient être débattues, a dégénéré en pugilat au cette ouverture', a assuré M. Atalay. Sans entrer dans les détails, il a affirmé Parlement turc. que son gouvernement souhaitait parvenir à un "consensus" pour des réfor¬ L'opposition a dès l'ouverture de la séance mardi tenté en vain de bloquer les mes étendant les libertés et les normes démocratiques. discussions, avançant qu'elles ne pouvaient se faire au jour anniversaire de la Sans dévoiler de mesure concrète, le ministre a souligné que le temps était mort du père-fondateur de la Turquie modeme, Mustafa Kemal Atatiiri«. venu de traiter le problème avec "courage, sincérité et détermination" et de Ses porte-paroles ont ensuite vivement attaqué le gouvernement. présenter des mesures 'réelles et non palliatives' pour éradiquer, à temne, l'in- sun-ection séparatiste kurde. "C'est un projet de trahison et de destrudion", a martelé un député nationa¬ liste, Kemal Erdal Sipahi, accusant le parti d'Erdogan de vouloir diviser le pays Depuis l'été, le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP, issu de la mou¬ sur des bases ethniques. vance islamiste) de M. Erdogan s'efforce de préparer l'opinion à l'annonce de son plan, destiné à saper le soutien dont dispose le Parti illégal des travailleurs Onur Öymen, un intervenant social-demoaate a accusé le gouvernement de du Kurdistan (PKK) panni une frange de sa population kurde. pour ne rien dire' et de s'engager dans un dialogue tadle avec le chef- fondateur du PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, condamné à la prison à vie en Turquie. Le projet vise essentiellement à améliorer les droits des Kurdes. H poun-ait, selon la presse, envisager l'usage de la langue kurde à l'école dans le secteur Pour manifester sa volonté d'ouverture, le gouvernement a présenté mardi au éducatif, assurer le retour d'Irak des réfugiés kurdes et investir dans le sud-est, Pariement un projet de loi réduisant les peines encourues par les enfants kur¬ majoritairement kurde et défavorisé. des an'êtés lors de manifestations pro-PKK.

Le 19 octobre, le processus a pris une nouvelle dimension lorsqu'un "groupe Le PKK qui est sur la liste noire des organisations terroristes, a rejeté les de paix" composé de rebelles et de civils kurdes issus de camps irakiens, est efforts de l'AKP, évoquant "des réfomies de façade" et réclamant une réfé¬ rentré en Turquie. Cet événement a été suivi de manifestations de joie dans rence à l'identité kurde dans la Constitution turque. les villes kurdes. Mais le tollé suscité par cette liesse a amené Ankara à repor¬ Consciente que le problème kurde gêne sa candidature à l'Union européenne, ter le retour en Turquie d'autres groupes. la Turquie a depuis ces dernières années accordé d'importants droits culturels La Turquie combat le PKK au prix de 45.000 morts depuis 1984. à sa population kurde, estimée à plus de 12 millions d'habitants (sur 71).

^ TURQUIE: UN NOUVEAU DEBAT VENDREDI AU PARLEMENT SUR LES DROITS DES KURDES

ANKARA, 11 nov 2009 (AFP) .

UN DEUXIÈME débat, avec une intervention du Premier ministre Recep -ii Tayyip Erdogan, aura lieu vendredi au Pariement turc après une séance houleuse consacrée mardi au projet de mesures démocratiques du gou¬ vernement en faveur de la minorité kurde, ont rapporté mercredi les médias.

Les parlementaires turcs ont eu mardi un débat préliminaire sur le projet d'"ouverture démocratique", destiné à contribuer à mettre fin à 25 ans de rébel¬ lion séparatiste kurde. ..^ Un nouveau débat sur la même question ne pouvait intervenir avant au moins 48 heures, donc a priori tard jeudi. Le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP, issu de la mouvance islamiste), que dirige M. Erdogan, a décidé dans Kurdistan (PKK, interdit) à déposer les armes. ces conditions de reporter le deuxième débat à vendredi, selon les chaînes de Depuis 1984, le conflit a fait 45.000 morts. télévision. 'L'objectif de l'initiative est de mettre fin au terrorisme et d'améliorer la démo¬ M. Erdogan prévoit d'expliquer à l'assemblée les grandes lignes de son plan cratie", a déclaré au Pariement le ministre de l'Intérieur, Besir Atalay, k)rs d'une controversé sur la question kurde. séance particulièrement mouvementée, sans révéler les détails du plan, mais L'oppositran, qui dit craindre pour l'unité de la natkxi, est farouchement oppo¬ soulignant la vokinté du gouvemement d'étendre les normes démoaatkiues sée au processus. dans le pays.

Pamdi les réformes envisagées par Ankara figurent, selon la presse, l'assou¬ Le gouvemement turc a déjà accni les droits culturels des Kurdes, en autori¬ plissement de la législation sur l'usage de langue kurde et des mesures politi¬ sant notamment le lancement d'une chaîne de télévision. ques et sociales visant à inciter les rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du

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

KURDISTAN : LE DIFFÉREND PÉTROLIER AVEC BAGDAD PAS RÉGLÉ AVANT LES ÉLECTIONS (BARZANI)

BRUXELLES, 10 nov 2009 (AFP)

LE DIFFÉREND pétrolier entre la région autonome du Kurdistan et le gouvemement central irakien "ne sera pas résolu" d'ici les élections de janvier 2010, a affirmé mardi le président du Kurdistan irakien Massoud Barzani au Pariement européen à Bruxelles.

"D'id aux élections, je ne pense pas que les différends entre notre région auto¬ nome et le gouvemement fédéral seront résolus. Je ne pense pas que ça pourra être fait dans les mois à venir", a dit M. Barzani.

La région autonome du Kurdistan irakien a cessé d'exporter son pétrole en rai¬ son d'un conflit avec le gouvernement central sur le paiement des compagnies étrangères qui exploitent les gisements. "Le nous Le Kurdistan irakien avait commencé le 1er juin à exporter du pétrole pour la n'avons aucun avec ça", a reconnu M. Barzani mais, a-t-il ajouté première fois de son histoire, dans un dimat d'hostilité avec Bagdad qui nie à "nous ne voulons pas que la politique centralisée sur le pétrole et le gaz nous sa province du nord le droit de signer des contrats sans son aval. soit imposée, car ce ne serait pas juste".

Avec l'entrée en exploitation de deux champs pétroliers, 90.000 barils étaient "H faut un partage équitable des revenus", a-t-il dit. acheminés quotidiennement vers l'oléoduc reliant Kiri

LE GOUVERNEMENT TURC ANNONCE DES MESURES POUR AMÉLIORER LES DROITS DES KURDES

ANKARA, 13 nov 2009 (AFP)

LE MINISTRE turc de l'intérieur, Besir Atalay, a annoncé vendredi au Pariement des mesures très attendues pour améliorer les droits de la population kurde, qui prévoient notamment la possibilité pour les villes }f "turquisées" de force au fil des ans de revenir à leurs noms kurdes .

"Si les localités le désirent, on leur donnera l'occasion d'utiliser de nouveau leurs noms d'origine", a dit M. Atalay en exposant les détails de r"ouverture démocratique' à laquelle le gouvemement est prêt à procéder à l'égard de la minorité kurde afin de venir, à terme, à bout de 25 ans d'insun-ection sépara¬ tiste kurde.

C'est la première fois depuis l'été, date à laquelle le Parti de la justice et du vue. développement (AKP, issu de la mouvance islamiste), au pouvoir a annoncé vouloir régler le vieux conflit kurde en Turquie, que des mesures concrètes sont Le gouvemement a déjà accru les droits culturels des Kurdes, en autorisant rendues publiques. notamment une chaîne de télévision pour cette minorité.

Parmi les autres dispositions légales que prendra la majorité gouvemementale Afin de montrer sa volonté d'aller de l'avant dans les reformes démoaatiques, figure la mise en place d'une commission indépendante chargée d'enquêter sur l'AKP a présenté cette semaine un projet de loi à l'Assemblée réduisant les pei¬ les violations des droits de l'Homme, en particulier dans le sud-est, région peu¬ nes encoumes par les enfants kurdes arrêtés pendant des manifestations en plée majoritairement de Kurdes. faveur du PKK (Parti -illégal- des travailleurs du Kurdistan).

"Cette commission publiera dans les plus brefs délais les condusions de ses Les adolescents jetant des pien^es sur les forces de l'ordre à ces occasions sont enquêtes", a souligné le ministre, affimiant que le "slogan" du gouvemement actuellement jugés comme s'ils étaient des len-oristes et encourent à ce titre pour son plan kurde était "plus de libertés pour tout le monde". des peines pouvant aller jusqu'à vingt ans de prison.

Une troisième mesure concemera l'autorisation de fait d'utiliser le kurde dans Le gouvemement a autorisé dans la foulée les chaînes privées à émettre 24 la vie politique, où l'usage du turc est pour le moment obligatoire. heures sur 24.

Le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan devait aussi prendre la parole ven¬ dredi au Pariement, avant que les ténors de l'opposition, farouchement oppo¬ sés à cette initiative, craignant pour l'unité nationale, n'exposent leur point de

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

Net Kurdish president calls for EU support NOVEMBER 10, 2009

By Wladimir van Wügenburg

Rudaw, Brussels- The Iraqi

Kurdistan President, Massoud Barzani

called on the European countries to sup¬

port the Kurdistan Regional Govemment ex in a speech at the European Union on ;

Tuesday.

Barzani arrived in Europe on

November 2 on a diplomatic tour to meet

with European leaders. He arrived in

Brussels on Tuesday to give a speech at

the European Union. Barzani was recei¬ their rights. He said that he personally is Barzani said that violence should no

ved by Fiorello Provers, Struan Stevenson involved in improving the situation for longer be a proffered method to achieve

and Jim McEvoy from the EU Protocol women in the region and combat issues goals, "There is no reason to take up arms,

department. such as honor killings. if there is a political process," he said

The Kurdish president talked about The President of Iraqi Kurdistan then adding that the rights of Kurds should be

the role of the Kurdistan region in Iraq talked about KRG's policy in protect the achieved by peaceful political means in

and said that he was proud of the role his rights of ethnic groups in Kurdistan. He parliaments.

region has played in promoting demo¬ said that KRG is committed to guarantee The President said that Turkey's

cracy and to hold firee elections. He also the rights of Arabs, Turkmen and change of policy to peacefully address the Christians in the region. talked about the situation under the Kurdish issue is welcoming, "This is an

regime of Iraq's former dictator Saddam Supporting I^irkey to address important change in the mentality and a

Hussein. Kurdish issues major development. Once you address the

EU support for Kurdistan The president also called on the real causes and try to find a solution, the

Barzani called on the EU to support European countries to support KRG and PKK will have no reason to take up arms

Iraqi Kurdistan in the democratization emphasized that his govemment main¬ and will return to a peaceful and normal

process and the Iraqi election challenge. tains good relations with the Turkish life and political process."

The Kurdish President also called for govemment. Kurdish parties will have a unified

more European investments in the region, The Kurdish president answered ques¬ discourse

especially in proposed energy projects tion of several Turkish journalists. Asked about the future of the Kurdish

like the Nabucco pipeline. According to the president it was too early discourse especially as Kurdish parties

Barzani said that he wishes to follow to judge the steps of the Turkish govem¬ might participate in the upcoming Iraqi

the European model of governing and ment to address the Kurdish issues, "A elections in separate lists, Barzani said,

asked for Europe's assistance to establish peaceful political solution... is not easy, "There are different opinions and view,

transparent institutions, education and but I encourage this to continue," he said. but when it comes to the Iraqi federal par¬

health systems in Iraq Kurdistan. The president also said that the KRG liament, we have a unified position,"

Barzani also talked about KRG's is ready to support Turkey in encouraging (Photo: Rudaw, by Wladimir van

efforts to empower women and protect the Turkish Kurdish refugees who have Wilgenburg). taken shelter in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Rudaw.Ne' Iraqi parliament approves elections NOVEMBER 8, 2009 to include Kirkuk

BAGHDAD - Iraq's parliament has

passed a long-delayed electoral law on

Sunday, paving the way for nationwide m

elections. The Kurdish demand for elec¬

tions in Kirkuk was approved by the par¬

liament.

The key hurdle to the law's passage

was how to apportion votes in the oil-rich

city of Kirkuk, a city claimed by both

Arabs and Kurds reported AP. The majo¬

rity of the parliament voted for including Abadi said they vote was delayed to covered reports Foreign Policy. Both

Kirkuk in the elections m the new law, convince other politicians. Arabs and Turkmen complained about

wrote Iraqi MP Haidar al-Abadi. The UN plan for more seats for election fraud in the last elections by the

Some thought an agreement would be Turkmen and Arabs in Kirkuk was rejec¬ Kurds in Kirkuk. The law reportedly fea¬

reached on Saturday, but Iraqi Kurdish ted and the elections will go forward as tures the "open list" and multiple district

MP Mahmoud Othman said the election planned on January 16. The election will system. (Photo: Rudaw). law took longer than they thought. Al- be rerun in a year if sufficient fraud is dis

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

November 10, 2009 THE mu.

Iraqi Arabs and Kurds Pursue a Common Ground Military Commanders Are Finding Ways C!ooperate to Help Counter Threat of Violence, as They Rethink Roles as Soldiers

- -

- By GINA CHON

y ; - ''^' - '

- ^ ' KIRKUK, Iraq - Arab and Kurdish military commanders here are making ;.. jetKir"^ efforts at cooperation despite their bitter

political differences ~ a surprising deve¬ lopment that offers some hope that one

.4 a; ii,'; . of Iraq's most difficult ethnic divides may ki r \ \ be narrowing.

Kurdish and Arab politicians in Iraq have clashed over contested land, petro¬ SYjhÄ leum legislation and a draft constitution - y . ' . that the Kurdish semiautonomous

enclave is pushing. Most recently, the two sides squabbled for weeks in IMQ A Parliament over an election law gover¬ JORDAN ning next year's parliamentary polls. SftncOAOoikCili^ Lawmakers finally passed the legislation ISRAEL SAUDI ARABIA ^ MiMkiMartnlh, .. . ..-.i...... -\ : . '? on Sunday.

Gen. Ray Odiemo, the top U.S. com¬ between Kurdish and Arab politicians in and local govemment leaders oppose the mander in Iraq, has said Arab-Kurd ten¬ Baghdad, and between the Kurdish plan. Such patrols for disputed Arab- sions are the country's biggest security regional and Iraqi governments, need to Kurd areas were floated earlier this year threat. But over the past six months, in be solved by the politicians ~ that their by Gen. Odiemo. parts of Iraq's north, American comman¬ job as soldiers is to take care of security. Cooperation between the two milita¬ ders have brokered a quiet, if uneasy, When the Iraqi army's 12th Division, ries is incremental but it has eased fric¬ détente between the two sides' military led by a former commander under tion among security-service officials on forces. Officers from Iraq's mosüy Arab Saddam Hussein, showed up in Kirkuk both sides. There has been a surge in big national army have started working with last year, Kurdish peshmerga comman¬ bombing attacks across the region this counterparts from the Kurdish regional der Brig. Gen. Sherko Fatah Namik was year, even as overall violence in much of government's armed militia, the pesh- ready for a fight. "Ifthe Iraqi army comes the rest of Iraq has eased. The pesh- merga. here, I will kill them all," Gen. Namik told merga's contribution in northem Kirkuk American military officers in Kirkuk his American counterparts then. province leaves Gen. Ameer free to focus have persuaded Arab and Kurdish com¬ These days, at twice-monthly mee¬ on tamping down violence in the pro¬ manders to cooperate partly by emphasi¬ tings on a U.S. outpost. Gen. Namik's vince's south. zing what it means to be a professional men, Iraqi army officers and U.S. offi¬ Gen. Ameer initially opposed the soldier, which is not being involved in cials coordinate security and talk out peshmerga's presence in Kirkuk, saying politics. They tell them that the problems problems, participants from both sides they belonged in the Kurdish region,

say. until he began meeting with Kurdish

Gen. Namik isn't immune to the poli¬ commanders, with the help of the U.S.

tical debate. He often tells American military.

commanders there needs to be a referen¬ U.S. commanders also have proposed dum on the status of Kirkuk, which he joint patrols in Gaware, an ethnically says will prove the city belongs to the mixed rural area in Iraq's northern

Kurdish region. How voting will be held Ninewa province. Currenüy, peshmerga in Kirkuk, which is claimed by Kurds, and Iraqi security forces staff their own

Arabs and Turkmen, had been the key checkpoints along a key route there, ope¬ hurdle holding up the election law. rated separately on opposite sides of the

Still, Gen. Namik and Maj. Gen. road. They don't coordinate their patrols, leaving big swaths of territory unguar¬ U.S. Army Lt. Col. Teny Cook, left dis¬ Abdul Ameer ofthe Iraqi army ~ the for¬ ded, U.S. commanders say. cusses security issues with peshmerga mer commander under the Hussein commander Brig. Gen. Sherko Fatah regime have hammered out a joint- The cooperation hasn't been easy,

Namik at his headquarters in Kirkuk. patrol plan for Kirkuk province, in which requiring U.S. troops to play arbitrator, Above hangs a portrait of Iraqi President the U.S. military may play referee, grievance counselor and devil's advocate. Jalal Talabani, a Kurd. though many Arab and Turkmen tribal Recentiy, American officers worked to

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

rein in the Kurdish intelligence agency, When the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, We're soldiers and we have to take care

known as the Asayeesh. U.S. comman¬ Gen. Namik joined American forces as of security for all Iraqis." ders told the Kurds the agency can't they entered Kirkuk that April. He has Gen. Ameer said communication has conduct offensive operations. That's the been based in the province since. In been key to understanding each other job of the Iraqi army or police, they 2008, Baghdad sent in the Iraqi 12th because their efforts are now coordina¬ argued. Army division, headed by Gen. Ameer. ted. Both sides say the new relationship After several near-clashes, the U.S. Iraqi Ministry of Defense spokesman would have been impossible without a military convinced peshmerga and Iraqi Mohammed al-Askari says the govem¬ strong push from the Americans. That army commanders to sit down together ment supports cooperation between the has raised worry about whether it will at a lunch in March. The Iraqi army and Iraqi army and the peshmerga. Joint endure once U.S. forces start to draw local police, which are ethnically mixed patrols involving the Iraqi army, pesh¬ down as planned next year. but led by a Kurd, started to coordinate merga and U.S. forces in disputed areas raids against insurgents in May. Gen. Namik joined the peshmerga in of northem Iraq may start before the

1985, at age 16, to fight Mr. Hussein's In June, representatives from the end of this year. oppressive regime. A year later, the cen¬ Kurdish and Iraqi security forces began tral govemment launched a campaign of working together at a U.S. base in

oppression in the north, killing at least Kirkuk, exchanging intelligence and

150,000 Kurds and displacing hundreds coordinating security efforts. "Gen. of thousands. After Baghdad's military Ameer and I are fiiends," Gen. Namik

defeat in the Gulf War, the Kurdish says. "I've told him the Kirkuk issue is

region was given semiautonomy in 1991. bigger than us and can't be solved by us.

November 10, 2009 Guardian

Barzani : Iraq's Kurds will hold on to oil revenues

* Kurdish president says domestic market. Heritage Oil, a small exploration and revenues belong to Kurds production company partnered with ^ ,^ * Iraqi govemment failed Kurdistan, said last month that nearly all

with oil law, Barzani says the output from Kurdistan's Taq Taq oil field was being diverted to the local market because of the dispute. By Luke Baker Reuters, ; »*^ Still, Barzani said on Tuesday total Kurdish output was set to grow to more BRUSSELS - The president of Iraq's than 1 million barrels a day by the end of Kurdish region criticised the central 2011, bringing forward a previous forecast govemment on Tuesday for its failure to for that level of output in 2012. But even draw up a clear law on sharing oil reve¬ then, he said, the income would not be sha¬ nues and said the Kurds would hold on and there is a formula for distributing the red. to what they earn for now. income among regions, with the Kurdish For Barzani control over the distribu¬ Speaking during a visit to the European region entitled to 17 percent of total oil tion of oil revenues was key. Parliament, Masoud Barzani said revenues. "Until the disputed areas are resolved, Kurdistan had the right to retain the But Kurdistan, which occupies the top we feel that the share of Kurdistan of 17 income from the export of about 100,000 third of Iraq along the borders with Turkey, percent should go to the account of barrels of oil per day, despite a law stating Iran and Syria, has been quicker to exploit Kurdistan by itself and not be distributed that all Iraq's oil and gas assets are shared. the oil and gas assets that lie in its territory by the finance (ministry) in Baghdad "Eight billion dollars has been used by and is reluctant to give up the revenue they because often they use that as a weapon the fraqi oil ministry for development of generate. against us," Barzani said. "We believe it is oil production but unfortunately the level our right." of production has dropped. Therefore we FOREIGN INVESTMENT While the Kurdish region moved have no faith in that law that already Foreign investors including Norway's rapidly after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 exists," Barzani told a news conference. DNO Intemational and Toronto-listed to Ixxjst oil output, the central govemment fraq's central govemment and semi- Addax Petroleum have helped expand the is catching up, signing a series of develop¬ autonomous Kurdistan have since 2004 region's oil production to 100,000 barrels a ment contracts with major intemational oil engaged in a long-running dispute over day, generating potential income of $2.9 companies in recent months. Iraq's vast oil and gas assets and the gro¬ billion a year at current oil prices of nearly If all the deals in the pipeline come wing revenue generated by them. The dis¬ $80 a barrel. together in the coming years, Iraq is set to cord threatens to aggravate the political But because of the disagreement over triple its total oil output to 7 million barrels strains that already exist between auto¬ revenue sharing with Baghdad, the per day, making it the world's largest pro¬ nomy-minded Kurds and Shi'ites. Ktudish region is currentiy not exporting ducer after Russia and Saudi Arabia. According to fraq's constitution, all the production via the pipeline to "Rukey's country's hydrocarbon assets are shared Ceyhan but instead selling oil into die

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

efSm OrkSïime? November ll, 2009

Minorities in Iraq's North Seen as Threatened

By SAM DAGHER lings. juncture," he said.

The United States military has recognized A senior American official in Kirkuk said

the Arab-Kurdish conflict in northem Iraq as ERBIL, Iraq The policies and tactics of he was optimistic that the joint force would the main driver for continued instability in Kurdish authorities could expwse minority ultimately become functional. Iraq. The disputed territories extend from groups in northem Iraq to "another full-blown A representative of the United States Sinjar in Nineveh, in northwestern Iraq, to human rights catastrophe" unless the minori¬ Embassy in Baghdad said that "in tandem Mandali in Diyala Province, in the east, and ties receive l)etter protection, according to a with an ambitious pmsh to improve security include the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. report released Tuesday by Human Rights for all in the province, including embattled After a series of bombings in July and Watch. minorities," American officials were working August against minorities in Nineveh that kil¬ Members of the minority groups are to resolve a political standoff between Sunni led at least 143, wounded scores and flattened being singled out by extremist insurgent Arabs and Kurds in Nineveh's provincial villages, the American military commander in groups and also are caught in the middle of a capital, Mosul, that has exacerbated the situa¬ Iraq, Gen. Ray Odiemo, announced plans to tion. stmggle for land and resources between deploy United States troops along with mem¬ Arabs and the central govemment on one After its victory in the provincial elec¬ bers of the Kurdish pesh merga force and the hand and leaders of Iraq's semiautonomous tions in January in Nineveh, a Sutmi Arab-led Iraqi Army in the disputed areas to stop Kurdish region on the other, said the report, coalition excluded the second-place Kurdish groups linked to Al Qaeda from exploiting which was released in the Kurdish region's coalition from all senior posts in the new friction t)etween Arabs and Kurds. capital, Erbil, and focused on Christians, local govemment and demanded that the pesh With the exception of occasional joint Shabaks and Yazidis in Nineveh Province. merga leave the Nineveh areas they control¬ operations and meetings between pesh merga The extremist attacks have cost many led. In response, the Kurds boycotted mee¬ and Iraqi Army officers that occur because of hundreds of lives and, the report notes, tings of the provincial council and used force American insistence, no progress has been "struck at the social infrastructure of minority to prevent the Arab governor and other senior made in deploying the joint forces in the dis¬ communities, leaving victims and others fear¬ officials allied with him from entering parts puted areas or getting the Kurds and the cen¬ ful to carry on with their everyday lives." of Nineveh. tral govemment to cooperate on security in a Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Mr Mustafa said the joint forces must meaningful way, said Sheik Jaffar Sheik Human Rights Watch, said, "When you talk include Americans in order to secure the area Mustafa, who is the Kurdish region's equiva¬ about wiping out a whole community that has and carry out Article 140 of the Iraqi lent of minister of defense. been there since antiquity, it's a looming Constitution, which outlines the mechanism Mr. Mustafa said the combined forces catastrophe." for resolving the fate of disputed territories. would he based throughout the north and The report is particularly critical of the Kurds are clinging to it, but Arabs reject it. conduct joint raids and patrols and staff policies and tactics pursued by Kurdish "We will not give up one inch of the checkpoints. He said the Kurdish authorities authorities who control Nineveh's disputed areas that we occupy until Article 140 is had agreed to the idea but opposition was territories through the heavy presence of their implemented," Mr. Mustafa said. coming from Baghdad and the Arab-led pro¬ security forces and political party offices. The He dismissed the findings of the Human vincial govemment in Nineveh, which see the report describes how the Kurdish govemment Rights Watch report as "false." He said that arrangement as an infringement on their sove¬ has sought to repress minorities, subsume the there might have been violations committed reignty and want Kurdish troops to retreat identity of Shabaks and Yazidis into that of by individual Kurdish security officers from the areas they occupy outside their Kurds and sow rifts within the groups with against minorities in Nineveh but that this did region's 1991 border. bribes and patronage while suppressing dis¬ not reflect the jxjlicy of the Kurdistan "1 think this joint force is crucial at this sent through violence, torture, arrests and kil Regional Govemment.

Aswat al-lraq ^1 NOVEMBER 12, 2009

The KRG is ready and willing to look into each and every allega¬ Kurdistan government tion, and we are ready to work on these issues under the legal fra¬ mework of both the Kurdistan Region and the Republic of Iraq, with rejects HRW report the help of HRW and other reputable human rights organizations." The KRG will investigate each specific claim outlined in the report carefully and thoroughly. There may be instances of maltreatment ARBIL / Aswat al-lraq: The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and neglect; the KRG does not claim to be flawless." expressed their rejection of the Human Rights Watch report on the minorities' affairs in Ninewa, describing the report as a delusive. "But the report reveals a systematic mis-perception of the circums¬ tances in Ninewa and a worrying ignorance of Iraqi history. HRW "The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has a long standing and therefore produces an inaccurate portrayal of the situation. productive relationship with Human Rights Watch (HRW). We Furthermore, due to the methodology employed to produce this appreciate what HRW has done in the past," said an official state¬ report, it cannot be the basis for legitimate judgments or assertions," ment. it added. "As an oppressed community ourselves, we fully understand the The main thrust of this report could be grossly misleading and the value of ensuring justice for all members and factions of society. In KRG affirms its strong disagreement in this regard. The KRG has addition, the KRG appreciates the expressed interest in the condi¬ done more for the protection of minorities than any other entity in tion of the minority communities in Ninewa Province's disputed ter¬ Iraq, and continues to insist on tolerarKe and peaceful coexisterKe ritories. We regard the well-being of all communities in these areas in the Region and throughout Iraq." to be of paramount concern," it added. However, it is imp>erative to consider the broader social and politi-

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

cal context regarding these claims. Neither the KRG nor the shown," the Kurdistan government underlined. Peshmerga forces have created instability in the disputed territories. "The real problem in Ninewa province are the terrorists and the On the contrary, the Peshmei^a have sacrificed their lives to protect extremists, intent UF>on marginalizing minorities and who also wish the residents in these areas from terrorists. They have been part of to marginalize the Kurds. Iraq needs an inclusive system of gover¬ the solution, not the problem. Terrorists and extremists have utilized nance for all communities." violence and intimidation, repeatedly violating the human rights of minorities. The blame falls squarely on their shoulders, and they One of the mis-perceptions in the report is the assertion that Shabak should be held accountable. and Yazidi individuals are not Kurds. The report states that these groups are ethnic minorities, and criticizes the KRG for not making The HRW investigation appears to have ignored the majority of such a specification. But the right to make such an ethnic categori¬ people from the ethnic and religious minorities in Ninewa, who zation does not belong to HRW, just as it does not belong to the welcome the presence of the Kurdish security forces and are grate¬ KRG. It is for the individuals themselves to decide. This is one rea¬ ful for the assistance provided by the KRG, esp>ecially during son why the KRG has advocated a census, to help ensure that demo¬ periods of intense sectarian violence and repeated intimidation. In cratic rights are secured for all citizens. fact minorities, regardless of their ethnic and religious background, have come to the Kurdistan Region, fleeing violence and persecu¬ "The KRG considers minority issues of genuine importance in Iraq, tion. This stems from the KRG p>olicy of religious and ethnic tole¬ and we are ready to play our part to ensure that all citizens are res¬ rance. The KRG has invested heavily in the welfare of citizens in the pected and valued as equals - as we have in the drafting of both the disputed territories, at a time when no other entity was willing to do Iraqi and the Kurdistan Region Constitutions. The KRG stands com¬

so." mitted to the provision of fair treatment to all residents of the Kurdistan Region and the disputed territories. It is the KRG policy to The report fails to mention the fact that following every major inci¬ ensure political stability, personal security, and the rule of law, dent in which Iraq's minorities have been targeted by terrorists, the regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation." KRG has provided humanitarian aid and received hundreds, some¬ times thousands of families into the KRG area, where many conti¬ "The way forward in Ninewa is to address these issues through a nue to live today in peace. If the minorities in Nineveh were being coordinated and collaborated effort between the KRG and federal systematically intimidated by the Kurds, why would so many seek govemment of Iraq, and to establish security in this troubled area, shelter in KRG-administered land?" with the support of the coalition forces. Our common enemies are terrorists and extremists. We must establish delineated procedures "From reading the report it would appear that all minorities in through which we can, together, eliminate the scourge of terrorism Ninewa province are against KRG policy, which is far from the and sectarian violence," the statement concluded. truth, as elections results in the disputed areas have consistently

^h^^ttif2|ork Shned November 12, 2009

Iran Executes Kurdish Activist Who Was Accused of ^Armed Struggle'

By NAZILA FATHI A protester holds a portrait TORONTO fran hanged a Kurdish of Kurdish acti¬ activist on Wednesday morning in a prison vist Ehsan in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj, his lawyer ^ Fattahian said. during a The activist, Ehsan Fattahian, 28, had demonstration been sentenced to death after he was accused against the of "armed stmggle against the regime." Iranian govem¬ He was arrested more than a year ago in ment in Turkey the Kurdish city of Kamyaran and received a on Saturday. 10-year prison term. But in an unusual

move, an appeals court changed his sentence to death by hanging after the prosecutor general of Kamyaran demanded a tougher Prayer leader in of Free Life in Kurdistan, a militant group

punishment against him. Sanandaj, the city's representative to the outlawed by fran. It has often carried out

At least 13 other Kurdish activists are in senior clerical body of the Assembly of attacks in western Iran against the govem¬

prison on death row. Experts, a judge and a member of the city ment. council have been assassinated in the past 'The execution was carried out between Many Iranians and human rights groups months. 6:30 to 7 a.m. local time this morning," Mr. fear that the govemment could start carrying Last month, an explosion in the southern Fattahian's lawyer, Nassrollah Nassri, said out more executions to silence the opposi¬ province of Sistan-Baluchistan killed at least in a telephone interview. "His family has tion, which has continued to simmer despite been informed to go and bury his Ixxly." 41 people, including top commanders of the the violence directed at it by the govem¬ Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. An The execution appeared to be part of ment. At least one protester, Muhammad- ethnic Baluchi opposition group, JundoUah, efforts by the govemment to extinguish Reza Ali-Zamani, has been sentenced to opposition in the wake of Iran's disputed took responsibility for the twmbing. death. presidential election, which touched off Before his execution, Mr. Fattahian 'The execution today is very alarming," wrote in a letter that the opposition in the waves of protests after President Mahmoud said Omid Memarian, a consultant at Human Ahmadinejad claimed an overwhelming vic¬ Iranian province of Kurdistan would not end Rights Watch, which is based in New York. with his death, opposition Web sites repor¬ tory. His opponents have accused him of rig¬ "We are faced with a new wave of violence ted. "My death and the death of thousands of ging the results. by the govemment which is only compara¬ Ethnic groups have also stei^>ed up their others like me will not solve the issue of ble to the early days after the revolution." Kurdistan; they will only add to the flames opposition since the protests broke out. At The govemment executed many people of fire," the letter said. least four senior officials the Friday after the 1979 Islamic Revolution after sum¬ Mr. Fattahian was a member of the Party mary trials.

22 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rimsta Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Obama's election will ulti¬ Ambrosio: Opposition is mately be good for the ^'il^^^Ji^ Republicans: it will force '^.J C- i: j|

good for KDP and PUK them to better seek out the ^. ; '

people's will, adjust to new '.'

f>olitical realities, and craft , ,;' By Hawar Abdulrazaq their message. Sure, they :. I ' C^J have lost power in the *

Associate professor ofpolitical science Thomas Ambrosio thinks that short term, but long-term

the new opposition movement Change (Gorran) is not only good for the competition is good for

Kurdistan, but also for the ruling parties KDP and PUK to perform them.

better. However, he also warns that ifGorran is only seeks its own inte¬ However, if the Gorran Movement seeks its own ends and its own inte¬ rests, this will only divide the power of the Kurdish people. rests, and aims at littie more than the accumulation of {»wer, it will be

Ambrosio is an associate professor ofpolitical science in the Criminal bad for the KRG: having three parties dividing up the same pie will

Justice and Political Science Department at North Dakota State leave even smaller pieces for the Kurdish p)eople.

University and director ofNDSU's Intemational Studies Major He has How do you think the US sees the Change movement Do you think written extensively on the relationship between ethnic groups and Washington will sit down with them? nation states. As a result he has also written about Kurds and Iraq. The US, if it is smart, will not be too tied to any party, but rather seek

its goals (stability, democracy, alliances against terrorism, etc.) with

A lot of peoi^e think Barbara Salih will help KRG go forward and any legitimate voice of the Kurdish people. While they are not the

will make progress in Kurdish political situation, what do you majority party, Washington will not view them with hostility. think about that? Some people predict a bleak future for Kurds, especially In

The PM will play an important role in the future of the KRG, but ulti¬ Baghdad. What's your vision on the future for Iraqi Kurds?

mately the future will be determined by two, interrelated issues: (a) This is similar to my answer to the first question. Ultimately all par¬ the relationship between the three key ethnic groups in Iraq and (b) the ties involved will have to come to a decision about the fiiture of Iraq - stability of the govemment in Baghdad. The decision on how much - a decision which will be hastened i&when the U.S. leaves. It is nice autonomy to give to the KRG (and possibly other regions), must \x to think that everyone can compromise, but sometimes the interests of made within a medium-term timeframe. Up to now, the govemment differing sides are not conducive to such an outcome. While the aspi¬ has largely muddled-through on this issue despite the 2005 constitu¬ rations of the Kurdish people for independence is understandable, tion's provisions. Eventually, some key issue will likely divide the regional actors (Turkey, Iran) will fmd this unacceptable. The highest 'center' and the KRG which will need to be resolved. If this can be levels of autonomy (i.e., still de jure part of Iraq but de facto not) may done in a manner acceptable to all sides, then Baghdad and the KRG not be acceptable to the pwwers in Baghdad. The Kurds have always will settle into a new living arrangement. If not, then the 'state-within- faced this conundmm and, alas, they will continue to face it for the a-state' KRG will be called into question. In my view, the most likely foreseeable future. 'flashpoint' will be borders of the KRG and the disputed territories. Do you think the new government can make difference in The new Kurdish Parliament will have a bigger opposition than In Kurdish society and eradicate corruption? the past; do you think this will make the parliament active than In the past? Eliminating corruption firom within one of the two 'big' Kurdish par¬ ties is going to be difficult. However, the rise of the Gorran movement The history of the KRG was been one of a condominium between the may inspire it to change from within. KDP-PUK. This has worked well to bring al)out a certain level of sta¬ bility, but will tend toward stagnation, cormption, and a resistance to Is there a way or a mechanism in eliminating corruption in accept opposition. We see this in other cases, though mostly like those Kurdistan? of 'dominant' party political systems such as found in the pasts of India, It is tough. Coming originally from one of the (if not THE) most cor-

Mexico, and Japan nominal democracy, without political opposition. mpt state in the United States (New Jersey), I can tell you can cormp¬

The best thing that the newly-empowered opposition can do is to use tion is never easy to eliminate. Ultimately, it is a choice that is made parliamentary tools to ensure oversight over the KRG executive. by politicians to put the people before their own interests AND a choice

Obviously the differences t>etween the US and KRG govemment stmc- made by the people not to support politicians who primarily seek their tures is stark, but the most effective 'check' on executive power in the own interest, even if you are personally 'aligned' with the cormpt party.

US is the US Congress. The opposition in the KRG can play a similar A lot of people benefit from the status quo. More needs to be done to role to ensure that the 'mle of law' is obeyed. Bringing sunlight onto make it clear that everyone is a loser under cormption. the darkness is the most effective tool of freedom and democracy. In your view, what has to be done in the disputed regions, In par¬

Do you think the emergence of Gorran Movement (Change) will ticular In Kirkuk? help political situation, or will they make it more difficult and com¬ This is very difficult and lUcely not easily resolvable. Possibly the plex? politicians need to 'think outside the box': autonomy for the KRG, and

Well, 1 do not see the two as mutually exclusive. Ultimately, the emer¬ then autonomy for diese regions/cities WITHIN the KRG (Photo: gence of an opposition force will be good, not just for Kurdistan as a ssrc.org). whole, but for the KDP and the PUK. This is the diing that those in © Rudaw fwwer often do not see: a loyal opposition, with a positive message, forces those in power to ensure that they fully represent the people, rather than their own interests; this, in turn, makes all parties more responsive to the needs of their constituents and allows for them to adapt to changing circumstances. To use the American example.

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

Mcralb"^ November 13, 2009 Subversion trial haunts Turkey

ISTANBUL

Vast case defines division o between secularists and i Muslim-inspired party

BY DAN BILEFSKY I J. What exactly, ask people inside and out¬ side TXirkey, is Ergenekon? For ancient Hirks, it was a mythical t .' valley. Its contemporary meaning, at¬ "U. tached to the most explosive trial in modem "IXirkish history, is far less clear. In thousands of pages of indictments

of stunning complexity, prosecutors al¬ lege that an underground organization named Ergenekon hcis committed dozens of terrorist acts and ultimately sought to topple Turkey's Islamic-in¬

MUSTAFA OZER/crm' IMAGES-AFP spired government. Since June 2007, when 27 hand gren¬ Demonstrators in July outside the courthouse In Silrèri, lUrkey, to protest the trial of those

ades, other explosives and illegal docu¬ suspected of trying to topple the govemment ments were found in the attic of an ul- tranationalist retired officer's house in an Istanbul shantytown, more than 300 justice minister and head of a charity joining the Europ)ean Union are falling, suspects have been detained. They in¬ that finances the secular education of the case is bemg watched closely in clude an erotic novelist, four-star gener¬ underprivileged girls. "As such, the Brussels as a barometer of Turkey's ad¬ als, newspai)er editors imd underworld country's democracy, its rule of law, and herence to Western standards. of the iSgures. Of those, 194 have been charged its freedom of expression are at stalie." rule of law. Ergenekon has taken on and 43 are under investigation. Evidence of that, in Ms. Celikel's view, added significance because Tlukey, a Few here discount the seriousness of is the fate of her predecessor at the NATO member, is an indisp>ensable ally charity, Hirkun Saylan, an outspoken for the United States and Europe, and the allegations at the core of the case. 73-year-old secularist. an important example of the compatibil¬ But depending on whom you ask, some In April, as Ms. Saylan was recover¬ ity of Islam, secularism and democracy. of these suspects are either innocent ing from chemotherapy for the breast In an extensive study of the case for victims of a weak justice system manip)- cancer that would shortly take her life, ' the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, a ulated by the authorities, or a genuine police officers raided her home, sifting Washington research institute affiliated danger to TXirkey and its government through p)ersonal belongings and cart¬ who must be brought to justice. with Johns Hopkins University, Gareth ing away dozens of files. Colleagues say The case has brought into sharp relief Jenkins, a TXirkey specialist, noted the she was put on a watch list by prosecu¬ a fierce battie between the country's porvasive fear among Western analysts tors because of her political views. No secular establishment including in¬ of Turkey that Ergenekon "represents a cheu-ges were ever brought. tellectuals, judges and business elites major step, not as its proponents The terrorist incidents laid at Ergen- and a governing, Muslim-inspired party maintain towards the consolidation of kon's door by the authorities include an that has solidified its grip over the coun¬ pluralistic democracy in T\irkey, but to¬ armed attack on a senior state court in try since it came to power in 2002. It also wards an authoritariem one-party state." 2006, as well as the 2007bombing of Cum- has subjected the military, which sees it¬ Others argue that the trial has huriyet, a leftist newspaper in Istanbul. self as the guardian of Turkey's secular evolved into a power struggle between a Prosecutors contend that the group state and has overthrown four elected secular class determined to preserve its planned to engage in civil unrest, assas¬ governments in the last 50 years, to un¬ power and an Islamic-inspfred ruling sination and terrorism to create chaos party determined to strengtiien its legit¬ precedented scrutiny. and undermine the stability of Turkey to Prosecutors, investigators and Min¬ imacy and silence opponents. provoke a coup. istry of Justice officials declined to com¬ The case certainly seems intertwined Proponents of the investigation argue ment on the specifics of the case, since with other major batües over Turkey's the trial had not yet ended. that Ergenekon is a long-overdue his- way forward as a more Islamic state, Legal experts contend that the elabo¬ toricîd reckoning aimed at bringing to or a more secular one. rate charges and sometimes wild allega¬ account what TXirks call "the deep On March 14 last year, the chief pros¬ tions in the case have the broad reach of state." The term is used to describe a ecutor of the Court of Appoals filed suit an Inquisition. Zealous prosecutors, they murky group of operatives connected to in the Constitutional Court seeking to say, have detained dozens of suspects the military that is thought to have ban the governing party, the Justice and without charge while conversations from waged an extrajudicial battie against Development PcUty, or A.K.P., on the tapp)ed mobile telephones have surfaced perceived enemies of the state dating ground that it was undermining Tur¬

mysteriously in pro-government news¬ back to the time of Cold War. key's secular state by, among other papers, threatening to damage the cred¬ "The freedom of expression doesn't things, seeking to relax a prohibition on ibility of the IXukish judicial system. give anyone the right to establish a mili¬ the wejuing of Islamic head scarves by ' "Ergenekon has become a larger tia to overthrow a democratically elect¬ women in universities. project in which the investigation is be¬ ed govemment," Egemen Bagis, the One week later, the pwlice rounded up ing used as a tool to sweep across civic minister for European Union affafrs, new Ergenekon suspects, including sev¬ society and cleanse TXu'key of all secular said in an interview. eral influenticd secular intellectuals. opponents,' ' said Aysel Celikel, a former At a time when Turkey's prospocts for When the court ruled on the head-

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

scarf case, four months later, the A.K.P. across TXirkey, using several large was Ucffrowly kept alive byjust one vote. trucks to remove over 15,000 student Suspects are seen either as Six members of the court voted to shut it files, confiscating computers and inter¬ victims of a weakjustice dovsTi for violating Turkey's secular prin¬ rogating 14 board members, some of ciples, but seven votes were required. whom were remanded to prison without system or a genuine danger to Critics say the Ergenekon case is part charges. Turkey zuid its govemment of a concerted effort by the A.K.P. to re¬ Their crime, she contended, was to who must be brought to justice. store its dented credibility by demoniz- have been associated with an organiza¬

ing its secular opponents. tion offering a secular education to poor, Mr. Jenkins, the TXirkey sp)ecialist, rural gfrls. Ms. Celikel said prosecutors dence that they were plotting to over¬ who has analyzed the first two had also sought to link about of 15,000 throw the government. Ergenekon indictments 2,455 cmd teenage students financed by the char¬ Sections from dozens of cellphone 1,909 pages argued that some allega¬ ity to the P.K.K., a Kurdish terrorist or¬ wiretap transcripts and private docu¬ tions ranged from the fantastical to the ganization. She said such a link was ments most of them linked to absurd. baseless since each appliomt had to Ergenekon susp)ects have been pub¬

For example, Mr. Jenkins said, the submit an up)dated criminal record be¬ lished in pro-govemment newspapers. first Ergenekon indictment said the or¬ fore qualifying for a scholarship. Intellectuals and journalists said that ganization had met with Dick Cheney Suheyl Batum, a professor of constitu¬ it had become commonplace at dinner when he was vice president to discuss tional law at Bahcesehir University, in parties to begin the evening by switch¬ toppling the govemment and replacing Istanbul, is advising the defense team of ing off mobile phones. it with a more acceptable altemative. several Ergenekon defendants, includ¬ "I believe that people who hop)e that Mr Jenkins said the indictment also ing Ergun Poyraz, who has vmtten Turkey's dark past will be enlightened maintained that investigators had un¬ more than five books critical of the gov¬ by the Ergenekon case will be disap)- covered evidence that the "Ergenekon emment, and TXincay Ozkan, a secular pointed," said Nedim Sener, a journalist Terrorist Organization" plarmed to journalist and critic of the mling party who has investigated Ergenekon for "manufacture chemical and biological who helpjed organize anti-govemment Milliyet, a leading newspapjer, and now weapons and then, with the high reven¬ redues two years ago. fears that he could also be a target in the ue it earned from selling them, to fi- Professor Batum said Mr Poyraz had investigation. "As a result of n£mce and control every terrorist organ¬ been detained for 29 months and Mr. Ergenekon, the Turkish justice system ization not just in TXirkey but in the Ozkan for 13 months, without any evi¬ has been broken in pieces." entire world." dence that either had committed a Ms. Celikel, former justice minister, crime. He argued that snippets from said that in April, Ergenekon investiga¬ their recorded cellphone conversations tors raided 95 of her charity's offices like "What should we do about antisec- ular policies?" were construed as evi-

umye f*'^ DailyNews.<«»t' CHP deputy leader 'favored massacre,' novemberl2, 2009 say opponents

I do have anger. With Mr. Öymen, there ANKARA Onur Öymen, deputy is not only anger but he is also still not leader of the Republican People's Party, purified from feelings of hafred and or CHP, angered certain social circles, revenge," Halis said. esjjecially Alevis, with the si)eech he Selahattin Demirtas, group deputy gave in Parliament on Monday. chairman for the DTP, said Öymen meant The opposition to the government's that the Kurdish problem would be sol¬ Kurdish initiative is commonly blamed ved just like the massacre in Tunceli. for wanting the mothers' tears to conti¬ "Mr. Deputy's mention of events that nue. Öymen responded by saying, went down in history as massacres as an "Didn't mothers cry during the example in the name of solution has cau¬ Independence War, the Sheikh Sait sed great anxiety among us." Rebellion, the Dersim [Tunceli] Kamer Genç, an indepjendent deputy condemning Öymen who has committed Rebellion and in Cypms Did anybody from Tunceli, said, "A great mass of peo¬ this offense against humanity and we say, 'Don't let the mothers cry, let us stop ple were murdered in 1938. We should invite him to learn about humanitarian fighting?'" look into the reasons." values," said Kenanoglu. Ali Kenanoglu, president of Hubyar Öymen released a written statement Reactions against Öymen also came Sultan Alevi Culture Association, respon¬ on Thursday and said his words had been from the ranks of Parliament. Serafettin ded to Öymen and mentioned the TunceU twisted and what he meant was that it Halis, a deputy from the Democratic massacre. "Öymen is offering a massacre was wrong that the Justice and Society Party, or DTP, spxîke at the dis¬ as a model," he said. Tunceli was pre¬ Development Party, or AKP, was trying cussion for the parliamentary question viously called Dersim and is px)pulated to base the initiative on the words of his party offered on the recent unsolved mosüy by Alevi Kurds. "The deputy lea¬ Ataturk. "What I mentioned in my murders in Tunceli. "I speak as some¬ der of a social democrat party is offering speech was that Ataturk never favored body who lost 24 people from his family this as a solution, while we should be negotiating with armed terrorist organiza¬ during tiie op)eration of 1938. 1 grew up offered an apology for the violence and tions," Öymen said. with the stories and mourning but I do the massacre brought upon us. We are not have an inch of hatred inside me, but

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

U Interior Minister Atalay outlines DailyNews^r5 "* novemberl3, 2009 democratic initiative

ANKARA - Hurrlyet Daily News

Parliament Bureau

Ibrkey's interior minister asserts

'democracy is the only solution to chro¬

nic social and economic problems' as he

outlines the ruling Justice and

Development Party's democratic initia¬

tive to address the decades-

Issue and strengthen human rights

Interior Minister Besir Atalay stood

before Parliament on Friday and finally pul¬

led the curtain back for all to see the mling the democratic initiative as a dynamic pro¬ tors' gallery and MPs from opposition par¬

government's brief list of concrete ideas cess, not a closed package. We can revise ties.

regarding the Kurdish initiative. The oppo¬ these steps in light of new developments," Tension raised at climax in the parla-

sition was not impressed. Atalay said. mentary hall when Çelik accused the oppx)-

"We see that democracy is the only The existing constitutional law fails to sition parties of not being sincere in their

solution to the chronic social and economic meet the standards of the 2 1st century and a political stance.

problems," Atalay said. civil and democratic constitution is imme¬ "Politicians cannot avoid their responsi¬

"We have taken steps as a result of our diately required, he said. However, he bilities by ignoring the existing serious

human-oriented political stance, which underscored an important exception: "The human rights violations in the country. A

identifies an honorable system of human first three articles cannot be changed. real political vision and courage is required

rights and freedoms," said Atalay in his Unitary state, flag, national anthem and to achieve (democratic development),"

address to Parliamentary on Friday. official language will be outside any Çelik opined.

A comprehensive strategy, based on debate." "As the AKP, we are voluntarily taking

social and economic rehabilitation along Healing wounds thanks to economic all risks in order to establish Turkey of the

with military measures, will achieve the projects future," he woved.

result, Atalay said. Economic development plays a key role Challenging to those criticizing the

"Our socio-economic as well as politi¬ in tackling the terror organization and sap¬ democratic initiative, he concluded: "Even

cal illnesses stem from injustice. A healthy ping its resources, the interior minister said. AKP is left alone in this way, it will conti¬

relationship between the state and the citi¬ Development projects related to Konya, nue to stmggle thanks to its wide network

zen exists as long as there is justice. That's eastern and southeastern Anatolia are set to across the country."

why we are trying to stiengthen the feeling finish by 2013. Having taken steps to create Tension mounts as protesters target

ofjustice," he said. employment opportunities, more than 1 bil¬ AKP deputy

Six initial steps for democratic initiative lion Turkish Liras were also paid to those Ömer Çelik, political advisor to Prime

The democratic initiative aims to pro¬ who suffered from terror attacks in the Minister Erdogan, also addressed

tect and extend the human rights and free¬ region, Atalay said. Parliament on Friday. He spoke on behalf of

doms of every citizen, regardless of ethni¬ Also, a project specializing in returnee the parliamentary group of the ruling

city, religion and political or social choices, villages and rehabilitation has been opera¬ Justice and Development Party.

Atalay said. ting in 14 provinces in the country. "We are holding a very important

"These developments will align our 'The steps taken so far are not enough. debate," began Çelik, but was interrupted

domestic policies with the European We will continue to pursue new measures to by protesters in the visitors' gallery and

Convention on Human Rights," Atalay said, ensure the democracy that our p)eople des¬ members of oppx)sition parties.

disclosing six medium-term goals as part of erve," Atalay said. Tension rose to a climax when Çelik

the democratic initiative: In an effort to ease the tension, Atalay accused the opposition parties of not being

- An independent human-rights insti¬ affirmed that the democratic initiative did sincere in their political stance.

tution not serve a specific group in the country. "Politicians cannot avoid their responsi¬

- A commission to combat discrimina¬ "As we said earlier, it targets the whole bilities by ignoring the existing serious

tion country, not a specific group. That's why human rights violations in the country. A

- Parliamentary ratification of the the democratic initiative is conducted under real political vision and courage is required

U.N. Convention Against Torture and a the slogan of 'more freedom for everyone.' to achieve [democratic development],"

national preventative mechanism. It will not weaken Turkey. On the contrary, Çelik said.

- An independent body tasked with it will make Turkey stronger," he said. "As the AKP, we are voluntarily taking

receiving and investigating accusations of HH-Tension mounts as protesters target all risks in order to establish the Turkey of

torture or mistreatment by the securityfor¬ AKP deputy the future," he said.

ces. Ömer Çelik, political advisor to Prime Challenging those who have criticized

- Renaming ofresidential areas in line Minister Erdogan, addresed on behalf of the the democratic initiative, he said: "Even the

with demandsfrom locals parliamentary group of the ruling Justice AKP is left alone in this way. It will conti¬

- Political parties will be free to com¬ and Development Party. "Wc are holding a nue to stmggle thanks to its wide nctworic

municate in languages other than Turkish very important debate," l)egan Çclik, but across the country."

"There is no final list because we sec was intermpted by protesters among visi

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

IRAK/MINORITÉS: LES KURDES REJEHENT UN RAPPORT DE HWR MAIS PRETS À ENQUETER

ERBIL (Irak), 12 nov 2009 (AFP) minorités qui ont défié le contrôle du gouvemement régional sur les territoi¬ res convoités". Le gouvemement régional du Kurdistan s'est dtt prêtjeudi à enquêter sur d'éventuelles violences contre des minorités dans le nord de l'Irak mais Par ailleurs, setan elle, "des éléments a "rejeté avec vigueur" qu'il s'agisse d'une stratégie pour imposer sa loi extrémistes de l'insurrection arabe à ces communautés sans défense. sunnite, qui considèrent ces commu¬ nautés minoritaires comme des -Ktà- sés+ et des ont lancé des "Le gouvernement régional va enquêter de manière précise sur toutes les attaques dévastatrices qui ont tuë des 0 informations se trouvant dans le rapport de Human Rights Watch (HRW). II centaines de dvils". peut y avoir eu des mauvais traitements ou des négligences car nous ne pré¬ "Si les allégations de HWR étaient cor¬ tendons pas être à l'abri de fautes', affinne un communiqué publié jeudi à rectes et que les minorités étaient la Erbil. dble de la terreur kurde, pourquoi tant

"Mais nous rejetons femiement l'esprit de ce rapport car nous nous efforçons de leurs membres ont trouvé refuge plus que tout autre en Irak de protéger les minorités et nous insistons pour ren¬ dans les régions sous contrôle du gouvemement kurde", s'inten'oge le gouver¬ forcer les coexistences pacifiques et la tolérance dans notre région et en Irak", nement. ajoute le communiqué du gouvemement kurde. Par ailleurs, le gouvemement conskJère que HRW décrit faussement les yazi¬ Dans un rapport publié meraedi, l'organisation des droits de l'Homme basée dis et les chabaks comme des "minorités ethniques' alors que selon lui elles à New York estime que les minorités, notamment chrétiennes, "sont prises sont kurdes. 'HWR n'a pas le droit de les décrire ainsi", assure le gouveme¬ pour dble dans la lutte opposant Arabes et Kurdes pour le contrôle de tenitoi- ment. res dans la région de Ninive", dont Mossoul est la capitale. HRW appelle le gouvemement régional kurde à modifier sa constitution afin

'Les pechmergas (combattants kurdes) ont sacrifié leur vie pour protéger des que les chabaks et les yazidis 'soient reconnus légalement comme des grou¬ ten'oristes les habitants des régions disputées et ils sont une partie de la solu¬ pes ethniques distincts et à cesser la répression contre les organisations de la tion et non du problème. Ce sont les intégristes et les terroristes qui usent de sodété civile et politique qui s'opposent à la politique kurde dans les régions la violence, transgressent les droits des minorités et ce sont eux qui doivent disputées'. être blâmés et punis", assure le communiqué. Les minorités visées par les attaques et les pressions sont les 550.000 chré¬

HRW accuse les forces kurdes de recourir, pour consolider leur emprise sur tiens, les 220.000 yazidis (une secte qui aoit au diable) et les 60.000 chabaks ces leritoires, 'à des détentions et arrestations arbitraires, à des actes d'inti¬ (une minorité linguistique), ainsi que des minorités turicmènes et des kurdes midation et dans certains cas à des violences de faible intensité contre les kakaïs (une communauté aux aoyances ésoteriques).

IRAK: LES KURDES EN ORDRE DISPERSE AUX ELECTIONS LÉGISLATIVES

ERBIL (Irak), 13 nov 2009 (AFP) Et déjà, tous les coups sont pemiis entre les nouveaux adversaires politiques.

Pour le discréditer, plusieurs quotidiens locaux proches de l'UPK ou du PDK POUR LA PREMIÈRE FOIS, les partis du Kurdistan irakien, en conflit ter¬ ont affimé, en dtanl des sources anonymes, que M. Moustapha avait condu ritorial avec Bagdad, vont se présenter en ordre dispersé aux élections une entente électorale infomielle avec le Premier ministre Nouri al-Maliki, la législatives de janvier, après l'apparition sur l'échiquier régional d'une bête noire du Massoud Barzani. Goran a fermement démenti. nouvelle force d'opposition. Les réfomiateurs ont créé la surprise en se hissant à la deuxième place lors des élections de juillet au Pariement kurde, grâce à une campagne axée sur la lutte contre la comiption et contre l'hégémonie des deux partis historiques. Jeudi, les deux parti qui ont régné en maîtres sur la politique du Kurdistan pen¬ dant trois décennies, ont annoncé la création d'une alliance avec 10 autres Ils espèrent rééditer l'exploit. "Nous avons rejeté l'appel des deux partis prin- partis allant des islamistes aux communistes. dpaux à les rejoindre", a expliqué à l'AFP Adnane Othmane, un de ses diri¬ geants. Mais le Parti démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK), dirigé par le président de la région Massoud Barzani, et l'Union patriotique du Kurdistan (IJPK), du prési¬ 'Nous avons nos idées concernant l'avenir de la province, sur les relations dent irakien Jalal Talabani, affronteront une liste dissidente, appelée Goran avec Bagdad (...) Le vote doit se faire sur la base d'un programme électoral (Changement en Kurde) aux deuxièmes législatives de l'après Saddam cohérent et non en faveur d'une coalition dont les composantes ont des visions Hussein. différentes', a-t-il insisté.

Et deux autres listes seront également en lice: la Jamaa islamia, un mouve¬ II n'a pas écarté une alliance post-électorale avec d'autres mouvements kur¬ ment salafiste, et l'Union islamique kurde, proche des Frères musulmans. des, espérant qu'un bon score lui permette de peser de tout son poids au Pariement national. "Notre coalition comprend toutes les tendances, des socialistes aux islamis¬ tes', a affirmé Fadel Mirani, le secrétaire du bureau politique du PDK lors de Pour l'analyste politique et anden ministre de la Culture kurde, Sami l'annonce à Erbil de la consitutation de la "Liste de la coalition kurde". Chourach, les intérêts de la région, autonome depuis 1991, risquent de pâtir de ces divisions. 'Nous souhaitions que toutes les forces politiques et tous les partis se rassem¬ blent, nous les avons contactés mais certains ont refusé', a-t-il ajouté. 'En général, la pluralité est une bonne chose pour la démocratie mais dans le contexte kurde, et irakien en général, elle présente des désavantages car le Affimiant 'respecter le choix" de Nichirwan Moustapha, le dirigeant de Goran, Kurdistan est dans une situatton délicate avec Bagdad', a-t-il estimé. il a toutefois critiqué sa déciskxi, qui selon lui, affaiblit le Kurdistan, au moment où la région et Bagdad se disputent le contrôle de régions riches en pétrole Et de dter pêle-mêle la pomme de discorde que représente la ville de Kiri

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Selon lui, le condamné, Ehsan Fatahian, a "reconnu" être membre du groupe IRAN: PENDAISON D'UN ACTIVISTE anné kurde Komala. II a été arrêté alors qu'il était en possession d'arme.

KURDE (AGENCE) La province du Kurdistan, frontalière avec l'Irak, est peuplée en majorité de sunnites.

TEHERAN, 11 nov 2009 (AFP) La région est régulièrement le théâtre d'actions années, notamment du Pejak, un mouvement séparatiste Hé au Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), adif en Turquie. Un acthriste kurde iranien, reconnu coupable d'action amiée contre le pouvoir Islamique, a été pendu mercredi matin, a déclaré Ali Akbar Cette nouvelle pendaison porte à 248 le nombre de personnes exécutées en GharoussI, le chef de la justice de la province du Kurdistan (nord-ouest), Iran depuis le début de l'année, selon un décompte de l'AFP établi à partir d'in- a rapporté l'agence Fars. fomiatbns diffusées par la presse locale.

La peine capitale a été 'appliquée ce matin contre le condamné, reconnu cou¬ En 2008, 246 personnes ont été exécutées en Iran, selon la même source. pable d'opération contre la sécurité nationale par action armée', a affirmé M. Le meurtre, le viol, le vol à main armée, le trafic de drogue, l'adultère et l'ac¬ Gharoussi. tion année contre le pouvoir sont passibles de la peine de mort en Iran.

L'OFFRE FAITEAUX KURDES RISQUE DE MECONTENTER TOUT LE MONDE (ANALYSTES)

ANKARA, 14 novembre 2009 (AFP) Le PKK veut que le gouvemement cesse ses opérations militaires, donne aux Kurdes une reconnaissance offidelle dans la constitution, autorise l'éducatbn en kurde et qu'il propose une solution aux rebelles, pour qu'ils mettent un ternie LES MESURES llmftées annoncées à Ankara en faveur de la communauté à un conflit qui a fait au moins 45.000 morts depuis 1984. kurde ne convaincront pas les rebelles de déposer les armes et elles pro¬ voquent déjà la colère de l'opposition nattonaliste, qui accuse le gouver¬ Samedi, il a rejeté l'Initiative gouvemementale, la jugeant "superfidelle".

nement de céder au "terrorisme" kurde, estiment des analystes. 'La question kurde ne peut pas trouver de solution sans la reconnaissance de

Vendredi, lors d'une séance tumultueuse au Pariement turc, le ministre de la volonté du peuple kurde et sans dialogue avec ses représentants', a dédaré l'Intérieur a annoncé les premières mesures concrètes du plan d'"ouverture le mouvement dans un communiqué transmis par l'agence pro-kurde Firat.

démoaatique" du gouvemement en faveur des 12 millions de Kurdes de Devant le pariement, M. Atalay a certes évoqué la nécessité d'une nouvelle Turquie, qui compte au total 71 millions d'habitants. constitution, plus libérale, mais il a écarté toute modification des artides dé qui

Une initiative destinée à terme à saper le soutien dont jouit, au sein d'une partie font de la Turquie un Etat unitaire avec une seule langue, le turc.

de la population, le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKKj, le mouvement 'C'est là que le bât blesse', car les militants kurdes veulent une nouvelle consti¬ armé en lutte depuis un quart de siède pour l'indépendance puis l'autonomie du tution, estime un autre commentateur, Guneri Civaoglu, dans le journal Milliyel sud-est du pays. (populaire).

Parmi les mesures annoncées: l'autorisation pour les villes et villages kurdes de Et même si le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP) au pouvoir est majo¬ retrouver leurs noms originels, une levée de l'interdiction d'utiliser le kurde dans ritaire au Pariement, il ne dispose pas des 367 sièges sur 550 nécessaires pour les activités politiques, et l'autorisation aux détenus kurdes de parier leur langue, changer la constitution. lors des visites de familles. Vendredi, l'opposition s'est déchaînée. Le gouvemement va aussi créer des commissions indépendantes pour prévenir Le dirigeant nattonaliste Devlet Bahceli a accusé le gouvernement de négoder les discriminations et les actes de torture par les forces de sécurité, a expliqué avec une bande de ten'oristes, et le leader de l'opposition Deniz Baykal l'a soup¬ M. Atalay. çonné de vouloir "détruire et démanteler la Turquie". Mais ces décisions sont peu de choses, après des mois de suspense créé par Le gouvemement islamo-conservateur est bien seul avec son initiative pro¬ un gouvemement qui faisait miroiter la perspective de "mesures courageuses" kurde et prend le risque de faire "monter la tension, qui est déjà forte dans le pour mettre fin à des années de "bains de sang et de souffrances", estime l'ana¬ pays", affirme Husnu Mahallin dans le journal Aksam (populaire). lyste Murat Yetkin dans le quotidien libéral Radikal. "Le Premier ministre (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan devra choisir entre électeurs kur¬ "Le PKK n'abandonnera pas ses repaires, dans les montagnes, parce qu'il y a des et les éledeurs nationalistes", ajoute-t-il. l'annonce d'une commission sur les droits de l'Homme et que les gens peuvent utiliser leur langue maternelle en prison", écrit-il.

2009 et les deux autres en octobre 2008. SYRIE: PEINES DE PRISON POUR AÇP L'OSDH, basé à londres demande au gouvernement syrien de "libérer les trois DES DIRIGEANTS D'UN PARTI membres de l'instance dirigeante du parti Azadi car ils n'ont fait qu'exercer leur KURDE INTERDIT droit à la liberté d'expression, garantie par la Constitution syrienne et les trai¬ tés internationaux paraphés par la Syrie".

DAIMAS, 15 nov 2009 (AFP) II demande également "la libération de l'avocat et militant des droits de l'Homme Anouar Bounni et de tous les détenus politiques et de consdence dans les prisons syriennes, en mettant fin à la détentbn arbitraire à rencontre Un tribunal de Damas a condamné dimanche trois Kurdes, membres de des opposants politiques". la direction d'un parti interdit, à trois ans de prison, a annoncé rObservatoire syrien pour les droits de PHomme (OSDH). Anouar Bounni a été incarcéré le 17 mai 2006 et condamné à dnq ans de pri¬ son pour "propagatran de fausses infomiatkjns". Moustapha Jomaa Bakr, Mohammad Saîd Hussein Omar et Saadoun Mahmoud Cheikho ont été condamnés par la Cour pénale de Damas pour Estimés à plus de 1,5 millnn de personnes, les Kurdes de Syrie représentent "avdr porté atteinte à la dignité de l'Etat, affaibli le sentiment national et indté environ 9% de la populatkm du pays. Ils réclament la reconnaissance de leur à des dissensnns radales", a dit l'OSDH dans un communk^ué. langue et de leur culture.

Responsables du parti Azadi kurde (interdit), Bakr avait été anété en janvier

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

Dimanche 15 - Lundi 16 novembre 2009 a fait 40 000 morts en un quart de commission», commente Muhar-

siècle. rem Erbey. Et l'avocat, qui est aussi

Le débat parlementaire de ven¬ président de l'Association des

dredi a été salué, en sol, comme un droits de l'homme de Diyarbakir Le plan Erdogan événement «historique» à travers de poursuivre: «On ne guérit pas . le pays. Au cours d'un long et Si vite une maladie qui dure depuis

vibrant discours, le premier minis¬ si longtemps. En deux siècles, une

tre, Recep Ta)ryip Erdogan, a défen¬ trentaine de révoltes kurdes ont pour clore le conflit du le projet d'« ouverture démocra¬ éclaté. Le problème ce n'est pas le

tique » de son gouvemement. « Les PKKmaisledénidesKurdes, deleur

problèmes de ce pays sont les culture et deleur identité. » au Kurdistan turc nôtres. C'estpourquoi nous nepou¬ vons plus les ignorer», a-t-U lancé « Insuffisant et timide»

aux députés. De fait, au lendemain du dis¬ Le premier ministre défend 1'« ouverture Les mesures détaillées par le cours du chef du gouvernement, ministre de l'Intérieur, Besir Ata¬ des questions clés restent sans démocratique » en direction des Kurdes lay, visent à renforcer l'ideritlté réponse: le sort de centaines de

des Kurdes et à défendre jeunes lanceurs de pierres, pour¬

les droits de l'homme dans la suivis après des manifestations et I Superficie Kurdes : Zones de peuplement Population région. La diffusion de program¬ parfois condamnés à de lourdes

RUSSIE mes en langue kurde sera autori¬ peines au titre de la loi antiterroris¬ BULGARIE MMN^ir« sée à la radio et à la télévision. Les te, n'est pas réglé. ^^'^-^\-\'^^.:-vÊ- GÉORGIE - partis politiques pourront faire L'amnistie des combattants du campagne en kurde alors que, jus¬ PKK, exilés dans les montagnes du

qu'à récemment, le premier minis¬ Nord de l'Irak, n'a pas davantage ' ARM, tre refusait toute rencontre avec été évoquée. Et les opérations mili¬ les députés du parti kurde DTP taires contre les camps rebelles se

Vvs^lzmir (Parti pour une société démocrati¬ poursuivent.

que). Les noms « turquifiés » des Sur le plan culturel, le droit à ?JJIAN municipalités pourront être rem¬ l'éducation dans la langue mater¬ placés par les noms d'origine kur¬ nelle, réclamé par les Kurdes, a été de, syriaque ou arménienne, rejeté parle gouvemement. L'ouver¬ M6! notamment. ture d'Ankara est « insuffisante et SYRIE La Turquie (candidate à l'Union tiniide», juge l'éditorialiste Meh¬ européenne) va également ratifier met Ali Birand: «Je crois qu'ilfaut

la convention de l'ONU contre la allerplus loin etplus vite. » échoppes de Diyarbakir, la grande Diyarbakir (Turquie) Mais le gouvemement doit aussi torture, et créer une commission ville kurde du sud-est du pays, la Envoyé spécial composeravecles réactions virulen¬ Indépendante pour enquêter sur télévision retransmettait en direct, les milliers de plaintes déposées tes des partis nationalistes de l'op¬ Près de 15 millions de Kurdes la présentation par le gouverne¬ contre les forces de sécurité pour position qui accusent M. Erdogan ment d'un programme de réfor¬ de Turquie avaient les yeux de diviserla Turquie et de céder aux torture ou mauvais traitements. rivés surle Parlement d'Anka¬ mes destinées à mettre fin au «C'est bien mais cela fait plus « terroristes ». ra, la capitale, vendredi 13 novem¬ conflit avec la guérilla du Parti des d'un an que nous réclamons cette Guillaume Ferner bre. Dans toutes les maisons et les travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) qui

LE FIGARO samedi' 14- dimanche 15 novembre 2009 Ankara donne de nouveaux droits aux Kurdes V V Le gouvernement turc autorise l'usage de la langue kurde dans la vie politique. ,!/.

; Le premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip LAURE IIMRCHAND Erdogan a défendu I I ISTANBUL « l'ouverture

TURQUIE Les ambitions du gouverne¬ démocratique » qu'il a lancée et rejeté ment turc pour répondre aux revendlca- «un nationalisme . tiens de la minorité kurde et tenter de I I- étriqué », hier devant convaincre la guérilla du PKK (Pard des le Parlement. travailleurs du Kurdistan) de déposer les Omit BEKTAS/REUTERS armes se précisent. Martelant sa volonté de satisfaire les demandes de toutes les ethnies de la Tiu-quie, le premier ministre l'ospect sécuritaire», a critiqué Recep figure l'autorisation d'utUiser la langue a défendu devant le Parlement, vendredi, Tayyip Erdogan. Auparavant, le ministre kurde dans la vie politique.' Cette décision « l'ouverture démocratique » qu'U a lan¬ de l'Intérieur, Besir Atalay, avait détaillé est hautement symbolique caj des dizai¬ cée et a rejeté « un nationalisme e'triqué » . le plan gouvernemental qui vise à renfor¬ nes d'élus prokirrdes ont été traînés « Pendant vingt-cinq ans, la lutte contre le cer les droits des douze millions de Kwdes devant les tribunaux ces dernières aimées terrorisme n'a été envisagée que sous de Tiu-quie. Parmi les mesures phares. pour ne pas avoir respecté l'obligation de

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

s'exprimer en turc. Les villages kurdes, bunaux pour enfants et ne seront plus dont les noms ont été turquifiés auront emprisonnés. Les restrictions concernant aussi le droit de reprendre leur appella¬ les programmes en kurde dans les médias Une commission tion d'origine. Sur le plan législatif, la seront également entièrement levées.

créationd'unecommissionindépendante « JVotreob/ectif^estd'élargirlesdroitspoBri- va enquêter sur chargée de traiter les plaintes pour attein¬ ques et les Vbertés de tous nos citoyens », a 5 000 meurtres conunis tes aux droits de l'homme a été annoncée. déclaré devant les députés Besir Atalay. Le Cinq mille meurtres, essentiellement de ministre de l'Intérieur a souligné que lepro- lors de « la sale guerre »

Kurdes et perpétrés principalement dans cessus lancé, qui ne se Umitera pas à ce pre¬ les années 1990, au plus fort de la « sale mier « paquet » de réformes, était néces¬ guerre » entrel'arméetxu'queetlesrebel- saire pour « rempUr les critères d'adhésion à guérilla n'a pas été évoquée. 11 s'agit d'ime les, restent toujours inexpliqués. l'Union européenne » et aapp)elé àl'établis- demandeclédel'organisationrebelle. semeht« d'unenouvelleConstitution, plura¬ Le début d'un processus liste et libérale». Ce projet fait écho à la Lepartiprokurde, vitrinepolitique de la

Cesavancéess'ajoutentàcellesdéjàrendues revendication du PKK de réformer la loi guérUla, tout en dénonçant la poursuite

publiques cette semaine : les mineurs, qui des oi)éraUons de l'armée tiu-que contre fondamentale en vigueur, héritée du coup étaient jusqu'à présent condamnés à des les camps du PKK basés en Irak, a indiqué d'Etat de 1980, afin d'y inscrire la recon¬ peines de prison très lourdes pour avoirjeté vouloir privilégier une « solution politi¬ naissance de l'existence du peuple kurde. des pierres contre les forces de l'ordre, que».« En revanche, l'amnistie des rriembres de la devraient désormais être jugés par des tri

lelHonde Dimanche 15 - Lundi 16 novembre 2009 Les chancelleries occidentales constatent l'impasse diplomatique avec l'Iran

L'offre sur le circuit d'uranium est considérée comme rejetée. Téhéran refuse une nouvelle réunion avec les Six pour parler du nucléaire. Le président Obama veut gagner du temps

arack Obama devait rencon¬ l'Iran de transformation à l'étran¬ tions politiques à Téhéran, dans port de l'AIEA sur l'Iran -slnguliè- .

trer le président msse Dmi¬ ger (en Russie puis en France) de la un ballottement Incessant qui rement sur le site secret de Qom, B tri Medvedev, dimanche majeure partie de son stock d'ura¬ n'aboutit qu'à un blocage. exposé en septembre- est guetté 15 novembre, à Singapour en mar¬ nium enrichi n'a pas reçu de répon¬ Le point d'orgue -en apparence avec grand intérêt par les chancel¬ ge du sommet Asie-Pacifique. Le se positive. Le pouvoir iranien a paradoxal- a été ce moment où leries occidentales qui veulent en dossier du nucléaire iranien devait refusé les conditions mises à cette « l'ère de la coopération nucléaire » faire un argument de poids pour être évoqué au cours de l'entre¬ opération par l'Agence Internatio¬ avec les Occidentaux était vantée rallier les Russes et les Chinois à un tien, dans un contexte où la diplo¬ nale de l'énergie atomique (AIEA) par le président iranien, le radical durcissement de la diplomatie au matie de la main tendue américai¬ les efforts de son directeur, MahmoudAhmadinejad, qui cher¬ moyen de sanctions, ou d'une nou¬ ne à l'égard de Téhéran n'a pas per¬ Mohamed ElBaradei, en quête de che le moyen de- se relégitimer. velle résolution à l'ONU. mis de récolter les fruits espérés. succès à quelques semaines de la Tandis qu'à l'inverse l'opposant La grande inconnue reste cepen¬ Devant la perspective d'un fin de son mandat. C'est un revers Mlr-Hosseln Moussavi, et le chef dant l'approche du président Oba¬ échec annoncé, l'une des priorités pour l'équipe Obama. du Parlement, Àli Larijanl, souvent ma lui-même. Les partenaires de

de la stratégie occidentale consiste décrit comme un pragmatique, cri¬ Washington observent qu'il veut à préserver, face à l'Iran, une unité Les partenaires tiquaient le projet d'évacuation encore laisser courir le calendrier -au moins de façade- entre les d'uranium comme un renonce¬ jusqu'à la fin de l'année, le délai ini-

grandes puissances traitant le dos¬ des Etats-Unis ment national et un piège tendu tialementfixé pour jauger l'attitu¬ sier nucléaire. Or la Russie et plus observent qu'ils par l'étranger. de iranienne. encore la Chine, où M.Obama fera L'autre impasse diplomatique Barack Obama voudrait éviter veulent laisser courir étape cette semaine, sont perçues porte sur le processus plus large d'avolrà annonceràropinlonamé- comme les maillons faibles du le calendrier jusqu'à des discussions entre l'Iran et les rlcaine la mauvaise nouvelle groupe des Six qui tente de négo¬ «Six» (Etats-Unis, Russie, Chine, d'une Impasse avec l'Iran, au

cier avec Téhéran. la fin de l'année France, Royaume-Uni, Allema¬ moment où la stratégie à appli¬

En fait de négociation, les cho¬ gne). Le 1er octobre à Genève, lors quer en Afghanistan lui donne du

ses sont au point mort « La répon¬ La Turiqule -encouragée par de la première rencontre de ce fil à retordre. se iranienne à l'offre est défait M. ElBaradei- s'est certes propo¬ type impliquant un membre de Au plan extérieur, il aurait une

négative. Nous faisons tous ce sée comme potentiel pays de stoc¬ l'administration Obama, il avait autre raison de ne pas se précipiter constat Mais la question est de kage de l'uranium iranien, mais ce été annoncé qu'une nouvelle réu¬ pour sonner la fin de certains savoir'quand et comment l'admi¬ schéma apparaît inacceptable nion se tiendrait «avant lafin du espoirs avec l'Iran. Il lui faut

nistration Obama voudra en pren¬ pour Washington et Paris, très à mois». Depuis, plus rien. d'abord un succès avec les Russes

dre acte ouvertement, commente cheval sur le respect des condi¬ «les Iraniens ne refusent pas sur la négociation d'un traité post- un diplomate occidental proche tions de l'Offre du circuit d'ura¬ une rencontreavec les Six, mais exi¬ START concernant le désarmement du dossier. Pour Obama, ily a des nium telle qu'émise par l'AIEA. gent que le dossier nucléaire, qu'ils nucléaire, la date-butoir étant le 5

considérations de politique inté¬ Plutôt que d'être saisie par le prétendent clos, nefigure pas dans décembre. Les négociations se sont

rieure qui pèsent lourd.» régime iranien comme un véhicu¬ la discussion -ce qui revient à un récemment compliquées. Encore

L'impasse diplomatique actuel¬ le de rapprochement avec les Etats- refus», explique-t-on de source un sujet à aborder dimanche avec le est de deux ordres. D'alwrd, la Unis, l'offre en question s'est européenne. le président Medvedev. proposition faite le 21 octobre à retrouvée au coeurdes luttesde fac Le contenu du prochain rap Natalie Nougayrède

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

^ INTtRNATlOhAL^ Hcralo Sribunc NOVEMBER 13, 2009 U.S. adviser to Kurds could reap huge oil profits

When drillers struck oil in a rich new OSLO field called Tawke in December 2005, no one but a handful of government and BY JAMES GLANZ business officials and members of Mr. AND WALTER GIBBS Galbraith's inner circle knew that the \ Peter W. Galbraith, an influential constitutional provisions he had pushed former United States ambassador, is a through only months earlier could en¬ povverful voice on Iraq who helped rich him so handsomely. shape the views of policy makers like . As the scope of Mr. Galbraith's finan¬ Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and cial interests in Kurdistan Ijecome clear, Senator John Kerry. In the summer of they have the potential to inflame some 2005, he was also an adviser to the Kurd¬ of Iraqis' deepest fears, including con¬ Peter W. Galbraith helped Kurdish officials ish regional government as Iraq drafted spiracy theories that the true reason for negotiate control over oil In their territory. its Constitution tough and sensitive the American invasion of their country

talks not least because ofissues like how was to take its oil. It may not help that Iraq would divide its vast oil weédth. outside Kurdistan, Mr. Galbraith's influ¬ "While I may have had Now Mr. Galbraith, 58, son of the ential view that Iraq should be broken interests, I see no conflict." renowned economist John Kenneth Gal¬ up along ethnic lines is considered of¬ braith, stands to earn perhaps a hun¬ fensive to many Iraqis' nationalism. dred million dollars or more as a result Mr. Biden and Mr. Kerry, who have Kurds had documented before his rela¬ of his closeness to the Kurds, his rela¬ been influenced by Mr. Galbraith's tionship with DNO had begun.

tions with a Norwegian oil company and thinking but do not advocate such a par¬ "What is true is that I undertook busi¬

constitutional provisions he helped the titioning of the country, were not aware ness activities that were entirely consist¬ Kurds extract. of Mr. Galbraith's oil dealings in Iraq, ent with my long-held policy views," Mr. In the constitutional negotiations, he aides to both politicians say. Galbraith said in his response. "I beUeve helped the Kurds ram through provi¬ Some officials say that his financial my work with DNO (and other compa¬ sions that gave their region rather ties could raise serious questions about nies) helped create the Kurdistan oil in- thcui the central Baghdad government the integrity of the constitutional nego¬ dustiy which helps provide Kurdistan an sole authority over many of their in¬ tiations themselves. economic base for the autonomy its ternal affairs, including clauses that he "The idea that an oil company was people almost unanimously desire.' ' maintains will give the Kurds virtually participating in the drafting of the Iraqi "So, while I may have had interests, I complete control over all new oil finds Constitution leaves me speechless," see no confUct," Mr. Galbraith .said. on their territory. said Felsal Amin al-Istrabadl, a princip¬ Kurdish officials said that they were in¬ Mr. Galbraith, widely viewed in Wash¬ al drafter of the law that governed Iraq formed of Mr. Galbraith's work lOr DNO ington as a smart and bold foreign policy after the United States ceded control to and that they still considered him a friend expert, has always descrit>ed himself as an Iraqi govemment on June 28, 2004. and advocate. Mr. Galbraith said that an unpaid adviser to the Kurds, al¬ In effect, he said, the company "has a during his work on the Constitution nego¬ though he has spoken in general terms representative in the room, drafting." tiations, the Kurds "did not pay me and about having business interests In Kur¬ DNO's chief executive, Helge Eide, they knew I was being paid by DNO." distan, as the north of Iraq is known. confirmed that Mr. Galbraith helped ne- Qting what he said were confidential¬ So it came as a shock to many last . gotiate the Tawke deal and advised the ity agreements, Mr. Galbraith refused

month when a group of Norwegian in¬ company during 2005. But Mr. Eide said to give details of his financial arrange¬ that Mr. Galbraith acted solely as a vestigative journcdists at the newspa¬ ment with the company, and the precise per Dagens Naeringsliv began publish¬ political adviser and that the company nature of his compensation remains un-' never discussed the constitutional ne¬ ing documents linking Mr. Galbraith to known. But several officials, including a Norwegian oil compEuiy with major gotiations with him. Mr. Galbraith's business partner in the "We certainly never did give any in¬ deal, the Norwegian businessman En- contracts in Iraq. put, language or suggestions on the Interviews by The New York Times dre Rosjo, said that in addition to with more than a dozen current and Constitution," Mr. Eide said. whatever consulting fees the company former government and business offi¬ When the findings based on inter- paid, he and Mr. Galbraith were togeth¬ views by The Times and other research cials in Norway, France, Iraq, the er granted rights to 10 percent of the were presented to Mr. Galbraith last United States and elsewhere, along with large Tawke field and possibly others. weekend, he responded in writing to legal records and other documents, re¬ Estimating the value of any stake in The Times, confirming that he did work veal in considerable detail that Mr. Gal¬ the Kurdish fields is difficult given the as a mediator l)etween DNO and the political uncertainties. But Are Martin braith received rights to an enormous stake in at least one of Kurdistan's oil Kurdish government until the oil con¬ Bemtzen, an oil anedyst at Oslo's First tract was signed in the spring of 2004, Securities brokerage, said the Tawke fields in the spring of 2004. As it turns out, Mr. Galbraith received and saying that he maintained an "on¬ field alone has proven reserves of about going business relationship" with the the rights after he helped negotiate a po¬ 230 million barrels, a figure likely to in- company throughout the constitutional tentially lucrative contract that edlowed creeise as new wells are drilled. the Norwegian oil company DNO to drill negotiations in 2005 and later. "Given no political risk, a 5 percent for oil in the promising Dohuk region of Mr. Galbraith says he held no official stake should be worth at least $115 mil- position in the United States or Iraq dur¬ Kurdistan, the interviews and docu¬ Uon," he said, though he emphasized ing this entire period and acted as a that he knew nothing about Mr. Gal¬ ments show. He says his actions were proper be¬ private citizen. He maintains that his braith's arrangement. largely vmdeclared du£d role was en¬ cause he was at the time a private cit¬ izen deeply involved in Kurdish causes, tirely proper. He says that he was both in business and policy. simply advocating positions that the

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TDDffl^ ZAMAN November 14, 2009

GOV'T UNVEILS DETAILS OF DEMOCRATIZATION INITIATIVE AT V^v?^ PARLIAMENT

TODAY'S ZAMAN govemment has been woricing toward demo¬ SE cratization due lo its respect for humanity since it came lo power and will continue lo do so. He The ruling Justice and Development noted, however, ttial ttiey will never change ttie .«^WWW T' CI Party (AK Party) on Friday submitted to basic principles of ttie stale, which are listed in Parliament long-awaited details of its ttie first ttiree articles of ttie Constitution - democratization initiative to solve the deca¬ namely, ttial Turicey is a secular, democratic des-long Kurdish problem. and social slate based on ttie principles of Alevi groups in Tunceli, Istanbul and Mustafa Kemal AtalQric, ttie founder of ttie Ankara continued holding protests yes¬ The details, disclosed in a special ses¬ republic, and ttial its language is Turicish. terday to condemn CHP Deputy sion of Parliament, envisage more freedom for 'Guns could be silenced in ttiree monttis' Chairman Onur Öymen's controversial everyone, interior Minister Be?ir Atalay, the Pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party remarks about the 1937 Dersim inci¬ coordinator of the initiative, which vras laun¬ (DTP) leader Ahmet Türic urged ttie govern¬ dents, in which thousands of Alevis ched in mid-July, infonned deputies. The plan ment lo stale its intentions cleariy and as soon were killed in a military campaign to drew strong criticism from the main-opposition as possible and explain how it will implement suppress a rebellion. Republican People's Party (CHP) and the them. He signaled ttial if the process is Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), whose approached in a serious manner, guns will fall leaders criticized the government's efforts for silent within ttiree monttis. shed in Pariiamenl vntti representatives from peace with harsh remari

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

Baykal: Government negotiating witti PKK Abdullah Ocalan, who is serving a life sen¬ Baykal said ttie government's fatal mis- Republican People's Party (CHP) leader tence on Imrali Island in ttie Sea of Mamnara, lake in ttie process was lo negotiate witti an Deniz Baykal dämed ttie governments initia¬ as an interioculor. annned organization. "You don't negotiate witti tive is a process of deception and ttiat K is not 'The govemment is talking lo Imrali in terror, you fight witti K,' he sakl. clear who it has taken on as a partner in ttiis secrecy. There is cooperation going on bet¬

process. ween ttie govemment and ttie PKK. Bui even Baykal added ttiat ttie government is laying down arms was not put forth as a pre¬ taking Kurdistan Woricers' Party (PKK) leader condition for ttiis cooperation," he sakJ.

THE TIMES November 14, 2009

lYirkey is to allow Kurdish television as peace process gathers pace

Nicholas Birch in Ankara

Dilsha, centre, a PKK guerrilla Turkey's Govemment has unveiled with her unit in a "historic" offer to end its 25-year mountains on armed conflict with Kurdish fighters A the border that has cost more than 40,000 lives.

Besir Atalay, the Interior Minister, told parliament that he intended to

end permanently the conflict with

separatists, who are thought to have about 6,000 fighters. "Our slogan is

more freedom for everybody," Mr one drafted by a junta in 1982. "The laborating with the Atalay said yesterday, outlining what country has outgrown this constitu¬ PKK". A nationalist leader called the he described as "an open-ended pro¬ tion. Our people deserve better." session "one of the most unfortunate

cess" to "end terrorism and raise the His speech follows efforts to margi¬ days in Turkey's 89-year parliamentary level of democracy". nalise support for Kurdish militants, history".

One of the first steps would be to and an unprecedented and open Their criticism was not new. The lift a ban on private television channels debate about the issue in the Turkish mling Justice and Development Party broadcasting in Kurdish. The press. On October 19, in the first sign (AKP) has been criticised since May,

Govemment would then end a ban on that the initiative might be showing when the President talked of a "historic political campaigning in the language, success, eight PKK members surrende¬ opportunity" to end a war that has cost and permit the restoration of Kurdish red to Turkish authorities at the Iraqi the country an estimated £180 billion names to tovras and villages given border, saying that they had come to since 1984, and severely damaged its Turkish names since the 1950s. A com¬ "strengthen the foundations of a peace¬ reputation. ful solution". mittee will be established to address In May Murad Karayilan, the acting Kurdish concems that they suffer dis¬ Cevat Ones, the former deputy head of the PKK, told The Times that crimination. head of Turkey's intelligence services, the party was ready for "a peaceful and

For a country that once denied it said conditions in Turkey and the democratic solution, to be solved had a Kurdish community, the plan is region had never been more favourable vsdthin Turkey's borders". Mesut Yegen, a dramatic move and builds on small to a solution: "On one side, you have a an analyst who specialises in Kurdish steps to build peace in the Past two country ready for peace and a affairs, said much now depended on

years. It may also help Turkey's appli¬ Govemment with the will to push it the personal charisma of Recep Tayyip cation to join the European Union a through. On the other, a terrorist Erdogan, the Prime Minister: "For the consideration that will not have been group that knows war is no longer an first time, the Kurdish issue has been lost on the Govemment Separatists led altemative," he said. openly debated in parliament ... That is

by the Kurdistan Workers' Party But televised scenes of tens of historic, yes. But it is still far from PKK have made gestures to the thousands ofTurkish Kurds celebra¬ clear where Turkey will go from here." Govemment in recent months, but Mr ting the arrival of the PKK peace group

Atalay's plan falls short ofthe indepen¬ raised anger in Turkey, and forced the dent state many have long sought. Govemment temporarily to slow the

However, in the long term, Mr Atalay process. In Parliament yesterday the

said, Turkey needed a new "democratic leader ofthe main secular opposition and civilian" constitution to replace party accused the Govemment of "col

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|g||eyeteri(orkgnneg November 14, 2009

llirkey Plans to Ease Restrictions on Kurds and Help End Decades of Conflict

By SEBNEM ARSU though it agrees on cultural rights for Kurds as long as they agree to be identi¬

ISTANBUL After months of dialo¬ fied as Turkish citizens and are educated gue, the Turkish govemment announced a 'Vn. in TXirkish. plan on Friday to help end the quarter-cen¬ "The world recognizes us as Turks, tury-long conflict with a Kurdish separa¬ not as an ethnicity but as a nation," said tist movement that has cost more than ' Deniz Baykal, the opposition party's 40,000 lives. chairman. "Neither the E.U. regulations The plan will be debated by nor intemational human rights conven¬ tions foresee separate state structures and Parliameni but the fact that it is being dis¬ -.v^8 i:. cussed at all is considered to be a land¬ "l- u.« separate language education for each and mark. For decades, Kurdish political par¬ every ethnic group. There's nothing like ties were routinely banned, and the ethnic that." identity of the Kurds was not openly ack¬ The opjxjsition's view resonates nowledged, though they make up almost hibited use of the Kurdish language and among other parties in Parliament, which 15 percent of Turkey's population. other cultural and political rights for the argue that enshrining various etluiic iden¬ The government's plan would allow Kurds. That helped empower the outiawed tities in the Constitution would pave the the Kurdish language to be used in all Kurdish Workers Party, known as the way for independent states within Turkey broadcast media and political campaigns, P.K.K., which presented itself as the and destroy irnity. and restore Kurdish names to cities and defender of Kiu-clish rights. What almost everyone agrees upon is towns that have been given Turkish ones. The group, which has been fighting in that the current Constitution, which was It would also establish a committee to the predominantiy Kurdish southeast, has drafted after a military coup in 1980 and is fight discrimination. lost much of its popular support in recent seen as the source of many antidem(x;ratic 'Today is the lieginning of a new time¬ years because of its violent methods. But policies, needs to be replaced. line and a fresh start," Prime Minister it still has 12,000 militants hiding in nor¬ But the govenunent promises that its Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a Uve tele¬ thern Iraq along the Turkish border. first three articles which explicitly vised speech. "We t(X)k a courageous step The P.K.K. praised the government's recognize "Turkishness" as the national to resolve chronic issues that constitute an efforts but called for an immediate end to identity, and Turkish as the official lan¬ obstacle along Turkey's development, operations against it. Listed as a terrorist guage will remain imchanged. progression and emfKJwerment, and we organization by the United States and the For Kurdish intellectuals like Sezgin are very sincere." European Union, the group says it no lon¬ Tanrikulu, fonner head of the bar associa¬ Last year. Parliament approved private ger seeks independence, but demands tion in Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish Kurdish language courses and a public constitutional recognition of Kurdish town, the debate in Parliament was an television channel in Kurdish, as part of identity. achievement in its own right. what it called a demcxiracy package. And Short of that, a blanket amnesty for "The Turkish Republic is confronting this week, a regulation took effect allo¬ militants could persuade the group to lay its past and ready to make a new start, wing Kurdish prisoners to communicate down arms, many Kurdish intellectuals which is more important than any specific with visitors in their native language. say, a move the governing Justice and measure," Mr. Tanrikulu said. "Such a Such measures, many of which have Development Party rejects. govemment attitude would also discou¬ been required for entry to the European Turkey's leading opposition party, the rage the P.K.K. from holding on to arms Union, were inconceivable in the early Republican People's Party, denounces any from now on." 1980s, when aggressive state policies pro- direct or indirect contact with the P.K.K.,

November 15, 2009 RodioFre*Curop« RodtoLibertr

Kosrat Rasool Ali, a senior PUK member and a vice president of the KRG, said the 14 political parties have agreed to enter the election Iraq's Kurdish Parties under the name Kurdish Coalition. Unite Ahead Of Elections Fadhil Mirani, a secretary of the KDP office in Irbil, said that the new coalition unites different political views and ethnic groups "such as socialists, Islamic [ones], and also Turkomans." Mirani added that the IRBIL, Iraq Iraq's Kurdish parties have announced the creation of decision for the three parties to remain outside the coalition is "respec¬ a new Kurdish political bloc ahead of the January general election, ted." RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq rejxjrted. He said Kurds need to be unified given the limitations on the KRG The Kurdish alliance -vAll gather 14 parties, including the two biggest authorities in Iraq. parties ~ the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) led by Iraqi President

Jalal Talabani and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Kurdish Sinkol Jabouk, a member of the Kurdish Coalition and a well-known regional government (KRG) President Masud Barzsuii. Turkoman politician, said she hop)es the new alliance will lead to the application of article 140 of the constitution about disputed areas bet¬ Three Kurdish parties Islamia, the Islamic Kurdish Union, ween Baghdad and Irbil, including Kirkuk Iraq's northern oil hub and the Change (Goran) party ~ have decided to stay out of the bloc that is an uneasy ethnic mix of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkomans, and will and represent the opposition. reflect on "the brotherhood [that exists] t>etween düTerent parties in Ofiicials from those three ptarties said they would provide independent Kiikuk." lists for the elections, which are scheduled forJanuary 18.

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U Turkish opposition leaders speak out DailyNews.« novemberl3, 2009 against Kurdish initiative

ANKARA - Hürriyet DaUy News fight terror.

y^ "This country is called Turkey and the

The Turkish govemment on Friday relea¬ people who live in it are the Turkish nation,"

sed more details atmut its much-debated he said.

Kurdish initiative, which the mling party has Deniz Baykal, leader of the Repmblican

billed as a solution to the country's 25-year People's Party, or CHP, which has staunchly

stmggle against an outlawed Kurdish group opposed the initiative, accused the AKP of

in the Southeast. W;'' secrecy and pleaded for a slower approach.

In an address to Parliament, Interior He also referenced the "show at Habur"

Minister Besir Atalay said the government's near the Iraqi Iwrder, where thousands gathe¬

initiative would not divide the country but red last month to welcome PKK members

strengthen it under the slogan "more demo¬ returning from camps in northem Iraq. The

cracy for everyone." celebration, organized by the DTP, caused an "We're preserving everyone's rights," he He said the government's initiative, uproar across T\irkey. said. 'This has to be done in order to fulfill which the mling Justice and Development 'The PKK has not promised to lay down the criteria to join the EU." Party, or AKP, has said will bring to an end their arms," he said. "Does the Spanish The way that past governments have the fight against the Kurdistan Workers' govemment make the ETA its counterpart? handled the Kurdish issue in Türkey created Party, or PKK, was a project "for brother¬ Of course the PKK is going to have a party!" the problems that the countty now faces, said hood." Parliament was set to discuss the initia¬ Ahmet Turk, leader of the pro-Kurdish 'The democratic opening will not harm tive on Tuesday, the anniversary of the death Democratic Society Party, or DTP. the country but consolidate it," he said. of Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. "We've endured these policies for Atalay said the govenmient had increa¬ The timing prompted CHP and MHP depu¬ years, and we want to protect ourselves from sed the freedom to use different languages ties to protest Atalay's address. it," he said. He suggested for a commission and dialects, adding that a commission would CHP deputies raised banners reading, to be established which would look at which be created to combat discrimination, torture "My leader, we will make your Republic live mistakes have been made. and mistreatment. forever," and later requested that the debate 'The problem here is not the Kurdish- Another part of the initiative would be to be postponed. Turkish question," Turk said. "Neither is it a restore the fonner Kurdish names of villages, Much of the controversy surrounding the stance against the Turkish people. This is a he said. Kurdish issue stems from PKK attacks in the stance against the policy of assimilation." He said that as part of the initiative, the country's Southeast. More than 45,000 peo¬ 'The fight against terrorism has stopped, govemment had been dealing with martyrs' ple have been killed since 1984 when the and negotiations with the PKK have begun," families and their concems and that the PKK picked up arms in Turkey's Kurdish- said Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, "return to the village" project - aimed at fwpulated Southeast and east. Turkey, along leader Devlet Bahçeli. He accused the urging PKK meml)ers to return from PKK with the United States and the European govemment of politicizing the Kurdish ini¬ camps in northem Iraq - would continue in Union, classifies the PKK as a terrorist tiative instead of promoting it as a tool to 14 provinces. group.

S^eiNcUr j|oric ^imeg November 18, 2009

Kurdish Legislators Threaten Boycott of Iraq Election

By MARC SANTORA must still be approved by Iraq's presidency council, and details, like the allocation of

seats, can be amended before then. BAGHDAD Only a week after Iraq's Any delay of the elections beyond their leaders celebrated the passage of an election scheduled date of Jan. 21 would not only be law that kept the country on course to hold its an intemational embarrassment but could first national elections in four years, Kurdish Members of Iraq's Independent High complicate the American military's plans for lawmakers threatened Tuesday to boycott the Electoral Commission met Tuesday to dis¬ withdrawal. election unless their demand for a greater cuss election law. A vote is set for Jan. 21. The passage of an election law was share of parliamentary seats was met. delayed 11 times, hung up largely on the again surfaced. Their demand came on the heels of a question of representation of the ethnically "Unless the seat allocation formula is threat by the top Sunni politician in Iraq, a mixed area of Kirkuk, an oil-rich region reconsidered in a just manner, the people of vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, to veto the whose Kurdish p)opulation has grown subs¬ the Kurdistan region will be compelled to election law unless Iraqi voters living outside tantially since the American invasion, after boycott the election," the Kurdistan regional Iraq were also given more seats in shrinking imder years of persecution by the president, Massoud Barzani, said in a state¬ Parliament. The majority of Iraqis who fled govemment of Saddam Hussein. ment. the country after the American invasion and When the election law was passed on Vice President Hashemi was equally for¬ during the sectarian violence were Sunnis. Nov. 8, it seemed as if those differences had ceful in his veto threat. Sunni politicians Lawmakers and representatives of Iraq's been resolved. But as the details of the law believe that the Shiite-led parties want to Independent High Electoral Commission met and the allocation of seats in Parliament limit the representation of Iraqis living Tuesday to try to negotiate an agreement that became clear, familiar divisions have once abroad because they are viewed as largely would satisfy all parties. The election law secular and Sunni.

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t GL/*^^BE novemberlS, 2009

Barzani: Kurdistan supports Turkey's Kurdish initiative fl The Kurdish Globe take up arms if there is a rf. political process."

Turkey addressing causes He added: "We would like our brothers in of conflict, notes the Makhmur camp [where Kurdish President. Barzani says that allo¬ Turkey's Kurdish refugees are living in Iraqi Kurdistan] wing Kurds in "Turkey to par¬ to return to their country as ticipate in the political pro¬ Kurdistan Region President Barzani speaks at the European well as members of the PKK cess will give them incentive Union Parliament. Barzani said the political map will change [Kurdistan Workers Party]." to not take up arms. after the upcoming Iraqi national elections. PRESS PHOTO-

Speaking in Europe's "Turkey not only deals with the result of the conflict [Turkey's Kurd] should not Parliament, Kurdistan we have no problem with have done that because the Region President Massoud as they did in the past today that." He added: "We don't they address the causes of peace process has just star¬ Barzani reaffirmed that the want centralized oil and gas ted, and until now it is a very Kurdish problem in Turkey the conflict. This is an policy imposed on us, weak process," he said. cannot be solved by military important change in the because it would not be fair. mentality and major deve¬ means; rather, it can only be Furthermore, he said but Revenues must be fairly sha¬ lopment. Once you address solved through peaceful dia¬ this should not be an excuse red out," he said. the real causes and questions logue. Barzani believes that to stop the peace process. Barzani believes after the if Kurds in Turkey are allo¬ and try to find a solution, the Problems between Iraqi national elections sche¬ PKK will have no reason to wed to participate in the Kurdistan Region and duled in January next year, political process, they will take up arms and will return Baghdad the Iraqi political map will to a peaceful and normal life not carry weapons or go to be changed. "It is difficult to and political process." Barzani believes the pro¬ the mountains. predict now, but I am sure blems between Kurdistan Barzani strongly critici¬ Moreover, Barzani belie¬ the political map will be Region and Baghdad cannot ves that the Kurdish problem zed the huge hero's welcome altered." He noted that after be solved in the coming celebration for a number of should be solved and fought the national election, Kurds months. Regarding Iraqi oil, PKK rebels after they retur¬ in Parliament, not with wea¬ will remain united in Iraqi Barzani said: "Oil and gas pons. "There is no reason to ned to their homes. "They Parliament. belong to all the Iraqi people

REUTERS #

Furor over Tlirkish plans to expand rights of Kurds

ANKARA , November 15, 2009, - REUTERS , Kurdish-majority towns would officially be able to regain their old Kurdish néunes, which were replaced by Turkish names.

Turkey set out plans on Friday to expand the rights of its Kurdish The reform is designed to encourage the Kurdistan Workers' Party population, including the creation of an independent body to inves¬ (PKK) guerrilla group to disband. Kurds have long complained of dis¬

tigate cases of torture and the loosening of restrictions on the crimination at the hands of the state.

Kurdish language. The PKK, branded a terrorist group by Ankara, Washington and the

The govemment reform irtitiative is seen as boosting Turkey's hopes EU, launched an armed campaign in 1984 with the goal of creating an

of EU membership and stopping a conflict in which more than 40,000 ethnic homelsmd for Kurds in Turkey's southeast.

people have died, but in a show of the resistance the reform process The chciirman of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Piu-ty (DTP), faces in parliament, the main opposition party walked out of the which has long been accused of having links to the PKK, said the

chamber on Friday after Turkish Prime Mirtister Tayyip Erdogan accu¬ Turkish state needed a change of mentality. sed opponents of not wanting an end to the conflict. "If the proposed solutions are serious, weapons can be laid down in

The initiative builds on steps which Erdogan's Islamist-rooted three months," DTP ChEiirman Ahmet Tvuk said. govemment has already taken to expand cultm-al rights for Kurds, Opposition leader Deniz Baykal, who has said the reforms threaten to such as the launch of a state-run Kurdish language television channel. imdermine Turkey's unity, accused Erdogan of preparing a "plan to Tvurkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay told parliament: "An indepen¬ destroy and split Tturkey." dent anti-discrimination comnüssion wUl be established and a bill Erdogan then answered: "There are some people who want martyrs related to this vfiH be sent to parUament." [dead Turkish soldiers] so they can exploit it better," prompting a wal¬

The commission would aim to prevent torture and mistreatment. kout by Baykal and his lawmakers.

Atalay said Turkey needs a new, libertarian constitution as the exis¬ Timothy Ash, emerging markets analyst at Royal Bank of Scotl2md, ting one does not meet Turkey's needs. The AK Party also plans to said Erdogan's Kurdish strategy was high risk. allow Kurdish to he used during political campaigning. "While pushing the Kurdish reform agenda might win it votes 'The steps that wiU allow political parties to address the people in dif¬ amongst Kurds and in southeast Tiurkey, it also threatens to lose it

ferent languages and dialects used by citizens during election cam¬ votes amongst its own core Turkish vote, £md more generally amongst paigns are among these," Atalay said, adding Turkey would remain a secular voters," Ash wrote in a research note. unitary state. This story has been viewed 496 times.

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"ZTiloo;' Fructueuses retrouvailles franco-irakiennes à Paris La visite d'État du président Jalal Talabani sera marquée par la signature

de plusieurs contrats.

l'écrasante domination anglo-saxonne. Hier soir, Nicolas Sarkozy a annoncé la ALAIN BARLUET De 2 millions de barils par jour, l'Irak signature de deux accords. Cette semaine,

MOYEN-ORIENT C'est une visite médite à entend pousser sa production à 8 ou 10 d'autres seront conclus dans lés domaines forte portée symbolique. Paris a réservé au mbj. Parmi les perspectives les plus nota - de la défense, de la sécurité intérieure, de

président tralden Jalal Talabani les fastes blés, le groupe Total pourrait se voir l'économie, du secteur aérien, culturel et républicains, avec garde républicaine à octroyer en décembre l'exploitation de agricole, a indiqué hier l'ambassadeur de cheval et Champs-Elysées pavoises, pour champs pétroUers de Nahr Ben Oumar et France en hak-, Boris BoUlon. Par ailleurs,

marquer les grandes retrouvailles avec de Majnoun, après avoir été supplanté, deux accords économiques vont permet¬ Bagdad. La première visite d'État jamais notamment par Exxon et Shell, lors d'un tre « àI'Agence^ançaisededé\'eIoppement effectuée en France par im président ira¬ premier appel d'offres. La France a déjà (AFD) de venir en Irak » et concerner aussi kien tourne la page ouverte en 2003 avec pu bénéficier de plusieurs contrats. « la Coface (assureur-crédit français pour l'opposition de Paris à rintervention amé¬ En matière de sécurité, la France a déjà le commerce extérieur) qui permet de

ricaine contre Saddam Hussein. L'ancien bénéficié de quelques contrats, comme la garantir les risques », a ajouté le diploma¬ raïs, exécuté en 2006, avait naguère ses vente de 24 hélicoptères produits par te. entrées dans la capitale française, mais il Eurocopter, fihale d'EADS. Le groupe Souffrant d'importantes pénuries n'y a fait que des \'isites officielles ou de Thaïes participera à l'établissement d'électricité, l'Irak a entamé la recons¬ travail. À ce grade du protocole, Jalal Tala¬ d'une carte d'identité numérisée pour les truction de ses centrales électriques bani est déjà venu à deux reprises à Paris. Irakiens. Aéroports de Paris international détruites par la guerre. Mais le nucléaire . Cette fois, il y séjournera diu-ant quatre (ADPI) a remporté un contrat de 28 mil¬ civU, vers lequel Bagdad envisage de se

joiu-s et devait avoir dès hier un premier lions d'euros pour des études sur un futur tourner, sera également au menu des

entretien avec Nicolas Sarkozy suivi d'vm aéroport desservant Kerbala et Nadjaf. entretiens àPàris de Jalal Talabani.

dîner d'État. Ce rapprochement intervient alors qu'à l'instigation des États-Unis,

l'Irak engage progressivement sa recons¬ FAIT 'pw truction économique et sa normalisation

politique, dans le contexte d'ime amélio¬

ration relative de sa simation-séciu-itaire. L'Irak et la France Depuis le début de l'année, les contacts main dans la main franco -irakiens à haut niveau se sont intensifiés : Nicolas Sarkozy était à Bagdad -^Le président irakien, Jalal Talabani, devait repartir en février, François FiUon y est allé en de Paris cet après-midi, après quatre jours de visite juillet et Anne-Marie Idrac, en charge du d'Etat Destinée à entériner la normalisation des Commerce extérieur, début noveiiibre. La

France demeure toutefois très éloignée de relations entre les deux pays - Paris n'ayant pas réussi

la position pri\'ilégiée qu'elle occupait en réellenient à reprendre pied en irait depuis hak dans les années 1970 et 1980. Les rela¬ son opposition à l'invasion américaine de 2003 - tions commerciales ont progressé en 2009 cette visite, placée sous le signe du prestige avec mais restent à im niveau modeste (164 mil- garde républicaine à cheval et pavoisement des rues Uons d'euros d'exportations et 315 millions aux couleurs du drapeau Irakien, était une première d'importations au premier semestre dans l'histoire de l'Irak. D'une seule voix, MM. Talabani 2009). Les investissements français sont encore rares : on y distingue Lafarge (qui et Sari(ozy ont dédaré vouloir approfondir les relations franco-irakiennes «dans les domaines politique, produit 60 % du citùent irakien) et l'amé¬ militaire, culturel, pétrolier, économique et commercial». nagement du port d'Oum-Qasr par CMA- L'enjeu économique notamment n'est pas mince, CGM. D'où les espoirs fondés sur la visite de le coût de la reconstruction du pays étant estimé

Jalal Talabani pour concrétiser ou accélé¬ à 600 milliards de dollars. . .

rer la négociation de plusiem-s contrats,

notamment dans les hydrocarbures, dont '"X

Le nucléaire civil sera

également au menu des entretiens à Paris de Jalal Talabani

l'Irak est le troisième producteur au monde en terme de réserves prouvées. A

Paris, on espère bénéficier d'ime part des retombées de la reconstruction (coût estimé : 600 milhards de dollars), malgré et Nicolas Sari(ozy, lundi dernier i l'Elysée.

37 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Ri'vista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

IRAK : UN DIFFÉREND SUR LA LOI ÉLECTORALE MENACE LA TENUE DU SCRUTIN

16 novembre. 2009 Shwan MOHAMMAD (AFP) - Le nombre de sièges qui était de 275 a été porté à 323 dans le nouveau Pariement pour tenir compte de la poussée démographique.

SOULEIMANIYEH - Les élections législatives irakiennes, prévues en 'Si nous voulons une véritable récondiiatkxi natkxiale, il faut accorder une janvier, pourraient être compromises après la menace du Conseil prési¬ vraie représentation aux Irakiens qui vivent en exil. Beaucoup ont quitté le dentiel irakien de ne pas ratifier la loi électorale sans une meilleure repré¬ pays après 2003 et les conflits confessionnels", a affimié à l'AFP le conseiller sentation des minorités et des Irakiens de l'étranger. de M. Hachémi, SaifakJin Abdul Rahman.

"Nous demandons de relever le taux de 5 à 15% de sièges" attribués aux Lors du vote, il y a près de deux semaines, le député sunnite Saieh Moutlaq minorités et aux Irakiens vivant à l'étranger, a affinne lundi à l'AFP le chef de avait qualifié de 'scandaleuse' la décision de réduire le nombre de sièges l'Etat kurde, Jalal Talabani, avant de partir pour Paris. compensatoires.

Cette prise de position est intervenue au lendemain de la demande du Les listes sunnites ainsi que le Mouvement national irakien conduit par deux Pariement kurde à M. Talabani de ne pas ratifier la loi. anciens baassistes, l'ex-Premier ministre lyad Allaoui et Saieh Moutlaq, consi¬ dèrent que la majorité des exilés ont fui le pays après la prise de pouvoir par 'Nous lui avons demandé dans une lettre de ne pas ratifier la loi car le taux de les chiites et le bannissement des anciens partisans de Saddam Hussein, sièges (aux minorités et aux Irakiens de l'étranger) n'est pas con'ect et nous dans la foulée de l'invasion conduite par les Etats-Unis. demandons au Pariement irakien de réviser la loi ', avait déclaré dimanche soir aux députés le président du Pariement kurde Kamal Kirkouki. Avec un million et demi de voles de l'étranger, Ils comptent sur ce réservoir de voix pour améliorer leur représentation. Le vice-président sunnite Tarek al-Hachemi a prévenu qu'il opposerait son "veto' à la loi si les députés ne modifiaient pas ce taux. Quant aux Kurdes, ils misent sur les minorités religieuses et ethniques, dont une grande partie réside sur leur lenitoire dans le nord du pays, pour égale¬ Une des responsables de la Commissbn électorale, Hamdiya al-Husseini, a ment accroître leur influence au Pariement. indiqué à l'AFP que si les discussions sur la loi devaient se prolonger, la date des élections, prévues pour fin janvier, serait repoussée. "Si la loi est modifiée, Selon la Constitution, une loi pour entrer en vigueur doit être ratifiée par le cela affectera la date du scrutin", a-t-elle dit. Conseil Présidentiel, qui prend ses décisions par consensus. II a le droit d'op¬ poser deux refus. La troisième fois, le Pariement peut passer outre si la loi est Le 8 novembre, les députés avaient accordé seulement 5%, soit 16 sièges, approuvée par trois cinquièmes des députés. aux minorités, aux Irakiens de l'étranger et aux partis n'ayant pas réussi à obtenir suffisamment de votes au niveau régional mais dont le nombre cumulé Le président du Pariement sunnite lyad al-Samaraï a informé les 70 députés de voix à l'échelle nationale est assez important pour qu'ils soient représentés. présents lundi de la requête de M. Hachémi mais aucune dédsion n'a été prise et la question n'a pas été pour le moment inscrite à l'ordre du jour, a affirmé Le Conseil présidentiel, composé du chef de l'Etat -kurde- et de ses deux vice- une source pariementaire. présidents -sunnite et chiite-, demande de revenir à un taux de 15% accordé lors des premières élections législatives de décembre 2005.

REUTERS #1 Une voiture piégée fait six morts à Kirkouk

16 NOVEMBRE 2009 ( Rcuters/ Tortian Abdoul-Rahma, chef-adjoint de la police de la ville.

Kiri(ouk est au coeur des tensions entre les kurdes KIRKOUK, Irak - L'explosion d'une voiture pié¬ 1 et les communautés arabes et turitmènes de la gée sur un marché de Kirltouk, dans le nord de y t ville. \'\rak, a fait six morts et six blessés lundi, apprend-on de sources policières et médica¬ Les kurdes, majoritaires dans la région, souhaitent les. intégrer Kirkouk et ses environs à l'ensemble de la province semi-autonome, un projet auquel s'oppo¬ 'De nombreux véhicules ont briJIé et de nombreu¬ sent arabes et turkmènes. ses échoppes ont été endommagées, car l'explo¬ sion a été très puissante', a déclaré le général

IRAK: TALABANI A TEHERAN POUR SAUVER LA VIE DE DEUX KURDES CONDAMNÉS À MORT

SOULEIMANIYEH (Irait), 22 nov 2009 (AFP) Selon l'agence Una mardi, des députés kurdes ont adressé une lettre en ce sens au chef du pouvoir judiciaire, Sadeq Larijani, après l'exécution du Kurde Ehsan Fatahian malgré une intervention de pariementaires selon qui ce der¬ LE PRÉSIDENT iralden Jalal Talabani s'est rendu dimanctie matin à nier avait été dans un premier temps condamné à 10 ans de prison. Téhéran pour tenter de sauver la vie de Kurdes iraniens condamnés à mort, a affirmé dimanche le site internet du journal Awina. 'Plusieurs jeunes kurdes ont été récemment condamnés à mort, cela inquiète la province du Kurdistan' d'Iran, affirme la lettre. "Le gouvernement ne devrait 'Le président Talabani effectue dimanche une visite secrète à Téhéran pour pas agir de manière à créer une distance entre le peuple kurde et le régime. demander au président Mahmoud Ahmadinejad d'intervenir auprès du chef Ainsi, nous demandons sérieusement au pouvoir judiciaire de reconsidérer du pouvoir judiciaire, Sadeq Larijani, pour éviter l'exécution de Kurdes ira¬ (sa positk)n sur) de tels verdicts". niens', affimne le joumal. La province occidentale du Kurdistan, frontalière de l'Irak, est peuplée en II n'a pas été possible de confinner cette visiter auprès de la présidence de la majorité de sunnites dans un pays à majorité chiite. Elle est régulièrement le Républk]ue à Bagdad. M. Talabani est kurde. théâtre d'actions années, notamment du Pqak, un mouvement séparatiste lié Des députés de la minorité kurde d'Iran ont demandé la semaine dernière au Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), actif en Turquie. l'abolition de la peine de mort pour les membres de leur communauté, disant Les Kurdes représentent environ 7% de la population en Iran qui compte 70 crändre une rupture entre la population kurde et le régime. millions d'habitants.

38 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rimsta Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

Les Kurdes d'Irak menacent de

17 NOVEMBRE 2009 boycotter les élections

Associated Press kurdes n'ont pas autant de sièges qu'il devrait Barzani sur son site Web. leur en revenir et dénoncent une injustk». Mahmoud Othman, député kurde du pariement Le nombre de sièges au Pariement a été aug¬ natKinal irakien, lui a fait écho, affimnant que les Incertitude sur les élections irakiennes. menté, passant de 275 à 323 pour refléter la Kurdes s'attendaient à environ 17 sièges supplé¬ croissance démographique. Mais seuls trois mentaires. "S'il n'y a pas de modifications sur ce Les dirigeants kurdes ont menacé mardi nouveaux sièges ont été alloués aux provinces sujet, nous ne participerons pas aux électbns", de boycotter le scrutin prévu en janvier, kurdes, pour un total de 38, selon le site Web de a-t-il lui aussi menacé. la Commission électorale. à moins que les régions kurdes n'obtien¬ De son côté, le vice-président Tariq al-Hashemi

nent plus de sièges. D'autres régions sont bien mieux servies: la pro¬ a menacé d'opposer son veto à la loi si les vince de Ninive, en lisière du Kurdistan, et consi¬ Irakiens de l'étranger n'ont pas plus de sièges. Cette menace intervient juste après la suren¬ dérée comme l'un des demiers bastions de l'in- La plupart de ces exilés seraient sunnites. chère d'un des vice-présidents sunnites du pays, sun-edion, passe de 19 à 31 sièges. Celle de qui a lui menacé de mettre son veto à la loi élec¬ La loi électorale avait été adoptée le 8 novem¬ Bassorah (sud) passe elle de 16 à 24 sièges. Le torale adoptée la semaine dernière, après de bre, au grand soulagement de tous ceux qui crai¬ Kurdistan d'Irak (nord) compte lui trois provin¬ longues tractations. II réclame pour sa part plus gnent que les élections de janvier ne puissent ces. de sièges pour les Irakiens de l'étranger. pas avoir lieu. 'A moins que cette répartition des sièges ne soit Les Kurdes avaient quant à eux voté en faveur Mais ces nouvelles exigences font remonter l'in¬ réétudiée de manière équitable, le Kurdistan de la loi électorale. Mais ils disent avoir décou¬ quiétude, alors que Washington a lié le début de sera obligé de boycotter l'élection", déclare un vert au cours du week-end que les provinces son retrait à cette élection. Le repli devrait com¬ communiqué du président régional Massoud mencer 60 jours après. AP

LA TURQUIE TRANSFERE CINQ DETENUS POUR TENIR COMPAGNIE MP À OCALAN EN PRISON

ANKARA, 17 novembre 2009 (AFP) Selon le droit turc, Öcalan, 61 ans, poun'a désonnais communiquer avec eux dans les zones communes d'activités à raison de 10 heures par semaine.

LA TURQUIE a transféré mardi cinq détenus à l'île prison d'Imrali (nord- Au ternie de plusieurs visites à Imrali, le Comité du Conseil de l'Europe pour ouest) pour tenir compagnie au chef des rebelles kurdes Abdullah öca¬ la prévention de la torture et des traitements inhumains ou dégradants a consi¬ lan, unique détenu de l'établissement de haute sécurité depuis son incar¬ déré que les conditions de détention d'Ôcalan étaient satisfaisantes mais a cri¬ cération en 1999, a rapporté l'agence de presse Anatolie. tiqué Ankara pour l'isolement dans lequel le détenu a été placé.

La décision a été prise en réponse aux critiques du Conseil de l'Europe, qui Fondateur et chef du PKK, Öcalan a été condamné à mort pour trahison et reproche à Ankara de violer les droits du chef du Parti des travailleurs du séparatisme en 1999 après sa capture au Kenya.

Kurdistan (PKK) en le maintenant dans l'isolement sur l'île-prison. La condamnation a été commuée en 2001 en une peine de prison à vie en rai¬

Contacté par l'AFR le ministère de la Justice s'est abstenu de tout commen¬ son de l'abolition de la peine de mort en Turquie. taire. Le PKK, conskJéré comme une organisation ten'oriste par la Turquie et de

Les cinq détenus transférés ont été condamnés pour appartenance au PKK, a nombreux pays, a pris les amies en 1 984 pour obtenir l'indépendance du sud- rapporté la presse. est anatolien, peuplé en majorité de Kurdes, avant de réduire ses revendica¬ tions à une fomie d'autonomie régionale.

IRAN: APPELS A LA JUSTICE POUR ABOLIR LA PEINE DE MORT /IfP CONTRE LES KURDES

TEHERAN, 17 novembre 2009 (AFP) Moarefi, 24 ans, était dans le couloir de la mort après avoir été reconnu cou¬ pable d'être un 'mohareb (ennemi de Dieu)', crime passible de la peine de mort. Des députés de la minorité kurde d'Iran ont demandé l'abolition de la peine de mort pour les membres de leur communauté, disant craindre Amnesty International avait demandé aux autorités iraniennes d'annuler sa une rupture entre la population kurde et le régime. peine de mort.

La province occidentale du Kurdistan, frontalière de l'Irak, est peuplée en majorité de sunnites dans un pays à majorité chiite. Elle est régulièrement le Selon l'agence Una mardi, des députés kurdes ont adressé une lettre dans ce théâtre d'actions amiées, notamment du Pejak, un mouvement séparatiste lié sens au chef du pouvoir judiciaire, Sadeq Larijani, après l'exécution du Kurde au Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), actif en Turquie. Ehsan Fatahian malgré une intervention de pariementaires sek)n qui ce der¬ nier avait été dans un premier temps condamné à 10 ans de prison. Les Kurdes représentent environ 7% de la population en Iran qui compte 70 millions d'habitants. "Plusieurs jeunes kurdes ont été récemment condamnés à mort, cela inquiète la province du Kurdistan" d'Iran, affirme la lettre. "Le gouvemement ne devrait Depuis début 2009, 251 personnes ont été exécutées en Iran, selon un pas agir de manière à créer une distance entre le peuple kurde et le régime. décompte de l'AFP établi à partir d'infomiations diffusées par les médias Ainsi, nous demandons sérieusement au pouvoir judiciaire de reconsklérer (sa locaux. En 2008, 246 personnes ont été exécutées dans le pays.

positton sur) de tels verdfcts". Le meurtre, le viol, le vol à main armée, le trafk: de drogue, l'adultère et Fac¬

La semaine dernière, le site internet réformiste Mowjcamp, proche du leader tion armée contre le pouvoir sont passibles de la peine de mort en Iran. de l'opposition Mir Hossein Moussavi, a indiqué qu'un Kurde, Shiri(ouh

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

IfîlJ?! nn 19 novembre 2009

Barzani, seigneur du Kurdistan

"'""">n, ; ( .^ :iW if .'?^/i

1.

A i^'.'V. '

i ,-, .'

''^i-.';--

^f<^,r -

\ \ N-V-^' \

V.

L'argent coule à flots. Les La saga Barzani projets immobiliers pharaoniques Pétrole. L'omni¬ Années 30: IMous- fletuissent aussi à Erbil, la capitale SYRIE tafa Barzani parti¬ administrative de la région : mos¬ potent chefkurde cipe aux premières quées, palais des congrès etvulages révoltes kurdes de pavillons à l'européenne sont veut construire son en Iralc sortis de terre. L'ambition des Bar¬ «Dubai de l'Irak». 1945: il prend part à la création de l'éphé¬ zani? Faire d'Erbil le «Dubai de mère République l'Irak». Depuis quelques armées, ARABIE kurde de Mahabad, l'argent y coule à flots. Le Kurdis¬ SAOUDITE en Iran. tanreçoit 1 7 % dubudgetnational DE NOTRE ENVOYÉ SPÉCIAL GUIIUUME 1946: il fonde le irakien et négocie, désormais, ses PERRIER (À ERBIL n SULEYNANIEH) Parti démocratique m Région autonome du Kurdistan (PDK). propres contrats pétroliers et ga- La route qui monte d'Erbil vers du Kurdistan iralcien Chassé de la région, ziers. Epargnée parlaviolence qui Salahaddin brille comme un Zones à majorité l(urde il s'exile en URSS. fait rage dans sa partie sud- à Mos¬ ruban de Itmiière dans la pé¬ Source: M. R.lzadv-2008/CIA 1958: il rentre en soulou Kirkouk, notamment-, la nombre. Des panneaux solaires Irak, lance la révo¬ autour de la résidence présiden¬ région nord du Ktirdistan fait fi¬ flambant neufs, installés tous les lution kurde et ré¬ tielle. Là où se trouvent aussi, au gure de havre de paix en Irak. Do¬ clame l'autonomie. 10 mètres, illuminent cette voie Nouvelle guerre. plus proche du pouvoir, les sièges tée de deux aéroports internatio¬ rapide impeccablement goudron¬ 1979: mort de des grandes entreprises locales. Ce naux depuis 2004, elle est devenue née qui relie en une demi-heure la Moustafa Barzani. qui était le village des Barzani est la porte ouverte du pays sur l'ex¬ capitale de la région kurde au fief Son fils Massoud lui devenu une seconde capitale, le térieur et attire les investisseurs du président Massoud Barzani. succède. refuge de la nouvelle aristocratie étrangers. Symbole de cette trans¬ 1991: guerre du Rien n'est trop beau pour Salahad¬ formation, les échoppes anarchi- Golfe. Création kurde, qui y étale sa réussite. Des din. C'est depuis ce nid d'aigle que d'une région kurde lotissements de villas de luxe ques du vieux bazar, au pied de la Massoud, 63 ans, fils de Moustafa autonome. construites sur quatre étages, en citadelle multimillénaire, ont été Barzani, le père historique de la 2009: Massoud surplomb de lavallée, hébergeront rasées et remplacées parun centre révolution kurde, règne surle Kur¬ Barzani est réélu pré¬ dans quelques mois des dignitaires commercial d'acieretdeverre aux distan d'Irak. Il se déplace entouré sident de la région locatix. Et le Roj Center, immense trois quarts vide. «Ils ont vu trop autonome laude. d'un aréopage de courtisans en centre commercial et d'affaires, grand,etlesloyerssöntteUementchers 4 X 4 qui ontinstallé leurdomicile ouvrira bientôt ses portes. que personne ne veut y aller,

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

les bases du changement, mais c'est un mouvement plus large qui est en train de prendre son essor, estime- t-il. Ce pays est comme l'Union sovié¬ tique d'hier: ce sont les deux grands partis quiprennent toutes les décisions et interviennent dans la justice, les universités, la société civile ou l'éco¬ nomie. Si l'on n'est pas membre de l'un d'eux, on n'a aucun droit Nous allons militer pour une justice indé¬ pendante, des médias libres etde réels servicespublics», promet-il. Le dis¬ cours a fait mouche auprès d'ime population fatiguée de la carence "^^ A deî'Etatkurde. La jeimesse libérale et éduquée de Suleymanieh s'est prise à rêver d'une «révolution i orange » et soutient sans retenue le projet de Goran.

«Fils de Saddam». «Notre pays s'est libéréde Saddam Hussein en iggi. Avec ces êections, c'est une râle un vendeur de jeans. Ouverture? La jeu¬ « Goran a brisé des tabous et veut seconde libération, s'enthousiasme

Mais lepromoteurestproche desBar- nesse kurde nourrit poursuivre le combat au Parlement Sako Shamirani, attablé dans un zani, alors que peut-on dire ?» des espoirs de chan- Cela suscite beaucoup d'espoirs chez café branché de Suleymanieh où

Le «miracle kurde» a ses dé¬ getnent, incarné par lesKurdes. Le gouvemement doit dé¬ les étudiants viennent déguster tracteurs, de plus en plus nom¬ Noshirwan Moustafa sormais le prendre en compte. On va des pizzas en surfant sur Internet. breux. La corruption généralisée (en bas), le leader peut-être parvenir à un grand net¬ Nous n'avons que lo ou 15 heures et le népotisme érigé en système du mouvement toyage des deuxpartjs», espère Moh- d'électricité par jour, des problèmes politique par les grandes familles d'opposition Goran. sen Omar, intellectuel et directeur d'eaupotableetpoursefairesoigner, locales commencent à lasser une du département de français à l'imi- ceuxquiontlesmoyensvontà l'étran¬ population en manque de démo¬ versité d'Erbil. ger... Il est temps que nos politiciens cratie. Politiquement autonome Dans son QG ultramoderne se mettentau service desgens», dit-il. depuis 1991, le Kurdistan avance perché sur une colline à la péri¬ Son camarade Ranj Aso acquiesce : sous la coupe des deux grands par¬ phérie de Suleymanieh, le leader «Le Kurdistan est géré comme un tis kurdes, le PDK (Parti démocra¬ de Goran, Noshirwan Moustafa, royaume, cela a tournéa la dictature. tique du Kurdistan) de Massoud reçoit en costume traditionnel de BarzaniestlefilsdeSaddam»,c\sme- Barzani et l'UPK (Union patrioti¬ peshmerga, les guerriers kirrdes: t-il, provocateur. que du Kurdistan) de JalalTalabani, ce vieux rival de Jalal Talabani au Le président Massoud Barzani lé président de la République ira¬ sein de l'UPKveut croire à l'émer¬ assure avoir reçu le message. Une kienne, en visite cette semaine à gence d'une vague réformatrice commission de lutte contre la cor¬ Paris. Mais les élections régionales dans la société. «Noms avons posé ruption vient d'être formée. Mais organisées fin juillet ont sonné le chemin sera encore long avant comme un coup de semonce pour un début de transparence des les deux hommes forts du pays. La comptesdupays. «Mêmekso^de/s [ liste menée par des dissidents de admettentl'existenceduprobûmede \ l'UPK et baptisée Goran (Change¬ la corruption, souligne Noreldin ; ment) a raflé 23 % des votes et Waisy, le rédacteur en chefdu ma- ; 25 sièges de députés, arrivant gazinelocàl Rudaw. Beaucoup d'ar- \ même en tête à Suleymanieh, le gentadisparuentreBagdadetErbil. \ U fief des Talabani. De quoi créer, C'est le cas, par exemple, des primes \ pourla première fois, imevéritable A. verséespourdédommagerles victimes \ opposition. Avec son discours an¬ de Saddam : cet argent s'est envolé » \ ticorruption, ses slogans chocs et Soixante millions de dollars se- , ses concerts de hip-hop, le mouve¬ raient également prélevés chaque | ment Changement a secoué le moissurlebudgetoctroyéparBag- i paysage politique et rallié une dad. Ils se retrouvent dans lestais- : bonne partie de la jeunesse kurde. ses des deux principaux i

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

voix. Son neveu et gendre, Nechir¬ van Barzani, a cédé le fauteuil de Premier ministre qu'il a occupé de 2006 à 2009. Mais ce quadra, amatem-de costumes itaUens, reste extrêmementinfluent : son réseau de relations dans les milieux éco¬ nomiques en fait un personnage incontournable pour les années Xu. ^ .» avenir.

e- « Jérusalem kurde ». Quant au fils de Massoud, pressenti pour la / succession, il est à la tête des puis¬ sants services de renseignement... «MoustafaBarzani, lepere, resteune légende. C'est le secret du succès de Massoud», estime le rédacteur en chefde iJuiflu;. Ilpoursuit : «l'ach/e/ président de la région kurde conserve un prestige intact car il incame lafi¬ gure du libérateur. LesKurdes veulent être dirigés par une personnalitécha- rismatiqueetdécisivedanslesmoments

partis, selon les opposants Dynastie. Si Nechirvan Et le club de footballd'Erbil, spon¬ charnières. »Alors, MassoudBarzani, de Goran. «La corruption ?Allez-y! Barzani (ici, avec son sorisé parle PDK, aracheté à grands le chefde guerre, saitrevêtirquand Je nage dedans», répondNiazy Bra- épouse), le neveu et frais plusieurs vedettes locales, il le faut le costume de peshmerga, him en éclatant de rire. «Si vous ne gendre du président, priées d'enfilerles couleurs barza- symbole de ses années de lutte marchez pas avec les autorités, il est a cédé son poste de nistes. L'administration, plus que contre le régime de Saddam Hus- impossible défaire du business. Les Premier ministre, généreuse, a créé une véritable sein,quifitexécuter 3 ooomembres grandes sociétés proches du pouvoir, il reste très influent. culture de l'assistanat : plus des de la famille. Chaque fois que la comme Zagros, récupèrent tous les deux tiers de la population active souveraineté de larégionkurde est marchés», affirme cet ingénieur et travaillent dans le secteur public ! en question, il monte au front : homme d'affaires d'Erbil qui réa¬ Des emplois parfois fictifs. Dans contre laTurquie lorsqu'elle inter¬ lise des équipements publics. Les l'immeuble du ministère des vient contre les rebelles du PKK

commissions et dessous-de-table La poudrière Sports, par exemple, des centaines réfugiés dans les montagnes situées se sontbanalisés et le montant des Kirkouk de fonctionnaires «boivent du thé à l'intérieur de ses frontières. Ou contrats est parfois doublé ou tri¬ Tout reste à régler toute la joumée», explique en sou¬ encore contre Bagdad, quand le plé. «Toutes les compagnies qui in¬ à Kirkouk, la ville riant un observateur avisé de la gouvemementcentral de Nouri al- multiethnique en¬ vestissent au Kurdistan versent des politique ktude. Maliki, tm Arabe chiite, veut im- tourée de champs commissions d'au moins 15 ou 20 %, Il en faut plus pour déboulon¬ posersaloi. Pomles Kurdes, Barzani de pétrole, à 250 ki¬ estime-t-il, y compris les sociétés lomètres au nord de ner la dynastie des Barzani. Car est aussi le dernier rempart dressé étrangères. Les officiels nefont que se Bagdad. Objet d'un elle est indissociable de l'histoire autour de Kirkouk, la grande ville remplir les poches et croient pouvoir conflit entre le pou¬ de l'émancipation du Kurdistan. pétrolière. Il est le seul capable de voir central irakien acheter les électeurs comme les entre¬ Massoud a d'ailleurs été réélu sans défendre cette «Jérusalem kurde» et les Kurdes, qui ré¬ preneurs», éructe Niazy Brahim. coup férir en juillet président du au statut incertain, convoitée par \ clament son ratta¬ Kurdistan d'Irak, avec 70 % des les Arabes depuis la création de | Les pourfendeius de la corrup¬ chement à la région tion et du chentélisme sont rares autonome du Kur¬ l'Irak. Kirkouk, la ville disputée, ] à Erbil. Et pour cause. Le clan Bar¬ distan, Kirkouk est estla«%«en)U5e»ànepasfranchir, i zani gouverne la société kurde à une poudrière. Les a-t-U averti à plusieurs reprises à \ attentats et les enlè¬ coups de dinars irakiens. Dans les l'adresse de Bagdad et des Irakiens ' vements crapuleux provinces d'Erbil et de Dohuk sous arabesquil'habitent.Chefdeguerre | sont fréquents. Le historique, chef de clan et chef : son contrôle, des intellectuels et sort de la \'ille reste des artistes reçoivent un salaire en suspens. Le re¬ d'Etat, Massoud Barzani est tout à ]

mensuel du gouvernement. censement de la po¬ la fois. Les réformateurs de Goran i D'autres, un 4 x 4. Le rédacteur en pulation et le réfé¬ l'ont bien compris et recherchent j rendum, prévus par chefd'unpetitjoumal, jusqu'alors plutôt le compromis : rien au Kur- 1 la Constitution ira¬ indépendant, s'est vu offrir deux distannepeut se faire sans Barzani, j kienne, n'ont jamais villas dans le prestigieux «English pu être organisés de¬ Tandem. Talabani et Barzani, à la tête pas même la modernisation du ! village»]uste avant les élections... puis 2003 (.?. des deux grands partis kurdes. système politique i

19 novembre 2009 | Le Point 1940

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

.INTDtKmOSAl. Hcralb Sributic NOVEMBER 16, 2009 Liberate Iraqs economy

Iraq must Frank R. Gunter cease being ;.^-"'^

hostile to '<î: small busi¬ BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA After re¬ ness or face turning from the second of two tours in Iraq, I can attest to notable progress. a growing Iraqi civilian casualties have dropped airmy of sharply, the result of both the United jobless. States surge and negotiations with Sunni groups. There has been political progress as well. Provincial elections were held this year and national elec¬ tions are scheduled for early 2010. The future of the Iraqi economy, however, remctins bleak: Without fun¬ damental change, unemployment and the accompanying instability will rise while the widespread corruption will worsen. The political and security gains made at such great cost in Iraqi and American blood and treeisure will t>e \ imperiled. Iraq not only has a severe shortage of

jobs, it also has a growing numl)er of joh>-seekers. As much as 51 percent of the Iraqi lalwr force is either unem¬ ployed or underemployed; the number is even higher for young workers. For three decades, the Iraqi govern¬ ment has l)een the primary source of employment Almost half of the coun¬ UMIUUA MAYAK^.'REUTZRS try's labor force is paid by the govern¬ ment horn its revenues from petroleum exports. With the exception of agricul¬ hausted cash reserves and the expense cense would be available immediately

ture, legitimate private-sector employ¬ of paying for a bloated govemment sec¬ and no further fees would be required.) ment is small by my calculations, tor will prevent the creation of public The coimtry could simply throw out

about 6 percent of the labor force. Most sector jobs. And the private sector, as it its current commercial code and adopt of the remainder of the Iraqi lalwr force continues to struggle with excessive a less restrictive, regionally acceptable is either unemployed or working in the regulation and corruption, is unlikely to one, like Saudi Arabia's. Or, more real¬

underground economy. create more than a fraction of the istically, it could make its code more In 2008, the sharp rise in oil revenues needed employment. user-friendly by, say, allowing business and improved security led to an eco¬ Rapid growth in the number of unem¬ owners to .work witJi one ministry, as nomic boom. The government created ployed young men will likely follow opposed to a dozen. more than enough new public sector and these young men will be attractive The government could take other jobs to absorb the approximately recruits for political insurgents, funda¬ steps, too. With the exception of tax col¬ 250,000 young people who enter the mentalist terrorist gioups and criminal lection and intemational trade regula¬

woi-k force every year. gangs. Increased instability is almost tions, responsibility for regulating However, this economic surge was certain. private businesses could be taken from short-lived. After oil prices dropped by There is another path. The potential the Baghdad ministries and delegated

almost $100 a barrel earlier this year, for private sector job growth in Iraq is to the country's 18 provinces. the govemment imposed a hiring freeze great. The country is blessed with a Encouraging the provinces to com¬ and unemployment t>egan to rise. strong entrepreneurial tradition, a rela¬ pete for private-sector jobs would lead Unfortunately, there is nowhere for tively well-educated labor force and a to friendlier regulatory environments these job-seekers to go. Iraq's private natural resource more valued in the around the country as it has in sector is unable to employ many of the Middle East than oil: water. the United States. But whatever is de¬ joljless l)ecause the country has one of Only Iraq and TXu-key have sufficient cided, the government of Iraq is riin- the inost hostile business regulatory water for large-scale agribusiness, and ning out of time. It must either end its environments in the world. (Of the 183 Iraq is surrounded by wealthy countries hostility toward private businesses or countries ranked by the World Bank for that need to import food. But to exploit accept that a sharply grovring mass of "ease of doing business," Iraq is 153rd.) these advantages, Iraq needs to make unemployed will nullify the progress of In Iraq, it is hard to legally start a important changes. And it should start the last three years. business, get credit or trade internation¬ by rationalizing its commercial code. ally. As a result, most private busi¬ The chief problems in Iraq's commer¬ FRANK R.GUtaER, an associate professor of nesses either hide in the underground cial code are its incredible complexity, economics at Lehigh University, was the economy with all of the associated in¬ long delays in processing requests for senior civilian economics adviser to the efficiencies or accept the necessity of licenses and high cost For example, re¬ Multinational Corps in Iraq 2008-2009. bribing an unending stream of govern-, gistering a new business in Iraq costs ment officials. almost $2,800 compared to $139 in This is not sustainable. In 2010, the Delaware. (However, a group of Iraqi Iraqi govemment will hit the wall. A businessmen assured me that if $600 in combination of low oil prices, ex- cîish was given to the right person, a li- .

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

M

in the mid-1990s, with Russian officials agency says Iran is in violation of the WASHINGTON often appearing to use the project for agreement, which the agency contends diplomatic leverage. is still in force. Facility at Qum makes "We expect serious results by the end In fact, it appears that the constrac- of the year, but the launch itself will not tion of the plant began much earlier ; the little sense without others occur," Sergei Shmatko, the minister, inspectors' report noted that satellite to supply it, I.A,E.A. says said in Moscow, according to the Ria imagery shows work began "Ijetween Novosti News Agency. He said that 2002 and 2004," or shortly after the rev¬ "technical issues," not politics, were be¬ elations about the existence of Natanz, BY DAVID E.SANGER hind the delay. which was also buUt underground. That

AND WILLIAM J. BROAD There was no immediate response construction paused in 2004 shortly

from Iran's top leaders, but Mahmoud after the Iraq war l>egan the repwrt in¬ Internatioucil inspectors who gcdned ac¬ Ahmadi Bighash, a member of the Irani¬ dicated, but "resumed in 2006." cess to Iran's newly revealed under¬ an PcU-liament, expressed a commonly In 2006, the Bush administration had ground nuclear enrichment plant raised held skepticism. indicated a greater willingness to nego¬ questions in a report released Monday "If we wait another 200 years, the tiate with Ir£ui, but only if it first com¬ about whether the country may have Russians will not complete the plant," plied with three United Nations Security also concealed other nuclear factories. he said, according to Iran's ISNA press Council resolutions to halt enrichment So far, Ircui has denied that there are agency. "It is naïve to beUeve that the activity at Natanz. Iran refused, and the other hidden sites, in addition to the one Russians are cooperating with us." report indicated it now produced al)out built deep underground on a military Mr. Obama, in Beijing on a weeklong 1,770 kilograms, or 3,900 jjounds, of low- base north of the holy city of Qum. The Asia tour, was expected to take up the enriched uranium, enough for one to two inspectors were given access to the half- Iranian issue on Tuesday with Presi¬ weapons if it was further enriched. built plant late last month, and reported dent Hu Jintao of China. Because Iran continued to produce that they found it was in "an advanced The I.A.E.A. report, referring to the fuel, President George W. Bush also au¬ state" of construction, but that no cent¬ Qum site, said that Iran's belated "dec¬ thorized a covert program, focused on rifuges the fast-spinning machines laration of the new faciUty reduces the the Natanz site, that was intended to needed to make nuclear fuel had yet level of confidence in the absence of oth¬ disrupt its enrichment activity, by at¬ been installed. er nuclear facilities under construction, tacking both the computer and electric¬ They confirmed American and Euro¬ and gives rise to questions alraut wheth¬ al infrastructure around the plant. It is pean intelligence reports that the site er there were any other nuclear facilit¬ not clear that those actions succeeded. was built to house about 3,000 centri¬ ies in Ircui which had not been declared But the construction of an alternative fuges, enough to produce sufficient ma¬ to the agency." plant, protected by the Iranian Revolu- terial for one or two nuclecu- weapons a Iran, which has long insisted that its year. But that is too small to be useful in nuclear program is entirely peaceful, producing fuel for civilian nuclear So far, Iran has denied that denied that it has any other facilities power, which is what Iran insists was there are other hidden sites. that it had failed to disclose. But in a let¬ the intended purpose of the site. ter to the nuclear inspectors, parts of The plant's existence was revealed in which were quoted in the report to the tionary Guard base adjacent to the September, as much as seven years board of the I.A.EA., Iranian officials plant, appeared to constitute an Iranian after construction had begun. said they were motivated to build the effort to have a back-up plan in case Iran Both I.A.E.A. officials and American underground plant l)ecause of "the lost use of the Natanz facility. and European diplomats and nuclear threats of military attacks against Iran revealed the existence of the new experts have argued that the existence Iran," a reference to the assumption uranium enrichment plant Sept. 21 in a of the hidden facility at Qom would that Israel, the United States or other letter to the lA.E.A. American officials . make little sense unless there was a net¬ Western powers might take military ac¬ charged that Tehran informed the work of related facilities to feed it with tion against its main plant for uranium agency only after discovering that raw nuclear fuel. enrichment, at Natanz. Western . intelligence agencies had The report by the International Atom¬ "The Natanz enrichment pleuit Wcis pierced the project's veil of secrecy. ic Energy Agency's inspectors came among the targets threatened with mil¬ In late October, four inspectors, led by just two days after President Barack Herman Nackaerts, traveled from the Obama, expressing increasing Impa¬ itary attacks," the Iranian letter, dated agency's headquarters in Vienna to tience with Iran's responses, in nuclear Oct. 28, argued. It said that, as a result, Iran to conduct the first inspection of negotiations, indicated that he would Iran's Atomic Energy Organization the half-built plant. l)egin to plan for far more stringent eco¬ went to a littie-known military authority The report Monday was the first public nomic sanctions against Tehrcui. identified as the Passive Defense Or¬ accounting of the inspectors' findings. He was joined during that announce¬ ganization and asked for a "contin¬ ment by President Dmitri A. Medvedev gency enrichment plant' '

of Russia, but Mr. Medvedev was vague It was turned over to the nuclear au¬

about whether Russia was now pre¬ thorities, they said, "in the second half pared to join in those sanctions. of 2007," or roughly two years before Whether by coincidence or as part of a Iran made its existence known.

larger effort to increase pressure on The Obama administration has said Iran, Russia's energy minister said that Iran made the news public only Monday that a Russian-built nuclear after it had determined that the secrecy power plant in Iran that is a focal point around the new faciUty had been in the ongoing dispute would not come pierced. online by the end of the yecU", as had The late 2007 date is significant be¬

been planned. cause it was after Iran, earlier that year, The launch of the plant at Bushehr in had unilaterally renounced an agree¬ southern Iran has been plagued with ment it had signed with the agency to setbacks since Russia l)egan work on it report on planned nuclear facilities. The

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

îtcnilo enbunr NOVEMBER 18, 2009 Iraq insurgents reassert themselves in former stronghold

RAMADI, IRAQ

Government forces come !>/' < under sustained attack from Sunnis in Anbar

BY MARC SANTORA

Maj. Gen. Tariq al-Youssef caught a

fleeting glimpse of the man who wanted him dead.

As his armored sport utility vehicle A security team assigned to Maj. Gen. Itiriq al-Youssef, who escaped unscathed from a pulled past the battered yellow taxi. Gen¬ suicide bomlter's attack in June that marked the beginning of the new wave of violence. eral Youssef, the commander of the po¬

lice in Anbcff Province, recalled thinking duced from that in 2005, when the local across five bases, newly trained Ameri¬ that the driver looked like so many men police force collapsed, or 2007, when an cans whose role is to "advise and as¬ in this impoverished territory another increase in American troops began and sist" Iraqi security forces. But the poor peasant trying to eke out a living. tribal leaders banded together to fight Then the taxi driver crashed his car or co-opt the militants. But this is a del¬ Iraqis now rarely ask for assistance. into the general's, detonating his explo¬ icate moment in a region where militants AVhen militants blew up a major bridge sives. once controlled the streets and were able last month in Ramadi, close to an Amer¬ ''I was not sure if I was alive or dead,' ' ican base on the outskirts of the city, no to direct attacks into Baghdad. General Youssef recalled. "Parts of the With American forces in a period of U.S. forces responded. Iraqis asked for suicide boml)er were scattered all transition, Iraqi politicians positioning assistance only days later and only re¬ around me." themselves for the national elections, garding compUcated forensic and engi¬ The attack in June, from which Gener¬ basic services still in shambles and neering work, according to U.S. officials. al Youssef walked away unscathed, rampant unemployment, Iraqi security American officials noted the vast dif¬ marked the beginning of what Iraqi and officials say that Al Qaeda and other mil¬ ference in the level of violence from two American officials say has l)een a con¬ years ago and the increasing capabili¬ itants would like to exploit the moment certed effort by Sunni insurgents to re¬ and derail the fragile security gains. assert themselves in a psut of the coun¬ ties of Iraqi security forces. Anbar, the desert region west of try that was once their stronghold. "These attacks are designed to Baghdad, has played a critical role since Early on Monday morning, men threaten the police," General Lanza the American invasion. dressed in Iraqi Army uniforms killed at said. "But you do not see the institu¬ It is where the insurgency first rose, least 13 people, including a local cleric. tions of the state falling apart." where Al Qaeda established a base to The victims were rousted from their Sheik Ahmed Abu Risha, one of An- stage spectacular attacks that ignited the bar's prominent leaders who helped homes in a village west of Baghdad. A sectarian bloodletting and also where the mobilize a tribcil rel)ellion against Al . doctor at Abu Ghraib Hospital, where tide of the war began to shift in America's Qaeda in Mesopotamia in 2007, said the the bodies were brought, said they all favor as tribal leaders and former insur¬ chief aim of militants was not to reignite had gunshot wounds to the head. gents turned against Al Qaeda. sectarian fighting. On Monday night, a series ofbombs in Anbar borders Saudi Arabia and "They want to attack for two main Falluja strack the house of a police of¬ Jordan, as well as Syria, a country that reasons," he said. "They target the po¬ ficer and an Iraqi Army patrol, wound¬ the government accuses of aiding mih- lice because the police have achieved a ing at least seven people. tants, and the province mns right up to victory over them. And the second ma¬ In recent weeks the targets of suicide the outskirts of Baghdad. jor reason is because they want to keep bombers in Anbar have included a res¬ The fact that the attackers Monday investors out." taurant popular among the police in Fal¬ wore army uniforms raised a number of The most dangerous Eu-eas in Anbar luja, where 16 people were killed; a po¬ troubling questions, including the pros¬ are those just outside Baghdad, includ¬ lice officer's funeral in Haditha, where 6 pect of infiltration of security forces or ing the area where the Monday attack were killed; a water tanker in Ramadi extrajudicial killings by soldiers. took place. that exploded, killing 7 police officers es¬ "We no longer trust the army after One witness, who identified himself corting the vehicle; and a national re¬ this incident," said Abdul Rahman, who as Abu Ali, said he watched as some of conciliation meeting in Ramadi, where saw the abductions and knew some of the victims were taken from their 26 were killed. the men later found dead. "If the army homes. There also have been dozens of at¬ came to capture someone now, he would "I saw men dressed in army uniforms tacks on checkpoints and, in the last two not go with them, fearing he would face going into houses and arresting months, assassinations of influential tri¬ the same destiny." people," he said. bal leaders and the destruction of vital While Iraqi security forces work to There were conflicting reports as to infreistructure. thwart the militant networks, the Amer¬ whether some of those killed were "In the last few months you have had ican role here continues to. evolve and former insurgents who had joined the an attempt by A.Q.I, to regain a foothold diminish. Anbar is the first province in effort to fight Al Qaeda or were stUl ac¬ here," said U.S. Brig. Gen. Stephen R. Iraq where American combat brigades tive members of a militant group known Lanza, using the military's term for Al have moved out completely. as the 1920 Revolutionary Brigades. Qaeda in Mesopotamia, a largely At the peak of the surge in troops to On Monday, the village was locked homegrown Sunni militant group Iraq in 2007, about 20,000 Marines were down, with dozens of Iraqi Army vehicles thought to have foreign support. in Anbar, wqrking out of 10 large bases. cordoning off the area Witnesses saw Still, the level of violence is greaüy re- There are now 3,500 troops spread U.S. military vehicles in the area as well.

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

jT}. NOVEMBER 18, 2009

tion,' a statement posted on ved to be Sunni. Barzani's Web site sad. Kurdish, Sunni demands Dominant for decades under Mahmoud Othman, a senior Kurdish Saddam, Iraq's minority Sunni Arabs member of Iraq's national pariia¬ have felt politically marginalized may derail Iraqi elections menl, said the Kurds had been since the fonner dictator's ouster in expecting about 17 additionä seats. 2003, boycotting the first post- Saddam national elections in Associated Press the Brussels-based International "The main point is the allocation of January 2005. Crisis Group think tank. seats,' Othman tdd The Associated Press. "If no changes are made on Hiltermann said al-Hashemi's "Nobody knew that the Kurds were BAGHDAD- Iraq's Kurds threate¬ this matter then we will not partici¬ demands stems from Sunni fears of unhappy, too." ned on Tuesday to boycott natio¬ pate in the electkms.' being sidelined once again. nal elections, days after the coun¬ The Kurds originally supported the Hiltermann, the analyst, said it's not "They need to have a sense that try's Sunni vice president threate¬ election law, voting in favor of it last clear what would be a realistic com¬ they're not being cut out from power,' ned to veto the newty passed elec¬ week in parliament. But they say it promise. he said. tion law needed to hold the was only over the weekend that they January vote. found out that their three provinces in "It's a matter of numbers, and num¬ Washington has linked its withdrawal northem Iraq had received fewer bers matter in any election anywhere of combat troops to the national vote. seats than they believe they deser¬ in the worid,' he said. U.S. military offkjals have said they Barely a weeic after the long-delayed ved. will begin to draw down forces about The three northem provinces make legislation was passed, the hard- 60 days after the election, hoping for Under a proposal to expand pariia¬ up the Kurdish autonomous region, fought deal appears to be hitting a assurances by then that Iraq is on menl from 275 to 323 seats lo reflect whk^ has its own pariiamenl as well major roadblock, threatening to stable footing. population growth, only three new as president. While Kurds have derail the country's nationwide par¬ seats were alkx;ated to the Kurdish fought bitter battles annng themsel¬ Under a plan by President Barack liamentary elections and possibly provinces, giving them a total of 38, ves in their regional politics, they Obama, all U.S. combat personnel slow U.S. plans to withdraw combat have generally presented a strongly must be out of Iraq by the end of troops from Iraq. according to the Independent High Electoral Commissran's Web site. united front on the national political August 2010. The rest of the troops, The Kurds and Sunnis are unsatis¬ scene. such as trainers and support person¬ Other regtons saw a far larger jump fied with the allocation of seats in the nel, must leave by the end of 2011 . Govemment spokesman Ali al- next parliament, and are demanding in their number of representatives. Dabbagh criticized the Kurdish threat "You have an electoral law that gene¬ more spots for their respective Ninevah province, for one, which borders the Kurdish region, grew to boycott the election. rally the U.S. is desperate to get it constituencies. through pariiamenl, and so move from 19 lo 31 seats. Basra province "There is a chance to solve this pro¬ The boycott and veto threat come in the south grew from 16 to 24 heaven and Earth behind it,' said blem and the call to boycott the elec¬ after lawmakers haggled for weeks Toby IDodge, an Iraq expert at Queen seals. tions Is not appropriate and does not over the election legislation they Mary college, University of London. The office of Kurdistan Regional serve demoaacy and the new Iraq,' finally passed on Nov. 8, much to the President Massoud Barzani said the he toW al-Arabiya television. "So the law goes through, and then relief of Iraqi political leaders and the way seats are distributed under the the big beasts of Baghdad politics United States, which lobbied hard for The Kurdish demands follow Sunni new election law is unfair to Kurds. start quibbling ... to try to get a better the bill. Arab Vice President Tariq al- deal for their own sectarian inte¬ "Unless this seat allocation formula Hasheml's threat Sunday to veto the "We knew that the Sunnis were rests." is reconsidered in a just manner, the election law unless voters outside unhappy, they made that clear from people of (the) Kurdistan Regon will Iraq are guaranteed more seats. the beginning," said Joost be compelled to boycott the elec Most Iraqis living abroad are belie Hlltennann, Middle East director of

HB NEWS NOVEMBER 17, 2009

PKK leader's on Imrali island. Reports say other inmates are expected jail isolation to be transferred to the island at a later date.

ends Peace plan

The Council of Europe made its call for Jailed Kurdish rebel leader an end to Mr Ocalan's solitary confine¬ Abdullah Ocalan is being joined by ment after a delegation from its five inmates, ending his solitary Committee for the Prevention of Torture confinement. and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment Turkey imprisoned Mr Ocalan in 1999 made several visits to the jail. and sentenced him to death for trea¬ The committee criticised restrictions on son, but this w/as commuted to a life contact with the outside world, but sentence. Interior Minister Besir Atalay presented found the physical conditions In Mr a reform package to parliament, inclu¬ The Council of Europe had accused Ocalan's cell satisfactory. ding greater freedom to use the Kurdish lan¬ Turkey of violating his human rights by The move came only days after the keeping him in isolation. guage. Turkish govemment formally launched Some 40,000 people have been killed in the Five convicted members of his rebel a much-anticipated peace plan to try to PKK's 25-year fight for Kurdish autonomy. Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will see end the conflict in the mainly Kurdish

him for up to 10 hours a week at the jail south-east of the country.

46 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rimsta Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

'^ ^ novemberl?, 2009 Dai

OPINION

HOW TURKEY MASSACRED THE KURDS OF DERSIM

Mustafa AKYOL

conceded defeat, others resisted. Agreat problem facing Turkey is that the country continues to

idealize its authoritarian age and avoid facing its misdeeds One day in March 1937, a strategic wooden bridge was burned

After five months on book leave, it is nice to be back in the Daily down and telephone lines were cut. The govemment saw this as News. the beginning of a big ret)ellion. The military soon launched a

bmtal campaign on the province, in order to kill the rel)els, but I hope all has been well for everylxxiy since June. As for Turkey, also a great many numtjer of civilians. many new events and debates seem to have unfolded, but the

scene is pretty much the same. Once again, one of the taboos of The accounts from the massacres come mainly from the survi¬

our not-so-democratic Republic is h)eing hotiy debated. (This vors, such as Nuri DersLmi, who wrote a tx)ok 13 years later in

time it is the "Kurdish question.") Syria. He explains that when troops t>egan hunting down the

rebellious tril)es, the men gave battie, and the women and chil¬ Once again, our incuml)ent "Islamist" party, despite the reckless dren hid in deep caves. machismo of its leader, proves to he more liberal and reformist

than its secularist opponents. And, once again, some pundits in "Thousands of these women and children perished because the

Turkey, or Washington, are propagating the line that this army bricked up the entrances of the caves," Dersimi writes. "At

"Islamist" govemment is pusliing us into "darkness," by ending the entrances of other caves, the military lit fu-es to cause those

the good old days of the Kemalist quasi-dictatorship. inside to suffocate. Those who tried to escape from the caves

were finished off with bayonets." In fact, understanding the tme nature of that Kemalist era is the

key to realizing whether Turkey is heading toward "darkness," or It is safe to assume that Dersimi, a Kurdish nationalist, is biased.

actually moving away firom it. And Onur Öymen, the second man But other accounts confirm the terrible story. Martin van

of the secularist opposition, the Republican People's Party, or Bruinessen, a Dutch anthropologist and an expert on Kurdish his¬

CHP, just gave us a good opportunity to reflect on that question a tory, says, "At several instances, the [official military] reports

little bit. mention the arrest of women and children, but elsewhere we read of indiscriminate killing of humans and animals. Dersim? What Dersim?

Öymen's controversial remarks came last week, when he strongly "With professional pride, reports list how many 'bandits' and dependents were 'annihilated,' and how many villages and fields opposed the reform initiative to broaden Kurdish rights and were burned. Groups who were hiding in caves were entirely disarm the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. wiped out." Criticizmg the governments' peacenik motto, "Let mothers cry no

more," Öymen said that Turkey has fought many lethal enemies, Overall, Bminessen estimates "almost 10 percent of the entire

both within and without, and never stopped doing so for such population of Tunceli was killed." bleeding-heart concems. "Did mothers not cry in the Dersim upri¬ You can wonder where Tunceli was. Well, it was Dersim's new sing," he asked. "No one stood up and said, 'Let mothers cry no tide after the "pacification" of the province. Just like thousands of more' and 'let's stop this struggle.'" other Kurdish towns and villages, it was given an artificial

Protests then flared against Öymen, throughout the country, and Turkish name.

even from some of the saner memljers of tiis party. "Dersim," The 'historical context' they said, "cannot be justified." This is the unpleasant story of Dersim. One can say that it needs But what was this Dersim thing all about? to be seen in its "historical context." That was a time when many

Many Turks have no clue alx)ut the event because this nasty epi¬ other authoritarian governments, too, were terribly brutal toward sode, like several others, is carefully excluded from "official his¬ civilian populations. Even Winston Churchill, as colonial secre¬

tory," the only history they know. Even some Western authorities, tary, was "strongly in favor of using poison gas against uncivili¬

such as Bernard Lewis and Stanford J. Shaw, have not written a zed trit»es" in Iraq. single word about it in their Ixxjks on modem Turkish history. Yet That contextualization certainly has a logic. What doesn't have the violent suppression of the Dersim Revolt of 1937-38 is too one is the fact that Turkey continues to idealize its authoritarian tragic to be forgotten, let alone be cheered for age and avoids facing its misdeeds. That was so apparent in Here is the briefest story. Dersim, a town in eastem Anatolia, was Öymen's defense of his own words. "I am just defending a tribal area ofAlevi Kurds, who were both religiously and ethni¬ Atatiirk's methods," he said. "Shall we deny him?" cally unorthodox in the eyes of the Turkish Republic. In the mid- Yes, we can deny, and criticize, even Ataturk. The regime that 1930s, the Kemalist regime tried to subdue this anarchic region allows that is called liberal democracy. And we are getting closer by imposing "law and order," and, of course, taxes. Some tribes to it day-by-day.

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

TODAl^ ZAMAN November 18, 2009 Main opposition CHP sees Alevi exodus after Öymen's remarks Alevi members of the Republican People's Party (CHP) are increasingly leaving the party following CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Öymen's remarks about a 1937 rebellion in the Alevi town of Tunceli.

ERCAN YAVUZ

ïï> During a speech in Pariiament on Tuesday

criticizing the government's Kurdish ini¬ tiative, which seeks to expand the rights of

Kurds in Turkey to alleviate and ultimately a

end the separatist terrorism of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Öymen 1 said: "Didn't mothers also cry at the time of

the Sheikh Said Rebellion? Didn't mothers Pictures depicting CHPs Onur

also cry at the time of the Dersim Rebellion" Öymen as Hitler have popped up In a show of solidarity, CHP leader in response to the government's use of the throughout Tunceli over the past Baykal walks into a parliamentary phrase "Let no more mothers cry" as part of few days. group meeting together with Öymen, its efforts to end the PKK's campaign of ter¬ who grievously offended the country's Alevis in a speech last week. rorism. The rebellion took place in 1937 in Another call on Öymen to resign from the Dersim, which had historically been a semi- CHP came from the Federation of Gernian- autonomous region. Alevi Unions (AABF). In a written statement the wvm.alevidunyasi.com Web site continued Dersim was renamed Tunceli after the released yesterday, AABF said: 'We strongly for a second day So far 7,600 e-cards protes¬ rebellion. The rebellion was led by Seyyid Riza, condemn the speech öymen delivered in ting öymen's vrords have been sent to the CHP the chief of a Zaza tribe in the region. The Pariiament. öymen should apologize lo the headquarters. The campaign will go on until the Turkish government, led by Ismet Inönü at the Alevi community, resign from his post and from number of e-cards sent reaches 90,000, the time, responded vfl'th air strikes against the Pariiament in order to preserve his dignity." estimated number of Alevis killed in the Dersim rebels. Thousands were killed in the campaign. The statement said the CHP was not a Rebellion. In later remarks, Öymen did not apologize party of the people but of the state. It also accu¬ Also yesterday, CHP leader Baykal showed and referred to the Dersim deaths as "collateral sed all senior CHP members of being unyiel¬ solidarity wnth öymen, as the two arrived toge¬ damage." In addition, the party administration ding defenders of the Turicish-lslamic synthe¬ ther to the party's parilamentary group meeting, did not punish Öymen in any way, but rebuked sis. "We call on Alevis who are still active in the which Kiliçdaro?lu did not attend. Another party CHP deputy Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, who called on CHP: What do they feel about these develop¬ member attending the meeting shouted at Öymen to resign. ments? What is their reaction going to be We Baykal: I'm an Alevi. Mr. Chairman, will you The remari

48 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rimsta Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

_ GL V^ ^"^^^^^^^^^^^^ nÖTeinber21, 2009 Kurds to participate in elections on four different lists

pared to accept more entities spokesperson of the Kurdistan concerning the issues between until the deadline of holding Islamic Group. "The Kurdistan Kurdistan Region and the fede¬ By Hawjin Rashadaddin the alliances in order to streng¬ Islamic Group preferred to par¬ ral govemment. We agree to

The Kurdish Globe then the Kurdish position in ticipate in the Iraqi next elec¬ this suggestion either l)efore

Baghdad. tions independentiy when we the elections or after that to

Kurdistan Alliance list is "Although the election concluded that we were unable ensure the Kurdistan Region

only Kurdish alliance for elec¬ results decide the political to make a joint Islamic list," people that having different

tions. acting of the Kurdistan explained Majid. lists doesn't disadvantage the

Political observers empha¬ Alliance list in the future, the Muhammad Tofiq, an offi¬ Kurdish national interests, but

size acting as one voice in the Kurdish position will definitely cial from the Change list, noted guarantees them," reported

next Parliament, citing the be different in the next Iraqi that the Change list is ready to Muhammad Hakim, a member

many issues that must unite the Council of Representatives," have a joint plan with all lists in Kurdistan Islamic Group

varying parties. said Ahmed, who said that hol¬ after the elections. political bureau.

As the Iraqi elections near, ding an alliance to unani¬ "The next elections will be Many issues unite the

the Independent Higher mously resolve the issues of difficult. In the meantime, the Kurdish different lists, like dis¬

Electoral Commission (IHEC) Kirkuk, Article 140, Kurdistan Alliance list wishes puted areas, implementation of

reported that 14 alliances are Peshmarga, and federalism is for good results. The Kurdistan Article 140, budget, Kurdistan

formed in Iraq for the upco¬ extremely crucial. Alliance list consists of most of Region income, national

ming elections. In Kiirdistan "I don't think that Kurds Kurdistan political entities, and resources, achieving key posts,

Region, four different lists are can take the post of Iraqi presi¬ PUK-one of the main compo¬ and many others, added Hakim.

to separately participate in the dency and some ministerial nents of the Alliance list apart "The Kurdistan Islamic

elections that are Kurdistan posts-they had in the past-once from KDP is now in good Union agrees to have such

Alliance List, Kurdistan again because the Kurdish condition," said Ja'far Ibrahim, agreement among the lists in Islamic Union List, the Change voice is divided into four lists head of the Kurdistan case the four lists participate in

List and the Islamic Group for the upcoming election," Democratic Party (KDP) setting the concepts for the

List. said Hassan Osman, memh)er of Election Foundation. agreement," Babakir referred.

"These 14 alliances consist the Iraqi Council of Due to the agreement Spokesperson of the Wisha of 150 Iraqi entities. The big¬ Representatives from the among the entities within the Foundation-l)elonging to

gest alliance is al-Maliki's State Kurdistan Alliance list. Kurdistan Alliance list, every Change List Babakir Draiyee,

of Law [Dawlat al-Qanon] Osman clarified that the entity will have its own nomi¬ reported that the Change list

alliance, which includes 50 Kurdish lists will be able to nees and each entity will accepts this kind of agreement.

entities," said Faraj Haidari, unite after the elections. Most conduct the electoral campaign "We agree to this project to

IHEC head in Iraq. Parliament members were inac¬ independently. Meanwhile, have cooperation among

The Kurdistan Region tive in the Iraqi Parliament, and KDP and PUK will have 80 Kurdish political lists in a

IHEC office reported that the Kurds should change their for¬ percent of the nominees from future Iraqi Parliament.

Kurdistan Alliance list is the mer policy in Parliament for the alliance, and 25 percent of Personally, I think such an

only alliance list in the region the future, Osman noted. them are women. agreement could be held after

for the elections-embracing 13 "As the critical situations The spokesperson of the elections, not l)efore the

Kurdish political entities. The are ahead, Kurds should have Kurdistan Alliance List in Iraqi elections," said Draiyee. "We

list is led by both Kurdish decided to participate in the Parliament, Firyad Rwandizi, are ready to join in any agree¬

major parties, KDP and PUK. next elections as one list ins¬ reported to the media that the ment that brings about

Imad Ahmed, a memt)er in tead of the available four lists. joint agreement among Kurdistan Region interests."

the Patriotic Union of Meanwhile, due to having Kurdistan lists is going to be A member in the PUK poli¬

Kurdistan (PUK) political mutual national interests Kurds held after the election, explai¬ tical bureau, Sa'di Ahmed Pira,

bureau, reported to the media should act as one voice," said ning: "Any agreement depends shed light on the nature of the

that Kurds should have prepa¬ Khalil Ismail, a university pro¬ on the ability and position of Kurdistan Alliance list for the

red themselves to participate in fessor. the political entities. The agree¬ upcoming elections, explai¬

the upcoming elections as one Salahaddin Babakir, a ments may not l>e held until the ning: "It is the time for Kurds

big list. "Kurdish lists still face member in the Kurdistan election result is known." to forget about the region's the important challenge to una¬ Islamic Union political bureau, "In case there is no agree¬ internal issues, and they have

nimously act with one voice to reported that the election law ment after elections, there to have negotiations in order to deal with issues t)etween Erbil leaves littie room to hold an could be cooperation among reinforce the Kurdish position and Baghdad," noted Ahmed. alliance. "Kurdistan Islamic different lists and we should in Baghdad and stand against The Kurdish goals are more Union agrees that all the share the same political views those political voices that

easily targeted within the fra¬ Kurdish lists will have a unique in dealing with strategic create hindrances in front of mework of the Iraqi stance in Baghdad in the next issues," noted Rwandizi. Kurdish national projects. The

Constitution, added Imad. "It is Parliament," said Babakir. "Different political viewpoints political disputes inside

possible for Kurds to have "The way we were called to inside the Kurdistan Region Kurdistan should be sidelined

various viewpoints in join in the Kurdistan Alliance should not negatively influence and Kurds must show a new

Kurdistan. Meanwhile, the list was via the media. There our stance in Baghdad." voice this time."

more we luiite in Iraq, the more should have been negotiations "The Islamic Group is

we can accomplish our goals." in order to assign duties and ready to have the agreement Ahmed highlighted that the rights for the alliance entities," with all the lists in order to Kurdistan Alliance List is pre noted Abdul-Sattar Majid, the have one stance in Baghdad

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

20 novembre 2009 MMMKII

L'épineuse question kurde fait une première irruption au Parlement turc

Redonner leurs noms origi¬ représentants », a-t-il indiqué

nels aux villages kurdes ou dans un communiqué diffusé # autoriser leur langue dans la vie par l'agence pro-kurde Firat. Il

culturelle : Le gouvemement exige la cessation des opéra¬

turc de Tayyip Erdogan adopte tions militaires, que la recon¬

des mesures constituant un naissance de l'identité kurde

début de reconnaissance du fait soit inscrite dans la

national kurde. Constitution et que le kurde

Vendredi dernier, le pre¬ soit aussi ime langue d'ensei¬

mier ministre turc, Tayyip gnement. Erdogan, a défendu devant le .J Bien que qualifiées d'in¬ Parlement un « projet d'ou¬ suffisantes par les Kurdes eux-

verture démocratique » auto¬ mêmes, il n'en reste pas moins tout en réaffirmant que la démanteler la Turquie », tan¬ risant l'usage de la langue que dans un pays où le jacobi¬ Turquie reste un État unitaire dis que Deviet Bahceli du kurde dans la vie politique et nisme kémaliste a toujours fait avec une seule langue, le turc, MHP le suspecte ouvertement culturelle via la diffusion de l'impasse depuis plus de et ce, même dans le cas d'urne de négocier avec une bande de programmes à la radio et à la soixante ans sur l'existence révision constitutionnelle. terroristes. Quant à l'armée, télévision. Mieux, les villes et d'une minorité représentant Ces précautions politico- qui se définit comme la gar¬ villages kurdes qui ont été « tout de même plus de 15 mil¬ constitutionnelles n'ont dienne du dogme kémaliste et, turquifiés » pourront retrou¬ lions de personnes, les mesu¬ convaincu ni l'opposition pour qui, le PKK est un « ver leurs noms originels. Les res annoncées par le gouveme¬ kémaliste - le CHP (Parti mouvement terroriste », elle détenus kurdes seront désor¬ ment de Tayyip Erdogan républicain du peuple, membre n'a pas encore réagi. mais autorisés à parler leur constituent de fait un début de de l'internationale socialiste) De son côté, le PKK, qui a langue lors de visites familia¬ reconnaissance du fait culturel - ni l'opposition ultra-nationa¬ rejeté l'initiative gouveme¬ les. Enfin le gouvemement et national kurde. Elles liste - MHP (Parti de l'action mentale, la jugeant « superfi¬ turc va créer des commissions ouvrent une brèche dans le nationaliste - tous deux pré¬ cielle », estime que « la ques¬ indépendantes pour prévenir mur du déni de l'identité et de sents au Parlement. Par la voix tion kurde ne peut pas trouver les discriminations et les actes la culture Kurde. Le débat ne de son leader, Deniz Baykal, le de solution sans la reconnais¬ de tortures. Reste que le gou¬ fait que commencer. CHP a accusé le gouvemement sance de la volonté du peuple vemement a rejeté le droit à Hassane Zerrouky de vouloir « détruire et kurde et sans dialogue avec ses l'éducation en langue kurde

IRAK: MASSOUD BARZANI VEUT CRÉER UNE ARMÉE KURDE UNIFIÉE DANS LE NORD

ERBIL (Irak), 22 novembre 2009 (AFP)

LE PRÉSIDENT du Kurdistan irakien Massoud Barzani a annoncé sa volonté de mettre sur pied une armée kurde unifiée dans le nord du pays lors d'une rencontre avec une délégation militaire américaine, selon un communiqué de son bureau publié dimanche.

"Après les élections au Pariement (en juillet dernier) et à la suite d'un accord entre tous les partis, le Kurdistan a pris la dédsion d'établir une année uni¬ fiée, dont le noyau sera composée des peshmergas (combattants kurdes)", a-t-il dit, d'après cette source.

"Cette démarche est une requête de notre peuple et c'est un de mes rêves de voir une année unifiée du Kurdistan", a-t-il ajouté lors de cette rencontre samedi à Erbil.

SekMi le Centre Jaffee d'études stratégiques de l'Universtité de Tel-Aviv, les pechmergas liés au Parti Démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK, de Massoud "Nous avons besoin de l'aide américaine pour unifier l'armée du Kurdistan et Barzani) compte 55.000 combattants (dont 30.000 de réserves) et ceux liés cette unbn se fera selon des critères modemes et intemationaux', a ajouté à l'Union patriotique du Kurdistan (UPK, de Jalal Talabani) sont 18.000. Massoud Barzani.

Ces deux principaux partis se sont livré une guen'e impitoyable de fin 1994 à Pour la première fois, dans le gouvemement kurde dirigé par Barham Saieh, 1998, qui a fait 3.000 nrwrts, avant de se réconcilier sous les auspices de il n'existe plus qu'un seul ministre des peshmergas, cheikh Jafaar Cheikh Washington. Depuis 2003, le rapprochement s'est accéléré et les deux gou- Moustafa, qui appartient à l'UPK. vemements kurdes basés à Ert)il et Souleimaniyeh ont fusionné.

50 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti la-Croix Mgr Sako : « En Irak, FÉglise doit 23 novembre 2009 jouer un rôle majeur »

Comme à chacun de ses passages en Agnès ROTTVEL Europe, l'archevêque chaldéen juge très sévèrement ceux qui, à l'étranger, encou¬

En route pour Marseille où il ragent les chrétiens d'Irak à s'exiler. « On peut comprendre que ceux qui sont devait célébrer une messe menacés ou ceux qui ont leurs enfants en pour les chrétiens d'Orient, France, partent. Mais si tous les chrétiens Mgr Louis Sako, archevêque quittent le pays, ce sera la fin de la pré¬ chaldéen de Kirkouk, était de sence chrétienne en Irak. On a des pro¬ passage à Paris et à Sarcelles blèmes, mais ça n'est pas la fin du monde ». pour y rencontrer les familles «Il vaut mieux être chrétien en irakiennes en France Shabaks, Turkmènes,...) et aux Irakiens Irak, qu'émigré» de l'étranger, soit 48 sièges sur 323, contre les 5 % figurant dans le texte S'obstinant à convaincre les chrétiens MGR LOUIS SAKO, archevêque actuel. d'éviter les départs définitifs, il leur pro¬ pose une solution intermédiaire qui chaldéen de Kirkouk, au nord de l'Irak, «Si tous les chrétiens quittent le consiste à les inviter à s'installer momen¬ ne fait pas de triomphalisme à propos de pays, ce sera la fin de la présence tanément au Kurdistan irakien, au lieu de la situation dans son pays. « Il y a encore chrétienne en Irak» des attentats et des enlèvements, mais partir en Syrie, en Jordanie ou en « Politiquement, le pays change, moins qu'avant, souligne-t-il. L'économie Europe, « où ils vivent dans la misère ». « insiste Mgr Sako. Il y a une lutte pour le aussi s'améliore, les salaires dans les vil¬ Les villes kurdes de Duhok, Sulemanieh, pouvoir en Irak entre les différentes les sont en hausse, et la construction bat Erbil, sont sûres, dit-il. Les chrétiens y coalitions de partis. La perspective des son plein. Dans la ville de Kirkouk d'où je sont bien accueillis et sur place, l'Église élections engendre des tensions. Mais les viens, la plupart des gens ont un emploi chaldéenne peut les aider matérielle¬ politiciens ont acquis de l'expérience, ils et 90 % d'entre eux travaillent dans le ment. Au Kurdistan, il existe une pasto¬ débattent. C'est un signe plutôt sain. La secteur du pétrole. L'Irak est un pays rale, c'est la même liturgie que dans le liberté d'expression n'existait pas sous la riche. Certes, il y a encore de la corrup¬ reste de l'Irak et on y parle la même lan¬ dictature de Saddam Hussein. On peut tion mais sur ce point aussi, la situation gue. Un père qui travaille à Bagdad, peut parler d'un début de démocratie. Des s'améliore. Reconstruire le pays demande envoyer sa famille au Kurdistan et lui ministres, des parlementaires accusés de du temps et beaucoup d'efforts, mais rendre visite régulièrement, ce n'est pas corruption ont été mis en prison. Ça nous sommes sur la bonne voie ». loin ». bouge même si les progrès sont encore Du 9 au 13 novembre, tous les évê- Politiquement, cependant, la situa¬ trop lents » tion reste compliquée. À l'heure où il était ques catholiques et la Réunion des Dans ce pesage politique en recom¬ à Paris, l'adoption de la loi électorale était duvres d'aide aux Églises orientales, se position, « l'Eglise doit jouer un rôle toujours bloquée par le vice-président sont réunis à Erbil, pour mettre au point majeur, insiste l'archevêque. Mais pour sunnite Tarek al-Hachémi. Or de ce texte l'aide à apporter aux chrétiens au cela, elle doit avoir un seul discours et dépend la tenue des élections générales Kurdistan. « Si on excepte la question de réunir les chrétiens sur une même liste au prévues par la Constitution entre le 18 et la sécurité, il vaut mieux être chrétien en lieu d'être divisée. Nous avons trois dépu¬ le 21 janvier. Pour lever son veto, Tarek Irak, qu'émigré, loin de son pays. Car tés au Parlement, si nous sommes unis al-Hachémi exige que le parlement attri¬ chez nous, il y a encore une solidarité aux prochaines élections, nous pourrions bue 15% des sièges de l'Assemblée natio¬ familiale et des valeurs très fortes », en avoir cinq ». nale aux minorités (chrétiens, yézidis, conclut l'évêque.

TURQUIE: LE LEADER KURDE OCALAN SE PUINT DE SES NOUVELLES CONDITIONS CARCÉRALES

ANKARA, 27 nov 2009 (AFP) Des partisans du

<*T chef rebelle kurde Abdullah Ocalan LE CHEF REBELLE kurde Abdullah Öcalan, condamné à la prison à vie brandissent son en Turquie, s'est plaint à ses avocats de ses nouvelles conditions carcé¬ portrait lors d'une rales, qui lui permettent notamment de côtoyer d'autres prisonniers, rap¬ manifestation, le 19 porte vendredi l'agence pro-kurde Firat News. octobre 2009 à Le chef-fondateur du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), maintenu sur ) Istanbul l'île-prison d'Imrali (nord-ouest) depuis sa condamnation en 1999, a été trans¬

féré le 17 novembre dans une plus petite cellule dans le même pénitencier Selon le droit turc, Öcalan, peut désormais commu¬

Cinq détenus, des prisonniers condamnés pour appatenance au PKK, ont été niquer avec ses ccniétenus dans les zones communes d'activités à raison de tranférés récemment dans cette prison afin de rompre l'isolement d'Ôcalan 10 heures par semaine.

comme le demandait le Comité antitorture (CPT) du Conseil de l'Europe. Au terme de plusieurs visites à Imrali, le CPT a considéré que les conditions

ne peux plus respirer id en raison de la ventilation, je souffre de problèmes de détention d'Ôcalan étaient satisfaisantes mais a critiqué Ankara pour l'iso¬ respiratoires. Mes conditions sont pires qu'avant", a dit Ocalan 61 ans, à ses lement dans lequel le détenu a été placé.

défenseurs qui lui rendent réguièrement visite, selon Tagence. Le PKK, considéré comme une organisation tenoriste par la Turquie et de

'Je ne sais pas combien de temps je pourrais résister à ces conditions qui ont nombreux pays, a pris les amnes en 1984 pour obtenir rindépendance du sud- fait de moi un homme mi-mort, mi-vivant", a indiqué le chef rebelle qui a est anatolien, peuplé en majorité de Kurdes. affinne vivre dans un 'fossé de la mort".

51 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rimsta Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

H a# it (ef;^ ;{.«J 23 novembre 2009

Génocide arménien : les Kurdes entament un travail de mémoire À Diyarbakir, les initiatives se multiplient pour raviver le souvenir

de la communauté arménienne qui vivait dans la région.

C'était la première fois qu'un spec¬ ancêtre arménien et du même coup,

LAURE MARCHAND tacle sur le génocide arménien de dans cette partie de l'Anatolie, il a été EMYARBAKIR 1915 était joué en Turquie. La ville de plus difficile qu'aUlevus d'effacer les

TURQUIE. Gérard Torikian a fait appel Diyarbakir a été choisie à dessein, traces de la présence arménienne.

à la fantaisie et à la poésie pour tenter car, à l'époque de l'Empire ottoman,

de dédramatiser une tragédie de l'his¬ une importante commxmauté armé- Réparation morale toire. Les p)ersonnages de sa pièce de nieime vivait dans cette région peu¬ Abdullah Demirbas, maire de la vieille théâtre, intitulée Le Concert arménien plée en majorité de Kurdes. Ces der¬ ville de Diyarbakir, estime que faire

ou le Proverbe turc, ne mâchent pas niers commencent à recoimaître leur revivre le patrimoine arménien

leurs mots pKJur autant. «Rfaut agir responsabilité dans les massacres constitue une réparation morale :

résolument, éliminer les éléments non alors que le reste du pays nie toujours «Notre peuple afait du med aux Armé¬

turcs de la population, déclare par la réalité du génocide. Selon Sezgin niens. Nous devons l'assumer. » De¬

exemple l'im d'entre eux, im pacha Taru-ikulu, avocat à Diyarbakir, c'est mirbas a conunencé par éditer des

ottoman. Plus tard, nous dirons que parce que les Kurdes, victimes de la contes en arménien, puis il a entrepris

rien ne s'est passé. Celui qui dira le politique d'assimilation menée par de restaurer l'église Saint-Georges,

contraire, nous leferons taire. » Ankara, se sentent aujourd'hui pro¬ qui date du XVI« siècle et qui menace Torikian, Français d'origine ar¬ ches des Arméniens. de s'écrouler. Le clocher a été détruit ménienne, a dû surmonter bien plus En 1915, des milliers d'enfants armé- . en 1915 à coups de canon parce qu'il

que le trac poiu présenter sa pièce. niens furent enlevés par la population dépassait les minarets alentour. «Je

Car la représentation a eu lieu en kurde, des jeunes filles furent mariées veux que les Arméniens reviennent,

Turquie, au théâtre municipal de de force. Beaucoup d'Arméniens fu¬ mais pas comme des touristes, assure.-

Diyarbakir, grande ville kurde dans rent également sauvés par des Kiudes. Demirbas. Rs sont chez eux ici. »

le sud-est du pays. Résultat, beaucoup de Kurdes ont im

LE FIGARO 23 novembre 2009 Nucléaire : Téhéran exhibe ses capacités de défense

Des mannuvres « d'une ampleur sans précédent » ont été lancées

pour protéger les sites nucléaires.

quaient à la fois l'armée régulière et le L'Iran attend des « garanties » DELPHINE MINOUI corps d'élite des puissants gardiens de CORRESPONDANTE AU MOYEN-ORIENT Habitué à souffler le chaud et le froid, la révolution. _. l'Iran s'Obstine cependant à ne pas cla¬

IRAN Alors que les négociations sur le Ce n'est pas la première fois que la quer complètement la jwrte des discus¬

nucléaire iranien sont dans l'impasse, République islamique procède à des sions. Dans une nouvelle déclaration Téhéran dit avoir lancé, hier, des exercices militaires surmédiatisés. Cet¬ faite hier à Vieime, le représentant ira¬

manéuvres militaires «d'une ampleur te fois-ci, l'aimonce faite par Téhéran nien auprès de l'AIEA, Ali Asghar Solta- sans précédent » poiu exhiber ses ca¬ intervient au lendemain d'une réunion, nleh, a fait savoir que l'Iran attendait

pacités de défense en cas de frappe ex¬ à Bruxelles, du groupe des Six (France, certaines «garanties» poiu la li\Taison térieure. «En raison des menaces qui Grande-Bretagne, Chine, Russie, États- du fameux combustible. pèsent sur nos sites nucléaires, il est de Unis, Allemagne). Ces derniers y ont Un accord imminent étant, pour notre devoir de défendre les installa¬ formulé leur «déception» face au non l'heure, largement compromis, la ques¬ tions vitales de la nation », a déclaré, iranien à l'offre occidentale de retraiter tion d'une intervention militaire revient samedi, le général Ahmad Mighani, l'uranium faiblement eruichi à l'étran¬ sur le devant de la scène. Par le passé, chef de la défense antiaérienne. ger pour le réexpédier ultérieurement l'Amérique et Israël ont déjà évoqué à Selon lui, les différentes maneuvres, mots couverts la, possibilité de frappes vers la centrale de recherche de Téhé¬ vont permettre d'utiliser et d'évaluer ponctuelles en cas d'échec de la diplo¬ ran. La proposition, présentée le mois «des réseaux de missiles nouveaux et matie. Selon les exi)erts en la matière, modernes, notamment des missiles dernier par l'Agence internationale de cette option serait dévastatrice poxu- la S 300 perfectionnés, pour lesquels la l'énergie atomique, visait à réinstaurer stabilité, déjà fragile, du Moyen-Orient. capacité de production existe en Iran ». la confiance en minimisant les craintes La République islamique dispose d'une Les médias iraniens ont également de voir Téhéran détourner son lu-anium importante capacité de nuisance, par à des fins militaires. rapporté que ces manauvres impli activation de « leviers » régionaux. Elle

52 ^vue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

a également menacé, à plusieurs repri¬ les S 300 que la Russie tarde à lui four¬ ment les moyens? Les experts en la ses, de riposter à ime éventuelle attaque nir. Ce mois-ci, im député iranien, matière n'ont pas oublié l'épisode des en visant les bases militaires américaines Alaeddin Boroujerdi, s'est employé à photos d'essais de missUes iraniens, du Golfe. Reste une inconnue: la force minimiser l'impact de ce retard, en retouchées, en juillet 2008, par l'agen¬ réelle de l'arsenal militaire iranien. déclarant que son pays serait capable ce de presse des gardiens de la révolu¬ Pour protéger ses installations, l'Iran de fabriquer, lui-même, ce genre de tion, pour surévaluer les capacités ira¬ compte, en effet, sur les fameux missi missiles. Mais Téhéran en a-t-U vrai niennes. imib- sribune Iraii waffcs ^soft war' in drive NOVEMBER 25, 2009 «-^ , for more control

DAMASCUS scribing new efforts to re-Isl£unize the mild calls for reconciliation and engage¬ educational system, purge secular influ¬ ment from President Barack Obama. Re-education and media ences and professors, and purify the In early Septemlwr, Brig. Gen. media of subversive ideas. ^Muhammad Bagher-Zolghadr, the take on new importance The new emphasis on cultural war¬ ^former deputy chief of the Revolution¬ fare may also reflect the rising influence in effort to quell dissent ary Guards, outlined the "soft war" of the Revolutionary Guards, whose concept in a speech: "In a hard war, the leader, Mohanmiad Ali Jafari, has long line between you and the enemy is clear; BY ROBERT F. WORTH been one of the main proponents of a but in a soft war there is nothing so sol¬ "soft war" strategy, analysts say. After the disputed presidential election id. The enemy is everywhere." General In Octol)er, Masud Jazayeri, a leading last summer, Iran's govemment relied Zolghadr said that a soft war was fought ideologue within the military's Joint largely on brute force beatings, ar¬ in large part through the media, and Forces Command, published a letter in rests and show trials to stifle the coun¬ that the West was "better equipped" to the conservative newspaper Kayhan in try's embatded opposition movement fight it than Iran. which he called for a more aggressive Now, stung by die force and persist¬ Soon after his speech, the authorities campaign of countersubversion. "If we ence ofthe protests, the govemment ap>- unrolled a series of measures seemingly had a better understanding of thie en¬ pears to be starting a far more cunbi- aihied at redressing that imbalance. emy, and if we had sufficient determina¬ tious effort to discredit its opponents This month. Brig. Gen. Mohammad tion and motivation to define the defen¬ and re-educate Iran's mostly young and sive lines," he wrote, "we would never restive population. In recent weeks, the have allowed the enemy to penetrate goveriunent has announced a variety of our Islamic society." new ideological offensives. There have l)een periodic earlier cam¬ It is putting 6,000 Basij mUitia centers paigns to reinforce the government's Is¬ in elementary schools across Iran to pro¬ lamist message throughout society. mote the ideals ofthe Islamic Revolution, Some analysts say that the new efforts and it has created a new police unit to are unlikely to be any more effective'than sweep the Internet for dissident voices. A those in the past and may even backfire. company affiliated with thé Revolution¬ ' 'By trying to gain more control of the ary Guards acquired a majority share in media, to re-Islamize schools, they the nation's telecommunications mono¬ General Jafari of the Revolutionary Guards. think they can make a comeback," said poly this year, giving the Guards de facto Mehrzad Boroujerdi, an Iran specialist control of Iran's land lines, Intemet pro¬ and professor at Syracuse University. viders and two cellphone companies. Reza Naqdi, the head of the Basij militia, "But the enemy here is Iran's demo¬ And in the spring, the Revolutionary announced a new era of "super media graphics. The Iranian population is Guards plan to open a press agency with power" cooperation between the media overwhehningly literate and young, and print, photo and television elements. and the Revolutionary Guards, accord¬ previous efforts to reinstall orthodoxy The govemment calls it "soft war,'' and ing to the state-owned official presp. have only exacerbated .cleavages be¬ Iran's leaders often seem to take it more The Revolutionary Guards plan to tween citizens and the state." seriously than a real military confronta¬ start a press agency called AÜas in the Still, the idea has returned with new tion. It is rooted in an old accusation : that spring, modeled on services like the force in the months since the disputed Iran's domestic ills are the result ofWest- BBC and The Associated Press, accordr June presidential election, which em cultural subversion and call for an ing to semiofficial IrcUiicm news sites. brought millions of Iranians into the equally vigorous response. The extent of The Revolutionary Guards already streets to denounce President Mah¬ the new campaign underscores just how largely control the Pars News Agency, moud Ahmadinejad's landslide victory badly Iran's clerical and military elite which reflects views of Iran's hard-line as a fraud. In the weeks that followed, were shaken by the protests, which set camp. Two weeks ago Iran formed a 12- the goveriunent's aura of sacred author¬ off the worst internal dissent since the Is¬ person unit to monitor the Internet for ity seemed to erode further, with many lamic Revolution in 1979. "insults and the spreading of lies," a Iran's supreme leader. Ayatollah Ali protesters' denouncing Iran's supreme phrase used to describe opposition ac¬ ieader as a dictator for the first time. Khamenei, has l)eeh using the phrase tivities, the semiofficial media reported. Iran's military and clerical leaders "soft war" regulcffly since September, The authorities have also cracked made clear soon afterward that they when he Wcuned a group of artists and down on dissent within the educationéil saw in those attacks the signature of a teachers that they were living in an "at¬ system, hinting that professors who do foreign plot, and perhaps a more subtie mosphere of sédition" in which all cul¬ not toe the official line will be purged. A and insidious one than those of the peist. tural phenomena must be seen in the number of hard-line clerics have called It was, in a sense, the only way for the context of a vast battie between Iran for the imiversity humanities cur- Iranian leadership to reconcile the in¬ and the West. He and other officials riculums to l)e Islamized further. have since invoked the phrase in de ternal challenges they were facing with

53 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rimsta Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

GL IBE növeinber 22, 2009 Kirkuk: the heartland of Kurdistan

ceful solution to the Kurdish

By Salah Bayaziddi question. All the Iraqi govem- ments without any exception 'nie Kurdish Globe have tried to deny the historical Citizens

and legal rights of the Kurds shop at a market in The ancient city of Kirkuk over their ancient city. For more central is one of the oldest sites of than 80 years the oil fields of Kirkuk, on continuous occupation in the Kirkuk have been brought into Tuesday, Oct region use by the Iraqi regimes; these 3, 2009. AP It sits on archaeological fields used to produce almost Photo/Yahya remains that are 5,000 years old. half of all Iraqi oil exports. In Ahmed Because of the strategic and geo¬ order to make sure it would stay

graphic location of the city, like this, since the early stages of

Kirkuk had been the battleground the new state of Iraq and particu¬

of various empires, including the larly firom 1963 onward, there these years, the Iraqi govem- vince of Kirkuk was split in half. Mede Empire (the Kurdish ances¬ have been continuous attempts ments have claimed their willin¬ The area around the city itself tors) who controlled the city by various Iraqi governments to gness to recognize the legiti¬ was named Al-Ta'mim (nationa¬ around the 7th or the 6th century transform the ethnic make-up of macy of Kurdish national aspira¬ lization), and its boundaries BC. In the medieval era, Kirkuk Kirkuk and its surtounding tions, but they have never kept were redrawn to give an Arab was part of the ancient Wilayah of regions. their promises. The Autonomy majority." From then on, secu¬ Sharazor, which had significant There is no doubt that the vast Agreement of March 11, 1979, ring the oilfields of Kirkuk and importance to Kurdistan's eco¬ amount of wealth from the recognized the Kurdish political surtounding areas continued nomy. Following the collapse of oil fields of Kirkuk and surroun¬ and cultural rights; however, it t)ehind policies of Arabicizing, the Ottoman Empire in 1918, the ding areas has brought upon the came short when it came to the and every subsequent Iraqi colonial powers divided Kurds nothing except misery, judgment on the territorial extent govemment followed that pat- Kurdistan, and then the Wilayah of displacement, and genocide. In of Kurdistan, especially the city tem, including the mass deporta¬ Mosul (which the region of Kirkuk the 1960s and 1970s, the Iraqi of Kirkuk and the surrounding tion of the Kurdish people from was a part) came under the British governmentswhile aiming to oilfields. The Ba'ath Regime their ancestors' lands that was protectorate. At the beginning, the grab more land from the Kurds- claimed that a new census would ordered by Saddam's regime British had a plan to create a destroyed over 4,000 Kurdish determine the status of Kirkuk from the late 1970s on. Kurdish state under their mandate villages. As Denis Natali, on and other oil-rich Kurdish terri¬ By the mid-1970s, the brutal and control all its natural resour¬ page 58 of her txx)k "The Kurds tories. K»irds were sure that such «Arabization» campaigns of ces. In 1921, the British estimated and the states: evolving the a census would have proven a the Ba'ath Regime that seized the population of Kirkuk to he national identity in Iraq, Turkey Kurdish majority in all of these power in 1968 embarked on a 75,000 Kurds, 35,000 Turkmen, and Iran," pointed out: "As the areas that the regime had denied plan to alter the demographic 1 0,000 Arabs, 1,400 Jews, and 600 Iraqi state petrolized, the politi¬ to recognize as a part of future makeup of the Kurdish city of Chaldeans. A Committee of the cal elite started to ethnicize autonomous Kurdistan. But such Kirkuk and surrounding areas. League of Nations, which visited essential oil-rich Kurdish territo¬ a census never was held, and the This inhumane process was the Wilayah of Mosul in 1925 ries. Iraqi officials constructed a legendary Kurdish leader, based on a concerted campaign todetermine its future, estimated series of homes called the Arab Mustafa Barzani, insisted on the that involved one of the most that the Kurds in Kirkuk made up Circle around the Kurdish inclusion of the Kirkuk oilfields massive relocations of hundreds 63% of the population, the regions in Kirkuk, deported to any autonomous agreement. of thousands of Kurdish families Turkmen 19%, and the Arabs Kurds from their homes, granted In line with this argument, the from the oil-rich regions of 18%. The British colonial power land deeds only to Arabs, and author of an article named Kirkuk and other areas, transfor¬ that hid the potential of the region gave Kurdish localities Arabic "Factual Accuracy Is Disputed" ming them to purpose-built for its oil exploration from the names." During the 1960s, the said that "Baghdad interpreted resettiement camps. Meanwhile, French was completely aware of money from the oil gave the cen¬ this as a virtual declaration of the Iraqi regime resetüed thou¬ the economic importemce of tral govemment a new type of war, and, in March 1974, unila¬ sands of Arab families (Shia Kirkuk and surrounding areas. power never before realized, and terally decreed an autonomy sta¬ Arabs from the south, and some Finally, the artificial state of Iraq it was the early stages of full- tute. The new statute was a far Sunni populations from the cen¬ was created from the ashes of the scale state repression against the cry from the 1970 Manifesto, ter) in the Kurds' place in an Ottoman Empire and parts of the Kurds in the years to come. and its definition of the Kurdish attempt either to create the secu¬ Kurdish region including Kirkuk Indeed, the growing oil industry autonomous area explicitly rity buffer zone from the nor¬ were forcefully annexed to that in brought with it not only econo¬ excluded the oil-rich areas of them govemorates or to simply 1 92 1. The discovery in 1927 of mic developments by a rapidly Kirkuk, Khanaqin, and Shingal. increase Arab presence in certain vast quantities of oil by the British growing enterprise, but also the In tandem with the 1970-74 areas. During the late 1980s, the explorers in Kirkuk marked the need for the state to secure the autonomy process, the Iraqi Ba'ath govemment used chemi¬ turning point in the modem history resource from any possible regime carried out a comprehen¬ cal weapons against the Kurds of the Kurds. regional or internal threat. sive administrative reform in and then started the bmtal Anfal Since the creation of modem For the wider Middle Eastem which the country's 16 provin¬ (genocide of the Kurdish people) state of Iraq, the Kirkuk region, the future of Kirkuk ces, or govemorates, were rena¬ camp)aigns, which was the final region, rich in its oil fields and and indeed other disputed med, and in some cases had their attemp)t to finish once and for all farms, has been one of the prin¬ Kurdish territories in Iraq is of boundaries altered. The old pro- the Kurdish people from the cipal obstacles in fmding a pea crucial importance. During all

54 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Ri'vista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

Kirkuk region and the surroun¬ taking back the city through vio¬ region." (This is from the same 2008, and then Üie United

ding areas. These forced displa¬ lence and extreme measures. article mentioned above, Nations attempted to broker a

cement policies of the Kurdish However, the Kurds have made "Factual Accuracy Is Disputed.") solution outside the Article 140

families continued during most clear to everyone that Kiikuk is The Kurds patientiy witnessed framework, but the final result

of the 1990s until the fall of everything to them. Therefore, that Article 58 of the hasn't been disclosed yet.

Saddam's regime in 2003. as one of the main victims of Transitional Administrative Law Today, the dispute over

According to Human Right Saddam Hussein's Arabization was replaced with Iraq's 2005 Kirkuk has spilled over into

Watch, firom the 1991 Gulf War efforts, Kirkuk has come to sym- Constitution, including a provi¬ every comer of national politics,

until 2003, the former Iraqi lolize the injustice the Kurds sion, Article 140, to resolve and it seems that it is getting

govemment systematically suffered at his hands-and its these competing claims. Article worse day by day. The new elec¬

expelled an estimated 120,000 annexation to the KRG is the 140 consists of three steps: 1) toral law for new elections,

Kurds and some Turkmen and only way to remedy it. Article 58 Normalization: the return of which will be held in January of

Assyrians from Kirkuk and other of the Transitional Kurds and other residents of next year, took weeks of debate

towns and villages in this oil- Administrative Law, which was Kirkuk displaced by the among lawmakers, and it was

rich region. considered the Constitution of Arabization campaigns; 2) cen¬ only after U.S., UN, and regional

After the fall of Saddam's Iraq that dissolved the Iraqi sus to determine the make-up of power pressure that the way was

regime in 2(X)3, thousands Goveming Council, states in the province's population; 3) a paved by Parliament for the new

of displaced Kurdish families part: "The Iraqi Transitional referendum to determine law to be passed. By upholding

and others retumed to Kirkuk Govemment shall act exi)edi- Kirkuk's status. This process was the implementation of Article

and other Arabicized regions to tious measures to remedy the supposed to have been comple¬ 140, the future of Iraq is moving

reclaim their homes and lands, injustice caused by the previous ted by the end of 2007, but nei¬ toward an uncertain future- and

which were and are occupied by regime's practice in the demo¬ ther a census nor a referendum no doubt that those who are

Arabs from central and southem graphic character of certain has been completed because of resisting to accept the new Iraq

Iraq. While the Kurds have all regions, including Kirkuk, by unresolved disputes between and pxjwer-sharing with the

legal and historical claims on deporting and expelling from Iraq's Arabs and Kurds. Rather, Kurds are the main factors in

Kirkuk as their ancestral home¬ their place of residence and for¬ the govemment postponed the breaking up this country.

land, they patientiy have avoided cing migration in and out of the deadline by six months to June

n Lancia« CV»»M* noveniber23, 2009

Iraq leader's campaign divides Sunnis, Shiites

Hamza Hendawi, Associated Press broader move to force their candidates out

of the election. The election for a new,

aghdad stepped-up campaign 323-seat parliament is slated for January,

by Iraq's prime minister against but may be delayed by a dispute over the

Saddam Hussein loyalists is aliena¬ country's election law and a Kurdish

ting Sunni Muslims and stoking tensions threat to boycott the vote.

between them and the majority Shiites "I think the law and the judiciary, not

ahead of key national elections. political agendas, should decide the issue

In its latest anti-Baathist attack. Prime of the Baathists," said Sunni lawmaker

Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Shiite-domina- Hashem al-Taie. "If there is no transpa¬

ted govemment put three men on state rency and fairness, the criterion will be

television Sunday to confess their alleged used selectively against candidates."

role in planning suicide attacks in help of Sunni-ruled Arab nations. But such rifts also make useful politi¬

Baghdad last montii. The three, all in He has vowed to do everything in his cal tools in an election campaign, and al-

detention and dressed in orange prison power to stop Baath Party loyalists from Maliki may be pressing on Baathists in an

jumpsuits, said the bombings were orde¬ running in the upcoming parliamentary attempt to shore up his Shiite base.

red by Hussein's Baath Party. election. He has also insisted that Al-Maliki has become more vulnera¬

Al-Maliki's intensified rhetoric wor¬ Baathists, a term widely taken to mean ble since he was dumped by some of his Shiite allies, who formed a separate coali¬ sens one of Iraq's most dangerous secta¬ Sunni Arabs, worked with al Qaeda to

rian fault lines - one which the United carry out massive suicide bombings targe¬ tion to run in the election. He has failed to

States has long struggled to calm. ting govemment buildings in Baghdad persuade significant Sunni groups to join

Reconciliation between Sunnis and that killed at least 255 pjeople in August his "State of Law" alliance, losing much

Shiites has been an elusive goal, seen as and October. of his claim to cross-sectarian leadership.

critical for Iraqi's stability - and it takes The Baath Party and Hussein's regime The recent twmbings also hurt his creden¬

on added urgency with American forces were dominated by Sunnis, who have lost tials as the leader who oversaw a vast

now scheduled to leave Iraq by the end of their political prominence to the majority improvement in security over the past two

201 1. Many fear that without U.S. troops, Shiites since Hussein's 2(X)3 fall. Election years.

sectarian and ethnic rifts could re-ignite law bars Iraqis who held senior Baath Mustapha al-Ani, a Dubai-based Iraq

into violence. Party positions or were involved in past analyst, said fears of a retum to power by

Al-Maliki and his fellow Shiite politi¬ crimes from mnning for office. But the Baath are groundless.

cians have repeatedly warned in recent Sunnis fear the ban could he expanded to "This is a carefully planned campaign

weeks against what they contend is a plot others. to scare Shiites away from voting for

by memt)ers of the Baath Party to return The talk against Baathists raises alarm anyone but traditional religious Shiite par¬ to power, with what some suggest is the bells among Sunnis, who fear it hints at a ties," he said.

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

November 24, 2009 IflPm ZAMAN 'Kurdish initiative should continue despite opposition' V i^

SELÇUK KAPUCU/TANJU ÖZKAYA 'In order to make the democratic Initiative come to fruition, all state institutions should sup¬ port it. But the oppositton only produces pro¬ Poiitk:al observers say that even though blems, not answers,' he said. According to the Kurdish initiative has caused harsh reac- Hasimi, this destructive way of politics is not sup¬ ttons from the opposition today, H will bring ported by the general public. He also said that it t democratic developments to the country. is not so easy to achieve denroaatic standards, One of ttiose observers is former Kurdish Hasim Hasimi (L), Mahmut Alinak (R) as 'change Is painful.' politician Hasim Hasimi, a former deputy wiio 'But we will reach democracy at the end of was once the mayor of Cizre, a district in sou¬ He also said the DTP could be the key to the the road,' he said and added that dvil society theastern Sirnalt. IHasimi said lie is hopeful that success of the project. organizations have a lot to do in the process. the demoCTatization process in Turicey will suc¬ 'Unfortunately, the DTP hasn't been able to 'Turicey will pass through these times as long as ceed despite the opposition's stance tiecause provide a positive contribution to this process. there are no people or institutions blocking the the govemment's initiative will find support from And I don't see that it will,' he said. 'It is the government's way' Another observer who sup¬ the public. govemment whrch puts its hand under the stone. ports the demoaatic initiative is former deputy "The opposition does not support the There are some public polls which show that AK and member of the pro-Kurdish Demoaatic govemment, and its initiative, and constantly Party is losing votes, but I don't find them credi¬ Society Party (DTP) Mahmut Almak. slanders it. This is not constructive politics,' he ble.' Alinak has been critical of the DTPs stance said in reference lo the initiative of the ruling On the contrary, he said, the govemment in the process and said the DTP deputies could Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to has gained the sympathy of the larger public. do more. 'They have not provided many give more citizenship rights to the country's 'The public is now more aware of the fact constructive policies in this process. They still act Kurdish population as part of a democratic Initia¬ that the country has not consumed its resources using an old style of politics, like having protests. tive to provide more freedoms in general. The in this conflict. Both sides paid big dues,' he said This is not the way to do politics today,' Almak main opposition Republican People's Party in regards to Turkey's fight with ten-orism in said. (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party which millions of dollars were spent. Almak also According to Almak, the AK Party will (MHP) criticize the government for It, saying that recalled his 1991 speech at Parliament, where increase its votes in the coming elections if it the Initiative threatens the unity of the country. he attempted to talk about the Kurdish problem continues with the initiative. In regards to claims Hasimi said that even though Kurds have but was interaipled because he was refemng to from the opposition that the initiative is focused faced many injustices, they are loyal citizens of the pain of both Kurdish and Turkish mothers on governance by outside powers like the United Turicey. who lost their sons in the conflict. States, Almak said this is not the case at all. "They feel part of Turicey And having demo¬ "If I made that speech today, I would be 'The owner of the project is the slate, and it cracy is their most natural desire," he said. applauded. I am so upset because I was taken is executed by the government,' he said, adding Castigating the opposition for its stance, away from the podium before finishing my that the govemment and the state are working Hasimi said the way they criticize the govem¬ speech. I was just going to tell my peers how the hand-ln-hand in the process. He was refem'ng to ment is unacceptable because it Is just criticism, problem could be solved without shedding the military's support for the govemment's pro¬ without any constmctive suggestions to solve the blood.' ject. problems.

Hcralb'"^""'Sribunc. November 23. 2009

port did not say what his sentence was. ceedings as a show trial. Earlier on Sunday, the defendant's In the weeks after the June 12 election, A top leader lavryer, Saieh Nikbakht, said a court had the opposition led street protests that sentenced Mr. Abtahi to sue years in jail drew hundreds of thousands of i)eople, for fomenting the post-election unrest. and supporters clashed with security of opposition Mr. Abtahi, who served as a vice pres¬ forces. They claimed fraud after the au¬ ident during former President Mo¬ thorities declared President Mahmoud hammad Khatami's two terms, from Ahmadinejad the winner of a second is freed on 1997 to 2005, is the most senior former term, and the protests were the most se¬ official among the more than 100 i)eople rious internal unrest in Iran in the 30

on trial since August years since the Islamic Revolution. bail in Iran Mr. Khatami is now one of the leading The clergy-led establishment in Iran figures in the reformist movement in accused the protesters of trying to stage a "velvet revolution," and aharsh crack¬ Iran. TEHRAN Last week, state television reported down ended the demonstrations. A secu¬ that 5 defendants in the mass trial had rity sweep went far l)eyond rounding up THEASSOCIATED PRESS l)een sentenced to death and that 81 had just protesters on the streets; rights ac^ tivists andjournalists, as well as reform¬ A former vice president has been re¬ received prison terms ranging from 6 ist politicians, were also arrested. leased on bail in the mass trial of opposi¬ months to 15 years. After his arrest, Mr. Abtahi made tele¬ The government has stopped short of tion figures accused of fomenting unrest indicting the most visible opposition after the disputed presidential election vised confessions in which he admitted leadiers the presidential candidates in June, the official IRNA news agency to provoking people to riot, But his fam¬ Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mahdi Kar¬ reported Sunday. ily and otiier opposition figures said the roubi but there have been signs in re¬ According to IRNA, a Tehran prosecu¬ statements were coerced, and similar cent weeks that this could change. The tor, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, said that claims have been made about other de¬ opposition says Mr. Moussavi is the former Vice President Mohammad Ali fendants' confessions during the trial. rightfulwinner of.the election. Abtahi had l)een released on $700,000 bail Rights groups and opposition figures after the verdict was delivered. The re in Iran have criticized the court pro-

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

QDAYSZAMA

November 24, 2009 Alevi-CIHP rift continues to grow after Öymen remarks

TODAY'S ZAMAN of tens of thousands innocent people in the incklents of 1 937 and 1 938.

Kiliçdaroglu in Europe More Alevis have been leaving the Another CHP deputy chairman, Kemal Republican People's Party (CHP) following SSi Kiliçdaroglu, who was bom in Tunceli, has a Nov. 10 speech by its deputy chairman, iM ri §^- been having an extremely hard time this vreek Onur öymen, who implied that a 1937 visiting European Alevi organizations. On rebellion of Alevis in the city of Tunceli, Saturday, he could barely finish a speech he then known as Dersim, was a terrorist N was delivering in Munich as the guest of an revolt i$ Alevi organization. On Sunday, he was actually forced to leave the stage during ano¬ Oymen did not apologize for his remarks, ther speech he gave in Vienna at a meeting of In the aftermath of controversial remarks by and the party administration has stood by him, the Alevi unions and had to step down from one of his fellow party members, CHP Deputy resulting in growing anger from Alevi commu¬ the stage due to intense booing and loud pro¬ Chairman Kemal Kiliçdaroglu was booed off nities at home as well as Alevi groups who tests. The organizers had to call the police stage in Vienna at a meeting of Alevi unions. have migrated to European countries. About a when they found it hard to subdue the protes¬ Kemel Kiliçdaroglu (small picture) hundred people in Tunceli resigned from the tors, who shouted out "Fascist CHP" in the CHP yesterday. Three CHP mayors, two dis¬ hall. trict administrators and executive board mem¬ The incident follovire a similar protest in sed the opinion yesterday that öymen should bers, and fomier CHP deputy Hasan Göyüldar Germany on Saturday Speaking at a forum tit¬ have resigned. He said öymen's refusal to yesterday announced their resignations. led "Transformation in Politics" organized resign was putting all CHP members in a diffi¬ These resignations follow a series of eariier jointly by the Alevi Culture Center and the cult position. resignations by Alevis from party membership Turicish-German Friendship Association, "If he had resigned, the party viwuldn't be both in Tunceli and other cities. Alevis have Kiliçdaroglu said, "Mr öymen did not mean lo in such a difficult situation. Because of his traditionally voted for the CHP, but the ever offend Dersim residents with his words, but his vrords both Deniz Baykal and the rest of us growing reaction to Öymen's faux pas seems vrords reopened a scabbed-over wound." are in a difficult position. Kiliçdaroglu also cal¬ to hint that this might be changing. However, his words caused anger in the hall, led on him to resign, but he didn't get any Those who have announced their resigna¬ and he was interrupted by Mehmet Akgül, a results," Yeriikaya said. tions include former deputy Göyüldar, member of the Europe Alevi Federation admi¬ Yeriikaya also said his father's family was Pülümür Mayor Mesut Coskun, Ovacik Mayor nistration. Akgül said: "We strongly condemn bumt to death when the rebellion was being Mustafa Sangiil, former independent mayor of Öymen's statements. It is unprincipled to suppressed. He said the wounds caused by Nazimiye who later joined the CHP Cafer ignore remaries that praise the Dersim massa¬ the campaign were still too fi-esh. Kinmiziçiçek, CHP Pülümür district president cre. It is unprincipled for people who define In a speech on Sunday Prime Minister Hayri Kesik, Nazimiye president Abdullah themselves as Alevi, revolutionary and demo¬ Recep Tayyip Erdogan also criticized the Kirmizida? and members of the district board cratic to slay in the CHP. We are protesting CHP's öymen. He said he hoped the coun¬ as well as members of municipal councils. this, and we are leaving this convention." The try's Alevis, virtio have traditionally always The resigning members announced their group vralked out of the conference hall. voted for the CHP, will finally see the CHP for decision yesterday as a group in a press sta¬ Alevi associations in Turicey and Europe what it really is. He said he had no doubt that tement. Ovacik Mayor Sangül, who spoke for have reacted angrily to Öymen's remarks Öymen's words were not a slip of the tongue the group, said, "The wound of the people of about a 1937 rebellion in the Alevi town of or a mistake, but rather a conscious and deli¬ Dersim has been reopened with the speech Tunceli, formeriy known as Dersim, depicting berate reflection of the CHP's true mentality. made by CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Öymen a massacre in which 90,000 were killed as an He also criticized Kiliçdaroglu in his speech. on Nov. 10." anti-terror campaign. He said Öymen's speech cleariy indicated Kiliçdaroglu was initially silent but then that he was pro-violence in addressing ques¬ called on Öymen to resign a few days after the tions and not pro-solution. "The people of incident. However, he backpedaled later when Dersim, with their culture, beliefs and lifestyle, CHP leader Deniz Baykal indicated that he are members of a society committed lo secu¬ was going to stand by öymen, and did not larism and democracy, vvho serve peace and repeal his call for resignation. brolhertiood in this country and who want There have been protests in various cities every individual to live as equal and free peo¬ almost every day since the statement was ple; and they have paid a high price for these made, neariy three weeks ago. Following values." Öymen's remaries, reskJents of Tunceli put up Sangül said it was a shame for humanity posters throughout the city showing Öymen to view Dersim, considered the home of real with a Hitier-like toothbrush moustache to pro¬ Alevism, and the people of Dersim, as an test the remaries. enemy. He sakl it was impossible for him and Meanwhile, CHP member and former the ottiers who are resigning to be part of a Tunceli deputy Sinan Yeriikaya also expres- party that attempts to legitimize the massacre

57 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Ri'vista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

jeîfetar||0rk©me9 November 24, 2009

EDITORIAL Tlirkey and the Kurds

In a show of courage and good sense, Turkey's govem¬ the Kurdish language to be used in all broadcast media and ment has announced a plan to grant long-denied rights to its political campaigns. It would restore Kurdish names to thou¬ Kurdish minority, and, it is hoped, finally end an insurgency sands of towns that were given Turkish ones. And it would that has cost more than 40,000 lives. establish an independent committee to fight discrimination

Kurds compHJse as much as 20 percent of Turkey's popu¬ and investigate torture allegations. lation, yet for decades the govemment banned their political There are other trends that are very worrisome, including parties and denied them the most basic cultural rights, inclu¬ Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's attempts to shut ding the right to use their ovra language. This mistreatment down independent news media. But Mr. Erdogan has shown helped fuel Kurdish demands for independence and two sound leadership with his plan for the Kurds, despite fierce decades ofbloody attacks by the Kurdistan Workers Party, or opposition from nationalist politicians. For "Turkey to fulfill P.K.K its potential as a secular Muslim democracy, he will have to

Although some 12,000 militants are still hiding in nor¬ keep battling the nationalists and others to make additional them Iraq along the Turkish border, the P.KK. has been stea¬ political and economic reforms, without sacrificing free poli¬ dily losing popular support. The new initiative is designed as tical debate. further pressure and incentive for the group to disband. Last The United States and other Western countries that have year, Parliament legalized private Kurdish language courses long pushed Turkey to become more democratic should and created the first public television channel in Kurdish. encourage Mr. Erdogan to keep pressing ahead. Most impor¬ New regulation lets Kurdish prisoners speak to visitors in tant, Europe must finally make clear that if Turkey bolsters their native language. its democracy and respects the rights of its minorities, it will

Parliament is now debating an initiative that would allow be welcome in the European Union.

0 ^ranci»!« (Dpriild Veto looms again for Iraq election law; November 24, 2009 election panel says vote delay certain

Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press walk out.

Al-Hashimi is likely to veto the amen¬

Baghdad -Iraq's parliament failed ded law now that it returns to the three- Monday to produce an election law that member presidential council, but parlia¬ pleased minority Sunni Arabs, prompting ment can override a second veto with a U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham three-fifths majority. Shiite and Kurdish Clinton to say that nationwide balloting political blocs have enough votes for an scheduled for January "might slip" to a :* . override.

later date. "We will wait for the answer from the

The United States has linked the pace W presidential council before deciding future of its military drawdown to the elections, moves," said Faraj al-Haidari, chief of the though the top U.S. commander in Iraq has ahm.K AP election commission. "I think that it is very most of whom are Sunnis. The minority, said the schedule is on track for now. U.S. difficult to hold the elections in January. dominant under Saddam Hussein, has seen combat troops are supposed to be out of Most probably, it might be moved to its privileged status evaporate since the Iraq by August, and the rest of the forces February." ouster of the dictator and the election of a are scheduled to leave by the end of 201 1 . In Washington, Clinton said the dis¬ govemment led by the Shiite majority. The dispute over an elections law high¬ pute might delay the Iraqi election date, After days of intense negotiations by lights the ethnic and sectarian divisions in but she expressed confidence that the political blocs, lawmakers voted Monday Iraq. While more secure than in past years voting eventually will be held. to change the basis for distributing seats, of war, the country has yet to achieve the "We believe on balance that there will most likely giving more seats to the political reconciliation vital to long-term be elections," Clinton said. "They might powerful Kurdish blcx; rather than to the stability. slip by some pericxi of time until this is Sunnis. Both Sunnis and Kurds have criticized worked out, because at some point the law The number of seats in parliament will earlier versions of the legislation. The par¬ has to be in place for the plaiming to begin, liament amended the law Monday with a be expanded from 275 to about 320 under and so there necessarily needs to be a the amended law to reflect population version that pleased the Kurds but failed to period of time in which the planning can growth. appease Sunnis, triggering a likely second cxjcur."

veto by the Sunni vice president and a The pre-vote deal making appeared to Clinton told reporters at the State delay in the elections. focus mosüy on efforts to address com¬ Department that U.S. officials were trying

Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, a plaints about the electoral system from the to help Iraqi politicians sort out differences Kurds in order to win their support for the Sunni, initially vetoed the law because he over tiie law. wanted more seats for Iraqis living abroad, law, causing dozens of Sunni lawmakers to

58 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Ri'vista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

institute for \v\ir & pe.ice rcpmling- 2-4-novenilicr-2()0')

Christians behave compassionately towards the refugees.... We also

Kurdish Sanctuary for have no problems with our Muslim brothers."

Christian Refugees As In the rest of Iraq, Chaldean Catholics are the largest sect in Ankawa, followed by groups such as Assyrians, Syriac Christians and Armenians.

Christians fieeing vioience in Baglidad and Between them, they speak a range of dialects and languages, from

Mosul flocic to bustling suburb of Kurdish Syriac and Aramaic to Kurdish and Arabic. Some Christians regard themselves as ethnically distinct from other denominations, others do capital. not.

The degree to which they Identify with nearby Muslim communities - be By Abeer Mohammed and Neil Arun in Anicawa they Kurdish or Arab - also varies sharply. According to Maty, the dis¬ (ICR No. 313, 24-NOV-09) placed Christians from Mosul and Baghdad generally speak fluent Arabic,

with little or no Kurdish. Ankawa's older Christian families, meanwhile,

sharply-dressed Iraqi Christian man stands on the threshold of speak fluent Kurdish and little Arabic.

his new shop, dangling a struggling rooster by its feet. "The displaced people are unlike us," said Habib Shamoon, a 64-year-

Omar Farooq Jerjis came to Ankawa for the quiet life. The 28- old Christian carpenter In the traditional Kurdish garb of baggy one-

year-old says he fled Baghdad three years ago because insurgents kept piece suit and cummerbund. "We are Kurds but they are Arabs," he said,

trying to kill him for working with the United States military. helping himself to hot beans from a roadside vendor.

His new venture Is a beauty salon. The rooster he holds upside-down is At a school for Assyrian Christians In Ankawa, 17-year-old Raabll

about to be sacrificed for good luck. The bird flaps Its wings and arches Shlemkho said he took most of his lessons In the Syriac language. "The

its neck, trying to right itself, as Jerjis recalls what drew him to Ankawa. displaced Christians do not study here," he said. "They study at their

own schools, in Arabic." "I decided to move when I heard my cousin say this place was just like

Baghdad in the 1980s," he said. "Baghdad is my home but this neigh¬ Lubna Khalil, an 11-year-old Assyrian schoolgiri, said In halting Arabic

bourhood has given me a future I could not have there." that the newcomers spoke a "different Christian language and did not

know Kurdish". Ankawa is a largely Christian town of concrete villas and bustling small

businesses on the outskirts of Erbil, capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Um Marina, a Christian refugee from Baghdad, said she was not overiy

and relatively secure Kurdistan region. Since 2003, its population and its troubled by the language gap - her young daughter had already picked

perimeter have expanded dramatically with the Influx of refugees fieeing up the Ankawa dialect.

violence in Baghdad and Mosul. Far more upsetting for her was the relatively high price of living and the

Always diverse, Ankawa has become a vivid microcosm of the Christian chilly reception from some locals.

dialects and denominations that once thrived across Iraq. Though the "My neighbour was Christian but she never greeted us for the first few newcomers placed an inevitable strain on resources, officials and older months that we lived here," she said. Um Marina said she had taken up residents acknowledge that they have also Invested heavily in the local work as manager of a local store, selling wedding dresses, because her economy. husband had been unable to find a well-paid job.

"The displaced Christians revived Ankawa," said Jerjis. "It used to be a SamI, a building contractor who refused to give his last name, said he village of mud houses. Now It is a civilized neighbourhood." considered Ankawa his new home. Originally from a Muslim neighbour¬

Holding down the rooster on the threshold of his shop, he severs its hood In the violent city of Mosul, he said he fled after his neighbour of

head with a sweep of a knife. Blood spurts across the floor. Following 20 years began threatening him.

Arab custom, Jerjis dips a hand in the blood and places a crimson print "At first I suffered here but now I make good money from my business," by the doorway. Above the palm-print, he uses a bloodstained finger to he said. "I will not consider leaving Ankawa. Let's say it in sectarian paint a cross - the symbol of his faith. terms - this is where I can be with my people, the Christians."

"Living in Ankawa does not mean I have forgotten my roots as an Iraqi Mayor Maty said the high rents in Ankawa were partly the result of soa¬ Arab," he said. ring demand, created by the new refugees. He added that he expected

Christians have Inhabited Iraq for more than two millennia. There were Ankawa's economy to continue booming, fuelled by the foreign organi¬

an estimated 800,000 to one million followers of the faith prior to 2003. sations that had set up base there.

In the turmoil that followed the US-led Invasion, the Christian popula¬ The US has a heavily guarded consulate In Ankawa, and several aid

tion has dwindled substantially. Under attack from criminals and hard¬ agencies and oil firms also rent large villas In the area. Cranes and

line Islamist militias, tens of thousands fled to neighbouring countries cement mixers toil on construction sites along the perimeter. Among the

such as Syria. many buildings going up, one structure has recentiy been torn down -

a police cabin on the road Into town. Ankawa is an anomaly - one of very few places in Iraq where the

Christian community has expanded over the last six years. "The police are everywhere - we don't need checkpoints," said a grey-

haired American man shopping at a local store. Behind him, buriy Security is the main reason for this, according to the town's mayor, foreign men with shaven heads and sunglasses inspected bottles of Fahmy Maty. A suave former lawyer with a constantly ringing cellphone. liquor. Maty credited the Kurdistan Regional Govemment, KRG, with accommo¬

dating the Christians' growing needs. Outside the new beauty salon, Jerjis was tidying up. He said he planned

to give the slaughtered rooster to an employee who was too poor to In the last six years, he said, three new neighbourhoods had been built afford meat. From a window, a woman called out, "Make sure you clean around Ankawa, and land for some 4,000 new homes had been set the pavement." aside. The town's population had neariy doubled, from 10,000 in 2003

to neariy 20,000 at the latest count. "All done," Jerjis replied, splashing water over the bloodstains.

Despite the rapid expansion, he said friction with Ankawa's older

Christian residents and the Muslims of Erbil had been avoided, 'The

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

DDAYS MAN November 24, 2009

Izmir attack an organized lynching attempt, say DTP officials

TODAY'S ZAMAN Hearths, an MHP-affilialed youtti group, flocked to ttie scene. Most of the vehicle's windows were shattered during ttie protes¬ Deputy Chairmen of the Democratic tor's attack. Society Party (DTP) Selahattin Demirtas Meanwhile, ttie police opened fire into and GOHan l

Former UN diplomat defends Kurdistan > Associated Press oil interests

November 15, 2009 The Associated Press official there was not aggressive enough in preventing fraud in Afghanistan's first-round presidential vote.

At issue now is Mr. Galbraith's interest in oil fields in Kurdistan, which A former U.S. ambassador who served as a private advisor to Kurdish The New York Times reported Thursday stood to net him more than leaders in Iraq defended his financial stake in oil fields in the country's $100 million. The newspaper said he was paid by Norwegian oil com¬ north, insisting yesterday there was no conflict of interest. pany DNO to negotiate a drilling contract with the Kurds in 2004. "I had no affiliation, no association, received no assistance from the In 2005, Mr. Galbraith served as an adviser to the Kurdish regional U.S. govemment at the time these activities took place," Peter Galbraith said. govemment and drafted a part of the Iraq Constitution that gives Kurds control over intemal affairs that could result in their control over new The Kurds have t)een locked in dispute with Iraq's central govemment oil finds in northem Iraq. over control of oil and some territory in parts of northem Iraq, particu¬ He called it "absurd" to suggest that he influenced the Kurds on the oil larly in the city of Kirkuk. The region gained autonomy after rising up issue, and said U.S. and Iraqi govemment officials knew he was invol¬ against former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 1991. ved with DNO. Mr. Galbraith is a fonner U.S. ambassador to Croatia who served Of the $100 million figure, he said: "Oh, I wish." recently as the top-ranking American in the U.N. mission in Kabul.

He was fired in Septeml)er after claiming that Kai Eide ~ the top U.N.

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

Nechirvan serious problems. " Although the Tbikish govemment refuses to Barzani: Tïirkey talk with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), l>ecause it sees it as a terrorist must talk with organization, Nechirvan Barzani said Turicey should talk with the PKK. "Turkey is not the PKK ready yet to talk with the PKK. Türkey must take this process seriously, the PKK exists and has a serious amount of support. If they don't Erbil - The outgoing Prime Minister see the PKK as a dialogue partner, this process Nechirvan Barzani told Kurdistan TV that the will not bring any results." Kurdish initiative of the AKP must be conti¬ Earlier this week, Nechirvan Barzani met nued. "But unfortunately there are not any PKK, could become a tourist resort. "Those with Turkish joumalists of Zaman, Turkiye practical steps taken to give Kurds more areas are lovely and green, maybe you could newspaper, and Newsweek Türkey. Also in rights, the process is very important and build a summer house there," a Turkish jour¬ this interview he gave his support to the should be widened," Nechirvan Barzani said nalist asked. But Barzani said this was too Kurdish initiative. "Turkey is acting coura¬ on the eve of the anniversary of the PKK's optimistic. "You are too hopeful that one day, geous in trying solve a problem, that had las¬ existence. something like this can happen. The Turkish ted for the last 80 years." Also he praised the steps are very heartening and our aims are the The prominent Kurdish politician said that the Turkish prime minister Erdogan. He also said same and we want to solve the issue like you, Turkish president and premier are serious to there are people both in the PKK as in the but I don't know if this place can become a solve the Kurdish question, but Nechirvan Tïirkey, that want to damage the process. Barzani said in a reference, to the 'Hirkish tourist place, because it's a rough area and I Still Barzani added that the Kurdistan opposition parties, that some Turkish parties haven't tieen there." Regional Govemment respects the Turkish do not understand how important it is to solve The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) released Ixjrders and do not support the PKK. "But the the Kurdish question. PKK was formed in iWkey and was formed a statement on the eve of the 31st anniversary of the foundation of the PKK on Thursday, "You cannot solve a problem of 80 years in 8 as a result of the policies of Turkey. This pro¬ urging Tlirkey to start a dialogue with the days. The Turkish state had a mentality blem has only one solution and that's a peace¬ PKK and to talk with the imprisoned PKK- against the Kurdish population of: You don't ful and political one." exist, you don't have any culture and not any leader Ocalan for a solution of the conflict One Turkish journalist asked him if the Qandil political or other rights and this created reports Hurriyet (Photo: Rudaw). mountains, which are the main base of the

Guardian NOVEMBER 24, 2009

THE SORRY STATE OF IRAQI POLITICS

As political squabbling looks set to delay The law in its earlier form used the 2009, not 2005, trade minis¬ January's poU again, Iraqis will start to ask if try figures for the purposes of allotting seats, but the figures sho¬ wed a peculiarly disproportionate population increase in Arab- more sinister plots lie behind this fiasco dominated areas and little or no increases in Kurdish ones. It was thus met vrith opposition by the Kurdistan regional govemment (KRG), which threatened to boycott the elections in response.

The concerns were not misplaced. Without a credible census in Ranj Alaaldin Iraq it is hard to accept the trade ministry figures at face value. Iraq was supposed to have a census back in October but, like all things in the countty, it has been postponed. This is not, in any case, just a KRG or Kurdish concern. The move by parliament was IRAQ'S long-debated new election law that was for months deli¬ a progressive and equitable one overall that had the support of the berated upon, delayed and then finally passed two weeks ago was vast majority of Kurds and Shias. hailed at the time as a monumental moment. Its approval by par¬ liament was seen as critical for stability and the withdrawal of US However, the newly approved mechanism for allocating seats means that Sunni-dominated areas vrill have fewer seats than they troops. originally did, particularly in areas such as Ninewa, which conti¬ But not so fast. Just days after its passing, the law was brought nues to be a seat ofArab-Kurd tensions. The Kurds wiU have more back to the drawing board after Iraqi vice-president Tariq al- seats, while Shia-dominated areas will be less represented, though Hashimi used his veto. Hashimi, one of three members of Iraq's they -WUl still constitute the majority of seats. presidency council with the right to veto bills, wanted more par¬ liamentary seats for Iraqis who have left the country. The law ori¬ Sunni MPs walked out in protest. Hashimi v«ll be under even ginally guaranteed 5% of seats devoted to them but Hashimi wan¬ greater pressure than before to use his power of veto. Should he ted 15%. take this course, then parliament can override it in the event it can muster a three-fifths majority. Yesterday, parliament convened again and the law was amended and passed so that exiled Iraqis will be treated like their domestic Pressing ahead despite the protests from parliament's Sunni Arabs, who are not looking too good in front of their followers, counterparts and will, instead of having seats reserved for them, have their votes counted in their home province. Parliamentary could taint the elections, depending on what action they take in seats will be allotted in accordance with the 2005 trade ministry response. It is unlikely that they will be reckless enough to make population statistics (used in that year's national elections), plus the same mistake tvrice by boycotting the elections (though 2.8% annual growth. Hashimi did take part in the 2005 elections despite the nation¬ wide boycott by his fellow Sunni Arabs - a move seen by many as

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reflecting a desire for power and opportunism). It is now unlikely elections will go ahead in January, but this does not seem to be bothering Iraq's politicians much. StUl, while deli¬ What these developments highlight is the sheer incompetence of berating over the election law they did achieve one result: the pas¬ some of Iraq's politicians. Figures relating to the distribution of sing of a new law that grants them a substantial salary increase seats, at the heart of it all, were available and could have been and lavish i>erks. consulted during parliamentary sessions long before the law was passed. Iraqis vnll now start questioning whether more sinister plots are behind the electoral fiasco - and who could blame them?

CIAL TIM November 26, 2009

Turkey-Iraqi Kurdistan: Links growing beyond aid and smuggling

ByAlexBai1(er open two more border gates and a Baghdad over sharing oil revenue. have to deal witti comjption," he consulate in Erbil - an unthinkable Two Turkish companies - said. "On paper it tooks very nice. political step five or 10 years ago. Genel Enerji and Petoil - were ERBIL Pass a big But ttie reality is sometimes very Intemational oil companies are again among the first to attempt to construction site in Erbil, different." working in tandem with Turkish Sulaimaniyah or Duhok - the boo¬ overcome ttiese obstacles, taking But Joost Hilterman of the groups to legitimately pump oil pole positk)ns in key concessbns. ming cities of Iraqi Kurdistan - and Intemational Crisis Group argues across the border There is even Both are also now examples of it is most likely that the workers such cases are tiie expected com¬ talk of reviving the great Ottoman Turkish groups acting as a bridge¬ will be toiling avray for a Turkish mercial casualties of a tiicky wor¬ dream of a railway linking head for intematkinal investors - a king environment. "Business and company. in good times and bad, mer¬ Baghdad and Berlin via Istanbul. rough model of co-operation that Turkish invesbrient is booming. Ahmet Davutoglu sealed this could apply to many ottier sectors chants from Turkey have beaten a There are of course cases where diplomatic progress in October by as ttie region's economy deve¬ path over the long, mountainous ttie relationship has soured on an making the first ever visit by a lops. and disputed border with Iraq, loo¬ individual basis," he says "The Turkish foreign minister to the Genel Enerji, owned by Ihe king to sell their wares or tap the Kurdish region does not have a Kurdish region, flanked by dozens powerful Cukurova group, is in regbn's great and largely unreali¬ banking system or a regulatory of businessmen. Mr Aksoy says partnership witti Heritage Oil of sed commercial potential. system. Investors are not the the visit was "important for busi¬ ttie UK and has plans to merge, From oil to construction, majors [intemational companies], ness". should ttie deal be given a green Turkish entrepreneurs have amas¬ they are smaller companies thai 'To have a consulate and the light by regulators and ttie Kurdish sed some of the political clout and are the big risk-takers. presence of the govemment will business hardiness necessary to authorities. Meanwhile Petoil, Considering that, ttie situation is make it easier in all our areas of vifhich secured licence agree¬ cope with the Kurdish region's not bad at all." work," he says. "Diplomatically, ments in northem Iraq a few rocky regulatory ten-ain - turning Meanwhile Kurdish auttiorities rather than standing back to back, monttis before ttie US invasion, is them into valued partners for are looking to court more establi¬ we're now hand in hand. This is a others. now working witti Prime Natural shed companies, meeting vnth great opportunity." Resources of the US and Oil When European or US com¬ dozens of big hitters in Turkey's To date construction has been Search of Australia to develop panies are contemplating a move business community. the dominant business area. Big fields. into Iraqi Kurdistan, their first port Safeen Dizayee, spokesman public infrastructure contracts - of call is often Istanbul. "It is sim¬ Yet the problems faced by for the Kurdish Democratic party, from airports and universities to these energy groups undertine ple logic for everybody to tum to says the relationship must move roads and new housing develop¬ how difflcult and unpredictable Turkey for support," says beyond "flooding our martlets with ments - have invariably gone to business can be in norttiem Iraq. Erciimenl Aksoy, head of the Turidsh goods" and building infra- Turkish groups able to draw on a Genel in recent monttis has been Turkish-Iraqi business council. stiucture to more inward invest¬ skilled,www.ekurd.neloften ethni¬ forced to haft production from its yje are the pioneers." ment and outward exports. "We cally Kurdish virarkforce that are Taq Taq field follovning a dispute It marks the maturing of a had lots of cowboys coming in, not willing to tolerate a tough and betvreen ttie Kurds and Baghdad cross-border business relationship finishing projects, disappearing sometimes dangerous working over payment mechanisms, dea¬ that has long survived in spite of with advance payments. Now environment. A further $180m ling a serious blow to its cashflow. politics, from the oppression of we're looking more at serious road-building contract was awar¬ There is evidence of similar Saddam Hussein to the peaks of companies," he says. ded to Yüksel Insaal last month, a problems in areas such as Kurdish separatist violence in group with experience in construc¬ Turkey. constnjction. Ilnur Çevik, a former tion projects from Kabul to Qatar. newspaper proprietor and busi¬ For many years, the flow But those seeking their for¬ nessmen who worthed in norttiem across the border mainly amoun¬ tune in northem Iraq tend to be Iraq, says ttie risks of working in ted lo food (often aid), Turkish fimfily focused on the region's such a fledgling economy are troops, units of the rebel Kurdish abundance of oil. Development is Woikers party insurgents and hid¬ often unbearable. still severely hampered by the lack den loads of "mazout" - illegal "There vras no proper plan¬ of export routes, legal uncertainty smuggled fuel. ning, no proper supervisran, eve¬ and wrangling between Erbil and Now Turkey is preparing to rything was arbitrary, and you

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

INTERNATIONAL,^ îtcralo/ (tribune

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009

far this year, there have l)een 359 execu¬ Muhammad Ali Abtahi, à former vice tions, though an exact tally is hard to president, v/as sentenced last week to Sensing come by because the group compiles the six years in prison "for crimes against data based on reports from govern¬ intemal national security, propagcuida ment-affiliated news sources. against the Islamic Republic, insulting Since the post-election surge in exe¬ a message the president £uid creating public dis¬ cutions, the govemment has moved ag¬ orderby his presence at illegal protests," gressively to impose the death penalty a Web site on Iran reported. He was re¬ on i)eople linked to separatist insurgent in Iran's leased on l)ail, pending appeal. groups, even when they have not been The United Nations passed a draft res¬ convicted of violent activities them¬ olution last week criticizing Iran for hu¬ selves, human rights groups said. busy gallows man rights cibuses ; the final resolution is Concem about éxecutions with polit¬ expected to pass the General Assembly. ical overtones increased with the case of "The recent spike in executions, particu¬ CAIRO Ehsan Fattahian, 28, who was convicted larly of political prisoners, is an attempt of belonging to an armed Kurdish to sow fear and spread terror through group, rights groups said. He was origi¬ Rights groups say a surge the population, to persuade them that nally sentenced to 10 years in prison, the powers that be are determined to use of executions is meant to but then the govemment added the all means necessary to put down dissent chcU"ge of being mohareb, or em enemy intimidate the opposition and that participating in the opposition of God, cuid hanged him on Nov. 11. movement can be highly costly," said His pcurents were not allowed to see Hadi Ghaemi, a former physics profes¬ BY MICHAEL SLACKMAN his body, and the authorities did not per¬ sor who runs the Intemational Cam¬ mit a public mourning service, opposi¬ A flurry of executions and. death sen¬ paign for Human Rights in Iran. tion Web sites reported. tences in Iran has raised concern that In recent years, Iran has had the According to pro-Kurdish rights the government is using judicially sanc¬ highest rate of executions of any nation groups, a special execution team has tioned killing to intimidate the political except China. That reputation was so¬ been sent to the westem province of opposition and quell pockets of ethnic lidified under Mr. Ahmadinejad, who Kordestan, where the groups said 12 imrest around the nation, according to has presided over à quadrupling in exe¬ Kurdish prisoners were awaiting the ' human rights groups and Iran experts. cutions, to 346 in 2008 from 86 in 2005, death penalty. In Iran, where there is precedent of ex¬ the year he took office, according to Am¬ After Mr. Fattahian's execution, a ecutions surging after a crisis, human nesty Intemational. group of Kurdish members of Parlia¬ rights groups said there was mounting Iran does not issue statistics on exe¬ ment wrote a letter asking the head of evidence that the trend had emerged in cutions, so it is impossible to compare the judiciary to drop death sentences response to the political tumult that fol¬ monthly or annual rates. But in recent against other Kurdish prisoners, Irani- lowed the June presidential election. days, there has been a flood of reports cui news agencies reported. This month, a fifth person connected to from around the country of executions, A spokesman at the Iranian mission to the protests was sentenced to death. ^ most involving convicted drag dealers the United Nations in New York did not In at least one instance, a Kurdish ac¬ or criminals. On Friday, news reports respond to e-mail messages requesting tivist was hanged after the government said that over the previous 10 days, 16 comment on the use of the death penalty. added a new charge, raising concern jjeople had been executed in cities in¬ Since the election crisis, Iran has not that cases with political overtones were cluding Kerman, Isfahan and Ahwaz. allowed foreign reporters to work in the drawing more serious penalties. In mid-October, Behnood Shojaee, country. But IrcUiian officials have In the short period between the dis¬ who was on death row for committing a defended the death penalty in the past. puted June election and the inaugura¬ murder four years ago at the age of 17, "We have laws," Mr. Ahmadinejad tion of President Mahmoud Ahmadine¬ was executed despite international calls said at an appearance at Columbia Uni¬ jad in August, 115 people were executed, for his sentence to be commuted because versity in 2007. "People who violate the according to statistics compiled by hu¬ he was a minor at the time of the crime. public rights of the people by using guns, man rights groups and Iranian news Drewery Dyke, a researcher with Am¬ killing people, creating insecurity, sell agencies. Though the executions mostly nesty Intemational, said it was not un¬ drags, distribute drugs at a high level, involved violent criminals and drug usual for Ircinian officicds to step up exe¬ are sentenced to execution in Iran." dealers, the numlwr and pace of the cutions after a political crisis. In 1988, But Mr. Ghaemi of the International killings appeared aimed at sending a after Iran agreed to a cease-fire with Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said message to the opposition, said hurhan Iraq, the govemment executed thou- that often death sentences were issued rights groups and Iran experts. scuids of political prisoners. to those who had not been given a proper regime never expected to see ' ' There does seem to be a greater will¬ chance to defend themselves. people demonstrate so openly since the ingness across the spectrum for the au¬ elections," Sciid Hossein Askari, a pro¬ thorities to deploy force in every way, fessor of international affairs at George from the policé through to the adminis¬

Washington University. "The execu¬ tration ofjustice," he said. tions are intended to frighten them." According to Amnesty Intemational, The executions have taken place amid there were 196 éxecutions in IrcUi in the

rising criticism of Irjui's post-election first half of 2009. Between the June 12 human rights record. Former officials, election and the president's inaugura¬ tion on Aug. 5, executions surged to an intellectuals and journalists have re¬ average of two a day, the group said. So ceived long prison sentences after brief i televised trials, and some prisoners have said they were tortured, raped and Only China executes more sodomized by the prison authorities. people each year thsui Iran. '

63 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin özeti

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH November 26, 2009 SYRIA: END PERSECUTIONOF KURDS Arrests of Activists, Suppression of Political and Cultural Expression Intensify

(New York) - Syrian authorities shouM end after my release shewed that I had inflamed joints as well as infections in the sto¬ their unlawful and unjustified practk»s of mach, kkjneys, and chest. attacking peaceful Kurdish gatherings and Harassment of these activists continues even after their release; security forces -J ^ ^ detaining Kurdish politkal and cultural acti- continue to call them in for inlenogaüon and frequently bar them from traveling out¬ 1 ^ '', vists, Human Rights Watch said in a report side the country. ' released today. The European Unkxi and the United States have been eager to engage with Syria The 63-page report, 'Group Denial: recently Human Rights Watch urged these govemments to commun their ^ Repressran of Kurdish Political and Cultural strong disapproval of Syria's treatment of its Kurdish minority and to emphasize Zt^tow I , V- " ! Rights in Syria," documents the Syrian autho- that further progress in their relations with Syria will depend on concrete improve¬ " ' "" ' '" ""' " rities' efforts lo ban and disperse gatherings ments in Syria's human rights situation. calling for Kurdish minority rights or celebra¬ ting Kurdish culture, as well as the detentkin 'Ignoring the treatment of Kurds in Syria will not make the problem go away' of leading Kurdish pditk^ activists and their Whitson said. 'The intemational community has played an important role in impro¬ ill-treatment in custody The repressbn of Kurds in Syria has greatly intensified fol- ving the treatment of Kurds in Iraq and Turi

intennews with 30 Kurdish activists recently released from prison, as well as 15 Human Rights Watch called on the Syrian govemment to: relatives of Kurdish activists still in jail. The Syrian govemment refused lo reply lo people being detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of requests for infonnation or meetings with Human Rights Watch. expression, association, or assembly; "At a time when other countries in the regron, from Iraq to Turicey are improving or abolish the vague security provisions under the Syrian penal code the treatment of their Kurdish minority, Syria remains resistant to change," said that unlawfully restrict free speech; Sarah Leah Whilson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, 'in fact, Syria has been especially hostile lo any Kurdish political or cultu¬ officials alleged to have tortured or mistreated detainees; ral expression.' a law recognizing the right of political parties to organize, and establish Kurds, an estimated 10 percent of Syria's population of 20 million, live primarily in an independent electoral commission to register new political parties; and the country's northem and eastem regions. Human Rights Watch found that since a commission to address the grievances of the Kurdish minority in 2005, Syrian security forces have repressed at least 14 Kurdish political and cul¬ Syria. tural public gatherings, ovenvhelmingly peaceful, and often resorted to violence to disperse the crowds. Not only have the security forces prevented political meetings Accounts from "Group Denial": in support of Kurds' minority rights, but also gatherings to celebrate Nowruz (the A participant in a musical event to celebrate women's role in society organized on Kurdish new year) and other cultural celebrations. In at least two instances, the March 9, 2009 by a Kurdish party in the town of Qamishli described how the secu¬ security services fired on the crowds and caused deaths. rity forces dispersed the crowd:

'The Syrian govemment sees threats everywhere, even in village new year cele¬ Fifteen minutes after the celebrations had started, the security forces circled the brations,' Whitson said. 'If the govemment wants better relations with its Kurdish room. They were canying guns and sticks, and they scared the women and chil¬ minority, it should address their legitimate grievances instead of trying to silence dren. They quickly confiscated the [sound system] speakers and the chairs. them.' An activist who was at a private home attending a talk on the history of the Kurds Syria has obligations under several Intemational treaties to uphold freedom of described the anest of participants by Military Intelligence on January 29, 2007: expression and association, and the associated right to freedom of assembly In We were 12 people gathered at Yasha's house to attend a cultural talk on Kurds. addition, intemational law requires Syria to protect the identity of minorities and to Suddenly, members of Aleppo's Military Intelligence came in and took all of us to guarantee them the right to participate actively in public and cultural life, including practicing their language and celebrating their culture in private and public. their branch. They kept us for 10 days in Aleppo, and then they transfened us to the Palestine Branch [of Military Intelligence] in Damascus. They released seven Human Rights Watch also documented the anests and trials of at least 15 promi¬ of us and kept five indetention. The five had confessed that they were members in nent Syrian Kurdish political leaders since 2005. Since there is no political parties the Yekiti Party. law in Syria, none of the political parties - let alone the Kurdish ones - are licen¬ sed. Accordingly, any member of a party, including all of the Kurdish parties, is vul¬ A member of the Kurdish Future Movement, a political party described his an'est while he was waiting to board a bus: nerable to anesl for membership in an unlicensed organization, a crime under

Syria's penal code. Most recently, on November 15, 2009, the Damascus Criminal The civilian police detained me in the town of 'Amuda and immediately transfered Court sentenced three leading members of the Kurdish Azadi Party, which advo¬ me to Political Security in al-Hasakeh. They charged me with belonging to the cates an end to discrimination against the Kurdish minority, to three years in jail for Kurdish Future Movement. They inten-ogated me for 12 days. During the investi¬ 'weakening national sentiment" and 'inciting sectarian or racial strife or provoking gation I was deprived of everything. Their questions focused on the political pro¬ conflict between sects and various members of the nation." gram of the party its intemal rules, my role in the party, especially after they had kidnapped Mr Mesh'al Temmo, the official spokesperson for the party After the Of the 30 fomier Kurdish detainees interviewed by Human Rights watch, 12 said intenogation they refened me on September 1 to a military judge in Qamishli, who that security forces tortured them. Most of those detained are refened to military courts, where they can be convicted of vaguely defined, overt^road "security char¬ ordered my detention for belonging to an unlicensed political party and inciting sec¬ tarian strife. ges," most typically the charge of 'spreading false or exaggerated information that

weakens national sentiment' or committing an act or speech that advocates 'cut- A member of the PYD party, a Kurdish political party, described the torture he ling off part of Syrian land to join it to another country.' endured while detained by Political Security in "Ain "Arab in May 2006:

A Kurdish political activist detained in October 2008 for three months at the They tortured me physically and emotionally The physical torture began from the Palestine Branch of Military Intelligence described the way the investigators trea¬ moment I anived at the branch. The officer who heads the branch beat me perso¬ ted him: nally His men tied my legs to a Russian rifle, and the officer beat me on my feet

If the investigator was not convinced by what I sakJ, the guards would lake me to with a whip. The beating covered various parts of my body He would insult and the "torture square,' where they would make me stand on my feet for long days threaten me and insult the Kurds. He found a notebook in my pocket where I had with my hands tied behind my back and my eyes covered with a black ctoth. I was written the name of the town by its Kurdish name, Kobani, whfch the regime had made to stand for 11 days with only brief periods of rest for 10 minutes to eat. If I changed to 'Ain 'Arab, so he hit me with more than 100 lashes saying, "Damn you would fall due to lack of sleep...they woukl throw cold water on me and beat me and damn Kobani. Why dont you write 'Ain "Arab?" The torture lasted for almost with cables. I devetoped many illnesses because of this torture. Tests I had done six hours of on-off beatings.

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JOINT DRILLS HELP IRAQ KURD, REUTERS # ARAB POUCE THAW TIES

November 26, 2009 - By Mohammed Abbas (Reuters) The disagreements over regions bordering the enclave and the oil-producing northem city of Kirkuk, which Kurds see as their ancestral home, has led to a lack of cooperation between Kurd BAGHDAD - Amid the simulated gunfire, rioting and and Arab security forces that many blame for allowing al Qaeda panicked cries of a NATO training programme, Kurdish and and other insurgents to operate in Iraq's north. Arab policemen are taking slow steps toward ending an enmity that threatens to tip Iraq into civil war. Bombings and shootings are reported in the region almost daily, even as violence has fallen sharply elsewhere in Iraq. Bitter disputes over land and oil between Kurds and Arabs have led to tense standoffs between their respective security forces, HUNDREDS MORE TO ATTEND?

leaving a security vacuum in parts of northern Iraq that has been Only 40 of the hundreds of Iraqi police on the Italian pro¬ exploited by insurgents such as al Qaeda. gramme were Kurdish, but Hajar said their positive experience

At a training building in Baghdad ~ dubbed "kill house" meant hundreds more were likely to be sent on the course.

Italian carabinieri jwlice on Wednesday showcased their mis¬ An Arab police officer, declining to be named because he was sion to train Iraqi police from both sides, which Lieutenant not allowed to speak to reporters, said in a statement sent by an Mustafa Hajar, a Kurd, said was helping to break down barriers. Italian liaison that they would be welcome.

"Of course when we first came here we didn't think they would "Since they arrived the relationship between us has improved treat us as well as they did," he said, as teams made up of Iraq's and we learned how to get along well together," he said. minority Kurds and majority Arabs kicked down doors, fired The paramilitary carabinieri, whose responsibilities and skills blank rounds and took down men acting as armed robbers. include both police and military elements, said their methods "This is the main reason why many Kurds did not want to come were particularly suited to Iraq, which is trying to develop a ... Now I'm ready to work with our Arab brothers, especially in federal police force with similar dual capabilities. the disputed areas," he added. The U.S. military in August said it will also try to foster greater The struggle between Kurds, who occupy a largely autonomous Kurd-Arab cooperation, by setting up tripartite U.S., Arab and northem enclave, and Arabs over disputed territories, oil and Kurd patrols and checkpoints in northem Iraq, but the plan has wealth, 6-1 /2 years after the U.S. invasion could represent the not yet been finalised. next great threat to the country's stability.

IRAQ ELECTION CHAOS EXPOSES

REUTERS # SECTARIAN DIVIDE

November 25 ,2009 By Michael Christie (Reuters) Overall violence has fallen to levels not seen since the inva¬ sion, even though often devastating bomb attacks by Simni Islamist insurgents and other violent groups continue. *Deep sectarian faultlines on display Growing security has allowed the U.S. military to plan to end * Sign of high stakes as country reinvents itself combat operations next August, ahead of a full withdrawal * Oil majors likely know what they are getting into by Dec. 31, 2011.

It has also helped the current Shi'ite-led government to per¬ suade global oil firms, like Britain's BP Pic (BP.L), to sign mul- BAGHDAD- The political battle over Iraq's election law has tibillion-dollar deals to develop Iraq's massive oilfields. shovwT that the deep sectarian faultlines which led to years of bloodshed could once again provoke conflict. But any hint that the fragile security gains are unravelling Bitter disagreement over the allocation of seats among majo¬ and that widespread conflict could retum may harm those rity Shi'ites, minority Kurds and once dominant Sunnis is a deals. sign of how much is at stake in the election due in January. Ominously, the debate over the election law in parliament The vote will decide who is in charge of Iraq as U.S. forces may have deepened lingering sectarian mistrust that could leave. possibly threaten the tense peace between Sunnis and A decision by Shi'ite and Kurdish lawmakers to turn on Shi'ites. Simnis by passing a law that reduces Sunni voting clout Hashemi vetoed the election law on concems that Iraqi seen by some as retaliation for Surmi Arab Vice President voters abroad, including many Sunnis, were under-represen¬ Tareq al-Hashemi's veto of the original election law may ted. have long-term consequences, analysts said. On Monday, lawmakers from the Shi'ite majority and 'To be sure, the election law chaos reveals a large number of Kurdish minority communities joined together to pass an potentially ominous signs with regards to Iraq's political amended law which would reduce Surmi voting power, a condition," said analyst Gala Riani of IHS Global Insight. move some politicians said was a poke in the eye for "It has once again shown the degree of factionalism and the Hashemi. depth of divisions between the sectarian, religious and "That's a very short-sighted move," said Iraqi-bom academic ethno-national groups which in turn are rooted in deep his¬ Sami Zubaida of Birkbeck College in London. torical mistrust." The general election, which is expected to be delayed, is a milestone moment for Iraq as it emerges from "That's not good (for reconciliation). And of course there are the worst of the sectarian violence unleashed by the 2003 U.S. also Sunni elements that don't want reconciliation to succeed invasion and seeks to entice intemational investors, espe¬ and this will give them encouragement to keep fighting." cially oil companies.

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LES DESACCORDS AUTOUR DE LA LOI ELECTORALE ENTRAÎNENT LE REPORT DES LÉGISUTIVES

BAGDAD, 23 novembre 2009 (AFP) Le vice-président ira¬ kien sunnite Tarek al- Hachém, lors d'une LES LÉGISLATIVES vont être reportées en Irak, après radoption lundi conférence de presse, d'une nouvelle version de la loi électorale proposée par les chiites et les le 25 juillet 2007 à kurdes mais contestée par les sunnites qui demandent à leur vice-prési¬ Bagdad dent Tarek al-Hachémi d'opposer une nouvelle fois son veto.

"Je vais vous donner une importante infonnation: Tarek al-Hachémi va de nou¬ veau opposer son veto sur cette nouvelle loi mais il n'aura pas la possibilité de

le faire une troisième fois", a affirmé le président de la commission des Lois, nite. le chiite Bahaa al-Araji, après le vote. "Nous allons chercher à opposer un nouveau veto à la loi", a-t-il ajouté. La Constitution autorise le Conseil présidentiel composé du chef de l'Etat Lundi, les députés ont décidé de modifier la répartition des sièges en ne tenant (kurde) et des deux vice-présidents chiite et sunnite d'opposer à deux reprises pas compte du réel acaoissement de la population depuis les dernières élec¬ son veto. Si le Pariement vote une troisième fois en faveur de la loi à hauteur tions de 2005, mais en fixant une augmentation annuelle de 2,8% pour cha¬ de trois cinquièmes des députés, celle-ci est automatiquement adoptée. que province. Les chiites et les Kurdes possèdent les trois cinquièmes de sièges au Ce système favorise largement les Kurdes dont la fécondité est plus faible que Pariement. les chiites et les sunnites. "Je veux dire à tous les Irakiens que les élections auront lieu bientôt mais vont Ainsi, selon les cakails de l'AFP, la province kurde de Souleimaniyeh aura droit être retardées de quelques jours pour des raisons techniques. Tous les à 17 sièges alors que, dans la répartition précédente, elle avait 15 sièges, Irakiens de l'intérieur et de l'extérieur voteront pour les candidats en lice dans comme en 2005. leur province d'origine", a encore affimié M. Araji.

Les sunnites de la province d'Anbar se repartiront 10 sièges contre 14 dans la Comme le Pariement ne reprend ses travaux que le 8 décembre en raison de répartition précédente, soit seulement un siège de plus qu'en 2005. Les chii¬ la fêle musulmane de l'Aïd al-Adha, et qu'il faut au moins 60 jours pour prépa¬ tes perdent aussi des sièges mais restent largement majoritaires. rer le scrutin, les élections ne devraient avoir lieu au plus tôt qu'à la mi-février. Le vice-président Tarek al-Hachémi a déjà opposé son veto car il exigeait l'at¬ L'article incriminé "contredit la Constitution et tente de dérober des sièges aux tribution de 15% des sièges de l'Assemblée, notamment aux minorités et aux provinces de Ninive, Kiricouk et Salaheddine pour les donner aux provinces Irakiens de l'étranger, soit 48 sièges sur 323, contre les 5% figurant dans le (kurdes) du nord. C'est illégal", a protesté Oussama al-Nijaïfi, un député sun- premier texte.

Les affrontements ont éclaté TURQUIE: 11 BLESSES DANS lorqu'un véhicule du DTP a DES HEURTS AU COURS D'UNE heurté un passant. Les forces de sécurité ont tiré des coups MANIFESTATION PRO-KURDE de feu en l'air lorsque la foule a ^Äi commencé à lancer des pierres ANKARA, 22 nov 2009 (AFP) sur les manifestants du DTP, I selon Anatolie.

Onze personnes, dont quatre policiers, ont été blessées dimanche dans Une personne, atteinte par une des heurts qui ont éclaté au cours d'une manifestation pro-kurde à Izmir pierre, a été hospitalisée, et les (ouest), a rapporté l'agence Anatolie. autres ont été légèrement bles¬ sées, a déclaré à Anatolie le gouverneur d'Izmir, Cahit Kirac. Des partisans du Parti pour une société démocratique (DTP), fonnatron pro- kurde, ont été pris à partie par des habitants d'izmir en colère lorsque les mani¬ Le port d'Izmir abrite une importante communauté kurde originaire du sud-ouest festants, qui progressaient dans les mes de la ville, ont déployé des bannières de la Turquie. des rebelles séparatistes kurdes.

LES PANNEAUX DE CIRCULATION BILINGUES TURC-KURDE FONT LEUR APPARITION EN TURQUIE

DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 26 nov 2009 (AFP) mise en oeuvre du projet, a indiqué cette source, insistant sur le fait que les habitants utilisaient de tou¬ LES PREMIERS panneaux de circulation bilingues turc-kurde ont fait tes façons les noms kurdes des vil¬ leur apparition dans le sud-est de la Turquie à l'Inftiatlve de la mairie de lages dans leur vie quotidienne. Diyarbakir, réagissant aux annonces du gouvemement en faveur des droits des Kurdes, a constaté jeudi un correspondant de l'AFP. M. Atalay a dévoilé le 13 novembre les grandes lignes d'un plan de Les panneaux indiquent désonnais la direction des villages dépendant de la réformes visant à améliorer les municipalité de Diyariiakir, principale ville du sud-est anatolien peuplé en droits de la population kurde. majorité de Kurdes, en turc mais aussi dans leur nom d'origine kurde. Parmi elles figure la possibilité Seton une source municipale, 82 villages sont concernés par la réfonne, mais pour les communes "turquisées" les panneaux continuent de désigner la ville de Diyarbakir par son seul nom de retrouver leur nom originel turc. kurde. Cependant, aucun projet de loi n'a encore été transmis au Pariement.

Des travaux préliminaires étaient déjà en cours depuis un mois, mais les Le retour pour certains villages -comme Yesildalli/Heware Xas, récentes dédaratbns du minisire de l'Intérieur Besir Atalay ont accéléré la Kabahidir/Qubaxidir par exemple- à leur nom d'origine kurde brise en outre le

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tabou qui pesait sur l'usage des lettres x, q et w, tongtemps prohibées en Turquie Le gouvemement turc, issu de la mouvance islamiste, mène depuis plusieurs car n'appartenant pas à l'alphabet turc. années des réfonnes pour accroître les droits des Kurdes et tarir leur soutien aux rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), en lutte depuis 1984 contre L'emptoi du kurde est encore officiellement proscrit dans les administrations et la Ankara. vie politique, même si le projet dévoilé par M. Atalay envisage d'autoriser l'utili¬ sation de cette langue par les partis politiques.

HRW EXHORTE LA SYRIE A MEHRE FIN A LA "REPRESSION" DES KURDES

NEW YORK, 26 nov 2009 (AFP) Le harcèlement des militants kur¬ des se poursuit après leur libéra¬ tion, les services de sécurité conti¬ L'ORGANISATION de défense des droits de l'Homme Human Rights nuant à les convoquer pour des Watch (HRW) a appelé les autorités syriennes à mettre fin à leur "répres¬ interrogatoires, dénonce HRW. ^ sion" de la communauté kurde en Syrie, dans un rapport diffusé jeudi. '- I L'ONG dénonce par ailleurs l'inter¬ Le rapport dénonce "la détention de dirigeants kurdes et les mauvais traite¬ diction, depuis 2005, d'"au moins ments dont ils font l'objet' ou encore "l'inlerdiction par les autorités syriennes une quinzaine de réunions politi¬ de réunions pour parier des droits de la minorité kurde ou pour célébrer la cul¬ ques et culturelles pacifiques, en _ ture kurde". recourant souvent à la violence GRwyotmai "Alors que d'autres pays de la région, comme la Turquie et l'Irak, sont en train pour disperser la foule". d'améliorer leur comportement vis-àhvis de leurs minorités kurdes, la Syrie "Le gouvernement syrien voit des reste réfractaire à tout changement", dénonce la directrice de HRW pour le menaces partout, même tors des Moyen-Orient, Sarah Leah Whitson. célébrations du Nouvel an kurde "La Syrie est hostile à toute expression politique et culturelle kurde", ajoute-t- (Nowaiz). Si le gouvemement souhaite établir de meilleures relations avec la elle. minorité kurde, il devrait comprendre les griefs légitimes des Kurdes au lieu de tenter de les faire taire", commente Mme Whitson. Le rapport fait état de l'an-estation et de la condamnation de 15 dirigeants kur¬ des depuis 2005 et déplore l'absence de loi sur la création de partis politiques Estimés à plus de 1 ,5 million de personnes, les Kurdes représentent environ en Syrie. 9% de la population syrienne. Ils réclament la reconnaissance de leur langue, de leur culture et de leurs droits politiques. Le 15 novembre dernier, trois membres du parti kurde Azadi, une fonnation interdite qui prône la fin des discriminations envers les Kurdes, ont été Installés essentiellement dans le Nord, à la frontière avec la Turquie et l'Irak, condamnés à trois ans de prison pour "affaiblissement du sentiment national" les Kurdes syriens se défendent de toutes visées sécessionnistes. et "incitation à des dissensions raciales ou provocation de conflits au sein de HRW, une organisation basée à New Yori^, exhorte le gouvemement syrien à la nation". "libérer les détenus, à mener des enquêtes sur les cas de torture et mauvais Sur 30 ex-détenus kurdes interviewés par HRW, 12 ont affimié avoir été tortu¬ traitements et à voter une loi sur les partis politiques". rés par les forces de sécurité, indique le rapport. HRW demande par ailleurs à l'Union européenne et aux Etats-Unis d'"exprimer La plupart d'entre eux avaient été condamnés par des tribunaux militaires pour leur réprobation du comportement de la Syrie à l'égard de sa minorité kurde et des accusations vagues comme la "propagation de fausses informations qui lier le développement de leurs relations avec ce pays à une véritable amélio¬ affaiblissent le sentiment national" ou pour des actes et propos qui visent à ration de la situation des drolls de l'Homme en Syrie", indique le rapport. "amputer une partie du territoire syrien pour l'annexer à un autre Etat".

29 .NOVEMBRE 2009

Iran: Une vidéo troublant: fV l'exécution de cinq étudiants kurdes 1

'i UN DOCUMENT VIDÉO montrant l'exécution de cinq étudiant kurde par le régime iranien a été transmis à l'extérieur du pays. Cette scène d'exécution survenue dans la ville de Kermanchah a été filmée au mois de juin dernier.

Selon le Kurdistan United News Agency les victimes étaient accusées d'acti¬ vités politiques contre le régime. « Lun des victimes était âgé de 16 ans, » selon l'agence kurde, qui ajoute que le régime aurait ensuite demandé aux Zeinab, 27 ans, originaire de Makou (Azert)aïdjan de l'ouest), a été internée familles des étudiants de « payer une somme pour les charges encourues pendant huit mois sous la torture dans les prisons des services de renseigne¬ durant la prison et l'exécution de leurs enfants. » ment, le Vevak. Elle se trouve désonnais à la prison de Sanandaj, sur le point Par ailleurs, le régime des mollahs a condamné à mort une prisonnière poli¬ d'être exécutée. La torture a gravement altéré sa santé mais le régime lui tique kurde, Zeinab Jalalian, l'accusant de guene contre Dieu, a annoncé la refuse des soins et s'oppose toujours aux visites de sa famille. Ces deux der¬ Résistance iranienne (CNRI). Ce jugement, prononcé dans un procès de nières années, la dictature religieuse a condamné à mort 13 prisonniers kur¬ quelques minutes sans avocat ni déroulement équitable, a également été des, politk]ues et de droit commun. approuvé par la cour suprême du régime. Voir vidéo : http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-274670

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LE REGIME TURC MULTIPLIE LES SIGNES D'OUVERTURE À L'ÉGARD DES COMMUNAUTÉS

ISTANBUL, 28 novembre 2009 (AFP) Républk]ue léguée par Atatüri(.

Aujourd'hui, c'est sur plusieurs fronts qu'avance M. Erdogan.

INITIATIVE en faveur des Kurdes, main tendue à l'Arménie, hommage En dépit du tabou amiénien - Ankara refuse de conskJérer les massacres aux Alevis: chaque semaine témoigne en Turquie des efforts d'"ouver- d'Arméniens en Turquie comme un génodde - le gouvemement a signé le 10 ture" aux communautés que mène le régime islamo-conservateur, mais octobre un accord de normalisation avec l'Arménie. cette politique est diversement analysée par les commentateurs. II a annoncé aussi une "ouverture démocratkiue' en faveur des 12 millions de Demier signal: l'apparition, dans le sud-est à majorité kurde, des premiers Kurdes de Turquie (sur 71 millions d'habitants), qui concerne dans un pre¬ panneaux de signalisation en deux langues, turc et kurde. mier temps l'utilisation du kurde et la prévention des actes de torture.

Certes l'initiative revient à la mairie de Diyarbakir, qui est contrôlée par le parti Et il met en place des tabtes rondes pour étudier les demandes des Alevis, pro-kurde DTP, mais le gouvemement n'a rien fait pour l'empêcher. et plus tard celles des Roms.

Comme il a volontairement laissé en liberté, fin octobre, un groupe de rebel¬ Pour la première fois depuis 1990, un préskJent turc s'est rendu, le 5 novem¬ les du PKK (Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan), rentrés en Turquie de leur bre, dans la province de Tunceli (est), peuplée en majorité d'Alévis. base irakienne. Toutes ces initiatives sont critiquées par l'opposition, pour qui l'unité nattonale Le 3 octobre, devant son parti, l'AKP (Parti de la justice et du développe¬ est en péril, et par ceux qui n'y voient au contraire que des mots, destinés à ment), le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan prononçait un discours séduire l'Union européenne, à laquelle la Turquie veut adhérer. conskJéré depuis comme fondateur. Faux, répond l'analyste Hugh Pope. II citait 13 noms qui, selon lui, ont contribué à faire la Turquie. Or plusieurs de "Car le fait que les leaders de l'AKP aient choisi cette année pour aller de ces figures ont été, par le passé, considérées comme des ennemis de l'Etat, l'avant - au moment où des pays dés de l'UE s'opposent de manière cynkjue, notamment par les chefs militaires tout puissants du siècle dernier, ou sont décourageante et mal inspirée aux efforts de la Turquie vers l'Europe, prouve mortes en exil. que l'AKP et la Turquie font des efforts sincères vers les valeurs, les libertés Ainsi du chanteur d'extrême-gauche Cem Karaca, ou du poète communiste et les droits universels", juge-t-il. Nazim Hikmet. Pour M. Birand au contraire, ces initiatives à la tonalité communautariste per¬ De surcroît, la liste compte deux poètes kurdes (Ahmet Kaya et Ahmed mettent au gouvemement de défendre son propre projet, vers plus d'expres¬ Khani), un musiden annénien (Tatyos Efendi), et trois Alevis, dont Pir Sultan sion religieuse. Abdal et Haci Bektas Veil, grandes figures de cette communauté musulmane "En dtant des noms très divers, en reconnaissant les droit des autres com¬ distincte des sunnites majoritaires en Turquie. munautés (Alevis, etc.) le gouvemement se met en position de force pour "II y a peu, tout cela était tabou", explique l'analyste Mehmet Ali Birand. défendre ses propres revendications, par exemple la levée de l'interdidton de

Et de rappeller qu'il y a moins de trois ans (le 29 avril 2007), l'armée turque, porter le voile à l'université", explique-t-il. coutumière des coups d'Etat, se rappelait au bon souvenir de la dasse poli¬ tique, dénonçant une menace islamiste et prévenant qu'elle défendrait la

TURQUIE: MANIFESTATIONS A L'OCCASION DE L'ANNIVERSAIRE DE LA CRÉATION DU PKK

ISTANBUL, 30 novembre 2009 (AFP)

DES MANIFESTATIONS et des incidents, qui ont fait un blessé grave, ont 1 eu lieu dimanche en Turquie à l'occasion de l'anniversaire de la fondation du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK, illégal), il y a 31 ans, ont rap¬ porté lundi les médias.

Les incidents les plus graves se sont produits dimanche soir à Mersin, ville du littoral méditerranéen (sud) qui abrite une importante communauté kurde, selon la chaîne d'infomiation NTV.

Quelque 300 manifestants ont attaqué à coups de pien^e et au cocktail molo- tov un commissariat de police de la ville et incendié des magasins.

Un adolescent de 16 ans a été blessé à la poitrine par une amie à feu, selon irakienne. les chaînes de télévision. Douze manifestants ont été interpellés par ailleurs à Siirt, autre ville du sud- Dans la nuit, des manifestants ont mis le feu à un bus munidpal dans le quar¬ est, où des groupes ont tenu des manifestattons 'illégales", ajoute Anatolie. tier populaire de Sultanbeyii, sur la rive européenne d'Istanbul, sans faire de blesséis, a rapporté l'agence de presse Anatolie. Le PKK a été fondé en 1978 par Abdullah Ocalan, qui purge depuis 1999 une peine de prison à vie en Turquie pour séparatisme et trahison. Une autre manifestatton de jeunes Kurdes a été dispersée par la poltoe dans Ankara a récemment annoncé des mesures visant à améliorer les droits des le quartier d'Okmeydani, dans le centre-ville d'Istanbul, selon l'agence. Kurdes dans l'espoir d'éroder le soutien de la populatton envers le PKK. Des incidents similaires se sont aussi produits à Sanliurfa et Hakkari, deux vil¬ Le PKK a lancé en 1984 une insurrection visant à l'indépendance du sud-est les du sud-est, peuplées majoritarement de Kurdes, seton Anatolie. de l'Anatdie. Cette revendicatton s'est progressivement muée en une Lundi, la polk» anti-aémeutes a fait usage de gaz lacrymogène et de canon a demande d'autonomie régionale et de renforcement des droits culturels des eua pour disperser des manifestants à Yüksekova, petite tocalité à la frontière Kurdes.

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