INSTITUT

KUDE RPARD IS E

Bulletin de liaison et d’information N°325

avril 2012 La publication de ce Bulletin bénéficie de subventions du Ministère français des Affaires étrangères (DGCID) et du Fonds d’action et de soutien pour l’intégration et la lutte contre les discriminations (FASILD) ————— Ce bulletin paraît en français et anglais Prix au numéro : France: 6 € — Etranger : 7,5 € Abonnement annuel (12 numéros) France : 60 € — Etranger : 75 €

Périodique mensuel Directeur de la publication : Mohamad HASSAN Numéro de la Commission Paritaire : 659 13 A.S. ISBN 0761 1285

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www.fikp.org E-mail: [email protected] Bulletin de liaison et d’information de l’Institut kurde de Paris N° 325 avril 2012

• KURDISTAN D’ IRAK : LE SEPTIEME CABINET PRÊTE SERMENT

• IRAK : TENSION ACCRUE ENTRE BAGDAD ET ERBIL

• SYRIE : LES KURDES SE RETIRENT DU CONSEIL NATIONAL SYRIEN

• TURQUIE : MOBILISATION CONTRE LES ARRESTATIONS D’ÉTUDIANTS ET DE CHERCHEURS

• LITTÉRATURE : « LES PLUMES », UN ROMAN DE SALIM BARAKAT SALUÉ PAR LA CRITIQUE FRANCOPHONE

• CINÉMA : SORTIE DU « TEMPS DURE LONGTEMPS » D’ÖZCAN ALPER

KURDISTAN D’ IRAK : LE SEPTIEME CABINET PRÊTE SERMENT e 6 avril, le nouveau cabi - développements politique, social l’Afrique du nord ont commencé net du Gouvernement et économique déjà impression - de voir l’émergence de la démo - régional du Kurdistan a nants qu’a connus la Région cratie et de la justice. La Région L prêté serment au depuis 2003. Il a aussi félicité et du Kurdistan salue tout change - Parlement d’Erbil. Le remercié son prédécesseur, le Dr. ment allant dans le sens de la nouveau Premier Ministre, Barham Salih, son adjoint Azad démocratie, de la liberté et des Nêçirvan Barzanî et ses ministres Barwarî et tous les membres du droits de l’homme. Par contraste, ont ainsi officiellement commen - 6ème cabinet pour « le travail le Printemps kurde a commencé cé un mandat de deux ans. important qu’ils ont accompli il y a 20 ans, quand le peuple de Nêçirvan Barzanî, a déjà occupé dans le temps qui leur avait été Kurdistan s’est soulevé, avec le cette fonction deux fois, entre imparti », assurant que leurs soutien des partis politiques du 1999 et 2009. Son adjoint est efforts ont été appréciés « par Kurdistan, et a fait en sorte de Imad Ahmad Sayfour, issu de nous-mêmes et le peuple du mettre fin à l’autorité d’un des l’UPK, qui était à ce même poste Kurdistan. » plus dangereux dictateurs de d’avril à octobre 2009. l’époque dans notre pays, et a Nêçirvan Barzanî a exposé au choisi d’instaurer un État de Dans son discours d’inaugura - Parlement sa volonté d’appli - droit, la démocratie et la liberté, tion, le Premier Ministre a quer un nouveau programme, sans soutien des pays étran - d’abord souligné que ce gouver - avec « des stratégies et des initia - gers. » nement tirait sa seule légitimité tives qui tiendront compte des du peuple du Kurdistan et de changements politiques, sociaux Après avoir rappelé le rôle histo - son Parlement et assuré qu’il et économiques survenus ces rique tenu dans ce processus continuerait les efforts néces - dernières années. Récemment, démocratique par les deux diri - saires afin de poursuivre les des pays du Moyen-Orient et de geants kurdes, Massoud Barzanî, • 2 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 325 • avril 2012

président de la Région du ciper à la construction d’un Irak sus sur une position unifiée pour Kurdistan, et Jalal Talabanî, pré - démocratique et fédéral, où leurs traiter avec Bagdad. La situation sident de l’Irak, le Premier droits et leurs libertés seraient nécessite que nous nous hâtions Ministre s’est livré à une analyse protégés par une constitution, de former un Haut-Conseil des et un bilan de la situation actuel - mais qu’ils avaient, à présent, de négociations avec Bagdad. le au Kurdistan, en insistant sur nombreuses raisons de se Participer à ce conseil sera du la nécessité d’une « évaluation demander si ce système pouvait devoir de tous les partis poli - objective » de cette situation, ou non servir leurs intérêts. tiques, tant ceux qui sont au gou - ainsi que sur celle de la préserva - vernement que ceux de l’opposi - tion de l’unité des citoyens, fai - « Malheureusement, l’Irak fait tion, afin qu’un consensus soit sant allusion aux conflits toujours face à la menace de établi pour redémarrer les négo - internes et alliances extérieures l’instabilité politique. En tant que ciations avec le gouvernement passés : Région, nous avons toujours des fédéral. C’est un problème qui problèmes importants qui ne concerne tout le peuple du « Aujourd’hui, nous vivons une sont pas résolus avec le gouver - Kurdistan et nous avons la res - période historique et cruciale de nement fédéral. Nous insistons ponsabilité historique d’y faire notre histoire. Notre peuple n’a sur le fait que le gouvernement face. » jamais autant espéré dans son fédéral doit répondre aux avenir que de nos jours. demandes du peuple du Revenant particulièrement sur la Cependant il reste encore des Kurdistan, de façon transparente question des territoires dont la défis à relever. L’unité parmi nous et en accord avec la constitution restitution est réclamée par les et une voix unie sur les questions de l’Irak. » Kurdes, le Premier Ministre a nationales seront les facteurs prin - appelé le Bloc kurde au parle - cipaux de notre réussite. Parmi les points de litige impor - ment de Bagdad, tout comme les tants entre Erbil et Bagdad, le ministres kurdes du gouverne - Nos relations politiques au Premier Ministre a cité l’Article ment irakien de coordonner temps de notre lutte armée ont 140 de la Constitution irakienne étroitement leurs actions avec le été utiles pour instaurer la liberté qui doit décider du rattachement Gouvernement Régional du dans ce pays. Cependant, de Kirkouk et d’autres régions Kurdistan. aujourd’hui, ces relations doi - kurdes au Gouvernement vent être révisées et renouvelées Régional par le processus d’un Passant aux relations du GRK afin de les remettre en phase référendum, le budget alloué à la avec les États voisins, qu’il juge avec les réalités politiques de ce Région, la loi sur les hydrocar - « bonnes », M. Barzanî assure de temps. L’adaptation n’est pas bures, c’est-à-dire la façon dont son intention de poursuivre le facile ni sans douleur, mais nous le Kurdistan est libre de gérer développement de ces relations devons tirer les leçons du l’exploitation et la prospection « sur la base du respect mutuel et passé. » de ses propres ressources, ainsi des intérêts bilatéraux. Nos rela - qu’un « partenariat réel dans le tions avec les pays arabes et ceux Nêçirvan Barzanî s’est présenté pouvoir », ce dernier point visant du reste du monde se sont consi - comme le chef du gouvernement directement le Premier Ministre dérablement développées. de tout le peuple du Kurdistan et irakien Nouri Maliki, accusé par Beaucoup de pays ont exprimé comme un point de jonction un large éventail politique de leur désir d’établir de bonnes entre les partis politiques » vou - concentrer le pouvoir dans ses relations avec le Kurdistan, et lant ainsi écarter les suspicions seules mains. nous poursuivrons nos efforts de clientélisme qui ont constam - pour bâtir des liens amicaux avec ment émaillé la vie politique du Nêçirvan Barzanî, sans nommer tous les pays du monde. » Kurdistan, longtemps partagée un parti d’opposition plus qu’un entre le PDK et l’UPK. autre, a rappelé la nécessité pour Sur les réformes internes à la tous les partis kurdes d’offrir Région, le Premier Ministre a Après avoir résumé les diffé - « un front uni » devant le gou - annoncé son intention de faire rentes étapes de la construction vernement fédéral, notamment réexaminer la constitution provi - politique et juridique de la au Parlement " : soire du Kurdistan par « tous les Région du Kurdistan depuis partis politiques, les légistes, 1992 à nos jours, en passant par « Nous voulons mettre en place experts, et les composantes 2003, le Premier Ministre a rap - un front uni pour négocier avec sociales et religieuses de notre pelé que les Kurdes avaient, à la le gouvernement fédéral. En ce société afin d’avoir une constitu - chute du Ba’ath, décidé de parti - moment, il n’y a aucun consen - tion qui rassemblera le peuple n° 325 • avril 2012 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 3•

du Kurdistan et développera un mentation continuelle des prix et me, et celles concernant la système pour l’avenir de notre du coût de la vie, le Premier construction et l’attribution de peuple. Et parce que ce sera la Ministre reconnaît que le secteur logements sociaux seront aussi première constitution du privé connaît des hausses de prix mises en place. Le tourisme est Kurdistan, elle devra être sans régulation, ni raison appa - aussi une des ressources promet - approuvée par référendum, et le rente, et promet de sévir si cela teuses du Kurdistan, et devra peuple devra choisir librement était le fait de spéculateurs, tout être soutenu et amélioré. de voter pour elle ou non. » en rappelant que, deux ans aupa - ravant, une loi sur les droits des Un des secteurs les plus sous- Autre réforme envisagée, un consommateurs a été votée. Il développés est celui de l’agro- assouplissement de la centralisa - s’engage à ce que son application alimentaire : tion en faveur d’une délégation soit effective, en collaboration « Malheureusement, nous de certains pouvoirs et d’un bud - avec le ministère de la n’avons pas été jusqu’ici get aux conseils provinciaux, aux Planification : « Nous allons tra - capables de garantir une sécurité districts et sous-districts. Le vailler avec le ministère de la alimentaire à notre peuple. Premier Ministre a promis de Planification pour mettre en Pourtant, le GRK considère que rencontrer les chefs des groupes place une commission, afin de la reprise de l’agriculture est une parlementaires pour discuter de surveiller les prix et la tâche très importante, et nous ce processus et de la rédaction qualité des marchandises ferons de notre mieux pour assu - d’un projet de loi qui instaurerait qui sont importées dans la région rer une sécurité alimentaire, en ces formes de décentralisation. du Kurdistan. Nous devons tra - encourageant la production vailler de sorte que les commer - domestique et moins dépendre Abordant un des reproches çants et les consommateurs tirent des importations, pour arriver à majeurs et récurrents faits au profit d’une politique de libre une auto-suffisance dans ce GRK, celui de la corruption, marché et que les gens domaine. » Nêçirvan Barzanî rappelle que puissent se permettre des audits et des enquêtes ont été d'acheter les produits de nécessi - Sur l’amélioration des droits de réalisées par des organismes et té à des prix équitables. » l’homme, la protection des institutions internationaux à la enfants et les droits des femmes, demande du gouvernement Le gouvernement souhaite conti - sur le problème des violences kurde : « Bien que la Région du nuer aussi de fournir des crédits domestiques, le Premier Ministre Kurdistan ait été louée par les et des prêts hypothécaires à des souhaite une plus grande partici - organisations internationales personnes désirant se marier, pation féminine au sein du GRK. pour être bien meilleur que le construire une maison ou mener reste de l’Irak, nous travaillerons à bien divers projets, ainsi que, Sur la cohabitation des diffé - à l’éliminer, sans l’ignorer : la via son ministère des Finances, rentes religions et ethnies au corruption n’est pas si sérieuse d’instaurer un système permet - Kurdistan, le Gouvernement que nous ne puissions y faire tant un plus grand soutien finan - réitère sa volonté de tolérance et face et elle sera traitée. » cier aux retraités. de liberté religieuse.

Un autre point fréquemment cri - Sur les besoins croissants en « Nous disons clairement que la tiqué dans la vie politique est la fournitures de fuel ou l’électrici - majorité de notre peuple est puissance et l’influence des par - té, les manquements sont surtout musulmane. La religion de tis sur les institutions gouverne - dus à la rapide croissance de la l’islam fait partie de nos pré - mentales. Nêçirvan Barzanî pro - Région par rapport aux infra - cieuses traditions et nous ne per - met « une politique claire » à ce structures en place. Mais tout en mettrons pas un mauvais usage sujet, indiquant que ces efforts promettant de poursuivre les de la liberté afin d’attenter au avaient déjà été entrepris par les efforts dans ce domaine, M. respect de l’islam. Mais dans le deux cabinets précédents. Il s’est Barzanî rappelle l’importance de même temps, nous ne permet - aussi engagé à ce que le gouver - protéger l’environnement et trons à la religion d’être instru - nement n’interfère pas dans les l’écologie de la Région. À cet mentalisée à des fins politiques décisions de justice et l’exercice effet, une commission pour pour attaquer la démocratie. de la loi en général, envisageant l’Environnement devra contrôler Pour nous, la religion est une également une réforme des insti - si la protection de la nature au force qui doit encourager la paix tutions judiciaires. Kurdistan est conforme aux cri - et la fraternité parmi les peuples, Répondant aussi aux plaintes de tères internationaux. Des régle - et non créer des inimitiés et des la population concernant l’aug - mentations concernant l’urbanis - discriminations. Ainsi, nous ne • 4 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 325 • avril 2012

permettrons pas non plus que ème l’on manque de respect aux Composition du 7 Cabinet : autres religions du Kurdistan. Premier Ministre : Nêçirvan Barzanî ; Vice-Premier Ministre : Imad Ahmad Sayfour ; Les Kurdes, les Turkmènes, les Arabes, les Chaldéens, les Syriaques, les Assyriens et les Ministre de l’Agriculture et des ressources hydrauliques ; Arméniens doivent tous vivre Ministre de la Culture et de la Jeunesse : Kawa Mahmoud Shakir ; ensemble pacifiquement dans la Ministre de l’Éducation : Asmat Muhammad Khalid ; Région du Kurdistan et nous Ministre de l’Électricité : Yasin Sheikh Abu Bakir Muhammad devons tous nous respecter Mawati ; mutuellement. L’Histoire Ministre des Dotations et des affaires religieuses : Kamil Ali Aziz ; témoigne de l’unité et de la fra - ternité entre les Kakai, les yézidis Ministre des Finances et de l’Économie : Bayiz Saeed Mohammad et les Kurdes fayli. L’identité Talabani ; kurde nous rassemble tous et Ministre de la Santé : Rekawt Hama Rasheed ; pour toujours. Le GRK respecte Ministre de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la recherche : Ali toutes les composantes de la Saeed ; société du Kurdistan et soutenir Ministre du Logement et de la reconstruction : Kamaran Ahmed les libertés de tous est du devoir Abdullah ; de chacun. Le GRK appartient à` Ministre de la Justice : Sherwan Haidary ; tous et est fier de la riche Ministre de l’Intérieur : Abdul Karim Sultan Sinjari ; mosaïque de notre société. » Ministre du Travail et des affaires sociales : Asos Najib Abdullaj ; Enfin, Nêçirvan Barzanî rappelle Ministre des Martyrs et de l’Anfal : Sabah Ahmad Mohamed l’article 35 sur la liberté de la (Mamoste Aram) ; presse et des media et termine Ministre des Municipalités et du tourisme : Dilshad Shahab ; par une critique du ministre ira - Ministre des Ressources naturelles : Abdullah Abdulrahman kien des droits de l’homme pour Abdullah (Aştî Hawrami) ; son peu de zèle à faire toute la Ministre des Peshmergas : Jafar Mustafa Ali ; lumière sur les événements du Ministre de la Planification : Ali Sindi ; génocide de l’Anfal, et notam - ment la découverte des fosses Ministre du Commerce et de l’industrie : Sinan Abdulkhalq communes de localisation encore Ahmed Çelebi ; inconnue. Ministre des Transports et des communications : Jonson Siyaoosh ;

Le nouveau conseil des ministres Président du Conseil des ministres : Fawzi Franso Toma Hariri ; garde la plupart des ministres du Secrétaire du Cabinet : Mohammad Qaradaghi ; 6ème cabinet, qui avaient été Chef du département des Relations étrangères Falah Mustafa Bakir nommés après les législatives de 2009, hormis 9 nouveaux arri - Président du Bureau des Investissements : Herish Muharam vants :

IRAK : TENSION ACCRUE ENTRE BAGDAD ET ERBIL es tensions politiques et jours en charge du dossier des mé Total en termes très clairs de économiques se durcis - ressources pétrolières, qui rap - ce qu'il sera traité exactement de sent entre l’Irak et la pelle que les sanctions encourues la même façon que les autres L Région du Kurdistan. par les sociétés étrangères qui compagnies. S'il signe un contrat La compagnie française choisiraient de se passer de l’aval pour exploiter un gisement en Total, avait, le mois dernier, lais - de Bagdad, sont la rupture des Irak, où que ce soit dans le pays, sé entendre la possibilité de contrats déjà signés avec l’Irak sans l'approbation du gouverne - signer des contrats pétroliers ou le blocage de futurs accords: ment irakien, il sera considéré avec Erbil, ce qui a déclenché « Je n'ai pas parlé avec Total, comme allant à l'encontre des une fois de plus la colère du vice- mais j'ai noté que le ministre ou lois irakiennes et traité en consé - président irakien Sharistani, tou - le ministère du Pétrole ont infor - quence. » (Source AFP). n° 325 • avril 2012 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 5•

De son côté, le Gouvernement accusé les Kurdes de vendre pouvoir dans ses mains (ce que régional du Kurdistan avait « frauduleusement » la plus lui reprochent beaucoup menacé de cesser ses exporta - grande partie de leur pétrole d’autres politiciens irakiens, tions pétrolières vers la capitale. brute à des pays voisins, notam - sunnites, kurdes et même Hussein Sharistani a de même ment via l’Iran, et de là vers le chiites) et de préparer un lancé un avertissement aux diri - Golfe et l’Afghanistan, où il est « retour à la dictature », en rap - geants kurdes en les menaçant vendu à bas prix par rapport au pelant que le Premier Ministre de couper les fonds budgétaires cours officiel. est aussi ministre de la Défense, qu’ils reçoivent (17% du budget ministre de l'Intérieur, chef des fédéral de l'Irak) : « Je leur Autre dossier épineux entre renseignements et commandant conseillerais, avant de proférer Bagdad et Erbil, la présence au en chef des forces armées. des menaces, de prendre en Kurdistan d’Irak du vice-prési - compte le (montant de revenus dent d’Irak, le sunnite Hachémi, Massoud Barzani a ajouté qu’il du) pétrole qu'ils reçoivent du accusé de complot et terrorisme tenterait d’organiser une reste du pays, qui est beaucoup par le Premier ministre et qui réunion des différents leaders plus importante que ce qu'ils refuse d’être jugé à Bagdad. Le irakiens à Erbil, « pour sauver produisent. » Kurdistan avait refusé de livrer l’Irak », mais a laissé entendre Le Vice Premier ministre a aussi le fugitif aux autorités centrales. qu’en cas d’échec, le Kurdistan accusé la Région kurde de ne Finalement, Tarek Hashémi a pourrait opter pour une sépara - pas fournir les 175 000 barils de quitté la Région du Kurdistan le tion d’avec le reste de l’Irak : « Il brut, pour lesquels ils s’étaient 1er avril, pour trouver temporai - ne s'agit pas là d'un chantage ou engagés en 2012. rement refuge au Qatar. d'une menace. Je suis sérieux, je reviendrai au peuple kurde « Si ce niveau n'est pas atteint, Dans le même temps, le prési - pour le sonder par référendum. ils en supporteront les consé - dent de la Région kurde, Quel que soit le prix à payer, quences et il devra y avoir une Massoud Barzani, était en visite nous n'accepterons jamais un compensation financière au aux Etats-Unis. Reçu à la retour de la dictature en Irak. » ministère des Finances. Le mon - Maison Blanche par le vice-pré - tant total en valeur du pétrole sident américain Joe Biden, il a Les accusations de purge poli - qui n'a pas été exporté en 2011 également rencontré le secrétai - tique à l’encontre de Maliki ont est de 3,547 milliards de dollars re américain à la défense Leon pris une nouvelle ampleur avec et celui du pétrole qui n'a pas Panetta. Il s’est aussi entretenu l’arrestation de Faraj Haïdari, été remis par la région en 2010 plus brièvement avec le prési - un Kurde chiite, qui est prési - est de 2,102 milliards de dollars. dent des Etats-Unis et si le dent de la Haute Commission C'est une grande somme d'ar - contenu des entretiens n’a pas électorale irakienne (IHEC) gent qui va créer un déficit dans été rendu public, il est plus que depuis 2007. Ce dernier a en le budget si elle n'est pas versée. probable que les multiples crises effet été appréhendé par la poli - Le gouvernement doit examiner politiques irakiennes ont été au ce, dans un tribunal de Bagdad les procédures afin de protéger centre des discussions. Mais la avec un de ses collègues, Karim le patrimoine des Irakiens. présidence américaine s’est sim - Al-Tamimi. Du poste de police L'unité de l'Irak, sa souveraineté plement contentée d’un commu - où il est maintenu en détention, et son argent ne peuvent pas niqué affirmant que « les Etats- Faraj Haïdari a pu répondre aux (faire l'objet) de compromis. ». Unis sont engagés par notre questions de l’AFP sur les rai - Car le Gouvernement Régional relation historique et de proxi - sons de cette arrestation surpri - du Kurdistan a, dans une mité avec le peuple kurde, dans se. Une députée de la formation annonce officielle, averti que le contexte de notre partenariat l’État de droit, dirigée par « les exportations de pétrole de stratégique avec un Irak fédéral, Maliki, a porté plainte pour cor - la région du Kurdistan ont été démocratique et unifié. » ruption : « L'affaire concerne réduites à 50.000 barils par jour trois ou quatre employés de (bj) et pourraient cesser d'ici un De retour au Kurdistan, le ton l'IHEC auxquels ont été versées, mois si le gouvernement fédéral entre Massoud Barzani et Nouri de manière tout à fait normale, à Bagdad continue de bloquer Maliki ne s’est pas rasséréné. une prime de 100.000 dinars (83 les paiements aux compagnies Dans un entretien accordé au dollars) pour des heures supplé - productrices. » quotidien arabe international mentaires. J'ai déjà été interrogé Al-Hayat, le président kurde a au Parlement sur cette affaire Le ministre du Pétrole, Abdel de nouveau accusé le Premier par Mme Fatlawi. Le juge avait Karim al-Luaybi, a, de plus, Ministre chiite de concentrer le rejeté ses accusations mais elle a • 6 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 325 • avril 2012

de nouveau porté plainte et Du côté d’al Iraqiya, la forma - réside actuellement en Iran, offi - cette fois le juge a changé d'avis. tion parlementaire sunnite, l’un ciellement pour « études reli - Je ne pense pas que ce soit dirigé de ses principaux représentants gieuses », il s’est rendu le 26 contre moi mais c'est contre au parlement, Haïdar al-Mullah, avril à Erbil, sur invitation du l'IHEC, contre tout le processus a dirrectement mis en cause gouvernement kurde, pour dis - démocratique. » Nouri Maliki : « C'est le chef de cuter de la crise politique, dans la formation de l'Etat de droit une posture de médiateur entre Mais interrogé sur cette affaire, qui est derrière. Il veut faire pas - le président kurde et le Premier le porte-parole du Conseil supé - ser le message que les élections ministre irakien. Le président rieur de la justice, Abdel Sattar doivent être truquées ou les de l’Irak, Jalal Talabani était Bayraqdar, parle, lui, de préva - autorités se vengeront contre la aussi présent, ainsi que les deux rication : commission électorale. C'est leaders de la coalition laïque « Ils sont suspectés d'avoir payé aussi une indication que la justi - sunnite, Iyad Allawi et avec l'argent de l'IHEC des ce est devenue un instrument Oussama Noujaifi. employés du cadastre pour entre les mains de Maliki. » enregistrer des terrains en leurs Au cours de leur entretien, noms. L'utilisation frauduleuse Enfin, dernier point de friction Moqtada Sadr s’est montré de l'argent public est punie de entre les Kurdes et le gouverne - opposé à une motion de censure sept ans de prison. » ment Maliki, la vente de 36 F-16 au parlement pour renverser à l’Irak par les États-Unis, Nouri Maliki, comme le souhai - Faraj Haïdari, est considéré conclue en décembre dernier, teraient les Kurdes et les sun - comme la « bête noire » de l’État suscite la vive opposition de nites, mais appuie le refus de droit, depuis qu’il a refusé, Massoud Barzani, tant que d’accorder que ce dernier puisse aux dernières législatives de Nouri Maliki reste à la tête du briguer un nouveau mandat en mars 2010, un nouveau pays : « Les F-16 ne doivent pas 2014, comme le Premier décompte des voix réclamé par arriver dans les mains de cet Ministre s’y était engagé au Maliki, alors que la liste de son homme. Nous devons empêcher début de l’année 2011, avant rival, Iyad Allawi, était arrivée qu'il possède ce type d'armes et d’adopter une position plus en tête du scrutin, avec 91 sièges s'il les obtient, il ne doit pas res - floue sur cette question. Un contre 89 pour l’État de droit. ter à son poste. » Le président proche collaborateur de Sadr a Déjà, le 30 juillet 2011, la forma - kurde assure en effet que, lors d’ailleurs souligné que l’impos - tion parlementaire du Premier d’une réunion avec des officiers sibilité pour le Premier Ministre ministre avait demandé un vote de l'armée irakienne, Nouri d’obtenir un troisième mandat de défiance contre Faraj Maliki aurait menacé d’utiliser doit d’abord être votée par une Haïdari, en invoquant des faits ces avions pour bombarder le loi au parlement. de corruption, mais s’était heur - Kurdistan : « Ils ont parlé des té à l’opposition des autres for - problèmes entre Bagdad et Erbil mations. et les officiers lui ont dit : Dr. Fouad Hussein, le directeur ‘Monsieur, donnez nous l'ordre de cabinet de la présidence Le Gouvernement de la Région et nous allons les chasser kurde, a, dans un communiqué, du Kurdistan, a publiquement d'Erbil’ et il (Maliki) a répondu: déclaré que tous les participants qualifié ces arrestations de « ‘Attendez l'arrivée des F-16’. à cette réunion ont lancé « un violation claire du processus appel pour activer les méca - politique démocratique », visant Mais la personnalité et la ligne nismes démocratiques de ges - à « remettre en cause l'indépen - politique du Premier Ministre tion des affaires du pays afin de dance de la Commission électo - sont aussi contestées dans prévenir les dangers qui mena - rale et à tuer le processus poli - d’autres milieux chiites, notam - cent la démocratie. La réunion a tique en s'emparant d'une insti - ment les cercles politico-reli - discuté de la nécessité de tution indépendante. Il semble gieux, des plus modérés aux rechercher des solutions pour que ceux qui contrôlent le gou - plus radicaux, tel Moqtada mettre fin à la crise qui met en vernement veulent poursuivre Sadr, qui n’a cessé de s’opposer, danger l'intérêt supérieur du leur oeuvre entamée depuis parfois par les armes, aux gou - pays, en se conformant à l'ac - longtemps: accroître la centrali - vernements successifs de cord d'Erbil, à la déclaration de sation, violer la Constitution et Bagdad, bien que sa liste se soit Moqtada Sadr et aux articles de détruire les bases sur lesquelles ralliée en 2010 à la grande coali - la Constitution définissant les a été construit le nouvel Irak. » tion chiite de Maliki. Alors qu’il règles de prises de décision. » n° 325 • avril 2012 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 7•

SYRIE : LES KURDES SE RETIRENT DU CONSEIL NATIONAL SYRIEN lus d’un an après le projet d’ouverture sur la ques - « L’attitude du PYD/PKK en mouvement de révolte tion kurde, a, depuis 2009, per - Syrie est très révélatrice, qui secoue durement la suadé la majorité des Kurdes explique Jordi Tejel Gorgas. En P Syrie, les organisations qu’aucune solution ni détente fin de compte, le PKK espère que et les partis politiques politique ne pouvait être atten - si le régime ne tombe pas, leur kurdes peinent à trouver leur due de la part d’Ankara. loyauté leur permettra d’imposer place au sein de l’opposition leur hégémonie politique dans syrienne, autant qu’à s’accorder Les Kurdes de Syrie « ne voient les régions kurdes. » entre eux sur la priorité ou la en aucune façon la Turquie nature de leurs revendications, comme un acteur ‘neutre’ dans la Mais malgré leurs divisions et d’autant que le pays qui, avec le région, ni comme un modèle de leur indécision politique, David Qatar, soutient le plus active - démocratisation. » De plus, les W. Lesch, qui enseigne l’histoire ment les insurgés, est la Turquie, media comme les services de du Moyen Orient à l’université vue comme l’ennemi principal renseignement turcs pointent de la Trinité de San Antonio, des aspirations kurdes. une possible alliance du PYD juge, lui, que les Kurdes de Syrie (branche syrienne du PKK) avec ont joué intelligemment leur Il s’ensuit une valse d’hésitations le régime alaouite, le PKK cher - partie depuis le début de la entre le ralliement de mouve - chant une base de repli au cas où révolte : « Je les soupçonne ments au Conseil national syrien, tenir Qandil, au Kurdistan d’Irak d’attendre leur heure en obser - qui regroupe toute l’opposition ne serait plus possible en raison vant ce qui se passe, afin d’être à arabe ou le refus de s’y joindre de l’évolution des relations même de jouer un rôle, qu’Assad sans garantie claire que les droits diplomatiques entre la Turquie soit renversé ou non. Ils peuvent des Kurdes seront enfin entéri - et le Gouvernement régional du aussi regarder du côté de leurs nés dans la « nouvelle Syrie ». Kurdistan d’Irak. Par contre, les frères en Irak pour y trouver une responsables du PYD, tout orientation et s’inspirer de la Ainsi, alors que le 1 er avril devait comme ceux du PKK, ont affirmé façon dont ceux-ci ont pu s’assu - avoir lieu, à Istanbul, la deuxiè - clairement, et à plusieurs rer une existence prospère et me rencontre des « Amis de la reprises, qu’en cas d’intervention indépendante au milieu d’un Syrie », un des principaux blocs militaire de la Turquie en Syrie, Irak chaotique après l’invasion de l’opposition kurde, le Conseil ils prendraient les armes contre de 2003. national kurde, s’est retiré du les soldats turcs. Conseil national syrien, en invo - La méfiance kurde à l’égard du quant le refus des nationalistes Conseil national syrien s’est arabes et des Frères musulman La position du PYD, qui procla - trouvée confortée dans une inter - d’accepter les demandes des me que son combat ne concerne view accordée au journal kurde Kurdes dans leurs projets poli - pas seulement les Kurdes de Rudaw par son dirigeant Burhan tiques, peut-être aussi encoura - Syrie mais englobe la question Ghalioun, interview dans gés discrètement en cela par la kurde dans sa totalité, est, au laquelle il nie l’existence d’un Turquie. fond, une reprise du choix « stra - « Kurdistan syrien » : « Il n’existe tégique » qu’avait fait le PKK pas de « Kurdistan syrien ». Les En effet, selon le chercheur Jordi dans les années 1990, alors Kurdes syriens obtiendront leurs Tejel Gorgas, spécialiste de la qu’Öcalan, hôte de la Syrie, droits comme le reste des politique kurde en Syrie, la détournait les revendications des citoyens de Syrie. Burhan méfiance des Kurdes se porte Kurdes syriens au profit du com - Ghalioun a aussi rejeté la possi - autant à l’encontre du pan-ara - bat que le PKK menait tant en bilité d’un statut fédéral accordé bisme que de l’activisme des Turquie qu’au Kurdistan d’Irak, aux Kurdes de Syrie, qualifiant Frères musulmans (les confréries le tout dans une alliance ouverte « d’illusion » ce projet soutenu soufies kurdes jouant, par contre, avec Hafez Al-Assad. Les autres par plusieurs partis kurdes : un rôle influent dans la politique partis kurdes accusent à présent « Appliquer le modèle irakien est pro-kurde), qu’envers la le PYD de jouer la même carte une chose impossible en Syrie. » Turquie, de laquelle « ils n’atten - avec Bachar Al-Assad, et dent rien de bon ». L’échec des d’empêcher, voire d’attaquer L’émoi et les vives protestations promesses et des espoirs que physiquement les manifestations que ces déclarations ont fait l’AKP avait suscités avec son kurdes contre le régime. naître dans l’opposition kurde • 8 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 325 • avril 2012

syrienne ont amené le porte- ci est inclus dans les frontières voulu se débarrasser de tous ses parole officiel du Conseil natio - syriennes « Le régime syrien n’a Kurdes (ce qui n’est pas tout à nal syrien, Ahmed Ramadan, à pu nier l’existence d’un fait exact, la politique alouite revenir sur les propos de Burhan Kurdistan en tant que lieu géo - ayant toujours voulu instrumen - Ghalioun, en tentant d’apaiser graphique, mais il a toujours éra - taliser ses minorités ethniques ou les craintes kurdes : « Les Kurdes diqué les caractéristiques cultu - religieuses, afin de contenir la syriens sont inséparables de relles, historiques et démogra - majorité sunnite) alors que leurs frères qui vivent hors de phiques de ce lieu. Mais les l’opposition syrienne, selon Syrie, que ce soit en Irak, en questions portant sur le fédéra - Ramadan, tire fierté de l’identité Turquie ou en Iran », a-t-il décla - lisme et l’autonomie ne doivent du peuple kurde : « Le Conseil ré au même journal Rudaw, pas être débattues pour le national syrien est fier des quelques jours plus tard. Le moment, en aucune façon, car les Kurdes syriens et de leur dra - porte-parole a nuancé les posi - partis kurdes en Syrie ont des peau. » tions du leader du CNS, en affir - visées qui ne collent pas à la réa - mant que, contrairement au régi - lité de la Syrie. » La nouvelle constitution en Syrie me actuel, l’opposition syrienne incluerait « des articles qui reconnaît l’existence d’un Ahmed Ramadan ajoute que feraient spécifiquement référence Kurdistan syrien, même si celui- l’actuel régime syrien a toujours à la culture et à l‘identité kurdes ».

TURQUIE : MOBILISATION CONTRE LES ARRESTATIONS D’ÉTUDIANTS ET DE CHERCHEURS e mardi 10 avril, l’édi - Özgür Gündem et 13 détenus dans le milieu universitaire. teur Ragıp Zarakolu, ont été libérés, tandis qu’à Van, Ainsi, la journaliste et anthropo - qui avait été emprison - dans le même temps, six per - logue Müge Tuzcuoğlu a été L né en vertu de la loi sonnes dont une journaliste de arrêtée alors qu’elle donnait un anti-terreur a été libéré, l’agence DIHAont été de même cours sur « L’histoire des socié - ainsi que 14 autres prévenus, sur relâché par décision du tribunal. tés » à l’Académie de sciences une décision de la 15 ème cour politiques du Parti kurde (BDP). pénale d’Istanbul. Ces arrestations d’intellectuels, Ses travaux de recherches en d’universitaires, de journalistes sociologie, notamment ses Ragıp Zarakolu était détenu et d’éditeurs ont suscité une enquêtes sur les conséquences dans la prison de haute sécurité vague de protestation dans tout des migrations forcées parmi les de Kocaeli depuis le le 28 octobre le pays, ainsi qu’aux États-Unis, Kurdes n’ont sans doute pas non 2011, après un coup de filet qui en France, en Allemagne, en plus eu l’heure de plaire aux avait inclu 49 personnes, dont la Grande-Bretagne, en Suisse, en autorités judiciaires. juriste Büşra Ersanlı. Le 19 mars Italie et en Grèce. 2012, le Procureur public Des manifestations ont eu lieu d’Istanbul, Adnan Çimen, avait Mais beaucoup d’autres prison - pour la libération de nombreux requis respectivement 15 à 22,5 niers d’opinion restent sous les étudiants et lycéens turcs, qui se ans d’emprisonnement contre verrous, dont Büşra Ersanlı, trouvent derrière les barreaux. Büşra Ersanlı, sous l’accusation Deniz Zarakolu, un chercheur en Leurs professeurs ont notam - d’être « responsable d’une orga - sciences politiques et de nom - ment organisé à deux reprises un nisation illégale » et 7,5 à 15 ans breux étudiants détenus en vertu cours sit-in devant la prison de contre Ragıp Zarakolu pour d’une loi d’exception datant du « type F » (haute sécurité) de avoir « soutenu et aidé une orga - coup d’Etat de 1980. Par ailleurs, Tekirdag, où se trouvent le plus nisation illégale ». Le procureur ces libérations ne sont que condi - grand nombre d’étudiants avait transmis à la 15 ème cour tionnelles et les charges sont emprisonnés, entourés de gen - pénale d’Istanbul un acte d’accu - maintenus contre les inculpés. darmes et de barrières de sécuri - sation de 2 400 pages, qui Ragıp Zarakolu doit être ainsi té. Malgré leur demande auprès visaient en tout 193 personnes, jugé le 2 juillet à Silivri, malgré du procureur, les enseignants dont 147 étaient en détention l’inconsistance des accusations n’ont pu rencontrer leurs élèves. préventive. portées contre lui. Ils ont donc déployé des tables de cours et des chaises devant la Avec Ragıp Zarakolu, une jour - De plus, ces libérations n’ont pas prison, et ont brandi des pan - naliste du quotidien kurde empêché d’autres arrestations cartes avec leurs revendications. n° 325 • avril 2012 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 9•

Bediz Yilmaz, qui enseigne à Bosphore) et Ayten Alkan des billets de concert tend à noir - l'université de Mersin, a fait l'ap - (Université d'Istanbul) avaient cir le tableau. . pel des étudiants détenus à parlé du genre social, avait été Tekirdag. Beyza Üstün, de l'uni - organisé devant la prison de Les étudiant(e)s – pour la plupart versité technique de Yildiz, a Bakirköy. détenu(e)s depuis plusieurs déclaré en commençant son années dans des prisons de haute « cours » : « Nous sommes venus L’équipe de coordination de la sécurité – luttent, en plus, pour pour nos étudiants qui sont campagne « Öğrencime pouvoir continuer leur formation emprisonnés ici. Leur place n'est Dokunma !» (Touche pas à mon universitaire, accéder à leurs pas ici, elle est en cours », avant étdiant) a, le 5 avril à 17 heures, lu livres et notes de cours et partici - d’enchaîner sur le thème de la un communiqué de presse devant per aux examens. transformation de l'eau en mar - les grilles du célèbre lycée chandise, et sur les dommages Galatasaray d’Istanbul : Le « règlement disciplinaire pour causés par les centrales hydro - « Nous assistons ces derniers les étudiant(e)s de l’enseignement électriques, dont les réserves temps à des mises en garde à vue, supérieur », produit du coup d'eau ne sont pas restituées à la des arrestations et des procès qui d’Etat militaire du 12 Septembre nature : dérangent nos consciences. Une 1980, est utilisé comme instru - partie importante de ces pres - ment d’oppression complémen - « En tout lieu, l'eau est entre les sions, devenues particulièrement taire contre les étudiant(e)s arrê - mains des entreprises pendant un alarmantes au cours de cette der - té(e)s. Plusieurs autorités univer - bail de 49 ans. Elles ont mis la nière année, s’est concentrée sur sitaires s’illustrent par leur volon - main sur les cours d'eau, malgré les étudiant(e)s d’université. tarisme et leur impatience à sanc - les lois, malgré les réglementa - tionner ces étudiant(e)s – dont les tions de protection. Où va cette Le nombre d’étudiant(e)s agissements supposés ne font par - eau ? Dans des canaux. Les arrêté(e)s augmente de jour en fois même pas l’objet d’un procès conduites privent la vie, tant sou - jour en Turquie. Il est très difficile public - en les éloignant ou en les terraine que de surface, des res - d’obtenir des informations fiables excluant de l’enseignement supé - sources en eau. La population et actualisées du fait des nouvelles rieur, par le biais d’enquêtes disci - anatolienne s'est élevée contre cet arrestations, des mises en liberté plinaires. » état de choses. Mais il reste tous et des exclusions universitaires ceux qui ne se révolteront pas : les suite aux enquêtes disciplinaires. « Il est parfaitement inacceptable oiseaux, les arbres, les plantes, les Si celle-ci reste préoccupante, c’est de transformer des étudiant(e)s êtres vivant dans le sous-sol. A moins la fréquence de ces pres - qui protestent ou interrogent les qui profite cette eau emprisonnée sions que la stratégie à l’œuvre schèmes imposés par l’Etat en des dans des conduites ? A d'autres derrière ces agissements qu’il suspects de « terrorisme » sans entreprises qui l'achètent. Elle convient de souligner, à savoir la présenter de motif afin d’étayer le n'atteindra jamais ceux qui n'ont volonté de discipliner et, à défaut, dispositif du jugement ni aucune pas d'argent. » (…) Par ailleurs, éliminer les étudiant(e)s. La plu - preuve, que l’on essaie de discipli - 300 travailleurs ont perdu la vie part des crimes imputés aux étu - ner ces étudiant(e)s par la violen - dans ce processus de marchandi - diant(e)s sont regroupés sous le ce étatique et de les égarer dans sation de l'eau, sans que la presse terme-épouvantail de « terroris - des procédures juridictionnelles ne s'en émeuve. » me ». Présenter comme éléments interminables. » probatoires non seulement le fait Ali Saysel, enseignant à l'universi - de s’adonner à des activités « nor - « La responsabilité principale des té du Bosphore, a lui aussi qualifié males » dans le cadre de la liberté universités, en tant que lieux de le XXIe siècle de « siècle de crise d’expression et d’association production scientifique basée sur écologique ». (rédiger un communiqué de pres - la liberté de pensée et d’expres - se, protester contre les décisions sion, est avant tout de protéger À la fin de ces cours-manifesta - du Conseil de l’Enseignement leurs étudiant(e)s. Nous, universi - tions, les participants ont rédigé Supérieur (YÖK), participer à une taires de toute la Turquie, décla - des cartes postales pour les étu - manifestation ou une commémo - rons que nous n’allons pas nous diants emprisonnés à Tekirdag. ration…), mais également des taire alors que nos étudiant(e)s - Cette campagne est soutenue par notes de cours, des livres, des fac - dont les gardes à vue et les arres - un grand nombre d'enseignants tures d’eau ou même des activités tations vont croissantes - devien - syndicalistes (Egitim-Sen) de quotidiennes comme se faire cou - nent des cibles, qu’on les prive de Tekirdag. Un autre cours, où per les cheveux, porter un para - leur liberté et qu’on les arrache à Nükhet Sirman (Université du pluie, danser le halay ou vendre leur université et à leur vie. » • 10 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 325 • avril 2012

LITTÉRATURE : « LES PLUMES », UN ROMAN DE SALIM BARAKAT SALUÉ PAR LA CRITIQUE FRANCOPHONE « es Plumes, » le dernier nage mystérieux, le “Grand d’images, de légendes d’un roman traduit en fran - Homme”. Six ans plus tard, il n’a peuple mille fois humiliés », L çais par Emmanuel pas réussi à remplir sa mission. dans un récit qui « des allers- Varlet (douze ans après Usé par sa quête improbable, en retours entre ce Kurdistan mille sa parution en arabe), proie aux affres de l’exil, il envi - fois rêvé et aimé et une pâle réa - aux éditions Actes Sud, de Salim sage d’abréger ses jours. Défilent lité à Chypre. » Barakat, a été salué très élogieu - alors dans sa mémoire les souve - sement par la critique. nirs de Qamishli, sa ville natale, Dans « Le Monde des livres », Né en 1951 à Qamishlo, au des anecdotes sur sa famille Catherine Simon parle de « mélo - Kurdistan de Syrie, Salim haute en couleur, les vicissitudes pée kafkaïenne » dont « les Barakat est un écrivain kurde de son peuple dupé par l’histoi - grandes dates de l’histoire du d’expression arabe, bien que re, les légendes véhiculées par peuple kurde, mille fois révolté, presque tout l’imaginaire, la son père au sujet d’un âge d’or mille fois écrasé, soumis à la trame et les lieux de son œuvre où les Kurdes auraient vécu domination des puissants (les romanesque concernent le libres et prospères… Turcs, les Syriens, les Iraniens, les monde kurde, et principalement Irakiens…) forment le motif obsé - sa région natale. Six ans plus tôt. Mem vit à dant ». le tout écrit dans « une Qamishli avec Dino, son frère prose déroutante, touffue comme Salim Barakat vit en Europe, jumeau. Etrangers dans leur un taillis de ronces, légère comme après un parcours mouvementé, propre pays, le régime syrien cette « petite plume cendrée » qui l’a amené du Liban, où il leur ayant toujours dénié le droit surgie de la valise de Mem, qui avait rejoint les rangs des d’être kurdes, ils mènent une s’élève soudain dans l’air en tour - Palestiniens, à Chypre et finale - existence précaire et désespérée. noyant, avant de redescendre en ment en Suède. Il a écrit plus de Un beau jour, Mem s’évanouit se balançant et de se poser de 35 livres, romans ou recueils de mystérieusement dans la nature nouveau tout au fond, sur les poésie, dont seulement 5 d’entre et, peu à peu, le doute s’installe : faux plis grossiers de la doublu - eux ont été traduits en français : Mem est-il parti à Chypre ? re », et de son écriture « puissante Le Criquet de fer (1993, Babel et raffinée ». 2012) et Sonne du cor (1995), qui Serait-ce plutôt Dino ? La vie de s’inspirent de façon romancée de Mem ne serait-elle pas le rêve de Incipit : son enfance et de son adolescen - son frère ? Dans une prose somp - « Je sortais tous mes vêtements de ce ; Les Seigneurs de la nuit (1999), tueuse portée par un souffle leur valise de cuir quand, soudain, un roman fantastique et surréa - épique qui mêle figures de l’his - une petite plume cendrée, surgie des liste, dont l’action se déroule toire et héros légendaires, qui fait entrailles du bagage, s’est élevée dans un village kurde ; Les dialoguer oiseaux, plantes, anges dans l’air en tournoyant, avant de Grottes de Haydrahodahus (2008), et cours d’eau, Salim Barakat a redescendre en se balançant et de se un conte féérique se déroulant peut-être offert aux Kurdes – en poser de nouveau tout au fond, sur cette fois dans un monde imagi - langue arabe, paradoxalement – les faux plis grossiers de la doublure. naire, proche du genre de la le roman le plus puissant sur Le maroquinier n’avait visiblement Fantasy. leur quête de liberté et de digni - pas pensé que je pourrais examiner té. » (Actes Sud). son ouvrage d’aussi près, en portant « Avec « Les Plumes ou : Les mon attention sur ces gros fils preuves qui échappèrent à Mem Dans son blog de chroniques, entrecroisés qui s’effilochaient parce Azad durant sa lointaine et dro - Rebbecca Benhamou, qui fut qu’il les avait arrachés à la main, latique escapade », Salim Barakat notamment journaliste à Arte et d’un coup sec, et non coupés avec renoue avec sa veine « kurde », assistante aux éditions Héloise des ciseaux. faite de réminiscences autobio - d’Ormesson, loue la puissance J’ai plongé la main au fond du baga - graphiques passées à la mouli - « sans complaisance » du roman ge et remonté la plume en pleine nette de l’épopée mi-poétique et la dignité d’un « curieux hom - lumière, en constatant alors qu’elle mi-fantastique : « Mem, un jeune mage, un hommage qui se lit n’était pas vraiment cendrée, finale - Kurde de Syrie, est envoyé par comme un conte », qui est fait à ment. J’en ai observé l’endroit et son père à Chypre, où il doit « l’âme kurde via une kyrielle de l’envers. Un panachage de gris et de entrer en contact avec un person - métaphores, de rencontres, blanc. Toute petite. Ébouriffée. n° 325 • avril 2012 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 11 •

J’étais sur le point de m’en débarras - ments, je me suis laissé captiver par sur le cuir de la doublure à gros sur - ser et puis, me ravisant, j’ai desserré son lent balancement vers le fond fils. les doigts pour la laisser retomber à sombre du bagage et par ses couleurs l’intérieur de la valise. tour à tour ambiguës et évidentes, Comment une simple plume pou - Au lieu de me demander qui avait selon la lumière – ce qui m’a amené vait-elle susciter chez moi autant de pu la jeter au milieu de mes vête - à la laisser retomber une autre fois questionnements ?

CINÉMA : SORTIE DU « TEMPS DURE LONGTEMPS » D’ÖZCAN ALPER « e Temps dure long - des individus. A travers cette La première mondiale du film a temps » (Gelecek Uzun guerre sans nom [contre les eu au Festival international du L Sürer,) un film d’Özcan Kurdes] qui se poursuit depuis film de Toronto. Il a aussi rem - Alper, avec Gaye Gürsel, les trente dernières années, au porté de nombreuses récom - Durukan Ordu et Sarkis cours de laquelle 17 500 assassi - penses en Turquie, notamment Seropyan est sorti dans les salles nats politiques ont été commis au Festival d'Adana (Prix Yılmaz françaises le 18 avril. sous le nom de « cas non résolus Güney du Meilleur Film, Prix de », je tiens à regarder la Turquie la Critique du Meilleur Film, Prix « Sumru prépare un master d'aujourd'hui en face. » du Meilleur Acteur, Prix de la d’ethnomusicologie à Meilleure Musique, Prix de la l’Université d’Istanbul. Elle s’ins - Jean Roy, dans L’Humanité, juge Meilleure Image) et a participé talle au Sud-Est de Turquie l’œuvre « d’une grande au Festibal de Berlin. [Kurdistan] pour quelques mois pudeur » : « Cela commence par afin d’y étudier les élégies anato - un plan magnifique. Un cheval Né en 1975 à Artvin, en Turquie, liennes et leur histoire. A galope dans la nature de toute sa Özcan Alper a la particularité Diyarbakır, elle rencontre fierté de pur-sang indompté. Un d’être issu d’une minorité dans Ahmet, vendeur de DVD pirates coup de feu retentit venu dont la minorité, car il fait partie de ayant filmé des témoignages de on ne sait où et l’animal ces Arméniens de mer Noire dits survivants kurdes. Sumru est s’effondre au sol, achevé. Qui « Hamchin », qui se sont conver - hantée par le souvenir doulou - peut faire preuve d’une telle tis à l’islam et ne sont donc guère reux de son premier amour, un absence de sentiment ? On le appréciés des autres Arméniens, Kurde mystérieusement disparu. saura d’autant moins qu’un tout en conservant leur langue et Aux côtés d’Ahmet, dans le unique cheval, peut-être le certains traits culturels. Après contexte tragique de cette guerre même, ne réapparaîtra furtive - avoir étudié au lycée de Trabzon, non reconnue à ce jour, elle va ment que dans les tout derniers Özcan Alper est entré à l’univer - devoir affronter son passé et instants du film. Il y a donc là sité d’Istanbul. D’abord au l’histoire de son pays. » métaphore. Cette œuvre s’ouvre département de physique et puis sous le signe du malheur, de la pour étudier l’histoire des « L’une des principales motiva - cruauté, de l’ignominie. » sciences jusqu’en 2003. tions de ce film, explique son réalisateur, est d'essayer de don - Jacques Morice, dans Télérama, Parallèlement à ses études, il a ner un sens au présent et au qualifie ce film « d’allusif et sen - pris part à des ateliers de cinéma passé à travers ces poèmes [les sible. L'amplitude des paysages, organisé par le centre culturel élégies] qui sont au cœur de l'his - le sens de l'existence comme sus - kurde Mezopotamya d’Istanbul toire. Alors que Sumru traque pendu, tout cela rappelle, en et par la Maison culturelle ces élégies pour appréhender la mineur, le cinéma de Nuri Bilge Nâzım Hikmet. En 2000, il souffrance d’un peuple, elle Ceylan, de Wim Wenders et de obtient un poste d’assistant ouvre une blessure personnelle Theo Angelopoulos (ces deux auprès de la cinéaste Yeşim liée à son passé. Cette histoire est derniers sont d'ailleurs cités dans Ustaoğlu. « Le Temps dure long - importante car elle permet de le film). Ozcan Alper, qui signe temps » est son second long présenter la diversité de ces son second long métrage, ne dis - métrage, après « Sonbahar » sociétés mais aussi parce qu'elle socie pas la contemplation et (Automne, 2008) qui racontait montre comment l'expérience l'engagement. Rien que pour l’histoire d'un jeune étudiant pri - collective se reflète dans la vie cela, il est précieux. » sonnier politique. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Irak: le Kurdistan n'exporte plus de pétrole à 2 avril 2012 cause d'un conflit financier avec Bagdad Par RFI, Avec notre correspondante par le gouvernement fédéral. Une facture qui à Bagdad, Fatma Kizilboga s’élève au total à près de 750 millions d’euros.

n Irak, les autorités kurdes ont Un véritable défi lancé aux géants pétroliers annoncé dimanche 1er avril qui s’apprêtent à signer des contrats avec Equ’elles suspendaient leurs exporta- Erbil, la capitale du gouvernement régional tions de pétrole. Raison invoquée : un Un employé contrôle une vanne dans kurde. Bagdad, qui ne reconnaît que les accords passés avec son ministère du contentieux financier avec le gouver- la raffinerie de Tak Tak à Erbil. Reuters Pétrole, interdit aux compagnies opérant au nement central. Bagdad, qui ne ments illustre bien l’interminable bras de fer Kurdistan de participer aux appels d’offres reconnaît pas les contrats accordés qui se poursuit avec l'autonomie kurde au dans le reste du pays. par Erbil, refuse tout simplement de succès économique parfois agaçant, alors payer les compagnies pétrolières qui que le processus de reconstruction peine tou- Une menace qui n’effraie plus certaines hol- opèrent dans le nord du pays. jours à décoller dans le reste du pays. dings, vraisemblablement lassées par les Une crise qui ne risque pas de bouleverser UNE FACTURE DE PRÈS DE 750 contraintes administratives et sécuritaires l’équilibre du pays dont 95% des revenus pro- MILLIONS D'EUROS imposées dans le sud du pays. Après viennent du pétrole. Car le Kurdistan ne l’Américain Exxon Mobil, le groupe Total a représente à lui seul qu’à peine plus de 2% Depuis plus de dix mois maintenant, aucune également fait part de son intérêt pour de la production totale de l’or noir irakien. des compagnies pétrolières étrangères l’exploration de champs pétroliers dans la Mais le refus de Bagdad d’honorer ces règle- basées dans le nord de l’Irak n’a été payée région kurde.
Nouveau contentieux pétrolier entre

3 avril 2012 l’Irak et sa région autonome kurde Le vice-Premier ministre signe de protestation. Bagdad irakien Hussein Le vice-Premier min- et Erbil se disputent aussi au Chahristani accuse le istre irakien, Hussein sujet de la major pétrolière Kurdistan de vendre son Chahristani (à américaine ExxonMobil qui pétrole en contrebande via droite), et le ministre veut s’implanter au Kurdistan. la frontière iranienne. du Pétrole, Abdel Même chose au sujet du Karim al-Luaybi, ont groupe français Total qui envi- ’Irak a accusé hier sa tenu hier une con- sage également d’y faire Lrégion autonome kurde de férence de presse sur affaires. se livrer à la contrebande de la situation. Saad M. Chahristani s’en est pétrole, un nouveau grief qui Shalash/Reuters aussi pris aux autorités vient attiser le conflit déjà vif Le vice-Premier ministre du pétrole kurde. « Le montant kurdes qui ont assuré des mois les opposant sur une série de irakien Hussein Chahristani a total en valeur du pétrole qui durant leur protection au vice- sujets territoriaux, pétroliers accusé hier le Kurdistan de n’a pas été exporté en 2011 est président Hachémi, avant qu’il et politiques. vendre son pétrole en contre- de 3,547 milliards de dollars ne quitte la région dimanche Le ton ne cesse de monter bande via la frontière ira- et celui du pétrole qui n’a pas pour le Qatar. « Le fait que la depuis quelques semaines nienne, privant ainsi l’Irak et été remis par la région en 2010 région du Kurdistan lui ait entre le Kurdistan, doté d’une ses citoyens de milliards de est de 2,102 milliards de dol- permis de partir est considéré large autonomie et de ses pro- dollars de recettes pétrolières. lars », selon M. Chahristani. « comme un clair défi à la loi et à pres institutions, et le gouver- « Le Kurdistan n’a pas de raffi- C’est une importante somme la justice », a-t-il lancé. nement central de Bagdad. Les neries et donc la plus grande d’argent qui crée un déficit Erbil et Bagdad s’opposent points de contentieux sont partie (du pétrole) est vendue dans le budget si elle n’est pas également sur la souveraineté anciens et nombreux, notam- frauduleusement hors d’Irak, versée. Le gouvernement doit d’une bande longue de 650 ment les problèmes de souve- en particulier via la frontière examiner les procédures afin km, riche en hydrocarbures, à raineté sur des zones entières iranienne », a-t-il lancé lors de protéger le patrimoine des cheval sur quatre provinces et du pays, mais deux sujets d’une conférence de presse. Irakiens », a-t-il affirmé, souli- comprenant la ville multieth- apparaissent actuellement Selon le ministre du Pétrole, gnant que « l’unité de l’Irak, sa nique de Kirkouk. Cet épineux particulièrement sensibles : le Abdel Karim al-Luaybi, le souveraineté et son argent ne dossier est considéré comme pétrole et le sort du vice-prési- pétrole transite en fraude via peuvent pas (faire l’objet) de l’une des principales menaces dent Tarek el-Hachémi, l’Iran vers le Golfe, où il est compromis ». pour la stabilité de l’Irak à recherché par la justice ira- vendu à des prix inférieurs à Le Kurdistan réclame de terme, en particulier si le kienne mais qui bénéficie de la ceux du marché, ainsi que vers son côté quelque 1,5 milliard Kurdistan décidait de déclarer protection des autorités l’Afghanistan. Un haut respon- de dollars d’arriérés de paie- unilatéralement son indépen- kurdes. M. Hachémi se trouve sable afghan a admis en octo- ment au gouvernement et a dance.I à présent au Qatar et Bagdad bre 2011 lors d’une visite à indiqué dimanche avoir cessé (Source : AFP) réclame son extradition. Bagdad que son pays achetait ses exportations de pétrole en

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

LE FIGARO lundi 2 avril 2012 plomatique syrienne à Paris.

Et ensuite ? L'hypothèse d'un échec

de la mission Annan était ouvertement envisagée, si rien ne se passait au terme Syrie : Bachar du «délai d'application» réclamé di¬ manche par le « groupe des amis »

dans leur communiqué final. «Nous sommes tous d'accord là-dessus, il faut

fixer une limite dans le temps à l'action » sous pression de Kofi Annan, a dit Alain Juppé. Le chef de la diplomatie française s'est re¬

fusé à évoquer .une échéance précise,

indiquant toutefois qu'il ne s'agirait internationale « pas de mois, pas de semaines, mais de quelquesjours»...

* Un geste syrien étant peu probable, 70 pays réunis à Istanbul soutiennent un nouveau passage par la case Conseil de sécurité est plausible. Une perspec¬ le plan de paix de Kofi Annan alors tive qui n'a rien d'évident. Côté fran- 'çais, on mise sur une « voie politique ». que la répression se poursuit sans répit. La Russie et la Chine ayant approuvé la déclaration présidentielle à l'ONU, le 21 mars, c'est toute la communauté in¬

ternationale qui se trouverait engagée ALAIN BARLUET pluie» du Conseil national - ENVOYÉ SPÉCIAL A ISTANBUL syrien (CNS), désormais re¬ par l'échec de la mission Annan, esti- connu comme interlocu¬ me-t-on au Quai d'Orsay. L'enjeu se¬ teur principal. Parmi les rait alors de maintenir Moscou et Pékin « à bord » d'un projet de résolution. PROCHE-ORIENT «Bachar el-Assad nous mesures décidées diman¬ Autre défi, les pressions en faveur mène en bateau. Ily a un risque d'enlise¬ che, un groupe de travail d'une militarisation -des opposants sy¬ ment et on voit bien la tactique du régime sur les sanctions, présidé riens à qui la conférence d'Istanbul a qui est de gagner du temps. La mission de par la France, a été créé et de¬ reconnu le droit de prendre des « me¬ Kofi Annan ne peut s'éterniser » : Alain vrait se réunir à Paris dans une sures légitimes » pour se défendre. Paris Juppé a été très clair, en marge de la dizaine de jours. Il aura pour tâche et Washington ont redit leur refus de deuxième conférence des « amis du de coordonner les sanctions européen¬ fournir des armes, ce qu'a réclamé une peuple syrien » qui s'est tenue diman¬ nes, américaines et arabes décrétées nouvelle fois à Istanbul le président du che à Istanbul sous le double signe de contre la Syrie. Il devra aussi travailler CNS, Burhan Ghalioun. Il a annoncé di¬ l'impuissance et de l'urgence. Impuis¬ à rassurer les pays dé la région (Irak, manche que son mouvement verserait sance, parce que Damas reste sourd à Liban, Jordanie) qui redoutent les désormais leur solde aux combattants toute initiative, poursuit impla¬ conséquences de telles mesures sur leur de l'Armée syrienne libre (ALS) , grâce à cablement la répression et économie. D'autres types de sanctions l'argent des pays du Golfe. continue à « vomir le sang vont être examinés : la France qui a fer¬ et les morts », comme l'a mé son ambassade à Damas envisage dit avec force le premier 0000 une réduction de la représentation di ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, hôte de Syriens cette réunion qui ras¬ sont morts en un an semblait, quelque 70 pays. de révolte i Le seuil des dix mille tués est désormais atteint et cha¬ quejour qui passe « allonge la liste des promesses nontenues », selon l'ex¬ I pression d'Hillary Clinton, alourdissant * le bilan de plusieurs dizaines de victi¬ :'"^ 'fc mes. Urgence aussi, car l'initiative de ,y-.v^.> l'ex-secrétaire général de l'ONU - un

plan en six points prévoyant notam¬ ment le retrait des armes lourdes, *4f.

l'acheminement de l'aide humanitaire ~ \ et l'amorce d'un dialogue politique - ne

saurait rester viable si elle ne se concré¬

tise pas très rapidement sur le terrain. À défaut, c'est une autre piste qu'il

faudra explorer. En l'occurrence, le re¬ tour à la voie, bien étroite, du Conseil 1 de sécurité.

Coordonner les'sanctions

On n'en était pas encore là, dimanche,

à Istanbul. Dans sa déclaration finale, le

groupe des « amis de la. Syrie » a ap¬

porté son soutien à la mission de Kofi

Annan, décidé un renforcement des

sanctions contre le régime de Damas et appuyé les efforts de l'opposition à Le premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, entouré de dirigeants arabes se rassembler « sous 1e para- à Istanbul, dimanche, altan/afp Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

Manifestation kurde pour la libération d'Öcalan STRASBOURG (Reuters) - 4 avril 2012

PLUS D'UN MILLIER de Kurdes ont manifesté mercredi à Strasbourg devant le Conseil de l'Europe pour demander la libération d'Abdullah Öcalan, ancien chef du Parti des travail- leurs du Kurdistan (PKK), qui purge une peine de prison à vie en Turquie. Quinze d'entre eux observent une grève de la faim depuis le 1er mars à Strasbourg pour alerter la communauté internationale sur Photo par VINCENT KESSLER/Reuters , 4 avril 2012 "la situation alarmante du peuple kurde" et l'isolement selon eux Le CPT s'est refusé à tout commentaire sur un dossier "très sen- imposé à Abdullah Öcalan sur son île-prison d'Imrali. sible, autant humainement que politiquement", selon son secré- taire exécutif adjoint Fabrice Kellens. Le prisonnier n'aurait plus de visites de sa famille depuis huit mois ni accès à ses avocats, incarcérés dans le cadre d'enquêtes Lors de sa dernière visite à Abdullah Öcalan, en janvier 2010, le antiterroristes, a déclaré à Reuters Yurtseven Tekiner, la porte- CPT s'était félicité que cinq autres détenus l'aient rejoint dans sa parole de la communauté kurde de Strasbourg. prison depuis quelques mois, mettant fin à son isolement, dix ans après sa condamnation en 1999 à la réclusion criminelle à perpé- Sur leurs panonceaux, des manifestants dénonçaient un "géno- tuité pour menées terroristes et séparatistes. cide culturel au Kurdistan", d'autres demandaient au Comité de prévention de la torture (CPT), une instance du Conseil de Assises sur un trottoir face au Palais de l'Europe, un groupe de l'Europe, de rendre visite à Abdullah Öcalan pour vérifier la femmes en costumes traditionnels exprimaient leur espoir sur N conformité aux droits de l'homme de ses conditions de détention. une banderole : "Hier Mandela, aujourd'hui Öcalan".

Le leader kurde irakien reçu à la Maison Blanche, voit brièvement Obama WASHINGTON, 05 avril 2012 (AFP) LE PRÉSIDENT AMÉRICAIN Barack Obama a brièvement ren- mi-décembre, et a fait planer un temps la crainte d'un nouveau contré mercredi le dirigeant kurde irakien Massoud Barzani, conflit confessionnel. qui était reçu à la Maison Blanche par le vice-président amé- ricain Joe Biden, a annoncé la présidence américaine. Le président irakien Jalal Talabani avait appelé, il y a une semaine, à la tenue le 5 avril d'une conférence nationale pour ten- M. Barzani a également rencontré le secrétaire américain à la ter de résoudre cette crise, mais celle-ci a été repoussée. défense Leon Panetta, selon le Pentagone. Le conflit avait été aggravé par l'émission au même moment d'un Ni la Maison Blanche ni le Pentagone n'ont précisé le contenu des mandat d'arrêt à l'encontre du vice-président sunnite Tarek al- discussions, mais selon un communiqué de la présidence, "les Hachémi, qui s'est réfugié des mois durant au Kurdistan irakien, Etats-Unis sont engagés par notre relation historique et de proxi- mité avec le peuple kurde, dans le contexte de notre partenariat avant de gagner le Qatar cette semaine. Le vice-Premier ministre stratégique avec un Irak fédéral, démocratique et unifié". Saleh Moutlak est pour sa part menacé de limogeage.

La visite à Washington de M. Barzani intervient alors que l'Irak est M. Barzani avait de son côté lancé en mars une vive attaque plongé dans une crise politique entre chiites et sunnites, qui a contre M. Maliki, l'accusant de monopoliser le pouvoir et de vou- éclaté peu après le départ des dernières forces américaines à la loir se constituer une armée à ses ordres. H

"Le sous-préfet de Souleimaniyeh, Zanah Hama Saleh, s'est suicidé par Irak: un responsable pendaison dans la prison" de cette ville, la deuxième du Kurdistan, dans le kurde soupçonné de nord de l'Irak, a annoncé ce responsable. Dans un communiqué publié samedi soir, les services de sécurité kurdes corruption se pend en ont confirmé le suicide du sous-préfet, "détenu depuis dimanche sous ordre prison du juge d'instruction, conformément à l'article 307 du code pénal irakien", relatif à la corruption. SOULEIMANIYEH (Irak), 14 avr 2012 (AFP) Selon une source judiciaire, Zanah Saleh, 40 ans, membre de l'Union patriotique du Kurdistan (UPK, parti du président Jalal Talabani) était soup- UN RESPONSABLE kurde soupçonné d'être impliqué dans une affaire çonné de recevoir des pots-de-vin de la part d'agriculteurs pour enregistrer de corruption s'est pendu samedi dans la cellule où il était incarcéré leurs terrains au cadastre, des faits qu'il avait nié. depuis six jours, a annoncé à l'AFP un haut responsable des services Quatre autres personnes, dont un lieutenant-colonel, ont également été de sécurité irakiens qui a refusé d'être identifié. arrêtés dans cette affaire.H

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

would work. Kurdistan claims the right to negotiate its own contracts with Baghdad, Kurdish foreign oil firms, and has offered production-sharing deals that many firms consider more attractive than the terms offered by oil clash Baghdad. But the central government considers such deals illegal, and long barred firms that operate in the Kurdish region from legally expor- deepens rift ting their oil, forcing them to sell oil on the domestic market at a April 2, 2012 - By Ahmed Rasheed and Serena Chaudhry low price.

* Shahristani charges Kurdish oil goes to Iran An interim deal reached last year allowed Kurdish exports of 175,000 barrels per day with Baghdad collecting the proceeds and * Baghdad locked in dispute over oil, land, autonomy reimbursing the foreign firms their costs. But the two sides have * Kurdistan says Baghdad failing to pay companies disputed the amount of oil that was being sold and the amount of payments due to the firms.

BAGHDAD - A dispute between Iraq's central government and Sunday's export halt appears to scupper that deal. its autonomous Kurdish region over oil exports has worsened in Shares of Norway's DNO, which is active in Kurdistan, dropped 1 recent days, exposing a dysfunctional relationship that is holding percent on Monday. back a long awaited post-war investment boom. EXXON LETTERS Iraq's Kurdistan region announced on Sunday it was halting its exports of about 50,000 barrels of oil per day because firms opera- Baghdad and the Kurds also traded claims on Monday over ting there were not getting paid by the central government. Exxon, the only oil major to sign oil deals with both sides. The central government responded on Monday by accusing the The central government was furious last year when Exxon Kurds of smuggling their oil abroad, mainly to Iran, and wrecking announced an exploration agreement with the Kurds, and has the central budget by denying it revenue. threatened to bar it from future deals and even reconsider its role in a huge project in southern Iraq. It says Exxon has frozen its work The amounts involved are slight so far - Kurdish oil now accounts in the Kurdish region. for barely 2 percent of Iraq's 2.3 million barrels of exports per day. Iraq's oil minister Abdul Kareem Luaibi told reporters on Monday But the dispute over who has the right to exploit Kurdish oil in the Exxon had written two letters since March 5 confirming it had hal- future could effect far bigger deals involving billions of dollars in ted work in the Kurdish region. But Kurdish Energy Minister investment from companies like Exxon Mobil - and the political Hawrami told Reuters Exxon was still operating there. stability of Iraq itself. "Exxon Mobil are maintaining their contract in Kurdistan, nothing The Arab-led central government has long-running disputes with has changed,...Exxon is active," Hawrami said. the Kurds over oil rights, political autonomy and contested territo- ries. Those quarrels have intensified since the last U.S. troops with- With violence easing from its long war, Iraq wants to ramp up oil drew last year, and now threaten to disrupt investment that Iraq production. In March it reached crude output of 3 million bpd, its hopes can more than double its oil output in the next few years, highest level since before the 2003 invasion that toppled Sunni dic- turning it into an energy superpower. tator Saddam Hussein. The latest exchange erupted on Sunday after Kurdistan said it was Major companies have signed service contracts with the central halting its oil shipments in protest against what it said was the cen- government to develop vast oilfields in the south. tral government's failure to make payments to oil companies wor- But Kurdistan's profit-sharing contracts are tempting for firms that king there. complain of red tape and infrastructure bottlenecks in the south. In "There is an agreement. You take and pay. They want to take but addition to Exxon, France's Total has discussed Kurdish deals. not to pay. How can that be?" Kurdistan's Energy Minister Ashti The oil dispute feeds into growing political discord between Hawrami told Reuters in a telephone interview on Monday. Baghdad and the Kurdish capital of Arbil, where Kurdish Iraq's deputy prime minister for energy, Hussain al-Shahristani, President Masoud Barzani has steadily stepped up criticism Iraq's said the loss of Kurdish exports "will cause a budget deficit, and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite Arab. the government should act to preserve Iraqi resources". Barzani's Kurds are part of the power-sharing coalition with Shi'ite "Most of the crude produced in the region is being smuggled and Sunni Arabs that kept Maliki in office in Baghdad after an though the borders, and mainly to Iran," he told reporters. inconclusive election in 2009. Hawrami dismissed smuggling claims. Since U.S. troops left in December, the coalition faced a crisis when Maliki's government sought the arrest of the top Sunni politician, REGION FLOURISHING vice president Tareq al-Hashemi, accused of running death squads. The Kurdish region has flourished as the only part of Iraq spared Hashemi fled to the Kurdish region, where Barzani refused to send the extreme violence since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003. It runs its him back to Baghdad to stand trial. Hashemi left the Kurdish own internal affairs with its own security services, receiving 17 region on Sunday for Qatar, prompting Baghdad to demand that percent of Iraq's total oil revenues from Baghdad. the Gulf country extradite him to face trial. In return for its share of Iraqi income, the Kurds are required to sell In a speech last month, Barzani accused Maliki of consolidating any oil exports through Baghdad. But Iraq's lawmakers have been power under his personal control, and threatened to consult the H deadlocked for years over an oil law that would explain how that Kurdish public over ties with Baghdad.

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

at is!T^ -t. MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 Aid to Syrian rebels is backed

ISTANBUL

Arab states vow to give $100 million to fighters; r U.S. pledges equipment i.-W' BY STEVEN LEE MYERS

The United States and dozens of other countries moved closer on Sunday to di¬ rect intervention in the fighting in Syria, with Arab nations pledging $100 million to pay opposition fighters and the Obama administration agreeing to send commu¬ nications equipment to help rebels or¬ ganize and evade Syria's military, ac¬ cording to participants gathered here. The moves reflected a growing con¬ sensus, at least among the officials who met here this weekend under the rubric Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Bulgarian foreign minister, "Friends of Syria," that mediation ef¬ Nikolay Mladenov, in Istanbul on Sunday. forts by the United Nations' peace en¬ voy, Kofi Annan, were failing to halt the violence in Syria and that more forceful action was needed. With Russia and provinces even after Mr. Assad publicly Mrs. Clinton announced an additional China blocking measures that could accepted the plan .a week ago, which ; $12 million in humanitarian assistance open the way for military action by the called for an immediate cease-fire fol¬ for international organizations aiding United Nations, the countries lined up lowed by negotiations with the opposi¬ against the government of President ' the Syrians, bringing the American total tion. Bashar al-Assad have sought to bolster so far to $25 million, according to the . "The world must judge Assad by U.S. State Department. She also con¬ Syria's opposition through means that what he does,- not by what he says," firmed for the first time that the United seemed to stretch the definition of hu¬ Mrs. Clinton said in a statement to offi¬ States was providing satellite communi¬ manitarian assistance. cials who sat around an enormous rect¬ cations equipment to help those inside The offer to provide salaries and com¬ angular table. "And we cannot sit back munications equipment to rebel fighters Syria "organize, evade attacks by the and wait any longer.'' regime," and stay in contact with the known as the Free Syrian Army with hopes that the money might encourage The question of arming the rebels as outside world. And according to the Syr¬ ian National Council, the U.S. aid will in¬ government soldiers to defect, officials countries like Saudi Arabia and some said is bringing the loose Friends of members of Congress have called for clude night-vision goggles. "We are discussing with our interna¬ Syria coalition to the edge of a proxy remain diyisive because of the uncer¬ tional partners how best to expand this war against Mr. Assad's government tainty ofwho exactly would receive them. Paying salaries to fighters blurs the line and its international supporters, prin¬ support," Mrs. Clinton said. between lethal and nonlethal support. cipally Iran and Russia. The countries providing most of the Molham al-Drobi, a member of the Direct assistance to the rebel fighters, money for salaries Saudi Arabia, Syrian National Council, said the opposi¬ even as Mr. Assad's loyalists press on Qatar and thé United Arab Emirates tion had pledges of $176 million in hu¬ with a brutal crackdown, risked worsen¬ have long been the fiercest opponents of manitarian assistance and $100 million in ing a conflict that has already led to Mr. Assad's rule, reflecting the sectari¬ salaries over three months for the fight¬ about 9,000 deaths and could plunge an split in the Arab world between Sun- ers inside Syria. He said some money Syria into a protracted civil war. nis and Shiites. Mr. Assad and his inner was already flowing into the fighters, in¬ "We would like to see a stronger Free circle are Alawites, a Shiite minority off¬ cluding $500,000 last week through "a Syrian Army," Burhan Ghalioun, the shoot in Syria that has nonetheless mechanism that 1 cannot disclose now." leader of the Syrian National Council, a dominated political and economic life in He expressed dismay that the inter¬ loose affiliation of exiled opposition a country with a majority Sunni popula¬ national community was not doing leaders, told hundreds of world leaders tion, as well as Christian and other more to provide weapons that might / and other officials gathered here. "All of smaller sectarian groups. even the odds against the Syrian gov¬ ; these responsibilities should be borne Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip ernment's security forces. ' by the international community." Erdogan, the host of Sunday's meeting, "Our people are killed in the streets," Mr. Ghalioun did not directly address called on the U.N. Security Council to act he said on the sidelines ofthe conference. the financial assistance from the Arab after the failure of Mr. Annan's efforts, countries including Saudi Arabia, "If the international community prefers

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates not to do it themselves, they should at "The world must judge Assad but he added, "This is high noon for ac¬ least help us doing it by giving us the by what he does, not by what tion." green light, by providing us the arms, or

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham anything else that needs to be done.' ' he says. And we cannot sit Clinton told the conference that Mr. As¬ Even so, as the fighting in Syria drags back and wait any longer." sad had defied Mr. Annan's efforts to into a second year, the international in¬ broker an end to the fighting and begin a volvement on behalf of Syria's rebels, inside and outside the country, appears political transition. She said that new saying that Syria's government was us¬ to be deepening. assaults began in Idlib and Aleppo ing the initiative to buy time. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

"If the Security Council hesitates," Mr. ued with shelling of the Khalidiyeh Proposals to create buffer zones and hu¬ Erdogan said, "there will be no option left neighborhood in Homs and other areas manitarian corridors have won little except to support the legitimate right of of the city for what activists said was the support, in part because of the lack of the Syrian people to defend themselves." 21st consecutive day. Clashes were re¬ United Nations authorization and logis¬ Mr. Annan is scheduled to brief the ported in many areas of the Damascus tical difficulties. council's 15 members in New York on suburbs, and activists reported govern¬ The United States and other nations ment troops firing with heavy machine Monday. agreed on Sunday to set up a "working Mr. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey guns on several areas of the southern group" within the nations gathered had no intention of interfering in Syria, province of Dara'a. The local coordinat¬ here to monitor countries that continue once a close ally, but that the world could ing committees, a coalition of activist to arm or otherwise support Mr. Assad's not stand idly by as the opposition, groups in Syria, claimed overnight that government "to basically name and withered in a lopsided confrontation with 18 people has been summarily executed shame those entities, individuals, coun¬

the government's modern weaponry. by government forces in the province. tries, who are evading the sanctions," "They are not alone," he thundered. The group also posted video of a demon¬ as a senior U.S. official put it.

"They will never be alone.' ' stration on Khalid Ibn al-Waleed street They also agreed to support efforts to A final statement from Sunday's in central Damascus. document acts of violence by Syrian meeting called on Mr. Annan to "deter¬ It was impossible to confirm the re¬ forces that could later be used as evi¬ mine a timeline" for the next steps in ports in part because of Syrian restric¬ dence in prosecutions, presuming that Syria. What those steps might be re¬ tions on journalists. Mr. Assad's government ultimately The U.S. State Department's stated mains as uncertain as it has been since falls. Mr. Assad's government began its goals for the meeting in Istanbul reflec¬ crackdown on popular dissent more ted the constraints facing the United Sebnem Arsu contributed reportingfrom States and other nations without broad¬ Istanbul, and Anne Barnardfrom Beirut. than a year ago. er international support for military in¬ In Syria on Sunday, violence contin tervention like that in Libya last year.

ÏY1ÏKNATIONAI. ïïeralhâil^Srifouw Monday, april 2, 2012

BAGHDAD Fugitive Iraqi vice president Trip is called diplomatic, but premier's aide asks visits Qatar Interpol to arrest official

BYJACKHEALY

AND DURAID ADNAN

Iraq's fugitive Sunni vice president left the country on Sunday for a diplomatic trip Jo the Gulf state of Qatar, his office announced, a development that threatened to stir new tensions just days after officials in Baghdad hosted a lavish meeting to repair ties with other "s Arab nations. N In a statement, the office of the Sunni vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi, char¬ acterized his trip as a normal diplomatic mission to meet Qatar's emir and prime minister, followed by visits to a few oth- Tariq al-Hashemi, the Sunni vice president in Iraq, fled to its Kurdish region in Decem¬ ' er unspecified countries and then a re¬ ber after Baghdad accused him of using his bodyguards as a personal death squad. turn home. The Qatar News Agency said he would stay in Qatar for several days. But Mr. Hashimi is a lightning rod for rest the vice president. American forces departed. Shiite leaders in Baghdad, who have Mr. Hashimi has denied all of the The case deepened a rift between Mr. grown increasingly frustrated over the charges and says he is the victim of a Maliki and his largely Sunni political op¬ past three months as he has flouted political witch hunt. ponents and cast light on a growing sec¬ their attempts to prosecute him on ter¬ Iraqi leaders used the Arab League tarian divide in Iraqi politics. Although the immediate political crisis has eased, rorism charges. summit meeting as an opportunity to In late December, Mr. Hashimi fled to present Iraq as a functioning, stable Iraq's government is still a welter of Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdish region country and to mend rifts with powerful enmity, bitterness and dysfunction. after the government accused him of us¬ Sunni Arab neighbors. Leaders are hoping that a national ing his bodyguards as a personal death But Qatar sent only a low-level envoy meeting on Thursday will smooth over

squad and issued an arrest warrant. to the gathering; the Qatari prime min¬ the worst problems. Since then, he has lived under the pro¬ ister called it a message to Shiite leaders Mr. Hashimi's office said he would re¬ tection of Kurdish officials, who refuse in Baghdad about the growing sectari¬ turn to his temporary headquarters in to turn him over for a trial in Baghdad. anism in Iraq and the disenfranchise- Iraqi Kurdistan, but any attempt to re¬ "How could they let him leave?" said ment of the country's Sunni minority. enter Iraq could set off a struggle be¬ Ah al-Moussawi, an adviser to Prime Although Mr. Hashimi is a polarizing tween the Iraqi authorities in Baghdad Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. "He is figure even among Iraq's Sunnis, the ac¬ and Kurdish officials who run the airport prevented from traveling. This is a vio¬ cusations against him, unveiled in a in the region's northern capital, Erbil. lation. And receiving him in Qatar is a televised news conference complete Mr. Maliki declared on Sunday that Iraq's central government was the only violation." with grainy videotaped confessions, Mr. Moussawi called on Interpol, the created an uproar at a tenuous moment entity that controlled the country's air¬ international police organization, to ar- last year, just one day after the last ports, borders and airspace. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 3, 2012 Shiites and Sunnis in post-US Iraq: separate and unequal; some predict dissolution of country By HAMZA HENDAWI (AP) national reconciliation can be an example religious ambiance of the kind found in to follow in Arab nations suffering from Baghdad's poor Shiite areas or those hos- AGHDAD — Now that U.S. forces acts of violence and conflict." ting religious shrines. are gone, Iraq's ruling Shiites are But Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, Residents practiced the ritual of self- Bmoving quickly to keep the two Muslim the administration's top Sunni official, is a flagellation on the streets, hoisted hun- sects separate — and unequal. fugitive wanted by prosecutors on terror dreds of Shiite banners on trees and lamp Sunnis are locked out of key jobs at charges. He fled to the self-ruled Kurdish posts and served meat and rice from tents universities and in government, their lea- region in northern Iraq to escape what he pitched on street corners. ders banned from Cabinet meetings or said would certainly be a politically moti- In the Baghdad district of Azamiyah, even marked as fugitives. Sunnis cannot vated trial and left this week for Qatar, for years a bastion of Sunni resistance to get help finding the body of loved ones which has publicly criticized what the Shiite domination, the government is killed in the war. And Shiite banners are Gulf nation's prime minister called the ignoring repeated demands by Sunni resi- everywhere in Baghdad. marginalization of Sunnis. dents to remove Ali al-Saadi, a Shiite who With the Americans no longer here to Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al- heads the local council. They also want to play peacemakers and Sunni-ruled Gulf Mutlaq, a Sunni, has been banned from replace Hadi al-Jubouri, another Shiite Arab nations moving to isolate Iraq, it's a attending Cabinet meetings because he who is the district's mayor. Both men were development that could lead to an effec- called al-Maliki a dictator. appointed by the U.S. military authorities tive breakup of the country. Ordinary Sunnis complain of discrimi- in July 2003, when the Sunni insurgency "The sectarian war has moved away nation in almost all aspects of life, inclu- against the American occupation was star- from violence to a soft conflict fought in ding housing, education, employment and ting. the state institutions, government minis- security. Among other perceived injustices, the tries and on the street," said political ana- Formerly mixed neighborhoods of Sunnis say Health Ministry officials sto- lyst Hadi Jalo. "What was once an armed Baghdad, such as Hurriyah, are now pre- newall them when they seek help locating conflict has turned into territorial, institu- dominantly Shiite and protected by the remains of loved ones killed during the tionalized and psychological segregation." concrete barrier walls and checkpoints; sectarian violence of the last decade and Despite occasional large-scale bom- with Shiite militias effectively policing that, unlike Shiites living in the district, bings, March recorded the lowest monthly many areas, hardly any Sunnis dare to they are not allowed to keep a firearm at toll for violent deaths since the 2003 U.S.- return. home for self-defense. invasion. A total of 112 Iraqis were killed Baghdad now has the appearance of an Sunnis who apply for government jobs last month, compared to 122 in November exclusively Shiite city, with streets and also complain of stalling tactics. 2009, the previous lowest. bridges renamed after Shiite saints, Shiite A young university graduate from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a green, black and red banners flying almost Azamiyah who wanted to be identified as Shiite hard-liner in office for nearly six everywhere and giant posters of Shiite Umm Omar, or the mother of Omar, said years, does not tire from telling anyone saints towering over all else on major she was among 150 candidates selected who cares to listen that it was he who squares. last year for jobs in the public affairs defeated "terrorism," the word he uses to Flaunting Shiite strength in Baghdad, departments in Cabinet ministries. When refer to the Sunni insurgency. a city of some seven million, is apparently she goes to the ministry to find out when Critics charge that al-Maliki is suspi- a priority for the sect's clerical leadership. she can start work, she is told to come cious of all Sunnis, even those who never "I always say that one Shiite from back another time for an update. joined the insurgency or later abandoned Baghdad is worth five Shiites like me "All the Shiites I know who applied it, and is punishing a community that lost from Najaf," Grand Ayatollah Ali al- with me started work," said Umm Omar, its protectors when the Americans left Iraq Sistani, the nation's most revered Shiite who did not want to identify herself or the in December, ending eight years of occu- cleric, was quoted as telling Shiites who ministry because she feared reprisals. "I pation. visited him at his home in Najaf, a city think it is because I am a Sunni from On Tuesday, U.S. President Barack south of Baghdad. Azamiyah, but I will not give up. Jobs Obama called al-Maliki to express "You are the majority and your must never be given based on sect." Washington's "firm commitment to a uni- enemies are trying to reduce your num- Higher Education Minister Ali al- fied, democratic Iraq as defined by Iraq's bers," al-Sistani said, according to one of Adeeb, a close al-Maliki ally, is accused of constitution." A White House statement the 30 men who attended the seven- implementing sectarian policies thinly also said that Obama stated his support for minute meeting last November. "Go out concealed behind his goal of purging the prime minister's participation in a and perform your rituals." members of Saddam Hussein's now-outla- national dialogue hosted by President Jalal The men took al-Sistani's words to wed Baath Party from academic institu- Talabani to reconcile Iraqi political blocs. heart and swung into action when the next tions. The dialogue formally opens Thursday. religious occasion arrived in January — He has ordered candidates for senior Al-Maliki has denied allegations that the Arbaeen, which marks the passing of positions in universities and the ministry his government is harassing or discrimina- 40 days after the seventh century martyr- to submit declarations on their possible ting against Sunnis. He even bragged to dom of Imam Hussein, a much revered links with the Baath Party or security Arab leaders gathered for a summit mee- saint. agencies. ting in Baghdad last week that "it is not an The district known for its well-to-do Those found out to have withheld such exaggeration to say that our success in professionals and businessmen took on a information are banned from assuming the

7 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti positions for which they applied, according ministry. Several deans and heads of Dec. 12 to establish a self-ruled region, to an aide to the minister who agreed to talk departments have been removed because with 18 members in favor and five against. about the subject only on condition of ano- they belong to the other sect," said univer- The next day, protesters widely suspected nymity. sity lecturer Ali Abu-Zeid, himself a Shiite. to be Shiite militiamen loyal to al-Maliki Sunnis have long maintained that Shiite "Even enrollment for postgraduate studies attacked the offices of the provincial authorities use Baath ties as an excuse to is subtly decided on sectarian basis. We all government as well as the home of Sunni purge the civil service and academic insti- know that," said Abu-Zeid, who declined to governor Abdul-Naser al-Mahdawi, as tutions of members of their community. name the university that employs him police and army troops stood by and wat- Al-Adeeb has fired nearly 200 acade- because he feared reprisals. ched. mic and administrative staff from the state Fed up with Shiite domination, the Fearing for their lives, al-Mahdawi and university in the mainly Sunni Salaheddin mainly Sunni provinces of Diyala, several council members fled the provin- province north of Baghdad, according to Salaheddin and al-Anbar have recently cial capital, Baqouba, and found sanctuary local tribal leaders and officials. The cam- announced their intention to become semi- in the mainly Kurdish town of Khanaqin to pus is in Tikrit, Saddam's hometown. autonomous regions, a move provided for the north. Most if not all university directors in by the constitution. Their plans have been Last month, al-Maliki gave al- Baghdad are Shiites, according to staff stymied by al-Maliki, who argues that Mahdawi 72 hours to return to Baqouba or I members. granting them autonomy would break up resign. He resigned. "Sectarian discrimination has become Iraq. more manifest since al-Adeeb took over the In Diyala, the provincial council voted

APRIL 2, 2012

Kurdish region. Mr. Shahristani also said that his gov- ernment had talked to Iran and Turkey Iraq Lashes The Kurdistan government decided to prevent smuggling of Kurdish oil via Sunday to halt oil exports from the their territories. Out at region of around 90,000 to 100,000 barrels a day, accusing the central gov- Meantime, the federal oil minister, ernment in Baghdad of failing to make Abdul Kareem Luaiby, said that his Kurds for payments to companies working in government has detailed evidence that Kurdistan. the Kurdish oil is being smuggled to Halting Oil Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan and The Kurdistan government produced being sold there at lower prices. from its oil fields some 68.1 million Exports barrels of oil in 2011, but only 33.64 Kurdish government officials weren't million barrels were received and immediately available to comment. By HASSAN HAFIDH And exported via the Iraqi central govern- ALI NABHAN ment's oil marketing arm, the State Oil A Middle East shipping agent and Iraqi Marketing Organization, Mr. oil officials confirmed that the Kurds AGHDAD—Iraq's deputy prime Shahristani said at a news conference have halted exports. Iraq's crude minister for energy, Hussein al- in Baghdad. He expects the figure in exports from northern oil fields Shahristani,B lashed out at Iraq's 2012 to be more than that. dropped to 300,000 barrels a day Kurdistan authorities for halting crude Sunday, from 370,000 to 400,000 bar- oil exports, accusing them of separate- Crude-oil produced in Kurdistan and rels a day, a day after the autonomous ly allowing billions of dollars worth of not exported via the central govern- region in Kurdistan decided to halt oil-smuggling over its northern bor- ment's marketing company in 2010 exports from their oil fields, the ship- ders, mainly to Iran. and 2011 was worth up to $6.65 billion, ping agent said. Mr. Shahristani told reporters in The new charges further escalate an Baghdad. He expects the figure in 2012 The Kurds say they halted the flow impasse between Baghdad and the to be more than that. because the central government is semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan delaying due payments. Baghdad, how- in northern Iraq. "Most of these barrels not received but ever, says it has already approved pay- produced by Kurdistan … are being ment of $560 million to oil producers The Kurdistan regional government is smuggled outside Iraq via the Iranian in Kurdistan and it is awaiting final embroiled in a long dispute with Iraq's borders," he said, adding: "This will audits to issue the money. The Kurds central government over the rights to cause a budget deficit, and our govern- say that Baghdad owes them some $1.5 control the oil resources in the region. ment should act to preserve Iraqi billion. Ë The dispute has periodically caused resources." disruption of oil exports from the

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

LE FIGARO es u elesc'b es des ebe les syriens

L'insurrection privilégie désormais les kidnappings et les attaques contre des symboles du pouvoir.

"**« s#r / £ 'A -A' î m m S £ I r' *f

Le mars , un secrets de l'armée de Pair syrienne a été détruit par un attentat à la voiture piégée.

GEORGES MALBRUNOT Dernières attaques Depuis le début . des insurgés cpntre les forces du régime PROCHE-ORIENT Guérilla urbaine, at¬ de la révolte, plus de 2 000 TURQUIE taques ciblées, attentats : après leur dé¬ membres des forces faite à Homs et Idlib, les insurgés sont à la

recherche de nouveaux modes d'action de sécurité ont été tués contre l'appareil sécuritaire syrien, qui par les révolutionnaires ne montre pas de signe de faiblesse, un an après le début de la révolte contre le destinées à montrer que les fidèles du ré¬ Homs . régime de Bachar el-Assad. gime doivent réfléchir à deux fois avant Sans intervention militaire extérieure, " de continuer à le soutenir. En réaction, SYRIE ni création d'une « zone libérée » aux D'amas a accusé ses opposants de viser IRAK frontières turque ou jordanienne, les re¬ Damas « des experts »,. Depuis le début de la ré¬ belles en sont réduits à espérer d'hypo¬ volte, plus de 2 000 membres des forces thétiques livraisons d'armes par l'Arabie de sécurité ont été tués par les révolu¬ Saoudite ou le Qatar. À l'avenir, « nous .100 km tionnaires, soit 20 % des pertes totales. i ISR. devrions assister à davantage d'attaques Et la tendance s'est renforcée ces der¬ ciblées contre' des casernes de l'armée ou ARABIE niers mois. « le viens de recevoir une liste des barrages militaires, afin d'inciter les de vingt officiers qui ont étéliquidéspar les soldats encore loyaux à rejoindre la rébel¬ ne sera plus'commise », assurait récem¬ insurgés », affirme le général Akel Ha- lion », estime un diplomate occidental, ment au Journal du dimanche Basma chem, proche des déserteurs de l'Armée qui s'attend également à d'autres atten¬ Kodmani, l'une des principales dirigean¬ syrienne libre (ASL) . tats à la voiture piégée contre des sym¬ tes du Conseil national syrien (CNS), la boles du pouvoir, marque de l'influence Sécuriser les déplacements vitrine de l'opposition en exil. grandissante des djihadistes parvenus , ' Priorité est désormais donnée aux dé¬ Sans le dire ouvertement, de peur de sur le sol syrien, depuis le Liban et l'Irak, placements de petites unités pour atta¬ renforcer ies craintes parmi la masse des notamment'. quer les forces de sécurité qui devraient indécis, de 'nombreux activistes militent Lés signes d'une intensification des se redéployer à la périphérie des villes et pour un glissement vers une guérilla ur¬ opérations contre des membres des for¬ des villages, si le plan Annan (voir enca¬ baine. Les. deux heures de combat nocT ces de sécurité se multiplient. La semaine dré) est appliqué par le régime. D'où les turne à l'arme automatique, il y a trois dernière, le généraKMoharnmed Omar besoins des insurgés en système de com¬ semaines, dans le quartier résidentiel de al-Derbas, pilote de l'arméede l'air, a été munication sécurisée, que lès Occiden¬ Mezzeh, à Damas, pourraient préfiguier kidnappé près de Damas^tendis que non taux ont promis de leur fournir. Mais, en ce type d'affrontements face à l'armée loin d'Alep, quatre hommes en armes face, l'armée syrienne a elle aussi tiré les régulière. «L'erreur de concentrer (de . bord de leur véhicule ont tué en plein leçons des récentes pertes de ses hom¬ très nombreux insurgés, NDLR) dans un jour les colonels Abdel Karim al-Raei et mes. Elle vient de recevoir de son allié seul endroit, comme Baba Amro à Homs, Fouad Shaabam Deux opérations ciblées iranien du matériel lui permettant de se- Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

curiser les communications de ses unités Pour d'autres, ce virage n'est qu'un ra pas une menace existentielle pour le

déployées dans le Nord, où des soldats choix par défaut. « Les généraux sy¬ pouvoir, regrette un diplomate à Da¬

imprudents avaient trop parlé de leurs riens sont très bien protégés derrière mas, qui craint un pourrissement de la

mouvements, affirme une source en leurs gardes du corps et leurs véhicules situation avec l'arrivée d'armes du Li¬

contact avec le régime à Damas. blindés, ce n'est pasfacile de les kidnap¬ ban et surtout d'Irak. « Il sera difficile per ou de les abattre », constate le gé¬ ensuite de s'en débarrasser. Il rentre Vers un pourrissement néral Hachem. D'autre part, le dé¬ beaucoup de matériels américain et bri¬

Jusqu'à maintenant, les déserteurs de ploiement de l'armée syrienne à tannique d'Irak, des équipements neufs

l'ASL se concentraient dans les villes, travers le pays rend difficile l'organi¬ laissés surplace », note ce diplomate. permettant à leurs habitants de conti¬ sation de la révolte sous un comman¬ Des trafics facilités par la désorgani¬ nuer à y vivre. À la périphérie, les sol¬ dement unique, l'une des priorités, sation de l'armée irakienne, après le

dats et miliciens forment un cordon, et pourtant, de l'opposition. « C'est retrait américain. Selon lui, « la Syrie

c'est là qu'ont heu la plupart des af¬ pourquoi il nous faut absolument une risque de revivre les mêmes heures qu'au frontements. Mais pour infliger des mini-intervention extérieure qui établi¬ début des années 1980 avec des attentats

pertes conséquentes à leurs ennemis, rait une zone protégée où lés insurgés se islamistes contre le régime d'Hafez el- « les combattants ont besoin d'armes regrouperaient et formeraient un com¬ Assad, et des assassinats ciblés ». Avec lourdes », ajoutait Mme Kodmani, tou¬ mandement, insiste le général Hachem. une répression généralisée en prime. jours favorable à la militarisation du Hélas, les circonstances nous restent mouvement de contestation, malgré les très défavorables. » critiques américaines et françaises. Et une guérilla urbaine ne constitue

Jeudi 5 avril 2012

Les alaouites de Turquie craignent que le conflit syrien attise les tensions religieuses

Dans le sud de la Turquie, des manifestations dénoncent les ingérences étrangères en Syrie

l'étranger. Ils veulent faire de Les divisions confessionnelles Hatay (Turquie) sion alaouite, une branche de l'is¬ Hatay la porte d'entrée de l'inva¬ qui se dessinent de l'autre côté de Envoyé spécial lam chiite également présente en Syrie. La famille Assad appartient sion pour mettre la main sur les la frontière réactivent des craintes richesses, en se cachant derrière les récurrentes en Turquie. « Certains Les portraits de Bachar aussi à cette minorité religieuse, droits de l'homme et la démocra¬ essayent de créer une atmosphère Al-Assad ont été remisés au dans un pays à majorité sunnite. tie. » Cette organisation projette fond des boutiques. Autour Des manifestations rassem- de division», accuse Dogan Ber- même d'organiser une «chaîne des cascades de Harbiye, un site blent régulièrement quelques cen¬ mek, le président de la Fédération humaine» symbolique le long de habituellement prisé des touristes taines de perspnnÇsjdans les gran¬ des fondations alevies. Les Alevis la frontière. bektachi forment avec les alaoui¬ syriens et des habitants de la des villes du sud de la Turquie, à Les mêmes craintes sont percep¬ tes arabophones une communau¬ région de Hatay, dans le sud de la Iskenderun, Adana. La dernière, tibles au siège local du Parti répu¬ té d'environ 12 millions de person¬ Turquie, les vendeurs de souvenirs organisée à Antakya (Antioche) le blicain du peuple (CHP), le parti nes. * Ily a euparlepassé des affron¬ ont fait le ménage surleurs présen¬ 2^ février, entendait dénoncer le kémaliste. «jusqu'à hier, notrepre- tements entre sunnites et Alevis en toirs. Mais quand on lui demande «projet impérialiste américain au mier^ministre appelait Bachar Turquie, à Maras, à Corum et à son avis sur la situation politique Moyen-Orient» et s'élever contre Al-Assad "mon frère', et les gens Sivas. Ily a une peur que la situa¬ en Syrie, dont la frontière se situe à toute forme d'intervention étran¬ vivaient ensemble sans problème, tion en Syrie ne crée des tensions une vingtaine de kilomètres, gère dans les affaires intérieures interconfessionnelles. Nous Metin ne cache pas ses sympathies du voisin syrien. «Nous n'ouvri¬ fait remarquer son dirigeant Ertu- essayons d'avertir le gouverne¬ pour le dirigeant de Damas : « Vive rons pas la porte à une occupa¬ grul Gùn. Mais aujourd'hui, ilfait mentde l'AKP», précise M. Bermek. Bachar! Ces manifestants ne se bat¬ tion », « touche pas à mon voisin », courir un danger à toute la Tur¬ tentpaspourla démocratie, ce sont quie. Les faiseurs de crise ont tou¬ Le 13 mars, la justice turque a des terroristes. » refermé le dossier de la tragédie de Les vendeurs jours utilisé les divisions ethniques Il n'est pas rare de rencontrer de et religieuses dans cette région.» Sivas, où 35 intellectuels alevis telles réactions dans la province de de souvenirs ont De confession alaouite, il met avaient péri en 1993 dans un incen¬ die criminel provoqué par une fou¬ Hatay. « Ce sont des traîtres. Qu'ils retiré les portraits également en garde contre le ris¬ rentrent chez eux!», s'énerve que d'extension du conflit au terri¬ le hostile. La période de prescrip¬ Ahmet, dont la maison, dans le vil¬ de Bachar Al-Assad toire turc : « C'.est comme unfeu de tion a expiré pour les auteurs pré¬ lage de Bohsin, donne directe¬ forêt. Si les différents groupes s'af¬ sumés de cet attentat, toujours en cavale. Les associations alevies ment sur le camp de réfugiés de la scandaient ainsi les militants du frontentde l'autre côtéde lafrontiè¬ soupçonnent des protections en Croix-Rouge, où s'entassent plu¬ Parti pour la liberté et la solidarité re, cela viendra de ce côté-ci. Les haut lieu. sieurs milliers de personnes. (ÔDP), un groupuscule d'extrême gens sont inquiets. » Le CHP, qui Guillaume Fermer L'ancien sandjak d'Alexandret- gauche. «Nous sommesavec lepeu¬ bénéficie d'une large part des votes te, qui était rattaché à la Syrie jus¬ ple syrien, qui est sous la pression de la communauté alaouite de Tur¬ qu'à ce que la France, en 1939, le des attaques des pays impérialis¬ quie, s'est opposé ces derniers

cède à la Turquie, est resté intime¬ tes: les Etats-Unis et les pays isla¬ mois à la politique syrienne du gou¬

ment lié au voisin syrien. La popu¬ mistes qui les soutiennent, estime vernement, dépêchant plusieurs lation turque y est majoritaire¬ Naime Turunç, la porte-parole de délégations à Damas et mainte¬ ment arabophone et de confes l'ÔDP. Cette insurrection vient de nant un contact avec le régime.

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

4 avril 2012 La délicate position de la Turquie face à la Syrie et l'Iran omment être à la fois l’ami de Iran et Turquie ne cessent de réaffirmer Washington et de Téhéran? Comment leur bonne entente, et le Premier ministre Ccondamner le régime syrien que soutient turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan était de nouveau l’Iran ? L’ambitieuse diplomatie turque en visite à Téhéran la semaine dernière. fait le grand écart, une posture qui peut Mais les récentes décisions turques ne sont être risquée. pas toutes pour plaire à l’Iran. La Turquie a rejeté les sanctions imposées à Les prises de position de la Turquie face au l’Iran par l’Union européenne et les Etats- problème de la répression en Syrie ainsi Unis, qui tentent de bloquer les exporta- que sur le programme nucléaire très tions du pétrole iranien. controversé iranien, mettent le pays dans une situation très délicate. Mais elle a aussi été félicitée par Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Washington, pour avoir réduit de 20% ses L’Iran a fait savoir mercredi qu’il souhaite Erdogan entretient de bonnes relations importations de brut iranien. tenir en Irak, et non plus à Istanbul, les dis- avec Téhéran. cussions prévues mi-avril avec les grandes Ankara a aussi accepté l’an dernier sur son puissances sur son programme nucléaire Occidentaux, qui soupçonnent l’Iran de pré- sol un radar d’alerte avancée du bouclier controversé. parer l’arme nucléaire. antimissile de l’Otan, installation qui vise l’Iran. "La Turquie est désormais exclue (par) le Les Iraniens, qui défendaient il y a encore Parlement et le gouvernement (iraniens). une semaine Istanbul comme le meilleur Téhéran a protesté à plusieurs reprises à ce Nous avons proposé Bagdad et si l’autre endroit pour renouer ces discussions, veu- sujet contre la Turquie, provoquant les partie l’accepte, ce sera Bagdad", a déclaré lent-ils punir la Turquie pour avoir accueilli explications embarrassées d’Ankara. le chef de la Commission des Affaires dimanche, dans la même ville d’Istanbul, la Epine dans le pied depuis 1984 étrangères au Parlement iranien, Allaeddine Conférence des Amis de la Syrie, qui a Boroujerdi. apporté son soutien à l’opposition syrienne Allié traditionnel des Etat-Unis, la Turquie, ? aujourd’hui dirigée par un régime islamiste Le choix d’Istanbul avait été annoncé par la modéré, bénéficie du soutien militaire de secrétaire d’Etat américaine Hillary "On ne peut pas fermer les yeux sur les Washington, dans la lutte contre les Clinton, pour ces discussions entre l’Iran et demandes légitimes de la population de rebelles kurdes, épine dans le pied de tous le groupe 5+1 (Etats-Unis, Russie, Chine, Bahreïn et du Yémen et prétendre défendre les gouvernements turcs depuis 1984. France, Grande-Bretagne et Allemagne). les demandes de la population syrienne", a déclaré le porte-parole des Affaires étran- Un sondage a montré fin mars les craintes Honnête courtier gères iraniennes, Ramin Mehmanparast, au de l’opinion turque à l’égard des projets La Turquie, puissance économique émer- quotidien gouvernemental Iran. nucléaires iraniens. gente, pays musulman membre de l’Otan, L’Iran soutient le régime du président Ainsi 54% des Turcs estiment que leur pays mène une diplomatie hyper-active que cer- Bachar al-Assad, qui poursuit une répres- devrait se doter de l’arme nucléaire, plutôt tains qualifient de "néo-ottomane". sion sanglante contre ses opposants, tandis que de compter sur la protection de l’Otan, Le pays avait accueilli les précédentes dis- que la Turquie a de nouveau condamné le si l’Iran se dotait de cette technologie, cussions sur le nucléaire iranien, en janvier régime de Damas, lors de la réunion selon ce sondage commandé par le Centre 2011, montrant sa disposition à agir en hon- d’Istanbul, aux côtés des Américains. d’études économiques et de politique inter- I nête courtier entre son voisin iranien et les En visite à Téhéran nationale

Une explosion interrompt le transit du brut d'Irak en Turquie ANKARA (Reuters) - 5 avril 2012 produite dans la région d'Idil dans la province de Sirnak, près de la frontière irakienne. UNE EXPLOSION a touché l'un des deux oléoducs reliant Kirkouk en Irak au port de Ceyhan en Turquie, provoquant un incendie et "Des pompiers dépêchés sur place sont parvenus à éteindre le feu", a obligeant l'arrêt momentané de l'acheminement du pétrole brut, ajouté le responsable. "Une inspection est en cours pour entamer les rapporte un responsable turc de l'énergie. réparations". Un officiel des services de sécurité turcs a fait état de trois explosions qui seraient intervenues presque simultanément. Un porte-parole du ministère irakien du Pétrole a indiqué que La cause de l'explosion n'a pas été immédiatement établie mais les l'approvisionnement avait pu reprendre ensuite. On précise auprès actes de sabotage visant les oléoducs et gazoducs sont fréquents dans de la compagnie nationale irakienne que les exportations n'ont pas N cette région où opèrent les séparatistes kurdes turcs. L'explosion s'est été affectées.

11 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 4, 2012

Iraq's relations with Arab world deteriorating

By Liz Sly days after Baghdad summit

AGHDAD — Iraq’s fugitive vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi, flew to BSaudi Arabia on Wednesday as the good- will generated between Iraq and its Arab neighbors by an extravagant summit in Baghdad last week began unraveling. The visit by Hashimi, who is wanted by Baghdad authorities on charges of ter- rorism, came as Iraqi officials announced they had called off a national reconcilia- tion conference planned for Thursday that was supposed to ease tensions bet- ween Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki and the Sunni and Kurdish fac- tions in his coalition government. Parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi told reporters that the meeting had been postponed indefinitely because of Karim Kadim/AP - Arab leaders gathered for the annual Arab League summit in Baghdad “mounting differences” on a range of last week. issues, just one of which is the arrest war- rant that the Shiite-led government has In an editorial in the Saudi-owned al- gnition for an official facing terrorism issued for Hashimi, a Sunni. Sharq al-Awsat, editor Tariq Alhomayed charges at home. Hashimi’s visit to Saudi Arabia and called for sanctions on Maliki “to prevent In addition to the charges against the cancellation of the conference high- the emergence of a new Saddam or ano- Hashimi, disputes over oil production, lighted the danger that the increasingly ther Bashar.” exports and contracts have also put Iraq’s intractable political crisis in Iraq will “What al-Maliki is doing is a sign Kurds at odds with the Maliki govern- draw in the country’s neighbors at a time that the current Iraqi government cannot ment. of increasing polarization in the region be trusted, under any circumstances,” he Underpinning all the differences are over how to address the unrest in Syria. wrote. Sunni and Kurdish concerns that Maliki Maliki had agreed to hold the recon- Other Saudi dailies revived long- is accumulating power for himself at ciliation conference as a last-minute standing Saudi accusations that Maliki is their expense and in defiance of a power- concession to the Sunnis and Kurds an agent of Iran, Syria’s closest ally. “Is sharing agreement reached in the ahead of the Baghdad summit, which the Maliki a voice for Iran or the ruler of Kurdish capital, Irbil, before the forma- government hoped would showcase Iraq Iraq?” asked the daily al-Riyadh. tion of the government in 2010. as stable, safe and assuming its rightful Also Sunday, Hashimi flew from nor- The Sunnis and the Kurds want place in the firmament of Arab nations thern Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish Maliki to recommit to upholding the Irbil after the withdrawal of U.S. troops late region, where he had taken refuge, to agreement, but his State of Law alliance last year. Qatar, which is a staunch supporter of the appears unwilling even to promise to put But relations with Arab states have Syrian uprising and which sent only a it on the agenda of the postponed recon- since been deteriorating fast, along with junior representative to the Baghdad ciliation conference. Nujaifi, in announ- any hopes that Iraq will soon be able to summit. cing that the meeting would be delayed, resolve its own internal problems. On Kamal al-Saedi, a senior official with indicated that relations are so tense that Sunday, Maliki issued a forceful defense Maliki’s Dawa party, told Iraq’s al- any gathering of leaders could be coun- of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Sharqiya TV channel that by hosting terproductive. saying his ouster would destabilize the Hashimi, “Qatar and Saudi Arabia are “It is better to postpone the confe- region. On the same day, at a U.S.- undermining the Iraqi courts.” rence until we reach a way out of the I backed gathering of “Friends of Syria” in “Receiving a criminal is not good for standoff,” he said. Istanbul, Saudi Arabia endorsed a plan to diplomatic relations,” Saedi said. fund and equip Syrian rebels. The official Saudi news agency Maliki’s comments triggered bliste- reported Wednesday that Hashimi had ring attacks in Saudi newspapers, which been met by the Saudi foreign minister, often reflect official thinking. Prince Saud al-Faisal, high-level reco-

12 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 5, 2012 Kurdish leader: No to arming the Syrian opposition By Josh Rogin The President of the he international community Kurdistan Region of should support a transition to Iraq Massoud democracy in Syria, but shouldn't Barzani was officially armT the rebel fighters, Kurdistan regio- received by President nal President Massoud Barzani said in Obama and Vice Washington Thursday. President Biden at "It's important that the future the White House on government of Syria be a democratic Wednesday April 4, coalition that protects the rights of 2012. Kurds and all other Syrians," Barzani said at a Thursday speaking event at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He said the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) supports whatever remain committed to cooperation with Barzani said he disagreed with for- dialogue and negotiations that the Kurdistan and committed to helping mer Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's deci- Syrian regime and the Syrian opposition Iraqi solve its serious internal political sion to publicly denounce Obama's may enter into and said that the safety problems. selection of former NSC staffer Brett and security of Syrian Kurds was a high "Iraq is facing a serious crisis ... it's McGurk to replace Jim Jeffrey as U.S. priority. As for the Kurdistan National coming towards one-man rule," Barzani ambassador to Iraq. Allawi said McGurk Council of Syria, a recently formed said. "We have a situation in Baghdad was too close to Maliki to be objective. umbrella group representing Kurdish where one man is the prime minister "Had Allawi consulted with me, I opposition to Syrian President Bashar and at the same time he is the comman- would have told him not to issue that al-Assad, Barzani said the KRG would der in chief of the armed forces, he is statement. He has been nominated to be help, but not with weapons. the minister of defense, he is the minis- the U.S. ambassador to Iraq and he will "We are ready to support them, but ter of the interior, and he is the chief of implement U.S. policy," Barzani said. not with military support or providing intelligence. And lately, he has been Barzai also staunchly defended the ammunition ... It could be moral sup- communicating to the head of the innocence of fugitive Iraqi Vice port, political support, financial sup- Central Bank that that should also come President Tariq al-Hashemi, against port. And we will use our influence to under the power of the prime minister. whom Maliki's government has brought help solve their problems," he said. "It Where in the world can you find such an charges. Hashemi had been evading would be good for them to enter into example?" those charges in Kurdistan and is now talks and negotiations so they can reach Barzani called for a multiparty, mul- in Saudi Arabia, though he has pledged an agreement with the other groups of tiethnic process to address the issue of to return to Iraq. the opposition." power sharing in Iraq. If that process "He is still the vice president of Iraq. "What we see right now, neither the fails, Barzani said he would hold a refe- He has not been convicted, and this current government not the opposition rendum in Kurdistan to determine the issue has been politicized," Barzani said, have anything decreed to provide for the way forward. He implied, but didn't say adding that Maliki had told him to help Kurdish people," he said. "But that issue explicitly, that that referendum would Hashemi escape Iraq, revealing the poli- is left to them, so whichever way they be for Kurdish impendence. ticization of the issue. conduct their negotiations, we will sup- "The current status quo in Baghdad "Why does Maliki send me a mes- port the outcome of their negotiations." is in no way our option and we will not sage so we should help him sneak out of Barzani's comments were starkly dif- accept that as an option," he said. the country? If he's a criminal, why ferent than those of Iraqi Prime "Otherwise, we will be obliged to go should he be given that opportunity to Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who said this back to the people and have the people sneak out? They wanted to show that week that Assad "will not fall" and said make their decisions." everybody wants to respect the judicial he was against any process that led to The Maliki government is reneging system except for us." Ë the overthrow of the Syrian regime. on its agreements that allow Kurdistan Barzani said he met with President to sign its own oil contracts and is Barack Obama twice and also met with taking total control of Iraq's armed Vice President Joseph Biden on forces, according to Barzani. Wednesday, and told them that Maliki "The new Iraqi army needs to be for- is consolidating power in a dictatorial med on the basis of being an army of way. He said Obama and Biden reassu- the country, not the army of an indivi- red him that the United States would dual," he said.

13 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 5, 2012

TURKEY’S DIPLOMAC RISE: HOW TO STAY FRIENDS WITH BOTH US, IRAN? Turkey has hyperactive diplomatic programme some observers call ‘neo-Ottoman’ for sprawling empire that preceded modern Turkey. Iran suspicion grows over Turkey's regional role

stance on close ally Syria. By Michel Sailhan – ISTANBUL / Middle East Online Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast ow does a country stay friends with both accused Turkey of diplomatic double-standards in the Washington and Tehran? How does it condemn the region. Syrian regime without alienating Iran? H "You can't close your eyes to the legitimate demands of the These are the headaches troubling Turkish diplomats as people of Bahrain and Yemen and pretend to defend the Iran's nuclear programme and the bloodshed in Syria put demands of the Syrian people," he told a government daily them in an increasingly awkward position with neighbours newspaper. Iran and Syria and traditional ally the United States. Iran and Turkey have insisted they continue to have good Tehran said Wednesday it wants to ditch Istanbul as the relations. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid venue for crucial nuclear talks due to take place next week a two-day visit to Tehran last week, where he voiced his between Iran and six world powers. country's unwavering support for Iran's nuclear ambitions, which Tehran says are for peaceful purposes. The move comes after Istanbul hosted a "Friends of Syria" conference on Sunday that was sympathetic to Syrian But not all of Turkey's recent moves have pleased Iran. rebels, but was sharply criticised by Tehran. "Don't try to follow Turkey's foreign policy too closely, you "Taking into account the extremist and illogical position of risk straining your neck," said a blog post by Jean Marcou, Turkey on Syria and the recent conference on Syria, Turkey a French expert on Turkey. has de facto lost any competence to host the meeting," Aladin Borujerdi, head of the Iranian parliament's foreign Turkey, an emerging economic power that is the only affairs commission, told Iranian TV. Muslim-majority country in NATO, has a hyperactive diplo- matic programme some observers call "neo-Ottoman" for In an escalating diplomatic spat, Turkey's foreign ministry the sprawling empire that preceded modern Turkey. summoned the Iranian ambassador Wednesday over Borujerdi's remarks. It has rejected EU and US sanctions on Iran to block its oil exports. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also said he had contacted his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi to But it has also won praise from Washington for cutting its express Ankara's dismay at the comments that "obviously own imports of Iranian crude by 20 percent. contradicted the deep-rooted relations" between the two Ankara also agreed last year to let NATO install an early- countries. warning radar system in its southeast as part of a missile Iran has asked Baghdad to take Istanbul's place as host of shield that Washington says is aimed at thwarting threats the April 13-14 talks with the P5+1 group -- the permanent from the Middle East, particularly Iran. UN Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia Turkey, a traditional ally of the US, currently has an and the United States plus Germany. Islamist government, but still gets military support from Turkey hosted the last round of talks in January 2011, sho- Washington in its fight against Kurdish separatist rebels wing its readiness to act as a broker between its neighbour that have plagued every Turkish administration since 1984. and Western countries accusing Tehran of trying to build a A late-March poll by the Istanbul-based Centre for nuclear bomb. Economic and Foreign Policy Studies found 54 percent of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had announced that Turks think if Iran develops nuclear weapons, their country Istanbul was to be host of the next round, and Iran was should have a nuclear arsenal of its own rather than count still referring to the city a week ago as the best place to on NATO's protection hold the talks. ËËË But Wednesday Iran looked bent on punishing Turkey's

14 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 7 April 2012

that the main demand should be to over- throw the Assad regime, many have called Syrian Arab Opposition the KNC's demand for some sort of feder- alism odd and farfetched and claim that Syrian Kurds want secession from Syria or Fear Kurdish Demands that federalism in Syria will break up the country,” he added.

This also explains the comments of Haitham Maleh, who traditionally held a hostile stance towards Kurdish demands. “(They) reflect a stance that sees the Kurds as ‘freeloaders’ who are attempting to exploit the revolution for their own narrow interests,” says Hossino.

Kawa Rashid, a spokesperson for the new Kurdish youth group the Syrian Kurdistan Movement, says that the Syrian National Council follows a Turkish Islamist agenda, and adds that there are plans to arm the opposition by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. “Kurds are against arming the opposition. We want peace.” Kurds in the city of Qamishli take to the streets against the regime of Bashar Assad in their hundreds March 21. Photo AFP. Rashid emphasizes that the Kurds will not accept just language rights. “We want fed- eralism. The Arabs do not want federal- By WLADIMIR van WILGENBURG Syrian opposition,” he wrote. ism. That is why we cannot agree. There rudaw.net cannot be a just solution without solving Heyam Aqil, the London representative of the Kurdish issue.” ONDON, United Kingdom – In a the Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria, press conference last Tuesday, the which is prominent in the Kurdish Qubad Talabani, the representative of the LSyrian National Council (SNC) failed to National Council, told Rudaw that Kurdistan Regional Government to the convince Syrian Kurds that they would Turkey's influence on Syria's opposition U.S., speaking at the conference of the grant them equal rights. was very clear. “The Turkish government Atlantic Council in Washington last will never allow Kurds to be recognized in February, suggested that the Kurds are in a “They have to do more to convince us,” Syria's new constitution.” She added that difficult situation. “It's unlikely that an says Kawa Rashid, a representative of a the comments of Maleh “reflect both his Assad-led government will be good to the Kurdish youth group in Syria. Arab nationalism and Turkish agenda.” Kurds. But at the same time, the opposi- tion is not talking about Kurdish issues, is Kurds angrily walked out of a Syrian The SNC released a document on April 3 not talking about the need to protect opposition conference in Istanbul on for opposition groups to sign. “That docu- Kurdish rights or to have the Kurdish iden- March 27, and later left the SNC because, ment is the very first that they drafted tity as part of any new Syria.” they say, there was no mention of Kurdish months ago at the beginning of their nego- demands for decentralization in their tiations with the KNC. The KNC does not He added that there are fears among Kurds national covenant. agree to that document because it doesn't of the Muslim Brotherhood. “The Muslim recognize the Kurds’ right to self-determi- Brotherhood basically said … Kurds have On March 31, SNC founding member, nation or a politically decentralized gov- no issues in Syria … Kurds haven't been Haitham al-Maleh told Al Arabiya televi- ernment,” Aqil told Rudaw. oppressed in Syria. And that just high- sion that Kurdish demands are illegiti- lights for us that there is still a real chau- mate. Haitham also said Turkey had sug- Omar Hossino, author of a report on vinist trend within certain elements of the gested the Kurdish National Council be Syria's Kurdish opposition for the Henry Syrian opposition.” excluded from the Friends of Syria confer- Jackson Society, claims Turkey is a main ence. This angered Syrian Kurds and stumbling block for an agreement between Syria expert Hossino thinks that that per- raised suspicions about Turkey’s intention. the SNC and the KNC. “Turkey fears a haps the best player in the attempt to get federal region for Kurds on its border -- the two parties to reconcile has been the Cengiz Candar, a highly respected politi- especially after Iraqi Kurds have achieved United States, which has met frequently cal analyst and journalist in Turkey, wrote their own autonomous region -- because it with both groups. “The U.S. has both in the Turkish newspaper Radikal that will put pressure on them to do the same pushed the SNC to compromise more on Turkey's "fingerprints" are prominently with the Kurdish population in Turkey,” he KNC demands -- and the SNC has made visible within the Syrian opposition. concluded. some steps in that regard -- and it has also pushed the KNC to compromise on their “One can immediately sense that Turkey's But Turkey is not the only stumbling demands as well and join the SNC.” basic approach to the Kurdish problem has block. Arab opposition leaders in Syria are been exported to the national pact of the also upset over Kurdish demands. “Saying He warns that if the KNC isn't pushed ➡

15 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➡ towards the SNC, “it may drift towards the PYD, an offshoot of the Kurdistan Talabani concludes that if “people want the Talabani suggests that political organiza- Workers Party (PKK), which will not be in Kurds to participate, there really has to be tions in the region must accept Kurdish Turkey or the SNC’s interests.” a complete rethink of how to reach out to demands. “There must no longer be the them. And again, we'll (KRG) continue to fear of this Kurdish national identity. It's a The PKK already seized control of cities be a voice of counsel and try to guide them reality, whether it's in Iraq, whether it's in H such as Qamishli and Amude, to Turkey’s through this process. But others will prob- Syria, whether it's in Turkey.” discomfort. ably need to do that as well.”

Kurdistan Regional Government 5 April 2012

Kurdistan Parliament approves new KRG Cabinet; New Prime Minister calls for united front in Baghdad Erbil - Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – The Kurdistan Parliament today approved the new Kurdistan Regional Government cabi- New Kurdistan net. Incoming Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his minis- PM Nechirvan ters were sworn in to begin their two-year term. Barzani, gave a speech at the While many of the ministers remain in their previous positions, Kurdish parlia- nine new ministers were sworn into the 7th cabinet. ment, on April Announcing the agenda of the new cabinet, Prime Minister 5, 2012. Photo: Barzani said that Kurdistan needs a collective effort to maintain KRG progress and promote national unity, in spite of individual politi- cal and ideological differences. “We must begin a national dia- logue to build a consensus on how we can improve our society,” he said. Minister of Health - Rekawt Hama Rasheed* “We also must have a united front in our negotiations with Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research - Ali Saeed* Baghdad, and at present the mechanism does not exist to create this united view. We must move ahead quickly with the Minister of Housing and Reconstruction - Kamaran Ahmed formation of a High Council for Negotiations to oversee these Abdullah discussions. All parties – government and opposition – must Minister of Justice - Sherwan Haidary* participate in this Council so that we can develop a meaningful consensus among ourselves on how to approach these difficult Minister for the Interior - Abdul Karim Sultan Sinjari issues,” he added. Minister of Labour and Social Affairs - Ms Asos Najib Abdullah The new Prime Minister went on to describe plans to increase Minister of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs - Sabah Ahmed Mohamed government transparency and to implement a policy to help (Mamosta Aram) separate the functions of political parties from the operations of the government as a whole, as well as initiatives to deliver bet- Minister of Municipalities and Tourism - Dilshad Shahab* ter services to the people of Kurdistan and make better provi- Minister of Natural Resources - Abdullah Abdulrahman Abdullah sion for the disadvantaged and poor. (Ashti Hawrami) The new cabinet was approved in keeping with the legal time- Minister of Peshmerga Affairs - Jafar Mustafa Ali frame set by President Masoud Barzani’s call to form the new cabinet, on March 7. The members of the 7th Cabinet sworn Minister of Planning - Ali Sindi into posts today are: Minister of Trade and Industry - Sinan Abdulkhalq Ahmed Prime Minister - Nechirvan Idris Barzani* Çelebi Deputy Prime Minister - Imad Ahmad Sayfour* Minister of Transport and Communications - Jonson Siyaoosh* Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources - Serwan Baban* Other senior officials with ministerial rank Minister of Culture and Youth - Kawa Mahmoud Shakir President, Divan of the Council of Ministers - Fawzi Franso Toma Hariri Minister of Education - Asmat Muhamad Khalid* Secretary of the Cabinet - Mohammad Qaradaghi Minister of Electricity - Yasin Sheikh Abu Bakir Muhammad Mawati Head of the Department of Foreign Relations - Falah Mustafa Bakir Minister of Endowment & Religious Affairs - Kamil Ali Aziz Chairman of the Investment Board - Herish Muharam Minister of Finance & the Economy - Bayiz Saeed Mohammad Talabani * Denotes a newly appointed minister.

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

dent dès comptes. « Ce procès est lar¬ jeudi B avril 2012 LE FIGARO gement insuffisant, il doit être élargi, réclame Engin Cirmen, avocat qui fait circuler une pétition en ce sens. Mais

confronte les Turcs à un passé récent tou¬ La Turquie règle jours à vif et s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une démilitarisation accrue du pays. Sa tenue montre à quel point le pouvoir a basculé ces dernières années vers les civils au dé¬ ses comptes triment des « pachas » . Après le Chili, l'Argentine, la Grèce et l'Espagne

La courte histoire dé la Répu¬ avec son armée blique turque, fondée en 1923, 9 est jalonnée de coups d'État. Il

y en a eu quatre ces cinquante Les responsables du putsch sanglant dernières années. Celui dû mortes 12 septembre 1980 fut le plus lors coup de 1980 sont jugés. Une première. brutal. 650000 personnes ont été d de arrêtées, 50 ont été exécutées à l'is¬

versé l'ordre constitutionnel par laforce ». sue de procès politiques, 299 sont mortes LAURE MARCHAND D'une santé chancelante, ils n'étaient pas sous la torture en prison et des milliers ISTANBUL sur le banc des accusés et ont été autori¬ ont dû s'exiler. Les Turcs ont toujours vu sés à témoigner depuis leur domicile, via la main de la GIA derrière cette interven¬ un système de vidéoconférence. tion militaire. À l'époque, la junte a justi¬ ASIE MINEURE Les journées du général à Inimaginable il y a peu, ce procès fié son coup de force par le chaos né des la retraite Kènan Evren se sont longtemps affrontements entre l'extrême gauche et écoulées paisiblement dans un village de l'extrême droite qui faisaient régner une la province de la mer Egée. Le vieillard y rendue à son frère depuis le 13 septembre 1980. Ce atmosphère de guerre civile. Mais l'ar¬ peignait des nus et des natures mortes, jour-là, Cemil, militant mée elle-même est soupçonnée d'avoir son passe-temps favori. Cette retraite d'une organisation fomenté massacres et assassinats pour bucolique est révélatrice du statut dont a ' préparer le terrain à l'établissement de bénéficié l'auteur du coup d'État du marxiste, est emmené à la caserne militaire de l'état d'urgence. 12 septembre 1980. Dans un pays qui avait Kars, à l'extrémité orienta¬ Mikaïl Kirbayir attend que justice soit pour réflexe de se mettre au garde-à- le de la Turquie. On ne le re¬ vous devant l'institution militaire, il était c'est tout de même primordial qu'il ait verra jamais. «Le jugement des intouchable. lieu, cela montre que l'ère des coups auteurs du coup est une consolation, dit Mais les temps ont changé. Kenan d'État est terminée. » Evren, qui fut ensuite président de la Ré¬ Mikaïl Kirbayir. Maisje lutteraijusqu'à la Après le Chili, l'Argentine, la Grèce ou fin pour la restitution de sa dépouille et publique, ainsi que Tahsin Sahinkaya, l'Espagne, la Turquie commence à af¬ ancien chef de l'armée de l'air, sont jugés l'arrestation de ses meurtriers toujours en fronter son passé en jugeant les putschis¬ depuis hier par une Haute Cour criminel¬ liberté. » tes. Les mentalités ont évolué. En 1980, la De nombreux intellectuels, ONG et le à Ankara. Respectivement âgés de 94 et population, les hommes d'affaires, les familles de victimes réclament que 86 ans, les deux hommes, les seuls puts¬ politiques, les médias... tout le monde ré¬ chistes encore en vie, risquent une peine l'ensemble des acteurs - policiers, mé¬ clamait l'intervention de l'armée, souli¬

de prison à perpétuité pour avoir « ren- decins, militaires ou ministres - ren- gne l'éditorialiste Mehmet Ali Birand: « La majorité du pays est aussi responsa¬ ble. » Trente ans plus tard, en 2010, les ï Turcs, se sont prononcés lors d'un réfé¬ rendum pour la suppression d'un amen¬ dement à la Constitution assurant l'im¬ munité des artisans du coup d'État. Depuis l'arrivée au pouvoir en 2003 des islamo-conservateurs du Parti de la justi¬ ce et du développement (AKP),.les mili¬ '« taires ont fini par être renvoyés dans

"**> leurs casernes. Mais les procès en cours t ^MUMUMUa.. : pour tentatives de renversement du gou¬ r vernement de Recep Tayyip Erdogan par *!t l'armée, au cours de cette décennie, montrent une similitude avec le 12 sep¬ \ tembre 1980 : c'est également au nom de la sauvegarde des principes fondateurs de

Brandissant des la République turque, dont les militaires portraits de personnes s'estiment les gardiens, qu'ils ont été

torturées pendant le échafaudés. putsch du 12 septembre La prochaine étape, pour que la Tur¬ 1980, des Turcs ont quie se débarrasse de la tutelle militaire, manifesté, hier à Ankara, consiste à se doter d'une nouvelle Consti¬ devant le tribunal où est tution. L'actuelle, bien que remaniée,, a jugé l'un des auteur du été rédigée par les putschistes. coup d'État, l'ancien K l,H président et général à la retraite, Kenan Evren (ci-dessus).

ADEM ALTAN/AFP

17 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 5 avril 2012 SYRIE • Les Kurdes font cavalier seul

Muhammad Ismaïl, membre dudans bureau politique l'opposition du Conseil national kurde, explique, dans un entre- tien à Courrier international, pourquoi les Kurdes n'ont pas pu s'entendre avec le Conseil national syrien, principal organe représentatif de l'opposition à Bachar El-Assad. mis. Le CNS a souhaité qu'aucune men- Hamdam Mostafavi tion du "peuple" kurde ne soit faite, ce qui Courrier international n'était pas acceptable pour nous. Nous n'étions pas non plus d'accord sur le COURRIER INTERNATIONAL : Quel a concept de décentralisation : nous souhai- été le rôle des Kurdes syriens depuis le tons une décentralisation politique, alors début du soulèvement contre Bachar El- que le CNS ne parle que de décentralisa- Assad, sur le plan politique ? tion administrative. Or c'est aussi ce que propose Bachar El-Assad, c'est purement MUHAMMAD ISMAÏL : Les Kurdes, en superficiel et ce n'est pas satisfaisant. tant qu'opposants de longue date, consti- Sur le terrain, des combattants kurdes se tuaient un mouvement déjà organisé, battent-ils avec l'armée syrienne libre ? mais divisé. La première tâche a été de réunir l'opposition kurde sous une seule Non ce n'est pas le cas, ou alors unique- bannière. Nous avons réuni l'an dernier ment des éléments isolés. Notre mouve- un congrès national kurde, où se sont ment est pacifique et nous ne voulons pas prendre les armes. Bachar El-Assad n'a retrouvés les partis politiques, mais aussi L les représentants de la société civile, des Une jeune Kurde de Syrie lors d'une pas attaqué les régions kurdes pour ONG et des personnalités indépendantes. manifestation contre le régime de Bachar l'instant, et nous ne voulons pas nous Je pense qu'il était très représentatif de la El-Assad, le 25 décembre 2011 à Beyrouth sacrifier comme nous l'avons fait à plu- société kurde syrienne. Ce congrès a per- (Liban). sieurs reprises par le passé sans que cela mis de définir les principaux objectifs des donne de résultats. Kurdes, à savoir déterminer ce que nous les événements actuels et n'a pas de vision Pourtant, les seuls Kurdes qui ont obtenu voulons pour l'avenir du pays, et avec pour l'avenir. Nous, nous savons que nous l'autonomie sont les Irakiens, qui ont pris quel côté de l'opposition syrienne nous voulons une Syrie laïque, pluraliste, les armes aux côtés des Américains contre allions nous allier. décentralisée, parlementaire et démocra- Saddam Hussein. De plus, Bachar El- Justement, plusieurs dirigeants kurdes tique. Mais le CNS ne veut pas aborder ces Assad n'hésite pas à faire parler les ont rencontré à Istanbul les membres du questions pour l'instant. Par ailleurs, il armes… faut savoir qu'avant la réunion d'Istanbul, Conseil national syrien (CNS), qui vient Oui mais la révolution doit rester paci- nous avions eu avec le CNS une réunion à d'être reconnu comme principal repré- fique. Nous ne voulons pas de scénario à Tunis où nous avions mis en avant nos sentant de l'opposition syrienne lors de l'irakienne et nous ne souhaitons pas la revendications. Nous demandions un la conférence des Amis de la Syrie. partition du pays. Certains éléments droit à l'autodétermination pour les diffé- Pourtant, vous n'avez pas réussi à former kurdes comme le PYD ou le PKK souhai- rentes composantes de la société syrienne. d'alliance avec le CNS. Pourquoi ? tent l'autonomie ou l'indépendance, mais Mais le mot autodétermination a fait peur ce n'est pas le cas du conseil national Nous ne sommes pas parvenus à un au CNS. Nous avons accepté de le retirer, kurde. Nous faisons partie des vingt-deux accord, mais je tiens à dire que le dialogue et nous avons fait d'autres concessions, millions de Syriens. continue. Le CNS n'a pas accepté nos pro- notamment sur les droits à l'égalité positions, à la fois sur la question kurde et hommes-femmes, que nous voulions voir Les Kurdes ne sont pour l'instant pas mas- sur l'avenir de la Syrie. Le CNS a une inscrit dans un accord, mais malgré tout sivement descendus dans la rue. vision à très court terme, il est absorbé par nous n'avons pas pu trouver de compro- Nos jeunes sont descendus dans la rue. Et politiquement, nous agissons depuis le CONTEXTE La crainte d'un Etat kurde début. Nous n'avons jamais été à l'écart. Les Kurdes syriens représentent 10 % de la population du pays. Mais ils font égale- Comment faire pour sortir de l'impasse ment partie d'un peuple transfrontalier, dont d'importantes populations vivent en actuelle en Syrie et que se passera-t-il si Turquie (13 millions), en Iran (6 millions) et en Irak (6 millions). Depuis Bachar El-Assad ne part pas ? l'instauration d'une réelle autonomie pour les Kurdes irakiens après la chute de Saddam Hussein en 2003, les pays de la région craignent une contagion. Il faut imaginer un projet politique fort pour que la population ait envie de conti- La méfiance de la Turquie, qui tente de régler la question kurde dans son pays et qui nuer à se battre, pour qu'elle sache dans est aux prises avec le PKK [groupe armé souhaitant la libération du Kurdistan], à quelle direction va le pays. Mais, même si l'égard des Kurdes syriens est forte. Et réciproquement : les Kurdes syriens ne sont Bachar El-Assad refuse de partir, même si pas prêts à s'allier avec le Conseil national syrien, notamment en raison de sa prox- le régime ne tombe pas, la Syrie ne sera imité avec Ankara, qui s'opposera à toute velléité de reconnaissance de l'existence plus jamais comme avant, ce modèle de N dictature absolue a expiré en Syrie et dans d'un peuple kurde. N la région.

18 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti mardi 10 avril 2012 Ankara hausse le ton contre le régime syrien

Le premier ministre turc menace Damas de prendre des «mesures », alors qu'un incident frontalier a fait 4 morts ce lundi. Le plan Annan piétiné jusqu'au gies, se retrouve donc en première li¬ LAURE MARCHAND gne et brandit la menacé de «nouvelles bout par Damas ISTANBUL démarches » après le cessez-le-feu censé intervenir aujourd'hui. Il est FACE à la poursuite des violences,

PROCHE-ORIENT Le conflit- syrien dé¬ « évidenf » qu'il ne sera de toute façon qui ont encore fait lundi 35 morts bordant, sur son territoire : le scénario «pas appliqué », a réagi à la suite de dans la province de Hama, le plan que redoutait Ankara depuis le début l'attaque contre le camp Naci Kôru, vi¬ de paix de Kofi Annan, dont la mise 'de l'insurrection chez son voisin a fini ce-ministre des Affaires étrangères. en place devait commencer mardi, par se produire. Hier, deux Syriens et Ces . derniers jours', le gouvernement semble nul et non avenu. D'après deux Turcs ont été blessés dans le turc a durci sa rhétorique contre Da¬ le projet mis au point par l'envoyé nouveau camp de réfugiés de Kilis, mas, son ancien allié. Avant de s'envo¬ des Nations unies et de la Ligue une ville proche de la frontière; par ler pour une visite en Chine, le premier arabe et accepté par toutes les des tirs en provenance du territoire ministre Recep T-àyyip Erdogan a parlé parties, l'armée de Bachar el-Assad syrien. Plusieurs personnes auraient «de mesures » supplémentaires si la devait commencer à se retirer des également été atteintes par des coups violence ne cessait pas à la date butoir zones urbaines avant la date butoir de feu alors qu'elles tentaient de venir du 10 avril, sans donner plus de détails . de mardi, les forces de l'opposition eh aide à un groupe dé réfugiés, dont Hier, les médias turcs évoquaient, s'étant engagées à' observer certains, blessés, cherchaient à entrer de sources officielles anonymes, le un cessez-le-feu dans les quarante- \ en Turquie. C'est la première fois que possible établissement par l'armée huit heures qui suivront. Mais les turque de corridors humanitaires ou autorités de Damas ont exigé des d'une zone tampon côté syrien afin de «garanties écrites» des «groupes protéger les civils. Ce plan pourrait, terroristes armés», des conditions

être actionné si le nombre de réfugiés jugées «Inacceptables » par

TURQUIE dépassait les 50 000, selon le quotidien la porte-parole de la diplomatie

SYRIE européenne, Catherine Ashton. Gaziantep Mfllryet. «Nous devons être prêts à agir Même la Chine a appelé, lundi, Damas en fonction de tous les scénarios possi¬ Damas à respecter ses engagements. bles », expliquait il y a peu un officiel Après les incidents survenus du ministère des Affaires étrangères, sur la frontière turco-syrienne, en ajoutant qu'une zone tampon Azaz le vice-ministre turc des Affaires constituait «une option » si la Turquie o étrangères, Naci Koru, a estimé que était débordée par une vague de réfu¬ C l'échéance fixée Initialement n'avait es giés. Atep «plus de sens». La Maison-Blanche Eh moins d'une semaine, 4000 Sy¬ a considéré, pour sa part, n'avoir ta Idlib riens sont passés du côté turc, portant vu « aucun signejusqu'ici du fait o le nombre total de réfugiés dans les que te régime Assad respecte ses «_ al-Choughour camps gérés par le Croissant RoUge engagements ». Kofi Annan turc à près de 25 000. Ahmet Davuto- S SYRIE est attendu mardi en Turquie 30 km glu, le ministre des Affaires étrangè¬ où il visitera un camp de réfugiés res, s'est entretenu avec Ban Ki- i JL Principaux camps de réfugiés syriens syriens. Il doit ensuite se rendre moon, le secrétaire général de l'ONU, à.Téhéran pour rendre compte, jeudi,

pour lui faire part de son inquiétude. de sa mission au Conseil de sécurité. ce type d'incident se produit. Il fait Après s'y être opposé, Ankara se dit Se posera alors l'éventualité suite, semble-t-il,..aux violents com¬ prêt à accepter une aide extérieure d'un nouveau vote, une perspective bats qui ont eu heu à l'aube dans le pour gérer l'augmentation des arri¬ conditionnée par l'attitude village de Salama, tout proche, entre vées. Kofi Annan, l'émissaire interna¬ de la Russie. A.BA. rebelles et l'armée régulière sy¬ tional sur le dossier syrien, est atten¬ rienne. Ils ont fait au moins six morts du aujourd'hui pour une visite dans parmi les forces de l'ordre, selon les camps. Les tirs essuyés par celui de l'Observatoire syrien de droits de ' Kilis mettent au jour les problèmes de l'homme. Deux ressortissants syriens sécurité de ces centres établis le long ont par ailleurs succombé à leurs bles¬ de la frontière. Des spécialistes de sures au cours de leur transport dans l'aide humanitaire avaient averti un hôpital turc. de ce risque dès qu'ils ont été

Corridors humanitaires construits.

Alors que les combats font rage dans le nord de la Syrie, près de sa frontière, la Turquie, alarmée par un afflux de réfu

19 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 3, 2012 The squeeze on Iraq’s Kurds and it’s a fight for survival,” Barzani said. “I’m not optimistic. I don’t see much room for understanding between the opposition and the regime. It is going to go on for some time.” The Kurds are literally caught in the assoud Barzani, the president of middle of these twin crises, which have Iraqi Kurdistan, knows trouble: His begun to feed on each other. In the past, Mmovement has endured multiple wars, the Kurds have brokered deals between diplomatic betrayals and even chemical the Iraqi factions — but their efforts so far weapons attacks on its civilian population to patch the rift between Maliki, a Shiite, “That question is still on the table. In in its struggle to survive in the tough ter- and Sunni leader Tariq al-Hashimi have fact, the American position has to be very ritory between Baghdad, Damascus, failed. In Syria, the Kurds have turned public and very clear, so that the Iraqi Tehran and Ankara. against President Bashar al-Assad’s people can see that the United States will Maybe that’s why Barzani is grimly regime but are reluctant to embrace the not allow and will not support another unsparing in his description of what the Sunni-dominated opposition until it offers dictatorship in Iraq.” region currently looks like from his capi- more guarantees of minority rights. In Syria, Barzani said, “the United tal in Irbil, 14 months into the misnamed “The Syrian situation has a very direct States should support the aspirations of “Arab Spring.” and negative effect on the situation in the Syrian people.” But he added: “It “The more you look at it, the more Iraq,” Barzani said. Maliki, he added “has doesn’t look like the United States and you see the situation going toward his fears” about what the fall of the Assad Europe have the will to intervene like they conflict and chaos,” he said Tuesday. would mean for the Sunni-Shiite competi- have done in Libya.” The Kurds are To the south, in Baghdad, Barzani tion in Iraq — fears that may explain his consequently expecting a prolonged civil sees Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki campaign against Sunni leaders. war. “concentrating power,” having driven the At the same time, Barzani said, “this Barzani did have one positive reflec- leader of Iraq’s Sunni population to seek Syrian regime was responsible for 80 per- tion: A decade or two ago, he pointed out, de facto asylum in Kurdistan. “Iraq right cent of the bloodshed in Iraq because of Kurdish leaders such as himself would now is facing a crisis,” he told me and The terrorism. Maliki has to be responsive to have counted themselves lucky to capture Post’s Jim Hoagland during a visit to the Iraqis who have not forgotten all of the attention of a stray journalist or Washington. “There may be some people that blood” — most of whom are Sunnis. congressman while visiting Washington. who do not want to call it a crisis, but it is Barzani’s presence in Washington, “Now I am meeting with the vice presi- a crisis. This is not the Iraq we struggled where he is being hosted by Vice dent and the president. So the Kurdish for: We are seeing the consolidation of President Biden and expects to meet reality is different.” power under one party and one ruler.” President Obama, is part of his answer to Barzani’s movement has indeed gai- To the southwest, meanwhile, Syria these dilemmas. He is hoping for a more ned much in the last decade. Irbil, appears to be spiraling into a civil war that active U.S. policy. “When I last met Barzani’s capital, and much of the self- imperils a Kurdish minority population of Obama, I said I hoped withdrawals of governing region around it, is booming. 3 million — while compounding the ten- American forces, which was natural, The challenge now will be trying to pre- sions between the Sunni and Shiite camps would not mean the withdrawal of serve that space between two conflicts — in Iraq. “It’s a fight between two forces” American interest and American commit- in Iraq and Syria — which may well get J in Syria, “the Alawites and the Sunnis, ment to Iraq,” Barzani said. worse before they get better.

APRIL 5, 2012

ting drilling and sales has been stalled since 2007, as Iraq’s political blocs wrestle over its terms. With improved security in Exxon Mobil dispute deepens Iraq since 2009, it has become increasingly possible for foreign oil companies to work Arab-Kurd split in Iraq here. The government in Baghdad has struck deals with international oil compa- try. nies, including Exxon Mobil, that have The dispute’s most contested issue is a By Alice Fordham and Dan Morse, been concentrated on oil fields in the coun- deal signed last year in which authorities in try’s south, far from the Kurdish areas of northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region AGHDAD — A controversy over oil the north. gave Exxon Mobil permission to explore deals in Iraq is inflaming a bitter Generally the Kurdish authorities have six tracts of land. The contract infuriated political divide between Kurdish and sold the oil and gas from their land through B leaders in Baghdad, who have never agreed Arab leaders, bringing long-running the government in Baghdad in exchange on a means by which the Kurdish region arguments over autonomy and control of for an annual chunk of Iraq’s budget. But can develop its resources. ➼ resources to the fore in this oil-rich coun- problems with the arrangement are com- A proposed hydrocarbon law regula- 20 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➼ mon, and this week, the Kurdish govern- losing a flagship deal. Kurdish President Massoud Barzani deli- ment announced that it would suspend its Exxon Mobil has declined to comment vered a stinging speech on Thursday in exports because the government in on the situation. Washington that ripped into Maliki as an Baghdad has not been fulfilling its obliga- “Exxon Mobil thought that they would autocrat. tions to pay oil companies working in do it, that the Iraqi government would “Iraq is facing a serious crisis,” he said. Kurdish areas. decide they were too big to take on, and He insisted that oil deals struck in the auto- Meanwhile, there are several small that a new normal would be established,” nomous Kurdish region were legal. companies, including the Norwegian firm said Ali al-Saffar, an energy expert. “But For his part, Maliki has been angered DNO, that have ignored the shaky legal given just how explosive the territories by the refusal of Kurdish authorities to framework and signed deals directly with they signed on are, it was always going to hand over Tariq al-Hashimi, a vice presi- the Kurdistan regional government. The be very difficult.” dent who fled to the Kurdish region after a arrangements have thus far been tolerated Late last year, the government infor- warrant was issued for his arrest. Hashimi, by leaders in Baghdad. But Baghdad’s tole- med Exxon Mobil that its deal with who is wanted on terrorism charges that he rance reached its limit in October when Kurdistan violated the terms of the com- denies, flew to Saudi Arabia on Exxon Mobil became the first company pany’s agreement to develop West Qurna, Wednesday. working in the south to also sign a deal according to Deputy Prime Minister The oil and gas fields in the Kurdish with Kurdish authorities. Hussain al-Shahristani. But the only formal area represent a small fraction of Iraq’s Adding to the sense of grievance in action the government has taken thus far is vast hydrocarbon wealth. But some in Baghdad, three of the six areas Exxon to prohibit the firm from participating in Baghdad fear it could one day provide Mobil is set to develop are in disputed ter- next month’s bidding on gas fields. enough profit to encourage separatist ritory, which the administrations in Oil ministry officials in Baghdad say forces in Kurdistan. Baghdad and the Kurdish capital of Erbil Exxon Mobil informed them last month Shahristani, the deputy prime minister, both claim. that the company was suspending its opera- said he is determined not to let that happen. The Exxon Mobil deal reportedly infu- tions in the Kurdish area. But Fouad “If the oil is managed by different riated Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Hussein, a top Kurdish official, insisted regions and will be a source of conflict and and left his government with a dilemma: to that the company is setting up an office in war among Iraqis, not only the country will allow the deal to go ahead and lend legiti- Erbil and planning its operations. be destroyed, none of them will really macy to an independent Kurdish oil mar- Relations between Erbil and Baghdad benefit from all these resources,” I ket, or to expel Exxon Mobil from the giant were strained even before the controversy Shahristani said. West Qurna oil field in the south and risk over the Exxon Mobil deal flared anew.

April 8, 2012

Barzani joins other leaders in accusing Maliki of dictatorship Kurdish leader Massud Barzani says Maliki is monopolising power, preparing ground for return to dictatorship.

Middle East Online ‘Iraq is moving towards a catastrophe’ DUBAI - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is monopolising power and preparing the ground for a return to dictatorship, others accepts it," he said. Kurdish leader Massud Barzani charged in an interview published "Many different Kurdish leaders called us and informed us of on Sunday. their rejection of such tendencies, which could be useful to some "Iraq is moving towards a catastrophe, a return to dictatorship," factions that do not carry good intentions to the Iraqi and the said Barzani in the interview published in pan-Arab newspaper, Al- Kurdish people," he said. Hayat, adding that it was "unacceptable" that Maliki was also Iraq's Iraq's political woes deepened after the central government in "defence minister, interior minister, intelligence chief and com- Baghdad issued in December an arrest warrant against Vice mander of the armed forces." President Tareq al-Hashemi, a Sunni, accused of running a death Barzani, who was received at the White House on Wednesday, squad. said on his return to Arbil he would call a meeting of Iraqi leaders Hashemi sought shelter in the autonomous Kurdistan region run to "save" Iraq which is facing a political crisis. by Barzani. In Baghdad, Maliki's spokesman, Ali Mussawi, sharply criticised Barzani said the meeting he would call must come up with Barzani's remarks. "radical solutions... specific timeframe to exit the crisis," and if it "There is an incomprehensible escalation from Mr Massud failed "we will take another decision" -- a reference to the possible Barzani and it is rejected, and no one among the Iraqi people or secession of Kurdistan. ➤

21 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ "This is not blackmail or a threat. I'm serious. I will put a refe- visit that sparked criticism from Iraq's Shiite-led government and rendum to the Kurdish people. Whatever the price, we will never demands that Doha hand him over. accept a return to dictatorship in Iraq," Barzani said, referring to Qatar refused those demands, saying they violated "diplomatic Saddam Hussein's rule. norms." Tensions have been running high between Maliki's Shiite Elsewhere Al-Hayat quoted Barzani as saying an agreement with National Alliance coalition, Iraqi Kurds and the Sunni-backed US energy giant ExxonMobile -- considered null and void by the Iraqiya bloc to which Hashemi belongs, mainly over the distribution Baghdad authorities -- was still valid. of the country's oil wealth. "Rumours of the contract being cancelled are unfounded and Barzani said he refused to hand over Hashemi to the Baghdad were made under threat of the Iraqi government," he said. authorities and would not ask him to leave Kurdistan, if he decides ExxonMobil in mid-October signed an agreement for oil explo- to return there after his current regional tour. ration with the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, earning the "I will not ask him to leave Kurdistan and I am not opposed to wrath of the Iraqi central government in Baghdad. his return if he decides to return," he told Al-Hayat. Baghdad does not recognise such agreements and so far has Hashemi arrived in the Sunni heavyweight kingdom of Saudi prevented any oil company having a contract with Kurdistan to par- Arabia on Wednesday from Qatar, after a controversial four-day ticipate in tenders in rest of the country.J

10 APRIL 2012

company on AIM, the junior market. Mr A - the oil lynchpin of Baghdad says, however, that the contracts Hawrami struck were illegal because they were not done through the Iraqi Kurdistan federal ministry in Iraq. The dispute between Baghdad and he oil lynchpin of Iraqi Kurdistan is worsening -- this month the Kurds shut down exports to the rest of TKurdistan Ashti Iraq. Hawrami is the oil minister Under the constitution, all oil reve- of Kurdistan. He is the nues must be booked through the federal architect of the boom that ministry in Baghdad and then redistri- has seen production rise buted. The Kurds are entitled to 17%, from 2,000 barrels a day which is their proportion of the overall five years ago to 250,000 population. today in this once overloo- They claim that Baghdad has with- held at least $1.5 billion (£720m) that is ked part of Iraq. He is also while in Scotland, and then had a series rightfully theirs. The regional govern- Mr A. of jobs at consultancies and engineering ment has raised tensions further by firms during the 1980s and 1990s. The Financial Services Authority's giving refuge to Tariq al-Hashimi, the decision last week to fine Ian Hannam In 1999, he was appointed chief exe- Iraqi vice-president who fled after the for market abuse was littered with men- cutive of ECL Group, which he ran for prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, accused tions of a mystery man who received the several years. A quiet retirement at his him of running death squads. Maliki has two emails that snared JP Morgan mansion in Henley-on- Thames, demanded the Kurds hand him over. Cazenove's star dealmaker. Berkshire, was not to be. In 2006, the They have refused. regional authorities in Kurdistan asked The fact that it was Hawrami raises Hawrami, meanwhile, has continued him to become the oil minister. questions about the FSA's interpretation to draw in billions of investment. His of the law. He is not a fund manager or His task? Build an industry from biggest coup came in November, when any kind of "market participant" in the scratch. he announced that Exxon Mobil, then traditional sense. He is, though, a reve- When he took control, there was one the world's biggest oil company, had red figure in his homeland. 1970s oil well in Kurdistan producing bought the rights to six exploration Hawrami was born in 1948 in just 2,000 barrels a day. zones. Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan's second city, He offered generous terms to entice It was the first time one of the indus- but has spent most of his career in explorers to the region, which had been try's giants had dared to cross Baghdad Britain. ignored for decades. More than 40 by dealing with the Kurds. And the oil After leaving Baghdad University signed up. minister may be about to bag another big with a degree in oil engineering, he wor- Many have since found oil, including name -- Total, the French group, is also ked for the national oil company before Genel Energy, now run by Tony close to signing an exploration deal. moving to Scotland in 1975, where he Hayward, the former BP boss. Gulf Hawrami has set a target of produ- spent seven years with British National Keystone, another London-listed group, cing 1m barrels a day within three years. Oil Corporation. has seen its shares soar after it made a Some dismiss that as fanciful. Even if it He gained a PhD in oil engineering big find. At £1.9 billion, it is the largest is, the boom he has engineered is extra- ordinary.J

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

APRIL 6, 2012 Kurdish opposition quits Syrian National Council

By Lauren Williams www.dailystar.com.lb)

STANBUL: The Syrian Kurdish opposition bloc has walked away from the SyrianI National Council, exposing deep and problem- atic rifts within the umbrella opposition group just days after international leaders granted the body extra recog- nition after attempts to unify.

Syrian Kurdish opposition leader Abdul-Baki Yousef, a leading member of the Kurdish Yakiti party in Syria and former member of the Kurdish National Council, Kurds protest in Qamishli, a predominantly Kurdish city in Syria. charged host country Turkey Kurdish issue,”Yousef told The ter.” manders threatened to trans- with “pressuring the SNC” to Daily Star. “We accuse the form Kurdish areas into a “war omit the demands of the Turkish government of putting Kurdish representatives had zone” if Turkey followed Kurdish opposition members pressure on the council.” earlier walked out of unity through on threats to establish in the final constitution docu- talks days ahead of the militarily protected buffer ment outlining a transition Yousef said that negotiations Friends of Syria meeting. zones in the country. This plan for Syria. ahead of the conference had prompted fears the PKK may outlined recognition of the Yousef said in the absence of capitalize on the hostility they The fiercely divided SNC Kurds, but claimed that those adequate recognition from the share with Damascus toward pulled the document together points had been removed in SNC that the Kurdish bloc Turkey to stir strife in the at the last minute under pres- the final covenant. would continue to negotiate country. sure to unite from the “Friends with separatist group the of Syria” group. “There was nothing clear Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) Ammar Qurabi, a leading about our nationalistic issues. and other nationalist entities negotiator and head of a The Friends group – which It’s clear that the Islamists and to secure their demands. breakaway Syrian opposition includes Turkey, the United the Muslim Brotherhood are bloc, the National Coalition for States, the United Kingdom, the majority of the council so “Of course we are negotiating Change, pressured the SNC to France and Gulf states – rec- they play a main role in the with the PKK and other Kurdish back military assistance for ognized the SNC as “a legiti- council. personnel in the SNC because the Syrian opposition. He mate representative of the there is neglect and ignorance struck out at the Kurdish Syrian people,” falling well “The Muslim Brotherhood has toward the Kurdish issues ... claims, denying Turkey had short of the recognition as the an old relationship with This is our land we are part of pressured the council. legal government in exile they Turkey, they are allies of the the Syrian people. We are not had hoped for after the first Turkish government,” he said. refugees here.” “The Kurds need to stop talk- Friends of Syria meeting in ing about being Kurds and talk Tunis in February. “Of course we welcome the Turkey – home to between 11 about being Syrian. This is not Brotherhood’s effective contri- and 15 million Kurds, most of about any kind of sectarian- “Our goal was to unify with the bution to the revolution and whom reside in southeastern ism. We need to act all as opposition and come up with a support of individual free- provinces – is engaged in a Syrians.”H patriotic agreement that doms and pluralism in Syria ... decades-long military conflict makes an umbrella for the but their attitude is highly with the PKK, resulting in the whole opposition, but unfortu- influenced by the Turks, and deaths of over 40,000 people. nately the Turkish sponsor was that’s what we saw clearly dis- very sensitive toward the played in the national char- Late last month PKK com-

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

[ Obs&vateir I s avril 2012 -n° 2474

CENT MILLIONS DE DOLLARS POUR LA REBELLION syrienne, l'Arabie Saoudite, le Qatar et les Emirats arabes unisvont établirun

fonds pour payer les salaires des sol¬ Syrie : la stratégie de dats de l'Armée syrienne libre. Cette enveloppe dotée de 100 millions de

dollars destinés à encourager les

défections dans les rangs de l'armée

l'impuissance régulière va aussi servir au CNS pour

conforter sa position vis-à-vis d'une

opposition de l'intérieur qui ne cesse Le soutien financier des Amis de la Syrie aux insurgés... de dénoncer son illégitimité. Avec ce

n'a pas réussi jusque-là à faire reculer Al-Assad financement, Burhan Ghalioun, le

président du CNS, va pouvoir établir

un bureau d'aide aux blessés, comme

l'OLP l'avait fait avec les Palestiniens.

Il ponctue ses phrases de rires mée du régime utilise des civils « C'est ungestepluspolitique que mili¬

amers. H se raccroche à un ultime comme boucliers humains dans les taire», commente Haytham al-

espoir, celui de voir appliquer le zones insurgées, allant jusqu'à placer Manna, représentant des tanzikiyat,

plan de paix proposé par Kofi des enfants sur les chars dans la ville les comités de coordination à l'exté¬

Annan. Au lendemain de la confé¬ d'Idlib? Le cynisme du tortionnaire de rieur de la Syrie. «Et qui exactement

rence des Amis de la Syrie qui s'est Damas qui déclarait, il y a quelques le général Burhan Ghalioun va-t-il

tenue dimanche dernier à Istanbul, jours, que les opérations de pacifica¬ rémunérer?», persifle Al-Manna qui

cet opposant syrien qui préfère garder tion étaient enfin terminées a encore a quitté le Conseil national syrien

l'anonymat dénonce la double hypo¬ atteint un degré supplémentaire. parce que l'organisation faisait la part

crisie de cet énième grand raout inter- Reste la Russie. L'opposant s'attache, trop belle aux Frères musulmans, pour fonder le Comité national pour Conférence des le Changement démocratique. Al- Amis de la Syrie Manna, qui est originaire de Deraa, à Istanbul, le F avril explique que, dans cette seule ville,

on compte trente groupes armés dif¬

férents. «La réunion d'Istanbul aura # FIUNCE permis à l'argent du Golfe de se déver¬

ser sur mon pays. Vous verrez qu'ily

aura bientôt une branche de l'Armée

libre d'Al-Qaida... La militarisation LE PLAN

DE L'ONU de la révolte est une vraie catastrophe pour la Syrie. » Mais pour un autre Mise en place membre des comités de coordina¬ d'un « processus tion, un chrétien professeur de politique ouvert,

national. Hypocrisie de lapart de l'op¬ sans.trop y croire, aux affirmations de dirigé par les mathématiques d'Alep, la manne du

position, qui fait mine de croire quele Sergueï Lavrov, le ministre des Syriens ». Qatar et de l'Arabie Saoudite permet¬

Conseil national syrien (CNS) peut la Affaires étrangères du Kremlin, quil'a m Cessation de tra peut-être enfin d'unifier les rangs toutes les formes représenter dans son intégralité alors assuré que Moscou était déterminé à de l'Armée libre. de violence armée qu'elle n'a jamais été aussi divisée. en finir avec le despotisme du régime Sur la chaîne Al-Arabiya, il a écouté par toutes les Hypocrisie de la communauté inter¬ de Damas. Ces mêmes Russes, qui en direct d'Istanbul les propos des parties. nationale qui dit soutenir les négocia¬ affirment que toutes les parties doi¬ Frères musulmans syriens, Ali Sadred- Acheminement

tions politiques conduites parl'ancien vent cesser les combats alors qu'ils de l'aide din al-Bayanouni etMohammed Riad

représentant de l'ONUtoutenlaissant n'ont pas renoncé à livrer des armes humanitaire dans al-Shaqfa, qui dirigent la confrérie

des pays comme le Qatar ou l'Arabie au régime, sontle«seulespoirquinous toutes les zones depuis Londres, et de Mohammed touchées par Saoudite financer la lutte armée. reste», dit-il d'un ton désespéré. Farouk Tayfour, leur représentant les combats. Le plan onusien est la dernière En attendant, c'est le scénario du au sein du CNS. Tous les trois ont Libération chance, selon cet homme, d'éviterla pire qui s'impose. A défaut d'avoir assuré que le droit d'expression et de des personnes

guerre civile. Certes, il ne croit plus reconnu le Conseil national syrien arbitrairement religion serait garanti dans la Syrie de

depuis longtemps aux fausses pro¬ comme gouvernement de l'opposi¬ détenues. demain. Ils se sont engagés à com¬

messes de Bachar al-Assad qui a tion en exil, la conférence d'Istanbul Liberté de battre le terrorisme et à respecter les

affirmé une fois encore qu'il se confor¬ a amorcé une étape vers ce soutien circulation pour traités internationaux. Comme beau¬ les journalistes merait aux propositions de Kofi militaire que l'Armée syrienne libre coup de Syriens aujourd'hui, cet oppo¬ dans tout le pays. Annan et ferait taire les armes avant (ASL) appelle de ses v Alors que sant a choisi de croire à leur discours Respect le 10 avril. L'organisation non gouver¬ les Etats-Unis ont reconnu fournir apaisant, non par naïveté, mais pour du droit ne pas sombrer dans le désespoir. nementale Human Rights Watch n'a- déjà du matériel de renseignement d'association et

t-elle pas apporté la preuve que l'ar et de communication à l'opposition de manifestation. SARA DANIEL

Le Nouvel Observateur s avril2012-N'247«

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

£tMmèt

6 avril 2012

Le destin de deux frères, l'un en exil, l'autre resté en famille dans une ville du nord de la Syrie - dont est originaire fauteur, Salim Barakat Mythique Kurdistan

tissus, bourru et volubile, hanté par la tra¬ comme il se définit lui-même, le jeune

gédie kurde, ses perdants magnifiques, exilé passe ses journées à épier un couple ses espoirs de résurrection ; voici la mère, d'oiseaux et à tourner/penser en rond,

Kaspo, si rude et délicate, qui converse mêlant légendes et souvenirs personnels, avec ses abeilles et les fleurs de son minus¬ réalisme et fantastique. Son voisin est-il

Catherine Simon cule lopin ; voici enfin la nombreuse fra¬ un humain ? Il « nage dans son manteau » trie : six s batailleuses, caquetantes, et sa main, découvre Mem avec effroi, se

Parmi la trentaine de romans de et puis Dino, le frère jumeau, le rival aux termine «non par des doigts, mais par Salim Barakat, Les Plumes est yeux verts, pareils, à en croire les voisins, unepetite aile ». Les grandes dates de l'his¬

le cinquième seulement à «à ceux des djinns». Bien entendu, cette toire du peuple kurde, mille fois révolté, avoir été traduit en français. triste histoire d'exil finit mal. mille fois écrasé, soumis â la domination C'est à Chypre, côté grec, où Ainsi pourrait se résumer, de manière des puissants (les Turcs, les Syriens, les l'auteur a vécu, qu'il a d'abord rationnelle, l'argument de ce drôle de Iraniens, les Irakiens...), forment le motif été publié, en arabe. L'île aux deux dra¬ roman oriental, écrit il y a plus de douze obsédant de cette mélopée kafkaïenne. peaux, peuplée de touristes et de casques ans. Mais alors on n'aurait rien dit. Rien dit Mem, le fils sacrifié, revit les moments bleus, est la destination finale du narra¬ de cette prosedéroutante, touffue comme où, en Syrie, un soir, il a fui le village et teur, un jeune Kurde de Syrie prénommé un taillis de ronces, légère comme cette s'est métamorphosé en chacal, rejoi¬ Mem, envoyé « en mission » par son père. «petiteplume cendrée » surgie de la valise gnant la horde animale et «faisant cla¬

Mem est censé prendre contact avec un de Mem, qui s'élève soudain dans l'air « en quer ses mâchoires comme s'il s'apprêtait mystérieux «Grand Homme». Il ne sait tournoyant, avant de redescendre en se à dévorerla nuit». pas pourquoi. balançant et de se poser de nouveau tout Six années ont passé quand débute le aufond, sur lesfauxplisgrossiers de la dou¬ Les grandes dates de roman, six longues années d'attente. Et blure ». Salim Barakat parle une langue rien n'est advenu. Mem est brisé, l'échec le profuse, difficile, décochant ici un trait l'histoire du peuple kurde mine. Il n'a rencontré personne, sinon ses net - « la douleur se couvrait d'un duvet, forment le motif obsédant «accompagnateurs», quatre hommes commelafleurdementhe » -, étirantlà des taciturnes supposés leconduire à son ren¬ volutes de mots incompréhensibles, de de cette mélopée kafkaïenne dez-vous, et qui, chaque fois, échouent métaphores obscures, forgeant son temps Les voisins de Mem sont bizarres. Le jeune intérieur, celui d'une écriture puissante et homme est seul, désemparé. Il songe au raffinée qui agit sur l'esprit commé.les La seconde partie place Dino, le frère

suicide, un acte «tonitruant», qui lui per¬ images, pareillement étranges ou iûçjjiiJK jumeau, «sur le devant de la scène». mettrait de « neplus rien ressentir». -grues, d'un rêve dont on s'éveille, et qui, . Nous voici en Syrie, dans le nord du pays. Le passé lui revient, comme en rêve. longtemps après, vous poursuit de ses Dino et Mèm ont fini leurs études secon- ; C'est la seule langue qu'il possède. Par lueurs inarticulées. daires, mais n'arriventpas à monter leur vagues secrètes et bouleversantes, les . La première partie du roman est le dossier d'inscription pour l'université : mots et les images affluent : voici le quar¬ récit de Mem à Chypre, «cette île dont leur père étant kurde, sa nationalité tier de son enfance, à Qamishili, en Syrie ; l'unité a éclaté comme un grand rire» et syrienne est « encore à l'étude ». Les deux voici le père, Hamdi Azad, marchand de où l'on parle grec «Homme de l'attente», frères n'ont pas d'autre avenir profes¬ sionnel quedes jobs saisonniers et la bou¬ tique du père.. Mythique, le Kurdistan, «c'est-à-dire nullepart etpartout», inon- c de et nourrit le destin des deux frères,

«Dino intervenait sans cesse dans voulu se débarrasserd'une toile comme il l'a fait du père. les récits et dans les tirades de d'araignée.M pendant qu'il disser¬ HamdiAzad, le patriarche, s'est dit qu'il monpère, pour les rectifierou en tait devant les visiteurs de mon suffisait de «mettre dans les mains de changerle cours, quitte à ce qu'ils père, il venait àposerson regard Mem une grosse aiguille et de laficelle de finissentpar neplus rien vouloir sur moi, le doute m'assaillait, les chanvre (...), puis de lui dire: "Allez! Rac¬ dire. Maintenant, cela méfait sou¬ pores de mon épiderme commode l'air, monfils !"pourque celui-ci rire, avec un léger regret toute¬ s'ouvraientpour laissersurgir un se mît aussitôt à ravauder l'horizon pater¬

fois, celui de n'avoirjamais trou¬ petit duvetd'oiseau, et une irré¬ nel, déchiré comme un vieux rideau ». De vé ma place dans cette relation pressible envie de voler me ce legs ambigu, qui est aussi le sien, Salim d'affinité qui rapprochait mon gagnait. Combien défais, sous le Barakat fait une tragédie vagabonde,

père et monfrère. Comme si regard vert etfroid de monfrère, d'une rare richesse.

j'étais muet. Je restais coi devant j'ai eu la sensation de m'envoler, l'image de monfrère,fascinépar sanspourtant m'élever d'un pied Lis Plumis (Al-Rîsh), ses longs doigtsfins qu'il levait au-dessus du sol!» deSalim Barakat, devant lui et qu'il remuait en par¬ traduit de l'arabe (Syrie)parEmmanuel

lant calmement, comme s'il avait Lbs Plumis, PAGH 153 Varlet, Actes Sud, 344p.,23,SO

25 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 8 AVRIL 2012 Irak: le dirigeant kurde Barzani accuse Maliki de préparer une dictature DUBAI, (AFP) — Le dirigeant kurde irakien Massoud Barzani a accusé le Premier ministre irakien Nouri al-Maliki de monopoliser le pouvoir et de préparer un retour à la dictature, dans un entretien publié dimanche par le journal panarabe Al-Hayat. "L'Irak s'oriente vers une catas- trophe, un retour à la dictature", a déclaré M. Barzani, qualifiant d'"inacceptable" le monopole du pouvoir par M. Maliki qui est à la fois Premier ministre, "ministre de la Défense, ministre de l'Intérieur, chef des renseignements et com- Massoud Barzani © epa. mandant en chef des forces Le Premier ministre irakien Nouri al- armées". Maliki. décrié par les Kurdes irakiens. Le dirigeant kurde, qui a été reçu contrat pétrolier passé par les diri- mercredi à la Maison blanche, a Il a en outre affirmé son refus de geants kurdes avec le groupe amé- ajouté qu'il devait appeler à son livrer Tarek al-Hachémi, en tour- ricain ExxonMobil, considéré par retour à Erbil à une réunion de née régionale après s'être réfugié Bagdad comme nul et non avenu, "tous" les dirigeants irakiens pour au Kurdistan. "Je ne lui demande- M. Barzani a confirmé le maintien "sauver l'Irak", engagé dans une rai pas de quitter le Kurdistan. Je du contrat après un entretien avec crise politique accentuée par le ne l'arrêterai pas et je ne refuse le chef d'ExxonMobil à mandat d'arrêt lancé en décembre pas son retour au Kurdistan s'il Washington. contre le vice-président Tarek al- décide d'y revenir", a-t-il dit à Al- "J'ai rencontré le président de Hachémi, un sunnite, accusé de Hayat. cette compagnie, laquelle est enga- diriger un gang de tueurs. Réagissant à ces propos, le gée par l'accord passé avec nous", La réunion doit parvenir à "des conseiller de M. Maliki, Ali a-t-il dit, jugeant "infondées les solutions radicales (...), suivant un Moussawi, a estimé que les rumeurs sur une annulation du calendrier précis pour sortir de la remarques de M. Massoud Barzani contrat, sous la menace du gou- crise", a-t-il ajouté, avertissant sur la concentration des pouvoirs vernement irakien". que si une telle réunion ne pou- de M. Maliki représentent "une ExxonMobil avait signé à la mi- vait se tenir, "nous prendrons une escalade incompréhensible qui est octobre un accord d'exploration autre décision", faisant allusion à rejetée par les Irakiens". pétrolière avec la région autonome une possible scission du "Beaucoup de dirigeants kurdes du Kurdistan irakien, s'attirant les Kurdistan. nous ont appelés pour nous dire foudres du gouvernement central "Il ne s'agit pas là d'un chantage qu'ils rejetaient cette escalade", a- irakien. ou d'une menace. Je suis sérieux, t-il dit à l'AFP. Le gouvernement de Bagdad ne je reviendrai au peuple kurde pour Les tensions sont vives entre le reconnaît que les accords signés le sonder par référendum", a-t-il bloc laïque Iraqiya, auquel appar- avec le ministère du Pétrole, et a dit. tient M. Hachémi, et les Kurdes jusqu'à présent interdit à toute "Quel que soit le prix à payer, d'une part, et M. Maliki, un chiite, compagnie pétrolière ayant un nous n'accepterons jamais un de l'autre, au sujet notamment de contrat avec le Kurdistan de parti- retour de la dictature en Irak", a-t- la répartition des richesses pétro- ciper à des appels d'offres dans le il ajouté, faisant allusion au lières. reste du pays. régime de Saddam Hussein, très Interrogé par ailleurs sur le

L'accrochage avec les rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) Turquie: Un soldat tué est survenu près du village de Yesilova (province de Hakkari), aux confins lors de combats avec de l'Iran et de l'Irak, ont indiqué ces sources. L'armée poursuit ses opéra- les rebelles kurdes tions dans le secteur avec un soutien aérien. DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 4 avr 2012 (AFP) 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. Le PKK est considéré comme une organisation terroriste par la Turquie et de nom- UN SOLDAT TURC a été tué et un autre blessé mercredi lors de com- breux pays.H bats avec des rebelles kurdes dans le sud-est de la Turquie peuplé en majorité de Kurdes, selon des sources locales de sécurité.

26 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 7, 2012 Iraq In 'Serious Crisis,' Says Kurdish Leader; Oil Ambitions Complicate Ethnic Tensions By Pierre Bertrand www.ibtimes.co.uk

ar-torn Iraq, with the fourth-largest proved reserves of oil in the world, is trying to take bold steps to develop them. ButW it's hobbled by dissent and ethnic strife, as well as a loose constitution that gives rise to conflict between local and national governments. Development, if it comes at all, looks likely to advance at a very slow pace. Prominent companies such as Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) and the Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the biggest U.S.-based major integrated oil-and-gas company, are trying to tap into Iraq's oil, most notably in Kurdistan, the semiautonomous region in the north. Kurdistan intensified, and followed an announcement that a The problem: they don't know who deal with. Both Kurdish regio- reconciliatory meeting between Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni nal and Iraqi central-government officials claim ownership of the groups had been canceled. roughly 20 percent of Iraq's oil reserves near Kirkuk. "We cannot anymore wait for unfulfilled promises and undelive- Iraq has roughly 115 billion barrels of oil in proved reserves -- red promises. There has to be a specific and a certain timeline for and just recently produced more than 3 million barrels of oil a this to be delivered," Barzani said. "Therefore, what we will do is day, for the first time in several decades. The Kurdistan Regional we will work on the preferred option: to [work] with the other Government, based in Kirkuk, has 2 billion barrels in such Iraqi groups to find a solution. If not, then we go back to our peo- reserves, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration ple and put all of these realities in front of the people for the peo- estimates. ple to be free to make their own decision." Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein oppressed the Kurds, a In effect, Barzani, the son of one of Saddam Hussein's most bit- non-Arab but Muslim people who also constitute considerable ter enemies, the late Mustafa Barzani, issued a general threat to minorities in Iran, Syria, and Turkey and have long sought an Iraq's central government. In Iraq, history keeps repeating itself. independent Kurdistan. 'The Big Problem Is Kirkuk' Iraq, with a land mass slightly more than twice the size of Idaho, is home to peoples who don't like each other. Between Kurds and Now that Kurdistan is targeting fast exploitation of its oil Arabs, tensions run deep. An estimated 4 million Kurds live in reserves, Iraq's northern oil fields could become prime flash Iraq out of a total population of roughly 32 million. points between the Kurdish Regional Government and Baghdad, warned Najim Abed Al-Jabouri, a retired major general in the Relations between Sunni and Shiite groups, both Muslims, Iraqi army and international fellow in the Near East South Asia throughout Iraq have deteriorated since the country's prime Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in minister, Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, issued an arrest warrant for its Washington. vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni, on charges of inciting terrorism. "The big problem is Kirkuk and the disputed areas," Al-Jabouri said. He forecast "big problems" in the future regarding the Kurdish officials granted Hashemi asylum and allowed him to ownership of that city and its resources. escape the country via a chartered flight. Al-Jabouri said Kurdistan claims oil-rich and valuable parts of Meanwhile, Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, is a Kurd. northern Iraq, like Kirkuk, as part of its sovereign territory. Power-Sharing Goals Fail Kurdish regional authorities don't have a close relationship with At the heart of the Kurdish-Arab dispute is a constitutional pro- Iraq's prime minister. Relations are so bad that certain commu- vision that Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud nities and mayors in the region don't observe the central govern- Barzani said last week hasn't been implemented by Baghdad. ment's laws, Al-Jabouri added. Speaking in Washington, he said the provision is designed to set Kurdistan and Iraq are at odds over oil revenue and mineral governing and power-sharing agreements between the two rights. Regional ethnic differences have been the source of violent governments. The law would also repatriate strategic oil-rich tensions in the past. parts of Iraq to Kurdistan. Since 2003 and Saddam Hussein's demise, Kurdistan has The constitution was cobbled out between the administration of become an active player in the shaping of a new Iraq. Old ten- U.S. President George W. Bush, who invaded Iraq in 2003, and sions die hard, and Iraq's central government doesn't want to representatives of the interim government. It was finally ratified lose control over the country's energy resources. in 2005. During the height of Saddam Hussein's rule, he ousted Kurds Barzani's comments came as tensions between Iraq and from major urban areas like Kirkuk so that Sunni Arabs could

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

move in, recalled Marvin Zonis, professor emeritus at the Booth Kurdish leader said. He added: "If we were able to address the School of Business at the University of Chicago and an expert on problems and solve then, that is the most preferred option. Middle Eastern politics. Otherwise, the current status quo in Baghdad is in no way our option, and we will not accept that as an option." Iraqi History Repeats Itself Last week, the Kurdistan government halted the import of crude Under Saddam Hussein, the intent was to consolidate Arab rule oil, originally developed in Kurdistan, to Iraq pending Baghdad's over the country's resources. Now that his regime is gone, payment to oil companies working there. Kurdish officials worry that Prime Minister al-Maliki may follow in his predecessor's footsteps. The halt prompted Iraqi minsters to accuse Kurdistan of smug- gling oil to Iraq's archenemy -- Iran. "Al-Maliki has become as authoritarian without the violence that is characteristic of Saddam Hussein," Zonis said, who added the Barzani called the rising tensions a "serious crisis." prime minister is "squeezing out Sunnis" from the government. Iraqi ministers last week championed a minor success over the Zonis said al-Maliki has won the loyalty of the country's armed Kurdish government by announcing Exxon Mobil had frozen its forces, and essentially has his own militia. oil exploration deal with the Kurds -- a claim disputed by Kurdish officials. Barzani, the Kurdish boss, said al-Maliki is guiding Iraq toward another dictatorship. Kurdistan is trying to bring in outside companies to help boost its oil production, but Iraq doesn't recognize contracts drafted Despite the tensions, Zonis doesn't think they will escalate to without the approval of Baghdad. violence. Both sides have shed enough blood, he said, and he suspects they will be wary of further fighting. They prefer the The Kurds are also considering building an oil pipeline to profits from oil. Turkey, which, if completed, would be seen as a slight to the country's sovereignty by Iraqi officials. In Washington last week, Barzani said he's still willing to iron over ongoing differences, and reaffirmed his government's com- "It's really dicey," Zonis said, who added the U S. tried -- and fai- mitment to upholding the country's current constitution -- but led -- to create a democratic, peaceful, and unified country. "This with a warning. is all testimony that we have lost the war in Iraq." "This government is one that came into being as a result of the ËËË blood we have shed, and we will not leave it for any other," the

April 12, 2012

ment of the SNC. Syrian Kurdish parties involved in Kurdish groups want the Kurdish National Council did not join the meetings organized in Istanbul in an effort to unite the Syrian opposi- autonomy from the SNC tion ahead of the “Friends of the Syrian ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News People” meeting. İpek Yezdani “The Syrian Arabs in the SNC claim the territorial integrity of Syria and yrian Kurds want federalism and they call all the ethnic groups ‘Syrian.’ an autonomous government in the We believe this is very dangerous rhe- Sfuture Syria, and they won’t join the toric. Because with this wording, they Syrian National Council (SNC) until are in denial of groups like the Kurds, their right to autonomy is recognized, Turkmens, etc,” Efrini said. The a prominent member of the “National National Kurdish Council, which is Kurdish Council” said. also supported by the leader of the “Most of the Syrian Kurdish parties Kurdish regional government, Masoud are united under the roof of our coun- Barzani, would only join the SNC with cil, we believe the Kurds who joined Syrian Kurds hold up Kurdish flags, bot- the condition of recognizing the right the SNC will quit soon, because the tom, and a Syrian revolution flag, top, to “federalism” in the future Syria, he SNC calls the Kurds ‘Syrian people’ chant slogans against the Syrian regime. added. and this is unacceptable. AP photo “The number of Kurdish groups in They are in denial of the Kurdistan the Kurdish council is increasing day territory,” Kendal Efrini, a member of by day. Now there are 17 Syrian Syrian opposition group the “National capital of Arbil at the end of January. Kurdish parties in the council. There Kurdish Council,” told the Hürriyet Dr. Abdul Hakim Bashar, secretary- are a couple of Kurdish groups in the Daily News in a recent interview. general of the Kurdish Democratic SNC too, but I believe they will also Seventeen Syrian opposition Party in Syria, led the National quit the SNC soon. If not, they would be recognized as traitors by the Kurdish parties have announced the Kurdish Council, which became the I formation of their own “National second national council established by Kurdish people,” Efrini said. Kurdish Council” in the northern Iraqi opposition forces after the establish-

28 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 9, 2012

Ankara and Damascus were close allies The events have raised concern that until the summer, when Turkish officials Turkey's Syria's sectarian conflict could drive a said President Assad's refusal to end a wedge between Turkey's Sunni majority bloody crackdown forced a shift. Turkey and the country's Shiite sects. As record has sheltered thousands of Syrian Shiites numbers of Syrian refugees have poured refugees, including members of the rebel into Turkey in recent days, fleeing attacks army; the opposition Syrian National Fear from pro-government forces ahead of Council in December opened an office in Tuesday's United Nations-backed cease- Istanbul. fire deadline, the spectre of sectarian ten- Contagion sions also has stoked fears that this border As Mr. Assad ignored Ankara, Mr. As Hostilities Worsen city could see a replay of the violence that Erdogan's attacks have grown increasing- Between Ankara and left hundreds dead in the region in the ly personal. He likened Mr. Assad's crack- aftermath of a 1980 military coup. down to the tactics of Hitler's dictatorship, Damascus, Minority Sects in some of the strongest language of any Worry the Tensions Next There are marked cultural and religious leader on Syria. Door Will Spread differences between Turkey's Alawis and the more numerous Alevis—including lan- For some Alawis and Alevis, Mr. guage and religious rituals, where Alevis Erdogan's rhetoric reflects a religious By AYLA ALBAYRAK and place more prominence on the role of divide that runs below the surface of JOE PARKINSON music and dance. Turkish and Kurdish- Turkish politics and society. "In Turkey, speaking Alevis also share less affiliation we have not solved our ethnic questions, NTAKYA, Turkey—As violent clashes and family ties with the Syrian regime and democracy has not yet taken hold," Acontinue to boil in Syria and its than do the Arabic-speaking Alawis—but said Mehmet Guzelyurt, an Alawite den- government is increasingly alienated from people from both groups have become tist from Antakya. "This is why we know neighbors and allies, shopkeeper Ferit unsettled by Ankara's increasingly hawk- that violence could spark at any time." Kilic is worried about his own fate over the ish Syria policy. border in Turkey. Mr. Erdogan has taken some steps to Last month, sectarian barbs appeared to widen minority rights, and in November Mr. Kilic is an Alawi, a Turkish offshoot infect Turkey's domestic debate on Syria. reached out by apologizing for a 1937 mas- Shiite sect similar to the Alawite sect of In a speech,Prime Minister Recep Tayyip sacre in the city of Dersim which killed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Erdogan, a Sunni, accused the leader of some 13,000. Alawite-dominated government that rules the country's opposition, an Alevi, of being over a Sunni majority. He is one of hun- in sympathy with Syria's president. "Don't Turkey's government acknowledges dreds of thousands of Arabic-speaking forget that a person's religion is the reli- Alawis' and Alevis' concerns, but stresses Turkish Alawis, most living near the gion of his friend," the prime minister said that the Prime Minister's apology for the Syrian border, and fears the sectarian con- of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the opposition Dersim massacre was historic and that flict next door could open the same fault leader, who like many of his sect, is a Turkish foreign policy would never be lines in Turkey—especially as relations member of Turkey's secular Republican based on a religious or sectarian calcula- between the two former allies become People's party. tion. "Our Foreign Minister rejected meet- increasingly hostile. ing with the Syrian National Council until The prime minister and other top officials they widened their base to include differ- "For now, we live in harmony with Sunnis have stressed that if the swell of Syrians ent religions and sects," a Foreign here," said Mr. Kilic, as he tallied the cost seeking refuge in Turkey continues to rise, Ministry spokesman said. of sweets a mother was buying for her Ankara could be forced to take harsher child. "But in the past there were provoca- steps, including opening a buffer zone on Some analysts say the government needs tions to get the Sunni and Alawites to fight Syrian territory, to protect civilians and to deliver on its promise to pass a new each other." ensure national security. constitution, granting greater freedom for minorities, if it is to offset that percep- Turkey's Arabic-speaking Alawis haven't Representatives of Turkish Alevis have tion—and the political momentum for been silent. In early February, thousands repeatedly criticized the Assad regime's constitutional change has eased. organized two marches here to protest the crackdown but are also unnerved by the government's changing attitude toward prime minister's increasingly bellicose "This tension could be dangerous. ...If the Damascus, with some openly voicing sup- stance. Turkish government does not give very port for Mr. Assad. wide rights to Alevis during this period "As Turkish Alevis, we do not support an when Sunni-Shia tensions are rising in the Later that month, more than 20 homes in antidemocratic, an antihumanist regime, region, it may regret it later," said Kerem Turkey's southeast were mysteriously but we cannot understand why the prime Oktem, a fellow of the European Studies marked by red paint. They all belonged to minister so suddenly became an enemy of Centre at Oxford University. Alevis have Alevis, a Turkish and Kurdish-speaking the Syrian administration," said demanded official recognition as a sepa- Shiite offshoot who vastly outnumber Selahattin Ozel, chairman of the federa- rate religious minority and recognition for Arabic-speaking Alawis. Together the two tion of Alevi associations in Turkey. their places of worship, which would groups constitute an estimated 15 million, enable their religious authorities to get or one fifth of a national population of 75 The breakdown of relations between the financial support from the Turkish state.I million. neighbors has been swift and severe.

29 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 9 April 2012 Barzani Suggests Baghdad Might Use F-16s Against Kurds By WLADIMIR van WILGENBURG rudaw.net

XETER, England -- After increased tensions between Ethe Iraqi and the Kurdish govern- ments, Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani told Alhurra TV last Thursday that Baghdad is considering the use of F-16 fighter planes against the Kurds.

In the interview, Barzani says the issue with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is not personal, but it is about his dictato- rial policies. "I still consider him a broth- Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani with US President Barak Obama er and a friend," he said. According to during his recent visit to Washington. Photo courtesy of Falah Mustafa. Barzani, division commanders in the Iraqi army are supposed to be approved by par- member of Maliki’s State of Law areas.” liament, but this hasn't happened. Coalition, claimed on Al-Jazeera that the Kurds were trying to weaken the govern- In 2008, the disputed city of Khanaqin Barzani told Alhurra that he has confront- ment and deprive them of heavy weapons. was the center of a face-off between ed the Iraqi PM many times and been told “There is a Kurdish effort to prevent a Kurdish and Iraqi armed forces. by Maliki that he will act, but he hasn’t, strong Iraqi state in terms of weapons, According to the Christian Science and suggested there is talk of a “military funds and Arab relations. We were Monitor, there was threat of a much wider solution” to confront the Kurds in deprived of our right to write in the con- conflict along the 300-mile fault line that Baghdad. Barzani said that in an official stitution that Iraq is an Arab country." divides the Kurds from the Arab parts of meeting with Iraqi military commanders, Iraq. In the past, U.S. forces established it was stated that they should wait for F- Kamran Karadaghi, former chief of staff joint patrols and acted as peacemakers to 16s to arrive to help push back the Kurds. of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, told prevent tensions from erupting in territo- Rudaw that it remains a possibility that ries claimed by Baghdad and Erbil, but Alhurra asked Barzani if PM Maliki was Baghdad will use the Iraqi army against now the U.S. army isn’t in Iraq. the person suggesting the use of F-16s the Kurds. “To my knowledge, Barzani's against the Kurds, but Barzani did not comments are based on solid information In November 2011, the handover of the answer the question. “I know who said it, straight from the horse's mouth. Why do Kirkuk airport to Iraqi authorities by U.S. but forgive me, I can't give more details," you think Shia rulers turned from commit- forces sparked tensions between local he said, adding that Kurds are becoming ted federalists to staunch centralists? I Kurdish authorities and the Iraqi army strangers in the Iraqi army, and are being always warned that we should expect that over who should control it. Eventually, fought from within. Barzani emphasized when they have a strong army. Soon they the Iraqi PM turned it into a civilian air- that there can never be a military solution will have F-16s.” port rather than one controlled by the Iraqi to deal with the Kurds. army. After the decision, there have been But other analysts rule out the possible no tensions in Kirkuk between Kurdish Kurdish officials had earlier expressed use of F-16s against Kurds. Reidar Visser, and Iraqi security forces. worries over Iraq’s estimated $3 billion research fellow at the Norwegian Institute deal to buy 18 fighter jets from the United of International Affairs, known for his fre- Hayder al-Khoei, a researcher at the States, and the marginalization of Kurds quent commentary on Iraqi affairs, sug- London-based Centre for Academic Shi'a within the Iraqi army, despite the fact that gests that, “The only scenario in which Studies, agrees that renewed tensions in both the Iraqi chief of staff and the air the use of military force by Baghdad the disputed areas are possible. “Some force commander are Kurds. would be probable is in the case of a for- minor skirmishes possibly and maybe a mal, unilateral annexation of Kirkuk by few Mexican standoffs that go wrong. But Iraqi Kurds fear a repeat of the mass the Kurds.” no major military clashes. It's far too cost- killings by the Iraqi regime. In the 1980s, ly for both sides and eventually they will the Iraqi army killed between 50,000 and He added that, when Barzani mentioned sit down in secret and negotiate a new 180,000 Kurds in the notorious Anfal the F-16s, “It sounded more like fully division of the cake.” campaign. But Iraqi officials have tried to fledged warfare than skirmishes and reassure Kurds that the F-16s are meant to clashes. There can be similar episodes to He added that it is “nonsense” to consider protect the borders of Iraq. Khanaqin, etc., absolutely. But I think that Baghdad would use F-16s against the they will stay within certain boundaries Kurds. “Turkey has far more advanced On the April 4, Izzat al-Shahbandar, ➨ unless the KRG moves to formally annex fighter jets than Iraq could hope to have

30 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➨ and cannot solve the PKK problem with cile the factions. “It began when the Kurds Barzani's request and reaffirmed its sup- military power. Even if the threat of push- shut off oil exports. Then, Shahristani port of Maliki,” van Heuvelen added. ing back the Kurds with F-16s was meant threatened to make cuts to Kurdistan's in the context of deploying gunboat diplo- share of the federal budget.” The American journalist thinks Barzani macy, it is highly unlikely the Kurds will wants to send a message to Washington. be intimidated.” Van Heuvelen thinks Barzani’s statement “When Barzani talks about a 'military has to do with his recent visit to the United solution' from Baghdad, I read those state- Ben van Heuvelen, managing editor of States to request they form a “special part- ments as a message to Washington. I think Iraq Oil Report, based in Iraq, says the nership” with the Kurds. “The Obama he is warning the Obama administration long-standing disputes between Kurdistan administration's response seems to have that they can't give Maliki a carte blanche, H and Baghdad escalated into a full-blown been, ‘We support you, but within the con- otherwise it will endanger the Kurds.” crisis last week amidst the postponement text of a unified, federal Iraq.’ In other of the national conference meant to recon- words, the U.S. seems to have rebuffed

9 April 2012

An Encounter with Barzani that crossed my mind when I saw him concern was Nouri Maliki. He was con- interacting with the Kurds. He had a piece centrating power in his hands, he was like By KANI XULAM of paper in front of him. He was apparent- five ministers at once, and now, again, Mr. rudaw.net ly following some talking points, but the Barzani raised his voice: “He also wants to occasional use of his glasses to see the be head of the Central Bank of Iraq.” written word made me feel sad for the old Peshmerga. Historians tell us George I like it when politicians speak from the Washington did the same when he talked to heart. But when deceit is the coin of the his soldiers and later colleagues. realm, especially in the Middle East, I worry and become very protective of truth. he announcement arrived via The overall news was good from the little The region is full of politicians who will Facebook and email. It said: Kurdistan, but not so from the countries sell their mothers for power and dealing TPresident of Kurdistan Regional surrounding it. In 2003, the income of an with them is not exactly a game of logic. I Government (KRG), His Excellency average Kurdish family was 275 dollars guess, what I am saying is this: Kak Massoud Barzani, would address a per year. Today, it is 5,000.00. In the year MaSsoud Barzani, you have to work with gathering of Kurds at Marriott Hotel in of Saddam’s toppling, our illiteracy rate the likes of Nouri Maliki. He, after all, rep- Tysons Corner. The meeting was going was at 56 percent. Today, we have reduced resents 80 percent of Arab Iraq compared to take place on Saturday, and the it to 16 percent. And right after saying so, to your 20 percent Kurds in little President had been in the Washington, President Barzani raised his voice, and Kurdistan. The one time seller of worry- DC area since Monday, April 2, 2012. I beads is not exactly a Kurdish farmer who, marked my calendar accordingly. I “I wanted to see what my even if he tried, wouldn’t know how to lie. wanted to see what my President was President was going to say Had I been asked, I would have cautioned going to say about his meeting with the about his meeting with the Berez Barzani to be a bit more circumspect President of the United States. President of the United for the sake of the Kurds and Kurdistan. States.” Because the President of Kurdistan uses The best part of the gathering was the Q&A some Arabic words in his Kurdish, and session. Kurds were alone with their because I use some Turkish ones in mine, I added: our goal is 0 percent illiteracy in leader. They talked to him as a friend. can’t say I understood him fully. Suffice it Kurdistan. Needless to say, I was remind- to note that when I left the hotel I thought I ed of an encomium to a teacher by Cicero “Mr. Barzani has become a had understood him at least 80 percent. I in his beautiful address, Pro Archia. It was peace activist. He doesn’t need to get rid of the Turkish words from the most sublime use of a raised voice I had believe wars can win the my Kurdish and start watching Kurdistan ever witnessed in my entire life. And I am Kurds anything.” TV to better understand Berez Barzani. In an old man by Kurdish standards. the meantime, I want to, with these mus- ings of mine, give you a sense of what tran- There were other tidbits about little They appealed to him as a leader. They spired at the Kurdish gathering. Kurdistan, but I am going to be picky for tickled him with words of reverence. They the purposes of this report. In America, he questioned him about the unfolding strug- Berez Barzani is much more forceful in said, he was happy to meet with the likes of gle in Syria, the ongoing war of Turks on Kurdish than when he talks to foreigners President Obama and conveyed to him our Kurds everywhere, and the ceasefire through his able translator. In Kurdish, you people’s unswerving commitment to the between PJAK and Iran. Yours truly joined see him raising his voice when it is needed constitution of Iraq, which recognizes the questioners as well and asked him and lowering it when that is appropriate. Kurdistan as a federal state. But, he added, about term limits. Suffice it to note, I was there were unmistakable signs of trouble in surprised by his answer. You will have to Gracious, compassionate, kind, animated ➩ and direct were some of the descriptions the city on the Tigris. The source of that read a bit more to find out what he said. 31 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti

➩ friends, often complain about one thing mitting to your perusal as a sample of Mr. Barzani has become a peace activist. about the Middle Eastern leaders and I what our youth are thinking about term He doesn’t believe wars can win the wanted to express it today. George limits. Kurds anything. When I fought, or my Washington, I went on, was the first pres- dad did, ours was to assert our very exis- ident of the United States. He served “Sir, today, you did something few peo- tence. The existential war is won now. eight years. He strengthened the national ple have the guts to even think about No one, not even the most implacable institutions of his country and relin- doing. Those who oppose President Turk, questions the existence of the quished power voluntarily. Boris Yeltsin Barzani go on the streets and use signs Kurds. What we need to do from now on of Russia did the same. “Kurdistan,” I and demand what they want, but they is to sharpen our pens and our tongues, said, “I know, is not exactly free. Dark would never have the guts to speak to him and make use of all the tools of forensic clouds still hover over its skies, but if it face to face... Not that I think you oppose science to win the world to our side. A were and its institutions strong, would him; I'm sure you're a supporter of the genuinely fearless and proud Peshmarga KRG. But I just want to commend your paying homage to peace is beyond me to “After the gathering, I got courage in standing up in front of a polit- put into words. You should have been a few more Barzani loyal- ical figure and icon and respectfully ask- there to witness it, or perhaps called on ists telling me I had over- ing him how much longer he plans on Shakespeare to write it out for you. stepped the boundaries of staying in the office. Like I said before, there was a lot of opposition to what you I told you about the Kurds who wanted to what was proper.” said at the hall and that, as you know, is tickle Kak Massoud. One stood next to because there were a lot of brown-nosers, me where I was sitting and waited you, Berez Barzani, be willing to tell this Barzani worshipers and KDP loyalists. patiently for his turn. I had a chance to Kurdish audience that you too would But don't be daunted, the other speaker's study his demeanor. He was like a consider relinquishing power voluntarily, response, to your comment and question, Buddha. Peaceful within and without. just like they did?” was out of place and completely disre- “What is he going to ask a wartime pres- spectful, and as you saw even President ident?” I murmured to myself. His ques- “You have to put up with me for a year Barzani didn't agree with his com- tion was as good as his disposition. He and a half more,” he said. At least 500 ments… Keep your head up and remem- said he was from a village called Rezan hundred Kurds were in the room. I am ber that today you did something that inside Iranian Kurdistan. He had seen hoping he will not renege on his word. most are too afraid to even imagine Kak Massoud as a small child. Upon doing.” hearing the news that he was in But my question apparently did not sit Washington, he drove here to see him well with everybody in the room. A Kurd I thanked the fellow Kurd for his kind again and thank him for his leadership. If from Iranian Kurdistan used his time to words. Competing in bravery with a bat- you were President Barzani, what could criticize me and another Kurd -- instead tle-tested Peshmerga was not my motiva- you possibly say to this fellow? While I of asking his question -- for voicing tion; inviting him to measure himself was thinking of that, Kak Massoud said, impertinent concerns. He wanted to next to the other great leaders of the “Thank you. Next time you talk to the know if I would dare to ask other, some world was. 235 years later, George folks in Rezan, please tell them I greet useless, Kurdish leaders the same ques- Washington is honored in America volun- them all, warmly, through you.” It was a tion? To his credit, Kak Massoud said the tarily. In three hundred years, will Kurds presidential response. He knew how to questions should be voiced. equate Kak Masoud to Boris Yeltsin or tickle back. I was impressed. Hosni Mubarak? I want to be proud of After the gathering, I got a few more my leader(s). I want my American Then there was another fellow, a bit on Barzani loyalists telling me I had over- friends to feel good about associating the melancholic side. Very slowly and stepped the boundaries of what was prop- with the Kurds and Kurdistan. Please, very politely, he told Kak Massoud of his er. This time, I wanted to act like a Kak Barzani, drink from a cup called late father’s death wish. The old man had Buddha myself and patiently listened to humility; it will add luster to your family been a Peshmarga. The room went into the elaboration of their views. But many name and elevate us, as a people, for total silence. It was that the son should other Kurds approached me as well and introducing a new concept, term limits, at kiss Kak Massoud on the eye, as we say thought I had asked a fair question, some the highest levels of the government, in H in Kurdish, when fate brought them called it a right one, but added, the prac- the Middle East. together. I was witnessing live drama at tice in the Middle East was that those a political event. Again, Kak Massoud who hold onto power often go through * Kani Xulam is a political activist based handled the situation well. First, you the motions of wanting to grow cabbages in Washington D.C. He is the founder of could tell, his facial expressions said that like Cincinnatus, but use every ounce of the American Kurdish Information he knew of the old fighter and ached after their energy to stay in the presidential Network (AKIN). the remembrance of his memory. He then palace, just like Bashar Assad. told the son, your dad was a great man. The room went electric. It was, again, an I will end these musings with an email unforgettable moment. that I received from a friend who was also at the meeting. Although I don’t like to Then I caused a bit of a stir as well, even blow my own horn, this email speaks of a though that was the last thing on my longing for transparency, for accountabil- mind. I introduced myself like other ity, and for fairness. It also sums up the Kurds and added: I was asking my ques- sentiments of those who thanked me for tion as a Kurdish intellectual. I said my question. Americans, those who pass as our Author’s permission granted, I am sub-

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

Le Monde diplomatique - avri l 20 1 2

De Riyad à Téhéran Ce prestige a fait croire au clan Assad que le pays resterait à l'abri du mouvement

qui submerge la région depuis l'année 201 1 .

Dans le monde, il amène aussi certains

mouvements anti-impérialistes, qui ne Onde de choc prennent pas la mesure des changements provoqués par les révolutions arabes, à réduire l'affrontement autour de la Syrie syrienne à sa seule dimension géopolitique (2). Fausses analyses, faux calculs. Le

régime est miné par les mêmes tares que celles qui affectaient l'ensemble de la Malgré une répression d'une terrible brutalité, les manifes¬ région : autoritarisme et arbitraire du

tants syriens continuent de défier le régime. Leurs revendi¬ pouvoir; pillage des richesses et libérali¬ cations rejoignent celles exprimées à Bahrein ou en Jordanie; sation économique qui aggrave les inéga¬ mais les divisions de l'opposition et les ingérences étrangères lités ; incapacité à répondre aux aspira¬ tions d'une jeunesse plus nombreuse et risquent de déboucher sur des conflits confessionnels qui mieux formée que ses aînés. menaceraient toute la région. Le refus de prendre en compte ces espérances, la brutalité inouïe de la Par Alain Gresh répression ont accéléré l'escalade de la

violence et favorisé la militarisation d'une

c' E livre est un classique. Ecrit régimes arabes, divisés par leurs positions partie de l'insurrection qui, au départ, se en 1965 par le journaliste britannique à l'égard des Etats-Unis et d'Israël. La réclamait dans son écrasante majorité, Patrick Seale, The Struggle for Syria volonté de changement et de transfor¬ comme en Egypte, de la non-violence. Le raconte l'affrontement, après la seconde mation sociale passe à la trappe. risque de voir les affrontements prendre guerre mondiale, pour le contrôle de la un tour confessionnel s'est accru, le régime Les contours des alliances fluctuent Syrie (1). Cette lutte s'inscrivait à la n'hésitant pas à utiliser cette carte pour au cours du temps. Lors de la première fois dans le contexte de la guerre froide effrayer alaouites (3) et chrétiens. guerre du Golfe, en 1990-1991, on a pu opposant les Etats-Unis à l'Union sovié¬ voir la Syrie de Hafez Al-Assad s'allier tique et dans celui de la « guerre froide L'opposition se montre cependant à Washington, tandis que la Jordanie du arabe» : l'Egypte du président Gamal incapable d'offrir des garanties sérieuses roi Hussein soutenait Saddam Hussein. Abdel Nasser et l'Arabie Saoudite pour l'avenir. Elle a même vu certains A la veille des révolutions arabes de étaient alors aux prises pour l'hégé¬ de ses appuis se détourner d'elle. Les 201 1 , le clivage oppose un camp pro- monie régionale - jusque dans les Kurdes, qui furent parmi les premiers à américain (Egypte et Arabie Saoudite, montagnes yéménites, où les troupes manifester (notamment pour obtenir les principalement) et un camp dit de la égyptiennes soutenaient la jeune répu¬ cartes d'identité nationale dont ils avaient «résistance» (Iran, Syrie, Hamas en blique contre les tribus royalistes années été privés), se tiennent désormais à l'écart, Palestine et Hezbollah au Liban). et financées par Riyad. choqués par le refus du Conseil national Damas occupe une position privilégiée, syrien (CNS) de reconnaître leurs droits. Des années 1950 à la guerre de . notamment grâce à son alliance avec la Pour sa part, le régime a relancé, non sans juin 1967 avec Israël, la Syrie fut au | République islamique ; une alliance que succès, les activités du Parti des travail¬ cur dés équilibres (ou plutôt des rien n'a ébranlée durant trente ans, pas leurs du Kurdistan (PKK), qu'il avait déjà déséquilibres) régionaux, les coups même les divergences de vues entre les utilisé lors de son affrontement avec la d'Etat et les juntes militaires se deux pays sur la paix avec Israël, dont Turquie dans les années 1990 et qui reste succédant à Damas. Elle fut également l'Iran rejette le principe et que la Syrie populaire parmi les Kurdes de Syrie (4). l'un des hauts lieux de l'impétueux accepte à certaines conditions, notamment bouillonnement des années 1950 et 1960, la restitution du plateau du Golan, occupé qui visait à l'indépendance politique, au par l'Etat hébreu depuis juin 1967. développement économique, à l'avè¬ L'épouvantail chiite Après l'assassinat, le 14 février 2005, nement d'un ordre social plus juste et de l'ancien premier ministre libanais Rafic plus égalitaire. A la pointe des mobili¬ Hariri et le départ précipité de ses troupes sations : les nationalistes arabes, la du Liban, le régime syrien a vécu une phase gauche et les marxistes, U' ne nouvelle scission vient de s'opérer d'isolement dont le président Bachar Al- quatre décennies. La totalité des régimes, au sein du CNS, à l'initiative de person¬ Assad a finalement réussi à s'extirper. Son qu'ils soient républicains ou monar¬ nalités comme MM. Haytham Al-Maleh inflexibilité face aux. pressions de l'admi¬ chiques, renoncent à la moindre réforme. et Kamal Labouani, anciens prisonniers nistration de M. George W. Bush, qui rêvait Ils se caractérisent par leur autoritarisme, politiques, qui dénoncent son alignement de le renverser, son soutien au Hezbollah par la concentration des richesses aux sur l'étranger. M. Ammar Qourabi, ancien durant la guerre menée par Israël au Liban, mains d'une petite clique s'élevant au- président de l'Organisation syrienne pour à l'été 2006, puis son appui au Hamas lors dessus de l'Etat et par Une corruption la défense des droits humains et dirigeant de l'invasion israélienne de décembre 2008 - endémique. Si, durant cette période, les du Mouvement national pour le chan¬ janvier 2009 ont conforté son image de explosions populaires expriment de gement, reproche au CNS de marginaliser manière sporadique un mécontentement «pôle de la résistance». Au point que les les militants alaouites ou turkmènes (5). diffus, c'est, pour l'essentiel, autour des Frères musulmans syriens ont mis un terme Quant aux chrétiens, qui ont vu se réfugier enjeux géopolitiques que s'affrontent les - provisoire - à leur opposition. en Syrie des dizaines de milliers de leurs

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

coreligionnaires irakiens, ils observent affrontement titanesque entre dictature et reconquérir des positions dans la région. dans l'angoisse la montée des djihadistes, démocratie. Pourtant, qui peut croire que Se rallieront-ils, comme en Libye, à une ainsi que les slogans antichrétiens et anti- le régime saoudien cherche à instaurer la intervention militaire ? Risqueront-ils une alaouites de certains manifestants. démocratie à Damas, lui qui ne reconnaît déstabilisation de ce pays où affluent déjà aucune assemblée élue? Lui dont le djihadistes et combattants d'Al-Qaida? Contesté par nombre d'opposants ministère de l'intérieur a déclaré que les

- notamment par la Coordination nationale manifestations chiites dans l'est du pays Quant aux autorités israéliennes, leur pour le changement démocratique, qui étaient une «nouvelle forme de terro¬ refuse la confessionalisation et la milita¬ position a peut-être été exprimée par risme (6) » ? Lui qui a réprimé violemment, risation du soulèvement, ainsi que l'inter¬ M. Efraim Halevy, ancien directeur du début mars, à Abha - capitale de la région vention militaire étrangère -, déchiré par Mossad et ancien conseiller national à la du Asir, à majorité sunnite -, les étudiantes les scissions successives, rejeté par les sécurité, qui explique que le renversement mobilisées contre la médiocrité de l'ensei¬ comités locaux, le CNS est dominé par les du régime de Damas, en affaiblissant gnement dans les universités? islamistes, avec, en façade, quelques figures Téhéran de manière décisive, permettrait ' d'éviter de bombarder l'Iran (8). Mais libérales. Sa dépendance à l'égard des pays Inquiète de l'affaiblissement des Etats- toute position publique en ce sens, Tel- occidentaux et des monarchies du Golfe Unis dans la région, hostile au «pouvoir Aviv le sait, ne peut que se retourner contre est mal reçue. chiite» qui s'est instauré en Irak, l'Arabie l'opposition syrienne. Et certaines voix

Le blocage est total. L'opposition est Saoudite a pris la tête de la contre-révolution en Israël s'inquiètent des conséquences

incapable de provoquer la chute du régime, régionale, écrasant, sans en venir à bout, d'une guerre civile en Syrie, qui pourrait

et celui-ci est incapable de venir à bout la rébellion à Bahrein. Elle arme les mettre un terme à la tranquillité régnant d'une révolte qui surprend par sa déter¬ insurgés en Syrie, agitant désormais l'épou- à la frontière entre les deux pays. mination et par son courage devant le vantail chiite pour rallier à elle la majorité Enfin, la Russie et la Chine, pour leur sacrifice. Le retour au statu quo ante est sunnite, en tablant sur une double hostilité part, redoutent la montée en puissance des impossible, et le contrôle du pouvoir sur aux chiites et aux « Perses », les esprits et sur les corps, sur une société islamistes et de l'unilatéralisme européen qui s'est politisée au cours des mois, ne et américain. Après avoir mis leur veto pourra jamais se rétablir. Les réformes aux résolutions du Conseil de sécurité de Resilience des l'Organisation des Nations unies (ONU) adoptées par Damas (nouvelle Consti¬ sur la Syrie, elles ont approuvé, le 21 mars, tution, amnisties successives, etc.) n'ont populations une déclaration commune en faveur d'une aucune portée, les -services secrets et transition démocratique négociée. l'armée ayant carte blanche pour liquider,

bombarder et torturer qui bon leur semble. Ji- relance par Riyad d'un discours Toutes ces man se déroulent dans

de la « solidarité sunnite » veut s'appuyer un Proche-Orient déjà profondément désta¬ Dans le même temps, les risques de sur l'arrivée au gouvernement des Frères bilisé.après les guerres menées par les guerre civile sont réels, avec de possibles musulmans à Tunis, au Caire, à Rabat et Etats-Unis (Afghanistan, Irak) et Israël débordements au Liban et en Irak. Une peut-être demain en Libye - même si, (Liban, Palestine) : Etats affaiblis ; rôle intervention militaire étrangère accen¬ cette dernière décennie, les relations entre croissant des milices (Irak, Kurdistan, tuerait la radicalisation des affrontements les Frères et Riyad ont été détestables. Afghanistan, Liban, Palestine), souvent communautaires et ferait du fusil le seul Mais la donne reste incertaine, la confrérie armées de puissants moyens conven¬ arbitre des clivages confessionnels. Elle étant divisée sur les choix à faire, comme tionnels, notamment des missiles ; tensions pourrait porter un coup fatal aux espoirs l'indique le refus du gouvernement tuni¬ communautaires qui menacent les de démocratisation dans la région. sien de toute intervention étrangère en minorités, etc. Syrie ou la lutte au sein du Hamas, qui a Les choix ne se réduisent cependant pas abandonné son quartier général de Damas. C'est dans ce contexte qu'ont éclaté les à l'option militaire. Les pressions écono¬ révoltes arabes. Elles revendiquent la miques sur la Syrie (qui peuvent être Un membre du bureau politique de l'orga¬ liberté, la dignité (karama), la démocratie renforcées, à condition de cibler les nisation, M. Salah Al-Bardaouil, a même et la justice sociale. Bien qu'elles aient dirigeants et pas la population) amènent affirmé que, en cas de guerre entre l'Iran renversé des présidents à Tunis et en déjà une partie de la bourgeoisie qui et Israël, « le Hantas n 'interviendraitpas » ; Egypte, en Libye et au Yemen, on sent soutient le régime à s'interroger. D'autre une position réfutée par un autre dirigeant poindre une déception dans l'opinion part, les premières missions d'observa¬ important, M. Mahmoud Al-Zahar (7). Car occidentale. Comme le fait remarquer Peter teurs de la Ligue arabe, malgré les diffi¬ l'idée d'une grande alliance sunnite contre Harling, directeur des activités de l'Inter¬ cultés, avaient permis de réduire la l'Iran et la Syrie vient buter, une nouvelle national Crisis Group en Egypte, en Syrie violence ; c'est l'Arabie Saoudite qui a fois, sur la situation en Palestine. Qui pourra et au Liban, il n'y a pourtant «rien obtenu leur retrait et l'enterrement de leur remplacer Damas et Téhéran dans la résis¬ d'étonnant à ce que le momentfulgurant rapport, qui ne correspondait pas aux tance à la stratégie israélienne? des révolutions éclair, en Tunisie et en simplifications médiatiques. Leur retour Egypte, cède lepas à une grande confusion. en Syrie et l'extension de leur mission Washington, pour sa part, cherche à Presquepartout dans le monde arabe, nous seraient un pas en avant. Enfin, il faudrait ébranler l'un des piliers de l'« axe du Mal » assistons à une renégociation, plus ou associer la Russie et la Chine à une tentative et, au-delà, l'Iran, que le premier ministre moins ambitieuse et violente, de tout un de négocier une transition. Avec un régime israélien Benyamin Nétanyahou rêve de contrat social. A la complexité des cas assassin, objectent certains ? En Amérique bombarder. Ayant déjà quitté l'Irak sans particuliers s 'ajoutent leursfortes corré¬ latine, la transition vers la démocratie s'est gloire, acculés en Afghanistan, dont ils lations, dans une région en ebullition, où faite en accordant aux militaires une partiront bientôt honnis non seulement par le "modèle tunisien "est discutéjusqu 'au amnistie, même si on peut regretter qu'ils ; les talibans mais par une population que finfond des campagnes syriennes (9) ». en aient profité pendant trente ans. leurs «bavures » exaspèrent, les Etats-Unis

semblent réticents à une nouvelle aventure « Hiver islamiste » ? Affrontements inter¬ Cette voie étroite et escarpée n'est pas militaire en Syrie, tout en voyant dans la confessionnels ? Ecrasement des mouve¬ celle privilégiée par la plupart des acteurs chute du président Assad un moyen de ments par l'armée en Syrie ou en Egypte ? extérieurs, qui réduisent la situation à un

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

Aucune de ces hypothèses ne peut être et de transformer le combat démocratique syriens. (4) Dogu Ergil, «Syrian Kurds», Today's Zaman, écartée, mais toutes sous-estiment la force en une lutte confessionnelle, en premier Istanbul, 21 février 2012. des contestations, l'attachement à la tenue lieu entre sunnites et chiites. (5) IpekYezdani, «Syrian dissidents establish new d'élections démocratiques, l'extraordi¬ Alain Gresh. bloc», Hiirriyet Daily News, Istanbul,21 février 2012. naire resilience des populations à Bahrein comme en Syrie. Tout en maintenant leur (6) « State has full right to check rioting, Interior Ministry says», Arab News, 20 février 2012, appui à la cause palestinienne, qui reste http://arabnews.com très présente, les peuples sont engagés à (2) Sur les débats dans la gauche libanaise, lire (7) The Guardian, Londres, 6 mars 2012, et Nicolas Dot-Pouillard, « "Résistance" et/ou "révolution" : renouer avec les luttes sociales et démocra¬ The Jerusalem Post, 8 janvier 2012. un dilemme libanais face à la crise syrienne», Les tiques, figées depuis 1967. Dans ce Carnets de l'IFPO, 11 janvier 2012, http://ifpo. (8) « Iran's Achilles' heel», International Herald contexte, de nouvelles interventions étran¬ hypotheses.org Tribune, Neuilly-sur-Seine, 7 février 201 2.

gères risqueraient d'attiser les divisions, (3) Minorité musulmane, rattachée au chiisme, dont (9) « Le monde arabe est-il vraiment en "hiver" ? », comme on peut le voir en Irak ou en Libye, sont issus la famille Al-Assad et nombre de dirigeants LeMonde.fr, 1» février 2012.

SljcitoyorkSftmcs LE FIGARO 13 AVRIL 2012

L'Iran agirait en sous-main en Afghanistan

THOM SHANKER, ERIC SCHMITT rait étendre son rayon d'action, mais sées. Les analystes du renseignement et ALISSAJ. RUBIN ne le fait pas actuellement, et nous sur¬ soulignent le fait que l'Iran a toujours la possibilité de se servir des redoutables WASHINGTON Fin février dernier veillons de très près leur activité et leur ressources du Hezbollah, le mouvement en Afghanistan, des soldats américains réseau." Les soulèvements les plus vio¬ chiite libanais. Et certains responsables ont brûlé des exemplaires du Coran sai¬ lents qui, pour les fonctionnaires améri¬ américains restentcirconspects devant sis dans un centre de détention. Selon cains, portent lamarque de l'implication l'idée que ces derniers complots présa¬ des fonctionnaires américains, quelques iranienne ont eu lieu dans la province geraient d'un affaiblissement des capa¬ heures seulement après la révélation de d'Hérat, située à l'ouest de l'Afghanis¬ cités de l'Iran à attiser laviolence . cette information, l'Iran a donné l'ordre tan, près de la frontière avec l'Iran. Là, Lors de son allocution, le général à ses agents sur place d'exploiter la va¬ sept personnes ont été tuées et 65 bles¬ Allen a révélé que les forces de l'Otan gue d'indignation attendue en tentant de sées dans la rixe qui a suivi l'épisode des surveillaient le possible déploiement déclencher de violentes manifestations corans brûlés. L'Iran nie toute tenta¬ d'armes plus sophistiquées, plus parti¬ à Kaboul et àl'ouest du pays. tive d'attiser l'agitation eh Afghanistan, culièrement de bombes àhaute capacité La plupart de leurs tentatives et cel¬ pourtant, selon les fonctionnaires amé- utilisées au sol, des explosifs à charges les de leurs représentants locaux ont ricains,lepays amis en place un modèle formées (EFP) capables de détruire les échoué, ont-ils ajouté. Cependant, com¬ d'action pernicieux pour étendre son véhicules blindés américains. Ces dis¬ me l'Otan s'attend à ce que Téhéran ri¬ influence au Moyen-Orient et en Asie du positifs ont prouvé leur efficacité létale poste en cas d'attaques israéliennes sur Sud. Téhéran semble avoir renforcé spn quand Téhéran les a fournis aux mili¬ ses centrales nucléaires, la volonté et la tants chiites en Irak. faculté iraniennes àfomenter des violen¬ "Nous continuerons à surveiller ces en Afghanistan et ailleurs revêtent étroitement ces mouvements d'armes, aujourd'hui plus d'acuité. Washington: "Téhéran . a ajouté le général car leur utilisation Au cours d'entretiens, une douzaine indiquerait la volonté de l'Iran de faire de fonctionnaires ont dressé Un tableau continue d'alimenter les monter les enchères, et il nous faudrait contrasté des capacités iraniennes. Ils flammes de la violence." alors prendre d'autres mesures." ont discuté anonymement de ce risque Un analyste du renseignement note car ils se référaient à des rapports se¬ que l'Iran apporte son appui aux minori¬ crets. L'un d'eux a affirmé que l'ambas¬ tés afghanes, chiites et sunnites, depuis sade d'Iran à Kaboul a un programme longtemps et atissé un réseau de soutien "très actif" de provocation contre les ascendant politique, ainsi que ses livrai¬ parmi les Hazaras, les Ouzbeks et les Américains. Il reste néanmoins difficile sons d'armes destinées aux rebelles et Tadjiks. Téhéran, dit-il, a exercé sa puis¬ de savoir si après l'incident des corans autres politiciens importants au Yémen. sance discrète d'autres façons, ouvrant brûlés, l'Iran a délibérément choisi de li¬ Elle arme et conseille le gouvernement des écoles dans l'ouest de l'Afghanistan miter ses initiatives ou si elle n'a pas été assiégé du président syrien Bachar el- pour étendre son influence. L'initiative en mesure d'organiser des opérations Assad. a été reprise à Kaboul et une université plus meurtrières. Ces opérations témoignent d'une plus rattachée à une grande mosquée chiite Lors d'une récente audition publique vaste campagne, comprenant notam¬ flambant neuve a reçu des subventions au Congrès, le général John Allen, com¬ ment, selon les fonctionnaires améri¬ iraniennes généreuses. mandant en chef de la force de l'Otan cains, la tentative d'assassinat déjouée L'Iran financerait aussi au moins huit (ISAF), a déclaré que Téhéran conti¬ de l'ambassadeur saoudien à Washing¬ journaux dans la capitale afghane, ainsi nuait d"'alimenter les flammes de la ton; tout comme un plan apparem¬ qu'un certain nombre de stations de té¬ violence" en soutenant l'insurrection ment coordonné par les Iraniens pour lévision et de radio, au dire de responsa¬ afghane. "Nous pensons que l'Iran pour- attaquer, cette année, des diplomates israéliens en Inde et en Géorgie. Téhé¬ bles afghans et occidentaux. Après l'in¬ cidentdes Corans brûlés, ces médias ont Thom Shanfeer et Eric Schmitt ran réfute avoir participé de quelconque entretenu sans relâche la colère contre ont écrit depuis Washington, etAlissa J. manière à ces attentats au cours des¬ les Américains, desjours durant. Rubin depuis Kaboul enAfghanistan. quels plusieurs personnes ont été bles

35 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 9 April 2012 KRG should gear itself toward war and self-determination The Kurdish Globe that Turkey is considering military By Azad Amin intervention if and when necessary. " Military preparedness'can be interpreted as military intervention Kurdistan Region is in in Turkey's vicinity in order to pro- a very precarious tect Turkey's national interests in position in the region. the region.

ith the premier of the The new and global hegemonic seventh cabinet of the struggle of global powers has been WKurdistan Regional Government, felt more acutely in the Middle Nechirvan Barzani has a very criti- East than anywhere else on Earth. cal two years ahead of him with The Syria crisis is a clear indication numerous challenges. The gravest of this global struggle. Most coun- issue he must deal with is the gro- tries in the Middle East are fast Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani addresses wing turmoil and complications in arming and enriching their military the parliament after taking an oath on Thursday, april 5th./ the Middle East. A regime crisis arsenal for potential conflicts in the GLOBE PHOTO/Safin Hamid and ongoing public unrest in Syria, region. The global hegemonic the growing tension between Iran struggle over the Middle East is quence in the region, which is and Israel and the West, and the combined with the Shiite and Sunni KRG AND SYRIA Iran's political and military influ- chronic Kurdish question squeezed power axis led by Iran and Saudi ence in the Middle East. With the between the PKK and the AKP Arabia respectively. The Arab hile international pressure fall of Assad's regime, Iran's influ- government in Turkey are some of Spring as a popular movement over Assad's regime in Syria ence in the region will diminish the burning issues of the region that could evolve toward a democratic Wintensifies, the Syrian Kurds, or the considerably and it may be a cata- are placing tremendous pressure on regime in the region or more prob- Kurds of Southwest Kurdistan, lyst for civil unrest in Iran and the KRG. Political and social crises ably could evolve toward shallow have serious problems with the potentially may bring the Iranian in the Middle East also open new democracies under the rule of radi- main Syrian opposition group regime to an end. Thus it may open doors and opportunities for the cal Islamic regimes. One thing is known as Syrian National Council, new opportunities for the millions entire Kurdish national liberation certain: The struggle over and SNC. In an Istanbul meeting last of Kurds to realize their national movement. Nechirvan Barzani and within the region is not geared March, the main Kurdish opposi- self-determination. his new cabinet have historical res- toward a democratization of the tion group, the Kurdish National ponsibilities and challenges not region but radiates around power Council of Syria (KNC) refused to KURDISH SELF-DETERMI- only for the people of Kurdistan and hegemony. join the SNC due to the SNC's refu- NATION AND FRAGMENTED Region, but for all of Kurdistan. sal to recognize even the basic KURDISH POLITICS Kurdistan Region is in a very pre- demands of Kurds in Syria. MIDDLE EAST IS BOILING carious position in the region. Kurdistan's president, while in or Kurds to realize their self- While it has profound dispute with Washington, D.C., stated that the determination during such a othing exemplifies more Baghdad, its very existence causes KRG is ready to provide all kinds Fchaotic period in the Middle East, clearly the serious threats and serious apprehension in other of support to the Syrian Kurds the KRG and the political institu- Nboiling status of the Middle East regional capitals. The hope that apart from military. Political deve- tions and parties in south Kurdistan than Turkish President Abdullah Iraq would be a federal, plural and lopments in Syria have to be clo- (Iraqi Kurdistan) have strategic Gül's speech to graduating officers democratic system in the post- sely observed by the KRG, and it roles to play. The most crucial role at a military school in Ankara last Saddam era has proved to be an must provide support to Syrian that the KRG can play is to lead in Thursday. The Turkish president illusion. Kurdistan President Kurds to help them attain their creating a strategic Kurdish natio- stressed the high probability that Massoud Barzani along with some national rights. Nechirvan nal policy in guiding the Kurdish possible full-fledged wars or civil other influential Iraqi Arab leaders Barzani's government should rea- national liberation movement. wars could result in new chaotic now openly accuses Nuri al-Maliki lize that any failure by Syrian situations in the region, underlining of being the new dictator in Iraq. Kurds to obtain their full national This is not an easy task due to the that Turkey does not have the There is not a single Kurdish leader rights in a post-Assad era would fragmented nature of Kurdish luxury of remaining a spectator if who still believes that Iraq can be have serious consequences for the movements dispersed in four parts such events unfold in its vicinity. transformed into a democratic future and well-being of the KRG. of Kurdistan and inherited conflict- Gül warned the young military country. It is because of this lack of A federal structure of Syria in a ing approaches and perspectives. It officers that for Turkey, "diploma- trust over Iraq that the voices call- post-Assad era will consolidate the can be argued that today there is a tic activism and military prepared- ing for independence from Iraq are political status of KRG and set a general consensus among the vari- ness are not optional, but a must." heard more strongly than ever minimum model for the solution of ous Kurdish national groups for the before. The general public in the Kurdish national question in self-determination of Kurds and Whatever other intentions he may Kurdistan--whether Kurds, Iran and Turkey as well. necessity for a united position. The have, the Turkish president's Turkmen or Assyrians/Chaldeans-- only exemption is the PKK and its speech indicates how serious the are expecting and hoping for a dec- The fall of Assad's regime in Syria affiliated groups in Iran and Syria, issues are in the Middle East and laration of independence. will have another serious conse- namely PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life ➡

36 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➡ Party) and PYD (Democratic opment in Syrian Kurdistan and both in Baghdad and at the region- citizens to protect people's sover- Union Party) in Iran and Syria, take seriously the abovementioned al level. He further argued that the eign rights in Kurdistan no matter respectively. speech of the Turkish president. Kurdish national issue with what consequences it may bring. Turkey is preparing for a military Baghdad should be carried out as a Despite the fact that the PKK and intervention in the northern part of single voice despite internal differ- Blackmailing international oil its affiliated group PYD denies the Syria when the time comes. The ences. Barzani stated that "We must companies working or wishing to charges that they are collaborating main intention of Turkey in occu- have a united front in our negotia- work in Kurdistan by blacklisting with Assad's regime to quell the pying part of northern Syria under tions with Baghdad, and at present them at the Oil Ministry in anti-regime demonstration in the excuse of establishing no-man the mechanism does not exist to Baghdad is a breach of the Iraqi Kurdistan of Syria, there is ample zone in order to prevent refugee create this united view. We must Constitution. This was most evi- evidence that they are in fact coor- influx into Turkey is to prevent move ahead quickly with the for- dent in the case of ExxonMobil, a dinating their work with the decentralization of a post-Assad mation of a High Council for U.S.-based global giant in the ener- regime. The famous Al-Jazeera TV period in Syria. Occupation of Negotiations to oversee these dis- gy sector. When the KRG channels published secret papers northern Syria would not be fierce- cussions. All parties "government announced last year that Exxon had from Syrian Intelligence regarding ly opposed either by Iran or Iraq. and opposition -- must participate agreed to exploration deals for six the regime's policy against the Military intervention of Turkey in this Council so that we can Kurdish fields, Baghdad reacted opposition. The papers prepared for into northern Syria would be tem- develop a meaningful consensus with fury. Deputy Prime Minister President Assad by intelligence and porary up until the establishment of among ourselves on how to Hussain al-Shahristani--architect of security chiefs throw light on his a new central state in a post-Assad approach these difficult issues." Baghdad's oil program--said the strategy to quell protests in Syria. era. Instead of creating another fed- U.S. firm could forfeit the contract In these documents, the relation eral structure in the region, Syrian Indeed, Kurdish opposition groups on its huge West Qurna-1 oilfield in between the PKK and Syria's opposition--already under the have to join ruling parties in deal- the south if it did not halt work regime was exposed. It is a general influence of Turkey--would wel- ing with Baghdad and develop a with the Kurds. Baghdad also consensus among the Syrian come such intervention in order to coherent policy to stand as Kurdish barred Exxon from bidding in the Kurdish political groups that secure an Arab-dominated central national front at the regional level. next round of oil deals, although it PYD/PKK operates along with the state in Syria. Both Iran and Iraq says the decision is not final. Syrian regime. Article 12 of the would rather to see a temporary We are passing through a very his- Exxon was also removed from its secret document states: "to place occupation of north Syria than to toric time, and at such times the lead role in a water injection proj- Kurdish areas under surveillance; see formation of another Kurdish destiny of a nation are decided. If ect in the south, although Iraqi offi- and to coordinate with Kurdistan political entity and a decentralized we aspire to determine our destiny- cials denied the move was linked to Labor party (PKK) in secret to state formation in the Middle East. -if the chains of oppression are to the Kurdish deal. quell protest and protesters; and not be broken once and for all--then to intervene by security forces in The policy and discourse of the there is only one single path to fol- By creating artificial problems and the Kurdish areas; and to arrest PKK provides legitimacy and will low: united as a nation and acting threatening oil companies working those planning to vandalize or prepare the way for Turkey to inter- as a nation around a strategic in Kurdistan, Baghdad explicitly carry guns." vene into the area without attract- national policy that is self-determi- indicates its intention that it does ing too much international reac- nation of the Kurdish nation. All not want to see progress in The Syrian regime is aware of the tion. Thus, the KRG, like it or not, other interests are secondary. Kurdistan's economy. decisive role of full participation of has to face Turkey in Syria and Kurds in the anti-regime opposi- must prepare itself for that eventu- OIL DISPUTE Oil and gas are Kurdistan's proper- tion. Thus, not to alleviate the ality. ty and the KRG has absolute sover- Kurds and push them further to join he KRG faces many problems eign rights to exploit these sources the demonstration, the regime opts KRG NEEDS A UNIFIED FOR- with Baghdad, but it is the oil for the well-being of its people. to quell the Kurds by other regime- EIGN POLICY Tissue that catches international The KRG cannot stay idle and wait friendly Kurdish groups. It is attention more than others as it for Baghdad to resolve its issue unfortunate that PKK/PYD play n order to face such immense relates to major oil corporations with Erbil. such a vicious role in Syrian regional challenges, the new and the global energy sector. Kurdistan. The PKK/PYD position Igovernment has to tidy its own To sum it up, the new cabinet of is anti-Kurdish and fragments the house first. It is imperative for The conflict radiating around the Nechirvan Barzani will go through Kurdish national movement fur- Nechirvan Barzani to seriously and oil issue between Erbil and a very challenging period both at ther. bravely fight against corruption Baghdad is not a simple matter or a home and abroad. Regional wars and endeavor utmost sincerity to dispute resulting in different inter- are not a distant possibility but are The KRG and political parties in improve democracy, human rights pretations of the Iraqi Constitution. moving toward that direction. The south Kurdistan thus have to have a issues, individual freedoms, free- It is about sovereign rights over the KRG has to prepare itself for dual policy regarding Syrian doms of expression and all other territory. The KRG rightly insists potential conflicts and war clouds Kurds. On the one hand, the KRG necessities in a proper democratic that natural resources within the currently gathering over the region. JJJ has to strengthen the Syrian Kurds regime. Without a sincere fight territory of Kurdistan Region are to toward creating a united Kurdish against corruption and sincere be controlled by the KRG and not front both against the regime and work toward a better and transpa- by Baghdad. That is the federal toward the Syrian opposition, rent government, the KRG cannot right and the Iraqi Constitution while on the other hand it must face regional challenges. grants that right. Bowing to expose and diminish the influence Baghdad on the issue of oil simply of PKK/PYD within the Kurdish In his speech in Parliament, means compromising over the sov- movement there. Nechirvan Barzani stated correctly ereign rights of the Kurdistan terri- that his government needs full sup- tory by the KRG, and this is self- Nechirvan Barzani's government port of Kurdish opposition groups denial of its very existence. The must be vigilant toward the devel- to face challenges that await Kurds KRG has a responsibility toward its

37 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 10, 2012

PolicyWatch — Special Forum Report Iraqi Kurdistan as U.S. Ally and Partner in the Middle East

n April 5, 2012, His Excellency Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, addressedO a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. The following is a rapporteur's summary of his remarks.

IRAQ'S INTERNAL POLITICAL CRISIS AND U.S. POLICY Despite a budding national political crisis originating from the con- solidation of power under Prime Minister Maliki, the Kurdish region of Iraq has seen a number of successes in recent years. Per capita gross domestic product has risen dramatically since the fall Baghdad is now accusing the Kurds of covertly "allowing" him to of Saddam's regime in 2003, illiteracy has been reduced from 56 to leave on a tour of neighboring countries. Ironically, however, it was 16 percent, and the security situation has been greatly improved. Baghdad that asked the Kurdistan government to let him travel Furthermore, the economic and commercial sector has seen abroad. increased foreign investment, and the people of Kurdistan have FOREIGN RELATIONS: FOCUS ON TURKEY, IRAN, AND accepted a tolerant policy that rejects revenge and retaliation. In SYRIA recent meetings with President Barzani, President Obama and Vice The Kurdish leadership is prepared to play a role in helping Turkey President Biden praised these achievements, reaffirming their com- resolve its conflict with the PKK peacefully. A great and welcome mitment to a democratic, federal, and pluralistic Iraq. change has taken place in Turkey, demonstrated by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's brave and important step during his recent Notwithstanding Kurdish achievements, the status quo in Iraq visit to Irbil, when he stated publicly that the days of denying the remains unacceptable. The people of Kurdistan have waited six Kurdish people are over. The Kurdistan government is therefore years for promises that have not been delivered and agreements willing to assist, provided that all sides take a peaceful approach. that have not been honored. The constitution is breached on a daily They must not resort to violence, which would only lead to more basis, and the same individual holds the powers of prime minister, bloodshed. commander-in-chief of the armed forces, defense minister, chief of intelligence, and interior minister. The central bank may soon be Kurdistan recognizes Iran's importance in the region as well. The under his purview as well. It is important that these constitutional Kurdish government would like to have normal relations with Iran, violations be addressed. The law requires that Iraq be ruled in a as the two countries share a border and thus have shared interests. power-sharing partnership that consists of the Kurds, the Sunni This does not mean, however, that the parties agree on every issue. and Shiite Arabs, and minority groups such as the Turkmens. If this The Kurdish government, for instance, is committed to UN Security problem is not resolved, the Kurdish leadership will be forced to Council resolutions, including sanctions, on Iran, and in no way will return to the people and allow them to make their own decision. it violate these resolutions. Furthermore, the clear position of the Kurdish people and leadership is that, in light of the sacrifices the The Irbil agreement, signed November 2010, was envisioned not people have made, no outside entity should be allowed to make just for the sake of forming the government, but also to solidify a decisions on their behalf. Iraqis themselves must find solutions to genuine partnership in the country, a commitment to the constitu- their domestic problems and must not be influenced by neighbor- tion and its implementation, and the return of balance to all insti- ing countries. Only after the people of Iraq have found these solu- tutions. Had this agreement been implemented, the current crisis tions should the international community step in to help. could have been averted. Based on the just-concluded Barzani meetings in Washington, the Kurdistan leadership hopes and With regard to Syria, the future government of that country must be expects that the United States will support the Iraqi constitution, a democratic coalition that respects the rights of Kurds as well as all regardless of personalities. The Kurds do not believe that the U.S. other citizens. The Kurdish leadership is committed to supporting military withdrawal means the end of a positive American role in the Kurds in Syria morally, financially, and politically, and will use Iraq. its influence to help them solve their problems. Recently, in line "FUGITIVE" VICE PRESIDENT TARIQ AL-HASHIMI with this commitment, the Kurdistan government held a conference The Kurdistan leadership is clear on this issue: Hashimi remains in Irbil that aimed to have Syrian Kurds elect a leadership and the vice president and has not been convicted of any crime. Because devise a unified statement for the future, which is essential. the problem has been greatly politicized, the Kurdish leadership Although neither the current government of Syria nor the opposi- initially suggested that the three executive leaders of Iraq sit togeth- tion has something concrete to offer, it is important that all parties er to sort out its political aspects. This meeting has not taken place, engage in negotiations. The Kurdistan leadership hopes to be able however, and the office of the commander-in-chief has improperly to support the outcome of these negotiations. influenced the judicial system. OIL PRODUCTION, PIPELINES, AND REVENUES A good deal of oil has been discovered in Kurdistan, but the current Hashimi recently found safe refuge in the Kurdistan region, and pipeline is insufficient to carry the amount of oil that could be pro- ➤

38 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➤ duced. The natural resources ministries in Kurdistan, Turkey, and of reimbursement payments for foreign oil company expenses. The Baghdad have therefore begun a series of talks to resolve this issue. absence of these payments is the sole reason for the current halt in It is important to note that any discussion of oil in Kurdistan is a oil exports from the Kurdish region. discussion about improving the situation of all of Iraq, not just the "DISPUTED TERRITORIES" AND ARTICLE 140 Kurdish people. In accordance with the constitution, the oil and gas The Kurdish government has shown utmost flexibility in dealing that have been found in Kurdistan belong to the people of Iraq, and with the problem of territories that have been detached from the any resulting revenue should be distributed among the entire pop- Kurdistan region. Article 140 provides the best way to solve this ulation. problem within the framework of the constitution: a referendum. Over the past six years, the Iraqi government has sought to evade The Kurdistan government has abided by the constitution in its responsibility for this issue. Yet implementation of this article is in dealings with foreign companies as well. The agreement reached in the interest of all of Iraq, not just the Kurdistan region. This issue 2007 on a draft hydrocarbon law stated that if the legislation did will not be forgotten, nor will it be resolved by the mere passage of not pass by May 2007, both parties would be free to continue sign- time. JJJ ing contracts with foreign companies. The Kurdish government has therefore acted legally and within the framework of the constitution with regard to oil sales. Four months ago, a number of delegations traveled from the Kurdistan region to Baghdad to address the issue

April 12, 2012

What if an independent Kurdish state is declared? HASAN CEMAL Masoud Barzani told the Al Sharqiya channel in Baghdad, “The fact that Kurds have been persecuted cannot be overloo- nited States President Barack Obama’s ked. We are also a nation, like the others. We are no less [a hosting the head of the Iraq’s Kurdistan nation] than the Persian, Arab or Turkish nations. How many URegional Government (KRG), Masoud Barzani, countries has the Arab nation been separated into? Kurdistan is at the White House in Washington is a signifi- also separated into many nations and a Kurdish state has never cant development not only for Iraqi Kurds but for all Kurds. been allowed.” The U.S., by hosting Barzani as the equivalent of a head of Neither a separation nor a union can ever be forced, Barzani state, has highlighted its special interest in the Kurds. This inte- said, citing the examples of Czechoslovakia and Germany, and rest is not new. It is an intimateness that began to become clear adding, “Those that have been forcefully separated have united especially after the Cold War. after 40 years. A day will come when the Kurdish nation will A Kurdish intellectual, now a part of the KRG, who was unite and have the right to self-determination. I do not approve once a peshmarga wandering the mountains, told me a while of violence. I don’t see this as an issue to be solved by violence back: and arms. Everyone should know this. “ “We were continuously debating among ourselves during Because both Barzani and Talabani have kept the ideal of an the Cold War whether the Palestinians or the Kurds would be “independent Kurdish state” warm in their hearts, for all Kurds first to have an independent state in the Middle East.” in the world, including those who live in Turkey, Iraq’s The fact that the Kurds live separated into four countries, Kurdistan Regional Governement is special. It is a “state forma- Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria, used to be described as “the strate- tion” that is both cherished and monitored closely. Something gic misfortune of the Kurds.” It was put forth that if a serious similar to the feelings and thoughts that all Jews in the world independent Kurdish statehood movement ever emerged in have about Israel is what all Kurds feel about the KRG. one of those areas, in the final analysis, it would be choked by While we are discussing whether Kurdish should be an the four states. That period can be said to have ended with the elective course in Turkish schools, Kurdish children in Cold War. Southeast Anatolia are being sent to Iraqi Kurdistan to attend With the Iraqi Kurds’ de facto statehood after the Gulf schools and universities that teach in Kurdish. Are we aware of (1991) and Iraq (2003) wars toppled Saddam Hussein’s dictator- this? ship, and with the emergence of the KRG under the auspices of In such an environment, if Ankara and the Justice and the U.S. and Europe, the possibility of new scenarios emerged. Development Party (AKP) government start taking steps to put The topic of a federation in Iraq was once upon a time the Kurdish issue on track to a peaceful solution as soon as pos- within the red lines of Turkey. It was also Ankara’s longtime sible, then Turkey will be relieved, and its room to maneuver and have regional influence will expand. Otherwise, hard times policy to ignore Barzani and Talabani. These are history now. I Turkey, over time and also with forward movement of life, await us. has reached the correct decision and accepted the fact of the KRG in Iraq. But one question about Iraqi Kurds still exists in Hasan Cemal is a columnist for daily Milliyet, in which this piece Ankara: What if the Kurds declare an independent state and appeared on April 11. It was translated into English by the Daily make the de facto situation official, what would Turkey do News staff. then?

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

Otjs&vateir 12 AVRIL 2012 -n° 2475

Le jeu trouble ) i

des salafistes Damas, 17 mars, attentat contre un bâtiment des services secrets

Selon les services secrets français, 200 à doivent être combattus jusqu'au dernier.

250 djihadistes salafistes venus d'Irak, du Liban, Ces « moudjahidine », qui ont créé un Front

d'Arabie Saoudite, d'Egypte et du Maghreb de la Victoire, sont répartis, selon un responsable

combattent l'armée syrienne en marge de la lutte salafiste libanais, en deux phalanges (kataëb)

des soldats déserteurs. L'intrusion de ces - une phalange est l'équivalent d'une compagnie

djihadistes, entrés en Syrie le plus souvent par le dans l'armée française, soit 140 combattants.

Nord-Liban, l'Irak et la Jordanie, a soulevé l'ire de C'est ce Front qui, le 17 mars dernier, avait attaqué

l'opposition, qui nie tout lien avec eux. Alors que un bâtiments des services secrets à Damas,

les soldats insoumis comme l'opposition faisant des dizaines de victimes militaires et

réclament un Etat démocratique, les djihadistes civiles. Déjà, en février, des bâtiments

veulent, eux, exterminer la communauté alaouite, gouvernementaux avaient été pris pour cibles,

une branche du chiisme, dont le président syrien en plein coeur de la capitale, dans trois attentats

Bachar al-Assad est issu. Car, pour les extrémistes à la voiture piégée, tuant 70 fonctionnaires.

sunnites; les chiites sont des hérétiques qui FARIDAÏCHOVNE

L'heure de gloire turque au Mercredi n avril 2012 Moyen-Orient touche à sa fin

influence sur le monde arabe. Tous deux conflit direct avec, notamment, l'Iran. défendentrespectivementles intérêts sun¬ Le rapprochement de la Turquie avec

nites et chiites et ont pris des positions l'Europe semble à l'arrêt. Le manque de pro¬ Hugh Pope opposées sur la couverture antimissiles grès sur les 35 chapitres de négociation,

proposée par l'OTAN. Les relations avec aggravé par là décision turque d'interrom¬

Directeur du projet Turquie/Chypre l'Irak, précédemment marquées par un pre tout dialogue avec Chypre lorsque

de l'International Crisis Group effort d'entente avec toutes les factions celui-ci aura pris la présidence tournante politiques, se sont détériorées. Ankara a de l'Union européenne (UE) en juillet,

La Turquie est en position dé for¬ subi un revers après la défaite de la faction signale une véritable régression. Les raille¬

ce surla scène régionale et inter¬ qu'elle soutenait aux élections irakiennes, ries des' hommes politiques turcs et la nationale. Son économie de au profit d'un rapprochement de Bagdad méfiance de certains Etats européens, à la

marché solide, la vigueur de sa avecTéhéran et Damas. tête desquels le président français, Nicolas démocratie, soninfluencecultu¬ La Turquie a soutenu les révolutionnai¬ Sarkozy, alimententle malaise. Pourla Tur¬ relle et la mise à l'écart de mena¬ res de la placeTahrir, qui apprécient le cha¬ quie, l'UE est hostile, dysfonctionnelle et

ces de longue date, à savoir l'islamisme, le risme du premier ministre, Recep Tayyip empêtrée dans la crise de la zone euro. .

nationalisme ethnique, le militarisme et Erdogan, mais sont néanmoins clairs : ils Bruxelles voit d'un mauvais la persis¬ l'autoritarisme, semblent consacrer son veulent suivre un modèle égyptien, et tance de violations des droits de l'homme heure de gloire. en Turquie, les journalistes emprisonnés nonturc. Ils se méfient également de l'am¬ Pourtant, les Turcs commencent à se et l'absence de progrès sur le dossier kurde. bition turque de leur retirer le rôle de chef demander si leur chance ne va pas tourner. Pourtant, l'UE est une plate-forme fon¬ de file du monde arabe. Si la dégradation La température monte au Moyen-Orient, damentale pour la Turquie. Elle fournit des relations turco-israéliennes, depuis et les frontières de l'Est turc n'y sont pas . plus de la moitié de son commerce et repré¬ 2009, a amélioré l'image de la Turquie insensibles. Tout était plus simple au sente les trois quarts des investissements dans le monde arabe, elle risque, sur le début des années 2000, quand la Turquie étrangers directs. long terme, de menacer les relations avec pouvait se permettre d'être neutre. Que ce Au lieu d'exiger de l'UE des droits qu'elle l'allié américain. soit avec Israël ou l'Iran, elle maintenait ne peut obtenir sans en être membre, la De tous les bouleversements du « prin¬ l'ouverture économique de ses frontières Turquie doit utihserson influence régiona¬ temps arabe», les difficultés du voisin et encourageait l'intégration d'infrastruc¬ le pour renouer avec l'Europe et coopérer syrien affectent particulièrement la Tur¬ tures entre les pays voisins et la création de sur le Moyen-Orient. De cette façon, Anka¬ quie. Le soutien turc à l'opposition syrien¬ zones régionales de libre-échange. Cette ra obtiendrait des garanties solides, alors ne a transformé une entente parfaite en un politique de « zéro problème » est désor¬ quelarégion connaît des difficultés, et rega¬ affrontement indirect. Ankara est embar¬ mais un idéal lointain. gnerait le respect qu'il mérite au sein de rassé par les pressions internationales en De coopération, les relations avec l'Iran l'Europe. Surtout, cette coopération bénéfi¬ faveur d'une intervention qui ruinerait sa se sont transformées en rivalité pour une cierait à toute la région. réputation de neutralité et le placerait en

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

LE FIGARO vendredi 13 avril 2012

ne peut se permettre de voir une crise faire grimper le prix du pétrole à la pompe et hypothéquer sa réélection. Ces dernières Nucléaire semaines, il a tout fait pour rassurer son allié israélien, épousant le discours de Benyamin Nétanyahou en n'écartant pas l'option militaire. «I don't bluff» (« Je ne iranien : bluffe pas »), a dit le président américain qui a présenté le rendez-vous d'Istanbul comme celui de la « dernière chance ». La fenêtre d'opportunité pour d'éven¬ tuelles frappes s'amenuisant rapidement, le dialogue pour Washington voudrait voir un processus de négociation, quel qu'il soit, s'engager sans délai. C'est donc l'enjeu numéro un des discussions. D'autant plus qu'on ne croit éviter la guerre pas, côté américain, contrairement à Is¬ raël, à la possibilité pour l'Iran de déve¬ lopper dans l'immédiat l'arme nucléaire. Derrière un message de fermeté, destiné à La menace de frappes israéliennes Israël, il n'est donc guère impossible que Washington tolère une certaine marge de anera sur la rencontre d'Istanbul. Pi flexibilité dans les négociations, notam¬ ment sur la capacité d'enrichissement de Des « marges de man%uvres » pourront l'Iran* pour peu que celui-ci donne quel¬ ALAIN BARLUET ainsi être dégagées, sur tel ou tel des mul¬ ques assurances. Hillary Clinton s'est

tiples paramètres d'une négociation com¬ évertuée récemment à rappeler le droit

DIPLOMATIE En janvier 2011, les discus¬ plexe, explique cette source^notamment pour l'Iran à développer le nucléaire civil. sions entre l'Iran et ceux que l'on appelle sur les gages de confiance à fournir par Paris « gardien du temple » les « 5 +1 » (Chine, États-Unis, France, l'Iran, le rythme de leur application... Grande-Bretagne, Russie et Allemagne) Le rendez-vous d'Istanbul sera surtout Cet état d'esprit inquiète Israël mais aussi avaient tourné court avant même de dé¬ dominé par le spectre de frappes israélien¬ certains partenaires des « 5+1 » comme la buter, faute d'accord sur l'agenda. En se nes. Une menace dont les membres des France. Paris se veut le « gardien du tem¬ retrouvant samedi à Istanbul, plus d'un an ple?) en rappelant la nécessité d'une après, l'ambitieux objectif des grandes « mise en oeuvre intégrale » des résolu¬ puissances sera donc, avant tout, de res¬ « Toute la difficulté tions de l'ONU et de la ligne « duale » qui taurer la confiance et de poser les bases de consistera à garder les sous-tend: renforcement des sanc¬ futurs pourparlers avec Téhéran. Car le tions et ouverture au dialogue. Côté fran¬ les Iraniens autour de dialogue, au fond, n'a jamais pu s'enclen- _ çais, comme américain d'ailleurs, on fait cher depuis que le voile a été levé, il y a la table sans perdre de vue l'analyse que lés six trains de sanctions imposés à l'Iran depuis 2006 portent leurs près de dix ans, sur le programme nucléai¬ nos objectifs finaux » re clandestin mené par l'Iran. Cette fois fruits. Le sujet a été évoqué jeudi lors de la UN DIPLOMATE OCCIDENTAL encore, le simple accord sur le lieu du ren¬ conversation téléphonique entre Nicolas dez-vous n'a pas été une mince affaire, Sarkozy et Barack Obama. La mise en l'Iran souhaitant « punir » la Turquie pour «5 + 1 » sont tous conscients mais que par l'UE d'un embargo pétrolier à son engagement contre le Syrien el-Assad. chacun interprète tactiquement en fonc¬ partir du 1er juillet est censée encore char¬ Sur les rives du Bosphore, finalement, le tion de ses contraintes propres. Vu de ger la barque. négociateur iranien, Saïd Jalili, aura face à Washington, l'enclenchement d'une né¬ Enfin, la position russe constitue une lui cinq directeurs politiques (menés par gociation avec Téhéran éloigne la pers¬ inconnue de l'équation iranienne. Catherine Ashton, la diplomate en chef de pective d'une action militaire de Tsahal. L'été dernier, Moscou a tenté auprès de l'Union européenne) unis sur l'objectif :' Barack Obâma Téhéran une démarche, restée sans lende- mais passablement divergents sur la tacti¬

que à employer. Tous s'accordent, ils le

rappelleront, à empêcher l'Iran de se do¬ ter de l'arme atomique en se conformant ; Bonab çj,1 au traité de non-prolifération (TNP) et aux .VNeka Mo'allemKalayeh résolutions du Conseil de sécurité. C ;.' KarajÇ£ > Téhéran : Les « 5 + 1 » se sont forgé, de haute lut¬ f' Kolahdbùz ** te, une ligne commune : Téhéran sera Dernier site ) ' *i. & tenu de fermer sa centrale souterraine de d'enrichissement v - '' : - *ra* w IRAN Ç Fordow, près de Qom, sanctuaire de son d'uranium identifié

programme, cesser d'enrichir l'uranium à Sites nucléaires ayant (û]Saghand Tabas© 20 % (le seuil de la capacité militaire) dont © un lien supposé avec le stock (100 kg) devra être transféré hors le nucléaire militaire

des frontières de la République islamique. © Autres sites nucléaires

À l'approche de la rencontre d'Istanbul, Centrale nucléaire civile les Iraniens ont soufflé le chaud et le froid, Q construite par les Russes assortissant l'annonce d'« initiatives » de (mise en service fin 2009) nouvelles menaces. « Toute la difficulté, [ÏÏ] Mines d'uranium

résume un diplomate occidental, consiste¬

ra à garder les Iraniens autour de la table Le programme nucléaire iranien

sans perdre de vue nos objectifs finaux. »

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

main, qui envisageait une levée préalable différend persistant entre la Russie et les l'optimisme sur les chances d'aboutir. de sanctions pesant sur l'Iran. Depuis, ap¬ États-Unis, n'est guère propice. Pour Pourtant, jamais sans doute le risque d'une paremment, la Russie joue le jeu des « 5 Moscou, comme pour Pékin, il n'est pas conflagration n'aura été aussi grand de¬ + 1». Mais le contexte, marqué par les question de renforcer les sanctions. Un ta¬ puis que le nucléaire iranien a été mis sur tensions autour de la crise syrienne et le bleau d'ensemble qui ne prête guère à la table.»

vendredi 13 avril 2012 LE FIGARO

Israël n'a pas renoncé à l'option militaire

depuis trois ans au-dessus de l'Iran pour tion de la menace explique que les collecter des informations sur le pro¬ États-Unis estiment généralement gramme nucléaire militaire. Avec les avoir encore 15 mois avant d'agir contre ISABELLE LASSERRE écoutes électroniques de l'Agence na¬ le programme iranien alors que Tel- tionale de sécurité (NSA) et les captures Aviv considère que celui-ci entrera 2012, ANNÉE critique pour le program¬ d'images satellites, ces vols font partie dans une « zone d'impunité » d'ici à me nucléaire iranien. En théorie, Téhé¬ d'un vaste programme d'espionnage neuf mois. ran a annoncé son intention de faire de des installations clandestines iranien¬ Les chasseurs de Tsalial, l'armée is¬ nouvelles propositions aux grandes puis¬ nes. L'un des principaux objectifs est de raélienne, répètent depuis plusieurs sances. Mais personne ne croit vraiment années les différents scénarios en cas de

que les pourparlers qui doivent s'ouvrir frappes contre les installations clandes¬ « Le temps de samedi à Istanbul aient une chance tines iraniennes. Selon Foreign Policy, ^ la diplomatie n'est pas d'aboutir. Le président Mahmoud Ah- Tel-Aviv aurait aussi passé des accords illimité et toutes madinejad a exhorté les Occidentaux à secrets avec PAzerbaïdjan qui lui per¬ , les options restent sur « changer de langage », affirmé que son mettraient d'utiliser ses bases aériennes i la table pour empêcher pays ne renoncera pas à enrichir de et de compenser ainsi l'éloignement

l'uranium et prévenu qu'il n'accepterait s ^ \ l'Iran d'obtenir géographique qui rend des raids aériens aucune condition préalable à la reprise " l'arme nucléaire » menés depuis Israël à la fois risqués et

des négociations. Téhéran a annoncé HILLARY CLINTON délicats. Une base en Azerbaïdjan pour¬ mercredi des « contre-sanctions » pé¬ rait aussi autoriser les Israéliens à agir

trolières à l'Europe et cessé ses exporta¬ pouvoir déterminer le moment précis sans avoir à demander l'appui et le feu tions à destination de l'Espagne et. de où les Iraniens décideront d'assembler vert américains. l'Allemagne. La République islamique, leur arme nucléaire, afin d'agir à temps. En Israël, la bombe iranienne n'a pas qui avance à grands pas vers la bombe Pour Tel-Aviv, ce travail de rensei¬ quitté le c du débat politique depuis nucléaire et exploite habilement le sou¬ gnement est loin d'être suffisant. D'ac¬ de longs mois. Les différentes institu¬ tien de Moscou et de Pékin, veut avant cord sur la nécessité d'empêcher l'Iran tions en sont même à faire des évalua¬ tout gagner du temps . d'accéder au statut nucléaire, les Amé¬ tions du nombre de morts israéliens -

C'est aussi le cas de la Maison-Blan¬ ricains et les Israéliens ne sont pas tou¬ entre 100 et 500 selon les sources - che, qui se démène sans compter depuis jours sur le même tempo. Les premiers qu'entraîneraient des frappes aérien¬ nes. Dans un article publié mardi, le plusieurs semaines pour convaincre Is¬ ne veulent pas de la bombe atomique journal Maariv estime que les autorités raël de ne pas mener de frappes pré¬ iranienne, mais certains pourraient israéliennes pourraient avoir décidé de ventives contre les installations clan¬ éventuellement s'accommoder d'un, reporter leurs frappes jusqu'à l'autom¬ destines iraniennes, comme Tel-Aviv pays qui resterait au seuil nucléaire, ne prochain, dernière ligne rouge avant en brandit régulièrement la menace. Du possédant, comme le Japon, la techno¬ que le programme iranien soit trop moins avant l'élection présidentielle du logie et les composants sans pour autant avancé pour être freiné par des frappes. 6 novembre. assembler l'arme. Les seconds, pour qui la bombe atomique iranienne, constitue Quelques semaines seulement avant

Drones furtifs de la CIA une « menace existentielle », ne peu¬ l'élection américaine, la pire des solu¬

Au sein de l'Administration américaine, vent tolérer que l'Iran ait une capacité tions pour Barack Obama. on pense que l'État hébreu hésitera à nucléaire. Cette différence d'apprécia-

utiliser la force tant que les négociations

se poursuivent avec Téhéran. Vu de

Washington, la reprise des pourparlers " aura au moins l'effet d'un boucher. Mais . le temps de la diplomatie, a aussi préve¬

nu Hillary Clinton, n'est pas « illimité » .

« Toutes les options restent sur la table » ,

a dit la secrétaire d'État américaine. \ Pendant que les chancelleries occi¬ dentales accordent une dernière chance ir ;fc à la diplomatie, les états-^majors - c'est 4 leur rôle - préparent l'option militaire. Les États-Unis maintiennent deux por¬ te-avions dans le golfe Persique, prêts à intervenir au cas où les Iraniens ferme¬

raient le détroit d'Ormuz, ce goulet

stratégique par où transite une grande

partie du pétrole brut mondial. . /j&j -r .. <* Le Washington Post a récemment af¬ Des partisans du président Ahmadinejad saluent son arrivée à Jask, Jeudi. Photo fournie par firmé que des drones de surveillance le service de presse dé la présidence, ho/afp furtifs de la CIA volaient en permanence

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

forces. Iraq's Shiite-dominated government issued a warrant for his arrest in December, touching off a political crisis in Baghdad and dee- Iraq's fugitive VP pening the country's sectarian divide just days after the U.S. military withdrawal. arrives in Turkey Al-Hashemi, who has denied the charges and says they are politically motivated, took refuge in the self-ruled Kurdish region in northern Iraq, April 10, 2012 - By ADAM SCHRECK, Associated Press where he was effectively out of reach from state security forces loyal to Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. BAGHDAD — Iraq's fugitive vice president was in Turkey on Al-Hashemi started his trip with a visit to the Gulf state of Qatar, where Tuesday, his third stop in a regional tour that risks complicating he met with the nation's emir and prime minister. He also gave an inter- Baghdad's relations with its neighbors. view to pan-Arab television channel Al-Jazeera in which he said the A statement issued late Monday by the office of Tariq al-Hashemi, the charges were designed to push him out of Iraq's political process. top Sunni official in Iraq's Shiite-dominated government, said he arri- The foreign trip infuriated Baghdad, which called on Qatar to hand al- ved in Istanbul and plans to meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Hashemi over. Doha refused. Erdogan to discuss developments in the region. Al-Hashemi then flew from Qatar to Saudi Arabia last week, where he Istanbul is the third stop on a trip that has also taken him to Sunni was met by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where al-Hashemi sought political support as he tries to bolster his case that he remains a key member of Separately in Iraq, lawmakers said Tuesday they approved a law a day Iraq's government despite being a wanted man in Baghdad. earlier establishing the country's first independent human rights com- mission. It is charged with monitoring and investigating allegations of He is expected to do the same in Turkey, although is it unclear how long rights violations. he intends to stay. Erdogan is on an official visit to China until late Wednesday, and is scheduled to leave for Saudi Arabia on Thursday. "We consider it to be a big achievement on the issue of protecting human rights," lawmaker Salim al-Jubouri said. There was no immediate comment from Turkish or Iraqi officials on al- Hashemi's trip. The U.S. Embassy issued a statement Tuesday congratulating parlia- ment on its decision to seat the commission, saying the panel "will safe- Al-Hashemi is wanted in Iraq on terror charges for allegedly running J guard the rights guaranteed to all Iraqis by the Iraqi constitution." death squads against Shiite pilgrims, government officials and security

18 April 2012 Al-Hashemi rents two apartments in Istanbul

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi will be protected by high security staff while staying in Istanbul after holding talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on April 14 eve- ning.

Two apartments have been rented in the Başakşehir district of Istanbul for al-Hashemi, his family and his guards, who came to Turkey on April 9, daily HaberTürk reported.

The daily said al-Hashemi is being protected during his stay in Turkey by Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi (L) and Turkish Prime 17 police officers, including one chief police officer from the Turkish Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: AA Prime Ministry’s Protection Department. Al-Hashemi, however, said he will stay in Turkey for a few days more Al-Hashimi’s wife and two daughters are guarded by separate police and that he was waiting for a meeting with the leader of the Kurdish officers. regional government, Masoud Barzani in Istanbul, at an interview on pri- vate Kanal 24 news channel two days ago. The al-Hasemi family is not staying at a hotel due to security concerns, the daily said. Al-Hashemi said he would not discuss his return to northern Iraq with Barzani, saying Barzani has already stated his solidarity. Diplomatic sources told the Hürriyet Daily News that it is understood that these measures are taken to provide full security for al-Hashemi A political crisis erupted in Iraq on December 19, when Maliki's-led during his temporary stay in Turkey. government sought an arrest warrant for Sunni Vice President Tareq al- Hashemi on charges he ran death squads and the ouster of Sunni Deputy Sources also said al-Hashemi did not make any asylum request from Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq. Turkey and that Iraq has not requested extradition of the fugitive lea- der from Turkey, as it did from Qatar when al-Hashemi was there. Al-Hashemi denies the accusations and has called for the referral of his case to the Kurdistan region, but Iraq’s judiciary has rejected his Al-Hashemi said some of his family members were with him while others request.J were in Jordan.

43 Revue de Presse-Press Reviexv-Berhevoka Ça ê-Rivista Stam a-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

Mtralte^SSribunc april 10,2012

Peace hopes erode with

r reports of v Syria killings

ANKARA

Ankara officials accuse

Assad's forces of shooting Syrian refugees on Monday watching the border from a camp in Kilis, Turkey. More than 24,300

refugees inside Turkey Syrians have crossed into Turkey amid the fighting, according to Turkish officials.

tional Council, the leading exile opposi¬ BYSEBNEMARSU Jadeed, said the shooting took place in tion group, also planned to visit a camp AND ALAN COWELL the Wadi Khaled region of northern in Hatay on Tuesday, an official at the

Prospects for a peaceful solution to Syr¬ Lebanon, according to news agency dis¬ United States Embassy said. Both sen¬ ia's conflict appeared to. diminish fur¬ patches from Lebanon. ators have been outspoken in calling for ther Monday as Turkish officials ac¬ President Bashar al-Assad of Syria more action to help anti-Assad elements and his opponents have accused each cused the Syrian military of shooting at in Syria. As the deadline for the cease¬ Syrian refugees inside Turkey for the other of escalating armed violence fire approached, China urged both sides ahead of the deadline Tuesday. But the first time, and a senior Foreign Ministry on Monday to abide by Mr. Annan's pro¬ official said a cease-fire plan was void. Syrian government imposed a hew con¬ posals. China, along with Russia, has The Turks said Syrian Army soldiers dition on Sunday, asserting it wants blocked Western and Arab demands at attacked a group of Syrian civilians who written guarantiees from the enemy be¬ the United Nations for a tougher stance fore the pullback of Syrian forces. were crossing the border at Kilis, Tur¬ to force Mr. Assad from office as part of key, seeking sanctuary in a large Ahmad Fawzi, Mr. Annan's spokesman, a transition to democratic rule. refugee camp there. At least 23 people said such guarantees were not part of "China urges the Syrian government the original cease-fire agreement. were wounded, and two of them later and opposition groups to seize the cur¬ Turkish officials, who have become died. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials rent critical moment to abide by cease¬ also said the Syrian soldiers hit at least Mr. Assad's most outspoken critics in fire and troop.withdrawal promises, co¬ the region, have said they have little four people inside the camp two Syr¬ operate with special envoy Annan's me¬ faith that he would abide by terms of the ian refugees, a Turkish policeman and a diation efforts to alleviate the current

Turkish translator who had sought to cease-fire, based on a history of broken tense situation and facilitate humanitar¬ help the group fleeing across the border. commitments in the Syrian conflict, ian assistance, and promote a political Their condition was not clear. which has left at least 9,000 people dead solution to the. conflict in Syria," a Syria's ranking diplomats in Ankara since it broke out in March 2011. On Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, were summoned to the Foreign Min¬ Monday, Naci Koru, a deputy foreign Liu Weimin, said at a regular news istry and informed of "Turkey's irrita¬ minister, appeared to go one step fur¬ briefingjn Beijing. ther, declaring that the Tuesday dead¬ tion about the incident in a harsh tone," The developments occurred as Hu¬ line had become "void at this stage," said one Foreign Ministry official who man Rights Watch said that Syrian se¬ Turkish news media reported. spoke on condition of anonymity be¬ curity forces had executed more than Hundreds of Syrians have crossed in¬ cause of his diplomatic position. 100 people, and possibly many more, in¬ to Turkey in recent weeks, bringing the There was no immediate response cluding civilians and wounded or cap¬ total number of refugees there to more from Syria. If the Turkish account of is tured opposition fighters, during recent confirmed, the events would be the first than 24,300, according to the prime min¬ attacks. ister's office in Ankara. Turkey has built time since the Turkish authorities A report by the group documented began sheltering Syrian refugees in the several camps in its southern provinces what it called more than a dozen epis¬ 13-morith conflict that the Syrian mili¬ along the 880-kilometer, or 550-mile, odes in which at least 101 people had tary had fired at targets inside Turkey. border with Syria. Just last week, more been killed since the end of last year, The attack raised troubling questions than 2,800 Syrians entered Turkey with¬ many of them in March. The report ac¬ about the possibility of a broader con¬ in the space of two days, and a further cused government and pro-government flagration in the tinderbox border re¬ 700 arrived on Saturday, according to forces of executing civilians who posed gion. And it deepened the gloom about Turkish accounts. no threat, as well as rebels who had the cease-fire under a peace proposal by Mr. Annan was expected to arrive in been captured or had stopped fighting. Kofi Annan, the special envoy to Syria Turkey's Hatay Province on Tuesday to for both the Arab League arid the United visit some of the camps. Two United Ole Solvang, a researcher at Human Nations. The proposal called for govern¬ States senators, John McCain of Ari¬ Rights Watch, said: "In a desperate at¬ ment forces to pull back from major cit¬ zona and Joseph I. Lieberman of Con¬ tempt to crush the uprising, Syrian ies by Tuesday and for all combatants in necticut, who were visiting Turkey to forces have executed people in cold the conflict to cease all hostilities by confer with members of the Syrian Na- blood, civilians and opposition fighters

Thursday. alike. Theyare doing it in broad daylight The border violence also afflicted "In a desperate attempt and in front of witnesses, evidently not concerned about any accountability for Lebanon,- where a Lebanese television to crush the uprising, Syrian station said Syrian soldiers killed one of forces have executed people their crimes." its cameramen and wounded a col¬ There was no immediate response to in cold blood." league as both were filming from the the report from the Syrian government. Lebanese side. The television station, Al

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

MeraiïSXSmnm april6,2qi2 Tumult

in Syria & endangers Hezbollah

BEIRUT A street in Tyre, a largely is

its position on Syria as it tries to navigate the chaotic change sweeping the region. Lebanese group caught

between its patrons Damascus last April and briefly con¬ and a wave of change 1 Like, "many Syrians, Mazen, 35, vinced Mr. Assad to try to reach a polit¬ revered Mr. Nasrallah forhis confronta¬ ical solution with Hezbollah and Hamas tional stance against Israel, and as a acting as mediators, but as Hamas BY ANNE BARNARD voice that spanned- sectarian divides. began reaching out to fellow Sunni When Hezbollah's followers from south Muslims in the opposition, Syrian secu¬ The Syrian revolution has pushed the Lebanon fled Israeli bombs during the rity officials scuttled the plan. Lebanese militant, group and political Hezbollah rarely allows official inter¬ party Hezbollah to a seminal moment, war in 2006, he and countless other Syr¬ views and has refused them for months. forcing it to choose between popularity ians sheltered them in their homes. But after Hezbollah called Syrian pro¬ But interviews with supporters and cur¬ in the wider Arab world and its longtime testers foreign agents and supported rent and former party activists suggest patrons in Iran and in the Syrian gov¬ Mr. Assad in his crackdown, Mazen, that the situation is fueling fears of anti- ernment of President Bashir al-Assad. who would not give his full name for se¬ Shiite blowback and testing loyalists Unlike many in the region, Hezbollah curity reasons, has come to see Hezbol¬ who must explain the party's position to ; has stood by Mr. Assad during his lah as a narrow, sectarian party that others, and to themselves. deadly yearlong crackdown against op¬ supports Mr. Assad because his oppo¬ Mr. Nasrallah is tempering his posi¬ ponents who would overthrow more nents are mainly Sunnis despite a tion because he wants to avoid asking than three decades of rule by his family. Shiite tradition that calls on oppressed supporters to endure a new conflict, But thé evolving conflict now presents people to rise up against bad rulers. said a former student activist who Hezbollah, Lebanon's strongest politic¬ spends hours defending the party on al force, with real dangers : the loss of its "Now I hate Hezbollah," he said. "Nas¬ Facebook, arguing, for example, that arms pipeline, increasing isolation in a rallah should stand with the people's rev¬ rogue forces, not Mr. Assad, are respon¬ hostile region, and Lebanese rivals olution if he believes in God." sible for ''mistakes?' hungry to erode its power. A year ago, Mr. Nasrallah decided not Mr. Nasrallah "doesn't want support¬ Not least, there is also the risk of to worry what people like Mazen ers to suffer,'' she said, adding that some Hezbollah being dragged into a proxy thought. He chose to weather accusa¬ still feel "broken inside" from the 2006 war between Iran and Saudi Arabia or a tions of hypocrisy rather than jettison war and "don't want more pressure." diversionary conflict with Israel. his alliance with Syria, which has Syria's conflict is testing Hezbollah's Hezbollah is now delicately adjusting helped make Hezbollah the Middle longstanding contradictions: It relies on its position as it tries to navigate the East's most formidable militant group genuine public support, yet sometimes chaotic change sweeping the region, and a crucial player in what was called, behaves autocratically. It is a national even recently pushing Mr. Assad, gently at least until recently, the "axis of resis¬ group founded to fight Israel's occupa¬ but firmly, to stop shooting and make a tance" against Israel, along with Iran, tion of southern Lebanon, but owes its political deal with his opponents. Syria Syria and Hamas. military might and the funds that re¬ provides the critical conduit for Hezbol¬ But recently, Hezbollah has shifted its built the south after the 2006 war to lah's Iranian arm supplies. tone. In carefully calibrated speeches Iran's desire to project power. It styles it¬ But Hezbollah's dilemma has become last month, Mr. Nasrallah signaled that self pan-Islamic, but its fallback is rock- more dangerous as the Syrian conflict Mr. Assad could crush the uprising by solid support from Lebanese Shiites for becomes more sectarian, interviews force and should lay down its arms to whom it won long-denied power. with Hezbollah supporters and current seek a political settlement. Most of all, Hezbollah won respect for and former party activists made clear. And after long allowing followers to sticking to principles, even among rival Hezbollah's patrons have been' Shiite believe that virtually all Syrian violence sects and Beirut cafegoers skeptical of Iran and Alawite-led Syria. Still, for is committed by rebels or staged by hos- its religious conservatism. Now, it is many here Hezbollah has been seen as a tile news media Mr. Nasrallah ob¬ paying a price for realpolitik in Syria. . pan-Arab champion of the dispos¬ liquely noted that the government too is To a young, college-educated health¬ sessed, not just for its Shiite Muslim accused of "targeting civilians." He care worker who is a lifelong supporter base but for Sunnis as well. urged Mr. Assad to "present the facts to of Hezbollah, backing Mr. Assad keeps, Though Hezbollah's base remains the people," and implicitly acknowl¬ faith with the most important principle: strong, its political support among Sun¬ edged moral outrage in the wider opposing Israel. nis is now threatened. Even its partner Muslim world at the mounting death toll. ' 'This revolution is not made in Syria," against Israel, Hamas, has distanced it¬ Moreover, behirid the scenes, Mr. she told friends at a seaside café in Sidon self from the Syrian government. Sunni Nasrallah personally tried and failed to after shopping at a fancy mall. "The real revolutionaries explicitly denounce start a reconciliation process in Syria target is Lebanon and the resistance." Hezbollah as ah enemy. early uprising, and is now renewing Echoing the party line, she said the On a recent day, Mazen, a Syrian car-, those efforts, according to a Hamas offi¬ United States and its Arab allies fo¬ penter who organizes protests against cial involved in the talks, AU Baraka. mented Syria's revolt to punish Hezbol¬ Mr. Assad in a suburb of Damascus, had "He refuses the killing for both sides,'' lah for defeating the Israelis in 2006. torn down the posters of Hassan Nasral- Mr. Baraka, the Beirut representative But that argument has frayed. Hamas, lah, the leader of Hezbollah, that once for the Palestinian militant group, said. unable to disown Syria's Sunni revolu- decorated his car and shop. Mr. Baraka said Mr. Nasrallah visited .

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

tionaries, declared itself neutral, anger¬ plained his fear of Shiites and Alawites: constituency have questions.

ing Mr. Assad, and its leadership left Da¬ "They have no religion." In the café, a health worker declared mascus. Some Hamas leaders from Gaza Early on, some analysts thought a that Syrians, with free education and went farther, praising the revolution to Sunni Syrian government might sup¬ medical care, had no reason to rebel. crowds that shout "No, no, Hezbollah." port Hezbollah against Israel, but now, Her friend, a Shiite from Hezbollah's Without the political cover of a Sunni says Michael Wahid Hanna of the Cen¬ southern heartland, disagreed. counterpart backing Syria's govern¬ tury Foundation, Hezbollah may have "They have things," she said, "but ment dominated by minority Alaw- missed a chance to hedge bets. they are fighting for their rights.' ' ites whose faith is an offshoot of Shiiism Hezbollah's supporters, too, frame The Hamas official, Mr. Baraka, sug¬ Hezbollah has been accused of, and fears in sectarian terms. The health gested that Hezbollah leaders, religious

targeted by, sectarian hatred. care worker worried that if Sunnis came men who prize reputations for morality, Syrian rebels burn the Hezbollah flag, to power in Syria, they would bar are troubled by the "killing of inno¬ claim that Hezbollah's snipers are Shi'ites' access to shrines there and in cents" by both sides and. know the gov¬ killing civilians in Syria, and name their Iraq, as prophesied in a Shiite text. An¬ ernment is not blameless. brigades after warriors who defeated other supporter thought Sunni extrem¬ Shiites' heroes in Islam's early schis¬ ists might bomb Hezbollah areas. Reporting was contributed by an employ¬ matic battles. In the Lebanese village of Hezbollah seems in no danger of los¬ ee of The New York Times in Darya, Syr¬ Aarsel, one Syrian refugee curtly ex ing hardcore supporters. But some in its ia, and Ed Ou in Aarsel, Lebanon.

ïïcralb^^feSribunc Wednesday, april n, 2012

Syria cease-fire plan verges on collapse

"put at risk the cessation of violence in But Mr. Lavrov also criticized Syria's BEIRUT all its forms that is so urgently needed." opposition, asserting that "it's common Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Annan said at a knowledge that the proposals of Kofi U.N. envoy sees no sign news conference while visiting Syrian Annan have not been accepted hy some of pullout as government refugees in Turkey: "I believe it's a bit if not the majority of opposition groups, too early to say that the plan has failed. including the Syrian National Council."

issues new demands The plan is still on the table." And in a rejoinder to the United States, He still held out hope for the second which has harshly criticized both Russia and more important deadline: 6 a.m. and China for thwarting more aggres¬ BY NEIL MacFARQUHAR Thursday for all combatants in the con¬ sive action on Syria at the U.N. Security AND RICK GLADSTONE flict to stop fighting. "It's a plan the Syr¬ Council, Mr. Lavrov said: "The U.S. and

The cease-fire plan for the 13-month Syr¬ ians have endorsed, and from the com¬ other countries, which have pretty di¬ ia conflict veered closer to collapse on ments made by the opposition, they're rect access to Syrian opposition groups, Tuesday, with the Syrian government also prepared to go along with it if the would do better not to constantly blame making new demands, the opposition ri¬ government meets its commitments to Russia and China, but to use their levers diculing them as unrealistic and no indi¬ pull the troops out," he told reporters. in order to honestly force everyone to cation that Syria's military forces had Mr. Annan's letter corroborated all in¬ stop shooting each other." withdrawn from major cities and towns dications on the ground that President The dimming outlook for Mr. Annan's before a midnight deadline as promised. Bashar al-Assad of Syria had no inten¬ cease-fire plan came a day after deadly The plan's chief architect, Kofi Annan, tion of abiding by the original terms of violence in the conflict spilled over into the special representative of both the the cease-fire to halt the conflict, which Turkey for the first time, when Syrian United Nations and the Arab League, has become the most protracted and vi¬ Army soldiers near the Turkish border said the plan was yet achievable. But he olent of the Arab Spring, with more than appeared to lay much of the responsibil¬ 9,000 people killed and many thousands Mr. Annan said new conditions ity for the setbacks on the Syrian gov¬ wounded and displaced since it began in "put at risk the cessation ernment in a letter submitted to the U.N. March 2011. of violence in all its forms that Security Council. The Syrian National Council, the um¬ Despite the Syrian government's op¬ brella group of anti-Assad exiles, said is so urgently needed." portunity to abide by the original terms his government had not only failed to of the plan, which called for its military comply with the cease-fire but also is¬ to withdraw from major cities and towns sued new conditions that were "unac¬ town of Kilis killed at least two Syrian before 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, he said, ceptable and unrealistic." A spokesman refugees and wounded at least 23 oth¬ "in the last five days it has become clear for the council, Basma Qoudmani, told ers, including a Turkish police officer. that such a signal has yet to be issued.' ' reporters during a visit to Geneva that The shooting substantially increased In the letter, which was shared by dip¬ "we have received a very strong mes¬ tensions with Turkey, which once sup¬

lomats before its public release, Mr. An¬ sage from the regime that it intends to ported Mr. Assad but is now one of his nan said Syrian officials had assured intensify rather than beginning to com¬ most strident critics. him that military forces had been with¬ ply with the cease-fire." Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Er- drawn from some areas. Nonetheless, Even Mr. Assad's most important for¬ dogan of Turkey, visiting Beijing, said he-wrote, "credible reports indicate that eign supporter, Russia, expressed a hint Tuesday that the shooting represented during that same period, the Syrian of exasperation with the Syrian govern¬ "a very clear violation of the border" armed forces have conducted rolling ment's behavior. and he ordered his foreign minister military operations in population cen¬ "We expressed to our Syrian col¬ back to Turkey to deal with it. "Obvi¬ ters, characterized by troop movements leagues our view that their steps could ously we will take the necessary mea¬ into towns supported by artillery fire." be more active, more decisive in execut¬ sures," Mr. Erdogan was quoted as say¬ Mr. Annan wrote that the Syrian gov¬ ing the relevant conditions of the plan," ing by Turkey's Anatolian news agency. ernment's new conditions made in the Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov of past three days guarantees of compli¬ Russia said in describing a meeting with Ricfe Gladstone reportedfrom New York. ance from the opposition and instant de¬ his visiting Syrian counterpart, Walid SebnemArsu in Ankara, Alan Cowell in ployment of international cease-fire al-Moallem, according to the Interfax London, Hala Droubi in Beirut and Ellen

monitors approved by Damascus news service. Barry in Moscow contributed reporting.

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

WTHUMTIONAI., Hcralb^ii^Sribune monday.april 16,2012 Iran passes test in 7-nation nuclear talks

ISTANBUL

BY STEVEN ERLANGER

Iran and six world powers have agreed to hold a new round of talks in Baghdad on May 23, Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said after the first meeting in nearly 15 months on Tehran's disputed nuclear program. Ms. Ashton, speaking for the six na¬ tions on Saturday, called the daylong meeting "constructive arid useful" and said that "we want now to move to a sustained process of dialogue." She gave no specifics on any proposals made during the sessions but said that the six nations were satisfied that Iran was serious about negotiations that Catherine Ashton of the European Union and Saeed Jalili of Iran after posing for photos in Istanbul. "will lead to concrete steps toward a comprehensive negotiated solution New talks, in Baghdad on May 23, will determine Iran's seriousness, officials said. which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of the lem six weeks down the road," and the atomic agency, which has been rebuffed Iranian nuclear program.' ' . six powers must work hard to shape the in its efforts to investigate possible evi¬ Testing Iran's willingness to negoti¬ Baghdad agenda and decide what to do dence of Iranian efforts to make a nucle¬ ate seriously on its nuclear program in response to possible Iranian actions. ar bomb. was the purpose of this meeting, Euro¬ Although Iran said it would have new "We want now to move to a sustained pean and U.S. officials said. That was a proposals, the diplomat said Iran had in¬ process of serious dialogue, where we low hurdle and represented no real stead promised a serious dialogue. can take urgent practical steps to build breakthrough, and there were no nego¬ The leader of the Iranian delegation, confidence and lead on to compliance by tiations here on specific steps or propos¬ Saeed Jalili, said that there were impor¬ Iran with all its international obliga¬ als. The lack of concrete detail is likely tant points of agreement as well as dif¬ tions," Ms. Ashton said. "In our efforts to lead to political criticism of President ferences. He praised the "desire of the to do so, we will be guided by the prin¬ Barack Obama as the U.S. presidential other side for dialogue and coopera¬ ciple of the step-by-step approach and election campaign unfolds and will tion" and said that "we consider that as reciprocity." make the meeting in Iraq even more im¬ a positive sign," compared with "the The agreement to hold another meet¬ portant. language of threats and pressure that ing is without question a success, given The weeks until May 23 will be used do not work on the Iranian people." that a failure here would make the by experts on both sides to draw up a During the talks, Mr. Jalili held a 90- chances of a military strike on Iran concrete agenda for those talks, Ms. minute session with Ms. Ashton in more likely. But putting off any hard de¬ Ashton said. which he argued that since Iran was co¬ cisions until the next meeting will in¬ A senior U.S. official at the talks em¬ operating with the International Atomic crease pressure on both sides to make phasized that this meeting was about Energy Agency, sanctions should be lif¬ testing Iran's seriousness. "But dia¬ progress there, especially on the ques¬ ted, but he was rebuffed, another Euro¬ tion of Iran's growing stockpile of urani¬ logue is not sufficient for any sanction pean diplomat said. relief," said the official, who, like others um enriched to 20 percent purity, only a Russia and China maintained a uni¬ involved, spoke on the condition of an¬ few steps from bomb grade. fied stance with the other four nations That stockpile is the most urgent mat¬ onymity as a matter of diplomatic prac¬ Britain, France, Germany and the tice. "There must be an urgent effort ter to settle, U.S. officials have said. United States and Russia was chosen and concrete steps," the official said, to They want to get Iran to agree to stop to begin the discussion because of its restore confidence in Iran's assertion enriching to 20 percent purity and to ex¬ relatively close ties to Iran. But after that its program is not military. port its 20-percent stockpile, in order to Mr. Jalili thanked Moscow for its sup¬ "We believe there is a conducive at¬ buy more time for diplomacy and reas¬ port, the Russian delegate, Sergei Ry- mosphere, but we need to test it," and sure Israel that Iran is not close to being bakov, said bluntly that "Russia doesn't able to make a nuclear weapon. success in Baghdad is not at all guaran¬ have to be thanked, but you need to do teed, the official added, repeating Mr. Mr. Jalili said Saturday that Iran what we need you to do," a senior Euro¬ Obama's warning that "the window for needed 20 percent uranium for its med¬ pean diplomat said. ical reactor, on which 150,000 people de¬ diplomacy is closing." The centerpiece for future talks, Ms. pend. In previous meetings, Western A senior European diplomat at the Ashton said, will be the Nuclear Non- talks said that "we've opened a box, and countries have offered to supply Iran proliferation Treaty, which permits now we have to fill it." The Iranians with the necessary fuel for the reactor. peaceful nuclear energy but requires were serious and receptive, but in a strict oversight and monitoring by the Sebnem Arsu contributed reporting. sense, he said, "we've pushed the prob-

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

LE FIGARO samedi 14 - dimanche 15 avril 2012 Rien ne va plus entre la Turquie et l'Iran

Le dialogue entre les Occidentaux et Téhéran sur le nucléaire reprend aujourd'hui à Istanbul.

sions sur ses activités nucléaires mais en gères critiquait vertement l'engagement LAURE MARCHAND manifestant sa mauvaise volonté. Après turc aux côtés des rebelles syriens. ISTANBUL avoir proposé elle-même la métropole L'Irak, dirigée par le premier ministre

du Bosphore, elle avait fait volte-face la Nouri al-Maliki, sous influence iranien¬ ne, constitue une autre pomme de dis¬ DIPLOMATIE Attachés à leur tradition semaine dernière et déclaré que cette corde. Il s'agit d' « un terrain de confron¬ d'hospitalité, les Turcs ne feront pas option était « désormais .exclue », pro¬ tation à venir, c'est clair comme de l'eau mentir leur réputation. Ils mettront un posant Bagdad à la place. Courroucé, le de roche », pronostique Bulent Kenes, point d'honneur à recevoir la délégation premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Er¬ éditorialiste au quotidien Today's Za- de Téhéran qui participe aujourd'hui à dogan, a alors accusé les autorités ira¬ man. une réunion avec le groupe des 5 + 1 sur niennes de «manquer d'honnêteté». le programme nucléaire iranien à Is¬ Avec . ce revirement momentané, les Cette rivalité régionale est exacerbée

tanbul. Mais l'accueil réservé aux Ira¬ Iraniens ont montré leur mécontente¬ par les gages donnés par la Turquie à niens ne saurait masquer les dissensions ment de la tenue à Istanbul, le 1er avril, l'Alliance atlantique, dont elle fait par¬ de plus en plus marquées entre les deux de la conférence des Amis de la Syrie, à tie. Le radar antimissile de l'Otan instal¬

voisins. Le chef de la diplomatie turque, laquelle ils n'avaient d'ailleurs pas été lé à l'Est, à 600 kilomètres de l'Iran, a : Ahmet Davutoglu, a beau balayer d'un invités. été activé en janvier. Suscitant la colère

revers de la main les risques de « nou¬ Le dossier syrien est la principale de Téhéran : un général iranien a mena¬ velle guerre frpide » orientale, les rela¬ pierre d'achoppement entre Ankara, cé de destruction « tout lieu utilisé pour tions turco-iraniennes sont en berne. soutien de l'opposition politique et ar¬ des opérations hostiles». «La Turquie Syrie, arme nucléaire, radar de l'Otan, mée à Bachar el-Assad, et Téhéran, tu¬ s'est rapprochée des États-Unis, ajoute

rivalité régionale... Les griefs s'accumu¬ teur de Damas. Fin mars, la visite de Hugh Pope, et est donc plus contrainte de lent et contraignent le gouvernement deux jours de M. Erdogan dans la capita¬ suivre les sanctions internationales. » islamo-conservateur à abandonner le le iranienrie a mis en exergue les vues Ankara et Téhéran ont noué de solides rôle de médiateur qu'il s'était efforcé de inconciliables des deux puissances, la liens commerciaux - leurs échanges bi¬ tenir ces dernières années. chiite et la sunnite, engagées dans une latéraux ont fait un bond de 1 à 16 mil¬ Le rapprochement a atteint son acmé compétition pour le leadership régional. liards de dollars en dix ans. Mais deux en 2010, lorsque les Turcs, associés aux Le guide suprême Ah Khamenei a profi¬ jours après le retour de M. Erdogan de Brésiliens, ont signé un accord d'échan¬ té de sa venue pour réaffirmer le soutien Téhéran, Ankara a annoncé une réduc¬ ge d'uranium enrichi avec l'Iran, qui ne indéfectible de son pays au régime sy¬ tion de 20 % de ses achats de pétrole à s'était jamais concrétisé. «Après un ré¬ rien. Le premier ministre turc avait tout son voisin, s'alighant finalement sur les nouvelles sanctions américaines. chauffement inhabituel,, la collaboration Pourtant, en dépit de cette somme de est désormais ouvertement méfiante, « La collaboration contentieux, Ramin Mehmanparast, comme par le passé, explique Hugh est désormais porte-parole du niinistère iranien des Pope, chargé de la Turquie au sein de ouvertement méfiante, Affaires étrangères, a appelé les deux l'International Crisis Group. Les rela- , comme par le passé» pays à ne pas perdre de vue « leurs rela¬ tions ont retrouvé leur teneur naturelle. » ; HUGH POPE, tions stratégiques ». Au fil des siècles, les ' INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP Rivalités exacerbées deux anciens empires ont toujours su ménager leurs susceptibilités et intérêts La République islamique a finalement juste quitté le sol iranien que le porte- respectifs. accepté Istanbul comme heu de discus parole du ministère des Affaires étran

La Turquie pourrait en appeler à l'Otan

qu'elle respectera le principe à la lettre. blessés au début de la semaine dans un JEAN-JACQUES MÉVEL « Nous prenons notre responsabilité de scénario similaire. CORRESPONDANT À BRUXELLES protéger les alliés de l'Otan très au sé¬ Pour limités qu'ils semblent, ces inci¬ rieux, dit la porte-parole Carmen Ro¬ dents réveillent en Turquie la hantise LA TURQUIE ne veut pas rester seule face mero, et nous suivons de près la situa¬ d'une guerre civile qui déborderait la à la poudrière syrienne. Le premier mi¬ tion » à la frontière turco-syrienne. frontière syrienne. Ankara a déjà dit nistre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a indiqué qu'elle hé resterait pas les bras croisés

jeudi qu'il pourrait en appeler à l'Otan « Nous prenons face à une avalanche de réfugiés ou à des pour mettre 900 km de frontières com¬ notre responsabilité massacres de grande ampleur chez son munes à l'abri de provocations futures du * de protéger les alliés voisin. Erdogan évoquait récemment la régime de Damas . création de « zones tampons » en Syrie de l'Otan très C'est l'article V du traité de l'Alliance même. Mais il hésite à agir seul. \' au sérieux» atlantique qui est évoqué. Clé de voûte À l'heure où débute un cessez-le-feu CARMEN ROMERO, PORTE- de la sécurité en Europe, il prévoit des plus instables, Ankara s'inquiète tout PAROLE DE L'OTAN qu'une.attaque contre un pays membre autant d'une embellie humanitaire qui se

est considérée comme une attaque Sur le terrain, de nouveaux tirs d'armes paierait d'un pourrissement politique, le

contre l'Alliance tout entière, ce qui légères ont touché jeudi matin la Turquie clan el-Assad restant au pouvoir. En in¬ autorise le premier ministre à dire que depuis le territoire syrien. Ils visaient un voquant l'Otan, Erdogan pose des jalons « l'Otan a la responsabilité deprotéger les groupe d'une quinzaine de Syriens, dont pour l'avenir, note un diplomate. Vis-à- frontières de la Turquie ». La même logi¬ des femmes et enfants, qui franchissaient vis du régime de Damas, en lui signifiant que avait prévalu en faveur des États- la frontière à Kilis (sud-est de la Turquie). qu'il y a des lignes rouges à ne pas fran¬ Unis après les attaques terroristes du chir. Et vis-à-vis des Occidentaux, pour Des balles ont touché un camp de réfugiés 11 septembre 2001. leur rappeler qu'un cessez-le-feu, même tout proche, selonl'agence turque Anato- réussi, resterait une demi-mesure. Depuis Bruxelles, l'Otan a confirmé lie. Deux fonctionnaires turcs ont été

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

tre des affaires étrangères français, «Grand Satan»

JEeUlamle Alain Juppé, dans un communi¬ Mme Sherman s'est ensuite dite

Mardi 17 avril 2012 qué, reflet de l'approche française intéressée par une rencontre bila¬

très exigeante. Barack Obama, en térale avec l'émissaire iranien. La

tournée en Amérique latine, a réa¬ . dernière fois qu'une telle chose Les discussions sur gi dimanche en protestant de sa s'était produite, c'était à Genève fermeté: «La fenêtre pour résou- en 2009, entre le même Saïd Jalili

drecettecrisepariavoiediplomati- et le numéro trois du département le nucléaire iranien que est en train de se refermer et d'Etat, Bill Burns. L'attente de l'Iran doit saisircette chance. » Mme Sherman a été déçue, des diplo¬

La diplomatie paraît en tout cas mates occidentaux attribuant le

relancée autour de l'atome ira¬ refus iranien à la difficulté*pour le vont se poursuivre nien,, faisant reculer le risque pouvoir à Téhéran d'envisager un d'une action militaire israélienne dialogue ouvert avec le « Grand

et atténuant la pression à la hausse . Satan », dans le contexte de suren¬ en mai à Bagdad sur les prix du pétrole-deuxrésul- chère entre clans conservateurs. tats d'importance pour l'adminis¬ M. Jalili a par ailleurs cherché,

tration Obama, en campagne élec¬ au cours d'un entretien séparé Téhéran a accepté de s'engager dans un cycle torale. Le choix de la capitale ira¬ avec M Ashton, à obtenirun enga¬ kienne pour la prochaine séance gement de levée des sanctions de négociations sans abattre aucune carte de discussions a été concédé par internationales. En échange, a-t-il les Six à l'Iran comme rappel de glissé, l'Iran répondrait à certaines son influence régionale, après le questions de l'Agence internatio¬ Istanbul questions en suspens. Quelles récent retrait des troupes américai¬ nale de l'énergie atomique. Envoyée spéciale «mesures d'établissement de la nes, en espérant que les rendez- Mmc Ashton, qui avait été prévenue confiance» seront demandées à vous ultérieurs se dérouleront à de la man par l'émissaire Cinq semaines : c'est le temps l'Iran? En échange de quelles Genève, en terrain neutre. Les russe, Sergueï Ryabkov, a rejeté dont les grandes.puissances contreparties des Occidentaux? A Etats-Unis veulent, faire Baisser la une demande qui priverait les disposent désormais pour quel rythme ? Ces aspects essen¬ tension. L'Iran se montre plus sou¬ Occidentaux de tout levier. préparer avec l'Iran une feuille de tiels n'ont pas été abordés. Tout se ple, car soumis à la pression de Contrairement à janvier 2011, route «soutenue», « étape par éta¬ jouera donc au prochain rendez- sanctions internationales inédi¬ lors de la dernière rencontre avec pe », fondée sur la « réciprocité» et vous, prévu à Bagdad, le 23 mai. tes, pétrolières et financières. les Six, M. Jalili ne s'est pas emparé comportant des «gestes concrets les discussions ont été A Istanbul, la représentante de cette rebuffade pour couper1 urgents», afin de « restaurer la « constructives et utiles», a estimé américaine, Wendy Sherman, a lu court aux discussions. «Il n'était ..confiance internationale dans le la haufe-représentante européen¬ en séance à huis clos un message pas venu pour tout saboter», caractèreexclusivementpacifique ne Catherine Ashton, chargée de de M. Obama adressé au négocia¬ conclut un diplomate européen. duprogramme nucléaire iranien ». parler au nom des Six. Elles ont teur' iranien - qui a depuis peu En fin de journée, devant la presse, La tâché est ambitieuse. Annon¬ « offert un cadeau » à l'Iran, a criti¬ obtenu le titre de représentant per¬ - l'émissaire iranien rappelait la cée samedi 14 avril à Istanbul, à l'is¬ qué le premier ministre israélien sonnel duGuide suprême, Ali Kha^ fatwa du Guide suprême contre la sue des entretiens entre l'émissai¬ Benyamin Nétanyahou, jugeant menei. Les Etats-Unis ne veulent bombe atomique. Il s'exprimait re iranien Saïd Jalili et les représen¬ que, pendant ce temps, l'enrichis¬ pas de changement de régime en devant un grand panneau repré¬ tants des Six (Etats-Unis, Russie, sement d'uranium pourrait se Iran et il n'y a pas de fatalité à ce sentant le « golfePersique » et com¬ Chine, Royaume-Uni, France et poursuivre «sans entrave». que les relations entre les deux portant les effigies de scientifi¬ Allemagne), cette amorce de dialo¬ «L'Iran doitfaire des gestes.urgents pays soient ce qu'elles sont, disait ques iraniens tués dans des atten¬ gue représente un tournant, mais etconcrets » et respecterles résolu¬ en substance cette missive. tats, ainsi qu'un slogan: «L'éner¬ elle laisse aussi de nombreuses tions de l'ONU, a soulignéle minis gie nucléaire powjous, l'arme

nucléairepourpersonne ». a

Natalie Nougaykîde ,

Le Parti des ânes \*»/ dévoile sa statue au Kurdistan irakien

S0ULEIMAN1YEH - 12 avril 2012 -(AFP)

LE "PARTI DES ANES" a dévoilé sa statue au centre de Souleimaniyeh, seconde ville du Kurdistan irakien: le buste d'un équidé aux longues ** J» oreilles, vêtu d'une chemise, d'une cravate et d'une veste.

L'ouvrage en bronze, qui mesure 1,8 m de haut et 1,1 m de large, a néces¬ t sité sept mois de travail et a coûté 4.000 dollars. Il est situé rue Nali, nom d'un célèbre poète kurde qui a écrit un épigramme en l'honneur de cet ani¬ luttaient pour les droits de leur peuple", a-t-il dit, faisant allusion aux années mal. de guérilla dans le nord de l'Irak et de l'Iran contre le pouvoir central. La statue, réalisée par l'artiste kurde Zerak Mira, a été inaugurée mercredi Le Parti des ânes a été fondé et autorisé en 2005. lors d'une cérémonie à laquelle ont participé de nombreux intellectuels et artistes kurdes, a constaté un journaliste AFP. Sa structure administrative est basée sur la vie de cet équidé, et le quartier général et ses succursales portent des noms liés à cet animal comme A cette occasion, le secrétaire général du Parti des ânes, Omar Kalol, a ânesse, ânon ou grison. exprimé l'espoir qu'elle encouragera les habitants du Kurdistan à mieux trai¬ ter les animaux et particulièrement les ânes. Ce parti, absolument unique dans le monde arabe où l'âne est souvent mal¬ traité, a demandé au gouvernement régional du Kurdistan une aide finan¬ "L'âne a joué un rôle très important dans le mouvement de libération natio¬ cière pour ouvrir une radio qui s'appelera "Zarin", le nom kurde pour nale kurde. (...) Il a été l'ami des combattants dans les montagnes quand ils braiment.O

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

jCelliofide IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMIIIMMIIIIIIIIIIIMIMIIIMIIMIIMIIIIMIIMIIIIIMIMIIMIIIIIMIIIIIMMIIIIII Dimanche 15 - Lundi 36 avril 2012 Irak, les fractures d'un retrait

Leur arrivée avait été une catastrophe, leur Analyse biais de ses alliés chiites et à la faveur du retrait départ est déjà une calamité. L'invasion américain - qui a laissé un vide. américaine de l'Irak, en 2003, a déstabilisé PAR CHRISTOPHE AYAD C'estune autre des nombreuses incohérences

tout le Moyen-Orient, même si on est loin d'en Service International américaines : en plein bras de fer sur lenucléai- avoir mesuré tous les effets. Mais on ne réalise re, Washington a laisséle champ libre à l'influen¬

pas encore à quel point le départ des troupes Hussein et ses prédécesseurs, tous sunnites. Le ce iranienne en Irak. Son principal relais, le pre¬ américaines, en décembre 2011, d'un pays fragile ver était dans le fruit. mier ministre, M. Al-Maliki, se définit comme et encore instable, a déjà et aura des effets dévas¬ Cette grille de lecture unique a donné le coup «chiite, irakien, arabe et membre d'Al-Dawa tateurs. Non pas que ce retrait n'était pas souhai¬ d'envoi d'une féroce concurrence entre chiites [parti islamiste chiite] » : l'ordre des mots est

table - l'occupation était devenue insupporta¬ et sunnites, qui a dégénéré en guerre civile à par¬ important. Il concentre aujourd'hui des pou¬

ble à la plupart des Irakiens - mais il est interve¬ tir de 2006. Le mode de scrutin des premières voirs considérables : chef du gouvernement, nu sans qu'un cadre institutionnel et politique élections libres de 2005 - une proportionnelle ministre de la défense et de l'intérieur.

stable ait été mis en place en Irak. par liste dans le cadre d'une seule circonscrip¬ En outre, il a divisé et intimidé ses adversai¬

De surcroît, ce retrait est intervenu à un tion nationale-et leboycottage des partis sunni¬ res. Le chiite Maliki tire profit au maximum moment de très grande instabilité régionale due tes ont renforcé la domination chiite. d'un système institutionnel où l'équilibre com¬ à la.crise syrienne et au bras de fer autourdu pro¬ Les tentatives de corriger cette erreur initiale munautaire des postes de pouvoir est une règle,

gramme nucléaire iranien. Ces deux derniers ont été vaines, mais les Américains, par leur sans pour autant avoir été fixée par des princi¬ foyers de tensions accentuent la fracture régio¬ poids et leur présence, ont joué un rôle modéra¬ pes intangibles comme c'est le cas au Liban,

nale entre chiites et sunnites, à l'oeuvre depuis teur, notamment après les dernières élections autre pays arabe multiconfessionnel. La démo¬ bientôt une décennie. Or l'Irak est le maillon fai¬ législatives de 2010. C'est sur leur insistance que cratie, tant vantée par les néoconservateurs pro¬ ble du Proche-Orient. Le principal effet du retrait le premier ministre (chiite), Nouri Al-Maliki, a ches de George W. Bush, est devenue un instru¬ américain- est de laisser, face-à-face, chiites et formé un gouvernement d'union nationale ment de domination plus que de libération. sunnites, au moment où la confrontation entre incluant la principale formation sunnite, le bloc De plus en plus inspirées par les succès - la

ces deux communautés a atteint son climax. Iraqiya. province kurde, qui jouit d'une quasi-indépen¬ L'idée a longtemps prévalu que la fin de l'occu¬ dance -, les provinces sunnites réclament une pation américaine de l'Irak allait permettre à ce L'occupation américaine large autonomie. Cette tentation centrifuge est pays de retrouver un début denormalité. C'était renforcée par la perspective de voir arriver au

oublier combien l'occupation américaine a dés¬ a déstructuré l'Irak pouvoir, dans la Syrie voisine, une majorité sun¬ tructuré l'Irak et tout son environnement régio¬ et tout son environnement nite après quatre décennies de pouvoir alaouite, nal. Il n'y a pas de retour possible à un ordre une branche dissidente du chiisme. La majorité ancien : celui-ci a disparu. régional chiite au pouvoir en Irak s'oppose à cette volon¬ Le drame actuel de l'Irak, c'est que les Etats- té d'émancipation des sunnites, de peur de voir Unis, lassés d'une guerre coûteuse et honteuse, . L'armée américaine à peine partie, de nuit, et lui échapper une partie des réserves pétrolières se sontretirés avant d'avoirstabilisé l'édifice bri¬ presque honteusement le 21 décembre 2011, le et d'un éclatement du pays. colé après la chute de Saddam Hussein. Outre la prermerministrefaisaitémettre unmandat d'ar¬ L'Irak, au centre de cet imbroglio régional, dissolution de l'armée irakienne et du parti rêt contre le vice-président (sunnite) Tarik n'estpas le seul affecté par la ligne de faille com¬

Baas, le péchéoriginelde PaulBremer, lé procon¬ Al-Hachemi, accusé d'avoir fomenté des atten- . munautaire. En Syrie, au Liban, à Bahrein et au sul américain en Irak de 2003 à 2005, a été de tats,-èt lançait une procédure de destitution de Yémen, tous les ingrédients d'un affrontement mettre sur pied un Conseil de gouvernement son vice-premier ministre (sunnite) Salëh chiites-sunnites sont réunis, dont les cham¬ intérimaireirakien, principalementbasé sur des Al-Mutlaq. Ces deux coups de force ont immé¬ pions respectifs sont l'Arabie Saoudite et l'Iran. critères confessionnels etethniques. Dans le sou¬ diatement entraînéunevague d'attentats meur¬ Les ambitions nucléaires iraniennes et la compé- ci d'assurer, une représentation «équilibrée», triers visantles quartiers chiites.TarikAl-Hache¬ . titionpourl'hégémonie régionale entre Riyad et M. Bremer s'est livré à un savant dosage de chii¬ mi a fui l'Irak vers le Qatar, puis l'Arabie Saoudi¬ Téhéran donnent à cette confrontation un tour tes, sunnites; Kurdes et chrétiens, accordant, te, les deux parrains du sUnnisme régional. dramatique.* conformément à la démographie, une majorité Depuis Riyad, où il se trouve aujourd'hui, il

aux chiites longtemps opprimés sous Saddam dénonce la mainmise de l'Iran en Irak, par le ' [email protected]

f% REUTER' Nouvelle passe d'armes

entre Maliki et Erdogan À*r* BAGDAD - 21 avril 2012 - (Reuters)

LE PREMIER ministre irakien a qualifié vendredi la Turquie d"'Etat

hostile", après que le chef du gouvernement turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a accusé Nouri al Maliki d'attiser les tensions entre les t communautés chiites, sunnites et kurdes à cause à cause de sa ges¬ Erdogan avait fait ces déclarations après une rencontre à Istanbul avec tion "auto-centrée". Massoud Barzani, président de la région semi-autonome du

"Les dernières déclarations de M. Erdogan constituent une nouvelle Kurdistan, en Irak ingérence flagrante à rencontre des affaires intérieures irakiennes", a Les relations entre la Turquie sunnite et le gouvernement de Nouri al déclaré Maliki dans un communiqué diffusé sur son site internet. Maliki, membre de la majorité chiite, sont tendues depuis qu'un man¬ "Continuer sur cette voie (...) nuit aux intérêts de la Turquie et fait de dat d'arrêt a été délivré en décembre à rencontre du sunnite Tarek al lui un Etat hostile pour tous", a-t-il dit, ajoutant que la Turquie voulait Hachemi, soupçonné de diriger des "escadrons de la mort" et qui s'est

imposer son "hégémonie" sur la région. réfugié au Kurdistan irakien.D

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

îlmliSSrilmnc Wednesday, april 18,2012 France urges world to bear down on yria until it ends deadly crackdown

PARIS

BY STEVEN ERLANGER

International sanctions aimed at the Syrian government have cut its finan¬ cial reserves in half and pressure must be maintained on Damascus to stop its bloody crackdown on opponents despite a shaky five-day cease-fire, the French foreign minister, Alain Juppé, said on

Tuesday. The financial pressure, including an oil embargo and sanctions on the Cen¬ tral Bank, is damaging Syria's ability "to finance and arm militias, the lethal shabiha death squads," Mr. Juppé said, and hurting those around what he called FRANCK FIFE/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE "the ruling clan" of President Bashar Foreign Minister Alain Juppé spoke Tuesday in Paris at a meeting of the Friends of Syria.

al-Assad. and Lebanon, did not attend. On Tuesday Mr. Lavrov met in Mos¬ As Mr. Juppé spoke to a gathering in Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is cow with some Syrian opposition fig¬ Paris of the Friends of Syria, represent¬ expected in Paris on Thursday after¬ ures who said they nonetheless sensed ing 57 countries who have imposed a shift in the Russian position toward sanctions on Damascus, Syrian forces noon after NATO meetings in Brussels more criticism of Mr. Assad. continued to shell towns. in the, north, for a higher-level discussion of Syria, Haytham Manna, a Syrian exile leader, around Idlib, and in the south, in Dara'a French diplomats said. France is hoping pointed out Russia's support for demo¬ Province, in apparent violation of a , to have a group of foreign ministers, in- cratic change in Syria. "The Russian rep¬ U.N.-negotiated cease-fire. \ eluding from Arab League countries like resentatives discussing thé problems of An advance team of six U.N. observ¬ Qatar, which has been pressing for more our country with us are no longer in¬ ers worked on how to monitor the cease¬ military help to the Syrian opposition, to

fire as they waited for 24 more observ¬ a meeting over dinner to reinforce the clined to support the continuing exist¬ ers to arrive in the next few days. The general disapproval of Damascus and its ence of a dictatorial regime but speak of observers "will start with setting up op¬ bloody repression of opposition groups. the necessity for democratic change.'' He erating headquarters and reaching out Mr. Juppé, in his speech, listed the said Russia "has all the necessary levers to.the Syrian government and the oppo¬ consequences: 10,000 dead, more than to apply pressure on Assad's govern¬ 44,000 refugees, 1.5 million Syrians in ment and help Annan's mission.'' sition forces so that both sides fully un¬ need of humanitarian aid, he said, call¬ Hassan Abdul-Azim, who led the dele¬ derstand" their role, Ahmad Fawzi, the ing it ' 'the sad toll of the Syrian regime's gation, attributed the difficulties in find¬ spokesman for the special envoy Kofi criminal crackdown." ing a resolution to "the absence of Syr¬ Annan, said in a statement Monday. In Moscow, however, Foreign Minis¬ ian national consent, the absence of The Syrian Observatory for Human ter Sergey V. Lavrov accused unspe¬ Arab agreement and the absence of a Rights, a Britain-based anti-Assad group cified countries and "external forces" common international position,'' which with contacts in Syria, said Syrian mili¬ of trying to undermine the Security has served to prolong, he said, "the suf¬ tary tanks also shelled the southern Council and Mr. Arinan by encouraging fering bf the Syrian people.'' town of Busra ,al-Harir, killing at least the opposition to keep fighting the gov¬ In Paris, the working group issued two people, and the Khaldiyeh district of ernment, not respecting the cease-fire, conclusions saying that they had better Homs on Tuesday. Both areas are con¬ supplying weapons to the opposition organized themselves to coordinate sidered strongholds of the Free Syrian and setting up separate groups like the sanctions, called on Syrian entrepre¬ Army, a group offormer soldiers and oth¬ Friends of Syria to oppose the regime. neurs to distance themselves from the ers who have taken up arms against Mr. "I can't avoid pointing to the prob¬ government promising that those Assad's forces. The use of such heavy lems of foreign influence on the process who did so would not be the targets of weapons, if confirmed, would represent in Syria," Mr. Lavrov said, according to sanctions and urged other countries a significant breach of the cease-fire. Russian news agencies. Thèse "extern¬ to join in the sanctions. Syrian forces reportedly killed 39 people al forces" are "doing everything to re¬ The group particularly condemned . Tuesday, mainly in Idlib Province, ac¬ place the Security Council with a host of countries that supported the Syrian cording to Al Arabiya television informal formats, such .as the 'Friends government with funding or sold arms The Paris conference is at the expert of Syria' and other groups, and doing to it and said that Syrian actions "can be level and is intended to coordinate and everything to convince the Syrian oppo¬ considered crimes against humanity." strengthen existing sanctions on the The working group will meet again Syrian government, according to sition not to cooperate with the govern¬ next month in Washington. French diplomats, as a follow-up to ment, including reconciliation and sub¬ grander meetings of the Friends of Syr¬ sequent dialogue." Reporting was contributed by Neil Mac- ia at a higher level, in Tunis and Istan¬ Mr. Lavrov has regularly defended Farquhar in Beirut, Glenn Kates in Mos¬ bul. It is chaired by France, the Euro¬ the Syrian government's military efforts cow and Rick Gladstone and J. David pean Union's foreign service and to defeat what he has called "armed Goodman in New York. Morocco, representing Arab countries gangs" and "armed terrorist groups" on the U.N. Security Council. Two Arab who have infiltrated peaceful protestors. League nations,- Syria's neighbors Iraq Russia has justified Syrian use of force as a response to armed insurrection.

51 Revue de Presse-Press Revieio-Berhevokn Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de h Prensa-Basin Ozeti

îtt.ralS5Sril>UI« WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012 Quiet imam casting ong shadow in Turkey

ISTANBUL

BYDANBILEFSKY

AND SEBNEM ARSU.

When Ahmet Sik was jailed last year on charges of plotting to overthrow the government, he had Utile doubt that a secretive movement linked to a reclus¬ ive imam living in the United States was A behind his arrest.

"If you touch them you get burned,'' a «1 gaunt and defiant Mr. Sik said in an in¬ terview at his apartment in March here, M just days after being released from more than' a year in jail. "Whe.ther you are a journalist, an intellectual or a hu¬ man rights activist, if you dare to criti¬ cize them you are accused of being a drug dealer or a terrorist." Mr. Sik's transgression, he says, was to write a book, "The Army of the Im- T "We are concerned there is a hidden agenda to challenge secular Turkey."

MOVEMENT'S leader Fethullah Gulen athis home in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. am." It chronicles how the followers of onymity to avoid breaching diplomatic Fethullah Gulen have proliferated with¬ » protocol. "Itis clear they want influence in the police and judiciary, working be¬ The charge that Gulenists and power. We are concerned there is a hind the scenes to become one of Tur¬ control the.'police' "is impos¬ hidden agenda to challenge secular Tur¬ key's most powerful political forces sible to confirm but we have key and guide the country in a more Is¬ and, he contends, one of its most ruth¬ lamic direction." found no one who disputes it." less, smearing opponents and silencing The movement has strong affiliations dissenters. or sympathy in powerful parts of Tur¬ The case quickly became among the key's media, including the largest daily, rass the government. There is growing most prominent of dozens of prosecu¬ Zaman, and, Turkish analysts .say, talk of a power struggle. tions that critics say are being driven by among at least several dozen members A culture of fear surrounding the Gu¬ the followers of Mr. Gulen, 70, a charis¬ of its 550-seat Parliament, with support lenists, however exaggerated, is so en¬ matic preacher who leads one of the extending to the highest levels of gov¬ demic that few here will talk, openly most influential Islamic movements in ernment. about them on the phone, for fear their the world, with millions of followers and With its strong influence in the media conversations are being recorded and schools in 140 countries. He has long ad¬ and a small army ofgrass roots.support- that there will be reprisals, given the vocated tolerance, peace and interfaith ers, the Gulen movement has provided perception of the movement's strong dialogue, drawing on the traditions of indispensable support to the conserva¬ presence within the police and intelli¬ Sufism, a mystical strain of Islam gener¬ tive, Islam-inspired government of gence communities. ally viewed as a moderate contrast to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ayse Bohurler, a founding member of more fundamentalist Islamist sects. Some officials and analysts suspect that the Justice" and Development party, be¬ But the movement's stealthy expan¬ some elements within the Gulen move¬ moaned that the lack of transparency sion of power as well as its tactics and ment have served as a stalking horse for and clear organizational structure make lack of transparency are now raising ac¬ the government, which has benefited as it impossible to hold the group account¬ cusations that Gulen supporters are us¬ the Gulenist media have cowed com¬ able. "There is rip reference point, they ing their influence in Turkey's courts, mon opponents and backed trials that are kicking in the shadows," she said. police and intelligence service to en¬ Mr. Erdogan has publicly supported. "They are everywhere and nowhere." gage in witch hunts against opponents But the relationship between Mr. Er¬ Mr. Gulen rarely gives interviews, with the aim of creating a more conser¬ dogan and Mr. Gulen has sometimes and he declined a request for this arti¬ vative Islamic Turkey. Critics say the been fraught, with the prime minister, a cle. But Mustafa Yesil, President of the agenda is threatening the government's mercurial populist, sensitive to any Journalists and Writers Foundation, an democratic credentials just as TAirkey challenges to his authority. Analysts say Istanbul-based group affiliated with the steps forward as a regional power. that in recent months Mr. Erdogan and movement, described the Gulenists as a "We are troubled by the secretive other members of his Justice and Devel¬ "civic movement" with no political as¬ nature of the Gulen movement, all the opment Party have grown increasingly pirations. If members affiliated with the smoke and mirrors," said a senior concerned, as high-profile arrests of movement were well-represented in American official, who requested an- critics of the Gulen movement embar- Turkey's state bureaucracy and police,

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

Mr.Yesil said, it was based on merit. " \ .'.'The old guard feel squeezed because > 'V*. their space is getting smaller and they are sending the bill to the movement," * \ he said. His words were reinforced by a 4 $ rare public statement posted on a lead¬ N ing Gulen community Web site in April.

It called it a "violation of human rights" that Gulenists in the state bureaucracy were being accused of "infiltration" ^ when they were upholding the rule of \v. -M, law and serving their country. *

A:' mo The Gulenists are well known for run¬ V ning a network of schools lauded for *\ their academic rigor and commitment

to spreading Turkish language and cul¬ ture. With their neatly trimmed mous¬ taches, suits and ties and .missionary \--f'l zeal, followers convey the earnestness * of Mormon missionaries. The eyes of -

some followers moisten at the mention" of Mr. Gulen's name, which is invoked with utmost reverence. Sympathizers say the notion of Mr.

Gulen as a cultish puppet master are malicious caricatures. The group has no Students singing the national anthem of Turkey in the courtyard of a Gulen school in Istanbul in March.

formal organization or official member¬ The system of private schools has often been praised for its academic rigor. ship but operates through a network of followers. Mr. Gulen communicates in essays and videotaped sermons, which have seized the opportunity to settle old have been attended by luminaries such are posted on the Internet and in other scores and tame their former rivals, in- as former Secretary of State Madeleine Gulen-related media outlets. . eluding the military. K. Albright and former United Nations His sympathizers say his goal is the ' 'Hard-core activists within the Gulen Secretary General Kofi Annan. creation of a "golden generation' ' which movement are driving the arrests,' ' said A 2009 cable by former American Am¬ would embrace humanism, science and Gareth Jenkins, a Turkey expert at the bassador to Turkey James F. Jeffrey, Islam and serve the Turkish state. He Central Asia-Caucasus Institute affili¬ made public by Wikileaks, noted thatthe has publicly affirmed the importance of ated with Johns Hopkins University. "It Gulen community was strong within the complying with Turkey's secular laws, is revenge for the 1990s when the mili¬ police force and in conflict with the mili- and math and science competitions at tary oppressed Muslim conservatives." Gulen supporters argue that the Gulen schools overshadow religious ex¬ "There is no reference point, pression, which takes place quietly in . Ergenekon trials are a long-overdue they are kicking in the ' 'relaxation rooms' ' that double as pray¬ historical reckoning aimed at bringing to account a murky group of ultrana- shadows. They are er spaces.

But some critics say that outward ap¬ tionalist operatives, linked to the mili¬ eve;rywhere and nowhere."

pearances belie the true agenda of a tary, that has fought against perceived movement working behind the scenes enemies of the state, including pro-Is¬ to expand the role of Islam in Turkey's lamists. Few here doubt that there is tary. It said that the assertion that the secular politics. They say that, ulti- , some truth to the conspiracy police Turkish national police is controlled by mately, the community aims to bring: have uncovered stashes of weapons Gulenists "is impossible to confirm but Mr. Gulen, who is ailing, back to Turkey. linked.to retired officers in acountry we have found no one who disputes it." Supporters say Mr. Gulen has resisted where the military has intervened four The cable goes on to say that the Gu- returning home, mindful that he could times to overthrow democratically len-controlled media is supporting the polarize the country. elected governments. investigation into Ergenekon and has Mr. Sik, the author, -accused the Gu¬ Mr. Gulen himself has lived in self-im¬ helped put many opponents of the rul¬ lenists of misusing their positions of posed exile on a 45-acre, or. 18-hectare, ing Justice and Development Party be¬

power. Once arrested, he was accused of estate in the mountains of eastern Penn¬ hind bars. But the interests of the move¬ links to a shadowy network called sylvania since 1999, when he fled Turkey ment and the government appear amid allegations of plotting to over- Ergenekon, which, prosecutors con- . increasingly to be diverging, as prose¬ throw the secular government. Around tend, planned to engage in civii unrest, cutions of opponents widen. that time, the Turkish authorities made assassinations and terrorism to create In February, a prosecutor asked public a supposed taped sermon in chaos as a prelude for a coup. Hakan Fidan, the head of the National Even Mr. Sik's staunchest critics say which Mr. Gulen was heard advising his Intelligence Agency, MIT, and a close the charges against him appeared followers to "move within the arteries ally of Mr. Erdogan, to testify in a court ludicrous. A longtime critic of the mili¬ of the system, without anyone noticing case widely backed by Gulen support¬ tary, he wrote a book arguing how pros¬ your existence, until you reach all the ers over secret links between the. ecutors could better investigate the power centers." agency and the P.K.K., a Kurdish terror¬ coup he is now accused of abetting. Mr. Gulen has said his words were ist group. The government moved The Ergenekon trials have been a wa¬ manipulated, and he was acquitted of all swiftly to block the questioning, and the charges in 2008. tershed for Turkey, as prosecution of the prosecutor was removed from the case. alleged conspiracy has swept up dozens Mr. Gulen, who has preached openly It was not the first case in which ten¬ of journalists, intellectuals and current against fundamentalism and terrorism, sions with the government have sur¬ and former military personnel in a was embraced in Washington after faced, or of murky allegations. country where the military long re¬ Sept. 11 as a welcome face of moderate In September 2010, Hanefi Avci, a garded itself as the guardian of the sec¬ Islam, analysts say. His green card ap¬ former police chief and Gulen sympa¬ ular state. The ascent of Mr. Erdogan's plication shows that his bid to remain in thizer, was arrested for being part of the Muslim-inspired government since the United States was endorsed liy. a Ergenekon plot after publishing a book 2002 has radically shifted that balance of former official of the Central; Intelli¬ alleging that a network of Gulenists in power, and analysts say the Gulenists gence Agency. The movement's events the police were manipulating judicial

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

processes. media saying that their confessions had tenced to seven years and six months in In another case, in 2009, three non¬ been extracted under hypnosis. The prison. commissioned officers confessed to military prosecutor who carried out the Mr. Sik, who remains out of prisons- planting a forged document implicating investigation, Col. Ahmet Zeki Ucok, pending trial, has not been silenced. Po¬ the commander of their air force base in was accused of cavorting with Russian lice seized the manuscript to his book, but the central city of Kayseri, according to prostitutes as part of a smear campaign, it was nevertheless published by a group Serkan Gunel, a lawyer familiar with the the lawyer said. of supporters on the Internet. Mr. Sik case. The document asked army person¬ The officers recanted their accusa¬ says he hopes to return to writing books, nel to assist an officerjailed on charges of tions and were restored to their posts. A assuming he is not put back in jail. plotting to overthrow the government. forensic medical report, obtained 18 "My only wish is for my children to The officers told investigators they months after the officers were inter¬ read about these events as dirt from the had planted the file at the request of viewed, said they could have been hyp¬ past," he said. "I want it to be buried." their Gulenist mentor. Soon after, arti¬ notized. Colonel Ucok was convicted on cles appeared in the Gulen-affiliated Tuesday on charges of torture and sen

umUNATIONM. «enUMMtribiu» friday.april2o.2oi2

Wave of attacks shakes Iraq

among three ethnic groups often at odds worst carnage during Iraq's sectarian BAGHDAD with one another Kurds and war in 2006 and 2007. A suicide bomber

Turkmen. struck the home of a military official, Over 2 dozen are killed In Baghdad, nearly 15 people were killing one person and wounding five and 100 wounded in killed in a handful of explosions, includ¬ others. A checkpoint was also attacked, ing one.on Palestine Street aimed at the and two roadside bombs hit an army fresh sign of insurgency convoy of Health Minister Majeed Ha¬ patrol. mad Amin. He was unharmed, but two Nearly four months have passed bystanders were killed, an official said. since the withdrawal of the American BYTIMARANGO. Some bombs targeted Shiite Muslims, military, and despite the attacks on

A string of deadly explosions and other who make up the majority of Iraq's pop¬ Thursday, security has not deteriorat¬ attacks shook Iraq on Thursday, with ulation and are often the victims of what ed, as many analysts had contended it bombings in Baghdad and the northern is left of the country's Sunni insurgency would. By some Iraqi government mea¬ city of Kirkuk resulting in the most fatal¬ and its main group, Al Qaeda in Iraq. A sures, which have been widely reported ities. Over all, more than two dozen hotel in Khadamiya, a Baghdad neigh¬ by the news media, March was one of people were killed and over 100 borhood that is home to an important the least violent months since 2003, wounded, security officials said. Shiite shrine, was struck by a car bomb. when the American-led war began. By the standards of Iraq where at¬ The attack killed two at the hotel, which But according to statistics cited by the tacks occur daily, although at a much di¬ often houses Shiite pilgrims from Iran. United Nations, violence has actually minished rate compared with the height in Samarra, north of Baghdad, two remained steady, and similar to the of the war the wave of violence on car bombs hit a checkpoint guarded by levels over the past three years. In Thursday was not extraordinary, al¬ members of a local Awakening group, March, according to those statistics, 294 though it was a reminder, after weeks of the movement that is made up of former people were killed in attacks, slightly relative calm, that an organized insur¬ insurgents who were paid to switch higher than in February and compara¬ gency remained active. sides under a program that was begun ble to many months last year. The biggest attack appeared to be a by the American military. In that attack, series of explosions in the village of Al- three were killed and six wounded. Employees of The New York Times con¬ Malhaa, on the outskirts of Kirkuk, that Several attacks were carried out in tributed reportingfrom Kirkuk, Samarra left 9 people dead and 24 wounded, said Diyala Province, which is north of Bagh¬ and Diyala Province, Iraq, and Omar al- an official in Kirkuk, a city divided dad and was the site of some of the Jawoshy and Zaid Thakerfrom Baghdad.

'.' .,;," \~'' '^^W^. P-

Ramadi was among the Iraqi cities that were hit by bombings Thursday. In Baghdad, more than a dozen people were killed in explosions.

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

ftral&ifcffijsSrUmnc Thursday, aprilio, 2012

Kurds sit out the fighting in Syria

of Kurdish parties, walked out of a meet¬ KILIS, TURKEY ing in Istanbul last month of the Syrian National Council, an organization that Long-oppressed group has come to represent the rebellion in with hope of nation-state exile. They did so because the Islamist- dominated Syrian group refused to in¬ fears joining losing side clude wordingabout the rights of Kurds. The Kurds have said they are seeking constitutional recognition, compensa¬ BY J. MICHAEL KENNEDY tion for their suffering and a federal

The Kurds of Syria, long oppressed by government, as well as the removal of the government of President Bashar al- the word "Arab" from Syria's official Assad, are largely staying out of the name: the Syrian Arab Republic. fighting that has gone on for more than In Iraq, Masoud Barzani, the president a year in their country, hedging their of the semiautonomous Kurdish north, bets as they watch to see who will gain has been an active supporter of the the upper hand. that intersect the traditional Kurdish re¬ Kurdish National Council. Turkey, mean¬ Mr. Assad has made major efforts to gion, much of it rugged mountain ter¬ while, has tried to act as the interlocutor keep them out of the fray, aware that rain. for the Syrian National Council and the their support for the opposition could In the past, they have been denied role the Kurds play. But that has its own prove decisive. He has promised that language, culture and any sort of na¬ set of pitfalls because the Kurds remain hundreds of thousands of Kurds will be tional identity in those countries, suspicious of Turkey, which has treated given citizenship, something the ruling though major changes have been made its own Kurdish population poorly. Assad family has denied them for in oil-rich northern Iraq since the over¬ A wild card in all this is the Kurdistan nearly half a century. throw of Saddam Hussein. Workers Party, or P.K.K., a well-armed The Kurds have other reasons for hold¬ Besides the banning of the Kurdish and well-trained militia that has been ing back: The opposition movement in language and books from schools, cele¬ designated a terrorist organization by Syria is made up in large part by the brations like Nowruz the traditional the United States. In Syria, the group Muslim Brotherhood and Arab national¬ Kurdish New Year were long prohib¬ has allied itself with the Assad govern- ists, two groups thathave little sympathy ited in Syria. for Kurdish rights, and the Kurds cling to As part of his effort to appease the President Assad has promised . their long-sought goal of a Kurdish state. Kurds, Mr. Assad pledged that he would citizenship to Kurds, which "Syrian Kurds are, by and large, sit¬ grant citizenship to about 200,000 state¬ ting out this dance," said Jonathan 'C. less Kurds as protests were spreading his ruling family has denied Randal, the author of a widely respected a promise he has yet to make good on. them for nearly half a century. book on the Kurds the largest ethnic Mr. Weiss, the institute spokesman, group in the world without a state. Yet a said it was Kurdish protests at the gov¬ recent report by the Henry Jackson So¬ ernment in early 2011 that first alarmed ment, which could use it to stir up ten¬ ciety, a foreign policy research institute the Assad government, which little real¬ sions along the Turkish border, should in London, describes the Kurds as a ' 'de¬ ized that an uprising was to follow in Mr. Assad see the need. cisive minority" in the Syrian revolu¬ other parts of Syria. "At first, Assad just In the past, Syria armed and protec¬ tion and says their support would help thought he had a Kurdish problem on ted the P.K.K. in its long campaign in a "rapid overthrow in the Assad re¬ his hands," he said. against Turkey, though that assistance gime." Gokhan Bacik, the director of the cooled when relations between the The Kurds, who make up about 10 per¬ Middle East Strategic Research Center countries began improving little more cent of the country's population, find at Zirve University in Gaziantep, Tur¬ than a decade ago. The group has themselves in something of a dilemma. key, said the Syrian Kurds were frag¬ already threatened to turn all Kurdish If the revolution against Mr. Assad suc¬ mented among many political parties, areas in the region into a "war zone" if ceeds, their passive role will give them making it all the more difficult for them Turkey crosses the border to intervene less of a say in how the country is ruled. to unite for any cause. in the Syrian crisis. But they also fear that any future gov¬ But even though the Kurds as a whole A Turkishjournalist, Serdar Alyamac, ernment will be much more Islamist do not want to jeopardize the long-term who has specialized in Kurdish issues, than the secular Assad government. goal of a nation-state, he said, they are said the group would also serve as an As Michael Weiss, a spokesman for keeping their own counsel. enforcer for Mr. Assad in the Kurdish re¬ the institute, said, "The Kurds don't "There is a nascent idea of a Kurdish gions of Syria. want to join something that will lose." nation," he said. "They don't want to "Assad naturally wants to use the That is not surprising, given the his¬ risk this process. For them, the major P.K.K. to control the area," he said. tory of oppression of the Kurdish point is long-term survival in better con¬ "Plus the P.K.K. is familiar with the people, not only in Syria but also in Tur¬ ditions." area. It's a win-win situation for Assad key, Iraq and Iran, the four countries The Kurdish National Council, a bloc and the P.K.K., if it works."

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

Irak: une série d'attentats meutriers fait au moins 35 morts Jeudi 19 Avril 2012 viser la population civile ou les représen- RFI, Avec notre correspondante à tants des forces de l’ordre irakiennes. Bagdad, Fatma Kizilboga Une série d’attentats qui survient alors que la crise politique semble atteindre n Irak, une série d’attaques à tra- son paroxysme. Si les tensions entre la vers tout le pays a causé la mort de minorité sunnite et le gouvernement E34 personnes et blessé une centaine chiite se ne se sont jamais vraiment apai- d’autres ce jeudi 19 avril. Aucune sées, plus récemment ce sont les repré- revendication pour l’heure, mais tout sentants kurdes qui ont fait part de leur porte à croire que les attentats étaient mécontentement. coordonnés. Il semble ainsi que tous les moyens ont été mis en œuvre afin Après le vice-Premier ministre Salah el- de viser un maximum de personnes. Mutlaq, le président de l’autonomie du Ce sont au total près d’une trentaine Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani, a égale- d’attaques qui ont secoué différentes ment mis en garde contre ce qu’il qualifie villes en Irak, de Bagdad à la ville riche de « dérives autoritaires de Nouri al- Maliki ». en pétrole et tant disputée de Kirkouk, en Dans la région de Kirkouk, à 250 km au passant par les bastions sunnites de Seize mois après la formation du gouver- nord de Bagdad, six explosions ont eu Samarra et de Baquba. nement, le Premier ministre irakien lieu, tuant au moins huit personnes et Les assaillants n’ont pas lésiné sur les refuse toujours de nommer les principaux blessant 32 autres. moyens : voitures piégées, engins explo- ministres en charge de la Sécurité. Une REUTERS/Ako Rasheed sifs déposés aux bords des routes, situation qui reflète, selon les partis de attaques-suicide; tous les moyens l’opposition, une certaine méfiance d’une majorité chiite bien décidée à garder le connus des services de sécurité ont été
déployés. Avec pour objectif commun de pouvoir.

Des eurodéputés demandent aux Kurdes en grève de la faim de cesser leur mouvement STRASBOURG, 18 avril 2012 (AFP) en 1994 pour avoir prêté serment en langue kurde au Parlement turc. "Il faut trouver une solution politique et pacifique à la question kurde. Je comprends votre souffrance et je vous demande d'arrêter cette grève de la UNE VINGTAINE de députés européens ont demandé mercredi à 15 faim", a-t-elle dit devant une assistance d'environ 200 personnes. militants kurdes en grève de la faim depuis le 1er mars à Strasbourg de cesser cette action qui met leur vie en danger, tout en apportant L'ancien avocat de Nelson Mandela, le Sud-Africain Essa Moosa, a lui aussi leur soutien à leurs revendications. pris la parole et dit son "inquiétude" quant à l'état de santé des grévistes de la faim. "Nous soutenons votre demande par rapport à M. Öcalan, qui est à l'isolement depuis des mois: il a le droit de voir ses avocats et sa famille", a Ceux-ci n'absorbent que des boissons sucrées ou salées depuis 49 jours. notamment déclaré Jürgen Klute, coordinateur de la question kurde au Certains sont très faibles et ont été hospitalisés mais ils refusent tout traite- Parlement européen, sur le parvis de l'église Saint-Maurice à Strasbourg où ment, selon l'un des grévistes, Fuat Kav, un écrivain et journaliste qui a par sont rassemblés les grévistes de la faim. le passé été emprisonné durant plus de 20 ans en Turquie. "Mais personnellement je pense que vous devriez arrêter votre grève de la Après les interventions de ces diverses personnalités mercredi les grévistes faim. Grâce à votre action votre message a maintenant été bien entendu par de la faim ont déclaré qu'ils allaient examiner la situation avant de prendre les institutions européennes et il ne sert à rien de continuer", a-t-il ajouté. une décision dans les jours à venir sur la suite à donner à leur mouvement. Les grévistes de la faim demandent au Comité pour la prévention de la tor- Au printemps 2007, 18 militants kurdes avaient déjà observé une grève de ture (CPT) d'envoyer une délégation sur l'île prison turque d'Imrani, où est la faim pendant 39 jours à Strasbourg. Ils avaient finalement obtenu que le retenu le leader du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) Abdullah Öca- CPT envoie une délégation auprès d'Abdullah Öcalan. lan, pour examiner sa situation. Le leader kurde y purge depuis 1999 une Abdullah Öcalan, purge depuis 1999, en solitaire, une peine de prison à vie peine de prison à vie. sur l'île-prison d'Imrali, au sud d'Istanbul. Condamné à mort le 29 juin 1999, Les dix hommes et cinq femmes en grève de la faim ont également reçu le Öcalan, surnommé "Apo", 62 ans, doit la vie au parlement turc qui a aboli la soutien de Leyla Zana, députée du Parti pour la Paix et la Démocratie en peine de mort en août 2002 dans le but de rapprocher le pays, candidat à Turquie. Cette figure de la contestation kurde avait notamment été arrêtée l'Union européenne, des normes européennes.H

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

fe Iïïonde Mercredi 18 avril 2012 Au Liban, les islamistes mobilisent contre Al-Assad

Tripoli tion auprès des réfugiés syriens. Envoyée spéciale Ils capitalisent sur la traditionnel¬ le méfiance des sunnites à l'égard

La libération deJérusalem pas'- du Hezbollah, ravivée par les vio¬ se par Damas ! », « Vous [les lences meurtrières de mai 2008, Assad]finirez comme les Kad¬ quand le Parti de Dieu s'était hafi, nous briserons votre royau¬ momentanément emparé des me!». La voix de l'imam résonne quartiers sunnites de Beyrouth. dans le quartier populaire d'Abou Nabil Rahim, accusé en 2007 Samra, à Tripoli (nord du Liban), d'appartenir à Al-Qaida et détenu lors du prêche du vendredi. pendant plus de trois ans, dément La deuxième ville du Liban sort toutefois l'existence d'une filière de sa torpeur. Tripoli, dont l'écono¬ mie sinistrée et la pauvreté des fau¬ La mobilisation des bourgs sont souvent relevées, est devenue l'un des terrains majeurs islamistes s'explique de la mobilisation en faveur de la par le vide laissé révolte syrienne. C'est dans ses hôpitaux que sont accueillis la plu¬ pari'executiflibanais, part des blessés venant de Syrie. L'imamradical Ahmed Al-Assir anime un rassemblement dominé parla Quelque 3 000 réfugiés syriens anti-Assad à Wadi Khaled, à la frontière syrienne, le i"avril. sont installés dans ce bastion sun¬ coalition du Hezbollah

nite. Et presque chaque vendredi,

au sortir de la prière, des manifes¬ 1 l'injustice», raconte, pour expli¬ de soutien à la lutte armée en Dar El-Chifa, l'hôpital de la Jamaa tations anti-Assad y ont lieu. quer son ralliement au salafisme, Syrie. «Si des genspartent combat¬ Islamiya, la branche libanaise des La dernière en date s'est dérou¬ | Nabil Rahim, 40 ans, vêtu d'un tre en Syrie, c'est de façon indivi¬ Frères musulmans, situé près lée le 13 avril. Des jeunes hommes t kamis à la mode pakistanaise. duelle. C'est une lutte légitime, d'Abou Samra, soigne des rescapés ont brandi le drapeau de la révolu¬ Ahmad Moustapha Moham¬ même si elle n'estpas dans l'intérêt de l'enfer syrien. «La cause de la tion syrienne à trois étoiles rouges med, 46 ans, membre de l'associa¬ du Liban et de la Syrie », affirme révolution syrienne est importante - un symbole souvent arboré dans tion islamique Al-Bachaer qui sou- celui qui organisa, dans les années pournous. Des gens sont tués, alors les rues de Tripoli. Certains por¬ ' tient les réfugiés syriens, a quitté 2000, le transfert depuis le Liban qu'ils ne demandent que la liber¬ taient aussi l'étendard noirdes fon¬ de djihadistes vers l'Irak. Selon té», indique Abdallah Daboussi, Tripoli du temps de l'occupation : damentalistes. Les mouvements une source informée, des aspi¬ «J'avais étudié la charia [droit islamistes sunnites (des Frères responsable de l'association médi¬ rants au djihad auraient cepen¬ islamiquel jepratiquais. Je me sen¬ musulmans aux ùltraconserva- . cale dès Frères musulmans. dant rejoint le nord du Liban. tais menacé: quand les Syriens Derrière cette mobilisation, il y teurs salafistes) ancrés à Tripoli La contestation du pouvoir voyaient un barbu, ils pensaient comptent en effet parmi les princi¬ a certes un réflexe de solidarité syrien n'est pas du goût de tous qu'il appartenait au Tawhid paux organisateurs de ces rassem¬ sunnite, mais aussi un désir de les islamistes sunnites de Tripoli. [mouvement islamiste puissant et blements qui drainent des centai¬ revanche sur le régime de Damas. D'Hicham Minqara, chef de l'une antisyrien au début des années nes de manifestants. « Bachar, bou¬ Personne n'a oublié, à Tripoli, les des branches du Tawhid, on atten¬ 1980, aujourd'hui minoritaire et cher!», «Nous sommes tous années d'occupation syrienne drait, à tout le moins, un mot de prosyrien].et le tuaient. » Il est ren¬ Syriens! », «A mortBachar!A mort (1976-2005) marquées par une condamnation de Damas. L'hom¬ tré d'exil en 2007, deux ans après le Hezbollah !», peut-on entendre sévère répression contre les isla¬ me a passé quatorze ans dans les le retrait syrien du Liban. parmi les slogans. mistes. Pour certains, c'est à cette geôles baasistes, de 1986 à 2000, La mobilisation des islamistes «Le régime syrien est criminel. époque que tout a basculé. avant d'être relâché dans le cadre s'explique aussi par le vide laissé En tant que musulman, je ne peux « J'avais quinze ans quand les servi¬ d'un accord avec le régime syrien. , par l'exécutiflibanais, dominé par pas accepter la répression en. A peine dénonce-t-il les «violen¬ ces syriens m'ont arrêté, sans rai¬ ; la coalition du Hezbollah, prosy¬ Syrie », explique Hussein, habitant , ces des deux parties » (régime et son. Ils m'ont jeté en prison, tortu¬ rienne. Ces mouvements repro¬ de Diniyé (région de Tripoli) et opposition). Pour cet allié du Hez¬ ré. Quand je suis sorti, ma chemise chent aussi au Courant du futur, la sympathisant du parti Hezb j bollah, l'affaire est entendue : «La ensanglantée collait à ma peau. formation sunnite dirigée par Al-Tahrir, qui prône l'établisse¬ chute du régime syrien n'estprofi¬ J'ai décidéqueje me battrais contre Saad Hariri, son manque d'implica- ment du califat et mobiliseréguliè¬ table qu'à Israël. Je nedéfendspas rement ses partisans le vendredi. l'injustice, mais je défends la résis¬ «Les gens de Tripoli sont en colère. Tripoli et l'onde de choc de la révolte syrienne tance. » a D'après moi, le régime doitêtre sun¬ LaureStbphan nite en Syrie, à l'image de la majori¬ Avril 2011 Premières manifesta¬ ve contre la répression à Homs à té de la population. Mais je ne sou¬ tions de soutien à la révolte l'appel de mouvements islamis¬ haite pas un Etat religieux», expli¬ syrienne à Tripoli. tes. Nouveaux affrontements que Mohammed, qui participe entre quartiers sunnites aux protestations. Déçu parles par¬ Juin 2011 Affrontements entre et alaouites. Trois morts. tis traditionnels, le jeune homme quartiers sunnites et alaouites, est désormais engagé dans l'aide après des rassemblements hosti¬ Avril 2012 3000 réfugiés syriens sociale aux réfugiés syriens avec les au pouvoir syrien. Six morts. sont installés à Tripoli, selon un imam de son quartier. le Haut Commissariat aux réfu¬ Dans ce domaine, les mouve- ; Février2012 Mobilisation massi giés des Nations unies. ments islamistes sont très actifs. !

57 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 21 avril 2012 Strasbourg : Après 52 jours, des Kurdes cessent leur grève de la faim «Notre grève de la faim a atteint ses objectifs», ont affirmé les militants dans un communiqué, ajoutant: «A partir de ce jour, nous mettons fin à cette action».\( «Nous sommes aujourd'hui convaincus par les dernières déclarations que les institutions européennes vont effectuer les premiers pas dans la voie de la cessation de l'isolement» d'Öcalan, déclarent les militants, qui évoquent des déclarations en ce sens du secré- tariat du Conseil de l'Europe et de la présidence du Parlement européen. Les grévistes de la faim s'étaient installés depuis le 1er mars dans une église strasbourgeoise. Leur mouvement a été ponctué par de nombreuses manifestations de soutien, dont certaines ont rassemblé plus d'un millier de Kurdes, notam- ment devant les institutions européennes. La visite d'eurodéputés il y a quelques jours aux grévistes de Mercredi, une vingtaine de députés européens leur avaient la faim. Photo Dominique Gutekunst demandé de cesser cette action, tout en apportant leur sou- tien à leurs revendications. uinze militants kurdes, en grève de la faim depuis Au printemps 2007, 18 militants kurdes avaient déjà Q52 jours à Strasbourg pour obtenir du Conseil de observé une grève de la faim pendant 39 jours à Strasbourg. l'Europe qu'il intervienne en faveur du leader kurde Ils avaient finalement obtenu que le CPT envoie une déléga- emprisonné Abdullah Öcalan, ont annoncé samedi tion auprès d'Abdullah Öcalan. qu'ils cessaient leur mouvement car celui-ci a «atteint ses objectifs». Abdullah Öcalan purge depuis 1999, en solitaire, une peine Les activistes, venus de plusieurs pays d'Europe, deman- de prison à vie sur l'île-prison d'Imrali, au sud d'Istanbul. Il a daient notamment que le Conseil de l'Europe envoie à Istanbul été condamné à mort en juin 1999 mais sa peine a ensuite été des experts de son Comité pour la prévention de la torture commuée en détention à perpétuité. La Turquie est l'un des (CPT) afin d'y examiner les conditions de détention de M. Öca- 47 Etats-membres du Conseil de l'Europe.( AFP ) lan, lequel n'a reçu aucune visite depuis plus de huit mois.

La Turquie demande irakien, a-t-il affirmé, cité par l'agence de presse Anatolie. Jeudi, au terme d'une rencontre à Istanbul avec le dirigeant kurde, le au leader kurde Barzani Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan s'en est une nouvelle fois pris à son homologue irakien chiite Nouri al-Maliki, l'accusant de mono- de sévir contre le PKK poliser le pouvoir et d'"égocentrisme" politique, discriminant notamment les groupes sunnites dans son gouvernement, rapporte la presse turque. ANKARA, 20 avril 2012 (AFP) "Les développements en Irak ne présagent rien de bon", a-t-il ajouté. La Turquie réclame de longue date un soutien plus actif de LA TURQUIE a demandé vendredi au dirigeant kurde irakien l'administration Barzani contre les rebelles du PKK, qui disposent de Massoud Barzani, en visite à Ankara, d'adopter des mesures plus bases arrière en Irak d'où ils lancent des attaques en Turquie. sévères contre les rebelles kurdes turcs, retranchés sur son terri- toire, a indiqué une source diplomatique turque à l'AFP. "Si le PKK dépose les armes, les opérations (armées) se termineront", a en outre déclaré M. Erdogan au Qatar, où il est en visite, selon les "Une lutte plus efficace contre le PKK (Parti des travailleurs du médias. Kurdistan)" de l'administration kurde d'Irak a été évoquée au cours d'un entretien du ministre turc des Affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu avec La visite du dirigeant irakien intervient à un moment de tension politique le président de la région autonome du Kurdistan irakien, a précisé cette chez le voisin irakien accentué par le mandat d'arrêt lancé en décembre source sous couvert d'anonymat. contre le vice-président Tarek al-Hachémi, un sunnite, accusé de diriger un gang de tueurs, qui s'est réfugié dans un premier temps au Kurdistan "Les deux parties sont convenues de poursuivre le dialogue sur ces irakien. sujets" qui comprennent également la politique intérieure en Irak, a-t-on ajouté de même source. M. Hachémi est actuellement à Istanbul où il a eu un entretien avec M. Barzani. Il bénéficie de la bienveillance du gouvernement islamo-conser- M. Barzani a pour sa part indiqué à des journalistes que son administra- vateur turc qui dirige un pays largement sunnite. tion allait "employer toutes les méthodes, y compris les pressions et les bons conseils" pour convaincre les rebelles d'abandonner les armes dans M. Barzani a indiqué vendredi que M. al-Hachémi pouvait, s'il le souhai- H le nord de l'Irak. tait, revenir dans le Kurdistan irakien. "Si le PKK choisit les armes, je ne lui permettrai pas" d'utiliser le Kurdistan

58 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 17, 2012 No fans of Assad, Syria's Kurds distrust uprising

By ZEINA KARAM their own divisions among multi- Associated Press ple parties and factions, one of which is accused of openly EIRUT—Syria's Kurds, who siding with Assad's regime. have long complained of B "The Kurds are being used as discrimination under President political pawns in the battle bet- In a Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011 photo, a Syrian Kurdish boy who lives in Bashar Assad, would seem a ween Assad's regime and opposi- Lebanon carries a banner during a protest outside the Arab League office natural fit to join the revolt tion forces," said Fares Tammo, in Beirut, Lebanon. Syria's Kurds, who have long complained of dis- against his rule. Instead, they whose father, Mashaal Tammo, crimination under Assad, would seem a natural fit to join the revolt are growing increasingly dis- one of the most vocal and cha- against his rule. Instead, they are growing increasingly distrustful of the trustful of an opposition they rismatic Kurdish opposition opposition who they see as no more likely to grant them their rights. (AP see as no more likely to grant figures, was assassinated in Photo/Bilal Hussein) them their rights. October by gunmen who burst Kurdish parties angrily pulled into his apartment in northern "It is interpreted as a Kurdish Iraq and Iran. out of a recent conference aimed Syria. demand for separatism," Burhan at unifying the opposition ranks Syrian Kurds have long complai- The Kurds' hesitation also under- Ghalioun told the Iraqi Kurdish after participants ignored their ned of neglect and discrimina- lines a major problem for the newspaper Rudaw. "The SNC demands for more rights and tion. Assad's government for opposition: its overwhelmingly refuses to give the Kurds self- recognition in a post-Assad years argued they are not citi- Sunni Arab nature and the per- rule because there is no part of Syria. zens at all. ception that it is dominated by Syria where Kurds represent 100 A few days after the withdrawal, Islamic hard-liners who will dis- percent of the population ... They rose up in 2004, clashing while the rest of the country was criminate against minorities if There is no such thing as Syrian with security forces in Qamishli, protesting against Assad, Kurds given a chance at power. Kurdistan." the capital of Syria's Kurdish in their main cities of Qamishli heartland, after a brawl between Omar Hossino, a Washington- He said that if Kurds throw their and Hasakeh protested against Kurdish and Arab supporters of based Syrian-American resear- weight behind the uprising, it the predominantly Sunni Arab rival soccer teams. The unrest cher, said it is key to the upri- would "strengthen their position opposition, demanding it back a spread to the nearby cities of sing's success for the main in the future to demand their system that would give them Hasaka and Aleppo. At least 25 opposition umbrella group, the rights" and to have a greater role greater say over their own people were killed, and the Syrian National Council, to inte- "in Syria in general." affairs. "We want federalism," clashes gave Damascus a pretext grate the Kurds. some protesters shouted, car- Mustafa Osso, secretary general to further crack down on the rying red, white and green "This in turn could not only reas- of the Azadi Kurdish Party in Kurds. Kurdish flags. sure other minority groups fear- Syria, said Ghalioun's comments Now Assad's regime has sought ful of Arab Sunni Islamist majo- will "discourage Kurdish parties Tens of thousands of Kurds have to assuage the Kurds enough to ritarianism, but would also gua- from joining the SNC." been joining in weekly protests prevent them from joining the rantee a more pluralist regime in against Assad's regime. But sus- "The Kurds have a right to self- current revolt against his rule, the post-Assad period," said picion of the opposition has kept determination and one of the which erupted early last year. Hossino. many of Syria's estimated 2.5 options is federalism," he told Security forces have refrained million Kurds—more than 10 Still, many in the opposition The Associated Press. from using deadly force against percent of the population—sit- react to Kurdish demands much "Federalism is absolutely not the protests that have occurred in ting on the fence amid the coun- like the Assad regime always same thing as separatism, which Kurdish areas. try's turmoil. As a result, they has. They see the demands as a we reject." Early on, Assad ceded ground on effectively join Christians, call to split the country, particu- Kurds are the largest ethnic a major Kurdish demand: In Alawites and other key minori- larly Kurds' hope for a federal minority in Syria, centered in the April last year, he granted citi- ties whose fear for the future if system that would give them poor northeastern provinces of zenship to some 200,000 Kurds Assad's secular regime collapses self-rule similar to northern Hasakeh and Qamishli, wedged who were registered as aliens has kept them from joining the Iraq's autonomous region of between the borders of Turkey before. The decree excluded uprising in force. Kurdistan. and Iraq. Areas of the capital thousands of other Kurds known Both the Damascus government The SNC's chief further angered Damascus and Syria's largest city as "maktoumeen," who are unre- and the opposition have courted Kurds with an interview publi- of Aleppo also have sizable gistered and have no identity the Kurds but neither have been shed Monday in which he told Kurdish communities. The cards. willing to make full concessions. Kurds not to cling to the "useless Kurdish ethnic group stretches "It was an obvious attempt to The Kurds are also hampered by illusion" of federalism. into contiguous areas of Turkey, pacify us," said Amina Farman, a ➼

59 ➼ Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 37-year-old Kurd who was ced by the opposition and is Kurdish National Council, wal- role played by Kurds in Syria among those who acquired citi- concerned about the growing ked out of the gathering. would reflect on Turkey's zenship. "I would have been militarization of the uprising. Kurds, too," the Germany-based A few days later at a "Friends of happy and grateful to get it had Kurdish Center for Legal "There's something not quite Syria" meeting in Istanbul on the circumstances been diffe- Studies and Consultancy said in right," she said of the opposi- April 3, SNC head Ghalioun rent. Now it just feels like a an international appeal for sup- tion's disregard of Kurdish read a national charter for the meaningless buyout," she said port last week. rights. new Syria that included a by phone from Qamishli. pledge to uphold Kurdish Fares Tammo, whose Kurdish "We want to bring democracy to Farman, who was born in Syria, rights. But the KNC called the Future Movement is the only Syria," she said. "We don't want can now for the first time vote, wording too vague. Kurdish party in the SNC, to replace tyranny with work legally and own property. defends his party's presence in tyranny." The Kurds are also suspicious But the regime still bans Kurds the council. about influence over the SNC from publicly speaking in their Late last month, an opposition by Turkey, which has a history But, he admits, some of its own language or teaching it, conference in Istanbul ignored of oppressing its own Kurds members "see through chauvi- prevents Kurdish political and Kurdish demands it support and which, they believe, does nist eyes and try their best to cultural public gatherings and political decentralization and not want them to gain rights in marginalize the Kurdish role." treats Kurds as second-class Kurdish rights in a post-Assad Syria as well. citizens. state. In response, the main Kurdish umbrella group, the Turkey is concerned "that the Still, Farman is also not convin-

20 April 2012 Barzani, Erdoğan find common ground

TODAY'S ZAMAN, ANKARAagainst Maliki government(KRG) and the amount is often too low," said Barzani. raqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani's two-day talks in İstanbul and Ankara Erdoğan also said developments in Syria Iappear to have focused on tensions bre- were evaluated during the meeting. He wing between Iraq's Shiite-led govern- added that their [Erdoğan and Barzani] ment and minority Sunnis and Kurds, approaches towards the Syrian crisis cor- which Prime Minister Recep Tayyip related. Erdoğan has described as “ominous.” Erdoğan underlined that the PKK terrorist Barzani had closed-door talks with organization was the third issue on the Erdoğan in İstanbul on Thursday and met table and that both sides [Erdoğan and with President Abdullah Gül and Foreign Barzani] had parallel approaches against Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu in Ankara on PKK. “Barzani said they were disturbed Friday. Speaking to reporters about his stituted the agenda of the meeting. by the PKK and that it was impossible to meeting with Barzani, Erdoğan said both approve the approaches of the terrorist Barzani and the cross-sectarian Iraqiya Erdoğan said the developments in Iraq organization. We [Erdoğan and Barzani] group are “seriously bothered” by Prime were ominous. “The behavior of the cur- will be in touch. The two countries also Minister Nouri al-Maliki's policies. rent prime minister towards his own coali- engage in economic cooperation. We will tion partners and his self-centered atti- act together on energy and infrastruc- Erdogan said they had discussed Syria, tude and approach of pushing limits in ture,” said Erdoğan. Iraq and the Kurdistan Workers' Party Iraq seriously bothers Barzani, the cross- (PKK) issue with Barzani in the meeting, sectarian Iraqiya group and the Shiite Barzani also met with Iraq's fugitive Vice which Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay, groups. These developments affect the President Tariq al-Hashemi in İstanbul on Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun process negatively. We [Erdoğan and Thursday. Al-Hashemi, the top Sunni Sinirlioğlu and National Intelligence Barzani] focused on these issues,” the Muslim official in Iraq's Shiite Muslim- Organization (MİT) Undersecretary prime minister said. dominated government, said that he and Hakan Fidan also attended. Barzani discussed recent trips to the Barzani said Maliki was holding power in United States and Gulf countries. Erdoğan answered questions from the one hand, although in the constitution the press prior to his visit to Qatar on balance of power was clear. “Iraq is for all Al-Hashemi, for whom the Shiite-led cen- Thursday. When asked what particular of us. The political tension in Iraq must be tral government issued an arrest warrant issues were discussed with Barzani, solved according to the existing constitu- in late 2011, arrived in Turkey earlier this Erdoğan replied that he was not going to tional order. The share of money and month after his visits to Saudi Arabia and disclose the details, adding that, in sum- power is clear in the constitution. Qatar. Hashemi recently stated that he mary, Iraq was the priority issue that con- Baghdad is slow in transfering funds to will return to Iraq and will not seek politi- the Kurdistan Regional Government cal asylum in neighboring countries.

60 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Anxious to keep lid on Iraq,

April 17,Obama 2012 - By Alister Bull woos - (Reuters) - Kurds

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama, facing a damaging tioned that Washington could not pick sides between Kurdistan and election-year problem if Iraq's political crisis worsens, has laun- Baghdad, a senior administration official said. ched an urgent behind-the-scenes push to ease tensions between the Baghdad central government and the Kurds. "Neither relationship can come at the expense of the other relations- hip," the official said. "A red line for us is that all this must be done Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurds' semi-autonomous regional in a way that is consistent with the (Iraqi) constitution." government, paid a quiet visit to the White House on April 4 and left ENERGY SECURITY with backing for two long-standing requests that could help build the worried Kurds' confidence in U.S. support. Iraq boasts some of the world's largest oil reserves and could pro- Barzani's heated criticism last month of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- vide essential extra production capacity to help stabilize world oil Maliki has fanned concern the country could splinter, potentially markets, at a moment when gasoline prices are one of the most pres- setting off a fresh civil war. sing issues for U.S. voters. Reuters has learned that to demonstrate U.S. support, the White And while foreign policy hasn't yet been a major factor in the U.S. House and Congress agreed to lift a designation that treats presidential campaign, both parties are likely to sharpen their focus Kurdistan's two main political parties as if they were terrorist on it ahead of the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden's killing groups, complicating members' travel to the United States. In addi- by U.S. commandos on May 2. tion, the U.S. consulate in Arbil will begin issuing U.S. visas before Qubad Talabani, son of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the repre- the end of 2012. sentative for the Kurdistan Regional Government in Washington, Since withdrawing the last U.S. troops in December, Obama has, at said the Kurdish delegation was happy with Biden's words of sup- least publicly, put little focus on Iraq, and critics view the latest ges- port to Barzani. tures as not much more than damage control. "The reaffirmation of the commitment to Kurdistan and the Kurdish But Obama still has a lot at stake in Iraq. If violence explodes, it people went down very well," he said. could tarnish Obama's bragging rights with U.S. voters for conclu- "For us, we're naturally an insecure people, and given the history ding the unpopular war. that we've had, we're expecting at some point or another to be let And worsening relations between the Shi'ite-led central government down again," he said. and semi-autonomous Kurdistan could thwart White House efforts The Kurds, severely persecuted under late Iraqi dictator Saddam to lower gasoline prices. The Kurds halted oil exports to Baghdad on Hussein, have become increasingly nervous since U.S. troops left. April 1, citing a payment dispute. Indeed, the troop departure was followed almost immediately by a CIVIL WAR political crisis sparked by Maliki's demand for the arrest of a Sunni Barzani last month delivered a sharp denunciation of Maliki's Muslim vice president, who fled to Kurdistan, where Barzani defied government and suggested he could seek a referendum of some the prime minister by granting him shelter. kind on the Kurdish region's relations with Baghdad - although he SEE NO EVIL stopped far short of breaking a taboo by making explicit reference to independence. Critics of Obama's Iraq policy complain that the White House is pri- marily concerned on keeping a lid on events until after the Analysts say the probability of the Kurds declaring independence is November 6 U.S. election. low, although not zero. "I think the administration is of the mind-set of 'see no evil, hear no "If Kurds were to declare independence in the near term there is a evil' and it wants Iraq to be invisible for the political debate in the very high likelihood that that would provoke a war with Baghdad," United States," said Ned Parker, a visiting fellow at the Council on said Kenneth Pollack, a former CIA analyst. Foreign Relations. The White House promises to the Kurdish president "constitute use- To encourage the Kurds to remain within Iraq's political process, the ful takeaways for Barzani but they are probably about the absolute administration is bowing to their long-standing plea to amend the minimum that he would have found acceptable," said Pollack, now status of the main political parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution's Saban Center for (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Under the U.S. Middle East Policy. Immigration and Nationality Act, members of the groups are dee- The goal of the Washington meetings in early April, both the White med to be engaged in terrorist activity. House and the Kurds said, was to re-commit to a relationship that This is not as severe as being designated as a terrorist organization both value. Obama dropped in on one of the meetings Vice by the U.S. State Department. But it means that members of these President Joe Biden hosted for Barzani that day. organizations must get a government exemption to visit or stay in Biden assured Barzani of U.S. backing for the Kurds, but he also cau- the United States. ☛

61 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ☛ An aide to Senator Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Senate again, the Kurds said. Homeland Security Committee, said Lieberman was working on The amounts involved are modest - around 50,000 barrels per day legislation to remove the designation. from Kurdistan compared with Iraq's national output of some 2.6 In addition, the U.S. decision to begin issuing visas from its consu- million barrels, according to published 2011 estimates by the U.S. late in Arbil from the end of 2012 will save Kurds who want to visit Central Intelligence Agency. the United States the expense and hazard of journeying to Baghdad But the dispute highlights the country's ongoing failure to agree to to get a visa or traveling to a U.S. consulate outside of Iraq. a national oil law, potentially dampening the willingness of big State Department spokesman Michael Lavallee confirmed this foreign oil firms to make the investments necessary to exploit these move, which had been long sought by the Kurds, but stressed in a resources. statement that it was part of a broader effort to "work with the The Kurds currently have no independent export route for their oil government of Iraq to continue to normalize our consular services outside of the central government. throughout the country." "They have a lot of potential," said Ben Lando of the Iraq Oil Report. OIL SAFETY VALVE "There are substantial oil and gas reserves but there has not been a U.S. officials also offered to help the Kurds in talks with Baghdad to qualified number put on that and in many places exploration is still J resolve the oil payments dispute and get the exports flowing once ongoing."

April 22, 2012

Al Maliki calls Turkey a ‘hostilewas halting oil exports state' because the central government was not paying oil Relations reach a new low firms operating in the north. Turkey is as Iraqi pm says Erdogan worried that the violence in Syria and has a sectarian agenda growing tensions in Iraq could lead to a wider conflict between Shiite and Gulf News Sunnis in the region. Reuters & AFP Tense Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister It is a new low for Iraq-Turkey ties, Nouri Al Maliki has branded Turkey a although relations have been tense for "hostile state" with a sectarian agenda, some time. Thursday after a meeting in Istanbul the latest in a series of bitter exchanges Earlier this year, Erdogan warned Al with Masoud Barzani, the president of between the neighbours. Maliki against fomenting sectarian ten- the autonomous Kurdistan region in Al Maliki was responding to com- sions, which Al Maliki said "provoked north Iraq, who has cultivated close ments made by Turkish Prime Minister all Iraqis," and the two countries called relations with Ankara. Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday in in each other's respective ambassadors After closed-door talks with Barzani, which Erdogan accused the Iraqi leader to express their anger. Erdogan stoked further tensions with of fanning tensions between the coun- Sunni-majority Turkey and Shiite- Iraq by accusing Al Maliki of taking an try's Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds with his majority Iraq have taken sharply diffe- "egocentric approach" in politics. "self-centred" ways. rent tacks on violence in Syria, an issue "The current prime minister's treat- "The recent announcements by that has furthered sectarian tension and ment toward his coalition partners, his Erdogan represent another return to fla- division between Sunni and Shiite states egocentric approach within Iraqi poli- grant interference in Iraqi internal in the region. tics... seriously concern Shiite groups, affairs," Al Maliki said in a statement on In Syria, the regime of President Mr Barzani and the Iraqiya group," the his website. Bashar Al Assad, a member of the mino- main Sunni-backed political bloc, "His announcements have a secta- rity Alawite sect which is an offshoot of Erdogan was quoted by local media as rian dimension. To insist on continuing Shiite Islam, is carrying out a bloody saying. these internal and regional policies will crackdown on a Sunni-led uprising Erdogan has warned before that harm Turkish interests and make it a against his rule in which thousands of Turkey, which is mainly Sunni but offi- hostile state for all." people have been killed. cially secular, would not remain silent if Al Maliki accused Turkey of trying Erdogan has called for Al Assad to a sectarian conflict were to erupt in to establish "hegemony" in the region. step down, while Al Maliki has said non- Iraq. Sectarian tensions flared in Iraq in interference in Syria and opposition to The city of Kirkuk is at the centre of December when the Shiite-led govern- arming either side in the conflict is in a dispute between the central govern- ment tried to remove Sunni Deputy Iraq's best interest. ment and the Kurdish region, which Prime Minister Saleh Al Mutlaq and Iraq is Turkey's second largest tra- claims the city and the region's rich oil sought an arrest warrant for Sunni Vice- ding partner after Germany, with trade reserves. President Tareq Al Hashemi on charges reaching $12 billion (Dh44 billion) last The rift between Baghdad and the he ran death squads. year, more than half of which was with Kurds recently worsened when the J Dispute the Kurdistan region. Kurdistan Regional Government said it Erdogan made his comments on

62 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 19, 2012

Iraqi Kurdish Region President, Turkish

DorianOfficials Jones | Istanbul Meet, Discuss Syria voanews.com Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip he head of the Iraqi Kurdish region, Erdogan (R) and Masoud Barzani, is visiting Turkey Kurdistan Region in a deepening of relations built on President Masoud tradeT and growing shared regional Barzani shake interests. But the unrest in Syria poses hands before both a challenge and opportunity for their meeting in the two parties. Istanbul, April 19, 2012. Photo: The Iraqi Kurdistan regional President Reuters Masoud Barzani started his two-day visit Thursday by meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. One of the key topics of talks is repor- of the Turkish newspaper Haberturk own Kurdish problem to him." said with Syrian Kurds making up a ted to be the crisis in neighboring Barzani is expected to discuss steps to large part of the rebel group PKK, the Syria. end the PKK insurgency against Turkey. Syrian crisis poses a dilemma to He has resisted calls by Ankara to move Sinan Ulgen is a former senior Turkish Ankara. The largest Kurdish population against PKK bases in northern Iraq. The diplomat who now heads the Center for lives in Turkey and for more than three Iraqi Kurdish leader is reported to be Economics and Foreign Policy Studies. decades the PKK has been fighting the planning to call for a PKK cease-fire in He said Ankara has deep concern about Turkish state for greater rights. the role Kurds will play if the Syrian the coming weeks. "You see Turkey, on one hand, does regime falls to government opponents. But it is a reciprocal relationship. not want Damascus's grip to weaken in "In a post-Assad era, if the Syrian order to keep the Kurds in place. On Turkish authorities are offering strong Kurds, possibly with the support of the the other hand, it wants Assad regime support to Barzani in his political Iraqi Kurdish leadership, want to obtain to go. It is very difficult act," said Ozel. struggle with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri a degree of autonomy - if not to say al-Maliki over the distribution of power Still, the Turkish government is rolling independence, that can fuel secessio- and control of resources. Former out the red carpet for the Iraqi Kurdish nist tendency of other Kurds in the Turkish envoy Ulgen said common leader. With a meeting scheduled region," Ulgen said. "That is certainly a interests are forging a strong relations- Friday with Turkish President Abdullah risk. But Barzani, before coming to hip. Turkey, he also made a number of sta- Gul, the Barzani visit is being described tements to trying to assuage those in the Turkish media as akin to an offi- "This is a grand equation. And the fears." cial state visit by a leader of a country. more Turkey and Iraq Kurdish leader- ship acquire common points of conver- In the past few years, relations have International relations expert Soli Ozel gence, the more confidence will emerge dramatically improved between the on the two sides. We have already seen Turkish government and the Iraqi signs of that: the fact that they now see Kurdish leader. eye-to-eye on the future of Iraq and Cengiz Aktar, professor of International trying to push back against Maliki," relations at Istanbul's Bahcesehir said Ulgen. "It is also helping to discuss University, said the warm reception is more constructively the role Syrian an indication of the importance to Kurds can play in the future of Syria." Ankara of Barzani. Several Syrian Kurdish opposition "Some time ago he was considered as a groups are using the Iraqi Kurdish local bandit. Now he is considered as a region as a place to meet. Analysts say statesman," said Aktar. "The main tie is Ankara may well be looking to Barzani economic, and Turkish industrialists as a moderating force on their and tradesmen are very busy and very demands and to persuade them to unit active. It's very important, it's very use- behind the mainJ opposition Syrian ful, it's very healthy and this is how National Council. People stand in front of a Kurdish flag during relations are developing. And there is a protest against Syria's President Bashar al- so much trust on especially on Masoud Assad and a celebration of Nowruz held by Qamishli's Kurdish community, March 21, Barzani. The Turkish government is 2012. trying to subcontract the solution of its

63 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Unraveling the Kurdish April 20, 2012 Conundrum Morton Abramowitz, Jessica Sims despite the fact that its long-revered leader for independence. Iraqi Kurds, moreover, has languished in jail for thirteen years. also know that a call for independence or the last century, some 30 million The PKK still dominates the Kurdish polit- would be met with hostility on all sides, Kurds in the Middle East and Turkey ical consciousness. While the lives of many which seems to have led them to the view F got the short end of the stick. They Kurds have vastly improved with Turkey’s that greater political and economic autono- were the unacknowledged, often-persecut- economic growth, Ankara has never deliv- my might be the more viable alternative to ed minority in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria. ered much in terms of Kurdish political an independent state. Moreover, the KRG They had little ability to affect the politics interests because of Turkish nationalism has no security guarantee from of these countries. But that began to and deep domestic political divisions Washington and would have to turn to change after the first Gulf War, when the within the country on the Kurdish issue. Turkey for help if it got into trouble. Kurds of northern Iraq gained significant Keeping a unified Iraqi state avoids autonomy. And now the Arab uprisings The ruling AKP party is the first to try to adding fuel to the Kurdish fire in Turkey. have awakened a Kurdish consciousness tackle the long-festering Kurdish problem. throughout the region. And the Turkish government may have Meanwhile, Syria’s Kurds largely have the opportunity to make real progress on escaped violence so far. But they are divid- While Kurds have started talking more to the Kurdish matter this year as it drafts a ed over how to proceed in the wake of each other, there has been no coming new constitution that could deal with such Syria’s terrible descent. While a majority in together and no unified Kurdish area is major issues as Kurdish identity and edu- the northeast came out against Assad, the remotely in the offing—but as the situa- cation. Unfortunately, major reform Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD) in tions in Syria, Iraq and Iran change, a new presently seems unlikely. Turkey is impris- central and northwest Syria supports status for the region’s Kurds is coming. To oning many Kurdish politicians and once Assad and has strong links with the PKK. understand and protect its interests in the again intensifying its war against the PKK, Even those who want to see Assad go are outcome, Washington must pay close while hoping that Iraq’s Kurds will now skeptical that the Muslim Brotherhood- attention to the dynamics at work. do more to control the PKK elements long dominated opposition would recognize established in their territory. That is likely their ethnic rights—something the opposi- The United States has a checkered history to be an uphill battle. Yet many in the tion so far has failed to do. Kurds are wait- with the Kurds, but it has done at least one Turkish media now recognize and state ing to see how the Syrian situation evolves impressive thing. In 1991, it established a openly that major change is necessary. and how long Assad is likely to be around. protected area for the Kurds in Iraq that If Assad continues to hang on, division allowed them to create a successful, quasi- Most Turks strongly opposed the creation among Kurds will harden and diminish independent state after decades of division of the protected zone in northern Iraq after the more moderate Kurdish parties. KRG and oppression. The unexpected result the first Gulf War, fearing it would lead to prime minister Barzani has tried to be a was something of a beacon for all Kurds. an independent Kurdistan and enormous- political broker for the fractured Syrian ly impact Turkey’s Kurds. They were right, Kurds, but his first attempt at a council Despite this new model, there is still dis- but the impact was far less than they failed to produce any common approach. unity and disagreement among the vari- feared. Indeed, after a period of isolating A planned meeting in June to bring togeth- ous Kurdish groups. But the instability the KRG, Ankara changed its approach er Kurds from the major parties in the that reigns throughout the region will also and established strong trade ties, consider- region will be important symbolically if transform the Kurdish situation in uncer- able investment and a degree of political not determinative politically. tain ways. Turkey’s continued struggle cooperation unthinkable a decade ago. with its Kurdish population, Iraq’s fractur- Turks and increasingly the Turkish press ing political scene and the Syrian Iraqi Kurds are by far the most successful closely follow the Kurdish scene in Syria. upheavals are opening new vistas for the and politically stable group, but they have They remain concerned over PKK activity Kurds. their share of problems. They differ from in the country and their collaboration with other major Iraqi groups on a number of Assad, but so far little has happened. The Nobody can easily predict how today’s important issues, including the status of PKK is probably more useful to Assad as a dust settles. But the United States wants Kirkuk, and the KRG may have over- threat against Turkey than serious military the Kurds to emerge in better shape and stepped its bounds by signing oil deals in efforts, which could bring in the Turkish not become an issue that further divides disputed territories. Tensions are also esca- military. More fundamentally there are countries and the region. That is no easy lating over sectarian differences and Prime latent fears in Turkey regarding the cre- job in an area that hardly plays to Minister Maliki’s authoritarian tendencies. ation of another autonomous Kurdish Washington’s strong suit. Many Kurds see rising violence in the rest region or, worse, calls for an independent of Iraq sinking the ship of state. If the Kurdish state should Assad leave the FOUR STATES, MULTIPLE DIVISIONS leaks worsen, independence could well scene. (If the truce brokered by Kofi beckon. Annan holds, it will be a serious setback Turkey has the largest Kurdish population for an autonomous Kurdish zone. It could in the region but has not resolved its long- KRG relations with Turkey and its inclina- also close the window of opportunity for standing Kurdish problem. After thirty tion toward pragmatism and economic the Kurds to play a larger political role, as years of war (recently with significant U.S. growth seem to mitigate the fear of a uni- they would remain outside both the gov- laterally declared Kurdistan, although ernment and the opposition.) help) and forty thousand dead, it has not ➡ vanquished the terrorist group PKK, some see these factors as generating hopes

64 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➡ Iran currently has perhaps the fewest ing fit for a head of state. reassured that U.S. support for the Syrian issues with its Kurdish population. After a Kurds will not result in a de facto Syrian recent truce with the PJAK, the PKK-affili- Given the close relationship between version of the KRG—a second ated terrorist group that has been fighting President Obama and Turkish prime min- autonomous area would be a strong the Iranian state since the late 1990s, the ister Erdogan on Middle East issues, U.S. inducement to many Turkish Kurds. Iranian government has kept its Kurds and Turkish policies toward Syrian and quiet by giving them nominal participa- Iraqi Kurds are being carefully coordinat- The Kurds have so far benefitted little tion in elections and government, while ed. But as turbulence continues to shake from the Arab Spring, certainly not yet in periodically executing Kurds who step out the region, Turkey’s policy toward its own Iran. The Kurds are the largest minority in of line. Kurds now has serious implications for the the Middle East, making them the natural regional Kurdish issue. The Obama beneficiaries of the emergence of more Iranian Kurds’ own fractured political par- administration has stayed quiet on democratic states. But the Kurdish popula- ties make the government’s job easier. Turkey’s domestic Kurdish policy because tions in each country remain fractured Despite previous support for the PKK and of long-standing, lingering Turkish fears with no apparent vision for their place in links between the PKK and PJAK, there that the United States is intent on dismem- the region and no consensus on whether does not seem to be Iranian or Kurdish bering Turkey for the Kurds. It supports there should be one. interest in violence against Turkey. The Turkey’s efforts against the PKK and pro- Kurdish dimension is seemingly less vides important intelligence support for The United States will need to continue to important for the Iranian government fighting the PKK in northern Iraq. It is weigh in with Iraqi Kurds, ensuring their given its other problems. And the Kurds time, however, for Washington to remind aspirations do not get out of hand while themselves are probably waiting to see Ankara, at least privately, that failure to encouraging efforts at mediation among what happens between Washington and address its domestic Kurdish situation Arab Sunnis and Shiites within Iraq and Tehran. harms Turkey’s ability to help shape the Kurds in Syria. Once again, Ankara broader Middle East outcomes. remains critical: if Turkey can consolidate SEARCHING FOR A KURDISH POLICY its growing democracy by making In the near term, both Washington and progress with its own Kurds, it will create All this complexity makes it difficult for Ankara want to see Syrian Kurds become the basis for a better region, hopefully United States to formulate any approach part of the government-in-exile Syrian including a recovering Syria and a more toward the regional Kurdish issue. National Council (SNC). This would make stable Iraq. Washington should support Washington has no Kurdish policy, only an the opposition more representative of the Turkey in such efforts. Time may be grow- Iraqi policy in which Kurds are not front Syrian population, deliver a blow to the ing short. and center. The United States remains Syrian regime, and isolate the PYD and close to the Iraqi Kurds but refused to give PKK, who still support Assad. The United Morton Abramowitz is a senior fellow at The them security assurances when American States and Turkey would need to convince Century Foundation and a member ofThe forces departed. While keeping Iraq united the SNC and other opposition that minori- National Interest's Advisory Council. Jessica remains the administration’s line to Iraqi ty rights are in the long-term interest of a Sims is a research associate at The Century Kurds, Barzani’s recent visit to future Syrian state and that international Foundation. Washington was tinged with references to support will depend on whether they keep independence even as he received a greet- these promises. Turkey will want to be

20 April 2012

Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani during a meeting on Thursday, the Erdoğan: Turkish prime minister said although they did not discuss it, he did say the issue of Military the PKK's laying down its arms is always on Turkey's agenda in talks with northern operations Iraq's regional administration. Barzani arrived in Turkey for a two-day will stop if Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip visit on Thursday and met with Erdoğan in Erdoğan responded to questions by reporters İstanbul on the same day. He also had PKK lays on April 20, 2012 in Doha. (Photo: Cihan) talks with President Abdullah Gül and should lay down its arms. This is our call. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on down arms The stance of the Turkish state is clear Friday. TODAYSZAMAN once they lay down their arms. It is [our stance] to completely stop military opera- Turkey has been fighting the PKK since rime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tions. But it is out of question for opera- 1984 and as many as 40,000 people have has said the Turkish military would tions to end unless the organization lays died since then. Turkey has demanded P“completely” halt military operations down its arms,” Erdoğan said on Friday active support from the Kurdish regional against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' while responding to questions from administration in the fight against the ter- Party (PKK) if the organization were to lay reporters in Doha. rorist organization, which has several down its arms. bases in northern Iraq, including its main
When asked whether he discussed the base in the Kandil Mountains “The separatist terrorist organization issue with Kurdistan Regional

65 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 23 avril 2012 En Irak, l'achat de F-16 aux Etats-Unis inquiète le Kurdistan Le président kurde Massoud Barzani redoute que Bagdad n'utilise ces avions de combat contre son territoire. ERBIL (Irak), (AFP) Massoud Barzani, inquiet des à l a E CHEF DE le région auto- conséquences d'un pouvoir Lnome du Kurdistan ira- fort à Bagdad, a multiplié ces kien Massoud Barzani s'est derniers temps les attaques déclaré opposé à la vente par contre le chef de gouverne- les Etats-Unis de F-16 à l'Irak ment irakien l'accusant de se tant que Nouri al-Maliki conduire en dictateur en demeurait Premier ministre concentrant tous les pouvoirs craignant qu'il ne les utilise entre ses mains. contre son territoire. Par ailleurs, pour le dirigeant kurde, l'installation dans sa "Les F-16 ne doivent pas arri- région d'ExxonMobil, la plus ver dans les mains de cet grande compagnie pétrolière homme. Nous devons empê- au monde, représenterait une cher qu'il possède ce type protection considérable. d'armes et s'il les obtient, il ne doit pas rester à son poste", a- "Quand j'ai été aux aux Etats- t-il déclaré dimanche soir à Unis (ce mois-ci), ils mi-mars que le groupe améri- (Massoud Barzani) liée à la des journalistes. (ExxonMobil) ont voulu me cain "suspendait" ce contrat, mémoire historique des auto- voir et m'ont affirmé être En décembre 2011, les Etats- au sujet duquel Bagdad et la rités kurdes envers le gouver- engagés par ce qu'ils ont Unis avaient donné leur région autonome sont en nement irakien". signé", a souligné M. Barzani. accord pour vendre 36 F-16 à conflit depuis plusieurs mois, Le 20 mars, Massoud Barzani Bagdad dans un contrat de "Si ExxonMobil vient cela équi- ce qu'à démenti la présidence avait accusé dans un discours plusieurs milliards de dollars. vaut à la présence de divisions kurde. M. Maliki de mettre sur pied militaires américaines", a-t-il M. Barzani prétend sans en La région kurde, devenue une force à ses ordres. "On ajouté. C'est même mieux, apporter la preuve ni la date autonome en 1991 avec assiste à une tentative de met- selon lui, car "les dix divisions que M. Maliki, lors d'une réu- l'interdiction faite à l'aviation tre sur pied une armée d'un (américaines) peuvent se reti- nion avec des officiers de irakienne de survoler ce terri- million d'âmes dévouées à une rer immédiatement si elles l'armée irakienne, aurait toire, est en conflit avec le seule personne", a-t-il souli- reçoivent un télégramme en ce menacé d'user ces appareils pouvoir central depuis le créa- gné. sens" de Washington alors pour frapper le Kurdistan. tion de l'Irak dans les années "Où, dans le monde, une seule qu'avec ExxonMobil "nous 20. Les dirigeants arabes qui et même personne peut-elle Selon lui, «ils ont parlé des pouvons dire qu'ils défen- ont gouverné ce pays ont tou- être Premier ministre, chef des problèmes entre Bagdad et dront leur territoire car ils y jours voulu s'emparer de ce armées, ministre de la Erbil et les officiers lui ont dit auront des intérêts". territoire rebelle. : "Monsieur. Donnez nous Défense, ministre de ExxonMobil avait signé à la mi- l’ordre et nous allons les chas- "Il s'agit chez les Kurdes d'une l'Intérieur, chef des services octobre un accord ser d’Erbil" et il (Maliki) a peur historique", estime secrets et chef du conseil de d'exploration pétrolière avec répondu : "Attendez l’arrivée l'expert de l'Irak Reidar Visser, sécurité nationale ?", avait-il le Kurdistan, s'attirant les fou- des F-16"». l'éditeur du site martelé. dres du gouvernement central www.historiae.org. Il avait ajouté que le gouverne- Sous la protection irakien, qui considère cet Pour Jotyar Adel, professeur ment de Bagdad "attendait d'ExxonMobil accord comme nul et non de sciences politiques à d'obtenir les F-16 pour avenu. Jamais les relations entre les l'université Salaheddine à confronter les peshmergas deux hommes les plus puis- Mais un responsable gouver- Erbil, "il existe une peur chez (milices kurdes).I sants d'Irak n'ont atteint un nemental irakien avait indiqué le président de la région tel degré d'animosité.

Le sous-officier participait à une opération de ratissage dans une zone Un soldat turc tué par rurale proche de la localité d'Uludere, dans la province de Sirnak, voisine de une mine posée par l'Irak, quand il a marché sur une mine posée par le PKK. Grièvement blessé, il a succombé à ses blessures, selon la même source, les rebelles kurdes soulignant que des opérations contre le PKK se poursuivaient dans la région. DIYARBAKIR, 21 avr 2012 (AFP) 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, UN SOLDAT a été tué samedi dans le sud-est de la Turquie par peuplé en majorité de Kurdes. Le PKK est considéré comme une organisa- l'explosion d'une mine posée par des rebelles du Parti des travailleurs tion terroriste par la Turquie et de nombreux pays.H du Kurdistan (PKK), a affirmé une source locale de sécurité.

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

feUlonde

Mercredi 25 avril 2012 Les Occidentaux dans lepiège de Damas

laisser ses opposants profiter du selon l'OSDH. Cette fraction Scènes de la barbarie ordinai¬ été tués, a envoyé ses troupes de l'ASL espère par là passer plus re en Syrie : lundi 23 avril, des en opération punitive. plan de sortie de crise de Kofi Annan pour se remobiliser. Ce rapidement à l'étape que les Etats- troupes gouvernementales Quels enseignements tirer de plan, dont le cessez-le-feu est la Unis et les pays européens rejet¬ en convoi blindé ont dévasté un cette nouvelle poussée de violen¬ première étape, impose le droit tent pour l'instant : l'intervention quartier de Hama à la mitrailleuse ces, qui porte à près de 230 le nom¬ de manifester pacifiquement. militaire étrangère. lourde, fauchant une vingtaine de bre de civils tués depuis la procla¬ Mais Damas ne permettra pas un Cest sur ce champ de mines civils dans leur raid. La veille, un mation du cessez-le-feu ? retour aux grands cortèges popu¬ que les 300 observateurs de groupe d'observateurs des Une évidence, d'abord : la trêve, laires des débuts du soulèvement. l'ONU vont être déployés à partir Nations unies, chargés de supervi¬ que les diplomates occidentaux, L'hécatombe de Hama visait à dis¬ de la semaine prochaine. Si le ser le cessez-le-feu décrété le sans craindre l'euphémisme, qua¬ suader ses habitants de redescen¬ nombre de victimes quotidiennes 12 avril et de préparer le déploie¬ lifient d'« incomplète », n'est dre dans la rue, et notamment sur ne baisse pas dans les jours qui ment de 300 bérets bleus supplé¬ jamais entrée en vigueur. Il y a la place Al-Assi, qui fut le théâtre, suivent, les gouvernements occi¬ mentaires, s'était pourtant rendu une désescalade. Au lieu de recen¬ durant l'été, de gigantesques ras¬ dentaux devront choisir entre dans cette ville du centre du pays. ser 50 à 100 morts par jour, l'Ob- semblements anti-Assad. deux mauvaises options : mainte¬ Ils s'étaient entretenus avec le La chance de Damas - et c'est nir la mission, au risque de laisser gouverneur, un obligé du prési¬ le troisième enseignement -, c'est Damas l'utiliser comme paravent dent Bachar Al-Assad, avant de Editorial que le front uni de l'opposition à sa politique de répression ; rencontrer des partisans de l'oppo¬ s'est brisé sur la militarisation ou rapatrier les observateurs, tout sition, sortis en masse pour les servatoire syrien des droits de de la révolte. Au sein de l'ASL, une en sachant qu'une guerre civile accueillir, et pour défier du même l'homme (OSDH), qui tient cette partie au moins des combattants généralisée pourrait s'ensuivre. ' coup le régime de Damas. Le mes- ' sombre comptabilité, en dénom¬ sont opposés au principe du ces¬ Il reste quelques jours à Damas sage n'a pas échappé au pouvoir, bre moitié moins. Mais le sang n'a pour peaufiner son piège. Et guè¬ qui, en réaction à une embuscade jamais cessé de couler. sez-le-feu et concourent à son échec : 70 soldats réguliers ont re plus aux Occidentaux pour de l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL) Deuxième constat, le régime ainsi été tués depuis le 12 avril, trouver la parade. dans laquelle deux officiers ont syrien n'a aucune intention de

îtMmàt

Vendredi 27 avril 2012

retirer ses forces des centres Paris envisage un recours à la force en urbains, comme l'y oblige le plan Annan? Ou bien des prémices Syrie en cas d'échec du plan de Kofi Annan d'un durcissement de la diploma¬ tie occidentale, laquelle risque de

se heurter, à l'ONU, à un nouveau Confronté à la poursuite des tueries malgré le cessez-le-feu, Alain Juppé veto de la Russie, les protecteurs préconise l'adoption d'une résolution contraignante aux Nations unies des autorités syriennes ? Faute de consensus, et sûre¬ ment aussi de certitudes sur le

Ce n'est pas encore un constat déjà commencé à évoquer avec nos meilleur moyen d'enrayer le bas¬ d'échec du plan de sortie de partenaires, sous chapitreVII de la Les réflexions culement de la Syrie dans la guerre crise de Kofi Annan, mais charte des Nations Unies ». civile, Alain Juppé s'en remet, pour du Quai d'Orsay cela y ressemble fort. Confronté au Son homologue américaine l'instant encore, au plan Annan. Il cynisme du régime syrien, qui dit Hillary Clinton avait déjà évoqué portent davantage a appelé à un rapide déploiement soutenir les efforts de l'émissaire jeudi 19 avril un éventuel recours à des 300 bérets bleus censés venir surl'imposition de des Nations Unies et de la Ligue ara¬ ce chapitreVII, qui met à la disposi- ' épauler la dizaine d'observateurs be, mais poursuit la répression sur tion de l'ONU, «en cas de menaces sanctions onusiennes actuellement sur le terrain. le terrain, Alain Juppé a envisagé contre la paix», toute une gamme Mercredi, vingt-sept civils ont que sur une action pour la première fois, mercredi de mesures contraignantes' des été tués ,en Syrie, notamment à 25 avril, de faire pression pour sanctionsàl'interventionmilitaire. militaire Hama (centre), objet de violents pilonnages. Selon les services de l'adoption à l'ONU d'une résolu¬ Mardi, Burhan Ghalioun, le sécurité libanais, le corps d'Abdel tion autorisantle recours à la force. chef du Conseil national syrien, la Ghani Djaouhar, chefde l'organisa¬ Le 5 mai, date du prochain rap¬ principale plateforme de l'opposi¬ tion extrémiste libanaise Fatah port de Kofi Annan, représentera tion syrienne, avait dit son souhait «un moment de vérité », a estimé le Ai-Islam, a été retrouvé à Qusair que la réunion de la Ligue arabe, du Quai d'Orsay portent davanta¬ chef de la diplomatie française, à (centre). Considéré comme, l'un prévue jeudi 26 avril au Caire, ge sur l'imposition de sanctions l'issue d'une rencontre avec des des hommes les plus recherchés ouvre la voie à une telle résolu¬ onusiennes, comme par exemple militantes de l'opposition syrien¬ du Liban, il aurait trouvé la mort tion, « afin de créer des zones de un embargo sur les livraisons d'ar¬ ne. Dans l'hypothèse où la mission alors qu'il déposait une bombe sécurité dans le pays et pouvoir mes, qucsur une action militaire à d'observationdes Nations Unies en dans le cadre de la lutte au côté des acheminer de l'aide humanitaire». proprement parler. cours de déploiement ne parvien¬ insurgés.» Reconnaissant qu'Alain Juppé a Difficile de savoir ce que recou¬ drait toujours pas à faire cesser les Benjamin Barthe franchi «un nouveau cran», un vre cette nouvelle rhétorique. violences, M.Juppé a déclaré qu'il diplomate français précise toute¬ S'agit-il d'une simple guerre des «faudrait à ce moment-là passer à fois «qu'à ce stade », les réflexions mots destinée à pousser Damas à une autre étape que nous avons

67 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 21, 2012

In Uprooting of Kurds, Iraq Tests a Fragile National Unity By TIM ARANGO

HANAQIN, Iraq — In January, the dismembered body of Wisam KJumai, a Kurdish intelligence officer, was discovered in a field in Sadiyah, a small town in northeastern Iraq. Soon his family and friends, one after ano- ther, received text messages offering a choice: leave or be killed. “Wisam has been killed,” read one message sent to a cousin. “Wait for your turn. If you want your life, leave Sadiyah.” After Mr. Jumai’s killing, nearly three dozen Kurdish families fled their homes and moved here, according to Kurds in northern Diyala Province have faced a campaign of terror. In Jalawla, a local officials, to the sanctuary of a city Kurdish official’s home was bombed. that is claimed by the government in Baghdad but patrolled by Kurdish government, has called Mr. Maliki a dic- forces. Other Kurds from the area have tator and expressed fears that Baghdad come here after being pushed out over might use American-supplied F-16 war- property disputes that can be traced to planes against the Kurds. Both sides Saddam Hussein’s policy in the 1970s of have accused the other of smuggling oil expelling Kurds and resettling Arabs. and siphoning off profits. Whether by terrorism or judicial “I cannot respect myself, working order, the continuing displacement of with the people in Baghdad,” said Iraq’s Kurdish minority lays bare the Mohammed Ihsan, the Kurdish govern- unfinished business of reconciliation in ment’s representative in Baghdad, who the wake of the American military’s is calling for a referendum in Kurdistan withdrawal, and it is a symptom of the on independence, something he acknow- rapidly deteriorating relationship bet- ledged was unfeasible in the short term ween the semiautonomous Kurdish because of Western opposition. “But a government based in Erbil and the cen- lot of people are thinking that way,” he tral government in Baghdad. said. The schism, which is most immedia- American officials are concerned tely over sharing oil wealth but is more that Kurdish leaders are considering see- deeply about historical grievances and king a deal to sell oil to Turkey, in an Kurdish aspirations for independence, effort to become economically self-suf- central state, Kurdish leaders want to raises serious questions about the future ficient. Such a pact would probably be leave Iraq, and they appear to believe of a unified Iraq. The crisis, American illegal and unlikely before 2014, when their moment to do so may soon arrive,” officials say, is far more grave than the Kurdistan is expected to complete its wrote Joost Hiltermann, an analyst at the political tensions between the Shiite- own oil pipeline. International Crisis Group, in a recent dominated government of Prime “The Kurds hope, however, that report. Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki and the Turkey’s thirst for oil and gas will align In the latest chapter of a long-simme- country’s Sunni Arab minority set off by with their own thirst for statehood,” Mr. ring dispute, Kurdish authorities have an arrest warrant on terrorism charges Hiltermann wrote in his report. shut off their oil exports, claiming that issued in December for Tariq al- Kurds are captive to the painful Baghdad is behind on payments to oil Hashimi, the Sunni vice president. memories of repression under Hussein; companies working in the Kurdish The Kurds, unlike the Sunnis, have like the Sunni and Shiite Arabs, who region. Officials in Baghdad, angered by their own security forces, oil reserves, fought a brutal sectarian war, the Kurds, this and by Kurdistan’s oil deal with ports of entry and even their own de too, cling to a narrow identity, theirs Exxon Mobil that bypasses the central facto foreign policy, with envoys opera- defined by ethnicity, rather than national government, in turn threatened to cut off ting in other countries. This could even- citizenship. billions of dollars that flow to Kurdistan tually lead them to seek more indepen- “How can we forget?” said Bakir from the Iraqi budget. Massoud Barzani, dence from Baghdad. Karim, a member of the Kurdish the president of the Kurdish regional ☛ “Fearing a resurgence of a strong Parliament in Erbil who described Iraq

68 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ☛ as a “fake state” created by the British as part of the Hussein government’s rife with corruption: “We have the most after World War I that, he said, has only “Arabization” policy, which aimed to corrupted judicial system in the world.” “harmed us and tortured us.” dilute ethnic opposition. He resettled in (A 2009 report on internal displacement He added, “If you ask any Kurd if Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province, in Iraq by the Brookings Institution and he wants independence from Iraq, but reclaimed his old home in 2003 as the University of Bern called the pro- without hesitation he will say yes.” some Arabs, fearing revenge from the cess one of “incomprehension” and Khanaqin, a few miles from the Kurds, decided to return to their origi- “frustration.”) Iranian border, lies at the end of a belt nal homes in other regions. “It’s getting worse,” Mr. Ihsan said. of rugged land in northern Diyala Though a court was set up to handle “The Americans left without finishing Province that runs from Sadiyah claims stemming from the Arabization the job. We are worried that history is through Jalawla, another disputed town. policy, Kurds say that property records going to repeat itself.” It is also a place of ethnic rivalry, where that would verify their ownership For their part, Arabs in the area say Arabs and Kurds are trying the soft claims were destroyed. As a result, that they are also targets of terrorist ways of democracy to settle feuds that Arabs are now reclaiming homes that attacks, and that the property transfers nevertheless can still end in bloodshed. were seized from Kurdish families in are the result of a fair and legal process. Outside a Kurdish political office in the Hussein years. On a recent afternoon, Rasmiya Jalawla is a mural of three men, repre- This, Mr. Ali said, is what happened Ahmed, the mother of Mr. Jumai, the senting the area’s main ethnicities: to him. “This belonged to my father,” murdered officer, unzipped a blue nylon Arab, Kurd and Turkmen. “We are all he said, standing outside his home. “In pouch and out tumbled the strips of brothers,” it declares. 20 days, I have to evacuate my house.” pills that provide her with a measure of Inside, Khader Mohammed, who He said he was taken to a police station relief from her sleeplessness and directs the office, waved an intelligence in handcuffs several months ago and anxiety. Another son, a soldier, was kil- report he recently received from autho- forced to sign papers turning the pro- led last year. “I don’t have anyone rities in Baquba, Diyala’s capital. It perty over to an Arab who held the deed now,” she said. claimed that the Islamic State of Iraq, from 1975 to 2003. The Kurds may be free from the an umbrella group of militants, would “It’s the same as during Saddam,” Baath Party’s brutality, but for Ms. “attempt a number of attacks to destabi- Mr. Ali said. “It’s even worse now Ahmed things were better then, lize the security situation in the pro- because I was young then, and now I’m because, she said, “at least I had my vince.” Among the targets: Mr. old.” boys.” Mohammed. Local officials say nearly 400 “I’m not afraid,” he said. “This is houses in Jalawla are being turned over Duraid Adnan contributed reporting my duty. I have to do my work.” in a similar fashion. Mr. Ihsan, the from Khanaqin, and employees of The Karim Ali, 60, is among those who Kurdish representative in Baghdad, is New York Times from Diyala and Erbil may soon leave. Like many Kurds here, also involved in matters related to these Provinces. Mr. Ali was forced out in the mid-1970s disputed areas. He said the process was

April 18, 2012

Baghdad has threatened to exclude Exxon from its upcoming exploration Iraq says round and Shahristani said a decision had yet to be made on whether it could Exxon won't take part. A long-running dispute between move on Iraq's central government and the KRG over land and oil rights has worsened in Kurdish oil ject at the supergiant West Qurna-1 oil- recent weeks and Arbil halted oil field in southern Iraq, has sent two let- exports at the start of April. blocs ters to the oil ministry confirming its Shahristani said Baghdad is prepa- decision to freeze its Kurdish deals. red to discuss serious differences with the Kurdistan Regional Government ONDON (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil has Deputy Prime Minister for Energy (KRG) over oil matters, but said they told Baghdad it will not break Hussain al-Shahristani said on a visit to L would take time to resolve. ground on its oil blocs in the semi-auto- London that the company made clear it The high-ranking Iraqi official also nomous Kurdish north until the central would only proceed if Baghdad appro- confirmed that talks were taking place government approves the contracts, ved its KRG contracts. between BP and Baghdad over the nor- Iraq's top energy official said on Shahristani has indicated many thern Kirkuk oilfield. Wednesday. times that such approval was unlikely to The UK major is looking closely at a Exxon sent Baghdad into a fury at be granted. project to revive the giant, ageing oil- the end of last year by signing up for six "As for Exxon, they have sent a let- field. Baghdad is understood to be keen KRG exploration blocs. The central ter to the ministry of oil confirming that to have the British oil major positioned government holds that any oil contracts they will not take any action on the in northern Iraq to counter the recent signed with Kurdistan are illegal. ground until their contract is approved controversial move by Exxon into The U.S. major, also leading a pro- by the Iraqi government," he said at a conference. Kurdistan. N

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

US, Turkey and Iraqi Kurds join hands fact that behind the mispercep- a lethal blow. the PKK from bleeding Turkey tions that led to the accusations Interestingly, following the anymore in guerilla war waged By M K Bhadrakumar against Turkey by Prime Minister sharp exchange of words with from the territory under his control Maliki, who instigated the crisis in Erdogan, Maliki left for Tehran on in northern Iraq. here was something very odd Iraq, this wrong understanding of Sunday on a two-day visit. What He told the Turkish media, when Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri politics can be found." annoys Maliki most that Erdogan "You won't get anywhere with wea- al-Maliki said on Friday that Turkey T Axis at work has embarked upon a course of pons. The PKK should lay down its was becoming a "hostile state" in The tensions between Turkey robustly strengthening ties with arms. I will not let the PKK prevail the region. After all, Baghdad is and Iraq have been steadily buil- Kurdish leader Barzani. Ankara in northern Iraq ... If the PKK goes supposed to be the "soul" of the ding up, and of late they have promotes an alliance between ahead with weapons, it will bear Arab world and Turkey is supposed sharply escalated. The "crisis in Barzani and Iraqi Sunni leadership the consequences." These words to be the role model for democrati- Iraq" referred to in the Turkish sta- with a view to challenging Maliki's will come as music to the Turkish zed Arab nations like Iraq. tement is Maliki's ongoing political leadership in Baghdad. (Turks ears. "The latest statements of battle with Iraqi Vice President ensured that Barzani met Hashemi Kurdish conundrum [Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tareq al-Hashemi, which has in Istanbul last week.) Ankara is Ankara's dilemma, however, is Tayip] Erdogan are another return taken a sectarian Shi'ite-Sunni playing on Barzani's political ambi- that Barzani has said such fine to the process of interfering in Iraqi dimension. In sum, Turkey has tions as the supremo of Kurdistan, words in the past also about internal affairs and it confirms that waded into Iraq's sectarian politics the autonomous Kurdish entity cracking down on the PKK, but Erdogan is still living the illusion of and is positioning itself on the side with Arbil as its capital in northern changed tack once he returned regional hegemony," Maliki said, of the Sunnis and the Kurds. Iraq. At a press conference in home to Arbil. The hard reality is adding: "It is clear that his state- Hashemi is currently in Istanbul after meeting Hashemi, that the sympathy toward PKK's ments have a sectarian dimen- Istanbul and met Erdogan before Barzani accused Maliki of harbo- cause is widespread among the sion, which he used to deny the latter fired the verbal fusillade ring dictatorial ambitions. Kurdish peshmerga (fighters) in before, but have now become at Baghdad. But this is only one The convergence of interests northern Iraq. clear, and all Iraqis reject them ... template of the plot. The fact that between Ankara and Arbil is But then, there could be a His insistence on continuing with Hashemi arrived in Turkey on the nothing new. It dates back to the qualitative difference this time. For these domestic and regional poli- final leg of a tour, which took him imposition of the "no-fly zone" over one thing, Barzani, who has keen cies will damage Turkey's interests to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, gives a northern Iraq by the US, Britain bazaari instincts, knows that and make it a hostile state for all." regional backdrop to what is unfol- and France in the early 1990s. Turkey could help him and his Erdogan is unused to hearing ding. (By the way, Erdogan also Turkey played a key role in the family make an incredible amount such tongue-lashing, although the just concluded a round of consul- emergence of Kurdistan as an of money through oil exports via immediate provocation was a tations in Riyadh and Doha.) autonomous region within Iraq. Turkish pipelines, and second, remark by Erdogan himself, accu- Indeed, Maliki has been in the Today's matrix has a strong behind Turkey stand the Saudis sing Maliki of being "egocentric". Saudi and Qatari crosshairs as economic dimension too: Barzani and Qataris, who will also be pre- After a close-door meeting with well. Riyadh and Doha see him as needs an outlet to the outside pared to bankroll him. the visiting Iraqi Kurdish leader an Iranian surrogate and make no world for trade, especially From the perspective of the Massoud Barzani in Istanbul last bones about their desire to have Kurdistan's oil exports; Turkey pro- Saudis and Qataris, the fact that week, Erdogan lashed out, "The him replaced. They boycotted the vides it and, in turn, immensely Barzani can prove to be a thorn in current prime minister's treatment recent Arab Summit in Baghdad profits out of it. The business links the flesh of Maliki makes him an of his coalition partners, his ego- where Maliki acted as the host. between the two sides are flouri- object of interest. They want Maliki centric approach in Iraqi politics ... Thus, the very same regional shing and today accounts for more to be weakened to a point that he seriously concerns Shi'ite groups, axis of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and than half of Turkey's US$12 billion can be of no meaningful help to Mr Barzani and the [Sunni-backed] Qatar that is working for "regime trade with Iraq. the beleaguered Syrian regime. Iraqiya group." change" in Syria is also on a On another plane, Turkey is (Maliki has been helping Syria cri- On the face of it, Erdogan was confrontation path with Maliki - prepared to go the whole hog in tically with oil supplies and to merely being his usual self when and the leitmotif is once again iso- promoting Barzani if only he gives generally break out of the western he dictated to Maliki how he lating Iran in its region. a helping hand to muzzle the sanctions.) should rule Iraq. But The Turkish In immediate terms, Erdogan Kurdish insurgency in eastern Erdogan made it a point to Foreign Ministry has since wei- is also smarting under the percei- Turkey, led by the separatist highlight that he discussed the ghed in with a statement on ved slight by Tehran, which frustra- Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Syrian situation with Barzani last Saturday confirming Erdogan ted his hopes of Turkey acting as which operates out of sanctuaries week. Indeed, there is a major spoke with deliberateness and the facilitator of the talks between in northern Iraq. Kurdish dimension to Turkey's that Ankara has definite opinions Iran and the "Iran Six" (also known Barzani was given a red car- Syria policy. For one thing, the on how democracy should function as the P5+1, the US, Great Britain, pet welcome by the Turkish lea- specter of the revival of the old in Iraq. France, Russia and China plus dership, befitting a head of state. alliance between the Syrian The statement said, "The Germany.) Tehran administered He met Turkish President Abdullah regime and the PKK haunts basis of the political crisis in which the snub in the full glare of world Gul, Erdogan and Foreign Minister Turkey. In retaliation to the heavy Iraq finds itself is that Iraqi politi- publicity when it proposed Ahmet Davitoglu, apart from intelli- Turkish interference in Syrian cians seek to consolidate power Baghdad as the venue of the next gence chief Hakan Fidan. Barzani affairs, Damascus has begun sho- and exclude others, rather than round of talks with P5+1 on May has kindled fresh hopes in the wing renewed interest in the PKK. [follow] politics based on democra- 23. Erdogan's standing as the sul- Turkish mind that he would do These are low-key moves at tic and universal principles. It is a tan of the Muslim Middle East took something tangible in preventing present but are ominous enough 70 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti about what could happen if push Turkish leadership is that the Iraqi reserves. The bidding is due Syrian Kurds. True, Barzani has a came to a shove and Damascus United States has also stepped in to be held on May 30-31. vested interest in working with finally made up its mind to pay to ensure that Barzani delivers. A card to play Ankara since Iraq's Kurdistan has Ankara back in the same coin. It is The US extended an invitation to Be that as it may, Barzani felt developed extensive economic relatively easy for Damascus to hit Barzani to visit Washington in encouraged after his Washington links with Turkey and these ties back at Turkey if it takes a strate- early April, where President visit to take to a path of strategic are deepening by the day. But gic decision to do so, because the Barack Obama received him. defiance of the federal govern- Barzani has his limitations, too. PKK's leadership comprises Kurds Taking the cue from Turkey, ment in Baghdad. The US exten- Everything hinges on his of Syrian extraction and one one- Washington is also catering to ded a warm greeting to him on a capacity to harness Kurdish natio- third of the PKK cadres are of Barzani's bazaar instincts. A US- scale befitting a head of state and nalism scattered across not only Syrian origin. Kurdistan Business Council has it was heavily tinged with refe- Turkey, Iran and Syria but also Conversely, in order for Turkey been formed in Washington to rences to Kurdistan's indepen- Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia to step up its interference in Syria promote US "investments" in the dence. and Lebanon and to convince in the coming period, it needs to territories of northern Iraq under Conceivably, Washington and them that their only realistic hope first minimize the scope of retalia- Barzani's control. ExxonMobil's Ankara are acting in tandem and is to seek increased autonomy tion by Damascus. Turkey hopes chief executive officer Rex there is close coordination of the within existing state structures on that Barzani can lend a hand in Tillerson met Barzani in US and Turkish policies toward the lines he has secured with reaching out to the Syrian Kurdish Washington. (In November, Syrian and Iraqi Kurds. For both, American support. That's a tall groups. Barzani awarded lucrative the ultimate objective is to weaken order. Whether the Kurdish mili- Another complicating factor is contracts to ExxonMobil to explore Iran's regional influence. The tants will be persuaded to put that Syria's Kurds, who constitute six oil fields in Kurdistan, ignoring Obama administration hopes that down their guns and follow about 10% of the country's popula- the loud protests by Maliki's fede- Turkey's efforts against the PKK Barzani's footsteps remains in tion, have been reluctant to align ral government that Baghdad are successful and is providing serious doubt. with the Muslim Brotherhood and reserves such powers to grant intelligence support for the military Barzani is a controversial other Syrian opposition groups concessions to foreign oil compa- operations. figure himself among the Kurds. unless their demand for an auto- nies.) Washington also expects that Essentially, he is a tribal warlord nomous Kurdish region in eastern While in Washington, Barzani under concerted pressure from who uses coercive methods, often Syria (where Syria's oil fields lie) is also met Defense Secretary Leon multiple quarters, Maliki would very violent methods, to keep his conceded. Panetta and Deputy Secretary of finally realize what is good for him family on top of the heap of Iraqi Most of Syria's Kurdish popu- State William Burns (during which and loosen his ties with Iran and Kurdistan and his family exercises lation lives in the arid region of Ayn Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Syria. Least of all, Washington personal control over the region's al-Arab and in the Ifrin agricultural stopped by to greet him) and inter- would desire that the Syrian Kurds land, property, resources and area bordering Turkey. Kurds also acted with influential think tankers. cross over to join the opposition finances. Put plainly, he and his dominate large neighborhoods of Vice President Joe Biden hosted a groups based in Turkey so that the family run a business cartel called Damascus and the commercial "working lunch" for Barzani. agenda of forcing a "regime "Kurdistan". Kurds increasingly hub of Aleppo, which lies less than Interestingly, Barzani's tirades change" in Damascus gets more resent that they are being treated 50 kilometers from the Turkish against Maliki took a noticeably cutting edge. as his tenants and serfs. border. Unsurprisingly, Kurdish sharp turn after his visit to However, there are several Barzani's patronage system is autonomy within Syria will ever Washington. He told al-Hayat, imponderables in the emergent predicated on his practice of trea- remain a sensitive issue for "Iraq is moving toward a catas- scenario. Pushed against the wall, ting the budget and revenues from Ankara, as it could have a domino trophe, a return to dictatorship", Damascus may let the Kurdish Kurdistan's oil and gas as his effect within Turkey itself. and that on his return to Arbil he genie out of the bottle and the family's private accounts with no But the Kurdish groups within would call a meeting of Iraqi lea- result could well be a Syrian ver- real financial control or accounta- Syria are a divided lot and it is ders to "save" the country from sion of Iraq's Kurdistan - a second bility. This patronage system is here that Barzani comes in. The Maliki and to seek "radical solu- autonomous Kurdish area along overwhelmingly based on clan rule largest Kurdish umbrella group in tions" (read Kurdistan's seces- Turkey's borders. That could in and it may run only so long as Syria, known as the Kurdish sion). Barzani also declared that turn induce Turkish Kurds also to there is no rule of law, but then, National Congress (KNC), enjoys he wouldn't hand over Hashemi to seek similar autonomy. The best Iraq's democratization is sprea- Barzani's backing. If KNC could be Baghdad. (Again, at the root of course for Erdogan would have ding its virus into the Kurdistan as persuaded to link up with the Maliki's discord with Hashemi is been to make progress toward a well and educated Kurds are Syrian opposition, Turkey would the issue of the distribution of political solution to Turkey's beginning to resent the Barzani feel far more comfortable. Iraq's oil wealth.) Kurdish problem as he had been clan's autocratic lifestyle. Indeed, Turkey is encouraging Maliki's spokesman in doing. But the pre-requisite for that For instance, the 'oil contracts' Barzani to convene a national Baghdad Ali Mussawi called would be a return of "normalcy" in signed by the Turkish, American, Kurdish conference in Arbil in June Barzani's heightened rhetoric after Turkey's ties with Syria and a British and other foreign compa- with a view to pushing Turkey's the Washington visit as "an incom- more stable Iraq. nies are going to be the principal interests both with regard to colla- prehensible escalation." Arguably, Erdogan is on a slip- instruments for Ankara and ring the PKK, as well as encoura- Significantly, Maliki's government pery path. His acrimonious Washington to influence Barzani, ging Syria's Kurds to give up their has since "blacklisted" exchange with Maliki underscores while no one has a clue as to what present ambivalence toward ExxonMobil. The company doesn't that Turkey's isolation is almost these 'contracts' are about, how "regime change" in Damascus and figure on the finalized list of 47 complete in its immediate neigh- they were negotiated or where the to decisively link up with the oppo- pre-qualified bidders for the next borhood. The weakest link in the money comes and goes. To be sition to Assad, which is based in round of Ira's energy exploration Turkish strategy is Barzani him- sure, Barzani has extensive busi- Turkey. rights in 12 new blocks in western self. ness interests in Turkey, the US Ankara knows well enough and central Iraq, which would add Ankara heavily depends on and several European countries. that Barzani is a slippery custo- a whopping 29 trillion cubic feet of Barzani to broker deals with the All said, the bankruptcy of the mer. But what encourages the gas and 10 billion barrels of oil to PKK as well as to finesse the US policy today is such that it

71 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti made heavy sacrifices in human out of Henry Kissinger's monu- thright. Looking back at the US's in Kurdistan's fabulous oil fields so lives and resources to remold Iraq mental cynicism and duplicity sellout of Kurds in Iraq in 1975, that the US is sure to be in a "win- as a democratic country and, toward Iraq's Kurds - pampering Kissinger commented, "Covert win" situation no matter the trajec- arguably, the one signal success it their national aspirations as part of action should not be confused with tory of democracy in Iraq or the had would be the democratization a ruthless, deceitful process to missionary work." Obama would longevity of the regime in J of Iraq. Despite all the aberrations destabilize the regime in Baghdad probably agree here, but his cru- Damascus. of the Iraqi system, the country but all the while not wanting their cial difference is that Erdogan has Ambassador M K enjoys a degree of representative protegees to win their struggle showed him how dalliance with the Bhadrakumar was a career diplo- rule, which is an exception rater because it could be too disruptive Kurds can also be made self- mat in the Indian Foreign Service. than the rule in the Muslim Middle for the entire region, especially for financing and put on cost-accoun- His assignments included the East. Now, in a curious twist, the US's closest ally, Turkey. ting principles, an angle that Soviet Union, South Korea, Sri Washington is propping up Barzani has always been, histori- always fascinates Obama in these Lanka, Germany, Afghanistan, Barzani in order to realign Iraqi cally speaking, "a card to play" hard times. Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kuwait and political scene to suit its geopoliti- and even by the yardstick of covert In short, while Kissinger was Turkey. cal interests, completely overloo- operations Obama and Erdogan immersed in realpolitik, Obama king his veal track record. are locked in a cynical enterprise. also makes sure American compa- Obama is literally taking a leaf Kissinger, at least, was for- nies do some profitable business

APRIL 23, 2012

Barzani: Maliki may think of using F-16s to attack Kurdistan President of Iraq autonomous Kurdistan oppos- es sale of F-16 warplanes to Iraq while Maliki is premier, as he fears they would be used against his region. Barzani: Maliki told officers to wait until arrival of F-16s

Middle East Online Kurdistan region," Barzani said, referring to a visit to the US this By Abdel Hamid Zebari - ARBIL (Iraq) month. "If ExxonMobil came, it would be equal to 10 American military divi- assud Barzani, the president of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan, sions," he said adding that "they will defend the area if their interests said he opposes the sale of F-16 warplanes to Iraq while Nuri are there." Mal-Maliki is premier, as he fears they would be used against the region. On October 18, Kurdish authorities signed a deal with ExxonMobil Barzani also said that he thinks that oil giant ExxonMobil, which has for it to explore six areas in Kurdistan, but Baghdad regards any signed an oil exploration deal with Kurdistan against Baghdad's contracts not signed with the central government as invalid. wishes, could provide significant protection for the region. There are long-running disagreements between Kurdistan and the "The F-16 must not reach the hand of this man," Barzani told repor- central government over disputed territory and dozens of energy ters at his residence near the Kurdistan region's capital Arbil on contracts Kurdistan has signed without the approval of Baghdad, but Sunday, referring to Maliki. tensions have recently reached a new high. "We must either prevent him from having these weapons, or if he Barzani accused Maliki of aiming to "kill the democratic process" has them, he should not stay in his position," Barzani said. after the head of Iraq's electoral commission was arrested for alle- ged corruption, and previously said Maliki was moving toward dicta- Barzani alleged that Maliki had discussed using F-16s against torship. Kurdistan during a meeting with military officers. Earlier this month, Kurdistan stopped oil exports over $1.5 billion "During a military meeting, they talked about problems between owed to foreign oil companies working in the region that it says Baghdad and Arbil," Barzani said. Baghdad has withheld. "They told him, 'Sir, just give us the authority, and we would kick The central government's top two oil officials responded by saying them out of Arbil,'" Barzani said. "And (Maliki) answered: 'Wait until Arbil owed Baghdad more than $5 billion in promised exports, and the arrival of the F-16.'" was smuggling the oil it produced to Iran. The United States has agreed to sell 36 F-16 jets to Baghdad in a Kurdistan also hosted Iraq's Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi multi-billion-dollar deal aimed at increasing the capabilities of Iraq's after he was accused of running a death squad and declined to hand fledgling air force, a weak point in its national defences. him over to the central government. "When I went to the United States, they (Exxon) wanted to see me The region then permitted the fugitive official to leave on a trip that N and I met the president of the company and other people and they first took him to Qatar, then Saudi Arabia, and now Turkey. said they are committed to (the contract) they signed with the

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

ïïmliS&ribunc HcralSSfebune Thursday, apful 26,2012

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012 Turkey business update

Syria fails ECONOMY I A year of rebalancing to observe Steady management of slower growth

After a couple of years of record growth, In the past 10 years, under the powerful

8.9 percent in 2010 and 8.5 percent in and somewhat autocratic leadership of peace plan, 2011, 2012 is a year of rebalancing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tur¬ for the Turkish economy. Fueled by soaring key's profile has risen on the international U.N. reports domestic demand, the rapid expansion scene, and the country, a member of the brought the current account deficit to an un¬ G-20, is seen as a major regional player.

sustainable level of 10 percent of the coun¬ Two operations in the past six months

try's $7722 billion gross domestic product, raised concerns about Erdogan's health. It is THE ASSOCIATED PRESS raising concerns that Turkey could face trou¬ unclear who would succeed him at the head The political chief of the United Nations ble financing the gap. Inflation also returned of the ruling party if, as is expected, he said Monday that the Syrian govern¬ to double digits in 2011, while the Turkish lira seeks a presidential mandate in 2014 when ment was still using heavy weapons and lost 12 percent of its value before rebound¬ the incumbenrhead of state, Abdullah GUI, had failed to fully carry out the six-point ing in the first three months of 2012. steps down. For now, Justice and Develop¬ peace plan that President Bashar al-As- Renewed capital flows to emerging coun¬ ment, which secured a third mandate in June sad's government approved. tries in the first quarter of this year signifi¬ 2011, rules unchallenged, boosted by a The comments by the official, B. Lynn cantly reduced the risk that Turkey would ex¬ strong economic performance over the past Pascoe, followed reports on Monday perience a hard landing. The predominance decade, in the face of weak opposition. that Syrian troops armed with heavy of loose monetary policy in many countries In the short term, Turkey, dependent on machine guns had killed dozens in the helps, says Serhat Gûrleyen, director of Re¬ energy imports, remains vulnerable to global central city of Hama, just a day after search at Is Investment: 'Turkey still bene¬ volatility: each $10 increase in the price of a chanting protesters welcomed a visit by fits from lower global interest rates." barrel of oil adds 0.5 percent to Turkey's cur¬ a U.N. team of monitors. In the first three months of the year, rent account shortfall. Mr. Pascoe, undersecretary general $2.56 billion have flowed into the Istanbul The Turkish government is actively trying for political affairs, told the U.N. Security Stock Exchange. Turkey also expects foreign to put the country's growth on a more sus¬ Council that the cease-fire remained in¬ direct investment to at least match last tainable path. Through an overhaul of the complete and "human rights violations year's level of $15 billion. pension system, the authorities hope to are still perpetrated with impunity.' ' Economic growth has slowed, but fore¬ boost the nation's savings rate, which has "We are at a pivotal moment in Syr¬ casts for this year still range from 2.5 per¬ fallen to 12 percent. A new incentive program, ia," he said. cent to 4 percent. Crucially, the country's the most comprehensive so far, aims to. re¬ The day's violence, Hama's worst in trade gap is showing signs of narrowing as duce reliance on imports of intermediate months, added a dangerous new aspect imports slackened, together with domestic to the U.N. team's work: that the Syrian goods for industrial production, attract invest¬ demand. Exports to Europe increased IS regime might exact deadly revenge ment to sectors with strong potential (such against opponents who feel empowered percent last year, in spite of the euro-zone as aviation, chemicals, food production and by the observers' presence to spill into crisis. Data for February showed a marked agriculture, steel, textiles and automobiles) the streets. improvement in Turkey's trade balance as and reduce regional disparities through tax Some details of the violence remained the percent of imports covered by exports reductions and exemptions in the poorest murky, though different activists said increased to 66.5 percent, its highest level provinces from social security premiums. the attacks had started early in the in nearly two years. "With this new system, we primarily hope morning and stopped a few hours later, By diversifying trade and taking advan¬ to increase production and investments in after dozens had been killed. tage of closer ties with Middle Eastern coun¬ the area of intermediate goods and Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the Syr¬ tries as well as with emerging economies products which currently have a high degree ian Observatory for Human Rights, farther afield, Turkey is seeking to offset the of import dependency, so as to reduce the which is based in London, said troops potential impact of declining sales to weak¬ current-account deficit," Erdogan an¬ had stormed Hama, firing assault rifles er European markets. Iraq, for instance, nounced in early April. and heavy machine guns, killing at least rose to second place among recipients of An important pillar supporting Turkey's

33 people. Turkey's exports after Germany last year, economic progress is its robust banking An activist named Ahmed, reached by with a share of 6.8 percent of total sales. system, which has demonstrated its phone in Hama, said troops had shelled In spite ofthe balance of payment deficit, strength during the 2008-09 turmoil. Tur¬ the Arbeen district early Monday before Turkey's macroeconomic fundamentals re¬ key's banks remain well capitalized, with ari sending in foot soldiers. He said 27 main fairly solid. Careful fiscal management average capital-adequacy ratio of 16.8 per- people had been killed and families by the ruling Justice and Development Party centysand they are in a good position to con¬ were still searching damaged homes for reduced the public-debt ratio to 40 percent tribute to the country's economic expansion. others. He did not give his full name for of G.D.P. at the end of last year, down from Most Turks enjoy relatively high living stan¬ fear of retribution. 73.7 percent a decade ago. The central bank dards, with G.D.P. per capita over $10,000, Another activist in Hama, Mousab Al- signaled in March that it would maintain a and Turkey's young population is expected hamadee, reached via Skype, said as tight monetary policy until inflation has re¬ to continue to power economic activity in the many as 50 had been killed. He said he turned to the mid-term target of 5 percent. coming period. thought the attack was a direct result of the U.N. monitors' visit. "This was the punishment for the to arrive in coming days, and the U.N. gime checkpoints and military convoys. people of Hama because yesterday they has authorized a total of total observers, The Syrian state news agency said were very brave when they met the U.N. though it remains unclear when the full Monday that "terrorists" had killed a monitors," he said. contingent will deploy. doctor in the south of the country, two The U.N. has sent an advance team of Since the cease-fire went into effect, re¬ military officers in the central province eight observers to Syria as part of the gime forces have continued to shell rebel¬ of Hama and two others in the south. plan by the special envoy Kofi Annan to lious areas and rebels have attacked re end the fighting. More monitors are due

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

Power Struggles in Baghdad and Beyond Mean Opportunities for Massud Barzani (L), president of the autonomous northern Iraq’s Kurds Kurdish region in Iraq, said Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is monopolising power and preparing the ground for a return to dic- By Tony Karon tatorship in an interview published on April 8, 2012. he thriving Kurdish mini-state in style of ruling. Ankara has recently played Davutoglu, and he recently returned from northern Iraq is a monument to host to fugitive Iraqi Sunni leader Tarek a visit to Washington D.C. where he met the ability of the nationalist al-Hashemi, who was forced to flee with senior Administration officials. Kurdish-IraqiT leadership to parlay the Baghdad to escape a criminal prosecution Those visits seemed to amplify Barzani’s conflict between more powerful geopoliti- his supporters see as a trumped up charge defiance of Baghdad in a dispute over oil cal forces around them to maximum designed to hobble the Sunni political revenues, with the KRG prime minister advantage. And the escalating power leadership. Hashemi fled first to Erbil, accusing Maliki of paving the way for a struggle in Baghdad, combined with the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional return to dictatorship, and warning that regional conflict between Iran, Turkey and Government (KRG), whose terrain the absent “radical solutions and a specific the Gulf Arab states being played out in Iraqi security forces are not authorized to time-frame to resolve the present crisis … Syria, may offer the Kurdish leadership in enter. we will resort to other decisions” — a not- Erbil new opportunities to strengthen so-veiled threat to declare independence foundations for independence from Iraq. As dramatic as the language and gestures from Iraq. It may be a perilous game of temporary of some of the key players may be, howev- alliances of convenience among forces er, patronage politics has entrenched a Independence, of course, remains the his- that don’t necessarily share a common certain pragmatism in Iraq’s political class torical goal of Kurdish Iraqis, and a refer- vision, but that’s precisely the sort of that shows no sign of evaporating in a endum on the issue staged in 2005 saw political balancing act that created the headlong rush into civil war. Still, every some 98% vote to break away from Iraq. Kurdish polity in northern Iraq, which new breakdown and episode of brinkman- Geopolitical realities, however, has already has many of the attributes of inde- ship brings opportunities to press the required a curbing of that popular senti- pendence such as its own flag, administra- Kurdish cause. ment. Iraqi Kurdistan is small and land- tion and security forces — and is seeking locked, and while it possesses significant to expand its independent economic base. The Kurds, who represent some 20% of oil reserves, it would require the coopera- Iraq’s population, maintained good rela- tion of one of its powerful neighbors — The power struggle in Baghdad has esca- tions with Iran before Saddam Hussein’s Turkey, Iran or Iraq — to pipe that oil to lated to alarming proportions in the ouster, and have typically been courted in market. Also, the KRG was carved out in months since the last U.S. troops with- post-Saddam politics when the major large part because the U.S., which had just drew in December 2011, with Prime Shi’ite and Sunni political players have overthrown Saddam Hussein, helped Minister Nouri al-Maliki eschewing the needed them to tip the balance against the ensure its emergence, but made clear it principle of a unity government that gives other. The de facto casting vote provided was not ready to support a breakup of all stakeholders a share of power and by their share of Iraq’s proportional repre- Iraq. instead amassing power in his own hands. sentation parliament has allowed the Even the radical Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al- leaders of Kurdistan’s main parties — the Thus the Kurdish political game, as Sadr, whose support was critical to getting Patriotic Union of Kurdistan of Jalal described by the International Maliki reelected, has taken to referring to Talabani, who serves as President of Iraq, Crisis Group: the Prime Minister as “the dictator.” and the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Sunni insurgent violence continues, while Masoud Barzani, who holds the position “Kurds have waited for the moment when Sunni political leaders have been hounded of Prime Minister in the KRG — to extract they will succeed in removing the shack- out of government by Maliki. Recent days more concessions on autonomy and terri- les of an overbearing, at times highly have seen him huddling with his key torial control than Iraq’s Arab politicians repressive, central state. They know that regional allies in Tehran, as he steps up a would otherwise offer. when Baghdad is weak, they can take war of words and threats with Turkey’s steps to bring their dream of statehood Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, And these days, it’s not only Iraqi politi- closer to reality, but that when the centre whom he accuses of meddling in Iraq’s cians that are courting the Kurds. Turkey is strong it will use its superior resources affairs. Turkey makes no secret of its sup- last week feted Barzani in Ankara, rolling to push them back into their place – or port for Iraq’s Sunni political bloc, out the red carpet and affording him a worse. This is why the Kurds are so Iraqiyya, and has castigated Maliki for meeting with Turkey’s President Abdullah alarmed at attempts by Prime Minister pursuing a sectarian and “egocentric” Gul and Foreign Minister Ahmet Nouri al-Maliki to amass power at the➡

74 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➡ expense of his rivals and rebuild a strong with Turkish trade with the KRG amount- arms,www.ekurd.net and warning that he state, armed with U.S. weaponry, under ing to fully half of all of its trade with Iraq. will not allow the group to operate freely in his unchallenged control. Northern Iraq as long as it remains com- It’s a pragmatic arrangement of mutual mitted to violence. But as analyst MK “Ever since arriving in Baghdad on the benefit: The Kurds have lately expanded Bhadrakumar has noted, it may not be coattails of the U.S. invasion in 2003, the their autonomous oil industry, concluding quite that simple: While Iraq’s Kurdish Kurds understandably have used their new deals late last year with Exxon Mobil — leadership may understand the geopoliti- position and the centre’s weakness to devel- which include the right to drill fields that cal necessity of cooperating with Turkey’s op their own region. They seek to reverse a are not currently recognized as part of the campaign against the PKK, the peshmerga legacy of discrimination and economic KRG, but are coveted by it as part of the fighting men on whom they’d rely to actu- neglect but also to create an escape route patrimony of their state in the making. ally tackle PKK operations on their turf are should relations with Baghdad sour That move outraged Baghdad, and Erbil generally far more sympathetic to the beyond repair. Yet, in many ways, this earlier this month halted oil exports plight of their brothers in arms from across approach contains elements of a self-fulfill- through territory controlled by Baghdad the Turkish border. ing prophecy: by pressing their advantage, over a financial dispute. The Kurdish lead- Kurds inevitably aggravate matters, con- ership hope to use a pipeline built through Turkey’s PKK fears are exacerbated by the vincing the federal government that they Turkish territory as an alternative export crisis in Syria, where its support for those are aiming for secession – and aiming to route once it has been completed, which fighting the regime of President Bashar al- take with them a good chunk of disputed would lessen the KRG’s dependence on Assad has prompted Damascus to threaten territory that Kurds claim as historically Baghdad. to retaliate by resuming support for the part of a notional Kurdistan but that also PKK — a move that could spell trouble appears to be immensely rich in oil and Whereas a thriving autonomous Kurdish inside Turkey which shares a long border gas.” entity on its border may once have been with Syria’s Kurdish region. Some suggest deemed deeply threatening to Turkey, enlisting the likes of Barzani could serve as Conventional wisdom before the U.S. inva- today Ankara appears ready to support something of a hedge, and possibly even sion had held that Turkey would fiercely Iraq’s Kurdish separatists not only as part persuade more Syrian Kurds to move off oppose the emergence of an autonomous of its contest with Iran for regional influ- the sidelines and support the anti-Assad Kurdish entity in northern Iraq for fear of ence, but also because Turkey sees the rebellion. spurring separatist inclinations among its KRG as a potentially important ally in its own Kurdish minority. But even as the vio- struggle against the PKK. Turkish support They may be one of the peoples overlooked lent insurgency of the Kurdish separatist is premised on the willingness of the by the British and French when they PKK has sparked an increasingly repres- authorities in the KRG to clamp down hard redrew the borders of the Middle East in sive backlash by the authorities in Ankara on PKK operations in territory under its the wake of World War I, but today’s Iraqi in recent years, Turkey has instead control. Barzani certainly talks the talk, Kurds appear to have digested the lessons emerged as a key ally and economic part- publicly demanding, in Ankara last week, of history, first and foremost the maxim ner of the emerging Iraqi Kurdish polity, that the PKK lay down that every crisis is also an opportunity.N

24 April 2012 Blast Erdogan on your way to Iran! involved in an intense dispute with the Turkey is a hostile country, inciting sectar- Iraqiya bloc, led by Dr. Iyad Allawi. So ianism in Iraq, while Tehran launches an By Tariq Alhomayed what left for Mr. al-Maliki after all this? attack on [Massoud] Barzani, on the eve Regionally, and in terms of the Arab of al-Maliki’s visit to Iran, and also accus- he above title is a summary of the world, al-Maliki does not have any normal es al-Hashemi of wanting to restore Sunni story of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- relations with the influential Arab coun- rule in Iraq with the support of Saudi T Maliki, in which he accuses Turkey of tries of the region, or any countries in the Arabia? hostility and inciting sectarianism, whilst region for that matter, with the exception the facts dictate that Iraq is now, under of Iran. Al-Maliki has launched attacks on Therefore it is clear today that Nuri al- its current government, one of the princi- Saudi Arabia in language not worthy of a Maliki is not trying to be the new Saddam pal sources provoking sectarian strife in diplomat, let alone a Prime Minister, and Hussein, rather he is adopting the role of the region. As a result, we find that al- he has done the same with Qatar, and al-Assad in the region. This is what I Maliki himself is today without any allies now with Turkey! This is not all of course, referred to several months ago when I in Iraq, just as he lacks any normal rela- as al-Maliki is also the one who said: “the said that Iraq would be an alternative to tions with the Arab world. [al-Assad] regime did not fall, and it will Syria, and hence we find al-Maliki attack- not fall, and why should it fall?”, despite ing the Turkish Prime Minister and then With regards to Iraq, al-Maliki is profound- all that the Baathist tyrant of Damascus immediately travelling to Iran, because ly at odds with the Sunnis, and wants to has done to the Syrian people. Iraq is now the Syrian revolution has constituted a imprison his deputy, Tareq al-Hashemi. He creating passageways to help the al-Assad real blow to Tehran’s policies in the has also clashed with the Kurds, as well as regime by transferring weapons and region, and the fall of al-Assad, or the the Sadrists loyal to Iran, and even with money and smuggling oil. So what left fact that the Syrian people are currently [Abdulaziz] al-Hakim. He is also got after all this? How can al-Maliki say that besieging him, represents a sizeable➤➤

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➤➤tremor for Iranian foreign policy. are not cut off to Iran’s allies in the work with Iran, albeit at the expense of This has prompted Tehran to immediately region, such as Hezbollah, the Huthis and their own people, even Iraq’s Shiites. begin searching for an alternative to al- so on, and will of course besiege the Gulf From here it is clear that Iraq’s escala- Assad in the region, in terms of both a States and contain the post-Assad Syria. tion against Saudi Arabia and Turkey state and its leadership, with this alter- The importance of Iraq is completely dif- specifically, and its defense of al-Assad, native in turn providing support for the ferent to that of Syria, whereby Baghdad means that the Iraqi government has Syrian regime so that it can survive for a is financially sufficient and possesses a repositioned itself to be a subsidiary of longer period. Should the tyrant of variety of sources, and most importantly Tehran, searching for Iranian support Damascus fall, the alternative, i.e. Iraq, of all – as far as Tehran is concerned – in both at home and abroad. will work to ensure that the supply lines Iraq there are sectarian figures ready to JJJ

APRIL 25, 2012

called Kurdistan."

Turkey's Though he stressed that the BDP has no "organic relationship" with the Kurdistan Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), which the Turkish government classifies as a terrorist organ- leadership ization, Demirtas noted that the PKK is not the problem, but a result of the prob- debates the lem: definition of "We believe the PKK is part of the reality of this conflic, and we believe nition of] terrorism cannot be used that they should be communicated here. This is a 100-year-old con- terrorism with.... We don't see the PKK as a flict.... As long as you are unable to problem, we see it as a result of the define it correctly, the wrong defini- By Allison Good problem." tion will cause misunderstanding." Members of Turkey's Kurdish Peace and Ahmet Türk of the Democratic Society BDP member and Turkish parliamentari- Democracy Party (BDP) proposed a more Party (DTP) agreed, and urged the audi- an Gülten Kisanak argued that the PKK's decentralized Turkish government at a ence to consider that the Turkish govern- numbers are evidence that the government Brookings Institution panel on Tuesday. ment's longstanding policy of denying its must rethink its position toward the Kurdish citizens their civil rights might be organization: "We don't believe that a centralized sys- the root of the problem. tem of government that manages all of "According to data provided by the these different ethnic groups and commu- "You don't provide Kurds an Turkish chief of staff, since 1978 nities is viable and productive," said BDP opportunity to express themselves, 40,000 Kurds have participated in chairman Selahattin Demirtas. "We see so the PKK emerged." the PKK and lost their life in fighting this [decentralized government] as the the struggle. I believe these numbers most viable alternative." While Demirtas made sure to explain that cannot be seen as terrorism in that his party does not condone violence, he sense." Demirtas also emphasized that he is not did take issue with the Turkish govern- calling for a completely independent ment's definition of terrorism: The BDP may support President Abdullah Kurdish entity: Gül's call for a new "flexible and freedom- "This means of violence that is based" constitution, but its forward-think- "We are not talking about the being used has to be understood cor- ing notions about the PKK isn't going to Kurdish people [living] in a region rectly. The simple, traditional [defi- win it many points with Ankara. N

Another four guards were wounded in Tuesday's assault by the PJAK (Party of Free Life of Kurdistan) group in the western district Kurdish rebels kill 4 of Paveh, according to Mehr. "The small terrorist group PJAK also suffered casualties in this AprilGuards 25, 2012 - (Reuters) in western Iran attack, the exact number of which will be announced later," an Iranian security official told the agency. DUBAI - Kurdish rebels killed four members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards in an attack in the west of the country, the PJAK is an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Iranian news agency Mehr said on Wednesday. took up arms in 1984 to fight for an ethnic homeland in southeast Turkey. Both Iran and its major adversary the United States have cal-
Iranian security forces have been on the offensive against the rebels led PJAK a terrorist organisation in mountainous areas bordering Iraq since last year.

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27 avril 2012

l’intérêt général et l’unité du rique qui renforcera les rela- Moqtada Sadr au peuple irakien et j’espère que tions entre le Kurdistan et le chacun fera preuve de res- reste de l’Irak et qui va per- Kurdistan pour ponsabilité », a-t-il dit. Il a cri- mettre d’offrir plus de stabi- tiqué indirectement M. lité dans la situation poli- Maliki, qu’il avait déjà quali- tique du pays », a estimé résoudre la crise fié de dictateur, en affirmant Fouad Hussein, chef du que « les minorités représen- bureau de la présidence tent une part importante de kurde. Auparavant, lors l’Irak ». d’une conférence de presse à Dans un pays à majorité Bagdad, le porte-parole de chiite, les Kurdes comme la Moqtada Sadr, cheikh Salah formation laïque Iraqiya, al-Obeidi, avait indiqué soutenue par les sunnites, qu’une telle action était fustigent le pouvoir person- nécessaire pour « résoudre la nel de Nouri al-Maliki et crise » en Irak. Le chef du l’accusent de prendre ses Kurdistan autonome, décisions sans consulter son Massoud Barzani, inquiet gouvernement. Mais M. Sadr des conséquences d’un pou- a également implicitement voir fort à Bagdad, a multi- blâmé les Kurdes. « L’intérêt plié ces derniers temps les national, l’unité de l’Irak et attaques contre le chef du Moqtada Sadr et Massoud Barzani. Safin Hamed/AFP son indépendance doivent gouvernement irakien études religieuses, il a indi- primer sur l’intérêt confes- l’accusant de se conduire en rak Le chef radical chiite qué aux journalistes avoir sionnel ou ethnique », a-t-il dictateur en concentrant irakien Moqtada Sadr une liste de 18 points qu’il I ajouté. Le chef chiite s’en est tous les pouvoirs entre ses s’est présenté hier à son entend discuter avec les pris aussi à la Turquie qui mains. arrivée à Erbil, capitale de responsables kurdes pour avait accusé le Premier Après sa visite à Erbil, M. la région autonome du tenter de mettre fin à qua- ministre de discrimination à Sadr pourrait se rendre à Kurdistan, comme un tre mois de crise politique. l’égard des sunnites. « Nous Najaf, au centre de l’Irak, médiateur entre le Premier « J’ai rencontré Nouri al- rejetons l’interférence de selon un responsable de son ministre irakien Nouri al- Maliki à Téhéran et je suis n’importe quel pays dans les bureau. (Source : AFP) Maliki et le chef kurde venu ici pour écouter
affaires intérieures ira- Massoud Barzani, qui sont l’opinion et les points de vue kiennes », a-t-il dit. à couteaux tirés. Venu des dirigeants kurdes. d’Iran où il poursuit ses Chacun doit regarder « C’est une visite histo-

Iraq to get first F-16 jets in early 2014 April 29 , 2012 / Raheem Salman (Reuters) neighboring countries have. Small neighboring countries like Kuwait even have five squadrons,” Witwit said. IRAQ WILL receive the first 24 of 36 F-16 fighter jets it has Iraq would be in the market for more planes in the future, ordered from the United States at the beginning of 2014, a Witwit said. Pilots are already training to fly the new F-16s. senior official told Reuters on Sunday. Some of Iraq’s neighbors and the president of its semi-autono- Under deposed dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s air force was mous Kurdish region, Masoud Barzani, have said they are wor- one of the largest in the region with hundreds of mainly Soviet- ried about Baghdad acquiring the jets.. designed jets. Its military was disbanded after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. “I feel Kurdistan’s future is in severe danger because of(Maliki),” Barzani said last week. “F-16 (jets) should not reach Last July, Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki doubled the number the hands of this man.” of warplanes Iraq had initially planned to buy to strengthen an air force neglected during a protracted period when the coun- The central government and the Kurdish region have long-run- try relied on U.S. air support.. ning disputes over political autonomy, oil rights and contested territories. Iskander Witwit, the deputy head of parliament’s security and defence committee, said that the first 24 planes would make up But Witwit dismissed the concerns, telling Reuters the war- two air force squadrons. planes were intended to defend Iraq, not “one man”. “Iraq intends to have equipment which is more developed than

77 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Turquie : trois rebelles kurdes, un soldat et un milicien tués dans des combats

DIYARBAKIR - 24 avril 2012 - AFP pour poursuivre les rebelles kurdes impliqués dans ce clash. Tôt dans la matinée, une bombe a explosé au passage d'une patrouille des TROIS REBELLES kurdes ont été tués dans des affrontements oppo- forces turques sur l'autoroute reliant Mardin à Diyarbakir dans le sud-est de sant des forces de sécurité turques aux militants du Parti des la Turquie, une région peuplé en majorité de kurdes. Cette explosion a fait Travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), survenus mardi dans la province de plusieurs blessés dans les rangs des forces turques, selon la presse turque. Bingol dans l'Est de la Turquie, apprend-on de source officielle. La Turquie fait face depuis l'été dernier à une montée de la violence des Un soldat turc a été blessé lors de ces heurts qui ont eu lieu dans une zone séparatistes du PKK, un mouvement considéré comme terroriste par Ankara rurale près de la ville de Genc dans la province de Bingol, précise-on de et plusieurs autres capitales du monde, qui a pris les armes contre le gou- même source. vernement turc en 1984 pour s'engager dans un conflit qui a fait plus de Les forces de sécurité turques ont lancé une large opération dans la région 45.000 morts depuis lors.H

contre le régime de Téhéran, près de la ville de Paveh, dans la province de Iran: quatre Gardiens Kermanshah, a précisé Mehr. de la Révolution tués "Quatre membres des Gardiens ont été tués et quatre autres blessés dans cet acte lâche", a déclaré un haut responsable de la sécurité de la province, par des rebelles kurdes Shahryar Heydari. Selon lui, le PJAK a également subi des pertes, sans plus de précisions. TEHERAN, 25 avril 2012 (AFP) Ces morts sont les premiers annoncés depuis l'été dernier. En septembre, les Gardiens de la révolution avaient indiqué avoir "nettoyé" LES REBELLES kurdes ont tué quatre Gardiens de la Révolution, les zones frontalières du nord-ouest de l'Iran des groupes rebelles kurdes l'armée d'élite du régime iranien, dans l'ouest du pays, a indiqué mer- armés et tué 180 rebelles du PJAK. credi un responsable provincial, cité par l'agence de presse Mehr. Et en octobre, le ministre iranien des Affaires étrangères, Ali Akbar Salehi, L'attaque a été menée mardi soir par des membres du PJAK (Parti pour et le président de la région autonome du Kurdistan irakien, Massoud une vie libre au Kurdistan), principal mouvement kurde de lutte armée Barzani, avaient affirmé que la question du PJAK était "réglée".H

Irak : Moqtada Sadr opposé à un troisième mandat de Nouri al-Maliki NAJAF, 27 avril 2012 (AFP)

LE CHEF RADICAL chiite irakien Moqtada Sadr est opposé au renver- sement immédiat du gouvernement mais refuse que l'actuel Premier ministre, Nouri al-Maliki, puisse se présenter en 2014 pour un troi- sième mandat, ont annoncé vendredi à l'AFP ses proches collabora- teurs. En visite à Erbil, capitale du Kurdistan irakien dans le nord du pays, Moqtada Sadr a rencontré vendredi le président irakien Jalal Talabani, le président de la région autonome Massoud Barzani et son Premier ministre Nechirvan Barzani, selon un communiqué de la présidence kurde.

Venu jeudi d'Iran, où il poursuit ses études religieuses, le dirigeant chiite de la formation laïque Iraqiya, le pouvoir personnel de M. Maliki et veulent s'est présenté comme un médiateur entre MM Barzani et Maliki, qui sont à le renverser par une motion de censure au Parlement. couteaux tirés. Les sadristes font partie de la grande coalition chiite (159 députés sur les "Moqtada Sadr a évoqué (avec Massoud Barzani) divers sujets lors de sa 325 sièges du Parlement) qui appuie le Premier ministre, tout en le criti- visite au Kurdistan, notamment celui de ne pas accorder un nouveau man- quant. dat à Nouri al-Maliki, considérant que ce dernier a déjà pris position en ce "La principale préoccupation de Moqtada Sadr est d'obtenir de meilleurs sens", a affirmé Dhia al-Assadi, secrétaire général du bloc Ahrar, qui services publics et que la richesse de l'Irak (le pétrole) bénéficie à tous les regroupe les 40 députés sadristes au Parlement. Irakiens", a insisté M. Assadi. M. Maliki, en poste depuis mai 2006, avait indiqué à l'AFP en février 2011 Un autre proche collaborateur de Sadr a confirmé que le refus d'acccorder qu'il ne solliciterait pas un troisième mandat, avant de revenir sur ses pro- un troisième mandat à M. Maliki avait été discuté entre les deux dirigeants pos et d'adopter une position plus ambiguë. "mais il n'y pas eu d'accord car la limitation à deux mandats nécessite une Selon M. Assadi, le dirigeant radical chiite a discuté des "problèmes entre le loi adoptée par le Parlement". chef de la région (Massoud Barzani) et le gouvernement fédéral" et il "a Lors de la réunion vendredi à Erbil, "les participant ont insisté sur la néces- appelé à soutenir le gouvernement actuel et à ne pas le renverser à condi- sité de mettre en place un programme national plaçant les intérêts supé- tion que tous les Irakiens puissent y participer". rieurs du peuple irakien au-dessus des intérêts confessionnels ou parti- Il s'est ainsi différencié de M. Barzani et des Kurdes qui fustigent, aux côtés sans", selon le communiqué de la présidence kurde.H

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escalating sectarian tensions across the region, reflecting a wider conflict bet- Turkey and ween Sunni Turkey and Shiite Iran, which supports Mr. Maliki's adminis- Iraq Trade tration in Shiite-majority Iraq. These tensions have risen in the wake of the U.S. troop pullout from Iraq Barbs in and amid the battle in Syria, where pro- testers largely from the Sunni majority Growing are battling President Bashar al-Assad's Iran-backed government. "What we're seeing is what we had Diplomatic feared after the U.S. pulled back its Turkish Premier Erdogan, right, speaks with troops—namely the rising influence of Iraqi Vice President Hashemi on April 14, Iran in Iraq, which is fueling sectarian one in a series of meetings that have angered Spat tensions," said Sinan Ulgen, a former Baghdad. Turkish diplomat now at the Carnegie Turkey and Iraq's semiautonomous By JOE PARKINSON Endowment for International Peace. Kurdish region. "There has been a lack of tact from Baghdad's concerns over Turkey's STANBUL—A rolling diplomatic spat Turkey and Iraq. In the short term the role in Iraqi affairs has been fueled by between Turkey and Iraq's govern- animosity will likely increase as I Turkey's recent moves to forge closer ment is heightening regional strains, as Turkey's interests continue to diverge ties to the Kurdish region's president, Baghdad and Ankara accuse one another from Iran's." Masoud Barzani, whose administration of stoking sectarian strife. One trigger for the acrimony bet- is embroiled in a row with the Baghdad The two countries this week sum- ween the neighbors was Turkish politi- government over territorial claims, moned each others' top diplomats, after cians' public comments on the case of control of the region's oil and its recent Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Tariq al-Hashemi, Iraq's Sunni vice sheltering of Mr. Hashemi. Erdogan on April 19 said Iraqi Prime president, who sought refuge in Mr. Barzani on Monday urged Minister Nouri al-Maliki's "self-cente- Kurdish-ruled northern Iraq late last Washington to halt an agreed sale of F- red" actions had fanned tensions bet- year after the government accused him 16 warplanes to Iraq while Mr. Maliki is ween Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. The of leading death squads against Shiites. prime minister, for fear they could be Iraqi leader countered later that day Mr. Hashemi, who denies the used against his region. That marked that Turkey was becoming a "hostile charges, met privately with Mr. the starkest warning yet from the state" with a sectarian agenda. Erdogan on Tuesday, the latest in a Kurdish leader, who has previously Mr. Erdogan weighed in again series of meetings with Turkish officials accused Mr. Maliki of seeking to centra- Saturday, appearing to goad the Iraqi that have drawn fire from Baghdad. lize power and moving toward dictator- premier: "If we respond to Mr. Maliki, In an interview Wednesday in ship. we give him the opportunity to show Istanbul, Mr. Hashemi said the charges The U.S. has agreed to sell 36 F-16 off," he said. against him were "politically motiva- jets to Baghdad in a multi-billion-dollar A statement on Iraq's foreign minis- ted" and accused Mr. Maliki of pursuing deal aimed at increasing the capabilities try website on Tuesday said Baghdad policies of "sectarian polarization" and of Iraq's fledgling air force, a weak point had "acquainted the Turkish ambassa- violence that could lead to the kind of in its national defenses. dor with the Iraqi government's intense sectarian conflict that claimed thou- Baghdad and Ankara have also protest against the recent state- sands of lives in Iraq in 2006 and 2007 publicly disagreed over Syria's uprising. ments…and expressed hope that the at the height of the bloodshed following While Mr. Erdogan has taken a hawkish Turkish government will stop giving the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. line in favor of the country's opposition, statements that affect Iraq's sovereignty "Locally and regionally, we're at a Mr. Maliki has said the insurgency and internal affairs." critical point," said Mr. Hashemi, who could spread "like a house on fire" into Later Tuesday, Turkish Foreign is currently staying under the protec- Iraq. Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told repor- tion of Turkish authorities in Istanbul Mr. Erdogan's approach could jeo- ters that Turkey had "never been a part before his planned return to northern pardize an important relationship, of the political conflict or the sectarian Iraq later this week. "Turkey tried to some analysts say. agenda in Iraq." restructure the geopolitics in the region "Mr. Maliki is not Assad, and The latest round of sparring builds on the basis of getting everybody toge- Erdogan should be more polite: Turkey on tensions between Turkey and Iraq ther to focus on the economy—now has substantial economic interests in that flared in January, when Baghdad we're at a point where we see major sec- Iraq," said Atilla Yesilada, partner at accused Ankara of meddling in its inter- tarianism and we need to step back." the Istanbul office of New York-based nal affairs. The two countries have in recent research firm Global Source Partners. Turkey's commercial interests in years enjoyed a fast-expanding trade "Many in Baghdad feel they shouldn't parts of Iraq make it unlikely that any relationship. Iraq is now Turkey's be taking lectures from Erdogan on ties would be severed. Still, the deepe- second-largest trading partner after marginalizing opponents when, from ning rift could threaten to dent the Germany, with trade swelling 40% to their perspective, he's done similar Middle East's fastest-growing trade reach $12 billion last year, according to things in Turkey." N relationship. Turkey's government. However, more The disagreement also speaks to than half of that volume is between

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Barzani made his statements following all those meetings. And Erdoğan made his statements in Qatar at almost the same time that The Kurdish problem: Barzani made his in Ankara. Plus, Barzani underlined very clearly that he would not allow the PKK to continue to use the territory of developments to watch the KRG to carry out attacks on Turkey; we can assume that this MURAT YETKİN / Hürriyet Daily News had been a subject of discussion in D.C., as well as in Istanbul and Ankara. Erdoğan’s addition to his call was that negotiations would not be possible unless the PKK abandoned arms. hen you read the statements Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan made in Qatar on Friday, and those Masoud Meanwhile, very interesting developments are taking place on WBarzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in the domestic scene with the Kurdish problem in Turkey. On Iraq made in Ankara the same day, you can see two important simi- Thursday it became clear that İrfan Dündar, one of the leading larities. lawyers for Abdullah Öcalan, the founder and leader of the PKK, The first is a call to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party who is serving a life sentence on the prison island of İmralı, had (PKK). Both Barzani and Erdoğan asked the PKK to drop its wea- applied to benefit from the repentance law. He revealed how he and pons immediately. This is perhaps not new, since we have heard the other members of Öcalan’s legal team had secretly conveyed coded same from both of them at different times before. But the difference messages obtained during prison visits with their client to the PKK, this time is that they met in Istanbul on Friday and discussed the giving the organization instructions as to what step to take, inclu- matter. ding their actions of all kinds. Following the exposure of some MİT informants linked to the PKK, that development is likely to escalate That meeting was followed by a long overseas trip by Barzani, the psychological pressure on the PKK. the most important part of which was a visit to Washington, D.C. There he was received by U.S. President Barack Obama, Vice The second of two similar statements that both leaders made President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense was about the need to preserve the unity of Iraq. When you talk Secretary Leon Panetta; it was almost like the state reception of a about unity, it means you consider the possibility of the opposite as national president. well. It is meaningful for the leader of an autonomous region, bor- dering Turkey and Iraq, to make that statement at a time when he In Turkey Barzani was met with a similar presidential-style is harboring the Sunni Arab Vice President of the country (Tariq al- reception as well. After his meeting with Erdoğan and National Hashemi), who is on the run from an arrest warrant issued under Intelligence Organization (MİT) chief Hakan Fidan on Thursday, he Shiite Arab Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. Al-Hashemi is currently met with President Abdullah Gül and Foreign Minister Ahmet staying in Turkey, and Barzani accused Maliki in his Friday press Davutoğlu on Friday. In addition to that, Barzani met with the co- conference of trying to establish a regime of one-man rule in Iraq. chairman of the Kurdish problem-focused Peace and Democracy It will be worth observing the new moves all of the parties Party (BDP), which acknowledges that it shares the same power I base with the PKK. involved will make following Barzani’s return to his homeland.

April 27, 2012 Iraq's Shahristani: dispute with Kurds an internal affair By Alister Bull / Reuters Oil is at the heart of the broad dispute bet- ween Kurdistan in northern Iraq and the cen- WASHINGTON - A simmering dispute tral government, which worsened when the between Iraq's central government and the Kurds stopped oil exports to Baghdad earlier semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan is an this month in protest over non-payment. "We regret that we hear some of the com- internal affair, a top Baghdad official said on Shahristani said no progress had been ments that have been coming from Ankara," he Thursday, in an implicit rebuff of U.S. efforts made in lifting the Kurdish oil export said. "We do not appreciate comments from to broker a compromise between the two sides. embargo. others, or interference in our internal affairs." "Of course there is American interest and "They were supposed to be sending a dele- However, Shahristani said he did not goodwill to facilitate an understanding," said gation to Baghdad, which has not come, to dis- expect the dispute to harm trade, including oil Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy cuss this issue," he said. exports, between the two neighbors. Iraq is Hussain al-Shahristani. Kurdistan Regional Government President Turkey's second-largest trading partner with "But it was clear to all sides that any inter- Masoud Barzani recently met Biden in trade of $12 billion last year. nal matter has to be discussed by Iraqis inside Washington and has also visited Turkish Prime In addition, Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a Iraq," he told reporters after meeting with U.S. Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who has publicly powerful broker in the country's coalition Vice President Joe Biden. chided Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for government, visited Kurdistan on Thursday in Washington is anxious to ease a political stoking the conflict. an effort to lower tensions. crisis that erupted after U.S. troops left Iraq This blunt break with traditional diplo- Shahristani said bilateral talks were wel- last year, which analysts fear could strain the macy drew sharp words from Baghdad, which come, "but they are not a substitute for a natio- country's unity if it escalates further. Shahristani echoed in Washington. nal conference, where all parties are present."➩

80 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➩ The White House, concerned by high U.S. continued development of Iraq's energy sec- have signed exploration deals with several gasoline prices in an election year, wants to do tor." foreign oil companies, including U.S. oil everything possible to boost the supply of oil Iraq sits atop some of the largest oil major Exxon Mobile, which are deemed illegal on to world markets. reserves in the world and has ambitious plans by the central government. Biden's office said the vice president had to lift production. Shahristani said the issue of Exxon Mobile "reaffirmed our commitment to work with But development has been clouded by ten- had not been raised during the talks with Biden N Iraqi leaders across the spectrum to support the sion between Baghdad and the Kurds, who on Thursday.

29 April 2012 By ADNAN HUSSEINWill Barzani “Checkmate” Maliki? In this photo from June rudaw.net 2010, Kurdistan Region's President Massoud AGHDAD, Iraq -- Last week was a very Barzani meets with busy one for Iraqi politicians, with Erbil Iraqi Prime Minister once again being the center of attention. B Nuri al-Maliki in Ayad Allawi, head of the Iraqiya bloc, Salahaddin, east of Muqtada Sadr, head of the Sadrist Trend, and Kurdish capital Erbil. Adil Abdulmahdi, senior official with the Photo www.krp.org Iraqi Supreme Islamic Council, all visited Erbil and met with Kurdistan Region “The discussions were going well, but the plans, but Dr. Masoum told Rudaw, “Talabani President Massoud Barzani. Iraqiya bloc is interested in escalating and Barzani are in complete agreement on the Separately, Barzani met with head of the conflict. They do not want the meetings to go issues.” Change Movement (Gorran) Nawshirwan well. At each meeting, the Iraqiya bloc brings Baha Aaraji, head of Sadr’s Ahrar Trend, Mustafa and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. a new set of conditions. This shows that the describes Barzani’s initiative as “significant”. News leaked from the meetings that Iraqiya bloc is not honest about their demands “The Kurdistan president’s initiative Talabani and Barzani had reached an agree- and do not want progress,” Daraji says. allows political parties to voice their concerns ment on solving the current problems within Daraji thinks that the Iraqiya tries to use and thus prepares them for a national consen- the principles of the Erbil Agreement. the Kurdistan Region president, Turkey, Qatar sus meeting, a meeting that Talabani has cal- Talabani and Barzani have pointed to the and Saudi Arabia to gain political points. led for as well,” he says. significance of meeting with Iraqi leaders “But political issues cannot be solved this Teyib, spokesperson for the Kurdistani until an agreement is reached on how to tackle way. The issues can only be solved in Iraq, not Coalition, told Rudaw, “The initiatives of the problems that have brought the country’s outside Iraqi borders,” he says. both Talabani and Barzani have the same end. political process to a standstill. Nahida Daini, an MP from the Iraqiya They both aim at solving the current Iraqi cri- The Iraqiya bloc attended four of the five bloc, disagrees with Daraji, saying, “The sis. They both agree that the best roadmap to Erbil meetings. Dr. Fuad Masoum, head of the Iraqiya bloc has never been assured that the reach a solution is to comply with the Erbil Kurdistani Coalition in Iraqi Parliament, told Erbil Agreement will be implemented, which Agreement.” Rudaw, “The last meeting cannot be conside- is why we refused to participate in the last Political analysts believe the Kurdistan red part of the preparation for a national meeting,” she said. “We were the first party to president does not intend to “checkmate” consensus meeting since one of the major par- call for a national consensus meeting.” Maliki -- to borrow a term from chess – but ties did not attend.” During a visit to the United States earlier simply to put him in “check” since there is no Dr. Masoum added, “We suggested all this month, Barzani stated that he would bring better alternative. Iraqi political parties comply with the provi- Iraqi leaders together in Erbil when he retur- Teyib added that forming a new coalition sions of the Erbil Agreement. Ninety percent ned to Kurdistan. Most Iraqi leaders, among with the Iraqiya bloc was not feasible under of the Erbil Agreement covers nationwide them Muqtada Sadr met in Erbil this week the current situation, as some of the groups in issues. We asked the National Alliance to with the exception of Prime Minister Nuri al- the bloc have conflicting opinions to those of bring their concerns to the negotiation table Maliki’s party officials. the Kurds. “We have some common ground and for the Iraqiya bloc to do the same. Then Daraji says Dawa Party senior officials with the Iraqiya bloc, but we also still have the Iraqi president can assess the concerns, refused to participate in the meeting for two some with our former allies in the PM’s coali- talk to the parties and set a date for a national reasons “Firstly, recent statements by tion,” he said. consensus meeting.” President Barzani show that he is not impar- The Iraqiya bloc’s statements regarding Moayad Teyib, spokesperson for the tial to the issues; he has taken sides and there- the removal of Maliki are seen more as a way Kurdistani Coalition, says a national consen- fore cannot play a mediator’s role. Secondly, to put pressure on the Iraqi PM, rather than sus meeting is the best option for addressing if the meeting takes place in Erbil, some indi- genuinely attempt to remove him from his Iraqi issues, but added, “In the last meeting, viduals will attend that we do not want at the post. we refused to reach an agreement on holding meeting.” Daraji says forming a new alliance bet- the national consensus meeting due to the A political analyst says the real reason ween the Iraqiya bloc, Kurds and the Sadrist absence of the Iraqiya bloc.” behind Maliki’s party’s refusal is that they Trend is more a dream than a real possibility. Shakir Daraji, an Iraqi MP from the may face undesirable circumstances if they “The Sadrist Trend has no intention of National Alliance (Shia) and senior official in attend the meeting -- Iraqi parties might agree withdrawing confidence from Maliki’s the Iraqi prime minister’s Dawa Party says the in Erbil to withdraw confidence from the government,” Daraji said, adding that during Iraqiya bloc’s absence at the meeting was Maliki cabinet. Maliki’s visit to Iran he was assured by Sadr unjustified and that had a number of condi- Maliki’s coalition has described Barzani’s that the group supports the prime minister’s Ë tions for participating at the last minute. initiative as an attempt to disregard Talabani’s coalition. 81 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

. INTERWIONAl îteralb^g|M®rUmnc Thursday, april 26, 201?, As international pressure built on Mr. Assad, the Syrian Observatory for Hu-

France would back force "It is the regime that is cracking down and the opposition that is defending if Syria fails on peace plan itself as well as it can."

tions to take a new step to stop this PARIS tragedy." man Rights, an opposition group based Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter permits in London, said four people had been Juppé says deployment the Security Council to call for armed in¬ killed when security forces opened fire of observers is urgent tervention, and the United States on a bus at a checkpoint on the main reneged on a promise to seek such a res¬ road from Aleppo to Damascus. as Russia voices concern olution before invading Iraq. An elderly man was also killed, it The French government has said it added, in heavy fighting in Dera'a, a would support military action in Syria if southern city that is the crucible of the there were a U.N. mandate, something anti-Assad revolt that flared 13 months France wants to see at least 300 United that remains unlikely given the opposi¬ ago after uprisings against autocratic Nations observers in Syria within two tion not only from Russia but also China. leaders in the Arab world. weeks and will push for a U.N. Security Both have veto power in the Security Shelling was relentless in Douma, Council resolution permitting the use of Council. east of the capital, according to a wom¬ force unless Damascus complies with a When asked if he thought Russia an who visited there Tuesday night. The peace plan, Foreign Minister Alain would support a Chapter 7 resolution, town was without water, power or mo¬ Juppé said Wednesday. Mr. Juppé noted that Moscow had bile phone connection, she said, and pro- At a news conference after meeting already accepted resolutions enabling government gunmen were wandering with opponents of President Bashar al- Mr. Annan's mission and the sending of the streets, preventing people from Assad, Mr. Juppé said there must be a observers. leaving their homes. rapid deployment of U.N. observers be¬ "I hope they will realize that the re¬ "There was bombardment all night," cause the peace plan was "extremely gime is blocking the process andT hope she said. "Artillery and tanks. We didn't compromised." that their position will evolve in light of sleep at all. Not for a moment. Most res¬ "We want to see observers in suffi¬ what's happening on the ground," he idents have gone down to live on the cient numbers," Mr. Juppé said/adding said. "It is the regime that is cracking ground floor, because most of the that he wanted them in Syria within down and the opposition that is defend¬ second and third floors have been hit." "two weeks, not three months." ing itself as well as it can.'' There was no mention of the bus Any resolution at the U.N. Security Mr. Annan emphasized the need to shooting or bombardment in Syria's Council permitting force would almost get "eyes and ears on the ground," but news media or comment from the au¬ certainly face a veto from Russia, which the U.N. peacekeeping chief, Hervé Lad- thorities in Damascus, which has is particularly wary of military interven¬ sous, said it would take a month to de¬ barred most foreign journalists since tion similar to the NATO campaign that ploy the first 100 monitors. the protests started. helped topple Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi in Libya Moscow fears that such a move . INTERNATIONAL could draw in Assad allies like Iran and Jfcral^&Sribunc Friday, april 27, 2012 further destabilize the Middle East. Neverthelesss;Vitaly I. Churkin, Rus¬ sia's ambassador to the United Nations, said Wednesday that it would be worry¬ Damascus and opposition ing if Damascus failed to withdraw

troops and weapons. "If this is the case, if the promise in trade blame for collapse the letter has not really been carried out, that would mean it is a breach of the BEIRUT promise they made on Saturday," Mr. Churkin said. "I'm certainly going to bring it to the attention of Moscow.' ' BY NEIL MACFARQUHAR Throughout the conflict, Russia has ANDHWAIDASAAD been one of Syria's few friends, provid¬ A large number of Syrian civilians died ing protection at the United Nations in a poor neighborhood of Hama after , from any Security Council measures. their houses crashed down on them, but Kofi Annan, the former U.N. secretary the government and the opposition general who has been designated as an offered widely different accounts on international envoy to Syria, said Tues¬ Thursday of the cause of the episode. day that Syria had failed to comply with The opposition activists called it a a pledge to withdraw weapons from SHAAM NEWS NETWORK. VIA AP massacre, saying intensive government population centers and that towns Amateur footage of a rally in Hama, Syria, shelling collapsed a row of cinder-block where residents met U.N. truce moni¬ on Thursday, after shanties fell on civilians. shanties, killing about 70 people. State tors may have been attacked. media, however, said 16 people died Mr. Juppé said May 5, when Mr. An¬ ] skepticism thai a shaky cease-fire nego- when a bomb-making operation by gov¬ nan is due to present a report to the Se¬ Ii tiated by Kofi Annan, the former United ernment opponents went awry, with a curity Council on Syria, would be the Nations secretary general, would hold. series of blasts leveling the houses in "moment of truth." A new pattern has also developed in the Mashaa al-Tayar neighborhood. "If that does not work, we cannot al¬ recent days of the government rushing The Syrian Observatory for Human low the regime to defy us," he said. "We to blame the opposition, which it uni¬ Rights, based in London, had a similar would have to move to a new stage with formly labels "terrorists," for deaths in lower toll, but said the cause of the a Chapter 7 resolution at the United Na episodes of violence. deaths was as yet undetermined. On Tuesday, Mohamed Khadra, a vol- The episode was certain to deepen the

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

unteer for the Syrian Arab Red Cres¬ scribing the deaths in Hama as a blatant cause Syria prevents foreign reporters cent, was killed in a barrage of gunfire violation of the cease-fire. It called on from circulating freely despite the that hit an ambulance ferrying the the U.N. Security Council to meet to do terms of the cease-fire. wounded from the Damascus suburb of something more to protect Syrian civil¬ Although two members of an advance Douma. The opposition has accused ians. The government of President party of U.N. monitors were in Hama, government forces of repeatedly pre¬ Bashar al-Assad had committed a series activists said they did not make it to the venting the evacuation of wounded of "crimes" against Hama residents, in¬ scene. Opposition activists said govern¬ from neighborhoods that staged anti- cluding heavy shelling, summary exe¬ ment forces had singled out Hama for government protests, while the state- cutions, raids and arrests, it said. punishment because of a series of anti- run media blamed an "armed terrorist "The world continues to wait while government protests when the first group" for the attack. the regime continues to massacre the U.N. monitors visited last Sunday. In Istanbul on Thursday, the Syrian Syrian people," said the statement. The shelling has been erratic but con¬ National Council, the main opposition There was no independent confirmation tinual, said one activist in Hama group in exile, issued a statement de from Hama of either account of what reached via Skype, who declined to be happened on Wednesday evening, be identified to avoid retribution.

Mardi 24 avril 2012

L'ONU vote l'envoi d'une mission de 300 observateurs non armés en Syrie

Le contingent de bérets bleus ne devrait pas être opérationnel avant plusieurs semaines. Sur le terrain, les forces du régime de Damas poursuivent la répression

New York (Nations unies). logue politique, la libération des servation, les Etats-Unis étaient par¬ faciliter la remontée d'informa¬ Correspondante personnes arbitrairement déte¬ mi les plus réticents, estimant pré¬ tions du terrain et d'assurer à ter¬ nues, l'accès pour la presse et la férable d'attendre que Damas ait me un effet de modération, souli- Sans illusion, l'ONU s'apprête liberté de manifester. Aucun de ces rempli ses obligations avant toute gne-t-on à l'ONU. «Le déploiement à déployer une mission de six points n'a, à ce jour, été respecté action. Un désaccord qualifié de d'une dizaine d'observateurs n'a en 300 observateurs internatio¬ parle régime syrien. Le lancement «purement tactique » par les Euro¬ rienchangélecomportementmeur- naux en Syrie. Depuis l'entrée en d'un plan d'aide humanitaire de péens, quant à eux plus prudents trier du régime», a relevé Gérard vigueur, le 12 avril, de la trêve négo¬ 180 millions de dollars (136 mil¬ que réticents, et quiavaient soumis Araud, jugeant « absolument indis¬ ciée par Kofi Annan, l'émissaire lions d'euros) mis au point par un texte menaçant la Syrie de sanc¬ pensable» de déployer une mis¬ des Nations unies et de la Ligue ara¬ l'ONU est lui-même suspendu au tions, en cas de refus d'obtempérer. sion «élargie». be, les violences n'ont jamais ces¬ feu vert de Damas. La résolution adoptée à l'unani¬ sé. Chaque jour, des dizaines de «Dans ce contexte, nous savons « Patience à bout » mité pose les conditions de ce civils sont la cible des troupes qu'en votant cette résolution, nous Un v
u pieux face à la menace déploiement, telles que négociées syriennes. Damas doit «une fois prenons un risque», a souligné, de veto que Moscou et Pékin, en par l'équipe avancée de M.Annan pour toutes, arrêter d'utiliser des samedi 21 avril, l'ambassadeurfran- fidèles alliés de Damas, étaient à et Damas, notamment une totale armes lourdes et les retirer des cen¬ çais Gérard Araud, après levote una¬ deux doigts de brandir pour la troi¬ liberté de mouvement, des moyens tres depopulation », a martelé l'an¬ nime par le Conseil de sécurité en sième fois. Après d'âpres négocia¬ de communication et de transport . cien secrétaire général de l'ONU, faveurdu déploiement de300 mili¬ tions, Russes et Occidentaux se au sol indépendants, et une sécuri¬ Son plan de paix, accepté par la taires nonarméspourquatre-vingt- sont entendus sur une version té assurée par les forces syriennes. Syrie début avril, prévoit un cessez- dix jours. Si la grande majorité des moins offensive. « Notre patience Reste que ce protocole ne clarifie le-feu immédiat, l'aide et l'accès 15 pays membres prônent une inter¬ est à bout », a fait savoir l'ambassa¬ pas la question des moyens humanitaire.rouverture d'un dia vention rapide de la mission d'ob- drice américaine Susan Rice, qui a aériens. L'ONU souhaite déployer menacé Damas de ne pas opérer ses propres avions et hélicoptères, Envlron 200 morts depuis l'application du cessez-le-feu de renouvellement automatique seule garantie de mobilité rapide de la mission après trois mois. pour les 300 «bérets bleus », mais

Les violences en Syrie ont fait, le sur le travail des observateurs. Une mise en garde à laquelle le régime syrien refuse de perdre le depuis le 15 mars 2011, plus de s'est rallié le représentant de la contrôle du survol de son territoire.

11 100 morts, dont environ 200 20 avril Des milliers de manifes¬ France. La marge de man des Etant donné les contraintes

depuis l'entrée en vigueur du ces¬ tants antirégime interpellent les Nations urnes en Syrie est « ténue», logistiques auxquelles sont

sez-le-feu, le 12 avril. observateurs. Les violences font reconnaît undiplomate, qui rappel¬ confrontés les responsables du 46 morts dont 29 civils. le que le régime syrien, après treize maintien de la paix - l'organisa¬

14avrll Le Conseil de sécurité de mois, «tient toujours». «Quelle est tion ne dispose que de 9 véhicules

l'ONU approuve la résolution 21avril Le Conseil de sécurité l'alternative à l'envoi d'observa¬ blindés légers, il en faudrait 120 -,

2042, autorisant le déploiement vote une 2' résolution (2043), teurs ?Nous n 'en avonspas. Sil'ONU la mission ne devrait pas être au

d'une équipe de 30 observateurs autorisant l'envoi d'une mission ne tente pas ce pari, l'alternative, complet avant plusieurs semai¬

pour surveiller le cessez-le-feu. élargie de 300 casques bleus non c'est la guerre civile », fait-il encore nes. Quant à son coup d'envoi, il ne armés «pour une période initiale remarquer, convaincu de l'impor¬ peut venir que du secrétaire géné¬

18 avril Plus de 80 morts en trois de quatre-vingt dixjours». tance aujourd'hui d'avoir « unpied ral Ban Ki-moon, chargé d'évaluer jours à travers le pays. dans laporte». d'ici à quinze jours si la « consolida¬ 22 avril 17 tués dans des affronte¬ L'objectifde cette présence « ren¬ tion » du cessez-le-feu le permet.

19 avril Damas signe un protoco ments, malgré les observateurs. forcée» des Nations unies est de Alexandra Geneste

83 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti The Russian News & Information Agency — 25 April 2012 Kurds, Syria, and the Chessboard By ANDREI SHERIKHOV, political scientist, Strategic Culture Foundation expert, was published in International Affairs magazine.

ast March, at the peak of the pressure on Syria and Iran, the Syrian Kurds boldly declared the independence of West Syrian Kurds declared the independence of West Kurdistan, Kurdistan, with the city of Afrin as the capital. The territo- with the city of Afrin as the capital. ryL thus claimed lies in the northern part of Syria and borders cial negotiations in Istanbul, and the Kurdish delegates walked Turkey. A forum of Syrian opposition groups held earlier this year out in the process, further destabilizing the fairly disunited front. in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, passed a resolution to the In a pertinent comment, the . outlet stressed that a effect that a self-governed Kurdish formation would be estab- Курдистан ру recent report by Henry Jackson Society, a British-based foreign- lished in North-Eastern Syria when Assad's regime finally falls. policy thinktank, described the Kurds as “the decisive minority” in the anti-Assad revolution and said that their joining the cause Predictably, it took Turkey virtually no time to respond. Premier would be “in the interests of the U.S. for a stable and inclusive Erdogan said that the only way to keep civilians safe in the Idleb Syria”. Regardless of the West's calls, though, the Kurds are show- and Rakka provinces would be to dispatch the Turkish troops and ing little if any resolve to get into the fight against Assad. to set up a buffer security zone in the region. If the plan becomes reality, guerrillas from the Syrian Liberation Army would get The Iraqi Kurdistan, in the meantime, urges the Kurds to eye the enviable positions for attacks against the government forces in involvement in Syria with caution. Kurdistan's director of securi- Syria plus a stronghold where they would be free to exercise and ty and intelligence Masrour Barzani maintained in an interview to reorder their ranks under Western instructors' oversight. that, being a part of the Middle East, the Kurds should be pre- pared for a worst-case scenario and receptive to whatever oppor- Should the promised Western Kurdistan come into being, Ankara tunities – if changes create greater stability, everybody will enjoy which already faces serious risks due to the near-total autonomy the enhanced security, but otherwise security will deteriorate and of Southern Kurdistan in Iraq would be confronted with two seri- preparations have to be made accordingly. ous problems instead of one. It should be taken into account that, as the developments in Libya increasingly demonstrate, central The truth is that consensus between the Kurdish leaders and their governments in countries recovering after regime change have Arab partners over the status the Kurds would be given in Syria slim chances to regain control over the territories which had sent if Assad is ejected has not been reached. The Kurds demand independence messages in the days of unrest. clearcut guarantees, but the Syrian opposition declines to provide them. As a result, the Kurds have no motivation to fight against Ankara simply must keep a lid on whatever concerns Western the government in Syria. In contrast, B. Assad has accommodated Kurdistan, considering that the rise of a new center of Kurdish some of the Kurdish demands since the outbreak of unrest in the statehood in Syria would likely be a prologue to the creation of a country. Greater Kurdistan and thereby put Turkey on the brink of territo- rial disintegration. The course taken by Syrian Kurds can inspire Speaking of the possibility that an independent West Kurdistan their brethren resident in Turkey, and their separatist tendencies establishes itself as an independent territory and starts struggling are as of today Ankara's worst headache. for survival under pressure from both Turkey and Syria (with or without B. Assad) and that political turbulence erupts on other Kurds, in turn, also reacted to the plan rolled out by Ankara with- Kurdish-populated territories, the unraveling of the story would out delay. Leaders of the Kurdistan Workers Party - in particular, show that a global scenario intended to radically transform the Murat Karayilan - threatened that fighting would immediately region's political landscape is being implemented. One of the spill across the entire Kurdistan if the Turkish army invades Syria. issues capable of jumping to the regional agenda is the independ- ence of South Kurdistan from Iraq. In fact, Kurdish autonomy In the settings, opponents of the Kurdish movement were able to president Masoud Barzani upheld the plan to declare the inde- charge that the Kurds must have cut a secret deal with B. Assad. pendence following the celebrations of Nowruz on May 21, but Allegations sounded that they expect special terms from the step was postponed. Damascus upon B. Assad's re-winning a grip on the country and that some of the pledges were already being fulfilled. The The complexities around Iran additionally factor into the above Kurdish wish list in Syria is well-known and features citizenship situation. If the Western coalition attacks the country, the Kurds for some 400,000 of the 2.5 million Kurds living in the country, a would likely unveil their own set of demands as they did during cultural autonomy, school instruction in Kurdish, the opening of the war between Iraq and Iran in the 1980ies. Kurdish-language media, etc. It must be noted that the territory of West Kurdistan is strategic as a source of agricultural products for The launch of any of the scenarios – the declaration of independ- Syria and as the part of the country containing key oil reserves. ence by West Kurdistan, by the Kurdish autonomy in Iraq, or by Iranian Kurds - or of the three combined would electrify all The dynamics within the Syrian opposition appears to support Kurdish-populated territories, and the explainable merger of the the hypothesis that there indeed exists some sort of a deal with newly born statehoods would mark the materialization of the old Assad. At the end of last March, the Syrian opposition held cru- ➨

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Kurdish dream about the Greater Kurdistan. The circumstance not and the friendship with Barzani should help the US military pres- to be overlooked at this point is that the Kurds are backed by a ence in Iraq continue even after the announced withdrawal. For a hyperpowerful ally – the US. The reasons behind Washington's time, rumor had it that the Pentagon either intended to plant a new support for the Greater Kurdistan aspirations are on the surface. airbase in the Kurdish autonomy or to transfer to it the Incirlik base First, the cooperativeness displayed by Masoud Barzani and the from Turkey, and it did not evade watchers that no official state- whole Kurdish community makes it considerably easier for the US ments disproving the projection had been released. to handle Iraq where, at the moment, the Kurdish part is more sta- ble and manageable than any other. Secondly, the US-Kurdish part- The Arab Spring made the Kurds a group central to the US plan to nership evidently has a destabilizing impact on Iraq, where the dominate the Caucasus, the Caspian Sea, and the Persian Gulf. The Kurdish population is bigger than in Iran (6.6 million vs. 5 million) Kurds who never dropped their centuries-old independence goal and inhabits a larger chunk of the territory (160,000 vs. 75,000 out of sight are eager to seize the arising opportunities and to cap- N square kilometers). A further objective linked to Washington's italize on the strategic alliance with the US. engagement with the Kurds is to achieve control over the Middle Eastern oil and gas reserves. The autonomy of South Kurdistan

April 28, 2012 Iraq leaders call for solution to political crisis, say dispute threatens nation LARA JAKES / Associated Press Kurdish president AGHDAD — Leaders from nearly all Massoud Barzani, cen- Bof Iraq's top political blocs called ter, welcomes Shiite Saturday for a solution to the nation's cleric Muqtada al- political crisis that pits the Shiite-led Sadr upon his arrival government against Sunnis and Kurds, in Irbil, a city in the saying the dispute threatens the coun- Kurdish controlled try's national interests. north 217 miles (350 The statement came after three-days kilometers) north of of meetings that brought together Baghdad, Iraq, senior Sunni, Kurdish and even Shiite Thursday, April 26, politicians disgruntled with Prime 2012. /AP Minister Nouri al-Maliki — who was not represented at the talks in Irbil, the and hard-line cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, heads with al-Maliki over a deal for capital of Iraq's northern Kurdish both Shiites. Parliament speaker Osama Exxon Mobil Corp. to drill for oil in the region. While no one at the mini-sum- al-Nujaifi, a Sunni, also took part. Kurdish region without Baghdad's over- mit demanded that al-Maliki step down, The statement also called for better sight. Barzani threatened this week to the fact that the discussions brought services for Iraqis in what likely was a let Kurds vote to secede from Iraq if the together key figures from across Iraq's promise made at al-Sadr's request. The government crisis has not been resolved political spectrum underscored the gro- backbone of the cleric's followers are by September regional elections. wing impatience with the Shiite prime poor, and have been at the forefront of Also Saturday, five people were kil- minister. nationwide demands for more jobs and led in Baghdad in a tribal dispute linked Al-Maliki's critics accuse him of better public utilities like electricity and to a wedding. consolidating power and sidelining both water — both of which experience deep Police said the couple got married Sunnis and Kurds, leading to a political shortages during Iraq's searing sum- Friday without permission from the impasse that has brought government mers. bride's family, prompting her cousins to work to a near standstill and threatens Al-Maliki did not mention the attack the groom's house at dawn to break up Iraq. government crisis in a speech Saturday Saturday. The couple escaped unhar- A statement issued after the Irbil to his Dawa Party, and government spo- med, but three members of the groom's meeting said the leaders "stressed the kesmen did not respond to calls see- family and two of the bride's were kil- need for finding ways to dismantle the king comment about the Irbil meeting. led in the fighting in Baghdad's Shiite- crisis, the continuation of which puts The monthslong political impasse dominated Zafaraniyah neighborhood. the supreme national interests in dan- began when the government issued ter- A medic at a nearby hospital confir- ger." They also discussed "ways to rorism charges against the nation's med the casualties. strengthen the democratic process." highest-ranking Sunni, Vice President Laws in some Iraqi tribes require The talks were hosted by Massoud Tariq al-Hashemi, as the final U.S. relatives' permission before a woman Barzani, the president of the Kurdish troops left Iraq in December. Sunni poli- can marry. If any cousins reject the sui- autonomous region, and included Iraqi ticians briefly boycotted the govern- tor, the woman must refuse the proposal. President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, as well ment. as former prime minister Ayad Allawi At the same time, Barzani butted

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months between the rebels and the military. Two soldiers were also wounded in the fighting between militants from the out- Turkey: 5 Killed as Rebels lawed Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the P.K.K. for the ini- Clash With Military tials of its Kurdish name, and security forces in eastern Bingol April 25, 2012 - REUTERS Province, the officials said. After talks between Turkey and the P.K.K. to end the violence broke down last year, the fighting THREE KURDISH MILITANTS, a Turkish soldier and a village resumed. Scores of militants, soldiers and civilians have been killed since. Hundreds have also been arrested on charges of guard were killed during battles in eastern Turkey on Tuesday, I security officials said, in the latest in a series of clashes in recent secretly supporting the P.K.K.

APRIL 26, 2012

SADR PLAYS ROLE OF MEDIATOR IN BAGHDAD-ERBIL CRISIS

Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr arrives in Iraq's Kurdistan region, presenting himself as mediator in crisis between Maliki, Barzani.

Middle East Online / By Abdel Hamid Zebari - ARBI ( Iraq) ‘We have to give priority to Iraqi interests’ said this was "a historic visit, and it will lead to the expansion and owerful Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr arrived in Iraq's strengthening of the relationship between Kurdistan and all Iraq." Kurdistan region on Thursday, presenting himself as a media- "It will also lead to more stability in the political situation in the tor in a crisis between Iraq's premier and the region's presi- P country," he told journalists at the airport. dent. Sadr, who spends most of his time on religious studies in Iran, "will Tensions are high between the autonomous region's president, meet Barzani today, and there is a significant possibility that he will Massud Barzani, and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, whom Barzani go to Najaf after finishing his meetings in Kurdistan," a Sadr source has accused of moving toward dictatorship. said. "I met Nuri al-Maliki in Tehran, and I came to listen to the opinion Najaf is the Shiite holy city where Sadr's main office is located, and of the Kurdish leaders and their views," Sadr told a news conference where he spent much of his life. at Arbil airport, after arriving on a private plane from Tehran. Sadr spokesman Salah al-Obeidi earlier told a news conference in "Everyone should look out for the public interest and the unity of Baghdad that the cleric had accepted an invitation to visit the Iraqi people, and I hope that everyone will be responsible," he Kurdistan, saying "the crisis needs such a move to resolve the situa- said. tion." Sadr then presented a list of 18 points that he wants to discuss with He added that "the sayyid (Sadr) is trying to put Al-Ahrar (his par- Kurdish leaders. liamentary bloc) and himself personally in the middle." "Minorities are an important part of Iraq, and we have to bring them "One of the goals of the visit is to solve the crisis," Obeidi said. to participate in building Iraq, politically, economically and in secu- rity," Sadr said, also calling for "cancelling the policy of neglect and Barzani said on April 22 that he opposes the sale of F-16 warplanes marginalisation." to Iraq while Maliki is premier, as he fears they would be used against Kurdistan. Another point is that "we have to work to support the Iraqi govern- ment by bringing all the components of the Iraqi people inside it," Barzani had previously accused Maliki of moving toward dictator- he said. ship, and said the premier aimed to "kill the democratic process" after the head of Iraq's electoral commission was arrested for alle- And "we have to give priority to Iraqi interests over sectarian and ged corruption. ethnic and party interests." Earlier this month, Kurdistan stopped oil exports over more than Sadr also said "we have to end the issue of the security posts," mea- $1.5 billion (1.13 billion euros) it said is owed to foreign oil compa- ning that permanent ministers of security and defence must be nies working in the region, that Baghdad has allegedly withheld. appointed. The central government's top two oil officials responded by saying And "we have to stand strongly against any internal or foreign Arbil owed Baghdad more than $5 billion in promised exports, and threats against any component of the Iraqi people," he said. was smuggling the oil it produced to Iran.J Fuad Hussein, head of the office of the presidency in Kurdistan,

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For now it’s a countdown to the inevitable. Barzani has been con- Iraq’s ducting a diplomatic tour to line up support for the next phase. As has Tariq al-Hashemi. Facing a Coming Shiite majority and Maliki’s con- solidation of power, they need all Civil War the domestic and international support that they can get. By Daniel Greenfield Western troops have left leaving behind a power vacuum that Iran is swiftly filling up. s the Obama Administration tries to hammer together an Obama’s recent meeting with American withdrawal from A Barzani was typical of the empty Afghanistan, the body count from discussions that have taken Baghdad, a reminder that it is a al. Alliances even within ethnic his disastrous retreat from Iraq is place since the withdrawal. While step away from controlling Iraq’s and sectarian groups are swiftly rising. Last week alone Obama urged Barzani to work oil and gas, which Turkey is momentary and quickly vanish. there were fourteen car bom- within the Iraqi Constitution, the dependent on. But Iraq’s largest The Sadrists may be Shiites, but bings orchestrated by Al-Qaeda United States has made some oil export line runs out of Kirkuk they want to protect their own in Iraq, whose goal has always concessions that pave the way which will be a major target in any corrupt fiefdoms, and a strong been a civil war between Shiites for independence, including issu- Kurdish independence bid. Maliki federal government threat- and Sunnis. The bombings, ing visas through the US Kirkuk has Iraq’s second largest ens that. But that hasn’t stopped which received only light cove- Consulate in Erbil, allowing oil reserves, after Shiite Basra, Shiite militias from threatening to rage in a media unwilling to talk Kurds to bypass Baghdad. The and has seen ethnic cleansing ethnically cleanse Kurds from about anything that might show underlying message is that while before. It will see it again. Baghdad, while accusing the their candidate in a bad light, are the United States does not offi- Kurds of using checkpoints to only one of the fracture points. cially support Kurdish sepa- Baghdad and the Kurds are keep Arabs out of Iraqi Kurdistan. ratism, it is reducing obstacles to already fighting over Kirkuk’s oil, A united Iraq died a few days its independence. with the Kurds pulling the plug on The stakes in the conflict are not after the withdrawal. The only oil exports. Baghdad has tried to just local, but regional. Under people who still believe in the fic- The United States and the United intimidate Exxon out of oil explo- Maliki relations have sharpened tion of a centrally governed Iraq Kingdom might be gone, but ration in Kurdistan while trying to with Sunni Gulf states, all of are holding down desks in the Barzani has managed to find a replace it with the friendlier whom have a stake in bringing State Department. There are sev- new ally in an unlikely place, British Petroleum. BP has close him down. And that drives fund- eral Iraqs now. There is Iran’s Istanbul. Turkey has turned to ties to Iran’s oil industry and ing to Al-Qaeda which is leading Iraq, the one overseen by Iraqi Kurds to check growing backdoor connections to Iran’s the bloody local campaign Tehran’s puppet in Baghdad, Iranian influence in Iraq. Turkish government, making it a natural against the Shiites. The Saudis Prime Minister Maliki. Then there Prime Minister Erdogan and choice for Baghdad. BP was orig- and Kuwaitis might find a splinter is Iraqi Kurdistan which stands on Prime Minister Maliki have inally the Anglo-Persian Oil Al-Qaeda Emirate acceptable if it the verge of declaring its inde- exchanged harsh words, with Company and more trusted in kneecaps a Shiite Iraq and that pendence, an act that will touch Erdogan criticizing Maliki for sec- Baghdad and Tehran. But not in risks turning Iraq into the next off a violent territorial dispute tarian policies and Maliki accus- Kurdistan. Afghanistan. accompanied by ethnic cleans- ing Turkey of becoming a “hostile ing. state”. The first shot in Iraq’s full scale America has been counting on civil war will likely be fired in the Kurds for stability, but their Iraqi federalism is only popular The real showdown isn’t between Kirkuk. Everyone knows it’s com- patience is running out and so is among some in the Shiite majori- Baghdad and Istanbul, but ing, the only question is when. our influence. The Kurds have a ty, for whom it means majority between Tehran and Istanbul. Barzani’s pivotal speech indicat- limited interest in the sectarian rule. Maliki’s warrant for Sunni Turkey’s ruling Islamists crawled ed that he hoped to solicit sup- conflicts except as a way of carv- Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi into bed with Iran, but the rela- port from Shiite militias of the ing out their own state. That is and the latter’s subsequent flight tionship is turning sour. The flash- Sadr and Badr Brigades. Muqata what they wanted all along and and sanctuary in Iraqi Kurdistan point is Syria, which is Iran’s pup- Al-Sadr has reciprocated by they have been patient about it. has ended the fiction of joint rule pet and which Turkey is doing its endorsing Kurdish rights to oil Their best tactic is dividing Iraq in Iraq. The Kurds have branded best to replace with the rebel exploration. These gestures how- as much possible, pitting Sunnis Maliki a dictator and are swiftly Muslim Brotherhood. Turkey’s ever are only temporary. The against Shiites and Shiites breaking their remaining ties to hosting of the Friends of Syria Kurds have fought the Sadrists against Shiites, Iran against Baghdad. conference of countries looking before over Kirkuk and will again. Turkey, until their enemies are to overthrow the Syrian govern- The Kurds were ethnically too busy fighting each other to President Barzani of Iraqi ment and replace it with the cleansed in favor of Shiite Arabs stop them. Kurdistan declared that, “Power- Brotherhood, led to Iranian accu- under Saddam’s divide and con- sharing and partnership between sations of Zionist collaboration quer program and since the liber- Together the Shiite Arabs, the Kurds, Sunni and Shiite Arabs, and furious over an Iranian ation, the Kurds have been Sunni Arabs and the Kurds are and others is now completely refusal to come to Istanbul, steadily pushing out the Arabs. bringing down Iraqi federalism non-existent and has become Erdogan accusing it of dishon- The Sadr and Badr brigades and together with Iran, Saudi meaningless” and concluded his have fought each other and Arabia and Turkey they are ush- esty. J speech by hinting at an inde- everyone will fight the Kurds over ering in a full scale civil war. pendence referendum, a move Iran’s strategic response has Kirkuk. almost certain to touch off a vio- been to move the time wasting lent conflict, particularly in oil rich talks over its nuclear program to Iraq is above all else dysfunction- Kirkuk.

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AP Interview: Iraqi Kurd leader hints at secession

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 LARA JAKES, Associated Press

THE PRESIDENT of Iraq's self-rule Kurdish region demanded Wednesday that Shiite leaders agree on sharing power with their political opponents by September or else Kurdish president Massoud Barzani reacts during an inter- the Kurds could consider breaking away from Baghdad. view with the Associated Press in Salah al-Din resort, Irbil The warning by Kurdish President Massoud Barzani in an inter- north of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Barzani view with The Associated Press underscores that Shiite domina- told The Associated Press on Wednesday that one possible tion in Iraq's government is reviving secession dreams that the alternative is a political revolt. He says opposition parties now departed American military had tried to contain. have run out of patience after feeling sidelined in al-Maliki's Shiite-led government. Photo: Khalid Mohammed / AP "What threatens the unity of Iraq is dictatorship and authorita- rian rule," Barzani said in a 45-minute interview in his spraw- ling office outside of Irbil, the capital of the Kurdish region he ryone uneasy. It's unwise to underestimate the role Kurdish aspi- leads in northern Iraq. "If Iraq heads toward a democratic state, rations and fears play in their calculus regarding statehood." then there will be no trouble. But if Iraq heads toward a dictato- rial state, then we will not be able to live with dictatorship." The Kurdish region in Iraq's north is politically autonomous, although it does receive a share of the nation's $100 billion He called it a "very dangerous political crisis in the country" and annual budget. It was created as a haven for the country's ethnic said the impasse must be broken by September, when voters in Kurds in the 1970s after years of fighting with the central the Kurdish region may consider a referendum for a state inde- government. Kurds account for up to 20 percent of Iraq's popu- pendent of Iraq. lation; it is unknown how many of them live in the northern "They have to decide if they are willing to accept to live under region since there has been no census taken for years. a dictatorial regime or not," Barzani said. "They have to make Neighboring Turkey and Iran have been concerned that an inde- that decision. It is their natural right." pendent and prosperous Iraqi Kurdistan might promote separa- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's media adviser, Ali al- tism among their own Kurdish minority populations. Iran's Moussawi, declined immediate comment. semiofficial Mehr news agency reported Wednesday that four troops from Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards were killed The specter of a divided Iraq has been discussed -- and dismis- in clashes with Kurdish rebels in western Iran the previous day. sed by many -- for months. Barzani said Wednesday that he is still committed to negotiating a compromise before promoting During the early years of the Iraq war, the U.S. worked hard to secession. But he insisted it will be an option if the government ensure that the Kurds remained part of the Iraqi state, encoura- logjam continues for much longer. ging all parties to give the Kurds a major role in the govern- ment. Kurdish approval of the Iraqi constitution in 2005 was Barzani is the highest-ranking Iraqi official to disavow al- hailed as a major victory for U.S. policy. Maliki's government for sidelining its political opponents and, in some cases, persecuting them in what critics call an unaba- Relations between the central government in Baghdad and the shed power grab. He stopped short of demanding that al-Maliki Kurdish region long have been strained, and Barzani has threa- step down to ease the crisis. But he left little doubt that tensions tened previously to break off the region from Iraq. between the central government in Baghdad and the three-pro- But Barzani may feel more emboldened now that the U.S. vince Kurdish region have reached a new high. troops have gone, and since talks last week in Ankara signaled Iraq expert Ramzy Mardini, with the Institute for the Study of a burgeoning partnership between the Kurdish region and War in Washington, said Barzani's comments likely are aimed neighboring Turkey. more at getting al-Maliki to bend to Kurds on some positions On Wednesday, Barzani signaled he was impatient with requests instead of containing a real threat to secede. He noted that Kurds by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for are years away from having enough oil and gas infrastructure to the Kurds to work with the al-Maliki government. produce the resources necessary to support an independent state. "They reiterated they support a federal, democratic, pluralistic, Oil disputes -- specifically Baghdad's blacklisting of united Iraq. And I reassured them that certainly if Iraq is demo- ExxonMobil from bidding on new projects as punishment for cratic, federal and pluralistic, it will be united," Barzani said. plans to work in Kurdistan -- have been at the heart of recent "Certainly, we have reservations about their policy and their feuding between the two sides. attitude." "A unified Iraq is at the center of U.S. policy and concerns every "We cannot sit and do nothing or try nothing to remedy the neighboring state," Mardini said. "Despite the real financial bar- situation." riers, the very talk about Kurdish independence still makes eve- ➡

88 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➡ not be an option. Barzani also said he "wholeheartedly" supports Sunni desires "The problems can't be resolved by issuing threats, but through to create their own self-rule regions in Iraq. Sunni lawmakers, dialogue," al-Alak said. "If one party tries to impose solutions whose Iraqiya political coalition won the most seats in 2010 on others, then this a dictatorship scenario. We are with unity parliamentary elections but were outmaneuvered by al-Maliki of Iraq and we strongly reject dividing Iraq and its people." for the right to form the government, bitterly complain they Others feel it is al-Maliki who is dividing the Iraqi people. have no say in Iraq's power structure. Al-Maliki kept his job in 2010 only after corralling enough Sunni lawmaker Hamid al-Mutlaq said many of his consti- support from Kurdish lawmakers and the hardline followers of tuents have been lukewarm about creating a self-rule Sunni Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Now, even Sadrist lawmakers region. are increasingly irritated with the government's long-standing "But because of the injustice they are experiencing, due to the dismissal of their concerns. practices of the government security forces especially concer- "The current political situation in Iraq is like a time bomb that ning arrests, marginalization and double standards, that makes could explode at any moment," said Sadrist lawmaker Bahaa them call for creating these regions," al-Mutlaq said. al-Araji. Iraq's top Sunni official, Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, is He said the political strain between al-Maliki and the Kurds wanted on government terrorism charges that his supporters could be the first domino to fall in a broken Iraq: "Baghdad has call trumped up and Barzani said Wednesday were politically the same problems with other provinces," al-Araji said. "This motivated. will lead to dividing Iraq, and there will be no Iraq on the world J Lawmaker Ali al-Alak, a member of the State of Law political map." coalition that al-Maliki leads, said Kurdish secession should

Irak, les leaders de l'opposition 28 avril 2012 exigent une meilleure démocratie Par RFI , Avec notre correspondante à Le leader chiite Bagdad, Fatma Kizilboga radical Moqtada al-Sadr est LA CRISE POLITIQUE en Irak ouvre accueilli par le un nouveau chapitre. Réunis président de la samedi 28 avril à Erbil, la capitale région autonome du Kurdistan irakien, les princi- kurde, Massoud pales figures de la coalition ont Barzani, à Erbil lancé un appel en faveur d’une samedi 28 avril meilleure application des 2012 . principes démocratiques. Si le REUTERS/Azad Premier ministre Nouri al-Maliki Lashkari se garde pour l’heure de tout commentaire, les Kurdes agitent à nouveau la menace d’une sécession. crise, Moqtada el Sadr, arrivé tout droit démocratiques de gestion des affaires En l’espace de quelques semaines le d’Iran pour assister à la réunion. Si du pays afin de prévenir les dangers qui président du Kurdistan irakien Massoud l’imam radical chiite a également fait menacent » la démocratie selon eux. Ils Barzani est passé du rôle de médiateur part de ses inquiétudes et de son souhaitent notamment que Nouri al- entre les différentes factions politiques, mécontentement, le dirigeant de la Maliki ne se présente pour troisième à celui d’opposant le plus farouche. deuxième formation politique irakienne mandat en 2014, ce que le Premier privilégie toujours la voie du dialogue et ministre avait accepté avant de revenir Celui qui, 16 mois auparavant, avait refuse d’envisager un quelconque sur ses engagements. permis à Nouri al-Maliki de rester au retrait de confiance du parlement, tel A quelques jours de la conférence natio- pouvoir, l’accuse désormais de dérive que le proposent les sunnites. autoritaire, et exige un meilleur par- nale visant la réconciliation politique, tage du pouvoir. Un changement de Outre Massoud Barzani et Moqtada el le ton est donné, alors que le lieu même position ouvertement exprimé depuis Sadr, les deux chefs de la coalition de la réunion fait toujours débat entre l’aggravation du désaccord entre laïque, soutenue par les sunnites, Iyad Bagdad et Erbil.I l’autonomie kurde et Bagdad, portant Allawi et Oussama Noujaifi participaient sur le partage des rentes pétrolières. à la réunion. Ensemble, ils ont lancé un « un appel pour activer les mécanismes Autre protagoniste crucial dans cette

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lMÏÏINATlON/a.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012 Iran 'rational/ Israeli general says

send a message that Iran should not But Western powers, cognizant of Ira¬ JERUSALEM lower its guard. He told The Associated nian calls for Israel's destruction, have Press that other countries beside Israel instituted an increasingly tough set of Defense chief believes he did not name them have readied sanctions aimed at curbing the nuclear Tehran leadership won't their armed forces for a potential strike work. against Iranian nuclear sites. Mr. Netanyahu has described Iranian build a nuclear bomb "The military force is ready," General nuclear capability vas an existential Gantz said. "Not only our forces, but threat to Israel, and he told CNN on other forces as well. We all hope that Tuesday that he would not want to bet BYJODIRUDOREN Lhere will be no necessity to use this "the security of trie world on Iran's ra¬

The Israeli military chief has described force, but we are absolutely sure of its tional behavior," according to The Asso¬ the Iranian government as ' 'rational' ' in existence." ciated Press. newly published interviews and said he U.S. and Israeli leaders seem to be Several analysts saw the comments did not believe Tehran would build a nu¬ walking a delicate line: keeping enough by General Gantz, who rarely gives ex¬ clear bomb, appearing to put some dis^ pressure on Iran to make clear the ex¬ tensive public remarks, as more in line tance between himself and Prime Min¬ treme risks of pursuing its nuclear pro¬ ister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense gram, without unduly scaring the relev¬ The world is seeing "signals of Minister Ehud Barak. ant publics or provoking some an easing of rhetoric on war." "I believe he would be making an dangerous miscalculation. enormous mistake, and I don't think he In recent weeks, talk of a pre-emptive will want to go the extra mile,' 'the chief attack seems to have faded somewhat. with the views of Israel's military and of staff of the Israeli Defense Force, Lt. Both Mr. Netanyahu, a political con¬ intelligence establishment, including a Gen. Benny Gantz, told the newspaper servative, and Mr. Barak, a former former Mossad chief, Meir Dagan. Haaretz, referring to Ayatollah Ali Labor Party prime minister, have ar¬ They were also seen as parallel to the position of his United States counter¬ Khamenei. gued that if Israel has to choose be¬ "I think the Iranian leadership is tween the threat of a nuclear-armed part, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the composed of very rational people,'' Gen¬ Iran and the certain regional disrup¬ chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, eral Gantz added. "But I agree that such tions that would follow a pre-emptive at¬ who cautioned earlier this year that an a capability, in the hands of Islamic fun¬ tack on Iran, it must favor the latter. attack on Iran could destabilize the en¬ damentalists who at particular mo¬ The question of whether the Iranians tire region. ments could make different calcula¬ are rational has been a critical focus of There was at least a hint of concili¬ ation from Iran this week. Its envoy to tions, is dangerous." debate over how to handle Tehran's nu¬ In remarks made on Thursday, clear program, which the government Moscow, Mahmoud-Reza Sajjadi, said however, General Gantz appeared to insists is for peaceful purposes. on Wednesday that officials were con¬

sidering a Russian proposal to avert the

. INTERNATIONAL tougher sanctions set to take force in Ju¬ Mtrsdh^Mm^nbum satuRday-sunday,april 28-29, 2012 ly, Bloomberg News reported. The world is seeing "signals of an eas¬ Bombing kills 9 in Damascus ing of rhetoric on war, not an easing of pressure or sanctions," said Scott Lu¬ cas, a foreign-policy specialist at the as protests persist across Syria University of Birmingham in England. But Victoria Nuland, a State Depart¬ firmed at least eight dead and said they ment spokeswoman, described Mr. Saj¬ DAMASCUS included seven police officers. jadi as "not a central player" in the nu¬ Meanwhile, the United Nations said FROM NEWS REPORTS clear talks. international monitors had moved into "What's most important is what Iran another hot spot in Syria to try to stop vi¬ A suicide bomber blew himself up says and does at the negotiating table," olence. The monitoring team's spokes¬ across the street from a mosque in the she said in Washington. Syrian capital Friday, killing nine man, Neeraj Singh, said Friday that two Meir Javedanfar, an Iranian-Israeli observers had been stationed in the people and wounding 30, state televi¬ expert who lives in Tel Aviv, told The southern city of Dara'a, where the upris¬ sion said. Thousands of Syrians pro¬ Guardian newspaper that Mr. Gantz's tested elsewhere to denounce persist¬ ing began 13 months ago. comments were "a welcome develop¬ ent violence by the regime of President U.N. monitors in Syria are visiting ment" that "takes the hysterics out of Bashar al-Assad. flash points to try to salvage a plan to Israel's public assessment of the Irani¬ end the fighting. Despite the plan, vio¬ The blast was the latest blow to a peace an nuclear program." lence has continued. An amateur video plan brokered by the special envoy Kofi Mr. Netanyahu and some others in Annan that called for a cease-fire two posted online Thursday showed people the Israeli agreement have repeatedly carrying the body of a boy said to have weeks ago. The truce has been roundly expressed skepticism about the nuclear ignored on the ground, and the United been shot and killed by Syrian troops. talks between Tehran and foreign U.N. vehicles are seen nearby. Nations has only 15 monitors in Syria try¬ powers, warning that Iran's presence The United Nations has approved in¬ ing to salvage it. was a cynical ploy. The blast Friday took place in the creasing the mission to 300 observers. The multiparty negotiations over The UN. secretary general, Ban Ki- Midan neighborhood of the capital. Syr¬ Iran's nuclear program are set to re¬ moon, said Friday that he was "gravely ian television showed white smoke bil¬ sume on May 23 in Baghdad. lowing from under a bridge as people alarmed" by the continuing violence. At a news conference in New Delhi, Mr. Ban streamed out of the mosque. Brian Knowlton contributed reporting said "the continued repression of the ci¬ State television reported that nine from Washington. people were killed and 30 wounded. The vilian population is totally unacceptable" health minister, Nader al-Halqi, con and "must stop immediately." cap.reuters)

90 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 30 April 2012 Former US Diplomat Says Time is Ripe

Interview by HAWAR ABDULRAZZAQfor Kurdish Independencetant obstacles to full independence. They rudaw.net have developed a close political and eco- nomic relationship with Turkey, they have n this interview with Rudaw, for- created an oil industry in Kurdistan which mer U.S diplomat and adviser to provides the financial basis for indepen- dence and they have encouraged other Ithe Kurdistan Regional international investments in Kurdistan. Government Peter Galbraith says They have shown that Kurdistan is the time is ripe for Kurdish inde- America’s only reliable and democratic pendence thanks to the thriving oil Former US diplomat and adviser to ally in Iraq and in a volatile region. industry, international investment the Kurdistan Regional Government, Rudaw: Do you think that, in the future, and the fact that Kurds are Peter Glabraith. Photo Nacional the U.S. will support an independent America’s only reliable ally in the Kurdistan? volatile region. Galbraith says Iraqi Rudaw: Barzani says that Maliki is only Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is Peter Galbraith: The U.S. usually sup- killing time and doesn’t want to solve ports the status quo and probably will not not following the constitution or important issues such as Article 140 respecting the rights of Kurdistan. support secession until after it takes place. regarding the disputed territories and the The U.S. has no friend as good as the oil and gas issue. He also says that if the Kurds so it will have no alternative but to Rudaw: Do you think the constitution can situation continues like this, he will let the prevent the resurgence of a dictatorship in accept Kurdistan’s independence once it people of Kurdistan decide their own takes place. Iraq? future through a referendum. Does the Peter Galbraith: The constitution esta- Iraqi constitution give the Kurds the right Rudaw: Kurdish leaders were happy blishes a weak central government, to separate from Iraq? when U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil came to enshrines power-sharing among Iraq’s Kurdistan. What is your view on that Peter Galbraith: The Kurds agreed to issue? different peoples (Shia, Sunnis and stay in Iraq on the basis of the constitution Kurds) at the center and gives the in its entirety. If the Baghdad government Peter Galbraith: There is no greater vote Kurdistan Region de facto independence. does not keep its part of the bargain, then of confidence in Kurdistan’s oil industry As such, the constitution is designed to the basis for Kurdistan’s continued mem- than to have the world’s largest oil com- prevent the reestablishment of a powerful bership in Iraq no longer exists. pany invest there. centralized state that has led to dictator- ship in the past. But no constitution can Rudaw: When the constitution was writ- Rudaw: What do you think of prevent dictatorship. That is up to the peo- ten, did you feel it would solve issues Kurdistan’s oil policy? ple. such as Article 140 and the Peshmerga? Peter Galbraith: It makes the centuries- Rudaw: Do you think constitutions mat- Peter Galbraith: I knew these issues old dream of self-government a reality ter in the Middle East region? In these would be difficult because the mindset of and provides great benefits to the people countries, the ruler often has all the autho- those who wanted a centralized Iraq did of Kurdistan. rity. not change. But, I hoped the constitution Rudaw: Generally, the Kurds admire would be followed. Peter Galbraith: Yes, they matter. But, it your support for them, but three years ago is up to the people and their leaders to Rudaw: When the Balkan countries gai- you were linked to Kurdish oil contracts enforce the constitution. ned independence, you were the U.S. which some Western media called scanda- ambassador in that region. Based on your lous. Can you elaborate on that? Rudaw: Right now, Iraq is in political tur- experience, do you think now is the right moil and most parties accuse PM Nuri al- Peter Galbraith: Before 2004, Kurdistan time for Kurdistan to become independent was entirely dependent on Baghdad and Maliki of violating the constitution. Do from Iraq? you think he has violated the constitution? foreign aid. I helped bring the first oil Peter Galbraith: Yes. The Kurds tried company to Kurdistan and, as a result, Peter Galbraith: Clearly, he is not follo- being part of Iraq for 90 years and Iraq has Kurdistan now has a thriving oil industry. wing the constitution. He is not respecting failed them. I learned in the Balkans that For the first time, the people of Kurdistan Kurdistan’s rights, including those over there is something worse than the breakup benefit from their own resources and the natural resources, and he has not held the of a country, and that is trying to keep Kurdistan government has the resources constitutionally required referendum on people in a country against their will. to run its own affairs. Some Western Kirkuk and other disputed areas. media criticized my work because they Rudaw: In your opinion, what are the Rudaw: Kurdish leaders blame Maliki for are deeply attached to the bankrupt idea of obstacles to a Kurdish state in Iraqi a centralized Iraq where everything is not sharing power and consolidating all of Kurdistan? it in his own hands. Do you think those controlled by Baghdad. I am proud of my contribution to a self-governing and pros- accusations are correct? Peter Galbraith: President Massoud I Barzani and Prime Minister Nechirvan perous Kurdistan. Peter Galbraith: Yes. They are correct. Barzani have eliminated the most impor-

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

_ . ' . COMW'tOf ' du 26 avril au 2 mai 2012 Turquie ^a-*-,#v;

Face à la Syrie, la valse-hésitation d'Ankara

En cas d'intervention directe croire semblables aux alaouites, alors qu'ils fiers de vendre des gadgets pro-Assad. en Syrie, la Turquie risque n'ont pas de liens ethniques ni religieux Compte tenu de tous ces facteurs, il se de plonger à son tour dans avec eux (les alaouites sont arabes et les pourrait donc bien que la Turquie ait les les conflits interreligieux, estime alevis sont turcs). mains liées, dans la définition de sa poli¬ l'historien turc Soner Cagaptay. Une autre raison peut faire craindre à tique à l'égard de la Syrie, par la perspec¬ Ankara une extension des tensions reli¬ tive des troubles religieux qui risquent gieuses : plus d'un demi-million d'Arabes d'éclater sur son propre sol. The New Republic (extraits) alaouites vivent en Turquie - en majorité Washington dans la province de Hatay, autour d'An- Les mesures à prendre takya, l'ancienne Antioche - et le sud du ^^^^^ es observateurs de la crise huma- Cela dit, c'est un problème qu'Ankara peut pays abrite également 1 million d'Arabes ^ nitaire qui frappe de plus en plus encore éviter. Il convient, pour cela, que le pays dissipe la crainte que sa politique ^^^ durement la Syrie redoutent à sunnites. Si le conflit en Syrie prend une syrienne vise à servir d'étroits intérêts reli¬ juste titre que le conflit ne dégénère en une dimension plus religieuse, il pourrait trou¬ gieux. Pour commencer, le gouvernement guerre de religion [entre musulmans sun- : ver un écho, par-delà la frontière, chez les doit abandonner un discours qui fait lejeu nites et musulmans alaouites]. Le régime : Arabes alaouites et sunnites de Turquie. du confessionrialisme et établir explicite¬ de Bachar El-Assad jouit d'un soutien i La Turquie a construit à Antakia des ment le dialogue avec le Parti républicain massif auprès de la minorité alaouite du | camps pour héberger les réfugiés qui du peuple (CHP) [social-démocrate et laïc, pays [dont il est issu], alors que la majorité ] fuient la répression eh Syrie. Dans une dans l'opposition] et la communauté alévie sunnite a pris la tête de la rébellion. ; manifestation,j'ai vu'des Arabes alaouites pour les informer de la nature humanitaire Mais le conflit présente un autre danger : ; scander des slogans hostiles à l'AKP et de sa politique syrienne. Ankara doit éga¬ il risque d'engendrer des tensions reli- ! favorables au régime syrien. Des com¬ lement envisager de tendre la main aux gieuses en Turquie, qui pourraient à leur merçants alaouites étaient également alaouites syriens en leur signifiant claire¬ tourentraver une intervention internatio¬ étendu son emprise sur la plupart des sec¬ ment que les hauts responsables alaouites nale contre le régime syrien. teurs de la société turque, n'a guère réussi du régime qui feraient défection pourraient Le problème majeur est la commu¬ jusqu'ici à rallier les alevis, qui représen¬ trouver refuge en Turquie. nauté alévie, une ramification syncrétique tent 10 % à 15 % des 75 millions d'habitants Il y a une autre mesure à prendre. La et laïcisée de l'islam qui est basée en Tur¬ du pays. Contrairement à l'AKP, la com¬ Turquie débat de la mise en place d'un quie et qui se présente souvent comme une munauté alévie, qui tend à s'aligner sur les corridor humanitaire afin de permettre minorité persécutée par la majorité sun¬ idées laïques du fondateur de la Turquie, à la communauté internationale de porter nite du pays. Si le conflit syrien devait dres¬ Kemal Atatiirk, est favorable à une stricte secours aux civils syriens. Ankara devrait ser les sunnites contre les alaouites, les séparation de la religion et de la politique. s'engager fermement pour l'ouverture de alevis turcs pourraient se sentir solidaires Et le conflit religieux des années 1970, ce premier corridorvers le c de la Syrie de la minorité alaouite syrienne et, par notamment les attentats sunnites commis alaouite ou vers la ville multiethnique de suite, du régime de Bachar El-Assad. Plus contre des alevis, a laissé un passif de Lattaquié. Le gouvernement turc signa¬ encore, ils pourraient s'opposer activement méfiance entre les deux communautés. lerait ainsi son intention de protéger tous à toute intervention organisée par leur Les relations se sont améliorées récem¬ les Syriens. Soner Cagaptay propre gouvernement. ment, mais, si Ankara devait intervenir en

Syrie contre le régime d'Assad, une partie DesArabesalaouites en Turquie de la communauté alévie pourrait y voir Ce risque provient en partie de la politique une nouvelle "agression sunnite" contre une récente de la Turquie. Le Parti pour la minorité. Cette probabilité est renforcée justice et le développement (AKP), qui par la tendance de nombreux alevis à se a rompu avec ses origines islamistes et

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

CqiiHJui : du 2é avril au 2 mai 2°12

Syrie

Mais que peut faire la Turquie ?

Le site syrien de l'opposition ne partira pas à moins d'avoir totalement Son appel avait été entendu par la Grande-

a interrogé des responsables dévasté le pays. C'est alors que la Turquie Bretagne et lespays européens, mettant dans

turcs sur toutes les options pourrait apparaître comme le sauveur, et non rembarras les Etats-Unis, qui avaientgardé

auxquelles peut avoir recours pas comme un agresseur." le silence [face au drame subipar les Kurdes].

Ankara pour chasser Interrogée sur les choix qui se pré¬ Cela avaitproduit un renversement des rap¬

Bachar El-Assad du pouvoir. sentent à Ankara, une personne proche du ports deforce en défaveur de Saddam Hus¬

ministre de la Défense répond que les diri¬ sein. Aujourd'hui, la Turquie n'a pas encore

geants militaires et politiques du Conseil su définir ce que serait une telle zone de sépa¬

All4Syria (extraits) Damas pour la sécurité nationale se réunissent ration, étant donné qu'une grande partie de

chaque semaine, voire plus, afin d'étudier la zonefrontalière turque avec la Syrie est

^fi^L lors que la presse syrienne favo- toutes les hypothèses. Récemment, des habitée par les Kurdes."

^y»^P rable au régime tire à boulets ambassadeurs de pays membres de Aussi, les militaires turcs auraient

^^Jr rouges sur la Turquie, l'accusant l'Otan auraient également participé à ces décidé qu'en cas d'accord international

de trahison, d'ingratitude, et pointant son rencontres. Et voici les solutions qui pour la création d'une telle zone de sépa¬

ambition de renouer avec son passé impé¬ seraient envisagées : ration celle-ci devrait se situer loin des

rial ottoman dans ses relations avec ses 1 - L'intervention de l'Otan placée sous le régions des Kurdes afin qu'ils ne la perçoi¬ voisins arabes, l'opposition et lajeunesse chapitre 5 de l'Alliance, relatif à la protec¬ vent pas comme une menace de la part syriennes en veulent à la Turquie pour tion des frontières des pays membres, une des Turcs. Les militaires pencheraient en initiative qui ne nécessite pas de mandat son manque de fermeté face aux provo¬ faveur de la zone frontalière [proche de la onusien. cations de Bachar El-Assad. Certes, les mer Méditerranée] non habitée par les 2 - L'établissement d'une zone de sépa¬ déclarations d'Ankarasont tonitruantes, Kurdes, ethniquement homogène et où ration sous prétexte de protection des mais elles ne se traduisent guère en actes. il existe d'excellentes relations de proxi¬ civils, ce qui nécessiterait un mandat ; Quant aux Kurdes de Syrie, ils se posent mité avec la Turquie. Toujours selon la

mille questions sur les intentions réelles international ou, du moins, un assenti¬ même source, cela expliquerait pourquoi

de la Turquie. ment tacite. le régime syrien concentre justement ses

Les réponses à ces interrogations 3 - La coordination avec de hauts respon¬ attaques sur cette région.

sont à chercher dans les coulisses de la sables de l'armée ou de l'appareil sécuritaire La seconde option serait la stratégie

politique turque. Nous avons voulu ren¬ qui se chargeraient eux-mêmes d'éliminer dite "de la tache d'huile", dans laquelle la

contrer plusieurs officiels. Un respon¬ Bachar Assad, idée vers laquelle la zone frontalière à Idlib etJisrAl-Choughour

sable du ministère des Affaires étrangères Turquie tend depuis plus de deux mois. [nord-ouest de la Syrie], connue pour l'hos¬ nous a expliqué : "La Turquie est consciente 4 - La création d'une armée entièrement tilité de ses habitants à l'égard du régime

que Bachar El-Assad ne respectera aucun de équipée et apte à affronter l'armée d'Assad, qui les a marginalisés et a fait

ses engagements enfaveur de tel ou tel plan régulière syrienne. nombre de victimes dans la population

de paix. Il n'existe que deux moyens de lui 5 - Le lancement de frappes sur les points civile, serait appelée à s'étendre progres¬

faire quitter le pouvoir, qui ont été rappelés stratégiques du régime au moment où sivement pour d'abord isoler, puis absor¬

par le chef de la diplomatie turque, Ahmet l'Armée libre syrienne [les forces rebelles] ber Alep, deuxième ville du pays, privant

lancerait des actions : de grandes mani¬ ainsi le régime syrien du poumon séco- Davutoglu, à quelques-uns de ses homologues festations se dérouleraient sur le terrain nomique du pays. étrangers, notamment arabes. Le premier et des civils infiltreraient les institutions consisterait à ce que des gens de son entourage du régime afin de rendre l'appareil sécuri¬ au sein de l'armée ou de 1'appareU de sécurité taire impuissant. l'assassinent. Le second, ce seraient des Au sujet de la zone de séparation, dont frappes. Orpersonne nepeutprévoir les dégâts on parle beaucoup ces derniers temps, le que celles-cipourraientfaire en termes de vic¬ même responsable militaire répond que times collatérales. La Turquie ne souhaitepas la Turquie "a deux options, la première apparaître comme l'agresseur de la Syrie, car étant défaire comme Turgut Ôzal [Premier cela risquerait de heurter certaines minorités

syriennes telles que les Arméniens, les ministre en 1991] quand des hélicoptères ira¬ Alaouites, les Druzes, ainsi que les Kurdes. La kiens avaient réprimé le soulèvement kurde

Turquie insiste donc pourprésenter sa poli¬ etprovoqué l'afflux massifde réfugiés kurdes tique comme motivée par la seule défense de en Turquie : Ôzal avait alorspris la décision

sesfrontières. Ankara attend qu'on épuise tous courageuse de demander à la communauté

les recourspolitiquesjusqu'à ce que la majo¬ internationale l'instauration d'une zone de

rité, à l'intérieur de la Syrie -y comprisparmi séparation dans le nord de l'Irak, pour des

les Kurdes -, arrive à la conclusion qu'Assad raisons à lafois humanitaires et politiques.

93