INSTITUT KURD E DE PARIS

Information and liaison bulletin N°326

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

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

INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tel. : 01-48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01-48 24 64 66 www.fikp.org E-mail: bulletin@fikp.org Information and liaison bulletin Kurdish Institute of Paris Bulletin N° 326 May 2012

• TURKEY: LEYLA ZANA SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS PRISON IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF INCREASED ANTI-KURDISH REPRESSION.

• IRAQI KURDISTAN: FLOOD OF KURDISH REFUGEES FROM SYRIA.

• IRAN: SEVERAL POLITICAL PRISONERS INA CRITICAL STATE.

• CINEMA: A GOLDEN PALM FOR REZAM YEZIL’S SHORT-LENGTH FILM.

TURKEY: LEYLA ZANA SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS PRISON IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF INCREASED ANTI-KURDISH REPRESSION he Kurdish Member of Criminal Court for a speech concern ” and considered that it Partliament, Leyla made during the 2007 celebra - was a blow against freedom of Zana, has been sen - tions of the Kurdish New Year, expression in Turkey: “As co- T tenced to ten years in in which she stated that the 3 President of the joint EU-Turkey prison in absentia by a leaders of the Kurds were Jalal Parliamentary Commission and Diyarbekir Court on the grounds Talabani, Massud Barzani and member of the Friends of of “ membership of a separatist Abdullah Ocalan. Turkey, I want to express my group and propaganda ” for it as deep concern following the sen - well as in support of the PKK O 24 May 2008, she had spoken tencing, by the Diyarbekir leader, Abdullah Ocalan. Her at a seminar at the School of Criminal Court, of Mrs Leyla lawyer has lodged an appeal. Oriental and African Studies in Zana, a Member of the Turkish London, in which she had Parliament, holder of the 1995 Since coming out of prison in expressed support for the PKK Sakharov Prize for her struggle 2004, following her condemna - and for Ocalan. for freedom of thought. tion in 1994, along with several other DEP members of On the announcing of the sen - She has thus been sentenced to Parliament, for “ membership of an tence, the co-President of the ten years imprisonment for `pro - armed group ” (the PKK), Leyla Europe-Turkey Commission of paganda in support of a terrorist Zana has been sentenced to 2 the European Parliament, organisation” on the basis of years jail by the Diyarbekir 6 th Hélène Flautre, expressed “ deep nine of her speeches. • 2 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 326 • May 2012

On 1994, Leyla Zana had already tatives, lawyers, journalists women months according to estimates been sentenced to fifteen years and children. by the pro-Kurdish BDP party, imprisonment tor similar dozens of whose officers and remarks and released after ten France and the European activists are still behind bars. years thanks to international Parliament must intervene to During the latest dragnet, at pressure. In particular, she demand the liberation of Leyla Zana least 507 people were taking into received the Sakharov Prize and of the Kurdish and Turkish detention between 10 December while in prison. Indeed, yester - political prisoners ”. and 3 January. Amongst them day’s sentence is comparable to are local elected representatives, the one she received eight years This sentence is part of a students, Human Rights earlier. So it proves that freedom wide=spread legal repression activists, members of the KCK of opinion is still threatened in that has put hundreds of and even minors. Turkey by the Courts and the Kurdish activists in the dock, Penal Code. with heavy sentences in the bar - In March 2012, about 1,300 peo - gain. Thus on 17 May, the ple were still in detention, includ - This is why I am asking the Erzurum Second Criminal Court ing several hundreds arrested Turkish government as well as sentenced 10 prisoners who that very month. On 8 May 2012, the Turkish Parliament to take were members of the Union of 30 more people were taken into the necessary legislative mea - Kurdish Communities (KCK) to detention, still in the context of sures to ensure that real freedom — a total of 170 years imprison - operations against the KCK. of opinion by guaranteeing fun - ment. Moreover, despite reforms aimed damental freedoms by reforming at separating the cases of minors the Anti-Terrorist Law and, con - These prisoners had been arrest - from “anti-terrorist” trials, heavy sequently, clearing Leyla Zana ed on 11 January 2011, in the sentences are still being passed of all charges”. context of a dragnet against on young people. Thus a 17-year- members of the KCK, in the dis - old youth, accused of being a In France, the MRAP tricts of Beyazid (Dogubeyazit) member of a terrorist organisa - (Movement against Racism and and Agri. During the last hear - tion received a 20-year sentence for friendship between Peoples) ing of their trial, attended by the following his trial in the 1 st issued a communiqué on 20 May lawyers and family members of Minors’ Court at Mersin. The evi - in reaction to the news: “A the accused, their demand to be dence accepted by the court Turkish Court has just sentenced allowed to express themselves in seemed only to come from the Member of Parliament Leyla Kurdish was refused. anonymous testimony and from Zana to 10 years imprisonment document recover from Internet. on the grounds of some speeches Nine of the prisoners received In addition to his prison sentence, she made, one of which was sentences of between 20 and 20 the accused has to pay a fine of made in the European years for being members of an 12,000 Turkish lira (about 5,250 Parliament. She is also charged illegal organisation, while euros) according to the Firat with “ propaganda for the Kurdish Dogan Senses was sentenced to News press agency. people’s party (PKK )”. life imprisonment. The total of all these sentences is 170 years, He had been arrested during a The MRAP recalls that Leyla while three of them are still due police raid on his family home Zana had already served 10 for trial on other charges. on 11 December 2011 and the years in prison (1994-2004) and prosecution had originally had received the Andrei Since 2009, 700 people have been demanded a 40-year sentence. Sakharov Human Rights Prize arrested for membership of There were a multitude of and had twice been nominated KCK, which is accused of being charges against him: going to for the Nobel Peace Prize. a PKK offshoot. The trials of unauthorised meeting and KCK members began on 18 demonstrations, assemblies, pro - The MRAP expresses its indig - October 2010, with the trial of paganda for an illegal organisa - nation at this fresh sentencing of 152 Kurdish politicians and tion, resisting the police and a woman who has always strug - Human Rights activists. In all being in possession of explosive gles for the legitimate rights of the wave of arrests, aimed at the substances. The young lad the Kurdish people: “ It is part of KCK throughout the country has denied the charges but the Court a policy of repression of the Kurdish placed 7,748 people in detention based its finding on secret evi - people: thousands of arrests, and nearly 4,000 people have dence, prints from Internet and amongst which are elected represen - been arrested in the last 9 the statements of police officers. n° 326 • May 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 3•

In this very ominous political region with a high degree of autono - and I was immediately faced with and legal situation, the Speaker my even while maintaining Turkish the problem of these refugees, many of the European Parliament, territorial integrity . This is just my of whom were Turkish citizens. Martin Schultz, visited Istanbul humble advice ”. About half of these considered them - on 31 May and once again, selves Kurdish and the other half pointed out the connection Recognising that the Kurdish Turkish. This became my reality. So between the solution to the question was “ Turkey’s internal the first part of the answer I offer Kurdish question and Turkey’s problem ”, Martin Schultz never - you is that there really is a Kurdish application for membership of theless pointed out that the question ”. Martin Schultz also the European Union. Speaking European Union was concerned raised the Iraqi situation and during a ceremony taking place about the recognition and the praised the success of the at Bilgi University, in which he rights of minorities in its mem - Regional Government of Iraqi received a Doctorate honoris ber countries. He recalled that he Kurdistan: causa , he said: had been faced with the Kurdish problem for the first time twenty “You know that the North of Iraq “I am giving this advice in the con - years earlier, when he was just a has an autonomous Kurdish gov - text of Turkey’s strategy for mem - socialist mayor in Germany: ernment. Mr. Barzani is a regional bership of the E.U. — we must try leader of Kurdish origin who con - to convince the two parties that it is “In the early 80s, I saw a great siders himself a Kurdish leader. This possible (to create something) in number of refugees coming from is not a problem… for Turkey, nor, between a sovereign State and a Kurdistan who arrived in my town in our eyes, is it a problem for Iraq ”.

IRAQI KURDISTAN: A FLOOD OF KURDISH REFUGEES FROM SYRIA n 14 May 2012, the UN “The movement of tens of thousands to settle. This new attitude of the High Commissioner of people t Kurdistan is an impor - HCR must be seen in the light of for Refugees stated tant turning point from the political the difficulties experienced in O that he had recorded geographic and economic equation Jordan following the influx there 2,171 Syrian Kurdish governing the region (…) This of refugees from Iraq, where the refugees in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, which has been a major lack of means as well as of water Region. Just in Duhok region the source of dispute between the Kurds — each refugee needs 80 litres of number of people crossing the and the central authorities over the water per day, which is a heavy border daily was between 10 last decades, has become, today, an financial burden for the Jordan and 15 families or 50 to 65 indi - ideal refuge not only for people dis - government. viduals. Every week, four or five placed from Syria but also for the families and about twenty indi - Kurds fleeing Iran and Turkey ”. A Kurd, who has recently viduals contacted the UNHCR reached Holland, confirms, on offices in Irbil. Saad al-Jabbouri, a economics the AKNews site, that most of research worker living in the his tribe has emigrated to Iraqi In Suleimaniah, they had record - Netherlands, explains: “ The Kurdistan: “ Most of the refugees ed 95 refugees, including five Commission thinks that the prefer to go there because of its families. Other refugees were Kurdistan Region, as compared greater security and the good treat - waiting at the border for a change with other countries that are receiv - ment they receive such as the social to cross into Iraqi Kurdistan ing refugees, like Jordan, which suf - services provided. In this region, according to a UNHCR report, fers from a great shortage of refugees do not suffer, as elsewhere published in the US paper resources, can welcome displaced like Jordan and Turkey, from lack of International Business Times . persons in conditions of security, water or medical care. Kurds who economic stability and prosperity. arrive in Kurdistan have felt the The report stressed that the The majority of these displaced per - great difference between conditions Kurdistan Region authorities sons, and especially the Kurds, pre - in the Region and in Syria, where were expecting to receive further fer to seek refuge there ”. they lived in conditions of extreme waves of refugees as violence poverty compared with life in escalated in Syria. Indeed, the Thus, in HCR’s eyes, Iraqi Kurdistan ”. majority of refugees arriving in Kurdistan is the best possible Iraq were seeking to settle in the choice for refugees, if the Since 2011, a total of 20,0000 Kurdish Region. Kurdish authorities allow them Syrian refugees have been regis - • 4 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 326 • May 2012

tered in the Kurdish region by tioned by AKNews: having found with members of their family the HCR, according to Eve refuge in the Netherlands, he is already settled in Kurdistan, or McDonnell. Responsible for planning to leave for the Domiz acquaintances. Here they receive external relations: “ There are refugee camp, in Duhok Province, no specific aid, so many of them plans for setting up some projects where relations are now living, are still waiting to be registered with rapid results, in cooperation once his case has been approved by the HCR. with the Region’s authorities, espe - by the HCR and the local authori - cially if, as seems highly probable, ties. It should be noted that the Iraqi the crisis lasts much longer ”. Federal Government has rejected The Domiz camp “has indeed, any responsibility for the influx Quite apart from the Syrian con - been organised to meet the pri - of refugees from Syria and that, flict, Iraqi Kurdistan seems a mal needs of the refugees, be apart from the HCR and the model of economic development they for food, medical care. Kurdish government, the dis - and is attracting foreign invest - However, faced with the influx placed persons in Iraq can only ments. Thus, in addition to of displaced persons, hygienic expect some help from charita - Kurdish activists or deserting sol - and sanitary problems are aris - ble organisations or private ini - diers fleeing reprisals, Kurds are ing. The HCR is also trying to tiatives. Thus, on 3 May, entering the Region illegally, in involve the children in various Barzani distributed some food search of work. Some refugees, activities, scholastic and extra- rations to 292 families, each of who have reached Europe, are scholastic, inside the camp. which received 25 Kgr rice, 10 even considering returning to Kgr of sugar, 10 Kgr of vegeta - Iraqi Kurdistan where other fami - Elsewhere, as in Irbil, the bles, 5 litres of oil, 5 tins of toma - ly members are living. This is the refugees are more or less left to to sauce, 4 sacks of vermicelli case with Barakat Jalal, ques - their own resources or else live and a Kgr of meat.

IRAN: SEVERAL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN A CRITICAL STATE n 23 May, Mostafa years already, has also started a Muhammad Kabouvand suffers Armin, Mose Hatefi, hunger strike, this time because from health problems and is said Saeed Drait and Ali to be allowed to visit his sick to need a surgical operation but O Marhamati, four child. the prison authorities have Iranian Kurds from refused him any access to treat- the town of Maku (Western The International Campaign for ment or transfer to hospital. Azerbaijan) were sentenced to a Human Rights in Iran total of 46 years imprisonment announced on 26 May that Parinaz Hosseiny pointed out and banishment by the Khoy Muhammad Sediq Kaboudvand that her son also suffered from a Revolutionary Court for “collabo- had begun his hunger strike. His serious illness and that the doc- ration with Iranian opposition par- wife, Parinaz Hosseiny, reported tors considered that the presence ties” according to the Kurdpa that it was during her last visit, of his father could help improve agency. A fifth prisoner, Vali on 20 May that she was his reaction to treatment: “so I Balkhany, was also due to informed by the prison authori- asked the authorities to observe their appear in the dock but he died ties that her husband was refus- own laws and grant my husband under torture a few days before ing all food until he was allowed this permission, which is a right in the sentence was passed. It had to visit his son. He had already any Iranian prison”. been planned that he, like begun a hunger strike earlier in Mosttafa Armin (who, however, the month for the same reason. Muhamad Sediq Kabouvand survived) would be sentenced to He had then been promised the was arrested 5 years ago and 15 years and 6 months deporta- official promise that he would accused of activity against tion in Barazian Prison. Saeed enjoy special permission for this nation security. He has, in fact, Drait and Ali Marhamati if he started eating again. founded the Kurdistan Human received four years each. According to Parinaz Hosseiny, Rights Defence Organisation. He the authorities then demanded also directed the publication of a Another Kurd, Muhamad Sediq that he write a letter of repen- bi-lingual Kurdish-Persian Kaboudvand, a journalist and a tance but he refused, insisting weekly “Payam-e Mardom”, Human Rights activist, who has that he had not committed any banned in 2006. He was sen- been imprisoned for several offence. tenced to 10 years imprisonment n° 326 • May 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 5•

for “ propaganda against the from a stomach and intestinal evidence of Anwar’s innocence. regime ”. infection, has only had a single He had collected 5,000 signa - 0ne-hour hospital examination tures in his support from Since 3 May was International whereas the doctors considered respected and trustworthy peo - Press Freedom Day, the that his condition required a ple in the region. He even want - spokesman of the US State much longer stay. ed to take them all to the judicial Department called on the authorities in Teheran, but he Iranian Government to release In the same case, Anwar’s broth - had been mysteriously assassi - Muhamad Sediq Kabouvand as er, Afshin Hossein Panahi, who nated on his way and his body well as 90 other journalists at had been sentenced to one year’s found by people from in a neigh - present being detained in Iran. imprisonment has just been bouring village, who had seen released while another brother an unknown vehicle in the area. Finally in Sine (Sanandaj), the Ashraf Hossein Panahi has died The autopsy concluded that a capital of Kurdistan Province, in suspicious circumstances. The blunt object that fractured his Anwar Hossein Panahi, a whole family seems to be suffer - skull had caused death. Kurdish political prisoner initial - ing from serious pressure and ly sentenced to hanging, whose threats from the security forces “After Ashraf’s death, my young sentence had been commuted to and about thirty people related brother Afshin tried to continue his 16 years imprisonment, has now to them have been arrested and action but he was also arrested and been 5 years behind bars and all imprisoned since, while others tortured while in detention at requests form a short leave have have been sent into exile and for - Ghorveh. He was only 19 years old been refused. bidden to contact their relations. and lost 50% of his vision. He has been sentenced to one year’s impris - Anwar Hossein Panahi, a Kurdish Amjad Hossein Panahim one of onment. political activist, was arrested on 5 Anwar’s brothers told the November 2007 and detained for 6 International Campaign for Our home has been inspected once, months in the premises of secret Human Rights in Iran team that even twice a week, all our communi - services, the Chorvech. He had his brother had undergone 6 cations such as phone calls are been tortured and had several of months of physical and psycho - tapped and the movement of mem - his ribs broken. logical torture immediately after bers of our family are watched so his arrest. Although he was suf - that it is impossible for them to con - The Revolutionary Court had fering from broken ribs and kid - tact us ”. sentenced him to death for ney infection, he had been tied attacking national security and to a fence in the prison court - Speaking more generally about as an “enemy of God” — a crime yard at the height of winter until the condition of Kurdish prison - that caries an automatic death the cold and pain made him lose ers in Iran, Amjad Hossein sentence. He had appealed and consciousness. “ Throughout this Panahi explains that many of finally received 16 years jail. period our family was kept in the them have no lawyers through According to his lawyer, no evi - most complete ignorance of either lack of financial means and so dence was put forward nor was the reasons for his arrest although are deprived of their right to there any confession to back the we repeatedly went to see the judi - defence. Even those to accept a charges. cial authorities ”. lawyer appointed by the court still have problems since most of In these last five years, Anwar Another brother, Ashraf Hossein these lawyers collaborate with Hossein Panahi, who suffers Panahi, had started to collect the secret services.

CINEMA: A GOLDEN PALM FOR REZAM YEZIL’S SHORT-LENGTH FILM he Kurdish film direc - in Diyarbekir, in 1984. Zeynep, a herself unable to say a single tor L. Rêzan Yezilbaş mother of three children, wants to word. Her frustration is intensi - won a Golden Palm for visit her husband, who is in fied when she is also forbidden to T short-length films at prison. She can only speak bring her husband a new pair of the Cannes Film Kurdish, her native tongue, but shoes. Festival for his film “Sessiz- Bê this is strictly forbidden in official Deng” (Silence). premises like the prison. Not “Diyarbekir Prison is the symbol of The scene of this short film is set knowing any Turkish, she finds the torture of the whole prison system • 6 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 326 • May 2012

in the period following the Army’s outside, and the silence imposed on 2008. His short film “ Hukum ” 1980 coup d’état ”. Rêzan Yesilbaş them since the use of Kurdish, the (Sentence) was the first of his explains. “ But instead of describing only language they know, was strict - “Feminine Trilogy”, and has been the inside of the prison, that is the ly forbidden in prisons at that time ”. shown at several international political detainees, their torture or film festivals. Sessiz-Bê Deng, the their struggles and convictions I Born in 1977, Rêzan second of the trilogy was filmed chose to direct my camera onto the Yezilbaş received a degree in film - in 2011 and the scenario of the little daily experiences of the women making at Marmara University in third has already been written. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

11 mai 2012 Kurdistan turc : photographies de territoires et géographie Par Alexandre MOUTHON* agricole du sud-est anatolien, lancé depuis plus de trente ans est réalisée à environ Ce photo reportage d’Alexandre 70%. Mouthon, réalisé à la veille des élec- tions nationales turques de juin Avec le barrage de Cizre, à la frontière 2011, tente de saisir l’esprit des lieux syro-irakienne, l’armature de à travers les dynamiques qui sont à l’aménagement hydraulique du Tigre turc l’œuvre au Kurdistan turc. L’auteur serait presque complète, permettant ainsi à croise ici sa lecture de géographe et Ankara de contrôler totalement le débit du son coup d’oeil de photographe. Il fleuve et d’accentuer sa pression sur la nous emmène ainsi avec lui au Syrie et l’Irak, dépendants en aval de ses Kurdistan turc. eaux, tout en irrigant un vaste périmètre à la frontière. Et de faire taire un peu plus la en moyenne. En parallèle, le poids de la ’ESPACE d’observation géographique culture Kurde au passage. En 2009, les bailleurs de fonds européens (dont la BNP population urbaine dans la population Ls’articule ici autour de trois villes et totale n’a cessé d’augmenter pour atteindre d’un village, en treize photographies de ter- Paribas) se seraient retirés les uns après les autres du projet face à sa controverse. Des 67% en 2005 et ainsi se rapprocher des ritoires. Quatre espaces aux fortes revendi- 75% des pays dits développés comme la cations identitaires territoriales qui parti- associations et des ONG sont entrées dans le bras de fer, d’autant que les habitants France. De 1950 à 2000, la croissance des cipent aux enjeux géopolitiques de la populations citadines atteint 4,7% en région. ont décidément tout à gagner à faire la Une, le plus longtemps possible, puisque le moyenne. Cette croissance est ralentie depuis les années 1990 car la fécondité Hasankef, le village en sursit. Mardin, site est potentiellement classable par l’Unesco. Les villageois ne se font pas vrai- diminue, environ 2,1 enfants par femmes entre le Tigre et l’Euphrate, vigie de la en 2008. L’exode rural est encore fort, ceci frontière syrienne. Sanliurfa, la ville ment d’illusions et profitent simplement de la valeur ajoutée qu’ils peuvent tirer de la étant il subsiste encore en Turquie près de sacrée, seule cité du Sud-Est à être connec- 45% de la population active dans tée par autoroute à l’Ouest du pays, jouant situation. Une rumeur laissait entendre en 2009 qu’un accord tenu secret pour le l’agriculture. Ce pays fait parti des rares ainsi son intégration plus réticulaire Etats à être en autosuffisance alimentaire. qu’identitaire. Et Diyarbakir, la rebelle, la moment aurait été signé avec le Ministère des Affaires Etrangères allemand en vue de Le pays représente environ 1% de la popu- capitale culturelle du Kurdistan à la crois- lation mondiale avec 73,6 millions sance effrénée. l’obtention d’un crédit. Trois jours avant notre venue, une voiture de la police fut d’habitants mi-2010. prise pour cible dans la rue de Hasankeyf. Voici le village citadelle et troglodyte Dans ce tableau, le Kurdistan a longtemps d’Hasankef, sur la rive Ouest du Tigre. Il La voiture brûla mais les policiers réus- sirent à s’échapper dans la foule. fait figure d’espace « en retard » de est devenu ces dix dernières années un développement, peu industrialisé et mal étrange produit politico-marketing. Les Nous sommes à quatre-vingts kilomètres connecté. Pendant la guerre civile, l’exode stambouliotes et l’opinion publique de rural fut massif, les campagnards venant l’Ouest de la Turquie continuent dans sa de la Syrie, à mi-chemin se trouve Mardin. Tout au long de la frontière court une route chercher refuge en ville. En 1992, Ankara a grande majorité à penser qu’il est lancé une vaste opération de destruction préférable de ne pas se rendre à la marge Est-Ouest qui se prolonge vers l’Irak. Pour le moment une autoroute partit d’Adana des villages kurdes. En quelques années, sud-est de leur pays depuis la guerre civile cette politique de terreur a entraîné l’exil (1985-1999), dans la région du PKK, le arrive jusqu’à Sanliurfa et ses vastes périmètres irrigués. forcé des populations rurales. Ces quinze Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan, dernières années, la fécondité a diminué de séparatiste, enclin à la violence, accusé de près de 20% parmi la population kurde terrorisme par Ankara et déclaré illégal. Le pays a connu une croissance économique soutenue les cinquante (politiques de planning familial et amélio- ration des services de santé). Le village, un des berceaux millénaires de dernières années, de l’ordre de 3% par an l’histoire du Kurdistan et fief symbolique En pleine période électorale, les meetings de la lutte du peuple Kurde, devait et de l’AKP en terre kurde sont primordiaux. devrait disparaître, comme d’autres - une Le Premier ministre, M. Recep Tayyip quarantaine environ - sous les eaux de Erdogan, et son parti, l’AKP (Parti de la retenues du barrage d’Ilisu prévu pour justice et du développement, de tendance 2013, engloutissant ce site archéologique islamiste modéré), au pouvoir depuis sa et tout la région, de Batman, la métropole victoire de 2002, est présenté comme « la régionale mono industrielle (industrie rébellion des pauvres, des désespérés, des pétrolière) à Midyat, proche de la frontière silencieux et des exploités ». syrienne. L’irrigation du Sud-Est anatolien par les barrages et les lacs de retenus du Accrochée au-dessus de la plaine aride, la vaste projet GAP (Güneydogu Anadollu vieille cité citadelle de Mardin et ses Projesi) de mise en valeur énergétique et minarets fixent au sud la Syrie toute ➩

1 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➩ proche et le monde arabe qui gronde. Ville le rôle du refuge le plus sûr. Dans le Devant l’agence locale de l’AKP, des mulets même temps, la croissance urbaine four- sont attachés. Les enfants jouent aux cerfs- nissait aux familles de la classe moyenne volants sur les toits, en contre bas de la résidant encore au centre la possibilité de forteresse. Un site de contrôle aérien qui s’installer à la périphérie dans des cités fut très actif pendant la guerre civile, flambant neuves disposant des standards l’armée s’organise aujourd’hui pour le quit- européens en termes de confort et ter. Dans les années 1990, le PKK attaqua d’infrastructures. la base de Mardin. Aujourd’hui, l’exode rural se poursuit, Depuis 1999, année de l’arrestation mais au rythme ralenti de migrations plus d’Abdullah Öcalan au Kenya, le leader du économiques que politiques. De tout cela PKK (Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan résulte une paupérisation des quartiers fondé en 1978 et qui change de nom en centraux. Le ministère en charge du 2002 pour devenir le Congrès pour la lib- L’avocat Bekir Eren, issu d’une vieille développement culturel et du tourisme, erté et la démocratie du Kurdistan, le famille locale, se présente pour la première avec la participation des municipalités, Kadek), les kurdes conquièrent, petit à fois aux élections législatives avec l’AKP. Il s’engagent dans la restauration des petit, de nombreuses mairies du sud est va être élu, mais ne le sait pas encore. Urfa somptueuses maisons traditionnelles et anatolien. La mairie de Mardin est aux est plutôt conservatrice, de ce fait beau- des caravansérails de Diyarbakir, juxta- mains de l’AKP depuis 2009, date des coup de kurdes votent AKP. Urfa votera à posant à la misère et à l’insalubrité des dernières élections, jusqu’en 2014. Mais 70% AKP le 12 juin 2011. Il préférera van- quartiers, des îlots muséographiques et des ici, ce sont les élections législatives du 12 ter l’avancement du GAP et l’héritage maisons de thé pour la jeunesse branchée juin 2011 que les Kurdes attendent. En mésopotamien qu’aborder les revendica- et l’intelligentsia locale. 2007, le parti pro-kurde DTP (parti pour tions kurdes. Un grand nombre de journal- une société démocratique fondé en 2005) istes et de photo reporters sont régulière- place 22 députés. L’assemblée compte 550 ment arrêtés. membres élus pour un mandat de cinq ans à la proportionnelle. Pour qu’un parti soit La route longe l’immense barrage-réser- représenté au Parlement, il doit présenter voir Atatürk, huit cent dix-sept kilomètres un candidat dans au moins la moitié des carrés. Il faut basculer à nouveau dans le provinces de la Turquie, il doit par ailleurs bassin versant du Tigre. Évoquer les obtenir un minimum de 10% des voix au murailles de basalte noir de Diyarbakir fait niveau national. Ce qui est interprété encore frissonner nombre de turcs. La cité comme un barrage antidémocratique exclu bénéficie moins qu’Urfa des bienfaits du d’emblé le DTP qui doit pour le contourner GAP. Est-elle trop rebelle ? présenter ses candidats comme « indépen- L’agglomération compte près de un million dants ». En 2009, la Cour d’habitants, 90% de Kurdes et 10% de Constitutionnelle interdit le DTP. Le BDP Turcs. Sa croissance a été fulgurante, ali- Les résidences fraîchement achevées alter- (le parti pour la paix et la démocratie) le mentée par l’exode rural forcé des réfugiés nent avec les squelettes des bâtiments en remplace derechef. En 2003, les autorités de la guerre civile et du conflit irakien de cours. Dans les interstices, les accès sont avaient déjà interdit le parti pro-kurde 1991. Lorsque nous étions à Hasankef, qua- encore en terre, il n’y a pas d’arbres, on Hadep créé en 1994. Le 21 avril, des mani- tre rebelles du PKK ont été assassinés à marche dans la boue. Les animaux de festations ont éclaté après que le Haut Tunceli, dans la vallée du Haut-Euphrate. basse-cour rappellent que l’agriculture est Conseil Electoral ait invalidé la candida- En réaction, à un mois des élections, des partout dans et hors les murs de la ville. ture de 7 candidats du BDP sur 66. La pop- milliers de personnes sont descendues Des maisons neuves de trois étages ulation kurde est en général estimée à dans les rues de Diyarbakir. La rumeur poussent sur n’importe quelle colline. Les quinze million de personnes. Il existe une souffle le chiffre de cent mille. silhouettes inachevées de coopératives controverse qui porte sur la comptabilisa- immobilières spéculatives ou en manque tion des enfants nés de couples mixtes, La lecture urbaine de Diyarbakir est aisée. de fonds mitent aussi le paysage. nombreux. Deux avenues qui se coupent à angles droits, larges, modernes, commerçantes et En juin 2011, trente-six députés kurdes ont Deux cents kilomètres séparent la plaine embouteillées : le plan est Romain. De part été élus au Parlement contre vingt-deux de Mardin-Ceylampinar de celle de Urfa- et d’autre un entrelacs de ruelles délabrées précédemment. Des fraudes massives et Harran à l’Ouest. Cette Haute donne à la vieille ville un air triste de violations des droits de vote ont été con- Mésopotamie aride est devenu un gigan- bidonville. Les ordures ménagères - quand statées. N tesque périmètre irrigué. De l’immense elles n’infestent pas les recoins - sont retenue d’eau du complexe organisé autour déversées dans le Tigre. Des vendeurs de *Géographe documentariste, travaille en du barrage Atatürk sur l’Euphrate partent légumes à la criée parcourent les étroits indépendant à la réalisation de récits deux canaux. L’un, encore inachevé, passages avec des charrettes à bras rem- documentaires, notamment pho- irrigue la première plaine, le second, un plies de concombres. Les enfants sont tographiques et vidéographiques des plus grand du monde, abreuve « Urfa livrés à eux-mêmes. En ce lieu s’entassent la Prospère » qui est devenu le centre des les familles kurdes les plus pauvres plateaux irrigués par le GAP. La cité, grosse arrivées des campagnes. de cinq cent mille âmes, polarise alentour et s’étale. À Urfa, il y a soixante-dix pour L’afflux n’est pas encore terminé, mais les cent de Kurdes, vingt pour cent d’Arabes et raisons ne sont plus les mêmes. Pendant la dix pour cent de Turcs. guerre civile, ils fuyaient selon le schéma d’urgence classique qui assigne à la Grande

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one Turkish company in Kurdistan. Today, this number has grown to 1,020 companies. Turkish Albaraka The Albaraka bank is an Islamic bank and belongs to the Fethulla Gulen group. Bank Opens The bank has 400 branches, 133 of which are located in Turkey. "It aims to provide services for business Branch in Erbil projects in the region and consolidate the By HEMIN KHOSHNAW bilateral economic relations between rudaw.net Turkey and Erbil," said Gul. The Turkish consul talked about the RBIL, Kurdistan Region --The growth of economic relations between the Turkish bank Albaraka has opened its Kurdistan Region and Turkey and how Efirst branch in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan A crowd stands outside the Erbil branch more banks are needed in this region to Region, the latest move in a series of ven- of Turkish Albaraka Bank on its inaugu- cope with the growth. tures by Turkish banks to enter the Kurdish ration day. "We have opened airlines, schools and market. hospitals in the Kurdistan Region. Today, Despite severe crises between Turkey Catholics -- they last forever," said Gul. the branch of Albaraka has begun its ser- and Iraqi Kurdistan in the past, relations The branch’s inauguration ceremony vices and other banks will follow," said between the two have improved dramati- was held on April 25 and attended by senior Salcan. cally in recent years. Turkey now has a officials such as Sinan Chalabi, Kurdish For his part, Erbil’s Governor Hadi consulate in the Kurdistan Region and its minister of trade and industry, Nawzad expressed happiness at the inauguration, businesses have dominated the region’s Hadi, governor of Erbil and Aydin Salcan, saying, "Opening this bank is the result of market. the Turkish consul general in the Kurdistan good relations between the two countries. In fact, confidence in the flourishing ties Region. Opening banks and expanding the banking between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey According to the Kurdish minister of system are prerequisites for a successful appears to be at an all-time high, to the trade, trade between Turkey and Iraq has economy.” point that Sami Gul, manager of the Albarak reached $12 billion, 75 percent of which is Apart from Albaraka Bank, there are branch in Erbil, has an enthusiastic way of with the Kurdistan Region. However, most currently branches of three other major describing the relationship. of the trade is unilateral, meaning only Turkish banks in Kurdistan -- İş Bank,
"Economic relations between Turkey Kurdistan imports goods from Turkey. Ziraat Bank and Vakif Bank. and Kurdistan are like the marriages of Celebi said that, in 1995, there was only

2 May 2012

all sects and ethnicities is all that Turkey Iraqi MP criticizes Turkish-Iraqi Kurdish hopes for in Iraq and that even Shiite groups “are fed up with” the Shiite prime rapprochement, says Turkey not reliable minister's sectarian-based politics in Iraq. Political observers say Maliki is trying to TODAY'S ZAMAN, ANKARA to Iraq as long as Maliki is in power,” ensure Shiite domination of power in his Barzani was quoted as saying by Kurdish country by eliminating Sunni politicians from n Iraqi deputy has warned Massoud media outlets. participation in political mechanisms. The Barzani, the president of Iraq's autono- Iraqi Kurds have had strained relations Maliki-led central government issued an mous Kurdistan region, about a recent rap- with Turkey in the past due to the presence A arrest warrant for Vice President Tariq al- prochement with Turkey, saying Turkey has of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party Hashemi, the top official in the Iraqi cabinet, never been a reliable country for the Iraqi (PKK) in Kurdish-run northern Iraq, but ties one day after the US withdrawal from Iraq. Kurds. have improved significantly in recent years. Iraq to Barzani: F-16s to protect Iraq Hossein Ali, a member of the Kurdistan As ties have further normalized, Barzani from Turkey, Iran Alliance (KA) group in the Iraqi parliament, has repeatedly over the last year called on Meanwhile, criticizing Barzani's remarks said, "The Iraqi Kurds' reliance on Turkey the PKK to lay down its arms. The Kurds are over the planned delivery of US fighter jets can jeopardize the political future of the striving to maintain balanced ties with Iraq's to Iraq, the Security and Defense Kurdistan region,” on Tuesday to the Iranian rival Sunni and Shiite groups, as they vie for Committee in the Iraqi parliament said the semi-official Fars news agency. "All throu- influence in the country following the with- aircraft will be used to defend all of Iraq from ghout history, Turkey has never been and drawal of US troops on Dec. 31, 2011. threats that could come from neighbors. never will be a point of reliance for Iraqi Ali's remarks also came amid recent “These warplanes will be used in defending Kurds," he said, calling on Barzani to review tension highlighted in a row between Iraqi Iraq from external threats. These are suppo- his ties with Ankara. Prime Minister Maliki and his Turkish coun- sed to protect Kurds as well against attacks Ali's remarks came after a statement terpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. from Turkey and Iran,” the statement was made by Barzani to US officials during a In a written press statement in late April, quoted as saying by the Turkish media on recent visit to Washington that he opposes Maliki accused Turkey of becoming a hostile Wednesday. the delivery of F-16 warplanes to Iraq while state, engaging in “unjustified interference Last year, the US agreed to sell 36 F-16 Nouri al-Maliki remains prime minister, voi- in Iraqi internal affairs, still … dreaming [of] jets to Baghdad in a multi-billion dollar deal cing fears that Iraq's Shiite-led government controlling the region” and of becoming “an aimed at increasing the capabilities of Iraq's could use them against Iraqi Kurds. aggressive state for all [in the region].” weak air force. The jets are expected to be “I told the US administration that Kurds In response, Erdoğan said a stable poli- J delivered to Iraq by October of this year. won't accept handing over F-16 warplanes tical system in Iraq with the equal voice of

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îtetalbiSS^îw saturday-sunday, mays-6, 2012

Syrias threatened minorities

calls two massacres thatjust 30 years ble among its own large and restive Many Jonathan Randal ago took place barely 100 miles apart. Kurdish population. The essentially Alawites To this day their very names remain Shiite government in Baghdad is and other ominous shorthand for unpunished nervous about a Syria eventually under wholesale slaughter. Each involved a the influence of Sunni radicals. religious The longer the struggle for power in dominant minority that felt threatened. A blackjoke among Lebanese last and ethnic Syria drags on, the greater the danger In February 1982 as many as 20,000 year asked why their much battered for its minorities and, equally ominous¬ Sunnis died in the Syrian city of Hama country was spared the turmoil that at¬ groups feel ly, for those in neighboring states. This when the Alawite regime of Bashar's tended the Arab Spring and its most vi¬ caught in a is the human dimension of the stale¬ father, Hafez al-Assad, suppressed in olent ramifications, especially in Syria. vicious mated Syrian violence that is often ob¬ cold blood an uprising inspired by the The jest's cynical answer: Because scured by overarching geostrategic quintessentially Sunni Muslim Broth¬ Lebanon, with its unhealed scars and zero-sum considerations. ers and other Islamist radicals. complicated religious and ethnic game. In world capitals, attention is focused Then, that September in neighboring makeup, is automatically qualified for on the political and ideological stakes Lebanon, Maronite Christian militia¬ the finals. pitting Iran, Syria and their influential men, egged on by allies in Israel's in¬ Despite occasional incidents, an un¬ Hezbollah ally in Lebanon against a vading army, slaughtered hundreds of spoken understanding so far has kept major violence off Lebanese streets loose coalition of Turkey, Gulf Arab unarmed Palestinians in Beirut's Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. precisely because pro- and anti-Syrian petro-monarchies notably Qatar and factions await the outcome next door in Saudi Arabia Europe, the United The so-called "international commu¬ nity,'' a deliberately vague term in fact Syria. Once it becomes clear, the joke's States and, by extension, its Israeli ally. cynicism assumes that the uneasy Played out amid the turmoil un¬ then designating the United States and leashed last year by the Arab Spring, its allies, swallowed hard but decided stalemate will end. the stakes in the battle for Syria are mo¬ nothing could be done to bring the per¬ Is anyone at all planning, in some think thank for example, how to pre¬ mentous for the United States and for petrators to justice. vent the bloody retribution likely to be Russia, which backs Syria's govern¬ Have things changed much since? That lack of forcefulness back then the Alawites' collective fate if Assad's ment. The outcome cduld accelerate or offset the palpable decline in led to other tragedies. Israel's invasion regime is overthrown? To conjure that fate and prevent fur¬ American influence in much of the and expulsion of the Palestine Libera¬ ther turmoil spreading throughout the wider Muslim world. tion Organization from Beirut came only halfway through Lebanon's bloody region, the United States and allies But the region's minorities increas¬ would do well to work with rather ingly risk becoming expendable collat¬ 15 years of "little wars," those serial than against Russia to prod all Syri¬ eral damage in the open-ended civil conflicts for which the word "Lebanon- an parties to the negotiating table and war in Syria Many of Syria's ruling ization" was coined to describe the have them eschew escalating violence. Alawites and their Kurd, Assyrian, country's penchant for inventing ever Maronite Christian, Greek Catholic and more irrational and deadly forms of That again involves swallowing hard and somehow persuading Assad and . Orthodox fellow minorities, indeed mass murder and mayhem to afflict its the insurgents to talk. That's a tall or¬ even the prudent Druze feel caught 18 officially recognized sects and reli¬ der and the hour is late. in a vicious zero-sum game. gious minorities. Like many another dominant minor¬ Even an abbreviated account of Leb¬ Jonathan randal is aformer Washington ity throughout Middle Eastern history, anon's past travails helps explain why Postforeign correspondent whose book, President Bashar al-Assad's belea¬ many Middle Easterners are jaundiced "the Tragedy ofLebanon-Christian guered Alawites both protect and ma¬ about the repercussions from the Warlords, IsraeliAdventurers and Amer¬ nipulate Syria's other minorities. Assad struggle for Syria. Turkey helps Syria's ican Bunglers," is being republished by relentlessly insists they are all under Sunni insurgents but worries that As¬ JustWorldBooks. growing threat from the still disorgan¬ sad will use Syrian Kurds to cause trou ized and disparate opposition drawn from the Sunni Muslim community which accounts for 70 percent of Syria's population. That way, the longer the strife goes on, the less isolated his Alawites (perhaps 12 percent of Syrians) feel and the more

theyjustify their backs-to-the-wall de¬ er fense of privileges accumulated over more than 40 years in power. The counterexample is Iraq, where Amer¬ ica's war put the majority Shiites in ^ power and minorities paid a heavy price *& Past intercommunal bloodletting re¬ mains very much alive in the memories of the region's peoples. Indeed, the present slaughter ofthe innocents re Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

May 4, 2012 Iraq's unity tested by rising tensions over oil-rich Kurdish region

As Iraqi Kurdistan ramps up oil production that could soon surpass Libya's out- put, Kurdish leaders have warned they may seek inde- pendence if disputes over oil revenues, power-sharing aren't resolved.

By Jane Arraf, Staff writer Erbil, Iraq

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, center left, shakes hands with Kurdish president n the capital of the Kurdish region, a Massoud Barzani, center right, upon his arrival in Erbil, north of Baghdad, Iraq, Igleaming new international airport April 26. Sadr visited Erbil for the first time in a sign of solidarity with the welcomes visitors to a part of the coun- Kurds. Khalid Mohammed/AP try that is increasingly striking out on its own amid mounting questions over whether a united Iraq will survive. “We can reach agreement on this,” he Maliki’s coalition government was Unlike Baghdad, foreign visitors land- said, referring to the wider issue of essential to the Shiite prime minister ing on one of the ever-growing number Iraq’s fragile coalition government and retaining his post after failing to win a of international flights to Erbil need no increasingly bitter relations between majority of seats. Since then a power- prior visa. That's just one of the signs of Kurdish President Barzani and Iraqi sharing agreement which included the autonomy in Iraqi Kurdistan, the coun- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. “We Kurds and the major Sunni political try's most prosperous and secure Iraqis had experiences many times on bloc has fallen apart with almost none region. the brink of civil war – we retreated of the provisions implemented. from that and we came back to dia- Newly discovered oil has fueled the logue and national unity.” Because of the political wrangling, Iraq prosperity underpinning Kurdistan's has no interior or defense minister. boldness. But it has also heightened Not everyone agrees with the presi- Instead Maliki effectively oversees tensions with Baghdad that have sim- dent’s assessment, however. Maliki's both, as well as an increasing number mered for decades over land and iden- far-reaching consolidation of power of intelligence and security services tity. As Iraqi Kurdistan ramps up oil has rankled other regions and even his reorganized to fall directly under his production that officials say could sur- political allies, with Shiite cleric command. In a country with some of pass Libya's output by 2019, Kurdish Muqtada al-Sadr recently visiting Erbil the world’s biggest oil reserves, a pro- leaders have warned they could seek for the first time in a sign of solidarity posed oil law mandating how revenue full independence if disputes over oil with the Kurds. is shared between the provinces has revenues and power-sharing aren't never reached Parliament for a vote. resolved. SOUTHERN, OIL-RICH REGIONS ALSO PRESSING FOR “We have to clearly define the oil law,” "The Kurds will not live in the shadow MORE CONTROL says Latif Rasheed, senior adviser to of a dictatorial regime," Massoud President Talabani. “Not only regard- Barzani, the powerful president of the ine years after Saddam Hussein ing central authorities but regional Kurdish region said in a speech in Erbil Nwas toppled, and two decades after authorities – this is happening in Friday. "The right to decide our destiny breaking away from Baghdad, Iraqi Kurdistan now; tomorrow it might is a legitimate one and we ask others Kurdistan is far more prosperous and happen in Basra if it’s not clear.” not to try to take this right from us." secure than any other part of the coun- try. Security has been maintained by In addition to Kurdistan, other regions, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, head of the regional government’s strict including the south – which has seen the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, told controls on its de facto borders, inclu- little benefit from its vast oil reserves – the Monitor in a recent interview he ding those ostensibly under the juris- have been pressing for more control. believes differences between Baghdad diction of the central government. Some local government officials in and Erbil can be solved. Basra and Diyala have even raised the Kurdish support two years ago for prospect of seeking autonomy. ➼

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➼ As Kurdish political and economic Kurdistan – is entangled in the wider Mr. Barzani, who next to Mr. Maliki power grows, ties with the rest of Iraq issue of land, towns, and cities claimed has emerged as the most powerful weaken. Most younger Kurds don’t by both the Iraqi and Kurdish govern- politician in Iraq, has warned that the speak Arabic and few feel a strong con- ments – including the disputed city of Kurds could "resort to other decisions" nection to the rest of the country. Kirkuk. Kurds claim oil-rich Kirkuk as if the prime minister does not follow their historic capital, as do the through on a power-sharing agree- “What is not independent about Turkmen and other groups. Tens of ment. Barzani's comments are widely Kurdistan today?” says one Kurdish thousands of non-Arabs were expelled seen as an implied threat to seek inde- official speaking on condition of from that city during Hussein’s cam- pendence. anonymity. “The fact that we get our paign to Arabize the country. money from Baghdad – that’s the only LEGACY OF SADDAM'S thing that’s left.” “There are a number of issues that GENOCIDAL CAMPAIGN have to be sorted out – one is the dis- KURDISH TIES WITH TURKEY puted territories, which I think is he legacy of Saddam Hussein’s IMPROVE much more serious than the oil,” says military campaigns against the Mr. Rasheed, the Iraqi president’s TKurds in the 1970s and 1980s has urds are looking at the possibility adviser. rekindled fears in Iraqi Kurdistan that of replacing that revenue from an a central government with unchecked unlikelyK source. Opposition from Oil though has become the driving powers could again pose a threat. That powerful Turkey has been one of the force behind Kurdish aspirations. worry has been heightened by the main reasons the Kurds have not Since Barzani turned the tap on the withdrawal of US troops that served as sought more autonomy. But as first oil well in the Taq Taq field three a buffer between Erbil and Baghdad. Baghdad’s relations with Ankara have years ago, Kurdish officials expect pro- soured over accusations of Turkish duction to rise to 500,000 barrels per American protection in the form of a interference in Iraqi affairs, Erbil's ties day in the next 1-1/2 years. They say it no-fly zone in 1991 created the semi- with Turkey have improved dramati- could reach 2 million barrels per day autonomous Kurdish region after the cally. by 2019 – a higher output than oil pro- Kurds rose up against Mr. Hussein's ducers such as Libya. weakened regime when he was driven Kurdish officials maintain they are dis- out of Kuwait. Deeply traumatized by cussing with Turkey plans to build Reflecting the rising tension, the Saddam’s genocidal campaign, two crude oil and natural gas pipelines that Kurdish government in April shut off decades later Kurdish leaders have would carry fuel directly from Iraqi oil exports bound for the Iraqi govern- raised concerns in Washington over Kurdistan to the neighboring country. ment pipeline to Turkey. Foreign com- Iraq’s purchase of American F-16 panies have cut back production and fighter jets. Talabani, who last month hosted are selling the remaining fuel within Baghdad’s first Arab League summit in Iraqi Kurdistan – a move that contra- “It’s normal for Iraq to have an army, more than 20 years, maintains that it venes long-standing agreement under to have advanced weaponry but the would be unrealistic for Kurds to push which oil revenue is distributed by concept of against whom that would be for independence despite calls by the Baghdad. The companies and Kurdish used this is what worries us,” says younger generation to seek it. authorities say it’s a necessary step to Falah Mustafa, the Kurdish regional recover their costs after months of not government’s de facto foreign minis- The older Kurdish political elite spent being paid under existing agreements ter. “When we have worries about the years as mountain fighters followed by with the central government. nature of that army and the loyalty of years in exile but Talabani says that for that army we have all the right to be all Kurds in the region seeking control For many Iraqi Kurds, the question is afraid because planes have been used over their destiny, that era is over. whether the autonomy they have against Kurdish people ... so our tragic gained is enough or whether they history tells us to be careful.” “Armed struggle is past – now we are should aim for more and risk losing it. in a parliamentarian struggle ... we are Kurdish officials are adamant that they always telling this to our [Kurdish] “It’s a tough one for any Kurd to bal- won’t seek the breakup of Iraq but brothers in Turkey to understand the ance their natural desire for any inde- many seem prepared for the possibili- spirit of a new era," he says. "This is pendence, which every Kurd has deep ty that Sunni-Shiite tension could not the time of partisan war or armed down, even Jalal Talabani, with a real- splinter the country on its own. struggle. Look to the countries that use ity that puts what we have today in popular struggle; even they get free- danger,” says Qubad Talabani, the Feeding into Iraq’s sectarian tensions, dom from dictatorship from other Kurdish government’s representative Sunni vice president Tariq al- places, so through this kind of struggle in Washington and the president’s son. Hashemi, wanted on terrorism people can achieve their goals.” “I think that’s what every Kurd grap- charges, was given refuge in Iraqi ples with – what their heart tells them Kurdistan and then allowed by the 2 MILLION BARRELS PER DAY and what their head tells them.”J Kurdish government to leave the coun- BY 2019 try, despite a no-travel order. He is now being tried in absentia in he dispute over oil – potentially Baghdad. worth billions of dollars as new Tfields come on stream in Iraqi

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USA, Turquie et Kurdes irakiens main dans la main

www.michelcollon.info gravement les groupes chiites, M. Barzani et le groupe Iraqiya M. K. Bhadrakumar [soutenu par les Sunnites]. » avant que ce dernier n'ait ouvert ture d’Erdogan comme Sultan du Erdogan faisait simplement ce les hostilités verbales à Bagdad. Moyen-Orient musulman en a pris qu'il fait d'habitude, en dictant à Mais ce n'est qu'un point parmi un coup. l y avait quelque chose de très Maliki comment il devait diriger d'autres. Le fait qu’Hashemi est bizarre lorsque, le vendredi 20 l'Irak. Mais le ministère turc des arrivé en Turquie pour la dernière Il est intéressant de noter que, à avril, le Premier ministre irakien I Affaires étrangères avait alors étape d'une tournée, qui l'a con- la suite de l'échange de mots vifs Nouri al-Maliki a déclaré que la donné un poids particulier à ces duit au Qatar et en Arabie saou- avec Erdogan, Maliki est parti Turquie devenait un « Etat hostile propos par une déclaration confir- dite, donne une toile de fond dimanche pour Téhéran pour une » de la région. Après tout, Bagdad mant qu’Erdogan les avait régionale à ce qui est en train de visite de deux jours. Le plus est censée être « l'âme » du prononcées de manière se dérouler. (Soit dit en passant, embêtant pour Maliki, c’est monde arabe et la Turquie est délibérée, et qu'Ankara avait des Erdogan vient également de con- qu’Erdogan s'est engagé dans le censée être le modèle des opinions bien arrêtées sur la clure une série de consultations à renforcement de ses liens avec le nations arabes démocratisées façon dont la démocratie devait Riyad et à Doha.) leader kurde Massoud Barzani. telles que l'Irak. fonctionner en Irak. Ankara favorise une alliance entre En effet, Maliki est également Barzani et les dirigeants sunnites « Les dernières déclarations du La déclaration dit : « La base de la dans le collimateur saoudien et irakiens avec la perspective de [Premier ministre turc Recep crise politique dans laquelle se qatari. Riyad et Doha le voient contester le leadership de Maliki à Tayip] Erdogan sont un nouveau trouve l'Irak est que les politiciens comme un représentant iranien et Bagdad. Les Turcs ont veillé à ce retour à l'ingérence dans les irakiens cherchent à consolider ne font pas mystère de leur désir que Barzani rencontre Hashemi à affaires intérieures irakiennes et leur pouvoir et à en exclure de le faire remplacer. Ils ont Istanbul la semaine dernière. confirment qu’Erdogan est tou- d'autres, plutôt que de suivre une d’ailleurs boycotté le récent Ankara joue sur les ambitions jours en train de vivre dans politique fondée sur des principes Sommet arabe à Bagdad, où politiques de Barzani comme chef l'illusion de l'hégémonie régionale démocratiques et universels. Maliki avait le rôle d'hôte. suprême du Kurdistan avec Erbil », a déclaré Maliki, ajoutant : « Il C'est un fait que derrière les per- comme capitale dans le nord de est clair que ses déclarations ont ceptions erronées qui ont conduit Donc, le même axe régional l'Irak. Après avoir rencontré une dimension sectaire, qu'il niait à des accusations contre la Turquie-Arabie Saoudite-Qatar Hashemi, Barzani a accusé dans constamment avant, mais qui est Turquie par le Premier ministre qui travaille pour un « change- une conférence de presse à maintenant devenue claire, et Maliki, qui a incité la crise en Irak, ment de régime » en Syrie, est Isrambul Maliki de nourrir des tous les Irakiens la rejettent ... il y a cette mauvaise compréhen- également sur la voie de la con- ambitions dictatoriales. Son insistance à poursuivre ces sion de la politique. » frontation avec Maliki - et le leit- politiques nationalistes et région- motiv est une fois de plus d'isoler La convergence d'intérêts entre alistes seront nuisibles aux L'Axe au travail l'Iran dans la région. Ankara et Erbil n'a rien de nou- intérêts de la Turquie et en feront veau. Elle remonte à l'imposition un état hostile pour tous ». es tensions entre la Turquie et En termes immédiats, Erdogan de la "zone d'exclusion aérienne" l'Irak se sont régulièrement réagit aussi à ce qu'il perçoit sur le nord de l'Irak par les États- Erdogan n'est pas habitué à accrues, et elles ont dernièrement comme une offense de Téhéran, Unis, la Grande-Bretagne et la entendre de telles semonces, L fortement augmenté. La "crise en qui avait frustré ses espoirs de France dans les années 1990. La même si la première provocation Irak" qu'évoque la déclaration faire jouer un rôle à la Turquie en Turquie a joué un rôle clé dans était venue d’Erdogan lui-même, turque est la bataille politique en tant que facilitateur des pourpar- l'émergence du Kurdistan comme lorsqu’il a accusé Maliki d'être « cours entre Maliki et le vice-prési- lers entre l'Iran et le "Groupe des une région autonome au sein de égocentrique ». Après une réu- dent irakien Tareq al-Hashemi, qui Six" (également connus sous le l'Irak. nion à huis clos avec le leader a pris une dimension sectaire nom du P5 +1, les USA, la kurde irakien Massoud Barzani à chiite-sunnite. En somme, la Grande-Bretagne, la France, la Aujourd'hui cela prend également Istanbul la semaine dernière, Turquie patauge dans la politique Russie et la Chine plus une forte dimension économique : Erdogan a déclaré que « le traite- sectaire de l'Irak et se positionne l'Allemagne). Téhéran a admin- Barzani a besoin d'une sortie vers ment actuel que réserve le aux côtés des Sunnites et des istré ce camouflet en pleine le monde extérieur pour le com- Premier ministre Maliki à ses Kurdes. lumière lorsqu'il a proposé merce, et en particulier les expor- partenaires de la coalition, son Bagdad comme lieu de la tations de pétrole du Kurdistan, la approche égocentrique de la poli- Hashemi est actuellement à prochaine ronde de négociations Turquie fournit cette sortie, et à tique irakienne ... inquiètent ➤ Istanbul et a rencontré Erdogan avec le P5 +1, ce 23 mai. La pos- son tour, en tire d'immenses

7 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ bénéfices. Les liens commer- quantité incroyable d'argent par le ciaux entre les deux côtés sont biais des exportations de pétrole florissants, et représentent via les pipelines turcs ; et deux- aujourd'hui plus de la moitié des ièmement, derrière la Turquie se 12 milliards de $ US du com- trouvent les Saoudiens et les merce de la Turquie avec l'Irak. Qataris, qui sont également tout disposés à financer Barzani. Sur un autre plan, la Turquie est prête à aller jusqu'au bout dans la Du point de vue saoudien et promotion de Barzani, seulement qatari, le fait que Barzani peut s’il donne un coup de main pour s'avérer être une épine dans le museler l'insurrection kurde à l'est pied de Maliki fait de lui un objet de la Turquie, insurrection dirigée d'intérêt. Ils veulent que Maliki soit par les séparatistes du Parti des affaibli à un point tel qu'il ne travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), puisse plus être d'aucune aide significative pour le régime syrien. qui opèrent à partir de sanctuaires constituent environ 10% de la à Assad, opposition basée en Maliki a aidé la Syrie de façon dans le nord de l'Irak. population du pays, ont été réti- Turquie. décisive en l’approvisionnant en cents à s'aligner avec les Frères pétrole et, de manière générale, Les dirigeants turcs ont déroulé le musulmans et d'autres groupes Ankara sait parfaitement que en brisant les sanctions occiden- tapis rouge à Barzani, l'accueillant d'opposition syriens, à moins Barzani est un client peu sûr. Mais tales. comme un chef d'Etat. Il a rencon- qu'ils n'accèdent à leur demande ce qui encourage les dirigeants tré le président turc Abdullah Gül, d'une région autonome kurde turcs, c'est que les Etats-Unis Erdogan a souligné le fait qu'il Erdogan et le ministre des Affaires dans l'est de la Syrie (où les sont également intervenus pour avait discuté de la situation syri- étrangères Ahmet Davitoglu, ainsi champs de pétrole syriens se veiller à ce que Barzani tienne ses enne avec Barzani la semaine que le chef du renseignement trouvent). promesses. Début avril, les USA dernière. En effet, il y a une Hakan Fidan. Barzani a allumé de ont invité Barzani à Washington, dimension kurde à la politique de nouveaux espoirs chez les Turcs, Le gros de la population kurde de où le président Barack Obama l'a la Turquie en Syrie. Le spectre de qu'il ferait quelque chose de con- Syrie vit dans la région aride de reçu. la renaissance de la vieille cret pour empêcher le PKK Ayn al-Arab et dans la zone agri- alliance entre le régime syrien et d'ensanglanter encore la Turquie cole de Ifrin, bordant la Turquie. Prenant le relai de la Turquie, le PKK hante la Turquie. En guise dans une guerre de guérilla Les Kurdes sont également pré- Washington nourrit également les de représailles à la lourde menée à partir du territoire sous dominants dans de vastes instincts de marchand de bazar ingérence de la Turquie dans les son contrôle dans le nord de l'Irak. faubourgs de Damas et dans le de Barzani. Un US-Kurdistan affaires syriennes, Damas a com- centre commercial d'Alep, qui se Business Council a été créé à mencé à montrer un intérêt renou- Il a déclaré aux médias turcs : « trouve à moins de 50 kilomètres Washington pour promouvoir les velé pour le PKK. Vous n'arriverez à rien avec des de la frontière turque. Sans sur- « investissements » US dans les armes. Le PKK devrait déposer prise, l'autonomie kurde en Syrie territoires du nord de l'Irak sous le Ces mouvements restent pour le les armes. Je ne laisserai pas le restera toujours une question sen- contrôle de Barzani. Le chef de la moment en sourdine, mais ils sont PKK régner dans le nord de l'Irak sible pour Ankara, car elle pourrait direction d’Exxon Mobil, Rex suffisamment de mauvaise ... Si le PKK continue avec la lutte avoir un effet domino en Turquie Tillerson, a rencontré Massoud augure sur ce qui pourrait arriver armée, il en subira les con- même. Barzani à Washington. En si la situation s'aggravait et que séquences ». Ces mots auront Novembre, Barzani avait accordé Damas prenait enfin la décision sonné comme une douce Mais les groupes kurdes au sein des contrats lucratifs à Exxon de rendre à Ankara la monnaie de musique aux oreilles turques. de la Syrie sont très divisés et Mobil pour explorer six champs de sa pièce. Il est relativement facile c'est ici que Barzani entre en jeu. pétrole au Kurdistan, en ignorant pour Damas de frapper en retour Énigme kurde Le plus grand groupe de coordi- les véhémentes protestations du la Turquie, si elle prenait la déci- nation kurde en Syrie, le Congrès gouvernement fédéral de Maliki, sion stratégique de le faire, parce e dilemme d'Ankara, toutefois, National kurde (KNC), bénéficie qui rappelle que le pouvoir que le leadership du PKK com- c'est que Barzani avait déjà du soutien de Barzani. Si le KNC d’accorder des concessions prend des Kurdes d'origine syri- Lprononcé d’aussi jolies paroles pouvait être amené à établir des pétrolières aux compagnies enne et qu'un tiers des cadres du dans le passé. Il avait promis de liens avec l'opposition syrienne, la étrangères est réservé à l'Etat PKK est d'origine syrienne. s'attaquer au PKK mais avait viré Turquie se sentirait beaucoup fédéral. de bord sitôt rentré à Erbil. La plus à l'aise. Réciproquement, pour que la dure réalité est que la sympathie Pendant qu'il était à Washington, Turquie puisse intensifier son envers la cause du PKK est très En effet, la Turquie encourage Barzani a également tenu une ingérence en Syrie dans la péri- répandue parmi les peshmergas Barzani à convoquer une con- réunion avec le secrétaire à la ode à venir, elle doit d'abord min- (combattants) kurdes dans le nord férence nationale kurde à Arbil en Défense, Léon Panetta, et le imiser la portée des représailles de l'Irak. juin, en vue de pousser les secrétaire d'Etat adjoint William de Damas. La Turquie espère que intérêts de la Turquie : museler le Burns, réunion au cours de laque- Barzani pourrait donner un coup Mais il pourrait y avoir une dif- PKK ; encourager les Kurdes de lle la secrétaire d'État Hillary de main, en agissant sur les férence qualitative cette fois. Syrie à abandonner leur Clinton s'est arrêtée pour le groupes kurdes syriens. Premièrement, Barzani, qui a de ambigüité actuelle pour un saluer, et où ils ont interagi avec bons instincts de marchand de "changement de régime" à des 'think tankers' influents. Le Un autre facteur de complication bazar, sait que la Turquie pourrait Damas et les amener à se lier de vice-président Joe Biden a organ- est que les Kurdes de Syrie, qui ➤ l'aider, lui et sa famille, à faire une manière décisive avec l'opposition isé un "déjeuner de travail"

8 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ pour Barzani. tre le PKK seront couronnés de Tout repose sur sa capacité à gros intérêts commerciaux en succès, et elle fournit un soutien exploiter les nationalistes kurdes Turquie, aux USA et dans Fait intéressant, les tirades de de renseignements pour les dispersés à travers non seule- plusieurs pays européens. Barzani contre Maliki ont pris un opérations militaires. ment la Turquie, l'Irak et la Syrie, ton remarquablement plus vif mais aussi l'Iran, l'Arménie, [...] Obama est littéralement en après sa visite à Washington. Il a Washington espère aussi que mis l'Azerbaïdjan, la Géorgie et le train de copier le monumental déclaré à Al-Hayat que « l'Irak se sous une pression concertée Liban et à convaincre ces nation- cynisme de Henry Kissinger et sa dirigeait vers une catastrophe, un depuis plusieurs trimestres, Maliki alistes que leur seul espoir réal- duplicité envers les Kurdes d'Irak retour à la dictature », et qu’à son va enfin réaliser ce qui est bon iste consiste à rechercher une - choyer leurs aspirations retour à Erbil, il convoquera une pour lui, et desserrer ses liens plus grande autonomie au sein nationales dans le cadre d'un réunion de dirigeants irakiens avec l'Iran et la Syrie. Enfin, des structures étatiques exis- impitoyable et fourbe processus pour "sauver" le pays de Maliki et Washington voudrait que les tantes, sur des lignes qu'il a fixé pour déstabiliser le régime de pour chercher des "solutions radi- Kurdes syriens fassent le pas et avec le soutien US. C'est un défi Bagdad, tout en ne voulant pas cales". Barzani a également rejoignent les groupes de taille. Que les militants kurdes que leurs 'protégés' gagnent leur déclaré qu’il ne livrerait pas d'opposition basés en Turquie de soient convaincus de déposer les lutte, car ils pourraient être trop Hashemi à Bagdad. Encore une sorte que l'agenda du "change- armes et de suivre les traces de perturbants pour toute la région, fois, à l'origine de la discorde ment de régime" à Damas Barzani reste fortement douteux. en particulier pour l'allié le plus entre Maliki et Hashemi se trouve acquière plus de tranchant. proche des USA, la Turquie. la question de la répartition des Barzani est un personnage con- Barzani a toujours été, historique- richesses pétrolières de l'Irak. Cependant, il y a plusieurs troversé même parmi les Kurdes. ment parlant, « une carte à jouer impondérables dans le scénario Essentiellement, il s'agit d'un », et même à la mesure des Le porte-parole de M. Maliki à émergeant. Dos au mur, Damas seigneur de guerre tribal qui opérations secrètes, Obama et Bagdad, Ali Moussawi, a qualifié peut laisser le génie kurde sortir utilise des méthodes coercitives, Erdogan sont enfermés dans une la rhétorique de Barzani en visite de la bouteille, et le résultat pour- des méthodes souvent très vio- entreprise cynique. à Washington rait bien être une version syrienne lentes, pour garder sa famille au d'"incompréhensible escalade" du Kurdistan irakien - une sec- sommet du Kurdistan irakien, et Kissinger, au moins, était franc. De manière significative, le gou- onde zone autonome kurde le sa famille exerce un contrôle per- En revenant sur la trahison par les vernement Maliki a depuis placé long des frontières de la Turquie. sonnel sur les terres, les pro- USA des Kurdes en Irak en 1975, Exxon Mobil sur une "liste noire". Cela pourrait alors amener les priétés, les ressources et les il a commenté : « Les opérations La société ne figure pas sur la Kurdes de Turquie à rechercher finances de la région. En clair, lui secrètes ne doivent pas être con- liste définitive des 47 candidats une autonomie similaire. La et sa famille dirigent un cartel fondues avec le travail mission- pré-qualifiés pour le prochain tour meilleure solution pour Erdogan d'affaires appelé « Kurdistan ». naire. » Obama serait probable- des droits d'exploration de aurait été de faire des progrès Les Kurdes ressentent de plus en ment d'accord, mais la différence l'énergie dans 12 nouveaux blocs vers une résolution politique du plus qu'ils sont traités comme ses cruciale est qu’Erdogan lui a mon- dans l'ouest et le centre de l'Irak, problème kurde en Turquie, locataires et ses serfs. tré comment le flirt avec les ce qui ajouterait la quantité comme il avait commencé à le Kurdes pouvait également s'auto- énorme de 800 millions de m3 de faire. Mais la condition sine qua Le système de patronage de financer, et prendre un air de gaz et 10 milliards de barils de non serait justement un retour de Barzani est fondé sur sa pratique principe de comptabilisation des pétrole dans les réserves iraki- la « normalité » dans les relations de traiter les revenus du pétrole et coûts, un angle qui fascine partic- ennes. L'appel d'offres devrait se de la Turquie avec la Syrie et une du gaz du Kurdistan comme les ulièrement Obama en ces temps tenir le 30 et 31 mai. plus grande stabilité en Irak. comptes privés de sa famille, difficiles. sans aucun contrôle financier Une carte à jouer On peut dire qu'Erdogan est sur réel. Ce système de patronage En bref, alors que Kissinger était un chemin glissant. Son échange est basé sur la règle du clan et il plongé dans la realpolitik, Obama uoi qu'il en soit, Barzani s'est acrimonieux avec Maliki souligne ne peut fonctionner que tant que il s’assure également que les com- senti encouragé après sa que l'isolement de la Turquie est n'y a aucun Etat de droit ; mais la pagnies US fassent quelques Qvisite à Washington à s'engager presque complet dans son voisi- démocratisation de l'Irak propage affaires profitables dans les fab- dans un défi stratégique contre le nage immédiat. Le maillon le plus son virus dans le Kurdistan aussi, uleux champs de pétrole du gouvernement fédéral de Bagdad. faible dans la stratégie turque est et des Kurdes instruits commen- Kurdistan. Les USA pourraient Les USA l'ont chaleureusement Barzani lui-même. cent à être contrariés par le style ainsi être sûrs d’obtenir une situa- accueilli comme il sied à un chef de vie autocratique du clan tion « win-win », quelle que soit la de l'Etat, le tout avec d’appuyées Ankara dépend fortement de la Barzani. trajectoire de la démocratie en capacité de Barzani de conclure Irak, ou la longévité du régime à références à l'indépendance du J Kurdistan. des ententes avec le PKK, ainsi Par exemple, les contrats Damas. que de ruser avec les Kurdes pétroliers signés par les compag- Il est vraisemblable que syriens. Certes, Barzani a un nies turques, états-uniennes, bri- Source originale : Asia Times Washington et Ankara agissent en intérêt direct à travailler avec tanniques et autres vont être les Traduit de l'anglais par tandem et qu'il y a une étroite Ankara puisque le Kurdistan principaux instruments utilisés par Investig'Action coordination des politiques US et irakien a développé des liens Ankara et Washington pour influ- turques à l'égard des Kurdes de économiques étendus avec la encer Barzani, alors que person- Syrie et d'Irak. Pour les deux Turquie et que ces liens ne n'a la moindre idée de ce qu'il pays, l'objectif ultime est d'affaiblir s'approfondissent de jour en jour. y a dans ces contrats, comment l'influence régionale de l'Iran. Mais Barzani a également ses ils ont été négociés, où l'argent L'administration Obama espère limites. vient et où il s'en va. Ce qui est que les efforts de la Turquie con- certain, c'est que Barzani a de

9 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti MAY 5, 2012 In Syria, a Kurdish wildcard no one wants to play

PIOTR ZALEWSKI

he drive through town had become something of an obstacle course. On some streets, young boys,T stones in hand, squared off against policemen, each group waiting for the other to make the first move. In other parts of the city, chunks of broken pavement, remnants of recent clashes, rendered any attempt at pas- sage impossible. It was the evening of March 20 and Nusaybin - a town in Turkey's Kurdish-dominated south-east - was still on edge. Earlier in the day, riot police had fired tear gas and water cannons on men and women marching back from a rally to celebrate Newroz, the Kurdish New Year. Similar scenes Kurdish protesters at a meeting of the Democratic Society Party in Nusaybin. were to play out across the region throughout the week, after Turkish hoped to take advantage of the meas- army since 1984. (Some 40,000 people, authorities decided to ban Newroz cel- ure to travel to Nusaybin, if only to call including militants, soldiers and civil- ebrations held on any day other than on relatives, the opportunity to do so ians, have died since the beginning of March 21. proved short-lived. At the beginning of the conflict. Turkey, the United States 2012, Al Assad's regime decided to and the European Union all list the PKK At the offices of Mar-Has, the final stop close the border crossing between as a terrorist organisation. Many of on our ride through Nusaybin, the focus Nusaybin and its neighbouring sister Turkey's 12-15 million Kurds would dis- - rather than on the festering conflict city, Qamishli. Syrian Kurds attempting agree. To them, the group remains a between Turkey and its Kurds - was on to enter Nusaybin now have to do so symbol of resistance against a Turkish events in Syria. Nusaybin lies within illegally, with the help of a smuggler, or state that is yet to meet the Kurds' earshot of the border and Mar-Has, an via the closest border crossing still demands for cultural rights and some NGO, helps people fleeing the country open, at Kilis, almost 500 kilometres measure of political autonomy.) find their footing in Turkey, says Mir away. Mehmet, one of the group's members. Sino had been involved in the anti-Al "We provide them with food, with blan- Although there may be as many as sev- Assad revolution from the start, he kets, and we help find homes for eral hundred Syrians currently living in says. Among other things, he had them," he says. Nusaybin, few were willing to be inter- helped diffuse videos of protests in viewed, citing security concerns. Of Qamishli. Apprehended by Syrian Syria is said to be home to at least two those who agreed to speak, Munteser agents during a trip to Lebanon, he was million Kurds, many of them descended Sino claimed that during his first brought to Damascus and tortured for from families who fled Turkey after a attempt to sneak across the border he three consecutive days, he recalls. series of bloodily suppressed Kurdish was detained by Turkish border guards When Syrian military intelligence tried rebellions in the 1920s and 1930s. The and sent back to Syria. to recruit him to spy on fellow opposi- government in Damascus having denied tion members, he refused. Once these Kurds citizenship, hundreds of To date, Turkish authorities have released, Sino attempted to flee Syria. thousands were left in limbo, unable to received and accommodated well over Apprehended the first time around, he claim basic rights in Syria and - lacking 25,000 Syrian refugees, nearly all of tried once again and succeeded. Like national identity papers - unable to them arriving in Hatay, a southern many Kurds on the Syrian side of the travel abroad. province of Turkey. The government in border, Sino has family members in Ankara remains wary of new arrivals Nusaybin, he says. "I prefer to stay with That impasse was finally broken in April from Kurdish-populated northeastern them rather than in the refugee camps 2011 when Syrian president Bashar Al Syria, however. in Hatay." Assad, doing his best to appease the Kurdish minority and ensure that it Some of these, Turkish officials fear, Ibrahim, another Syrian activist based remain on the sidelines of the anti-gov- may be infiltrators from the Kurdistan in Nusaybin, fled Qamishli in February. ernment revolution raging across Syria, Workers' Party (PKK), a militant group Back in Syria, he had been arrested promised to grant citizenship to that has waged war against the Turkish twice, he says - once on account of his ➤ 300,000 stateless Kurds. For those who

10 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ political activities, and once on says Seda Altug, a Turkish researcher. ed to send a message to Turkey and to account of his brother's. The day we "It wasn't easy for the Kurds to pick up Syria. They wanted to show that the met, he had received a phone call and join the revolution right away," Kurds of Syria were under their control from his sister in Syria. Intelligence she explains. and they wanted to hide the purpose agents had asked about his where- of the demonstrations," the politician abouts, she told him. The family had If the trauma of 2004 has receded, said. When he asked the PKK members feigned ignorance. then a more tangible force appears to to take down the banners - "our pur- be holding back the Kurds. According pose is not to support Ocalan but to Sitting in a small park overlooking the to numerous accounts, the PKK and its oppose the Syrian regime," he border area, Ibrahim points to several Syrian offshoot, the Democratic Union explained - they threatened him with watchtowers, a field tilled by Syrian Party (PYD) - acknowledged as the death. "Later, they told me, 'If you do farmers, and to rows of barbed wire. most powerful among Syria's many this again, we will kill you. We will kill This, he says, is where he snuck across Kurdish groups - have acted as a brake anyone who does this. We paid with the border and into Turkey. He comes on anti-regime activities among the our blood for this banner, for this here often, he says. "But no, not out of Kurds. At best, the PKK is playing for flag.'" nostalgia," he protests, laughing, "but time, hoping to jump on the revolu- because it's one of the few places in tionary bandwagon only once the A September 2011 ceasefire between Nusaybin where I can get coverage on regime's downfall is all but assured. At the PJAK (the PKK's Iranian branch) my mobile phone, which is Syrian." worst, it is colluding with Assad to con- and the government in Tehran, the tain protests among the Kurds.The politician added, is clear evidence Although protests have regularly taken idea of co-operating with the regime is "that the PKK, Syria, and Iran have place in Kurdish towns across Syria not alien to the PKK. Throughout the reached an agreement." since the spring of 2011, many experts 1980s and 1990s, Al Assad's father, for- suggest that the Syrian Kurds are yet mer Syrian president Hafez Al Assad, There are signs that the PKK and the to throw in their lot with the anti- provided the Kurdish rebels with PYD may be recalibrating its alliances, Assad revolution. Qamishli-based access to training camps and allowed however. Although the PYD had initial- activists insist the opposite, however, Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK's leader, to ly been more concerned with its own claiming that they have taken to the set up shop in Damascus. The honey- interests than with the Syrian regime's streets just as often as fellow Arab moon ended in 1998 when Turkey, overthrow, says Alan Hassaf, the group protesters. If Qamishli has not seen threatening force, strong-armed has now changed course, siding more the kind of violence witnessed else- Damascus into expelling Ocalan. He openly with the Kurdish protesters. In where in Syria, they say, it is because was later captured and sentenced to an interview with Kurdwatch, a the regime has shrewdly decided to death by a Turkish court. After Turkey German-based website, another spare the Kurds the kind of indiscrimi- abolished capital punishment, the sen- Qamishli-based activist reported that nate force meted out to protesters in tence was commuted to life imprison- the group "was trying to show the peo- Homs, Hama or Idlib. ment. ple that it represents the interests of the Kurds." "Whether we want it or "They think that if they attack us hard, In the 2000s, as Turkey and Syria began not, the PYD is currently the strongest they will lose Damascus and Aleppo," to enjoy warmer ties, Assad cracked force in Qamishli," he added. "Without says Alan Hassaf, a student activist. down against the PKK, jailing many of the PYD nothing works." Both cities, he explains, are home to its members and forcing others to flee hundreds of thousands of Kurds. abroad. After anti-regime protests With Syrian nationals forming any- broke out across Syria in 2011, howev- where from 10 to 30 per cent of the Even those Syrian Kurds who've decid- er, the tide changed yet again. For a PKK's membership, parts of the group ed to close ranks with Arab protesters beleaguered Damascus government, may also be coming under pressure to across the country acknowledge that the PKK and its political allies acquired ditch the alliance with Damascus. doing so has taken a leap of faith. As renewed strategic value - both as an they and others recall, back in 2004 extra deterrent against Turkish inter- "Some PKK fighters are not satisfied when anti-government riots broke out vention and as a means of preventing with the connection with the regime," in Qamishli few if any Arabs came to the Syrian Kurds from joining the revo- says Sertac Bucak, a retired Kurdish the Kurds' aid. Even after Al Assad's lution en masse. politician from Turkey. "But the PKK is security forces killed dozens of pro- highly centralised. They will do what testers, sympathy for the Kurds was According to several recent reports on the leadership tells them to do - unless scarce. "Because of government prop- the subject, over the past year the they decide to revolt, which is impos- aganda, people thought of us as terror- PKK has used intimidation and force to sible to foresee for the time being." ists, as separatists," Ibrahim told me. silence Kurdish anti-regime activists in Syria. According to Emrullah Uslu, a Turkish A number of local Arab tribes actually analyst, the PKK and its supporters in abetted the government crackdown. A Kurdish politician, speaking on con- Syria may simply be holding out for a (Some of the tribes in question had dition of anonymity, recalled that deal with a weakened regime or a been relocated to areas around members of the group had tried to post-Assad government. Qamishli in the 1960s in order to dilute sabotage several anti-regime protests the Kurdish presence. Many remain in Qamishli in the spring of 2011. As Uslu recently wrote in a commen- loyal to the regime to this day.) The tary for the Washington-based kind of enmity that developed At one of these, PKK supporters Jamestown Foundation, "It appears between Kurds and Arabs over the arrived with banners featuring pic- that the PKK's strategy toward Syria decades hasn't been easy to overcome, tures of Abdullah Ocalan. "They want- does not call for fighting beside the ➤

11 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ Assad regime until the very end. Iraqi Kurdistan, urging them to close Rather, it has used the situation to its ranks with other anti-regime groups own advantage to open new avenues and to better prepare for a post-Assad for itself and strengthen its position future. During a later visit to within Syria in order to be ready for Washington, he announced that Iraqi further confrontations if the Assad Kurds were ready to provide their regime falls." cousins across the border with "moral Whichever way the PKK may currently support, political support, [and] finan- be leaning, the group has made it clear cial support." that it will oppose any outside inter- However, Barzani's backing may not be vention in Syria, particularly by Turkey. enough to galvanise those Syrian Kurds "If the Turkish state intervenes against who remain on the sidelines of the our people in [Syria]," PKK commander year-old revolution against Assad - or PKK graffiti in a park in Nusaybin. Piotr Murat Karayilan told the Europe-based to sustain those who've already joined Zalewski for The National Firat news agency in late March, "all of it. According to Othman Ali, head of Kurdistan will turn into a war zone." the Turkish-Kurdish Studies Center in intentions in Syria also runs high among Erbil, it is now up to the Arab opposi- Yet the PKK is far from being the only the country's own Kurdish minority. "To tion and its Turkish backers to win over actor interested in keeping the Syrian be against Assad is the duty of anyone the Kurds. To try to do so is in Ankara's Kurds in check. The anti-Assad opposi- who calls himself a democrat," Ahmet own interest. "Unless Turkey speeds up tion, for one, appears haunted by what Turk, a former leader of the pro- its efforts to win the hearts of Syrian it sees as the looming spectre of Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party Kurds by using its influence with the Kurdish separatism. (BDP), told me aboard a March 18 SNC to encourage the council to be flight to Diyarbakir. "But if Turkey more forthcoming with regard to During a key March 27 meeting in wants to determine the future of Syria Kurdish rights, as well as ensure better Istanbul, leaders of the Syrian National without accepting the rights and the representation for them in the SNC and Council - the main opposition platform existence of the Kurds there, and to its executive Council, the PKK will - preferred to see the Kurds walk out in try to avoid giving them political sta- avail itself of the opportunity to protest rather than accept their tus, that would be the same kind of [assert] itself," Ali wrote in a recent request for autonomy in a post-Assad unjust, tyrannical policy as Assad's." commentary in Today's Zaman, a constitution. (The two sides reconciled (Two days after our interview, the 70- Turkish daily. "The PKK could well take a week later after the SNC inserted a year-old Mr Turk was rushed to a hospi- advantage of the political and security reference to "Kurdish identity" in its tal after being punched in the face by vacuum which might be created with "National Covenant for a New Syria.") a Turkish policeman during a Newroz the fall of Assad's regime to expand the While many Syrian Kurdish activists demonstration.) areas from which it can attack Turkey." have pointed to old-school Arab nationalism as the main culprit, others Overall, the Turkish Kurds' response to Of course, Ali cautions, to earn the have placed part of the blame for the the events in Syria has been relatively Syrian Kurds' trust Turkey must first SNC's intransigence at the door of the muted, according to observers. come to terms with its own Kurdish Turkish government. Ankara, the SNC's Suspicion of Turkish motives is one rea- minority. A new national constitution, main backer, is doing its best to pre- son. The PKK factor is another. its adoption expected later this year, vent the Kurds from becoming key Whatever their personal sympathies, may be the Turkish government's last players in a post-Assad Syria, they says Bucak, Turkish Kurds and their chance to do so. argue. As a member of the Kurdish political representatives may be wary Democratic Party in Syria complained of crossing the PKK when it comes to Even if supporting the Syrian Kurds in an interview with Rudaw, a Kurdish Syria. "The BDP is only willing to go as might appear be a gamble for Turkey, it newspaper, "the Turkish government far as the PKK is wiling to let them." is one worth taking, says Luqman will never allow Kurds to be recognised Sulayman, a Kurdish writer and activist in Syria's new constitution." In the absence of clear backing from a who fled from Qamishli to Nusaybin range of regional players - including last year. "Turkey shouldn't fear the Such fears are not without basis. the Turkish government, the PKK and Kurds," he says. "In the next govern- Turkey, having emerged as one of the the Syrian opposition - Syrian Kurds ment of Syria, the Kurds will be more key supporters of regime change in opposed to the regime in Damascus powerful. The Turks should want to Syria, now finds itself in a pickle. On have found a ready ally in Massoud have good relations with us in the the one hand, it knows that the Kurds, Barzani, the president of the semiau- future." if rallied, could potentially tip the bal- tonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan. ance of the anti-Assad rebellion. On Unlike the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad, which opposes efforts to the other, it worries that a united Piotr Zalewski is a freelance unseat Bashar, Barzani has openly Kurdish front could quickly pave the journalist living in Istanbul. way for another autonomous Kurdish backed the transition to democratic region - in addition to the one in north- rule in Syria. ern Iraq - on Turkey's southern border. This, Turkish officials assume, would In practical terms, he has extended his further encourage calls for Kurdish support to a coalition of Kurdish politi- autonomy at home. cal parties opposed to the Assad regime. In January, Barzani invited Predictably, mistrust towards Turkey's members of the Kurdish opposition to

12 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti May 6, 2012 A Kurdish Majority In Turkey Within One Generation?

By Palash R. Ghosh

urkey is emerging as an economic superpower in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East with greater influence in regional politics. Promoting itself as a “modelT Muslim democracy,” and widely admired by other Middle Eastern nations, Turkey now faces a novel problem that Europe has long contended with: a falling birth rate. Kurds in southeastern Turkey(Photo: Reuters) Since the 1990s, Turkey’s fertility rate has steadily declined, disaster for us," Erdogan warned in May 2010. due to, among other factors, rising household incomes, expanded access to higher education for women and increa- The prime minister, who has repeatedly called on Turkish sed birth control practices. couples to have three children and even suggested finan- cially rewarding such fecundity, once declared:“Our popula- “The use of birth-control methods has increased in Turkey a tion is getting older. Right now we are proud of our young lot, but that is not the only reason for the decline in popula- population, but if we don’t pull these numbers up, Turkey will tion,” an obstetrician named Kagan Kocatepe told Hürriyet be in a difficult position by 2038.” Daily News, a Turkish newspaper. Some Turkish academics scoff at Erdogan's solutions as “Many women want to have a successful career. That’s why unrealistic. the maternity age has increased, as women have started giving birth to their first child in their 30s.” Cem Behar, an economics professor at Istanbul’s Bogazici University, told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review: Indeed, Dr. Ismet Koç, a demographer at Hacettepe “It’s clear that Turkey is going to face a decline in the growth University in Ankara, warned that Turkey's fertility rate is now rate of its population.Yet you cannot address such an issue by below 2.1, the replacement level, which suggests the popula- telling people to have more children.” tion will eventually decline. Behar added:“There is no family policy in Turkey. And I don’t The fertility level in more prosperous western Turkey is now think anyone is going to have more children just because about 1.5 -- roughly the same as in western Europe. [Erdoan] told them to do so. If the government really wants The number of children produced by the average Turkish to promote having more children, it needs to prepare the woman has plunged to two from three over just the past two necessary conditions for it, such as lowering taxes for those decades, coincident with Turkey's rise as an economic power. families or strengthening pre-school education.” But there is a wrinkle to this whole phenomenon. A rapidly rising Kurdish population would pose sharp pro- The Kurdish community of Turkey, which currently represents blems and challenges for the Turkish state and society. at least 15 percent of the population and dominates the sou- Kurds have long faced discrimination, deprivation, even theastern region, has such a high birth rate, that some obser- state-sponsored violence, throughout their long and epic vers – most prominently Prime Minister Recep Tayyip residence in Turkey. As such, many Kurds seek a separate Erdogan -- believe Kurds could become a majority in Turkey homeland, or at the least, autonomous self-rule in the sou- within two generations. theast. The proposed scenario is somewhat similar to the Palestinian Kurds represent a dominant and highly contentious theme in situation in Israel, where Arabs could become the dominant Turkish politics. ethnic group in the 'Jewish State' within 30 years or so; or the For many years, it was, in fact, illegal for Kurds to speak their southwestern United States, where Hispanics and Mexican- own language, use Kurdish names, play Kurdish music, etc. – Americans are likely to become the majority within a few part of a comprehensive attempt by Ankara to wipe out the decades. separate ethnic identity of the Kurds. Indeed, some Turks According to Turkish government statistics, the average regarded Kurds simply as 'Mountain Turks.' Kurdish woman in Turkey gives birth to about four children, The Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), a Marxist militant move- more than double the rate for other Turkish mothers. ment which Turkey, the European Union and the U.S. brand as Thus, Turkey is facing a demographic time-bomb – Kurds, a terrorist group, has fought for a separatist nation for who tend to be concentrated in the country's impoverished decades. The PKK's periodic conflicts with the Turkish mili- southeast and are generally poorer and less educated, could tary have cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides – see- conceivably outnumber Turks within about 30 years should mingly with no resolution in sight. present patterns persist. Of course, many, perhaps most, Kurds in Turkey do not sup- Erdogan seems to be certain this will happen. port the PKK and seek to assimilate with mainstream Turkish ➩ "If we continue the existing trend, [the year] 2038 will mark society – while retaining their distinct Kurdish culture,

13 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➩ language and customs. This is a sensitive topic to some. When people read that the population share of their “tribe” is shrinking there is often a Now, with the Kurds having more babies than the Turks, will primal psychological response of fear, anger or denial, and Kurds really become a majority in a country where they have wide exaggerations in both directions. long suffered abuse and deprivation? And if that were to hap- pen, how would that affect the Kurds' status in Turkey? IB TIMES: In the event Kurds become a majority in Turkey, will that render the Kurdish nationalist and separatist move- International Business Times spoke with an expert on Turkey ments irrelevant and moot? and demographics to explore this topic. SANANDAJI: If history is any guide, that development would Dr. Tino Sanandaji is a PhD in Public Policy at the University of raise tensions with the Kurdish separatist movement, because Chicago who does research on demographic change and its link they will be more likely to win a democratic or military strug- to policy. gle once they are the majority population. IB TIMES: Is the overall fertility rate in Turkey declining IB TIMES: If the Kurds are becoming more assimilated, why is because the country is becoming wealthier, household this even a problem? If the Ankara government does not even incomes are rising and more women are using birth control classify Kurds as a separate ethnic group, why would they methods? even care about their higher birth rates? SANANDAJI: Yes,sooner or later this happens in all industria- SANANDAJI: If Kurds are slowly assimilating but growing lized countries -- parents prefer to have fewer children and their population share rapidly, the net effect might still be invest more time and resources on them rather than having a more voters with an ethnic Kurdish identity. Once Kurds rea- large family. lize time is working on their side, they might become less wil- IB TIMES: The birth rate for Kurds is more than double that of ling to abandon their national identity, anticipating that if they Turks. Is this due to the fact that Kurds are generally poorer hold on long enough their sheer numbers will change the and less educated? balance of power. SANANDAJI: Poorer, less educated and more rural. However, If the rate of assimilation into a national Turkish identity is suf- other factors should not be ruled out since low-income ficiently rapid, Turkey will not necessarily break apart. But Kurdish women also have higher birth rates than low-income Turkey will likely be a different country in many other ways if Turkish women. Kurds become the majority. IB TIMES: Prime Minister Erdogan warned that Kurds could IB TIMES: What, if anything, is the Turkish government doing become a majority in Turkey by 2038. Is this a realistic predic- to prevent these demographic trends? tion? SANANDAJI: One choice is to try to stabilize the Turkish birth SANANDAJI: No, that is impossible. Demographic change is a rate, though no country I am aware of has successfully done slow process even when birth rates differ sharply, because so this in modern times. many generations are already born and will be around for A second alternative for the government is to convince the decades. Kurds in Turkey to accept the Turkish national identity,making In the 1930s, the Kurds constituted about 9 percent of the the population issue less important. population of Turkey, and though they had higher birth rates Another option is to lower the Kurdish birth rate by promoting than the Turks it still took until the 1990s until they reached the economic development, education and women’s' health in 18 percent level. Kurdish areas. Since it takes a long time, underlying forces can change in the But if current trends continue for generations, Turks might meanwhile. Therefore, we should be careful about extrapola- eventually reach a point when they must reluctantly decide ting current trends into the future. Nor can demographic between keeping a smaller Turkish nation state or risk beco- trends be dismissed using the equally silly argument that ming the minority population in a Kurdish-majority Turkey. since demographic predictions were sometimes wrong in the past, all predictions are always wrong in the future. Plenty of ### predictions turned out to be accurate.

Army helicopters ferried special forces teams to the area at dawn on Friday, but their operations were hindered by heavy fog and PKK militants kill rain, the officials said. They said a group of around 15-20 PKK militants had been plan- TUNCELI,three Turkey - Friday, Turkish May 04, 2012 (Reuters) soldiers ning attacks on the Tunceli town centre. There was no immediate information on PKK casualties. KURDISH MILITANTS opened fire on Turkish troops who Spring generally sees an upsurge in clashes between the Turkish were carrying out a raid against suspected militant hideouts in army and the PKK as the militants emerge from their winter shel- eastern Turkey, killing three soldiers, security officials said on ters. Friday. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict between The Turkish military launched the operation against Kurdistan the PKK and the Turkish state since the militants took up arms in Workers Party (PKK) militants overnight in the mountainous 1984 with the aim of creating an independent Kurdish state. Tunceli province. The PKK is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the
United States and the European Union.

14 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Heurts et attaque en Turquie; 3 soldats, 2 rebelles tués, 2 policiers blessés DIYARBAKIR, 04 mai 2012 (AFP) bre de pays, a-t-il dit, cité par l'agence de presse Anatolie. Dans une autre attaque, à Sirnak, proche de la frontière avec l'Irak et la Syrie (sud-est), des rebelles ont attaqué au fusil mitrailleur une voiture de TROIS SOLDATS et deux rebelles kurdes ont été tués dans des heurts police, blessant deux de ses occupants, a annoncé le gouvernorat de cette survenus vendredi dans l'est et le sud-est de la Turquie où une attaque province. des rebelles a aussi blessé deux policiers, a-t-on indiqué de source officielle. Deux rebelles ont été abattus lors d'une opération lancée pour capturer les assaillants, toujours selon cette source. Trois militaires ont perdu la vie à Tunceli (est), lors de combats avec les rebelles, a indiqué le gouverneur local, Mustafa Taskesen. Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de 45.000 morts, selon l'armée, depuis le début de l'insurrection du PKK en 1984 dans le sud-est de la Turquie, Des membres du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) ont attaqué une peuplé en majorité de Kurdes.H patrouille militaire dans une zone rurale de Tunceli, théâtre des opérations du mouvement armé, considéré comme terroriste par la Turquie et bon nom-

Irak: le gouvernement réuni dans une ville disputée entre Arabes et Kurdes KIRKOUK (Irak), 8 mai 2012 (AFP)

LE GOUVERNEMENT irakien s'est réuni mardi de façon symbolique dans la ville de Kirkouk (nord), objet de longue date d'un conflit de souveraineté aigu entre les autorités fédérales et la région autonome du Kurdistan, mais en l'absence des ministres kurdes. "La question de la résolution du problème de Kirkouk ne peut se faire par la force, mais par la volonté de ses habitants et résidents, et son identité devrait être irakienne. Aucune autre identité ne devrait prendre le dessus", a déclaré le Premier ministre irakien, Nouri al-Maliki dans un communiqué. "Son identité est irakienne, ses communautés sont irakienne, kurde, arabe et turcomane, chiite, sunnite et chrétienne", a-t-il insisté lors de la réunion, Barzani "a appelé les ministres kurdes ne pas participer à la réunion" du selon des propos retransmis par la télévision. gouvernement, a indiqué un responsable kurde sous couvert d'anonymat. Une source au gouvernement central a confirmé cette information et pré- "Il n'existe aucun privilège pour une communauté sur une autre. Cette pro- cisé que "les ministres ne sont pas venus". vince (également appelée Kirkouk, ndlr) demeurera dans cette situation politique, sociale et économique comme un microcosme de l'Irak et un L'Irak traverse depuis plusieurs mois une grave crise politique qui oppose exemple d'existence pacifique", a-t-il insisté. M. Maliki, un chiite, aux factions laïque et kurde, qui l'accusent d'autoritarisme. Le Kurdistan et Bagdad s'opposent sur la souveraineté d'une bande longue de 650 km, riche en hydrocarbures, à cheval sur quatre provinces et com- Outre les questions territoriales, les Kurdes et Bagdad s'opposent aussi prenant la ville multiethnique de Kirkouk. Ce dossier est considéré comme vivement sur la répartition des revenus du pétrole pompé dans la région et l'une des principales menaces pesant sur la stabilité de l'Irak, en particulier sur le sort du vice-président sunnite Tarek al-Hachémi, recherché par la jus- si le Kurdistan décidait de déclarer unilatéralement son indépendance. tice irakienne mais qui a bénéficié de la protection des Kurdes.H Signe de la persistance des tensions, le président du Kurdistan Massoud

Irak: violente manifestation contre un magazine accusé d'être contre l'islam

Erbil (Irak), 8 mai 2012 (AFP) Mardi, certains manifestants ont jeté des pierres et des bouteilles d'eau sur les forces de sécurité. D'autres ont tenté d'escalader les murs de bétons autour du bâtiment, ou attaqué à proximité des bâtiments et des magasins PLUSIEURS MILLIERS de personnes ont violemment manifesté mardi vendant de l'alcool. à Erbil, capitale du Kurdistan irakien dans le nord du pays, contre le Plusieurs manifestants ont été arrêtés et de nombreux policiers ont été rédacteur en chef d'un magazine ayant publié un article accusé d'être blessés lors de la manifestation et des violences qui ont suivi, selon le gou- "contre l'islam", selon un journaliste de l'AFP. verneur de la province, Nawzad Hadi, qui n'a pas donné plus de détails. Les manifestants se sont réunis devant le Parlement kurde pour protester "Le gouvernement autorise certains à insulter l'islam et le Coran, et nous contre un article publié dans le dernier numéro d'Al-Hamsa, un mensuel en n'acceptons pas ça", a lancé un manifestant de 19 ans, Karwan Salim. kurde et en arabe, et qui rapporte une conversation entre son auteur et Dieu, ce que des leaders religieux régionaux ont jugé offensant à l'égard "Nous sommes des musulmans, nous n'acceptons pas de telles humilia- de l'islam. tions publiées par la presse. Nous n'acceptons pas de peine contre lui (Ari), il doit nous être livré pour qu'on puisse l'exécuter", a renchéri Ahmed Le rédacteur en chef du mensuel, Hayman Ari, a été arrêté lundi, tandis Ali, 52 ans.H que le Premier ministre kurde Nechirvan Barzani a reçu des groupes isla- miques.

15 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Les deux rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) ont été tués Turquie: Deux rebelles au cours d'une opération commune de forces spéciales de la police et de kurdes tués dans commandos de la gendarmerie dans les monts Kalender (province de Siirt), a affirmé dans un communiqué le gouverneur de Siirt Musa Colak, des combats avec cité par Anatolie. les forces de sécurité Aucun membre des forces de sécurité n'a été blessé, a ajouté le gouver- ISTANBUL, 07 mai 2012 (AFP) neur, précisant que l'opération se poursuivait. Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de 45.000 morts, selon l'armée, depuis son déclenchement, en 1984, par le PKK dans le sud-est du pays. DEUX REBELLES kurdes ont été tués lundi dans des combats avec Le PKK est considéré comme une organisation terroriste par la Turquie et les forces de sécurité dans le sud-est de la Turquie, peuplé en majo- de nombreux autres pays. H rité de Kurdes, ont affirmé des sources officielles citées par l'agence de presse Anatolie.

8 MAI 2012

Turquie: âpres débats en vue pour la rédaction

NKARA- Le Parlementd'une nouvelle constitutionfin de l'année et soumis à refe- turc s'est lancé dans la rendum. Arédaction d'une nouvelle Des réformes introduites Constitution censée effacer par l'AKP ont considérable- toute empreinte des généraux ment réduit l'influence des putschistes, un projet ambitieux militaires, jadis acteurs poli- devenu le nouveau champ de tiques majeurs et gardiens bataille entre le pouvoir islamo- auto-proclamés de la laïcité. conservateur et l'opposition. Des dizaines de hauts gradés "La phase de rédaction de sont en prison, accusés de la nouvelle constitution a complots contre le régime. débuté", a annoncé lundi le Mais la constitution de Premier ministre Recep Tayyip 1982 est restée en vigueur, en Erdogan. Et de réaffirmer son dépit de nombreux amende- intention de transformer le ments. Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan après un discours au système parlementaire actuel D'âpres batailles sont à pré- Parlement à Ankara . afp.com en système présidentiel, à voir au Parlement sur le nou- l'orée des présidentielles de veau texte: le parti pro-kurde système présidentiel ou semi- "Si tout se passe comme il 2014. de la paix et de la démocratie présidentiel", a-t-il dit lundi, (Erdogan) le souhaite, et qu'il Dominant la politique (BDP) veut des droits accrus ajoutant que le dernier mot devient le premier Président turque depuis dix ans, M. pour les 12 à 15 millions de reviendrait au Parlement, où de Turquie avec des pouvoirs à Erdogan, qui dirige le Parti de Kurdes (sur une population de l'AKP est très majoritaire. l'américaine ou à la française, il la Justice et du développement 73 millions), ce à quoi sont Déjà accusé d'autoritarisme y aura débat sur la séparation (AKP, issu de la mouvance isla- opposées les autres forma- par l'opposition - les arresta- des pouvoirs", estime Murat miste) a fait de la Turquie un tions. tions de journalistes se sont Yetkin, rédacteur en chef du acteur régional avec une crois- Et le CHP, qui dénonce une multipliées ces derniers mois - journal Hürriyet Daily News. sance économique vigoureuse dérive islamiste du pouvoir, M. Erdogan et ses ambitions Une commission parle- (8,5% en 2011) qui fait pâlir exige que les références au fon- provoquent la controverse. mentaire spéciale a consulté la d'envie l'Union européenne, à dateur de la Turquie moderne, "On vit déjà sous un semi- société civile et les minorités laquelle Ankara veut adhérer. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, et à diktat, allons nous vers une religieuses pour bâtir un texte Il a remporté trois élections son héritage laïc soient mainte- dictature constitutionnelle ?" qui sera le quatrième depuis la législatives successives depuis nues dans le nouveau texte. s'est interrogé Riza Türmen, création de la République 2002 mais ne pourra briguer "De sérieuses interroga- député du principal parti pro- turque, en 1923. un quatrième mandat, selon tions subsistent sur la méthode laïc CHP (Parti républicain du L'objectif est d'élaborer un les statuts de l'AKP. à adopter. Ce processus peut à peuple), et ex-juge à la Cour texte plus démocratique rem- Il souhaiterait, selon les tout moment s'enliser", pré- européenne des droits de plaçant l'actuelle constitution commentateurs, échanger son vient Ibrahim Kaboglu de l'Homme. héritée des généraux qui poste de Premier ministre pour l'Université stambouliote de "Nous ne sommes pas avaient pris le pouvoir en 1980. celui d'un président disposant Marmara, qui fait partie des favorables à un système prési- M. Erdogan s'est dit favora-
de vrais pouvoirs, et continuer experts consultés. dentiel", averti Devlet Bahçeli, ble à un texte qui "mettra en à diriger le pays. le chef de file des nationalistes avant le citoyen et non l'Etat". "Nous allons discuter de au Parlement. Le projet serait achevé d'ici la tout cela, qu'il s'agisse d'un

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

9 mai 2012

bilité ».

SYRIE : UNE VRAIE BOMBE À Frontières arbitraires FRAGMENTATION Arbitrairement délimitées par les puis- sances coloniales après la Première PAR LAURENT DE SAINT PÉRIER Guerre mondiale, les frontières des États du Proche-Orient n'ont pas rompu Avec la militarisation de la symbiose qui unit ses peuples. Les l'affrontement entre le pouvoir routes commerciales de Syrie sont et la rébellion, la crise syri- vitales pour les marchés périphériques. Les liens tribaux rendent les populations enne déborde dangereuse- de l'Ouest et du Sud syriens plus sol- ment les frontières du pays et idaires de leurs cousins d'Irak et de fait planer le spectre d'une Jordanie que des citadins de Damas. Et guerre confessionnelle à les connivences entre sunnites, chiites, l'échelle régionale. Rebelle syrien au nord de la province druzes et chrétiens ignorent les postes d'Idleb, près de la frontière turque. © de contrôle. Les États voisins de la ccepté par le régime comme par Frédéric Lafargue/AFP Syrie tentent en vain de contrôler leurs l'opposition, le plan Annan était, pour frontières. Parallèlement, l'aggravation l'International Crisis Group (ICG), « le de la situation ranime les solidarités A L'onde de choc a atteint les voisins. Les meilleur espoir » de trouver une issue au transnationales, aggrave les tensions plus vulnérables - le Liban et la Jordanie conflit syrien. Mais le cessez-le-feu du 12 préexistantes et suscite même - tremblent sur leurs bases. Les plus avril n'a pas tenu vingt-quatre heures. Un d'inquiétants prolongements sur les forts - Israël, la Turquie et, dans une an et cinq semaines après les premières scènes politiques locales. moindre mesure, l'Irak - observent avec manifestations pacifiques, le fossé ne inquiétude les développements du cata- cesse de se creuser entre le pouvoir et Majoritaires dans la région, nombre de clysme. Pour Karim Bitar, spécialiste du les contestataires, un fossé où sunnites considèrent que la répression Moyen-Orient et directeur de recherche s'amoncellent plus de 9 000 cadavres. dirigée par Assad l'Alaouite vise leur à l'Institut des relations internationales et Avec la militarisation du conflit, la communauté et crient vengeance. Le 11 stratégiques (Iris), « la Syrie, qui mainte- menace d'une guerre confessionnelle février, le numéro un d'Al-Qaïda, Ayman nait sa stabilité interne en entretenant s'accentue, et la crise déborde les fron- al-Zawahiri, appelait les musulmans de l'instabilité autour d'elle, exporte main- tières du pays. la région à soutenir la rébellion. Depuis, tenant involontairement sa propre insta- les attentats se multiplient à Alep et à Damas, et les djihadistes affluent de l'étranger. Le 20 avril, le très recherché terroriste libanais Abdel Ghani Jawhar est mort à Al-Qusayr dans l'explosion de la bombe qu'il était en train de poser. À Bagdad, la teinte confessionnelle prise par la révolte syrienne trouve un écho dans la crise au sommet de l'État qui fait rage depuis fin 2011 entre les sunnites, détenteurs du pouvoir sous Saddam Hussein, et les chiites, qui contrôlent désormais le pays.

À Tripoli, dans le nord du Liban, où vit une importante minorité alaouite, des affrontements à répétition entre milices pro- et anti-Bachar ont fait plusieurs morts et des dizaines de blessés. De son côté, le Hezbollah, allié de Bachar, accuse ses adversaires sunnites d'armer les insurgés syriens, tandis que, depuis son fief du Chouf, le leader druze Walid Joumblatt appelle ses coreligionnaires de l'armée syrienne à la mutinerie. Le 4 avril, une salve de tirs visait Samir Geagea, le chef chrétien hostile à Assad. Le Premier ministre, Najib Mikati, est parvenu jusque-là à jouer les équilib- ristes, mais pour combien de temps ? Le ➼ politologue libanais Joseph Bahout est

17 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➼ pessimiste : « On s'approche de diable familier à des démons inconnus ». l'affrontement au Liban. Si la crise dure, Risques croissants Mais, en février, le ministre des Affaires elle va s'internationaliser et trouver ici un étrangères, Avigdor Lieberman, a second terrain. » Puissance montante au Proche-Orient, demandé qu'Israël condamne la répres- la Turquie a pris la mesure des risques sion et a appelé au départ d'Assad. Au sud, la Jordanie voit avec appréhen- croissants que la crise syrienne faisait Proposition rejetée par le Premier min- sion affluer des dizaines de milliers de peser sur la région et sur sa propre sta- istre, Benyamin Netanyahou : une telle réfugiés. À la fin de février, le ministre de bilité. Le 10 avril, des tirs syriens ont déclaration conforterait le discours du l'Information annonçait déjà qu'ils étaient atteint un camp de réfugiés de l'autre régime syrien selon lequel la contesta- 73 000 à être entrés légalement sur le côté de la frontière. Contre Ankara, qui tion résulterait d'un complot sioniste. territoire, auxquels s'ajouteraient 10 000 appuie le Conseil national syrien (CNS) clandestins, dont de nombreux déser- et héberge l'état-major de l'Armée syri- Bien que préoccupantes, les con- teurs. Selon le Haut-Commissariat aux enne libre, Damas a réactivé son soutien séquences périphériques de la crise syri- réfugiés (HCR), ils seraient plus de 20 aux indépendantistes kurdes du PKK, enne pourraient rester limitées si ne se 000 au Liban et près de 25 000 en qui multiplient les attaques meurtrières dessinait en filigrane un affrontement à Turquie. Entre 2003 et 2008, l'arrivée de contre l'armée turque. La marge de bien plus grande échelle. Celui d'un axe 1,5 million de réfugiés irakiens avait dan- manoeuvre du Premier ministre, Recep sunnite mené par l'Arabie saoudite et gereusement déstabilisé le royaume Tayyip Erdogan, s'est amenuisée. « La soutenu par l'Occident contre un axe chi- hachémite. « La Jordanie ne veut pas Turquie est en recul sur la position ite dirigé par l'Iran. En janvier 2012, un d'un nouveau scénario à l'irakienne. Elle agressive adoptée il y a quelques mois. rapport du Centre français de recherche craint aussi par-dessus tout que Elle a pris note de la résilience du sur le renseignement (CF2R) s'inquiétait l'alternative au régime Assad ne soit une régime de Bachar al-Assad et évoque d'une « libanisation fabriquée » en Syrie. prise du pouvoir par les fondamental- beaucoup plus timidement l'idée Le pays du Cèdre en guerre civile était istes », explique Oraib al-Rantawi, d'intervenir militairement en territoire en effet devenu le champ de bataille directeur du centre Al Quds d'Amman. syrien », explique Karim Bitar. indirect des puissances régionales et Conjugué à la montée en puissance des internationales. La pérennisation du con- partis religieux dans les pays du En Israël, autre acteur clé de la région, flit syrien pourrait bien, à terme, aboutir Printemps arabe, l'engagement révolu- la classe politique est longtemps restée à une « libanisation » de toute la région, tionnaire des sunnites de Syrie donne neutre et attentiste, tout en laissant devenue plus instable que jamais. des ailes aux islamistes jordaniens. entendre qu'elle préférait en Syrie « un

9 MAI 2012 La Turquie refuse d'extrader le vice-président irakien, recherché par Interpol nkara-(AFP) - La Turquie refuse Le vice-président irakien et certains membres Ad'extrader le vice-président irakien Tarek de sa garde rapprochée sont poursuivis pour al-Hachémi, poursuivi pour meurtres dans son le meurtre de plusieurs hauts responsables. Le pays et recherché par Interpol, a déclaré mer- procès doit commencer jeudi à Bagdad. credi le vice-premier ministre turc Bekir L'affaire al-Hachémi intervient dans une Bozdag. période de tensions entre Ankara et Bagdad. «Nous n'extraderons pas quelqu'un que nous avons soutenu depuis le début (...) Notre posi- M. Erdogan a récemment accusé son homo- tion à ce sujet est claire», a-t-il dit à des jour- logue irakien de monopoliser le pouvoir et de nalistes, cité par l'agence de presse Anatolie, discriminations à l'égard des groupes sunnites dans son gouvernement, ce à quoi le premier après qu'Interpol eut diffusé mardi une accusé d'autoritarisme. demande d'arrestation internationale en vue ministre chiite a répliqué en accusant la de son extradition de Turquie. Il estime être l'objet dans ce contexte d'une Turquie de faire preuve d'animosité dans la chasse aux sorcières à visées politiques. région en cherchant à s'ingérer dans les «Il se trouve en Turquie pour des raisons affaires internes de ses voisins. médicales», a dit M. Bozdag. M. Bozdag a ajouté que «la Turquie a aussi des demandes à l'Irak», comme l'extradition Après le lancement d'un mandat d'arrêt à son M. al-Hachémi, l'un des plus importants diri- des commandants du Parti des travailleurs du encontre en décembre, M. al-Hachémi avait geants sunnites d'Irak, se trouve depuis le 9 Kurdistan (PKK, rebelles kurdes de Turquie), rejeté les accusations le visant et avait pris la avril à Istanbul et dispose de la bienveillance qui utilisent leurs bases arrières situées dans fuite. du gouvernement islamo-conservateur turc, le nord de l'Irak comme tremplin pour mener Il avait trouvé refuge le 19 décembre auprès dirigé par Recep Tayyip Erdogan dans un pays des attaques en territoire turc. majoritairement sunnite dont les rapports des autorités de la région autonome du avec Bagdad se sont récemment dégradés. «Nous avons demandé leur extradition, mais Kurdistan irakien qui ont refusé de le livrer à n'avons à ce jour pas obtenu de réponse favo- la justice de Bagdad, puis s'était rendu au M. al-Hachémi est l'un des dirigeants du bloc rable de la part du gouvernement irakien», a- Qatar, en Arabie saoudite, avant d'arriver en laïque Iraqiya, en conflit depuis des mois avec t-il déploré. Turquie. I le premier ministre chiite Nouri al-Maliki,

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among Turkey’s four Kurdish parties, namely the BDP, the Rights and Liberties New Islamist Kurdish Party (HAK-PAR), Participatory Democracy Party (KADEP) and the party to enter politics Freedom and Socialism Party (ÖSP), ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News according to Zilan. Vercihan Ziflioğlu “Naturally, there [is] a need for an establishment that will both give voice to new Kurdish party, which describes the Islamic solution and support the itself as Islamist, is set to enter Kurdish and the Kurdistan front,” he ATurkey’s political scene in October. said. The new party is likely to set some To a large extent, the Turkish state controversy in motion, as one of its pro- and the ruling AKP view the Kurdish minent figures is Sıdkı Zilan, a lawyer problem through the prism of public whose clients in the past have included security, he said, adding they were a members of Hizbullah, a militant Sunni party to the Kurdish problem even in the group based in southeastern Turkey that absence of a political party anyhow. is unrelated to Lebanese Hezbollah. “The state is beset with problems of “We want to enact whatever is neces- violence and public security originating sary [to bring to life] an entity that is Lawyer Sıdkı Zilan says there is a need from the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ inclusive, Islamic and in favor of dia- for an Islamic Kurdish political party. Party]. The PKK was not the essence of logue. We do not have any institutional the matter; perhaps it is a consequence. Hizbullah community,” Sıdkı Zilan told We will have achieved our goal to some ties with Hizbullah. I do believe, howe- the Hürriyet Daily News. ver, there will be people fancying us degree if we can contribute to the accep- It was decided to establish a conser- tance and comprehension of this [fact],” from the AKP [Justice and Development vative, Islamic-oriented party because Party], the HAS Party [People’s Voice he added. The PKK is recognized as a there currently are no political parties terrorist group by Turkey, the United Party], the SP [Felicity Party], the BDP which represent the Islamic community G [Peace and Democracy Party] and the States and the European Union.

Agency of Kurdistan for News Maliki's visit to Kirkuk was "provocative", says Kurdish MP BAGHDAD, May 10, 2012 (AKnews) -By Salam Baghdadi

AN MP FROM the Kurdish Blocs Coalition (KBC) yesterday expres- sed her disappointment over Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Kirkuk, adding that the visit was "provocative". mine the fate of Kirkuk to join the Kurdistan Region. The Kurdistan Alliance ListThe Iraqi Council of Ministers held a mee- Talabani added that "this visit will increase the tense relations bet- ting in Kirkuk province on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Maliki, ween the federal government and the Kurdistan Region. who said that the identity of the disputed province must be an Iraqi identity and that no other identity can prevail. "Iraq is facing a major political crisis and the State of Law Coalition doesn't appear to be working to resolve them in collaboration with Alaa Talabani said in a statement: "We hoped Maliki would discuss partners in the political process by resorting to the constitution and during his visit the sufferings of the province and the way to end it the law to ensure the full rights of the citizens that suffered a lot after it was targeted by the totalitarian regime in the broadest in Kirkuk, especially from the dictatorial regime ruling." campaign of repression, displacement and killings in a desperate attempt to take out the original nationalism from it where the Kirkuk province, as well as other areas in the provinces of Nineveh, regime implemented forced displacement, killings, and looting of Diyala and Salahaddin, are among the areas in which ownership is land and property against the citizens of Kirkuk from the Kurd and disputed between the federal government and the Kurdistan Turkmen. Regional Government. "Maliki ignored the rights of Kurds and Turkmen that were robbed by Maliki's statements about the identity of Kirkuk may increase the the totalitarian regime and this made his visit provocative more so tension between Baghdad and Erbil, which surfaced recently after than a visit to inspect the province and work to end the suffering of the Kurdistan Region refused to hand over Vice President Tareq al- the citizens and give them real guarantees about their stolen rights Hashemi to Baghdad. J and accelerate holding a referendum to allow the people to deter-

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been a lack of investment. International companies are now pouring billions of dollars into the Iraq oil industry fields, and the government is making significant, if uneven, progress toward building the supporting infrastructure. experiences new boom Skeptical analysts have long regar- BY BEN VAN HEUVELEN ded Iraq’s oil sector as a series of bottle- necks, any one of which could choke the BAGHDAD — Over the past four flow of crude. They have not doubted decades, Iraq’s oil production has traced the potential of prolific Iraqi fields, but the path of a roller coaster, propelled they have been wary of the inadequate upward by geysers of crude and drag- pipelines, pumping stations and storage ged downward by the weight of war and tanks that transmit oil from wellhead to sanctions. In the aftermath of the 2003 tanker. One facility in Kirkuk, for exam- U.S.-led invasion, Iraqi output has fai- ple, which processes about one-tenth of led to achieve the heights it reached Iraq’s crude, is 80 years old and some- under Saddam Hussein — until now. times closes because of poison gas In April, Iraq exported more crude Iraq’s oil boom started in earnest in leaks. than it has in any month since it invaded 2009 and 2010, when it signed 11 But the recent easing of one key bot- Kuwait in 1990. This success, according contracts with companies such as BP, tleneck has inspired some optimism. In to analysts and policymakers, could jolt Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell. A March, the Oil Ministry opened an the global economy and help offset the year later, those companies were pum- export facility in the Persian Gulf, off loss of oil supplies from Iran. ping more crude than the country’s anti- the coast of Basra. It takes days to load It also signals the rise of Iraq as a quated infrastructure could handle, and a supertanker with crude, but after buil- modern petro-state, with all the power the Oil Ministry often had to order them ding additional moorings, Iraq can now and problems that enormous oil wealth to curtail production. pump to more ships at the same time. brings. The surge in Iraqi exports has Because of the new facilities, Iraqi “Over the next five to seven years, influenced the U.S. government as it has exports rose to 2.5 million barrels of oil Iraq could be supplying nearly half of evaluated sanctions targeting Iran’s oil per day in April, according to Falah al- the incremental growth in world oil sector. One key question has been whe- Amri, the head of Iraq’s State Oil demand,” said Larry Goldstein, director ther the world’s other oil producers can Marketing Organization — a one-fifth of the nonprofit Energy Policy Research replace the lost Iranian output; if they increase since the beginning of the year. Foundation. couldn’t, the price of oil would probably THE DEEPEST FISSURE The cornerstone of Iraq’s progress rise, hurting global economic growth. The progress on infrastructure may has been the government’s ability since According to a State Department 2008 to reduce violence and then to be inspiring international optimism, but official, who spoke on the condition of Iraq still suffers from a legacy of war, maintain security after the U.S. troop anonymity because he was not authori- withdrawal at the end of last year. political conflict and inefficient bureau- zed to talk on the record, analysts at the cracy — what industry officials some- Militias and terrorist groups still deto- U.S. Embassy in Baghdad have reported nate bombs, attack security forces and times call “above-ground factors,” in to Washington that Iraq will add contrast to the relatively straightforward target government officials for assassi- 500,000 barrels per day of production nation. But the death toll has dropped challenges of drilling through thousands this year, equal to about one-quarter of of feet of rock. dramatically. Iran’s current exports. These security gains have helped the Oil has tended to compound those That figure jibes with the estimates problems rather than solve them. oil sector. A strategic pipeline to Turkey of other analysts, including Goldstein, was once unusable because it was bom- Perhaps the deepest fissure in Iraq’s who said Iraq’s output is especially polity divides the Kurdistan region from bed so often; for the past few years, it important because Saudi Arabia does has carried about 20 percent of the the Arab-majority central government. not seem ready to offer much more. The The two sides have long disagreed country’s exports. Saudis typically use their massive oil The revenue is supercharging Iraq’s about how to distribute authority over reserves to make up for global short- the country’s oil, and they have signed economy. The government, which relies falls, but they have already increased on crude sales for more than 95 percent contracts based on diverging interpreta- their output substantially in the last year. tions of Iraqi law. of its income, has begun funding ambi- “Their export capability is getting tious reconstruction projects, including This conflict has led to a string of squeezed,” Goldstein said. controversies that escalated April 1, roads, hospitals and power plants. OUTPUT THAT’S OVERDUE Yet oil has also amplified many of when Kurdistan shut off its oil exports, the country’s problems. The influx of Iraqi production appears ready to which have accounted for as much as 8 cash has often overwhelmed fledgling rise even further. percent of Iraq’s international oil sales. institutions, creating opportunities for From a technical perspective, an oil Iraq achieved its record production large-scale corruption. And Iraq’s semi- boom is overdue. Geologists have long last month without Kurdistan’s contri- autonomous Kurdish region has claimed been impressed by Iraq’s underground butions — a testament to its technical authority to develop oil fields indepen- seas of oil — one enormous field is advances in Basra — yet the dispute highlights how oil can lead to wealth dently, inflaming tensions with named Majnoon, which is Arabic for ➤ Baghdad. “crazy” — but the limiting factor has and dysfunction. Rising oil

20 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ production in the south has elimina- Baghdad’s warnings that such deals Barzani, has repeatedly made veiled ted one major incentive for Baghdad to would be considered illegal. Three of threats to declare independence. seek a compromise: Iraq will be able to those deals require Exxon to explore ter- The standoff could result in vio- fund its entire $100 billion budget ritory claimed by both Kurdistan and lence. If so, the world might see the rol- without Kurdistan’s oil, according to Oil Baghdad. ler coaster of Iraqi production fall again. Minister Abdul-Kareem Luaibi. Since Kurdistan’s export cutoff, lea- Ë Ë Ë A central point of contention has ders in Baghdad have threatened to dock been Kurdistan’s decision to sign six the region’s share of the federal budget, contracts with Exxon Mobil despite and the Kurdish president, Massoud

Turkish troops kill five Kurdish rebels Tuesday May 8, 2012 -AP of Tatvan in Bitlis province. TURKEY'S state-run news agency says Turkish troops have Kurdish rebels have been fighting for autonomy in the largely killed five Kurdish rebels in an overnight clash in southeast Kurdish southeast. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of Turkey. people since the rebels took up arms in 1984.
The Anadolu Agency said today the clash took place near the town

May 05, 2012 Erdogan: We will continue Erdogan refuses to supporting let down Hashemi Hashemi Turkey will not extradite Iraq's Vice President, who is being tried in absentia in Baghdad accused of running death squad. Middle East Online above the law and was ready to appear in court if his security and NKARA - Turkey will not extradite Iraq's Vice President Tareq al- a fair trial could be guaranteed. AHashemi, who is being tried in absentia in Baghdad accused of running a death squad, a senior official was quoted as saying on Last week, Hashemi's trial was delayed to May 10 after his Wednesday. lawyers called for the case to be heard in a special court. "We will not extradite someone whom we have supported since Hashemi and his bodyguards face around 150 charges, including the very beginning," deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag was quo- the killing of six judges and other senior officials, according to an ted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. Iraqi judicial spokesman. He has challenged the legitimacy of the His comments came a day after Interpol issued an international trial and said his life is at risk in Baghdad. Red Notice for the arrest of Hashemi, one of Iraq's top Sunni Arab Interpol said the red notice, its highest possible alert, was issued officials, on suspicion of "guiding and financing terrorist attacks". following an Iraqi warrant made "as part of an investigation in which "(Hashemi) is currently in Turkey for health reasons," Bozdag security forces seized bombing materials and arrested individuals". said. "It is of course important that Hashemi is named among those Turkey's prime minister said Tuesday that Iraq's fugitive vice wanted by Interpol but we also have demands of the Iraqi govern- president Tareq al-Hashemi would return home once he has finished ment," said Bozdag. treatment for his health, the Anatolia news agency reported. "The terrorist organisation and its supporters are there... We Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Hashemi was in his country also want them but so far we have been unable to get a positive for health reasons as well as for political contacts. response from the Iraqi government," he said, referring to leaders of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) holed up in northern "I believe that he will return to his home country after comple- Iraq. ting the treatment for his health problems," Erdogan was quoted as saying by Anatolia to journalists during the Turkish leader's visit to Ankara has long demanded that Iraq prevent the PKK from using Rome. its territory, halt all rebel activities, limit their movements, close down their camps, cut off logistic support and hand over their lea- He also voiced support for the Iraqi leader concerning the legal ders to Turkey. case he was facing in Baghdad. Listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey and much of the "As I said earlier, we've supported him and will continue suppor- international community, the PKK took up arms for Kurdish indepen- ting him on this issue," said Erdogan. dence in southeastern Turkey in 1984, sparking a conflict that has Hashemi, who has been staying in Istanbul since April 9, insis- claimed some 45,000 lives.N ted in a statement posted on his website Tuesday that he was not

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ranking Sunni, Vice President Tariq al- Hashemi. Al-Hashemi fled to northern Turkey strategic partner, Iraq, which declined to hand him over to Baghdad and then permitted him to leave on a regional tour that took him to says Iraqi Kurd premier Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Speaking with reporters after the KRG PM Barzani (C), opening ceremony of the Divan Hotel TÜSİAD President in Arbil, Barzani labeled Turkey a “stra- Ümit Boyner (L) and tegic partner” of Iraq. “I don’t agree Koç Group chairman with al-Maliki’s criticism that Turkey is Mustafa Koç (2nd L) interfering in the internal politics of leave their hand Iraq. Turkey is Iraq’s best neighbor and prints on a platform at it is our strategic partner in economics,” the opening ceremony Barzani said, adding that the trade of Divan Hotel in volume between the region and Turkey Arbil. DHA p currently amounted to $8 billion. Visit to Turkey Touching on the trade ties with Turkey, Barzani said it was very impor- would hold a referendum on the tant for the KRG that the Koç Group Sefer Levent , ARBIL / Radikal Kurdish region’s relations with the had decided to invest in Arbil and cal- Nouri al-Maliki government if disputes led on other companies to invest in the over power sharing could not be resol- KRG PM Barzani labels future. Barzani also claimed that there ved, the KRG premier said: “The presi- was no security problem in the KRG Turkey a strategic partner dent is not implying just Kurds. His region: “Our region is 100 percent safe. and says the ongoing crisis advice is not only for Kurdish region I don’t want you to feel sorry but the but for the whole of Iraq. We are concer- between the al-Maliki gov- region is actually safer than Istanbul.” ned for Shiites, Turkmens and Arabs as He also said they were claiming ernment and Arbil should be well. their constitutional rights in the resolved in line with the The first choice is a solution based ongoing dispute over Exxon. “If Exxon constitution. on territorial integrity which is in line does not think we have constitutional with the constitution and the second rights they will not come to the region urkey is a strategic partner and the one is to return to the Parliament. Iraq is and invest here. The problem here is solution to the ongoing crisis bet- all for us.” Barzani also stated that he that al-Maliki government says ‘do not ween Arbil and Baghdad should be didn’t agree Turkey had become closer T claim your rights.’” Barzani also said he based on territorial integrity in line with to Arbil and was drifting away from the was pleased that Turkish Prime the Iraqi constitution, Kurdistan Baghdad government since U.S. troops Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Regional Government (KRG) Prime withdrew from Iraq in December. The him when he was elected as prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has said. months-long political impasse began minister and that he was hoping to Upon being asked about KRG lea- when the government issued terrorism come to Ankara for a visit in the near der Masoud Barzani’s statement that he charges against the nation’s highest- G future to improve relations.

08 May 2012 Turkey: Ankara's nightmare, post-Assad partition of Syria With Alawi state on Mediterranean, risking domino effect www.ansa.it This is not officially talked about in Ankara, but accor- (ANSAmed) - ROME - The nightmare scenario for ding to political analyst Abdullah Bozkurt, the idea gives Turkish diplomacy takes the following form: an exploding rise to ''true concerns'' along Turkey's corridors of power. of Syria that has up to now been held together in the iron There is indeed an impression that the moves of Syria's grasp of the Assad dynasty, leading to the risk of a partition President Bashar al-Assad over the past months have been of the country along lines of 'ethnicity', leading to an Alawi in this direction. Faced with a revolt by a Sunni majority, state bordering the Mediterranean, a Kurdish state between among which there is a strongly influential Alawi minority - Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan and a Sunni state on the remain- that of the al-Assad clan - the regime appears to be working der of the territory. towards a kind of 'community-based cleansing,' ➡

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

➡ preparing the way for a partitioning of the country. The too, where Alawis represent a fifth of the population. If the rocky Mediterranean shore, a traditional territory of the Syrian crisis were to lead to partition, Turkey and for other Alawites who make up 12-15% of Syria's population, Middle Eastern states would risk seeing the opening of a around the cities of Latakya, Banyas and Tartous (which is Pandora's box of minorities. According to daily paper the base for the Russian Mediterranean fleet), would form Zaman, the Sunni part of Syria, close to the Erdogan the nucleus of an Alawi state that would remain under government, would be cut off from the Mediterranean. An Assad's control. In this state the minority would be safe Alawi state would also upset Iran, cutting of communication from pressures of the Sunni majority. Under the French pro- lines with Lebanon's Hezbollah. A possible division into tectorate following the First World War, there already was three of Iraq, into Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites would then an Alawi state of Latakia between 1922 and 1936, which was become more probable. The Alawi community in Lebanon allied with the French against the Sunnis. According to might be tempted to join up with their Syrian brethren, and Bozkurt, Assad would try to enlarge this 'state of Latakya' to Turkey could be exposed to seeing the balance of power take in a slice of traditionally Sunni territory, especially at upset between the Sunni majority and Alawi minority, Homs, a key position on the Damascus-Aleppo axis. This is whose presence is especially strong in Istanbul and along why the city has been the fulcrum of the heaviest clashes the 300-mile-long border with Syria. This is an area where with the armed opposition. Another preparation for crea- Turkish policies hostile to the Damascus government fall ting the Alawi state was the alleged bombing by the on stony ground. Among Turkish Alawis in Hatay and in regime of Sunni areas of Latakya during Ramadan. This led Istanbul, pro-Assad demonstrations have taken place and to a mass exodus of thousands of refugees into Turkey. the government has been forced to move the Sunni refu- There is nothing new about tensions between Sunnis and gees from Syria further to the North in order to avoid inci- Alawis or Alawites, followers of the sect founded by Ali, the dents. The creation of a Kurdish state in Syria between ar- Prophet's son-in-law, who are considered to be liberal and Raqqah and al-Qamishli would also aggravate the situation pro-Western Muslims. in Turkish Kurdistan. (ANSAmed).N

Tensions have been seen not only in Syria but in Turkey,

May / 14 / 2012

OPINION/ NURAY MERT tics in particular, and the debate on the presidential system seems to be the latest of these manipulations. Nonetheless, suc- cess in manipulating the political debate is not the same thing as “successful politics” or “successful governance,” especially The presidential with regard to the Kurdish issue. Turkey has suffered more than enough from confusing system and the “manipulation” with “governance,” and confusing cheap bar- gaining politics with sustainable political negotiations. The Kurdish issue Kurdish issue is the most risky of all the other problems of the rime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan revived the debate country. The government may be trying to seduce the minds of on presidential system last week. Everybody knows that some Kurdish politicians and circles by using the presidential PErdoğan is the sort of politician who is so power-driven system as a bargain piece. Kurdish circles who advocate fede- that no measure of power satisfies his drive for more. ralism may be particularly prone to such a proposal, having The debate on the presidential system is nothing other than the US system in mind. But everybody who is concerned with a euphemism for his crave for more power. the future of democracy in Turkey and the future of Kurds should know that considering such a deal will turn to be either Nevertheless, it is not the only stake behind the recent a waste of time, or a disastrous delusion. debate on the presidential system. From the beginning of this debate, I have sensed that it is also thought to concern the In a country where it is still blasphemous to discuss the Kurdish issue. Kurdish demands for a political status and/or “democratic autonomy,” the prospect of any sort of federalism is not very Unfortunately, the governing party insists on pursuing a convincing. Besides, if there was a way of considering federa- policy of suppression on the one hand and of “cheap bargai- lism or some other sort of autonomy as a political solution, the ning” on the other hand. Moreover, these policies manage to price paid should not be the presidential system; the parlia- find resonance among Kurdish political circles. mentary system can do better in this respect. A short while ago, a Kurdish MP wrote an article hinting Finally, is it not obvious that the first casualty of a presiden- that Kurds may support Erdogan’s presidency (if not the presi- tial election race in this country would be the demands of dential system) in return for a moderation of governmental Kurds for a political status? politics concerning Kurds. Moreover, the theme of “the presi- dential system in return for Kurdish rights” started to circulate It is not only Kurds, but all of us who live in Turkey that among politicians even before Erdoğan started the debate. should be more concerned about sustainable political solutions Finally, a pro-government columnist (for the Taraf daily) stated for the future of democracy and for social peace, rather than deluding ourselves or being prone to be deluded by such that the “presidential system can solve the Kurdish problem.” G debates and deals about changing to a presidential system. The present government has always been very successful in manipulating the political debate in general, and Kurdish poli-

23 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti £k*l Iran : ie crépuscule

politique de M. Ahmadinejad

Jusqu'au bout du bout, jusqu'au dernier jour de son mandat, il seratelque les Iraniens et le reste de la planète le connaissent : plein d'orgueil et d'humilité démonstra¬ tive, la mainsurlecnuret la provo¬ cation aux lèvres. Toujours » confiant dans sa bonne étoile et sa :% capacité à rebondir. Oui, Mah¬ .& moud Ahmadinejad se bat encore malgré l'incroyable série de coups qu'il a reçus dans l'arène politique i * iranienne ces douze derniers mois. Le dernierendate lui sera proba¬ blement fatal. Au premier tour des élections législatives, le 2 mars. 2012, le président a vu ses partisans .. battus à plate couturé. Même sa

propre s Parvin a été éliminée dans sa ville natale de Garmsar. Vendredi4mai se tientle second M. Ahmadinejad salue ses partisans lors de sa visite, le 11 sur l'île d'Abou Moussa, dans tour, qui décidera dés 65 derniers sièges (sur 290) à pourvoir. Mais le Golfe, dont la souveraineté est revendiquée par les Emirats arabes unis, afp l'affaire est entendue ; la parenthè¬ se Ahmadinejad est terminée^ un Maire de Téhéran au début de la de, en déficit de légitimité religieu¬ Ce derniern'a donc pas supporté an avant le terme de son second et : décennie, M. Ahmadinejad crée la se. Il rèlégitime le régime auprès que M. Ahmadinejad ait l'outrecui¬ dernier mandat. Au point que des surprise de la présidentielle de descouches socialesles plus défavo- dance, à peine deux années plus proches du Guide suprême de la 2005. Il supplante nombredecandi¬ risées et les plus nombreuses. tard, de vouloir, mettre la main sur République islamique, Ali Khame¬ dats plus connus et prestigieux. Au Enfin, il ne dispose pas de ressour¬ deux secteurs-clés du pouvoir ira- nei, ont débattu ouvertement de second tour, il taille en pièces Ali ces financières propres comme . nien,lesrenseignementsétlepétro- l'opportunité de laisser le prési¬ Akbar Hachemi Rafsandjani, qui a M. Rafsandjani. Bref, c'est la parfai¬ le. A chaque fois, il s'est fait dure¬ dent allerau terme de son mandat. les faveurs du bazar et de la bour¬ te marionnette. ment rabrouer par le Guide suprê¬ Mahmoud Ahmadinejad n'aura geoisie. C'est à ce moment-là que se Et sur la scène internationale, me, qui l'a bloqué. paséchappéausortde ses prédéces¬ noue l'alliance entre le petit ingé¬ ses diatribes antisémites et ses Depuis, les deux camps se por¬ seurs : celui qui se présentait com¬ nieur toujours vêtu d'un modeste outrances antioccideritales offrent tent des coups d'une dureté rare¬ me lé « fils » du Guide suprême a blouson beige, qui a promis de l'avantagé,commele note judicieu¬ ment égalée. Arrestations et procès été dépouillé de ses pouvoirs, blo¬ «mettre l'argent du pétrole sur la sement l'intellectuel en exil pour corruption visent les proches qué dans ses initiatives, livrée la table des iraniens », et le vieux Gui¬ Ahmad Salamatian, «de rallier la de M. Ahmadinejad, lequel boude, meute de députés hostiles. En de suprême, qui détient l'essentiel majoritéde l'opinion arabe derrière menace, mais ne peut qu'assister, mars, il a eu le déshonneur d'être le du pouvoir en Iran et vient de tra¬ l'étendard iranien, malgrélafractu- impuissant, à sa disgrâce. Demièfe premierprésidentiraniendepuis la " humiliation: il a dû venir siéger au verser deux mandats de cohabita¬ re sunnites-chiites». Pour lui, révolutionàavoirétéconvoquépar tiontendue avec le président réfor¬ «Ahmadinejad a aussi cassé l'idée Conseil de discernement, à la tête le Parlement. Lui aussi aura donc mateurMohammad Khatami. que lepouvoir était l'affaire des éli¬ duquelsonennemijuré, M. Rafsan- été avalé par cette révolution qui, M. Ahmadinejad présente nonv tes en Iran. lia ouvertlesportesde la djani, a été reconduit pourcinq ans depuis ses débuts en 1979, dévore bre de qualités aux yeux d'Ali Kha¬ politique au lumpen ». par le Guide. ses enfants les uns après les autres, menei. Il n'est pas issu du clergé, Cette belle entente avec Ali Kha¬ Ce deuxième mandat a été mar¬ les prodiges comme les prodigues. . contrairement à MM. Khatami et menei s'est fissurée lors du second qué par deux autres faits majeurs : . MahmoudAhmadinejad, 55 ans, Rafsandjani, ce qui arrange le Gui- mandat du président, entamé en la crise autour de la question est un « petit soldat » de la révolu¬ 2009. La volonté de M. Ahmadine¬ nucléaire et son cortège de sanc¬ tion. Ingénieur de formation, 0 est jad d'installer les siens au pouvoir, tions économiques imposées par issu des pasdarans (gardiens de la Le Guide suprême ajoutée auxproblèmes institution¬ l'Occident en premier lieu ; la mise révolution), le corps d'élite du régi¬ n'a pas supporté que nelsinhérents à ladyarchie au som¬ à plat du système de subventions me, mais il'n'estpas unofficiercom¬ met de l'exécutif(qu'Ali Khamenei aux biens de première nécessité, battant auréolé dé la guerre contre son poulain ait voulu domine nettement), a eu raison de qui grevait lourdement le budget l'Irak (1980-1988); plutôt un petit mettre la main l'alliance entre le vieux Guide et le de l'Etat, en second lieu. Progressi¬ officier de renseignement chargé ' président. Surtout, là rupture trou- vement,M. Ahmadinejad a été évin¬ de la répression des Kurdes. C'est surdeux secteurs-clés . ve sa source dans la répression de cé de toute décision concernant le durant les années 1980, passées en du pouvoir: juin-juillet2009, conséquence de nucléaire : la promotionde SaidJali- Azerbaïdjanoriental,que M. Ahma¬ laréélectioncontestée deM. Ahma- li, le négociateur iranien, au rang dinejad rencontre ceux qui feront les renseignements dinejad: pour défendre son pou- d'envoyé spécial du Guide est un partie de son premier cercle jus¬ et le pétrole : lain, Ali Khamenei a beaucoup per¬ camouflet pour lui. qu'à ce jour, à commencer par dude sonaura ens'impliquant per¬ Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, son Enfin, ce n'est pas le moindre sonnellement dans la répression. paradoxe de M. Ahmadinejad beau-frère, son âme damnée.

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

C'est un changement majeur. » d'avoir été à la fois le président le tions du FMI, c'est parce que le Toutcequ'ilfaitestbasésurunbéné- Le reste du bilan économique de plus populiste de la République isla¬ cours du pétrole a été si élevé qu'il a ficepolitique immédiat. II ne pense M.Ahmadinejad est un fiasco: mique et celui qui à mené la réfor¬ pu distribuer sans compter les pas aux conséquences. » m inflation galopante, investisse¬ me la plus ultralibérale, allégeant aides aux plus pauvres. Résultat, Christophe Ayad ments et production en berne, chô¬ les finances publiques d'un far¬ «des millions d'Iraniens qui avbcAssalReza mage en hausse. « Ahmadjnejadest deau annuel de plus de 70 milliards n'avaient jamais eu d'argent ni un homme d'action fantastique de dollars (53,2milliards d'euros). même un compte en banque ont mais il est constamment dans l'im¬ S'il a pu mener à bien cette théra¬ touché280 000 tomams [171 euros] provisation, conclut M. Salamatian. pie de choc, qui lui vaut les félicita par mois, explique M. Salamatian.

Le président iranien ravive un litige avec les Emirats

EN SE RENDANT, le 11 avril, sur l'ar¬ dans laquelle se trouve l'ambassa¬ l'Iran a expulsé les travailleurs chipel contesté d'Abou Moussa, le de des Emirats arabes unis à Téhé¬ étrangers qui s'occupaient, pourle Casplenna - . " président iranien, Mahmoud ran. Pour nombre d'Iraniens, Abou compte des Emirats, de l'école, de Ahmadinejad, a fait coup double. Moussa est le symbole de l'injusti¬ la clinique et de la centrale électri¬ ® Non seulement il a réveillé à son ce du colonialisme occidental aux que d'Abou Moussa. Téhéran aish. profit le nationalisme iranien. dépens de l'Iran. La visite n'a pas manqué de sus¬

.Mais il a également réussi à mettre IRAN Cet archipel de six petites îles a citer la colère de la Fédération, qui IKAK son grain de sel dans le jeu diplo¬ fait partie de l'Iran de l'Antiquité y voit « une violationflagrante de ' matique alors qu'il avait été tenu à g H.MI1UIIBEÏ'- jusqu'au début du XX1 siècle, lors¬ [sa] souverainetéet de [son] intégri¬ l'écart, par le Guide suprême Ali que les Britanniques en prirent le té territoriale «.Dans un contexte \ Y Détroit, Khamenei, des négociations sur le contrôle. A l'indépendance des d'extrême tension régionale entre : iji ..\i.-*% O d'Ormùz dossier nucléaire iranien lancées à . Emirats arabes unis, en 1971, les Bri¬ chiites et sunnites, le litige a des Istanbul le 14 avril et qui doivent se tanniques ont transféré à Charjah échos dans l'ensemble des pays ] rib r*.:-i?.'.!-j'-:l!*p vifiki^. rf[^ poursuivre le 23 mai à Bagdad. et à Ras Al-Khaimah, deux des sept arabes du golfe.

La courte visite de M.Ahmadine¬ émirats de la fédération, le contrô¬ L'Arabie Saoudite, grande rivale

jad surAbou Moussa est la premiè¬ le d'Abou Moussa et des Grande et de l'Iran, a pris position pour ses re d'un président iranien sur l'île tions de parlementaires se succè¬ Petite Tomb, deux autres îlots dis¬ alliés émiriens. Si jamais le conflit principale de 12 km2 occupée par dent sur l'archipel contesté. putés. Téhéran et Abou Dhabi ont venait à prendre une tournure 2000 habitants et située à 60 km Depuis, les responsables iraniens convenu que la souveraineté de militaire, la France, qui a une base au large des côtés émiriennesj sur se livrent à une surenchère, com¬ l'île revenait aux Emirats, mais en navale aux Emirats auxquels elle la principale voie maritime pétro¬ me la proposition de créer une pro¬ autorisant une présence de l'ar¬ est liée par un accord de défense, lière du monde. ' vince du golfe Persique, avec Abou mée iranienne surAbou Moussa. se retrouverait en première

- Ce geste a entraîné un regain de Moussa pour chef-lieu, ou celle de En 1980, les Emirats ont porté le ligne.

nationalisme en Iran, où les déléga- rebaptiser du nom de l'île la rue différend devant l'ONU. En 1992, C.A.

icBonde

Mercredi 9 mai 2012

Le régime syrien a organisé des élections législatives multipartites controversées

Des élections législatives février, qui a supprimé l'article tre eux ont présenté des candi¬ bîies sont dirigées par des obligés

prétendument multiparti¬ accordant au parti Baas, au pou¬ dats à ces élections. du régime de Damas, à l'instar du tes se sont tenues lundi voir depuis 1963, le rôle dirigeant Mais cette apparence de plura¬ dirigeant communiste Q_adri 7 mai en Syrie surfond de poursui¬ de la société, neuf nouveaux par¬ lisme n'a pas convaincu l'opposi¬ Jamil, possible futur premier te de là répression. Ce scrutin tis ont été créés en Syrie. Selon tion, qui estime que la plupart des ministre. Aux yeux de ses repré¬ visant à présenter le président l'Agence France-Presse, sept d'en formations nouvellement éta- sentants, le scrutin ne modifiera Bachar Al-Assad comme un réfor¬ guère la composition d'un parle¬ mateur à l'écoute de ses conci¬ Les violences se poursuivent pendant les élections ment qui joue un rôle de chambré

toyens, et à convaincre ceux-ci d'enregistrement et dont les

que le pays est envoie de stabilisa¬ Trois civils ont été tués, mardi se poursuivent en dépit du ces¬ membres sont traditionnelle¬

tion a été boycotté par l'opposi¬ 8 mai, en Syrie, par les troupes sez-le-feu prévu par le plan ment choisis par la famille Assad, tion et dénoncé comme une mas¬ gouvernementales, a rapporté Annan depuis le 12 avril, et pour avec l'appui des moukhabarat, la

carade par l'ONU, les Etats-Unis et l'Observatoire syrien des droits lequel des observateurs ont été police politique.

la France. de l'homme (OSDH). Lundi, ce déployés. Par ailleurs. Reporters Les résultats semblent d'autant

Les quelque 12 000 bureaux de sont 25 personnes qui avaient sans frontières (RSF) a condam¬ plus joués d'avance que selon les vote ont fermé à 22 heures, selon péri dans des violences, selon ' né, lundi, la mort «d'un sixième médias officiels, la moitié des la télévision officielle syrienne. l'OSDH. Depuis le 15 mars 2011, citoyen-journaliste» depuis le 250 sièges en jeu sont réservés aux

Les opérations de dépouillement la répression et les combats ont début de l'année en Syrie, en « représentants des ouvriers etpay¬ ont commencé aussitôt après fait plus de 11100 morts, en accusant les forces gouverne¬ sans», dont les syndicats sont mais aucune précision n'a été don¬ majorité des civils selon l'OSDH, mentales. RSF dit avoir appris contrôlés par le parti Baas. née sur le taux de participation et poussé à l'exil plus de «avec effroi» la mort, le 4 mai, Interrogé lundi par l'AFP, à l'en¬ ou sur l'annonce des résultats. 65 000 Syriens selon l'ONU, d'Abdel Ghani Kaake,19ans, trée d'un bureau de vote de

Grâce à la nouvelle Constitution sans compter les dizaines de mil¬ affirmant qu'il avait été «délibé¬ Damas, Chahba Karim, 18 ans, esti¬ adoptée par référendum en liers de détenus. Les violences rément visé ». - (AFP.) mait que ces élections apporte-

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

des élections », a-t-il déclaré. raient « une réponse définitive à la et les villages sans ses chars ». Le scrutin a aussi été dénoncé crise», relayant ainsi le point de «Celui qui baigne Dans un communiqué, le par le secrétaire général de l'ONU, vue des électeurs interviewés par la Syrie dans le sang Conseil national syrien, principa¬ Ban Ki-moon, pour qui « leproces¬ la télévision d'Etat. Noureddine le coalition de l'opposition, a refu¬ sus démocratique ne pourra pas Al-Abdo, un opposant de la ville d'I- (...) ne possède aucune sé par avance de reconnaître les réussir tant que la violence conti¬ dlib, dans le nord de la Syrie, esti¬ légitimité résultats. «Celui qui baigne la nuera». Pour la France, ces élec¬ Syrie dans le sang, pousse à l'exo¬ mait au contraire que le régime tions « s'apparentent à unefarce pour rédiger de deux millions de Syriens et tire syrien « sefait des illusions s'ilpen¬ sinistre», tandis que les Etats- une Constitution» sur le peuple syrien ne possède se qu'il existe encore à travers cette Unis ont estimé lundi que le scru¬ aucune légitimité pour rédiger mascarade d'élection, alors qu'il Communiqué tin «frise le ridicule ». m une Constitution, promulguer est incapable de contrôler les villes du Conseil national syrien une loi électorale ou convoquer Service International

fcHonde

Jeudi 10 mai 2012

«procès» expéditif, suite à une mouvements. Nabil Rahim, figure Itinéraire d'un altercation, selon des médias liba¬ salafiste de Tripoli, ancien intermé¬ nais. «Abou Hajar», diplômé en diaire entre les djihadistes de Fatah chimie, se serait rendu en Syrie Ai-Islam et des émissaires d'Al-Qai¬ djihadiste libanais pour y dispenser son savoir-faire da, restedistant. en matière de fabrication de bom¬ Selon ce religieux, arrêté en bes. Les deux hommes sont partis 2008 et détenu pendant plus de du camp palestinien d'Ain trois arts, le combattant était « très tombé en Syrie El-Heloué (sud du Liban) où ils proche de Chaker Al-Abssi », le fon¬ avaient trouvé refuge - l'accès en dateur de Fatah Ai-Islam porté dis-

est interdit aux forces de sécurité parufin2008. «C'estsous ses ordres De plus en plus d'étrangers, à l'instar de Libanais libanaises. qu'il a attaqué l'armée libanaise du Fatah Ai-Islam, combattent le régime Cette affaire confirme une [lors de plusieurs attentats en « internationalisation » en cours de 2008], indique M. Rahim. Pour la rébellion en Syrie. Autre illustra¬ notre interlocuteur, Abdel Ghani tion, la nationalité libyenne, selon Jawhar a rejoint Fatah Ai-Islam en Beyrouth nité après l'été 2007. Certains de ses une source digne de foi, d'un blessé 2008. Selon les Syriens, il est aussi Correspondance membres ont été arrêtés ou tués. responsable d'un attentat perpétré Fatah Ai-Islam n'a jamais obtenu hospitalisé en avril à Tripoli, dont la chambre était surveillée par des àDamasla mêmeannée. Trèsintelli- Sur la photographie que mon¬ l'adoubement d'Al-Qaida, malgré membres des forces de sécurité gent, il a joué un rôle important au tre son père dans son village ses tentatives. sein de Fatah Al-lslam. » natal de Bebnine (nord du La mort d'Abdel Ghani Jawhar à libanaises comme Le Monde a pu le Quel intérêt avait ce jeune Liba¬ Liban), Abdel Ghani Jawhar, enfant, Qusair (localité syrienne proche du constater. Mais s'il est avéré que nais à combattre en Syrie? «Ce pose en émir arabe devant un Liban et proche d'Homs) avait été des djihadistes étrangers prêtent n'est pas une question d'intérêt, décorde studio, vêtu d'un manteau annoncée fin avril par plusieurs main-forte aux insurgés, leurnom¬ mais de croyance et de conviction, brodé d'or et d'un keffieh blanc. médias. Plusieurs récits ont été dres¬ bre reste limité. Ces combattants peuvent séduire une partie des répond M. Rahim Ilvoulaitêtrepro- Quelques années plus tard, ce Liba¬ sés pour expliquer sa disparition : rebelles, par leur expérience ; mais che des innocents.» Proche des nais est devenu « Abou Hajar », un un accidentfatal lors d'une manipu¬ ils suscitent aussi l'embarras et le innocents, ce n'est pas ainsi que le djihadiste parmi les plus recher¬ lation d'explosifs; un affronte¬ rejet dans leurs rangs. décrirait notre source informée, chés, spécialiste en explosifs. Accu¬ ment avec l'armée syrienne. Son qui affirme que le djihadiste sé d'actes terroristes au Liban et décès a été confirmé au Monde de défunt « a les mains tachées de sang sous le coup de mandats d'arrêt, il source sûre début mai. «Abou Hajar» depuis la bataille de Nahr Al-Bared est parti combattre en Syrie, ce prin¬ La nouvelle avait été accueillie se serait rendu en à laquelle il aprispart «.ABebnine, temps, avec plusieurs de ses pairs. avec prudence par divers hauts res¬ le père du combattant, Ali Saad Il y est mort, à 29 ans. ponsables sécuritaires : l'individu Syrie poury dispenser Jawhar, longue silhouette émaciée, Abdel Ghani Jawhar appartenait avait déjà été donné pour mort par son savoir-faire se dit « soulagé qù 'Abdel Ghani, vic¬ au groupuscule djihadiste sunnite le passé. Et l'affaire remet au pre¬ time de la pauvreté, soit mort en Fatah Ai-Islam, qui s'est fait connaî¬ mier plan un groupuscule dont la en matière de martyrpour la cause syrienne», m tre par le sanglant combat (plus de genèse demeure à ce jour une énig¬ fabrication de bombes LaureStephan 400 morts) qui l'avait opposé des me. Création de Damas pour désta¬

mois durant à l'armée libanaise biliser le Liban? Efforts libanais et

dans le camp palestinien de Nahr étrangers pour contrer le Hezbol¬ Au Liban, nul ne souhaite évo¬ quer des liens passés avec Abdel Al-Bared (région de Tripoli, nord) lah chiite? Extrémistes cibles de Ghani Jawhar. Parmi les sunnites en 2007, ainsi que par plusieurs manipulations diverses ?

attentats meurtriers la même Avec Abdel Ghani Jawhar, de la région de Tripoli - dont ce der¬

année. Comptant dans ses rangs d'autres membres de Fatah nier est originaire -, la Jamaa Isla- d'anciens combattants en Irak, ras¬ Ai-Islam ont rejoint le djihad en miya (branche libanaise des Frères

semblant des Syriens, des Palesti¬ Syrie. L'un d'eux, Walid Boustani, musulmans) et les salafistes

niens mais aussi des Libanais, le évadé de prison au Liban en 2010, a démentent les informations selon lesquelles il a appartenu à leurs groupusculeestpasséàla clandesti été tué par les rebelles après un

26 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 10 April 2012 Kurds in Iran's Regional Game By HEVIDAR AHMED Kurdistan rudaw.net Region President RBIL, Kurdistan Region -- The Massoud financial and political support it gave Barzani with to some Iraqi Shia groups allowed Iran to E Muhammad have tremendous involvement in Iraq bin Zayed, after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime the Crown in 2003. Prince of Some analysts believe that Baghdad Abu Dhabi. has become the second capital of Iran Photo KRP. and that Iraqi leaders consult with Iran before making major decisions. Others believe that Iran is using Iraq as a ground to confront its regional Sunni rivals such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and “As long as we exist in Iraq, the From the beginning of the revolution in other Gulf states. majority must rule,” he says. Syria, Iranian officials have urged Iraqi For the past several decades, Iran has Some statistics indicate that the Shia Kurdish officials not to get involved in been supporting Iraqi Islamist Shia make up more than 60 percent of Iraq’s the situation by encouraging Syrian groups, particularly when they fought population. The Iran-Iraq border runs Kurds to protest against the regime of Iraq’s Baath regime. 1,200 kilometers, the longest border Iraq Bashar al-Assad. Among the Shia parties close to Iran, has with any country. The Iranian Consul says, “KRG’s with an active role in running Iraq, are Sanctions imposed on Iran by the attitude towards Syria’s situation is the Hakim Family’s Supreme Islamic U.S. and the EU due to its nuclear pro- acceptable.” Council, Prime Minister Nuri Maliki’s gram have isolated the country, but Iraq Iran has an embassy in Baghdad as Dawa Party and the Sadr Movement. could become Iran’s open passage to the well as five active consulate generals From the outset of the U.S. invasion outside world. across Iraq. of Iraq, Iran opposed the presence of Even Iraqi PM Maliki explicitly A senior KRG official, who wanted U.S. troops next door, and Iranian lea- asked the U.S. to pardon Iraq for main- to remain anonymous, believes that Iran ders argued that the cause of the insur- taining economic relations with Iran. is trying to weaken Iraq’s Sunnis through gency and violence was America’s occu- Recently, Iranian President Baghdad. pation of Iraq. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a contro- “Isolating Vice President Tariq Now, with U.S. troops out, Iran has versial visit to the disputed islands bet- Hashimi and Deputy Prime Minister proposed to hold its next round of ween Iran and the United Arab Emirates Salih Mutlag was Iran’s plan to weaken nuclear talks in Baghdad to show the (UAE). As a result, tensions escalated the Sunnis,” the Kurdish official said. world, particularly America, that Iraq is between the two countries and the UAE “The Kurds were supposed to be next in stable without American soldiers on the government strongly condemned the the plan. However, we found out about it ground. visit. and took the Sunnis’ side by defending Sayed Azim Husseini, Iranian Several days later, Kurdistan Region Hashimi, because isolating Sunni leaders Consul in Erbil, says, “We insist on hol- President Massoud Barzani visited UAE in Baghdad could clear a path to target ding the nuclear talks in Baghdad to tell to participate in an economic forum. the Kurds.” the world and the region that Iraq is a Some Iranian media outlets criticized Despite occasional political disputes, strong country.” Barzani’s visit. Iran and the Kurdistan Region enjoy Husseini says it was the Iranian sup- The Mehr news agency called the strong economic and trade relations that port of Iraq that made the Arab League visit “suspicious.” Fars News Agency take place through several border cros- conference in Baghdad at the end of wrote that “Barzani’s visit to the UAE sing points. March a success. was to develop relations between the The KRG official said, “So far, “Iran-Iraq officials had many discus- UAE and Kurdistan in order to partici- Kurdish officials are dealing with the sions about the success of the confe- pate in a conspiracy against Iran.” situation wisely. They were able to rence,” he says. Regarding Barzani’s visit to UAE, balance their relations with Turkey and Iran has long understood Iraq’s signi- the Iranian Consul in Erbil said, “We Iran. They haven’t let their relationship ficance, with its geographical location, advise all political parties to stay away with one country affect the other. abundant natural resources and majority from matters that create problems. The Balancing the situation is not easy but Shia population that gives Iran easy media wants to create problems in the the Kurds have been successful so far.”
access to the country. region. However, the situation in the Muwafaq Rubai, a Shia politician region is stable.” and Iraq’s former national security advi- Syria is another issue that Iran is sor, told Rudaw, “The Shia will never trying to keep a cap on through Iraq. again let the Sunnis seize power in Iraq.”

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

fflmHSSrihme may 11,2012 talking politics in his prosperous fur¬ niture shop, Abu Fahad, using a nick¬ name to protect against retribution, said protesters were unlikely to choose lead¬ Splintered Syrian ers from Mr. Assad's Alawite sect after 40 years of his family's rule, but do not hate allAlawites. The proofhe offered seemed ominous in itsown Way: Saqbaresidents, he said, have killed 30 neighbors suspec¬ rebels show tenacity ted of being informants all Sunnis. As the exile opposition and à U.N.- sponsored peace plan fail to stem the vi¬

olence, attention in Washington is in¬ creasingly focused on the opposition in¬ side Syria, raising urgent questions about its motives, leaders and backers. But Syria remains something of a black box. Amid violence and government re¬ strictions on journalists, fighters and protesters operate largely on their own and out of sight of independent observ¬

ers. On social media, activists portray themselves as democratic, inclusive and from the grass roots, while the gov¬ ernment depicts its opponents as for¬ eign-financed Sunni extremists. Yet the reality is more complicated, according to interviews with more than 20 activ¬ ists and fighters, via phone, Skype and

face-to-face interviews in Syria and neighboring countries, which offer a glimpse of the uprising's anatomy. The picture that emerges, partial and anecdotal, is of a highly decentralized, proudly local movement, distrustful of the expatriate opposition. Many activ¬ ists said they wanted Sunni empower-, New recruits taking part in a parade this week in the Syrian town of Qusayr as theyjoined nient and equal rights for all. If there

the Free Syrian Army, an insurgent a group of former soldiers and others. was unanimity, it was in the fierce con- . viction that future leaders should come from their own ranks "exclusively from this popular movement," Abu Omar said not from exile groups, like BEIRUT That atomizatibn, many fear, could turn the country into "divided emir¬ the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood and ates" rather than a viable new system, secular movements. Eclectic mix of fighters Abu Omar, an activist in a Damascus The fighters and activists knew they and activists is united by suburb, said in a recent interview, com¬ were talking to journalists and have an plaining that some groups hoard arms interest in appearing neither sectarian drive to overthrow Assad and the power they bring. "Deserving nor extremist. But many spoke candidly people are not being funded," he said, of the uprising's flaws and challenges,

BY ANNE BARNARD "and all the money goes to people who do not deserve it." ANDHWAIDASAAD "Deserving people are not An eclectic mix of fighters and un¬ being funded, and all the ; More than a year into the uprising in armed protesters opposes Mr. Assad. money goes to people who ; Syria, protesters and fighters say, each There are pious clerics and people who iof the opposition cells there still acknowledge that they rarely pray, ex- do not deserve it." scrambles on its. own for money and perienced soldiers and barely trained weapons, creating a risk that diffèrent former conscripts, wealthy doctors and factions will form conflicting loyalties to and one a former interior decorator jobless youths. Some say they want Is¬ whoever ends up financing or arming * volunteered that he had executed lamic law, while others insist that civil them. three men. The former decorator, Abu law alone should rule. Their goals are Those who have taken up arms, the Moayed, also a nickname, said he left matters of intense curiosity as the fighters, acknowledge that they lack a his job at a Beirut architecture firm last United States and others debate wheth¬ workable chain of command to coordi¬ year, which his employer confirmed, er and how to directly assist the opposi- nate operations and channel arms sup- and went home to northern Syria, near ; tion inside Syria. Ask their views, and ; plies, even as they plead for internation^ the city of Idlib. He said he joined army the answers can be complex. alhelp. deserters in the Baba Amr Retribution Abu Fahad, 30, says the protesters he Somehow, this decentralized patch- Battalion, named for the rebellious organizes in Saqba, a Damascus suburb, Work of opposition fighters and activists Horns neighborhood devastated by , are "religious, secular, and people who has displayed the tenacity to withstand shelling. drink wine and smoke opium," though ' a withering crackdown that has left Abu Moayed said the battalion had : mostly from the majority Sunni Muslim thousands dead and neighborhoods re¬ captured about 35 government soldiers . sect. They are not seeking economic duced to rubble. But it has still not man¬ and militiamen and executed 10 after gain, sectarian revenge or an Islamic aged to coalesce into a unified force, or the authorities refused a prisoner ex¬ state, he said,just the dignity ofchoosing - identify a national leader, a clear ideol¬ change. He said he had shot three, two their own president, ''not some idiot who ogy or specific goals, beyond bringing Sunnis and an Alawite, who were impli¬ took power from his father as a gift" . down President Bashar al-Assad. cated in killing hundreds. "Don't. ask Exuding confidence as he sat openly

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

the reason," he said. "It's not ven¬ weapons ohthe Iraqi border With $35,000 Sheik Ahmed, a' Sunni imam in Da¬ geance it's our right." But he ac¬ from wealthy Syrians abroad but does mascus, said Muslim Brotherhood sup¬ knowledged that he had acted from an¬ not take orders from anyone outside. porters tried to take credit for rallying ger after the government killed two of "Usually, revolutions are planted by thousands after Friday prayer. But he his uncles, Khalid and Jamil al-Khatib. honorable people and harvested by cow¬ said that mosques were the only places His father is missing and his wife and ards," he said. "In Syria, we will prove where people could routinely assemble, children are in hiding, he said, after a the opposite." and that crowds there included non- defecting soldier showed him a picture Without known leaders, the opposi¬ Muslims and Muslims, from secularists of his 5-year-old with words scrawled on tion has failed to win major help from to religious extremists. "Syria is not the back: "To be executed." Western countries afraid to give aid Egypt or Tunisia," Mr. Ahmed said, Abu Moayad said the battalion bought without any accountability. But para¬ evoking countries where Islamist weapons from the government's own doxically, activists say, that weakness groups dominate after broad-based re¬ supply, stored in a dairy factory. Its own¬ has kept the movement alive and auton¬ volts. "I call for a democratic, civil state, er, a government militiaman, sells. omous, hard to decapitate or co-opt. And then every citizen gets his or her Kalashnikovs and grenade launchers, protesters say local donations provide rights." eager for the money in case he needs to what little they need: amplifiers, ban¬ flee, he said. Recently, hè said, he bought ners, cellphones.

XcHîonde

Samedi 12 mai 2012 ques. Et la mouvance islamiste Ligue arabe. Les Comités de coordi- apparentée à Al-Qaida, dont la pré¬ nation de la révolution, ont sence en Syrie est de plus en plus d'ailleurs appelé à des manifesta¬ ÀDâmas, opposition attestée depuis la confirmation de tions rhassives vendredi. , là mort d'Abdel Ghanijawhar, un . Le chefdés.observatéurs onu¬ et pouvoir se renvoientla ancien chef du groupuscule djiha¬ siens, le Norvégien Robert Mood, diste Fatah Àl-Islam. qui s'est aussitôt rendu sur les Lès témoignages abondent éga¬ lieux de l'attentat, a éfépris à par¬ responsabilité des attentats lement sur l'afflux de combat¬ tie par. dès manifestants prorégi¬

tants sunnites extrémistes venus me, dont certains armés, dénon¬ Les attaques meurtrières compliquent d'Irak pour défier un régime assi¬ çant la guerre par procuration milé aux hérétiques chiites, en rai¬ '.menée par le Qatar, l'Arabie Saou¬ la mission d'observation des Nations unies son de la confession alaouite de la dite et la Turquie contre le" régime

famille Assad au pouvoir. syrien. Il est dans une position par¬

Il y. a enfin une troisième hypo¬ ticulièrement délicate d'autant tain:unepremièreexplo'siohrèlati- Au lendemain de l'attentat thèse: la manipulation, par les ser¬ que ses forces ont été visées par un qui a causé 55 morts et vement faible destinée à attirer les vices de renseignement syriens, de attentat raté mercredi.. . 372 blessés à Qazaz, dans la personnes aux alentours, puis, une la mouvance djihadiste afin de dis- Alors qu'une, trentaine'de nou¬ banlieue sud de Damas, la ques¬ minute plustard,une énorme char¬ créditerlesoulèvementdémocrati- veaux observateurs sont attendus tion de la responsabilité de l'atta¬ ge qui a causé la plupart des victi¬ qùe et de terroriser les indécis au en Syrie pour observer un cessez- que terroriste la plus meurtrière mes et des scènes de désolation, sein de la société syrienne. le-feu sans cesse bafoué, la mis¬ depuis le début de la révolution saris précédent à Damas mais qui sion Annan se trouve prise dans rappellent Bagdad et Beyrouth. syrienne est posée. Au soulève¬ Manipulation lin jeu de plus en plus compliqué ment pacifique, qui a débuté en Ce mode opératoireetla quanti¬ Cet attentat, font remarquer les qui met aux prises. un régime mars 2011, s'est progressivement té d'explosifs nécessaires - pas militants antirégime, intervient réduit à ses forcés de sécurité, une ajouté la lutte armée menée par moins de 500 kg orientent les alors qu'ils tentaient de mobiliser opposition civile et sa branche l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL), et, soupçons vers deux acteurs de à Damas,. profitant de la protec¬ armée qu'elle contrôle de moins depuis décembre 2011, une série l'imbroglio syrien. L'Etat et ses ser¬ tion très relative offerte par la pré¬ en moins, et enfin une mouvance d'attentats qui va crescendo. vices de sécurité, qui ont fait la sence de la missiond'observateurs djihadiste éventuellement mani¬

Mais autant l'oppositionsyrien¬ preuve par le passé au Liban et en de l'ONU sous l'égide du plan de pulée. Autant dire une gageure.

ne revendique manifestations et Irak de sa capacité à jouer de la ter¬ paix mis au point par Kofi Anriàn, Christophe Ayad embuscades de l'ASL, autant elle reur pour parvenir à ses fins politi l'envoyé spécial de l'ONU.et de la rejette toute responsabilité dans les explosions meurtrières qui ont #f secoué Damas et Alep, encore lar¬ gement contrôlées par le régime du président Bachar Al-Assad.

Comme après chaque attentat; le &; '*"*" tf pouvoiretl'oppositionse sont reje¬ : -* w- . V .: té sa responsabilité, avançant tous deux «preuves» et «indices». impossibles à vérifier en l'absence , ' d'observateurs indépendants. .. il'' .» . L'attaque de jèudi.matin 10 mai v- ~'^L_V,-^ "/r- ». t i .. M» est la plus meurtrière menée jus¬ - - . . '- ---#*t-w ' : i

que-là. Elle visait probablement un 1 . . centré de là branche Palestine des

services de renseignements et -fer to : «1 '^ . . paraît avoir été programmée pour 1 J-V , t. causer le maximum de victimes à * - si " . Z ï-= *. -f « '~* uneheuredepointe. Elle a étéplani¬ : ^sy.-^v *.'~ -, f - *?*^': ' fiée avec un soin et des moyens qui .

dénotentunprqfessionnalismecer-

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

IVimVAITON.U jMeraltvâii^Sribunc Friday, may n, 2012

the blast site on the southern side of the 2 car bombs capital. The explosions occurred at 7:50 am., the peak time for government em¬ ployees to arrive at work and buses to open deadly ferry children to school. "The friends I spoke to there said everyone went crazy, with so many new front in rushing to the scene that security had to fire guns into the air to disperse the crowd," said the man, reached via Syria conflict Skype, who spoke anonymously be¬ cause of the tense situation in Syria. -V Two suicide car bombs laden with

BEIRUT, LEBANON more than 2,200 pounds, or about 1,000 kilograms, of explosives erupted at the Dozens killed in attack busy Qazzaz intersection, destroying 21 A U.N. observer at the site of the car bomb nearby vehicles and damaging more explosions on Thursday in Damascus. on intelligence buildings than 100 others, according to a state¬ in busy part of Damascus ment from the Interior Ministry read on destabilizing the country. state television. "It is the regime that wants to create The compound housed two. major fear in the hearts of the people," said BY NEIL MACFARQUHAR branches of the military intelligence Bassam Jaara, an opposition journalist ANDHWAIDASAAD service, one known officially as the Pal¬ in London, speaking on Al Jazeèra, the estine Branch but nicknamed the At least 55 people were killed and about Arabic satellite network. "They keep "Sheraton" by prisoners because de¬ 370 injured by two powerful car bombs saying it is either Bashar or destruction tainees from so many nations had been that exploded outside a key intelligence and today we are seeing that destruc¬ incarcerated and tortured there over compound in Damascus early on Thursr tion." the years, activists said: day, Syrian state television reported. But Ayman al-Zawahri, the Al Qaeda The building, known as the largest se¬ The blasts peeled open a new, more leader, has called on his faithful to join curity branch in the country, held hun¬ treacherous front in the struggle for the the fight, and experts said radical Web dreds of prisoners the Palestine country. sites have been alive with discussions branch had often concentrated on the The attack was the largest and deadli¬ surveillance and arrest of religious rad¬ about whether Syria constituted a legit¬ est reported in Syria since an uprising imate jihad. icals. started in March 2011 against President A shadowy radical group called The other building was the Patrols Bashar al-Assad. Jabhat al-Nusrah, or the Victorious Branch, responsible for maintaining A campaign of such bombings would Front, has emerged in the past few and dispatching the intelligence vehi¬ vastly complicate United Nations ef¬ months, issuing statements claiming it cles that prowl the Damascus area. forts to bolster a wobbly, montivold was behind a string of smaller bomb¬ Maj. Gen. Robert Mood, the Norwegi¬ cease-fire. The attack also came. amid ings outside government and security an officer leading the United Nations discussions among Islamists over buildings. observer mission, visited the scene soon whether the battle for Syria constituted American officials have said that a legitimate jihad. after the blast. Sunni extremists, including fighters The attack tore off the front Of a nine- "This is yet another example of the linked to Al Qaeda's Iraq franchise, story intelligence headquarters and left suffering brought upon the people of were behind a series of deadly bofnb- a grisly scene on.the crowded highway, Syria from acts of violence," General ings in Damascus and Aleppo. But evi¬ in front of it, with incinerated corpses Mood said in remarks broadcast on dence of their role was elusive. and many burning, vehicles emitting state television. The concern is that Syria might mir¬ plumes of black smoke visible across "We, the world community, are here ror neighboring Iraq, where the exten¬ the capital. Pictures of the bloody- with the Syrian people, and I call on ded fight against the occupation wreckage with severed body parts : everyone within and outside Syria to brought jihadis to the fore. scattered about were shown repeatedly : help stop this violence," he said. In Syria, the uprising started as a on state television and other official me¬ There was no immediate claim of re¬ peaceful protest movement but has dia. sponsibility, although the running com¬ grown more deadly as the government The dead and wounded included both mentary on the official media was that deployed its army to put down the rebel¬ soldiers and civilians. At least 11 sdK the bombing was the work of terrorists lion, in which some 10,000 civilians have diers were dead, said a source atthe mil-- being financed by Saudi Arabia and died along with hundreds of soldiers. itary hospital in the Mezze neighbor¬ Qatar. hood where the bulk of the casualties The opposition blamed the govern¬ from the security services were taken. ment for the attack, claiming it was try¬ The Ministry of Health also said that 15 ing to frighten Syrians over the cost of of the dead were unidentified. opposing the government by proving its "We heard a huge noise," said a own claims that Al Qaeda was bent on Mezze resident whose sister lives near

30 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 10 mai 2012 Syrie : «L’Occident risque de se laisser happer petit à petit» Recueilli par Sylvain MOUILLARD au-delà de ses moyens. La Russie voudra sans doute exploiter ce filon aussi PETER HARLING, spécialiste de la longtemps que possible, mais n’a pas pour autant une véritable «alliance» avec Syrie à l’International Crisis Group, ce régime, qu’elle peut lâcher subitement. analyse le pourrissement de la situ- ation dans le pays, où le cessez-le- Les puissances occidentales sont-elles feu du 12 avril est quotidiennement vraiment favorables à un recours à la violé. force, et comment cela se mettrait-il en place ?

L’attaque d’hier sur un convoi Une intervention militaire en Syrie aurait d’observateurs de l’ONU et l’attentat sans doute déjà eu lieu si les con- meurtrier de ce jeudi marquent-ils une séquences n’étaient pas à craindre. Mais fuite en avant ? Autrement dit, rendent- Un observateur de l'ONU le 10 mai à beaucoup de questions se posent. Damas (Photo Khaled al Hariri. Reuters) ils définitivement caduc le plan Annan ? Comment inscrire une intervention dans une légitimité internationale ? Quels sont La mission onusienne aurait déjà capoté les risques de guerre civile se prolongeant pour limiter la casse. Mais c’est deman- s’il existait une alternative crédible. Mais malgré la chute du régime ? Comment der beaucoup de bonne volonté à son le plan Annan est né, justement, de démolir un système de défense anti- opposition et à ses ennemis. l’incapacité de la communauté interna- aérien, assez robuste et disséminé dans tionale à se mettre d’accord sur une poli- des zones habitées, sans causer de nom- Quelles sont les lignes de fracture au tique claire sur le dossier syrien. C’est, breuses victimes ? Les alliés du régime, à sein de la société syrienne ? Assiste-t-on ironiquement, ce qui devrait lui donner savoir l’Iran et le Hezbollah, se mettront- à une radicalisation de l’opposition ? Y une certaine résilience : en l’absence de ils de la partie ? Comment détruire ou a-t-il une «majorité silencieuse» en plan B, autant s’en tenir au plan A, sans sécuriser les importants stocks de mis- Syrie ? nécessairement y croire. Ainsi, ceux qui siles et d’armes non conventionnelles ? défendent la mission en apparence font En raison de tout ceci, le régime tend à La «majorité silencieuse» ne l’est que peu de choses pour l’aider en pratique : conclure que la décision de «faire quelque dans des zones assez réduites, qui n’ont les Russes n’exercent que de faibles pres- chose» est trop difficile à prendre pour les pas pour l’instant subi de plein fouet le sions sur le régime, tandis que certains Occidentaux. Ce qu’il comprend mal, conflit – notamment les quartiers les plus Etats arabes et Occidentaux accroissent c’est que la décision de «ne rien faire» est centraux de Damas et d’Alep, la ville graduellement leur soutien à au moins aussi difficile. Au-delà des druze de Sweida, dans le Sud, ou cer- l’opposition. dénonciations politiques et des sanctions taines villes de la côte méditerranéenne. économiques, il est probable que Dans ces poches, un discours prédomi- Quelles sont désormais les options sur l’Occident se laisse petit à petit happer nant consiste à condamner le régime tout la table pour la communauté interna- par ce conflit, en augmentant graduelle- en se méfiant de l’opposition, en rejetant tionale ? Le sommet Russie-Etats-Unis ment son soutien à l’opposition jusqu’au toute ingérence étrangère, en appelant à du 20 mai pourra-t-il servir à mettre moment où une intervention apparaîtra calmer le jeu pour éviter l’extension des davantage la pression sur Moscou ? inévitable. violences. Ailleurs, la société tend à être très polarisée et mobilisée. Les lignes de La Russie a de nombreuses raisons de Quels sont encore les atouts de Bachar clivages ne sont pas toujours nettes. Il préférer la survie du régime : Moscou al-Assad ? existe de nombreux activistes issus des gagne en politique intérieure à tenir tête à minorités au sein des réseaux de la l’Occident. Le pouvoir russe voit d’un Le régime se comporte comme s’il misait société civile qui soutiennent les popula- mauvais œil des changements dans le exclusivement sur une victoire par aban- tions réprimées, par exemple. A l’inverse, monde arabe, qui profitent aux don de ses adversaires. Sur le plan mili- le régime a recruté diverses catégories de islamistes, et s’inquiète des conséquences taire et sécuritaire, il met en œuvre une sunnites dans le rang de ses forces sup- dans son environnement immédiat logique de punition collective qui ne fait plétives. Les Kurdes sont de plus en plus (notamment au Caucase et en Asie cen- qu’aggraver la situation. Sur le volet poli- divisés entre eux, etc. Mais le plus dur trale). La Russie rejette aussi le principe tique, il a défini un programme de des violences, pour l’instant, oppose un des ingérences étrangères sur des ques- réformes minimal et en fait clairement le appareil de sécurité dominé par les tions internes, et veut défendre les moins possible. En matière diplomatique, Alaouites à une opposition principale- quelques intérêts qui lui restent en Syrie. il multiplie les provocations au prix d’un ment sunnite, ce qui donne au conflit une De plus, Moscou est tombé sur une vraie isolement sans précédent dans son his- tonalité confessionnelle et conduit à des mine d’or en faisant obstacle sur le toire. Et il néglige la question formes de radicalisation, d’un côté dossier syrien, créant une situation qui
économique. L’idée, c’est que ce régime comme de l’autre. lui donne un rôle central, une visibilité peut conduire le pays et la région à la extraordinaire et une «influence» qui va catastrophe et qu’il vaut mieux l’accepter

31 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Turquie: Cinq rebelles kurdes tués lors de combats avec les forces de sécurité ANKARA, 08 mai 2012 (AFP) Cela porte à sept le nombre de rebelles tués depuis lundi dans le sud-est de l'Anatolie, théâtre de la rébellion du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK). CINQ REBELLES kurdes ont été tués mardi lors de combats avec les Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de 45.000 morts, selon l'armée, forces de sécurité dans le sud-est de la Turquie, peuplé en majorité depuis son déclenchement, en 1984, par le PKK dans le sud-est du pays. de Kurdes, a rapporté l'agence de presse Anatolie. Le PKK est considéré comme une organisation terroriste par la Turquie et Deux des cinq rebelles abattus dans une zone rurale de Tatvan (province de nombreux autres pays. H de Bitlis) sont des femmes

12 mai 2012

ments iraniens disposent de Le Kurdistan irakien preuves que "les Israéliens sont présents au Kurdistan et qu'ils dément servir de base à travaillent contre l'Iran". "C'est faux", insiste le com- muniqué des autorités kurdes des agents israéliens irakiennes. "Il s'agit d'une tenta- de preuves ni de motifs", indi- OLJ/Agences tive pour entraîner le Kurdistan quent les autorités kurdes dans dans le conflit entre Israël et e gouvernement de la région un communiqué. l'Iran, et nous ne le voulons autonome du Kurdistan ira- "Le gouvernement ne peut pas". L Azim Hosseini ,le consul kien s'est insurgé samedi contre plus rester silencieux face à ces L'Irak n'entretient pas de iranien à Erbil des allégations de responsables accusations, donc nous confir- réactions diplomatiques avec Azim Hosseini, avait affirmé la iraniens selon lesquelles son mons qu'il n'y a pas de centre ni Israël et a été son adversaire semaine dernière au magazine territoire servirait de base à des de bureaux israéliens au déclaré sous la présidence de kurde Safil que des espions agents israéliens opérant en Kurdistan, et nous démentons Saddam Hussein. Il n'en va pas israéliens utilisaient la région Iran. cette accusation", poursuit le de même pour le Kurdistan ira- comme base pour des opéra- "Ce n'est pas la première texte. kien, dont plusieurs dirigeants tions dans l'Iran voisin. fois que des responsables ira- Le consul iranien à Erbil, se sont rendus en Israël au Selon lui, les renseigne- niens disent cela sans présenter capitale du Kurdistan irakien, cours des dernières décennies.I

18 MAI 2012

La déstabilisation de la La Turquie accuse les Syrie ces derniers mois et la tension croissante entre les Syriens de soutenir deux pays, la Turquie appelant Bachar el-Assad à la rébellion kurde quitter le pouvoir, a fait RFI Avec notre correspondant à Istanbul, Jérôme Bastion resurgir ce spectre, que jusque-là rien ne permet- ALORS QUE les deux voisins et anciens amis se déchirent tait d’étayer. Mais pour le depuis le début du soulèvement contre le régime de Bachar ministre turc de l’Intérieur el-Assad, il y a 14 mois, jeudi 17 mai, le ministre turc de Idris Naim Shahin, les ren- l'Intérieur affirmait détenir les preuves de seignements recueillis sur l'instrumentalisation de la rébellion kurde de Turquie par place permettent d’affirmer que Damas soutient bien la rébel- Damas. Au même moment avaient lieu des affrontements lion kurde du PKK. Selon lui, la preuve en serait que des vil- armés meurtriers entre rebelles kurdes et armée turque, là lages frontaliers échappant au contrôle des forces loyalistes où l’armée de Bachar el-Assad tente de verrouiller sa fron- seraient tenus par des éléments de cette rébellion kurde. tière avec la Turquie. Le ministre ne dit pas si c’est cela qui explique l’attaque du Depuis le début de la révolte populaire et le refroidissement PKK jeudi 17 mai qui a fait trois morts dans les rangs de des relations entre Damas et Ankara, la grande crainte des l’armée turque, dans cette région frontalière où les réfugiés Turcs est de voir le régime syrien jouer à nouveau la carte de syriens affluent depuis un an et où la rébellion est très peu la sédition kurde contre la Turquie, ancien allié désormais trop active habituellement. Mais cette accusation ne va certaine- critique. « A nouveau » car la Syrie a déjà abrité durant une ment pas aider à enterrer la hache de guerre entre Ankara et vingtaine d’années, jusqu’en 1999, le chef et la direction du Damas.
PKK (Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan).

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

Le Point 10 mai 2012

Il y a aussi une bombe arti¬ sanale remplie de poudre et de L'I balles. Etsurtoutcinqcalibres mu¬ nis de silencieux. Le militaire prend l'un d'entre eux. Dévisse le tubed'acieràrextrémitéducanon. «Avecça, ikpeuventtuerà boutpor- les Américains tant», dit-il. Il désigne une fissure au bout du cylindre. « Vous voyez, ilslefabriquenteux-mêmesetdoivent le réparer à chaque usage. » Nouvelle ère. Mais cen'estpas tout Le colonel La vie après le tient àexposer ses prisonniers. On lui amène Mohammed, 30 ans, départ des GI, entre menotte et les yeux bandés. violence, business L'homme a la tête basse et la dé¬ marche raide. Il parle d'une voix et... influence ira¬ chevrotante. «Je fais partie de la brigadeAnsarai-Islam depuis 2006 nienne. Reportage. etmamissionconsistaita transmettre parInternetlecontenu.de nos actions au quartier général à Mossoul» A- DE NOTRE ENVOYÉ SPÉCIAL MARC NEXON t-il déjà tué ? «Non,jenesaispasme servird'une arme. » «Mais tes amis, Il est fier de son butin. Sanglé eux, savent!» s'esclaffe l'officier. dans son treillis, le'colonel Na- A quelques mètres du bureau merSultanHalanveutmontrer du colonel, voici maintenant les le.matériel saisi lors de la capture de 25 iflendbresd'Al-Qaedaenmars au sud de Éagdad. D'abord un dra- La toiture? «On n'a pas peauiï&ffï'appéd'une inscription en arabe : «AllahestnotreseulDieu. » l'habitude de leur poser Puis unmicro et son trépied recou¬ vert de ruban adhésifnoirdestinés des questions poliment.» aux vidéos de propagande.

Butin. Des membres d'AI-ûaeda soupçonnés d'avoir fait sauter un

. 1 .* oléoduc sont exposés y *, devant leurs munitions, à Bassora, le 23 décembre 2011. h

X 1 vv tas*

<* ^"*\

' V . * -JUL ^ \

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

en 2003 et l'éviction des sunnites ,mu deux pièces réservées auxinterro¬ pas. Aumilieudes odeurs de kebab, des postes clés, la majorité chiite, gatoires. Trois hommes barbus, les vendeurs alignent les jeans longtemps opprimée, détient le également les yeuxbandés, enres- taille basse, les montres pouvoir. Et n'entend pas le lâcher. sortent, le pas hésitant. Cinqautres clinquantes et lès chaussu¬ Certes, le gouvernement repose attendent leur tour dans une cel¬ res de sportturques. La veille, une sur une coalition. Mais de façade. bombe a pourtant explosé dans lule. Ils se tiennent allongés sur le Enréalité, les chiitesmènentla un bus, tuant deux personnes. flanc, un bras sur le visage. Aleurs danse sous lahoulette duPremier Bagdad renaît. Mais dans la pieds, une assiette de riz. «Conti¬ ministre, Nouri al-Maliki, un douleur. Car la ville est un inter¬ nuez à dormir! Ne vous regardez conservateur au visage fermé. Et minable bourdonnement: celui pas!» ordonne un gardien. Le co¬ connuenFrancepouravoirannulé des groupes électrogènes qui re¬ loneltriomphe. «Iisnousontdonné en2009undéjeuneràl'Elyséeparce médient à la pénurie d'électricité soixante noms... On prépare de nou¬ - i qu'on y servait du vin. L'homme, (six à huit heures parjour). Résul¬ velles arrestations. » Et la torture ? jadis réfugié en Iran et en Syrie, est tat: une gigantesque toile d'arai¬ « On n'a pas l'habitude de leurposer inflexible. polimentdesquestions», confie l'un gnée de câbles surplombe lès rues. de ses collaborateurs. Il y a aussi le chômage, qui frappe «Wanted». Le chef «Il se prend pour Dieu.» Sa un tiers des jeunes de moins de dé tribu Moustafa dernière obsession? Traduire en Perruques punk. Quatre mois 30 ans. «Ilfaut verser un pot-de-vin Kamal Hamad, traité justice le vice-président Tareq al- après le départ des troupes de 2 000 dollarspourtravaillerdans de «collabo» parce Hachemiunsunniteaccuséd'avoir américaines, l'Irak s'enfonce un ministère, explique Saïf, 2 5 ans, qu'il a aidé les Gl fomenté des attentats. Une initia¬ dans la violence. Avec son lot diplômé entravauxpublics. Alors à traquer Al-Qaeda. tive dévastatrice. Car, dans les fiefs j'apprends l'anglais avec les séries d'exécutions sommaires et d'at¬ sunnites, lacolère monte. Comme télévisées etje quitte le pays. » tentats à la bombe. Le bilan ? 1 200 à Ramadi, situé en plein désert, à Autre cauchemar : les barrages morts depuis le début de l'année. trois heures de route de Bagdad. policiers. Innombrables et peu Un chiffre en augmentation «Nous voulons notre autonomie», efficaces. « Vous transportez des ar¬ depuis 2010. Comme si neuf ans prévientMuzhiral-Mulla,membre mes ?Non », répond le conducteur, de guerre et près de 1 000 milliards du conseil provincial d'Anbar. souvent enclin à glisser unebarre de dollars dépensés par Washing¬ «Nous avons des ressources et nous chocolatée pour amadouer le po¬ ton n'avaient servi à rien. sommescapablesdegérerlasécurité», licier. Les forces de sécurité sont Certes, statistiquement, les poursuit-il avant de vitupérer pourtant convaincues de pouvoir attentats diminuent. Mais, quand contre Maliki : «PirequeMussolini! les insurgés décident de frapper, coincerles insurgés. Leursésame ? PirequeHitler!»«SousSaddamHus- l'assaut est foudroyant. Comme le . Undétecteurd'explosifsdelataille sein, il existait au moins une loi et des 20 avril, lorsque Al-Qaeda lance d'un pistolet doté d'une tige mé- insft'tufcons»,renchéritZiadShehan, quarante attaques àtravers le pays. talliqueorientéeverstoutvéhicule le chefd'unemilice privée, attablé «On constate un regain d'activité», suspect. Une arnaque, en fait Son devant trois poulets grillés. a déploré David Petraeus, le direc¬ fabricantbritanniqueestpoursuivi Le Premier ministre, il est vrai, Le pétrole teur de la CIA. «Ils surgissent en par la justice. Et l'Irakien chargé compte une foule d'ennemis. Y de la discorde duprojet aété emprisonné. Il n'em¬ compris dans son entourage. Assis quelques minutes, raconte un poli¬ La région autonome dans son bureau sous une photo cier posté à un carrefour de la ca¬ pêche. Les autorités laissent faire. du Kurdistan et pitale. L'un d'entre euxfaitsemblant «C'est ridicule, mais nos policiers se le gouvernement qui le montre priant au côté de denettoyersa voitureetbrusquement sentent rassurés avec ces appareils», de Bagdad ne cessent Maliki, le juge MounirHaddadfait de s'écharper sur pointe son pistolet » prétendSaadal-MuttalibLconseil- partie des déçus. «J'étais son ami, la répartition des Pourtant, Bagdad et ses 7 mil¬ lergouvernemental.Pastous...«Jils dit le magistrat, devenu célèbre revenus pétroliers. pour avoir signé l'ordre d'exécu¬ lions d'habitants s'acharnent à réagissentsurtoutauxparjumsetaux La première réclame renouer avec une vie ordinaire. Le plombages dentaires!» grogne un le paiement de tion de Saddam Hussein, mais il vendredi, le parc d'attractions homme en uniforme, un paquet 1,5 milliard de dettes. n'écoute plus personne. Il se prend Zawra est bondé. «Là-haut, on peut de chips dans les mains. Le second veut pour Dieu.» revoir à la baisse embrasser discrètementsafiancéetout Mais il y a plus grave. Le pays Etlespremiersàenfairelesfrais la part du budget en étantpres d'Allah », plaisante Ba- vit désormais sous lamenace d'un sont les Américains, auxquels Ma¬ fédéral (17 %) allouée liki a refusé la présence d'une base chirencontemplant la grande roue éclatement. Au cur du malaise : au Kurdistan. illuminée. Les familles défilent les tensions croissantes entres les «L'Irak se prépare militaire. Une humiliation... Re¬ devant la cage du lion et celle des chiites (60 % de lapopulation), les . à un retour a la tranchés dans le périmètre de leur dictature», tempête chimpanzés en dégustant des bar¬ Arabes sunnites (20 %) et les Kur¬ ambassade, les 14000 expatriés le dirigeant kurde bes à papa. Les gamins s'achètent des (20%). «On est au bord d'une américains broient du noir. «Ils Massoud Barzani. guerre civile», met en garde le poli¬ donnentdesconseils, maispersonnene des perruques punk etdes femmes Lequel brandit à les suit», souligne Ahmed Abdul voiléesdenoirfontmêmedestours tologue Saad Salloum. Unferment nouveau la menace de karting. Le soir, dans le quartier idéalpourAl-Qaeda. Car, depuis le d'une déclaration Hussein,journalisteréputéduquo- Karada, les. rues ne désemplissent renversement de Saddam Hussein d'indépendance. tidienA/Maia.D'autantque

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

«Conseils du réveil», enrôlés en 2007 par les Américains pour tra¬ querAl-Qaeda. Soit près de 100 000 c-- hommes encore puissamment ar¬ més. Dans le nouvel Irak, on les traite de «collabos». Les autorités A rechignent même à les intégrer **^ f dansFarmécParpeurd'uncomploL -S; Alors, les haines s'aiguisent. «On nous déteste parce que nous pouvons mobiliser en moins d'une heure des milliersdepartisans», raconte Mous-

i- » tafaKamalHamad,unchefdetribu, installédansuncanapésurlegazon de sa villa ultraprotégée au sud de Bagdad. «C'estpourtantnousquidé-

tenonslesmeilleuresinformationssur les terroristes», dit-il en replaçant son revolver sur sa bedaine.

Traqués. Pas faux. Diaa Ubaib Azawi, 23 ans, fait partie de cette armée de l'ombre. Il a pourchassé durant six ans les membres d'Al-

rintendancepatine.«/en'j;ezpas,murmurele jeune arabe organisé à confectionnaient une bombe!» Il dé¬ Bagdad en avril. Un pendant dixans. Etilfaitdésormais Amir en pressant la pas, j'ai vu les passe des enfants à vélo et une dé¬ événement où la campagne pour remplacer Ali al- deux derniers de mon quartier être charge parfois encombrée de ca¬ corruption a tenu le davres. «Ily a trois mois, ils ont tué Sistani, le grand ayatollah en Irak, abattus d'une balle dans la tête. » premier rôle. «La ré¬ lui aussi d'origine persane. La vague chiite déferle sur Bag- novation des chambres surcetrottoirl'imamquirefusaitleur Il suffit de sillonner la capitale dad.Augranddésespoirdessunni¬ a officiellement coûté réuniondanssamosquée.» Diaaaime 50 millions de dollars, pourmesurerrinfluenceiranienne. tes, contraints de se claquemurer aussi montrer les lettres de félici¬ raconte le manager Les yaourts, les climatiseurs, les dansleurquartier. Quandilslepeu- tations du haut commandement d'un hôtel. Avec cette vent... Car, parmi eux, un groupe américain. Il a récemment vendu voitures bas de gamme et même somme,j'auraispu ses pistolets et n'a conservé qu'un les dattes proviennentdupays des vit dans la terreur: les anciens des construire unautre établissement!»^ kalachnikov. Il attend son visa magistrat Mounir pourles Etats-Unis etlapossibilité Haddad enfonce le de retrouverMary, une recrue amé¬ «J'ai vu les deux derniers clou: «Avant, il n'y ricaine affectée untemps àBagdad. avait qu'un voleur «Elle est belle, n'est

1 10 mai 2012 | Le Point 2069

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

BcralSSribune ^12-13,2012

Iran backs

own man to

succeed Iraqi / Shiite leader \

NAJAF, IRAQ

Tehran seeks to cement sway over neighbor as pro-democracy cleric ages

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, with Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi BYTIMARANGO Shahroudi and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a religious ceremony in Tehran.

As the top spiritual leader in the Shiite Muslim world, Grand Ayatollah Ali al- in the government there. With Iranian process." Sistani has instructed his followers on . financing, his representatives have for The tradition of the marjaiya in Najaf what to eat and how to wash, how to months been building a patronage net¬ and its religious academy, called the marry and how to bury their dead. He work across Iraq, underwriting scholar¬ Hawza, is to keep a measured distance has championed Iraqi democracy, in¬ ships for students at the many seminar^ from politics, to live a pious and ascetic sisting on direct elections!rom the earli-. ies here and distributing literature. life and intervene only occasionally in est days of the occupation and warned "He's there to prepare himself for political affairs. against Iranian-style clerical rule. after Sistani," said Mehdi Khalaji, a se¬ Ayatollah Sistani, who himself is Irani¬ Frail at 81, he still greets visitors each nior fellow at the Washington Institute an but was able to rise in Najaf partly be¬ morning at his home on a sooty and nar¬ for Near East Policy who spent 14 years cause he has not been entwined with Ira¬ row side street here, steps from the studying at seminaries in Qom, Iran's nian politics, intervened at key moments glimmering gold dome of the Imam Ali during the war to urge followers to sup¬ holy city. Shrine. But the jockeying to succeed The move has raised fears that Iran is port elections and exercise restraint him has quietly begun, and Tehran is po¬ trying to extend its already extensive during the years of sectarian carnage. sitioning its own candidate for the post, influence in the political and economic But for more than a year he has re¬ hard-line cleric who would give Iran a life of Iraq. A recent visit by Iraq's prime fused to even meet with politicians he direct line of influence over the Iraqi minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, to has barely left his house for the last sev¬ people, heightening fears that Iran's Tehran, where he met with Ayatollah eral years and has been subjected to long-term goal is to transplant its Islam¬ Shahroudi, raised tensions further constant rumors about his health. ic revolution to Iraq. about Iran's religious influence in Iraq. Yet on a recent morning, as he does The succession a lengthy and Reidar Visser, a historian, wrote in his every day of the year except on two opaqucprocess whose outcome is by no Iraqi politics blog that "by visiting days of rest, one for Ashura, the Shiite means assured could shape the inter¬ Shahroudi yesterday, Maliki did nothing commemoration of the martyrdom of play of Islam and democracy not only in to kill the rumors about some kind of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson, Iraq, where Shiites are the majority, but Iranian design on the holiest center of the other for Ramadan, he greeted visit: across the Shiite Muslim world, which Iraqi Shiism." ors, who had lined up outside his spare numbers some 200 million people and The process of choosing the next su¬ and unassuming house, surrounded by stretches from-India to Lebanon to Iran preme spiritual leader is a tortuous and open-air storefronts selling religious and beyond. The grand ayatollahs pre¬ somewhat spontaneous one that relies knickknacks and gaudy T-shirts and scriptions for daily" living are imbued on the will of the people, expressed in guarded by security men in knock-off with the force of law among the majority whom they choose to pay their religious Lacoste polo shirts. ofthe world's Shiites who follow him, his : taxes to devout Shiites are expected He agreed to meet, although not be in¬ religious teachings sacrosanct and his to pay one-fifth of their discretionary in¬ terviewed by, a reporter for The New political sway powerful. come to their ayatollah and the valid¬ York Times. Seated in the corner of a For Iraq, the contest adds another ele¬ ation of a spiritual leader's religious stark room covered in Persian rugs, he ment of uncertainty in a fledgling de¬ scholarship by his clerical peers. was helped to his feet by aides to shake mocracy whose politics are in upheaval "The Iranian government cannot hands. While seemingly in good health as its three main factions the Shiites, control who pious Shias will look to," but clearly declining, he exchanged Sunnis and Kurds contend for power, said Vali Nasr, an academic and author pleasantries and showed no outward and analysts worry it could tilt back to¬ of the book "The Shia Revival." "It's a signs of serious illness. ward authoritarianism. very democratic process." Clerics here give high marks to the "Iraq does not need this now," said Ultimately, it could take several years quality of Ayatollah Shahroudi's schol¬ Hussein Mohammad al-Eloum, a cleric before a clear successor rises. arship, partially because he studied un¬ from a prominent religious and political "It will take Najaf two to three years der and had the validation of Ayatollah family whose other sons are the ambas¬ before a strong marja emerges," said sador to Kuwait and the former oil min¬ Bakir al-Sadr, who was assassinated in Sami al-Askari, a Shiite politician here ister. "Sistani, may God protect him." the 1980 by Saddam Hussein's hench¬ who lived in exile in Iran and knows Iran's candidate, Ayatollah Mahmoud men and who, if alive today, would be Ayatollah Shahroudi from his time Hashemi Shahroudi, an Iraqi-born cler¬ the father-in-law of Moktada al-Sadr, there. "It is not like the Vatican. In the ic in his mid-60s, led the judiciary for a the anti-American cleric. marjaiya it is a slow and Complicated decade in Iran and remains a top official Still, the clerics would prefer to see

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

another Najaf-based leader there are stamped with the names of cigarette missing, their exact fates still unknown. three other senior clerics here who brands but contained books to be dis¬ He is also said to be quite wealthy, a would be contenders rise to the level . tributed to religious students were stark contrast to the piety and simple of top ayatollah because they feel these stacked high. life believers expect of their leaders and men would maintain Najaf's quietist A slim biography that is being passed which is embodied by Ayatollah Sistani. tradition. out here contains the details of a life of "Shahroudi is one of the wealthiest "Shahroudi had an official job in Iran, activism, exile and rise to political men in Iran," said Mr. Khalaji, the which was the head of the judiciary," power, with deep sympathies toward former student in Qom. "He imports said Mr. Eloum. "And the important militant Islam, that seem sharply at goods, has businesses and owns many point for the Hawza in Najaf is indepen¬ odds with the traditions of Najaf. factories. His personal life is luxurious." dence, full independence from any kind In Najaf, Ayatollah Shahroudi was a The cleric made a fortune, he said, by of government, even if it's the Iraqi gov¬ student of Ayatollah Ruhollah importing auto parts and equipment for ernment." Khomeini, the leader of Iran's Islamic oil exploration from Eastern Europe. Mohammed al-Mana Khani, another revolution whom he describes in the bi¬ Ayatollah Shahroudi has not visited senior cleric, said: "The way Shahroudi ography as "the biggest blessing on the Najaf since his representatives began thinks has changed. If he had kept his believers in this age." When Ayatollah establishing their organization here. views learned from Sadr, and stayed in Shahroudi taught in Qom, one of his stu¬ "He wants to come and visit," said Najaf, it would have been better. But 30 dents was Hassan Nasrallah, the leader Ibrahim al-Baghdadi, an Iraqi who runs

years in Iran has changed him." of Hezbollah, the Shiite militant move¬ his office here. Ayatollah Shahroudi's office here has ment in Lebanon. Outwardly espousing ambitions to a cream-colored facade that looks A photograph at the end of the book succeed Ayatollah Sistani would be a

freshly painted and on a recent evening shows Ayatollah Shahroudi posing with breach of etiquette. was empty but for two security guards.. a famous Iranian militant, Mostafa "For the future, you can't tell," Mr. A lone assault rifle was leaned against Chamran, who organized guerilla fight¬ Baghdadi said. "This is up to God." the wall in the outer foyer, and two por¬ ers in Lebanon before he died in 1981. He traits of the cleric hung on the walls. The emphasizes his suffering under Mr. DuraidAdnan contributed reporting. next morning 34 boxes that -were Hussein's regime three brothers went

îtcralbïl^ritnmc *iAY14'2012 _ Syrian forces kill at

BEIRUT

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS least 5 in raid Syrian forces killed at least five people and torched a number of homes in a raid on a farming.village Sunday that activ¬ ists said showed worsening relations be¬ .Vf-\ tween Syria's myriad religious groups. The continuing violence further un¬

dermines a United. Nations-backed peace plan designed to bring an end to

the country's 14-month-old crisis. A

cease-fire that was scheduled to begin April 12 has had only a limited effect, throwing into doiibt the rest of the plan, which calls for talks between the gov¬ ernment of President Bashar al-Assad and those seeking to end his rule. The deaths Sunday occurred during a raid by government forces on al-Tamana,

an impoverished village about 55 kilome- HUSSEIN MALLA/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

. ters, or 35 miles, northwest of the city of Sunni gunmen firing at the Alawite backers of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, in

Hama. The Syrian Observatory for Hu¬ the northern port city of Tripoli, Lebanon, on Sunday as violence spilled over the border. man Rights, an opposition group based

in Britain that has a network of inform¬ ants in Syria, said that five people were Alawites, the offshoot sect of Shiite Isr' have since taken up arms to defend

killed in the raid and that government lam to which Mr. Assad belongs. themselves and attack government troops were setting fire to homes. Mr. Alhamadee, who is from a village troops. Some soldiers have also switched Speaking via Skype from Hama, an near al-Tamana, said that sectarian ten¬ sides andjoined forces with the rebels. activist, Mousab Alhamadee, said one sions were low before the uprising but World powers have supported the local rebel leader was killed alongside had deteriorated as Sunni villages like al- peace plan, but the bloodshed has not five civilians. Tamanajoined the anti-Assad uprising. stopped. More than 100 U.N. observers

"He was a hero in the Free Syrian He said that most of the village's res¬ have been deployed in Syria to oversee

Army who was trying to defend the civil¬ idents had fled and that, government thé truce between the government and ians," he said, referring to the umbrella forces were setting fire to houses and armed rebels. group of local anti-government militias. looting shops. He and the Observatory The daily death toll in Syria has de¬ An amateur video posted online Sun- also reported shelling in a nearby vil¬ clined as the number of observers has

day showed men carrying the body of a lage, Hayaleen. risen, but few experts expect the U.N. woman from a house. A second video "The regime is trying to punish these plan to succeed in its entirety.

showed men in a mosque praying over villages and to put an end to this revolu¬ Also Sunday, two Turkish journalists five coffins, three of them open with tion as quickly as it can," he said. who had been detained in Syria for two

flowers piled on bodies in white cloth. Syria's uprising started in March 2011 months arrived in Istanbul on a plane The area, a plain of farmland along with protests calling for political reform. from Iran after that country helped nego¬ the Orontes River, is dotted- with, vil¬ The government brutally cracked down tiate their release by the Syrian authorit¬ lages of Christians, Sunni Muslims and on dissent, and many in the opposition ies.

37 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti FOREIGN POLICY IN FOCUS May 14, 2012 Syrian Kurds fleeing to Iraqi safe haven

them with machine guns. “I still have BY SAMER MUSCATI flashbacks from that episode,” the defec- tor said. “I know it happened but I still t was a January evening when his don’t believe what I saw.” Syrian army unit raided a house A 23-year-old Kurdish political activist nearI the city of Zabadani, not far from who lived in Damascus said he was Damascus, the former sergeant recalled. arrested last July and severely beaten A 70-year-old man wearing a hospital because he was well-known to the gown was brought to the house, and the authorities as a regular at protests. He soldiers, including a colonel, interroga- was released only after he signed a gua- ted him. When he wasn’t able to res- rantee that he would refrain from future pond to their satisfaction, one of the A Kurdish mother with her two daughters at protests. “In prison, they kicked me so guards beat him ferociously in the face the Domiz refugee camp. Although the imme- badly I felt like they were playing soccer with a helmet. “I heard the old man diate family feels safe at the camp, the mother with my body,” he said. “They also slap- muttering in a muffled sound as he fell said she is worried about the relatives they left ped and beat me, they treated me no to the ground,” the former sergeant told behind in Syria. “We sold so many of our better than a dog.” me. “About 15 minutes after they first things to get here,” the mother said. “All that brought the man in, I went inside and we have left is our children.” © 2012 Samer Crossing The Border Muscati/Human Rights Watch saw his lifeless body. There was blood To escape such horrors, many of the coming out of his nose and ears. I’m Kurds, the largest ethnic minority in positive he was dead and they just dis- of their political activism or participa- Syria, have told us they paid hundreds posed of his body.” tion in anti-government protests. Others of dollars to guides to help them navi- With violence raging in Syria, thousands left to avoid being conscripted into the gate across the border through informal of people are fleeing to neighboring Syrian army, or they deserted, as the crossing points to Iraq, a country better countries to escape the bloodshed. sergeant did, after witnessing abuses known for exporting refugees than recei- Although the flow of refugees to Jordan, and the targeting of civilians. Some who ving them. Their hours-long journeys on Lebanon, and Turkey has been covered left the army joined the rebel Free Syria foot were often perilous. In some cases, extensively, the Syrians who have fled to Army but left soon after because, as the refugees said, Syrian guards shot at Iraq, most of them Kurds, have received Kurds, they said, they were discrimina- them as they approached the border. ted against or not trusted. less attention. As of April 14, when most One 19-year-old activist said that a of these photos were taken, more than Human Rights Watch researchers who Syrian border patrol shot at his group of 80 Syrian Kurds a day were crossing traveled to northern Iraq in April inter- 37 asylum seekers on April 8 at 2 a.m. into Dohuk province, in Kurdish- viewed more than three dozen Syrian when they were about 400 meters from controlled northern Iraq. Most were Kurdish refugees, who described the the border. “Shots rang out from the coming from Syria’s poorer Kurdish dire events they had witnessed at home. border patrol base toward us,” he said. northeastern provinces of Qamishli and “I saw two from our group getting shot A 17-year-old at another refugee camp, Hasakeh. About 1,300 Syrian Kurdish and dropping to the ground. I don’t Moqabli, showed us his wounds, where men, women and children were living in know if they survived because after that security forces shot him during a peace- tents in Domiz, the main refugee camp we all scattered in different directions.” for new arrivals, near the city of Dokuk. ful protest in Qamishli on March 12 as he was helping an injured soldier who Domiz was set up in early April. Before After years of discrimination, neglect, had been trying to defect. “As soon as I that, many new arrivals had been going and repression, the Syrian government could limp, I made my way to the bor- to Moqabli, a camp already occupied by made some concessions to the Kurdish der,” he said. “I was so afraid that the Kurds who fled Syria in 2004 after a community last year, including granting army would be looking for me.”Another crackdown by security forces. Local citizenship to an estimated 200,000 sta- army defector said that in Rastan, in authorities started moving the new arri- teless Kurds. It was an effort to keep the Homs governorate, his battalion arres- vals to Domiz in early April. Kurds, about 10 per cent of Syria’s ted 30 men during house raids one With about 50 new arrivals daily to population, from joining the anti-Assad night in June in retaliation for the kil- Domiz, local authorities and relief agen- protest movement. ling of a 19-year-old soldier, Omar cies, including the United Nations High Hamza. After the soldier’s death, the Protests And Exile Commissioner for Refugees and the defector said, he heard the brigadier International Organization for Since the start of the uprisings last year, general of the 41st regiment say, “We Migration, have been struggling to keep the violence and repression in Kurdish should not let the blood of Omar flow up with the influx. They are concerned areas have been less bloody than other freely. There must be retribution.” The about their ability to meet future parts of Syria. But many Syrian Kurds – 30 men were interrogated and later that demand, especially for food sup- mainly young men — who fled to Iraq night taken out to a main street, hand- plies.Other refugees are living outside told Human Rights Watch that they felt cuffed and blindfolded. After making the the camps in other areas of Iraqi they were in danger back home. Some men kneel to the ground, the brigadier Kurdistan, where they have friends III feared arrest by security forces because general and two other soldiers executed

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

III or family, or where they have ones left behind and what the future Foreign Policy In Focus contributor Samer greater opportunities for finding holds for their country. They said they Muscati is the emergencies researcher for employment. Local authorities estimate want to return to Syria once things get the Women’s Rights Division of Human that as many as 5,000 Syrian refugees better but fear that they and their Rights Watch. He is a lawyer, documentary have moved to Iraqi Kurdistan since the Kurdish community will continue to photographer, and former journalist who start of the year. face enormous challenges and discrimi- has worked in post-conflict countries such nation in Syria regardless of who leads as Iraq, Rwanda and East Timor. Although they are now safe in Iraq, the their country. refugees said they worry about loved

radic clashes in past years. Hatay borders Syria and has absorbed thousands of refugees Three Turkish soldiers fleeing President Bashar al-Assad's 14-month crackdown against anti-government protesters and armed militants. killed in PKK clash The PKK in March threatened to step up attacks against Turkey if ISTANBUL - May 17, 2012 - (Reuters) -By Ayla Jean Yackley its forces entered Syria after Erdogan, one of Assad's most vocal critics, mooted the possibility of establishing buffer zones within THREE TURKISH soldiers were killed in clashes with Syria to protect civilians. Turkey shelters almost 25,000 Syrian Kurdish rebels near the Syrian border in southern Turkey on refugees. Thursday, the provincial governor's office said. The PKK threat signaled a possible renewed alliance between the Separately, a provincial leader of Prime Minister Tayyip PKK and Damascus, which backed the rebels in the 1980s and Erdogan's ruling AK Party was shot dead late on Wednesday out- 1990s. It also shows the risks of a regional escalation in the Syrian side his home in Sirnak, near the frontier with Iraq, an official in conflict. the governor's office told Reuters. Turkey's Kurdish population is estimated at 14 million people, In Hatay, fighting between a Turkish military unit and guerrillas and Syria has about 1.7 million. Iraq, where the PKK leadership belonging to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) erupted in the is based, is home to more than 4 million Kurds. mountains in the district of Dortyol on Thursday morning, the In Sirnak, an unidentified assailant shot dead Ali Kilinc, 48, the statement said. AK Party's deputy chairman for the province, an official in the Dogan News Agency said four PKK militants were also killed in governor's office told Reuters. the clash, while one soldier was wounded. That report could not The PKK took up arms against Turkey in 1984 in a campaign for immediately be confirmed. independence, and more than 40,000 people, mainly Kurds, have died in the conflict. The rebels have since scaled back their PKK attacks on Turkish military targets in a 27-year conflict
usually occur in the country's mainly Kurdish provinces east of demands to cultural rights and political autonomy. Hatay, but the Mediterranean province has been the scene of spo-

May 17, 2012

ning Iraq's envoy in Ankara. Analysts say mainly Sunni Iraq summons Turkish envoy Turkey is worried that gro- wing tensions in Iraq and vio- again as tensions grow lence in their mutual neighbor Syria may lead to a wider by the two Turkish General times this year. Sunni-Shi'ite conflict in the AGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq Consuls in Basra and Mosul ... Erdogan last month accu- region. Bhas summoned Ankara's are far from their Consular sed Maliki of fanning tensions ambassador in Baghdad to duties and obligations stated Erdogan's government has between Shi'ite Muslims, recently forged close ties with protest the behavior of two in the Vienna Convention for Sunni Muslims and Kurds in Turkish diplomats, the latest Consular Relations of 1963," Masoud Barzani, president of Iraq through "self-centered" Iraq's semi-autonomous episode in a drawn-out public the statement said, without behavior. row between the neighbors. elaborating. Kurdish region, which is Maliki quickly responded An official from Iraq's embroiled in a row with the It said that the meeting that Turkey was becoming a foreign ministry met Turkey's Baghdad government over took place on Tuesday but did "hostile state" with a sectarian ambassador, Younis Demirer, claims to the city of Kirkuk not say what the diplomats agenda, saying it was medd- to complain about the Turkish and the region's oil. were accused of. ling in Iraqi affairs and trying diplomats in the cities of Iraq is Turkey's second lar- Turkish Prime Minister to establish regional "hege- Basra and Mosul, a statement gest trading partner after Tayyip Erdogan and his Iraqi mony". on the foreign ministry web- Germany with trade reaching counterpart Nuri al-Maliki site said on Thursday. Iraq summoned Turkey's $12 billion last year, more have traded tit-for-tat criti- ambassador at the time and "Some activities conducted than half of which was with cisms and accusations several Turkey responded by summo- the Kurdish region.N

39 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti May 16, 2012 Turkey's Attack on Civilians Tied to U.S. Military Drone

By ADAM ENTOUS And JOE PARKINSON

ULUDERE, Turkey—After winding along a narrow moun- tain ridge, a caravan of 38 men and mules paused on the Turkish-Iraqi border. Then they heard the propellers over- head. Minutes later, Turkish military aircraft dropped bombs that killed all but four of the men. Four months after the Turkish military, working with U.S. Intelligence, bombed a civilian The strike in late December was convoy incorrectly identified as Kurdish militants, survivors and relatives are demanding meant to knock out Kurdish separatist answers. Reporting and video by WSJ's Joe Parkinson in Uludere, Turkey. fighters. Instead it killed civilians smug- gling gasoline, a tragic blunder in the U.S. carries out drone strikes with the and European Union designate a terro- Turkey's nearly three-decade campaign government's approval. In Turkey—a rist group. against the guerrillas. The killings ignited North Atlantic Treaty Organization U.S. drone flights in support of protests across the country and promp- member that has a modern air force—the Turkey date from November 2007, when ted wide-ranging official inquiries. U.S. helps provide intelligence for opera- the Bush administration set up what is The civilian toll also set off alarms at tions but plays no direct role in any called a Combined Intelligence Fusion the Pentagon: It was a U.S. Predator strikes. Cell in Ankara, part of an effort to nur- drone that spotted the men and pack ani- The downside to such arrangements, ture ties with the government led by mals, officials said, and American officers say current and former U.S. officials, is Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. alerted Turkey. that countries can use U.S. intelligence in U.S. and Turkish officers sit side by side The U.S. drone flew away after repor- ways the Pentagon and the Central in the dimly lighted complex monitoring ting the caravan's movements, leaving Intelligence Agency can't control. Allies real-time video feeds from Predator the Turkish military to decide whether to have varying standards for deciding who drones. attack, according to an internal assess- is a justified target. And these partner- The Obama administration has ment by the U.S. Defense Department, ships can embroil the U.S. in local dis- moved to expand cooperation—by step- described to The Wall Street Journal. putes with only slender links to the secu- ping up intelligence sharing and by sup- "The Turks made the call," a senior U.S. rity of Americans. porting Turkey's request to buy armed defense official said. "It wasn't an "What happens if this information and unarmed U.S. drones to give the American decision." gets to the [foreign] government and they Turks full control. The U.S. role, which hasn't previously do something wrong with it, or it gets The issue is sensitive for both sides. been reported, revealed the risks in a new into the hands of someone who does Turkey doesn't want to be seen as reliant strategy for extending American something wrong with it?" said Rep. on the U.S. And selling drones to Turkey influence around the globe. It raises an Mike Rogers (R., Mich.), chairman of the faces opposition from key members of outstanding question for the White House Intelligence Committee, who Congress, who worry about spreading the House and Congress: How far do we didn't know specific details of the attack. technology, as well as Turkey's standards entrust allies with our deadly drone tech- At the Pentagon, press secretary for deciding when to launch a strike. nology? George Little said when asked about the While the White House is moving for- After a decade of troop-intensive land strike, "Without commenting on matters ward with plans to provide Italy with wars, the Obama administration is pro- of intelligence, the United States strongly arms for its drones, proposals to sell or moting advanced drones, elite special values its enduring military relationship lease drones to Turkey face resistance in forces and intelligence resources as a with Turkey." Congress, which reviews such sales in more nimble, and less expensive, source The conflict between Turkish security advance. Proponents argue they build of military power. The strategy relies hea- forces and the outlawed Kurdistan long-term military relations with close vily on close cooperation with regional Workers' Party, or PKK, has taken an allies, as well as give U.S. companies bet- allies, in part to reduce the need for estimated 40,000 lives since violence ter access to the fast-growing global mar- American troops on the ground. first flared in the 1980s. Ethnic Kurds, ket. In Pakistan and Somalia, where local about 18% of Turkey's population, have The caravan strike is illustrative of authorities can't or won't act against mili- long sought a degree of political auto- the dangers. Servet Encu, 42 years old, tants, the U.S. employs armed drones nomy and the right to public education in said he had made the journey across the and special-operations teams to track their native tongue. Tensions have risen mountainous border separating Turkey and kill suspected terrorists. In Yemen, since Turkey last fall intensified its cam- and Iraq several times a month III paign against the PKK, which the U.S.

40 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti III since he was a teenager, smuggling tely piloting the drone to fly it somewhere troubled by Turkish standards for selec- all kinds of goods. else. U.S. officials said compliance with ting targets. The former official said In his and other impoverished the Turks' request was standard proce- Turkish officers sometimes picked targets Kurdish villages of southeastern Turkey, dure. based on a notion of "guilt by association" smuggling is a trade made profitable by As darkness fell, Mr. Encu said, the with the PKK. differences between the two countries, men in the caravan heard the dull hum of A current U.S. intelligence official including taxes and currency values. Fuel Herons—the Israeli-made surveillance defended the partnership. "That is going costs twice as much in Turkey as in Iraq, a aircraft used by Turkey and less sophisti- to be the exception. It is a horrible excep- substantial oil producer, rewarding smug- cated than U.S. drones. tion. It's a tragic exception," he said of the glers who ferry jugs of gasoline through Then Turkish warplanes appeared. "It caravan strike. "But the vast majority of the mountains. The Turkish military was like a lightning bolt," Mr. Encu said. efforts to expand our information sharing usually doesn't bother villagers crossing "I saw a bright light and the force of the and to work with our partners and allies the border, as long as they aren't smug- explosion threw me to the ground…When around the world are going to have posi- gling weapons or drugs. But PKK mili- I turned my head I could see bodies on tive outcomes." tants also cross the border in the region. fire and some were missing their heads." U.S. personnel work in the Ankara The convoy, laden with food and gaso- The strikes lasted for about 40 Fusion Cell, in part, to monitor Turkey's line, was returning to Turkey on Dec. 28. minutes, survivors said. Of the 34 men use of U.S. intelligence, U.S. officials said. They were less than an hour from home killed, 11 were members of Mr. Encu's Turkish officials have assured the U.S. after hiking along barren, icy ridges for extended family. It was the largest num- of their measures to avoid civilian casual- more than four hours, Mr. Encu said in an ber of Kurdish civilians killed in a single ties. They say privately that Predator interview. attack in Turkey's long conflict with the drones help reduce attacks on the PKK region's militants. using less precise weapons, such as artil- Rescuers dug for corpses under a col- lery. lapsed mountain ridge. They wrapped But U.S. officials say such mistakes body parts and loaded them on a trailer are feeding a debate within the intelli- that was towed to the nearest village, gence community and the Defense according to accounts of residents and Department about setting better guide- local officials. lines for sharing of U.S. intelligence. The killings sparked clashes between Intelligence officials are divided on hundreds of stone-throwing protesters the issue. Some say the U.S. should with- and the police in Kurdish parts of Turkey. hold intelligence if it believes an ally In the town of Uludere, Mayor Fehmi might abuse the information. Others Mathias Depardon for The Wall Street Journal Yaman charged that the attack marked warn new rules could slow intelligence The incident revealed the risks in a new strat- the latest in a series of government efforts sharing during emergencies. egy for extending American influence around to intimidate the local population, much In Uludere, December's events conti- the globe: promoting advanced drones, elite of which supports Kurdish militancy. nue to reverberate. Local men have redu- special forces and intelligence resources "The military knew these people were ced cross-border smuggling trips, slowing instead of troop-intensive land wars. Shown, civilians. It was a deliberate attack," he the local economy. girls in the border village of Ortasu. said. "The government has tried all means Monuments to the dead have sprung of suppression, which have failed, and up in villages. In Gulyazi, home to 13 of Mr. Encu called his Kurdish village by now they tried this." those killed, a 30-foot-high tent shelters a cellphone for help picking a route to avoid The Turkish military initially said it memorial where residents left handwrit- Turkish soldiers who might confiscate ordered the strike because the convoy ten messages next to portraits of the dead. their cargo, he recalled. moved along a pathway frequently used On the outskirts of one village, widows Above and out of sight, a U.S. as a staging point for attacks by the PKK. and bereaved mothers gather regularly. Predator drone loitered. It was on a rou- Turkey's government and its armed forces One day last month, scores of women tine patrol when U.S. personnel monito- both have open investigations into the marched along a dirt track to a makeshift ring its video feeds spotted the caravan matter. cemetery where many of the dead were just inside Iraq and moving toward the Turkey's military didn't respond to buried. Turkish border, according to U.S. officials repeated requests for comment for this Fatma Encu, a cousin of Servet Encu, and the Pentagon's assessment of the fatal article. Turkey's Prime Ministry, Interior clutched a framed portrait of her eldest strike. Ministry and Defense Ministry said they son, Huseyin, who was killed at age 19. "I U.S. military officers at the Fusion would neither comment on the incident don't want compensation," she said. "I Cell in Ankara couldn't tell whether the nor on questions over the scale of military just want the murderers to be found and men, bundled in heavy jackets, were civi- cooperation between Turkey and the U.S. punished." lians or guerrilla fighters. But their loca- The killings threaten to spoil efforts to Chief of the Turkish general staff, tion in an area frequented by guerrilla forge a Turkish-Kurdish consensus for a Necdet Ozel, said the military was sharing fighters raised suspicions. The Americans planned new constitution expected to information with prosecutors, according alerted their Turkish counterparts. partly address the issue of rights for the to a Turkish news agency. "We are not U.S. officials said additional surveil- Kurdish minority. hiding anything," he said. J lance from the Predator might have hel- A former senior U.S. military official, ped the Turks better identify the convoy. involved in sharing intelligence with But, they said, Turkish officers instead Turkey before the December attack, said directed the Americans who were remo- he and fellow officers were sometimes

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

Mardi 15 mai 2012

« L'Etat de barbarie » persiste en Syrie, mais la tyrannie recule devant la révolution Pourquoi Michel Seurat reste d'actualité

peut plus le contenir ou dresser ses frontières. Ces der¬

nières sont dépassées par la nouvelle génération qui reconstitue son champ politique, à la fois dans des

ZiadMajed régions périphériques, dans les nouveaux espaces rat¬ trapés par l'élargissement des agglomérations et dans

Professeur des études du Moyen-Orient le c même des cités syriennes. à l'Université américaine de Paris Michel Seurat utilise cette « controverse hégelo- marxienne » pour intituler un de ses textes sur la

En 1986, Michel Seurat, chercheur en sociolo¬ confrontation qui opposait les Frères musulmans (et

gie, meurt entre les mains de ses ravisseurs des formations politiques et syndicales islamistes

dans la banlieue sud de Beyrouth, capitale comme de gauche) au pouvoir Assad entre 1979 et

libanaise ravagée par la guerre civile et déjà 1982. Une confrontation qui s'est soldée par les massa¬

sous le contrôle des services de renseigne¬ cres de la ville rebelle de Hama et des campagnes d'ar¬

ment syriens. restations massives contre les opposants politiques.

Il a passé une année en captivité durant laquelle il Hafez Al-Assad est parvenu en fin de compte, en

fut confronté à la barbarie qu'il avait si bien cernée s'appuyant sur la'asabiyya à l'intérieur du pays et sûr

dans ses travaux sur la Syrie. En relisant ses textes la complicité ou le silence à l'extérieur (notamment au aujourd'hui, après la réédition de son ouvrage L'Etat niveau international), de même que sur sa rhétorique de barbarie (Seuil, 1989), on est saisi par leur actualité idéologique (se réclamant du nationalisme arabe et de

et leur pertinence, trois décennies après leur première la lutte contre l'impérialisme et le sionisme), à réduire

publication dans la revue Esprit, en 1983. en cendres le champ politique syrien et à éradiquer les Dans le contexte de la révolution syrienne actuelle, Frères musulmans du pays.

deux questions développées par Michel Seurat sem¬ blent particulièrement intéressantes à revisiter. « Les Syriens dans leurs manifestations Dans son analyse du système fondé par Hafez

Al-Assad, Michel Seurat utilise un concept d'Ibn Khal- quotidiennes et dans leur résistance doun, historien et sociologue maghrébin du XIVe siè¬ à la machine de mort reconstruisent cle : la « 'asabiyya » (ce que Durkheim appelle « la solida¬ rité mécanique »). Ce concept lui permet d'expliquer le leur champ politique rôle du pouvoir et des associations que le clan Assad a surles décombres de la peur » créées dans la transformation de la communauté alaouite en une confession politique (et pas seule¬ ment religieuse). Cette transformation s'est opérée à Mais, s'il a réussi, c'est aussi parce que les Frères

travers un discours, une réactivation dans la mémoire n'ont pas pu étendre horizontalement leur soulève¬ collective d'une hostilité à la ville et son « histoire d'ex¬ ment que Damas et sa bourgeoisie ne les ont pas sui¬

ploitation des ruraux» et un recrutement des jeunes vis, et que la terreur s'est rapidement installée, éri¬

de la communauté dans l'armée et les services de ren¬ geant les murs de la terreur et du silence. La Syrie est

seignement. dévenue un espace fragmenté, ses habitants solitai¬

Elle a également été renforcée par un contrôle du res, des «hommes écrasés les uns contre les autres» parti Baas et une instrumentalisation de ce dernier comme le décrit Hannah Arendt dans son analyse de

pour soumettre les institutions de l'Etat et les organisa¬ la tyrannie. tions de la société, notamment urbaines, à ses com¬ Si cette lourde défaite de la société syrienne a anéan¬ mandes. Ainsi, Hafez Al-Assad a soudé la communau¬ ti toute possibilité d'action politique collective pen¬ té et établi une'asabiyya dominante dans le pays/tout dant des décennies (exception faite du court prin¬

en élargissant progressivement l'assise sociale et les temps de Damas en fin 2000 et début 2001), la révolu¬

réseaux économiques de son pouvoir. tion syrienne aujourd'hui marque la sortie définitive

La question communautaire de même que celle des de la solitude.

rôles des forcesarmées et du parti Baas restent aujour¬ De Deraa à Homs, de Deir Ezzor à Hama, de Damas à

d'hui omniprésentes pour la compréhension de ce qui Idlib, de l'université d'Alep à Salamiyya et de Kferna-

se passe en Syrie, celle du fils et héritier de Hafez, bel à Kamechlie, les Syriens dans leurs manifestations Bachar Al-Assad. La'asabiyya persiste en tant que soli¬ quotidiennes et dans leur résistance à la machine de darité de corps pour maintenir la base fidèle au régime mort reconstruisent leur champ politique sur les et est de ce fait le principal atout qui lui reste, après la décombres de la peur. décomposition de son autorité, de son contrôle symbo¬ Ils rétablissent dans leur solidarité citoyenne des

lique, de son discours et de sa métamorphose en une liens territoriaux et se réapproprient la géographie, simple machine répressive depuis mars 2011. l'espace, afin de dépasserle déchirement, la fragmenta¬ Par contre, la démographie et les évolutions socio- tion et retisser les rapports sociaux. économiques ont modifié la donne du paradoxe Ainsi, la société syrienne se libère chaque jour un urbain-rural. Le mouvement de contestation n'est peu plus de la tyrannie. Elle renaît, se découvre et plus uniquement citadin, comme Michel Seurat le constitue une nouvelle mémoire. Seulle pouvoirdécli¬ décrivait au début des années 1980. Il est également nant demeure encore ce qu'il fut il y a trois décennies :

rural, et le rapport entre les villes et les campagnes ne un Etat de barbarie.

42 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Turquie: Quatre soldats tués dans des combats avec les rebelles kurdes (officiel)

ISTANBUL, 17 mai 2012 (AFP) Une vaste opération a été lancée dans la région pour retrouver et neutrali- ser les rebelles, a ajouté le gouvernorat dans un communiqué diffusé sur son site internet. QUATRE SOLDATS TURCS ont été tués jeudi lors de deux accro- Un soldat a par ailleurs été tué et un autre a été blessé par un tir de mor- chages distincts avec des rebelles kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du tier du PKK à Derecik, dans la province de Hakkari (sud-est), riveraine de Kurdistan (PKK) dans le sud et le sud-est de la Turquie, ont affirmé l'Irak et de l'Iran, selon un communiqué du gouvernorat de Hakkari, cité par des sources officielles locales. l'agence de presse Anatolie. Trois militaires ont été abattus à 7H45 (4H45GMT) par des "membres de Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de 45.000 morts, selon l'armée, l'organisation terroriste séparatiste" --expression en usage pour désigner le depuis son déclenchement, en 1984, par le PKK dans le sud-est du pays. PKK-- alors qu'ils participaient à une opération dans une zone boisée des Le PKK est considéré comme une organisation terroriste par la Turquie et monts Amanos, dans la province de Hatay (sud), a affirmé le gouvernorat de nombreux autres pays. de Hatay.

Raid aérien turc contre des Kurdes: Washington a fourni des renseignements WASHINGTON, 17 mai 2012 (AFP) dans la zone quand l'attaque s'est produite", a-t-il ajouté. L'armée turque a toutefois démenti une telle implication américaine. L'ATTAQUE AÉRIENNE de l'aviation turque qui a coûté la vie à 34 "La première identification visuelle du groupe impliqué a été effectuée par Kurdes à la frontière turco-irakienne fin décembre a été lancée à la des drones des forces armées turques", a affirmé l'état-major des armées suite de renseignements fournis par un drone américain, a-t-on appris turques dans un communiqué diffusé sur son site internet. jeudi auprès d'un responsable américain de la défense. Cette bavure avait mis le gouvernement turc sur le gril et déclenché une Lors de ce raid aérien le 29 décembre, des chasseurs F-16 turcs avaient vague de protestations des milieux pro-kurdes qui ont crié au "massacre". confondu des trafiquants de cigarettes et de carburant âgés de 16 à 20 ans Fin 2011, Ankara a dû faire face à une flambée de violences dans le conflit avec des séparatistes kurdes qui empruntent le même chemin pour s'infilter qui l'oppose au Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) après la mort de en Turquie depuis leurs bases du Kurdistan irakien. plusieurs dizaines de soldats dans des attaques pendant l'été. "Nous sommes au courant de l'incident", a affirmé à l'AFP ce responsable Les rebelles du PKK, qui ont pris les armes en 1984 pour l'indépendance américain sous couvert de l'anonymat, rappelant que les Etats-Unis four- puis l'autonomie du Sud-Est de la Turquie peuplé en majorité de Kurdes, nissent des moyens de reconnaissance et de surveillance à l'armée turque utilisent leurs bases arrières dans le nord de l'Irak, pays voisin, pour lancer au moyen de drones Predator. des attaques contre des objectifs en territoire turc. "Dans ce cas particulier, (les drones) ont repéré un groupe de personnes Alliés de la Turquie, les Etats-Unis ont repositionné fin 2011 sur la base avec des animaux transportant de lourdes charges. Cette information a été d'Incirlik (sud de la Turquie) quatre drones Predator, non armés, qui étaient transmise aux Turcs et nos drones ont quitté la zone", a-t-il détaillé. auparavant stationnés dans le nord de l'Irak, afin de continuer à fournir des "Nous n'avons rien à voir avec cette attaque aérienne, nous n'étions plus renseignements à la Turquie sur le PKK. H

Un dirigeant kurde accuse Bagdad de vouloir mener un "nettoyage ethnique" SOULAYMANIA (Irak), 28 mai 2012 (AFP) allusion à M. Maliki. "Les tueries quotidiennes de citoyens kurdes et les expulsions à Jalawla, Sadiyah et Kirkouk sont la UN DIRIGEANT KURDE irakien a accusé lundi même politique que celle de l'ancien régime mais Bagdad de vouloir mener un "nettoyage eth- sous de nouvelles couleurs", a-t-il ajouté, faisant nique", dans une nouvelle attaque des diri- référence à des zones disputées par Bagdad et le geants kurdes contre le Premier ministre gouvernement du Kurdistan. Nouri al-Maliki. Massoud Barzani s'est dit opposé à la vente de Cette déclaration du Premier ministre du d'avions F-16 à l'Irak par les Etats-Unis tant que M. Kurdistan Nechirvan Barzani, neveu du président Maliki dirige le gouvernement, affirmant redouter de la région autonome Massoud Barzani, inter- qu'ils ne soient utilisés contre le Kurdistan. vient alors que les relations entre le gouverne- ment central de Bagdad et les Kurdes sont de plus en plus tendues. Il avait auparavant accusé M. Maliki de glisser vers la dictature, lui repro- chant de vouloir "tuer le processus démocratique" après l'arrestation du "Aujourd'hui, il y a des gens sur la scène politique irakienne qui veulent (...) chef de la commission électorale pour des faits présumés de corruption. maintenir la politique d'arabisation et de nettoyage ethnique", a déclaré M. Barzani au cours d'un discours célébrant le rapatriement au Kurdistan des Outre les questions territoriales, Bagdad et Erbil s'opposent vivement sur restes de 730 Kurdes tués par les forces de Saddam Hussein lors de la la répartition des revenus du pétrole pompé dans la région et sur le sort campagne d'Anfal dans les années 1980. du vice-président sunnite Tarek al-Hachémi, recherché par la justice ira- kienne mais qui a bénéficié de la protection des Kurdes. H Il n'a pas précisé qui ses propos visaient, mais il faisait vraisemblablement

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

istanbul.blog.lemonde.fr...... 18 mai 2012 Bozdag a souligné qu'une Les révélations du Wall Street enquête judiciaire et adminis- trative était en cours. Et le président Abdullah Gül, avant Journal sur Uludere de s'envoler pour un long séjour Guillaume Perrier aux Etats-Unis, où il participera au sommet de l'Otan à Chicago, es autorités turques sont a appelé les journalistes à faire Lembarrassées après la confiance aux sources de ren- publication, le 16 mai, par le seignements turques. Erdogan Wall Street Journal, d'une avait lui aussi déclaré que enquête attendue depuis de l'information avait été obtenue longues semaines, sur le massa- non pas par les Predator mais cre d'Uludere (Roboski en par les drones turcs. kurde), un village situé à la frontière avec l'Irak. Depuis, le Dans son enquête, le WSJ sug- sujet occupe la une de la presse gère également que l'armée turque. turque a refusé des renseigne- ments américains plus précis Le journal rapporte, s'appuyant permettant d'identifier les sur un rapport du Pentagone, intrus, si le doute existait que les frappes de l'armée encore. L'Etat major, dans sa turque contre un groupe de réponse, a toutefois ignoré cet contrebandiers qui franchis- aspect de la question. Une faute saient clandestinement la fron- soulignée par les éditorialistes tière, le 28 décembre dernier, turcs comme Eyyüp Can officiellement confondus avec (Radikal) ou Ahmet Altan une colonne de combattants du (Taraf). PKK, auraient été le résultat d'un renseignement délivré par Après le premier article, le WSJ les drones américains. Ce n'est publie un nouvel article vendre- pas vraiment un scoop. Les di pour répondre aux critiques drones Predator surveillent la et aux questionnements. Le frontière Nord de l'Irak et four- rapport militaire américain que nissent à la Turquie les ren- le WSJ a pu se procurer précise seignements sur le PKK, que le drone Predator était en comme le stipule un accord tri- d'enquête parlementaire, les sur le site internet des forces patrouille le long de la frontière partite avec Bagdad. images des drones montraient armées turques. "La première lorsqu'il a repéré ce groupe clairement qu'il s'agissait de image détectée du groupe, dans d'hommes et d'animaux en L'armée et le gouvernement civils. cet incident, a été réalisée par marche vers la frontière turque, turcs sont sous pression depuis un drone appartenant aux avant d'en informer, à Ankara, plusieurs mois et peinent à L'armée turque a démenti jeudi forces armées turques", ajoute la cellule de renseignement expliquer cette "bavure" contre les informations publiées par le cette déclaration officielle sans dédiée à la lutte contre le PKK. des civils qui a profondément WSJ. "Le rapport ne reflète pas préciser quel a été le rôle exact Selon le journal, les officiels choqué l'opinion turque et la réalité", a répondu le chef des drones américains. turcs auraient ensuite demandé kurde. Et selon plusieurs mem- d'Etat major Necdet Özel, dans au drone américain de quitter bres de la commission un communiqué officiel publié Le vice premier ministre Bekir la zone. I

combattre les membres du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK, inter- PKK: La Turquie presse dit) en Turquie et dans le nord de l'Irak, où ils disposent de repaires, mais Obama de lui vendre des le Congrès n'y serait pas enclin en raisons des tensions entre la Turquie et drones Predator Israël. ANKARA, 22 mai 2012 (AFP) M. Gül a exhorté les Etats-Unis, allié traditionnel de la Turquie au sein de l'Otan, à "faire confiance" à son pays. La loi américaine oblige l'administration à informer le Congrès avant toute LE PRÉSIDENT TURC Abdullah Gül a annoncé mardi que transaction de taille portant sur des armes. l'administration américaine était favorable à la vente à son pays de drones armés Predator pour lutter contre les séparatistes kurdes et Larmée américaine a utilisé les drones Predator non armés depuis ses tentait de convaincre le Congrès américain à cette fin. bases irakiennes depuis 2007 puis depuis une base du Sud de la Turquie peu avant son retrait d'Irak fin 2011 et a partagé les renseignements recueil- "En fait l'administration américaine est favorable (à cette vente), ils lis avec les autorités turques. s'efforcent de convaincre le Congrès", a-t-il déclaré au terme d'un entretien lundi soir avec le président américain Barack Obama en marge du sommet Le PKK mène régulièrement des attaques meurtrières en Turquie. de l'Otan à Chicago. Les Etats-Unis considèrent comme la Turquie et bon nombre de pays le H La Turquie souhaite acquérir un nombre indéterminé de ces appareils pour PKK comme une organisation terroriste.

44 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti MAY 17, 2012

Regional Crises Boost Turkey's Ties With Iraq's Kurds

Dorian Jones voanews.com Iraqi Kurdistan region Prime STANBUL, Turkey -The prime minis- Minister ter of Iraq's Kurdistan autonomous Nechirvan Iregion is visiting Turkey - his first trip Barzani, left, there since taking office in March. The meets Turkey's visit is expected to build on the gro- President wing rapprochement between Turkey Abdullah Gul and Iraq's Kurds. That process is being in Baghdad, enhanced by deepening crises in Iraq Iraq. (File) and and mutual neighbor Syria.

Political analysts in Turkey see the visit by Iraqi Kurdish Prime Minister Iraq," said Ozel. "They are our second in the authoritarian way that he is Nechirvan Barzani as a sign of the gro- export market, and people say if you operating," said Ulgen. "Even that sta- wing importance of his Turkish neigh- include the informal trade, they may tement, which was unthinkable a cou- bor. very well be the first export market. ple of years ago for the Turkish policy- And their gas and oil is going to global makers not to react to, has not really Ankara has responded by laying out markets via Turkey. Therefore, we led to any sort of reaction from the red carpet with meetings with the have to discuss what the Iraqi Kurds Ankara. That shows how much [rela- Turkish president, prime minister and do, with very different words and with tions] have changed." foreign minister. a very different approach, and this is The conflict in Syria is also providing Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman what happening." common ground between Iraqi Kurds Selcuk Unal says the Iraqi Kurds are The transformation in relations is a and Turkey. Syrian Kurdish groups have seen as an important ally. marked shift from the past. Only a been meeting in the Iraqi Kurdish "The Iraqi Kurds are playing an inter- few years ago, Turkish Prime Minister region, and Ankara is lobbying the national role legally and legitimately Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Iraqi Iraqi Kurds to use their influence to in all Iraqi politics and we are talking Kurdish regional President Masoud persuade them to unite with the with them on many issues, the politi- Barzani was a "bandit." The Turkish Syrian opposition against Syrian cal situation in Iraq and in the region," government believed the Iraqi Kurds President Bashar al-Assad. he said. were not doing enough to stop the But international relations expert Kurdish rebel group, the PKK, from Barzani's visit comes as tensions conti- Ozel remains skeptical whether the operating from northern Iraq. The nue to rise between Iraqi Kurds and Iraqi Kurds can deliver. PKK is fighting the Turkish state for Sunnis and the country's Prime greater Kurdish rights. "With the Syrian Kurds, the ones who Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite, over are more influential are not Barzani the distribution of power and control Political observers say Ankara's grea- people, but the PKK," said Ozel. The of resources. test fear was that the Iraqi Kurds thing is Turkey wants to subcontract would declare an independent state, Tensions have also risen between too many things to Barzani, and I don't possibly inciting Turkey's own Kurdish Turkey and Iraq's central government. think it's going to wash." minority to similar demands. International relations expert Soli The prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan But former senior Turkish diplomat Ozel, a columnist for the Turkish is expected to reject Turkey's calls to Sinan Ulgen says the recent visit of newspaper Haberturk, says these cur- remove PKK bases from the region. Iraqi Kurdistan's President Barzani rent tensions with Baghdad are driving But political observers say the Iraqi shows this fear has eased. the warming relations between Kurdish visit to Turkey will emphasize Ankara and the Iraqi Kurds. "When Barzani came to Ankara a few the growing importance of the rela- weeks ago, he made reference to a tionship and that both sides will be "The fact that relations with Baghdad possible independence of the Kurdish looking to build on what unites them - are rotten, it now transpires that the region if Maliki continues to operate rather than what divides them. G Kurds are the Turks' natural allies in

45 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti May 18, 2012 autonomous Kurdistan Spat with Iraq bares Turk plunge Regional Government in Iraq, Masoud Barzani, and Maliki's rival and Iraqiya leader, Ayad into regional power game Allawi. For its part, Iran has seen By Jonathon Burch A Turkish sol- Turkey's shift in orientation in NKARA (Reuters) -A dier secures a towards its own backyard, a A bitter rift with Iraq has road overloo- region it once deemed "back- exposed Turkey's role in a king the ward", as a more potent chal- wider Middle East power mountains lenge to its aspirations to struggle, with Ankara acting to during patrol Middle East predominance protect its stability and prospe- in the sou- than the old, purely pro- rity from an Iranian-Iraqi theastern Europe Turkey. "Shi'ite axis" it fears in the wake Turkish pro- As with Iraq, Turkey has of the U.S. military withdrawal vince of traditionally tried to mediate from Iraq. Sirnak over Iran, particularly Tehran's Turkey, a Sunni Muslim but controversial nuclear ambi- secular regional power borde- The row is symptomatic of in tit-for-tat maneuvers. tions. ring Iraq, Iran and Syria, long Turkish anxiety that the coun- Compounding tension, TURKEY FALLS OUT tried to play regional mediator try's rising "soft power", based Turkish leaders have met WITH IRAN as Shi'ite Muslim giant Iran on a booming economy and publicly with Hashemi, now But friction between Turkey and Sunni powerhouse Saudi relative democratic stability sheltering in Istanbul after and Iran has mounted over Arabia jostled for sway in a ushered in by Erdogan after a fleeing Iraq in December. their backing of opposing sides region now undergoing politi- long era of military coups, Interpol is seeking the arrest of in Syria's conflagration and cal upheaval. could be threatened by a nas- Hashemi, who is being tried in Ankara's assent to housing part But the fall-out wrought by cent "Shi'ite axis" embodied by absentia in Iraq. Hashemi of a NATO missile defense Arab Spring uprisings and the Iran and Maliki's Tehran- denies the charges. shield that the United States U.S. exit from Iraq have forced backed Baghdad government. Ankara's aversion to Maliki says is directed against the Turkey to make tricky adjust- "This is about an escalating is not new. For years, Turkey Islamic Republic. ments by cutting old alliances power struggle in Baghdad cultivated close links with Some Iranian officials also and forming new ones, jettiso- combined with the regional Sunni groups in Iraq and it objected to Turkey playing host ning its "zero problems with conflict between Iran, Turkey supported the Sunni-backed to a revival of talks between the the neighbors" policy. and the Gulf Arab states being Iraqiya bloc against Maliki in six global powers and Iran to That shift, coupled with a played out in Syria and Iraq," the 2010 parliamentary elec- head off confrontation over its more aggressive diplomacy said Hasan Turunc, a fellow at tion. shadowy nuclear program. personified by an increasingly Oxford University. "Even before the last U.S. The talks between Iran and combative Prime Minister Gulf Arabs and Turkey soldier was beyond the borders Britain, China, France, Tayyip Erdogan - has thrust alike want to see a street upri- Maliki ordered the arrest of Germany, Russia and the Turkey into a regional strategic sing and insurgency in Syria Hashemi, and Turkey took a United States did go ahead in game pitting Gulf Arab states unseat President Bashar al- very strong position. Turkey Istanbul in April but not before and Ankara against Iran. Assad to help roll back the never really liked Maliki," said Erdogan lashed out at Tehran, "What is really critical is the regional clout of his close ally, Ozel. saying the Iranians "lacked American withdrawal from Iran and prevent any spillover Turkey, anxious to protect honesty" and were "losing their Iraq, because that basically of its increasingly sectarian trade interests in Iraq amid international prestige". made Iraq a much more open bloodshed. fears that any renewed Iraqi Sinan Ulgen, a former playing field for the Iranians," MUTUAL RECRIMINA- sectarian war could wash over Turkish diplomat and now said Soli Ozel, a prominent TIONS its borders, long strived to chairman of the Centre for Turkish academic and com- Turkey accuses Maliki of encourage a precarious balance Economics and Foreign Policy mentator. sowing sectarian discord by between Iraq's Sunni, Shi'ite Studies think-tank, said "Inexorably, perhaps unwil- trying to sideline his Sunni and Kurdish factions. Erdogan's increasingly strident lingly, Turkey began to find rivals - Maliki also called on This was no better exempli- approach was aggravating itself a part of the sectarian parliament to remove his Sunni fied than by Erdogan's trip to strains in ties between Ankara games as opposed to the posi- Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Iraq in March 2011 when he and its neighbors. tion that it very delicately tried al-Mutlaq - and has warned of made sure to visit all three cen- "It is his posturing that has to preserve which was being a regional Shi'ite-Sunni "cold ters of power: Baghdad, the led to crises with our neigh- above sectarianism." war". Shi'ite stronghold of Najaf, and bors. If he hadn't approached Turkish officials have been Maliki says it is Ankara that Arbil, capital of the autono- matters in a polarising, black- waging a war of words with is stirring sectarian tension, cal- mous Kurdish region in the and-white fashion, we Baghdad since December when ling Turkey a "hostile nation" north. wouldn't have lost the ability Shi'ite Iraqi Prime Minister meddling in Iraq's internal But that balancing act, ana- to manage these relationships," Nouri al-Maliki ordered the affairs. Erdogan and Maliki lysts say, ended after the U.S. Ulgen said. arrest of Sunni Vice President have exchanged public insults troop withdrawal from Iraq at "Instead of being the last Tareq al-Hashemi, based on and both countries have sum- the end of last year. person to intervene, very often allegations that he ran death moned each other's top diplo- Turkey has since publicly he is the first to react. What he➩ squads. mats over the past few months received the president of the says then becomes policy,

46 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➩ and limits Turkey's room of a powerful neighbor that can PKK sympathies among many kely that trade between Turkey for maneuver; it corners us and act as a conduit for its oil sup- of Barzani's supporters. and Iraq will suffer in the long- policy becomes ossified." plies. In turn, Turkey is relying Despite strained relations term. PRECARIOUS KURDISH on Barzani to clamp down on with the Baghdad government, "Compare it to Turkey's RELATIONS the militant Kurdistan Workers trade with Iraq is booming. relations with Israel. Turkey One entity that has profited Party (PKK), which is waging a Turkey sold more than $8 bil- and Israel are at odds and there from this regional power tussle separatist insurgency in Turkey lion of goods to Iraq last year, is a lot of public outrage in both is the semi-autonomous and whose leadership is based making it Turkey's second big- countries, however, if you look Kurdish region in northern in northern Iraq. gest export market after at economic relations, they are Iraq. Visiting Turkey last month, Germany. According to growing," said Oxford Once branded a "bandit" by Barzani called on the PKK to Turkey's finance minister, University's Turunc. Turkey, Barzani has been disarm and said he would not about 70 percent of exports to "Trade and commerce do wooed by Erdogan for the pur- allow any militant group to Iraq are to the north. not necessarily get influenced pose of close relations as operate freely in northern Iraq. While some observers say by the daily political rhetoric However, analysts say he is Turkey could stand to lose and the same can be said for Ankara has sought out new H allies in a transforming region. unlikely to bring about any some state-funded projects in Iraq." Barzani needs the support concrete change because of Iraq as relations sour, it is unli-

May 17, 2012 tests across the country and prompted inves- tigations that have yet to conclude. The Turkey Aims to Damp Journal report reignited a national debate about the bombing raid, with opposition poli- ticians calling on the government to clarify Drone-Report Furor what happened. By JOE PARKINSON and ADAM ENTOUS "We had suspicion about Turkey's ability to officials investigating the matter. to gather this intelligence over its borders by STANBUL—Turkish drones were responsible The statement didn't make any mention itself. The reason why the government is kee- for the initial intelligence footage that promp- of a U.S. role. Turkey's military and defense ping quiet now is that it wants to avoid politi- Ited a deadly strike against civilian smugglers, ministry have previously said intelligence lea- cal responsibility," said Deputy Chairman of Turkey's armed forces said Thursday, seeking to ding to the strike came exclusively from Turkey's main opposition party, the CHP, damp a furor sparked by a Wall Street Journal arti- domestic sources. Turkey's military and three Sezgin Tanrikulu. cle that described the role played by a U.S. drone. government departments declined to com- Pentagon press secretary George Little on Turkey's General Staff said in a written ment for that article. Thursday declined to discuss the December statement that Turkish-language reports, In Washington on Thursday, U.S. military incident. He called Turkey an important ally which cited a Wednesday article in the officials reiterated the contents of their after- and said "we will continue to work with Journal, were "not based on the truth." action report, noting that it focused on the Turkey" in its efforts against Kurdish mili- Quoting a Pentagon after-action report, role of the Predator. The Journal article also tants. the Journal said a U.S. Predator drone spot- quoted witnesses who recalled hearing According to U.S. military officials, two ted a group of men and pack animals and pas- Turkey's Heron drones just before the strike. reports were prepared in response to the Dec. sed the footage to Turkey's military. The The issue is sensitive for Washington and 28 incident. The initial report said the Turks identified the convoy as Kurdish mili- Ankara. Turkey doesn't want to be seen as Predator "identified a small caravan of pack tant fighters and took the decision to strike reliant on the U.S. Selling drones to Turkey animals and persons who merged with ano- using jets from its air force. faces opposition from key members of ther group of pack animals and persons in a The Pentagon assessment describes only Congress, who worry about spreading the region of northern Iraq close to the Turkish the role of the Predator and doesn't address technology, as well as Turkey's standards for border." the issue of whether Turkey may also have deciding when to launch a strike. The after-action assessment offered more been tracking the convoy. The Dec. 28 strike, which killed 34 civi- detail. It said the Predator was on an eight- The Turkish military statement said: "The lians who turned out to be gasoline smug- hour patrol along the Iraqi-Turkish border first detected visual image of the group in the glers, represented the biggest civilian death when its American controllers spotted the incident was made by the Unmanned Aerial toll in Turkey's three-decade conflict with convoy walking toward the Turkish border. Vehicle belonging to the Turkish Armed Kurdish separatists. The deaths sparked pro- The report doesn't say at what time that sigh- Forces," adding that details have been passed ting occurred or how long the Predator conducted surveillance. Full Text of Turkish Military Statement American officers flagged the "activity" to their Turkish counterparts in the Combined "Some media outlets, which base their reports on a foreign newspaper, claim that Intelligence Fusion Cell in Ankara, where in the incident, which happened in south of Uludere behind the border on 28th of U.S. and Turkish officers watch Predator December 2011, the first image was obtained from the US Unmanned Aerial Vehicle drone feeds real time. (Predator). The news does not reflect the truth. The first detected visual image of the group in the incident was made by the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle belonging to Then the Turkish officers directed the the Turkish Armed Forces. Detailed information of the issue have been sent to Americans to fly the drone to another "sec- offices investigating the incident." tor," clearing the airspace over the convoy. Translated by Ayla Albayrak, Wall Street Journal U.S. officials said the U.S. drone wasn't in the area when the Turks launched their strike. J

47 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 18 / MAY / 2012 Al-Maliki response to Erbil demands contains "nothing new" - Kurdish official believe this response is noth- ments in a legal manner via some…we know that there By Maad Fayad ing more than procrastina- the competent authorities or are some figures within the tion, and does not include officially apologize to al- National Alliance who want to ondon, Asharq Al-Awsat any solutions to the suffocat- Maliki.” The secret docu- calm the situation and – Iraqi Kurdistan Region ing political crisis in Iraq.” ments that the Kurdistan resolve our problems.” Lrepresentative to Baghdad, Regional government claims Mohammed Ihsan, informed Regarding the tension to be in possession of pertain The Kurdistan Region repre- Asharq Al-Awsat that “the between Baghdad and Erbil, to Prime Minister Nouri al- sentative to Baghdad also National Alliance’s response which can be seen in some of Maliki’s agreement with the informed Asharq Al-Awsat to the Erbil meeting’s message the statements issued to the Kurdistan Region and that “the controversial points to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri media, Ihsan stressed that allegedly reveal how al-Maliki raised by President Barzani al-Maliki…did not contain “Regardless of these media has gone back on his word. with Baghdad relate to the anything new or put forward campaigns and how some infrastructure of the Iraqi any solutions.” Iraqi President members of the State of Law For his part, Kurdistan state, and there is no person- Jalal Talabani, Kurdistan coalition or al-Maliki have Region representative to al problem between him and Region President Massoud attacked the Kurdish leader- Baghdad, Mohammed Ihsan, al-Maliki, however unfortu- Barzani, Iraqiya bloc leader ship, in the end we must sit told Asharq Al-Awsat “unfor- nately the Iraqi prime minis- Iyad Allawi, Sadrist bloc lea- down at the dialogue table tunately, some politicians ter [al-Maliki] has complicat- der Moqtada al-Sadr and Iraqi and find a solution to this come out to stand in front of ed matters and the issue has Parliamentary speaker Osama intractable problem” adding the microphone and think reached attacks being made al-Nujaifi had met in Erbil two “it will be better to do this they can say whatever they against the Kurdistan Region weeks ago to discuss the poli- today than tomorrow, for the like without reference to real- president” adding “many tical crisis in Iraq, threatening longer this takes the more ity.” He confirmed that the members of the State of Law al-Maliki with a vote of no complicated the problems Kurdistan Region is in pos- coalition have revealed their confidence if he continues to become.” session of documents relating true natures in a very cheap refuse to implement the Erbil to al-Maliki’s position manner.” Agreement which brought him Commenting on the State of towards the Erbil Agreement, to power. Law coalition’s threat to take and others, adding that he Ihsan also commented on al- clear and bold stance regard- believes that the time has Maliki’s recent television Ihsan added “the response ing “accusations and slander” come for these documents to statement, in which the Iraqi sent by the National Alliance made by the Kurdistan be published in order to prime minister claimed to be – with the exception of the Region presidency towards allow the Iraqi people to see more concerned about the Sadrist bloc – at the end of al-Maliki, Ihsan said “this the true nature of their lead- Kurdish people than the the 15-day deadline…carried demonstrates the political ers, who have failed to Kurdish leaders themselves, the language and style of the and social hypocrisy of some adhere to their pledges. saying “this reminds us State of Law coalition, not all Iraqi politicians.” exactly of what Saddam parties of the National Ihsan also warned that “the Hussein would say, namely Alliance.” In a statement issued yester- behavior of the State of Law that he was the most con- day, State of Law coalition coalition will only hurt the cerned about the dear Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat MP Abd-al-Salam al-Maliki National Alliance and Iraqi’s Kurdish people, however from Erbil, the Kurdistan said “the accusations and Shiite community, and this is everybody knows – particu- Region representative to defamation against Iraqi why we are calling our broth- larly the Kurds – that nobody Baghdad stressed that “the Prime Minister Nouri al- ers in the National Alliance to is concerned about the response called for a meeting Maliki in the media by the shoulder their responsibilities Kurdish people, except their to find a mechanism to solve presidency of the Kurdistan and put an end to the own leaders who have made the political problems, and Region will not pass unno- attacks being made by some sacrifices to achieve what has this is the State of Law coali- ticed, and we will take a clear members of the State of Law been achieved for the tion’s way of procrastinating and bold stance on this.” coalitions towards Kurdistan Kurdish people today.” and circumventing these Region President Massoud JJJ problems” adding “I have not He added “the failure of the Barzani.” heard or felt any seriousness conspiracy led by Kurdistan on the part of al-Maliki to Region President Massoud He added “we would hope implement the 9 points that Barzani against the govern- that those who live in glass were included in the Erbil ment has led him to threaten houses would refrain from meeting’s message regarding to reveal alleged secret docu- throwing stones, and that the national partnership and ments.” The State of Law language of reason is utilized implementing the Erbil agree- coalition MP called on Erbil rather than the attacks that ment.” Ihsan asserted that “I to “either reveal these docu- have been issued by

48 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 19 May 2012

aware that if this Kurdish crisis escalates, the KNC would seek any kind of peace- ful compromise to avoid a possible civil Fear of Clashes Between war among the Kurds. The regime knows demonstrations in Kurdish areas will Kurdish Groups in Syria continue because a military intervention By ADIB ABDULMAJID would not prevent the Kurdish resis- rudaw.net tance. So, a Kurdish-Kurdish struggle would be the most appropriate way to MSTERDAM, Netherlands – As disperse the Kurds from the hub of their anti-Assad demonstrations continue revolution.” Ato take place across Kurdish areas of Habash added, “The Kurds have to Syria, incidences of violence have been be aware of this, and the only way out is occurring between supporters of the to be a participant in the revolution and a Kurdish National Council (KNC) – a partner in building Syria’s future, not on coalition of 10 Kurdish Parties – and Kurdish youth marching on the streets of the sidelines.” those of Democratic Union Party (PYD), Qamishli in Syria in support of Kurdish Hasan Salih, a member of the KNC, a Syrian affiliation of the Kurdistan rights. Photo: Kurdistan Photos/flickr. told the Washington Institute for Near Workers’ Party (PKK). East Policy that the KNC’s activities in In the last three weeks, the Kurdish Syria aim to overthrow the Assad regime city of Qamishli – where Kurds took to and resolve the Kurdish issue on fair the street at the launch of the Syrian upri- tralize the Kurds from the ongoing pro- bases according to international conven- sing in March 2011 – saw unprecedented democracy movement, but in vain. We tions. unrest amongst demonstrators. Tensions will never allow the authorities to take “PYD is the only Kurdish party arose when PYD supporters began rai- advantage of such things, and we will put which operates outside the KNC, and it is sing the PKK flag and images of its lea- all our efforts into overcoming this a part of the National Coordinating Body. der Abdullah Ocalan, along with using controversy.” The main focus of the PYD is to criticize slogans against the KNC that accused the Fuad Aliko, a member of the KNC the Turkish role in the Syrian uprising council of supporting a non-Kurdish and chief of the Kurdish Yekiti party in and accuse the rest of the opposition agenda. Syria, said that the recent clashes in blocs of being loyal to Turkey, rather Qasimo Mosque, a gathering point Qamishli send an alarming message to than trying to overthrow Assad’s regime for Kurdish demonstrators west of Kurdish parties to rectify the current and achieve the hopes of Kurdish people Qamishli, saw a few clashes between situation, “before we reach a level of in Syria. As an affiliate of the PKK in supporters of the KNC and PYD. The considerable Kurdish-Kurdish tension Syria, the PYD claims to have the largest national Kurdish flag was repeatedly and become unable to control the situa- popular base, but that is absolutely not burned by PYD protesters, activists tion, or enter a bitter spiral of violence true because the vast majority of Kurds reported, which led to a swell in anger and confrontation in the entire Kurdish aim to topple the current brutal regime amongst Kurds. area; nobody would gain any positive and resolve the Kurdish issue democrati- According to KurdWatch, an inde- results from such tensions except the cally, and the PYD has not shown that to pendent Internet portal that reports on regime itself.” be a priority yet,” Salih concluded. human rights abuses against Kurds in Aliko added, “The situation requires On the other side, the PYD recently Syria, the clashes were led by supporters self-control and rational treatment to founded what is known as “Popular of the PYD against other Kurdish overcome the current dispute. PYD sup- Protection Committees,” consisting of demonstrators in the city. porters are mainly responsible for these organized groups of armed Kurdish “Several people were injured due to clashes and their leadership should try to youth “to protect neighborhoods in diffe- attacks by PYD supporters on demons- handle the situation and prevent its recur- rent Kurdish towns and villages and trators in Qamishli, including rence or escalation, because any collision check vehicles and entrants.” Abdussamad Umar, a prominent Kurdish and tension between Kurdish political Many Kurdish politicians and acti- politician and activist,” KurdWatch sta- forces at the moment will basically mean vists see this step of the PYD as a veiled ted in a recently published report. a loss of the Kurdish issue and the rights threat to the KNC and all other Kurdish As a result, the KNC announced a of the Kurdish people in Syria, and that parties and organizations, as the Popular change of location for demonstrators to will primarily serve the enemies of the Protection Committees are the only ones gather to avoid further possible clashes Kurds.” armed among Syrian Kurds. The Kurdish with PYD protesters. Shorash Habash, a Kurdish writer Political Movement in Syria, established KNC has also issued a declaration and activist, said that Assad’s regime had in 1957, has taken up peaceful methods condemning acts of violence and provo- a hand in the recent clashes in Qamishli of struggle for Kurdish rights, a fact cation “under any excuse or pretext” by motivating PYD supporters to extend which raises the popular fear of a towards peaceful Kurdish pro-demo- their party’s control of the largest Kurdish-Kurdish civil war if the current cracy demonstrators. Kurdish city in Syria by intimidating rifts and controversies between the PYD I “Such practices and acts will never KNC activists. and KNC escalate. serve the Kurds and their efforts to reach “The goal behind PYD’s policy of a fair solution for the Kurdish issue in intimidation towards KNC supporters is Syria,” the KNC declaration reads. “A to stop anti-Assad protests in Qamishli, fragmentation of the Kurds at this point and that is absolutely what the regime is only favors the current tyrannical regime aiming to,” Habash said. “The PYD is which has constantly attempted to neu-

49 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 20 May 2012

According to Iranian scholar Alireza Nourizadeh, Iran does not support a Iran Not Supporting Kurdish state in Iraq because of the huge number of Kurds in Iran. Nourizadeh says, “It is the hope of Kurdish Independence every Kurd to have an independent state, By WLADIMIR van WILGENBURG but they also know their limits and their capabilities. At the moment, neither rudaw.net Massoud (Barzani) nor Talabani are thin- king of a separate state; what Massoud ONDON, England – In a statement hinted was only a warning to Maliki. I broadcasted on a state news channel assure you, if Maliki or people like him on May 8, the Iranian foreign ministry L continue their current policies, we will expressed support for the territorial inte- get to the point of de-facto separation.” grity of Iraq. Dr. Marianna Charountaki, an inde- Ramin Mehmanparast, a spokesman pendent scholar and expert on the Kurds, for the foreign ministry, told reporters, agrees that Iran does not want a Kurdish “We consider any issue that could affect state in Iraq. “In general, I do not think the territorial integrity of Iraq to be erro- Ramin Mehmanparast, a spokesman for that Tehran would really like to see that, neous and to bear a negative impact on the Iranian foreign ministry. Photo ISNA. bearing in mind their own Kurdish popu- regional security. Our clear position is lation. Do not forget that regional states support for Iraq's territorial integrity.” TV report by the pro-Iranian station Al- inhabited by Kurds (namely Iran, Syria, Analysts say that Iran fears a Kurdish Alam, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Turkey) are all afraid of a potential state in Iraq could inspire Kurds in Iran. Tayyip Erdogan argued that the case of ‘domino effect.’” Last Tuesday, the Iranian ambassador, Hashimi was “political rather than legal,” But she adds, “There are other issues Hassan Danaifar, visited Barzani to dis- and accordingly his country would not at the top of Iranian foreign policy agenda cuss current developments. hand him over to the Iraq government, at the moment. In this case, Iran will not Both Turkey and Kurdistan Region even after Interpol issued an international reveal its actual Kurdish policy now, be it President Massoud Barzani have been cri- arrest warrant. positive or negative, unless regional tical of the role Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Iranian media have been critical of developments make it imperative.” al-Maliki plays in Iraq. The Kurdish pre- Turkey’s support for Hashimi and Moreover, Charountaki says, “Tehran sident and other officials from the Barzani against Maliki, and suggested the would not feel comfortable if any other Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) “enemies of Iraq want to fragment the player took control or played a significant recently visited Turkey. Barzani has hin- country.” On February 24, Siyaset-E Ruz, part in the resolution of the current politi- ted in statements that he will consider a conservative Iranian newspaper, publi- cal crisis in Iraq, since each regional Kurdish independence if Baghdad does shed an editorial by Mohammed Safari power struggles for domination. So, if the not listen to Kurdish demands. that attacked Barzani’s statements and KRG actively mediates, this automati- Barzani supports fugitive Iraqi Vice suggested he should not dream of ruling a cally means that Iran obviously does not President Tariq Al-Hashimi, who fled to Great Kurdistan supported by Turkey and have absolute control over Iraqi politics Kurdistan after being accused of involve- I the United States, as this would be a “big as exercised by PM Maliki.” ment in terrorism by authorities in political risk that ends in suicide.” Baghdad, as does Turkey. According to a

Sunday it expects to start exporting its crude oil along a new pipeline to the Turkish border by August 2013, defying Baghdad in a long-running dispute over who controls the Iraqi Kurdistan to country's oil sales. push ahead with oil The Kurdistan region, which has its own government and armed forces, has already clashed with Iraq's central govern- ment over autonomy and oil rights, and halted its crude exports export plan in April after accusing Baghdad of not making due payments. May 20, 2012 - (Reuters) -By Ahmed Rasheed "In August 2013 we will be able to directly export crude from the Kurdish region's fields," Hawrami said at an oil conference in * KURDISTAN OUTLINES OIL EXPORT PLANS, Kurdistan on Sunday. "We will be responsible for exporting oil. DEFIES BAGHDAD It will still be Iraqi oil." * KURDISH CRUDE SHIPMENTS STOPPED OVER PAY DISPUTE The dispute between Baghdad and the Kurdish capital Arbil is * OIL AT HEART OF CLASH BETWEEN BAGHDAD, part of a broader political crisis in Iraq, where a fragile govern- ment amoung Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish blocs is struggling to ARBIL overcome deep splits over power-sharing. ARBIL, IRAQ - Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region said on Baghdad says only the central government's oil authorities have

50 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti the right to control oil exports, and dismisses contracts signed tional market," he said. with the Kurdistan Regional Government as illegal, while the Turkey, which shares a border with Kurdistan, has increasingly KRG says it has the right to develop its own oil fields. courted Iraqi Kurds as its relations with the Shi'ite-led central Hawrami said once direct exports begin Kurdistan would take government in Baghdad have soured. Turkey is a major invest- the 17 percent of revenues the region is allowed from Iraq's ment and trading partner for Iraq, especially for Kurdistan. national budget and pass the rest to the federal government. In its war of words with Baghdad, Kurdistan leaders have threa- The minister said the first stage of the pipeline would be com- tened to consider breaking away from the central government of pleted by October this year to carry crude from the Taq Taq oil- Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, accusing him of attemp- field. The second phase would connect to the Kirkuk-Ceyhan ting to consolidate power at the expense of the Sunni and pipeline with a capacity of 1 million barrels per day by August Kurdish minorities. next year though Turkey's port. Since the last American troops left Iraq in December the dispu- He said Kurdistan was also developing plans to build a separate ted areas between Kurdistan and Baghdad have been seen as a pipeline that could connect to a refinery in Turkey's Ceyhan port potential flashpoint for conflict as tensions between the two by 2014. regions simmer without the buffer of a U.S. military presence. "We envisage the building of a new pipeline taking Kurdish oil Last month Kurdistan stopped oil exports because it said to Ceyhan port and there will be a large refinery ... Some of the Baghdad was not fulfilling agreements to pay foreign oil compa- H oil will go to that refinery and additional oil will go to interna- nies working in the region.

22 May 2012

Iraq warns Turkey over Kurdistan pipeline deal Iraq's government has warned Turkey it needs Baghdad's permission to build new pipelines carrying oil and gas from the Kurdish autonomous region in the north. Kurdistan Regional Government Natural Resources urkey made the deal directly with the Kurdistan Minister Ashti Hawrami (R) shakes hands with Turkey's Regional Government (KRG) on Sunday, without Energy Minister Taner Yildiz (20 May 2012) Since the 2003 Baghdad's approval. US-led invasion of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional T Government has signed several oil deals Relations between Baghdad and Ankara have deteriorated sharply recently. nated by Shia parties, of stirring up sectarian tension. Instead, Turkey is focusing on closer ties with the KRG, which On Sunday, the Turkish government signed a controversial is locked in a dispute with Iraq's central government over who deal to pipe oil and gas directly from Kurdistan in the next 12 can sell the country's oil. months, without the approval of the central government in 'Provocative' Baghdad. The KRG also said it planned to barter crude oil with refined petroleum products. The BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul says Turkey's decade- long strategy of building friendly, trade-based relations with all Ali al-Moussawi, a spokesman for Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, its neighbours is unravelling fast. criticised the agreement. It is heavily embroiled in efforts to overthrow Syrian President "We have no problem with any deals, but they have to be Bashar al-Assad, a leader it once courted. Its ties with Iran according to the Iraqi constitution and laws that govern rela- have also cooled, over that country's nuclear ambitions, Syria, tions between Baghdad and the Kurdish region," Mr Moussawi and Turkey's decision to host part of Nato's missile defence said. shield, our correspondent says. Our correspondent says Turkey certainly needs to diversify its Now its problems with Iraq are multiplying, he adds. energy supplies away from Iran, which is subject to increasin- gly strict sanctions. Turkey is sheltering the fugitive Vice-President, Tariq al- Hashemi, the most senior Sunni Arab politician in Iraq, who But, he adds, the pipeline deal is provocative given the KRG has been charged with financing death squads. is locked in a bitter dispute with Baghdad over who has the authority to sell its oil, and over where pipelines should be Ankara has also accused the Iraqi government, which is domi- built.I

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

Xt31Î01ldt Mercredi 23 mai 2012

Forte mobilisation régionale contre le barrage turc d'Illisu

L'ouvrage, prévu pour 2016, assécherait la région des Marais mésopotamiens dans le sud de l'Irak

Istanbul Watch (European Credit Agencies draient toute l'eau du printemps, Pour sa part, le gouvernement

Correspondance Watch) et coordinateur de la cam¬ celle de la fonte des neiges. Cela turc s'est dit déterminé à achever pagne européenne contre Ilisu. signifie que les 300 000 hectares l' au plus vite et a décidé de

La campagne citoyenne Les habitants des marais s'in¬ de marais ne recevraient plus une financer entièrement les travaux,

contre la constructiondu bar¬ quiètent devant l'avancée des tra¬ goutte d'eau fraîche», estime soit 0,5 milliard d'euros.

rage d'Ilisu, sur le Tigre, dans vaux du barrage dont la mise en M. Eichelmann. En plus de celui d'I¬ L'ouvrage d'Ilisu est l'un des

le sud-est de la Turquie, abat ses service est prévue pour 2016. Des lisu, un autre barrage est prévu à vingt-deux barrages du plan GAP

dernières cartes pour faire obsta¬ tunnels de dérivation modifient Cizre, à la frontière irakienne. (Anatolie du Sud-Est), un projet de

cle au projet. Mi-mai, c'est d'abord déjà le cours naturel du Tigre. Un Selon les opposants au barrage, domestication du Tigre et de

l'écologiste Roberto Epple, fonda¬ millierd'ouvriers travaillent vingt- si la profondeur du lac artificiel l'Euphrate lancé dans les années

teur du Réseau européen des riviè¬ quatre heures survingt-quatre sur était réduite de 130 m à 70 m, le 1980. Déjà en 2002, les sociétés bri¬

res, qui est allé rendre visite aux le chantier, dans une vallée encais¬ site d'Hasankeyf pourrait être tanniques qui soutenaient le dos¬

habitants d'Hasankeyf. La cité anti¬ sée. « Nous sommes venuspourten- épargné et le débit du fleuve sier avaient jeté l'éponge, cédant

que au riche patrimoine archéolo¬ ter d'empêcher qu'Hasankeyf ne aux pressions des associations de gique est menacée d'inondation si devienne un lac et que les marais Si la profondeur défense de l'environnement. Et de le projet de barrage est mené à irakiens ne deviennent un désert», nombreuses voix dénoncent régu¬

bien. explique Abbas Said Srwat, le por¬ du lac artificiel lièrement un « massacre naturel et Lundi 21 mai, c'est une déléga¬ te-parole de la communauté dés était réduite culturel». tion d'Irak qui est venue protester marais et leader de la délégation. Le site archéologique d'Hasan¬ contrela construction delà centra¬ «Nousallons demanderaugouver¬ de 130 à 70 m, keyf, désormais fermé, recevait le hydroélectrique. Pourla premiè¬ nement turc de réduire le niveau le site de Hasankeyf près de 2 millions de touristes par re fois, un groupe de neuf cheikhs, d'eau prévu dans cet ouvrage. Il _ an. Si le barrage était construit, il

représentants des tribus arabes faut ensuite que la Turquie et l'Irak pourrait être épargné serait inondé, et environ 40000 a

des marais mésopotamiens, une se mettent d'accord pour gérer 50 000 personnes seraient dépla¬

vaste région marécageuse du sud ensemble la ressource hydrique», demeurerait suffisant pour les ter¬ cées de gré ou de force. La rentabili¬

de l'Irak, s'est rendu de l'autre côté poursuit-il. ritoires situés en aval. Les cheikhs té dubarrage est elle-même contes¬

de la frontière avec la Turquie, La région des marais alimentée irakiens se satisferaient d'un tel tée. La Banque mondiale a émis, en

pour interpeller les autorités sur parles eaux duTigre et de l'Euphra- compromis. Jeudi 24 mai, ils 2008, un rapport critique et, l'an¬

les conséquences néfastes qu'en¬ te fut asséchée dans les années devraient signer la Déclaration du ' née suivante, les agencés de crédit

traîneraitdans leurrégionle barra¬ 1990 par Saddam Hussein, ce qui Tigre et demander au Programme européennes quifinançaient le bar¬

ge d'Ilisu. entraîna d'importants déplace¬ des Nations unies pour l'environ¬ rage, parmi lesquelles la Société

« C'est un aspect qui n'a encore ments de populations. Mais elle a nement (PNUE) de mettre la ques¬ générale, se sont retirées du projet.

jamaisétédiscuté.Leseffetsdubar- été l'objet d'un ambitieux plan de tion à son agenda. La gestion des Le premier ministre turc, Recep

rage d'Ilisu surleszonesgéographi¬ réhabilitation. Cette fois-ci, ce sont eaux mésopotamiennes, espèrent- Tayyip Erdogan, mettra lui un

ques situées en aval nesontpas étu¬ les barrages construits par la Tur¬ ils, pourrait être évoquée en juin, pointd'honneurà acheverle chan¬

diés», souligne Ulrich Eichel- quie qui menacent son existence. au sommet de Rio + 20 sur le déve- tier d'Ilisu.

mann, activiste du réseau ECA «Les réservoirs de barrages retien loppement durable. GuillaumePerrier

XelHotide localité de la région de Hama (centre), selon l'Observatoire syrien des Mardi 22 mai 2012 droits de l'homme, qui a appelé les observateurs de l'ONU à se rendre sur

Syrie le lieu de ce « massacre ». Quelque 260 observateurs de l'ONU sont en Syrie pour surveiller une trêve continuellement violée. Par ailleurs, à Bey¬ Carnage dans la région de Hama routh, deux personnes ont été tuées et 18 blessées, dimanche, dans des

BEYROUTH. Au moins 48 personnes ont été tuées, dimanche 20 mai, en heurts entre un mouvement libanais sympathisant de la révolte syrien¬ Syrie, dont 34 lors du pilonnage par les forces régulières de Sourane, une ne et un parti favorable au régime de Bachar Al-Assad. - (AFP, Reuters.)

^BiTginK 25 MAI 2012

À CHAUD LËYLA ZANA ÉC©PE DE DIX ANS DE PRISON loi antiterrorisme en exprimant dans des discours son soutien au PKK et à son chef Une figure kurde condamnée emprisonné, Abdullah Ôcalan. L'organi¬ sation armée, qui se batxiepuis 1984 pour l'autonomie de la région kurde dans le La députée kurde Leyla Zana a été con¬ dans lësgeôles turques entre 1994 et 2ÔG4, sud-est de la Turquie, estclassée «organi¬ damnée hier àpurger une seconde décen pour c^llusiOn;avecïe Parti des:ua-raillçijrs sation terroriste» par Ankara, l'Union nie de prison en Turquie. A SI ans, lamili¬ du Kurdistan (Plt&iîntetdit), Le ttipùnal européenne et les Etats-Unis. Le conflit tante, prix Sakharov des droits de de Diyarbakir, dans lé sud-est du payis; à qui l'oppose au gouvernement a déjà fait l'homme en 1995, a déjà passé dix ans estmié hier qu'elle àyàit violé neuffois la 45 000 morts selon l'armée.

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

LE FIGARO mardi 22 mai 2012

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'^ : -,' La Syrie, nouvelle terre d'élection des djihadistes

Plusieurs centaines

de combattants étrangers

GEORGES MALBRUNOT ont afflué pour renverser TURQU ENVOYÉ SPÉCIAL À TRIPOLI [LIBAN] le régime de Bachar [email protected]

o el-Assad. Parmi eux, Idleb

des Français, dont cinq Tripoli Homs Vétéran du djihad, cheikh Saadedine SYRIE ont été arrêtés au Liban. Ghia, 50 ans, fait régulièrement l'aller-retour entre sa résidence tri- Leurprésence

politaine du Liban-Nord et le IRAK champ de bataille syrien, àquelques fait redouter une Deraa kilomètres de là. « Ayant l'aube, je WOfan implantation d'al-Qaida traverse la rivière qui marque la frontière, déguisé enpaysan ; etje reviens à la nuit tom¬ dans un pays à la dérive. bée, après avoir caché mon arme en territoire syrien », raconte cet islamiste sunnite, qui a combattu aux cô¬ d'autres ont été tués récemment, dont trois Tuni¬ tés d'al-Qaida en Afghanistan et en Irak. Comme lui, siens, deux Jordaniens et deux Égyptiens. . une centaine de salaflstes libanais et 300 à 400 autres /' -?-}V / volontaires non syriens, selon plusieurs sources Tensions avec les rebelles non islamistes concordantes, se sont infiltrés en Syrie pour com¬ Au siège de l'ONU à New York, l'ambassadeur sy¬ battre les partisans de Bachar el-Assad, qui répri¬ C'Vi rien, Bachar Jaafari, vient de remettre au Conseil de ment un soulèvement populaire depuis plus d'un an. Entre l'Armée sécurité une cassette vidéo montrant les témoigna¬ Ils constituent une part encore minime des insurgés, ges de 26 islamistes étrangers, actuellement sous les mais en constante augmentation ces derniers mois. syrienne libre verrous dans son pays. D'autres sont morts dans les Un sujet tabou pour l'Opposition, qui nie tout lien et nous, les choses affrontements, notamment en février pendant le avec ces supplétifs encombrants pour l'image de la siège de Homs, comme ces cinq Tunisiens, originai¬ ne vont pas révolution. « Al-Jazeera (la chaîne qatariénne, pro¬ res de Ben Guerdane, une localité frontalière de la Li¬ che des and-Assad, NDLR) n'enparlejamais, regret¬ s'arranger bye. Avant de pénétrer en Syrie, leurs frères d'armes te Youssef, un activiste de Homs réfugié à Beyrouth. et, au final, avaient récupéré leur passeport et noté un numéro C'est inquiétant, je n'ai pas envie qu'une dictature is¬ de téléphone pour prévenir les familles, en cas de lamiste succède aune dictature laïque. » ce sera eux décès. Parmi d'autres djihadistes morts au combat Fin avril, l'annonce de là mort de deux figures liba¬ ou nous» figurent un Français, un Belge et un Britannique. En naises de « la guerre sainte » a brisé l'omerta. Abdel pleine affaire Merâh, en mars, cinq Français sont ar¬ CHEIKH GHIA, DJIHADISTE Ghani Jawhar et Walid Boustani sont pourtant loin rivés à l'aéroport de Beyrouth en vue de gagner la d'être les seuls étrangers « martyrs » de la révolution Syrie. Mais la Sûreté générale, proche du Hezbollah anti-Assad. Selon nos informations, une" dizaine et de Damas, les avait repérés. Elle les laissa prendre

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

la route vers la frontière nord, où les cinq candidats en profiter pour diriger la bataille. C'est une erreur »,

au djihad furent appréhendés, avant d'être remis poursuit le moudjahidin, quijure ne plus vouloir y re¬

aux services de renseignements français, qui les ren¬ tourner. Avec eux, pas question de respecter le ces¬

voyèrent à Paris. sez-le-feu prévu par le plan Annan. Au contraire,

Encouragés par leurs parrains qatariens, les anciens leurs attaqués doivent montrer à une population,

combattants libyens de la guerre contre Kadhafi exaspérée par l'impuissance de la communauté inter¬

constituent l'un des principaux contingents aux côtés nationale, qu'ils sont les plus féroces ennemis du régi¬

des Libanais, des Saoudiens, d'Irakiens, de Koweï¬ me. Frapper par des attentats à la voiture piégée, c'est

tiens, de quelques Algériens et même de trois Pakista¬ renforcer leur recrutement hors des frontières et s'as¬ nais, repliés dans le village de Jergénas, près de la surer de substantielles rentrées d'argent auprès de leurs bailleurs de fonds. frorîtière turque. Ils ne se mélangent pas avec les dis¬ sidents de l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL), sauf parfois Tripoli, la plaque tournante localement, quand ceux-ci sont eux-mêmes salafis-

tes. En début d'année, de nombreux Irakiens se sont Les filières de financement du djihad syrien existent infiltrés avec d'importantes quantités d'armes (des déjà. Avec ses 40 mosquées salafistes, Tripoli est la lance-roquettes notamment). Mais les tribus des ré¬ plaque tournante, grâce à des associations caritatives gions frontalières les ont rejetés. Aujourd'hui, les plus du Golfe dont la principale est Charity Eid, une ONG

nombreux combattent dans la province montagneuse chapeautée par son président saoudien, Safr al- d'Idleb, non loin de la Turquie, où ils bénéficient de Hawali, le vice-président koweïtien, Walid Tabata-

l'hospitalité d'une population laissée pour compte par baï, et Abdel Rahman Nouaimi, le secrétaire général le pouvoir central. « Les Libyens noué servent de qatarien. L'argent ne manque pas, mais il y a visible¬

conseillers militaires », confie via Skype depuis la ment de la perte en ligne. « Lorsque je suis allé en frontière un salafiste syrien, qui va et vient entre la Afghanistan en 1997, rappelle cheikh Ghia, le premier

Turquie et son pays. versementpayépar les Saoudiens était de 5 000 dollars, Durant le siège de Homs, des moujdahidins étran- . après je touchais 800 dollars par mois. En Syrie, si tu gers avaient dû fuir la ville pour se replier à al-Qous- fais une opération suicide, tu vas être bien payé, sinon le sayr, près de la frontière libanaise. Mais depuis la li¬ djihadiste ne touche qu'environ 200 dollars par mois.

quidation de Boustani, les salafistes syriens d'al- C'est pourquoi certains pratiquent des razzias dans les Qoussayr n'acceptent plus que des combattants maisons d'Alaouites (pro-Assad, NDLR) qu'ils atta¬ quent. » libanais à leurs côtés ou des Palestiniens des camps de réfugiés du Liban. L'itinéraire de ce dirigeant du Fatah Parfois, des émissaires libanais venus du Golfe re¬ al-Islam illustre le pouvoir d'attraction que représen¬ mettent directement l'argent à des salafistes syriens,

te aujourd'hui la Syrie pour la mouvance radicale. dépêchés jusqu'à Tripoli ; sinon des « relais » locaux

Emprisonné près de Beyrouth pour avoir attaqué l'ar¬ se chargent de la logistique. Ainsi de cheikh Bilal Daq-

mée libanaise, Boustani s'est évadé l'été dernier avant mak, ancien chauffeur de taxi aujourd'hui propriétai¬

de rejoindre la région de Homs, mais son comporte¬ re d'immeubles et, à ses heures, négociateur pour li¬

ment a rapidement heurté la population. « R prit en bérer des otages iraniens détenus par des salafistes otages deux chrétiens, se souvient cheikh Ghia. Il ré¬ syriens. « Nous voulons de l'argent et la libération de

clama une rançon que leurs familles ne pouvaient pas certains de nos amis emprisonnés à Damas », affirme

payer. Le curé et l'ASL s'en mêlèrent. Le ton monta, et sans détour cheikh Daqmak.

Boustani tua deux dissidents. » Il fut sommairement Inquiets de ces dérives, certains pays alliés de l'op¬

exécuté par un groupe de rebelles. Loin d'être isolé, position commencent à mesurer le risque djihadiste.

cet incident illustre les tensions croissantes entre les Avant d'être un combattant anti-Assad, Abdel Ghani djihadistes et la composante syrienne non islamiste de Jawhar était un dangereux spécialiste en explosifs, qui la révolte. « À Deraa, au sud, poursuit le dirigeant de cherchait à s'en prendre aux Casques bleus français

l'opposition à Paris, Haytham Manna, les djihadistes déployés au Liban-Sud, comme l'indique une note de

ont été chassés par la population, après un attentat à la la DGSE du 22 avril 2010.

voiture piégée commis par un Koweïtien, qui entraîna Depuis plusieurs mois, déjà, des responsables amé¬

des représailles de lapart du régime dans lesquelles trois ricains mettent en garde contre l'apparition d'un

de nosjeunesfurent tués. » « axe djihadiste » reliant Tripoli à la région d'al-An-

Ces électrons libres ont un tout autre agenda que les bar en Irak, en passant par la Syrie. Un axe favorisé dissidents de l'ASL. « Nos divergences sont idéologi¬ par le régime de Damas, qui libéra de nombreux isla¬

ques, insiste cheikh Ghia. Les djihadistes considèrent mistes au début du soulèvement. « La révolution

les membres de l'ASL comme des mécréants, qui s'op¬ prend un vilain tour, souligne un diplomate occidental

posent auprojet d 'édifier un califat. Entre l'ASL et nous, à Damas. Nous ne pouvons plus prétendre qu'on ne sait

les choses ne vont pas s'arranger et, au final, ce sera pas. Ryeut d'abord la déclaration de Zawahiri (le chef

eux ou nous. Mais nous devons êtrepatients : la Syrie est d'al-Qaida, NDLR) appelant les djihadistes à affluer en

un laboratoire. Avec le chaos qui s'installe, le pouvoir et Syrie. Puis celle de James Clapper, le patron du rensei¬

l'ASL vont s'affaiblir chacun de leur côté. Et à lafin, les gnement américain, imputant à la mouvance al-Qaida

genss'aligneront sur les djihadistes. » la plupart des attentats commis depuis décembre. » Il y

Un scénario souvent jugé peu réaliste. « En Syrie, a maintenant les convictions du secrétaire général de

les différentes communautés ont toujours eu l'habitude l'ONU, Ban Ki-moon, qui s'est déclaré jeudi «per¬

de vivre ensemble, observe Haytham Manna. Elles ne suadé qu'al-Qaida était derrière » les derniers atten¬

laisseront pas les djihadistes s'implanter durablement. tats à Damas, les plus sophistiqués et les plus meur¬

D'autre part, il n'y a pas, comme en Irak, un occupant triers en quinze mois de révolte.

pour les fédérer, ni une région intégralement sunnite pour les abriter. » À court terme, les djihadistes s'em¬

ploient à organiser leur « guerre sainte ». « En Irak,

après 2003, se souvient cheikh Ghia, la branche locale

d'al-Qaida nous prenait en charge. Mais en Syrie, c'est

la pagaille entre les combattants. Les djihadistes veulent

54 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 21 May 2012 Kurdish oil deal stirs Iraqi tensions Autonomous region's oil minister outlines plans to export oil and gas to Turkey, increasing tensions with Baghdad. Jane Arraf Kurdistan Regional Erbil, Iraq - The oil minister for Government Natural Iraq's Kurdish region has outlined Resources Minister Ashti bold plans to export oil and gas Hawrami (R) speaks directlyE to Turkey, escalating tensions in a with Turkish Energy battle with Baghdad for control of the Minister Taner Yildiz country's fuel exports. during a joint news con- Ashti Hawrami, Kurdish oil minister, told ference in Erbil, an industry conference on Sunday that a Kurdistan region of Iraq one million barrel per day pipeline from on May 20,2012. Kurdish fields to an oil facility just a few kilometres from the Turkish border was expected to be completed by the end of next year. Iraq has now become Turkey's second big- oil," Hawrami said. gest trading partner, the majority of the "There is no difference between Iraqi oil He said a second phase would extend that trade with the Kurdish region. pipeline across the border to deliver or Basra oil from Kurdistan." Those considerations are outweighing crude oil to the Turkish port of Cihan. The Kurdish government in April, though, Turkey's traditional opposition to any stopped exports of oil from its fields to an Turkey is also currently extending pipe- measures that would give the semi-auto- Iraqi government facility near Kirkuk lines from the Cihan port on the nomous Kurdish region even more power after a payment agreement broke down. Mediterranean to the border with Iraq’s than it already has. Kurdish region. Instead oil companies are selling the "If you look at Turkey, which is the reduced production to local markets to "We envisage the building of a new pipe- second-fastest growing country in the cover their costs. line taking Kurdistan’s oil, particularly the world, its gas needs which increase signi- Kurdish rhetoric has become increasingly heavier component part to Cihan," ficantly every year and then the price of hard-line recently as Prime Minister Nouri Hawrami said in his first public announce- oil," Mehmet Sepil, chairman of Turkey’s al-Maliki's coalition government remains ment of the planned project. Genel Energy, tells us. embroiled in a crisis over charges that the Hawrami made the comments while spea- "I think people realise that Turkey is loo- prime minister has reneged on promises king at a conference with Taner Yildez, king to Iraq - particularly the Kurdish made to Kurds, Sunnis and even his own Turkish energy minister, on Turkish- regional government - very carefully Shia allies. Kurdish energy co-operation. because of economics, not because of "Political stalemate in Baghdad, sporadic politics," Sepil said. Kurdish officials had been reluctant to but intense bouts of violence and secta- publicly talk about the proposed pipeline The Iraqi government considers illega rian conflict point to an identity crisis," until Turkey gave a clear sign that it was contracts such as those signed by Genel, gloated the Kurdish region's annual oil and committed to the project. the first of what is now more than 40 oil gas report released on Sunday. companies operating in the Kurdish He said another pipeline being planned "The stagnating political dynamics bet- region. would carry natural gas to Cihan and then ween the Sunni and Shia leaderships in on to international markets. It has moved to ban Exxon Mobile, the Baghdad are positioning the Kurdistan world's biggest oil company, from new region as a model of political virtue and Yildez reiterated to journalists that any contracts in Iraq's huge southern oil fields stability in Iraq." investment in the Kurdish oil industry if it carries through with contracts nego- would benefit all of Iraq. In another message to Baghdad, Hawrami tiated with the Kurdish government. also told the energy conference that the IRAQ'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS While proven oil reserves in the south of Kurdish region was planning to "barter" Talk of the project threatens to worsen Iraq are estimated at 143 billion barrels, crude oil it produced with other countries already strained relations between the Kurdish regions reserves total 45 bil- for refined fuel. The move would also Ankara and Baghdad, which has accused lion barrels, the Kurdish government says. contravene the principle that only the Turkey of interfering in Iraq's internal central government can export Iraqi oil. Those figures though are believed to affairs. include oil from the disputed Kirkuk oil To an audience that included the governor Baghdad's central government maintains fields. of bordering Nineveh province, embroiled that it has the sole right to negotiate in its own dispute with Baghdad, SELLING OIL DIRECTLY contracts and export oil and gas. Hawrami also reiterated the intent to Kurdish officials maintain that as long as Turkish oil officials say the Kurdish work in oil fields in disputed areas clai- revenue goes to the central bank and the region's large and virtually untapped oil med by both the Kurdish and central Kurdish region receives its agreed share and gas reserves and Turkey's huge governments. of revenue, it can sell the oil directly. demand for fuel, make pipelines linking +++ the two almost inevitable. "When we say oil from Kurdistan, it’s Iraqi

55 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti May 22, 2012

December aimed at the rebels of the Turkey says Kurdistan Workers' Party that killed 34 civilians is also likely to further compli- US favorable cate any sale. "The administration's position (toward the sale) is favorable," Turkey's state-run to sale of Anadolu Agency quoted President Abdullah Gul as telling Turkish reporters armed drones after a meeting with Obama on the side- lines of a NATO summit in Chicago late By SUZAN FRASER (AP) Monday. "They are trying to convince and resulted in one of the highest single- Congress." NKARA, Turkey — President Barack day death tolls in the long-standing AObama's administration is inclined to "President Obama, Secretary of State conflict between Turkey and the rebels, sell armed drones to Turkey but has to Clinton and their aides are trying their was based on intelligence provided by a convince Congress first, Turkey's presi- best," he added. U.S. Predator drone. dent told reporters after a meeting with The Turkish president said he told Obama U.S. officials reportedly told the newspa- the U.S. leader. during their discussions that the armed per that the Turkish military carried out Washington, which is providing technical drones are not as lethal as F-16 fighter the attack before more information on the and intelligence to Ankara in its fight jets, which Turkey already has in its fleet, men was obtained, raising questions against autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels, or the F-35 fighter jet whose development about how Turkey uses intelligence provi- deployed four Predator drones from Iraq Turkey is involved in. ded by the Predators. to Turkey last year. NATO-ally Turkey is now trying to acquire armed drones — the "This must be explained to Congress," Gul Turkish officials have dismissed the kind the U.S. has used to target militants said. "They must not act begrudgingly report, saying the first images of the in places like Yemen and the border toward an important allied country. They group were captured by the Turkish mili- region between Afghanistan and Pakistan. have to trust it." tary.

But analysts say some Congress members Gul would not say how many armed The Kurdistan Workers' Party, which took may oppose the sale of armed Predator drones Turkey has requested from the up arms in 1984, is labeled a terrorist drones to Turkey due to its tense rela- United States. organization by Washington. tions with Israel, a close U.S. ally. A bot- Last week, the Wall Street Journal said the


ched Turkish military airstrike in attack, which struck a group of smugglers

MAY 23, 2012

Turkey says Syria is helping Kurdish rebels by allowing them to work from its territory Associated Press and military members of the Syrian week after three Turkish military offi- opposition. cers were killed in fighting with sus- NKARA, Turkey – Syria is allo- Kurdish rebels have long used bases pected rebels in the mountainous wing Kurdish rebels who are figh- in northern Iraq to launch attacks in region of Amanos near the Syrian bor- Ating Turkish forces to establish bases in Turkey, but Syria had stopped allowing der. It was the first such clash reported Syrian territory, as ties between the two that. there in several years. neighboring countries deteriorate, a "Terrorist groupings that were not Syria is believed to have stopped Turkish minister said Wednesday. there a year ago have been spotted," harboring Kurdish rebels in 1998, when Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin Sahin told private NTV television. Turkey threatened military action. Ties said Turkish intelligence indicates that "Syria is turning a blind eye to terrorist between the two countries also impro- Syria is allowing rebels to establish groupings in areas close to the border ved after Turkish Prime Minister Recep themselves in areas close to the Turkish to put Turkey in difficulty and perhaps Tayyip came to power in 2003, and border. Some Kurdistan Workers' Party as a way to take revenge on Turkey." Damascus was cooperating with rebels have even taken charge of run- The Kurdistan Workers' Party, Turkey in its fight against the Kurdish ning small Syrian towns, Sahin clai- which has been fighting for autonomy rebels until ties soured over Syria's med, describing the development as an in southeast Turkey for decades, has bloody crackdown on civilians. apparent act of revenge against Turkey. been condemned as a terrorist group by The Kurdistan Workers' Party rebels Turkey has reacted to the popular Turkey, the European Union and the took up arms in Turkey in 1984, and uprising in Syria by urging its leader, United States. tens of thousands of people have died I Bashar Assad, to step down, by accep- Turkish officials have accused Syria in the conflict . ting some 23,000 Syrian refugees in of reviving its ties with the Kurdish Turkey, and by playing host to civilian rebels, and Sahin's statement came a

56 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti May 22, 2012 Syria: An Alternative Choice Obama administration officials are push- BY JOSEPH PUDER ing the Kurdish groups to join to Syrian frontpagemag.com National Council. Only one group has complied thus far. n the midst of the current revolu- tionary chaos in Syria, there is a And how does Sherkoh Abbas see the clear voice of reason that seeks to revolution in Syria ending? “The Muslim createI a free Syria that is democratic, Brotherhood, with the support of Western-oriented and federal in struc- President Obama and Turkey, will not ture. That voice belongs to Sherkoh succeed in controlling all of Syria. The Alawis and Hezbollah backed by Iran, Abbas, President of the Kurdistan “The Kurdish people, in all parts of and Russia and China, will not give up National Assembly of Syria, and his allies Kurdistan, seek the right to form an inde- power easily.” Sherkoh Abbas asserted in the Syrian Democratic Coalition. pendent Kurdish state. We can only that the Alawis have been working to achieve this cherished goal with the help establish an Alawi mini-state in the west- Secretary of State Hilary Clinton met of the western democracies, and first and late last year with members of the Syrian foremost the U.S.” National Council; these members in exile are considered to be the opposition lead- Unlike the Palestinian Arabs who squan- ers by the Obama administration. dered numerous opportunities to assert Unfortunately, most of them were found their self-determination as a “people,” to be associated with the Muslim (in 1938, the Arabs of Palestine rejected Brotherhood. Sherkoh Abbas and Dr. the Peel Commission plan for the division Zuhdi Jasser, formidable leaders of the of Palestine into a larger Palestinian Syrian democratic and secular opposi- state and a much smaller Jewish state. In tion, were snubbed by Clinton. 1947, they rejected the UN Partition Plan, and they have made a mockery of Sherkoh Abbas was compelled to leave the 1993 Oslo Accords). The Kurds, a his native Qamishli, Syria back in the truly distinct people, with their own lan- Dr Sherkoh Abbas, a veteran Kurdish 1980s because he criticized the Hafez guage and culture, have been cheated out politician and the President of the Assad regime. Abbas subsequently came of an autonomous and independent Kurdistan National Assembly of Syria. to the US as a student and received Kurdistan promised to them by the victo- ern region of coastal Syria for quite some advanced degrees in Technology, rious allies (Britain and France) in the long time. That area, he pointed out, is Engineering, and Business. Treaty of Sevres (August 10, 1920). The where the regime has stored most of its 1923 Treaty of Lausanne replaced the assets and where weapons from Russia As Abbas sees it, the current situation Treaty of Sevres, as the new nationalist are shipped. can only lead to a civil war between the Turkey under Kamal Ataturk re-con- regular Syrian army, which represents quered Anatolia and the land that was to Erdogan’s Turkey, Abbas maintains, will the Alawis and their associates, and the have been the Kurdish state. Free Syrian Army composed of Sunni- use the Free Syrian army, currently based in Turkish territory, to control the Arab officers and soldiers. The Kurds, he If an independent Kurdish state is unat- Kurdish region. The Christians in Syria, maintains, are caught between these tainable at this juncture, Abbas would be numbering more than 10% of the popula- warring armies without an army of their satisfied with a “democratic and federal tion, have been largely co-opted by the own. He fears that the Kurds will be the system in Syria” in which the Kurdish Assad regime, as well as the Druze reli- principle victims of the unleashed vio- people would have the right to create gious community in southern Syria, who lence, since the Kurds are also the largest their own institutions, and disseminate account for 2% of the population. The minority. According to Abbas, “The free their cultural heritage – which has been Muslim Brotherhood does not trust world has a moral obligation to protect forbidden and outlawed by the either of these groups because they have, the Kurds of Syria not only because we “Arabizing” Assad dictatorships. The for the most part, refrained from joining have been victimized and have been Kurds reject the legitimacy of the Assad the revolution in opposition to the Assad throughout the 20th Century, but regime and, parenthetically, the regime. because we are natural allies of the West, Ba’athist influence on the political life of sharing such values as tolerance and Syria in general and Kurds in particular. acceptance of minorities, and belief in an The New York Times reported on March 8, 2012 that scores of (Syrian) Kurds open and free democracy.” The democratic opposition group that have begun fleeing into Iraqi Kurdistan Sherkoh Abbas and Dr. Zuhdi Jasser rep- in an attempt to escape the Assad regime Asked to opine on what he would like to resent has been sidelined by the Obama security forces, and the violence around see in the near future for his Kurdish administration, which has made its them. The Kurds are the largest ethnic people: an autonomous region in Syria; choice for Syria by supporting the Syrian minority in Syria, “that could potentially joining the Kurdistan Regional National Council led by Burhan Ghalioun, shift themomentum” against the Assad Government in Iraq – which borders the who is backed by the Muslim regime. According to the Times, “The Kurdish region in Syria; or perhaps an Brotherhood and the Islamist govern- Kurds have long complained of III even larger Kurdish state, Abbas said, ment of Turkey. According to Abbas

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

III repression and discrimination by within Turkey against Erdogan’s Turkish the Assad regime,” but have failed to government. Sherkoh Abbas concluded by restating unify and have declined to join the his conviction that for Syria, only a dem- Muslim Brotherhood, Sunni dominated What should be the role of the United ocratic federal system supported by the opposition. The concern of the Kurds States in an emerging Syrian civil war? U.S. and the West, could bring peace and and shared by Abbas, is that the post- Sherkoh Abbas believes that the U.S. tranquility to its people and to its neigh- Assad government led by the Muslim must “find a radical solution for the bors. A Syrian federal state will guaran- Brotherhood dominated opposition, immediate removal of the Assad regime, tee full representation and justice for all “may not be better – and may perhaps be and, if necessary, use force to do so.” He ethnic and religious groups in Syria. A even worse.” argues that a civil war in Syria would federal state would also lead to economic adversely impact the entire region. prosperity and growth for all Syrians, The conflict within Syria has had wider Sherkoh considers active U.S. involve- and most of all would ensure individual ramifications, involving two regional ment as essential in preventing “the cre- freedom for all citizens. Moreover, since powers: Iran and Turkey. These two pow- ation of a hostile regime” in Syria. The the Assad dictatorship requires an out- ers are currently clashing through their U.S., he added, has a moral responsibility side enemy (Israel) to stay in power, a military proxies. Should Sunni (Muslim) to insure freedom and democracy for all Syrian democratic system will benefit Turkey actively intervene in Syria, Shiite Syrians. The alternative, Abbas said, is Alawites, Christians, Druze and Kurds. (Muslim) Iran will enter the war openly the frightening prospect of “an Arab It is for these reasons that eventually on the side of the Assad regime and nationalist or Islamist regime that would Kurds and others will join the revolution unleash the Kurdish PKK and the Alawis lead to more violence and civil war.” in full force to affect a regime change.N

May / 30 / 2012

Euro speaker links Kurdish autonomy to EU accession with a high degree of autonomy while ISTANBUL [maintaining] the … territorial integrity Hürriyet Daily News of the country. That is my humble Erdem Güneş advice,” Martin Schulz, European Parliament president, said yesterday in he president of the European Istanbul. Schulz was speaking at a cere- Schulz recommends the creation of a Parliament has linked the resolution mony at Bilgi University at which he Kurdish autonomous region in Turkey. Tof Turkey’s Kurdish issue to its eventual was awarded an honorary doctorate. AFP photo accession to membership in the of minorities in its member countries. European Union. Kurdish problem is Turkey’s domestic issue Schulz said he was confronted with the “My advice is given in the framework Kurdish problem when he was a social- Turkey’s of pre-EU accession strategy: The Kurdish problem is a domestic ist mayor in Germany. “In the early 80s I We must try to convince both sides that problem for Turkey, Schulz said, but had a lot of refugees in my city coming it is possible [to create something] added that the European Union is con- from Kurdistan, and I was immediately between a sovereign state and [a region] cerned about the rights and recognition confronted with the problems that I had in my city, where among the citizens of Turkish origin, half considered them- Bağış rejects ‘reform fatigue’ selves Kurds and the other half Turks. This was my reality. And the first part of ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News my answer to you is that there is a Kurdish problem.” Schulz also men- EU Minister Egemen Bağış yesterday rejected criticism from European Parliament tioned the success of northern Iraq’s Speaker Martin Schulz that Ankara has been hit by “reform fatigue,” arguing that Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). the European Union itself is worn down. “There is no fatigue in Turkey concern- “You know that the northern part of Iraq ing reforms. Turkey has not stopped working despite the fact that new chapters has an autonomous Kurdish govern- are not being opened in the membership negotiations,” Bağış said, speaking at a ment. Mr. [Masoud] Barzani [president seminar on preventing fraud in EU-funded projects. In an interview with of the KRG] is a regional leader, being of Germany’s Der Tagesspiegel newspaper this week, Schulz had said that Ankara Kurdish origin, and considers himself a was suffering from “reform fatigue,” while the EU was hit by “enlargement Kurdish leader. This is not a problem … fatigue.” Bağış said that the country was seeking to make contributions to Europe for Turkey, and it is not a problem for us under the motto “Hang on, Europe! Turkey will come to help you.” G or for Iraq.”

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

HcralSferibimc Wednesday, may 23, 2012 Iranians taking solace in the past

tion by the Islamic leadership, and en¬ much of the blame for their economic Iran's youth Camélia Entekhabifard dured an eight-year war with Iraq that distress on the government in Tehran. and their shattered the Iranian economy and Every day, at the end of her Islamic elders are damaged the national psyche. prayers, a friend's mother a 67-year I was six years old at the time of the old resident of north Tehran prays praying for Last fall, while reporting on the U.N. Iranian revolution and have some for President Obama's good health and General Assembly, I had the chance to progress at memories of what life was like before re-election. For her, as for many Irani¬ meet a number of Iranian journalists the nuclear the Iranian monarchy was abolished. ans, the U.S. president represents the accompanying President Mahmoud My brother, born three years after the final barrier between Iran and a poten¬ talks in Ahmadinejad on his trip to New York. revolution, is part of a generation of Ira¬ tial Israeli attack. At the time, these young Iranian Baghdad. nians who have experienced nothing A year and a half since the break¬ writers told me they were excited about but war, economic malaise and the down of talks over Iran's contested nu¬ the revolution in Egypt and the possi¬ threat of renewed conflict. clear program and the imposition of bility of normalized relations between Now Iranians are suffering once devastating economic sanctions, Iran again as the world debates their govern¬ has returned to the negotiating table. ment's nuclear ambitions. The possibil¬ After the first round of nuclear talks in ity of a military attack against Iran's nu¬ Istanbul last month ended on a positive clear installations has left ordinary note, Iranians are hopeful that Wednes¬ Iranians already struggling to deal day's discussions between the P5-plus- with the impact.of heavy economic 1 countries (the five permanent mem¬ sanctions terrified of a new threat of bers of the Security Council plus Ger¬ war. It is this economic misery and con¬ many) and Iran in Baghdad will pave stant fear that has left so many Iranians, the way for further progress. For them, including those born after the departure the outcome of the nuclear talks is more C^ of the shah, so nostalgic for the past. important than ever. The first, second and now third gen¬ If talks go well and P5-plus-l negotia¬ erations of young Iranians born after tors agree to perhaps lift sanctions

1979 have no memory of the country's against the Iranian Central Bank in ex¬

pre-revolutionary era. All they hear are change for Iran's suspension of higher stories from parents or family friends grade uranium enrichment, then ordin¬

describing how ' 'during the time of the ary Iranians can breath a little easier. % shah" Iranians could travel anywhere A favorable outcome will certainly t they wanted and never had to line up boost Obama's strong popularity on the for hours outside foreign embassies to streets of Iran. But if negotiations over "* « beg for visas, like so many young Iran's nuclear program break down

people do today. These young Iranians and the European Union follows

roughly 70 percent of the population through with an oil embargo set to start : now listen with pride as their elders in July, life for the post-revolutionary talk of the country's once-strong na¬ generations of Iranians will become tional currency and regional prowess. even more miserable.

And so, more than 30 years after his In the meantime, the Iranian people -à. death, the shah's strong nationalistic will continue to find solace in remem¬ sensibility has made him more popular bering their country's pre-revolution¬ than ever. The post-revolution genera¬ ary past. All they can do is keep pray¬

tions have only heard their country re¬ ing for a better future, and hope that ferred to as part of an "axis of evil" after 33 years of revolution, they may fi¬

that supports terrorists and deserves to nally be able to sleep in peace, without be bombarded. They have come to fear. idealize Iran's era of monarchy, associ¬ Cairo and Tehran, they were eager to ating the shah and his wife with social CAMELIA ENTEKHABIFARD, the author of hear about my travels in Egypt; a coun¬ freedom, economic stability and region¬ "Camélia: Save Yourselfby Telling the try they had never seen, and were espe¬ al power. Truth a Memoir ofIran," is ajournalist cially interested in learning about the Today, life in the Islamic Republic is reporting on Iranian and Afghan affairs. tomb of Iran's last monarch in Cairo. more difficult than it has been since the To my surprise, my revelation to eight-year war with Iraq. International

them that Shah Mohammed Reza Pah- economic sanctions,- the harshest since lavi's tomb inside a mosque is quite the 1979 revolution, have squeezed the humble was greeted with sighs of sad¬ struggling middle class even further. ness. "May he rest in peace," one Ordinary Iranians live in constant fear young journalist told me. "We enjoyed that Israel one of Tehran's strongest such respect during his reign. Now the political allies before 1979 may soon world treats us like thieves ! '' decide to bomb them. So many of the Since Iran's 1979 revolution and the country's best and brightest students establishment of the Islamic Republic, have left Iran to study abroad, and are the Iranian public has lived in a state of certainly not willing to come back. perpetual stress. Besides the violence Yet talk to any ordinary Iranian, and of the post-revolutionary era, Iranians you will find the vast majority still ad¬ witnessed the humiliating hostage mire President Barack Obama. In spite crisis with the United States, suffered a of the Obama administration's tough fi¬ systematic purge of the political opposi nancial sanctions, the public places

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

LE FIGARO Sdc^eto^orkSitne? 25MA12012

. Un rebelle syrien dans une zone de combat. Les Syriens ne

pourront pas se libérer du régime d'el-Assad sans aide extérieure.

DECRYPTAGE/NAD1M SHEHAD1

Syrie : appliquer les leçons de l'Irak

London arabes et finançant ses lobbyistes en souffrir deux générations entières Il va sans dire que l'expérience de Occident. La dévaluation de la mon¬ d'Irakiens. la guerre en Irakne doit pas être répé¬ naie a paupérisé la classe moyenne, Garder une dictature au pouvoir tée. Cette conviction est lé moteur de et lès plus chanceux ont émigré. se paye, et la renverser aussi. Même lapolitique vis-à-vis de la Syrie, mais Pendant la guerre du Golfe en 1991, s'il y avait moins de victimes avant l'Occident n'a pas retenu de l'exem-, les arguments contre une entrée dans 2003 qu'après, ces tueries ont profon¬ pie irakien les leçons qu'il fallait. Bagdad et contré la déposition de Sad¬ dément marqué la population. L'Irak L'intervention militaire américaine dam Hussein après la libération du après 2003 devait non seulement se de 2003, le chaos et les vagues de Koweït étaient similaires à ceux qui remettre d'une invasion, mais aussi meurtres motivés par le sectarisme sont utilisés aujourd'hui pour ne pas de 24 ans passés sous le joug d'un qui ont suivi, hantent l'Occident. Ils intervenir en Syrie. C'est la peur des régime brutal et dictatorial. Ne rien . le rendent hésitant, et des dommages conséquences de sa chute qui a main¬ faire pour la Syrie aura ides consé¬ irréparables sont infligés àla société tenu Saddam Hussein au pouvoir, les quences similaires. syrienne. Occidentaux espérant en secret qu'il Sans le soutien international, les Le monde entier regarde sans rien soit assassiné ou renversé de l'inté¬ Syriens ne parviendront pas à se libé¬ faire la violente répression du soulè¬ rieur grâce à un coup d'État militaire. rer du régime d'el-Àssad. Il ne recu¬ vement, qui augmente les tensions Les Irakiens ont été encouragés à se lera devant rien pour rester au pou¬ sectaires et le radicalisme, tandis soulever contre le régime. Quand ils voir. N'oublions pas que la Syrie, avec que les sanctions affaiblissent l'éco¬ l'ont fait, croyant avoir le soutien dès l'Iran et d'autres pays de la région, a nomie et la classe moyenne. Plus cela États-Unis, l'Amérique a détourné contribué au chaos irakien après 2003 dure, plus la société syrienne risque le regard pendant que des dizaines en soutenant l'insurrection. Elle a de voir se réaliser laprophétie dupré¬ de milliers de chiites et les Kurdes également facilité l'infiltration de sident Bachar el-Assad : la chute de étaient massacrés. Ceci a aggravé terroristes de la mouvance d'al-Qai¬ son régime serait dix fois "pire que les tensions ethniques et sectaires, et da. Mais après Bachar el-Assad, la l'Afghanistan". l'extrémisme. Syrie ne sera pas confrontée aux mê¬ Il y a une autre leçon à tirer de la Une transition vers, la démocra¬ mes défis régionaux. La culture poli¬ politique vis-à-vis de l'Irak avant tie en Irak aurait été beaucoup plus tique a radicalement changé depuis 2003, cette période de relations sui¬ aisée en 1991, même si le pays sortait l'époque où Saddam Hussein, Hosni vies avec Saddam Hussein : allié de ' de deux guerres. Les politiques pré¬ Moubarak, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, l'Occident il a combattu l'Iran et a été cédentes envers Bagdad comprenai¬ AliAbdallah Saleh, Mouammar Kad¬ maintenu au pouvoir, mênie après ent l'établissement de relations avec hafi et autres despotes prospéraient avoir envahi Koweït, par crainte de lerégime et un soutien dans le conflit grâce à l'extorsion et au chantage. ce qu'entraînerait sa chute. Iran-Irak. Quand il était un allié de Aucun de ces régimes n'avait intérêt De 1991 à 2003, l'Occident a permis l'Occident, Saddam Hussein a été à une réforme de l'Irak. Le président au parti Baas de Saddam Hussein de autorisé à gazer et à massacrer Kur¬ syrien lui-même s'était vanté que son renvoyer la société irakienne à l'âge des et autres minorités. Les cauche¬ pays était indispensable à la stabilité de pierre, et sa politique d'endigue- mars de la campagne d'Anfal contre de la région, car il pouvait aider à ré¬ ment a contribué au processus. Les les Kurdes, et Halabja - où plus de soudre les problèmes qu'il avait créés sanctions ont touché le peuple et ren¬ 5 000 Kurdes sont morts dans une lors des conflits irakiens, libanais et forcé le régime. Grâce au programme attaque au gaz - hantent le monde palestiniens. pétrole contre nourriture, le tyran a entier et participent de l'héritage Pendant ce temps l'illusion demeu¬ prospéré, distribuant des coupons de auquel l'Irak doit faire face. Le ré¬ re que les négociations avec Damas pétrole à ses partisans dans les pays gime a survécu toutes ces années en conduiront à une transition pacifique massacrant la population, en affai¬ et que le régime coopérera. Or celui- Nadim Shehadi est chercheur à blissant ses institutions et en rédui¬ ci va continuer ses manipulations et Chatham House, l'Institut royaldes sant la société civile à une coquille tenter de gagner du temps, dans l'es¬ affaires internationales à Londres. vide. Àpartir de 1980, les relations de poir que le vent tournera à nouveau Envoyez vos commentaires à : l'Occident avec Saddam Hussein et le en sa faveur et qu'il parviendra à ré¬ [email protected]. soutien qui lui a été apporté ont fait primer la révolte.

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

jjjf31Î0fldC Mercredi 23 mai 2012 Nucléaire : les grandes puissances veulent relancer les négociations avec l'Iran

L'objectif est double. Franchir l'année 2012 ,sans qu'Israël;

au-delà des débats politico- militaires qui agitent l'Etat juif, opte pour des frappes militaires contre des sites iraniens. Eviter aussi que les tensions dans le Gol¬ fe provoquent une flambée des prix du pétrole, scénario cauche¬ mardesque pourune Europefinan¬ cièrement mal en point, ainsi que pour le président américain, m -«* Barack Obama, qui veut se faire réélire en novembre. L'Iran, quant à lui, se montre¬ rait plus désireux déparier de son programme nucléaire parce qu'il sent douloureusement l'effet de sanctions, dont les volets pétrolier "& et financier sont en paisse de s'in¬ j~.- tensifier; le 1"juillet, avec l'entrée en vigueur de l'embargo pétrolier décidé par l'Union européenne (UE). Le pétrole iranien se vend mal, y compris en Asie, l'inflation grimpe, le rial a chuté... Ces éléments forment là toile de l'AIIA.YukiyaAmano en iranien sur fond des discussions qui doivent le dossier du nucléaire, lors de sa visite surprise en Iran, lundi 21 mai. adel pazzyar/ap s'Ouvrir à Bagdad, mercredi 23 mai, sur le contentieux nucléaire. Le Cette stratégie pourrait aussi pos de son . stock d'uranium américain. Le régime iranien vou¬ choix du lieu est lourd de symbole, poser les jalons d'un ambitieux enrichi à 20 %, qui atteint 140 kilo¬ dra, pour faire passer la pilule en six mois aprèslé retirait militaire aggiomamentodiplomatique : l'es¬ grammes alors qu'il faut environ interne, se prévaloir, de conces¬ américain.>dé'4'lrak: Les . Occiden¬ poird'unvaste marchandage entre 250 kg pour fabriquer, dans des sions arrachées aux Occidentaux. taux ont accède à'çéttè deinahdé l'Iran etles EtatsrUnis si l'adminis-, délais brefsj là matière fissile d'un Mais la levée de sanctions n'est de l'Iran, èh se disant que lai suite tration Obama remporte un engin nucléaire. L'évacuation de pas, à ce stade,àl'ordre du jour. Les des pourparlers'pourrait sedérou- second mandat. Après l'accord ce stock vers l'étranger priverait Six envisagent plutôt des gestes ler en terrain neutre, à Genève. intermédiaire, un virage historié Téhéran de l'option d'une fuite en symboliques : offre Autourde latâbîe; on retrouve¬ que . à portée de main ? Les avant versla bombe. pour la «sécurité» de la centrale ra les .mêmes qu'à.Istanbul, où lé « faucons' » et autres tenants d'un Troisième élément : l'Iran doit électronucléaireiranienne de Bou- processus dé dialogue avait repris, froid réalisme observent surtout donner dès gages de coopération chehr, apparemment située en à la mi-à\torp'un côté, le négocia¬ que, si cet échafaudage théorique avec l'Agence internationale de zone sismique. Tout au plus pour¬ teur ifàrrienSàïd Jàlili, représen¬ s'.èffondre)le.rècoùrs àloptionmili- l'énergie atomique (AIEA), le bras raient-ils s'engager à ne pas accroî- : tant spécial du Guidé Ali Khame¬ tairen'en sera que plus légitime. tre les sanctions si l'Iran faisait, de nei. De l'autre, les émissaires des Mais dans l'immédiat, on est Téhéranvoudra, son côté, des gestes concrets sur Six {Etats-Unis, Royaume-Uni, dans la gestion de crise. L'urgence les sujets litigieux. France, Russie, Chine et Allema¬ dicte les demandes qui pourraient pourfaire passer Une astuce possible est évo¬ gne) qui, avec leur coordonnatrice, être faites à l'Iran. Celles-ci sont de la pilule en interne, quée : sans revenir sur l'embargo la représentante européenne, trois ordres, selon des sources pro¬ pétrolier, l'UE pourrait, à la deman¬

Catherine Ashtôn, sont convenus ches du dossier. D'abord, cesser la se prévaloir de de du Royaume-Uni; reporter de d'une stratégie «étape par étape», production d'uranium enrichi à concessions arrachées six mois des mesures visant les . basée sur la « réciprocité». , 20%, proche des niveaux des pro¬ contrats d'assurances pour les aux Occidentaux Ce qui se joue à Bagdad, c'est un grammes militaires. Elle se dérou¬ exportations de brut iranien. Les premierpas vers la délicate élabora¬ le pour l'essentiel sur le site de For- Iraniensobtiendraientainsiun allé¬ tion d'un accord intermédiaire dow,.creusé dans une montagne à de vérification de l'ONU. La visite gementde sanctions maquillé, côté entre!Iranfet les Six. Un accord qui, l'abri de tout bombardement. L'in¬ surprise en Iran, lundi 21 mai, du européen,ensimple priseen comp¬ à défaut de résoudre le fond du . vulnérabilité de ce site alimente la directeur de l'AIEA, Yukiya Ama- te des intérêts de la City de Lon¬ contentieux nucléaire, demeuré nervosité israélienne, qui y voit no, avait valeur de test, sans résul¬ dres... M. Obama, pour sa part, ne inextricable depuis bientôt dix une «zone d'immunité» dont tat immédiat, mais donnant l'im¬ peut se permettre aucun geste sur ans, réussirait à faire baisser la ten¬ l'Iran ne dojt à aucun prix bénéfi¬ pression d'un dialogue relancé. ce point, en raison du poids du sion. La recette^ tin paquet de cier. On ne sait si, comme lé récla¬ Optimisme ? La questioncentra¬ Congrès, qui a joué un rôle central « mesures pour étapîir la confian¬ me Israël, le démantèlement de le demeure la capacité du système dans le vote d'une législationextra¬ ce ». L'espoirest d'y parvenir à l'été, Fordow sera exigé. au pouvoir à Téhéran de faire le territorialefrappant la Banque cen¬ après une série de rencontres, Deuxième demande des Six: choixd'une négociationapprofon¬ trale iranienne.»

notamment entré « experts ». l'Iran devrait faire un geste à pro die avec, en face, le « Grand Satan » NatalieNougayride

61 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 25 mai 2012 Turquie: 2 morts, 16 blessés dans une attaque suicide contre un commissariat ne attaque suicide contre un com- le véhicule, il y avait deux kamikazes. Ils missariat de Kayseri, dans le centre sont maintenant en morceaux, tout Ude la Turquie, a tué vendredi deux poli- comme la voiture", a-t-il déclaré, selon ciers et blessé 16 autres personnes, a rap- Anatolie. porté l'agence de presse Anatolie citant M. Sahin a expliqué que le véhicule des sources officielles qui ont imputé utilisé pour l'attentat avait échappé plus l'attentat aux rebelles kurdes. tôt dans la matinée à un contrôle effectué Les assaillants ont tout d'abord par la gendarmerie à Kahramanmaras approché du commissariat à bord de leur (sud) et a estimé que le commissariat véhicule en le mitraillant puis l'un d'eux n'était sans doute pas l'objectif initial des a déclenché des explosifs qu'il portait sur assaillants, mais plutôt une cible choisie en dernière minute. lui, ont rapporté plusieurs chaînes de Turquie. Il a imputé l'attentat aux rebelles télévision, évoquant d'après témoins Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du trois personnes à bord de la voiture. de 45.000 morts, selon l'armée, depuis Kurdistan (PKK). Un policiers est mort sur le coup et son déclenchement, en 1984, par le PKK "Nous constatons que l'organisation un autre a succombé à ses blessures peu dans le sud-est du pays, peuplé en majo- terroriste continue ses actions insensées, après, a indiqué le ministre de l'Intérieur rité de kurdes. Le PKK est considéré qu'elle ne s'est pas arrêtée", a-t-il dit, uti- Idris Naim Sahin, cité par Anatolie. comme une organisation terroriste par la lisant le vocable habituel de I Seize civils, dont plusieurs enfants, Turquie et de nombreux autres pays. qui se trouvaient a proximité ont égale- l'administration turque pour désigner le ment été blessés, a-t-il ajouté. PKK. Le ministre a mentionné deux assail- En mars, l'explosion d'une bombe au lants, qui auraient tous deux péri dans passage d'un car de police a fait 16 bles- l'attaque. sés dont 15 policiers à Istanbul, mais les "Pour autant qu'on puisse voir dans attaques suicides sont plutôt rares en

Turquie: trois rebelles kurdes tués dans des combats

ISTANBUL, 23 mai 2012 (AFP) gneuse de Tunceli, a affirmé Anatolie, citant un communiqué du gouverno- rat de Tunceli. Trois rebelles ont péri dans les combats survenus après que le groupe a TROIS REBELLEs kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan refusé de se rendre, selon l'agence. (PKK) ont été tués mardi soir lors de combats avec les forces de sécurité dans l'est de la Turquie, a rapporté mercredi l'agence de Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de 45.000 morts, selon l'armée, presse Anatolie. depuis son déclenchement, en 1984, par le PKK dans le sud-est du pays. Le PKK est considéré comme une organisation terroriste par la Turquie et Les forces de sécurité sont entrées en contact avec un groupe de rebelles de nombreux autres pays. H vers 19H00 (16H00GMT) mardi alors qu'elles effectuaient une opération de ratissage dans une zone rurale proche d'Ovacik, dans la province monta-

Vendredi 25 mai 2012 Pilonnage de localités syriennes kurdes EYROUTH, (AFP) — Des Kansebba, dans cette même parmi les habitants. de nettoyer la zone en vue de hélicoptères de l'armée zone. "Auparavant, les hélicop- permettre aux transports de Bsyrienne ont bombardé ven- "C'est la première fois que tères survolaient la zone. troupes de lancer un assaut dredi pour la première fois des cette zone, désignée sous le Aujourd'hui, c'est l'opération terrestre et déloger les localités kurdes hostiles au nom de la montagne des la plus violente" contre les vil- rebelles", ajoute-t-il. régime de Bachar al-Assad près Kurdes, est la cible de bombar- lages de Kansebba, Kabbané, Au moins 28 personnes, en de la frontière avec la Turquie, dements aériens. Il s'agit d'une Marj al-Zawiya, Doueirké et majorité des civils, ont été tués faisant de nombreux blessés, zone montagneuse très escar- Eido, qui se situent entre 6 et au total vendredi dans des vio- rapporte l'Observatoire syrien pée où les chars n'accèdent pas 25 km de la frontière turque lences à travers la Syrie alors des droits de l'Homme (OSDH). facilement", a indiqué à l'AFP précisé M. Abdel Rahmane. que la trêve entrée en vigueur Au moins quatre policiers le président de l'OSDH, Rami "Avec leurs mitrailleuses il y a plus d'un mois est quoti-
ont été tués par ailleurs dans Abdel Rahmane, qui fait état lourdes, les hélicoptères visent diennement violée. des combats avec des rebelles à d'une vingtaine de blessés des cibles précises pour tenter

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

LE FIGARO vendredi 25 mai 2012

Syrie : Ghalioun

renonce t à diriger l'opposition

Proche de Paris, le sociologue

jette l'éponge face aux islamistes.

option vivement soutenue par ses ri¬ GEORGES MALBRUNOT vaux intégristes. «Au CNS, la lutte pour le pouvoir est telle qu'une fois au V i MOYEN-ORIENT Maintes fois annoncée moins, les Frères musulmans ont fait \ au cours des derniers mois, la démis¬ échouer un convoi d'armes qui devait <\ sion de l'universitaire syrien, naturalisé parvenir clandestinement par la mer français, Burhan Ghalioun! 67 ans, a fi¬ aux combattants laïcs », confie un an¬ nalement été officialisée tard mercredi cien proche de Ghalioun au Conseil. par le Conseil national syrien (CNS), la Ses détracteurs lui reprochaient éga¬ principale organisation de l'opposition lement son manque de coordination ,à Bachar el-Assad que cet enseignant à avec les insurgés sur place en Syrie, et la Sorbonne présidait depuis sa création notamment les Comités de coordina¬

en août 2011. tion, qui ont fini par se désolidariser de Un successeur devrait lui être désigné la direction du CNS, accusée de ne pas lors d'une réunion du secrétariat géné¬ en faire assez pour les aider. ral du CNS, prévue les 11 et 12 juin en Burhan Ghalioun s'adresse Turquie, l'un des principaux parrains Chantage islamiste à la pressé, le 15 mal à Paris, lors

dû Conseil aux côtés de la France, du «J'en ai le vertige», confiait récem¬ d'un rassemblement, un an après le début de la révolution syrienne. Qatar et de l'Arabie Saoudite. Au fil des ment. Burhan Ghalioun à un vieil ami, BENJAMIN GIRETTE/IP3 PRESS/MAXPPP diplomate arabe en poste à Paris. « Je ne sais plus qui dirige le Conseil », ajoutait, Ghalioun était devenu un brin amer, le sociologue, qui venait qui n'est pas parvenu à se faire recon¬ otage des différents pourtant d'être réélu à la tête du CNS naître par la communauté internatio¬ groupes qui composent pour un troisième mandat de trois mois nale, et est toujours incapable de rassu¬ « En février et en mai; les Français ont rer les minorités à l'intérieur de la le Conseil national syrien insisté pour le prolonger à la tête du Syrie, notamment les chrétiens et les

CNS », affirme un opposant en exil à : alaouites qui soutiennent encore le mois, Ghalioun était devenu otage des Londres, au fait des arcanes du Conseil. pouvoir de Bachar el-Assad. « Le CNS, différents groupes, qui composent le «En mai, ajoute til, les Américains et c'est une plaisanterie », déplore un res¬ CNS, en premier lieu des tout-puissants les Turcs étaient moins chauds, mais ils ponsable d'un centre de recherches du Frères musulmans, qui l'avaient pro¬ ontfinalement laisséfaire. À chaquefois, Golfe, proche de l'opposition syrienne pulsé à la tête du Conseil, à son insu l'an en revanche, les Frères musulmans invo¬ « Mais que peut-on faire ? Pas grand-

dernier. Pour mieux le manipuler, esti¬ quaient les statuts du CNS pour le rem¬ chose. Nous ne pouvons pas le dissoudre maient ses détracteurs qui se sont tou¬ placer: Avant d'accepter finalement le car c'est nous qui l'avons créé et il fau¬ jours étonnés de voir un laïque comme maintien de Ghalioun, mais à la condition drait en reconstituer un autre, ce qui lui s'allier avec les islamistes, ses enne¬ de renforcer leurs pouvoirs sur les ins¬ donnerait un avantage au pouvoir sy¬ mis de toujours. tances du CNS ». rien », concède cet expert. Face à une répression du régime Le départ de Ghalioun' est une mau¬ Georges Sabra, un chrétien qui quitta toujours plus sanglante,. Ghalioun ne vaise nouvelle pour Paris, qui misait sur la Syrie l'an dernier pourrait lui succé¬ craignait pourtant pas de manifester lui pour avancer ses pions dans la Syrie der à ia tête du CNS, à condition qu'il publiquement ses réserves sur la mili¬ de demain. Cette démission intervient reçoive lui aussi la bénédiction des tarisation de l'opposition syrienne, dans un contexte délicat pour le CNS, Frères musulmans.

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Car bomb in central Turkey kills 3, wounds 18 heard a huge blast even though our office is 2 km away from the ISTANBUL - May 25, 2012 (Reuters) -By Ece Toksabay police station. We saw a big cloud of smoke rising but we don't know about the number of dead or injured." TWO MILITANTS set off a bomb inside their car by a police head- "We heard that it was a car which attempted to drive into the police quarters in the central Turkish province of Kayseri on Friday, kil- station and then an explosion occurred," Hasan Gumus told Reuters ling themselves and one policeman and wounding 18 others, by telephone minutes after the explosion. Turkey's interior minister said. Television footage showed frantic scenes around the police station Kurdish separatists, Islamist militants - including al Qaeda - as well with fire engines and ambulances rushing to the scene. as groups on the far left and right have all carried out bomb attacks in Turkey, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility for There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Bomb attacks in Friday's blast. Kayseri are almost unheard of with most raids occurring further east in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast, although militants Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin said security forces had have carried out isolated attacks in Ankara and western cities. followed the car from Goksun district in Kahramanmaras province to Pinarbasi - about 100 km (60 miles) -after it passed a checkpoint in the PKK guerillas vowed to step up their fight against the Turkish state road without stopping. last year and have launched a series of attacks against Turkish secu- rity forces, killing scores of people. Police opened fire as it passed the police headquarters in the town of Pinarbasi and the bomb went off, Sahin said. Pinarbasi lies east of the Speaking hours after the blast, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan city of Kayseri, which is about 325 km (200 miles) southeast of the vowed to continue fighting the PKK. capital Ankara. "The fight against the separatist terror organization will continue It was not immediately clear why police did not stop the car sooner, with determination, as it has until now. I wish health to those who are and Sahin said investigators did not think, as yet, that the target was wounded, and God's mercy for our martyrs," he told reporters in the police station. Ankara. "From what can be seen inside the vehicle, there are two suicide bom- More than 40,000 people have been killed in the PKK insurgency ber militants inside. They are of course in pieces and the car is des- since the group took up arms against the state in 1984. The PKK is lis- troyed. This is a sad event," Sahin told reporters from the Aegean city ted as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the of Izmir. European Union. "We were not expecting the terror organization to stop. We have seen Separately, 10 people, including one woman, were kidnapped by sus- how they continue to carry out crazy acts," Sahin said, using a com- pected PKK militants in southeastern Turkey this week, security mon term to describe the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), sources said on Friday. who are waging a war against the state. The sources did not know the whereabouts of the 10 villagers and Sahin said one policeman had been killed in the explosion and that 18 said they had been unable to contact them since Thursday evening. others had been wounded, eight of them seriously. Firat, a news agency with close links to the outlawed PKK, said the abductions had taken place on Tuesday. Turkish media earlier reported that the car had tried to drive into the police station moments before the blast and that security forces were The PKK has not claimed responsibility for the kidnappings but the hunting for a third militant who had managed to escape. incident comes only two weeks after an official from the ruling AK Party was abducted in the region. Turkish security forces say they "HUGE BLAST" have launched a large-scale search operation for the missing official. A civil servant at the Pinarbasi district governor's office, said: "We

TRT television said the soldier was killed in fighting in Sirnak province, Turkish soldier killed in clash which borders Iraq, on Sunday. The rebel group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, meanwhile, with Kurdish rebels; PKK claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack in central Turkey two days claims car bomb attack ago that killed a policeman and wounded 17 people. Firat News, an agency close to the PKK, said Saturday the May 25 bom- ANKARA, Turkey - May 27, 2012 - Associated Press bing was carried out in retaliation for a botched Turkish military airs- trike in December that was aimed at the rebels but killed 34 civilians STATE-RUN television says Kurdish rebels have killed a soldier in instead. a clash in southeast Turkey, prompting the military to launch a The PKK is fighting for autonomy in southeast Turkey. Tens of thou- large-scale offensive in the area. sands have died since it took up arms in 1984.

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An intense wrangle between Iraq's central government and Oil explorer WesternZagros the Kurdish region over export rights for Kurdish oil has kept many of the world's top players heads for Kurdish tie-up away from the region. Hatfield said WesternZagros, which has a By Peg Mackey / Reuters market capitalisation of $330 million, would push ahead with LONDON: WesternZagros development regardless. is about to join forces with "Either this gets resolved the aL large European oil company in way it should - the federal petro- Iraqi Kurdistan, the company's leum law gets passed and the chief executive said, enhancing Kurdish region gets open access the Canadian explorer's ability to to exports through the federal expand production and reserves system. Or the Kurds will go in the year ahead. alone with the support of Simon Hatfield, speaking to Turkey," he said. Reuters on Wednesday, said For now, the company has WesternZagros's giant Garmian Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of Kurdistan Regional had no issues with payment for block was part of a major Government, speaks during the first International Energy Arena its sales of Sarqala crude, which Kurdish oil play by the Erbil, in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil, on May 20, 2012. (AFP netted $12.9 million last year. European company, which he PHOTO/SAFIN HAMED) And a $25.9 million target for declined to identify. the first quarter of this year was Industry sources say the expects the deal to be finalised Hatfield. met. company is most likely Total . in the next month for Garmian, As a result, there's a high "We have had no issues mee- The French oil major has said it which potentially holds recove- price to pay for entry. ting the targets and no issues is considering possible invest- rable oil reserves of 1.7 billion Arbil is asking for a bonus of selling our oil on the domestic ment in the semi-autonomous barrels and is producing up to close to $100 million for market," said Hatfield. The com- region, after ExxonMobil signed 6,000 barrels per day (bpd) Garmian, plus a percentage - pany sells the light crude on up for six exploration blocks late from the Sarqala-1 well. believed to be around 20 percent monthly contracts and gets paid last year. Shares of Calgary-based - of the European company's in advance by the local refine- "Our Garmian block would WesternZagros were trading at profit oil allocation that will be ries. be the single biggest piece," 88 Canadian cents, down 3.3 dedicated to infrastructure "We monitor where our oil Hatfield said. "We're relying on percent. The stock has risen development. goes and it goes to local topping getting about $55 million in from 67 cents at the end of 2011. KURDISH PROMISE plant in Kurdistan where they back costs from the large The unidentified European Until the end of last year, take off the light ends - and European partner we're about to major will eventually take over Kurdistan had been a no-go area that's worked very smoothly," he get, which will give the company as operator, Hatfield said. for oil majors with mega- said. funding through next year." "They had their lawyers in contracts to develop Iraq's Iraq's Deputy Prime A new Kurdish deal with Calgary last week doing their supergiant southern oilfields Minister for Energy Hussain al- Total would fan the flames bet- final legal due diligence with our who feared the wrath of Shahristani has said most of the ween Arbil and Baghdad, locked lawyers," he said. "But ours is Baghdad. oil produced in Kurdistan is in a long-running feud over oil not the only deal this company is But Kurdistan's potential being smuggled across borders, and land. Total, like Exxon, is looking at - that's why it's taking and attractive contracts are mainly to Iran, instead of fulfil- also developing a major oilfield so long." coming up in boardroom discus- ling its export obligations. in southern Iraq. Baghdad says As many as six blocks could sions as the central govern- Hatfield said the company any contract signed by Arbil is be included in the package the ment's oil programme gets bog- was looking to further develop illegal. European major wants to pre- ged down in red tape and infra- its Kurdish assets and was not The assets of Kurdistan- sent to its executive committee. structure bottlenecks. looking be bought out. The Abu focused WesternZagros - the "It's a big company and they "There are a number of other Dhabi National Energy Co Garmian and Kurdamir blocks want a material position," said large European companies loo- bought a 19.9 percent stake in near the border with Iran - could the chief executive. "There's not king very hard at Kurdistan - the explorer late last year. potentially contain reserves of 5 a lot left, so they've got to piece it they're all a little bit late," said "We're funded to carry on. billion barrels. together." Hatfield. We believe the next few wells It holds a 40 percent stake in On the ground in the nor- "Like ExxonMobil, they all we're going to drill will not only each block's production sharing thern region since 2004, held off now they're seeing the dramatically increase produc- contract and operates Garmian. WesternZagros says the neigh- contracts in the rest of Iraq are tion, but dramatically increase Arbil now holds the remainder bouring Kurdamir block poten- not working out that well and the proven reserves that we and has been negotiating with tially contains recoverable oil the contracts in Kurdistan are have," he said. the European party for the past reserves of 1.5 billion barrels. actually working out quite well - "Now is not the time to sell six months over a 40 percent "We were part of the early although the export issue has to the company." stake, said Hatfield. movers in Kurdistan and now be resolved." ËËË The veteran oil explorer it's a very crowded space," said

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However, pure economics also Iraqi Kurdistan plans oil drives the deal. Iraq is already Turkey's number two trading partner, and most of that pipeline to Turkey trade is with the territory under KRG control. Ankara is with other pertinent articles has also played its role in determined to become an By Robert M Cutler of the federal constitution. leading the KRG to take such energy hub, and its domestic initiatives. economy also requires Hawrami specifically told the ONTREAL -The increasing amounts of gas, conference, as quoted by The new agreement hardly Kurdistan Regional not all of which demand may Reuters: "Export[ed] crude marks the first time that the GovernmentM (KRG) in northern be satisfied by the recent deal from the Kurdish region's KRG has unilaterally under- Iraq has announced a plan to with Azerbaijan over the fields will still be Iraqi oil." He taken new cooperation in the construct an oil pipeline to Caspian Sea offshore Shah added that the KRG would energy sector with interna- Turkey with a volume of 1 mil- Deniz Two field. take 17% of the revenues (as tional partners. Last lion barrels per day (bpd), allowed by the Iraqi national December, ExxonMobil signed move hinting at tectonic shifts Turkey is an attractive market budget) and pass the rest an agreement with the KRG to in the geo-economics and for firms developing not only along to the federal center in explore for energy deposits in associated geopolitics of oil but also gas resources in Baghdad and the Iraq Central regions of Nineveh province greater Southwest Asia. The Iraqi Kurdistan, not least Bank. that would be subject to such oil is intended to be sold onto because the KRG has a zero- referenda. international markets. flaring policy in respect of the According to Hawrami, the associated gas that is natural- pipeline's first stage would be The city of Kirkuk is probably The central Iraqi government ly liberated in the course of completed within five months the best known of such dis- in Baghdad asserts that the developing the given oil reser- and carry crude oil from the puted areas under KRG con- project is illegal, but Turkey's voirs. Energy demand and Taq Taq field. The 1 million trol. One of the results of the Energy Minister Taner Yildiz is electricity demand in Turkey bpd capacity would come new agreement will likely be fully on board with the idea, have grown at a 7% annual online by August next year increasing attempts by the having endorsed it at the con- rate recently, and this may when the second phase would Basra governate in southern ference in Irbil where it was continue. H connect to the Kirkuk-Ceyhan Iraq to assert greater authori- announced by KRG Natural pipeline. Reports from the ty over deals in its own region. Resources Minister Ashti Dr Robert M Cutler conference also discuss a sec- Hawrami. Last December, (http://www.robertcutler.org), ond oil pipeline from Kirkuk The Turkish Foreign Ministry Hawrami estimated that the educated at the Massachusetts to Ceyhan that would open in has been working in the past Kurdish region contained Institute of Technology and The 2014. few weeks to define the new between 3 and 6 trillion cubic University of Michigan, has "Eurasian" direction of the meters of natural gas and 45 researched and taught at uni- Ceyhan is already the termi- country's policy in specific billion barrels of oil. versities in the United States, nus for the 1 million bpd terms. This agreement in prin- Canada, France, Switzerland, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil ciple with the KRG appears to The central Baghdad govern- and Russia. Now senior export pipeline from offshore be one of the first tangible ment has never been able to research fellow in the Institute deposits in the Azerbaijani results of the reorientation of pass a new law, foreseen in of European, Russian and sector of the Caspian Sea. Turkey's foreign policy away the constitution, governing Eurasian Studies, Carleton Turkey has long sought to from the discredited "zero new oil and gas ventures. A University, Canada, he also con- develop further the Ceyhan oil problems" doctrine that blew draft law, never adopted, has sults privately in a variety of terminal so as to make the city up in Ankara's face when no legal weight. The Iraqi con- fields. a "pole of attraction" for Tehran refused to allow it to stitution has specific provi- industrial growth in Adana have zero problems, most sions only concerning conces- province. notably but not only in Syria. sions existing at the time of its adoption. The failure to hold a referen- The Alawite minority to which dum on the status of Kurdish the Assad clan belongs is part As a result, specialized inter- regions within four Iraqi gov- of the Shi'ite wing of Islam, national law experts tend ernates (specifically to decide while the Sunni Kurds are agree that the "Oil and Gas whether they become part of cooperating with the Sunni Law of the Kurdistan Region" the Iraqi Kurdistan region and Turks and periodically threat- holds authority in the matter therefore subject to the just- en to reveal documents of new energy concessions mentioned "Oil and Gas Law") embarrassing to the Shi'ite there, moreover since its pro- provided for in Article 140 Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- visions mostly correspond and now five years overdue Maliki.

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May 25, 2012

"When you look at the discourse of the last year, they are increasingly pushing the Dreams of Kurdistan envelope, talking about Kurdish educa- In a new shift, Kurds in Turkey are gradually tion, talking about local administration," giving up on independence. So why is the Turkish says Henri Barkey, professor of interna- tional relations at Lehigh University and government so worried? an expert on Kurdish affairs. "They are Still, the July "autonomy" declaration creating all these organizations in order to ... be able to have a strong set of cards in BY YIGAL SCHLEIFER helped make something else apparent: After decades of violence, there has been their hands when they bargain with the state. They can say, ‘Look, you may not be rom the outside looking in, the con- an important shift within Turkey's ready to give us autonomy, but we already flict between the Turkish state and Kurdish nationalist movement toward have it.'" F the Kurds seems stuck in a kind of emphasizing the civil aspect of their strug- gruesome holding pattern. Articles written gle and fighting the battle over the Kurdish This shift is being fueled by a number of months and years apart are virtually indis- issue in the political sphere. It's a new developments. The electoral success of the tinguishable from one another: "Three approach borne out not only by last July's pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party Turkish Soldiers Reported Killed In PKK declaration, but also by an increase in (BDP), which now runs city halls in most Clash In Southeast" reads a headline from political and cultural activity by Kurdish of the southeast's major cities, has given May 17, 2012 -- but it could just as easily civil society organizations and by munici- Kurds a more powerful political voice and have been from two decades ago. palities run by Turkey's pro-Kurdish party over the last few years. the ability to test the boundaries of their political power. At the same time, political But, beneath the headlines, the defining reforms introduced by the Turkish govern- narrative of this long-running conflict -- For decades, the dream of the Kurdish ment in the last decade -- mostly as a way which has claimed tens of thousands lives movement was the establishment of an to shore up its European Union member- since the late 1980s -- may finally be independent state in territory now belong- ship bid -- have created an increasingly changing for the better. The shift became ing to Turkey (as well as Iran, Iraq, and larger space for Kurdish civil society apparent last July, when some 850 politi- Syria). But the failure of armed struggle organizations to grow. A good example of cians, community activists, and civil socie- and the success of the ruling Justice and this change is Diyarbakir, the political and ty leaders gathered in the eastern Turkish Development Party (AKP) in making cultural capital of the southeast, which city of Diyarbakir for a meeting organized inroads among Kurdish voters has forced today has a flourishing civil society scene by a pro-Kurdish umbrella group called the PKK and the wider Kurdish movement that's far more vibrant than those in most the Democratic Society Congress (DTK). in Turkey to modify their nationalist aspi- other Turkish cities, save for Istanbul and At the end of the gathering, the DTK's rations. This shift has been bubbling Ankara. leadership -- veterans of Turkey's Kurdish under the surface for some time, but it has political parties -- boldly announced that become more pronounced in recent years. "After 2000 there was a real shift toward the organization was declaring what it Turkish Kurd politicians and activists in developing a civil society component to called "democratic autonomy" for Turkey's the southeast have begun speaking more open up more space for Kurdish politics," predominantly-Kurdish southeast region. openly about their vision for a politically and culturally autonomous -- rather than says Dilan Bozgan, coordinator of the Diyarbakir Institute for Political and "We, as Kurdish people, are declaring our merely separate -- Kurdish region within Social Research (DISA), a year-old institu- democratic sovereignty, holding to Turkey, which runs on a highly centralized tion that is among a handful of newly Turkey's national unity on the basis of an state structure dominated by Ankara. established think tanks in the southeast understanding of a common motherland, devoted to Kurdish affairs. "Kurdish civil territorial unity and the perspective of a Though the definition of this autonomy society has really become larger, both in democratic nation," the congress's decla- remains fuzzy, talk of it is now being terms of its rhetoric and its numbers. It ration read. "We invite everyone who lives accompanied by action. Some of the moves really has created a new space for politics, in our lands to introduce themselves as a have been small: the opening of Kurdish instead of violence." democratically autonomous Kurdistan cit- language and cultural institutions, an izen." increasing use of Kurdish in the delivery of municipal services, even the development Interestingly, this shift toward the politi- cization of the Kurdish issue is one that the On the one hand, this critical moment was of ideologically driven cooperative agricul- Turkish state appears to find as threaten- once again overshadowed by a spasm of tural communities (Kurdish kibbutzim, if ing, if not more so, than an armed insur- violence: That same day, July 14, clashes you will). Other steps -- such as the cre- gency. Since the autonomy move has only a few hours' drive away between ation of a cadre of Kurdish imams who begun, the AKP has instituted a severe Turkish security forces and rebels from the pointedly hold services and preach outside crackdown against Kurdish politicians, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) resulted the state-sanctioned mosque system -- municipal officials, and activists, arresting in the deaths of 13 Turkish soldiers and pose a more direct challenge to Ankara's thousands of them as part of an investiga- seven PKK fighters. As the deadly clash rule. Put all these new initiatives together, tion into the Union of Communities in that day -- and a seemingly endless string though, and what you have is a picture of a Kurdistan (KCK), an umbrella organiza- of flare-ups since then -- made clear, the Kurdish movement that -- partly by tion -- alleged to be a PKK front -- that is a PKK's use of violence, which has been the design, partly organically -- is laying the driving force behind a large part of this defining element of the Kurdish issue groundwork for the creation of a distinct quasi-state building. Although there is no since the 1980s, is still very much in the political and cultural regional entity with- clear figure, Kurdish officials claim more picture. in Turkey, not a separate country. than 6,000 people are currently on trial as part of the KCK investigation -- most ➩

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➩ of them charged under Turkey's vague AKP, fearing further political fallout, put an omy], why don't they?" anti-terrorism laws, which give prosecutors end to the process. the ability to accuse almost anyone of One way or another, it appears that if assisting or being part of a terrorist group. By the time Turkey was approaching the Ankara wants to move forward on resolving 2011 parliamentary elections, Prime the Kurdish issue, it has to take into Indeed, for officials who fear the Kurds' Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had actual- account the Kurds' "autonomy" movement. demands for recognition of their culture ly reverted to the sort of harsh Turkish In a recent survey taken in Diyarbakir by and believe that their calls for increased nationalist rhetoric not heard since the the Center for Political and Social Research power on the local level mask more ambi- 1990s. Asked by an interviewer last sum- (SAMER), another Kurd-centric think tious goals, the crackdown makes a certain mer what his party would have done had it tank, nearly 50 percent of the respondents amount of sense. been part of the coalition government when said they wanted "democratic autonomy" now-jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan for their region; only 19 percent said they "The state and the police, especially those was captured in 1999, Erdogan answered, preferred "independence." who went to study in the United States, "Either he would have been executed or we realized and understood how a nation is would have resigned." Ocalan's original In many ways, the Kurds' shift has already built, and they understood the KCK net- death sentence was commuted to life in changed the nature of the conflict, forcing work is an attempt to build a nation. This is prison after the government that preceded the Turkish state to adopt political respons- quite threatening," explains Emre Uslu, a the AKP abolished the death penalty in es instead of purely military ones. After the former official with the counterterrorism 2002, as part of its EU-oriented reforms. BDP started intensifying the "Kurdish department of the Turkish national police imams" program and called for a boycott of force and a professor of political science at In recent months, Turkish officials have state-run mosques, the Turkish govern- Istanbul's Yeditepe University. suggested that another Kurdish initiative is ment fought back by offering sermons in in the works. A renewed effort would side- Kurdish. In response to BDP-run munici- The KCK operation, which started in early line the PKK -- with which the government palities in the southeast increasingly using 2009, has certainly cast a wide net, ensnar- had conducted secret talks in the past -- Kurdish in public services and signs, state- ing a number of figures whose main crime and focus instead on the BDP as an inter- appointed governors in the region -- whose appears to have been simply getting too locutor, according to reports in the Turkish duty in decades past was to suppress the close to the pro-Kurdish political move- press. There has also been the suggestion use of Kurdish -- have started putting up ment. Among the several thousand prison- that Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud their own billboards in Kurdish (albeit ones ers currently awaiting trial are the head of Barzani, who recently paid a two-day visit that frequently stress the unity and frater- Diyarbakir's leading human rights organi- to Turkey, could be asked to act as a medi- nity of the Turkish people). zation, a municipal official who was collect- ator between Ankara and the PKK. But any ing data about mass graves and disappear- new government effort could very well be Still, even as the Kurdish issue in Turkey ances in the region during the 1980s and undermined by the anger created among turns civil, there is the distinct possibility 1990s, and a noted professor of political Kurds over the KCK mass arrests, and by that it could erupt once again into bloody science from Istanbul who was teaching the fact that so many of the civilian Kurdish tit-for-tat violence. The disappointment members of the BDP about constitutional leadership with whom Ankara would con- created among many Kurds by the govern- law. duct a dialogue are currently either in jail ment's failure to deliver on its promised or facing terrorism charges. "Kurdish Opening," combined with the "The people who were supposed to make resentment caused by the state's aggressive this grassroots autonomy move happen are Complicating the issue is the increasingly effort to quash the nascent Kurdish auton- now in prison," Bozgan says. "From the volatile regional picture, particularly with omy movement through the KCK arrests, state's perspective, the KCK operation has regard to the deteriorating situation in could set the stage for another violent flare- been a success." Syria. Ankara fears embattled President up of the Kurdish conflict in the coming Bashar al-Assad and the PKK are reviving years -- one that would have repercussions But what makes the severity of the govern- an old alliance in order to dissuade Turkey well beyond Turkey's southeast region. ment's KCK crackdown puzzling is that it from more forceful intervention in Syria. In comes at the same time that Ankara itself is remarks made in March, PKK leader Murat "There is a consensus among Kurds that working to move away from a strictly mili- Karayilan warned that if Turkey invades the current status within Turkey is not tary-based approach to the Kurdish issue. Syria, "all of Kurdistan will turn into a war doing well for us and it has to change," This shift became clear in the summer of zone." But the prospect of Syria's Kurds, Bozgan says. "There's a lot of frustration 2009, when the AKP announced the launch who have so far conspicuously avoided right now, and it's hard to see where this is of what was then popularly referred to as joining the protests against Assad, joining going. We will just wait and see what hap- the "Kurdish Opening," a reform package the opposition to the regime, and in the pens in Syria and what Erdogan will do that was supposed to pave the way for final- process giving a further boost to the regarding the Kurdish issue. It's a shaky ly resolving the Kurdish issue and convinc- Turkish Kurds' autonomy push, could be moment, unpredictable." I ing the PKK to lay down its arms. equally threatening for Ankara. Yigal Schleifer is a Washington-based jour- Not unlike the Kurds' concept of "democra- "In Syria, you see the Iraqi Kurds are put- nalist and analyst covering Turkey. He is tic autonomy," the Kurdish Opening was ting pressure on the [Syrian] Kurds to stay also the author of "The Turko-File," a blog vaguely defined and quickly floundered, out of the uprising," Barkey says. However, about Turkish foreign and domestic affairs with its first act -- the repatriation of a he says, the Kurds could indeed be enticed on Eurasianet.org. He was based in Istanbul group of PKK fighters living in Iraq -- end- to join the revolt if it gains further momen- between 2002 and 2010, where he worked as ing up also being its final one. After the tum -- and they will ask for some sort of a correspondent for the Christian Science BDP commandeered the event and turned autonomy in return. With two autonomous Monitor and the English-language service of it into a kind of victory party (one that was Kurdish regions along Turkey's border, "It the German Press Agency (DPA). broadcast live on Turkish television), the will be harder to explain to Turkey's Kurds: If the Kurds in Iraq and Syria have [auton-

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

WTEHNAT10NAL a«ralb«i.'B®rU)unc friday.may25.2012 tricity, I am ready,' and they do not ask for any price in return," said Hassan Jishi, the general manager of Waad, the organ¬ Iran begins fervent ization that rebuilt the southern suburbs. (The name means "promise" in Arabic, referring to Mr. Nasrallah's promise to reconstruct the area.) It cost $400 million to build apartments and stores for about courtship of Lebanon 20,000 people, Mr. Jishi said. Half the money came from Iran, Mr. Nasrallah said in his speech, adding Marwan Hamade, a Druse leader and that he had telephoned the country's su¬ Parliament member, noting that a col¬ preme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, TANNOURINE, LEBANON lapse would sever the "umbilical cord" to ask for reconstruction aid even be¬ through which Iran supplied Hezbollah fore the August 2006 cease-fire with Is¬ Worried about Syria, and gained largely unfettered access to rael. Both Ayatollah Khamenei and Tehran seeks a new close Lebanon for decades. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re¬ "Hezbollah has developed into being a sponded generously, he said. ally in the Arab world beachhead of Iranian influence not only "We owe a special thanks to the lead¬ in Lebanon, but on the Mediterranean ers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to the trying to diffuse Iranian culture, Iranian government, to the people, because BY NEIL MACFARQUHAR political domination and now an Iranian without Iranian funding, we could not The Islamic Republic of Iran recently economic presence," Mr. Hamade said. even have begun to achieve what we offered to build a dam in this scenic '' But there is a kind of Lebanese rejection did," Mr. Nasrallah said. alpine village, high in the Christian of too much Iranian involvement here." In the southern suburbs, what was heartland of Lebanon. That has not stopped Iran from try¬ once ajumble of haphazard construction ing. Mohammad-Reza Rahimi, Iran's is now neat rows of handsome tanger- Farther south, in the dense suburbs of first vice president, arrived in Beirut a ine-and-rose-colored apartment blocks Beirut, Iranian largess helped to rebuild couple of weeks ago with at least a dozen with elevators, generators and parking. neighborhoods flattened six years ago proposals for Iranian-financed projects But anarchic power lines still crisscross by Israeli bombs ^ anaehievement that tucked under his arm, one for virtually the streets like so many cobwebs, be¬ was commemorated this month with a every ministry, Lebanese officials said. cause the electricity supply remains hit- rollicking celebration. The size of the Iranian delegation "By the same means that, we got more than lOO members shocked gov¬ "There is a kind of Lebanese weapons and other stuff, money came ernment officials. Lebanese newspa¬ rejection of too much Iranian as well," the Hezbollah leader, Hassan pers gleefully reported embarrassing Nasrallah, exclaimed to roars of approv¬ involvement here." details of the wooing; in their haste to al from the crowd. "All of this has been repeat their success in forging closer achieved through Iranian money! " ties with Iraq, for example, the Iranians Iran's eagernessto shower money on or-miss. Lebanon suffers from a chronic forgot to replace the word Baghdad with Lebanon when its own finances are be¬ shortage of electricity, generating just Beirut in one draft agreement. 1,500 megawatts against a peak summer ing squeezed by sanctions is the latest Iran offered to build the infrastructure demand of 2,500 megawatts.

indication of just how worried Tehran is needed to carry electricity across Iraq Iran's project to finance the dam ap¬ at the prospect that Syria's leader, and Syria into Lebanon. It offered to un¬ peared to be aimed at addressing such Bashar al-Assad, could fall. Iran relies derwrite Persian-language 'courses at problems and winning hearts and on Syria as its bridge to the Arab world, Lebanon's public university. Other pro¬ minds by meeting a need the govern¬ and as a crucial strategic partner in con¬ posals touched on trade, development, ment has so far failed to address. fronting Israel. But the Arab revolts hospitals, roads, schools and, of course, Here in Tannourine, the sound of rush¬ have shaken Tehran's calculations, with the Balaa Dam in Tannourine. ing water ricochets off the high valley Mr. Assad unable to vanquish an upris: Yet virtually no substantial new walls, riven with caves where the first ing that is in its 14th month. agreements were signed. The Iranian Christian monks sought sanctuary from Iran's ardent courtship of the Leba¬ ambassador, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, re¬ prosecution centuries ago. Restaurants nese government indicates that Tehran acted like a spurned suitor, grumbling built over the Joze River draw a weekend is scrambling to find a replacement for its publicly that Lebanon needed to do crowd from Beirut, 70 kilometers, or 45 closest Arab ally, politicians, diplomats more to carry out agreements. The em¬ miles, south, for long lunches ofmeze and bassy in Lebanon rejected a request for shish kebab washed down with smooth, and analysts say. It is not just financing an interview, but Iran's state-run Press locally made arrack. Local springs feed public projects, but it is also seeking to TV quoted Mr. Roknabadi as saying, one of Lebanon's most popular bottled- forge closer ties through cultural, mili¬ "The Iranian nation offers its achieve¬ water brands, called Tannourine. tary and economic agreements. ments and progress to the oppressed The idea of a dam proved popular The challenge for Iran's leaders is and Muslim nations of the region." that many Lebanese including the among the 35,000 inhabitants because it Therein lies the rub. Syria, run by a residents of Tannourine, the site of the would both generate electricity and nominally Shiite Muslim sect, fostered proposed dam squirm in that em¬ provide for irrigation, said its mayor, its alliance with Iran as a counterweight brace. They see Iran's gestures not as a Mounir Torbay. The dam was included to Sunni Muslim powers like Saudi Ara¬ show of good will, but as a stealthy cul¬ in Lebanon's 2012 budget and the con¬ bia. The alliance was built more on con¬ tural and military colonization. tract was awarded to a Lebanese com¬ fronting the West and its allies than on "Tannourine is not Tehran," groused pany, the mayor said. Then it got em¬ any sectarian sympathies. Charbel Komair, a city council member. broiled in local politics. In Lebanon, a nation of various reli¬ A prominent Christian politician try¬ The Lebanese have largely accepted gious sects, many interpret Iran's refer¬ ing to one-up his rivals asked the Islam¬ that Iran serves as Hezbollah's main ence to "Muslim" as solely "Shiite ic Republic for $40 million for the dam, patron for everything from missiles to Muslim." Hezbollah insists that is not and Iran agreed last December, dairy cows, But branching out beyond the case, that the money comes with no provided an Iranian company built it. Hezbollah is another matter. Strings attached and is for the good for Most of the solidly Christian area's pop¬ "They are trying to reinforce their all Lebanese. ulation was horrified by the prospect base in Lebanon to face any eventual "The Iranians say, 'If you want facto¬ that the Iranians would move in, said collapse of the regime in Syria," said ries, I am ready, if you want some elec Mr. Torbay, most likely bringing their

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

mosques, their wives and perhaps even "One of the dreams of Iran is to gain a failed at that endeavor before.

their missiles. Many suspect some com¬ foothold over the mountains," said the "I think the Iranian project to control pany with links to the Revolutionary mayor. "It is important for them to over¬ Lebanon is a candidate for failure, too,"

Guards will get the contract. see the Mediterranean. So Lebanon is a said Sejaan M. Azzi, vice president of "We want the dam badly but we don't full part of their strategy." the Lebanese Forces, a political party want an Iranian company to build it," the The fate of the project remains uncer¬ and once a Christian militia "We don't mayor said. "They are from a different tain. The cabinet is inclined to accept have confidence in Iranian economic religion, a different social condition." the $40 million, not least because most aid, we consider it part of a political, se¬ There are still about 70 churches in foreign aid has dried up since a Hezbol- curity, military project." Tannourine, 22 of them dedicated to the lahvjominated alliance formed the gov¬ Virgin Mary, and most Christians feel ernment last year. Hwaida Saad contributed reporting.

that their culture and tradition face As to Iranian plans to prevail in Leba¬ enough threat already throughout the non, many Lebanese point out that the Middle East, residents said. Christians and Sunni Muslims have

IKTERNATONAl^. ^ . FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2012 Mcraloj^feenbunc

No progress by the six powers and appeared to re¬ tions taken by the world powers in Bagh¬ main a basic source of disagreement. . dad to those of Benjamin Netanyahu, the in talks with A senior American official saidthesix prime minister of Israel, which con¬ powers had never expected to reach an siders Iran's nuclear program an exist¬

agreement with Iran at the Baghdad ential threat. Iranians, but talks, the second meeting between both The most important part of the six- sides since the talks were resumed in power proposal called for stopping en¬

Turkey last month after a 15-month richment of uranium to 20 percent pur¬ more are set lapse. ity, which is a short technical step away The American official described the from highly enriched uranium that can

Baghdad discussions as difficult and be weaponized. said that the Iranians had pushed hard BAGHDAD But the six powers rejected Iranian to have their right to nuclear fuel enrich¬ calls for an immediate easing of the eco¬ ment recognized. Iran was also known BY STEVEN ERLANGER nomic sanctions that have been im¬ to be unhappy with proposals the six AND RICK GLADSTONE posed on Iran, a position that clearly ap¬ powers made concerning its nuclear peared to disappoint the Iranian side. Iran and six world powers ended two program because they did not include Senior Western diplomats also said days of difficult talks on Iran's disputed an agreement to postpone punishing harsher American and European Union nuclear program on Thursday with no sanctions against Iran that are due to sanctions on oil exports and banking clear signs of progress, but they agreed take effect in July, according to diplo¬ transactions, scheduled to go into effect to reconvene for more negotiations in mats on both sides. in July, would not be postponed. Moscow next month. The Iranians had said the new sanc¬ Western diplomats said the proposal Catherine Ashton, the European Un¬ tions ran counter to the atmosphere of presented to Iran was meant partly to ion's top foreign policy official and the progress that both sides were trying to buy more time for more comprehensive lead negotiator for the six powers, said at develop, in what the West hoped would and detailed negotiations with Iran on a news conference after the meeting be detailed negotiations to clear up the nature Of its nuclear program. Their here in Baghdad that "significant prob¬ questions about whether the Iranian priority was to cap Iran's growing stock¬ lems remain" in the talks with the Irani¬ program is peaceful as Iran insists or is pile of uranium enriched to 20 percent. an side, but she declined to specify them. really a cloak for the ability to make nu¬ Iran says the uranium is for fuel for med¬ "What we have now is some common clear weapons. ical reactors, but Western diplomats say ground, and a meeting in place wherç During the Baghdad talks the six the Iranians already have many times we can take that further forward," Ms. powers exchanged proposals with the more than they need, furthering suspi¬ Ashton said. She then departed with her Iranian side, Which presented what Ira¬ cions about Iran's motivations despite delegation to leave Baghdad before a nian news reports described as a five- its repeated assertions that the enrich¬ sandstorm closed the airport. point plan containing both nuclear and ment program is peaceful. The next round of talks is to be held on nonnuclear elements. The six powers also want Iran to ex¬ June 18 and June 19 in Russia, one of the As the second day of discussions port its current stockpile of 20 percent six powers. The others are the United began,on Thursday, Press TV, a state-fi¬ uranium and, down the road, to dis¬ States, China, Britain, France, and Ger¬ nanced satellite broadcaster in Iran, mantle the Fordo enrichment plant, many. quoted unidentified sources close to buried deep inside a mountain near the Addressing reporters after Ms. Iran's negotiating team as saying the holy city of Qum, that is producing it. Ashton's delegation had left, the lead prospects for success in the negotiations

Iranian negotiator, Saeed Jalili, de¬ were "vague and under question" if the Ricfe Gladstone reportedfrom New York. scribed the climate of the talks as good powers rejected the Iranian plan. Alan Cowell contributed reportingfrom

but said they were "incomplete" and he Several accounts in Iran's state-con¬ London, and Thomas Erdbrinkfrom

expressed hope that further negoti¬ trolled news media compared the posi- Tehran. ations would produce results. He also

said Iran had insisted to the six powers "What we have now is some that it had the right to enrich nuclear common ground." fuel a position that was not accepted

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

"^ïliiïjfiiiiirir*' lundi 28 MAI 2°12

:~r

\ } ;'î

% v.i tf de l'horreur

Le massacre de Houla, samedi, semble témoigner de la fébrilité d'un régime qui se sent menacé.

j**

Par JEAN-PIERRE PERRIN

SYRIE IRAK es le début de l'insurrection Mfd

des tactiques du régime de *» C'est le bilan, hier soir, des per¬ D Bachar al-Assad a été de s'at- sonnes tuées à Houla, dont plus de 32 enfants de moins de lO ans, selon taquer aux enfants dans les régions dis¬ >*c sidentes. Ce qui s'est passé samedi à le chef des observateurs de l'ONU.

Houla, près de Homs, témoigne que, Au moins 9183 civils, 3 072 mem¬ même sous le regard de la communauté bres des forces gouvernementales internationale, il n'a en rien renoncé à Pas la moindre mesure concrète, cepen¬ et 794 déserteurs ont péri dans la cette pratique. Cette fois, ce dant, mais un appel de Londres à une répression, les combats et ies"atten- sont plus de 32 enfants de ANALYSE réunion d'urgence du Conseil de sécu¬ tats qui secouent la Syrie, selon moins de 10 ans qui ont été rité «dans les prochainsjours», tandis l'Observatoire syrien des droits de tués: Un chiffre annoncé par le chef des que Paris entamait des contacts pour l'homme. Depuis le cessez-le-feu, observateurs de l'ONU, le général Ro¬ réunir le «groupe des pays amis du le 12 avril, au moins 1881 personnes, bert Mood, qui a indiqué aussi que plus peuple syrien» (Etats-Unis, plusieurs dont 1260 civils, ont été tuées. de 80 adultes ont péri dans les bombar¬ pays européens et de la Ligue arabe).

dements de cette ville et de sa région. . Des réactions qui ne sont pas à la me¬

«Cet usage disproportionné de la violence sure du massacre de Houla,

est inacceptable et impardonnable. L'as- alors que celui-ci a été dûment constaté par des observateurs civils et militaires de l'ONU, qui «ont ces trois derniers vendredis, on a compté «Cette recrudescence des atrocités cmfitmé[:..]l'waged'artMerte tirée de- autour de 850 rassemblements sur intervient alors que l'on assistait puis.des chars», a précisé l'officier. Au- 647points, soit 200 àeplus qu'enjanvier. à un retour en force des delà de la «tragédie Brutale» qu'elle re¬ Avec de nouveaux slogans et une cons¬ manifestations pacifiques. » présente, la tuerie perpétrée «àl'arme ciencepolitique que la luttepacifique et le lourde» contre les enfants pourrait en¬ combat menépar l'Armée syrienne libre Ziad Maj«d politologue core accroître le risque/déjà très fort, de [ASL, ndlr] peuvent aller de pair.» «Le

sassinat d'enfants innocents et de civils guerre intércommunautàire. régime a aussi concentré ses attaques

doit cesser», a insisté l'officier au cours «Ceux qui utilisent la violence contre tous ceux quipeuvent redonner une

d'une conférence de presse à Damas. pour leurs propres objectifs bonne image à l'insurrection : les classes pourraient créerplus d'insta¬ moyennes urbaines, c'est-à-dire édu-

LINCEULS. Epouvantables, les vidéos bilité et conduire lé pays à la quées,les laïcs...» ajoute-t-il. Dernier

postées sur YouTùbe ont montré les cr⬠guerre civile», a reconnu épisode : l'attaque par des voyous liés au nes fracassés et les visages ensanglantésy l'officier. Mais les intentions régime du romancier Khaled Khalifa et d'enfants serrés les uns contre les autres du régime ne sont-elles pas d'un chercheur alors qu'ils se rendaient

dans une morgue improvisée, ainsi que ; justement de provoquer un tel conflit ? aux obsèques d'un ami musicien tué. des dizaines de linceuls blancs alignés «Quelqu'un veut à toutprix que la rage Les chabbtha ont battu l'auteur de Eloge

dans une fosse commune. Elles ont pro- . s'impose dans tout le pays, souligne le de la haine et lui ont cassé le bras. voqué un sursaut d'indignation de la politologue Ziad Majed. Cette recrudes¬

communauté internationale, qui, de¬ cence des atrocités intervient alors que «BRIGADES». De son côté, l'opposition l'onassistaitàunretourenprcedesma- extérieure est lassée d'attendre une ac¬ puis plusieurs semaines, manifestait un nifestations pacifiques. Pour chacun de tion du Conseil de sécurité. «J'appelle intérêt des plus limités pour la Syrie.

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

le peuple syrien à mener la bataille de la gime donne d'ailleurs l'impression de qui en serait l'auteur et serait réfugié en

libération et de la dignité en comptant sur le chercher. Turquie. La seconde concerne un atten¬ ses propresforces, sur les rebelles déployés tat raté contre Maher, le frère cadet de

à travers le pays et sur les brigades de EMPOISONNEMENT. D'où l'hypothèse Bachar, alors qu'il circulait en convoi ;

l'ASL», au cas où la communauté inter¬ qu'il soit sous la pression de dissensions elle aurait été suivie d'une vague d'exé¬

nationale n'assumerait pas ses respon¬ internes, ce que pourraient refléter plu¬ cutions. «Aucunepreuve tangible neper¬ sabilités, a lancé hier le chef démission¬ sieurs rumeurs. Le politologue Khattar met d'accréditer l'une ou l'autre de ces

naire du Conseil national syrien, Abou Diab chercheur à Paris-II, en a re¬ rumeurs, même si Assef Chawkat ne se Burhan Ghalioun, au cours d'une con¬ censé deux, plus ou moins crédibles : montre toujours pas. Ce que l'on peut dire, férence de presse à Istanbul. L'ASL a une tentative d'empoisonnement dont c 'est que le régime est à un tournant. On pour sa part estimé n'être plus tenue aurait été victime Assef Chawkat, le le voit à plusieurs signes. Ainsi, pour la par son engagement au plan du média¬ beau-frère de Bachar, et la Cellule cen¬ premièrefois depuis que le parti Baas est

teur Kofi Annan, un mois et demi après trale de gestion des crises, un orga¬ aupouvoir en Syrie, leprésident, Bachar,

avoir accepté le cessez-le-feu prévu. nisme secret chargé de la répression ; n'étaitpas présent à l 'ouverture du nou¬ C'est donc vers le pire que s'avance la c'est le domestique d'une personnalité veau Parlement», souligne le même

Syrie. Avec le massacre de Houla, le ré du régime, Mohammed Said Bakhitan, chercheur.

feBonde

Samedi 26 mai 2012

La réunion de Bagdad entre les grandes puissances et Tlran se conclut sans résultats

Les émissaires iraniens se sont refusé à la moindre concession sur leur programme

nucléaire. Une nouvelle rencontre est prévue à Moscou

lité «religieuse» de fabriquer la Bagdad 20 %. Celles-ci ont tout au plus été sans abandonner les capacités bombe nucléaire, en évoquant Envoyée spéciale identifiées, lors des pourparlers de nucléaires iraniennes, à consoli¬ Bagdad, comme le sujet central... der son assise de pouvoir à l'heu¬ une fatwa (décret) du Guide suprê¬ me à cet effet. Après deux jours de discus¬ de la réunion de Moscou, en juin, re des luttes de factions à Téhé¬ Il reproche aussi aux Occiden¬ sions qui semblaient par L'Iran déploie un art consom¬ ran. Les difficultés économiques, taux de n'avoir pas su récompen¬ moments proches de la rup¬ mé du marchandage, faisant mon¬ accentuées par les sanctions ser suffisamment sa décision, pri¬ ture, il n'y a pas eu d'accord, à Bag¬ ter les enchères pour obtenir une internationales, lui feraient se en 2003, de suspendre (cela dad, entre les grandes puissances levée des sanctions économiques dura deux ans) ses activités d'enri¬ et l'Iran, à propos d'une voie de - occidentales. Américains et Euro¬ L'Iran déploie un art chissement d'uranium. L'Iran règlement du dossier nucléaire. péens font valoir, en retour, que ce manie aussi l'art du flou. Saïd Jalili Ce qui a été convenu, c'est de calcul est fallacieux, car la pres¬ consommé du a présenté à Bagdad une «contre- continuer de se parler.Le prochain sion extérieure ne fera que s'accroî¬ marchandage, faisant rendez-vous entre l'émissaire ira¬ offre en cinq points» de l'Iran, qui tre, avec l'entrée en vigueur, le nien Saïd Jailli et les représentants monter les enchères a paru d'une grande vacuité aux 28 juin puis le 1" juillet, de mesures des six pays mobilisés sur ce dos¬ représentants des grandes puis¬ radicales, américaines et euro¬ pour obtenir une sier (Etats-Unis, Royaume-Uni, sances. Le fait qu'il insiste longue¬ péennes, sur le pétrole iranien. Lés levée des sanctions France, Russie, Chine et Allema¬ ment pour que cela soit le c de revenus en devise de l'Iran pour- " urcuipuui h gne) est fixé à Moscou, les 18 et raient chuter d'un tiers. discussions a failli conduire à la 19 juin. « Nos positions et celles des craindre une reprise de la contes¬ rupture - mais il a finalement A Bagdad, l'émissaire iranien Iraniens sont vraiment très éloi¬ tation de rue survenue en 2009, reculé. Saïd Jailli n'a paru disposer d'aucu¬ gnées. Je ne sais pas si cet exercice et cela, en dépit de l'ampleur de L'administration américaine ne marge de man contraint [de pourparlers] peut porter des la répression. semble déterminée à pousser le par des instructions très précises résultats», confiait, assez désabu¬ La perception des Occidentaux plus loin possible la recherche de sa capitale. La mise austère et sé, un haut responsable occidental. est la suivante : seul le sentiment d'un compromis, mais l'équipe de l'apparente rigidité de ce membre qu'une lourde menace pourrait Barack Obama, en pleine campa¬ L'épuisement se lisait sur les des pasdarans, ancien combattant planer sur le régime poussera Ali gne électorale, doit aussi gérer la visages, les discussions ayant pris de la guerre Iran-Irak, au cours de Khamenei à décider d'une relation avec Israël, qui met en gar¬ une tournure de marathon, jeudi laquelle il a été amputé d'une inflexion stratégique sur le de contre des pourparlers sans 24 mai, en raison d'une tempête de jambe, cacheraient aussi de com¬ résultats tangibles. Aussitôt après nucléaire. sable sur Bagdad clouant les plexes calculs politiques. «C'est L'Iran déploie un argumentaire la fin des discussions à Bagdad, avions des délégations au sol. unepotiche du Guide suprême, Ali reposant sur une lecture voulue Washington annonçait l'envoi de Un officiel américain cherchait Khamenei », décrivent des officiels pointilleuse du Traité de non-proli¬ son émissaire, Wendy Sherman, à à relativiser l'absence de résultat occidentaux, « etce dernierenvisa¬ fération de 1968, jugeant qu'il lui Tel-Aviv, «pour réaffirmer notre concret, en se disant «peu surpris » ge pour cette raison d'enfaire son accorde un droit inconditionnel à engagement inébranlable envers que la partie iranienne n'ait rien candidat à laprésidentielle de 2013 l'enrichissement de l'uranium. Il la sécurité d'Israël ».m cédé, s'agissant de ses activités prévue en Iran. » cherche aussi à plaider l'impossibi Natalie Nougayrède d'enrichissement d'uranium à Le Guide iranien chercherait,

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

îfcralb"2îïfàribunt Tuesday, may 29. 2012 Annan, in Syria, pushes to save his peace plan

the Annan plan implemented," Mr. BEIRUT self to be impervious to international Hague said at a joint news conference, pressure. From the beginning, his plan particularly getting a political process BY NEIL MACFARQUHAR has been given slim chances of success, started. but it was seen as an acceptable means Kofi Annan, the U.N. special envoy for Mr. Lavrov stressed that while Russia to try to bridge the differences over Syr¬ Syria, began two days of negotiations in was not tied to President Bashar al-As- ia between the West and the Arab Damascus on Monday, seeking to shore sad's staying in power, there must be a states, on one side, and Russia, China up his peace plan, which appeared more transition that the Syrians themselves and Iran on the other. precarious than ever after the massacre pilot. Some Syrian opposition figures have of at least 108 civilians. "It is not the most important thing criticized Western efforts to push the Mr. Annan began his visit by urging who is in power in Syria, what regime cease-fire when it was clear that the the Syrian government to be more forth¬ has power," Mr. Lavrov said. "For us, government held it in contempt, and a coming in implementing the six-point the main thing is to put an end to the vi¬ few threatened vengeance against plan it agreed to in March, which in¬ olence among civilians and to provide Alawites. cludes not only a cease-fire but also a for political dialogue under which the In Istanbul, Burhan Ghalioun, the political dialogue with the opposition and Syrians themselves decide on the sover¬ president of the Syrian National Coun¬ freedom for Syrians to demonstrate. eignty of their country.' ' cil, the main opposition group in exile, "I urge the government to take bold Without naming any countries, he called on the international community steps to signal that it is serious in its in¬ also said Syria's immediate neighbors to honor its commitment to protect Syr¬ tention to resolve this crisis peacefully, who opposed the Assad government ian civilians, saying if it did not, mem¬ and for everyone involved to help create were not helping the situation by push¬ bers of the opposition would have no the right context for a credible political ing regime change. choice other than to take matters into process," Mr. Annan said. Creating the "We do exert pressure on the Syrian their own hands. right climate for progress was the re¬ government daily," Mr. Lavrov said, In a three-page letter issued before sponsibility of not only the government adding that supporters of the opposition the Security Council voted Sunday, Sec¬ should do the same in pushing toward a retary General Ban Ki-moon demanded

"I urge the government to political solution. a concrete attempt to censure Syria and take bold steps to signal that it Mr. Annan said whoever was respon¬ endorse the cease-fire. In his letter, Mr. Ban skated close to is serious in its intention to sible for the massacre had to be held ac¬ countable. blaming Syrian government shelling for resolve this crisis peacefully." "I am personally shocked and horri¬ at least some of the deaths in Houla fied by the tragic incident in Houla two while carefully noting that the cause days ago, which took so many innocent had not been completely determined. but "everyone with a gun," he added. lives, children, women and men," Mr. United Nations monitors "observed Questions about the viability of the Annan said in brief remarks from the shotgun wounds and wounds consistent plan were thrown into sharp relief by the lobby of his hotel. with artillery fire." The Syrian govern¬ massacre, which happened on Friday in ment has denied any tie to the massa¬ Houla, a village near Homs in west-cen¬ The aftermath continued to reverber¬ cre. ate in Syria. Shops stayed shut as part of tral Syria. The U.N. Security Council The Russians seemed to be swayed an opposition-led call to observe three voted unanimously on Sunday to con¬ by the arguments that it made little days of mourning, including the Hama- demn the massacre and, while not as¬ sense that the opposition, which is heav¬ diyah Bazaar of Damascus, opposition signing blame, censured the Syrian gov¬ ily Sunni Muslim, or even extremist ji- activists and residents said. They said ernment for using heavy artillery. hadist elements would kill so many of government agents forced some stores Getting the support of Russia, which their own faith in cold blood, said one Se¬ to reopen, particularly in the famous nut has a veto in the Security Council, was curity Council diplomat, speaking anon¬ bazaar, by prying open their metal shut¬ essential. Moscow has typically rejected ymously about a closed-door session. ters. any international effort to support the One of the reasons that the Security Syrian opposition in a way that might Mr. Annan, the envoy of the United Council had to act firmly, Mr. Ban said, Nations and the Arab League, comes repeat the NATO military intervention is that ordinary Syrians are blaming the with a new mandate from the Security in Libya, and despite strong statements, unarmed U.N. observers for not doing Council to implement his plan. The the West has avoided getting further more to stop the violence, even if there council requested that the investigation embroiled in the Syria fighting out of are misconceptions about their role. fear of the long-term consequences. into the Houla attacks proceed, he said, and noted that Syria has said it had also In Moscow on Monday, the Russian Hwaida Saad in Beirut and Ellen Barry appointed a committee to look into the foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, and in Moscow contributed reporting. his British counterpart, William Hague, attacks. agreed on the need to fully implement Mr. Annan, a former secretary gener¬ the Annan peace plan. al of the United Nations, said he would Mr. Hague stressed that Russia, a ma¬ meet with Mr. Assad and his foreign jor ally of Syria, had a special role in minister, Walid Mouallem. He is also to pressuring the Damascus government meet with a variety of other people on to implement the plan, while acknowl¬ the trip, which was scheduled before the edging some differences over Syria. massacre, including opposition figures. "The absolute urgent priority is to have Mr. Assad has repeatedly shown him

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

. IMTEHNATIONIU. felllonde

Mercredi 30 mai 2012 WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

M. Erdogan, «gardien du Premier acts vagin desfemmes turques »

to push curb Critiqué de toutes parts pour ministre aurait dûparler de chô¬ ses excès d'autoritarisme, le mage, de violence domestique, ou

premier ministre turc Recep de leurplace dans la viepolitique,

on abortions Tayyip Erdogan a ouvert un nou¬ plutôt que défaire de la politique

veau front, cette fois avec les orga¬ sur le corps desfemmes », estime in Turkey nisations féministes, qui manifes¬ pour sa part, Canan Gullu, la prési¬ tent mardi 29 mai, dans la capitale dente de la fédération des associa¬

Ankara. Vendredi, M. Erdogan a tions féministes.

ISTANBUL violemment pris position contre l'avortement, le comparant à « un Modèle de société

BYSEBNEMARSU meurtre», devant les sections Mais la lutte contre l'avorte¬ féminines de son parti à Istanbul. ment est un vieux cheval de Calling abortion an act of murder and an Pour lui, l'avortement relève bataille au sein de la mouvance insidious plan to reduce the Turkish même de la conspiration contre islamiste turque, dont M. Erdogan population, Prime Minister Recep les intérêts de la Turquie. «Je m'op¬ est issu, qui constitue le socle de Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called for pose aux naissancespar césarien¬ l'AKP. Ainsi, Sare Davutoglu, obsté¬ legislation to restrict women's access to ne et aux avortements, etje sais tricienne et épouse de l'influent the procedure. que c'estpratiqué à dessein. Ce sont ministre des affaires étrangères Since 1983, abortion has been legal in des mesures destinées à empêcher Ahmet Davutoglu, milite active¬ Turkey as long as 10 weeks after concep¬ lapopulation de cepays de s'accroî¬ ment au seind'une fondation anti- tion, with emergency abortions allowed for medical reasons after that. New leg¬ tre. Je vois l'avortementcomme un avortement. La ministre de la islation proposed by Mr. Erdogan would meurtre. (...) Chaque avortement famille Fatma Sahin l'a confirmé reduce the window to eight weeks of est un Uludere », a-t-il déclaré, fai¬ en prenant la défense du premier pregnancy and outlaw any abortions sant allusion au raid aérien turc ministre : « Il est hors de question not medically necessary, the private qui a tué 34 contrebandiers kur¬ que nous transigions sur le droit à news television station NTV reported. des, à Uludere, en décembre 2011, la vieen tant queprincipepoliti¬

"There is no difference in killing the et pour lequel son gouvernement que», a-t-elle affirmé.

fetus in a mother's womb or killing a est mis en cause ces jours-ci. La gauche turque et les milieux

person after birth," Mr. Erdogan said M. Erdogan avait déjà pris l'ha¬ laïcs s'inquiètent du nouveau

Tuesday, echoing comments he made on bitude d'intervenir pour exhorter modèle de société promu par le Friday at the opening of a hospital in les femmes à «faire trois enfants », parti islamo-conservateur, au pou¬ Istanbul and on Saturday to a group of afin de relancer la natalité turque. voir depuis près de dix ans. Peu de female politicians in Ankara. L'indice de fécondité est tombé à temps avant cette diatribe, Mr. Erdogan also called for limits on 2,09 en 2011. Maisc'est la premiè¬ M. Erdogan était parti en guerre Caesarean births, asserting that they re fois qu'il s'en prend publique¬ contre les théâtres et leurs pro¬ were "nothing more than a procedure to ment à l'avortement, légalisé en grammations « obscènes », mena¬ restrict and square a nation's popula¬ Turquie depuis les années 1980. çant de les privatiser, ce qui soule¬ tion" because women who choose them « H doit cesser de se comportercom¬ va la réprobation des milieux cannot have more than two children. me le gardien du vagin desfem- . artistiques... En avril, le gouver¬ His remarks, which rekindled con¬ cerns about the intentions of an Islamic- mes turques. Le régime totalitaire neur d'Afyon, petite ville de rooted government, prompted reactions en est arrivé au pointoù il inter¬ l'ouest a décrété l'interdiction de from various rights groups, including the vient dans la vieprivée », a protes¬ consommation d'alcool dans les Female Party Initiative, which organ¬ té la députée du parti républicain lieux ouverts pour lutter contre la ized a protest in Istanbul on Tuesday. du peuple (CHP, opposition), criminalité.

"It is strictly the woman to decide Aylin Nazliaka. «Dans un congrès Guillaume Perkier

how she would give birth, or whether consacré auxfemmes, lepremier (Istanbul, correspondance) she would give birth at all or not not the prime minister," said Benal Yazgan, who leads the Female Party Initiative. Medical experts acknowledge high rates of Caesarean births in Turkey but "Every abortion is an Uludere," he now has nearly 75 million people. emphasize that better health care and told female members of his Justice and "We know that this is a sinister plan education would reduce these figures. Development Party in Ankara com¬ to eradicate this nation from the face of Restricting abortions, on the other ments that opposition parties called an the world," he said Saturday. "We hand, could lead to more deaths among effort to divert public attention away should not rise to the bait of these women, they warn. from the investigation into the attack, games, so that this nation can multiply. On Saturday, Mr. Erdogan also which provoked a nationwide outcry. Our only goal is to elevate this country likened abortion to a military airstrike Mr. Erdogan, who advocates that above the levels of developed civiliza¬ that mistakenly killed 34 civilians in every married couple have at least tions for which we need a young and dy¬

December in Uludere, a village in the three children, dismissed criticisms and namic population." southeast, where Turkish forces are en¬ maintained that abortion and gaged against separatist Kurdish Caesarean births were an unspecified rebels. plot aimed at a growing Turkey, which

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

Thursday, May 31, 2012 Turkey, Kurdistan and the future of Iraq: Time for Washington to tune back in

gether, which were scheduled to be as ingly viewed -- by Kurds, for sure, but BY JOHN HANNAH high as 175,000 barrels per day in 2012. by many other Iraqis as well -- as veer- ing dangerously in the direction of a ith last week's headlines domi- The oil dispute, of course, is at the cen- new authoritarianism. Political oppo- nated by Egypt's presidential ter of a much larger argument, still nents have been targeted for arrest, elections,W negotiations on Iran's nuclear unresolved, about the very nature of the including Iraq's Sunni vice president. program, and fresh atrocities in Syria, it new Iraqi state. The Kurds, scarred by a More than 18 months into his second would have been easy to miss a major brutal history of subjugation at the term, Maliki -- in contravention of a development out of Iraq that in time hands of Arab rulers in Baghdad, are power-sharing agreement -- has yet to could have equally momentous conse- determined that their survival -- politi- yield personal control over the defense, quences for the future of the Middle cal, economic, and, yes, physical -- will interior, and intelligence ministries. He East. I'm referring to the announcement never again be subject to the central has further been accused of politicizing that the Kurdistan Regional government's diktats. Yearning in their Iraq's judiciary and central bank, while Government (KRG) and Turkey have hearts for independence, the Kurds subverting the army's chain of com- agreed -- in principle at least -- to build since 2003 have reluctantly bowed to mand and turning its best equipped, a series of pipelines that will allow the geo-political realities and agreed to best trained units into his own praetori- Kurds to export oil and gas directly to work toward a unified Iraq -- but only an guard. And the list goes on. Turkey and, from there, onward to the on the condition that the country evolve rest of the world. The U.S. should be toward a truly federal state, with This is the fevered context for assessing paying close attention. Baghdad's authority strictly limited by the recent pipeline deal with Turkey. At constitutional guarantee and the an energy conference in Kurdistan's Until now, the KRG's ability to develop Kurdistan region's autonomy assured. capital, Erbil, the KRG oil minister its substantial energy riches has been Having primary say over the fate of its (standing alongside his Turkish coun- held hostage to its dependence on energy resources, and a reliable, equi- terpart) unveiled construction plans export pipelines controlled by the cen- table claim on Iraq's revenue stream, that, by 2013, could allow up to one mil- tral government in Baghdad. To get any are for the KRG essential elements of lion barrels of oil per day from Kurdish- oil to international markets -- and, in any durable national compact. controlled fields to be exported directly turn, to get its fair share of revenue to Turkish ports and refineries. from those sales -- the KRG has largely Baghdad, needless to say, has had a Similarly ambitious plans exist for been at Baghdad's mercies. much different view. Under Prime delivery of Kurdish gas. Rather than Minister Maliki, the inclination has flowing first through Iraq's central Iraq's oil ministry has sought to exploit clearly been to revert to the modern treasury, all revenues from these its position of strength to coerce conces- Middle Eastern norm of a strong, cen- exports would come directly to the KRG sions from the KRG on a long-stalled tralizing state, where all political, eco- -- which, according to the oil minister, national hydrocarbons law. In particu- nomic, and security issues of conse- would take its fair cut before sending lar, Baghdad has demanded veto power quence are directed by the national gov- the remainder on to Baghdad. over exploration and development con- ernment. From this perspective, full- tracts that the Kurds are negotiating blown federalism is no recipe for stabil- The potential significance is not hard to with international oil companies. At ity, but rather a prescription for weak- calculate. Under current arrangements, least 40 such contracts have already ness, chaos, and fragmentation. the Kurds are supposed to receive 17 been signed over the central govern- Lebanon at best; the former Yugoslavia percent of Iraq's national budget -- ment's vociferous objections -- includ- at worst. The KRG's oil contracts are about $10 billion this year. At current ing a breakthrough agreement late last perceived as a dagger aimed at the heart oil prices of approximately $100 per year with the global energy giant, Exxon of the Iraqi state: disrupting policy with barrel, the pipeline deal with Turkey Mobil. respect to the nation's most important could eventually have more than three resource; undermining the authority of times that amount flowing annually into Baghdad has struck back on multiple the central government; and ultimately the KRG's coffers. Once that happens, fronts. Companies signing contracts in intended to underwrite a future Kurdish the Kurds' vulnerability to Baghdad's Kurdistan have been black-balled from dash for independence that would rip economic coercion disappears, replaced competing for concessions in the mega- the country asunder. by a financial model more than ade- fields of southern Iraq. Kurdistan's quate to sustain any KRG bid for inde- access to Iraq's pipelines has been It's not hard to see how these conflicting pendence. restricted. And as often as not, the cen- visions, left unmediated, could trigger tral government has simply withheld an unvirtuous action-reaction cycle. Of course, none of this can be lost on payments that foreign operators are And the dynamic has only been exacer- Turkey, which for decades has struggled owed under their Kurdish deals. The bated in the wake of the U.S. withdraw- to deal with the grievances of its own latest row over compensation led the al from Iraq last December, as Maliki's quite sizable Kurdish minority -- ➩ KRG in April to suspend exports alto- bent for concentrating power is increas- including a devastating 30-year

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

➩ war against the terrorist PKK. changing security calculus concerns are providing a possible independence Indeed, fear about the possible Iran, of course, and the intensifying narrative out of the KRG. Whatever spillover effect on Turkish territorial regional rivalry between Ankara and Ankara's ultimate purpose in doing so, integrity has long made opposition to Tehran, laden by a long history of con- it appears increasingly possible that the Kurdish autonomy in Iraq a corner- flict and Sunni-Shiite antagonism. dramatic advances in relations with the stone of Ankara's national security pol- Most acute in Syria -- where Iran Kurds could be the harbinger of a much icy. stands as the Alawite regime's main more important strategic transforma- champion and Turkey its chief oppo- tion to come in southwest Asia. Yet increasingly that assumption has nent -- the brewing cold war is also been thrown into question. The last being played out fiercely on the Iraqi At a minimum, U.S. policymakers several years have witnessed a genuine front. Especially in the wake of Maliki's would be wise to take seriously the sea-change in Turkish-KRG relations. targeting of his Sunni vice president, prospect of a fundamental paradigm Turkish companies make up the largest Turkey seems more convinced than shift in Turkey's relations with the group of foreign investors in Kurdistan. ever that the Shiite-dominated govern- KRG. The implications for the security Iraq is now Turkey's second biggest ment in Baghdad has fallen to Iran's and stability of Iraq and the broader export market, with Kurdistan respon- orbit. Personal recriminations between region could be huge, with equally sible for the bulk of that activity. Should Maliki and Turkish Prime Minister important consequences for U.S. inter- direct energy sales commence, the KRG Erdogan reached a boiling point earlier ests. Unfortunately, the Obama admin- could well become Turkey's most this spring, culminating in Turkish istration appears for now more or less important economic relationship. flags being burned at a demonstration oblivious to developments, at best an in Basra. In this environment, a stable, irrelevant spectator to the high-stakes Strategically, Turkey is clearly placing a secure (and mostly Sunni) Iraqi geo-strategic game now playing out in growing premium on the valuable con- Kurdistan, pre-disposed to favor the region. tribution Kurdistan could make to its Turkey over Iran, and engaged in a energy security. Not unlike China and showdown of its own against Baghdad, It's imperative that Washington gain a India, Turkey's fast growing economy looks like a natural ally to Ankara, a much better understanding of Turkey's (as much as 7 percent per year) cannot potentially vital buffer on an otherwise strategic direction with respect to be sustained without huge additional dangerous southern border. Kurdistan and Iraq, and do everything energy inputs. Its current situation of possible to develop a common heavy dependence on supplies from Exactly how far Turkey is prepared to approach -- or at least avoid unpleasant Russia and Iran is obviously sub-opti- go in its new relationship with the KRG surprises. And if in fact a truly federal, mal -- not least because new sanctions remains to be seen. For many experts democratic and unified Iraq that puts threaten to cut Turkey off from the U.S. on Turkey, as well as U.S. officials, it's as much oil as possible onto world mar- financial system unless its imports difficult to imagine the current dal- kets remains an important U.S. interest from Iran can be significantly reduced. liance with Erbil as anything more than -- as it should, especially in light of the Ensuring that Kurdistan's ample ener- a tactical play to secure economic bene- current squeeze on Iranian oil sales -- gy supplies flow through Turkey would fits and gain leverage over Iran and then helping the KRG and Baghdad certainly help address that dilemma, as Baghdad. In this view, independence resolve their intensifying political con- well as dramatically advance Ankara's for Iraqi Kurdistan remains a bright red flicts, including over the national aspiration of becoming one of the line that Ankara will never cross. hydrocarbons law, should again world's most vital oil and gas transport become a top priority for American hubs, particularly for exports to Perhaps. But it's increasingly hard not diplomacy. While the Obama adminis- Europe. In short, a special patronage to consider that the ground may be tration might like indulging the fiction relationship with Iraqi Kurdistan -- and shifting in very significant ways. The that their hands-off approach to Iraq is its estimated reserves of 40-50 billion fact is that few of the experts would encouraging its politicians to solve barrels of oil and 3-6 trillion cubic have predicted the extraordinary their own problems, the reality is that meters of natural gas -- could carry warming of relations that's occurred in outside actors -- be it enemies in Iran or huge benefits for Turkey. just the past few years. The sight of allies in Turkey -- are aggressively pur- Erdogan visiting Erbil in 2011, with suing their own national interests and Perhaps even more important, howev- Turkish flags flying side-by-side with deeply involved in determining not er, is the security angle. For years, Iraqi Kurdish flags, was truly remarkable. only Iraq's future, but potentially the Kurdistan was viewed in Ankara as an So, too, the red-carpet treatment that map of the Middle East. That's a game integral part of Turkey's PKK problem, Turkey granted visits by KRG President that America very much needs to be in, serving as the terrorist group's strategic Masoud Barzani this past April, and the sooner the better. I depth and staging ground. Today, the Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani just KRG is increasingly viewed as part of a few weeks ago. The fact is that last the solution to Turkey's most pressing week's pipeline announcement was no national security threat, a potential ally impulse development, no quixotic in delegitimizing PKK violence and response to the latest flare up with encouraging a broader political accom- Baghdad or Tehran. On the contrary, it modation that fully reconciles the was the product of several years of care- Turkish state and its disgruntled ful deliberation and discussion, in Kurdish populace. which Erdogan was intimately involved. Rest assured that the Turks A second component to Turkey's realize full well the kind of boost they

76 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 31 mai 2012

«Le massacre de Houla est un tournant

e cessez-le-feu préconisédans par Kofi la crise syrienne»tions étaient pacifiques. Les mots Annan n’est pas respecté par le d’ordres étaient : non-violence, refus des Lrégime, qui poursuit ses bombardements, ingérences extérieures, et refus des notamment à Houla, où 108 personnes affrontements intercommunautaires. La ont été massacrées ce week-end. Jean- réponse du régime a été la violence systé- Pierre Perrin, journaliste au service matique. Toutes les occasions ont été Monde de «Libération», a répondu à vos bonnes pour le régime de tuer, de tortu- questions. rer. Il est donc plus moral de soutenir l’opposition que le régime, même si des Marcel. Pékin et Moscou pourraient-ils exactions graves ont été commises par enfin infléchir leur position ? Qu’en certains opposants. pensez-vous ? Sous quelles conditions ? Boris2. L’Irak est plutôt pour Assad ou Jean-Pierre Perrin. Oui, Moscou peut pour l’autre camp ? infléchir sa position, mais la partie n’est J.-P. P. Pour Assad, à 100%. pas gagnée. D’abord, discuter avec Moscou signifie faire des concessions, Lazare. Que font les Turcs ? Ils laissent céder à ses marchandages, bref, passer faire les insurgés ? Ils laissent passer les sous ses fourches caudines. Si les armes, en partie ? Occidentaux sont prêts à offrir ce que survie d’une partie du régime. Rien J.-P. P. Les Turcs parlent beaucoup mais demande Poutine sur le bouclier antimis- n’indique que cette solution puisse mar- agissent peu. A l'évidence, ils voudraient siles, sur la question nucléaire iranienne, cher en Syrie. tirer profit d’un changement de régime peut-être voudra-t-il alors infléchir sa en Syrie. Mais, en même temps, ils ne position. Mais la partie ne sera pas pour Phil. Où en est l’enquête sur les tueries sont pas prêts à prendre des risques. Une autant gagnée, car il veut engager un de Houla ? première raison : la communauté kurde bras de fer avec l’Occident pour bien J.-P. P. Le seul avantage de la mission de en Syrie est en partie contrôlée par la montrer qu’il est incontournable, et qu’il l’ONU, c’est qu’elle a pu se rendre sur branche syrienne du PKK, qui a des n’est pas question de lui faire une place et déterminer qui étaient les res- moyens d’action à l’intérieur de la seconde fois le coup de la Libye. Mais si ponsables de la tuerie. On sait à peu près Turquie. Les dernières attaques kurdes la situation devenait totalement incontrô- ce qui s’est passé, l’artillerie du régime, dans l’est de la Turquie lui sont imputa- lable en Syrie, à ce moment-là, sa position montée sur des chars, a pulvérisé des bles, et visaient à montrer à Ankara qu’il syrienne pourrait évoluer sous peine de quartiers de la ville. Puis des miliciens ne devait pas trop s’engager au profit des tout perdre dans la région. sont venus achever les blessés. La res- rebelles. Le soutien kurde à l’opposition Gigi. Plusieurs capitales occidentales ponsabilité du régime dans le massacre syrienne existe bel et bien, mais il reste ont renvoyé les ambassadeurs syriens, ne laisse donc aucun doute. Il est possible limité et il est difficile de savoir si des cette expulsion diplomatique sert-elle à que ce massacre soit d’ailleurs un tour- quantités importantes d’armes à destina- quelque chose ? nant dans la crise syrienne. tion des rebelles passent par le territoire turc. J.-P.P. Cette expulsion est purement sym- Gabriel. La crédibilité de Kofi Annan bolique. Elle traduit surtout est-elle remise en cause ? NS. Qui sont les «rebelles» ? l’impossibilité pour les diplomaties occi- J.-P. P. Il est certain que Kofi Annan ne va J.P. P. L’opposition est évidemment hété- dentales de mener une politique vrai- pas sortir grandi de l’aventure. Il a cau- roclite. Elle comprend des partis ment efficace à l’encontre du régime tionné l’idée que le régime pouvait tran- d’opposition traditionnels, qui vont des syrien. Cependant, pour l’opposition siger et se réformer, alors que quasiment communistes aux islamistes (Frères c’est toujours un encouragement dans tous les observateurs estiment qu’il ne musulmans et salafistes). Elle compte son combat. Un inconvénient cependant, peut se réformer sous peine de s'écrouler. aussi nombre d’officiers, en général d’un les pays européens se privent d’un inter- Il aurait fallu que la mission de l’ONU grade intermédiaire qui ont rejoint la locuteur en cas de problème de prises puisse aussi visiter les prisons, constater rébellion. Elle compte enfin les opposants d’otages, de journalistes capturés, etc. les tortures, permette aux convois huma- qui n’appartiennent pas aux partis tradi- Emilie. Une intervention militaire des nitaires d’acheminer des vivres dans les tionnels et qui se sont révoltés au fur et à Nations unies est-elle inéluctable ? villes assiégées... En tout état de cause, la mesure que le régime réprimait, ce sont mission Annan a permis au régime de surtout les comités locaux de coordina- J.-P. P. Rien n’est inéluctable. Mais si les gagner du temps. Cela dit, pour le tion qui maintiennent la révolte à massacres continuent, si le régime syrien moment, il n’y a pas d’autres alterna- l’intérieur, et organisent coûte que coûte ne cède sur rien, et une fois les élections tives. les manifestations. Ces comités sont très terminées aux Etats-Unis, on peut imagi- disparates, et leur composition varie ner que face à l’intolérable, la commu- Boris2. En quoi, dans cette guerre civile, d’une ville à l’autre. Ce sont eux cepen- nauté internationale se sentira obligée de est-il plus moral de soutenir un camp dant le moteur de l’opposition, elle- réagir. Pour le moment, les Etats-Unis plutôt qu’un autre ? même divisée entre celle de l’intérieur et préfèrent une solution à la yéménite, III J.-P. P. Au départ, toutes les manifesta- de l’extérieur. c’est-à-dire le départ de Bachar, mais la 77 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

III semaines passent, plus cette clientèle du le régime syrien compte de puissants régime commence à s’effriter. On voit de alliés serait la première victime de cette Clok. Quelle est la proportion des pro- plus en plus de manifestations à Alep, régionalisation du conflit, tout ce qui s’y Assad en Syrie ? ville qui était jusqu'à présent considérée passe actuellement se lit à la lumière des J.-P. P. L’un des aspects du régime Assad comme l’un des bastions du régime. événements syriens. Jusqu'à présent, les est sa nature clientéliste. Il est donc évi- troubles sont demeurés limités à Tripoli, Cinna. A quelle évolution peut-on dent que les clientèles du pouvoir le sou- et de temps à autre à Beyrouth. Une s’attendre, notamment dans les pays tiennent. La bourgeoisie commerçante question : est-ce que le Hezbollah qui, voisins comme le Liban ? d’abord, une partie des fonctionnaires, jusqu'à présent, restait relativement dans un pays qui en compte beaucoup, J.-P. P. Si le régime sent qu’il perd la par- calme, prendra le risque de provoquer les officiers de l’armée qui ont été choyés tie, il va chercher à régionaliser le conflit une guerre civile au Liban pour défendre par Damas. Sans compter les minorités pour bien montrer au camp occidental et le régime d’Assad ? qui voient dans le régime la garantie aux Russes, d’une part, sa capacité de Merci de tout l’intérêt que vous portez qu’ils pourront survivre, alors qu'elles nuisance, et, d’autre part, qu’il est le seul au conflit syrien, vos questions sont très sont inquiètes par la perspective d'une pays de la région à pouvoir maintenir nombreuses, on reviendra vers vous très prise du pouvoir par les islamistes qui se l’ordre dans celle-ci. Dans ce cas de J bientôt... ferait à leurs dépens. Cela dit, plus les figure, il est évident que le petit Liban où

30 mai 2012 Les compagnies étrangères se déchirent

pourjoyeux le bazar, pétrole car les règles du jeu irakien Par Charles Haquet, changeaient tout le temps, raconte un proche du pouvoir et conseiller d'une major occidentale. Le gouvernement A Bagdad, les autorités mettent avait par exemple décrété, quelques aux enchères une série de con- heures avant l'ouverture des enveloppes, trats d'exploration pétrolière. que ceux qui demanderaient une marge Un casse-tête pour les compag- supérieure à 2 dollars par baril seraient nies étrangères, qui se heurtent éliminés d'office." Panique chez les can- au chaos d'un Etat fracturé. didats, qui se précipitent sur leurs cal- culettes. Tractations, rebuffades... Les Mais la promesse, à terme, d'un compagnies refusent d'abord en bloc. Les Kurdes sont accusés par Bagdad jackpot dans un pays qui Puis les Chinois abattent leurs cartes. Ils d'écouler en douce du pétrole vers l'Iran et regorge de réserves. y vont. Dans la foulée, le groupe britan- la Turquie (ici, dans la région de Haj nique BP craque. Un troisième flanche. Omran, à la frontière avec oi d'Irakien, la foire d'empoigne pro- Des alliances se nouent à la hâte, les l'Iran).REUTERS/Azad Lashkari met d'être fameuse. Car la quaran- émissaires se font des promesses, Ftaine de compagnies pétrolières qui se bluffent... sol dans les plaines qui bordent le golfe retrouvent à Bagdad, en cette fin mai, Arabo-Persique. Tapi plus en profondeur, sont prêtes à tout pour emporter la mise. Finalement, tous, à l'exception de Total, dans les montagnes du Nord-Est. Et En l'occurrence, l'une, voire plusieurs cèdent au diktat irakien. Et tant pis si quand, vraiment, on n'en trouve pas, c'est des 11 concessions mises aux enchères personne ne gagne d'argent sur ces con- qu'il y a une poche de gaz... par le gouvernement irakien. Des zones trats: le principal est de prendre pied sur situées dans le centre du pays, dont les le marché le plus prometteur de ces Ce n'est que récemment que les grands sous-sols regorgeraient de gaz et d'huiles prochaines années, l'eldorado aux 200 groupes étrangers se sont tournés vers lourdes. Jolis jackpots en perspective. milliards de barils. Des réserves les plaines mésopotamiennes. Plus supérieures, dit-on, à celles de l'Iran. Et, exactement à la fin de 2009, avec la sig- C'est la quatrième fois, en deux ans, que peut-être, de l'Arabie saoudite. nature des premiers contrats de produc- le gouvernement irakien organise ce type tion. Trente ans de guerres, d'embargo d'appel d'offres. La méthode est toujours Il y a tant de pétrole que, parfois, c'en est puis d'occupation américaine avaient la même. Réunis dans une pièce, les trop. Dans le sud du pays, lorsque les plongé le pays dans un tel chaos qu'il négociateurs étrangers doivent remettre gardiens de chèvres déplacent leurs trou- était, auparavant, impossible d'y tra- une proposition : quel est leur plan de peaux, leurs bêtes s'engluent les pattes vailler. La plupart des installations, production? Et combien de dollars veu- dans les ruisseaux noirs, à l'odeur entê- comme le "pipeline stratégique" qui tra- lent-ils gagner sur chaque baril produit? tante, qui coulent à la lisière des champs. versait le pays du nord au sud, avaient Ensuite, on dépouille les résultats et on Quant aux maçons de Bassora, ils n'ont d'ailleurs été détruites. Aujourd'hui, une retient les mieux, ou, plutôt, les moins- qu'une hantise : que l'or noir jaillisse du page se tourne. disants... sol lorsqu'ils creusent les fondations d'un ➩ "Lors des précédents rounds, c'était un immeuble. Car il est partout. A fleur de Certes, la situation politique du pays

78 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➩ reste très tendue. La gouvernance entre les partis chiite, sunnite et kurde, telle que définie dans les accords d'Arbil, en 2010, marche mal. Les sunnites reprochent au Premier ministre, Nouri al-Maliki, leader du parti chiite, de refuser de partager les pouvoirs, comme il s'y était pourtant engagé. On craint le point de rupture. Les trois factions s'accordent cependant sur un point : le pétrole est une priorité. Et la relance de la production sortira le pays de l'ornière.

RESTE À VAINCRE L'INERTIE DE L'ADMINISTRATION

Exsangue, endetté, l'Irak est en ruine. Routes, hôpitaux, transports, il faut tout reconstruire. Il manque 1 million de logements, 5 000 éco-les... Le coût de la reconstruction dépasserait les 500 milliards de dollars. Un coût astronomique, que les recettes pétrolières pourraient aisément gérer tous ces appels d'offres, car de brut, revendus 30 dollars environ, financer. Quelques chiffres pour s'en nombreux hauts fonctionnaires ont fui passeraient ainsi la frontière du Nord- convaincre : l'Irak, dont la courbe de à l'étranger durant les années Saddam Ouest. Démenti des Kurdes. C'est pour- production remonte lentement, extrait Hussein. Ils ne sont pas revenus. Le tant un secret de polichinelle : les Turcs chaque jour plus de 3 millions de bar- déficit de compétences est tel que le auraient même publié une réglementa- ils, soit le niveau de 1980, avant la gouvernement a dû demander aux fonc- tion pour fixer les droits de douane des guerre avec l'Iran. Pour le seul mois tionnaires en âge de prendre leur camions... d'avril, les exportations de brut lui ont retraite de rester en poste afin de traiter rapporté 9 milliards de dollars. Si, les dossiers... Bref, le torchon brûle entre les deux comme les experts le prédisent, le pays Le flou législatif n'arrange pas les communautés. Les tensions sont si parvient à doubler sa production d'ici à choses. La loi sur le pétrole, censée vives que les autorités kurdes ont quatre ans, plus de 200 milliards de régir le secteur, est en discussion brusquement cessé, en avril dernier, de dollars entreront chaque année dans les depuis cinq ans. Elle bute sur un sujet participer aux exportations irakiennes caisses de l'Etat. Ce n'est donc qu'une sensible : les relations entre Bagdad et de pétrole. En représailles, Bagdad question de temps. le Kurdistan, province du Nord qui dis- menace de couper le robinet financier. pose d'un statut autonome. Pour le pou- Mais le Premier ministre, chiite, Encore faut-il, dès maintenant, passer voir central, il n'y a pas de doute : seul prendrait un risque : faire basculer les à la vitesse supérieure. C'est l'obsession le ministère du Pétrole est habilité à Kurdes dans le camp des sunnites, ce mener les négociations avec les qui le fragiliserait sur le plan politique. étrangers. Et c'est Bagdad qui, via une Les tensions sont si vives société d'Etat, la Somo, collecte les Le symbole le plus fort de ces affronte- entre le Kurdistan et recettes et les redistribue aux ments, c'est Kirkouk, ville du Nord, provinces, en fonction de leur poids dont Bagdad et les Kurdes se disputent Bagdad que les autorités démographique. Le Kurdistan reçoit la souveraineté. Ces derniers tentent, kurdes ont cessé de par- ainsi 17% du budget fédéral, soit 17 par tous les moyens, d'y attirer des milliards de dollars cette année. compagnies pétrolières pour montrer ticiper aux exportations qu'ils ont la main sur la région. De leur irakiennes Mais les Kurdes, qui cachent de moins côté, les autorités centrales y négocient en moins leurs velléités indépendan- avec certaines majors (on parle des majors : "pousser" la production tistes, pensent pouvoir faire mieux et d'Exxon, de BP et de Total) afin de afin de compenser leurs faibles marges négocient directement avec les majors. moderniser leurs installations. Pour les par du volume. Reste à vaincre l'inertie La Constitution, selon eux, leur en étrangers, le jeu est subtil. Faut-il tra- de l'administration irakienne... Un donne le droit. Ils ont, déjà, signé une vailler avec les Kurdes, plus négociateur occidental, habitué des trentaine de contrats, consentant aux "généreux", au risque de se couper de couloirs ministériels, raconte l'épreuve étrangers des conditions bien plus Bagdad et des gisements du Sud ? Ou : "Les ministères du Pétrole et des avantageuses que Bagdad. L'américain garder l'atout kurde dans sa manche, Finances se tirent dans les pattes, car Exxon, notamment, a conclu un accord, pour, comme le fait Shell, négocier de ils ne sont pas de la même couleur à la fin de 2011, soulevant l'ire du gou- meilleures conditions avec Bagdad ? politique. Nos interlocuteurs locaux vernement central. Et ce n'est pas tout. Tout le monde se surveille, à l'affût de sont terrorisés, ils font tout valider dix Bagdad accuse les Kurdes de mener la meilleure stratégie. Oui, la foire N fois avant de prendre la moindre déci- des trafics clandestins de pétrole, par d'empoigne ne fait que commencer. sion. Tout prend du retard." D'autant camions-citernes, vers la Turquie et que l'encadrement est insuffisant pour l'Iran. Chaque jour, 25 000 barils de

79 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti May 29, 2012 Iraq: A satellite state of Iran? How much influence does Iran wield in Iraq? This question has long been debated, with US withdrawal even more relevant. By AYMENN JAWAD AL-TAMIMI the aftermath of the 2010 elections, which indeed have a profound impact on Iraqi entailed a prolonged stalemate among politics, shifting the country towards a ow much influence does Iran wield in Iraq’s political factions, the Sadrists and the much more decisively pro-Iranian ali- Iraq? This question has long been a strongly pro-Iranian Islamic Supreme gnment. Hmatter of debate and in light of the US troop Council of Iraq [ISCI] eventually joined Nevertheless, there are numerous obs- withdrawal has become all the more rele- the current Prime Minister Nouri al- tacles that render the prospect of Shahrudi vant, especially with rumors of Iranian Maliki’s State of Law bloc on Iran’s advice. acquiring a position of dominance in Najaf plans to have Mahmud Shahrudi, who is an Thus, it cannot be denied that the unlikely, primarily because such a move Iraqi-born member of Iran’s Guardian Iranian influence exists economically and would probably encounter stringent oppo- Council and advocates clerical involvement politically. sition from the Dawa party that is led by in government, succeed the quietist Ali al- Oddly enough, both the US and Iran Nouri al-Maliki and is the most powerful Sistani in Najaf. backed Maliki for a second term as prime Shi’a political faction in Iraq (far more so Unfortunately, partisan politics on the minister following the 2010 elections, but than either the Sadrists or the ISCI). left and right have precluded serious analy- of the two countries, it was Iran that sho- The Dawa party, unlike the Sadrists or sis on the subject. wed a degree of influence on the political ISCI but in keeping with the consensus in In any event, we can begin by noting process in advising the Sadrists and ISCI to Najaf that itself hinders the possibility of a that Iraq has close economic ties with Iran. unite with Maliki. The US in contrast had Shahrudi takeover, has generally not According to the Iranian ambassador to no role in suggesting or facilitating coali- embraced Khomeini’s doctrine of velayat- Baghdad, quoted in a report by the Tehran tion-shuffling. efaqih (governance of the jurist). Times, trade transactions between the two Yet it does not follow that the Iraqi Besides, al-Maliki and his bloc, whose countries over the past Iranian calendar government simply subordinates what it greatest concern has always been consoli- year (ending on 19th March 2012) amoun- perceives to be its own interests to those of dation of their own power base, are aware ted to more than $11 billion. Iran. Iraq is still a leading customer for US of Sunni Arab and Kurdish anxieties about He also noted that around 1.2 million arms, despite Iranian disapproval, and will shifting towards an Iranian model of Iranian pilgrims visited the Shi’a holy probably remain so over the coming years. government, and accordingly, as analyst cities of Najaf and Karbala in that same It is also notable that the negotiations Reidar Visser notes, have been working year. In the aftermath of the 2003 invasion, over the question of an extension of the US with al-Iraqiya – the main opposition bloc a lifting on import tariffs by the Coalition troop presence were conducted in such a – and the Kurds to block attempts by ISCI Provisional Authority led to an influx of way as to exclude the Sadrists from the and the Islamic Virtue Party – a branch of cheap goods from Iran, and shopkeepers in Iraqi government’s decision-making. the Sadrist movement – to introduce cleri- Karbala have not been unaware of the The reason the discussions broke down cal veto in Iraqi law, such as is practiced in increase of Iranian products on sale in their was because of a universal consensus Iran. stores. among Iraq’s political factions that no legal In short, Iraq is not a satellite state of Nor is there a shortage of signs in Farsi immunity could be granted to US troops; Iran. In general, the Iraqi government advertising accommodation for pilgrims, otherwise all agreed on a postponement of thinks it is in its best interests to maintain and many Iraqis in the city have now learnt the withdrawal deadline. The voices of pro- good relations with both Iran and the the Persian language. Unsurprisingly, these Iranian factions were completely irrele- United States. Although Iranian influence developments have provoked suspicions of vant. in the country is undoubtedly present eco- Iranian cultural infiltration. Further, while the Iraqi government has nomically and politically, it does not follow When there was a US troop presence in generally not come out in support of the that Iraq complies with Tehran’s wishes. Iraq, Tehran provided backing for small Syrian uprising (with the Sadrists declaring When it comes to Iraqi politics, what Shi’a militant organizations known as the Bashar Assad to be a “brother” solely by matter more than any foreign influence are “Special Groups.” These militias came into virtue of his supposed Shi’a identity), it is the rivalries between and within the various increasing conflict with the central govern- not necessarily the case that this stance is factions, often entailing personal power ment as the sectarian civil war began to due to Iranian influence, for it is clear that struggles going back many years. subside in 2007-8. the Iraqi government is also keen to avoid In the end, the formation of the current Nonetheless, after the American with- actively aiding the Assad regime, as evin- Iraqi government as per the Arbil compro- drawal, the Special Groups have had no ced by Baghdad’s warning to Tehran in mise struck by Massoud Barzani had casus belli, and so it is that they have either March that it would not permit arms ship- nothing to do with the US or Iran, but was disbanded or turned to the political process. ments to Syria to pass through its territory rather rooted in the problem of the personal A case-in-point is the League of the or airspace. animosity between Maliki and Ayad Righteous, led by Qais Khazali, who is at This announcement came partly in res- Allawi, who is leader of the opposition bloc odds with Muqtada al-Sadr and his follo- ponse to American concerns that Iraq was but like Maliki a Shi’ite and has many wers that comprise an important part of the in violation of the UN Security Council Shi’a groups in his bloc such as the White ruling coalition. By backing the groups that Resolution 1747 that bans arms exports Iraqi National Movement.
can give rise to internal Shi’a rivalries, Iran from Iran. can increase its own influence by playing a What then of the rumors that Iran is The author is a student at Brasenose College, role as mediator, adviser and kingmaker. aiming to have Shahrudi succeed Sistani in Oxford University, and an adjunct fellow at Linked to this point is the fact that in Najaf? If this were to happen, it would Daniel Pipes' Middle East Forum.

80 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 30 May 2012 Ankara very well knows that any possible moves towards an independent Iraqi THE NEW IRAQ (OIL) WAR Kurdistan would give a wealth of ideas to Turkey is positioning itself to be the transit country for Turkish Kurds. That’s its number one prio- energy due its location at the crossroads of east and west. rity; "sanitise" cross border Kurdish natio- nalism. Thus it’s not exactly a good policy [relations] are close to poisonous... Turkey to antagonise Baghdad as much as Turkish in its complex neo-Ottomanism lite offen- business interests may need - and crave - Pepe Escobar sive courting Sunnis all across the Middle Iraqi oil. East." Now for the facts on the ground. Irbil does ong Kong, China - Iraq has virtually It doesn’t help that relations between the not decide Iraq’s oil exports; Baghdad Hdisappeared from the news cycle - dis- Maliki government and Iraqi Kurds are close does. The Maliki government is actually placed by the Arab Spring/Winter seesaw to poisonous. Because of - what else - juggling between the north (Kurdistan) and and the ongoing tragedy in Syria. money, the KRG threatened to "cease the south. Production in Basra is going up. But when Ashti Hawrami, oil minister of exports" to Baghdad. Last year, the KRG This means Kurdistan ceases to be crucial. semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, delive- and ExxonMobil made a direct deal, bypas- In strictly Pipelineistan terms, the fog of red a particular explosive bit of news over sing Baghdad. a week ago at the regional capital Irbil, incertitude mirrors the Europeans trying to one could feel the tectonic plates of And then, there’s all the geopolitical deal with unpredictable gas republic Pipelineistan rippling all across the Middle drama. The Erdogan administration in Turkmenistan. Investors in this potential East - and beyond. Ankara also has tremendous problems with pipeline will note there’s absolutely no Maliki. guarantee that the KRG, by itself, can Hawrami, alongside Turkey’s energy minis- actually supply 1 million barrels of oil a Turkey - in its complex neo-Ottomanism ter Taner Yildiz, announced that essentially day. Iraqi Kurds would build a one-million-bar- lite offensive courting Sunnis all across the rel-a-day oil pipeline to Ceyhan, in Turkey, Middle East - accuses Shiite Maliki not only Iraq still does not have a national hydrocar- to reach the border by August 2013. Then a of sectarianism inside Iraq, but also of bons law - foreseen in the constitution, second phase would connect it to the blindly following Iran to prop up Bashar al- with specific provisions related to conces- Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, and a second pipe- Assad in Syria. sions. It’s on the way - albeit slowly. The KRG will have to be accounted for. line would open in 2014. Ankara has been a vocal advocate of Meanwhile, it’s our (Baghdad) way or the regime change in Syria. As much as the AKP Pipelineistan followers will remember that highway. Ceyhan is the gigantic terminal for the in power in Ankara has sealed an alliance Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline - a with Sunnis all across the Middle East, they And it’s all bound to remain extremely pet geopolitical project of the Clinton see Iraqi Kurds as much better allies than a murky while there’s no referendum - post- administration in the US. BTC also carries 1 pro-Tehran Maliki. poned for five years now - on the status of Iraqi Kurdistan. Crucial Kirkuk is still being million barrels of oil a day. For his part, Maliki mercilessly blasts disputed. And Basra also wants near to full Ankara for giving protection to fugitive Iraqi Kurdistan is an energy paradise. In authority over its own energy deals. December 2011, Hawrami estimated it held Iraqi vice-president Tasheq al-Hashemi, between 3 and 6 trillion cubic meters of accused by Baghdad of running Sunni death Turkey, though, is in a tremendous hurry. It natural gas and 45 billion barrels of oil. squads, according to evidence Turkey has been painstakingly positioning itself to insists was obtained by torture. Europe, in terms of a transit country for Iraqi Kurds dream of profiting from this energy, as the indispensable crossroads No problem, as long as we profit from it bonanza without consulting Baghdad. Now between East and West. imagine, as a comparison, if Turkish This website (subscription only) has been A KRG-Turkey pipeline would do wonders as Anatolia decided to build a pipeline with closely following the oil angle of the a PR move expanding Turkey’s role in pro- Iran, for its own needs, without bothering Kurdistan-Turkey partnership. But it’s an viding oil and gas to Europe - now that the to tell Ankara. incredibly messy story, mired in myriad interminable Nabucco pipeline opera contradictions. And this happened after Iraqi prime minis- seems to be condemned to the dustbin. ter Nouri al-Maliki had characterised "Ankara's position towards a possible balka- And geopolitically, the EU and NATO would Turkey - previous practitioner of a "zero nisation of Iraq is like smoke coming out of be delighted to finally have an alternative problems with our neighbours" diplomacy - a shisha." as on the way to becoming a "hostile to reduce Russia’s Gazprom stranglehold on state", and Turkish flags had been burned Turkey’s second-biggest trading partner is the European energy market. now Iraq. Most of the trade comes from the in Basra. This is all inbuilt in the Turkish Foreign KRG - to the delight of Turkish companies. Ministry’s new "Eurasian" policy. It looks Baghdad, of course, may veto the whole Yet for Ankara the key of the equation is to like the "zero problems with our neigh- adventure. It has already branded the use the KRG to subdue the Kurdistan bours" doctrine is being replaced by "a few pipeline as "illegal", even though Hawrami Workers Party, or PKK, which is essentially problems we can profit from".
said, "Export[ed] crude from the Kurdish based in Iraqi Kurdistan. region's fields will still be Iraqi oil." The Pepe Escobar is the roving correspondent for KRG [Kurdish regional government] would Ankara’s position towards a possible balka- Asia Times. His latest book is named Obama take 17 per cent of the cut and the rest nisation of Iraq is like smoke coming out of Does Globalistan (Nimble Books, 2009). would go to Baghdad and the Iraq Central a shisha. Officially, Ankara always stresses Bank. Iraq’s "territorial integrity". Thus, in thesis, it would prefer a pipeline approved by "The Maliki government and Iraqi Kurds Baghdad.

81 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti May 29, 2012 Syria Massacre Victims In Houla Executed, Says UN

By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY Victims of the Houla massacre (Photo AP) lity for their actions. peaceful protests inspired by the wave of EIRUT — Eyewitness accounts U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve uprisings sweeping the Arab world. from the Syrian massacre emerged Ladsous said there are strong suspicions Nearly 15 months later, the country BTuesday, describing shadowy gunmen that pro-Assad fighters were responsible is in many ways unrecognizable from the slaughtering whole families in their for some of the killings, adding that he days before the revolt. Assad, once homes and targeting the most vulnera- has seen no reason to believe that "third considered a potential reformer in a ble in poor farming villages. Western elements" – or outside forces – were region filled with aging dictators, is a nations expelled Syrian diplomats in a involved, although he did not rule it out. global pariah. A country that once boas- coordinated move against President The Syrian regime has denied any ted it was the safest in the Middle East is Bashar Assad's regime over the killing role in the massacre, blaming the kil- riven with violence, some of it reminis- of more than 100 people. cent of the worst days of the Iraq war. U.N. special envoy Kofi Annan met lings on "armed terrorists" who attacked The economy is in tatters. Syrians are with Assad in Damascus to try to salvage army positions in the area and slaughte- facing price increases for basic goods what was left of a peace plan, which red innocent civilians. It has provided no and endure regular power cuts. since being brokered six weeks ago has evidence to support its narrative, nor failed to stop any of the violence on the has it given a death toll. And in some haunting cases, neigh- ground. Following his meeting with Assad, bors who have lived side by side for years are turning on each other, driven Survivors of the Houla massacre bla- Annan called on the government and "all by sectarian hatred that so many months med pro-regime gunmen for at least government-backed militias" to stop of violence is laying bare. some of the carnage as the killings rever- military operations and show maximum berated inside Syria and beyond, further restraint. He also called on the armed According to witnesses, the massa- isolating Assad and embarrassing his opposition to stop all violence. cre, which began late Friday in an area few remaining allies. "We are at a tipping point," Annan about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north- west of the city of Homs, had dangerous "It's very hard for me to describe told reporters in Damascus. "The Syrian sectarian overtones. what I saw, the images were incredibly people do not want the future to be one disturbing," a Houla resident who hid in of bloodshed and division." The victims lived in the Houla area's his home during the massacre told The Cranking up the pressure on Assad, Sunni Muslim villages. But the shabiha Associated Press on Tuesday. "Women, the Obama administration gave Syria's forces allegedly behind many of the kil- children without heads, their brains or most senior envoy in Washington, the lings came from an arc of nearby villages stomachs spilling out." charge d'affaires at the Syrian Embassy, populated by Alawites, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. He said the pro-regime gunmen, 72 hours to leave the United States. known as shabiha, targeted the most Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Most shabiha fighters belong to the vulnerable in the farming villages that Germany, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria also Alawite sect, to which the Assad family make up Houla, a poor area in Homs expelled Syrian diplomats. and the ruling elite also belong. This province. "They went after the women, "We hold the Syrian government res- ensures the gunmen's loyalty to the children and elderly," he said, asking ponsible for this slaughter of innocent regime, built on fears they will be perse- that his name not be used out of fear of lives," State Department spokeswoman cuted if the Sunni majority gains the reprisals. Victoria Nuland said in Washington. upper hand. Assad's government often deploys "This massacre is the most unambi- Sunnis make up most of Syria's 22 fearsome militias that provide muscle guous indictment to date of the Syrian million people, as well as the backbone for the regime and carry out military- government's flagrant violations of its of the opposition. Even as much of the style attacks. They frequently work clo- U.N. Security Council obligations." opposition insists the movement is enti- sely with soldiers and security forces, The massacre in Houla could prove rely secular, disturbing reports from the but the regime never acknowledges their to be a watershed moment in the Syrian ground suggest religious tensions are existence, allowing it to deny responsibi- crisis, which began in March 2011 with boiling over. ☛

82 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ☛ The volatile sectarian divide makes area, stabbing residents and shooting therefore has a particular role in this cri- civil war one of the most dire scenarios. them at close range. sis." Activists say as many as 13,000 peo- Videos posted online by anti-regime Despite some shift in Russia's stance ple have been killed in the uprising. The activists show explosions in Houla and recently, Russian Foreign Minister U.N. put the toll at 9,000 as of March – dismembered bodies in the streets, then Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday the Houla one year into the revolt – but many hun- row upon row of the dead laid out before massacre must not be a pretext to push dreds more have died since. being buried in a mass grave. Some for military intervention from outside. On Tuesday, the U.N.'s human rights videos showed dozens of dead children, Instead, he urged all sides to focus on office said most of the 108 victims of the some with gaping wounds. the Annan plan. Houla massacre were shot at close According to the state-run news Hague said that the situation in Syria range. The U.N. report indicated that agency, SANA, Assad on Tuesday bla- is more complicated than what interna- most of the dead were killed execution- med terrorists and weapons smugglers tional powers faced in Libya last year, style, with fewer than 20 people cut for scuttling the peace plan, which called when a U.N. resolution ushered in down by regime shelling. for a cease-fire and dialogue with the NATO military intervention against dic- Deaths from heavy artillery can be opposition. The regime denies there is tator Moammar Gadhafi's regime. blamed on regime forces with relative any popular will behind the country's White House spokesman Jay Carney confidence because rebel fighters do not uprising, saying foreign extremists and said the Obama administration remains have such weapons. But it is more diffi- terrorists are driving the unrest. opposed to military action, reasoning cult to determine who is behind the Although Damascus has remained that it would lead only to more carnage. close-range killings – particularly as largely impervious to international He said the U.S. will continue offering Syria sharply restricts media access. condemnation over the course of the non-lethal assistance to the Syrian peo- Still, the U.N. cited survivors and uprising, Tuesday's diplomatic squeeze ple and said Tuesday's coordinated witnesses blaming the house-to-house will increase pressure on Syria's remai- move to expel Syrian diplomats was a killings on shabiha. Witnesses also told ning allies, including Russia. signal of the international community's the AP that shabiha were behind the Russia has provided a key layer of "absolute disgust" with Assad's rule. attacks. protection for the Syrian government in Assad still commands a strong army "What is very clear is this was an the uprising. Russia and China have that has proven largely unwilling to turn absolutely abominable event that took used their veto power to block U.N. reso- on him. The entire structure of the state place in Houla, and at least a substantial lutions against Assad. But Russia has has been built to preserve Assad's part of it was summary executions of grown increasingly critical of Damascus power, with the military, the police and civilians, women and children," said in recent months, and the Houla massa- security services – even the economy – Rupert Colville, spokesman for the U.N. cre has prompted some of the strongest tied up with the survival of his presi- High commissioner for Human Rights. condemnations yet from Moscow. dency. "At this point, it looks like entire Russian President Vladimir Putin is But as the violence engulfs the coun- families were shot in their houses," he traveling to Germany and France this try, many see Assad's departure as the said. week and is likely to come under even only way out. greater criticism for his support of the It is not clear what touched off the Fawaz Zakri, a member of the oppo- regime. convulsion of violence. Houla activists sition Syrian National Council, urged reached by Skype said government "We have to continue our work with action by the U.N. Security Council, troops shelled the area after anti- the Russians," British Foreign Secretary saying the world body "must do some- government protests on Friday and cla- William Hague said. "We will continue thing to save the Syrian people's shed with local rebels. Later, shabiha to discuss this with Russia. Russia has souls."G from nearby villages swept through the particular leverage on the regime and

MAY 29, 2012

explosives were travelling through Anatolia in a car they collected from accomplices in Border tensions rise as Turkey last Friday. They panicked when they realised they were being followed by police after driving through a checkpoint in Turkey says Syria is giving the south-east province of Kahramanmaras. The militants triggered the explosives PKK free rein after entering a police compound in the Thomas Seibert military escalation at the border, analysts town of Pinarbasi, in the province of said yesterday. Kayseri, and coming under fire by police STANBUL // Turkish authorities say they "Tensions will rise further, and even an there. The two Kurds and a policeman died, have evidence that Kurdish militants armed confrontation is possible," Ihsan Bal, while another 17 people were wounded. Ienjoying increasingly free rein in Syria an anti-terrorism expert at the International Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime brought 40 kilograms of plastic explosives Strategic Research Organisation (Usak), a minister, said the militants were probably on across the border into Turkey to stage a think tank in Ankara, said yesterday. their way to stage a major attack in a metro- major attack last week. According to officials quoted by Turkish politan area. ➤ The claim is a new sign of tension bet- media, two Kurdish militants who crossed "Had the military police not followed ween the two countries that could trigger a from Syria into Turkey carrying plastic

83 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ and stopped that car, there might have tabilising the region along the joint border, Sahin said about the Syrian authorities. been a much bigger disaster in one of our which stretches 900 kilometres from the Syria has not commented on the accu- big cities," Mr Erdogan said in a Twitter Mediterranean to Iraq. sation that the regime is tolerating the PKK. message. Last month, Ankara accused Syrian A day after the explosion, Mr Sahin said The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party troops of firing across the border at a camp four people had been arrested for helping (PKK) - a rebel group fighting for Kurdish for Syrian refugees. the bombers. self-rule in Turkey since 1984 and labelled a After the shooting, Mr Erdogan raised "Their connections, including cross-bor- terrorist organisation by Turkey and the the possibility of asking Nato to step in der connections, have been uncovered by West - confirmed that two of its members under a rule of the alliance that calls on police," he said. were in the car that exploded. action by all 28 countries of the bloc in case According to Turkish media reports, two A PKK statement quoted by the ANF of an attack against one of its members. of the arrests were made in Suruc, a town news agency, which is close to the rebels, During a decade of warm Turkish-Syrian near the Syrian border. The four arrested said the militants had died "a heroic death". relations that ended last year, Damascus men are accused of having met the bom- Sinan Ulgen, the chairman of was careful not to allow the PKK to stage bers after they crossed the border from Economics and Foreign Policy Research attacks in Turkey from Syria. Syria late last Thursday and of having sup- (Edam), an Istanbul-based think tank, said But the Turkish government says the cri- plied them with the car, according to the Turkey was likely to boost its troops on the sis in relations following Ankara's outspoken reports. border. criticism of the Syrian government's clamp- Speaking about a possible troop "Turkey will need to give a strong signal down may have prompted Damascus to increase at the border, Mr Ulgen said to Syria that this is unacceptable," he said change its position and allow the PKK to Turkey had used the method of a military about the reported infiltration by Kurdish operate in Syria. build-up before. militants from Syria. Shortly before the incident in Pinarbasi, In 1998, Ankara sent tanks to the border Mr Ulgen said he did not expect military Idris Naim Sahin, Turkey's interior minister, with Syria to pressure Damascus to throw clashes between the two countries, but used a television interview to accuse the out the PKK leader, Abdullah Ocalan, who added that troop reinforcements were possi- Syrian government of supporting the PKK to was living in the Syrian capital at the time. ble because Ankara needs "to appease harm Turkey. Following the Turkish move, Ocalan had public opinion and go beyond the war of "In an effort to take revenge on Turkey, to leave Syria and was arrested by Turkey words" with Syria. Turkey is increasingly they close their eyes to the terrorist organi- several months later. He has been serving a sation moving into northern parts [of Syria] life sentence in a Turkish prison since concerned that the violence in Syria is des- Ë and taking over several villages there," Mr 1999.

MAY 31, 2012

Six blasts across Baghdad kill at least 17 By Kareem Raheem In the last major attacks, 20 bombs hit cities and towns across the country in AGHDAD (Reuters) - Six explosions mid-April, killing 36 - including 15 people hit neighborhoods across Baghdad in mainly Shi'ite areas in Baghdad - and onB Thursday, killing at least 17 people raising fears of renewed sectarian strife. and wounding dozens more in the most Since the last U.S. troops pulled out deadly attacks on the Iraqi capital in in December, Sunni Islamists have often more than a month. targeted local security forces and The attacks - a truck bomb in a mar- government buildings, but have also ket, a car bomb and roadside explosives sought out Shi'ite victims in an attempt - broke weeks of relative calm in to stir sectarian tensions. Baghdad just as Iraq's government, Maliki's advisers, killing one civilian and Many Iraqi Sunnis say they fear shared among Shi'ite, Sunni and wounding three in western Baghdad, Maliki wants to shore up Shi'ite power Kurdish blocs, wrangles over a crisis police and hospital officials said. It was by sidelining Sunni leaders from the that risks reigniting sectarian tensions. not clear whether the adviser was targe- power-sharing government set up over In the largest blast, a bomber deto- ted. a year ago after inconclusive 2010 elec- nated a vegetable delivery truck packed Two roadside bombs also exploded tions. with explosives near a restaurant in a in Amiriya district, killing two people and Al Qaeda's local affiliate, Islamic market, killing at least 13 people and wounding four more, while roadside State of Iraq, claimed responsibility for wounding 38 in the mainly Shi'ite Shula bombs killed one and injured 15 more April's attacks, saying they were in res- district, police and witnesses said. people in other mixed neighborhoods in ponse to detentions and confiscations it "The pickup truck came into the mar- western and southern parts of the capi- said the Shi'ite-led government had car- ket and the driver left it saying he was tal. ried out in Sunni areas. going to get people to unload vegeta- Violence in Iraq has fallen sharply A Sunni vice president, Tareq bles," said Haider Fadhil, one of the since the height of the sectarian slaugh- Hashemi, has fled to Turkey after a wounded. "It was a huge explosion, I ter triggered a few years after the 2003 court sought his arrest on charges he was knocked out and woke up in a car U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam and his bodyguards ran a death squad. on my way to hospital." Hussein. Suicide bombings and blasts Hashemi says the charges are political, A car bomb exploded near the vehi- claimed hundreds of lives daily in 2006- but Maliki's supporters say it is just a cri- cle of one of Prime Minister Nuri al- 2007. minal case. J

84 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 30 mai 2012

une assistance technique, du matériel et un soutien pour réprimer les mouve- Des forces iraniennes ments de contestation civils". Ces forces spéciales appartiennent au corps des Gardiens de la révolution, l'armée présentes en Syrie idéologique de la République islamique. Elles sont notamment présentes en Irak, où elles soutiennent les mouvances chi- Le vice-commandant d'une ites et combattent les rebelles kurdes du unité d'élite de Téhéran a Parti pour une vie libre du Kurdistan annoncé que ses hommes (PJAK), ou encore au Liban, où elles étaient présents en Syrie entraînent les combattants du Hezbollah (allié chiite de Téhéran au Liban, NDLR). pour "empêcher les mas- sacres de civils". Justement, pour étayer ses propos, Mohammad-Reza Djalili explique que Par Armin Arefi l'Iran, s'il voulait vraiment envoyer des soldats en Syrie, aurait tout intérêt à faire e n'était jusqu'ici qu'une rumeur. appel à des combattants libanais, parlant "Si la République islamique n'avait C'est désormais une quasi-certitude. l'arabe et pouvant ainsi se fondre bien pas été présente en Syrie, le massacre La République islamique est bel et bien plus aisément au sein de la population. C de la population aurait été beaucoup présente en Syrie au côté de Bachar el- Avant cette révélation iranienne, les plus catastrophique", a affirmé Esmail Assad. Accusé jusqu'ici de fournir uni- Occidentaux s'étaient contentés d'accuser Ghaani, vice-commandant de l'unité quement un soutien logistique aux forces à plusieurs reprises l'Iran de fournir des Qods de sécurité syriennes, l'Iran aurait dépê- armes et des experts à Damas pour ché sur place des éléments de sa brigade l'aider à réprimer la révolte, ce que al-Qods, des forces spéciales chargées janvier dernier, de hauts responsables Téhéran a démenti à chaque fois. des opérations clandestines à l'étranger. américains ont fait état de la présence à C'est ce qui a été confirmé par le vice- Damas du général iranien Qassem TÉHÉRAN ÉBRANLÉ commandant de l'unité Qods en per- Soleimani, commandant de l'unité Qods sonne, le général Esmaïl Ghani, selon une (force spéciale des Gardiens de la révolu- En janvier, le ministère français des information rapportée par le blog du tion). Affaires étrangères révélait qu'un panel Monde.fr Nouvelles d'Iran. d'experts des Nations unies sur l'Iran Selon Mohammad-Reza Djalili, pro- avait relevé plusieurs cas de violation, en "Si la République islamique n'avait pas fesseur émérite à l'Institut de hautes lien avec la Syrie, de l'embargo d'armes à été présente en Syrie, le massacre de la études internationales et du développe- destination ou en provenance de la population aurait été beaucoup plus cat- ment, ces agents iraniens ne seraient pas République islamique, mis en place par astrophique", a affirmé Esmaïl Ghani à des combattants, mais plutôt des con- les résolutions 1747 et 1929 du Conseil de l'agence officielle iranienne Irna. "Avant seillers. "Le régime syrien, qui repose sur sécurité des Nations unies. En avril, c'est que nous arrivions en Syrie, le nombre une armée qui lui est majoritairement l'hebdomadaire allemand Der Spiegel des Syriens massacrés par les insurgés restée fidèle, n'a pas besoin d'une aide qui annonçait qu'un cargo allemand avec était plus important. Mais la présence de physique", souligne le chercheur. "Ainsi, des armes iraniennes à destination du la République islamique, de manière ces agents sont probablement présents régime syrien avait été stoppé à 80 kilo- physique ou non, a empêché de grands pour former les forces syriennes, fournir mètres au large du port syrien Tartous. massacres de civils", a précisé le haut du matériel de répression et apporter une responsable iranien. expertise dans la cyberguerre contre les "Maintenir le régime syrien demeure une sites d'opposition", ajoute-t-il. D'autres nécessité absolue pour l'Iran", insiste DÉPÊCHE DISPARUE forces spéciales, cette fois françaises, Mohammad-Reza Djalili. "La chute de auraient déjà été envoyés en Turquie, fin l'alaouite (secte proche du chiisme, Étonnamment, la dépêche a très vite été 2011, pour former les soldats dissidents NDLR) Bachar el-Assad signerait l'échec retirée du site de l'Irna (mais le lien cache de l'Armée syrienne libre. Paris avait de trente ans de politique étrangère lev- de Google existe toujours, NDLR). Signe également dépêché ses agents l'été antine de l'Iran, basée sur l'axe chiite de l'embarras de Téhéran, le chef des dernier en Libye, pour aider les rebelles Téhéran-Damas-Beyrouth, note le forces armées, le général Hassan du CNT à renverser Muammar Kadhafi. chercheur. À l'inverse, l'arrivée au pou- Firouzabadi, a tenté de nuancer les pro- voir d'un régime sunnite (confession pos de son collègue en assurant au site ENVOI D'ARMES majoritaire en Syrie, NDLR) favoriserait entekhab que l'aide était "uniquement les monarchies pétrolières du Golfe, la Turquie, mais aussi l'ensemble de morale et logistique". Mais, comme le Ce n'est pas la première fois que le nom
remarque le blog Nouvelles d'Iran, il n'a de la brigade al-Qods est associé à la l'Occident." pas démenti la présence de forces irani- Syrie. En août dernier, l'Union ennes en territoire syrien. Selon le européenne avait sanctionné l'unité général, celles-ci ont simplement pour d'élite iranienne, l'accusant d'avoir but d'"établir la sécurité" dans le pays. En "fourni aux services de sécurité syriens

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

jeudi 31 mai 2012 LE FIGARO

chef de l'État, vendredi, sera qu'il fautfaire Soutien limité bloc autour de Kofi Annan et de son plan» induisant une transition politique à Damas, insiste-t-on à l'Elysée. Avec Vladimir Pou¬

tine, qui avait reproché au président d'alors, Dmitri Medvedev, sonnihil obstat à pour une action l'intervention en Libye, la confiance sera à établir à l'occasion du premier contact per¬ sonnel avec François Hollande. La Syrie aura valeur de test. Le nouvel occupant de armée en Syrie l'Elysée fera valoir à son visiteur que le pré¬ sident syrien est un «problème». Il a néan¬

moins franchi une ligne rouge aux yeux de La Russie, la Chine, mais aussi plusieurs Moscou en déclarant, mardi soir, qu'il fal¬ lait «chasser le régime de Bachar el-As¬ pays occidentaux rejettent l'éventualité sad». Or, si les dirigeants russes ont affir¬ mé qu'ils ne se sentaient pas liés à Bachar, évoquée mardi par François Hollande. tout ce qui ressemble de près ou de loin à un changement de régime provoqué de l'exté¬

rieur leur hérisse lé poil. tiques» que par les «évaluations et ALAIN BARLUET l'analyse». Une intervention extérieure? Pas de plan à l'Otan «Rfautseposer la question et après ?» a dit L'option diplomatique a la faveur de toutes DIPLOMATIE Intervenir militairement en M. Denissov en résumant la position de la les capitales. Berlin a rappelé mercredi ne Syrie avec l'aval de l'ONU ? L'hypothèse a Russie, hostile à toute initiative qui remet¬ voir aucune raison de « spéculer sur des op¬ été explicitement évoquée par François trait en cause son influenee en Syrie (à tra¬ tions militaires». La démarche tentée ré¬ Hollande qui ne l'a «pas exclue» dans son vers sa base navale de Tartous notamment) cemment par Washington auprès de la interview à France 2, mardi soir. Si le mot a et dans la région. Pour s'opposer à toute Russie pour amorcer une transition «à la été lâché cette fois, l'esprit de cette décla¬ nouvelle initiative, les Russes continuent yéménite » témoigne de la priorité améri¬ ration s'inscrit dans le droit fil des propos d'invoquer la résolution 1973 sur l'inter¬ caine en faveur du dialogue. On voit mal tenus par les prédécesseurs, Nicolas vention en Libye, qu'ils se seraient fait ar¬ Barack Obama, briguant sa réélection, se Sarkozy et Alain luppé. Ce dernier avait racher et dont le mandat aurait été, selon lancer, après l'Irak et l'Afghanistan, en évoqué, en avril, des discussions sur une eux, outrepassé. La question sera au menu Syrie . Le terrain y est autrement plus com¬ résolution «sous chapitre 7» de la charte des entretiens qu'aura, vendredi à l'Elysée, pliqué qu'en Libye, compte tenu de des Nations unies, c'est-à-dire incluant un François Hollande avec Vladimir Poutine. l'équation communautaire et démogra¬ possible recours à la force. Cette continuité «À moi, à d'autres, de convaincre Russes et phique, des combats urbains et de la forte avec l'ancien gouvernement a conduit Chinois et aussi de trouver une solution qui ne défense antiaérienne. Sans parler des ré¬ Jean-François Copé à accorder à François serait pasforcément militaire », a dit mardi percussions régionales, jusque sur le dos¬ Hollande un satisfecit sur la Syrie. «C'est soir à la télévision le président français, une sier du nucléaire iranien. L'Otan n'est pas une position (...) qui me paraît conforme aux façon d'indiquer que la voie diplomatique davantage partante : le sujet n'a même pas valeurs qui sont les nôtres», a dit mercredi demeure la plus plausible. «Le message du été abordé à Chicago. le secrétaire général de l'UMP, tout en mettant en garde le chef de l'État contre une «atteinte aux crédits budgétaires de la

défense nationale». La détermination affichée par François

Hollande, l'émotion très considérable sus¬ citée par le massacre de Houla (108 morts, dont 49 enfants) et la poursuite des atroci¬ Nouveau massacre près de tés, les obstacles rencontrés par la mission de Kofi Annan, l'épuisement des sanc¬ Deir ez-Zor, dans l'est du pays tions : autant de facteurs qui contribue¬

raient plutôt à crédibiliser une interven¬ AU MOINS 13 civils ont été liquidés un communiqué publié par le général tion armée. L'urgence mise en avant par dans la région de Deir ez-Zor, à l'est Mood. Mercredi, le Japon et la Turquie de la Syrie, selon l'Observatoire des ont emboîté le pas à de nombreux certains, tel Bernard-Henri Lévy, comme droits de l'homme, basé à Londres. pays occidentaux en annonçant naguère à Benghazi, va dans le même sens. Le chef des observateurs de l'ONU l'expulsion des diplomates syriens de Cette nouvelle phase de dramatisation en Syrie, le général Robert Mood, leurs capitales, en représailles au ne préfigure pas pour autant une option s'est dit « projondément perturbé » carnage de Houla. militaire. Les paramètres de la crise qui a par cette nouvelle découverte Damas a riposté en ordonnant le éclaté en Syrie en mars 2011 n'ont pas fon¬ macabre, quelques jours après départ, sous 72 heures, de la chargée damentalement changé. La Russie est ve¬ le massacre de Houla, où d'affaires des Pays-Bas, une des rares nue rappeler ces constantes de géopolitique 108 personnes ont été tuées, dont diplomates occidentales encore en régionale, mercredi, en ne déviant pas d'un 49 enfants, la plupart sommairement poste en Syrie. Pour sortir de pouce de ses réticences habituelles. Moscou exécutées par des miliciens l'Impasse actuelle, l'opposition estime a ainsi jugé «prématurée» toute nouvelle prorégime (shabiha). À Deir ez-Zor, qu'un « départ d'Assad est le seul action de l'ONU contre la Syrie et condam¬ « tous les corps avaient les mains moyen de sauver le plan Annan et de né le renvoi «contre-productif» des am¬ liées derrière le dos, et certains trouver une Issue politique, faute de bassadeurs syriens décidé par plusieurs ca¬ semblent avoir été tués d'une balle quoi la situation risque d'exploser et pitales occidentales. Andreï Denissov, dans la tête o bout portant », selon menacera toute ta région ». (afp) vice-ministre russe des Affaires étran¬ gères, a jugé les propos de François Hollan¬ de davantage dictés par les « émotions poli

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

XeBoiide

Jeudi 31 mai 2012

L'ONU impute aux milices pro-Assad la responsabilité du massacre d'Houla

Selon les Nations unies, la plupart des 108 victimes ont fait l'objet d'exécutions sommaires

Un massacre à la kalach¬

nikov et au couteau. Des il familles entières exécutées * ou égorgées dans leur propre mai¬

son, par les hommes de main du <*- T régime de Bachar Al-Assad. Un t* bain de sang systématique et ? ordonné. C'est ce qui ressort de : > l'enquête conduite par l'ONU dans

la bourgade de Houla, en Syrie, où r 108 personnes ont été tuées ven¬ * 44 f > * dredi 25 mai, dont 49 enfants et

34femmes. « Il est toutàfaitclair qu'un acte

vraiment abominable a étéperpé¬ tréà Houla comprenantdes exécu¬ \ v % tions sommaires dé civils, femmes etenfants », à déclaré mardi 29 mai

Rupert Colviïle, le porte-parole du Haut Commissariat aux droits de ' / t l'homme (HCDH) des Nations unies. « Ily a deforts soupçons que les chabiha [miliciens pro-régime] / soient impliqués dans cette tragé¬ die à Houla, a estimé pour sa part Hervé Ladsous, le secrétaire géné¬ / ral adjoint de l'ONU, en charge des

opérations de maintien de la paix A Houla, l'enterrement desvictimes du massacre du 25 mai. shaam news network/ho/afp et qui supervise le travail des cas¬

ques bleus actuellement déployés Ces informations préliminaires entières chez elles, souvent en fai¬ Pendant ce temps à Damas, Kofi

en Syrie./e ne voispas de raison de proviennent des enquêteurs des sant irruption dans une localité Annan, émissaire de l'ONU et de la

croire qu'une troisième partie soit Nations unies présents sur place avec une liste de suspects toute Ligue arabe, . a prévenu Bachar

impliquée», dans le massacre, ainsi que d'autres sources que le prête. Al-Assad que la Syrie se trouvait à

a-t-il ajouté.. porté-parole du HCDH a refusé En réaction au massacre d'Hou¬ « un tournant» et que la patience Pour l'ONU, le bilan dé d'identifier. Pour sa part, le gouver¬ la, les pays occidentaux ont lancé de la communauté internationale

108 morts est encore loin d'être nement syrien a imputé la tuerie, mardi une offensive diplomati¬ avait des limites. « Une interven¬ définitif. « D'après certaines infor¬ qui a suscité une vague d'indigna¬ que concertée contre le régime de tion armée n 'estpas exclueà condi¬

mations, ily aurait d'autres victi¬ tion dans les chancelleries, à des Bachar Al-Assad. A Paris, le prési¬ tion qu'elle sefasse dans le respect mes, a précisé M. Colviïle. Prés de la insurgés islamistes. dent François Hollande a annoncé du droit international c'est-à-dire moitié de celles dont nous sommés Les Nations unies ont invité en fin de matinée l'expulsion de par une délibération du Conseil de jusqu'ici au courant sont des mardi les autorités syriennes à Lamia Chakkour, l'ambassadrice sécurité» de l'ONU, a estimé Fran¬ enfants -ce qui est totalement syrienne qui est également la çois Hollande, lors d'une inter¬ impardonnable- et il y a aussi François Hollande a représentante de Damas auprès view télévisée, sur France 2. J beaucoup cië femmes. »' Selon le de l'Unesco. L'Allemagne â'orflciàli- Pour l'instant"cependant, toute pprté-parolè du . HCDH, des , annoncé l'expulsion sé à son tour en début d'après- condamnation de Damas au témoins et des rescapés ont déclà-.. de l'ambassadrice midi, l'expulsion de l'ambassa¬ Conseil de sécurité des Nations ré aûx'ènquë'tëùrs qué'là plupart deur de Syrie en poste à Berlin. unies, semble impossible, du fait des victimes avaient ététuées à la syrienne La Grande-Bretagne, l'Italie, de l'opposition de Moscou et suite de deux vagues d'exécutions l'Espagne ou bien encore le Cana¬ Pékin, fidèles alliés du régime

sommaires commises vendredi accorder « un accès immédiat et da ont fait de même. Le chargé -"syrien.

par des chabiha, des miliciens pro¬ sans entrave en Syrie» aux mem¬ d'affaires syrienen poste auxEtats- La litanie des exactions commi- : régime, dans la localité de Tal- bres de la commission d'enquête Unis, Zouheir Djabbour, devait lui ses par les forces pro-Assad risque

daou, voisine d'Houla. «On pense qu'elles soutiennent, dirigée par aussi être renvoyé dans son pays donc de continuer. Pour la journée qu'à ce stade, etje dis bien que nous l'expert brésilien Paulo Pinheiro. dans un délai de soixante-douze de mardi, l'Observatoire syrien en sommes à un stade préliminai¬ Cette commission, qui n'a jamais heures. Il est le principal diploma¬ des droits de l'homme a ainsi re, moins de 20 des 108 victimes au été autorisée à faire son travail en te syrien encore en poste à Wash¬ recensé 98 morts, dont 61 civils,

totalpeuvent être attribuées à des Syrie, accuse, dans un récent rap¬ ingtondepuis le rappel de l'ambas¬ 9 rebelles et 28 soldats gouverne¬

tirs d'artillerie et de blindés », a-t-il port, les forces loyales à Bachar sadeur, Imad Moustapha, à la fin mentaux.

déclaré. Al-Assad d'exécuter des familles 2011. BinjaminBakthe

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