INSTITUT KURD E DE PARIS

Information and liaison bulletin N°323

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

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

INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tel. : 01-48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01-48 24 64 66 www.fikp.org E-mail: bulletin@fikp.org Information and liaison bulletin Kurdish Institute of Paris Bulletin N° 323 February 2012

• IRAQI KURDISTAN: A FLOOD OF SYRIAN KURDISH DESERTERS.

• TURKEY: THE SECRET SERVICES AT THE HEART OF A CLASH BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

• IRAN: AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN THAT IS A DISASTER FOR FREEDOM.

• LEBANON: THE KURDS STILL FEEL THEY ARE “SECOND CLASS CITIZENS”.

• PARIS: AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SYRIA.

• CULTURE: DEATH OF DENGBÊJ ELI TICO.

IRAQI KURDISTAN: A FLOOD OF SYRIAN KURDISH DESERTERS ver since 2003, Iraqi Irbil with his brother and three Berxwedan indicated that there Kurdistan has been other Syrians, one of whom had were splits within the Army, acting as a country of also deserted. Enrolled into the which is a reflection of all the E asylum for many 15th Brigade, stationed in elements that divide Syria. The refugees from Iraq, Southern Syria, in Deraa soldiers who were from Homs mainly Christians and Mandean Province (which was the first and Deraa refused to kill the but also Kurds, Moslems and town to demonstrate and which demonstrators, as did the Sunni Yezidis who have fled Mosul. At has also experienced blood Arabs and the Kurds, whereas the moment, Iraqi Kurdistan is baths), he spoke about the living the Alawiites and those loyal to expecting waves of refugees conditions for those serving the regime did as they were told. coming from Syria. More and under the Syrian flag: Berxwedan Selîm also said that more Syrian Kurdish soldiers are “We were under considerable pres - every soldier who refused to kill deserting and, consequently, sure, from the officers who com - was either arrested of executed fleeing to Iraqi Kurdistan “ to manded us, to kill the demonstra - by the Army. avoid having to kill or be killed ”. tors. My officer kept telling us that One of them, who deserted from the demonstrators had to be killed. “In my unit two soldiers were the Special Forces, was inter - He said they were armed terrorists ”. killed by Bashar loyalists. These viewed this week by the Kurdish soldiers were friends of mine, Globe , using the pseudonym of The orders were to arrest and Hozan from Qamislo and Saleh Berxwedan Selim. The young disperse the demonstrators by from Hama. They were killed man is, for the moment, living in firing on them. However because they refused our com - • 2 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 323 • February 2012

mander’s order to kill the “I did not want to suffer the same tions four times. They dressed us in demonstrators”. Their execution fate as my brothers. I did not want civvies and gave us pictures of was carried out at night and in to be sent home in a coffin which is Bashar al-Assad and slogans to secret. According to Berxwedan why I fled”. wave ”. According to him, many some Baathist loyalists shot each Syrian soldiers feel trapped in of them in the nape of the neck Jihad Hassan took part in many the army: “ All the soldiers want to and then accused “terrorists” of clashes between the Syrian desert ”. the killing. forces and the crowd. He thinks that the al-Assad regime is The extent of desertion is con - “Next morning, the officers said weakening daily. firmed by Ahmed Suleiman, 20 to us: “Look at these men. They “It is easy to die in Syria. Syria is years of age, who served in refused to kill the terrorists and getting worse every day. The regime Damascus for a year: “ The now the terrorists have killed is losing control of the country. The regime’s forces are losing control of them”. But we knew that they Syrian people are at the crossroads. the area round Damascus. Much of had been killed by the officers”. They must choose between support - the area has been liberated by the ing the al-Assad regime or opposing Free Syrian Army. The number of After six months service, it. You have to kill or be killed ”. soldiers deserting is increasing Berxwedan Selîm was given 72 daily . hours leave. He then returned Hussein Mahmud, also age 19, home, to Amude and, from there who comes from Derik, had Ahmad Sulaiman also explains decided to flee, receiving help in served for 6 months in Deraa, that the Kurdish soldiers are sys - illegally crossing the border both one of the first of the towns to tematically sent to the front line in Syria and from the other side, revolt last year. In the end he of the fighting: “ They cannot in Iraqi Kurdistan to reach Irbil. fled from there and ended up in retreat if they meet a strong resis - the Dumiz camp at Duhok. It tance because there is a special unit According to him, Assad’s army was only the daily scenes of of the Army charged with killing is still strong but he thinks that it murder and torture in which the those who retreat ”. will collapse in about 6 months soldiers indulged in the camp because of the great number of that made him realise the extent Anwar Haji Othman, Assistant deserters and because the sol - of the events: “ In Deraa, I was Minister for the Peshmergas stat - diers have had enough. completely isolated and could not ed “ We welcome them for humani - contact my family. We were not tarian reasons, we protect them as “We did not have enough food, allowed to telephone, read the refugees. We will not hand them nor enough time to sleep, but papers, listen to the radio or watch over to the Syrian government plenty of arms of Russian television. However, every day the because they are Kurds and it is our brands. The soldiers understand security forces brought in innocent right to protect them ”. that the situation is slipping out people and tortured them, killed of al-Assad’s control”. He them and concealed their bodies ”. According to Anwar Haji stressed that his brigade was Posted to a checkpoint, he fre - Othman, the first official figures officered by mercenaries, quently came under attack from show 15 families, and 130 civil - Alawiites and Iranians. the free Syrian Army (the ian men divided between two rebels). “ We were told that they camps in Duhok, where there About a hundred deserters are were terrorists and that we should are already 1800 Kurds from living in Duhok. Questioned by not hesitate to kill them ”, he said. Syria who had fled from vio - the daily Rudaw , they reported lence in 2004. But other refugees similar experiences. Jihad Hussein Mahmoud explains that will be following suite, accord - Hassan, aged 19, had been in the the pro-Assad demonstrations ing to the Kurdish government’s Syrian Army for 9 months and that are filmed by the official estimates. Thus Shaker Yassin, ended by deserting and crossing media are put on and organised who runs the Immigration Office the border. One of his brothers by the authorities themselves of the Ministry of the Interior, was killed by the Syrian armed and that the troops were ordered told AFP that they had set up a services and another seriously to take part: “ We were brought to new camp at Duhok to welcome wounded: take part in pro-Assad demonstra - about 1000 families. n° 323 • February 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 3•

TURKEY: THE SECRET SERVICES AT THE HEART OF A CLASH BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM he enquiry aimed at defended the agents on the NTV leader of the CHP, the main the Union of Kurdish channel: “The MIT assumes its opposition party, filed an appeal Communities (KCK) responsibilities in the context of with the Constitutional Court, in T in Turkey, accused of the law”. the name of his party, to have it being a political show annulled. case for the PKK, suffered an The Prosecutor’s stubbornness unexpected turn when, on 8 in wanting to these interroga - Henceforth MIT agents, will be February, the Public Prosecutor tions at any price resulted in his free of any judicial proceedings in charge of the case, Sadettin being taken off all enquiry into for any activity linked to their Sankaya, asked to interrogate the KCK from the very next day, duties and no Prosecutor will be four former agents of the MIT 11 February, “ for having exceeded able to summon the without the (the Turkish Intelligence Service) his powers ” as the deputy Public Prime Minister’s authorisation. and its current Director Hakan Prosecutor for Istanbul, Fikret Fidan, regarding contacts with Secen, announced. He has been The affair was widely comment - the PKK that had taken place in replaced by two magistrates. ed on and criticised both by the Oslo in 2010, as Prime Minister press and by political analysts. Recep Tayyip Erdogan had This did not prevent the police, Some saw it as a sign of a more admitted last October. on 13 February, from carrying or less latent conflict between out another wave of arrests the judiciary and the police on Hakan Fidan, the head of MIT throughout Turkey, in Trade the one hand, considered hostile and two other former heads of Union circles, especially in to the AKP and more attached to MIT refused to attend the sum - Diyarbekir, Ankara and the opposition’s nationalism, mons and the Intelligence Istanbul, on suspicion of collu - and the secret services, said to be Service, in a communiqué, sion with the KCK. Thus about a controlled by Recep Tayyip informed the Prosecutor “ that he hundred people are said to have Erdogan. Others, however, must ask the Prime Minister’s been taken in for questioning pointed out that the Fethullah authorisation in matters regarding while Trade Union premises and Gülen Religious brotherhood is them ”. the homes of their leaders were very active in police circles and also searched. that it could reflect internal dis - However, on 10 February, sention within the AKP. Sadettin Sarıkaya did not hesi - Evidently, the opposition tate to issue a warrant for the jumped on the opportunity of arrest of the former chief of MIT, embarrassing the AKP govern - Finally, the fact that secret ser - Enre Taner, a former senior offi - ment and demanded that the vice agents contacted an enemy cial, Afet Günes and two other Prime Minister himself be sum - party for possible negotiations agents still serving. Finally this moned to explain these negotia - on the government’s orders is no Istanbul based Prosecutor asked tions or attempted negotiations exception in diplomatic history one of his Ankara colleagues to with the PKK. The Bill was the and only seems scandalous in interrogate the present head of subject of heated exchanges in the Turkish political arena, MIT. Parliament before it was finally which is closed to any compro - passed on 17 February. In a mise or recognition of Kurdish The Turkish government rapidly speech to the AKP youth organi - movements. However, the judi - came to the rescue of its agents, sation, the Prime Minister had cial impunity of secret services affirming that these men “ had previously justified this Bill on revives the spectre of JITEM only done their duty ” and the the grounds that elected mem - (which never had any legal exis - Minister of Justice filed a Bill to bers should not become “ vassals tence) and other special com - protect the agents from any later of the bureaucracy ”. mandos whose record of assassi - proceedings. President Abdullah nations and kidnapping had Gul described this trial of In view of the AKP’s clear par - bathed in blood the Kurdish strength as “ an unhappy and dis - liamentary majority, the Bill was regions in the 1990s and had turbing development ” and the easy passed, though after heated very rarely been subjected to any Defence Minister, Ismet Yilmaz, debate. Kemal Kiliçararoglu, investigations. • 4 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 323 • February 2012

IRAN: AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN THAT IS A DISASTER FOR FREEDOM ith impending of which Iran is a signatory, nev - sped, the jamming of foreign Parliamentary elections, ertheless states the right of broadcasts by satellite that had due on 2 March, everyone, without distinction of been observed during the 2009 W Amnesty International is “race, colour, sex, language, reli - Presidential elections. concerned at the number gion, political opinion, national of arrests in media and blogging cir - or social origin, birth or other The NGO thus once again called cles that are aimed at padlocking the status”. Article 25 declares that: on Iran to ensure the safety of election campaign and any freedom “Every citizen has the right and journalists in the exercise of their of expression. Thus Ehsan possibility, without any of the profession, without the threat of Houshmand, a Kurdish sociologist discriminations dealt with in judicial reprisals and to “release, who writes about the minorities in Article 2 or any unreasonable rehabilitate and compensate— Iran, was arrested at the beginning restrictions: the arbitrarily detained journal - of the year in the course of a series of a) to take part in the direction of ists. It also demanded that arrests of several sociologists or public business, either directly supervision of Internet should writers covering social issues or or indirectly through freely not contravene freedom of minorities, many of whom chosen intermediary represen - expression or respect for priva - expressed their views on blogs as a tatives, cy. medium for getting round the cen - b) to vote or be elected, in the sorship. course of periodic honest elec - The High Commission also tions with universal and equal expressed its concern about the Is also concerned at the “dis - suffrage, with secret balloting conditions required for being a criminatory procedures” set up that ensures freed of expres - candidate for parliamentary for selecting candidates for the sion of the electors will elections and the right given to elections. Many have been c) to accede to his country’s pub - the Council of Guardians of the excluded outright for various lic offices under general con - Revolution to reject candida - reasons going from ethnic ori - ditions of equality tures. The breaches observed gins to religious beliefs or politi - during the 2009 campaign were cal opinions. According to a Already, in 2011, the UN High recalled and listed: the refusal of report by Abbas Ali Commission for Human Rights international observers at the Kadkhodaei, spokesman for the that supervises the application time of the elections; the block - Council of Guardians of the of the Pact had expressed anxi - ing of mobile telephones and Revolution, that supervises the ety over the restrictions applied access to Internet social net - election preparations, out of in Iran to the right of free expres - works and opposition sites; the 4,877 applications for candidacy, sion, of association, of meeting arbitrary arrest of political 2700 have been accepted by the as well as the right to take part activists, of members of ethnic Council, though the others can in public business. The High minorities or of certain religious still appeal. Commission had, at the end of communities, of students, of its report, mentioned the closing trade unionists and feminists; A drop of interest in the elec - of newspapers and of Iranian the arrest of leading members of tions can be observed following journalists’ associations, the the opposition in February 2011; the disappointment of the 2009 arrest of journalists, press edi - the banning and dissolution of Presidential elections and the tors, film directors and of people two political parties that called “Green Revolution” that fol - working in media in general. It for reforms. Finally it asked Iran lowed. In 2008, 7200 people had also denounced the supervision to reform its electoral law and to applied to be candidate (and of Internet, of its use and its con - “take adequate measures to guaran - 1,700 had been disqualified). tents, the blocking of several tee free and transparent elections in Web sites that publish news and full conformity with the Pact by The International Pact regarding political analyses as well as the including provision for an indepen - civic and political rights (PIDCP) deliberate slowing of connexion dent electoral commission ”. n° 323 • February 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 5•

LEBANON: THE KURDS STILL FEEL THEY ARE “SECOND CLASS CITIZENS” report on the Daily Lebanese citizenship. This had sals of a political faction since Star considered the sit - not happened since the 60s, most Kurds think they have a uation of Kurds in the when a handful of Kurds had duty to be grateful to one politi - A Lebanon, who have been naturalised with the sup - cal “boss” or other for their new long been settled in port of Kamal Jumblatt, whose citizenship. This prevents them the country yet are one of the family traced Kurdish origins gathering to form an most disadvantaged and least going back to the 10th Century. autonomous influence group represented population groups devoted to defending the Kurds’ in the country. As for Moslem, mostly Arab, specific interests they show little interest in the While the first Kurdish immigra - Kurds. In an essentially clannish However, according to Lokman tion to the Lebanon date from country where everything works Meho, who runs Beirut's the end of the Ottoman Empire, through clientelism, the singular American University Library, other waves of migrants contin - situation of the Kurds, who are himself a Kurd who has worked ued to flow in throughout the Moslem but not Arab, keeps for several years, Lebanese soci - 20th Century both for economic them marginalised in the coun - ety is not entirely to blame for and political reasons. Thus try’s social and political life. the social backwardness of the Bahaeddin Hassan, originally Even now, its one of the least Kurds: “ Many of them are illiter - from Turkish Kurdistan, arrived educated, most hit by unem - ate, many families prevent their there in the 70s, when he was ployment and least represented daughters from going to school and only 15 years of age, drawn by politically of the country’s ethnic subordinate jobs are passed on from the Lebanon’s reputation for component generation to generation ”. peaceful prosperity. At first, however, he only found the Most of the Kurds, perhaps Thus, Lokman Meho is one of hardest and odd jobs to live on. because of lack of access to edu - the rare Kurds to have been Today, at 57, he has secured cation, are very little assimilated brought up in this society until Lebanese citizenship, has been to the Arab world and still feel reaching university. In this he able to build a family and runs a Kurdish above all else. Thus had the good fortune of growing clothing export firm. He is also Fadia Mahmoud Ismaïl, 41 years up in a family that gave top pri - president of the Philanthropic old, brought to the Lebanon at ority to education. Because he Association of Kurds in the the age of 13 to be married, says had the luck of being a Lebanese Lebanon. He explains that the she is proud of her Kurdish her - citizen, he was able to enjoy a situation of Kurds in the itage even though she does not scholarship from the Hariri Lebanon is one of the most diffi - envisage ever leaving the Foundation. After passing his cult: “We have obtained the Lebanon: “ I don’t feel Lebanese. masters and Ph.D. in the United nationality but that’s all. No one My culture and language are States in social science and infor - protects or defends us. No one Kurdish. I know that I am Kurdish mation technology, her returned hears out voice”. and that will never change ”. to his native country three years ago to run the American The Kurds had a long time to However, like many Kurds in University Library. However, wait before obtaining Lebanese the Lebanon, she feels a lack of despite this social and profes - nationality, since the Christians, recognition in the country where sional success, Lokman has fearing a demographic unbal - she lives and particularly regrets always felt a second-class citizen ance unfavourable to them for a that there is no Kurd in in a very sectarian society in long time blocked their naturali - Parliament to represent them which the Kurds suffer from sation, while willingly giving it there or in public life. prejudices and are branded as to Armenians, Assyrians and “foreigners”. other Christian immigrants. Last November, a report written “All the Kurds are proud of being Finally, in 1994, under Rafic by Guita Hourani, a research Kurdish and Lebanese. They feel Hariri’s government, some worker at Notre Dame of both identities equally. However, if 10,000 Kurds (some of whom Lebanon University, showed they had not suffered so much (as had been settled there for 3 gen - that the naturalisations had had Kurds) they would, perhaps have erations) were able to secure a reverse side, making them vas - been more Lebanese ”. • 6 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 323 • February 2012

PARIS: AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SYRIA

n 3 February, an do the country’s Christian minori - About the “prudence” of the International ties have? What part are the Kurds Kurdish parties to openly Conference was held playing in the resistance? How engage in the struggle, civil or O in the French National should we analyse the relative armed, Jordi Tejel Gorgas sees Assembly, organised weights being played by the local this as “ no doubt distrust of the by the Paris Kurdish Institute “great powers” (Saudi Arabia, Iran opposition and, particularly of the entitled: ø The Syrian crisis: and Turkey) in the development of Islamic parties that are present, Issues and perspectives”. The the Syrian crisis?” since all the Kurdish parties are sec - aims of this encounter and the ular. We should remember that the questions raised by the research The first Round table, chaired by Moslem Brothers are supported by workers, political representa - Ms. Joyce Blau, University Turkey and that Turkey is opposed tives and analysts were present - Professor Emeritus, specialist in to Kurdish autonomy in Syria. This ed thus: “The bloody repression the Kurdish language and soci - can explain the wait-and- see atti - that has been rife in Syria for sever - ety, covered the subject of the tude of the Kurdish parties. There is al long months now exposes the mil - “dynamics of the protest move - a real danger of the Syrian revolu - itaro-political nature of the Assad men t”. It included Jordi Tejel tion being confiscated at the expense clan that has been in power since Gorgas, research worker at of the revolutionary youth ”. 1970. Thirty years after the mas - l’Institut des hautes études sacres in Hama, the Syrian authori - stratégiques in Geneva and a spe - Kamiran Haj Ebdo recalls that in ties have distinguished themselves cialist on Syrian Kurdistan, 2 Syria “ the Kurds enjoyed no rights by their war against society, as members of the Syrian National and, especially no right to recogni - Michel Seurat (1947-1986), another Council, Kamiran Haj Ebdo and tion of their existence; they are not victim of the Assad regime, Munzer Makhous, as well as mentioned in the history or geogra - described the system. The destruc - Cale Saleh, of the International phy books. There have been revolts tion of the urban areas of Homs and Crisis Group, who had come but they have not reached the level Deraa as well as the coastal and from Cairo. of those of the 70s and 80s. After the desert regions, go side by side with Arab spring, we are convinced that the open determination of According to Jordi Tejel, the the very concept of revolution will Damascus to destabilise two fragile Syrian authorities are not yet on be altered. We have called for a countries in the region, Iraq and the the point of collapsing, In this it national dialogue between the gov - Lebanon. differs from the other countries ernment and the opposition but that had gone through the “Arab there has been no sign of listening The symposium on Syria being Spring”, even if there are two from the government. So there is no organised by the Kurdish Institute points of similarity between the other choice but revolution ”. starts with the urgency of consider - Syrian revolt and the other rebel - ing both the resources for survival lions: “ the importance of the youth Regarding the nature of the rev - of a hard-pressed regime and the and of the Internet networks in the olution, his analysis is that, fun - dynamics of the resistance of a soci - mobilisation ”. damentally “ the strength of this ety whose very existence is threat - “After 10 months of revolt, the revolution is that it is global. There ened. regime is still holding out, even if it is no ethnic or religious distinction, is increasingly isolated. Bashar, Christians, Moslem, men, women, Who are the actors of a mainly however, has succeeded in frag - believers and atheists. Another provincial protest movement that is, menting the area of protest — so far characteristic of this revolution is nevertheless, changing the “political Damascus and Aleppo have that it is peaceful. However, up to a map” of the country as a whole? remained broadly loyal. On the certain point the regime has suc - What chances have the political other hand town of the periphery ceeded in distorting the move - opposition bodies, mainly organised have gone into revolt: Hama and ment— the revolution has become from exile? What role are the politi - Homs. The question that rises is less global and less peaceful. It is cal, Islamist, liberal or left wing what are the long-term conse - important to return to its global trends playing in the field of politi - quences of this situation? Syrian character ”. cal dissent? To what extent does the territory is becoming increasingly religious situation play a part in the fragmented. The situation in Syria On the development of events, repression or the protest movement? this seems different from that of Kamiran Haj Ebdo does not see What are the margins of manoeuvre Egypt, Tunisia or even of Libya ”. the Bashar al-Assad regime n° 323 • February 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 7•

being able to maintain itself — spectrum, the parties that have the intervention, which is considered a but it could be replaced by best relations with the regime are catastrophe by the PYD ”. another authoritarian regime closer to the Patriotic Union of because of the “ one-party culture ” Kurdistan, Jalal Talabani’s Iraqi The second round Table covered in which Syria is steeped: party. They are mainly the the regional issues. It was “Syria’s future depends on the glob - Progressive Party, led by Hamid chaired by Jonathan Randal, for - al and peaceful character of the rev - Darwish and the Left Party (Yasar). mer Washington Post correspon - olution. It is clear that the present In the middle of the political spec - dent, and included Ahmad regime is at an end. While, however, trum are the Kurdistan Democratic Salamatian, former Iranian its president and his council of min - Party of Syria, that is linked to Member of Parliament, Dr. isters must obvious go, the infras - Masud Barzani’s KDP in Iraq. Sadedin Mela, member of the tructure and ideology the regime Kurdish National Council of has set up will be harder to elimi - The Kurdistan National Council Syria and Antoine Steir, director nate. We do not wish to replace one was formed in October 2011 and of Cahiers de l’Orient . tyrant by another. But getting rid of regards itself as one of the three the one-party culture will be diffi - poles of the Syrian opposition, with Ahmad Salamatian spoke about cult. Syria needs to create a culture the National Co-ordinating the intrigues and position of of dialogue, of mutual recognition. Committee and the Syrian National Iran, one of the Syrian regime’s It will be out task to build this new Council. It has declared that it supporters: “ The Islamic Republic culture. We support the idea of a would not start a separate dialogue feels concerned and threatened by democratic Syria, multi-party, with with the regime as representative of the events in Syria. Indeed, Iran is people having different identities in the Kurds but that if the Arab oppo - an insular power, Shiite and sur - which the Kurds will find their sition itself decided to start such a rounded by Sunnis, Persian-speak - place and their land ”. dialogue it would join in as the ing and surrounded by Arabic and Kurdish component. It tries to Turkic speakers. Moreover, the embody the Kurdish element in the country is surrounded by pro- Munzer Makhous, also a mem - Syrian opposition and tries to get American neighbours: Afghanistan, ber of the SNC, also insisted on those Kurdish parties that are tak - Iraq (even if, paradoxically, in the the plural character of Syrian ing part in the Arab opposition to latter country, the US seems in society both on the ethnic and “leave” them and join it. It is trying objective alliance with Iran!). denominational level. to create an area that would enable Finally, it has reached the end of the Paradoxically, what is a richness it to mark itself off from the other utopia of the exportation of the in times of peace becomes a opposition elements ”. Shiite Islamic revolution, which has handicap in a period of crisis now been replaced by State policy. since the regime uses this diver - As for the PYD, the Syrian sity to fragment the population branch of the PKK, Cale Saleh The paradox about the alliance the better to control it. sees it as “ the regime’s best card between Iran and Syria is that the amongst the Kurds ” because “ the latter has a nationalist and Baathist Cale Saleh, of the International PYD needs to enjoy a sanctuary in regime. It should be recalled that Crisis Group, made a more Syria from which to hit out at when Khomeini was expulsed from detailed account of the Kurdish Turkey, which is its real priority. Iraq he was urged to go and settle in political parties and particularly The PYD refused to join the SNC Syria. At that time Khomeini of the Kurdistan National — it demanded a greater represen - refused, saying that the Syrians Council that covers 11 parties tation, which was refused. It has were worse than the Iraqi Baathists . and is very powerful in the joined the Arab opposition of the Jezireh: “ The differences between Co-ordinating Committee and says Nevertheless, Syria is also doorway the political parties are mainly his - it has secured a promise of autono - that Iran can use to have links with toric. They take different stands my for the Kurds in Syria . the Mediterranean — which is of regarding the regime, going from However, according to the published vital interest for the Islamic total opposition to more “diplomat - documents, the stand of the Co-ordi - Republic. Thus the Syrian revolu - ic” relations. The most anti-regime nating Committee regarding the tion has become a domestic issue for parties are Azadi and Yeketi, parties Kurds is as vague as that of the Iran ”. that, historically, have suffered SNC. The PYD has, no doubt, many political prisoners during the joined the CC because it is opposed In the opinion of Antoine Sfeir: al-Assad regime — they are always to any foreign intervention (con - “Iran is now a country of the Arab for a very tough opposition line. At trary to the SNC) — which would zone. It should be recalled that what the other extremity of the political certainly be initially a Turkish is called the Shiite arc goes from • 8 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 323 • February 2012

Teheran to South Lebanon via regime’s survival. The United began 11 months ago. We are thus Baghdad and Damascus. Indeed, the States wants to replace Russian and faced with a very different time beginning of the Arab Spring, in Iranian influence in the country by scale. This extension in time has 2009 occurred in Teheran (…) that of Turkey and Saudi Arabia. created violence and led both to a What is taking place is a war Russia now knows that it will not territorialisation, a militarisation between Sunnis and Shiites. Saudi be able to prevent the regime’s fall and a “militianisation” of events Arabia is trying to break the and that it risks seeing a unilateral and of the regimes forces. Persian arc. The context of the intervention that could be confided region is also evolving. Egypt is to NATO. This long time has also provoked the coming into the forefront of the internationalisation of the conflict. stage. In Turkey, Erdogan has not As for Israel, it is staying very cau - This is also due to Syria’s specific won the two thirds of seats in tious since it has been in a situation position at regional level: Parliament that he needed to change of an agreed truce with Syria since - the link between Syria and the the Constitution. Despite his elec - 1974. It runs the risk of seeing a Israeli-Arab conflict tion victory, this is an important democratic regime emerging after - the link with the Arabo-arab cold setback for him. the revolution, which could demand wars the Golan back — a demand which - the link with the Iranian question. After a long period characterised by it would be hard to resist if it came a strategic alliance between the from a democratic state, It also fears On the other hand, this long time United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel the opening of a new front with the has led to the realisation of self-ful - and Turkey, I think we are at pre - Hezbollah ”. filling prophecies of the Baathist sent witnessing the total and regime: this has finally become the regional break-up of the Nation- The third Round Table analysed cause of what it denounced, namely State — I would even say the failure both the regional and interna - foreign involvement in Syrian of the Nation-State — and a return tional issues. Chaired by Mr. internal affairs” . to Empires ”. Kendal Nezan, President of the Paris Kurdish Institute, it includ - Finally Syrian territory is also Sadedine Mela, of the Kurdish ed Joseph Bahout, of the Institut that on which several rival National Council of Syria also d’Etudes Politiques , Alain Gresh, regional and international pow - points out the importance of Assistant director of Le Monde ers are confronting one another: Iranian, Turkish but also Russian Diplomatique , Fuad Hussein, “a confrontation Russia — Western interests in Syria: “ The alliance Chief of staff of the President of World, with China, to a lesser with Syria represents a great advan - the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional extent in the Russia camp, a world- tage for Russia. Similarly for Iran, Government, and Joseph Maila, wide confrontation of the Shiite and which is linked to it by a mutual forecast manager of the French Sunni worlds, with the possibility of defence treaty. Syria represents the Ministry of Foreign and its extension Eastwards through central link in the Shiite axis in the European Affairs. Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan etc. region. It also influences, through Iran is conducting operations in its substantial Christian communi - Professor Josef Bahout pointed Syria, the Gulf States are injecting ty, the Christians of the region. In out the specific characteristics of money etc. the course of the last few years, the revolution in Syria, which is Syria has also acted as the principal characterised by a marked inter - Another issue in the Syrian crisis: bridge to Iraq for Al Qaida. Finally nationalisation: “ The first striking the control of Iraq, being fought the country is a bridge linking the point about the Syrian revolution is over between the Turkish and Kurds of Iraq and Turkey. that has been the most internation - Iranian influences. Turkey would alised of the Arab revolutions. At like to play the role of defender of Turkey, after having long supported present it is more of a regional or Sunni interests in the Middle East. the regime, has taken some risks and international crisis than a purely In this crisis, the actors are obliged is gambling on a Sunni regime com - Syrian event. It is thus very differ - to use their traditional resources. ing to power. However, it does not ent from the preceding revolutions Om the other hand there is an want to see a democratic regime set of the Arab Spring cycle, so far. aspect of Arabo-Arab struggles, up in Syria. Firstly because of its namely competition inside the Gulf complicated relations with the Why this growing internationalisa - Cooperation Council. Kurds. tion? Because of the time factor. The Egyptian revolution succeeded after A final cleavage line, inside the Iran, for its part, is plying the Shiite 18 days, the Tunisian after 23 days. Lebanon, which pits the 14 March card and trying to prolong the In Syria, the first demonstrations forces and those of 8 March, notably n° 323 • February 2012 Information and liaison bulletin • 9•

with the presence of the Hezbollah. military intervention, whereas March 2011, following Articles 138 All these cleavages have been able to this seems very difficult. A tran - and 139 of the Millennium objec - be deployed because of the duration sition must be negotiated, even tives for developing the internation - of the events in Syria. This we have if the regime has, so far, been al community when civilians are in come to the internationalisation of closed to all attempts of this danger, of substituting oneself for the conflict ”. kind. However, I think that the the State, whose duty it normally is, invitation made by Russia to when it is faltering or criminal, to Alain Gresh, for his part, dealt come and negotiate is a good protect the population ”. with one of the questions raised way and we should urge the by Kendal Nezan in his introduc - opposition to accept it”. Finally he recalled the official tion to this Round Table: “ Is it not position of France, which has already too late for Syria ?” and Speaking on beheld of the endorsed the Arab League plan, expressed his scepticism about a Kurdistan Regional Government that is to say transition plan of possible resort to foreign military (KRG), Fuad Hussein, wanted, 22 January for a gentle transition action: from the start, to mark the dif - for France and all the parties “Inside the country things have ference between the position of that renounce violence. No one reached a deadlock. Despite all its Iraqi Kurdistan and that of the thinks that the solution can violence, the regime cannot end Baghdad government regarding come from a military interven - the opposition and the opposition the Syrian question: “ The KRG’s tion, even if this could, at least, cannot overthrow the regime — policy towards Syria is not neces - meet the necessity for protecting to some extent because of its own sarily that of the Central govern - the population”. divisions. Some communities are ment. The Iraqi government has haunted by fear of the future, for tried to adopt the role of link The fourth and last Round Table example the Christians, who have between the government and the raised the question of Syria’s seem the consequences of the opposition, so far unsuccessfully. future. Chaired by Marc change in Iraq. (Nevertheless one These attempts have been rejected Kravetz, a journalist with France must avoid characterising Syrians by the Syrian opposition. Culture, it included Abdulahad solely by their membership of a Astepho, president of the community.) At this level the There is, in Syria, a struggle Assyrian Democratic opposition has shown its weak - between two blocks: on the one side Organisation, member of the ness by failing to convince them. Turkey and on the other Iran. This Executive Committee of the Now we are faced with a proba - opposition also reflects the opposi - SNC, Kamiran Hajo, member of ble civil war which will have tion between Shiites and Sunnis. It the Kurdish National Council of catastrophic consequences, both is not only a religious opposition Syria, Zuhat Kubani, leader of in Syria and in the Lebanon — but also an opposition between dif - the Democratic Unity (PYD) in but also on the whole process of ferent political ideologies. Many Europe, and Haytham Manna, demanding democracy through - Alawiites support Bashar al- president of the National out the Arab world. Assad’s regime because they think Coordination Council for a that if the Moslem Brothers or the Democratic Change abroad. There is no military solution. Salafists came to power in Syria, Already external intervention the issue for them would not be just Zuhat Kubani, leader of the has had catastrophic conse - a question of power but of sur - Democratic Unity Party (PYD) quences in Iraq and Libya … vival …”. in Europe, supported “ a practical Bringing down naughty dicta - and global programme including tors does not provide a lasting Joseph Maïla, forecasting man - the building of socio-cultural insti - solution: the only solution possi - ager at the Ministry of Foreign tutions ” and an “ autonomous gov - ble seems to be political transi - and European Affairs, examined ernment ” for Syrian Kurdistan. tion starting with negotiations “the place of the Syrian case in the “The Kurds could then play an with at least part of the regime. I Arab Spring ”, in which he found effective role for democratisation in am thinking about what has motives for revolt similar to Syria, which could also be useful as happened in Latin America, those in Tunisia, in the Yemen, a model for the Arab world ”. where one of the lateral conse - in Morocco and also with Libya quences has been an amnesty on in the severity of the repression: Abdulahad Astepho, president crimes. “Here, too, there exists a responsi - of the Assyrian Democratic bility to protect civilians, that Organisation, member of the There is a danger of creating the which had led to the adoption of res - Executive Committee of the illusion that things will end by olution N° 1973 passed on 17 Syrian National Council, first of • 10 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 323 • February 2012

all presented the reality of the 40s, and that the Syrian-Arab alternative with all the components of Assyrian component of Syria, chauvinism did not just date from Syrian society: Alawiites, Israelites, which is a people before being a the Assad dynasty: “ It must be Druzes, Christians and also Arabs, faith, and recalled that “ the recalled that most discriminatory law Kurds, Assyrians and Armenians appointment of religious digni - against the Kurds in Syria was …”. taries, Christian as well as Moslem, passed in 1962, that is before the under the Assad regime had to be Baath Party took power. The fact is Finally Hajo Kamuran, of the subject to the approval of the that there exists, well beyond the Kurdish National Council of Intelligence Services ”. The Baath, a structural ideological prob - Syria, saw the country as being Assyrian leader said he was in lem in Syria (…) Nor must the in a “No return” situation. favour of a democratic, secular regime be characterised as exclusively Defending both the right of the Syria with a common national Alawiite — the Alawiites are not in Kurds and Assyrians to exist as project. the majority amongst the heads of the recognised minorities in the intelligence services. Syria is not a Syrian Constitution he demand - Haytham Manna, president of the denominational State, like the ed “ a right of self-determination in National Coordination Council Lebanon. The power structure in the framework of the country’s for a Democratic Change abroad, Syria seems to me more like what unity. This claim is a test for exposed the roots of the discrimi - Max Weber called “groupings of mil - democracy and for the different nation against the Kurds in Syria, itary and security interest”. We must opposition forces. The rights of the which he traced back to the carry out a deeper analysis of the Assyrians— and other minorities— French Mandate and the influ - nature of this power to see how to must also be recognised and guar - ence of Jacobinism as from the destroy it and build a democratic anteed ”.

CULTURE: DEATH OF DENGBÊJ ELI TICO

he dengbej and tenbur brating Sheikh Said and the 1925 a raid and searched his home player, Eli Tico, whose uprising against Turkey. before taking him to be interro - real name is Mihemmed gated at the Aleppo Security T Eli Mihemmed Elo, died He was arrested by the Syrian Centre, then referred him to the on 16 February last in authorities in February 2008 Mukhabarat (Intelligence) H.Q. Syria. He was 82 years old. after he has welcomed in his in Damascus. El Tico was a greatly loved artist house in Aleppo, a delegation of His repertory was often political of the Efrin region, with his Kurdish singers from the and patriotic to the glory of all repertory of a hundred ballads Kurdistan Regional Government. the figures of Kurdish resistance and epics, including one cele - The Syrian police then carried out wherever they might be from. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti ftlonae.fï Les amfoitions néo-ottomanes 24 janvier 2012 de l'AKP et le conflit kurde

d'organisations non gouverne¬ de 22 à 36 entre 2007 et 2011. Point de vue | CERI | mentales, et plus récemment, En outre, le mouvement pro¬ par Cuma Cicek, Doctorant au CERI-Sciences Po universitaires, avocats et jour¬ kurde a gagné en influence au

nalistes) ont été arrêtées depuis sein de la société civile comme

mai 2009. Ces événements ont le montre le sommet régional

Recep Tayyip Erdogan en ravivé les tensions et les accro¬ organisé en octobre dernier à Uiplomatie multidimen- Egypte, en Tunisie et en Libye. chages entre les forces de sécu¬ Diyarbakir lors duquel on a pu sionnelle et multirégionale", Ce dernier, plus célèbre que les rité turques et les rebelles du voir que la plupart des exi¬ "Nous n'avons aucun problème leaders arabes auprès des popu¬ PKK depuis le début de l'été gences du mouvement pro¬ avec les pays voisins", c'est ainsi lations, est parfois surnommé le 2011 dans l'est du pays. En kurde étaient partagées par les qu'Ahmet Davutoglu, ministre deuxième Saladin. Son Parti de outre, le massacre qui a coûté la 700 ONG présentes. turc des Affaires étrangères, la justice et du développement vie à trente-cinq jeunes contre¬ s'exprimait il y a encore L'existence en Irak d'une (AKP) possède une ambition bandiers kurdes, dont dix-neuf quelques mois. Un an après le région autonome du Kurdistan, néo-ottomane qui s'inspire de la âgés de moins de dix-huit ans, début du printemps arabe, qui compte plus de cinq mil¬ période expansionniste de dans un raid aérien mené par qu'en estil de la politique lions d'habitants, fonctionne l'Empire ottoman et souhaite l'armée turque à la frontière extérieure menée par Ankara ? comme un quasi-Etat avec son faire de son pays la première avec l'Irak et le débat suscité par Il y a encore quelques mois le gouvernement, son président, puissance économique et poli¬ cette tuerie au sein du gouver¬ président syrien Bachar el- son parlement, son armée, sa tique du Moyen-Orient. Les nement et de la société turque Assad était un ami très proche police et qui bénéficie du sou¬ dynamiques économiques, comme parmi les Kurdes témoi¬ de Recep Tayyip Erdogan, cha¬ tien des Etats-Unis témoigne sociales, politiques et histo¬ gnent des possibilités cun des pays avait décidé de également que la question riques favorisant cette nouvelle d'embrasement de la situation. supprimer l'obligation de visas kurde ne peut être abordée sous politique existent mais le conflit pour se rendre chez le voisin et Le conflit kurde, grande le seul angle de la sécurité. Le kurde, talon d'Achille de la d'établir ensemble un Conseil source d'instabilité en Turquie, retrait des Etats-Unis de l'Irak a Turquie depuis des décennies, de coopération économique constitue un obstacle aux ambi¬ ouvert un espace à la Turquie, pourrait contrecarrer ce projet. avec le Liban et la Jordanie. tions néo-ottomanes de l'AKP notamment dans la région Celui-ci s'est récemment Aujourd'hui, le Premier min¬ vers le Moyen-Orient et le kurde du pays. Les Kurdes intensifié comme le montrent istre turc critique le régime monde arabe et musulman. d'Irak ne peuvent en effet pas les attaques simultanées (les syrien sur la scène interna¬ Après trois décennies de vio¬ conserver leur position actuelle plus violentes depuis 1993) tionale et accueille sur son sol lence, Ankara, qui a toujours après le retrait américain sans menées par les rebelles du Parti les opposants à Bachar el Assad. privilégié les politiques sécuri¬ s'appuyer sur Ankara, l'aide de des travailleurs du Kurdistan Alors qu'Ankara soutenait le taires, n'a pas su trouver de l'Iran étant exclue par les États- (PKK) dans la province renforcement nucléaire de solution au conflit. Malgré le Unis. Washington souhaiterait d'Hakkari les 18 et 19 octobre Téhéran, il a cependant décidé déni du conflit, les politiques voir la Turquie s'impliquer éco¬ 2011 et la réponse très sévère de en septembre 2011 d'accueillir d'assimilation, les moyens et les nomiquement et politiquement l'armée turque dans la vallée de près de la ville de Malatya, stratégies de sécurité mis en dans la région kurde d'Irak, ce Kazan en Çukurca qui ont fait située non loin de la frontière oeuvre, le mouvement pro¬ que le pays ne peut faire sans 35 morts parmi les rebelles. Les avec l'Iran, le système radar kurde s'est renforcé à la fois en avoir pacifié ses relations avec espoirs de régler dans la ques¬ antimissile de l'OTAN. Irak et en Turquie. Dans ce der¬ sa propre population kurde. tion kurde de façon pacifique nier pays, le PKK poursuit sa L'alliance stratégique qui liait la En Syrie, Ankara est par une négociation entre le lutte contre les forces de sécu¬ Turquie à Israël depuis des confronté à la possibilité de gouvernement d'Ankara et rité et le mouvement pro-kurde décennies est aujourd'hui l'établissement d'une nouvelle Abdullah Ocalan, chef du Parti est de plus en plus présent : for¬ réduite à sa plus simple expres¬ région autonome kurde (proche des travailleurs du Kurdistan mation de nouveaux partis poli¬ sion. Enfin, en novembre 2011, de la région kurde irakienne) (PKK) emprisonné depuis 1999, tiques, développement des le président de la République ainsi qu'à celle d'un renforce¬ se sont envolés après les élec¬ médias - quatorze chaînes de turque Abdullah Gùl a qualifié ment du conflit kurde que pour¬ tions législatives de juin 2011. télévision et plusieurs titres de Chypre, qui prendra la prési¬ rait provoquer le régime de De plus, l'opération contre journaux ont été créés -, etc. dence de l'Union européenne en Bachar el-Assad. La crise du l'Union des communautés du Tant et si bien que le gouverne¬ juillet 2012, de "demi-pays", de régime ouvre en effet des oppor¬ Kurdistan, souvent qualifiée de ment turc a parfois affirmé que futur leader d'une "Union mis¬ tunités à l'opposition kurde en section urbaine du PKK, qui l'on assistait à la formation d'un érable". Il est clair que la poli¬ Syrie, notamment au Parti pour avait entraîné plus de 2 000 Etat parallèle dans la région. En tique du "zéro problème avec les l'unité démocratique (PYD), arrestations a été relancée et au 2009, le parti pro-kurde est pays voisins" est devenue celle branche syrienne du PKK. total plus de 4 000 personnes arrivé en tête aux élections du "conflit avec tout le monde". L'opposition kurde qui mène (membres du Parti pour la paix locales dans huit villes de la La Turquie a renforcé sa une politique pragmatiste essaie et la démocratie (BDP), princi¬ région kurde de Turquie, relation avec le monde arabe et de négocier dans le cadre d'une pal parti kurde, formation notamment à Diyarbakir, consi¬ musulman. Ankara jouit d'une autonomie régionale à la fois maires, députés, présidents déré comme la plus importante très bonne réputation parmi les avec le régime d'el-Assad et avec d'assemblées locales, fonction¬ d'entre elles. Le nombre des peuples arabes, comme on a pu les groupes d'opposition naires, cadres locaux et natio¬ députés indépendants (mais le constater lors des visites de syriens. Les Kurdes ont donc naux, ou encore représentants soutenus par le BDP) est passé Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti une position pacifiste et atten- de la question kurde pourrait tique de son système politique. Quant à la politique de la tiste tout en tentant de renfor¬ donc permettre à Ankara de En outre, la crise du régime Turquie vis-à-vis d'Israël et des cer leur pouvoir. parer les manoeuvres éven¬ syrien affecte Téhéran, allié Palestiniens, elle n'est pas

tuelles de son voisin syrien et l'expression d'une solidarité En outre, la nouvelle poli¬ majeur de Damas. En Irak, la renforcer le statut de la Turquie. Turquie soutient les sunnites musulmane mais révèle tique turque à l'égard du régime quand l'Iran appuie les chiites l'ambition néo-ottomane de d'el Assad a ouvert un espace au Enfin, Ankara s'est éloigné mais les deux pays se battent l'AKP. Ce nouveau positionne¬ PKK en Syrie. Damas a hébergé de Téhéran sur des sujets pour renforcer leur présence ment d'Ankara pourrait égale¬ le PKK et son chef Abdullah comme l'Irak ou la Syrie. Le dans la région kurde du pays. ment pousser Tel Aviv à utiliser Ocalan jusqu'en 1999. La Syrie modèle politique turc, qui Alors que la question kurde la cause kurde pour affaiblir la et le parti kurde se connaissent s'appuie sur la démocratie, connaît un regain de tension Turquie. très bien et disposent de la l'économie libérale et l'islam, depuis l'été dernier, l'Iran a capacité et des ressources renforce la position du pays Dans ce contexte tendu, signé un cessezle- feu avec le nécessaires pour affaiblir auprès des Occidentaux et des Recep Tayyip Erdogan aurait PJAK. Le PKK a donc élargi son Ankara. La formation peut donc populations du Moyen-Orient, particulièrement intérêt à tra¬ champ d'action et le conflit espérer bénéficier du soutien notamment des forces de vailler à une résolution paci¬ kurde est devenu partie inté¬ des pays favorables au régime l'opposition des pays arabes. Ce fique de la question kurde tant grante des relations conflic¬ d'el Assad (comme le montre le modèle turc, qu'on qualifie un durcissement du conflit et tuelles entre Ankara et Téhéran. cessez-le-feu signé entre l'Iran aussi d'islam modéré, constitue une escalade de la violence Le discours de Murât Karayilan, et le Parti pour une vie libre au pour ces dernières une source serait dommageable à la démo¬ président exécutif du PKK, Kurdistan, PJAK, branche ira¬ d'inspiration. Il est également cratie turque présentée comme confirme cette nouvelle situa¬ nienne du PKK) et opposés à la apprécié des Occidentaux en un modèle aux pays arabes et tion : "l'alliance antikurde entre Turquie (la Jordanie, voire la raison de son libéralisme écono¬ musulmans. la Turquie, l'Iran et la Syrie s'est Russie). Une solution pacifique mique et du caractère démocra désagrégée".

I REUTERS

L'armée turque abat cinq séparatistes kurdes

3 février 2012 Jon Hemming - Reuters Des négociations secrètes entre Ankara et le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) ont capoté l'an dernier et les combats ont DIYARBAKIR, Turquie - Les forces turques ont abattu vendredi repris de plus belle. cinq militants séparatistes kurdes qui se cachaient dans une grotte de la province de Batman (sud-est), a-t-on appris de Le Premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a promis cette source proche des services de sécurité. semaine qu'il allait "combattre l'organisation terroriste mais négo¬

cier avec ses représentants politiques". L'aviation a par ailleurs bombardé des positions séparatistes dans le nord de l'Irak, annonce l'armée sur son site internet. L'opération L'insurrection kurde a fait plus de 40.000 morts en Turquie depuis a été menée avec succès et les appareils sont rentrés à leur base, vingt-huit ans.Q ajoute-t-elle sans plus de précisions.

9 février 2012

que dans le nord de l'Irak après Turquie: 13 rebelles kurdes et que 24 militaires ont été tués dans une embuscade. un soldat tués lors de combats En décembre, une frappe aérienne de l'armée près de la

ISTANBUL (AFP) - Treize salve tirée par les terroristes. cité par Anatolie. frontière avec l'Irak a tué 34

rebelles kurdes et un soldat Nos forces de sécurité ont 'Trois membres de contrebandiers, la plupart âgés

turc ont été tués jeudi lors de riposté et les combats ont duré l'organisation ont été capturés de moins de vingt ans, pris par

combats dans le sud-est de la environ 1H30. Après que les et les corps de neuf autres ont erreur pour des rebelles sépa¬

Turquie, a rapporté l'agence de terroristes eurent profité de été retrouvés. Neuf (fusils ratistes.

presse Anatolie citant des l'obscurité pour s'enfuir, un d'assaut) Kalachnikov, cinq Et la semaine dernière,

sources officielles. ratissage a permis de retrouver grenades, un lance-roquettes, l'aviation turque a lancé un Un premier accrochage a eu les corps de quatre d'entre- deux (fusils d'assaut) M-16 et raid contre des positions des

lieu à 02H30 (00H30 GMT) près eux", a-t-il dit. (...) une certaine quantité rebelles dans le nord de l'Irak,

de la frontière irakienne à la Une opération de grande d'explosif C4 ont été saisis sur qui leur sert de base arrière

hauteur de Cukurca, dans la ampleur se poursuivait dans la les lieux", a indiqué le gouver¬ pour leurs opérations en

province de Hakkari, lorsqu'un région, a ajouté le gouverneur. norat. Turquie.

groupe de rebelles du Parti des Un deuxième incident s'est Les affrontements entre Le conflit kurde en Turquie

travailleurs du Kurdistan produit à 04H00 (02H00GMT) l'armée turque et le PKK ont a fait plus de 45.000 morts,

(PKK) a ouvert le feu sur une à Ilica, dans la province de augmenté d'intensité au cours selon l'armée, depuis le début

unité de l'armée, a affirmé le Bingôl, où les forces de sécurité des derniers mois. En octobre, de l'insurrection du PKK en

gouverneur de Hakkari, ont donné l'assaut contre une la Turquie a lancé une grande 1984. Le PKK est considéré

Muammer Tùrker, à l'agence. maison abritant des rebelles, a offensive par air et sur terre comme une organisation terro¬

"Un soldat a été tué et six déclaré le gouvernorat de contre les séparatistes kurdes riste par la Turquie et de nom¬

autres blessés dans la première Bingôl dans un communiqué dans le sud-est du pays ainsi breux pays. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

ùlïïonàc

Jeudi 2 février 2012

L'opposition syrienne accuse l'Iran de fournir des hommes de main à Damas

L'Armée syrienne libre affirme détenir sept soldats iraniens à la solde de Bachar Al-Assad

Depuis des mois, les manifes¬ vail, ils sont soupçonnés par l'ASL nouvelle. Elle la priverait de son tes» à destination de la Syrie. La tants assurent que des sol¬ «d'être des tireurs d'élite envoyés principal et plus ancien allié arabe dernière remonte au 10 janvier. dats iraniens participent à par Téhéran pourprêter main-for¬ et isolerait le Hezbollah libanais, Le général Qassem Souleimani, larépression en Syrie. Mais les preu¬ te à BacharAl-Assad ». A la même son bras armé au nord d'Israël. Il haut responsablepasdaran enchar¬ ves de cette implication sont rares, date, un groupe inconnu, le Mou¬ est donc essentiel de soutenir ge de la force Al-Qods, a effectué voire inexistantes. Depuis vendre¬ vement contre l'expansion chiite Damas. D'autant qu'à l'hostilité plusieursvisites à Damas, la derniè¬ di 27 janvier, des soldats déserteurs en Syrie, avait revendiqué l'enlève¬ croissante des Syriens à l'Iran fait re en janvier. Il est soupçonné de de l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL), ment de cinq Iraniens. Vrais ingé¬ écho la sympathie, sur le Web, des fournir aide et conseils, notam¬ appartenant à la brigade Al-Farouk, nieurs ou snipers en mission, qui opposants iraniens pour cette ment dans les domaines de la cyber- affirment détenir sept Iraniens, sont vraiment les otages iraniens révolution qu'ils envient: en traque des opposants et du main¬ cinq militaires et deux civils. Dans d'Homs ? Le mystère reste entier. décembre, l'effigie de Bachar tien de l'ordre urbain. Selon des un communiqué, l'ASL demande, Al-Assad a été brûlée dans un stade sources libanaises, il aurait suggé¬ en échange de leur libération, l'ar¬ Vrais ingénieurs ou du nord de l'Iran. ré, l'été dernier, aux Syriens de tirer rêt des attaques à Homs et la libéra¬ . La nature du soutien iranien dans les jambes des manifestants, tion du lieutenant-colonel Hussein snipers en mission, fait débat.Il est politique : des émis¬ afin d'alléger les bilans. La présence Harmouche, premier officier supé¬ qui sont vraiment saires iraniens auraient tenté de en masse de troupes iraniennes rieur syrien à avoir déserté avant convaincre les Frères musulmans semble peu probable : persanopho- d'être enlevé en Turquie et de réap¬ les otages iraniens syriens de diriger le gouverne¬ nes et peu familiers du pays, les sol¬ paraître à Damas. Ce dernier aurait d'Homs? ment à condition de ne plus récla¬ dats iraniens ne seraient pas d'une été exécuté lundi, selon des infor¬ mer le départ de Bachar Al-Assad. grande utilité. Enfin, en juin 2011, mations non confirmées. Au planmilitaire, Paris etWashing¬ Téhéran avait débloqué des fonds Dans une vidéo mise en ligne En revanche, le communiqué de ton ont dénoncé des livraisons pour aider Damas, mais le manque par les insurgés syriens, les Ira¬ l'ASL est clair. Il demande au Guide d'armes - ce qui constituerait une de devises créé par les sanctions niens, l'airfatigué et abattu, se pré¬ suprême de la révolution islami¬ violation de la résolution 1747 du pose de plus en plus problème. sentent, avant que leur «chef», que, Ali Khamenei, de «reconnaître Conseil de sécurité instaurant un Christophe ayad Sajjad Amman, confesse être entré clairement la présence en Syrie de embargo des exportations d'ar-

en Syrie le 16 octobre 2011. «Nous membres des Gardiens de làrévolu- mes iraniennes. Les douanes tur¬ avons tué de nombreux civils dans tion dans le but d'aider le régime ques ont intercepté, à plusieurs la ville d'Homs, dont beaucoup de d'Assad à opprimer le peuple reprises, des « cargaisons suspec femmes et d'enfants. Nous avons syrien » et le met en demeure de « se reçu nos ordres directement des ser¬ retirer immédiatement du territoi¬ vices de renseignement (...) », expli- re syrien avant samedi midi». que-t-il. Les insurgés exhibent des «Nous sommes les amis du peuple passeports et des documents pré¬ iranien, nous ne sommespqs sectai¬ sentés comme des papiers militai¬ res, nous ne sommespas contre nos res. Il s'agit en fait dé certificats de frères chiites », précise le communi¬ décharge du servie? militaire. Les qué. La Veille, le 26 janvier, 11 pèle¬ hommes sont présentés en chemi¬ rins iraniens avaient été enlevés se noire, la tenue des Gardiens de entre Alep et Damas. Les ravisseurs la révolution (pasdaran), et avec auraient laissé repartir le bus avec un fusil Dragonov, l'arme de prédi¬ les femmes.

lection des snipers. Pour Téhéran, cette mise en En fait, l'agence iranienne Mehr demeure est d'autant plus inquié¬ révélait le même jour que les cinq tante que le Conseil national syrien « soldats » iraniens n'étaient (CNS), principale plateforme d'op¬ autres que les ingénieurs kidnap¬ position, reprend à son compte les pés le 21 décembre à la centrale accusations de l'ASL de «participa¬

électrique d'Homs. Quatre noms tion du régime iranien au massacre sont identiques et la photo des des Syriens ». En décembre, Burhan hommes, en civil, diffusée par Ghalioun, président du CNS, avait

Mehr, laisse peu de place au doute. déclaré que le nouveau pouvoir Les deux civils supplémentaires syrienromprait la « relationprivilé-

seraient des émissaires venus giée » avec Téhéran. négocier la libération des otages. Au moment où l'Iran se trouve Tout début janvier, Paris-Match sous une pression sans précédent avait publié un reportage à Homs, à cause de son programme nucléai¬ L'ambassadeur de Syrie à l'ONU, Bachar Al-Jaafari, et les dirigeants dans lequel les Iraniens apparais¬ re controversé, la possible chute saient : capturés en bleus de tra du régime Assad est une mauvaise de la Ligue arabe, au Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies, à New York, le 31 janvier, don emmert/afp Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

' NIBHWnON/U. MttafogMmÏÏnbune February 1,2012

Dame's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and a sometime adviser Russia resists push to the United Nations. "If today it is As¬ sad, tomorrow Putin? They worry." Other calculations come into play. Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin, who to condemn Syria wants to regain the Russian presidency in March elections, seeks to portray Russia as regaining its superpower in¬ It is the ghost of Libya and recent Se¬ UNITED NATIONS fluence. Moscow's long ties to Damas¬ curity Council resolutions that haunts cus generate billions of dollars in the debate on Syria in the United Na¬ weapons sales, plus it gives Russia the West and Arabs jockey tions and beyond. To stress the high entrée it needs to the table for Middle level of Western interest in adopting a over Assad's future as East peace talks. The Russian Navy de- . resolution, Secretary of State Hillary ploys from the Syrian port Tartous, his army attacks rebels Rodham Clinton and the foreign minis¬ widening Russia's sphere of influence ters of Britain, France and Portugal into the Mediterranean. headed to the council meeting. BY NEIL MACFARQUHAR Then there is concern that the implo¬ They all made statements about the sion of Syria could drag other neigh¬ The tension between the forces for need to stop the spiraling violence. After bors, like Israel, Iraq and Lebanon, into change that have erupted across the the death toll for nearly a year of protests a wider conflagration. Middle East and the old politics of power reached more than 5,400 in January, the But it is the worry about setting a pre¬ influence were building here Tuesday as United Nations stopped counting be¬ cedent that seems to trump all those is¬ Arab and Western states confronted cause it said figures were too hard to con¬ sues for Russia. To try to address that, Russia over its adamant refusal to con- firm. Part of the West's interest is that diplomats here have inserted all kinds the demise of Mr. Assad would weaken of reassuring language into the draft NEWS ANALYSIS Iran's position in the region and its main resolution. "Nothing in this resolution Arab ally, Hezbollah, which continues to compels states to resort to the use of demn the Syrian government for its vi¬ back the Damascus government. force or the threat of force," it said, and olent suppression of popular protests. The Arab League, newly energized underscores the "strong commitment In the hours leading up to the diplo¬ with the need to answer to Arab peoples to the sovereignty, independence, unity matic duel in the Security Council, the demanding an end to despotic rule, was and territorial integrity of Syria, em¬ drumbeat of violence continued un¬ briefing the council on why it passed a phasizing the need to cesolve the cur¬ abated in Syria, where government resolution demanding that President rent crisis in Syria peacefully." forces pushed rebels back from strong¬ Assad step down. The wording of the It also calls on both sides to half the vi¬ holds near the capital, Damascus. Arab League measure was adopted al¬ olence, though not equating the two With a draft Security Council resolu¬ most wholesale in the draft Security sides as Russia often does. The official tion put on the table by Morocco and Council resolution. Syrian position is that it is under attack calling for President Basharal-Assad to It was hoped that Nabil al-Araby, the from terrorists from abroad, its expla¬ step aside to speed a democratic transi¬ league's secretary general, and Sheik nation ignoring the protest movements tion, Russia stressed its opposition to Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, the Qatari sweeping the region.. any such plan even while trying to dis¬ prime minister, would convince council Members of the Syrian National tance itself from the man himself. members that the move was less about Council, a nascent government in exilé, "The Russian policy is not about ask¬ regime change and more about meeting made their debut around the United Na¬ ing someone to step down; regime the democratic aspirations of the Syrian tions in another attempt to sway the ar¬ change is not our profession," Sergey V. people, who have been demonstrating gument in favor of condemning the As¬ Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, for 11 months. sad government. But it rejected a told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. No vote was scheduled for Tuesday. Russian offer to sponsor talks in Mos¬ during a stop on his Asia tour The haggling over the wording will com¬ cow between the government and the "We are not friends or allies of Presi¬ mence in earnest again Wednesday. But opposition. S.N.C. members said Mr. As¬ dent Assad," he went on, Interfax re¬ privately, diplomats were expecting a sad's stepping down and an end to the ported, evidently hoping to deflect accu¬ showdown vote, with at least Russia re¬ violence were their precondition. sations that Moscow should be held sorting to a veto, to come as early as Fri¬ "I appeal to Russia, which has long responsible for the widening bloodshed. day. Russia and China vetoed a similar historical ties with the Syrian people, to "We never said that Assad remaining in resolution in October. Russia, backed prevent the Assad regime from exploit¬ power is a precondition for regulating discreetly by China and India, rejects ing the Russia support in order to con¬ the situation. We said something else: the idea that the world organization can tinue its oppression," Burhan Ghalioun, We said that the decision should be made interfere in the domestic politics of any the president of the S.N.C, said after by Syrians, by the Syrians themselves." country to force regime change. meeting with Russia's U.N. envoy, Vi- He then referred to Libya, the precedent They feel that they were duped into taly Churkin. Mr. Ghalioun said that seemingly guiding Russian opposition to supporting a no-flight zone over Libya even if the resolution were to somehow last March, and infuriated at the West pass, he did not expect it to affect either "The Russian policy is not for using it as a license to overthrow the the violence or Mr. Assad himself. about asking someone to Libyan leader, Col. Muammar el-Qad- "We don't anticipate him to accept or dafi. To a certain extent both the Arab step down; regime change listen to the resolution," he said. "Nev¬ League and the rest of the world were ertheless, to have that resolution is ex¬ is not our profession." ready to diimp Mr. Qàddafi because he tremely important to emphasize his . had no friends. Syria does, but the issue lack of legitimacy." is larger than Syria itself. . almost any Syria resolution. "The inter¬ "That the Morocco resolution 'calls Nada Bakri contributed reportingfrom national community unfortunately did for' Assad to step aside is their worst ex¬ Beirut and Ellen Barryfrom Moscow. take sides in Libya," he said, "and we ample and fear," said George Lopez, a would never allow the Security Council professor at the University of Notre to authorize anything similar." Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

ALARABIYANEWSl 2 February 2012

Middle East turmoil draws Turkey and

Iraqi Kurds closer

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If the Kurdistan region were a country it would still be Turkey's eighth biggest export market (File photo)

but also with Iraq."

But big issues remain, not least the presence in northern Iraq of Jon Hemming / Reuters the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a militant group whose 27-

year armed campaign for Kurdish self-rule in Turkey has clai¬

med the lives of 40,000 rebels, soldiers and civilians. RBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Upheaval in the Middle East and mutual economic interests are drawing together two unlikely Turkish leaders are also reluctant to see the emergence of a partners; rising powerhouse Turkey and an entity whose name Kurdish state in northern Iraq, fearing this could rouse the

Turkish leaders hardly dare mention - Kurdistan, the semi-auto¬ already restless Kurds just across the border in Turkey. nomous region of northern Iraq. In a landmark visit to the region last year, Turkish Prime Minister

Ankara has developed solid political and trade ties with Iraq's Tayyip Erdogan repeatedly referred to the "Kurdish administra¬

Kurds, as its foreign policy of "zero problems with the neigh¬ tion," but never once used the word Kurdistan. bors" unravels due to the uprising in Syria, tensions with PIPELINE DIPLOMACY Baghdad and rivalry with Iran.

Victims of massacres and chemical weapons attacks, Iraq's Iraqi Kurdish leaders also recognize that in an unstable region Kurds rose up against Saddam Hussein during the 1991 Gulf and with sectarian conflict threatening to upset the delicate poli¬ War and broke free from Baghdad-rule. The 2003 U.S.-Ied inva¬ tical balance in Baghdad, their landlocked, oil producing terri¬ sion then toppled the dictator and led to a constitution that reco¬ tory needs an ally among its neighbors. gnized the Kurds' hard-won de facto autonomy.

Turkey, with one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Once the poorest region of Iraq, Kurdistan is now its most pros¬ could be their best bet. perous, insulated from the insurgency and sectarian violence in

"We can call it a key relationship because Turkey has an impor¬ the south by its mountains and stable government. tant status because of its location and because of the role that For now the region largely depends on receiving 17 percent of it plays in the international community," said Falah Mustafa the national budget, but the regional government estimates Bakir, the head of the Department of Foreign Relations of the there are about 45 billion barrels of oil reserves in the north, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). most of it as yet untapped.

'Turkey is a major partner lor Iraq as a whole, but also for the Oil majors, analysts say, are expected to follow the lead of Kurdistan region in terms of commerce and trade," he told Exxon Mobil and sign exploration and production deals with the Reuters in a recent interview. "I am sure Turkey would have a regional government. This should help to raise production, esti- good opportunity to be a major or main partner with the KRG, Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

mated to reach 175,000 barrels per day this year, to 1 million STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

bpdby2015. Involving Turkey in the economy of Iraqi Kurdistan may not be

Kurdish oil exports are pumped into the Iraqi national pipeline enough to ensure Ankara's enduring support, particularly

system, but relations between the Kurds and Baghdad have while its soldiers are being killed by PKK militants whose lea¬

been dogged for years by rows over late payments for crude, ders are based in the mountains of northern Iraq.

the legality of the regional government's oil deals and dispu¬ "For 30 years, we have paid a very heavy price for the terror ted territory. directed here because of the lack of authority in Iraq, espe¬

Add to that the traditional distrust of Baghdad following cially northern Iraq," Erdogan told his parliamentary deputies

Saddam's atrocities, the present political infighting in the capi¬ on Tuesday. Turkey, the United States and the European

tal and risk of renewed sectarian violence, and the Kurds feel Union all classify the PKK as a terrorist organization.

they are right to look after their own interests. Turkey has staged 28 operations into northern Iraq in pursuit

That means the regional government becoming less reliant on of the PKK in the last 20 years, Kurdish officials said, so it is

Baghdad. in the regional government's interests to help solve the pro¬

blem if it is to seek closer ties with Turkey. One pipeline pumping about 60,000 bpd already feeds

directly from Kurdistan's Tawke oilfield into the main pipeline The regional government, made up of pro-Western conserva¬

to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, and more are due to follow. tive parties led by landowners, has little natural sympathy with

the PKK, a group with Marxist roots. "Turkey is our port to Europe and the West," said a regional

government official who declined to be named. "It is a mem¬ But a military move against the Turkish Kurd militants by the

ber of NATO, and one day could join the European Union. It regional government's forces would be extremely unpopular

is a much better option than Baghdad or Iran." with Iraqi Kurds, and in any case when the two sides have cla¬

shed in the past the PKK have generally come out on top. With an economy growing at 8 percent last year, Turkey is

hungry for energy and values a fast-growing market on its While Erdogan has granted some Kurdish language and cul¬

doorstep where it can sell its manufactured goods. tural rights in Turkey to try to de-link the "Kurdish problem"

from the "terrorism problem," secret peace talks between the From the construction firms putting up new five-star hotels to Turkish state and the PKK broke down last year, Turkish accommodate Western oil executives flocking to the region, media said. to banks, retailers and restaurants, more than half the foreign

companies in Iraqi Kurdistan are Turkish. About 80 percent of Masoud Barzani, the regional president, and the government

goods sold in the region are made in Turkey. are working behind the scenes to bring the two sides back to

negotiations, said a second official who declined to be named. Iraq as a whole is now Turkey's second biggest export market

after Germany, selling more than $8 billion of goods last year. "I think violence only brings catastrophe," Barzani said when

But according to Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, asked about efforts to mediate between Turkey and the PKK.

about 70 percent of Turkey's exports to Iraq are to the north. "I cannot call it a mediating role, but both sides know our view

If the Kurdistan region were a country it would still be Turkey's very clearly ... We only see a peaceful solution to this and the

eighth biggest export market. moment there is a need to follow a peaceful approach then

we are ready to do whatever we can," he said in a recent A war of words between Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister interview. Nuri al-Maliki has also drawn Turkey closer to the Kurds.

Erdogan has warned that Turkey would not remain silent if a "Turkey is the key alliance for us, politically and economi¬

sectarian conflict erupts in Iraq. Maliki has accused Erdogan cally," said the second government official. "It is a strategic

of meddling. alliance for us, mutually beneficial for both sides."*

Turkey has heavily courted the Kurds, along with Iraq's Sunni

Arab parties in recent years, analysts said, but Maliki and

Shi'ite parties remain allied to Iran.

^ REUTERS

Turkey, the United States and the European Union all classify the

Turkish forces kill 5 PKK as a terrorist organisation.

Secret peace negotiations between the state and the PKK broke

PKK fighters down last year, Turkish media said, and clashes have flared up

once again.

Diyarbakir, Turkey -February 3, 2012- Reuters Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said this week "we will fight the

terrorist organisation, but we will negotiate with its political

TURKISH SECURITY forces killed five Kurdish militants on representatives" . Friday after discovering them hiding in a cave in the southeas¬ The pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) won 36 seats tern province of Batman, security officials said. in a parliamentary election last June, though a court barred some

More than 40,000 rebels, soldiers and civilians have been killed jailed candidates from taking their seats. since the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) began its fight for self- PKK leaders also say they are willing to negotiate peace, but rule in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast in 1984. accuse Turkey of being insincere. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

INTEKXATIOXAI. Hcralba^Eributu February 2, 2012

Mr. Assad's version of the uprising that it is terrorism financed by foreign Pressure on Assad is powers hostile to Syria. Ayatollah Khamenei added his voice on Tuesday, denouncing what he called "the inter¬ ference of America and its allies in Syr¬

ian, domestic issues." also squeezing Iran At the same time, US: officials said

there was growing evidence that Iran was helping train and equip Syrian se¬

first time in more than 30 years in curity forces. BY RICK GLADSTONE what the Iranians called a message of "Our concerns include the fact that peace and friendship. some of the tactics being used by the As anti-government forces in Syria's vi¬ The uprising in Syria, now in its 11th Syrian regime mirror tactics used in olent uprising have increased the pres¬ month, has caused extreme discomfort Iran against their own population and sure on President Bashar al-Assad to to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist or¬ about increasing evidence of numbers step down, Iran, his main Middle East ganization that has been based in Da¬ of Iranians in and around Syria," said supporter, also finds itself under a siege mascus for years. Last Friday, Khaled the U.S. State Department spokeswom¬ that is undermining a once-powerful Meshal, leader of Hamas, left Damascus an, Victoria Nuland. partnership. with no plans to return. Earlier in Janu¬ In early January, the commander of The position is unusual for Iran, and ary, Ismail Haniya, Hamas's prime min¬ the Quds Force in Iran, Qassim Sulei- mani, visited Damascus, raising suspi¬ NEWS ANALYSIS ister in Gaza, visited Turkey, a former Assad ally that is now perhaps his most cions that the Quds Force was advising Mr. Assad on how to quash the uprising. powerful regional critic. its vulnerability in Syria has not been It is by no means a certainty that Mr. The Quds Force conducts special opera¬ lost on the United States, which has Assad, who has repeatedly rejected tions outside Iran. been imposing stiff economic sanctions calls for his resignation, will depart Still, Iranian officials have also urged on both countries. Mr. Assad to show more flexibility to¬ soon, despite the increased pressure on In the calculus of predicting the politic¬ him on the streets of Syria and at the ward his adversaries, advice he has ba¬ al outcomes of the Arab Spring up¬ U.N. Security Council, where an effort sically ignored. heavals, some U.S. officials see the possi¬ by Western powers and the Arab Andrew J. Tabler, a fellow at the Wash¬ ble downfall of Mr. Assad as an event that ington Institute for Near East Policy and League to force him aside has begun. could further weaken Iran as its economy As signs of Mr. Assad's unpopularity a specialist on Syria, said the Assad gov¬ reels under the sanctions imposed to get have spread in Syria and his list of sup¬ ernment was caught up in its own con¬ Tehran to suspend its nuclear program. porters declines, Iran has been one of straints that prevented reform. "Assad "It would completely change the dy¬ would have to undermine the very the few conspicuous allies that has not namic in the region," one Obama admin¬ abandoned him possibly because it people he has to maintain order," he istration official said. said. "I don't expect it's going to change The departure of Mr. Assad, the think¬ has no alternative. Except for Mr. As¬ now. I think the Iranians know that." ing goes, not only would threaten to sad's minority Alawite sect, other com¬ At the same time, Mr. Tabler said, Mr. sever Syria from Iran, which has long ponents of Syria's fractured sectarian Assad's control has been weakened by been a goal of the United States and its mosaic have no affinity for Iran. Many U.S. and other sanctions. Given Iran's Arab allies, but also could deprive Iran of Syrians now view Iran as siding with own economic troubles, the leaders in its main means of projecting power in theit oppressor: Tehran are unlikely to provide signifi¬ the Middle East. If Mr. Assad were to fall, There have been at least three in¬ cant financial aid to Mr. Assad. Tehran would lose its conduit for provid¬ stances in recent weeks of abductions of "Some time in the middle of the year ing military, financial and logistical sup¬ Iranians in Syria by anti-Assad forces. Syria is going to run out of cash, and it port to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas The most notable was the seizure last will be interesting to see what happens," in the Gaza Strip. Both groups oppose Is¬ month of five Iranians, whom Iran's Mr. Tabler said. Mr. Assad's demise, he rael and are considered terrorist organi¬ state-run press called engineers but said, "would be the biggest blow to Iran's zations by the U.S. government. anti-Assad groups said were military influence in the region in decades." Moreover, the sanctions on Iran have advisers. severely impeded its ability to provide In a video posted online by a unit of Marfe handler and Steven Lee Myers con¬ financial aid to Mr. Assad (let alone to the insurgent Free Syrian Army, which tributed reportingfrom Washington. Hamas and Hezbollah), whose treasury claimed to hold the Iranians, one of the has been depleted by the uprising and men identified as a hostage said the five sanctions on Syria. Another senior ad¬ had been "involved in suppressing and

ministration official said Iran had nev¬ shooting ordinary Syrians" and urged ertheless tried its best to prop up Mr. Assdd, adding that "you would see As¬ "To put it bluntly, if Iran sad fall faster if they weren't there." is a threat, then one way Ali Banuazizi, a political science pro¬ to weaken that threat would fessor at Boston College and a co-director of its Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies be to weaken Syria." Program, said, "To put it bluntly, if Iran is a threat, then one way to weaken that threat would be to weaken Syria and to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme help the anti-Assad movement in Syria." leader of Iran, "to order the Iranian mil¬ The weakness of the Syria-Iran axis itary personnel who suppress the Syri¬ represents a stark turnaround from a ans to be repatriated from Syria, so we year ago, when Mr. Assad's grip on can also return home." power seemed assured and Iran was de¬ While the authenticity of that video scribing itself as the inspiration for oth¬ has not been confirmed, it suggested a er Arab Spring uprisings. Iran even sent level of resentment in Syria toward Iran two naval vessels through the Suez that had not been seen before. Canal to Syria last February for the Iran has continued to publicly recite Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

THE WALL STREFTJOCRML February 2, 2012

Kurds Seize on Iraqi Crisis to Advance Bid for Oil, Land

"The owners of the land, oil and all

Disputed Claims resources in Nineveh province are the

By SAM DAGHER Tht Kurdisttn Regional _; Iraqi people in general and the people of GomnrTwnt h« itgrwd ' * contract with Exion Nineveh in particular," said Abdullah MOSUL, IraqIraq's Kurds are using a Mobiforsii Humeidi Ajeel al-Yawer, leader of a including thrac *&: contract with Exxon Mobil Corp. and a indbfuWd powerful Sunni Arab tribe, in an inter¬ national political crisis to strengthen their view in the northern city of Mosul, seat of

! DBpvtnlblocki < region's control of resource-rich patches Nineveh province. OMim \ of disputed land, raising the stakes in a

SYRIA Mr. Yawer also heads a political party that long-running standoff with the central controls almost one-third of seats on the government in Baghdad. IRAQ \i provincial council. "The central and local

Exxon Mobil's oil exploration and produc¬ [Nineveh] governments must fix the tion deal with the Kurdistan Regional situation and if they both are unable to do ' v. Government, announced in November, Ht+it! so, then we'll have our say," he added. was effectively an endorsement by a glo¬ v- Mr. Yawer declined to say what he would bal energy giant of development in do should the central and local govern¬ Kurdish-controlled areas of northern their own disputes with the central ments' efforts fail. He commands thou¬ Iraq, until then the domain of second-tier government. sands of armed tribesmen in his - companies and wildcatters. Shammar tribe, a group that was on the The Sunni faction on Tuesday ended a Despite opposition from Baghdad, Exxon brink of war with Kurdish forces in 2005. nearly six-week-long boycott of parlia¬ Mobil is moving ahead with the project. It ment and signaled it was ready to lift a The U.S. and the U.N. stepped in to is now preparing for seismic studies and boycott of cabinet meetings if a list of its mediate that conflict and also facilitated a securing office space and accommodation own demands are met at the conference. reconciliation between Nineveh's Gov. for its staff in the Kurdish region's capital Atheel Nujaifi and the Kurdistan govern¬ Erbil, a Kurdistan official said Monday. With Mr. Maliki depending on Kurdish ment. support to help hold his government toge¬ Exxon Mobil declined to comment on the ther, Kurdish leaders are looking to get With the departure of all U.S. soldiers contract. Baghdad to compromise in exchange for from Iraq in December, tensions have

Kurds, meanwhile, are pointing to the their cooperation. risen again. Mr. Nujaifi called the Exxon

Exxon Mobil deal to convince other major Mobil deal a new wedge for militants to The Kurds' goals include redrawing inter¬ oil companies such as Total SA to sign on exploit. Militants "want to put us in nal boundaries in Iraq, holding a referen¬ for other concessions, according to confrontation with the [Kurdistan] dum in disputed areas to decide whether Kurdistan officials. Total declined to com¬ region," he said in an interview. Kurdistan or Baghdad should control ment on its discussions with Kurdistan. their territory, and passing a long-stalled U.S. diplomats in Baghdad said they hope The semiautonomous Kurdistan region national oil law that would recognize the the situation will remain under control

has signed more than 45 oil and gas deals Kurdish contracts and formalize revenue- because of common economic interests,

and has been at odds with Baghdad for sharing with the central government. the promise of oil-fueled prosperity and years over whether it has the authority to development in the area and the modera¬ The timing, venue and agenda for the do so. ting influence ofTurkey, which shares conference haven't been set. Mr. Maliki is borders, business and political ties with But the prominence of Exxon Mobil, and expected to try to use Sunni Arab hostility all actors in northern Iraq. the fact that three of six exploration toward Kurdish land claims in the north

blocks awarded to the company are in to avoid making major concessions to the Turkey has a strategic interest in boosting

disputed land in the northern provinces Kurds. oil and gas exports from Iraq's north of Nineveh and Kirkuk, have entangled through its territory, analysts say. He has already warned the Kurdistan Exxon Mobil in simmering national and government that its deal with Exxon Turkey's involvement could pave the way local feuds. Mobil could trigger a war in the area. His for the Kurdish government to exchange

Kurdish leaders, who in addition to run¬ ministers have also accused the Kurds of fraying ties with Baghdad for Turkish

ning their own virtual state in the north oil smuggling, and threatened to end a protection, says Joost Hiltermann, a

participate in the central government in service contract with Exxon Mobil in senior analyst with the International

Baghdad, are now openly using a conflict Iraq's south in retaliation. Crisis Group and expert on Iraq's land

between Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al- disputes. Kurds have brushed off the threats. "We Maliki and a Sunni-dominated faction in are dealing with these areas as part of "You could see the emergence of an oil- his coalition government to exact conces¬ Kurdistan," said a senior Kurdish official. rich, Kurdish-run Turkish vassal state in sions from Baghdad on oil and land. Iraq," he says. Some residents in the disputed areas view Kurds say they want to use a coming the Exxon Mobil deal as infringing on OOO national conferenceintended to resolve their own claims. the political crisis in Baghdadto settle Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

XtUfonde

Mardi 7 février 2012 Syrie: latentation de Faide militaire aux insurgés

Après le veto russe et chinois à l'ONU, le Qatar pourraitprendre

la tête d'un groupe de soutien aux opposants syriens

I* - ? :l'± .r? %'i ?"- -

a**-*.tii*---

\ fil

funérailles à Homs, samedi 4 février/La crie : « Tous martyrs, par millions, nous nous rendrons au paradis » vm\ pour , le monde ,

Doha 11 est peu probable Cependant sadeur syrien. ros), comprenant la construction Envoyé spécial que l'entêtement de Moscou fasse Voilà pour l'action diplomati¬ de deux centrales électriques, ont

. fléchirles dirigeants qataris. Après que. En coulisses, le Qatar pourrait été gelés et transférés pour cer¬ Un permis de tuer. » C'est par avoir désavoué le chef d'Etat être tenfé, comme il l'avait fait en tains en Jordanie. cette formule choc que le syrien, qui fut longtemps son pro¬ «Le Qatar s'est prêté au grand Libye, de fournir un appui militai¬ premier ministre qatari, tégé, l'émir Hamad Ben Khalifa jeu régional, conçu par l'Arabie re aux insurgés syriens, voire de HamadBenJassemAl-Thani.aréa- Al-Thahr s'est convaincu de la Saoudite, qui consistait à sortir la l'accroître si l'on estime, comme gi au veto opposé par la Russie et nécessité de s'en débarrasser. Syrie de l'orbite de l'Iran chiite et à certains analystes, que cettecoopé¬ la Chine, samedi 4février, devant « Quand l'émir sefait le champion ration est déjà en place. «Ce n'est la ramener dans le camp sunnite », le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU, au d'une cause, il ne lâche pas, pré¬ pas demain que l'on verra des trou¬ affirme M.Roberts, qui rappelle projet de résolution condamnant vient Salman Cheikh, directeur de pes étrangères en Syrie, assure comment l'émir fut l'artisan, en la répression en Syrie. L'indigna¬ l'antenneqatarie du Brookings Ins¬ DavidRoberts.duRoyalUnited Ser¬ 2008, du rapprochement entre tion le disputait à l'écfurement titute, uncerclederéflexionaméri- vices Institute, autre cercle de Paris et Damas. «Iljoue désormais dans les réactions internationales cain. Il a l'entregent et les ressour¬ réflexionbasé à Doha. Lespays occi¬ la carte de la rue arabe. Il veut se après le vote, à l'instar de celle de cespourallerau boutde son idée. » dentaux sont toujours terrifiés par positionnerdû bon côté de l'Histoi¬ l'ambassadrice américaine aux Dans l'immédiat, les options l'idée d'une intervention militaire. re.» Nations unies, Susan Rice, qui s'est qui s'offrent au Qatar consistent à Dans cette entreprise, toute la dite «dégoûtée». Le texte endos¬ Mais après le veto russo-chinois, le mettre surpied te Groupe des amis difficulté pour le Qatar consiste à sait le plan de la Ligue arabe pré¬ Qatarpourrait se sentirdavantage dupeuple syrien, dontle président ne pas froisser son puissant voisin autorisé à envoyer de l'argent, des voyant la mise à l'écart graduelle français, Nicolas Sarkozy, a lancé iranien, avecquiilpartageleNorth du président syrien Bachar armesetdes instructeursauxmem- l'idée, et à remobiliser la Ligue ara¬ Field/South Pars, le plus grand gise¬ Al-Assad. Sonrejet a suscité untol¬ bres de l'Armée syrienne libre.» be, dont il assure la présidence ment de gaz naturel au monde. Uneoptionencouragéeparleséna- lé d'autant plus grand qu'ilest sur¬ 'tournante jusqu'en mars. «Bon Pour l'instant, l'entente entre les venu au lendemain de la mort à teur américain Joe Lieberman. . nombre des sanctions décidéespar deux pays ne semble pas avoirpâti C'est en rappelant son ambassa¬ Homs, bastion de la contestation, les Etats membres n'ont toujours de la crise syrienne. Mais si Doha de plus de 200 personnes dans des deur à Damas en juillet 2011, qua-, pas été mises en application, com¬ venait à s'impliquer ouvertement bombardements. Le carnage s'est tre mois aprèsle démarrage du sou¬ me, parexemple, la suspension des dans la militarisation du soulève¬ poursuivi durant le week-end, lèvement, le 15 mars, que le Qatar a liaisons aériennes entre Damas et ment en Syrie, prenant le risque avec une centaine de tués supplé¬ officialisé sa rupture avec le régi¬ les capitales arabes, souligne d'apparaître comme l'allié des mentaires, civils et militaires. Hazem Nahar, un opposant syrien me Assad. Ce tournant était atten¬ grandes manuvres occidentales La Russie a motivé son obstruc¬ en exil au Qatàr.Si toutes ces mesu¬ du depuis que la chaîne Al-]azira, contrele programme nucléaire ira¬ tion en arguant que le texte appe¬ res deviennent effectives, le régime reflet et relais de la diplomatie nien, Téhéran pourrait ne pas res¬ lait à un « changementde régime », aura beaucoupplus de mal àpayer qatarie, avait pris le parti des oppo¬ ter passif. En 2004, un haut diri¬ une ligne rouge pour le Kremlin, sants, après quelques semaines de geant iranien avait accusé le Qatar les chabiha [miliciens pro-régime] qui ne veut pas perdre son dernier flottement. D'un coup, le prési¬ de pomperplus que de raison dans et les membres des services de sécu¬ allié en Méditerranée. Son minis¬ dent Bachar Al-Assad et son épou¬ le champ gazier sous-marin, et une rité. Cda accélérer son tre des affaires étrangères, Sergueï se Asma sont devenus persona plate-forme d'extractidn avait été effondrement. » Au sein de la Ligue Lavrov, accompagné du chef du non grata dans la micro¬ saccagée par des Gardiens de la arabe, le Qatar peut compter sur le renseignement extérieur, est monarchie. Les investissements soutien de la Libye et de la Tunisie, révolution. Le coup de semonce attendu mardi à Damas, pour évo¬ qataris en Syrie, estimés à 5 mil¬ n'a pas été oublié à Doha. dont le premier ministre, Hamadi querla mise en place de « réformes liards de dollars (3,8 milliards d'eu Benjamin Basthe Jebali, a appelé à expulserl'ambas démocratiques indispensables ». Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

9 février 2012

SYRIE Le régime de Bachar El-Assad peut-il tomber bientôt ?

Depuis mars 2011, la contestation prend de l'ampleur. La répression a déjà fait quelque 6 000 morts. Le 4 février, Russes et Chinois ont voté à l'ONU contre un projet de résolution condamnant les autorités de Damas, qui pourtant ne mentionnait pas le départ de Bachar El-Assad. Un règlement pacifique de la crise est donc repoussé. Sur le terrain, on déplore de nouveau des dizaines de morts. Le pays peut sombrer dans la guerre civile et dans des tueries confessionnelles.

Yassine Al-Haj Saleh* / Jadaliyya TURQUIE %

Plateau Il n'y a plus aucun doute sur le fait que scmi-dcscrtiquc le régime syrien va vers sa chute. Le WJ Jdlib 'K. de la .'nrr'iii point de rupture qui marque -* l'effondrement total se rapproche. Le lattaquié» ^

régime perd confiance dans son armée Deir-tf" Quartier ' Ez-Zor ; -$& Hama .. IR/ général de régulière qui ne parvient pas à maîtriser Tartous» v^Ar Rastan l'armée syrienne la dynamique de son délitement. Un SYRIE libre (ASL) dans Homs nouvel équilibre commence à s'imposer la province turque de Hatay LIBAN entre les militaires de l'Armée syrienne es centaines de chnrs

libre (ASL) et les troupes du régime/ dans les faubourgs de Principales Damas le 6 février 2012 forces armées ou milices, dans certaines zones de 1 Deraa, point de départ régions. militaire entre S de la révolte populaire l'armée syrienne f. Simultanément, la détérioration de à la mi-mars 2011 et l'ASL I la situation économique s'accélère et le ISRAËL gouvernement ne parvient plus à maî¬ JORDANIE lOO km

triser le taux de change de la livre son père" s'élèvent tandis que l'ancien nationaliste arabe utilisé par le parti syrienne, qui a perdu plus de 50 % de sa drapeau de l'époque de l'indépendance Baas]. Cette évolution est toutefois coû¬ valeur par rapport au dollar depuis est de plus en plus souvent hissé en teuse. L'islamisation grandissante dans mars 2011. Cette chute s'est accélérée place du drapeau actuel. certains des foyers de la révolte soulève ces dernières semaines et l'inflation des inquiétudes pour la Syrie de atteint son taux le plus élevé depuis Une rupture idéologique, morale et demain, où une domination commu¬ 1986. Il semble en outre difficile pour psychologique avec le régime s'est opé¬ nautaire [sunnite] pourrait en rempla¬ l'Iran et l'Irak du Premier ministre rée chez la majorité des Syriens, deve¬ cer une autre [alaouite]. En outre, Maliki de continuer à soutenir un nus plus lucides quant à leur situation. quand la violence est pratiquée par des régime qui tente d'acheter le soutien de Le phénomène est sans précédent civils, elle peut conduire au chaos et aux la bourgeoisie en lui fournissant aide depuis l'indépendance. Après la chute règlements de compte. financière et carburant. La discrimina¬ du "mur de la peur" ou l'écroulement

tion est évidente à Damas, où les cou¬ d'un régime sécuritaire réputé invinci¬ Le comportement de certains insur¬

pures d'électricité ne touchent les quar¬ ble, de plus en plus de Syriens commen¬ gés armés locaux est dénoncé par des

tiers riches que quelques heures par cent à ressentir leur supériorité face au militants des droits de l'homme et des

jour. Malgré cela, la bourgeoisie bascule régime ainsi qu'un mépris profond intellectuels mais, dans le même temps,

dans l'opposition au régime alors pour ses dirigeants. certaines initiatives et formations appa¬ raissent, parmi les jeunes en particulier, qu'elle était jusque-là hostile à la révo¬ Les deux signes les plus manifestes indiquant l'existence de forces vives lution. Tout indique que le pouvoir de la rupture et de la radicalisation sont longtemps réprimées. Un nouveau sens n'arrive plus à reprendre le contrôle du le recours croissant aux expressions reli¬ de la politique et de l'action publique se pays. gieuses islamiques, mais surtout à la révèle parallèlement aux tendances vio¬ D'autres dynamiques sont désor¬ confrontation armée. Celle-ci ne se lentes et religieuses. Il marque aussi une mais à l' Près de onze mois de limite pas aux membres de l'Armée rupture avec une opposition tradition¬ violences ont provoqué une crispation syrienne libre, déserteurs des troupes nelle lente à comprendre et à agir. dans les esprits. Nombre de Syriens ont régulières. Des civils ont pris les armes

rompu tout lien avec le régime et se en plusieurs endroits. Une telle évolu¬ Voilà qui est vital pour l'avenir du

sont radicalises, tandis que les signes tion peut sembler regrettable sur un pays. Car si la radicalisation est bonne

d'hostilité se multiplient. Les slogans plan légal mais, d'un point de vue pour mener à bien une révolution, la

dans les manifestations et les graffitis structurel, la violence reste le seul Syrie de demain aura besoin de forces

sur les murs désignent le régime moyen de s'imposer contre le régime modérées capables de réconcilier la

comme une force d'occupation. Les sur son propre terrain, et cela société. Il est de l'intérêt général que le

forces de répression sont appelées "bri¬ s'accompagne d'une religiosité revendi¬ régime tombe le plus vite possible,

gades d'Assad", les appels à "exécuter quée comme base de l'indépendance avant que le radicalisme accapare cette

le président" ou à "maudire l'âme de intellectuelle [par rapport au discours révolution.O

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

COUrpter 9 février 2012

SYRIE Tactique : le président baasiste a

encore des atouts

Une armée majoritairement fidèle au régime, une opposition désunie, enfin la crainte d'une main¬

mise islamiste... Tout cela permet au président syrien de gagner du temps.

Karim Emile Bitar / Bitter Lemons de la Libye vers la guerre civile et quittent le bateau. Plusieurs chefs

l'incapacité des autorités de l'après- d'Etat arabes, notamment d'anciens Kadhafi à procéder à un désarmement La révolution syrienne est entrée alliés d'Assad, ont définitivement dans une nouvelle phase, plus soulignent les risques inhérents aux perdu patience et sont décidés à le chasser du pouvoir. inquiétante. Le régime du président interventions étrangères et à la milita¬ Assad est considérablement affaibli et risation d'une révolution. Face aux Mais le plus important est que la situa¬ menaces occidentales et au durcisse¬ isolé. La mission de la Ligue arabe en tion économique est probablement Syrie a tourné au fiasco. L'économie ment des sanctions, l'Iran est encore devenue intenable. Les sanctions de est en ruine. Les manifestations orga¬ moins tenté de prendre ses distances l'Union européenne, empêchant la nisées par l'opposition continuent de avec son seul allié arabe. Enfin, Syrie de vendre son pétrole, coûtent au plus belle. Mais les principaux piliers l'opposition syrienne ne parvient tou¬ pays 450 millions de dollars par mois. du régime résistent toujours. L'armée jours pas à surmonter ses divisions et à Les recettes fiscales ont diminué de présenter un plan d'action rassurant et et les forces de sécurité lui demeurent moitié. Le déficit budgétaire atteint cohérent. fidèles, surtout pour des raisons com¬ presque 20 % du produit intérieur munautaires [la communauté alaouite Tous ces facteurs confortent Assad brut. d'Assad est fortement présente dans dans l'illusion qu'il lui suffit de laisser L'opposition est désorganisée les forces armées]. Assad peut toujours passer la tempête en s'accrochant au compter sur le soutien d'une grande pouvoir. Même s'il est moins doué que On en est arrivé au point où le régime partie de la population, en particulier son père, il a retenu ses leçons et est tellement affaibli qu'il n'est plus en parmi les minorités religieuses s'efforce encore une fois de gagner du mesure de réprimer les manifestations, [alaouites, druzes et chrétiens] dont les temps. H sait que 2012 est une année alors que l'opposition est désorganisée peurs et les états d'âme existentiels électorale pour la France, les Etats- et incapable de le renverser. Devant ce restent intacts. Unis et la Russie, et qu'une interven¬ bras de fer, d'aucuns en appellent à la Spectre d'une guerre fraticide tion militaire occidentale n'est pas militarisation de la révolution et à une

Parce que ces piliers du régime n'ont envisageable. Il sait également que intervention étrangère. l'Irak, sous influence grandissante de pas encore cédé (et pour de multiples Ceux qui souhaitent la chute d'Assad autres raisons), les perspectives l'Iran, évincera prochainement le sont désormais placés devant le vieux d'Assad apparaissent meilleures Qatar à la tête de la Ligue arabe. Assad dilemme philosophique opposant qu'elles ne l'étaient il y a deux mois. Le reste persuadé que son régime peut Machiavel et Kant : la fin justifie-t-elle résister, au moins en l'absence d'un bon score des salafistes aux élections les moyens ou, au contraire, le bon acte égyptiennes justifie apparemment la grand marchandage américano-russe détermine-t-il la bonne fin ? Une étude thèse fallacieuse des partisans ou américano-iranien qui amènerait approfondie, publiée par Columbia d'Assad, selon laquelle la seule alter¬ ses deux protecteurs à lui retirer leur University Press et analysant des native à l'autoritarisme est soutien. dizaines de cas passés, vient étayer la l'intégrisme et la bigoterie. Damas se Mais la vieille tactique baasiste consis¬ seconde thèse. A l'en croire, si un dic¬ frotte aussi les mains de voir Paris et tant à essayer de gagner du temps tateur est renversé par des moyens Ankara se déchirer après l'adoption marchera-t-elle encore ? Plusieurs rai¬ pacifiques, il y a 51 % de chances pour par la France de la loi interdisant la sons permettent d'en douter. Dans qu'une transition démocratique ait négation du génocide arménien. Le l'esprit de pans entiers de la popula¬ lieu au bout de cinq ans. En cas de désengagement des Etats-Unis en Irak tion syrienne, le régime est d'ores et lutte armée, les chances sont réduites à et le spectre d'une guerre fratricide déjà tombé et il a perdu toute légiti¬ 3 % seulement. On comprend que entre sunnites et chiites dans ce pays mité. Comme l'a dit le président l'opposition syrienne soit impatiente apportent de l'eau au moulin de la Barack Obama dans son discours sur d'abattre le régime et de respirer libre¬ propagande officielle syrienne. Par ail¬ l'état de l'Union, Assad ne tardera pas ment. Néanmoins, elle devrait méditer leurs, après les manifestations anti- à s'apercevoir qu'il est impossible sur ces chiffres.O Poutine à Moscou, la Russie craint d'arrêter les forces du changement. De d'autant plus la contagion révolution¬ nombreuses institutions sont sur le naire et ressent la nécessité de conti¬ point de s'effondrer. Des alliés de jadis nuer à soutenir Assad. Le glissement [au Liban et parmi les Palestiniens]

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

Turkey, an imperfect was critical to regional change.

By some indicators, however, Turkey example for the region has a long way to go before it is reliably democratic, and its flaws strip sparkle

from its lead-by-example approach.

Paris-based ReportersWithout Borders

places it at 148 out of 179 countries on p its press freedom index. That puts it just ahead of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but

well behind Morocco (138), Jordan

(128) and Lebanon (93). pÇft Auster, whose works have been trans¬

lated and published in Turkey, also said

he wouldn't go to China because of \ free-speech concerns. The fact that a

writer who is barely known in Turkey y riled up a leader with outsized ambi¬ tions for his country of 75 million peo¬

ple shows how sensitive Turkey is to

criticism, especially when it comes

from a Western source. In this Jan. 3, 2012 file photo, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and

the Gaza Strip's Hamas premier Ismail Haniyeh salute lawmakers and supporters of Auster's argument rankles Turkish offi¬ Erdogan's Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party at the Parliament in Ankara, cials, who note most jailed reporters in Turkey. Ties between Turkey, NATO's biggest Muslim member, and Hamas, the Islamic mil¬ Turkey are accused of involvement in itant group thai says Israel should not exist, are blossoming. Last month, the Hamas pre¬ alleged conspiracies to topple the gov¬ mier visited the Turkish prime minister at his Istanbul home. Today, Turkish and Palestinian ernment, or suspected of links to flags fly side by side at a building site in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/File) Kurdish rebels. It's more complicated

than critics think, they say.

As a nation with a mostly Muslim popu¬ But the arrests have tainted the reputa¬

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA lation, it seems like a beacon of pros¬ tion of a country that, on balance, has

The Associated Press perity and democratic politics to taken significant steps toward full

Muslims in countries that are emerging democracy over the past decade.

ISTANBUL For adversaries in a from authoritarian rule, or still, as in Erdogan pushed the military out of pol¬

long-distance spat, they made an Syria, in its bloody grip. itics, and some analysts wonder

odd couple. Turkey's leader, a brash whether the Turkish playbook might

visionary who propelled his country to Turkey shone in a new poll of percep¬ apply in Egypt, where the military still

regional prominence, tangled with an tions in 16 countries in the Middle East rules a year after the uprising that oust¬

American author who dwells on the and North Africa. Some 78 percent of ed President Hosni Mubarak.

existential in his work. respondents gave it a favorable rating.

The United Arab Emirates was second Additionally, last week, the European

The skirmish began when Paul Auster with 70 percent. Saudi Arabia and Court of Human Rights identified

told a Turkish newspaper that he would China were at 64 percent, and Egypt Turkey as a leading violator among the

not visit Turkey because it has jailed was rated favorably by 62 percent. The 47 signatory states of the continent's

dozens of journalists, drawing a caustic United States and Israel were last, with rights convention. Its report said

retort from Prime Minister Recep 33 percent and 10 percent respectively. Turkey had the second highest number

Tayyip Erdogan. "Who cares?" was the of complaints lodged against it, with 1 1

essence. Respondents said Turkey was a region¬ percent of all 119,300 court applica¬

al model because of its democratic sys¬ tions pending as of Jan. 1, 2010. Russia

In the swagger stakes, Erdogan won tem, economic development and was first with 28. 1 percent.

hands-down. But his reply points to the Muslim identity. The survey of 2,323

conundrum of a rising power that urges people was conducted late last year by Many of those cases relate to the right

a region in upheaval to reform, but the Turkish Economic and Social to a fair trial and slow judicial proceed¬

struggles to reform itself. Just as Studies Foundation, an Istanbul-based ings that keep defendants, including

Auster's characters search for their research center that describes itself as journalists, in jail for years without case

identities, so Turkey wrestles with its independent. The regional results had resolution. President Abdullah Gul

own. a margin of error of 2 percent. recently compared Turkey's challenges to more dire ones in the region, where

To exhaust the metaphor, Turkey has One admirer is the Malaysian opposi¬ ousted authoritarian regimes, in Libya

multiple personalities. This diversity tion leader Anwar Ibrahim, who said for example, left an institutional vacu¬

has, for the most part, served it well. As during a visit to Istanbul last week that um that weak governments struggle to

a NATO ally, it has leverage in the West. Turkey's role as a voice for Muslims fill.

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

men who keep noting that the Prophet the United States. "One thing you can

"Just think of the problems that Turkey, Muhammad was a merchant. And its say about the West: It is what it is. It's

as the most democratic, most secular evolving democracy is spearheaded not going to change."

and most developed country in the by unapologetically Muslim politi¬

Islamic world, is going through," Gul cians." Change and conflict in the Middle

said. East, however, are making it hard for

Since Ottoman times, Turks have had a Turkey to stay above the fray as a

Columnist Mustafa Akyol described conflicted view of the West, coveting model and mediator. Its leaders, who

the quality of democracy in Turkey, a its modernity and resenting its influ¬ are mostly Sunni Muslim but say they

candidate for European Union mem¬ ence. But the idea that Turkey's prag¬ favor no particular sect, have sparred

bership with a secular political sys¬ matic leaders would forsake the with Iraq's Shiite-led government.

tem, as very low compared to that of anchor of those traditional alliances is Before a visit to Iran last month,

Britain or Sweden, but said the Turkish remote. Turkey conducts nearly half its Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet

experience was regionally relevant. foreign trade with Europe, and Davutoglu warned of the threat of a

Erdogan has had regular telephone "Cold War" of sectarian tension in the

"Whether we like it or not, the common conversations with President Barack region.

Muslim mind is very resistant to cultur¬ Obama over regional problems.

al imports from other civilizations, and The idealistic days of "zero problems

especially the West," Akyol wrote in "You can argue that the 'Arab Spring' with neighbors," the brand name of

the Hurriyet Daily News. has forced Turkey to reinforce its ties Davutoglu's early foreign policy, are

to the West because those are the only over.^

He added that Turkey's "successful stable ones. It's a question of stability

capitalist growth is spearheaded by versus instability," said Henri Barkey, a

the 'Islamic bourgeoisie,' or business Turkey analyst at Lehigh University in

Hurriyet ^fl* FEBRUARY / 1 / 2012

Turkish Prime Minister defends talks with Kurdish 'representatives'

ANKARA - Hurriyet Daily News mination," he added.

In a speech to her own parliamentary

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip group, BDP Co-Chair Giiltan Kisanak Erdogan said yesterday he stood told Erdogan "the real ignorance is the behind the idea of negotiations with idea that they can resolve the [Kurdish]

"political representatives" of the out¬ problem through oppression." lawed Kurdistan Workers' Party 'Democratic autonomy' (PKK), but vowed that military mea¬ sures against the group would not be i She stressed the BDP had already revealed its proposal for a solution in the let up. form of "democratic autonomy" and "I've said that we will fight the terro¬ described the demand as "indispensi- rist organization and negotiate with its Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. political representatives. I stand by these ble." Kisanak urged the resumption of AFP photo talks with jailed PKK leader Abdullah words. But they should carefully keep to this framework," Erdogan told the par¬ Ôcalan as the only way to resolve the conflict. liamentary group of his Justice and The premier also categorically rejec¬

Development Party (AKP). ted BDP claims that he personally gave In a separate attack on the govern¬ ment, Nationalist Movement Party He made the remarks in response to the go-ahead for the botched air raid at the Peace and Democracy Party's (BDP) Uludere on Dec. 28, 2011, in which 34 (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli argued the calls for dialogue to resolve the Kurdish civilians perished, calling them an exam¬ BDP and AKP were eroding Turkey's problem and its accusations the party ple of "ignorance, enmity and slyness." unity. The speech that Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker made in Kurdish at was being "criminalized" as part of mas¬ He explained the military was not requi¬ a ceremony in Diyarbakir last week sive police operations. red to seek specific authorization for each action. "We give the security forces "cannot be tolerated," according to Yet, Erdogan renewed charges the authority within a general framework Bahçeli. BDP was acting under PKK control and and they use it within this framework. If Bahçeli also urged the government to defended the judicial crackdown on the necessary, they consult with us on some promptly shed light on the human party. 'The judiciary will do what it issues," he said. "We'll not allow any¬ remains exhumed in Diyarbakir, saying must do if anyone acts outside the law body to demoralize the security forces. that unexplained digs were damaging and gets involved with a terrorist orga¬ We will learn a lesson from what happe¬ the anti-terror struggle.* nization," he said. ned and fight terror with greater deter

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

TODAYS ZAMAN i 3 February 2012

Kurdish intellectuals give full support to PKK executions probe

JSMA1L AVCI, DIYARBAKIR

Kurdish writers and intellectuals

have expressed their support for /, a recent investigation into the exe¬

cution without trial of members of

the outlawed Kurdistan Workers'

Party (PKK) who had expressed dis¬

sent.

The special prosecutor's office in

Diyarbakir, which is also conducting a

probe into extrajudicial killings com¬

mitted in the region by state-sponso¬ ibrahim Gûçlû, Çerafettin Elçi, Bayram Bozyel, Sûkrù Gùlmûs (From left to right)

red, armed groups inside the gendar¬ Kurdish politicians say that a probe recently launched into the PKK's execution of its

merie - collectively know as JÎTEM - own dissenting militants over or those who attempted to flee is an important step in

in the '90s, is talking to families of for¬ shedding light on the atrocities the southeast has seen. (Photo: Today's Zaman)

mer PKK militants who were killed by

the terrorist group after trying to leave The investigation into executions PKK superior, Çùkrù Gùlmûs, who is or voicing dissent. by the PKK should have started years currently the editor of the website ibrahim Gûçlù, the founder of the ago, according to Halim ipek, a spo¬ Sercavan, said: "I dont see JÎTEM as

Kurdish civil society organization Ala kesperson for the Kurdish an agency. The state itself has enga¬

Rizgari, said the extension of the Revolutionary Democrats Movement. ged in this war alongside the PKK and

investigation to include the PKK's own "This is a hugely important step, Hizbullah. To whoever is examining

executions was a very positive step. although it comes a bit late. It really the unsolved assassinations commit¬

"This is an important development, as doesn't matter whether an execution ted by these three forces, all I can say

it will also reveal the shady links the was carried out in the name of the is that I will try to offer my testimony as

PKK has with the Turkish state," he state or the PKK." a witness to the prosecutor's office, if I said. ipek said, "I think the judicial inves¬ am able to return to my country. I think the executions - by the state, the PKK "Kurdish politicians, intellectuals, tigations will lead us to the light. We or Hizbullah ~ should be taken as a civil society groups, public opinion lea¬ can't continue with all these mistakes. whole and everyone should speak out ders and even the Peace and It doesn't matter if these were done in about the murders within their own Democracy Party [BDP] had pre¬ the name of the state or of the PKK. group." viously complained the atrocities com¬ You can't build anything new on filth.

mitted by Ergenekon and similar This investigation is a confrontation." Tigris/Euphrates Dialogue Group

groups east of the Euphrates were not head Mu-hittin Batmanli said: 'The Çerafettin Elçi, an independent being investigated. In fact, the BDP, PKK has killed thousands of people deputy from Diyarbakir, said, "If there while appearing to accuse the prose¬ and the facts need to be brought to is strong evidence, these murders cutors of this, did not really want this light. Then you have those killed by should be investigated regardless of to happen. This is because they knew Hizbullah, or by the village guards and who might have committed them." very well that the PKK and Hizbullah JiTEM. The ones that committed Bayram Bozyel, the leader of the also carried out many executions in these crimes are saying 'they should Rights and Freedoms Party (HAK- addition to Ergenekon, JÎTEM and be investigated,' as if they weren't the PAR), a Kurdish party, said all execu¬ similar groups. I do have my reserva¬ ones who executed these people. tions in the region that took place tions about the conclusions the Only those who don't have blood on without trial should be investigated Diyarbakir prosecutor's office will their hands can say this.'TJ objectively and those responsible reach, but I will definitely testify and should answer before the law. "Of share my own opinions with the prose¬ course this is a very positive step. But cutors. 1 think they need to hear testi¬ a democratic and peaceful foundation monies from the administrators of the needs to be prepared before conduc¬ Kurdish organizations that were targe¬ ting a comprehensive investigation ted by the PKK before 1980 and those into the PKK's own killings." A former people who left the PKK."

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

mùïMlCi W 4 FEBRUARY 2012

Syrian Kurds gain power through ^ unity

KRG to use international relations to help

Syrian Kurds /

The Kurdish Globe of the leaders living outside the

country, according to Azizi. The

Syrian Kurdish politicians seek leaders in exile will work within to unify their ranks and form four organized committees, each ^ i centers of power to push their based in Iraqi Kurdistan Region, claims for international considera¬ Arab Gulf countries, Europe and A view of Syrian Kurdish Leaders tion by raising the profile of Syrian the Americas. opposition groups. The Kurds in that satisfies the Kurds, rights and tions once again but their answer Syria strive for national recogni¬ Unity ambitions," said Bashar who also was negative," said Bashar. Syrian tion, economic equality and self- heads the Kurdish Democratic opposition groups have stated earli¬ rule. Azizi and some other conference Party (KDP) in Syria, known local¬ er that they will lift pressure on the attendees complained that other ly as Parti. Kurdish people but will not meet A number of Syrian Kurdish lead¬ Syrian opposition groups do not any of the demands raised by the ers held a conference in Erbi) on take Kurds, demands in considera¬ Kurdish demands Kurdish parties. 28-29 January to bring together tion. Therefore, the Kurdish politi¬ leaders in exile with a delegation of cians decided to form the KNCS to Syrian oppositions preparing to The Syrian National Council, the Kurdish National Council in negotiate their claims instead of succeed Al-Assad have not yet founded on 23 August 2001 in Syria. The KNCS was founded on working individually within differ¬ shown readiness to give in to Istanbul, aspires as the Syrian gov¬ 26 October 2011 after the Kurds ent groups. Kurdish demands. Three of the top ernment in exile. Of all Syrian lost hope in their claims to be taken demands, as declared by the opposition groups, it is the most into consideration by other Syrian "Without unity what can we do? KNCS, are constitutional recogni¬ supported by the international com¬ opposition groups. We face pressures... in the north is tion to the Kurdish rights; abolish¬ munity. Turkey and in the south the central ing discrimination policies against Demonstrations demanding the end government as well as other exter¬ the Kurds, such as Arabizaion oper¬ "Syrian opposition groups look for of Syrian President Bashar AI- nal interferences. But when we are ations; and a democratic solution centers of power," Bashar said, Assad's regime started on 26 March tight together, no one can penetrate for the Kurds to allow some form placing part of the blame on a lack 201 1 and still continue. our ranks," said Aziz, urging the of self-determination. of unity. He hopes the unity his Democratic Union Party also to Council achieved by gathering "Syria is now passing through a join their ranks. This party, locally The KNCS chairman stated that the leaders inside and outside Syria crucial time. Signs show an essen¬ known as the PYD, is believed to Syrian opposition groups have will add to their power. Another tial change is near. So we need to be near Turkey's banned Kurdistan been acting condescendingly important point was holding this unify the Kurdish household inside Workers Party (PKK). According toward the Kurdish demands and conference in Erbil, said Bashar and outside the country," stated to him, the KNCS is still trying to he warned that adopting this stance adding, "It basically showed the KNCS Chairman Albdulhakeem involve the PYD in the Kurdish does not serve the revolution and it support of KRG leaders to the Bashar speaking to The Kurdish coalition that gathers 11 political will prolong the regime's stay in rights of the Kurdish people. This Globe in an interview on the side¬ parties as well as more than 200

power. is a lot of power for us." lines of the conference. independent political figures.

"I hope the Syrian opposition acts KRG support The leaders studied possible stages With the start of the demonstra¬ logically so all Syrians are partners after the fall of Assad and sought tions, Kurdish political actors in this country. They are not the Head of the Kurdistan Region pres¬ ways to contain security gaps and joined different Syrian opposition owner of Syria, as the Baath idency office, Fuad Hussein, to protect public establishments, groups, such as the Syrian National claimed to be, we must protect the asserted KRG's support for Syrian particularly in the Kurdish-domi¬ Council, the Damascus Declaration Syrian border together but every¬ Kurds. "We encourage them to nated areas, said Kawa Azizi, a Alliance, the Syrian National one enjoys equal rights," he added. unite their ranks.KRG will also member of the conference and a Coordination Board and others. employ its international relations leader in the Kurdistan Azadi When the Council was founded, it However, negotiations continue for the benefit of their demands," (Freedom) party. He also explained decided to freeze activities of its between the Kurds and other Arab said Hussein. they have taken into consideration members in Syrian opposition opposition groups at the current how to offer health services and groups, protesting their stance for time. A KNCS delegation headed "It is a national, political and how to govern locally if the gov¬ not recognizing the Kurds, rights. by Hameed Darwish met on 23 humanitarian duty for us to support ernment falls. January with the Syrian National them, or any Kurd," said Hussein, Kurdish leaders, attempts in these Council Chairman Burhan Ghaliun pointing out Erbil's hospitality for The meeting also gave the Council groups have not yet "led to any in Cairo. "We offered our sugges the conference as a part of their an opportunity to listen to opinions understanding or any agreement

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

support. "Our policies are against Region presidency denied the Kurdish-dominated province of ment claimed had entered Syria

no one. We just support the rights PYD accusations. "All political Al-Hasaka. Many Kurds were dis¬ from neighboring countries, main¬

of our people and this does not parties were invited to the confer¬ placed to the southern deserts and ly Turkey, after the fall of the

have any effect to our relations," ence, including the PYD. The con¬ many were deprived of agricultur¬ Ottoman Empire.

said Hussein, denying their sup¬ ference was discussed with them al lands.

port hurts anyone's interests. before they reneged on participat¬ Kurds without citizenship report¬

ing in it," reads the presidential Kurds in Syria mainly live in the edly now number 300,000. They

At the opening of the conference, statement, adding that only the northeastern Al-Hasaka province do not have the right to travel,

Iraqi Kurdistan Region President PYD knows the reason for its boy¬ and in parts of northern Halab, higher education, property owner¬

Massoud Barzani expressed the cott. particularly in Ifrin and Kobani. ship or employment. Kurdish

Region's support for any decisions Many of them also live in large sources say Syria has around 3

the conference made. He condi¬ "It is not logical for that great cities, like Damascus and Halab. million Kurds.

tioned his support on the unity of number of political parties to take

Syrian Kurds. part in an event to cause a fracture According to Kurdish sources, A more important issue for

of the Syrian Kurdish unity," reads Kurds made up around 70% of Al- Kurdish political activists is that

"You must keep aside narrow the statement addressing a ques¬ Hasaka Province before the demo¬ the Kurds suffer economically,

party interests until situations tion to the PYD. "How could they graphic changes; the rest were although their agricultural produc¬

become clear in Syria," said ignore such an intention?" 15% Christians whose population tion is high. Jazira (Al-Hasaka)

President Barzani, warning the declined because of emigration alone produces 55% of the coun¬

Syrian Kurds that sticking to party Arabization and poverty and nearly 15% Arabs. Although try's grain. Syria also produces

interests and internal disputes no accurate census tells the current 300,000 barrels of oil and 2.3 mil¬

could lead them to losing the In early 1965, the Syrian Baath Kurdish population, Arabs now lion cubic meters of gas daily.

opportunity, "and also, then, we authority began building the so- make up the majority in the

will not be able to help you." called Arab Belt a 300 km long, province because of the Arab belt "The Kurdish people live in terri¬

1 0-to- 1 5 km wide area of land to and employing Arabs in the ble poverty. Poverty was 55% four

Barzani also noted the Syrian settle Arab families in Kurdish Kurdish towns, complains the years ago, now it is almost 80%,"

Kurdish unity was somewhat frac¬ regions. The belt starts at the Iraqi KNCS chairman. said Bashar.*

tured by the PYD's refusal to border in the east and continues

attend. It was the only Kurdish parallel to the Turkish border. In In 1962, Syria held an extraordi¬

party to boycott the conference. following years, more Arabs, nary census in Al-Hasaka Province

mostly from Al-Riqqa and Halab and later stripped 120,000 Kurds

In a statement on Feb. 1 , Kurdistan provinces, were settled in the of citizenship, whom the govern

Hurriyet t^jNT FEBRUARY/ 7/ 2012 DailyNewSx_tT * Syrian Kurds aim to establish 'federal state7

ISTANBUL - Hurriyet Daily News Over 200 Syrian ipek Yezdani Kurdish leaders

attended the con¬ More than 10 Syrian opposition UDtnt ference in Arbil Kurdish parties have called for Jan 28. &^a^^ijjijoi vi*u te$ j*»** the establishment of a "Kurdish fede¬ y ral state" in Syria during a meeting in the northern Iraqi capital of Arbil, the Hurriyet Daily News has learned. Over 200 Syrian Kurdish leaders

attended the conference in Arbil on Jan. 28 and 29, which brought together lea¬ The Democratic Union Party (PYD), expressed his support for the Syrian ders in exile with a delegation from the a Kurdish Party known to be the Syrian Kurds. Kurdish National Council in Syria. extension of the outlawed Kurdistan "Barzani conditioned his support on "All the participants signed a com¬ Workers' Party (PKK), was the only the unity of Syrian Kurds. 'You must mon text saying that a Kurdish federal Kurdish party to boycott the conference. keep aside narrow party interests until government should be founded within Kurdistan Regional Government situations become clear in Syria,' Syria. It was also stressed during the (KRG) leader Masoud Barzani, KRG Barzani said. And he warned the Syrian meeting that the Syrian Kurds should be Prime Minister Bertram Salihi and KRG Kurds that sticking to party interests participating in the Syrian revolution as Parliamentary Speaker Dr. Kemal and internal disputes could result in 'Kurds/ not as 'Syrians,'" Kendal Afrini, Kerkuki also attended the conference in them losing the opportunity. Barzani a Syrian Kurdish opposition member order to give support to the Syrian also noted that Syrian Kurdish unity who attended the conference in Arbil Kurdish parties. was somewhat fractured by the PYD's and a representative of the Alliance of refusal to attend," Efrini said.# Syrian Liberals in Europe, told the Daily Efrini said Barzani, who made the

News. opening speech at the conference, also

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

. WmUHTIONAL HcraJb^i ^Sribunc ?%0mm% FEBRUARY 6, 2012

i?'y\£^M§*- Both sides in Syria harden their stance

BEIRUT LOCAL COORDINATION COMMITTEES IN SYRIA, VIA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS In this image provided by the opposition, mourners in Homs gathered at the coffins of Government forces press those killed by troops over the weekend. The toll in the conflict is estimated at 5,000. their crackdown after diplomatic effort fails claimed more than 5,000 lives. To many, confrontation will mean for a country two inexorable forces were at work: a reeling from bloodshed and hardship. BY ANTHONY SHADID government bent on crushing the upris¬ The veto is almost sure to embolden AND NEIL MACFARQUHAR ing by force and an opposition that, if Mr. Assad's government, which not increasing in numbers, appeared to brazenly carried out the assault on The collapse of diplomatic efforts to me¬ be growing even more determined. Homs on the eve of the Security Council diate Syria's uprising reverberated Secretary of State Hillary Rodham vote. It came, too, around the an¬ across the country on Sunday, embolden¬ Clinton fumed at a news conference in niversary of its crackdown in 1982 on an¬ ing a government that pressed on with a Munich on Saturday: "What more do other Syrian city, Hama, by Mr. Assad's crackdown in the capital's suburbs and we need to know to act decisively in the the north and prompting rebel leaders to father, Hafez, in which at least 10,000 Security Council? To block this resolu¬ vow that only force of arms would drive people were killed in one of the bloodiest tion is to bear responsibility for the hor¬ President Bashar al-Assad from power. episodes in modern Arab history. rors that are occurring on the ground in Words of optimism were rare on Sun¬ "It's quite clear this is a license to Syria." day in a conflict that may or may not yet do more of the same and worse," said Responding to the Russian foreign be a civil war, but that already bears the Peter Harling, an expert on Syria at the minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, who asked, hallmarks of a prolonged struggle pit¬ International Crisis Group. "The re¬ "What's the endgame?" Mrs. Clinton ting a leadership that has remained rel¬ gime will take it for granted that it can replied, "The endgame in the absence of atively cohesive against an opposition escalate further. We're entering a new us acting together as the international that has managed to control territory in phase that will be far more violent still community, I fear, is civil war.'' some places while crumbling before the than what we've seen now." On Sunday in the Bulgarian capital, government's onslaught in others. The Security Council voted 13 to 2 in Sofia, she called the double veto "atrav- The government's citadels of support favor of the resolution backing an Arab esty," and warned that chances for "a the capital, Damascus, and the second- League peace plan for Syria, but pas¬ brutal civil war" would increase as Syr¬ largest city, Aleppo have begun to feel sage was blocked by Russia and China, ians under attack from their govern¬ the brunt of a contest that gathered force which opposed what they saw as a po¬ ment moved to defend themselves, un¬ nearly 11 months ago in the countryside. tential violation of Syria's sovereignty. less international1 steps provided In parts.of the capital's suburbs, military The support of those countries has another way, The Associated Press re- forces have acted like an occupation proved crucial in bolstering the Syrian ported. army, with residents reporting instances government's confidence, despite an But Mr. Lavrov said Saturday that of pillaging. A cancerous sectarianism isolation more pronounced than at any Moscow still had two objections: that that wrecked Syria's neighbors to the time since the Assad family seized the resolution did not place sufficient east and west Iraq and Lebanon has power more than four decades ago. blame for the violence on the opposition, become so pronounced that some defec¬ Russia and China said they had ve¬ and that it unrealistically demanded tors have vowed to attack religious sites. toed the measure because it unfairly that the government withdraw its mili¬ "It is the first step toward civil war, blamed only the Syrian government for tary forces to their barracks. even if I don't call it a civil war yet," said the violence. Russia's ambassador, Vi- He told the security conference in Mu¬ Louay Hussein, a prominent dissident taly I. Churkin, called it an "unbalanced nich that adopting the resolution would in Damascus. message," while the Chinese envoy, Li risk "taking sides in a civil war." In a The events over the weekend seemed Baodong, said the resolution, in trying television interview quoted by the Itar- sure to serve as hallmarks of an upris¬ to predetermine the outcome of dia¬ Tass news agency, he said that ignoring ing that now stands as the Arab world's logue between the government and the Russia's objections would result in "an¬ bloodiest revolt. A U.N. Security Council opposition, "might further complicate other scandal." effort to pressure Mr. Assad's govern¬ the situation." Security Council members, citing the ment collapsed with vetoes by Russia The Russian Foreign Ministry said in killings in Homs, pointedly disagreed. and China. The move came just hours a statement on Sunday that the wording ' 'The scandal is not to act,' ' said Peter after the Syrian military shelled the city backed by Western and other Arab gov¬ Wittig, the German ambassador to the of Homs in what opposition leaders ernments did not go far enough in criti¬ United Nations. "The scandal would be called the deadliest assault since the up¬ cizing the increasing use of violence by failure to act." rising began in March. the Syrian opposition, instead focusing The U.N. secretary general, Ban Ki- Diplomats have lamented their lack of solely on the actions of the government. moon, who rarely weighs in on Security options in pressuring the Syrian gov¬ After the U.N. vote, predictions were Council decisions, called the vote "a ernment, and even some Syrian dissi¬ grim about what is ahead in a conflict great disappointment." dents worry about what the growing that the United Nations says has

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

The attack in Homs, where Syrian op¬ Juppé, said, "The massacre in Homs is a Whether or not a civil war is fought, position leaders said more than 200 crime against humanity, and those re¬ many fear those forces will pull apart a people had been killed, drew outrage sponsible will have to answer for it." society that could take years, even a from around the w.orld and intensified As in Iraq, after the U.S.-led invasion, generation, to reconcile. pressure on the Security Council to act. a debate has ensued over whether to President Barack Obama condemned call the Syrian conflict a civil war. The Neil MacFarquhar reportedfrom the what he called "the Syrian government's argument sometimes masks the real United Nations. Nada Bakri and Hwaida unspeakable assault against the people forces at work a regime bent on ex¬ Saad contributed reportingfrom Beirut, of Homs," saying in a statement that Mr. ploiting society's divisions, an opposi¬ David D. Kirkpatrickfrom Cairo, Steven Assad "has no right to lead Syria and has tion incapable of providing an alterna¬ Erlangerfrom Munich, and Andrew E. lost all legitimacy with his people and the tive and deepening strife that has drawn Kramer and Michael Schwirtzfrom Mos- international community." in not only the government and defec¬ The French foreign minister, Alain tors, but also gangs and free-lancers.

fcîïïondc

Dimanche 5 - Lundi 6 février 2012

Les responsables israéliens évoquent de plus en plus ouvertement des frappes militaires contre l'Iran

Les prises de position bellicistes israéliennes inquiètent l'administration américaine

Jérusalem Dans l'immédiat, cette escala¬ «nous pensons qu'il faudra une dramatiser l'enjeu de la bombe Correspondant de de la rhétorique a vocation à année pour y parvenir », et sans iranienne portent leurs fruits. Le provoquer celle des sanctions doute deux ans de plus pour dispo¬ secrétaire américain à la défense,

Difficile de déterminer ce contre Téhéran, pourviser notam¬ ser d'une tête nucléaire opération¬ Leon Panetta, qui a rencontré plu¬ oui, dans les propos de ment la Banque centrale iranien¬ nelle. sieurs fois Ehoud Barak ces der¬

plus en plus bellicistes des ne. «Si les sanctions échouaient à L'Iran, a-t-il poursuivi, s'est niers mois, «pense qu'il existe dirigeants israéliens, relève de la stopper le programme nucléaire doté de plus de 4 tonnes d'ura¬ une forte probabilité qu'Israël volonté d'inciter les Européens et de l'Iran, ilfaudra envisager une nium enrichi à 3,5 % « et près de frappe l'Iran en avril, mai ou les Américains à durcir les sanc¬ action », sous-entendue militaire, 100kg enrichis à 20% ». En pour¬ juin», écrit le Washington Post.

tions contre l'Iran. a insisté le ministre israélien de la suivant l'enrichissement jusqu'à Les propos prêtés à M. Panetta Il est cependant indéniable que défense, Ehoud Barak. 90% (ce qui ne devrait pas poser ont fait monter d'un cran l'effer¬ la réflexion politique et stratégi¬ Ce message a été relayé par le pas de problème technique insur¬ vescence médiatique sur la ques¬

que, susceptible de déboucher sur chef d'état-major des armées, le montable), Téhéran pourrait tion iranienne. la décision dé lancer des frappes général Benny Gantz, le chef du être en mesure de fabriquer Pour faire retomber celle-ci, le préventives contre le programme renseignement militaire, le géné¬ «quatre bombes atomiques», a secrétaire américain à la défense nucléaire iranien, progresse en ral Aviv Kochavi, et le vice-pre¬ déclaré le patron du renseigne¬ a souligné, vendredi, que la cho¬ Israël. mier ministre et ministre des ment militaire. se la plus importante est de pré¬ Une chose est sûre : jamais les affaires stratégiques, Mosché server l'unité de la communauté dirigeants politiques et militaires Ya'alon. Les Etats-Unis internationale, et de maintenir israéliens ne sont allés auss"i loin « D'une manière ou d'une autre, la pression sur l'Iran, par le biais pour envisager ouvertement un leprojet nucléaire iranien doit être privilégient de sanctions. scénario militaire. Cette montée stoppé, a insisté ce dernier, parce les sanctions car ils Parce qu'ils privilégient celles- de la tension - au moins médiati¬ qu'un régime messianique et apo¬ ci et ne veulent pas être entraî¬ que - a été perceptible lors de la calyptique ne doitpasposséderdes ne veulent pas être nés dans une aventure militaire, conférence internationale sur la capacités de destruction massive. » entraînés dans une les Américains ont tendance à sécurité qui s'est tenue à Herzliya, Un Iran doté d'armes nucléai¬ grossir le risque d'une action au nord de Tel-Aviv, du lundi res, a ajouté cet ancien chef d'état- aventure militaire militaire préventive d'Israël. 30 janvier au jeudi 2 février, qui a major de l'armée israélienne, Or plusieurs experts présents à été dominée par la question ira¬ « serait un cauchemarpourle mon¬ Il n'y a aucun doute que l'Iran Herzliya ont estimé que les sanc¬ nienne. de libre, pour les pays arabes, et « s'efforce d'obtenir la bombe», a tions commencent à agir, et qu'Is¬ Israël accentue ses efforts pour bien sûr une menace pourIsraël. Il renchéri le général Gantz, évo¬ raël se complaît dans un discours convaincre la communauté inter¬ y aurait un chaos nucléaire au Pro¬ quant un délai «d'un an ou un très va-t-en-guerre. «Israël a exa¬ nationalede sa détermination à uti¬ che-Orient, parce que d'autres peu plus ». Le chef d'état-major de géré le danger. Il a contribué à

liser la forcé pour se débarrasser pays ne resterontpas sans rienfai¬ l'armée israélienne a cependant créer un brouillard s 'agissant de la d'une menace qu'il considère com¬ re», a-t-il ajouté. plaidé en faveur de la poursuite menace iranienne», a souligné me existentielle, mais cela ne veut D'ordinaire avare de déclara¬ des sanctions contre l'Iran, tout Shahram Chubin, expert de la Fon¬ pas dire qu'une telle décision- qui tions, le général Kochavi a expli¬ en soulignant qu'Israël doit ren¬ dation Carnegie. Toutes les exégè¬ doit faire l'ebfet d'un consensus qué que l'Iran n'a besoin que d'une forcer ses capacités militaires, ses à propos de la bombe iranien¬ aussi large que possible entre les décision politique, celle du Guide une manière de s'opposer aux ne, a-t-il estimé, ont « banalisél'op-

responsabiésmilitaires et les mem¬ suprême, Ali Khamenei, pour pas¬ coupes envisagées dans le budget . tion militaire » et, de facto, affaibli bres du cabinet de sécurité du pre¬ ser au stade de la production de la défense. la dissuasion d'Israël et celle des

mier Ministre, Benyamin d'une bombe nucléaire. Tout porte à croire que les Etats-Unis.»

Nétanyahou*sbit prise. Si tel est le cas, a-t-il précisé, efforts déployés par Israël pour Laurent Zecchini

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

FEBRUARY 6, 2012 lliE Km^INGTGN POST

Assad's Downfall and the Regional Balance of Power

Dr. Josef Olmert inevitably take its toll of neighboring Lebanon.

Adjunct Professor, University ofSouth Carolina

Tripoli, a Sunni city with a sizable Alawite minority, is likely «Eft: IS» to explode, and that will be part of a bigger issue in Lebanon,

as the traditional anti-Assad forces there, mainly the Sunnis he remaining advocates of Bashar Assad are working and some Christian Maronite factions, will find the new cir¬ overtime to portray a vision of a completely chaotic 0 cumstances conducive to put pressure on Hezbollah, demand¬ Middle East if and when the Alawite regime finally col¬ ing it dismantle its arms. The not so old wounds created by lapses. To predict chaos in the Middle East is a safe bet, so the assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri will reopen with what's really new in this case? The threat of chaos is almost ferocity. Whether all that will lead Lebanon towards chaos is automatically linked to another round of Arab-Israeli war, not clear, though it's likely. Sheikh Nasrallah, however, will this time a Shi'ite-led Iranian-Hezbollah-Alawite desperate find himself and Hezbollah engaged in a conflict with the attack on Israel. Well, while the Israelis may naturally take the majority of the Lebanese people. So, under these circum¬ proper precautionary steps to deal with the day after Assad, stances, a war initiated by him against Israel may seem a good they are far from showing any sign of undue worry or panic. diversionary exercise, but still is highly unlikely. The Sheikh

will fight for his own survival inside Lebanon as his first pri¬ There is concern about the arsenal of chemical warheads that ority. is in Syrian hands, some of it was transferred to Syria from

Iraq on the eve of the American invasion of March 2003. The Another country that will feel the brunt of the Assad collapse fear is that these warheads may find their way to Hezbollah will be Iraq, where the current Sunni-Shi'i tension may be and Iran. Surely not a pleasant prospect, but not one that can¬ greatly exacerbated, as the former will be much encouraged not be dealt with. Even Hezbollah and the Iranians know that by the rise of a new regime in Syria, most likely Sunni-domi- any attempt to use these weapons against Israel will be nated. Not for nothing, the Maliki government in Iraq is the calamitous to them. The thought that either of the two will most pro-Assad Arab government. They know why. risk their very existence [in the case of Hezbollah], or most vital national interests [in the case of Iran], in support of the Then there is Turkey. But for the expected Alawite flight Alawite dictatorship is good for psychological warfare, but not across the northwestern border, the Turks should be greatly in the real world. The same applies to the possibility of preoccupied by the fallout of a collapse in Damascus on the Iranian closure of the straits of Hormuz in support of Assad. northeast border, where over 2 million Syrian Kurds live, just Really? Not really... waiting to rid themselves of the Assad yoke. An unruly

Kurdish population on the Syrian side of the border will not They will not do that. All this is relevant to the Syrian situa¬ be good news to the Turkish government and military having tion and its implications, not to the much talked-about sce¬ to deal with their own unruly Kurdish population. nario of an Israeli or American attack against the Iranian nuclear program. This is clearly a totally different opera. The The Turks may gain, however, many political dividends from connection between a final collapse of the Assad regime and their support to the Sunni Syrian rebels. A Sunni-dominated the Israeli and/or American calculus regarding Iran is possi¬ regime in Damascus is likely to be friendly to Ankara, and so ble but not inevitable. Sure, a Syrian participation in an Turkey's overall regional standing may be significantly Iranian retaliation against a strike is not something cherished enhanced. Such a regime in Damascus will also be friendly to by Israeli and American planners and policy makers, but this the Saudis, and a Turkish-Saudi rivalry over influence in is becoming a remote possibility since the Syrian Army is in a Damascus of the future is highly likely. The big losers will be stage of disintegration. General Mustafa Al-Sheikh, the high¬ Iranians. They cannot expect a friendly Syrian government in est ranking Syrian defector, predicted some days ago that the the near future. The overall regional Sunni-Shi'i schism will Syrian Army will disintegrate until the end of February. This be in display in the most dramatic way. But even that is not may be wishful thinking in terms of the timing, but not the really new, as this schism has been a feature of Middle East process, which is very obvious, leading in the not distant Islamic reality since the killing of Imam Hussein in 680 A.D. future to that exact outcome. So, if we move away from the

Israeli angle of the situation, what else can happen affecting The downfall of Bashar Assad is behind the door. No neighboring countries and overall regional stability? First, we Armageddon, but still a significant challenge to regional can expect a massive refugee problem, Alawites trying to cross stability. to Lebanon and Turkey. Also, possible mass flight out of

Ba'athi functionaries, not just Alawites. Chaos in Syria will

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

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS R.EVIE February 6, 2012

The Dilemma of National Identity in Turkey

Renewed tension between the government and ethnic Kurds reflects a country struggling to define itself.

f

X"

National Unity Project, has still played a role in taking some of

By Sabrina M. Peterson the wind out of the PKK's sails.

StaffEditor Moreover, Turkey is currently in the process of redrafting its

outdated 1982 constitution with the goal ofbroadening the con¬ Qn late December 2011, the Turkish military's air strikes tar¬ ception ofTurkish identity to include more ethnic diversity. This geting militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), new constitution, which should be completed by the end of a Kurdish separatist group, accidentally killed 35 young 2012, will likely deprive the PKK of its rallying point. While the cigarette smugglers. Immediately, tensions between Ankara and redrafting may initially lead to more violence, as militants strive much of Turkey's Kurdish population escalated, with Kurdish to reassert the PKK, over the long term it will be a significant citizens protesting in Turkish cities such as Istanbul and step in showing Turkey's Kurds that they no longer need to rely Diyarbakir. on the PKK to effect change.

Although the Turkish government has intermittently combated While Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party seem PKK militants over the last two decades, the December air committed to rectifying Kurdish grievances, they have faced strikes near the Turkey-Iraq border are part of the Turkish gov¬ opposition that has hindered their efforts and reduced opti¬ ernment's renewed campaign to suppress PKK activity in rural mism. Backlash to Erdogan's Kurdish reforms has led to an and urban areas. The reignited conflict has led to civilian deaths increase in Kurdish sympathy for PKK militants, which, in turn, and discord between the government and Turkey's Kurds. has emboldened them.

Turkey's Kurdish dilemma is rooted in the foundation of the Underlying the opposition to reform is the fact that many polit¬ Turkish Republic in 1923, which made a distinctly "Turkish" ical parties in Turkey regard cultural concessions to the Kurds ethnicity a cornerstone of the new state's culture. Although as part of a slippery slope that will lead eventually to Kurdish Kurds had coexisted with other groups in the multiethnic demands for secession. The powerful military shares this view. Ottoman Empire, after 1923 they found their Kurdish identity This deep-rooted suspicion of Kurdish aspirations, along with subsumed by the state's promotion of a single ethnicity in which the narrow conception of Turkish citizenship that is deeply everyone was a Turk. For much of the twentieth century, entrenched in Turkish state culture, provides considerable Turkey's Kurds have fought for official recognition of their eth¬ obstacles for the resolution of the issue of Kurdish identity, and nic identity, some degree of cultural autonomy, and the right to subsequently the cessation of PKK violence. use the Kurdish language in media and education. The PKK,

which came to represent the struggle of Turkey's Kurds, has As Turkey moves forward redrafting its constitution, the idea of fought for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey's southeastern region, an ethnically homogenous nation-state must be reconsidered to and its violent insurgency tactics have led to numerous clashes reflect Turkey's realities. Many of the founding principles of with the Turkish government. modern Turkey have changed in the past few decades. For

example, although Turkey was founded with a strong secular Much ofthe renewed violence ofthe PKK in the past few months character, the Islamist political movement currently in power is the result of a decline in the group's appeal among Turkey's has recently questioned this conception of a nonreligious state. Kurdish population. Since the announcement of Prime Minister The traditional Turkish meaning ofethnicity should similarly be Recep Erdogan's Kurdish Initiative in 2009, Turkey's Kurds re-conceptualized to encompass the heterogeneous ethnic reali¬ have come to enjoy some cultural and linguistic rights that just ty. Only this will begin to redress the Kurdish situation in years ago had been denied. Although the scale of Erdogan's Turkey and put an end to violence between the PKK and the vision for Kurdish-rights reform have been curtailed due to government.^ political opposition, the Kurdish Initiative, now called the

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

jjÊÎSlflîUic .,-.-; 1'...... Dimanche 12 -Lundi 13 février 2012 '''._...

La guerre des nerfs

imiim

26 ET 21TÉVBIBR] NOUVELLE MISSION DE L'AIEA EN IRAN

Face à la menace nucléaire iranienne, les Israéliens s'impatientent. Les Etats-Unis

ne souhaitent pas d'intervention en 2012, qui compromettrait les chances de réélection

de Barack Obama. Washington espère encore faire reculer le régime de Téhéran

Natalie Nougaybede générale, perçoit l'actuel président des Etats- alarmistes pourle calendrier. Le message améri- Unis comme le « moins amical » envers l'Etat cain adressé aux Israéliens est: ne vous précipi- juif, depuis sa création en 1948. Un scénario tezpas,ilseratou|ourstempsd'agirplustard,et e samedi 6 juin 1981, l'ambas- militaire serait un cauchemar pour le prési- peut-être ensemble, s'il le faut vraiment. Avec sadeur américain en Israël, dent Obama, en campagne électorale pour se un ajout : vous avez besoin de nous. Samuel Lewis, s'apprête à faire réélire le 6 novembre 2012. Les prix à la Les responsables israéliens répondenten évo- entrer, avec son épouse, Sal- pompe à essence s'envoleraient aux Etats- quant la «fenêtre de tir» qui se rétrécit. «Au lie, dans un dîner mondain Unis, faisant à l'inverse plonger ses chances de cours des sixprocnains moiSj nfaudra prendre organise dans un hotel deTel- rassurer l'Américain moyen sur les perspecti- une décision, et une non-décision est aussi une Ayiv.lorsquunappeltelepno- ves de redressement économique. décision, dit une source proche du dossier. Ça se nique 1 interrompt. Au bout Dans ce contexte, l'administration Obama a jouera avant la présidentielle américaine.» du fil, le premier ministre israélien, Menahem demandé au gouvemement israélien de ne rien Sinon, l'hiver étant moins propice à des frappes Begin: «Sam, veuillez transmettre au presi- faire militairement avant l'échéance du scrutin aériennes, une absence de décision en 2012 dent Reagan un message urgent de mapart. présidentiel aux Etats-Unis, affirment des sour- reporterait l'affaire à l'été 2013, ce qui donnerait Voici une heure environ, notre aviation a ces dipiomatiques et issues des milieux de une année supplémentaire aux Iraniens pour détruit le réacteur nucléaireprès deBagdad la défense et de sécUrité, à la fois côté américain, poursuivre leurstratégie d'accumulationd'ura- Osirak] ; tous les avions sont rentres intacts. » en Europe et en Israë] L-evaluation américaine nium enrichi, à l'abri dans des lieux « bunke- L'ambassadeur Lewis marque une pause, puis de 1^mminence de la menace nucléaire iranien- risés ». En fait, les Israéliens ont cessé de mesu- dit: «Monsieur le premier ministre souhaitez- nen'est pas identique à celle des Israéliens, plus rerlestravauxiraniensentermesde«Iionesrou- vousajouterautrechoseaproposdecetevene- 5eS»-cartantontdéjàétéfranchies.Ilssepréoc- mZorieffv^S^ir:!Ts allons rapide' *v****9n*oAB ^;?aé du degré d'« ^S^^^SS^S£ ïmUmmtmaÏB ««*» s'approche lentement mais sûrement semblable arrivera en 2012, a uamei snapiro, du momentoù ilentrera dans unezoned'immu- B^raTobama'en Isïïï pHui'dVnTfaSn OâWMM* ÛM KOmCM «* * *** Ehoud Barak, le ministre de la uaracKUDama en israei, pays qui, a une-raçon ^ __ défense, lors d'une conférence internationale is. «1 |gi|gl5gj gjgjlgj surles questions de sécurité, à Herzliya, au nord de Tel-Aviv, le 2février. Cette «zone d'immuni- maasmmf^aaMJfimBÊ!BaaÊtén ré», a-t-il expliqué, c'est «le moment où soit les mesures deprotection des travaux [nucléaires], ShoudBa»ak soit leur duplication, rendront une attaque £K .* [aérienne] impossible». En allusion apparente /* aux appels américains à repousser toute action "**' militaire, le ministre israélien a mis en garde: "* > 1 «Ceux qui disent "plus tard"pourraient décou- **" ^ vrirque"plustard",c'esttroptard». , ' *"^" ' il' ^u cen*re de l'imbroglio nucléaire iranien et .-^ ' . . , ir des rumeurs de frappes aériennes qui se sont ' jSjj * intensifiées ces derniers temps, il y a l'activité wF" ' f "' . » * incessante des centrifugeuses, ces tubes métalli- * » quesquienricbissentruranium.Depuis janvier,

^s " ^ . ,->» * unebatteried'entreellesopèredansunsite.For- \ C ' ' . / dow.creuséàgomètresdeprofondeurdansune V "ï? montagne, et donc a priori à l'abri des bombes. ^ Y .4, Les échanges de renseignements vont bon train ft V * , entre Israéliens et Américains à propos de ce qui m ^^^j^, se passe dans ce site: ce qui y entre, ce qui pour- ^^ rait en sortir... Car, chacun en est convaincu, cet- r , . te installation aété conçue par l'Iran comme un f\ \ . lieusanctuarisé,destinéàproduiredelamatière *4 ^ "- fissile utilisable dans un engin nucléaire.

Manuvres, en 2008, sur le pont du porte-avions « USS Lincoln ». Le navire américain est revenufin janvier dans le golfe Arabo-Perslque par le détroit d'Ormuz, malgré les mises en garde Iraniennes.

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

KAZAKHSTAN Un programme nucléaire au cnur des tensions RUSSIE

OUZBEKISTAN Des sites dispersés GEORGIE

Centre de recherche (g) Ankara

(' Usine de construction ARMÉNIE AZERBAÏDJAN

de composants de centrifugeuse TURQUIE

Mine d'uranium > . Mer Usine de raffinage de l'uranium Csspienne TURKMÉNISTAN sous forme de yellow cake

Usine de conversion du yellow //.ccilerianêe cake en hexafluorure d'uranium, SYRIE étape préalable à l'enrichissement Karaj Téhéran Beyrouth ®UBAN ® Usine d'enrichissement d'uranium Mashhad J (î) Damas Fordow IRAK ISRAEL,'""!., «Qom Réacteur à eau lourde qui pourrait Tel-Aviv^ & Amman Natanz r produire du plutonium à des fins Bagdad ® Arak militaires r Jérusalem AFGHAN. y Ispahan Centrale nucléaire de production JORDANIE d'électricité, construite par Saghand la Russie, en activité depuis 2010

IRAN Le rapport de forces dans la region Bouchehr Les Etats-Unis 8: KowErr-iÇ) 0> (.'< Base militaire américaine Bandar Abbas (4) Flotte militaire ARABIE Gchine Israël L SAOUDITE Golfe BAHREIN Détroit Les pays européens ArEbo- d'Ormuz .-Pakistan Persique Mer myad® QATAR - Base militaire française Rouge PO O Base militaire britannique \ ÉMIRATS \ ARABES UNIS G O 200 km :L OMAN

Natanz, site d'enrichissement d'uranium fordow, site d'enrichissement d'uranium

Site resté secret 8000 4 922 kg d'uranium Enfoui dans une montagne, 450 centrifugeuses jusqu'à sa centrifugeuses faiblement enrichi à 90 mètres de profondeur, révélation de type IRi {depuis février 2007) sur un terrain relevant Quantité d'uranium en 2002 dont 6 200 des pasdarans, site difficile inconnue ; enrichissement 73,7 kg d'uranium par des opposants enrichissent à bombarder. Gardé secrçt jusqu'à commencé et prévu à 20% hautement enrichi iraniens exilés de l'uranium sa révélation par les Occidentaux (uranium hautement enrichi) {depuis février 2010) en septembre 20.09

Les responsables américains ont cherché à est clair : c'est uh.« je-vous-ai-compris » adressé qu'historiquement, à moins d'un changement contrerl'idéequeFordowdeviendraitinvulnéra- aux dirigeants israéliens. de régime (parexemple l'Afrique du Sudsortant ble à partir d'une certaine date. Ils ont fait «frui¬ En diplomatie, la perception, la posture, sont de l'apartheid), aucun pays n'a jamais renoncé ter » dans les médias des informations du Penta¬ souvent plus importantes que les faits. Ainsi, aunudéaire militaire une fois atteint un niveau gone sur la préparation de nouvelles bombes Barack Obama laisse son ancien conseiller pour technologique comparable à celui que maîtrise américaines « anti-bunker», hautement perfor¬ le Moyen-Orient, Dennis Ross, dire que, «rie déjà l'Iran. mantes. Certains officiels américains suggérant vousytrompezpas»,jamaisl'occupantdelaMai- Enpublicl'objectifproclaméparlesOcciden-

mêmequedes « armes nucléaires tactiquespour¬ son Blanche n'hésitera à utiliser là force contre taux, c'est le démarrage de véritables négocia^

raientêtre la seule option »\ l'Iran. C'est la meilleurefaçon d'éviter d'avoir à tions avec l'Iran. Ce n'est qu'une fois placé au C'est dans ce contexte que se déroule la cour¬ passer par la case « guerre », tout en se mettant à bord du « gouffre » que le régime iranien finira se contre la montre entre l'impact des sanctions l'abri du reproche de mollesse que lui font ses par «bouger». On enveut pour preuve l'arrêt de

internationales et l'avancée des travaux scienti- . concurrents du Parti républicain. Le président fiques iraniens. Avec l'embargo pétrolier, les américain rappelle aussi, au besoin, que la voie Occidentaux sont passés d'une politique de militaire «n'estpas lavoiepréférée». f.*»« f«wbs^ISUssms sanctions centrées sur les activités de proliféra¬ Ce qui ne peut être énoncé publiquement, en Mss» È$MM^M*sm

tion de l'Iran à une stratégie visant ouverte¬ revanche,c'estlatentationquisemblepersister, <^^r^^iL^*^f^i^ ment le c de l'économie nationale, et com¬ au sein dé l'équipe Obama, de mener une politi- ipmmmm&m $© Ë&Êfo portant de ce fait l'ambition de provoquer un que d'endiguement (containment) del'Iran si ce """"" " *" "" "Ti*"*^^"aZLZ^" " ' ' changement de régime, qui reste inavouée. Ce pays franchit ce qui est habituellement décrit «P© f© WmsL I W® **fïl^f tournant n'a pas échappé à la Russie, en particu¬ comme le «seuil» nucléaire -sans qu'il existe «w« lier, qui fustige un nouvel interventionnisme, unedéfinition unique et incontestée de ce ter- l|lïl **»|rjpS; M, MXmm hors du cadre de l'ONU. me. «Endiguer l'Iran jusqu'à ce que le régime ' Les mesures cbercitives, couplées auxdéclara¬ tornbe.nousditunmembrederadrninistration, tions américaines répétant que «toutes les sous couvert d'anonymat. C'est ce que nous la guerre Iran-Irak, en 1988, quand la Républi- options restentsurfa taWe»,visenttoutautantà avonsfait avec Stalineèt l'URSS, après tout.» Au que islamique exsangue avait dû, selon le mot retenir le feu des Israéliens qu'à mettre le régi¬ début du mandat d'Obama, la secrétaire d'État de Khomeiny, « boire la coupe de poison », et me iranien sous pression. Lorsque le Washing¬ HillaryClintonavait laissé entrevoircette possi- : déclarer un cessez-le-feu. La récente reprise des ton Post écrit, sous la plume du très renseigné bilité en parlant de «parapluie» américain au visites de l'Agence internationale de l'énergie David Ignatius, que l'administration américai- . Moyen-Orient. Des « fuites » récentes, dans la atomique (AIEA) a été notée, mais fait craindre nepenseque desfrappesisraéliennessontpossi- presse américaine, parlent d'un scénario du une nouvelle man dilatoire, tant l'opaci- , blés «au printemps», ou bien quand les seuil « à la japonaise » pour l'Iran : la détention té iranienne demeure. L'administration Obama conseillers de Nicolas Sarkozy confient qu'une de la technologie et des composants de l'armé " continue de son côté d'essayer des mains ten- action militaire israélienne «préventive » pour¬ suprême, mais sans l'assembler. dues, notamment ehenvoyant des navires mili- rait se produire à l'été, le message sous-jacent Certains experts font par ailleurs observer taires américains secourir des marins iraniens

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

perdus dans le Golfe ou kidnappés par des pira¬ Les services secrets israéliens pensent qu'il tes somaliens. reste encore du temps, et qu'une opération mili¬ Ce qui a été observé avec grande attention par taire attirerait trop de problèmes pour un gain Washington, c'est la façon dont les Iraniens ont relatif, puisque le programme iranien ne serait battu en retraite, fin janvier, après avoir menacé que retardé. Meir Dagan, l'ancien chef du Mos- Où en sont les Iraniens le porte-avions USS Lincoln s'il revenait dans les sad, a porté ce débat sur la place publique, en eaux du Golfe. En fait, quand l'énorme bâtiment vantantpar ailleurs l'effet des actions de sabota¬ L'avancée des travaux nucléaire iraniens ne fait a franchi le détroit d'Ormuz, accompagné en ge. Les militaires sont partagés. Nétanyahou pas grand doute. L'Agence internationale de plus de navires britannique et français, Téhéran penche pour des frappes. Son ministre de la l'énergie atomique (AIEA) a décrit dans son der¬ a fait comme si de rien n'était. Ainsi, l'Iranvitupè¬ défense, Ehoud Barak, partagerait cet avis, mais nier rapport, diffusé en novembre 2011, les études re mais se garde, semble-t-il, de faire déraper la il met l'accent sur l'importance de la relation que la République islamique a menées, relatives à situation militaire en sachant qu'un affronte¬ avec les Etats-Unis. Il pense qu'un terrain d'en¬ la fabrication d'une ogive. On sait aussi que l'Iran ment avec l'armada américaine ne jouerait pas tente est possible avec l'administration Obama, a accumulé environ cinq tonnes d'uranium en sa faveur. Comme en 2003, quand il craignait que Nétanyahou traite avec distance. «Bibi» enrichi à 3,5 % et 74 kg d'uranium enrichi à 20 %. Une attaque après l'invasion américaine de pense qu'il faut passer par-dessus la tête du pré¬ En théorie, en poussant l'enrichissement de ce l'Irak, le pouvoir iranien semble ainsi se livrer à sident des Etats-Unis, en s'adressant à l'opinion stock vers des niveaux militaires (90 %), l'Iran un calcul permanent de «coût-bénéfice». Un et aux élus. aurait de quoi fabriquer de la matière fissile pour point d'entrée possible pour une solution négo¬ Quand on demande à des connaisseurs qui, plusieurs engins nucléaires. Le premier prendrait ciée du problème nucléaire ? dans ce duo israélien, a la main haute, la réponse environ six mois, selon Olli Heinonen, l'ancien Il se peut que la réponse à la question « y la plus fréquente est : Nétanyahou. Mais les pré¬ numéro deux de l'AIEA. La grande inconnue aura-t-ildes frappes en 2012?» dépende engran¬ occupations d'Ehoud Barak sont partagées, si est de savoir si - et quand - l'Iran décidera de fran¬ de partie de l'état de la relation entre Israël et les l'on en juge par l'une des tables rondes de la chir ce pas. L'administration Obama se dit persua¬ Etats-Unis. Plus précisément, entre deux hom¬ conférence d'Herzliya, intitulée : «Israëlest-il un dée que Téhéran n'a pas encore pris de décision. mes qui semblent se détester : Barack Obama et atout stratégiquepour les Etats-Unis ? » Les Israéliens pensent que cet aspect n'est pas le le premier ministre israélien, Benjamin Cité dans le récent article, et fort remarqué, du plus crucial. Ce qui compte à leurs yeux, c'est la Nétanyahou. Le second fera-t-iL suffisamment New York Times Magazine intitulé « Faire la nouvelle capacité iranienne à accélérer, à volonté, confiance au premier pour retenir ses avions de guerre ou pas », Ehoud Barak a posé comme le programme d'enrichissement dans un site (For¬ chasse jusqu'en 2013 ou au-delà, au prétexte que condition préalable à une action militaire israé¬ dow) qui semble à l'abri des bombes. L'AIEA cher¬ le succès serait alors partagé? Le «faucon» du lienne «un soutien ouvert ou tacite, en particu¬ che à établir quel volume d'uranium enrichi a

Likoud conçoit le dossier iranien comme une lier des Etats-Unis ». A Herzliya, le même insis¬ déjà été transféré vers ce lieu. « menace existentielle » pour Israël et considère tait : « les Etats-Unis sont le meilleur et le plus que son legs historique ainsi que le « plus jamais formidableamid'Israël,etcelaestvraidel'admi- ça », après la Shoah, sont en jeu. Il prend au mot nistration Obama I (...) Nous demandons à nos Mahmoud Ahmadinejad et le Guide Khamenei amis- etc'estleurposition -qu'Unesoitpasper¬ lorsqu'ils appellent à l'élimination de l'Etat juif, mis à l'Iran de devenir nucléaire I » comparé à une « tumeurcancéreuse ». Comme en écho, l'ambassadeur américain L'effort d'« endiguement » Certains, côté occidental, prêtent des calculs Dan Shapiro avait souligné l'« extraordinaire électoralistes au dirigeant israélien. Beaucoup coordination » entre les deux pays, mais englis¬ Les Occidentaux cherchent à ralentir le plus pos¬ pensent qu'un facteur d'ordre personnel joue sant un commentaire semble-t-il plein d'allu¬ sible le programme nucléaire iranien. Les sanc¬ énormément : « Bibi » aurait l'obsession de ne tions y contribuent, par exemple en coupant les sions : «Israël a intérêt à ce que les Etats-Unis pas apparaître faible aux yeux de son père, soient perçus favorablement, et commeforts, réseaux extérieurs utilisés par l'Iranpour s'ap¬ Benzion Nétanyahou, un intellectuel d'extrê¬ dans le monde arabo-musulman. » C'est-à-dire, provisionner en métaux utilisés dans dés centri¬ fugeuses. Des actions de sabotage et une série de me droite. La politique intérieure aux Etats- pas débordés par leur petit mais puissant allié Cyberattaques ont également compliqué la tâche Unis, pays où «Bibi» a passé une partie de sa dans la région ? Benjamin Nétanyahou prévoit des scientifiques iraniens, qui semblent en outre jeunesse, n'a, en tout cas, aucun secret pour le de se rendre à Washington début mars. L'AIEA visés par une mystérieuse campagne d'assassi¬ premier ministre israélien, persuadé qu'il doit retourner en Iran les 20 et 21 février. nats. Pour décourager Téhéran d'aller au bout de « tient » Obama par là où ça peut faire mal. Le En 1981, selon le récit qu'en a fait dans ses ses ambitions nucléaires, les Etats-Unis ont par triomphe de Nétanyahou en mai 2011 devant mémoires l'ambassadeur Lewis, un an envi¬ ailleurs accru les livraisons d'armements à Israël le Congrès américain dominé par les républi¬ ron avant le raid sur Osirak, «le refrain israé¬ et à des pays arabes Sunnites du Golfe, touten cains aurait achevé de le convaincre qu'il peut lien était : soit les Etats-Unisfont quelque chose se passer d'un feu vert de la Maison Blanche pour arrêter ce réacteur [irakien], soit nous renforçant leur propre présence navale dans la région. L'objectifest de montrer à l'Iran que la pour attaquer. serons obligés de lefaire I » Puis, six mois avant Mais les Israéliens préféreraient de loin que l'attaque, les « fuites » dans les médias ont subi¬ poursuite des travaux nucléaires joue en réalité ce soit l'US Army qui frappe l'Iran. Pour éviter tement cessé. Plus une seule sonnette d'alar¬ en sa défaveur dans le rapport de forces régional. que l'Etat juif, déjà mal à l'aise avec le chambou- me tirée par les Israéliens I Ce silence abrupt, L'étape ultime d'un tel effort d'« endiguement » lemerit stratégique des révoltes arabes, se « rétrospectivement, c'était l'indice que la déci¬ pourrait être un parapluie nucléaire américain offert aux pays que l'Iran inquiète. Une stratégie retrouve seul. Pour éviter qu'il soit en premiè¬ sion de bombarder avait été prise», estime re ligne, face aux retombées diplomatiques pour prévenir la course régionale à l'arme atomi¬ Lewis. internationales, et face aux représailles ira¬ Si l'onsuit cette logique, la conclusion à tirer que que l'entrée de l'Iran dans le « club » nucléai¬ niennes; Ces éléments, ainsi que la question est la suivante : tant que, dans les médias inter¬ re serait susceptible de déclencher. des moyens militaires d'Israël face à un pro¬ nationaux, un «buzz » intensif se poursuivra gramme iranien éparpillé en un archipel de sur un risque de frappes en 2012, celles-ci ne sites, font l'objet de débats internes intenses. seront pas imminentes. Le 6 février, les médias L'appui américain est souhaité afin de produi¬ israéliens ont annoncé que Nétanyahou avait re « une menace militaire crédible », seule sus¬ ordonné le silence à ses ministres à propos de ceptible de faire plier l'Iran. frappes sur l'Iran.»

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

TIME

FEBRUARY 6, 2012

tral Iranian city of Natanz, Israel had stan border. These are nearly a third of the already taken possession of F-15IS, U.S.- suspected sites for the much prophesied made fighter-bombers specially outfitted nuclear Iran that Israeli Prime Minister to carry the extra fuel needed to reach the Benjamin Netanyahu calls "an existential Islamic Republic. Israel also has scores of threat" to his country. F-16I fighters modified to escort the bomb¬ The threat of an Israeli attack has for ers, enough satellites to keep images of years been a component in the inter¬ Iran arriving around the clock and fleets national campaign to get Iran to halt its of drones, a technology Israel pioneered. nuclear program as have ever more The mammoth Eitan, wide as a 737, can stringent economic sanctions. "All op¬ carry either bombs or cyberwarfare gear tions, including military action, should programmed to jam Iranian radar, com¬ remain on the table," says Colin Kahl, Can Israel munications and computers. until recently deputy assistant secretary Twelve months after the Natanz plant of defense for the Middle East, "but force was revealed, Israel demonstrated the Stop Iran's should be a last resort, not a first choice." range ofthe F-15I by sending three ofthem If it is the final option, would it solve the 1,600 miles (almost 2,600 km) to Poland, Nuke problem? How much punishment could ostensibly for a ceremonial role in the an¬ Israel or the U.S., for that matter niversary of the Polish air force. On the inflict? And would it be enough to stop way back, the craft staged a flyover above Effort? Iran from getting the bomb? the Auschwitz death camp. For the sake A senior Israeli official serving in the of comparison, Tel Aviv is just short of Too many country's security apparatus tells Time 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from Tehran. that Netanyahu's Cabinet was advised

in late September that the Israel Defense Lessons of History targets Forces lack the ability to deal a decisive IF ISRAEL IS PLAYING THE BAD COP TO blow to Iran's atomic effort. "I informed Washington's good cop in some tag-team the Cabinet we have no ability to hit the effort at marshaling global resolve to con¬ and too Iranian nuclear program in a meaning¬ front Iran, that doesn't mean the talk of an ful way," the official quoted a senior com¬ Israeli strike is just talk. "I don't think it's much mander as saying. "IfI get the order, I will bluster," says Anthony Cordesman of the do it, but we don't have the abilityto hit in Center for Strategic and International Stud¬ a meaningful way." ies in Washington. "One wave can do a lot, bedrock The key word is meaningful. The work¬ depending on the quality ofthe penetrating ing assumption behind Israel's military munitions and the targeting abilities." might make preparations has been that a strike, to be Besides, Israel has done something worth mounting, must delay Tehran's similar before. Twice. In 1981, Israeli F-16 nuclear capabilities by at least two years. fighter-bombers destroyed the Osirak nu¬ a knockout But given the wide geographic disper¬ clear reactor in Iraq in a daring surprise

sion of Iran's atomic facilities, combined strike. In 2007 a secret Syrian reactor in blow with the limits of Israel's air armada, the desert west of Damascus was leveled the Jewish state can expect to push back in a midnight raid that Israel still does not the Iranian program by only a matter of officially acknowledge. unlikely months a year at most, according to But this time is different. Iran learned the official. He attributes that estimate a lesson from the assault on the Osirak re¬ to the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, actor. When leaders of the authoritarian which is charged with assessing the like¬ theocracy quietly revived Iran's moribund nuclear program, setting out to master BY KhRl VICK/JERUSALEM ly effect of a strike. It is not that Israel cannot do damage; every step and obtain every component it can. The U.S. commitment to keeping in the entire nuclear fuel cycle, they took Israel's military dominant in the Middle care to scatter their facilities across a half- East in the policymakers' phrase, million square miles (1.3 million sq km). THE POTENTIAL TARGETS ARE "Israel's qualitative military edge" The most critical facilities of all, hous¬ scattered and hidden all over allowed it to lock in on Iran's nuclear ing the centrifuges that enrich uranium, Iran. They range from a ura¬ went underground. Military experts nium mine in the middle of ambitions years before most ofthe world had any clue what Tehran was up to. U.S. say reaching them all would require an the country to a nuclear power military aid, which in 2011 was $3 billion, air campaign of hundreds of sorties and plant on the Persian Gulf coast to a com¬ allowed Israel to lift its gaze beyond its would have to last for weeks. Think ofthe plex in the northwest doing research on immediate neighbors and begin assem¬ extended opening salvos of the U.S. inva¬ the use of atomic science in agriculture. bling an arsenal to confront an Iranian sion of Iraq in 2003 rather than the light¬ There is an underground uranium- threat that Israeli leaders began warning ning strike on Osirak. enrichment facility about a three-hour about in the mid-'o.os. "I think a modern air force like the U.S. drive south of Tehran, centrifuges spin¬ By August 2002, when published sat¬ Air Force can deal with it easily," said a for¬ ning outside the holy city of Qum and a ellite photos revealed an underground mer senior official from Israel's security precision-tools factory that makes them enrichment plant being built in the cen establishment in a recent background in Mashhad, way over by the Turkmeni

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briefing with foreign reporters. And What if Iran Mined the Strait of Hormuz? Israel's air force? "I say, 'U.S. Air Force,'" the official repeated with a smile. Cutting off the 20-mile-wide (32 km) waterway would shut down 20% of the It's unclear how effective any air force global oil trade, sending the world into recession. Tactically, the U.S. could do will be against the main targets. The mas¬ the following, but the consequences of military action are unforeseeable sive enrichment facility at Natanz may be vulnerable to Israel's bunker busters, even six stories underground. But Iran this month announced that centrifuges *& are spinning in the new Fordow facil¬ * ity outside Qum, which is thought to be >v protected by a shelf of rock more than 260 ft. (80 m) thick. That may be beyond 1. The U.S. Navy the reach even of the Massive Ordnance and Special Ops Penetrator, a 30,000-lb. (13,600 kg) bomb could seize small islands off Iran's built for the U.S. Air Force and delivered in southeast coast recent weeks to B-2 stealth bombers newly to use as bases of operation modified to carry it. i Plus, getting the necessary ordnance over the targets isn't easily done. "The Israelis just don't have the reach to 3. launch a sustained campaign," says Tim Under a U.S. 2. naval umbrella, Ripley, a Middle East defense analyst for Coordinating mine-clearing with facilities on the Jane's Defence Weekly. In "Mission Improb¬ operations Arabian Peninsula, would then able," his report assessing the prospects of U.S. forces would begin an Israeli strike, Ripley notes that Israel then take out Iranian missile positions in lacks aircraft carriers or other forward the Bandar Abbas ^ bases to shorten the distance to Iran. area Which means that in order to reach tar¬ gets more than 1,000 miles away, Israel must rely on aerial-tanker planes to re¬ fuel scores offighters en route, on the way back or even in both directions should pi¬ can't,' they don't know what they're talk¬ Turkey and even China were seeking al¬ lots find themselves doing a lot ofmaneu¬ ing about," he says. "Israel is going to act ternate suppliers vering. And Israel has only a handful of strategically. It's going to look at the po¬ A suddenly chummier joint front such flying filling stations. "The Israelis litical outcome of what it says and does, between Washington and Tel Aviv will have loads of fighters," says Ripley. "But not simply measure this in terms of some keep Tehran guessing. A visit to Israel by it's not quite like the U.S. Air Force, which computer game and what the immediate U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has got hundreds of tankers." tactical impact is." General Martin Dempsey underscored The sheer number oftargets makes any One forgotten lesson of Osirak is that, how close cooperation remains between strike even more daunting, says Yiftah as a consequence, Saddam Hussein took the allies, however fraught the relationship Shapir, a former Israeli Air Force intelli¬ his nuclear weapons program into the between Netanyahu and President Obama. gence officer whose duties involved plan¬ shadows and got much closer to a bomb Israel and the U.S. postponed a joint mili¬ ning for such strikes. "What you really before the rest ofthe world caught wind of tary exercise originally set for May, which have to calculate is not targets but aiming his intentions.An attack on Iran, even one would have brought Patriot missile batter¬ points," says.Shapir, now an analyst at the led by the U.S., might produce only a tem¬ ies to Israel to supplement its own air de¬ Institute for National Security Studies in porary halt in its nuclear program and a fenses. Because missile attacks from Iran's Tel Aviv. "Each target has numerous aim¬ greater resolve to develop weapons out of proxies Hizballah in Lebanon and Islamic - ing points." Shapir tells Time, "A strike sight ofinternational inspectors, ifonly to Jihad and Hamas in the Gaza Strip would could be done, but it could never do the buttress Iranian security in years to come. be the first signs of retaliation for any Is¬ damage we did to Osirak, where Osirak Whatever the state of Israel's military raeli attack on Tehran, the postponement was all they had." preparation, the countdown to waT seems of additional Patriot defenses was seen as Cordesman reckons Israel probably has to have slowed in recent days. An accelerat¬ a sign that the region was, at least for the enough aircraft and enough range to do ing cascade of events the overrunning moment, not in a rush to war. serious damage to 10 to 12 ofIran's atomic of Britain's diplomatic compounds in Two days after the postponement, Is¬ facilities. But damaged labs can be rebuilt, Tehran, the assassination of yet another raeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he notes, and Iran has announced plans Iranian nuclear scientist and a genuinely any decision on launching an attack for 10 new enrichment sites further bellicose back-and-forth overwhether Iran on Iran "was very far away." with dispersing later-generation centrifuges in could shut down oil traffic through the REPORTING BY AARON J. KLEIN/TEL AVIV places smaller, harder to locate and easier Strait ofHormuz threatened to generate AND MARK THOMPSON AND MASSIMO to harden. The issue, Cordesman says, is momentum toward war just when sanc¬ CALABRESl/WASHlNGTON not simply capability but consequences. tions were growing teeth. After 20 years "If anyone tells you this is sort of binary, ofindecision, the European Union agreed either 'Yeah, they can do it' or 'Oh, no, they to an embargo on Iranian oil, and Japan,

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

8 February 2012 Kùda.ui

US Intel Chief: Iran Trying to Strengthen

Ties with Kurdistan

By WLADIMIR van WILGENBURG Former

rudaw.net Kurdistan Region Prime

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Minister

James Clapper, the director of US Barham Salih

national intelligence, told the US Senate (left) with

last week that Iran is facing continuing Chairman of domestic political problems and is r « Iranian « trying to strengthen ties with Kurdistan f Parliament Ali and Iraq. Larijani, during

Clapper said Iran's leaders are a visit to Iran.

continuously confronting domestic Photo barham-

political problems, a stalling economy salih.com t and an uncertain regional dynamic as

the effects of the Arab Spring unfold. Kurdistan. claims that Iraq is backing the Syrian "Elite infighting has reached new Clapper said Maliki's ties with the regime as it battles a nearly year-long levels as the rift grows between Sunnis and Kurds "will be a critical uprising. Akbar Velayati, adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei and factor in maintaining political stabi¬ Iranian Supreme leader Ali Khamenei, President Ahmadinejad. The regime lity." told Hezbollah's TV-station Al-Manar has intensified attacks on prominent The Iranian Quds Force was formed last week that Iraq is an ally of Syria. government officials and their families in 1983 to arm and train Iraqi Kurdish "Syria's allies, like Iran, Hizbullah as well, including former President forces to combat Saddam Hussein's and Iraq are defending Syria," he said. Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani," he said. army and to carry out intelligence ope¬ The news website Niqash reported Furthermore, he added that in its rations in Iraq. As a result, most that 33 Iraqis who were part of the Arab efforts to spread its influence interna¬ Kurdish parties in Iraq have had League's monitoring mission in Syria tionally, Iran continues to support contacts or military ties with Iran. were biased toward Syria's leaders and proxies and surrogates abroad and has Currently, Iran has a consulate in Erbil tried to encourage protesters to give up sought to exploit the Arab Spring but and according to the Iranian consul, the their demonstrations against the has reaped few benefits. Therefore, trade between the Kurdistan Region regime. Clapper concluded that, in Iraq, "It pro¬ and Iran was US$6 billion in 2010 and The US intelligence chief said in his bably will continue efforts to streng¬ 2011. testimony that Iran is worried about the then ties to Baghdad and the Kurdistan Ayad Allawi, leader of the Sunni- future of the Syrian regime. "Its biggest Regional Government." secular Al-Iraqiya list and a former regional concern is Syria because Meanwhile," tensions between Iraqi prime minister, told the Saudi- regime change would be a major strate¬ Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, his owned pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al- gic loss for Tehran," he said. Therefore, Sunni rivals and Kurds continue to be Awsat, from Kurdistan, that because of some analysts have suggested that Iran strained after Maliki announced that Iraq's weakness, the country has pushed Iraq to support Syrian President Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi was become subject to regional intervention Bashar al-Assad, a claim that the Iraqi wanted for plotting assassinations. by Iran. government denies. Hashimi is seeking refuge in Iraqi Allawi's statement comes amid

February 8, 2012 Aswat: al-lraq fl

tiii i r t mi mrA Solution for Iraq lies in its division - analyst

ARBIL / Aswat al-lraq: The best solution for the current crisis in Conference and other meetings, held at the residence of Iraqi

Iraq is to divide the state into three separate states, a Kurdish President Jala! Talabani over the past few weeks; it is doomed to

analyst in North Iraq's Kurdistan Region has expressed today. fail like the previous conferences, because it it would be the last

nail to be struck in the coffin of the imposed Iraqi unity," he 'The best solution for the current crisis suffered by Iraq lies in continued. dividing Iraq into 3 states, a Kurdish, an Arab Shiite and Sunni

state," Abdul-Ghani Ali Yahya told Aswat al-lraq news agency, Iraqi leaders and politicians cannot fool themselves up any more, expecting at the same time the failure of the proposed National standing behind sectarian and ultra-nationalist trends have rea¬

Conference, scheduled to convene soon to discuss proposals to ched a limit that rejects all forms of an Iraqi Federal Unity,"

settle the current crisis in the country. Yahya said, adding that "Iraqis have tried all forms of unionist

solutions, but they have failed to reach an agreement'.O 'The fate of this Conference will be no better than the Arbil

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

THEDAILYStARJ February 9, 2012

Lebanon : Kurds endure poverty, grapple with assimilation

By Brooke Anderson community. J "I don't feel Lebanese," www.dailystar.com.lb Ismail says. "My culture and

language are Kurdish. I know BEIRUT: As a teenager in a I'm Kurdish, and that won't rural area ofpredominantly change." Kurdish southeast Turkey, While she has no plans to 1- Bahaeddin Hassan heard of a far-off, beautiful place called leave Lebanon, Ismail does wish that she and her fellow Lebanon. He was starstruck. Kurds had greater recognition At 15, he traveled overland a in Lebanese government and "v through Syria to Beirut. society. "I'd be happy if I tur¬ Lebanon was not quite the *. -ic^r^,v^ ned on the TV and saw a paradise he had hoped for. Life Kurdish representative," she was harsh, and for many years \ Hassan took whatever odd jobs says. In 1994, a total of 10,000 came his way. Fadia Mahmoud Ismail in Basta near downtown Beirut says Kurds were granted citizenship Today, at 57, having she is proud ofher Kurdish heritage, although she wouldn't con¬ under late Prime Minister become a Lebanese citizen who sider leaving Lebanon. (Mahmoud Kheir/The Daily /Star) Rafik Hariri, the second round has found fulfilling and lucra¬ of Kurdish naturalization after tive work as a clothing expor¬ ted from obtaining citizenship that their status is "under a handful of Kurds got citizens¬ ter, he says he has stayed in his because of fears that they consideration." hip in the 1960s under then- adopted land because it is would upset the country's deli¬ Today, after years of living Interior Minister Kamal indeed beautiful. But he cate sectarian balance. Later, in abject poverty, with menial Jumblatt. After generations of laments the hardships many of many were naturalized for the jobs passed on from one gene¬ statelessness, a status that his fellow Lebanese Kurds benefit of Sunni politicians ration to the next, little educa¬ excluded them from public and continue to endure. who sought their votes. But tion and no political represen¬ private sector services, many of "We got nationality, but we that has hardly garnered them tation, Lebanon's Kurds conti¬ Lebanon's Kurds finally got the didn't get anything else," says political clout. Kurds say that nue to struggle to escape their chance to enjoy the basic bene¬ Hassan, president of the in a recurrent cycle, once elec¬ dire circumstances, despite the fits of Lebanese society. Lebanese Kurdish tion time has passed, politi¬ modicum of security attained However, their citizenship Philanthropic Association. cians no longer pay them any through citizenship. Indeed, came at a price, as the Kurds, "No one protects or defends heed. Kurds remain the least educa¬ like all other communities in us. No one hears our voices." A report published in ted group in Lebanon. Lebanon, were forced to «"the naturalized are... 'pri¬ November by Guita Hourani at Although many Lebanese become part of the country's soners' of the one thing that Notre Dame University- Kurds have come to Lebanon in should have freed them their sectarian system. Louaize, documenting the com¬ recent decades, Lebanon's Considered Sunni Muslims citizenship, because many munity's upward mobility via Kurdish community dates back believe that they owe their citi¬ by the government, they don't naturalization, found that "the to the 12th century, when the have any specific representa¬ zenship to one politician or naturalized are not at all Tree' Ayyubids took control of the tion in Parliament, unlike other."»While most of in their voting behavior, but are region. Later, the Ottomans Armenians, many of whom Lebanon's Kurds have become rather 'prisoners' of the one sent loyal Kurdish families migrated to Lebanon at around citizens, many have yet to feel thing that should have freed from the empire's interior to the same time. truly at home within Lebanese them - their citizenship, modern-day Syria and When it comes to charitable society because the community because many believe that they Lebanon, where they played an funding, their only non¬ continues to struggle with low owe their citizenship to one important administrative role. governmental organization, the education, high unemployment politician or other." These families - which Lebanese Kurdish and lack ofpolitical representa¬ Hourani notes that "the included the Janbulad family, Philanthropic Association, is tion. Kurds and other naturalized ancestors of Progressive overshadowed by larger Sitting in her home under a citizens continue to rely heavily Socialist Party leader Walid Muslim organizations. Among roof cobbled together out of on political patrons who, in Jumblatt - became fully assi¬ other concerns, Kurds have scrap metal and tires, Fadia return for favors going back to milated into the local culture. long worried about a lack of Mahmoud Ismail, 41, says she the event of naturalization in With the fall of the resources to provide their chil¬ is proud of her Kurdish heri¬ the first place, pay them back at Ottoman Empire in the after¬ dren with instruction in the tage, although she wouldn't the ballot box." math of World War I, Lebanon Kurdish language. More consider leaving Lebanon, And approximately 40 per¬ saw its first major wave of recently, the organization has which has been her home since cent of Kurds in Lebanon do Kurdish migration, when thou¬ been struggling to help Kurds she came to Beirut as a 13-year- not even have Lebanese citi¬ sands of Kurds left Turkey for fleeing the violence in Syria. old bride, a conflicted senti¬ zenship. For years, their identi¬ nearby Lebanon and Syria. The Kurds were initially preven- ment echoed by many in the fication cards have indicated second significant influx of

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

Kurds to Lebanon took place ghout the country's turbulent acknowledging his commu¬ went on to obtain his master's

in the late 1950s and early modern history, often to the nity's difficult circumstances, in library science and docto¬ 1960s, as many fled poverty detriment of their own well- suggests that Kurds them¬ rate in information technology

and political repression in being and security. selves could do more to initiate from universities in the U.S., Syria and Turkey. During Lebanon's Civil change. returning to Lebanon three

Although there are non- War, Kurds fought in the ranks "We can't put the blame years ago to run the AUB libra¬

Muslim Kurdish communities of Lebanese left-wing and entirely on the authorities and ries.

in other countries, the Kurds Palestinian militias, hoping to society. The Kurds are also to Despite his level of educa¬

of Lebanon all share the Sunni earn money and allies. blame for their lack of upward tion and work, Meho says that

Muslim faith, as well as an Instead, their conflicting alle¬ mobility," says Lokman Meho, growing up he always felt like a

emotional affinity for their giances and lack of unity left director of university libraries second-class citizen. Lebanese ancestral homeland, which them vulnerable, forcing the at the American University of biases are often sectarian in

spans parts of modern-day resettlement of Kurds who Beirut nature, but Meho's childhood

Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. were no longer safe in their "Most are illiterate, many was spent among neighbo¬

They speak two dialects of previously ethnically diverse families prevented their girls rhood kids who, despite being

Kurdish, Kurmanji and neighborhoods. from going to school, and fellow Muslims, called him

Mhallami (a mixture ofArabic, In the early 1990s, follo¬ menial jobs are passed from "dirty" and "foreigner."

Kurdish, Syriac and Turkish). wing the Lebanese govern¬ one generation to the next," "All Kurds are proud to be

Despite the linguistic diffe¬ ment's destruction of several adds Meho, a rare example of a Kurdish and Lebanese. They

rence, the two tend to be of Beirut's squatter quarters, Lebanese Kurd who has rea¬ feel both identities equally," mutually intelligible, though to which many Kurdish fami¬ ched a high level of professio¬ Meho believes. Still, he thinks,

Kurmanji speakers are gene¬ lies had relocated during the nal success. "it could have been more tilted

rally better able to understand war, about a quarter of His parents, who had never toward Lebanese ifthey hadn't

Mhallami speakers than vice Lebanon's Kurds emigrated to attended school themselves, suffered so much."

versa. European countries, while encouraged their children to

Otherwise, the Kurds in many others left the country's pursue an education. Lebanon couldn't be more capital for the Bekaa Valley, Because of his Lebanese

divided, with the community's Tripoli and Syria, further scat¬ citizenship, Meho qualified for

estimated 60,000 having ali¬ tering much of the already a college scholarship from the

gned themselves with a ple¬ fragmented community. Hariri Foundation, allowing

thora of political parties throu- One Lebanese Kurd, while him to attend AUB. He then

71 REUTER

^v- Turkish clashes with PKK militants kill 14

4 v a

February 9, 2012 - Reuters, by Seyhmus Cakan

,*.' DIYARBAKIR, Turkey - Turkish security forces killed 13

Kurdish militants in fighting in southeast Turkey overnight,

security sources said, marking an escalation in violence at a

time when cold winter weather normally limits clashes. ** "iv '' 1 * ' ' * ' - V»; T-

Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters attacked some 10 diffe¬ A Turkish soldier runs down a hill at a small military outpost in the rent security force locations at 2:30 a.m. in Cukurca in Hakkari mountains of Cukurca (OSMAN ORSAL, REUTERS / February 9, 2012) province near the Iraqi border, the sources said.

One soldier and four militants were killed in the fighting and

military operations were continuing in the area. Three of the militants were capture alive, two of them wounded, the sources said. Daily Press introduces Daily Savvy Deals. Sign Up now to

receive offers that are 50% off or more! More than 40,000 militants, soldiers and civilians have been kil¬ led since the PKK began its fight for self-rule in Turkey's mainly Separately, nine PKK guerrillas died in clashes with Turkish Kurdish southeast in 1984. troops in a mountainous region of Bingol province after the sol¬

diers discovered a winter shelter used by the militants. Turkey, the United States and the European Union all classify the PKK as a terrorist organization.Q Security sources said most of the militants were believed to

have killed themselves by detonating hand grenades rather

than being captured.

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

£tMmÛt Dimanche 12 - Lundi 13 février 2012 La mobilisation contre Damas vise aussi Téhéran

' enir à bout de Bachar Les efforts diplomatiques face aux atrocités en Syrie Al-Assad pour affaiblir l'Iran? Sans être la motiva- . vont de pair avec une volonté de priver l'Iran de son allié tion première des diplomaties mobilisées sur la crise en Syrie - où .^r les atrocités perpétrées par le régi¬ me ont atteint un degré tel que le Haut-Commissaire aux droits de l'homme de l'ONU, Navi Pillay, vient de lancerun appel àla saisine M*, de la Cour pénale internationale (CPI) -, l'aspect régional est dans ^ { il ^ #« tous les esprits. Un changement de I H*%. .- régime à Damas priverait Téhéran » 1 d'unallié de longue date auProche-

Orient. ro L'alliance entre la République islamique et le pouvoir de la famille Assad, qui repose sur la minorité alaouite d'obédiencechii¬ te, dure depuis plus de trente ans. Si, voici quelques mois, Téhéran paraissait s'agacer de ce partenaire r .. en l'appelant à conduire des réfor¬ mes politiques, l'aide apportée à l'appareil répressif syrien par la garde prétorienne du régime ira¬

nien, les puissants Gardiens de la Le président Iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (à gauche) accueille le président syrien Bachar Al-Assad révolution, ne semble s'être jamais à Téhéran, en février 2007. atta kenare/afp démentie. Derrière l'effort conjugué, occi¬ vetoàunprojet de résolutionsurla prochement avec Bachar La Turquie se livre à ses propres dental, arabe et turc, pour mettre Syrie, le 4février). La Russie a en Al-Assad. L'administration Oba¬ calculs. Active auprès de l'opposi¬ fin au bain de sang en Syrie, les outre beaucoup
uvré, ces derniè¬ ma s'était lancée dans une appro¬ tion syrienne, elle doit composer calculs géopolitiquessontbien pré¬ res années à l'ONU, pour atténuer che similaire, mais dans une moin¬ avec le rôle de la Ligue arabe pour sents. L'affaiblissement de l'Iran les mesures prises contre l'Iran. dre mesure. ne pas heurter les sensibilités par la perte de la « carte » syrienne Une réunion de la Ligue arabe régionales en affichant trop de est espéré par les Occidentaux car devait être consacrée, dimanche, à réflexe « néo-ottoman ». Elle a aus¬ cela conforterait leur stratégie sur La Syrie est l'épicentre la Syrie, des consultations étant si à l'esprit la question kurde, que le dossier nucléaire : mettre le régi¬ également prévues entre les pétro- d'un affrontement Damas instrumentalise. Alors que me de Téhéran sous pression afin 50% des importations de pétrole qu'il s'engage dans un règlement monarchies du Conseil decoopéra¬ entre l'Iran de la Turquie proviennent d'Iran, négocié. tion du Golfe (CCG). Tous ces pays, etl'Arabie Saoudite larelationavec le grandvoisinchii¬ La Syrie est, au-delà du drame apparemment appelés à faire par¬ te s'est nettement dégradée. vécu par ses opposants, ciblés par tie d'un « groupe des amis de la En Israël, les événements en La Turquie reproche à l'Iran de l'appareil militaire et broyés dans Syrie» réunissant aussi les Occi¬ Syrie et le risque d'une percée des se montrer trop hégémonique en des chambres de tortures en raison dentaux et la Turquie, sont depuis Frères musulmans dans ce pays Irak et de pousserle premierminis¬ longtemps extrêmement nerveux de leurs revendications politiques, donnent lieu à des analyses tre chiite, Nouri Al-Maliki, à une face aux ambitions, régionales et l'épicentre d'un affrontement contrastées, que reflétaient bien politique sectaire et antisunnite, technologiques, de l'Iran. régional complexe, qui met face à des propos tenus le 2 février par le qui, à terme, risque de conduire à face la puissance chiite iranienne Nicolas Sarkozy, dont la diplo¬ ministre de la défense, Ehoud un éclatement de ce pays. Ankara et l'Arabie Saoudite, «gardienne» matie se veut enpointe à lafois sur Barak; lors d'une conférence sur se considère de plus en plus com¬ de l'islam sunnite. Un aspect mis le dossier iranienet surla question les questions de sécurité organisée me le protecteur des sunnites enexerguedemanièreinédite,ven¬ syrienne, déclarait le 8février à à Herzliya. Après avoir estimé que d'Irak et la rivalité qui l'y oppose à dredi 10 février, par le roi Abdallah Paris : « Un jour, le régime de «lerègnedelafamilleAssadestsur Téhéran ne cesse de s'amplifier.»

d'Arabie Saoudite lui-même. Habi¬ Bachar Al-Assad tombera, parce lepointde s'achever», le ministre a Christophe Avad

tuellement discret, le souverain a que l'on ne peut pas massacrer dit son inquiétude à propos de et Natalie Nouoaykede fait une déclaration à la télévision impunément son peuple. Ce jour- transferts d'armes vers le Hezbol¬ nationale décrivant le blocage à là, d'ailleurs, l'Iran sera encoreplus lah au Liban. «En même temps, a l'ONU sur la Syrie comme « absolu¬ seul et isolé et affaibli. » ajouté M.Barak, la chute de la ment regrettable». Sans nommer L'ambition de rompre l'axe famille Assad sera un coup dur la Russie, cette «sortie» semblait entre la Syrie et l'Iran figurait déjà peur "J'axeradical"carcelaprivera destinée à souligner la coupure au centre d'une politique absolu¬ le Hezbollah de son relais, et l'Iran apparue entre les pays arabes sun¬ ment inverse, tentée par la France perdra sa seule emprise dans le nites et Moscou (qui a opposé son de 2007 à fin 2010 : celle d'un rap monde arabe.»

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

Turquie: 2 soldats, 16 rebelles kurdes tués dans des combats dans le sud-est

DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 14 février 2012 (AFP)

Av -* DEUX SOLDATS TURCS ET SEIZE REBELLES KURDES ont été tués lors de violents accrochages survenus lundi dans le sud-est de la Turquie, a-t-on indiqué mardi de source officielle.

Un précédent bilan fourni de source de sécurité locale faisait état de 10 rebelles tués.

Un premier incident s'est produit à Diyarbakir, principale ville de cette zone qui est le théâtre des combats entre les membres du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) et l'armée.

Les forces de sécurité ont arrêté un véhicule sur une route et y ont décou¬ vert 125 kg d'explosifs. Le chauffeur a été abattu lors d'un accrochage.

Dans un deuxième incident, 15 rebelles ont été abattus lors d'une vaste opé¬ ration de ratissage de l'armée dans une zone rurale et montagneuse de la province de Sirnak, frontalière avec l'Irak, où le PKK dispose de bases arrière, précise un communiqué du gouvemorat local. au cours des derniers mois. En octobre, la Turquie a lancé une grande offen¬ sive par air et sur terre contre les séparatistes kurdes dans le sud-est du Deux soldats ont été tués dans les heurts, déplore le document. pays ainsi que dans le nord de l'Irak après que 24 militaires ont été tués Les affrontements entre l'armée turque et le PKK ont augmenté d'intensité dans une embuscade.

Irak: mort d'un Kurde irakien Sami Mohammad Taher et Mohammad Shahwan, indique le ministère pré¬ cisant que le corps de Moussa Younes Abdallah avait été retrouvé deux détenu par le PKK (autorités) jours plus tard.

"Nous, ministère de l'Intérieur et gouvernement de la région du Kurdistan d'Irak, condamnons les pratiques du PKK à rencontre des civils dans les ERBIL (Irak), 13 février 2012 (AFP) régions frontalières et considérons qu'il s'agit d'une action illégale en contra¬ diction avec les principes des droits de l'Homme", indique un communiqué.

UN KURDE IRAKIEN, kidnappé par les séparatistes des rebelles Le texte indique qu'un comité spécial a été mis en place "pour enquêter et kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), a été retrouvé, entamer des procédures contre les auteurs de ces actes". mort, a affirmé lundi le ministère de l'Intérieur de la région autonome. "Nous ne permettrons à qui que ce soit de se substituer à la justice et de C'est la première fois que les autorités de la région font état d'un tel incident détenir ou de tuer des citoyens irakiens. La Kurdistan est une région sure et ordonne une enquête. avec un système légal et judiciaire", ajoute le communiqué.

Dans un communiqué parvenu à l'AFP, le ministère indique que le 29 Dimanche, le bi-hebdomadaire indépendant "Citoyen" avait affirmé que la décembre, des membres du PKK avaient enlevé trois citoyens kurdes ira¬ victime était un espion des services de sécurité turcs auxquels il avait fourni kiens, Moussa Younes Abdallah, Sami Mohammad Taher et Mohammad des renseignements provenant de la sécurité du Parti démocratique du Shahwan, tous originaires de la région de Dohouk, à 410 km au nord de Kurdistan (PDK de Massoud Barzani) et des photos de Sinat-Haftanin, dans Bagdad. le nord de l'Irak, où 35 personnes avaient péri lors d'un bombardement aérien le 29 décembre. Leur sort est resté inconnu jusqu'au 27 janvier quand le PKK avait libéré

Vaste opération anti-PKK en Turquie: 109 personnes arrêtées

ISTANBUL, 13 fév 2012 (AFP) La plupart des interpellations (42) ont eu lieu à Istanbul, a ajouté Anatolie.

L'opération policière s'inscrit dans le cadre d'une offensive judiciaire vjsant à sévir contre le KCK (Union des communautés kurdes). LA POLICE TURQUE a arrêté 109 personnes au cours d'une nouvelle opération d'envergure organisée lundi en Turquie contre les milieux Le KCK, une organisation clandestine, est soupçonnée dêtre la branche soupçonnés de collusion avec les rebelles kurdes, a rapporté l'agence politique du mouvement armé PKK (Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan), en de presse Anatolie, citant les autorités judiciaires. lutte depuis 1984 contre le pouvoir central.

Des équipes de la police est intervenue dans les bureaux de certains syn¬ Les autorités accusent le KCK de vouloir remplacer les institutions officielles dicats et au domicile de leurs dirigeants à Istanbul, Ankara, Diyarbakir (prin¬ dans l'est et le sud-est anatoliens et de favoriser une insurrection dans ces cipale ville du sud-est anatolien à majorité kurde) et dans une vingtaine régions.

d'autres villes, précise Anatolie. Selon les autorités turques, le KCK souhaite se substituer à l'Etat turc dans

Les policiers ont effectué des fouilles dans les locaux des syndicats visés, les collectivités locales des provinces à forte majorité kurde en créant une ceux défendant en particulier les droits des employés municipaux, saisis¬ structure administrative parallèle aux institutions officielles.

sant certains documents, selon les médias. Depuis 2009, 700 personnes, selon le gouvernement, et 3.500 dont des

Ces derniers avaient dans un premier temps fait état de près de cent arres¬ députés, des intellectuels et des maires, selon les milieux kurdes, ont été incarcérées pour collusion avec le KCK. tations par la police.

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

.pstream 10 February 2012

Total shifts Iraq focus to Kurdistan

French oil major Total has become the latest oil major to shift the focus of its Iraq

ambitions toward the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, and away from the much

larger but economically challenging contracts offered by Baghdad.

upstreamonline.com invested in the region, such as China's

Sinopec and US oil group Hess, have » % r TOTAL'S chief executive said on been barred from investing in the south

Friday he was considering possible as Baghdad disputes the KRG's right to investments in Kurdistan, something issue contracts. which previously prompted the central ExxonMobil became the first of the

Iraq government to bar companies from big Western oil groups who held a investing in the south of the country, and «/ Baghdad contract to invest in Kurdistan < added he did not plan to chase contracts last year, prompting a long-running spat. in Baghdad's next licensing round. ~4 * t 7 Abdul Mahdy al-Ameedi, head of "From what we are hearing the condi¬ ? Iraq's contracts and licensing division, tions of the fourth bidding round in Iraq told Reuters on Thursday ExxonMobil do not appear very attractive," .f should freeze its activities in Kurdistan if Christophe de Margerie told a press Lining up: Total latest company to shift it wished to maintain its licence to deve¬ conference, Reuters reported. 'The inte¬ focus from Iraq to Kurdistan lop Iraq's supergiant West Qurna-1 oil¬ rest in Kurdistan is that there are plenty field. of gas and oil reserves there and the Missan province but has long argued ExxonMobil has already been strip¬ contractual conditions are better." the $1- to $2-per-barrel fee offered by ped of its role as project leader for a Iraq is not generous enough. After the second Gulf war, Iraq ope¬ multi-billion-dollar water injection ned its oil industry to foreign investment. Norway's Statoil has told Iraq it wants scheme that is core to the development

Its vast reserves and hopes of raising to exit its stake in the 12.9 billion barrel of Iraq's supergiant oilfields in the south, production to 12 million barrels per day - West Qurna Phase 2 oilfield in southern he added. Iraq. higher even than Saudi Arabia's - held Kurdish and industry sources told out the possibility of a major bounty for Around the time the deal was Reuters earlier this month Total has been

Western oil companies which had largely announced, de Margerie said Statoil and mulling whether to risk Baghdad's ire for

been ejected from the region in the partner Lukoil would struggle to cover some months. 1970s. their costs with the $1.15 fee they Total confirmed its interest in agreed to accept. But the tough terms demanded by Kurdistan as it unveiled higher profits for

Baghdad have been a disappointment While the Kurdistan Regional 2011, thanks to rising oil and gas prices,

for some. Government (KRG) in the north of the and announced plans to boost its invest¬

Total has a minority stake in the country offers better terms, the reserves ment budget.

PetroChina-led consortium that won a are smaller.

contract to develop the Halfaya oilfield in Also, companies who previously

Bloomberg February 10, 2012

lion barrels of reserves, angered Baghdad by signing a contract

Total Chief Says with Exxon Mobil Corp. The central government has so far refu¬

sed to recognize production-sharing agreements between Kurdish Oil Contracts foreign companies and the Kurds.

"Kurdistan is in Iraq and it's up to Iraqis to decide among them¬

'Better' Than Iraq selves" whether agreements should be separate, de Margerie

said. February 10, 2012 - By Tara Patel

Iraq plans to auction 12 exploration areas as part of its fourth

bidding round. The concessions, seven for oil and five for gas, Total SA (FP), Europe's third-largest oil company, is looking cover 90,700 square kilometers, according to an Oil Ministry sta¬ "very closely" at investment opportunities in Kurdistan tement in April. Total has signed contracts in previous bidding where contract terms are superior to those on offer in Iraq, rounds. Chief Executive Officer Christophe de Margerie said.

The latest auction "doesn't appear very attractive," de "It's a place where there are important oil and gas reserves and Margerie said. "The reward for investment doesn't appear for contracts are better" than Iraq, de Margerie said today at a the moment to be enough." press conference in Paris. Total is looking to see whether there are "interesting" exploration blocks in Kurdistan, he said. Companies operating in the Kurdish region are banned from par¬

ticipating in the planned auction. The authorities in the semi -autonomous Kurdish region of nor¬ thern Iraq, home to about 40 percent of the country's 115 bil

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

__ WTERXAnoKU. . îtcralb^i^Sribunc friday, February 10, 2012 Why Russia supports Assad

drama. Russians suspect that the real terms of the U.N. resolution did not reason for the West's pressure on Da¬ Russia has Dmitri Trenin seem to bother Western governments. mascus is to rob Tehran of its only ally some good The Russian government is openly in the region. Behind the activity of the conservative; it abhors revolutions. reasons to Gulf States, particularly Qatar, in the This, however, is more than à self- Syrian issue Moscow sees the rising re¬ question Two senior Russian officials, Foreign serving ideological stance. When the gional influence of Saudi Arabia, Iran's Western Minister Sergei Lavrov and Mikhail Kremlin or Fradkov's office looks bitter rival in the region. Turkey's "neo- Fradkov, the director of Foreign Intelli¬ at the Arab Awakening, they see de¬ policies on Ottoman" ambitions are also playing a gence, have just been to Damascus. mocratization leading directly to Islam- role. What the Russians are most wor¬ Syria. It Their mission was not to nudge icization. ried about, howeVer, is that Israelmay should also Bashar al-Assad from power and offer If the West's historical analogy is strike at Iran, dragging in the United him exile in Russia Rather, the talk was Europe's 1848 or 1989, theirs is Russia's question States and thus precipitating a major about dialogue with the opposition, of¬ 1917. They cite recent election results in war with Iran sometime this year. its own. fering a referendum on a new constitu¬ Tunisia and especially Egypt. They Russian policy makers may have a tion, and the Arab League resuming its point out that post-Qaddafi Libya is point or two when they discuss other "stabilizing" mission. Russia, for its chaotic, with a lot of the former re¬ people's policies. They need, however, part, would stand firm alongside China gime's weaponry finding its way into to step back and look at their own. at the U.N. Security Council, preventing unsavory hands. In their view, Syria's Delivering arms into a country going a formal condemnation of the Syrian re¬ uprising could have even worse con¬ through civil war is damaging, both po¬ gime, any outside military intervention, sequences in terms of sectarian vio¬ litically and morally. Confronting both or any sanctions against it lence and the potential to affect the America and Europe, even if Western Coming so late in the game, the at¬ country's neighbors, particularly Leba¬ policies are misguided, is clearly at tempt at reconciliation is bound to fail. non and Israel. odds with Russia's wider interests. Syria's civil war has de facto begun, and Revolutions are bad enough, in the Telling Qatar to shut up is not merely it will not end soon. America, Europe, Kremlin's view, but attempts to inter¬ undiplomatic, but unwise. And openly Turkey and the Gulf states have fere in other countries' civil wars can quarreling with Turkey and Saudi Ara¬ already given Assad a thumbs down. only make things worse. bia has to be avoided. But the Russian mediation might The Russians appreciate that the To this, some would say that, having have had a chance if Lavrov and United States and other Western lost $4 billion in Libyan arms and other Fradkov had come to Damascus last powers would only intervene militarily contracts and facing the prospect of los¬ summer, or even last fall, and kept com¬ if they could sustain zero losses them¬ ing an equal amount in potential Syrian ing in an exercise of shuttle diplomacy. selves, as in Libya. Syria, however, is a trade, Moscow has no other choice but to Given Russia's role as Syria's tradition¬ more difficult case. Arming the Free take a hard line. Itwill be a pity if, at the al backer and arms supplier, Moscow Syria Army and providing it with intel¬ end of the day, this argument prevails. might have been more successful as a ligence will not be enough to prevail peacemaker than Ankara. Today, Lav¬ over Assad's forces. A prospect of a Dmitri trenin, director o/the Carnegie rov and Fradkov's mission looks more wider war with Arab and Turkish par¬ Moscow Center/is the author, must like a face-saving gesture. ticipation looms on the horizon. recently, of "Posi-Imperium: A Eurasian Russia's stance on Syria is often ex¬ Such a war could only make sense if it Story." plained in terms of Syria's importance were the first act of a more serious to Moscow. It is true that Syria is posi¬ tioned in the strategic heart of the Middle East, and that Moscow's links to the Assad family go back four decades. None of this, however, should be ex¬ aggerated. Syria is not an ally; Tartus

is a naval resupply facility rather than a m 1 naval base; and the total value of Rus¬ sia's arms trade with Syria during the

previous decade amounted to around $1.5 billion, which makes Damascus A SsS ^tofc. ^1 Moscow's seventh-largest client. To understand Moscow's attitude to Syria, and the sources of its disagree¬

ment with the West and a number of Arab states, one has to take a broader

view. W 1 Last year, Russia abstained in the Se¬ curity Council on the Libya no-flight zone vote, thus allowing the resolution to pass. Soon what was billed as protec¬ tion of innocent civilians from a massa¬ cre in Benghazi turned into NATO's off¬ shore war against the Libyan government, which finally resulted in E the overthrow of the Qaddafi regime and the killing of the dictator along with many of his supporters and probably a number Of civilians. That NATO's mili¬ tary actions went way beyond the CRISTOBAL SCHMAL

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

_^ WTHaUTION/U. ïïeralb^.^Sribune February 10,2012

U.S. and Israel at odds over Iran's atomic 'immunity zone'

The difference of opinion over Iran's nuclear program is not worth the cost. WASHINGTON nuclear "immunity" is critical because The Iranian currency has plunged, it plays into not just the timing or they note; its oil is piling up in storage BYMARKLANDLER bluffing about a possible military tanks because it cannot find buyers, and AND DAVID E. SANGER strike, but also the calculations about there is growing evidence of fissures Amid mounting tensions over whether how deeply and quickly sanctions among the country's leadership. Israel will carry out a military strike against Iran must bite. If the Israeli ar¬ After a period of doubt about Israel's against Iran's nuclear program, the gument is right, the question of how fast intentions at the end of last year, admin¬ United States and Israel remain at odds the Iranians can assemble a weapon be¬ istration officials said the two sides were over a fundamental question: whether comes less important than whether now communicating better. Mr. Obama, Iran's crucial nuclear facilities are there is any way to stop them. they said, reflected that when he said in '"Zone of immunity' is an ill-defined an interview on Sunday with NBC News, NEWSANALYSIS term," said a senior U.S. official, ex¬ "I don't think that Israel has made a de¬ pressing frustration that the Israelis are cision on what they need to do." about to become virtually impregnable. looking at the problem too narrowly, This is not the first time that the Israe¬ The Israeli defense minister, Ehud given the many kinds of pressure being lis hâve invented a phrase that suggests Barak, coined the phrase "zone of im¬ placed on Tehran and the increasing ev¬ a hard deadline before an attack. At the munity" to define the circumstances idence that far tougher sanctions are end of the George W. Bush administra¬ under which Israel would judge it could having an effect. tion, they said they could not allow Iran no longer hold off from an attack be¬ The Israelis have zeroed in on Iran's to go past "the point of no return." That cause Iran's effort to produce a bomb plan to put much of its uranium enrich¬ phrase was also ill-defined, but seemed would be invulnerable to any Israeli ment near Qum in an underground facil- to suggest that once Iran had the know- strike. But judging when that moment ' ity beneath so many layers of granite how and the basic materials to make a will arrive has set off an intense debate that even the Pentagon acknowledges it bomb, it would be inevitable. with the Obama administration, whose would be out of the reach of its best While nuclear experts believe Iran officials counter that there are other bunker-busting bombs. Once enrich¬ now has enough uranium to fuel four or ways to make Iran vulnerable. ment activitiesare under way at Qum, more weapons, it would have to enrich it Senior Israeli officials, including the the Israelis argue, Iran could throw out to bomb-grade levels, which would take UN." inspectors" and produce bomb- foreign minister and leader of the months. Beyond that, Iran would have grade fuel without fear the facility Mossad, have traveled to Washington in to produce a warhead that could fit atop would be destroyed. an Iranian missile. recent weeks to make the case that this At its core, the official said, the argu¬ point is fast approaching. U.S. officials Still, Mr. Barak's theory of "im¬ ment the Israelis make is that once the have made reciprocal visits to Jerusa¬ munity" has gained a lot of attention in Iranians get an "impregnable breakout lem, arguing that Israel and the West recent weeks, complicating a debate capability" that is, a place that is pro¬ should allow sanctions and covert ac¬ charged with bellicose language in Is¬ tected from a military strike "it tions to deter Iran's plans. rael and Iran and among Republicans makes no difference whether it will take The Americans have also used the dis¬ on the presidential campaign trail, Iran six months or a year or five years" cussions to test their belief, based on a where Mitt Romney and other candi¬ to fabricate a nuclear weapon, he said. series of public statements by Israeli of¬ dates have pledged Israel full support in The Americans have a very different ficials, that an Israeli strike against Iran any military confrontation with Iran. view, according to a second senior offi¬ could come as early as spring, âccord- Disputes between the United States tag to an official fain^ar with the talks. cial who has discussed the concept with and Israel are inevitable, according to Israelis. President Barack Obama tried to de¬ experts, given the radically different He said that "there are many other fuse arguments for military action in a stakes of a nuclear Iran for a distant su¬ options" to slow Iran's march to a com¬ telephone call last month with Prime perpower and for a neighbor whose pleted weapon, like shutting off Iran's Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, very existence the leaders in Tehran oil revenues, taking out facilities that the substance ofwhich was confirmed by have pledged to eradicate. supply centrifuge parts or singling out a U.S. official who spoke only on the con¬ U.S. officials also noted a distinction installations where the Iranians would dition of anonymity because he was not in the tone of Mr. Barak and Mr. Netan¬ turn the fuel into a weapon. authorized to describe the conversation. yahu, who does not publicly favor the Administration officials cite this more While the two leaders have had an of¬ phrase "zone of immunity." This week, complex picture in pressing the Israelis ten contentious relationship over Middle a U.S. official noted, Mr. Netanyahu de¬ to give the latest sanctions a chance to East diplomacy, U.S. officials emerged clared that on the topic of Iran, officials inflict enough pain on the Iranian lead¬ should just "shut up." from that exchange persuaded that Mr. ership to force it back to the negotiating Netanyahu was willing to give economic "I think that's good advice," the U.S. table, or to make the decision that the official said. sanctions and other steps time to work.

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

CNBC Turkish officials aided Kurdish February 14, 2012 militants - prosecutor

southeast. Officials said the target of the

bomb was likely an urban area in Turkey. By Daren Butler , Reuters

PKK militants have stepped up attacks on ISTANBUL - A Turkish investigation Turkish security forces over the last six of links between Kurdish activists months prompting retaliatory air raids on and militants has uncovered evidence suspected PKK sanctuaries in the moun¬ of state officials aiding the separatists, tains of northern Iraq. a prosecutor said on Monday, fuelling

speculation about a power struggle Turkish warplanes carried out strikes in within the security apparatus. northern Iraq over the weekend. There

were no reports of casualties. The strikes The statement from the Istanbul state were the second air raids in a month and prosecutor's office coincided with police come weeks after Turkish warplanes raids across Turkey to detain around 100 mistakenly killed 35 civilian smugglers. people over alleged ties to the Kurdistan while detaining four other MIT officers Workers Party (PKK) militants in the same for questioning but no action has been The PKK, branded a terrorist organisation investigation. taken so far. by Ankara, the EU and the United States, took up arms against the state in 1984 Underscoring security concerns, Turkish The prosecutor's investigation is focused and more than 40,000 people have been forces discovered around 150 kg (330 lb) on an organisation called the Union of killed in the conflict. of explosives and a remote-controlled Kurdistan Communities (KCK), which the detonating device inside a parked car in PKK is alleged to have established with SECRET OSLO TALKS southeastern Turkey, officials said. the aim of creating its own political sys¬

tem in the mainly Kurdish southeast of Prosecutors are also believed to want to Monday's arrests came less than a week Turkey. question MIT officials about secret talks after prosecutors asked the head of the they held in Oslo with PKK representa¬ National Intelligence Agency (MIT) and Around 150 politicians and activists are tives. The contacts came to light last year his predecessor to testify over secret already being tried in the region's main through recordings on the Internet. links between the PKK and the agency, city of Diyarbakir on charges of member¬ which is controlled by Prime Minister ship of an armed terrorist group and Some have interpreted the targeting of Tayyip Erdogan. hundreds more people have been the MIT as a nationalist warning to

detained in related cases. Erdogan against seeking any negotiated The government has moved to block the settlement with the PKK. Erdogan is cur¬ questioning of MIT operatives with a par¬ 13 KILLED IN CLASHES rently recovering from his second bout of liamentary bill requiring Erdogan's per¬ intestinal surgery in three months. mission for such a move. At the weekend, Security sources said those held on the prosecutor who ordered their ques¬ Monday were believed to be involved in Talks between the state and PKK were tioning was removed from the case. bomb attacks and illegal protests and halted after Erdogan's AK Party won a

noted their detention came just two days third term in office last June with around However, Istanbul deputy chief prosecu¬ before the February 15 anniversary of 50 percent of the votes. The PKK has tor Fikret Secen said in a written state¬ jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's cap¬ returned to fighting using northern Iraq ment defending the investigation that it ture in 1999. as a refuge for operations in southeast¬ was only directed at the actions of indi¬ ern Turkey. vidual officials and not against govern¬ Officials say security forces are on high ment anti-terrorism policy. alert around Turkey fearing PKK attacks Erdogan, who has Islamist roots but

to mark the anniversary. whose AK party includes centre-right and "This investigation ... was launched due even strongly nationalist elements, has to evidence giving rise to suspicion that On Monday, Turkish troops killed 10 PKK pressed reforms in Turkey that have some state officials acted outside the fighters in a clash in Sirnak near the Iraqi shaken the political establishment since duty given to them by the executive border. Two soldiers were killed in the he was first elected in 2002. He has cut organ and aided the (militant) organisa¬ fighting. One PKK militant was also killed back the influence of the army and shak¬ tion in executing its operations," it said. and another wounded in a separate fire- en up a conservative judiciary.

fight in Diyarbakir, security sources said. The head of MIT, Hakan Fidan, is close to Some have suggested an influential Erdogan and the investigation is seen as Separately, security forces discovered Islamic movement, headed by Fethullah exposing tensions between his organisa¬ around 150 kg of explosives and a Gulen, a Muslim theologian living in the tion and elements within the police and remote-controlled detonator inside a United States, could be seeking to clip judiciary. parked car along the main road between Erdogan's wings.B

the city of Mardin and Diyarbakir, in Istanbul prosecutors have asked their Turkey's turbulent and mainly Kurdish Ankara counterparts to summon Fidan,

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

INTERNATIONAL îbralb#fêsêSrtbutt« February 14, 2012

ideological leader of Al Qaeda world¬ Now, Iraqi Sunnis are wide, issued a statement urging Muslims in the region he specifically mentioned Iraq to support the upris¬ ing, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist commu¬ arming Syrians nications. In Jordan, the Muslim Brotherhood issued a call to arms of its own, calling it previously sold to the fighters of An¬ a duty for Muslims everywhere to op¬ FALLUJA, IRAQ bar and Mosul. I used to bring them pose Mr. Assad's government in Syria in from Syria; now it's the other way a holy war, using any means necessary; . around." Those fighting Assad get "Supporting the Syrian people and The man said he was selling mortars, Free Syrian Army is a duty, as they are help as allies across the grenades and rifles, andthat nis contact facing the injustice and oppression of in Syria was also an Iraqi, in some in¬ border return the favor stances, he said Iraqis were giving away the regime," the group said on its Web weapons, and in those cases he charged site. On its Web site, the Islamic State of BYTTMARANGO money only to transport them across Iraq, front group for Al Qaeda in Meso¬ AND DURAID ADNAN the border. potamia, has stated, "A lot of Syrians "It's a good business, but it's not easy fought side by side with the Islamic Not so long ago, Syrians worked to send money," he said. "It's risky, but this is State of Iraq, and it is good news to hear weapons and fighters into Iraq to help life." about the arrival of Iraqi fighters to Sunnis fighting a sectarian conflict; . Tribal leaders and security officials fight with their brethren in Syria." suddenly, it is the other way around. describe a small but increasing flow of The group has also advised Syrian A belated celebration of the Prophet weapons to Syria from Anbar Province rebels to use the type of roadside bombs Muhammad's birthday on Saturday on and areas around Mosul, the northern that proved so deadly in the Iraq war. the outskirts of this western Iraqi city city that is a headquarters for Al Qaeda Some leaders in Anbar, where Al quickly took on the trappings of a rally in Mesopotamia. For some weapons Qaeda has very little support, insisted for Syrian rebels. Young boys waved the smugglers, the price of an automatic that their region's assistance to Syria is old green, black and white flag Syria rifle has increased dramatically to only humanitarian. Officials in Falluja adopted in the 1930s after declaring in¬ $2,000 from about $300, according to one have said they are establishing a camp dependence from the French. Others account. in the expectation of refugees. collected money to send aid and Abdul Rahim al-Shammari, head of "The people here want to help the weapons to the fighters opposing Presi¬ the Provincial Council's security com¬ people of Syria, not with weapons, but dent Bashar al-Assad's government. mittee in Mosul, said explosives and with whatever other help we can give . "I wish I could go there with my gun weapons were being smuggled through them," said Faisel al-Esawi, a member and fight," Sheik Hamid al-Hais, a tribal Rabia, a border village. A weapons of the Anbar Provincial Council. leader in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar trader in the area, who spoke anony¬ "We need to stand next to the Syrian Province, said at his compound. mously because of the nature of his people, just like they stood next to us," work, described smuggling weapons It is increasingly clear that the sec¬ he said, referring to Syria's open accept¬ parts in empty cigarette cartons and tarian war in Syria is becoming the re¬ ance of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi said he recently made a $4,000 profit gional conflict that analysts have long refugees during the war. selling a PKC rifle. Across the border, he feared. The rush of recent events in¬ The Shiite-dominated central govern¬ said, some Syrians were trading sheep cluding bombings and assassinations in ment in Baghdad has walked a fine line and cows for weapons. Damascus and Aleppo, and intensifying with its policy toward Syria, offering The sympathies in Anbar for the Syr¬ violence in northern Lebanon coming outright support neither to the Assad ian rebels are born of centuries-old tri¬ directly out of the sectarian hostilities in government nor to the opposition. bal connections and a shared religion. Syria suggests that the Assad gov¬ "We are immediate neighbors," said "We have common tribes and a com¬ ernment now also faces antagonists Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraqi foreign minis¬ mon border," said Sheik Ali Hatem al- across its borders. ter. "It's like Mexico for the United Suleiman, interviewed recently at his Like Iraq and Afghanistan before it, States. With a change in Syria, everyone mansion in Baghdad, where he keeps a analysts say, Syria is likely to become fears the spillover." pet lion penned in the front yard. Mr. the training ground for a new era of in¬ "This doesn't mean we support As¬ Hatem described Mr. Assad as a ternational conflict, and jihadists are sad's regime," he said. "We can't really "butcher" and said that men in Anbar, oppose the Syrian people." already signing up. This past weekend, his ancestral home, were already trying Iranian influence also factors into Al Qaeda's ideologicatieadership and, to help the opposition. "Yes, they are how Iraq calculates its Syria policy. The more troublingly, the more mainstream giving weapons; they have to," he said, Iranian government is perhaps the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Broth¬ adding that Anbar tribal leaders were to closest friend of the Assad government, erhood, called for jihadists around the meet this week to discuss ways to sup¬ and Iraq does not want to alienate Iran, world to fight Mr. Assad'sgovernment. port the rebels. which exerts a degree of political con¬ Nowhere is the cross-border nature of Meanwhile, Al Qaeda in Mesopot¬ trol over the Iraqi leaders and backs mi¬ sectarian hostilities more clear than in amia, whose membership has declined litias in Iraq. Iraq's western desert, where Sunni substantially in recent years, is trying There is also the fear that if Syria col¬ Arabs are beginning to rally to the cause to take advantage of the violence in Syr¬ lapses, Iran will compensate for losing of the Syrian opposition and, in the pro- . ia. A recent report by McClatchy News¬ an ally in Syria by expanding its influ¬ cess, perhaps strengthen their hand in papers quoted unidentified U.S. officials ence over Iraqi affairs. dealings with an antagonistic Shiite-led as saying that Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia In Anbar, the anger toward the cen¬ national government in Baghdad. was behind two deadly bombings in Da¬ tral government's Syria policy is palp¬ A weapons dealer who" operates in mascus and probably also the bombing able. Anbar, who said he goes by the alias on Friday in Aleppo. In interviews, U.S. Hours before the gathering Saturday Ahmed al-Masri, said: "Five months officials in Baghdad said they believed in Falluja, a similar event was held at a that was. likely but had no evidence to ago, I was told that the Syrian brothers soccer stadium in Ramadi. are in need of weapons. I started to buy confirm it. In celebrating the birth of the Prophet On Saturday, Ayman al-Zawahri, the the weapons from the same guys that I

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

Muhammad, attendees also waved the want the Iraqi government to support Zaid Thaker, Yasir Ghazi and Omar al- version of the Syrian flag in use before the people, not the killers. They are Jawoshy contributed reportingfrom the Assad family assumed power. helping the Syrian government kill 'Baghdad; Neil MacFarquhar and Rania "We're here to support Syria and we those Muslims." Beirut; and employees ofThe . want to stop the bloodshed," said Sheik New York Timesfrom Falluja, Ramadi Muhammad Hamis Abu Risha. "We and Mosul.

ItemtbS^rUruttc Next up: Turkey vs. Iran

proxy war between Tehran and Ankara, Turkish-Iranian rivalry in the Fertile The oldest Soner Cagaptay in which there will be only one winner. Crescent has opened up a can of rivalry in Hence, all is fair game now between worms: Iranian leaders attack Tur¬ Ankara and Tehran. Encouraged by key's "secular Islam" and threaten to the Middle Iran, Assad ignored Turkish advice to re¬ "strike Turkey" should Ankara act on East takes Hardly a day goes by that an Iranian of¬ form. Turkey is now supporting, hosting, its commitment to support NATO's

on a new ficial doesn't threaten Turkey. Take for and reportedly arming the Syrian oppo¬ missile defense project by placing instance Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim sition. Iran's response has been to strike radars on its territory. intensity as Safavi's recent warning to Ankara: at Turkey by once again supporting the Turkey, anchored in NATO and ori¬ tensions "Turkey must radically rethink its P.K.K., which has launched dozens of ented toward the Middle East, is a policies on Syria, the NATO missile deadly attacks, killing more than 150 mount in greater threat to Iranian interests than shield and promoting Muslim secular¬ Turks since the summer of 2011. Syria and the merely pro-Western Turkey of a de¬ ism in the Arab world, or face trouble Competition over Syria has also mo¬ cade ago. There is a chance that Iran Iraq. from its own people and neighbors." bilized fault lines in Iraq, where Turkey might become even more aggressive: This is no surprise. Turkish-Iranian and Iran have been supporting oppos¬ Some analysts suggest that the Iranian rivalry goes back centuries, to the Otto¬ ing camps. Since Iraq's first democratic Quds Force, the special-operations unit man sultans and the Safavid shahs. It elections in 2005, Iran has supported of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard briefly subsided in the 20th century, the Shiite-backed Dawa party of Nuri Corps, might be connecting with the when Turkey became an inward-look¬ Kamal al-Maliki, while Turkey has P.K.K. in northern Iraq to target both ing nation-state, leaving a vacuum in backed the secular pan-Iraqi move¬ Turkey and the Iraqi Kurds. the Middle East. In the past decade, ment of Ayad Allawi. Following months Both countries are slowly showing though, Turkey's economic growth and of contention after the 2010 elections, their; hands in the region's oldest power emergence as a regional giant under Maliki formed a government in Bagh¬ game. In the Middle East, there is room the Justice and Development Party, or dad, scoring a victory for Tehran. for one shah or one sultan, but not both A.K.P., have revived its standing. From Maliki has cracked down on Ankara- a shah and a sultan. the Syrian uprising to Iraq's sectarian backed factions, issuing an arrest war¬ convulsions to Iran's push for nuclear rant for Tariq al-Hashimi, Iraq's vice soner cagaptay is a seniorfellow at the power, Ankara is the main challenger to president and leader of the country's Washington Institutefor Near East Policy. Tehran's desire to dominate the region. Sunni community. Hashimi has taken Following the A.K.P.'s ascent to power refuge in the Kurdish-controlled part of in 2002, the Turks were, initially, not in¬ Iraq. The Kurds, who have until recently terested in competition with the Irani¬ despised the Sunni Arabs for their per¬ ans and relations between Ankara and secution of the Kurds under Saddam Tehran seemed quite warm. Both coun¬ Hussein, are now making amends. They tries defended the Palestinian cause. are also closely aligning with Turkey to Ankara did not appear threatened by balance Iranian influence inside Iraq. Iran's nuclear project High-level visits

between the two governments became routine and trade boomed. Meanwhile, shared objections to the Iraq War appeared to bind the Turks and the Iranians. Iran even stopped harbor¬ ing rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or P.K.K., which it had encouraged to attack Turkey because of Ankara's

pro-Western stance. After the Iraq War, Tehran began bombing the very P.K.K. camps it had earlier permitted on its ter¬ ritory, winning points with the Turks. Then came the Arab Spring. The up¬ rising in Syria put Ankara and Tehran at polar opposite ends of the regional and political spectrum. Given its democratic traditions, Turkey supported the revolu¬ tion and sided with the protesters ; au¬ thoritarian Iran continued its support for the Assad regime and backed his brutal crackdown on civilians. The Syrian uprising has become a zero-sum game: Either Bashar al-As- sad will win, or the demonstrators will triumph. Likewise, it has become a RAQUELMAR1N

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

icîHonilc Mardi 14 février 2012 A Homs, l'Armée syrienne libre tient tête aux forces régulières

Pas de répit pour les damnés ne de guerre du régime baasiste. aménagé des positions avec des assaut spectaculaire contre les bâti¬ de Homs. Le bombardement Les déclarations des représentants sacs de sable sur tous les axes du ments de la Sécurité criminelle et de la « capitale de la révolu¬ de l'opposition syrienne, qui s'alar¬ quartier et ils ont des guetteurs de la Poste, dans le quartier de tion syrienne » se poursuit sans dis¬ ment à intervalles réguliers du lan¬ dans les immeubles qui l'environ¬ Bayada, au nord de Khaldiyé. Ces continuer depuis dix jours. Com¬ cement d'une grande offensive ter¬ nent. L'armée syrienne verrouille deux sites abritaient des snipers mencé le 3 février, à la veille du restre contre laville, entretiennent Baba Amro mais compte tenu de la pro-régime, dont les tirs avaient vote du Conseil de sécurité de cette idée : celle d'une lerite agonie trèsforte implantation de l'ASL, je fait de nombreuses victimes dans l'ONU sur un projet de résolution et d'un coup de grâce imminent. doute qu'elle ait les moyens de lui la population civile. condamnant la répression menée Surleterrain cependant, même reprendre cette zone. Si elle lançait «Durant cette opération, les par le régime du président Bachar si le calvaire enduré par la popula¬ une offensive terrestre, ses pertes insurgésont reçu le soutien de nom¬ . Al-Assad-un texte finalementblo¬ tion civile est indéniable, l'équili¬ seraient très lourdes. Certains acti¬ breux habitants Qui leur ont ame¬ qué par le double veto siho-russe, bre des forces semble plus comple¬ vistes disent même que l'armée né de l'essence, ce qui leur a permis le pilonnage des quartiers aux xe. De retour à Paris après avoir n 'ose plus envoyer de soldats sur le deconfectionnerdes cocktailsMolo- mains de l'opposition armée par passé un mois à Homs pour « Lé terrain de peur que confrontés à la tov qu'ils ontjetés sur les'positions

les forces loyalistes a fait 23 morts Monde », le photojournaliste réalitéde l'affrontement, ils ne choi¬ loyalistes, souligne Mani En géné¬ supplémentaires dimanche Mani niet l'accent sur la'montée sissent de déserter aussitôt. » ral, lapopulation est trèsfavorable 12 février. en puissance de l'ASL, qui non seu¬ Davantage qu'à une prépara¬ à l'ASL. Elle estfière de ces combat¬ Selon l'Observatoire syrien des lement contrôle des quartiers tion d'artillerie, destinée à faciliter tants, qui constituent leur unique droits de l'homme, basé à Londres, entiers comme Baba Amro (sud- l'entrée de ses troupes dans les bas¬ protection. » Obligés de se retirer

le bilan des violences dans la troi¬ ouest), Khaldiyé (nord), Bayada tions de la contestation, les bom¬ sous le feu des mortiers adverses, sième ville de Syrie se chiffre à (nord-est) et la vieille ville (centre- bardements des dix derniers jours les insurgés ont repris le dessus 500 morts depuis le 4 février, en est)^ niais «parvient peu à peu à s'apparentent, selon Mani, à « une peu après et assurent désormais là grande majorité des civils. étendre ses positions, au détri¬ punition collective ». L'armée garde des deux bâtiments. «Ils Vues de l'étranger, ces statisti¬ ment des forces régulières. syrienne chercherait ainsi à se ven¬ empêchent les riverains de piller la

ques macabres, qui gonflent jour «Lors de mon premier séjour à ger des opérations de plus en plus Poste, précise Mani Ils ont surpris après jour, donnent l'impression Homs, en octobre, les combattants audacieuses menées par l'ASL l'un d'eux avec un téléviseursous le d'un écrasement lent mais inexo¬ de l'ASL qui étaientprésents à Baba Le bombardement de Khaldiyé, bras. Ils l'ont détruit sur le champ. » rable des manifestants syriens et Amro, restaient planqués la plu¬ le 3 février, qui causa un véritable L'efficacité croissante de l'ASL, de leur branche militaire, l'Armée part du temps, racqnte-t-iL Désor¬ bain de sang - le nombre de morts aurait, selon Mani, un effet boule-

syrienne libre (ASL), par la machi mais, ils ne se cachent plus. Ils ont estimé initialement à plus de 200, de-neige. Elle inciterait un nombre

s'élèverait, selon une source locale, croissant dé Syriens de Homs à' à 138 -, avait ainsi été précédé rejoindre ses rangs, aussi bien des La Ligue arabe appelle d'une attaque des forces de l'oppo¬ opposants qui se tenaient jusque- sition cbntre une clinique utilisée là à l'écart de la résistance armée, àsoutenirl'opposition comme place-forte par les loyalis¬ que des soldats qui font le choix de tes. Une dizaine d'officiers et de sol¬ déserter. « On entendparler de sol¬ CONSTATANT son impuissance à '" Parallèlement, la Ligue arabe a dats avaient été capturés dans cet¬ dats qui partent en permission et infléchir le régime syrien, la Ligue mis fin à sa mission d'observateur, te opération. quinereviehnentjamàis.dïilëpho- arabe a coupé les ponts avec qui a échoué à faire respecter le tojoumaliste au « Monde ». Dans Damas, dimanche 12 février. L'ins¬ plan de sortie de crise mis au point « Les insurgés les combats, il est arrivéque des sol¬ tance panarabe, encore présidée avec la Syrie en novembre 2011. dats et des officiers négocient leur pour quelques semaines par le Malgré les veto russe et chinois au ont reçu le soutien reddition et leur ralliement à l'ASL Qatar, a demandé à ses membres Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU, la de nombreux Ces combattants et la population de rompre « toutes lesformes de Ligue arabe revient à la charge en des quartiers insurgés ont un . coopération diplomatique avec les demandant au Conseil « d'adopter habitants » moral defer. Ils ne se soumettront

représentants du régime syrien une résolutionpour laformation'' Mani jamais. » dans les Etats, les instances et les d'uneforce de maintien de lapaix photôjournaliste La résistance de l'opposition

conférences internationales ». Les arabo-onusienne conjointe ». pour «Le Monde» promet de se compliquer dans les pays' au Conseil de coopérationdu L'initiative a peu de chances prochains jours, compte tenu de

Golfe pourraient reconnaître dans d'aboutir étant donné la farouche Quelques heures après le carna¬ pénuries en produits alimentaires lés tout prochains jours le Conseil opposition de Moscou à toute inter¬ ge de Khaldiyé, l'ASL marquait à de base. Les quartiers' aux mains

national syrien (CNS), principale vention extérieure. Arabes et Occi¬ nouveau des points, en neutrali¬ des insurgés ne reçoivent quasi¬ plateforme de l'opposition syrien¬ dentauxvont par ailleurs tenter de sant le barrage militaire d'Al-Qahi- ment plus de farine et le prix du ne en exil, comme « représentant faire condamner Damas, cette fois ra, à quelques centaines de mètres pain s'est envolé. Un convoi du légitime dupeuple syrien». à l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU, du site du bombardement. Deux Croissant Rouge a distribué, La Ligue va, en outre; « ouvrir où le veto n'existe pas. Mais l'adop¬ blindés ont été détruits, dont les dimanche 12 février, de la nourritu¬

des canaux de communication tion d'une telle résolution n'aurait imagés calcinées ont fait depuis le re, des médicaments et des couver¬ avec l'opposition syrienne et lui - qu'une portée symbolique. tour de la toile. Dans la nuit du tures à plusieurs milliers- d'habi¬ fournir toutes lesformes de sou¬ Sans surprise, Damas a refusé dimanches au lundi 6 février, les tants touchés par les violences.

tien politique et matériel ». Cela «catégoriquement» ces décisions, soldats de l'ASL menaient un autre Benjamin Barthe pourrait autoriser ceux qui le sou¬ après avoir accusé les pays arabes haitent à financer et armer la bran¬ d'être à la solde de l'Occident. che armée de l'opposition, regrou¬ Enfin, le chef d'Al-Qaida, pée au sein de l'Armée syrienne Ayman Al-Zawahiri, et les Frères libre (ASL). La Tunisie a proposé musulmans jordaniens ont appe¬ d'organiser, le 24février, « une lé au djihad (guerre sainte) contre conférence des amis de la Syrie », le régime Assad.

dont la Turquie avait lancé l'idée. Service International

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

£tMmèt

Mercredi 15 février 2012

11 11111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111 1 mi iiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiimiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiii 111111111111 1111111111111 La révolution syrienne menacée par les djihadistes

retrait. dimanche, constitue la première exhorta¬ Le plus troublant est que l'opération tion explicite de l'organisation à prendre intervient deux semaines après l'annonce une part active au soulèvement syrien. Jus¬ de la création du Front de la victoire du Nora Benkorich qu'à présent, elle est restée à la marge du peuple syrien, organisation djihadiste diri¬ « printemps arabe ». gée par un certain Abou Muhammad Doctorante à l'Ecole des hautes études Plus étonnamment, les modalités de Al-Golani. Hostile à l'ingérence des Occi¬ en sciences sociales (EHESS) l'assassinat d'Al-Khawli ne sont pas sans dentaux qui «se présentent en sauveurs rappeler les méthodes employées par les du peuple opprimé alors qu'ils tuent des L'assassinat, vendredi djihadistes de l'avant-garde combattante musulmanspartout », des Turcs vus com¬ 10 février, à Damas, du général pour éliminer des centaines de personnali¬ me « les nouveaux alliés des Américains », de brigade et médecin Issa tés proches du régime. Cette organisation, de la Ligue arabe décrite comme un instru¬ Al-Khawli, directeur de l'hôpi¬ . convaincue que seul le « djihad armé dans ment des Américains pour «donner une tal militaire Ahmad Hamish, la voie de Dieu » pouvait faire tomber le laisse planer l'hypothèse chance au régime de résoudre la crise, quit¬ « régime infidèle du tyran Assad » (père), a d'une entrée en lice des djihadistes en te à tuer tous les citoyens syriens» et de mis en iuvre de nombreux attentats Syrie, qui serait de mauvais augure pour Yln\n«quichercheàrestaurerl'Empireper- contre des symboles du pouvoir le mouvement d'insurrection pacifiste et se», ce mouvement estime que «le seul entre 1976 et 1982. Sa première opération, pro-démocrate. D'une part, elle risque¬ moyen de sauver la nation de l'égarement lancée en février 1976, était précisément rait de conduire la communauté interna¬ est le retour des djihadistes ». un « assassinat ciblé ». tionale, qui s'est déjà montrée pusillani¬ Rappelons que l'action armée des djiha¬ me à l'idée de condamner la brutalité de distes de l'avant-garde combattante a ser¬ a L'opposition, tant civile la répression du régime, à faire un nou¬ vi d'alibi au régime de Hafez Al-Assad non veau pas en arrière. que militaire, devra seulement pour annihiler tous les rivaux D'autre part, elle donnerait au pouvoir gênants du Baas - les Frères musulmans, se démarquer l'alibi dont il a besoin pourjustifierun usa¬ les nassériens et les Communistes, etc. -, ge accru de la violence. A ce jour, l'assassi¬ de ce mouvement, mais aussi pour rallier les minorités pétri¬ nat d'Issa Al-Khawli n'a pas encore été fiées par le discours sectaire des djihadis¬ voire le combattre » revendiqué. Les médias officiels ont affir¬ tes, et un large pan de la majorité sunnite

mé, conformément à l'argumentaire de hostile à leur discours extrémiste, à sa cau¬ Damas, que des «groupes terroristes se. Si elle veut préserver sa « révolution Dans la ligne de mire : Muhammad armés» originaires d'Homs, Hama et pacifique», l'opposition, tant civile que Gharra, militaire, alaouite et baasiste - les Deraa étaient derrière l'opération - ce qui militaire, devra se démarquer de ce mou¬ trois critères de sélectionétablis par les dji¬ permet au passage de légitimer la répres¬ vement, voire le combattre en le ren¬ hadistes -, chef de la branche des services voyant dos à.dos avec le régime, au risque sion de ces trois bastions de la contesta¬ de renseignements d'Hama. Le modus d'être jetée dans le même panier commo¬ tion. Bien que cette allégation soit pour¬ operandi : il a été assassiné devant chez lui de des djihadistes, comme parle passé. fendue par la plupart des milieux d'oppo¬ par une cellule de trois hommes, appelée sition syriens, qui accusent le régime de ousra (famille), menée par un émir (prin¬ fabriquer des attentats pour travestir leur ce) chargé d'exécuter la cible pendant que révolte, la menace est à prendre au les deux autres se partageaient les mis¬ «J Nora Benkorich est attachée sérieux. Pourquoi? sions de surveillance et de retrait. Issa de recherche et d'enseignement Le jour de l'exécution d'Al-Khawli, des Al-Khawli, alaouite, baasiste et gradé de à la chaire d'histoire Américains ont déclaré à des journalistes l'armée syrienne, répond aux « critères de contemporaine du monde arabe du groupe de presse McClatchy qu'ils sélection » des djihadistes de l'avant-gar¬ Henry-Laurens du Collège étaient convaincus qu'Al-Qaida portait la de combattante. de France. Sa thèse porte sur responsabilité de deux attentats survenus Selon l'agence de presse officielle Sana, l'histoire de la Syrie baasiste à Damas et de l'attaque-suicidë de vendre¬ il a été assassiné par un groupe composé di à Alep. D'après un rapport des services de trois hommes. L'information a été de renseignements américains, l'organisa¬ confirmée par l'opposant Nizar Nayyouf, tion djihadiste terroriste chercherait à qu'on ne peut soupçonner de sympathie accroître son influence, émoussée par la pour le régime. Dans sa revue en ligne mort de son. ancien chef Oussama Ben Al-Haqiqa (« LaVérité »), ce rescapé des pri¬ Laden, au Pakistan, en mai 2011. sons du Baas, qu'il a pu quitterpour des rai¬ Deux jours plus tard, le leader d'AI-Qai- sons de santé - il a failli mourir d'un can¬ da, AymanAl-Zawahiri, a accrédité ces pro¬ cer-, rapporte les propos de témoins ocu¬ pos en lançant un appel aux musulmans laires affirmant que la victime a été abat¬ du monde entier à soutenir la rébellion tue devant son domicile sous les yeux de syrienne et à s'investir davantage dans le son épouse et de ses enfants, par un grou¬ combat armé « contre le régime cancéreux pe de trois hommes se répartissant les etpernicieux ». Cet appel, diffusé dans une rôles d'exécution, de surveillance et de vidéo qui circule sur YouTube depuis

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

LE FIGARO Israël : l'option d'une attaque

mardi 14 février 2012 contre l'Iran se précise

Les Israéliens débattent surtout de conditions, qu'Israël doit attaquer pour éviter une « nouvelle Shoah ». la nécessité d'informer l'allié américain Cette position rie fait pas l'imanimité. Pour lancer une attaque, le chef du gou¬ avant de frapper les sites nucléaires. vernement doit obtenir le soutien de la majorité des 14 membres du cabinet de sécurité, ce qui n'est pas acquis pour lé

saris le feu vert au moins tacite de Ba- moment. Autre condition : l'appui sans MARC HENRY rack Obama. JÉRUSALEM réserve du chef d'état-major, le général En attendant, les deux pays fourbis¬ Benny Gantz. Or, dans ce cas aussi, il ne

sent leurs .armes. Téhéran affirme que le semble pas que le premier ministre soit

MOYEN-ORIENT lu guerre que se li¬ Mossad, l'agence de renseignements is¬ totalement sûr de son fait. Seule certitu¬ vrent en secret Israël et ^l'Iran a connu raélienne, serait à l'origine de l'assassi¬ de: le précédent patron de l'armée^ le lundi un nouvel épisode. Benyamiri Né¬ nat en deux ans, sur le territoire iranien, général Gaby Ashkenazi, était hostile à tanyahou a accuse Téhéran d'avoir ma¬ de cinq savants atomistes et d'un géné¬ une offensive qu'Israël mènerait seul. nigancé deux attentats visant des voitu¬ ral responsable du programme de dével¬ Les commentateurs sont également res des ambassades de l'État hébreu à oppement de missiles à longue portée. très partagés. Les « modérés » redou¬ New Delhi et en Géorgie, qui ont fait un L'État hébreu est également montré du. tent une crise avec le grand allié améri¬ blessé. « L'Iran, qui est derrière ces atta- doigt pour une campagne de sabotage cain si l'État hébreu décide d'agir sans inforrnatique, qui aurait permis de met¬ en informer au préalable Washington. tre hors service des centaines de centri¬ ' -^ «L'Iran est le plus De plus, les responsables militaires pré¬ fugeuses utilisées pour enrichir l'ura¬ voient qu'en cas d'attaque contre l'Iran, . W«»L grand propagateur nium. Selon des experts étrangers, le- Israël doive s'attendre à devenir-la cible : du terrorisme Mossàd, en attaquant sur plusieurs de milliers de roquettes et de missiles ti¬ J'i dans le monde » fronts, aurait permis de retarder de plu¬

I BENYAMIN NÉTANYAHOU sieurs armées le programme nucléaire rés à la fois par les islamistes palestiniens iranien. du Hamas, à partir de la bande de Gaza ques, est le plus grand propagateur du au sud, et par Hezbollah libanais, voire la

terrorisme dans le monde », a lancé le Éviter une « nouvelle Shoah » Syrie de Bachar el-Assad au nord.

premier ministre. Mais tous les responsables israéliens ad¬ Pour tenter de calmer le jeu et éviter Ces déclarations illustrent l'extrême mettent qu'il ne s'agit que d'une tacti¬ de paniquer l'opinion.publique, Benya¬ tension actuelle entre les deux pays. Là que de « retardement ». Autrement dit, min Nétanyahou a ordonné la semaine probabilité de frappes militaires contre malgré tous les « incidents » et des sanc¬ dernière à ses ministres et aux généraux

l'Iran n'est plus mise en doute par tions internationales de plus en plus du¬ de faire silence dans les rangs à propos grand monde en Israël. L'inconnue res, les Iraniens devraient produire leurs de l'Iran. Sa consigne a été respectée. porte plutôt sur le calendrier, la grande premières bombes atomiques d'ici à un Mais ce mutisme officiel ne rend les pré¬ question étant de savoir si l'État hébreu an environ. Selon les médias, Benyamin paratifs guerriers que plus crédibles. peut se permettre d'attaquer seul les Nétanyahou et Ehoud Barak, son minis¬

installations nucléaires iraniennes, tre de la Défense, estiment, dans ces

LE FIGARO vendredi 17 février 2012

et suscité trop de solidarités pour être écra¬ par Pierre Rousselin editorial sée par les chars. Avec le temps, l'opposi¬ ! prousselin(a>lefigaro.fr tion se militarise et se radicalise. Cela n'a pas échappé à al-Qaida. Son chef Ayman al-Zawahiri avait .à peine appelé au djihad

en Syrie que des attentats étaient attribués Syrie: un conflit qui va durer à l'organisation terroriste qui cherche à profiter de la déstabilisation du pays. même plus accessibles aux victimes de la ré¬ En Syrie, la violence re¬ Isolé dans- le monde arabe, fragilisé par les pression: Mais la voie du Conseil de sécurité double. Le régime est .em¬ sanctions internationales, le régime .de est fermée et il n'y aura donc ni Casques barqué dans une opération Bachar el-Assad est, à terme, condamné. bleus, ni couloirs humanitaires, ni zones de reconquête des zones Son sort ne dépend pas seulement du protégées. dont le contrôle lui échap¬ rapport de forces dans le pays mais s'ins¬ A ce compte-là, le pouvoir peut reprendre la pait. Tous les moyens sont crit dans le « grand jeu » qui traverse la bons. À l'abri du protecteur russe, Bachar main. Il le fera d'autant plus que les défec¬ région. Dans un monde arabe en effer¬ tions sont restées limitées et que la cohésion el-Assad n'a rien à craindre. Les bilans san¬ vescence, les puissances sunnites, soute¬ de l'appareil sécuritaire est loin d'être at¬ glants vont se succéder et l'opposition devra nues par les capitales occidentales, cher¬ teinte. Les ressources de sa sauvagerie -sont survivre en attendant des jours meilleurs. chent à faire reculer l'Iran chiite. En sans limites. L'impuissance occidentale est manifeste. raison de sa situation géographique, la Devant l'ampleur du carnage, une réponse À plus longe échéance, les choses se pré¬ Syrie est une pièce maîtresse dans un devrait s'imposer, ne serait-ce que pour des sentent autrement. ,La rébellion dure de¬ conflit aux enjeux multiples. Cela n'an¬ raisons humanitaires, les hôpitaux n'étant puis trop longtemps, a subi trop de pertes nonce pas.une issue rapide

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

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

expressed concern over the lack of an inves¬ Kurdish conflict takes toll tigation. Eren Keskin, a Turkish-Kurdish lawyer

and human rights activist, said Turkey's fai¬

on Turkey's image lure to provide justice in the Uludere case is

characteristic of the state's treatment of

By Yasemin Ergin has been in the works for the past seven minorities.

Special to The Washington Times years. "The Uludere bombing killed 34 young, The broad support for the PKK among innocent Kurds in one go," she said. Turkey's Kurds, who represent about 20 ISTANBUL Turkey's regional status as "The incident occurred two days before percent of the population, stems from the a democratic role model is being threate¬ New Year's Eve. If it had been Turkish sol¬ government's pursuit of a strict assimilation ned by the Muslim country's 30-year conflict diers who died, all celebrations would have policy for decades. It has cracked down on with Kurds, which now is pushing Turkey been canceled and national mourning would Kurds for using their own language, liste¬ toward violent upheaval. have been declared. But the victims were ning to Kurdish music or wearing traditio¬ Turkish warplanes on Sunday bombed Kurds, so life went on as usual." nal Kurdish garb. suspected Kurdish rebel targets in northern Last year, the sharp escalation in vio¬ Since 2005, the ruling Justice and Iraq in the second cross-border airstrike in lence was accompanied by growing politi¬ Development Party, known by its Turkish less than a week. cal repression, including a massive crack¬ acronym AKP, had been making conces¬ Emma Sinclair-Webb of Human Rights down on pro-Kurdish media and arbitrary sions to the Kurds, slowly acknowledging Watch in Istanbul said Turkey's actions are arrests of thousands of Kurdish activists, their ethnic identity. In late 2009, the undermining its prestige. intellectuals and politicians. government launched a "Kurdish opening" "Unless Turkey can really tackle the Ongoing operations against suspected aimed at resolving the conflict through poli¬ Kurdish issue in a more constructive way members of the Union of Communities in tical means. and guarantee minority rights, it will always Kurdistan (KCK), an illegal political orga¬ It opened a 24-hour state-run Kurdish- be compromised internationally," she said. nization with direct links to the PKK, are language television channel and promised "Its regional role cannot be as a model, troubling human rights observers who say other reforms to end discrimination. A while there are those very burning issues." that people are being arrested for their poli¬ second initiative, started in 2010, included Turkey's political, economic and cultu¬ tical opinions and personal connections secret talks with PKK leaders in a ground¬ ral progress over the past decade has inspi¬ rather than on any evidence of providing breaking and bold step, analysts say. red emerging governments in the Middle logistical or material support to the rebels. The moves toward reconciliation came East. "What has emerged in the last year is a to a halt after PKK militants began laun¬ A poll conducted in 16 Arab countries serious clampdown on legal Kurdish poli¬ ching strikes in mid-2011 on Turkish sol¬ by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies tics," said Human Rights Watch's Ms. diers and police. Foundation, Turkey's leading think tank, Sinclair-Webb. "There is not a single party you can found that 78 percent of respondents regar¬ "Turkish law, as it stands, allows people blame for the uptick in violence," said ded Turkey as a role model for the coexis¬ to be prosecuted under terrorism laws Henri Barkey, who specializes in Turkish tence of religion and democracy. because oftheir networks of association. It's affairs at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, That view often is echoed by leaders in a witch hunt against particular political cir¬ Pa. Europe and Washington. Turkey, a NATO cles." "Whenever there was a step taken member, is a key U.S. ally and crucial stra¬ Critics of the AKP say that in attacking toward a political solution, a spectacular tegic partner in the region. Kurdish civil society, the administration is PKK attack undermined this process. The Turkey's popularity abroad belies a bru¬ repeating mistakes made by the government initiative of 2009 was mismanaged by the tal interethnic struggle that some say is pus¬ in the 1990s, an especially violent and government. It did not prepare the public, hing the country toward renewed conflict in repressive era in Turkish history. and it did not consult the Kurdish leaders, its predominantly Kurdish southeastern The situation is bleaker than ever, said so it was bound to collapse." provinces and home of the Kurdistan Ms. Keskin, who has defended minority A new peace initiative now would be Workers' Party, known by its Turkish acro¬ rights in Turkey for almost 25 years and has even more difficult to implement, said Fuat nym PKK. been jailed several times for her criticism of Keyman, director of the Istanbul Policy the army and the government. INCREASING VIOLENCE Center at Turkey's Sabanci University. "1 have witnessed terrible things in An underground organization designa¬ "The government has adopted an increa¬ Turkey in the past 25 years: political assas¬ ted as a terrorist group by the United States singly hard-line and condescending stance sinations, armed assaults and torture in pri¬ and Europe, the PKK has fought a guerrilla toward the Kurds," he said. "The AKP has sons," she said. war against the Turkish military for the past lost support even in the parts of the Kurdish "But in all these years, I have never seen 28 years. Its aim is autonomy and political population that used to vote for it." rows of people being arrested on such arbi¬ and cultural rights for the Kurdish people. Mr. Keyman referred to attacks such as trary and weak charges as today." After years of relative quiet, last year the Dec. 29 airstrike by the Turkish army in Ms. Keskin said she thinks the Turkish was one of the bloodiest in the recent his¬ the Uludere district near the Iraqi border. leadership lacks the will to solve the tory of the Kurdish-Turkish conflict, ana¬ The raid was aimed at suspected PKK mili¬ conflict and protect minority rights. lysts say. tants, but killed 34 Kurdish villagers, inclu¬ Turkey's Western allies need to be more cri¬ Over recent months, hundreds have ding 17 children. tical of Turkey's democratic record, she been killed in clashes between Kurdish POLITICAL REPRESSION said. rebels and government troops in Turkey's "Turkey needs much more political Turkey's ruling party described the southeast and during cross-border raids into pressure if it isn't to move away even fur¬ bombing as an "unfortunate operational northern Iraq. The upsurge in violence has ther from democracy," she said.* accident." Amnesty International has shattered hopes for a peaceful solution that

40 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti middle east online February 17, 2012 with its fluttering Kurdish flags, to be celebrated, but also sent an offi¬ l9ôiujl Jaio cial delegation to the festivities. Moreover, the Kurds were offered seve¬ ral opportunities to participate in discussions be arranged to supposedly

look into their grievances, including the issue of those deprived of iden¬ Crisis Point for tification documents. While the Kurds have not rejected all such opportunities, there have

been no concrete outcomes. Aware of the government's opaque position

Syrian Kurds and unsure of its intentions, its calls to hold dialogues with parties were

seen by many as a sort of "ploy" aimed at manipulating the Kurds, divi¬ Despite being the largest minority group in the ding the Syrian community and deepening divisions within the anti- country Kurds have for decades been subject to government opposition. The Kurds have encouraged for a dialogue in government oppression as a paranoid Syria sought which all Syrians participate, not merely specific groups, in order to to maintain firm control by denying them basic forestall any suspicion that they were attempting to strike a deal with

rights, concludes Idrees Mohammed. the government purely for the benefit of Kurds alone.

Hoping meanwhile, that non-Syrian Kurds might be persuaded to

Middle East Online exert pressure on Syrian Kurds, the Syrian President invited Masoud

Barzani, President of Iraqi Kurdistan to talks. Aware that rumor had it

that he and Jalal Talabani were already encouraging Syrian Kurds to aepressed for decades, the Syrian Kurds have been divided, mar¬ cooperate with their government, and aware that Iraqi Kurdish partici¬ ginalized and doubtful with respect to Syria crisis. Trusting nei¬ pation would strengthen this claim, President Barzani declined the invi¬ ther Syria's regime nor its opposition, the Kurds have declined tation. to take an active role in anti-Assad protests. From its part, the regime

has tried its best to woo them with promises of reforms. Dominated by Holding talks with Syrian regime projects legitimacy onto the increa¬ the Muslim Brotherhood and Arab nationalists, the Syrian opposition, singly pressured and isolated regime. It would consolidate the unfoun¬

influenced by Turkey, has been unsympathetic towards the Kurds. ded allegations that Syria's Kurds tend to seize the crisis for separation

Despite being the largest minority group in the country Kurds have and put the Kurds in jeopardy. for decades been subject to government oppression as a paranoid Syria With respect to the Syrian opposition as represented by the Syrian sought to maintain firm control by denying them basic rights; at times National Council (SNC) the Kurds have, at least until recently, been uprooting its Kurdish population in order to establish an "Arab belt" to unwelcome partners in an organization dominated by Arab nationalists distance them from Kurds in neighboring countries, denying citizenship and the Muslim Brotherhood. Often complaining of intentional margina- to hundreds of thousands of Kurds, classifying as "foreigners" who could lization, their rights ignored by the Turkish influenced opposition which not vote, own property or work in the public sector, prohibiting Kurds hopes that the Kurds would have very limited influence, if any, on the from registering their children with Kurdish names, and banning their road map to a post-Assad Syria. cultural activities. Moreover, Syrian Kurds have been repeatedly discou¬ Since not inviting the Kurds to opposition summits and conferences raged from addressing the Kurdish question inside Syria. Syrian govern¬ would undoubtedly have intensified the outrage of the Kurdish popula¬ ments, particularly those of Hafez Assad, pursued a double-tracked tion, the SNC took this into consideration and did call the Kurds to a policy in this regard, engaging Syrian Kurds in the politics of Iraq and conference held in Antalya, but only as independent delegates, not as Turkey on the one hand, while on the other, involving with Iraqi Kurds political representatives. On another occasion the Kurds pulled out of and assisting Turkey's Kurds in the struggle against their own states. Istanbul conference, due to the Arab opposition's insistence on the Syrian state policy has been a success insofar as its own Kurdish "Arab" character of the state when it confirmed that Syria's official title issue is concerned. Successive governments have successfully hindered would stay as the Syrian Arab Republic, implying that recognition of the the emergence of an effective Kurdish movement, and thus, a viable Kurds as an ethnic group - a principle Kurdish demand - was rejected. opposition. The involvement with the Kurds in Iraq and assistance given Turkey's complex problems with regard to its own Kurdish question to the Kurds in Turkey have been aimed at both gaining their support in - which it has spectacularly failed to resolve - have, for decades, led it relation to its own Kurdish issue, and to establish a trump card against to keep a close eye on developments relating to the Kurds of neighbo¬ the Turkish and Iraqi governments. Regrettably, the current disorganiza¬ ring states. Turkey has now become the venue for the offices and acti¬ tion and division among Syria's Kurds are largely due to both this policy vities of Syrian opposition figures and has been tightening its grip on the and the state's overall repression. Syrian National Council in order to gain leverage over its agenda and In recent years, regional geopolitical changes such as the 2003 inva¬ events pertaining to the Syrian crisis in an effort to contain Kurdish sion of Iraq, the ascendancy of Iraqi Kurdistan and the assassination of ascendancy there. Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri with its ramifications, have Should the Syrian Kurds ever achieve their aims Turkey will have a both further increased Bashar Assad's wariness with regard to internal new headache. Iraqi Kurdistan, which already enjoys de facto indepen¬ affairs and served to give fresh impetus to Syria's Kurds and the Syrian dence, is considered by the Kurdish nation to be a source of inspiration opposition. and political savvy, an important advocate of their aims and a reliable Bearing in mind the Kurds' decades-long grievances and the chilly safe haven. atmosphere sparked by riots in Qamishli in 2004 and later in Aleppo, The Syrian Kurdish opposition held a conference in Iraqi Kurdistan Syria's government has watched developments in Kurdish areas closely, recently at which its president clearly expressed support for the Kurdish and acted cautiously with the Kurds since the Arab Spring reached Syria. stance in Syria. Even allowing for the fact that the situation of Iraqi Kurdish participation in protests strengthens the anti-government cho¬ Kurds is unlikely to be duplicated, should Syria's Kurds to be granted rus of opposition, lessens the government's legitimacy, and requires it to rights this would undoubtedly cement the power of the Kurdish nation dispatch additional security forces to the area, thereby increasing the and consolidate Kurdish influence. This scenario would then be both a pressure on itself. powerful driving force for Turkey's restive Kurds to pursue their struggle From this perspective, Syria's government has perceived the neutra¬ for greater rights from the state, while ratcheting up Turkey's security lization of its Kurdish voices as extremely important and to that end it concerns with regard to the PKK. has made several tactical approaches, including expressions of good The Syrian Kurds do not seek separation. They will, however, try intent to resolve the Kurdish question. In a rare move, it took a psycho¬ hard not to lose the current opportunity to gain ethnic recognition, poli- logical step, agreeing not only to allow Nawruz, (the Kurdish New Year)

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

tical and cultural rights and, very importantly, achieve federalism - an demands. Forming alliances would be strategic in this regard.B

unusual political arrangement in the region. Meanwhile, Kurdish internal

affairs, and the strategies of the SNC, Turkey and the regional power- house countries towards their demands, will involve huge challenges for Idrees Mohammed is an observer of Turkey's foreign the Kurds. To counteract the intentions of others, Kurds need to orga- pol,cy; P"mar»y awards Iraqi Kurdistan. He is also interested nize their affairs better and try to weaken the opposition to their m Kurdish experience. He tweets @IdreesMohammed

GULF -NEWS ^binary 23, 2012

Widespread is -I ? A man walks past the remains " ' of a vehicle used in a bomb

attacks in attack in Kirkuk, 250 km

north of Baghdad. Two car Iraq kill 60 " bombs exploded in a quick succession in different dis- Coordinated bombings, shootings »>*v»» tricts wounding 20 people, V unfolded over two-and-a-half < including 15 policemen, in

hours in the capital Baghdad V Kirkuk, police said.Reuters

Kareem Raheem -(Reuters) summit, which has been postponed next street and blowing out glass from

because of regional turmoil and acrimony nearby buildings.

BAGHDAD - Simultaneous early mor¬ between Iraq's Shi'ite-led government and Witnesses saw at four wrecked cars full

ning attacks on mostly Shi'ite targets some Sunni Gulf states. of shrapnel and bloodied seats near an

across Iraq killed at least 60 people and Holding a successful summit at the end ice-cream shop at the site of another blast.

wounded dozens on Thursday in one of the of March would help Iraq restore its place In at least three Shi'ite neighborhoods

bloodiest days of violence since U.S. troops in the Arab World since the U.S. withdrawal in Baghdad, nine policemen were killed,

pulled out in mid-December. and help allay Sunni Gulf States worries and in the capital's northwestern

The attacks that appeared to pitch al over Iran's influence over Iraq's Shi'ite Kadhimiya district, a car bomb killed six

Qaeda-linked Sunni Muslim insurgents government. people when it struck a street lined with

against Shi'ites raised fears of a return to "The attacks aimed to spark sectarian -restaurants.

the widespread sectarian carnage that tore strife among the Iraqi people, and to pre¬ In the biggest attack outside the capi¬

Iraq apart and cost thousands of lives in vent the Arab League meeting from being tal, a car bomb killed seven people and

2006 and 2007 held," Parliament Speaker Osama al- wounded 33 in the town of Balad, north of

The violence breaks weeks of relative Nujaifi said. Baghdad.

calm as Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al- DOZENS OF BLASTS Iraq's political crisis erupted after

Maliki and Sunni leaders have sought to More than a dozen blasts and attacks Maliki moved against two senior members

resolve a political crisis that threatened to hit other cities across Iraq from Mosul in of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya political bloc

unravel their power-sharing agreement the north to Hilla, south of Baghdad, many shortly after the U.S. troop withdrawal in

following the U.S. withdrawal. of them targeting police. December, prompting a walkout by Iraqiya

At least 32 people were killed in blasts The violence was aimed at Shi'ite lawmakers that lasted until late January.

in Baghdad where 10 explosions tore neighborhoods but also against security Tensions eased as Sunni, Shi'ite and

through mainly Shi'ite neighborhoods forces, a frequent target of Sunni insur¬ Kurdish blocs tried to negotiate an end to

during rush hour and other attacks targe¬ gents. Iraqi officials had predicted such the crisis. But a week ago a panel of judges

ted police patrols, commuters and crowds groups would try to stir sectarian tensions detailed ISO attacks they said were carried

gathered in shopping areas. with attacks after American forces went out by death squads under Sunni Vice

"We were sitting at a restaurant having home. President Tareq al-Hashemi's command.

soup for breakfast when the bomb explo¬ While violence has ebbed since the Maliki sought Hashemi's arrest in

ded. I lost consciousness and then saw height of the war, Sunni insurgents affilia¬ December.

smoke and dust when I came to. I saw peo¬ ted to al Qaeda are still capable of large- ' Hashemi, who has taken refuge in the

ple and body parts everywhere," police scale assaults. Some rival Shi'ite militias autonomous region of Kurdistan, has

officer Ahmed Kadhim told Reuters. have said they will cease fighting since the denied accusations made against him, dis¬

Kadhim suffered shrapnel wounds to U.S. withdrawal. missing them as part of a plot to destroy

his left leg and back when a car bomb Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella group Maliki's opponents.

exploded near a restaurant killing six peo¬ for al Qaeda-linked insurgents in Iraq, has The crisis was followed by a wave of

ple and wounding 18 in Baghdad's nor¬ claimed responsibility for recent large attacks in December and January on Shi'ite

thern Kadhimiya district. attacks on the capital, including a neighborhoods, including a suicide bom¬

The interior ministry blamed al Qaeda December 22 wave of bombings that kil¬ bing on a Shi'ite funeral procession that

and affiliated armed groups for the attacks led at least 71 people. killed 31 in Baghdad and an attack on

it said were an attempt to show that Iraq's In Thursday's violence, one car bomb Shi'ite pilgrims that left 53 dead in Basra.

security situation remained unstable. in the capital killed at least nine people Violence had ebbed until Sunday when

The blasts hit just weeks before and wounded 27 in the upmarket Karrada a suicide car bomber killed 19 people in

Baghdad plans to host an Arab League neighborhood, hurling shrapnel into the an attack on a Baghdad police academy.O

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

yip Associated Press Turkish troops kill 15 rebels, suffer 2 losses

ANKARA, Turkey / February 15, 2012 - Associated Press

A CLASH IN Turkey's mostly Kurdish southeast has left 15 ,* Kurdish rebels and two Turkish soldiers dead, officials said

Tuesday.

The governor's office in Sirnak province said.the clash took place in AA a mountainous area northeast of Sirnak after troops detected rebel hideouts late Monday. On Monday, nearly 200 suspected Kurdish rebel supporters were

arrested, while Turkish warplanes attacked Kurdish rebel targets in Earlier, state television TRT had reported that troops, reinforced from northern Iraq on Sunday. the air with helicopter gunships, killed 10 rebels in Sirnak.

The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by the European The violence comes just before the 13th anniversary of the capture of Union and the United States. Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan on Feb. 15 a day often mar¬ ked by attacks or protests by rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the PKK took up

Party, or PKK. arms in 1984.

pstream 13 February 2012

Iraq warns Total over Kurdish deals

Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Hussain Shahristani has warned French major Total would bear the "full consequences" if it signed oil deals with semi-autonomous Kurdistan.

upstreamonline.com Reuters reported if the project goes to

plan exports from Iraq's southern oilfields

would rise to about 1.9 million bpd by TOTAL said on Friday said it was March and bring Iraq's total shipments to considering possible investments in 2.3 million bpd, the highest level since the Kurdistan, which is locked in a long-stan¬ 2003 invasion that ousted Saddam ding feud with the central government in Hussein. Baghdad over who controls the Opec

country's oil rights and territories. Recovering after years of war and

sanctions, Iraq signed deals with major oil ExxonMobil became the first oil major companies like Shell, ExxonMobil and BP to sign up with Iraqi Kurdistan late last to develop the southern oilfields. year, prompting Baghdad to reject that Warning: Deputy Prime Minister for

deal as illegal and threaten to end ExxonMobil has yet to reply to Energy Hussain Shahristani said Total

ExxonMobil's contract for the West Qurna- Baghdad over its decision to move into would face consequences if it signed oil

1 oilfield in the south of the country. Kurdistan, Reuters reported. deals with Kurdistan

"The position of the Iraqi government But Shahristani to the news agency

will be the same as with the other oil com¬ the US major would not be able to partici¬

panies, that no company has a right to pate for now in Iraq's fourth energy bid¬ nomous status in 1991, says it can sign oil

sign a contract without the approval of the ding round because of its agreements with deals for fields in its territory.

central government of Iraq," Shahristani Kurdistan, which has its own regional Iraq's oil ministry has already excluded told Reuters when asked about a possible government and military force. US oil company Hess from the bidding Total deal with Kurdistan. "Exxon was informed about the Iraqi round because of its participation in

"Any such contract has no standing government position clearly and openly. Kurdistan. But it will be more difficult for

with the Iraqi government, and the compa¬ They asked for some time, and we are Baghdad to challenge a large supermajor

nies have no right to work on the Iraqi ter¬ waiting for their final answer to inform like ExxonMobil, with involvement in huge

ritories and they bear the full conse¬ them of our final decision," Shahristani southern Iraqi oil projects.

said. quences." Total chief executive, Christophe de

Shahristani was speaking after Iraq "But right now they are not qualified to Margerie, said on Friday the French com¬

opened a new Gulf crude export outlet in participate in the fourth bidding round," he pany would not seek contracts in the Iraqi the southern oil hub of Basra on Sunday, said. bidding round due to conditions being

clearing the way for Baghdad to increase Baghdad says the central government unattractive but he said the company was

exports by about 300,000 barrels per day has control over the country's oil reserves, considering Kurdistan deals. soon after crude begins loading. but Kurdistan, which gained its semi-auto- Total has s smaller presence than

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

ExxonMobil in southern Iraq, but is in Shahristani also told Reuters his aimed at shutting down Iran's nuclear

negotiations to develop gas projects in understanding was that Iran would not programme stop it from selling its oil.

carry out a threat to close down the Strait the Missan oilfield and it has a minority "My understanding is that the Iranians of Hormuz because Iranian oil supplies share in the Halfaya oilfield. would not close the Strait because they also relied on the shipping lane and clo¬ "If they don't find it attractive enough, don't benefit anything from its closure," sure would not benefit Tehran. they are most welcome to withdraw from he said. "They are exporting most of their

it," Shahristanti responded when asked Neighbouring Iran has threatened to oil though the Strait of Hormuz, of course

by Reuters about Margerie's comments. close the Strait if Western sanctions it is not to their benefit."

February 14,2012 Aswat al-lraq I

in 2006 was that the presidencies of the legislative and execu¬

Kurdish opposition tive powers should be exchanged in each two years between

them.

will not vote for new Change Movement member Shahoo Saeed refused to comment

to Aswat al-lraq, but the exact opinion shall be revealed before government or during the session.

It was decided that next Wednesday and Thursday will witness

ARBIL / Aswat al-lraq: Islamic Group MP at Kurdistan the voting for the Parliament Speaker, the minister and their

Parliament announced today that the opposition parties in the deputies, according to a parliamentary statement. Kurdish Parliament will not vote for the new government, cal¬ Candidate of the Kurdistan Union Federation Arselan Bayez will ling the "exchange of posts illegal". hold the post of Parliament Speaker, to replace Kamal Karkuki,

MP Ahmed Sulaiman told Aswat al-lraq that "the opposing par¬ while the Kurdish Democratic Party did not announce its candi¬

ties (Change Movement, Islamic Federation and Islamic Group) date for deputy speaker post. have agreed not to participate, or vote or grant its trust to the The Democratic Kurdistan Party nominated Njirvan Barzani to new Kurdish government. head the government, to replace Dr. Barham Saleh. "According to the law, the government and parliament should Imad Ahmed of the National Kurdistan Party was nominated to be changed every four years, not two," he added. deputy premier post to replace Azad Berwari, in the

The strategic agreement between the main two Kurdish parties Democratic Party.O

28 FEBRUARY 2012

MHP concerned about Syrian ple have made statements promising Syrian Kurds the status of autonomy.

After the peshmerga administration's

opposition's support for birth following the occupation of Iraq and

if a similar development happens in Kurdish autonomy Syria, a new autonomous administration might form at our southern border." TODAY'S ZAMAN, JSTANBUL He said the Friends of Syria meeting He also noted that Kurds in Syrian held in Tunisia last week, which brought cities, including Kamisli, Cezire and Chairman of the Nationalist together Syrian opposition forces, has Aleppo, have voiced demands to merge Movement Party (MHP) Devlet worked to exacerbate the situation. "You'll with northern Iraq. "As part of this pro¬ Bahçeli has said that his party is remember that the bloody process that cess, the struggle to create a great concerned about a promise by led to the overthrow of Gaddafi in Libya Kurdistan made up of four regions [in four Syrian opposition forces to grant also started with a similar international countries] will go a long way. Such views autonomy to that country's Kurdish friends conference and handed [Libya] were voiced very recently at a meeting in minority. into the claws of Crusaders. Those who Arbil, the attendees of which included Speaking at his party's parliamentary claim to be friends of Syria today are pur¬ representatives of the separatist Peace group meeting on Tuesday, Bahçeli offe¬ suing a new kind of cruelty, aggression and Democracy Party [BDP]." red his evaluation of the recent develop¬ and the fall of Damascus." Bahçeli said the recent developments ments in Syria. He said the violence in Bahçeli noted that the conference in also indicate that the masterminds of the country is intensifying with each pas¬ Tunisia set a goal for the Syrian National "global operations" have now included sing day. "The dark clouds cast over Council (SNC) to be recognized interna¬ the concept of "friendship" in their wea¬ Damascus are getting darker every day, tionally as a legitimate representative of pons of propaganda. "Following claims of and the footsteps of an international inter¬ the country and that the council will sup¬ emancipation, democratization and brin¬ vention are ever more audible. In light of port the opposition. "Similar develop¬ ging peace, forming friendship groups is these facts, it appears that it will be diffi¬ ments had taken place in the Libyan now in fashion. In fact, it is no longer cult for the current regime in Syria to chaos. However, one of the issues that meaningful or possible to tell who is a stand its ground for a long time." worries us is that opposition spokespeo- friend and who is an enemy."

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

"Nous pensons que des combattants liés à Al Qaïda et à certains Armes et groupes armés sunnites envoient des hommes en armes en Syrie pour s'y battre au titre d'une espèce de soutien moral", a expliqué un combattants irakiens haut responsable de la sécurité à Bagdad sous le sceau de l'anonymat.

RISQUE DE CONTAGION pénètrent en Syrie "Des responsables corrompus sont en poste aux confins des pro¬

vinces de Mossoul et d'Anbar, ce qui, pensons-nous, autoriserait cer¬

14 février 2012 / Par Khalid al-Ansary / Reuters . tains à infiltrer des armes et des combattants. Mais nous ne croyons

pas qu'il s'agisse d'un trafic important".

MOSSOUL, Irak (Reuters) - Des armes et des combattants sunnites "Les trafiquants d'armes sont plus actifs ces derniers temps, notam¬ en provenance d'Irak pénètrent en Syrie, alimentant les violences ment depuis l'intensification des accrochages entre le régime syrien dans un pays qui jadis approvisionnait en armes les opposants au et ses adversaires", confirme Hamid al Hayes, président du Conseil régime installé par les Américains à Bagdad, affirment responsa¬ d'Anbar, une institution tribale dont la milice Sahoua a permis jadis bles et marchands d'armes irakiens. de combattre avec succès la rébellion des alliés d'Al Qaïda en Irak.

L'insurrection en cours contre le clan alaouite du président Bachar al La crise syrienne est embarrassante à divers titres pour les chiites au Assad touche une corde sensible dans les tribus sunnites des pro¬ pouvoir à Bagdad, avec ses accents communautaires - opposants sun¬ vinces irakiennes d'Anbar et de Ninive, limitrophes de la Syrie. nites face à un pouvoir alaouite, une branche dissidente du chiisme.

De fortes solidarités familiales et tribales existent de part et d'autre L'Irak entretient par ailleurs des liens étroits avec les chiites au pou¬ d'une frontière de 1.115 km de long très faiblement gardée où la voir en Iran, unique allié majeur du régime de Bachar al Assad dans contrebande et les trafics sont florissants. le monde arabo-musulman.

Aujourd'hui, les responsables irakiens de la sécurité font état Les responsables irakiens redoutent un effet de contagion du conflit d'indices du passage de rebelles sunnites en territoire syrien pour syrien chez eux, où règne un équilibre des plus instables entre la rejoindre les rangs du soulèvement contre Bachar al Assad. Les trafi¬ majorité chiite, la minorité sunnite jadis au pouvoir sous Saddam quants d'armes profiteraient de cette situation en multipliant par Hussein et les Kurdes. deux le coût des envois d'armes dissimulées au milieu de charge¬ ments purement civils. Pour Bagdad, le pire des scénarios serait l'arrivée au pouvoir à Damas d'un régime sunnite de tendance salafiste. Evaluer le flux de rebelles et d'armes illégales passant d'Irak en Syrie est difficile, mais la frontière était jadis un lieu de transit florissant Le général Ahmed al Khafadji, en poste au ministère irakien de dans l'autre sens, des volontaires étrangers s'infutrant en Irak pour se l'Intérieur, a annoncé cette semaine à la chaîne de télévision Al battre contre les forces américaines venues renverser Saddam Hourra que les patrouilles avaient été renforcées à la frontière pour

Hussein. empêcher tout passage de combattants en Syrie.Q

IMfrHiMSSJ 18 FÉVRIER 2012

Des milliers de Kurdes manifestent à cratie). "La situation des Kurdes en Turquie Strasbourg pour la libération d'Ocalan se dégrade, les arrestations se multiplient, l'Europe ne doit pas cautionner ça", a-t-il ajouté, expliquant le choix d'une manifes¬

STRASBOURG -(AFP)- Des milliers tation à Strasbourg par la présence du

de Kurdes ont manifesté samedi à Conseil de l'Europe, de la Cour euro¬

Strasbourg pour demander la libération du péenne des droits de l'homme et du chef historique du Parti des travailleurs du Parlement européen.

Kurdistan (PKK), Abdullah Ôcalan, Cette manifestation, "c'est un appel à détenu en Turquie depuis 1999, et interpel¬ la communauté internationale et notam¬

ler les pays européens.. ment aux pays européens", a dit une autre

Selon la préfecture, ils étaient "entre porte-parole des manifestants, Yurtsever

9.500 et 10.000" près de la gare de Tekiner, de la confédération des associa¬

Strasbourg au départ de la manifestation, tions kurdes d'Europe.

qui devait parcourir plusieurs kilomètres Quelque 200 militants kurdes avaient

avant un rassemblement en début d'après- déjà manifesté jeudi devant le Parlement

midi dans un quartier du sud de la ville. européen. La moitié d'entre eux avaient

D'autres participants devaient ensuite gagné Strasbourg à pied, à l'occasion

rejoindre le cortège, ont affirmé les orga¬ d'une marche de près de 400 km en pro¬ çais ou encore en allemand, on pouvait nisateurs, qui tablent sur "30.000 per¬ venance de Genève. notamment lire: "La liberté d'Ôcalan est sonnes", venant de toute l'Europe, et sur¬ Les affrontements entre l'armée celle du peuple kurde" ou encore "Paix au tout de France et de l'Allemagne voisine. turque et le parti séparatiste PKK se sont Kurdistan". Cette manifestation est organisée tous intensifiés ces derniers mois. Le conflit "Il faut libérer Ôcalan, c'est un per¬ les ans à Strasbourg pour commémorer kurde en Turquie a fait des dizaines de sonnage incontournable si on veut parve¬ l'arrestation en février 1999 d'Abdullah milliers de morts depuis le début de nir à la paix", a dit à l'AFP Eyyup Dorus, Ôcalan, détenu en Turquie. l'insurrection en 1984 du PKK, considéré représentant en Europe du parti turc pro¬ Sur les nombreuses banderoles bran¬ comme une organisation terroriste par la kurde BDP (Parti pour la paix et la démo dies par les manifestants, en anglais, fran Turquie et de nombreux pays.*

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

îzMmèt

Jeudi 16 février 2012

toire permanent. Mais au moins, humeur : « Pas de la sédition, du Laprison d'Evin, ils sont ensemble et rêvent de mouvement vert ! » l'Iran de demain. Or, depuis peu, Le journaliste conclut avec un les « verts » ont vu débarquer de mélange de philosophie et d'iro¬ un Iran en miniature nouveaux.prisonniefs. Car c'est nie : « Ceux qui nous appelaient au tour des proches de Mahmoud des "poussières" [référence à un discours de Mahmoud Ahmadine¬ Ahmadinejad de goûter les geôles jad qualifiant ainsi les manifes¬ 'est une photo inversée de crève-ceur. Après dix-huit mois de la République islamique, tants en 2009], criaient victoire et, l'Iran, sa part d'ombre, que de privation de.téléphone, les même s'ils y sont moins nom¬ ivres de leurpouvoir, nousjetaient dévoile la belle lettre de détenus d'Evin, explique le journa¬ breux et n'ont pas subi les sévices enprison, sont aujourd'hui enfer¬ Bahman Ahmadi Amoui. Ce jour¬ liste, ont enfin obtenu le droit de de leurs codétenus. Les bourreaux més avec nous. Qui d'autre va naliste d'opposition est détenu à passer un appel de cinq minutes ont rejoint ceux qu'ils avaient nous rejoindre demain?» , la prison d'Evin depuis juin 2009 une fois par mois. Mais au embastillés en 2009 : l'ironie est Bahman Ahmadi Amoui note et purge une peine de cinq ans moment de composer le numéro permanente dans la République l'arrivée d'une autre catégorie de pour «propagande contre le régi¬ de son frère sous les yeux de ses islamique, qui dévore ses enfants détenus, originaires du Kurdistan me» et « insulte au président ». gardiens impatients, Bahman au rythme des purges successives. iranien, accusés d'appartenance à Quand il peut, il fait passer des Ahmadi Amoui a eu un trou et a Le journaliste a donc accueilli Al-Qaida. Evine est un drôle d'en¬ missives à sa femme, la militante fait semblant que le téléphone dans sa cellule collective un droit où se côtoient démocrates, Jila Bani Yaghoub. La dernière, sonnait dans le.vide. Il est reparti « déviationniste ». C'est le qualifi¬ présumés djihadistes et vrais Kur¬ datée du 14 décembre 2011, est par¬ pour sa cellule, étourdi. catifreligieux donné par les parti¬ des, ultraconservateurs déviation¬ ticulièrement émouvante. Elle sans du Guide suprême Ali Kha¬ nistes, etc. Est-ce l'Iran qui devenu est traduite en intégralité sur Purges successives menei aux proches du bras droit « une grandeprison » comme notre blog Nouvelles d'Iran du Evine est un lieu dont la seule du président Ahmadinejad, le fan¬ l'écrit le journaliste ? Ou est-ce la Monde.fr. évocation fait frémir les Iraniens. tasque EsfandiarRahîmMashaie, prison d'Evin qui est un Iran en Bahman Ahmadi Amoui y Depuis 2009, les militants du accusé de quasi-hérésie. Présenté modèle réduit?* raconte comment l'enfermement, « mouvement vert », qui contes¬ à ses codétenus, le « déviationnis¬ Christophe Ayad la perte des repères lui font perdre tait la réélection de Mahmoud te » demande s'il est face à un les mots, oublier les chiffres. Par¬ Ahmadinejad à la présidence, y tenant de la « sédition verte ».

fois, ces trous de mémoire sont subissent la torture et l'interroga L'autre le corrige, avec fierté et

Iclïïcntle

Samedi 18 février 2012

En Syrie, les débuts d'une guerre régionale ?

Difficile de ne pas dresser ce aussi des actes de courage quoti¬ exclure les autres minorités faille. Elles l'ont fait au nom

sinistre constat : en Syrie, diens d'un peuple qui refuse, syriennes, qu'est partie la rébel¬ du refus de l'internationalisation le scénario du pire s'instal¬ de se soumettre. lion. Tout naturellement, de la du conflit. Moscou et Pékin ont le - peut-être pour longtemps. Cependant, ce face-à-face est Turquie aux pays du Golfe, le saboté les initiatives de la Ligue

Ce n'est pas seulement l'accu¬ de moins en moins un affronte¬ monde sunnite lui accorde sa arabe, qu'appuyaient l'Europe mulation des atrocités que vit ment syro-syrien. Le conflit s'in¬ sympathie et son soutien politi¬ et les Etats-Unis. une population insurgée à la mer¬ ternationalise, de la pire façon qui que, voire financier. L'obstruction russo-chinoise ci d'un régime de tueurs en série. soit. Issu dé la minorité alaouite - Les tribus sunnites d'Irak se a empêché ce qui eût été la

Le photographe Mani et l'écrivain une secte dissidente de l'islam mobilisent pour fournir des meilleure façon d'internationali¬

Jonathan Littell terminent aujour¬ chiite -, le régime reçoit le soutien armes aux insurgés. Ayman ser le conflit : obliger Bachar d'hui dans nos colonnes le récit actif de l'Iran. Il a aussi l'appui de Zawahiri, chef d'Al-Qaida, profite Al-Assad à accepter une transi¬

de ce qu'ils ont vu et vécu à Homs. l'autre allié de Téhéran dans la du chaos pour appeler au djihad tion ordonnée et son départ du Dans la troisième ville du pays, région, le Hezbollah libanais, contre le régime syrien. La pouvoir. Au lieu de quoi, Moscou

assiégée depuis plusieurs semai¬ une formation chiite extrémiste Turquie héberge des éléments de et Pékin ont favorisé ce qu'ils

nes, la tragédie est quotidienne : l'Armée syrienne libre (ASL). prétendent vouloir éviter : une les tirs aveugles des chars postés traversé d'autant de lignes de frac¬ internationalisation sauvage

à la périphérie ; ceux des snipers, ture que la Syrie, le Liban connaît du conflit, qui fait de la Syrie, qui tuent pour terroriser ; les enlè¬ ses premiers affrontements com¬ comme hier du Liban, le champ

vements, la torture, les soins qui et l'une des composantes du gou¬ munautaires importés en « copier- clos des rivalités qui traversent manquent ; les blessés par balles vernement de Beyrouth. coller » de chez son grand voisin. le Proche-Orient.» entassés dans des hôpitaux Forte de 23 millions d'habi¬ Depuis le début du drame de fortune. tants, la population syrienne syrien, il y a un an, la Russie et la Bref, le cortège des malheurs appartient à 70 % à la branche Chine, au lieu de faire pression d'une guerre faite à une popula¬ majoritaire de l'islam, le sunnis- . sur Bachar Al-Assad, lui ont appor¬

tion civile démunie. Mais celui me. C'est de ses rangs, mais sans té un soutien diplomatique sans

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

Il Les Kurdes irakiens nomment un 17FÈVRIER2012 n0uveau Premier ministre régional

XINHUA - Parlement. LE PARLEMENT RÉGIONAL IRAKIEN du Kurdistan a voté Entre temps, le président régional du Kurdistan Massoud jeudi un nouveau Premier ministre et son adjoint pour les Barzani a nommé leader de l'UPK Kosrat Rasul Ali comme vice- deux prochaines années, a signalé un site officiel kurde. président de la région, après que le parti d'Ali avait plus tôt "Le Parlement du Kurdistan a nommé Nechirvan Barzani au approuvé sa candidature pour le poste. poste de Premier ministre du gouvernement régional kurde

(GRK), et Imad Ahmad au poste de vice-Premier ministre", a Les membres de l'opposition du Parlement régional, qui n"

déclaré le site officiel de l'Union patriotique du Kurdistan étaient pas satisfaits avec le remaniement de haut niveau, (UPK), un important parti kurde dirigée par le président ira¬ sont sortis de la séance de mercredi.

kien Jalal Talabani. Le récent changement de postes de haut niveau a eu lieu en

Le nouveau Premier ministre GRK et son adjoint ont obtenu le conformité avec un accord stratégique de 2006 conclu entre soutien de la majorité des 71 députés, qui étaient présents à les deux partis au pouvoir : le Parti démocratique du Kurdistan la session extraordinaire du parlement de 1 1 1 sièges dans la (PDK) dirigé par Massoud Barzani, et l'UPK.

capitale régionale d'Arbil, à environ 350 km au nord de Selon l'accord, les deux partis puissants vont échanger les Bagdad. postes de haut niveau du gouvernement et du parlement tous Mercredi, le Parlement kurde a élu son ancien vice-président, les deux ans. Néanmoins, l'opposition dans la région exigeait Arsalan Baez comme le nouveau président du parlement et que d' autres partis soient inclus dans l'arrangement politique. Hassan Muhammad comme son adjoint, après la soumission par le tandem sortant de leur lettre de démission au

REPORTERS ATTAQUES COORDONNEES CONTRE LES ANTENNES EEan!m3ia3a!E^ LOCALES D'UN JOURNAL TURC EN EUROPE

samedi 18 février 2012. r dus ont lancé des cocktails Molotov et endommagé I' entrée des locaux de

Zaman à Cologne (ouest de I' Allemagne). REPORTERS sans frontières condamne MAN Peu après, ils s' en sont pris à un café fermement les attaques menées quasi- munit turc voisin. Deux suspects, âgés de 17 et simultanément contre les locaux de 22 ans, ont été arrêtés. I' hebdomadaire conservateur turc Zaman

en Allemagne et en France, le 15 février .2-3 n D' après la rédaction de Zaman France, 2012. « Nous sommes vivement préoccu¬ I' attaque a été revendiquée par un

pés par la violence croissante des groupuscule se pré sentant comme proche

attaques subies par Zaman. Rien ne sau¬ du PKK, la « Brigade Euphrate de ven¬

rait justifier ces graves actes geance de la révolution ». La police alle¬

d' intimidation, qui auraient pu avoir des mande suit également la piste d' une tiques locaux. Le gouvernement ne saurait conséquences plus tragiques encore. possible implication de sympathisants de être ciblé à travers Zaman, pas plus que Nous espérons que les enquêtes menées la rébellion kurde. Le 15 février est la les titres pro-kurdes ne devraient faire les par les polices allemande et française date anniversaire de I' arrestation du lea¬ frais de la lutte contre le PKK. Il est permettront rapidement (...) der du PKK, Abdullah Ôcalan, en 1999. inquiétant de constater que les journa¬

Reporters sans frontières condamne fer¬ listes paient de plus en plus fréquemment Le conflit opposant depuis 1984 les auto¬

mement les attaques menées quasi- le prix physique de la polarisation persis¬ rité s centrales turques et le PKK a ré cem-

simultanément contre les locaux de tante des mé dias turcs. » ment regagné en intensité , avec une suc¬

I' hebdomadaire conservateur turc Zaman cession d' attentats terroristes et Le 15 février 2012, vers 14h40, une quin¬ en Allemagne et en France, le 15 février d'opérations militaires dépassant les zaine d' individus cagoules a fait irrup¬ 2012. frontiè res turques. La presse est de plus tion dans les locaux de Zaman France à en plus otage de cet affrontement : plu¬ « Nous sommes vivement pré occupé s par Pantin (banlieue parisienne). Ils ont physi¬ sieurs dizaines de journalistes travaillant la violence croissante des attaques subies quement menacé les journalistes et mis le pour la presse de gauche ou pro-kurde par Zaman! Rien ne saurait justifier ces bureau à sac. Aucun blessé n' est à ont été arbitrairement incarcérés ces graves actes d' intimidation, qui auraient déplorer, mais les membres de la rédac¬ derniers mois dans le cadre d' une pu avoir des conséquences plus tragiques tion sont choqué s et les locaux ont subi enquête visant le KCK, un réseau accusé encore. Nous espérons que les enquêtes des dégâts importants. Des ordinateurs, de soutenir le PKK. Une trentaine d' entre menées par les polices allemande et fran- ainsi que du mobilier et des portes et eux, arrêtés lors d' une rafle simultanée çaise permettront rapidement fenê très, ont é té dé truits. La ré daction a dans plusieurs villes du pays en dé cembre d' interpeller tous les auteurs et organi¬ demandé à faire I' objet d' une protec¬ 2011, n' ont toujours pas été informés sateurs de ces attaques », a déclaré tion policiè re et envisage de dé mé nager. des accusations retenues contre eux, et I' organisation. Il s' agit de la troisiè me attaque contre les les arrestations se poursuivent.D locaux du journal en six mois. « Nous le ré pé tons, la presse turque doit

cesser d' ê tre assimilé e aux acteurs poli- Dans la soirée du même jour, des indivi

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

international Hcralo Sribunc FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Iraqi panel headquarters that killed 25 people and Mr. Hashemi sought refuge from ar¬ the assassination of a deputy education rest in the autonomous Kurdish govern¬

minister in 2010. ment in northern Iraq. He has been in links vice A spokesman for Mr. Hashemi de¬ the Kurdish capital, Irbil, since and re¬ clined to comment. But Mr. Hashemi, fuses to return to Baghdad where he the highest ranking Sunni politician in says he does not feel safe and is unlikely president to Iraq, has denied the allegations in the to receive a fair trial. He and other Sunni past, and has accused Prime Minister officials allege the judiciary is not indeT Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, a Shiite, of coordi¬ pendent of Mr. Maliki's government death squads nating a smear campaign against him Ali al-Moussawi, a media adviser for as part of a power grab. the prime minister, declined to com¬ Mr. Hashemi is a member of the secu¬ ment on the findings, but he said he BAGHDAD lar but Sunni-dominated Iraqiya politic¬ doubted they would disrupt Iraqi poli¬ al party, whose lawmakers have rejec¬ tics because "all believe in the indepen¬ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ted the charges as bogus. dence of thejudicial system, which must

An Iraqi judicial panel said Thursday The case stems in part from television continue working in that way." that the country's Sunni vice president footage that aired on state-run TV in The investigation was ordered by the and his employees had run death squads December, showing purported confes¬ Supreme Judicial Council's chief judge, that killed security officials and Shiite sions by men said to be Mr. Hashemi's Medhat al-Mahmoud, a few days before pilgrims, offering the first independent bodyguards: The men said they killed of¬ Mr. Hashemi's arrest warrant was pub¬ assessment of accusations that have ficials working in the Iraqi health and for¬ licly announced. thrown the nation into political chaos. eign ministries, as well as Baghdad po¬ Mr. Mahmoud created the panel^spe^ After wrapping up a two-month inves¬ lice officers. They said they received cifically to investigate the charges^ tigation, the nine-judge committee $3,000 from Mr. Hashemi for each attack. against the vice president. found at least 150 cases where either Raad al-Dahlaki, a fellow Sunni and One of the panel's judges,speaking on Tariq al-Hashemi, his bodyguards or Iraqiya lawmaker, rejected the panel's condition of anonymity in order to other employées were linked to attacks findings, saying "there is not clear evi¬ speak about the committee's members , ranging from roadside bombs to assas¬ dence against al-Hashemi." said that Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds and sinations of security agents and Shiite "These charges are against his body¬ Turkomen sat on the panel. pilgrims, said Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar, a guards," he said. "If they are true, they "We are an independent body that is spokesman for the Iraqi Supreme Judi¬ have to face fair trials not politically not linked to any executive body," Saad cial Council spokesman. motivated ones that put pressure on the al-Lami, another of the nine judges, said

Mr. Bayrkdar did not offer any evi¬ judicial system." after the findings were announced. He dence to support the panel's conclu¬ The Interior Ministry, which is effec¬ said Mr. Maliki's office had "nothing to do with these investigations." sions, which are not legally binding. He tively run by Mr. Maliki, issued the ar¬ said the death squads operated from rest warrant for Mr. Hashemi in Decem¬ The panel's findings will be turned over to Iraqi criminal courts, said Mr. 2005 to 2011, and were responsible for a ber as the last of the thousands of U.S. bombing last December on the govern¬ troops in Iraq were leaving the country Bayrkdar, the council's spokesman. ment's Integrity Commission, after more than eight years of war.

International Xicralb tribune FEBRUARY 17, 2012

'Red lines' drawn, but U.S. officials doubt Iran is ready to start a fight

represent new positions by the United also employ its terrorist surrogates WASHINGTON States ; but they come amid high tension worldwide. over Iran's nuclear program and confu¬ "However," he added, "it is unlikely BY BRIAN KNOWLTON sion over the lengths to which its lead¬ to initiate or intentionally provoke a A top "U.S. intelligence official said ers might go to protest world sanctions conflict or launch a preemptive attack.' ' Thursday that Iran was unlikely to in¬ or the threat of an attack, presumably It was not clear how the general inter¬ tentionally provoke a military conflict led by Israel, to prevent Tehran from preted three recent attacks thought to

with the West. building a bomb. be linked to Iran, against Israeli targets But senior U.S. officials repeated their The U.S. intelligence official, Lt. Gen. in Georgia, India and Thailand. warning that the United States would Ronald L. Burgess Jr., director of the Western governments have been not allow Iran to cross two "red lines" Defense Intelligence Agency, told the watching closely for signs of Iran's reac¬ to develop a nuclear weapon or to Senate Armed Services Committee that tion to the tougher sanctions they have close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital pas¬ Iran probably had the ability to "tempo¬ imposed. But the intentions of Iran's di¬ sageway for much of the world's oil. rarily close the Strait of Hormuz with its vided leadership are notoriously diffi¬

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta naval forces." Some Iranian officials cult to divine, and even as its president, told lawmakers that the United States have threatened to do so if the country Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared defi¬ remained open to a "diplomatic solu¬ were attacked or to protest the sweep¬ antly that "the era of bullying nations tion" with Iran over its increasingly de¬ ing sanctions on Iranian oil exports im¬ has passed," another Iranian official fiant pursuit of nuclear capabilities. But posed by the United States and the said on Wednesday that Tehran was he added, in unmistakable terms, "We European Union. ready for new talks on the nuclear issue. do keep all options on the table in the "Iran has also threatened to launch The European Union's foreign policy event that the red lines that I just made missiles against the United States and chief, Catherine Ashton, confirmed that very clear are crossed." our allies in the region in response to an she had received a reply from a top Ira¬ The comments did not necessarily attack," General Burgess said. "It could nian official responding to her invitation

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

significant, and" they also expressed to negotiations over the future of its nu¬ Further, he said, "we have expressed skepticism about its offer the latest of clear program. In Iran, Al Alam televi¬ serious concerns to Iran about the spread many for nuclear talks. sion said the country had offered to ofviolence and the fact that they continue "If there's a meta-narrative here, it's "hold new talks over its nuclear pro¬ to support terrorism and they continue to that Iran tends to speak loudly but car¬ gram in a constructive way." try to undermine other countries.'' ries a small stick," Karim Sadjadpour, Mr. Panetta, in testimony before a Mr. Panetta made his comments a day an Iran expert at the Carnegie Endow¬ House Appropriations subcommittee, after Iran claimed that it had made ma¬ ment for International Peace, said. left open the door for a ' 'diplomatic solu¬ jor advances in producing nuclear fuel "Their alleged terror attacks projected tion" but added that the Obama admin¬ and asserted that it was poised to im¬ incompetence more than fear; their an¬ istration and some of its allies had made pose an oil embargo on European coun¬ nounced nuclear progress is likely ex¬ a few things clear: "We will not allow tries to retaliate for sanctions. At the aggerated; and their threat to pre¬ Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. This same time, it indicated an openness to emptively cease oil exports to Europe isn't aboutjust containment. We will not new talks on its nuclear program. turned out to be another bluff." allow Iran to develop a nuclear But analysts said Iran's nuclear weapon." And "we will not allow Iran to claims appeared either overstated or in close the Straits of Hormuz."

IcIHcnuk

Samedi 18 février 2012 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiM Al-Assad, son meilleur ennemi

Depuis le début de la crise syrienne, Analyse une révolte locale et pour la dignité en révolu¬ Bachar Al-Assad est son meilleur et plus tion nationale et politique. Depuis, le scénario sûr ennemi. Le président syrien a non par Christophe Ayad n'a fait que se répéter. Le deuxième moment- seulement dilapidé les nombreux atouts dont Service International clé a été son discours au Parlement du 30 mars il disposait, mais il a grandement contribué à 2011, après deux semaines de sanglante révolte. cimenter et à politiser une révolte qui, au succession dynastique dès 2000, ce qui lui a Une fois de plus, il a déçu et aggravé la crise. départ, ne visait pas à le renverser ou à changer laissé.une décennie pour s'installer et trouver Alors que sa conseillère Bouthaïna Chaabane de régime. Au début du « printemps arabe », le les bases d'une légitimité. Enfin celui, comme il avait laissé entendre qu'il annoncerait des jeune président syrien était l'un des rares diri¬ le soulignait dans une interview au Wall Street mesures spectaculaires -fin de l'état d'urgence, geants de la région disposant auprès de son pro¬ Journaldu 31 janvier 2011 -entre la chute de Ben fin du rôle dirigeant du Baas dans la Constitu¬ pre peuple d'une image de réformateur. Ali et celle de-Moubarak -, d'incarner une for¬ tion, instauration du multipartisme, libération En une décennie de pouvoir de M. Al-Assad, me de résistance à l'hégémonie américano- de la presse, etc. -, il s'est contenté, enivré par la la liste des désillusions accumulées par les israélienne dans la région. servilité de députés l'acclamant à tout rompre, Syriens était déjà longue. Pourtant, le prési¬ Cette aura de réformateur, ou au minimum de traiter les manifestants par le mépris et de dent semblait toujours paré, auprès de sa popu¬ de modernisateur, il n'a pas fallu plus d'un mois nier le problème. Toutes les réformes ont été ' lation, d'une qualité essentielle : celle d'être pour que M. Al-Assad la dilapide. Bien que les égrenées dans les mois qui ont suivi, mais cha¬ l'homme par qui le changement pouvait inter¬ causes de la révolte syrienne, qui a éclaté le que annonce, trop tardive et jamais tenue, est venir. Même une partie de la presse et des 15 mars, soient anciennes et profondes, tout s'est apparue comme un aveu de faiblesse. diplomaties occidentales gardaient cette joué à Deraa, grosse bourgade du sud syrien.les Il y a, dans l'obsession de M. Al-Assad de ne conviction que le changement, en Syrie, ne services de sécurité y ont arrêté une douzaine pas apparaître comme faible, l'aveu probable pouvait venir que de l'intérieur. Les proches d'enfants coupables d'avoir graffé sur un mur, d'une illégitimité qui lui reste chevillée au du président leur ont longtemps servi l'antien¬ par jeu et par imitation, « lepeuple veut la chute corps. Elle l'a conduit à des sommets d'insensi¬ ne du jeune prince éclairé, empêché d'agir par du régime ». Les mineurs ont été torturés etleurs bilité : à un leader libanais, qui lui rendait visite une «vieille garde » rétrograde et des circons¬ parents, venus demander leur libération avec et lui demandait pourquoi torturer à mort des tances contraires. une délégation de cheikhs tribaux et religieux, enfants comme Hamza Al-Khatib (12 ans), il se sont vu insulter par le chefde la sécurité, Atef répondit ingénument que l'adolescent n'avait Cet ensemble Najib. «Oubliez vos enfants,faites-en d'autres!, pas été torturé et n'avait donc pas souffert. leur aurait-il lancé. Et'si vous ne savezpas com¬ Cet ensemble de tactiques à court terme et de de tactiques à court terme mentfaire, amenez-nous vosfemmes ! » mensonges dont on ne sait s'il les croit lui- et de mensonges Quand la révolte a pris de l'ampleur, M. Al- même ne forme pas une stratégie. Ils ont lassé Assad a limogé le gouverneur de Deraa, mais puis exaspéré les précieux alliés qu'étaient le ne forme pas une stratégie jamais son chef de la sécurité, un cousin, déjà Qatar de l'émir Al-Thani et la Turquie de Recep

connu pour ses frasques à Lattaquié puis à Tayyip Erdogan, alliés de Damas au début de la Ce crédit-là n'avait pas été entamé par la Damas. Cette solidarité du clan primant toute crise. Il a fallu du temps avant que la chaîne mise au pas brutale, début 2001, du « prin¬ considération politique a été une constante Al-Jazira et le premier ministre turc, parrain et temps de Damas », qui avait vu la parole politi¬ depuis le début de la crise, lui aliénant une bon¬ modèle des révolutionnaires arabes, lâchent que se libérer pendant six mois. Ni par l'aban¬ ne partie de ses soutiens politiques. leur protégé syrien. La répétition d'.un tel scéna¬ don delà réforme de l'Etat en 2002-2003, mise Deraa est un symbole essentiel. La ville était rio avec la Russie de Vladimir Poutine n'est ', en échec par une classe de profiteurs, dans un bastion du baasisme rural, sur lequel le père qu'une question de temps. Et alors, il ne restera laquelle la famille du président a joué un rôle de Bachar, Hafez Al-Assad, avait bâti son pou¬ plus à Bachar Al-Assad que le soutien de l'Iran, de premier plan. Bachar Al-Assad n'avait pas voir en gagnant des soutiens au-delà de la peti¬ lui-même affaibli et assiégé, là où son père plus tenu ses promesses, faites lors du dernier te communauté alaouite. Le père disposait aurait probablement opéré une volte-face géo¬ congrès du parti Baas en juin 2005, d'introdui¬ d'un réseau de relais dans tout le pays et toutes politique aussi cynique que spectaculaire afin re le multipartisme et de réformer le parti. les communautés dont le fils semble dépour¬ de sauver son régime. M. Al-Assad disposait de deux autres atouts vu, comme s'il dirigeait un pays étranger. non négligeables. Celui d'avoir bénéficié d'une A Deraa, M. Al-Assad a réussi à transformer [email protected]

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

AL ARABIYA NEWS Febn""Tl7'2012

Turkish spy row hits Kurdish peace, democratization move

By Daren Butler The Gulen movement, thought to be influential in the police, has been a strong ,f* supporter of investigations into alleged DSTANBUL (Reuters) - A prosecutor's plots to overthrow Erdogan's government. investigation of Turkey's top spy has Gulerce said the cases paved the way for exposed a deep rift between police civilian supremacy in politics after and the intelligence agency which could decades of military dominance, but that scupper efforts to end a Kurdish separatist this battle was not yet over. insurgency and damage the government's

democratization efforts If prosecutors are stopped from investiga¬ ting MIT, it could weaken their ability to m The crisis, driven by police concern about pursue these other cases. the activities of National Intelligence A prosecutor seeks to hear the testimony of

Agency (MIT) spies uncovered by police MILITARY TUTELAGE Turkey's National Intelligence Organization

operations against Kurdish militants, has (MIT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan. (File 'The power of the century-old system of also fed speculation, denied by both sides, photo) military tutelage has neither come to an of a row between the government and an end nor does it suffer from any serious influential Islamic movement. even strongly nationalist elements, is weaknesses. They still have lots of plans easily the country's most powerful politi¬ The conflict surfaced last week when pro¬ and traps to undermine civilian demo¬ cian, and there is speculation that he aims secutors sought to question MIT head cracy," Gulerce added. to become president in 2014, before his Hakan Fidan, who is close to Prime Beyond the parliamentary moves, third and final term as premier ends in Minister Tayyip Erdogan, over MIT's infil¬ Erdogan could act against those in the 2015. tration of an organization linked to the judiciary and police he regards as challen¬ militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Still recovering from intestinal surgery, ging him. Erdogan has yet to comment on the dis¬ Prosecutors are also believed to want to The controversy over the intelligence pute, but a close adviser has described the discuss government-sanctioned talks agency comes at an awkward time, with crisis as a "game" and warned against which the MIT leadership held secretly NATO-member Turkey trying to defuse giving Turkey's enemies an opportunity to with the PKK in Oslo in 2010, amid the West's brewing crisis over neighboring undermine its influence in the region. concerns that the agents offered too many Iran's nuclear work, while also scrambling concessions to the militants. "It is of vital importance for the fight to stop Syria's uprising from exploding against terrorism that the military, police The government has countered with a into a sectarian conflict that could destabi¬ and intelligence services act together in legal reform requiring the prime minister's lize the region. harmony," Erdogan's close adviser Yalcin permission before MIT officials can be MIT head Fidan is an expert on Iran, and Akdogan wrote under the assumed name questioned. Parliament approved the bill also acted as Erdogan's emissary to he uses in the pro-government Yeni Safak overnight but it must still be ratified by the Damascus last year for crisis talks with daily. president. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He was DAMAGE ALL ROUND The prosecutor who ordered the questio¬ also present at least one of the meetings

ning has been removed from the case and with the PKK in Oslo. "Harming the AK Party government today

is being investigated by judicial authori¬ means harming Turkey and everybody Erdogan knew who his enemies were ties. within it," he warned in a column which when he set out to tame the all-powerful dismissed the idea of a clash between the The ruling AK Party's law led to a fierce army and see off challenges from a hostile AKP and Gulen's movement. response from the opposition, concerned it judiciary during his first 10 years in

will strengthen Erdogan's grip on power, power. They belonged to a conservative, Prosecutors want to investigate allegations and vowed to challenge it in the constitu¬ secular elite which mistrusted the Islamist that MIT agents had effectively aided

tional court. pedigree of Erdogan and the AK Party. Kurdish militants in the course of infiltra¬

ting an organization believed to be a PKK There are also signs of unease in the move¬ This time, tensions within the security front and that they undermined police ment led by Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim apparatus appear to stem from rivalries operations against the group. theologian living in self-imposed exile in among factions sympathetic to Erdogan.

the United States, who retains strong Police have detained hundreds of people 'This incident has harmed MIT, it has har¬ influence in some quarters of the AK. in a bid to break up the Union of med the prime minister and the AK Party, Kurdistan Communities (KCK), which the 'The hasty approach to prepare amend¬ the police, prosecutors and even Fethullah PKK is alleged to have established with ments to the law that will require the Gulen's circles who are presented like a the aim of creating its own political system prime minister's permission to investigate party in this debate," said political com¬ in the mainly Kurdish southeast of Turkey. top intelligence officials would sabotage mentator Avni Ozgurel.

the democratization process," said Media reports say MIT complains in turn Erdogan, who has Islamist roots but Huseyin Gulerce from Zaman newspaper, that the police have sabotaged agency whose AK party includes center-right and regarded as close to Gulen.

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

that the police have sabotaged agency infil¬ 'Turkey will lose time and energy because Talks between the state and PKK were hal¬ tration of the organization, exposing its of this because it is impossible to continue ted after Erdogan's AK Party won a third operatives and putting them at potentially for now." term in office in June with around 50 per¬ fatal risk. cent of the votes. The PKK has returned to MIT had already been dragged into the fighting using northern Iraq as a refuge for Ozgurel said he believed the state had spotlight in January when it denied allega¬ operations in southeastern Turkey. been planning a major initiative in the tions implicating it in a botched air strike spring to resume PKK talks aimed at indu¬ near the Iraqi border in December that kil¬ But there is some hope. In the long term, cing the militants to put down their wea¬ led 35 villagers mistaken for militants. media revelations of detailed negotiations pons. Media reports said MIT provided the intel¬ between the state and the PKK could help ligence for the attack. clear the way for a peace deal by preparing The Kurdish conflict is a major burden on public opinion and breaking taboos over Turkey, both in economic terms and the Some have interpreted the targeting of addressing the militants' demands. mounting death toll, and solving the pro¬ MIT as a warning from nationalists to blem would be a major coup for Erdogan. Erdogan against seeking any negotiated "Starting with relaxing of imprisoned PKK

settlement with the PKK, having been alar¬ leader Abdullah Ocalan's situation and the But fears about public perceptions of the med by what the PKK had been offered freeing of members of the KCK, to the PKK talks and the spy agency's links to the during the abortive Oslo talks. forms of self-governance for the Kurds, KCK were likely to undermine chances for such a consensus has been reached on all a resumption of negotiations with the mili¬ Branded a terrorist group by Ankara, the significant points making it crystal clear tants. European Union and the United States, the how the state views a possible solution," PKK took up arms against the state in 1984. 'This will scare politicians as it reduces said Hurriyet Daily News commentator More than 40,000 people have been killed their capacity to take risks," Ozgurel said. Mehmet Ali Birand.* in the conflict.

24 FEBRUARY 2012 ALARABIYANEWS Syria' s opposition SNC outlines post- Assad vision and reaches out to Kurds

President of the By Al Arabiya with Agencies 2 Syrian National

Council Burhan The head of the main opposition * ^^ Ghalioun (C), and Syrian National Council (SNC) said Kurdhish National on Friday an international " Friends of Council representative the Syrian People" meeting in Tunis Abdul Hakim had fallen short of the aspirations of (R)during the Friends the Syrian people. of the Syrian People " This conference does not meet the meeting in Tuinis. aspirations of the Syrian people," SNC (AFP) chief Burhan Ghalioun told Reuters.

Earlier, Ghalioun outlined the coun¬

cil' s vision for a post-Bashar al-Assad council that would address the abuses zed government, thereby enabling

Syria, proposing an interim presidential of the Assad regime and prevent any local authorities to take control of their

council of national leaders and a truth political or sectarian reprisals. affairs," Burhan Ghalioun said, accor¬

and reconciliation committee. ding to a copy of his speech. " The committee will work to reconcile

In a copy of his speech at the meeting and restore the sense of nationalism " Your identity will be nationally reco¬

in Tunis, SNC leader Ghalioun called for and human values that have been gnized and respected and your rights

the continuation of the uprising until lacking during this crisis," he said. as citizens will be assured. You will

Assad was ousted or handed over play a significant role in rebuilding the The transitional period would end with power as per an Arab League plan. Syria of our dreams, the Syria of which elections to a parliament that would we have been dreaming for decades." After that, Ghalioun called for the draw up a new constitution.

" formation of a presidential council Ghalioun, who has drawn some criti¬ Ghalioun sought to reassure Syrian composed of national leaders and the cism over his position on the Kurds in Kurds they would have a place in a the past, said there was no contradic¬ formation of a transitional government post-Bashar al-Assad country, promi¬ tion between a Syria that embraces its of political, military and technocratic sing decentralized government and Arab character and that respects figures who have not fought against national recognition of Kurdish iden¬ Kurdish national identity and assures the revolution." tity. Kurds equal rights before the law.* He also proposed the creation of a " The new Syria will have a decentrali

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

JJDrStatttr

Kurds shield Iraq VP in death squads case

By YAHYA BARZANJI and Kurdish patrons sit in a

LARA JAKES- (AP) local cafe as TV broadcasts

a speech by Iraq's Sunni -#* IRBIL, Iraq Iraq's Sunni Vice President Tariq al-

vice president on Monday asked Hashemi in Sulaimaniyah, ,

for popular support to fight Feb. 20, 2012. al-Hashemi

government charges that he i slammed government

commandeered death squads charges that he ran death

and said he would continue to squads as politically moti¬

defy arrest with the help of the vated and called on "all

nation's powerful Kurds in a honest Iraqi people" to rise

showdown that tests the limits up in his defense. (AP of Baghdad's reach.

The government's case Iraq's Sunni Vice President Kurdish government spokes¬ ther. against Vice President Tariq al- Tariq al-Hashemi man Fuad Hussein. Hashemi deepens tensions in a "It is clear that al-Hashemi

country still splintered by Sunni "Al-Hashemi is our guest. expects to enjoy immunity from The warrant was announced and Shiite sectarian rivalries. It The last thing Iraq needs now is detention in the Kurdish areas, the day after U.S. troops with¬ now also threatens to draw a new sectarian problems," which is going to create additio¬ drew from Iraq, raising eye¬ new wedge between Prime Hussein said in an interview last nal problems for the long-stan¬ brows among critics who called Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a week. ding but shaky alliance between it al-Maliki's first attempt at a the Kurds and al-Maliki," Visser Shiite, and Kurdish leaders in That is likely to infuriate power grab without fear of said. Iraq's north who refuse to hand Baghdad. American interference. over al-Hashemi for trial. It's also possible the Kurds "Nobody should use a legal Al-Hashemi was visiting the will use al-Hashemi as a bargai¬ In a half-hour speech from matter or case as a tool to press Kurdish region when the arrest ning tool, said Kurdish human the capital of the autonomous the government. Justice should warrant was announced, and rights activist Omar Kurdish region in Iraq's north, be kept away from political has remained there ever since. Mohammed. He predicted the al-Hashemi described the agendas," Abdul-Hadi al- The region is part of Iraq but Kurds eventually will hand over charges against him as "politi¬ Hassani, a lawmaker from the has its own security forces and al-Hashemi in exchange for cally motivated" and said he Shiite party al-Maliki heads. He has for generations given asy¬ something it wants from would not return to Baghdad. said all of Iraq's jurisdictions lum to people persecuted by Baghdad. "I renew my determination including Kurdistan should Baghdad though mostly to stand in a fair trial in an respect the court's decisions. Al-Hashemi said he wanted during Saddam Hussein's atmosphere that allows revea¬ the trial to be moved to the nor¬ regime. In the Kurdish city of thern city of Kirkuk, which is ling the whole truth, away from Sulaimaniyah, residents took a Al-Maliki and Kurdish regio¬ ethnically shared among Kurds, any attempts of fraud or deceit certain glee at standing firm nal President Massoud Barzani Arabs and Turkomen, and or pressure," al-Hashemi said in against Baghdad. Sweets seller have had a rocky relationship where the investigators or jury his televised speech from Irbil. Saman Karim said it's likely that for years over how to share dis¬ would not be tainted by He vowed to remain in the Barzani is more interested in puted land, oil revenues and Kurdish region. snubbing al-Maliki than he is in Baghdad's accusations. federal funding. Barzani has Al-Maliki media adviser Ah helping al-Hashemi. He also lashed out at the shown no indication that he al-Moussawi scoffed at al- judicial panel, which was plans on handing over al- "The Kurds have no sympa¬ Hashemi's speech. appointed by Iraq's highest Hashemi to Baghdad, and offi¬ thy toward al-Hashemi they court to investigate the charges. "The only way is to turn cials in Irbil say doing so could just want to humiliate the cen¬ The panel's results aren't legally himself in to the judicial autho¬ worsen sectarian tensions bet¬ tral government," Karim said. binding but they have been pas¬ rities and stand before a court ween Sunnis and Shiites. How that will shape Iraq's sed along to a criminal court and present whatever evidence Sunnis see the attack on al- already unstable political which could choose to charge that proves he is innocent," al- Hashemi, the highest-ranking balance is anyone's guess. The al-Hashemi with even more Moussawi said. Sunni political official in the Kurdish parties hold 51 of the crimes. The panel touted its fin¬ Last week, a judicial panel in country, as proof that they'll 325 seats in parliament, and are dings as the first independent Baghdad concluded that al- never be allowed to share real generally considered kingma¬ review of al-Hashemi's case, but Hashemi was behind at least power in the Shiite-dominated kers in most tiebreakers facing critics and some experts said its 150 bombings and assassina¬ country. Many Shiites view the legislature. judges were named by officials tions since 2005. The panel's Sunnis as remnants of Saddam Political analyst Reidar sympathetic to al-Maliki. findings stemmed from a Hussein's regime with ties to Visser, an Iraq expert at the "Our judicial system is still review of a December warrant terrorists. Norwegian Institute of working to satisfy some influen¬ for al-Hashemi's arrest that Sending al-Hashemi back to International Affairs, said the tial people," al-Hashemi said. accused him of paying his body¬ Baghdad "would worsen the cri¬ issue likely will cause the rela¬ guards $3,000 to kill security a a a sis instead of ending it," said tionship between al-Maliki and forces and government officials. Barzani to deteriorate even fur-

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

Cqgigrier 20 février 2012

Turquie Un pays régi par de

"dangereuses absurdités"

Les guerres intestines se multiplient au sommet de l'Etat turc : entre la justice et la police d'une part, le gouvernement et les services secrets de l'autre, le tout sur fond de question kurde. Cette situation grotesque met en danger la séparation des pouvoirs, estime l'écrivain Ahmet Altan.

justice et du développement [PKK,

I Ahmet Altan I Taraf islamiste modéré, au pouvoir]. En effet, " i

le parti au pouvoir ne semble aucune¬

Au moment où j'écris ces lignes, le ment vouloir en finir avec ce système

Parlement turc étudie un projet de politique hérité du coup d'Etat de 1980. loi selon lequel un membre des services [La Constitution de 1982, adoptée alors de renseignements (MIT) ayant commis sous la pression des militaires, est, mal¬ un délit dans le cadre d'une mission gré des amendements, toujours en ordonnée par le Premier ministre ne vigueur, malgré les promesses de l'AKP ^ pourra être jugé que si le chef du gou¬ d'en rédiger une nouvelle.] Le pouvoir OT4& vernement donne son accord. Le en place entend ainsi exploiter, autant

Premier ministre interviendra donc dans que faire se peut, les prérogatives des affaires criminelles concernant la importantes que ce régime issu du coup Dessin de Bleibel, Liban. justice, et ce en contradiction avec le d'Etat accorde aux dirigeants de ce pays. concept de séparation des pouvoirs. KCK. Pourquoi une loi paraissant aussi aber¬ Le gouvernement n'a toujours pas rendu rante est-elle en train d'être adoptée ? de comptes au sujet du massacre Mais regardez donc la situation dans d'Uludere [35 civils kurdes ont été tués, laquelle nous sommes : l'ancien chef Et bien tout simplement pour corriger le 28 décembre 2011, par un bombarde¬ d'état-major de l'armée est en prison une autre aberration. En effet, le Premier ment aérien à la frontière entre la pour propagande antigouvernementale, ministre Erdogan a donné l'ordre aux Turquie et l'Irak]. Le meurtre de Hrant la police est sur le point d'arrêter des services de renseignements de nouer des Dink [journaliste turc d'origine arméni¬ membres des services des renseigne¬ contacts avec le Parti des travailleurs du enne assassiné en janvier 2007] n'a tou¬ ments, une loi accordant au Premier Kurdistan [PKK, séparatiste], afin de jours pas été élucidé. Et voilà que cer¬ ministre la liberté de commettre des dél¬ créer les fondements d'un processus de tains affirment que le KCK [structure its est en préparation, le gouvernement paix. Sauf qu'un procureur a considéré faisant le lien entre le PKK et ses relais est persuadé qu'il est victime d'attaques qu'il s'agissait là d'un délit. Il a donc civils en Turquie, concurrençant l'Etat orchestrées par les procureurs et la convoqué les membres du MIT qui ont turc dans les régions à majorité kurde et police, le patron d'un des plus grands noué ces contacts afin de les soumettre à dont l'existence a justifié de très nom¬ clubs de football du pays [Fenerbahçe] un interrogatoire, et il n'est pas exclu breuses arrestations depuis 2009] serait vient d'être condamné pour "avoir que cette interpellation débouche sur en fait sous la houlette des services dirigé un gang", des responsables de des arrestations. On se trouve donc dans' secrets [la justice turque accuse en effet l'institution en charge des appels une situation où l'initiative politique des agents du MIT d'avoir été plus loin d'offres pour la fonction publique ont courageuse et décisive d'un gouverne¬ que la simple infiltration du KCK]. été arrêtés pour corruption, il y a ment élu est bloquée par la justice. presque plus de généraux en prison Le coprésident du Parti pour la paix et qu'en liberté, des milliers d'activistes Le pouvoir judiciaire essaie ainsi de la démocratie [BDP, prokurde et jugé rel¬ politiques kurdes ont été emprisonnés, mettre l'exécutif sous tutelle au mépris ativement proche du PKK] s'est inter¬ etc. du principe de séparation des pouvoirs. rogé - une rumeur circule à ce propos -

En réaction, l'exécutif prépare une loi sur l'implication du MIT dans un atten¬ Ces quelques lignes ne suffisent-elles qui réduit la marge de man du tat meurtrier commis à Istanbul et dont pas à montrer que nous vivons décidé¬ judiciaire, et le corps législatif participe la responsabilité avait été attribuée au ment dans un système tout à fait anor¬ à ce mouvement. Pas de doute, nous PKK. Où va-t-on si même le dirigeant mal ? Pourquoi le parti au pouvoir sommes bien en Turquie où l'on tente du BDP n'arrive plus à distinguer entre s'accommode-t-il à ce point d'un régime d'empêcher une absurdité en en inven¬ les militants du PKK et les agents des issu d'un coup d'Etat ? D'où vient cet tant une autre. Les trois pouvoirs sortent services secrets ?! Tant qu'une vraie attachement à une conception de la jus¬ ainsi de ce qui devrait normalement être solution n'est pas apportée à un prob¬ tice inspirée par des putschistes ? Si le cadre de leur action. Pourtant, cor¬ lème kurde qui accompagne la l'AKP persiste à maintenir ce système, la riger des anomalies par d'autres anom¬ République depuis sa création [1923], on Turquie risque d'être citée dans le livre alies n'est pas une bonne idée. se retrouvera face à ce genre de situation des records comme celui qui aligne le où la police arrête des membres des plus grand nombre de "dangereuses C'est précisément là que réside l'erreur, services secrets parce qu'ils appar¬ absurdités" ! O ou alors la roublardise, du Parti de la tiendraient à une structure comme le

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

V . I 22 FEVRIER 2012 Syrie : Paris et Ankara, accord à froid

Les deux pays, brouillés, mènent la dénonciation de la répression, à deux jours de la conférence de lunis. «L'objectif[...] n'est {ras

Par MARC SEMO clair [...]. Nous ne voyons Envoyé spécial à Ankara et Istanbul donc pas de possibilité (Turquie) de participer à laconférence de Tunis.» Les deux capitales sont de¬

puis des mois les plus en¬ .-» >C\ Alexandre Loukachevitch porte- gagées dans le dossier sy¬ parole russe des Affaires étrangères rien et elles appellent chacune de leur côté à une confé¬ rence internationale des «amis de la Syrie» avec la Ligue arabe, les

Etats-Unis et les principaux pays SYRIE européens. La première se tiendra

ce vendredi à Tu- ANÀLYSE nis' .comme Ie ^ I Damas souhaitait Paris.

La seconde devrait avoir lieu à Is¬ tanbul, comme le veut Ankara. Mais si les autorités françaises et Un homme blessé lors de bombardements dans le quartier de turques agissent de fait à l'unisson Bab Amro, à Homs, en Syrie, samedi. PHOTO YOUTUBE. AFP pour mobiliser la communauté in¬ ternationale, elles sont désormais en rivalité ouverte et... ne se parlent des critères européens de Maas- «Nous voulions que Al-Assad soit plus. Ou pas directement, et sur¬ pense qu'un pays comme l'Argen- le Gorbatchev de la Syrie, mais il a al-Assad k «écouter sonpeuple», le tout pas sur les affaires syriennes. choisi d'en être le Milosevic.» gouvernement turc, inquiet des ris¬ Ahmet Davutoglu ministre turc des Affaires «RIVALITÉ». «Nos contacts ne sefont ques de déstabilisation de son-voi¬ sin du sud, avec lequel il partage plus quepar chercheurs interposés» , étrangères 800 kilomètres de frontière, a de soupire un diplomate. En rétorsion Soli Ôzel, spécialiste des relations plus en plus ouvertement appelé à tion humanitaire de la communauté au vote de la loi sanctionnant la né¬ internationales. un changement de régime. «Nous internationale, même si seule une ré¬ gation du génocide arménien, An¬ Mais au-delà de leurs déclarations voulions que Al-Assaà soit le Gorbat¬ solution du Conseil de sécurité pour¬ kara a décidé de geler les relations fracassantes, les autorités restent chev de la Syrie, mais il a choisi d'en rait lui donner un cadre légal», souli¬ militaires et politiques. «Sur le dos¬ dans les faits prudentes. Elles crai- : être le Milosevic et c'est tout le pro¬ gne un diplomate, rappelant qu'en sier syrien, la Turquie sait être incon¬ gnent de subir les contrecoups du blème», expliquait le 10 février.Ah¬ tout cas Ankara n'agira pas seul. tournable et eUe veut rappeler claire- conflit syrien, avec-une reprise de met Davutoglu à des étudiants lors Les autorités ont déjà prévu des mentaux autoritésfrançaises qu'elles la rébelliorikurde, attisée par Da¬ d'une visite à Washington de cinq «zones tampons» sur leur sol qui ne peuvent rien sans eue», analyse mas, voire même à terme une mon¬ jours. Une durée assez exception¬ pourraient, en cas d'urgence, ac¬ Kadri Gûrsel, éditorialiste de poli¬ tée des tensions entre sunnites, lar¬ nelle qui souligne l'importance de cueillir un afflux massif dé réfugiés. tique étrangère au quotidien de gement majoritaires, solidaires de la Turquie pour acheminer des centre gauche Milliyet. Les posi¬ Elles abritent déjà depuis l'été quel¬ la révolte syrienne, et aléyis - secte aides à la population civile sy¬ que 5000 réfugiés près d'Aritiocne, tions des deux pays sur une crise progressiste issue du chiisme -, re¬ rienne, voire même instaurer des mais aussi une centaine de déser¬ internationale majeure n'ont pour¬ présentant un tiers de la population. «corridors humanitaires», hypo¬ teurs, dont le colonel Riyàd al- tant pas été aussi proches depuis thèse évoquée dès l'automne par le longtemps. «Ry a autant de rivalité Asaad, qui se présente comme chef, GAZ..En outre, les derniers alliés du ministre français des Affaires que d'émulation entre les deux minis¬ de l'Armée syrienne de libération et régime syrien, l'Iran et la Russie, étrangères, mais aussi par son ho¬ tres des affaires étrangères, Ahmet donne ses interviews en présence sont les voisins de la Turquie et ses Davutogluet Alain Juppé, quiparta- mologue turc. de diplomates turcs. «L'enjeupour principaux fournisseurs de gaz. Certes, pour le moment, tout est gent les mêmes convictions sur l'ur¬ legouvernementislamo- L'opposition de gauche, qui fut bloqué car un tel déploiement im¬ gence d'arrêter les massacres du ré¬ au pouvoir de¬ là première à dénoncer dès le pliquerait un accord des autorités gime baasiste», assure Khaled puis 2002 est printemps l'aveuglement répressif syriennes ou une résolution du énorme : si la Tur¬ Khodja, le représentant en Turquie d'Al-Assad, critique ouvertement du Conseil national syrien (CNS), Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU, ac¬ quie n'est pas au «l'aventurisme» de la diplomatie centre d'une opé¬ principale organisation de l'oppo¬ tuellement paralysé par les veto de turque. Osman Koruturk, député et ration sur la Syrie, sition, qui dispose depuis quatre Moscou et de Pékin. Mais la com¬ pilier de la commission des affaires* c'est toute la cré- mois d'un bureau officiel, installé munauté internationale fait monter étrangères, soupire: «Le gouverne¬ dibflité de ïapoliti¬ non loin de l'aéroport d'Istanbul, la pression, comme en témoigne le ment veut exporter la démocratie le.premief'du genre. vote massif de l'assembléegénérale que menée ces dernières années au chez nos voisins, alors qu'en Turquie Moyen-Orient et lapopularité con¬ La crise syrienne est un moment de de l'ONU pour soutenir la résolu¬ même elle est de plus en plus mal quise par le Premier ministre, Recep vérité pour une diplomatie turque tion présentée par la Ligue arabe, en point. »- toujours plus active sur la scène ré¬ avec le soutien des Occidentaux, «lî Tayyip Erdogan, dans la région qui prendront un sérieux coup», analyse gionale. Après avoir longtemps hé- donne une légitimité à une interven-

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

t INTERNATIONAL Jtcrdfcjs&SrUrutw The possible outlines of an Israeli mil¬ Speculation that Israel» might attack itary attack on Iranian facilities have FEBRUARY 21, 2012 Iran has intensified in recent months as become a source of debate in Washing¬ tensions between the countries have es¬ ton, where some analysts question calated. In a sign of rising U.S. concern, whether Israel even has the military ca¬ Israeli strike Thomas E. Donilon, the national security pacity to carry it off. One fear is that the adviser, met with Prime Minister Ben¬ United States would be sucked into fin¬ jamin Netanyahu of Israel in Jerusalem ishing the job a task that even with on Sunday, and the chairman of the Joint the U.S.' far larger arsenal of aircraft against Iran? Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, and munitions could still take many warned on CNN that an Israeli strike on weeks, defense analysts said. Another Iran right now would be ' 'destabilizing.' ' fear is of Iranian retaliation. No shortage Similarly, Foreign Secretary William "I don't think you'll find anyone Hague of Britain told the BBC that at¬ who'll say, 'Here's how it's going to be tacking Iran would not be "the wise done handful of planes, over an even¬ of obstacles thing" for Israel to do "at this moment." ing, in and out,' " said Andrew R. Hoehn, . But while an Israeli spokesman in a former Pentagon official who is now Washington, Lior Weintraub, said the director of RAND Corp.'s Project Air WASHINGTON country continued to push for tougher Force, which does extensive research sanctions on Iran, he reiterated that Is¬ for the U.S. Air Force. Technical difficulties rael, like the United States, "is keeping Michael V.Bayden, who was director all options on the table.' ' and logistical headaches of the CIA. from 2006 to 2009, said flatly Tehran insists that there is no last month that airstrikes capable of se¬ weapons elements in its nuclear pro¬ would complicate attack riously setting back Iran's nuclear pro¬ gram, and a team of United Nations in¬ gram were "beyond the capacity" of Is¬ spectors arrived in Iran on Monday for rael, in part because of the distance that BY ELISABETH BUMILLER its second visit in three weeks. The lead¬ attack aircraft would have to travel and er of the delegation of inspectors, Her¬ Should Israel decide to launch a military the scale of the task. man Nàckaerts, told reporters on Sun¬ strike against Iran, its pilots would have Still, a top defense official cautioned in day as his team left its headquarters in to fly long distances across unfriendly an interview last week that "we don't Vienna, "We hope to have some con¬ airspace, refuel in the air en route, fight have perfect visibility" into Israel's ar¬ crete results after this trip." Though off Iranian air defenses, attack multiple senal, let alone its military calculations. weapons development was the most im¬ underground sites simultaneously His views were echoed by Anthony H. portant question, he said, "we want to and use at least 100 planes. Cordesman, an influential military ana¬ tackle all outstanding issues.' ' That is the assessment of U.S. defense lyst at the Center for Strategic and Inter¬ Mr. Nackaerts, the International officials and military analysts close to the national Studies in Washington. "There Atomic Energy Agency's deputy direc¬ Pentagon, who say that an Israeli attack are a lot of unknowns, there are a lot of tor general, warned that "this is of meant to set back Iran's nuclear pro* potential risks, but Israel may know that course a complex issue, which may take gram would be a huge and highly com¬ those risks aren't that serious," he said. a while," according to a transcript of his plex operation. They describe it as far Given that Israel would want to strike remarks made available on Monday by different from Israel's "surgical" strikes Iran's four major nuclear sites the agency officials. on a nuclear reactor in Syria in 2007 and uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz The latest visit is to last two days, the Osirak reactor in Iraq in 1981. and Fordo, the heavy-water reactor at though it may be extended, as the previ¬ "All the pundits who talk about 'Oh, Arak and the yellowcake-conversion ous one was. Diplomats who were yeah, bomb Iran,' it ain't going to be that plant at Isfahan military analysts say briefed on the discussions held on the easy," said Lit. Gen. David A. Deptula,, the first problem is how to get there. last visit said that Iranian officials failed who retired last year as the U.S. Air There are three potential routes: to the to address the major concerns about Force's top intelligence official and who north over Turkey, to the south over Iran's activitiesthat were raised in a re¬ planned the U.S. air campaigns in 2001 Saudi Arabia or taking a central route port issued by the agency in November. in Afghanistan and in the 1991 Gulf War. across Jordan and Iraq.

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

has about 125 F-15Is and F-16Is. One pos¬ ginia, and Charles F. Wald, a retired U.S. The route over Iraq would be the most sibility, Mr. Johnson said, would be to fly Air Force general, recommended that direct and likely, defense analysts say, the tankers as high as 15,000 meters, or the Obama administration sell Israel because Iraq effectively has no air de¬ 50,000 feet, making them hard for air de¬ 200 enhanced GBU-31 "bunker fenses and the United States, after its fenses to hit, and then have them drop busters" as well as three advanced re¬ December withdrawal, no longer has the down to a lower altitude to meet up with fueling planes. obligation to defend Iraqi skies. "That the fighter jets to refuel. The two said that they were not ad¬ was a concern of the Israelis a year ago, Israel would still need to use its elec¬ vocating an Israeli attack, but that the that we would come up and intercept tronic warfare planes to penetrate munitions and aircraft were needed to their aircraft if the Israelis chose to take Iran's air defenses and jam its radar improve Israel's credibility as it a path across Iraq," said a former U.S. systems to create a corridor for an at¬ threatens a strike. defense official who asked for anonym¬ tack. Iran's antiaircraft defenses may Should the United States get involved ity to discuss secret intelligence. be a generation old in 2010, Russia re¬ or decide to strike on its own mili¬ Assuming that Jordan tolerates the fused to sell Iran its more advanced S- tary analysts said that the Pentagon Israeli overflight, the next problem is 300 missile system but they are distance. Israel has U.S.-built F-15I and had the ability to launch big strikes with hardly negligible, military analysts say. F-16I fighter jets that can carry bombs bombers, stealth aircraft and cruise Iranian missiles could force Israeli to the targets, but their range de¬ missiles, which could be delivered by warplanes to maneuver and dump their pending on altitude, speed and payload submarines, followed up by drones that munitions before they reached their tar¬ falls far short of the minimum round could carry out damage assessments to gets. Iran could also strike back with trip of 3,200 kilometers, or 2,000 miles. help direct further strikes. Unlike Isra¬ missiles that could hit.Israel, opening a el, the United States has plenty of refuel¬ That does not include an aircraft's new war in the Middle East, though "loiter time" over a target plus the po¬ ing capability. Bombers could fly from some Israeli officials have argued that tential of having to fight off attacks from Al Udeid air base in Qatar, Diego Garcia the consequences would be worse if Iranian missiles and planes. in the Indian Ocean or bases in Britain Iran were to gain a nuclear weapon. and the United States. In any possibility, Israel would have Another major hurdle is Israel's in¬ to use airborne refueling planes, called Nonetheless, defense officials say it ventory of bombs capable of penetrat¬ tankers, but Israel is not thought to have would still be tough to penetrate Iran's ing the Natanz facility, believed to be enough. Scott Johnson, an analyst at the deepest facilities with existing U.S. buried under 9.1 meters of reinforced defense consulting firm IHS Jane's and bombs and so are enhancing an existing concrete, and the Fordo site, which is the leader of a team preparing an online 30,000-pound "Massive Ordnance Pen- built into a mountain. seminar on Israeli strike possibilities on etrator" that was specifically designed Assuming it does not use a nuclear for Iran and North Korea. Iran, said that Israel had eight KC-707

U.S.-made tankers, although it is not device, Israel has U.S.-made GBU-28 Scott Shane contributed reportingfrom clear they are all in operation. It is pos¬ 5,000-pound "bunker buster" bombs, or Washington and Alan Cowellfrom Lon¬ sible, he said, that Israel has recon¬ 2,267 kilograms, that could damage such don. figured existing planes into tankers to hardened targets, although it is unclear use in a strike. how far down they can go. Even so, any number of tankers would This month, a Bipartisan Policy Cen¬ need to be protected by even more fight¬ ter report by Charles S. Robb, the er planes. "So the numbers you need former Democratic senator from Vir just skyrocket," Mr. Johnson said. Israel

. BimaixtmuL UkralhâsM&mmne February 21, 2012

based Syrian Observatory for Human Syria sends a coup in 1963. Rights. The group said at least eight The leaders of the uprising have dis¬ people were killed by shelling in parts of missed the referendum as an attempt at Homs on Monday. armor to superficial change. "We have called for Amateur videos posted online showed a boycott of the referendum which can¬ what activists said were shells falling on not be held while parts of Syria are a Baba Amr. Phone lines and Internet Homs for war zone/' said Omar Idilbi, a Beirut- connections have been cut with the city, based member of the opposition Syrian making it difficult to get firsthand ac¬ National Council. counts from Homs residents. Mr. Assad still counts on support from likely assault In Geneva, a spokeswoman for the In¬ Iran and allies like Russia, which fears ternational Committee of the Red Cross losing its main Arab partner. But his said it had been in talks with the Syrian BEIRUT government is facing escalating pres¬ authorities and opposition groups. "We sure and isolation from Western and are currently discussing several possi¬ THEASSOCIATED PRESS Arab states. bilities with all those concerned, and it In Kabul, two senior Republicans on Syria's military sent tanks and other re¬ includes a cessation of fighting in the the U.S. Senate Armed Services Com¬ inforcements toward the rebel strong¬ most affected areas," the spokeswom¬ mittee urged international cooperation hold of Homs on Monday for a possible an, Carta Haddad, said. to help supply the rebels with weapons offensive to break the opposition's grip The talks were not aimed at resolving and other aid. The two, John McCain even as Red Cross negotiators tried to political differences after more than 11 and Lindsey Graham, stopped short of broker a cease-fire to deliver emer¬ months of bloodshed and unrest, but endorsing direct U.S. military involve¬ gency aid. "the idea is to be able to facilitate swift ment. The mobilization around Homs, in access to people in need,' ' she said. ' 'The United States doesn't have to di¬ central Syria, indicated that President Activists say the government might rectly ship weapons to the opposition, Bashar al-Assad's regime was prepar¬ be trying to subdue Homs an impor¬ but there are a whole lot of things that ing a ground assault after weeks of tant stronghold for anti-Assad groups can be done" through groups such as the shelling the district of Baba Amr. before a referendum Sunday on a new Arab League, Mr. McCain said Sunday. "The human loss is going to be huge if constitution, which would allow a bigger they retake Baba Amr," said Rami Ab¬ role for political opposition to the Baath dul-Rahman, who heads the British- Party, which has controlled Syria since

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

Middle East PoliiY February 21, 2012

Commentary done the same with other companies, but they did not have the standing of Exxon. This could backfire against

the central government, as it is losing its leverage in this Iraq's Kurds dispute....The Iraqi government's increasingly confronta¬ tional stance towards Exxon may not pay off....The envi¬

ronment in southern Iraq may simply not have the pay¬ under Pressure offs that Exxon was hoping for, which is why they are willing to sacrifice their position there, and move to

Kurdistan."

February 21, 2012

Middle East Policy Council There is evidence, however, that the pressure is paying

off. Adel Kadhem writes last week that "A South Korean

Hraq's Kurds continue to come under intense pres¬ firm is reported to have given up working on an oil field

sure from the authorities in Baghdad. In the latest in northern Iraq. A statement by the Oil Ministry said the

twist of what has become a thorn in the relations firm, which it did not name, sold its share in the field in between the central government and the Kurdistan the hope of taking part in developing oil fields in other

Regional Government (KRG), the former has decided to parts of the country. The ministry has said it will ban any move forward with punitive measures against foreign oil- foreign firm from working in Iraq it if found it had struck and-gas companies that have cut deals with the Kurds an oil development deal with Kurdish authorities....The against Baghdad's wishes. Meanwhile, across the border, Kurds dispute the ministry's stand, saying the constitu¬

Kurdish leaders in Turkey are taking friendly fire about tion grants them the right to sign such deals." their strategy of armed resistance.

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Al Maliki, also made the

On the surface, the political process in the north of Iraq case over the weekend for a constitutional approach to appears to be on the right track. According to an Al the TCirkuk problem.' According to Aswat Aliraq, "Premier

Sumaria TV report, "Iraq's Kurdistan Presidency Nouri al-Maliki stressed the necessity to solve all Kirkuk announced, on Thursday, that leader Masoud Barazani problems on constitutional bases. In a statement issued accepted the resignation of Barham Saleh's govern¬ by the Premiership, copy received by Aswat al-lraq, ment.... Kurdistan's current government was formed fol¬ Maliki met Kirkuk ... MPs, where he stressed that 'the lowing 2009's parliamentary elections and is led, by constitution is the criteria to solve all problems, includ¬ virtue of the strategic agreement concluded between ing of Kirkuk.' He called 'for further collaboration to pre¬

Kurdistan Democratic Party headed by Masoud Al serve the unity, security and stability of Iraq'"

Barzani and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan headed by Jalal

Talabani, to the election of Barham Saleh as Prime Meanwhile, across the border in Turkey, Iraq's Kurdish

Minister of Kurdistan for the first half of the term and leaders have sent an unmistakable message to Turkey's

Vice-President of Kurdistan Democratic Party Nigirvan Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party. Turkey's Today's

Barzani for the second half." Zaman noted: "Massoud Barzani, the leader of northern

Iraq's autonomous Kurdish government, speaking in a

Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the relation¬ meeting with Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peace and ship between the Kurds in the north and the central gov¬ Democracy Party (BDP) in Arbil, has claimed using vio¬ ernment in Baghdad. In an attempt to put pressure on lence and taking up arms is an 'outdated and useless the Kurds as well as the companies attempting to cut strategy' in solving the decades-old Kurdish question in deals with them, the government is waging a legal as well Turkey.... Ruling out armed opposition and terrorist as a PR war. For example, the Iraq daily Azzaman notes activities..., Barzani stated that he believes the real solu¬ statements by government officials who argue: "Iraqi tion to Turkey's Kurdish question the Kurds' search

Kurds are heavily involved in the smuggling of oil to for equal cultural and political rights in Turkey is only

Iran....Member of Parliament Furat al-Sharaa said Iraqi possible with dialogue and peaceful initiatives."

Kurdistan was the hub of oil smuggling operations.

Sharaa, who is a member of the parliament's energy The remarks come after considerable debate within commission, said the illegal trade was carried out Turkey about the path that their Kurdish population will through a fleet of oil tankers He said the smugglers take. Reflecting on the continued militarization of the carried crude oil from southern Iraqi oil fields to Iraqi conflict, Hurriyet Daily News' Kadri Gursel asks, "If

Kurdistan and then to Iran. The long distance through weapons are, as Diyarbakir independent deputy Leyla which oil tankers travel is an indication of some form of Zana has said, The insurance of the Kurds,' then what

complicity from higher authorizes as the trade would not kind of insurance will this alleged 'insurance policy' pro¬

be possible without their consent." vide for the Kurds within its current context and content

and against what dangers today and tomorrow?...In fact,

AK News' Joel Wing comments on the latest development in today's circumstances, 'weapons' are now a tool to be

regarding Iraq's decision to "[sjanction Exxon for [making abandoned for the Kurdish movement. .. .Those who took

a] deal with Kurdistan.... In February 2012, [Baghdad] arms in the mountains are captives of the political equa¬

announced that Exxon would be excluded from the tions they have formed by taking to the mountains with

fourth bidding round for twelve oil and gas fields, which arms. Thereby, it is much more difficult to come down

is scheduled for May. This is the first time that Baghdad from the mountains than go up."

has decided to confront a major oil corporation. It has

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

. NTHUWnONAL power. Western diplomats speaking on îkrdb^fiëSrilwttt try having a.different stake in the coun¬ try's fate. background basically said they have FEBRUARY 24, 2012 The stated priority at Friday's meet¬ seen this movie before and did not love ing is to figure out how to provide hu¬ the ending. manitarian assistance to besieged cities Syrian national council members de¬ A year later, like Homs. But bolstering the opposition scribe opposition divisions as a natural will be the main task hovering in the result of trying to forge a working or¬ background. ganization not a parliament that and Syrian The internal divisions have kept encompasses wide diversity from a Western and Arab governments from complex society that has known only recognizing the council as a kind of gov¬ oppression. opposition is ernment-in-exile, and the summit meet¬ Indeed, the men at the Four Seasons ing in Tunis will not very likely change in Doha ranged from the suits, ties and that. Russia, Syria's main international neatly trimmed beards of various Is¬ still fractured patron, is avoiding the meeting entirely. lamist representatives to the one Chris¬ tian on the executive committee, a long¬ The divisions within the main um¬ time university professor in Belgium brella organization, the Syrian National who wandered around in flip-flops. BEIRUT Council, were fully on display last week

when its 10-member executive commit¬ The national council members argue Rebels fail to build tee met at the Four Seasons Hotel in that progress has been made among a Doha, Qatar. The council has been slow group of people who were virtual coalition that other on critical issues like recognizing the strangers when they first gathered in nations can rely on transformation of the Syrian uprising Istanbul in September, and that sniping from a nonviolent movement to an about their unrepresentative nature is armed insurrection, even if in self-de¬ mostly a disinformation campaign by

BY NEIL MACFARQÛHAR fense, according to members them¬ Damascus. selves, diplomats and other analysts. "This is a manufactured problem," Syria spirals downward into a more Aside from grouping only about 70 said Burhan Ghalioun, the council presi¬ hellish existehce in cities like Homs, percent of the opposition groups, the na¬ dent, speaking in an interview outside of where relentless government artillery tional council has yet to seriously ad¬ an executive committee meeting last barrages and lethal snipers gradually dress melding itself with the increas¬ week after his first term as leader was ex¬ annihilate entire neighborhoods; or in ingly independent internal alliances in tended for another three months. "Some remote villages where army soldiers Homs and other cities across Syria independent people don't want tojoin the \mwS ANALYSIS trapped in an uneven battle for survival, S.N.C, but there is no strong opposition they said, warning that the council runs power outside the national council." the risk of being supplanted. The unlimited expectations of the materialize to slaughter peasant farm¬ "They were in a constant, ongoing people inside Syria that the council ers brazen enough to declare them¬ struggle which delayed anything pro¬ could rescue them were also impossible selves outside government control; or ductive and any real work that should to meet, he said, particularly given the in myriad places whose victims add to a be done for the revolution," said Rima lack of funding. Although the Qatari national death toll that doubles without Fleihan, an activist who crawled government picked up the bill for the restraint from 30 to 60 and beyond in through barbed-wire fences to Jordan meeting and for much travel, council mere hours. from Syria in September to escape ar¬ members said no significant financial The bloodbath has brought new, rest. She was representing the local co¬ support from Arab or Western govern¬ worldwide attention on the most ordinating committees on the council ments has materialized, despite re¬ fraught Arab uprising, not least because until she quit in disgust this month. peated promises, so they have to rely on among its latest victims were high-pro¬ "They fight more than they work," rich Syrian exiles. They hope lunis will file foreign and local correspondents Ms. Fleihan said. "People are asking change that. whose vivid reports of civilian deaths why they have failed to achieve any in¬ contradicted a threadbare government After using Skype to reach embattled ternational recognition, why no aid is line about ''foreign terrorist gangs.' ' cities like Homs, Hama and Idlib, na¬ reaching the people, why are we still be¬ A top question raised by the global at¬ tional council members admitted sheep¬ ing shelled?" tention is how to propel forward Syria's ishly that activists on the ground just Syria inevitably draws comparisons opposition movement, and whether its flung. accusations at them, demanding with Libya and its Transitional National disjointed internal and external compo¬ why they seemed to swan from one lux¬ Council. In some ways, the task in Libya nents are prepared for the long war of ury hotel to the next while no medical proved easier notjust because NATO in¬ attrition that appears fated to come. supplies nor other aid flowed into Syria. tervened but also because the opposi¬ Nearly a year after the uprising erup¬ The bickering was in plain sight. tion leveraged the huge chunk of east¬ ted, the opposition remains a fractious "Is this any way to work?" Haithem ern Libya it held around Benghazi into collection of-political groups, longtime al-Maleh, an 81-year-old lawyer and war the attempt to claim the whole country. exiles and newly forged activists, still horse of the opposition movement, said, And the unified focus on the war sub¬ deeply divided along ideological, ethnic yelling as he came barreling out of one merged most overt political differences or sectarian lines. It is difficult to cele¬ Doha meeting, only to be corralled back for a time. brate the mix as the "mosaic" of Syria in. "They are all stupid and silly, but Now, of course, the Libyan transition what can I do?" anymore. remains an open question. The experi¬ They have failed to build themselves The council, with 310 members, is or¬ ence of militias made up of mild- into the kind of vehicle onto which the ganized on three levels : the broad mem¬ mannered doctors and accountants, not international community can pile all of bership itself, a "secretariat general" of to mention young Islamists, suddenly its ambitions for change in Syria There about 70 members divided among polit¬ going feral and becoming little more is no real plan. ical groups and the executive commit¬ than armed gangs hangs like a ghost of The bickering opposition will be the tee. uprisings past over the evolving Syrian focus of intense discussions on Friday It is remains Balkanized, however, opposition. when senior diplomats from about 80 among different factions, and argu¬ The United States and other Western countries converge on Tunisia for the in¬ ments unspool. endlessly over which governments remain wary of support¬ groups deserve how many seats at what augural meeting of the group Friends of ing yet another opposition movement Syria One reason it is difficult to inter¬ level. The mostly secular, liberal repre¬ where the Muslim Brotherhood or some sentatives and those from the Islamist vene in the conflict is that it stands at coalition that includes them professes to factions harbor mutual suspicions the nexus of many tribal and religious take a back seat, only to see them ride to about future intent. tensions, with every neighboring coun

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

No one from Syria's ruling Alawite mann, who focuses on Middle East is¬ The main issue the council is grap¬ community, the small religious sect of sues at the United States Institute of pling with now is how to coordinate an President Bashar al-Assad, sits on the Peace, a study group partially funded increasingly armed opposition. Their executive committee, despite repeated by Congress. They have been told re¬ answer thus far is that they support the attempts to woo a few prominent dissi¬ peatedly that their first priority should defensive use of weapons. dents. The fight over Kurdish seats re¬ be to build their visibility on the ground, For many activists, that is not good mains unsettled, even though Masoud he said, as hard as that might be. enough. Barzani, a leading Kurd in neighboring Their diplomatic efforts remain trou¬ "There is a scary vacuum of political

Iraq, tried to mediate. bled. The S.N.C. has yet to appoint an of¬ leadership," said Wissam Tarif, an ac¬ The council has also not reconciled ficial envoy in Washington, and jockey¬ tivist with the human rights group with members of the Syrian National ing over who should lobby the U.N. Avaaz. "Those fighting must know they Coordination Committee, some of whom Security Council this month was so in¬ are accountable to a political leadership, remain inside and who have generally tense, diplomats and analysts said, that otherwise we are heading toward an¬ taken a softer line about allowing Mr. the S.N.C. sent an unwieldy delegation other disaster." Assad to shepherd a political transition of some 14 members who continued ar¬ starting with the referendum on Sunday guing in New York over who would meet Steven Lee Myers contributed reporting on a new constitution. which ambassador. from London and an employee of The "Time is running out for the Syrian "There is a lot of ego involved," said New York Times contributedfrom Beirut. opposition to establish its credibility Louay Safi, a Syrian-American political and viability as an effective representa¬ science professor and head of the policy tive of the uprising," said Steven Heyde- arid planning committee.

. COBBWnONU. MmfogMmmbviM February 22, 2012

for greater international recognition and on the city that began Feb. 4, after China China, Iran support The Syrian state-run news and Russia vetoed a resolution con¬ agency SANA reported that a Chinese demning the violence and backing an special envoy to the Middle East, Wu Arab League plan for Mr. Assad to step and Russia Sike, visited Damascus on Tuesday and aside. Last week, in the strongest inter¬ called for dialogue with all sides in the national rebuke to date, the General As¬ crisis. SANA also reported from Beijing sembly voted overwhelmingly to pass affirm their on a news conference by the Chinese the same resolution in nonbinding form. Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Li, Details of the violence inside Syria in which he called for "the international come largely from activist groups and ties to Syria community to respect the sovereignty, official Syrian media. Foreign journa¬ stability and unity of Syria'' lists are generally not allowed in Syria Mr. Li did not saywhether Chinawould and rely on difficult-to-verify reports CAIRO attend the Friends of Syria conference. from activists and residents inside the

Iranian officials, at a regular Foreign country. 3 allies of regime ignore Ministry news conference in Tehran, A new Cairo-based group, The Activ¬ did not explicitly discuss the confer¬ ist News Association, has been collect¬ increasing pressure ence, but denounced Western meddling ing information from contacts inside of over violent crackdown in the affairs of its long-standing ally as Syria. Rami Jarrah, a Syrian activist benefiting Israel at trie expense of those who helped create the group, said that who resist its power. "What is happen¬ Syrian government and ground forces BYRODNORDLAND ing in Syria serves the best interests of were massing outside of Homs. "Active Israel and weakens the resistance," resistance has long since stopped but China, Russia and Iran all made decla¬ said, a ministry spokesman, Ramin the government is using the excuse of rations of support for the Syrian govern¬ Mehmanparast, as quoted by SANA. 'armed resistance' to continue this bom¬ ment on Tuesday, reaffirming their alli¬ But the United States threw some of bardment," Mr. Jarrah said. "They're ances in the face of broad, intense the Iranian's support for Syria into killing the democratic movement." international lobbying for unity against question, suggesting that Iran's reports Based on photographs of victims sent President Bashar al-Assad as his long that it has sent two warships to help from inside Syria, he said, 79 deaths crackdown on domestic opponents has train Syrian forces were false. "We have took place around the country on Tues¬ sharpened against restive areas. absolutely no indication whatsoever the day, 46 of them in Homs, where shelling The worst violence Tuesday was re¬ Iranian ships ever docked in Syrian of the Sunni Arab neighborhood of Baba ported in the central city of Homs, which ports," a Pentagon spokesman, George Amr was particularly heavy, and 33 in has been under sustained assault for Little, was quoted by Reuters as saying. Idlib to the north. more than two weeks. The day's toll of Iran's Press TV satellite broadcaster Another exile activist group, the Syri¬ residents, as compiled by various groups had said the two ships, a destroyer and a an Observatory for Human Rights, re¬ that try to track the violence from inside supply ship, docked in Tortus on Satur¬ ported that in the northern city of and outside the country, ranged from 16 day "to provide maritime training to Aleppo, unknown gunmen killed to more than 40. At the same time, the naval forces of Syria under an agree¬ Muhammad Ramadan, a pro-regime faction of the opposition that is armed ment signed between Tehran and Da¬ businessman. It also reported scattered has claimed several more lives, accord¬ mascus a year ago." protests and skirmishes in Damascus, ing to the Syrian government, whose The assault on Homs appeared to be a where a group of youths raised an oppo¬ news agency reported the funerals of continuation of the government attack sition flag at the Al-Jaawzeh Bride at the three'soldiers killed in or near Damascus southern entrance of the capital, the and in the city of Hama, to the north. China called for "the London-based Observatory said. Russia announced that it would not participate in a meeting in Tunisia on international community to Alan Cowell contributed reportingfrom Friday of a contact group of Western and respect the sovereignty, London and Fares Akramfrom Gaza. Arab nations, Friends of Syria, where op¬ stability and unity of Syria." position figures were expected to lobby

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

Reportage Turquie URDISTAN La répression d9Ankaraferme laporteà toutesolutionpadfique

Le premier ministre turc réprime sans merci le mouvement kurde. Il fait donner

l'armée contre les «. *» * ^ n*' civils. Des milliers de militants sont en prison de même que des députés oS.cïT-

rendue sur place. Des militants du BDP le Parti de la paix et de la démocratie, montrent, en Janvier 2010, des photos de détenus politiques par le régime de Recep Erdogan.

discussion, estime Osman Baydemir, Diyarbakir, Van (Kurdistan de Depuis2009,plusde6200 Kurdes ontétéarrêtés maire (BDP) de Diyarbakir. Malheu¬ Turquie), envoyé spécial. dontdes centainesdefemmesetd'enfants reusement le gouvernement turc ne Qui se soucie du Kurdis¬ et près de 140 élus (maires,députés...) le veutpas. » tan ? Dans cette région de Quelle meilleure illustration de Turquie, l'armée agit en ces propos que là rencontre au siège toute impunité. Pendant élus (maires, députés,..). Un chiffre cultures, les différentes religions et de l'Association pour les droits de que le premier ministre, à réactualiser chaque semaine. Le institutionnalise la libertépolitique y homme (IHD). Le secrétaire.gé- Recep Erdogan, dénonce les atrocités pouvoir turc fait feu de tout bois, les et linguistique. La seule réponse du néraj- Raci Bjj^ nous reçoit. Le commises contré les civils en Syrie, sa accusant d'appartenir au KCK, une pouvoir a été le lancement d'opéra- président en est empêché. Et pour troupe Téprime sans relâche, tuant et organisationclandestine, soupçon¬ dons de repression. cause: il est en prison depuis deux emprisonnant tous ceux qui réclament née d'être la branche politique du De fait lorsque le 13 avril 2009, ans. Deux semaines auparavant, les le respect des droits du peuple kurde. mouvement armé PKK (Parti des le PKK a décrété la prolongation du locaux de l'association ont été perqui¬ Diyarbakir en sait quelque chose. Les travailleurs du Kurdistan), fondée par cessez-le-feu, justement pour favoriser sitionnes et.les disques.durs des treize rugissements des avions de châssequi « Apo » Ocalan, emprisonné à vie. l'émergence d'une solution politique, ordinateurs saisis. . « Depuis 2005, la partentvers la frontière irakienne font La stratégie turque est vicieuse, le gouvernement d'Ankara a immé¬ pression de l'État s'est renforcée », trembler la ville à longueur de jour¬ comme l'explique Abdullah Demir- diatement procédé à l'arrestation de souligne-t-il. Concernant la répression, née. La répression est terrible. « Bs bas, maire BDP de Sur, lui:même em¬ centaines de maires, de députés, de des Kurdes, il parle de « violation du utilisentmême desarmes chimiques », prisonné à plusieurs reprises, toujours conseillers généraux du BDP. «En fai- droit à la vie ». Il ajouté: «£a tor¬ dénonce une responsable du BDP, le en procès et qui se voit interdit de . santcela, lepouvoirlance un message ture continue. Iln'y a toujourspas Parti de la paix et de la démocratie, sortie du territoire malgré un état clair: la politiquene servirait à rien », de liberté d'expression en Turquie. » organisation largement soutenue de santé qui nécessiterait des soins à insiste le maire de Sur. Et il jette.des Malgré les poursuites judiciaires qui par la population. « C'est comme l'étranger. « Le gouvernement turc milliers de jeunes dans les bras de pleuvent, Bilici et ses collaborateurs à Halabja », dit-elle, en référence n 'a aucune volonté de résoudre la la guérilla, comme le propre fils du publient des rapports accablants pour au massacre perpétrée par Saddam question kurde même s'ilfait croire maire de Sur qui voit dans l'empri¬ le pouvoir turc. Des rapports envoyés Hussein dans cette ville irakienne en l'inverse à l'extérieur », dit-il. « Les sonnement et l'inculpation de son aux ambassades étrangères, y compris 1988. À une différence près : l'Union Kurdes ont fait des propositions père, pourtant pacifique, la preuve celle de la France. européenne reste, ici, dans une pos¬ précisespourune économie démo¬ que rien ne se réglera sans les armes. Si les militants kurdes sont pour¬ ture de silence complice. cratique dans un État démocratique Depuis 2009, 2 000 d'entre eux au¬ chassés, ils ne sont pas les seuls. Tous Depuis 2009, plus de6 200Kurdes ainsiquel'élaboration d'unenouvelle raient rejoint lesçamps.du PKK dans la montagne. « En ceXXIe siècle, les ceux <ïui s'opposent à la politique ont été arrêtés dont des centaines de Constitution qui reconnaisse, laisse armes devraient laisser la place à la d'Erdogan sont poursuivis etenv femmes et d'enfants et près de 140 s'exprimer librement les différentes

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

fagglomération marseillaise. Michel prisonnés. C'est le cas de nombreux des élus communistes et républicains Laurent, secrétaire national du PCF, Billoux, sénateur, et Marie-Christine journalistes et de syndicalistes. «Nous . (Anecr) qui s'est rendue sur place, avait été le seul à protester contre la Viergeat, députée européenne, ont dit nous battonspourla paix, lalibertéet la semaine dernièreLpour_térnoigner i fermeture de la chaîne kurde Rosh TV. l'engagement de TAnecr à soutenir et la démocratie, doncnotre lutterejoint «Negardezpaspour vous ce que mais également agir. Sylvie Jan devait parrainer des élus emprisonnés. Une vous avez vu ici! » demandait Osman celle desKurdes », assure, à Van, Yl- ainsi, au nom du collectif PCF-Kur¬ initiative reçue comme un engagement maz Berkim, présidentdu syndicat des Baydemir. Un appel reçu cinq sur cinq distan, dénoncer l'accord de coopé¬ politique fort. «De telles délégations par la délégation. « Nous allonsfate enseignants (SES), affilié au KESK, ration sécuritaire récemment conclu contribuent à popularisernotre lutte qui décrit les batailles pour le respect en sorte que l'ensemble des militants entre la France et la Turquie. « Cela et ce que nous vivons », remerciait du droit de grève ou pour la signature s'emparent de cette cause », répon¬ se traduitparde nombreusesarresta- le maire de Diyarbakir, Osman Bay¬ daient Danielle Lebail, membre de de conventions collectives. . dons de militants kurdes en France. » demir. Cela, ils l'ont dit à une délégation l'exécutif du PCF, et Joël Dutto, élu de Elle rappelait également que Pierre Pierre Barbancey du PCF et de l'Association nationale

24 FEVRIER 2012

L'opposition syrienne promet une autonomie aux Kurdes

LE CONSEIL national syrien contrôle de leurs affaires», a dit Commission Vérité et

a promis vendredi, si le régime Burhan Ghalioun, qui dirige le Réconciliation

de Bachar al Assad est ren¬ Conseil national syrien, selon le Burhan Ghalioun a souligné versé, d'instituer un conseil texte de son discours devant le qu'il n'existait pas de contradic¬ présidentiel à la tête de la Syrie groupe des «Amis de la Syrie» tion entre une Syrie ancrée f» et d'accorder à la minorité réunis à Tunis. «Votre identité dans sa nature arabe mais res¬ kurde un gouvernement auto¬ sera reconnue et respectée millions d'habitants. pectant l'identité nationale nome et une reconnaissance de nationalement, et vos droits kurde. Vivant essentiellement Le CNS, principale organisa¬ son identité. civiques seront garantis. Vous dans l'est de la Syrie, aux tion de l'opposition au régime jouerez un rôle significatif dans confins de la Turquie et de «La nouvelle Syrie sera dotée Assad, propose également la la reconstruction de la Syrie de l'Irak, la communauté kurde de d'un gouvernement décentra¬ création d'une commission nos rêves, la Syrie dont nous Syrie représenterait selon les lisé, permettant de fait aux Vérité et Réconciliation. rêvons depuis des décennies», autorités locales de prendre le estimations 10 à 15% des 22 insiste-t-il. Avec Reuters

27 février 2012 LE FIGARO

Irak: 30 déserteurs syriens accueillis au Kurdistan irakien

preuve d'une grande prudence ERBIL (Irak) -AFP l'armée syrienne. Nous les pays avant la défense du avons reçus pour des raisons régime de Damas, et invité face à la crise en Syrie, son voi¬ sin, avec lequel il partage Trente soldats syriens kurdes humanitaires, ils sont sous ceux qui le soutiennent encore quelque 600 km de frontière. déserteurs ont été accueillis notre protection et nous leur à l'abandonner car il va tomber. Bagdad a fait savoir que ni les ces deux derniers jours au avons accordé le statut de réfu¬ Une quinzaine de familles autorités ni l'opposition Kurdistan irakien et y ont reçu giés, a déclaré à l'AFP le res¬ et 130 civils hommes, tous syriennes ne seraient invitées le statut de réfugiés, a indiqué ponsable, Anwar Haji Othman. Kurdes, sont également arrivés au sommet de la Ligue arabe lundi le vice-ministre de la Nous n'allons pas les de Syrie au Kurdistan irakien qu'il doit accueillir fin mars. Défense de la région autonome remettre au gouvernement ces derniers jours, a indiqué Le 12 novembre, la Ligue du Kurdistan irakien. syrien car ils sont Kurdes et lundi un responsable en charge arabe avait voté la suspension C'est la première fois que nous avons le droit de les pro¬ de deux camps de réfugiés de la Syrie de l'organisation, en les autorités irakiennes font téger. Et aussi parce qu'ils ont syriens kurdes situés près de raison de la répression brutale état de l'arrivée de déserteurs déserté l'armée syrienne. A pré¬ Dohouk (410 km au nord de de la révolte populaire menée syriens sur le territoire. sent, ils ont le statut de réfugiés Bagdad). par le régime du président Au cours des deux derniers dans la région du Kurdistan, a- Ces familles syriennes ont

jours, 30 soldats syriens kurdes t-il poursuivi. été réparties entre les deux Bachar al-Assad. Ces violences ont fait sont passés au Kurdistan via la La secrétaire d'Etat améri¬ camps, où vivent 1.800 Kurdes jusqu'ici plus de 7.600 morts j frontière commune entre l'Irak, caine Hillary Clinton avait syriens, a dit ce responsable, depuis mars 2011, dont plus de \ le Kurdistan et la Syrie. Ils sont exhorté dimanche l'armée Barzan Bourhoum Mourad. 150 morts ce week-end. I tous des membres kurdes de syrienne à placer l'intérêt du L'Irak a jusqu'à présent fait

61 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevofai Çapê-Rwista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

ThcNational February 23, 2012

Northern Iraq's reserves put oil

majors in a quandary

thenational.ae Kurdistan oil and gas fields

By April Yee ' ^TuCoylia:) -, . ,.. * Oil fields 0 Gas fields

Oil pipolinr- "One more," says Eric Ailland, as he N. Kurdish connol flicks a stone into the gleaming black 1 50km

pool. > . KURDISH

It is sucked in without a splash, which ADMINISTRATION Shalkhan is enough to reassure the French engi¬ Jf

-. neer that the dark stuff seeping to the Kirkuk surface in this field in Iraqi Kurdistan

is oil. Taq

SYRIA *-' ' ** For years Kurdish villagers have brought Iiaq-luikoy their sheep here to graze, sometimes pipeline

also filling a jerrycan or two with oil. But

this picturesque land of soft green and KorMor yellow hills edged by slate-blue moun¬ >v \ tains has now become the centre of a race for resources between the world's oil *c majors, which believe Iraqi Kurdistan IRAN

could hold as much as Libya's 45 billion

barrels of reserves in massive reservoirs like the Tawke field. %

And this Kurdish region - politically and É8* V economically sidelined for decades by

the Saddam Hussein government in

Baghdad - is using its oil potential to in power, the US was trying to determine market."

assert its independence from the rest of whether Iraq had weapons of mass

Iraq. destruction, and the Kurdish region, crip¬ In September, Tony Hayward, the former

pled by the international sanctions chief executive of BP, bought into a

"This type of field - it's once in a lifetime against Iraq and attacks by Hussein's mil¬ Kurdish explorer through his investment

that you will see it," says Mr Ailland, who itary forces, had only a handful of hospi¬ vehicle, Vallares.

once drilled for Total in Yemen and tals and a per capita GDP of US$375

Indonesia. "We thought it was a shallow (Dh1,377). Two months later, ExxonMobil, the

reservoir. And then one year later ... this world's biggest international oil company,

one turned out to be a giant." "This was a devastated wasteland," signed drilling deals for six areas. And

recalled Barham Salih, the prime minister this month, Christophe de Margerie, the

Satisfied with a final rock toss, he turns of the Kurdistan Regional Government, in chief executive of Total, which operates in

towards a work camp. It is a stroll through a speech last year. southern Iraq, said the French major was

the grass and a short drive back to the looking at entering Kurdistan. Oil compa¬

complex of prefabricated trailers where In 2002, a year before the US invasion of nies operating in Kurdistan earn an aver¬

he and 120 workers live. They wear neat Iraq, Kurdistan signed its first oil deal. age $6.50 for every barrel they pump

blue jumpsuits and white hard hats, More than 45 contracts with companies compared with the usual $1 elsewhere in

whether it is minus 8°C or 54°C. from 17 nations have followed. the Middle East, according to Morgan

Stanley research.

Mr Ailland, the local production manager The prospect of virgin fields in a relative¬

for DNO, a Norwegian explorer that is ly safe environment has attracted a Kurdistan's welcoming of foreign partners

42.8 per cent owned by the UAE's RAK steady stream of big-name players in has raised tensions between the semi-

Petroleum, is at the forefront of his com¬ spite of the threat of their being blacklist¬ autonomous region's seat of power in

pany's push to double production to ed from operating in the rest of Iraq by Erbil and Baghdad. This month, the Iraqi

200,000 barrels per day (bpd) and drill the federal government in Baghdad. oil ministry warned Total against signing

farther down into the Tawke field to layers any agreements with Kurdistan and

dating from the Jurassic and Triassic 'There's been a huge amount of interest barred ExxonMobil from a forthcoming

periods. from the big majors," says an official with auction of exploration licences.

the Kurdistan government, asking not to Baghdad says the Kurdish contracts vio¬

Such work in Kurdistan was inconceiv¬ be named. 'This year we expect to see a late the 2005 constitution. Erbil cites what

able a decade ago. Saddam Hussein was number of significant new entrants to the it sees as its history of persecution at the

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

hands of Baghdad when justifying act¬ exports to resume. brought on as trainees with the under¬ ing alone. standing that they will eventually leave

Now DNO is taking precautions, includ¬ DNO to serve Kurdistan in other roles.

"The challenge is to turn oil from the ing building 140,000 barrels of storage curse it has been to the blessing we capacity in case of another pipeline "I see that as a benefit to the region," should have," says Mr Salih. "From the shutdown. says Mr Normann. "We need to train devastation and the destruction of the more people." agonies of genocides, we can eye a It is just across the street from the U- future that is democratic and is prosper¬ shaped pipe where Kurdish oil meets Drive through Kurdistan today, and ous - a future where Kurdistan will not Kirkuk crude, and around the corner patriotism is not hard to find. Enormous be the case of genocide and the victim from the station where truckers unload busts of musicians known for singing of ethnic cleansing, but where cargoes from Kurdistan fields that have separatist ballads anchor a major traffic

Kurdistan is a hub of stability." not yet been connected by pipe. circle in Zakho, the biggest town on the

way to Tawke. At the entrance to DNO's

The dispute between Erbil and 'They are always shutting down the facilities, the Kurdish flag - a golden sun

Baghdad has also affected smaller facilities, so we need to adapt ourselves in the middle of red, white and green

independents such as DNO. In May to the situation," says Mr Ailland, his bands - flies at the gate monitored by

2009, the company completed a 42- voice barely audible above the armed guards.

kilometre pipeline from the Tawke field machines sanding the sides of the mas¬ to Fishkabour, Kurdistan's juncture with sive oil storage tanks. Ahmad Abdulkader Nuraddin, DNO's

Syria and Turkey. There, the pipeline deputy general manager, recalls being feeds into another owned by the Iraqi The entry of the supermajors into recruited from the UNoil-for-food pro¬ government that funnels oil from the Kurdistan could transform a landscape gramme that bought Iraqi oil from

Kirkuk field in Iraq to Ceyhan on that has long been the domain of small Hussein's government under strict con¬

Turkey's Mediterranean coast. But five independents - a fact of which DNO is ditions. He says that before joining the

months into the pipeline's flow, Erbil keenly aware. company he was surprised to learn that

stopped exports, saying Baghdad had DNO was in the oil business. "It was not

not been paying the companies for the "DNO is not a mega company, not at even a dream to have oil companies," oil. all," says Magne Normann.its chief he says. "We never thought that one

operating officer. "But to do what we are day we would control ourselves and

"The pipeline was ready, the oil was in doing, you don't need to be a very large have our own government, the the pipeline, everything was ready," Exxon company. It can, as a matter of Kurdistan government. I am optimistic. I

recalls Mr Ailland. fact, be a disadvantage if we are talking think there will be something here. I

about something to move fast." think we'll continue developing, and

Only last year, after more than a year we'll have a country one day."

during which DNO had to constrain pro¬ Like many other oil companies, DNO

duction and mostly sell to the local mar¬ points to its practice of training local tal¬

ket, did a compromise between the ent. Ninety per cent of its staff at Tawke

regional and federal governments allow come from the region, many of them

Hurriyet 1T&W 26 February 2012 DailyNews_> T -

Kurdish Independent deputy Leyla Zana (R) and 'l l| h Masoud Barzani (L), Conference the head of the "'£' «fe Regional Kurdish Administration in

finally to north Iraq, are seen at

.# a conference on Feb

20. convene r

Gôksel Bozkurt / hurriyet.com.tr

Democratic Society Congress (DTK) (BDP) co-president Gillian Kisanak to

ANKARA - Kurds living in Turkey, Iraq, Ahmet Turk and Aysel Tugluk were in answer this question. Kisanak empha¬

Syria and Iran have been planning to vain, but initiatives for holding a sized that it was not easy for the Kurds -

hold a Kurdish conference for a long Kurdish conference have since started living within the borders of four sepa¬

time, but with the interruption of again. rate states - to convene a Kurdish confer¬

national-international equilibriums, ence or to adopt a joint stance. Was this

they were not able to organize it until Wûl the Kurds this time succeed in get¬ the reason the congress had been

today. In the second half of 2011, the ini¬ ting together despite all the pressure? I obstructed for years? Kisanak replied tiatives of co-presidents of the asked Peace and Democracy Party that it was a situation that the four states

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

and the international powers would Kisanak thinks that in the wake of cur¬ conference will meet in June.

monitor carefully, raising the question: rent developments in the Middle East,

"Why are the Kurds are convening? The organizing such a conference has become The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)

issue of a United Kurdistan has the easier. In an environment where the and the umbrella platform of the Kurds

potential to activate everybody." Middle East is being re-designed, Syria in Turkey, the DTK, are likely to partici¬

and Iran are classified as countries "to be pate in the conference. But it seems that

I openly asked Kisanak: "Do you have a intervened in" and Turkey as a country the real debate will center around the

united Kurdistan as your ultimate goal?" "to intervene," Kisanak reminded that outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party

She smiled and replied with the same Kurds were living in all three of those (PKK) in four countries, as some Kurdish

openness: "No. The Kurds do not intend countries. "It is impossible to proceed in groups are discussing whether or not the

to adopt this political stance by organiz¬ the redesigning process without realizing PKK will be included in the conference. If

ing such a conference. Almost all of the they could be an important actor in this violence escalates in spring, this debate

Kurdish organizations are struggling to geography." will get even tougher.

gain essential rights and freedoms within Kisanak explained that correspondence

the boundaries of the country they live among Kurds across the region was The Kurds will be focusing on the

in, according to the law of equality. ongoing and that there would be a process until June. As for what the gov¬

Without damaging this perception, they preparatory committee formed soon, ernments of the four countries think, we

want to get together to discuss what with three representatives participating will understand soon.#

responsibilities the Kurds have for each from each of the four countries. The com¬

other, what they need to do for each mittee will decide on the components of

other." the conference, its agenda, content and aims. A consensus has emerged that the

Todays Zaman 22 February 2012

«*? Columnists

EMRE USLU [email protected]

MIT crisis and the PKK

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is one of the parties It is not easy for the PKK leaders to come and defend these

involved in a recent political crisis that was triggered by a odd relations with MiT because those who try to explain what

prosecutor attempting to question five National Intelligence is going on could be easily branded MiT agents as well. Such

Organization (MÎT) executives as suspects. The prosecutor accusations leveled against the PKK would function as a

accused MÎT agents who had infiltrated the PKK/Kurdish ghost that would haunt the PKK whenever a suspicions event

Communities Union (KCK) network of crossing the line and takes place within the PKK. Given the fact that a lot of gossip

getting involved in criminal activities such as murder, bom¬ is circulated within closed networks such as the PKK, it would

bings, arson, etc. One of the heaviest accusations leveled at be very difficult for the PKK to stop haunting rumors about the

MÎT is that it controls the KCK network and directs its attacks. organization.

While the country was facing this major crisis, the PKK acted When it comes to the PKK's relationship with society, espe¬

as if it had nothing to do with it. The terrorist organization not cially those segments that fall into the PKK's sphere of influ¬ only accepted the fact that MiT, which is supposedly the PKK's ence, news of MiT-KCK relations will haunt the PKK as well.

enemy, controls the KCK network, it also tried to put the blame Although many committed Kurdish nationalists for now try to

on MÎT. Individuals affiliated with the PKK/KCK have accused ignore such rumors and evidence that the KCK network is

MiT of killing children and civilians, and tried to keep the PKK controlled by the PKK, whenever there is an operation against

away from its dirty past. the KCK, especially against the PKK militants on the moun¬

tain, suspicions will grow even further. That would lead to

We don't yet know how MÎT-PKK relations will resonate in the major distrust of KCK activities in the region.

Kurdish community. However, we do know that we face such

a bizarre web of relations that the PKK can hardly explain this The key for the PKK to stop these haunting rumors and to stop

to the Kurds and that MiT can hardly explain it to the Turks. alienating the PKK/KCK from its supporters - pro-PKK Kurds ~ lies with Abdullah Ôcalan. Ôcalan will come and say that he

When it comes to the possible impact on the PKK, there will knows what is going on in the KCK, that he is aware of the fact

for sure be a deep paranoia within the PKK as to who might that MÎT has deeply infiltrated the KCK network and, from time

be working for MÎT or not because - allegedly - some 1,000 to time, influenced the network to manipulate it, and say that

people within the KCK network are working for MÎT. Even after he allowed this to happen in order to bring about peace. my article back in November, which pointed out MiT-KCK rela¬ Ôcalan supporters will then justify such accusations.

tions, KCK members already started asking the question: Who Otherwise it will continue to haunt the PKK as it haunts MÎT in

is working for MiT? Now, with the leaked documents it has the eyes of Turks. become very clear that KCK-MÎT relations are undeniable.

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

[MjHiGb ~BË 25 February 2012

Kurdish leaders insist on peaceful struggle

The Kurdish Globe Mustafa Barzani, the

By Ako MuhammedErbil President's late father, who

went to Mahabad during the r time of the Republic to sup¬ Erbil hosts conference port the Kurds. to commemorate 66th "There are attempts by anniversary of some traitors who work to dis¬

Republic of Mahabad m tort history and to relay the relations between our leaders in other ways, as if Qazi and Kurdistan Region President Mustafa Barzani had diffe¬ Massoud Barzani encoura¬ rences between them," said ged Kurds in all parts of President Barzani, noting that Kurdistan to adopt a peaceful X he knew which party prompts approach to achieve their rights these writers to do so, but and insisted "the time of armed didn't mention names. struggle is over." President Barzani said he supports Kurdish demands for self rule in President Barzani said that Barzani's statement came other parts of Kurdistan, but with "peaceful means"./ GLOBE the story he heard from his during a Feb. 19 conference in PHOTO/ Safin Homed father Mullah Mustafa Erbil to celebrate the 66th Barzani and from his col¬ anniversary of the establish¬ solved through fighting' we and Democratic Party (BDP). leagues, proves good relations ment of the Republic of now have to take the peaceful Addressing the attendants of between Barzani and Qazi. Mahabad. A number of leaders and democratic path, even if the conference, Dermitas cal¬ "One day in 1945, Barzani from all parts of Kurdistan the governments, response is led on the Kurdish parties to and his men went to eastern also attended the meeting. "remove obstacles and work not positive. We must be Kurdistan, where they were A larger meeting for patient." Barzani later encou¬ for the interests of their peo¬ warmly welcomed by the peo¬ Kurdish leaders from all parts ple." raged Kurds to prepare for ple in the bordering towns and of Kurdistan is expected to be and benefit from rapid Holding a Kurdish natio¬ in Mahabad," Barzani said, tel¬ held in Erbil this year, aiming changes taking place in the nal conference should not be ling the story. 'The people of reportedly to unify Kurdish area. delayed any further, urged the Mahabad shared their homes parties and to discuss Kurdish Prominent Kurdish politi¬ BDP co-president, showing his with the Barzanis. There is also questions at a time when the cal activist Layla Zana, who party's readiness to make an order by Qazi in which he region faces crucial develop¬ also attended the ceremony, sacrifices to achieve the goal of commands every establish¬ ments. complained that the peaceful "forming national unity." ment to welcome the Barzanis, "A part of our struggle was struggle of the Kurds in "After centuries, a gate for but some tribes tried to stand armed because we had to Turkey are yet to be taken into freedom has been opened for against the Barzanis." defend the identity and the the Kurdish people. And we consideration by the authori¬ He said that after that existence of our nation' that must make a decision," ties. Mullah Mustafa Barzani and stage has come to an end suc¬ "In the north [of Kurdistan, Dermitas said. "Today is a his men sat with those tribes in cessfully' and now is the time Turkey] we have been deman¬ chance to learn a lesson from Mahabad and confirmed their to achieve our rights,"said ding to solve the national pro¬ the collapse of the Republic of loyalty to Qazi Mohammad, Barzani, admitting that this blems peacefully for 30 years, Mahabad to create this natio¬ the disputes went away. type of struggle harmed the nal unity." but the opposite side hasn't "Qazi is the leader of all Kurdish people and the parties taken any serious steps," Zana, Kurdistan Republic of Kurds and I am the first sol¬ that were fighting. Member of the Turkish Mahabad was established on dier of this Republic," he said, Attempts were made to Parliament, told Erbil-based 22 February 1946, and Qazi quoting a famous speech by push the struggles toward AKnews. Mohammad was appointed Mulla Mustafa Barzani. war, between Kurds on the one There have been develop¬ President of the Republic. On President Barzani also side, and Arabs, Turks and ments in the Kurdish question the 15th of December, the assured that Qazi had trusted Persians on the other, but all in Turkey, she said, but "there Iranian Royal Forces took back Mustafa Barzani. After the col¬ these attempts failed, said are still many crucial issues control of Mahabad, overthro¬ lapse of the Republic, Qazi -Barzani. He urged protecting untouched." wing the Kurdish Republic. handed the flag of Kurdistan the spirit of brotherhood with Zana called on the Kurds Mohammad and three of his over to Barzani and during his the neighboring nations. from Iraq, Iran, Turkey and aides were hanged in the city's trial, Qazi noted that he had Armed struggle proved Syria to unite and to strive Chwarchira Square on March passed the flag to "safe hands, that the Kurds could not over¬ together for their causes. 31, 1947. and a day will come when the come the authorities they Kurdistan's political par¬ Qazi and Barzani flag would be raised [again]." fought, but neither were the ties agree on the necessity of relations authorities able to destroy the national unity but they are In his speech, President Kurds, remarked Barzani. slow in taking steps, said Massoud Barzani shed light on 'This reality proves that the Selahattin Dermitas, Co- the relations between Qazi issue of our nation cannot be President of Turkey's Peace Mohammad and Mullah

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

MiHwmomi. parture," Aleksei K. Pushkov, a senior SATURDAY-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2012 member of Parliament in Russia who visited Damascus on Monday and met down that has lasted nearly a year and the Syrian leader. "This is an absolutely Syria urged resulted in thousands of deaths. artificial and far-fetched theme. Every¬ Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, one who arrives there understands why Prince Saud al-Faisal, pointedly ex¬ Assad is not leaving: because he has no pressed frustration that the world was to allow aid reason to leave." not doing enough. And later in a meet¬ As the leaders arrived here at a sea¬ ing with Secretary of State Hillary Rod¬ side hotel in Tunis, some 200 Assad sup¬ ham Clinton ofthe United States, hesaid porters noisily demonstrated outside, into areas that arming Syria's largely unorganized waving signs declaring those here as opposition was "an excellent idea," "enemies of Syria." The protest forced though it was not on the agenda of the under siege Mrs. Clinton's motorcade to divert meeting Friday. briefly to another hotel and delayed the "Is it justice to offer aid and leave the s.tart of the meeting until truncheon- Syrians to the killing machine?" he told TUNIS wielding police cleared the area. the gathering, according to Al Arabiya Although the leaders here cast their television, a private Saudi-owned news demand to allow humanitarian assist¬ Red Cross reaches Homs channel. ance as something of an ultimatum, The United States and others have as world leaders press to they did not detail the consequences for ruled out military intervention in Syria, Mr. Assad if he refused. Instead, the ease humanitarian crisis but the violence is increasingly creating leaders hoped to create what one official a confrontation, with countries weigh¬ ing in on either side of the conflict. present called "a tsunami" of diplomat¬ BY STEVEN LEE MYERS The.request to the United Nations to ic, economic and ultimately moral pres¬

Leaders of more than 60 countries and begin planning for a peacekeeping mis¬ sure on Syria and its patrons. international organizations on Friday sion, which would ultimately require Se¬ "If the Assad regime refuses to allow called on Syria's government to halt at¬ curity Council approval, risked another this lifesaving aid to reach civilians, it tacks on besieged cities to allow in med¬ diplomatic showdown with Russia and will have even more blood on its hands,' ' ical and other humanitarian supplies China Arid arming Syria's opposition, Mrs. Clinton told the gathering. "So, and asked the United Nations to plan for which Mrs. Clinton suggested the day too, will those nations that continue to a peacekeeping force, despite Russian before was inevitable "from some¬ protect and arm the regime." and Chinese vetoes of'intervention re¬ where, somehow," raised the prospect The negotiated language of the meet¬ cently at the Security Council. of a proxy war in the Middle East. ing's final statement dropped an explicit While the Syrian government crack¬ Prince Saud's remarks were echoed call by some countries for "a peaceful, down continued Friday, there was a by three prominent U.S. senators, who nonmilitary solution" in favor of those, breakthrough, with the Syrian Red urged the Obama administration to including the United States, that wanted Crescent beginning to evacuate women provide arms, intelligence and money. a more open-ended reference to "a polit¬ and children from the besieged city of "We remain deeply concerned that ical solution" that did hot preclude fu¬ Homs, according to the International our international diplomacy risks be¬ ture military action. Committee of the Red Cross. coming divorced from the reality on the The meeting was modeled on the con¬ The two organizations entered the ground in Syria, which is now an armed ferences that accompanied the NATO- city's heavily bombarded Baba Amr conflict between Assad's forces and the led conflict in Libya last year. The lead¬ neighborhood on Friday afternoon, ne¬ people of Syria who are struggling to de¬ ers announced that they would meet gotiating with Syrian authorities and fend themselves against indiscriminate again in Turkey and France, but for now the opposition "to evacuate all persons attacks," John McCain and Lindsey they lack the mandate to act forcefully. in need of help without exception," said Graham, both Republicans senators, Syria's opposition was represented by Hicham Hassan, a Red Cross spokes¬ and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, an in¬ the leaders of the Syrian National Coun¬ man. It was not clear whether evacuees dependent, said in a joint statement. cil, a group consisting largely of exiles, would leave Homs or just Baba Amr. "What is needed urgently are tangible and another representing Syria's Kurds. Foreign Minister Alain Juppé of actions by the community of respon¬ The council's leader, Burhan Ghali¬ France said the governor of Homs was sible nations to ensure that the Syrian oun, appealed for international support but also sought to reassure Syria's eth¬ working with the Red Cross to evacuate people have the means to protect them¬ nic and sectarian groups, Christians, the journalists Edith Bouvier and Paul selves against their attackers." Kurds and especially the Alawites who Conroy, who were wounded Wednesday A Russian official on Friday blamed have dominated Syria's government in an attack on Baba Amr that killed two the United States, NATO and the Arab and economic under Mr. Assad's rule. of their colleagues, Marie Colvin and League for fomenting violence inside He sought to create at least a vision of Rémi Ochlik, Reuters reported. Syria by supporting the opposition and a democratic alternative to Mr. Assad's Those killings, plus continued bom¬ denounced the Tunis meeting as foreign government. He called for a "presiden¬ bardment of Homs and the deaths of interference that would fail to loosen tial council" that would form a transi¬ hundreds of civilians across Syria, Mr. Assad's grip on power. tional government, and a truth and re¬ fueled foreign outrage and increased "There is no situation there which conciliation committee. pressure on outside powers and Syria to would raise the question of Assad's de contain the humanitarian tragedy. Those gathered in Tunisia's capital for the meeting of a group called "Friends of the Syrian People" said they would tighten sanctions and travel bans against President Bashar al-Assad and senior aides. They also pledged to provide millions of dollars worth of food and medicine to be distributed from bor¬ der areas in Turkey, Jordan and, possi¬ bly, Lebanon. While intended to demonstrate unity against Mr. Assad's government, the

meeting here underscored deepening Supporters of the Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad, scuttling witti tne ponce in lunis on divisions over how to end the crack Friday as a gathering of nations and groups met to call for an end to the bloodshed.

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

Syrie: principaux points du projet de la nouvelle Constitution

DAMAS(AFP) -15 février 2012 En vertu de l'actuelle Constitution, le parti Baas propose au Parlement le nom du candidat qui est par la suite soumis au référendum populaire.

PRINCIPAUX points du projet de nouvelle constitution syrienne qui Le président (mais aussi le Premier ministre, les ministres, les députés et les membres du Conseil constitutionnel supérieur) ne peuvent avoir la double sera soumis à référendum le 26 février et introduit le pluralisme poli¬ tique en supprimant toute référence au parti Baas, au pouvoir depuis nationalité. près d'un demi-siècle, selon le texte diffusé par l'agence officielle Le président nomme toujours le Premier ministre et les membres du gouver¬ Sana. nement, au moment où l'opposition réclame que ce poste soit pourvu par la personne issue de la majorité parlementaire. MULTIPARTISME

L'âge minimum d'un candidat à la présidence passe de 34 à au moins 40 Le texte supprime l'article 8 qui donne depuis 1971 la primauté au parti Baas comme "dirigeant de la société et de l'Etat" et instaure les principes de "plu¬ ans. Le président doit avoir vécu au moins 1 0 ans en Syrie avant de soumet¬ ralisme politique" et d'un pouvoir "exercé démocratiquement à travers des tre sa candidature. Il doit être marié à une Syrienne, ce qui implique que le chef de l'Etat doit être uniquement de sexe masculin. élections".

Les partis ne peuvent être créés sur des bases religieuses ou ethniques, ce La religion du président reste l'islam et la jurisprudence islamique continue qui exclurait théoriquement les Frères musulmans ou les partis kurdes de d'être la source de toute législation. toute activité politique en Syrie. SOCIALISME

PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE Le nouveau texte supprime toute référence à un "Etat socialiste", à dans sa

Le président est élu au suffrage universel direct, pour deux mandats de sept nouvelle mouture, il préconise le développement des activités des secteurs ans chacun, après avoir obtenu la signature de 35 membres du Parlement. publics et privées.

W» I29 FEVRIER 2012

Des Kurdes de Syrie cherchent la sécurité au Kurdistan irakien

REPORTAGE Les le début de la rébellion, nous avons subi une intense pression de autorités locales se sont engagées Omar lzzat ** à protéger les réfugiés et à ne pas la part de nos chefs. Us nous insul¬ Ibrahim,

les remettre au régime de taient sans cesse, surtout les sol¬ un déser¬

Damas. dats kurdes qui venaient de villes teur syrien

touchées par la contestation », sou- kurde, a fui ligne-t-il. Comme de nombreux Syriens vers le \ ' kurdes, Omar lzzat Ibrahim a fui Ibrahim s'est donc fabriqué de Kurdistan \'

son pays en proie à une sanglante faux papiers lui accordant six jours irakien.

rébellion et s'est réfugié, coupé de* de permission et a été caché par Safin

sa famille, au Kurdistan irakien où des proches avant d'être secrète¬ Hamed/A .

il vivote dans le petit appartement ment exfiltré début février à FP

de l'un de ses proches. Dohouk, au nord de l'Irak. Il vit

Ibrahim est un dissident de depuis dans un appartement Les responsables kurdes d'Irak « J'étais hors de Syrie, et l'armée syrienne, tout comme les d'Erbil, capitale du Kurdistan ira¬ s'attendent néanmoins à l'arrivée quand je suis rentré à Damas, j'ai trente hommes également accueil¬ kien, avec quatre autres personnes, de quelque 1 000 familles été arrêté à l'aéroport parce que je lis ces derniers jours dans cette et un petit poste de télévision pour syriennes à Dohouk et s'apprêtent n'avais pas rejoint l'armée », région autonome au nord de l'Irak. seule distraction. à mettre sur pied un camp dans la explique Mohammad, un autre Les autorités kurdes irakiennes se Les Kurdes représentent envi¬ région pour les accueillir, selon Syrien de 28 ans installé dans le sont par ailleurs engagées à les ron 9 % de la population syrienne Chaker Yassine, qui dirige le même appartement qu'Ibrahim. « protéger et à ne pas les remettre et vivent surtout dans le Nord-Est bureau en charge de l'immigration Dans la prison, j'ai vu beaucoup aux autorités de Damas, d'après le et à Damas où ils forment une au ministère kurde de l'Intérieur. « de jeunes hommes se faire torturer vice-ministre de la Défense de la importante minorité. Us se disent Il arrive des gens fuyant la vio¬ », ajoute Mohammad qui préfère région Anwar Haji Othman. « À en butte aux discriminations et lence depuis le début de l'année au taire son nom de famille par sécu¬ présent, ils ont le statut de réfugiés réclament la reconnaissance de Kurdistan », indique M. Yassine, rité. Le jeune homme a ensuite été dans la région du Kurdistan », a-t- leur langue et leur culture. Mais ils qui déclare ne pas pouvoir fournir libéré grâce à l'intervention de sa il expliqué. ont toutefois largement échappé à de chiffres sur le nombre de famille auprès d'un juge et il a pu la répression militaire qui s'est « Beaucoup de soldats veulent Syriens arrivés depuis le début de passer la frontière avec l'aide de quitter l'armée et déserter », abattue sur plusieurs villes du pays la crise il y a onze mois, nombre contrebandiers.(AFP)B témoigne Ibrahim, jeune homme en réponse à la contestation du de gens s'étant installés chez des de 30 ans originaire d'une ville régime du président Bachar el- proches. frontalière avec la Turquie. « Dès Assad.

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

fcîïïondf Jeudi 23 février 2012 Lespourparlers avec l'Iran sont malpartis

Les négociations sur le nombre d'éléments de ce pro¬ pourparlers. Les Six le sont aussi. détroit d'Ormuz, la porte d'entrée

nucléaire iranien s'annon¬ gramme. L'AIEA voulait, cette Ils entendent faire tomber la ten¬ du Golfe. Il a annoncé l'arrêt de

cent mal. La République isla¬ semaine, visiter dans une base sion, alors que bruits de bottes, ses exportations de pétrole vers la

mique prétend être disposée à militaire un site nucléaire suppo¬ sanctions et représailles témoi¬ France et le Royaume-Uni. Le mes¬

reprendre prochainement des sé. L'Iran s'y est opposé. L'AIEA a gnent depuis quelques semaines sage est sans ambiguïté : ni les conversations avec le groupe dit pris acte. Elle a jugé, mardi d'une'situation de plus en plus sanctions économiques ni la

des Six : les cinq membres perma¬ 21 février, que sa mission, dite de conflictuelle. menace militaire ne feront fléchir nents du Conseil de sécurité de « la dernière chance », se soldait Tout au long du mois de jan¬ la République islamique dans sa l'ONU (Chine, Etats-Unis, France, par un «échec». vier, Israël a fait monter la pres¬ volonté de mener à bien son pro¬ Royaume-Uni, Russie) plus l'Alle¬ Voilà qui ne va pas faciliter les sion, évoquant ouvertement l'op¬ gramme nucléaire, dont la finalité

magne. Elle avait cette semaine conversations qui doivent, parallè¬ portunité de bombarder les sites reste civile, assure Téhéran. l'occasion de donner un signe de lement au travail de l'AIEA, abou¬ nucléaires iraniens. Les Israéliens Certaines de ces initiatives relè¬ bonne volonté. Elle a choisi de ne tir à une reprise des négociations ont reçu le soutien actif des candi¬ vent de la gesticulation. Le pou¬

pas le faire. entre l'Iran et les Six. Il s'agit du dats républicains à l'élection prési¬ voir iranien est divisé. Le pays est

Pour la deuxième fois en un dentielle américaine de novem¬ en campagne pour le scrutin légis¬ mois, Téhéran accueillait une mis¬ bre - tous plus belliqueux les uns latif du 2 mars : la surenchère sion de l'Agence internationale de Editorial que les autres à l'égard de l'Iran. nationalistesur le thème du pro¬ l'énergie atomique (AIEA). Char¬ Cependant, l'administration gramme nucléaire est gée de faire appliquer le traité de même objet : le Conseil de sécuri¬ Obama et les Européens - Londres à son summum. non-prolifération nucléaire (dont té de l'ONU veut pouvoir contrô¬ et Paris en tête - mettent sur pied Dans ce contexte périlleux; la l'Iran est signataire), l'AIEA est ler la nature du programme d'enri¬ un système de sanctions destiné à porte fermée à l'AIEA est de mau¬ mandatée par l'ONU pour s'assu¬ chissement de l'uranium que instaurer un embargo sur les vais auguré. Peu importe qui a

rer du caractère non militaire du l'Iran poursuit à grande vitesse. hydrocarbures iraniens. pris cette décision à Téhéran : elle

programme nucléaire iranien. Téhéran semblait pourtant L'Iran a répliqué sur le mode rapproche plus qu'elle n'éloigne Elle accuse Téhéran de lui cacher être demandeur de nouveaux du défi. Il menace de fermer le la perspective d'un conflit.

JEUDI 23 FEVRIER 2012

protégées». Dans l'immédiat, Mai¬ occidental. Cela sefait, ou sefera, viales Les Etats-Unis se son Blanche et département d'Etat con¬ alliés qui sont sur place ; Qatar, Arabie méfient des opposants, tinuent pourtant de souligner que Saoudite...» l'heure reste à la diplomatie : «Nous ne A défaut d'intervenir ouvertement sur dont ils ne savent rien. voulonspasprendre des mesures quicon- le terrain, les États-Unis continuent tribueraient à uneplus grande militarisa¬ donc de se démener sûr la scène diplo¬ tion en Syrie», a rappelé mardi le porte- matique. La secrétaire d'Etat, Hillary Washington parole de la présidence, Jay Carney. Les Clinton, participera demain à la Confé¬ militaires américains font valoir que des rence des amis du peuple syrien, à Tu¬ «zonesprotégées» ou des «corridors hu¬ nis. L'idée est d'y rassembler une «coa¬ hésite manitaires» requerraient la neutralisa¬ lition mternationale laplus largepossible» tion des forces aériennes syriennes, et pour maintenir la pression sur Bachar donc une opération militaire de grande al-Assad, durcir les sanctions contre le à épauler ampleur, dont ils ne veulent pas. régime et renforcer l'opposition en Ces déclarations contradictoires tradui¬ l'encourageant à inclure toutes les com¬ les rebelles sent surtout le grand embarras de la di¬ posantes de la société syrienne. plomatie américaine,- tétanisée par De notre correspondante à Washington l'évolution de la situation en Syrie. LORRAINE MILLOT Washington serait très heureux de voir Des «mesures supplémentaires» tomber le régime de Bachar al-Assad, seront envisagées si la pression allié de l'Iran et pourvoyeur d'armes au diplomatique ne^suffit pas en Hezbollah. Mais les services de rensei¬ Syrie, ont fait savoir mardi les porte- gnement américains n'accordent guère parole de la Maison Blanche et du dé¬ davantage de confiance aux rebelles sy¬ partement d'Etat américain. L'adminis¬ riens, qu'ils voient liés aux sunnites ira¬ tration Obama suggère ainsi qu'elle kiens et infiltrés par Al-Qaeda. Il serait pourrait enfin passer à l'acte en Syrie, <

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

îteralb#lïSributtc February 25-26, 2012 How to halt the butchery in Syria

face their former comrades. Placing countries could quickly lease others. them in this situation, and presenting "No-kill Anne-Marie Slaughter As in Libya, the international com¬ zones," munity should not act without the ap¬ tactical and strategic advice to the Free proval and the invitation of the coun¬ drones to Syrian Army forces. Sending them in is tries in the region that are most directly protect ci¬ logisticaliy and politically feasible. PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY Foreign mili¬ affected by Mr. Assad's war on his own Crucially, these special forces would people. Thus it is up to the Arab League vilians, and tary intervention in Syria offers the control the flow of intelligence regard¬ best hope for curtailing a long, bloody and Turkey to adopt a plan of action. If a policy of ing the government's troop movements Russia and China were willing to ab¬ and destabilizing civil war. The mantra and lines of communication to allow op¬ encour¬ of those opposed to intervention is stain rather than exercise another mas¬ position troops to cordon off population sacre-enabling veto, then the Arab aging defec¬ "Syria is not Libya." In fact* Syria is far centers and rid them of snipers. Once more strategically located than Libya, League could go back to the United Na¬ tion could Syrian government forces were killed, and a lengthy civil war there would be tions Security Council for approval. If captured or allowed to defect without help curtail much more dangerous to our interests. not, then Turkey and the Arab League reprisal, attention would turn to defend¬ should act, on their own authority and the war. America has a major stake in helping ing and expanding the no-kill zones. Syria's neighbors stop the killing. that of the other 13 members of the Se¬ This next step would require intelli¬ Simply arming the opposition, in many curity Council and 137 members of the gence focused on tank and aircraft ways the easiest option, would bring General Assembly who voted last week movements, the placement of artillery about the scénario the world should fear to condemn Mr. Assad's brutality. batteries and communications lines most: a proxy war that would spill into The power of the Syrian protesters among Syrian government forces. The Lebanon, TUrkey, Iraq and Jordan and over the past 11 months has arisen from goal would be to weaken and isolate rractureSyriaalongsectarianlines.lt their determination to face down bullets government units charged with attack¬ could also allow Al Qaeda and other ter¬ with chants, signs and their own bodies. ing particular towns ; this would allow rorist groups to gain a foothold in Syria. The international community can draw opposition forces to negotiate directly There is an alternative. The Friends on the power of nonviolence and create with army officers on truces within each of Syria, a contact group of Western zones of peace in what are now zones of zone, which could then expand into a re- and Arab countries that met in Tunis on death. The Syrians have the ability to the option to defect, would showjust how Friday, should establish "no-kill zones" make that happen ; the rest of the world many members of Syria's army were ac¬ now to protect all Syrians regardless of must give them the means to do it. tually willing to fight for Mr. Assad. creed, ethnicity or political allegiance. Turkey and the Arab League should The Free Syrian Army, a growing force anne-marie slaughter, a professor ofpoli¬ also help opposition forces inside Syria of defectors from the government's tics and international affairs at Prince¬ more actively through the use of re¬ army, would set up these no-kill zones ton, was director ofpolicyplanning at the motely piloted helicopters, either for de¬ State Departmentfrom 2009 to 2011. near the Turkish, Lebanese and Jorda¬ livery of cargo and weapons, or to at¬ nian borders. Each zone should be es¬ tack Syrian air defenses and mortars in tablished as close to the border as pos¬ order to protect the no-kill zones. sible to allow the creation of short TUrkey is rightfully cautious about de¬ humanitarian corridors for the Red ploying its ground forces, an act that Mr. Cross and other groups to bring food, Assad could use as grounds to declare water and medicine in and take war and retaliate. But Turkey has some wounded patients out. The zones would of its own drones, and Arab League be managed by civilian committees.

Establishing these zones would re¬ quire nations like Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to arm the opposition soldiers with antitank, countersniper

and antiaircraft weapons. Special forces: 'Kr^' from countries like Qatar, Turkey and possibly Britain and France could offer gional, and ultimately national, truce. The key condition for all such assist¬ ance, inside or outside Syria, is that it be used defensively only to stop attacks fr* -î i i, ;; I"." 5- -,- , by the Syrian military or to clear out government forces that attack the no-kill zones. Although keeping intervention /"KJ limited is always hard, international as¬ \"«M sistance could be curtailed if the Free Syrian Army took the offensive, the ab¬ «M "^fe- solute priority within no-kill zones would be public safety and humanitarian aid ; revenge attacks would not be tolerated. President Bashar al-Assad is increas¬ ingly depending on government- sponsored gangs and on shelling cities with artillery rather than overrurining them with troops, precisely because he is concerned about the loyalty of soldiers forced to shoot their fellow citizens at

point-blank range. If government troops entered no-kill zones they would have to

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

February 25th 2012 Economist

Ergenekon trial against alleged coup- Turkey's political in-fighting plotters. But with hundreds of offi¬ cers behind bars and the threat of a

coup dispelled, the alliance has

Erdogan at bay frayed. Some argue that this reflects

policy differences. More probably it

is about power, with the Gulenists (in The Turkish prime minister faces new enemies both at Mr Erdogan's view) wanting too home and abroad much. Even before the MIT row, the

prime minister was said to be concer¬ ANKARA ned about the arrest of journalists, *f .**" which damages Turkey's image. ;S.3rv: , " . There are now at least 70 in jail, mostly on thinly supported terrorism c '% charges. Some of them, notably Ahmet Sik and Nedim Sener, had been

highly critical of the Gulenists.

Yet Mr Erdogan's own democratic

credentials are not so shiny.

Hundreds of students are on trial or

in prison for such "crimes" as protes¬

ting against dam projects. Anti-

government journalists have been

FOR nine years Turkey's prime said to have infiltrated the judiciary sacked by media bosses fearful of

minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has and the police force. Their next tar¬ jeopardising other business interests.

moved smoothly from one victory to get was apparently Turkey's MIT spy The most recent was Nuray Mert, a

another, winning three elections in a agency. This story gained credence columnist for Milliyet, an establish¬

row with a bigger share of the vote this month when an allegedly pro- ment daily, and a fierce critic of Mr

each time. He has seen off coup plots Gulenist prosecutor summoned the Erdogan's decision to opt for a mili¬

by once-omnipotent generals and MIT chief, Hakan Fidan, an Erdogan tary solution to the Kurdish problem.

attempts by their cronies in the judi¬ protégé, for questioning in a case This took a tragic turn in December

ciary to ban his mildly Islamist against the separatist Kurdistan when Turkish warplanes mistakenly

Justice and Development (AK) party. Workers' Party (PKK), amid claims bombed a group of Kurdish smugglers

So far the economy has survived the that some of his men may have joi¬ along the Iraqi border, killing 34

financial crisis largely unscathed. ned its ranks. Kurds, mostly teenagers. As Kemal

And although membership talks with A furious Mr Erdogan responded Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main

the European Union are stuck, rela¬ by getting the AK-dominated parlia¬ opposition Republican People's Party,

tions with America are (in the words ment to pass a law that makes judi¬ also points out, Mr Erdogan has been

of the foreign minister, Ahmet cial interrogation of MIT officials sub¬ quick to pass legislation to protect

Davutoglu, who recently spent five ject to prime ministerial consent. his spy chief but has done nothing to

hours with Hillary Clinton) in "a gol¬ The offending prosecutor was taken amend vaguely worded anti-terror

den age". off the case, and a group of suspec¬ laws used to jail thousands of dissi¬

The new philosophy in a bureau¬ ted pro-Gulenist officials in the dents, including nine MPs.

cracy once steeped in corruption and Istanbul police force were reassi¬ Equally worrying is the lack of

sloth is that the state exists to serve gned. progress on the new constitution that

the citizen and not the other way Although Mr Erdogan appears to Mr Erdogan vowed would crown his

round. The old maxim that "the have won the first round, the breach third term. A parliamentary commit¬

Turk's only friend is a Turk" has been may yet have a big effect on his poli¬ tee meant to be drawing up a draft

replaced by growing confidence in tical fortunes, because the Gulenists has done such groundbreaking things

Turkey's regional clout. Mr Erdogan's may withdraw their support. The as inviting the Greek Orthodox

rivals are riven by internal feuds. A affair is complicated by Mr Erdogan's patriarch, Bartholemew I, to air his

recent opinion poll suggests that if a health. He has recently had two ope¬ views. But there are still concerns

new election were held today AK rations, amid persistent rumours that about Mr Erdogan's ambition to

would get 54% of the vote, four he is being treated for colon cancer. create a strong presidency, presuma¬

points more than in 201 1 . He and his doctors deny this. But bly designed for himself. And it is

But the picture is less rosy when would-be successors within AK are hard to see the whole process being

you consider a nasty power struggle said to be switching to the Gulenists. completed without consent from the

between Mr Erdogan and Turkey's It is surely in both sides' interest to largest Kurdish party. Mr Erdogan is

most influential Islamist movement, make peace. unwilling to talk to it unless it publi¬

led by an imam living in Pennsylvania The Gulenists and AK had been cly disavows the PKK. Never mind

named Fethullah Gulen. Commanding making common cause against the that his own men, led by Mr Fidan,

a sprawling global empire of media army. Gulen-affiliated newspapers were secretly negotiating with the

outlets, businesses and schools, the brimmed with leaked documents PKK until last summer, when it esca¬

so-called Gulenists, who mix piety exposing army mischief that have lated its campaign of violence.

with hard-nosed pragmatism, are been used as evidence in the The descent of Syria, Turkey's

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

southern neighbour, into civil war is will be cautious. The longer Mr Assad GDP, a public debt of only 40% and

another concern. After years of culti¬ hangs on, the greater the risk of his GDP growth in 201 1 of almost 8%. Yet

vating the Syrian president, Bashar turning against Turkey. Resuming his a current-account deficit of over 10%

Assad, the Turks are betting on the father's support for the PKK or sto¬ of GDP points to overheating, and the

collapse of his regime. They have king unrest among Turkey's small economy is now slowing sharply. Mr

offered sanctuary to commanders of Alawite population may both be Erdogan's next fights may prove to be

the rebel Free Syrian Army and other options. his toughest yet.

members of Syria's opposition. Mr And then there are worries over

Davutoglu is said to have lobbied Mrs the economy. By the standards of its

Clinton to intervene but, especially Greek neighbour, Turkey looks scintil¬

in an election year, the Americans lating: a budget deficit under 2% of

u £. BULLETIN Turkey detains over 100 more in

February 13, 2012 latest KCK wave

More than 100 people were detained early on Monday for suspected links to the mil¬ itant Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) during operations carried out in 30 provinces across Turkey.

worldbulletin.net The investigation into the (Cihan) 9. KCK, which prosecutors say Among the premises raided ii is a group that controls the on Monday were the \* PKK and other affiliated offices of the Confederation groups, started in December of Public Sector Trade Unions 2009, and a large number of

(KESK), the Trade Union of suspected KCK members,

Public Employees in Health including several mayors and Social Services (SES) and M £ from the Peace and the All Municipal and Local Democracy Party (BDP), have

Administration Workers' Union been detained. The suspects

(TÛM BEL-SEN), all in Ankara. are accused of various

Ten people were detained crimes, including member¬

by the Ankara Police ship in a terrorist organiza¬

Department's counterterro- tion, aiding and abetting a

rism teams. Another 10 were terrorist organization and

also detained in Gaziantep on attempting to destroy the province. vince of Diyarbaki r. Monday as part of the KCK country' s unity and integrity. In operations carried out The Batman Governor' s investigation, news reports BDP officials say the investi¬ by the izmir Police Office said in a statement said. The operations were gation is the government' s Department' s counterterro- released Monday that 24 conducted under the order of way of suppressing BDP poli¬ rism units, 11 people from people suspected of acting Istanbul Specially Authorized ticians, denying any links the izmir, Aydi n, Antalya and on the KCK' s orders were Prosecutor Bilal Bayraktar and between the suspects and Denizli provinces were detai¬ also detained in the province. Sadrettin San kaya, who had any terrorist organization. ned on Monday. It was clai¬ The detainees are suspected been overseeing the investi¬ In a similar development, med that the suspects had of having thrown Molotov gation into KCK but who has the Mersin Police been taking orders from the cocktails and participated in been removed from the case Department' s counterterro- militia arm of the militant illegal demonstrations in the in the wake of his attempt rism unit seized 27 home¬ organization, located in the province. last week to summon made explosives at an southeastern regions of A total of 35 people Turkey's National Intelligence address in Mersin on Turkey bordering northern detained early Monday in Organization (MiT) underse¬ Monday. Iraq. simultaneous KCK operations cretary to testify as part of In a separate incident in Mersin police detained six in the Mediterranean province the probe. Mersin' s Toroslar district on people and seized computers of Adana were sent to court Bayraktar stated that ope¬ Sunday, 18-year-old R.T. lost that had organizational Monday afternoon. Cihan rations were carried out his fingers when he failed to documents belonging to the stated that the 35 detainees, simultaneously in 30 pro¬ throw a homemade bomb at Kurdistan Workers' Party including 15 under 18 years . vinces and that dozens of a passing police cruiser (PKK). In addition, Van police of age and three women, had people were detained, 42 of before it went off. The young detained five people, inclu¬ been interrogated by Adana whom were in istanbul. man was taken to Toroslar ding Van Deputy Mayor police that morning. Bayraktar added that police State Hospital for Gulbahar Orhan. Another Furthermore, §anli urfa police seized a handgun in istanbul treatment.» nine were detained in the detained three suspects in and a Kalashnikov rifle in Van predominantly Kurdish pro- the early hours of Monday.

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

ïieraïb'SïSrUmne February 28, 2012

resort to this simple, if previously used, tactic. The logic is such conduct is coun¬ Syrians approve terproductive and very dangerous. No good can come of it. In any case, it will not help reach a settlement in a country that is going through a domestic con¬ flict." new constitution In Beijing, People's Daily said the United States had no right to criticize Chinese and Russian policy. The Obama

BEIRUT administration, the newspaper said, "has not considered how to allow the cargo flights into Europe and travel re¬ Syrian people to put an early end to this Despite wide backing, strictions on several senior officials. disaster at minimal cost." "To open polling stations but continue Western officials quickly Despite some small signs of opti¬ to open fire on the civilians of the coun¬ mism, Reuters reported that shells and dismiss the referendum try has no credibility in the eyes of the rockets were again fired by security world," Mr. Hague said. forces on Monday into parts of Homs, Référendums in Syria generally pro¬ BY NEIL MACFARQUHAR which has become the center of an 11- duce the results the government wants, AND ALAN COWELL month-uprising that has become one of so the huge plurality in favor of the con¬ the bloodiest of the Arab Spring. As violence continued to rage in Syria, stitution was unsurprising. Although President Nicolas Sarkozy of France its Interior Ministry announced on the government controlled the voting said he believed "things are starting to Monday that voters had approved a and the count, it was possible that the move" in efforts to rescue two wounded new constitution by a margin of almost 9 authorities in Damascus did not need to foreign journalists who are trapped in to 1 in a referendum that Western lead¬ manipulate the results, since they still Homs and to retrieve the bodies of an ers labeled a farce. enjoy some support and the opposition American war correspondent, Marie In a bulletin across the bottom of the mostly boycotted the balloting. Colvin, and a French photographer, screen on state television, the ministry The referendum came after almost a Rémi Ochlik, who were killed in the city said 89 percent of the voters, or nearly year of a crackdown that has sent last Wednesday. 7.5 million of the 8.4 million people who tremors throughout the region and has "We have the beginnings of a solu¬ cast ballots, had voted in favor of the driven a widening wedge between the tion," Mr. Sarkozy told RTL radio. constitution an offer of reform that United States on one hand and Russia The International Committee of the critics dismissed as too little, too late. and China on the other. That division Red Cross said that while negotiations More than 750,000 no votes were cast, seemed to expand on Monday, with both were still under way to evacuate the or about 9 percent of the total, the min¬ Russia and China castigating the wounded and bring aid to Homs, work¬ istry said, while nearly 133,000 ballots, Obama administration's calls for Presi¬ ers from the Red Crescent, as the organ¬ or 1.6 percent, were spoiled. The turnout dent Bashar al-Assad to leave office. ization's branches in Muslim world are exceeded 57 percent of the more than 14 In an article in the Moscow News on known, began distributing food and hy¬ million eligible voters, according to the Monday, Prime Minister Vladimir V. giene kits to 12,000 people in Hama. ministry. Putin scorned Washington for seeking After a morning of new shelling in the to emulate NATO's intervention in the Alan Cowell reportedfrom London. central city of Homs and elsewhere, Libyan revolt that overthrew Col. Hwaida Saad and an employee of The some Western leaders disparaged the Muammar el-Qaddafi. New York Times contributed reporting referendum as having no credibility. "No one should be allowed to employ from Beirut, an employee of The New Some of them spoke even before the re¬ the Libyan scenario in Syria," Mr. Putin York Timesfrom Damascus, Stephen sult was announced. wrote. "I would like to warn our West¬ Castlefrom Brussels and J. David Good¬ "The referendum vote has fooled ern colleagues against the temptation to manfrom New York. nobody," the British foreign secretary, William Hague, said in Brussels. "To open polling stations but European foreign ministers meeting continue to open fire on there agreed to tighter economic sanc¬ civilians has no credibility in tions, including limits on transactions by Syria's central bank, a ban on Syrian the eyes of the world."

KItEWTlONAL legislation. President Nicolas Sarkozy immedi¬ îleralbâkl^SriWttc PARIS ately pledged to submit a modified ver¬ FEBRUARY 29, 2012 sion of the legal text, however, with ac¬ Court, citing free speech, commodations for the ruling of the court. calls it unconstitutional; Mr. Sarkozy said in a statement, "Measures the immense disappoint¬ French law Sarko2y will modify text ment and the profound sadness of all those who had welcomed with recogni¬ tion and hope the adoption of this law." BY SCOTT SAYARE on Armenia Mr. Sarkozy is to meet shortly with The Constitutional Court in France on representatives of the Armenian com¬ Tuesday struck down a law criminaliz¬ munity in France, where about 500,000 genocide is ing denial of the Armenian genocide, citizens claim Armenian descent. The drawing cautious approval from Tur¬ Turkish government has intimated that key, which suspended military, political Mr. Sarkozy was using his support for struck down and economic ties with France last the law to help him gain votes in the month after Parliament approved the coming presidential election.

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

The Turkish government pressed denying genocide officially recognized Turkish writer, Orhan Pamuk, was fined hard to head off the French legislation by the French government. France offi¬ last year for his statement in a Swiss before it was passed last month, arguing cially recognizes only the Holocaust and newspaper that "we have killed 30,000 : that lawmakers sought to write an offi¬ the Armenian deaths as genocides. Kurds and one million Armenians." cial history and thus reached beyond Turkish leaders will meet to consider Historians widely believe that about

the bounds of their mandate. the lifting of economic sanctions and the 1.5 million Armenians were systemati¬ The Constitutional Court largely reinstatement of political and military cally killed by Ottoman Turkish military agreed in its decision, which came in re¬ cooperation with France, the Turkish forces beginning in 1915, toward the end sponse to an appeal by dozens of legisla¬ foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said of the Ottoman empire, in what is tors from across the political spectrum. at a news conference. "The verdict is viewed to be the first genocide of the "The legislature did unconstitutional positive," he said "I hope that everyone 20th century. Turkey maintains that no harm to the exercise of freedom of ex- learns the necessary lessons from this." more than 500,000 Armenians died, and pression;and communication," the court Turkey has long maintained an Ar¬ that many were the victims of starva¬

wrote. menian genocide did not occur. Turkish tion or exposure, and not targeted

The law called for up to one year in law treats the public affirmation of an killings. prison and a fine of up to or Armenian genocide as a criminal af¬ about $60,000, for those found guilty of front to Turkish identity. For instance, a

. H1H0MT1OX.U. Jtemlb£Mm®nbunt February 28, 2012

equality of allowing Al Qaeda fighters to transit forces. Arm Syria's rebels Syria to Iraq. Now matériel and special

forces with the ability to train a ragtag The Assads are a mafia, a minority army can transit Iraq and other Western (the family) within a minority (the neighboring states into Syria. This Alawites) within a minority (the and Arab «5 should be ajoint effort of Western and Mukhabarat secret police). They co-op¬ Arab states. states need ted others notably the Sunni mer¬ At the same time, mount a big Un¬ to step up chant class through imposed stabili¬ coordinated humanitarian effort ty, but in essence, like every tyrant the flow of centered on enclaves for refugees in dislodged in the Arab Spring, they have Turkey, Jordan and elsewhere, estab¬ matériel Roger ruled a nation as if it was their personal lishing, where possible, safe corridors and train¬ Cohen fiefdom, a plaything to be passed from to these havens. father to son for the benefit of cousins ing for the Push hard to bring Russia and China and cronies. around: They will not defend Assad be¬ Free Syrian Well, that's over. Aleppo is the not the yond the point where that defense looks Army. GLOBALIST hew Marrakesh after all. Those lovely like a liability for other bigger interests tourism posters on London buses have in the United States, the Gulf and been packed away. Arabs have had it LONDON Here are some home truths Europe. with their Godfathers. about Syria. It's going to get worse be¬ I hear the outcry already: Arming I said it's going to get worse before it fore it gets better. Nobody can put this Assad's opponents will only exacerbate gets better. The Syrian compact is genie back in a bottle. This is the moth¬ the fears of Syria's minorities.and unite broken; a new compact under the As¬ er of all proxy fights. The remorseless them, ensure greater bloodshed, and sads is inconceivable. Wider interests Assad regime is finished, when it dies undermine diplomatic efforts now be¬ are in play. Iranian Shiite theocracy, in¬ being the only question. ing led by Kofi Annan, a gifted and as¬ creasingly isolated, is defending the re¬ Nations get to freedom from tyranny tute peacemaker. It risks turning a gime against a Free Syrian Army fun¬ by different routes. When Communism proxy war into a proxy conflagration. ded in part by Saudi Sunni theocracy: fell, some glided from the Soviet empire There is no policy for Syria at this that's the proxy war. into the West as others agonized. stage that does not involve significant Vladimir Putin, fearful of Russian Yugoslavia a beautiful idea that nev¬ risk. But the only cease-fire I can see Springs in his own neighborhood, has er worked is one of several nations that will not amount to an ephemeral with signature cynicism opted to de¬ being invoked as possible exemplars of piece of paper is one based on a rough fend an old ally against U.S. demands Syria's bloody fate; others include Leb¬ balance of forces. For that, the Free anon and Iraq. that Assad go, an objective not pursued Syrian Army must be armed. The ingredients are familiar : Syria is with any coherence until now by the In the end, this course will support, a multiethnic state ruled with an iron Obama administration. Israel knows not undermine, Annan's diplomacy and fist by one minority the quasi-Shiite Assad, who helps arm Hezbollah but is perhaps open the way for the sort of Alawites and including Christian, a predictable and largely passive en¬ transition outlined by the Arab League. Druze and other minorities that be¬ emy. It does not know what may lie be¬ In return, the divided Syrian opposition tween them compose about a quarter of yond a security state whose habits it must provide a firm commitment to re¬ the population. The majority is Sunni. can predict. spect the rights of minorities. The treat¬ When the iron fist comes off in coun¬ In short, Syria is dangerous. But that ment of minorities like that of women tries like this, liberty is more readily not a reason for passivity or incoher¬ is one of the many pivotal tests of the seen as getting free of each other than . ence. As the Bosnian war showed, the Arab Spring. basis for any settlement must be a If Assad falls, Iran is critically uniting in the give-and-take of a new rough equality of forces. So I say step weakened. Tehran's established con¬ liberal order. up theefforts, already quietly ongoing, duit to Hezbollah disappears. Choosing So it has proved for a year now in the . to get weapons to the between engineering the downfall of Syria of Bashar al-Assad who, taking a As the Free Syrian Army. Assad and bombing Iran's nuclear facil¬ leaf from his father's book, has attempt¬ Bosnian war ^ those forces, ities is really a no-brainer: The former ed to suppress through mass slaughter , j just as the rebels is smart and doable, the latter is folly. the quest of a broad uprising to be free showed, were trained in Assad's wife has been buying property of the family stranglehold. Assad is a the basis for Uhy!L Payback time in London: Make her use it and make doctor by training! No doctor ever any settle- has come around : the Syrian people free. trampled so brazenly on the Hippocrat- ment must The United States icOath. ' be a rough warned Assad about

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

28 février 2012

La loi sur le génocide arménien invalidée par le Conseil constitutionnel

Ankara a accueilli avec "satisfaction" la cen- - -^ sure par les Sages français de la loi pénal¬ isant la négation des génocides, dont celui é des Arméniens par les Turcs en 1915. Le

président Nicolas Sarkozy charge le gou¬ vernement de préparer un nouveau texte.

AFP - Le Conseil constitutionnel a censuré mardi la loi pénali¬

sant la négation du génocide arménien en 1915, à l'origine

d'une brouille entre Paris et Ankara, la jugeant contraire à la

liberté d'expression, mais Nicolas Sarkozy qui soutenait ce

texte en a promis un nouveau.

Vr Le chef de l'Etat "a chargé le gouvernement de préparer un

nouveau texte, prenant en compte la décision du Conseil

constitutionnel", a annoncé l'Elysée. Une mission confiée au négationnisme. ministère de la Justice qui n'a pas précisé de calendrier alors

que le Parlement achève ses travaux normalement le 6 ou le 7 François Hollande, candidat PS à la présidentielle, s'est engagé

mars. à reprendre, s'il est élu, cette question "dans l'apaisement et dans la conciliation". "C'était une loi qui devait réconcilier mais Nicolas Sarkozy, qui soutenait ce texte controversé, qualifié elle n'était pas présentée forcément au meilleur moment", a-t-il d'"électoraliste" dans l'opposition, "mesure l'immense déception jugé en marge du salon de l'agriculture. et la profonde tristesse de tous ceux qui avaient accueilli avec

reconnaissance et espoir l'adoption de cette loi destinée à les Le député UMP Claude Goasguen, président du groupe

protéger contre le négationnisme (...) menace contre notre d'amitié France-Israël, a déploré la décision, craignant que la loi

communauté nationale", a ajouté la présidence. Gayssot soit à son tour "attaquée", et que désormais on puisse "dire n'importe quoi en matière de négationnisme". Pour sa part, le gouvernement turc a immédiatement salué la

décision qui "a évité une probable grave crise entre la France Mais son collègue UMP Michel Diefenbacher, un des signa¬

et la Turquie", selon le vice-Premier ministre Bùlent Arinç. taires de la saisine du Conseil, lui a indirectement répondu en considérant que la loi Gayssot était "de toute autre nature", Le vote du texte, définitivement adopté par le Parlement fran¬ n'ayant fait que transposer dans le droit français la "décision çais le 23 janvier, avait entraîné une brouille diplomatique et juridictionnelle rendue par la Cour internationale de commerciale entre Paris et Ankara. Nuremberg" en 1945-46.

La génocide arménien est reconnu par une loi française de "Dans le cas du génocide arménien, il n'y a aucune décision 2001. juridictionnelle, c'était une initiative du Parlement qui n'a pas de

Mais le Conseil constitutionnel a jugé "qu'en réprimant la compétence pour intervenir dans ce domaine", a-t-il ajouté.

contestation de l'existence et de la qualification juridique de Avec Jacques Myard, également UMP, M. Diefenbacher a crimes qu'il aurait lui-même reconnus et qualifiés comme tels, asséné que "la vérité historique ne peut être établie que par la le législateur a porté une atteinte inconstitutionnelle à l'exercice recherche, en aucun cas par la loi". de la liberté d'expression et de communication". Et pour François Bayrou, candidat MoDem à l'Elysée, "la La loi prévoyait de punir d'un an de prison et de 45.000 euros relance de cette procédure par Nicolas Sarkozy traduit d'amende toute négation publique d'un génocide reconnu par la aujourd'hui une obstination dangereuse dont on comprend bien loi française. l'inspiration en période électorale".

Pour la censurer, les Sages, selon un communiqué La députée UMP qui avait défendu le texte, Valérie Boyer, élue (www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr), se sont appuyés notamment de Marseille où vit une forte communauté arménienne, s'est sur l'article XI de la Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du déclarée "triste et déterminée" après la censure. "Aujourd'hui citoyen de 1789 stipulant que "la liberté de communication des en droit français, nous avons deux sortes de victimes et de des¬ pensées et des opinions est un des droits les plus précieux de cendants de victimes", a-t-elle affirmé parlant d'"une grave iné¬ l'homme". galité de traitement" entre Arméniens et juifs.

Ils précisent que leur décision ne remet pas en cause la loi de Neuf (bien neuf) députés UMP déplorant la décision du Conseil 2001 sur la reconnaissance du génocide arménien, ni la loi ont déposé mardi une proposition de résolution pour "réaffirmer Gayssot de 1990, qui réprime la négation de la Shoah en la lutte contre la contestation de l'existence des génocides".D s'appuyant sur le droit international de l'après Seconde guerre

mondiale ou l'existence de jugements de condamnation pour

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

Le Point I 29 février 2012

dissiper les craintes, le CNS se livrerait Syrie : l'opposition en à de la communication en mettant en avant des "costumes-cravates", explique Barah Mikaïl. Son président, voie de décomposition ? Burhan Ghalioun, vit en France depuis 30 ans. Son porte-parole, Bassma Kodmani, chercheur associé au Ceri Le Conseil national syrien vient $. (Sciences-Po), a quitté la Syrie il y a 43 ans. "11 existe chez ces personnes une de voir vingt de ses membres aspiration à la diversité ethnique, faire défection pour créer une ?% religieuse et idéologique, mais elle est organisation concurrente. bloquée par les islamistes", renchérit le spécialiste.

Par Armin Arefï L'Iran visé

Bachar el-Assad s'en frotte les mains. Le président du CNS, Burhan Malgré des divergences manifestes, la Considéré par Alain Juppé comme Ghalioun, doit faire face à une France veillerait à ce qu'aucun autre un "interlocuteur légitime" de la com¬ majorité d'islamistes financés par le groupe d'opposition n'émerge à munauté internationale sur la Syrie, le Qatar. © Armando Franca / Sipa l'étranger. Outre le soutien diploma¬ Conseil national syrien (CNS) se tique, le Quai d'Orsay se serait opposé déchire en interne. En effet, dimanche, en octobre dernier à la tenue à Paris la principale coalition de l'opposition au Syrie. Mais, coup de théâtre, deux d'une conférence de presse de Syriens régime de Bachar el-Assad a vu vingt semaines plus tard, le CNS fait volte- de l'intérieur, dont l'opposant historique de ses membres faire défection pour face. Son président, l'universitaire Michel Kilo. "La France ne veut pas créer une organisation concurrente : le Burhan Ghalioun, va même jusqu'à déplaire aux Qataris, avec lesquels elle Groupe patriotique syrien. "Le Conseil démentir avoir signé le texte, expliquant entretient des liens diplomatiques et national syrien s'est formé sans parvenir que celui-ci "ne constituait pas un doc¬ économiques privilégiés", indique à obtenir de résultats satisfaisants et ument politique", comme il avait été Fabrice Balanche. sans être capable de répondre aux présenté par le CNCD. "Dans les faits, demandes des insurgés présents à la frange islamiste du parti n'avait pas Et l'émir Hamad ben Khalifa Al Thani l'intérieur de la Syrie", indique le été consultée, ce qui a obligé Ghalioun aurait mis un point d'honneur à faire groupe dans un communiqué transmis à à reculer", explique Barah Mikaïl. tomber Bachar el-Assad. "Le Qatar a Reuters. lancé dans la région un mouvement de Le rôle du Qatar libération "frériste" (des Frères musul¬ La création de la nouvelle instance, mans, NDLR) pour éviter que présidée par Haytham al-Maleh, un Si les grandes figures du CNS sont des l'ensemble du monde arabe ne soit ancien juge et opposant de longue date, laïcs, la majorité du Conseil est formée déstabilisé", analyse Fabrice Balanche. est le dernier revers en date pour une d'islamistes syriens, financés par le S'il a participé à l'intervention militaire opposition minée par les désaccords. Qatar. Ce n'est donc pas un hasard si en Libye, le Qatar entretient des liens "Intervention étrangère, partenaires ou c'est dans l'émirat que s'est déroulé le 9 très étroits avec les islamistes actions à mener contre Moscou, le février le congrès du CNS, ou encore si d'Ennahda en Tunisie, et avec les Frères moindre positionnement les oppose", c'est Doha qui a financé le sommet à musulmans en Egypte. "Le Qatar affirme le spécialiste de la Syrie Barah Tunis des "Amis de la Syrie", où le CNS adopte une posture pragmatique en se Mikaïl . Déjà, en juin 2011 avait été tenait la vedette au milieu d'une soixan¬ plaçant aux côtés des forces du créé un autre mouvement concurrent, le taine de pays. "Le CNS n'est pas moment, qui sont les islamistes", note Comité national de coordination des l'émanation de l'opposition syrienne, de son côté Barah Mikaïl. forces de changement démocratique en mais un groupe très disparate constitué Syrie (CNCD), qui regroupe des partis et financé par le Qatar et appuyé par la Autre ambition qatarie, de gauche, kurdes, ainsi que des intel¬ France", affirme pour sa part le l'affaiblissement, par l'intermédiaire de lectuels syriens. Principal point de dis¬ chercheur Fabrice Balanche (. En mars la Syrie, de son allié chiite iranien, bête corde entre les deux organes, la ques¬ dernier, Paris s'était déjà tenu aux avant- noire des monarchies sunnites du Golfe. tion de l'intervention étrangère en Syrie. postes de la contestation en Libye, en Et cela porte ses fruits. Après des tracta¬ Totalement exclue par le CNCD, elle est étant le premier pays à reconnaître un tions avec l'émir Al Thani, Khaled dorénavant publiquement évoquée par organe semblable, le Conseil national Mechaal, le chef politique du Hamas, le CNS, depuis le pilonnage sans fin de de transition, aujourd'hui au pouvoir. organisation largement financée par l'armée syrienne contre la ville martyre Téhéran, a annoncé qu'il déménageait de Homs. "Le CNT disposait tout de même de de Damas pour s'installer à Doha.B membres à l'intérieur de la Libye", Pourtant, les deux partis ont fusionné le souligne Fabrice Balanche. "Le CNS, 30 décembre dernier au Caire, après lui, n'est constitué que d'exilés, qui n'ont avoir parachevé un accord autour des que très peu de contacts avec la révolte principes d'une période de transition en sur le terrain", ajoute le chercheur. Pour

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

Xelïïonde Mardi 28 février 2012 En Syrie, Damas met en scène un référendum et poursuit la répression

En dépit des violences, le régime syrien a organisé une consultation sur un projet de Constitution

Tout est possible dans le pays

du président Bachar Al-Assad, même la tenue d'unréférendum,en pleinerépres¬

siond'une révolution, surune nou¬ . ' J. velle Constitution. Le projetinstau- re théoriquement le multipartis¬ ^'/A- / j:.*^< me, abolit le «rôle dirigeant» du t'.'V' >,-.' * %

1 parti Baas au pouvoir depuis cin¬ Vf -< '*H.'

quante ans,et limite à deux septen¬ * .*' « *rl '''' nats - à compterde 2016 - les man¬ *>'

dats du président, doté de larges *V ,-H prérogatives. j.> t V Dimanche 26 février, ^mil¬ fc > * lions d'électeurs étaient appelés à i . se rendre dans 14 oop bureaux de vote. Bachar Al-Assad et son épou¬ se Asma ont glissé leur bulletin dans l'urne un peu-avant midi, à Damas, sous les applaudisse¬ *t ments. A la même heure, Homs, « capitale de la révolution » et troi¬ sième ville du pays, était pilonnée à l'arme lourde pour le 24' jour Manifestation anti-Bachar Al-Assad, à Idlib (nord de la Syrie), le 26février, rodrigo abd/ap consécutif. La situation des habi¬ tants du quartier de Baba Amro, privés d'eau, d'électricité, de

vivres et de soins, y est désespérée. régime de Damas, n'a pas caché chaine réunion des Amis de la Syrie un conseil européen qui doit enté¬ La répression des forces de sécu¬ son irritation face aux atermoie¬ à Istanbul, dans trois semaines. S'il riner de nouvelles sanctions, dont

rité a entraîné des morts dimanche ments des autres participants: yaun massacre, on nepeutpas lais¬ le gel des avoirs de la banque cen¬ à Damas, Deraa, DeirEz-Zor, Idlib et Riyad voudrait que l'on arme les serfaire ça. » Tout en écartant « un trale syriennei puis, l'après-midi à Hama. Le bilande la journée oscille opposants syriens, pourfairepièce scénario d'intervention directe de Genève, à l'ouverture de la session entre 30 et 60tués, selon l'opposi¬ à « la machine à tuer» du pouvoir-.' la France comparable à la Libye », du Conseil des droits de l'homme,

tionsyrienne.Cette dernièreaappe- Le Qatar et la Tunisie militent la diplomatie française envisage . à quiildoit demanderd'étudierles lé au boycottage du référendum, pourune force.de paixligue arabe- toutes les options : faut-il ouvrir conditions d'une saisine de la qualifiéVde %{jftascarade» et de ONU, chargée de faire observer un des zones protégées pourles civils, Cour pénale internationale pour « diversion.»'. Là consultation n'a hypothétique cessez-le-feu. Avec des corridors humanitaires ? juger Bachar Al-Assad.« pas pu être organisée sur des par¬ ousans mandatdu Conseil de sécu¬ En attendant, AlainJuppé parti¬ Christophe Ayad ties entières du territoire. Le régi¬ rité de l'ONU ? L'obstruction russe cipait, lundi.matin à Bruxelles, à me n'.avait pas divulgué lundi au Conseil hypothèque cette pers¬ matin le chiffre de la participation pective, mais certains diplomates et n'avait pas non plus indiqué estiment qu'un mandat n'est pas quand il publierait les résultats. nécessaire, ehse référant à l'opéra¬ Imperturbable,ilcompteorganiser fcîlîondc tion de l'OTAN au Kosovo en 1999. des législatives d'ici à trois mois. u 29 février 2012 Se pose aussi la question des trou¬ Mais oùenserale pays, quiglisse pes pour une organisation qui n'a inexorablementvers la guerre civi¬ L'opposition dénonce un massacre à un check-point jamais mené une telle mission. le ? La Syrie n'est plus un pays cou¬ LesOccidentauxhésitent.Hilla- pé endeux, ce sontdeuxpays enun A Homs, 64personnes ont été opposants. Par ailleurs, les auto¬ ry Clinton y est défavorable, seul, suivant l'endroit où l'on se retrouvées mortes, lundi rités syriennes se sont félicitées, arguant qulune intervention mili¬ trouve, le discours que l'on écoute. 27février, tuées à un check-point lundi, des résultats du référen¬ taire «précipiterait » la guerre civi¬ Vendredi,àTunis,70paysetorgani- en tentant de fuir le quartier de dum de la veille sur la nouvelle le. La secrétaire d'Etat américaine Baba Amro, selon des militants Constitution. Selon les chiffres sations internationales se réunis¬ s'inquiète du fait qu'Al-Qaida locaux: Ils affirment que des fem¬ officiels, 57,4 % des électeurs saient afin de trouver un moyende pourrait tirer profit de livraisons mes auraient également été kid¬ syriens se sont rendus aux mettre fin au bain de sang, une d'armes. nappées au barrage, tenu par l'ar¬ urnes ; 89,4% des votants ont conférence qualifiée de «campa¬ Pourtant, le statu quo risque de mée et les miliciens pro-régime. voté en faveur de la nouvelle gne médiatique » par M. Assad. ne pas être tenable longtemps. En Lundi, lesviolences ont causé charte. Washington a dénoncé le cas d'aggravation de la situation à 125morts dans le pays, selon des «cynisme» du régime. Nouvelles sanctions Homs, la question de l'interven¬ Mais cette coalition des «Amis tion «va se poser avec urgence», du peuple syrien» diverge encore fait-on remarquer au Quai d'Or¬ sur la manière de procéder. L'Ara¬ say: «Cela n'attendra pas la pro bie Saoudite,pays le plus hostile au

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

KÛjdxLUI 28 February 2012 Kurdish Rights Discussed at

Friends of Syria Conference

By HEMIN KHOSHNAW and

HEVIDAR AHMED rudaw.net $

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan - The

United States has urged Syria's two > -

major opposition umbrella groups to unite and for Kurdish rights to be recognized by

Arab opposition groups, according to Abdulhakim Bashar, the head of Kurdish * National Council (KNC).

Bashar, who attended the Feb. 24

Friends of Syria conference in Tunisia, IT said the request came during a meeting

he had with Burhan Ghalioun, the head of

Syrian National Council (SNC), and U.S.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

While the SNC is the main opposition Burhan Ghalioun, the head of the Syrian National Council, Hillary Clinton, the umbrella group, including many of the US Secretary of State, Abdulhakim Bashar, the head of the Kurdish National country's major Arab parties, many Council. Photo Rudaw. Kurdish groups have not been willing to

join as they are uncertain of the group's

policies toward Kurdish rights in a post- regime, a major Kurdish party known as President Barack Obama said the time

Bashar al-Assad Syria. Instead, a number the Democratic Union Party (PYD) has has come for Assad to leave power,

of Kurdish organizations have formed the sided with the government in Damascus. adding that the massacre of the Syrian

KNC, highlighting the lack of unity Most Kurdish parties are equally distrust¬ people has to be halted "through whate¬

among the country's diverse opposition ful of the SNC and the Assad regime, ver available means." Obama's remarks

groups. hence the divided Kurdish stance toward were seen as his strongest reaction to the Speaking to Rudaw from Paris, developments in the country. evolving situation in Syria since the out¬

Bashar said Clinton told him and Many Arab political parties have not break of protests last year.

Ghalioun that the U.S. would welcome been forthcoming in expressing support PYD's head, Mohammed Sali h uniting the KNC and SNC as it would be for Kurdish rights if and when the current Muslim, went to Tunisia but did not

"in the interests of Syria's Kurds and regime in Damascus falls, leaving many attend the Friends of Syria conference

Arabs." Kurds with a feeling that they might not that brought together representatives of

Secretary Clinton told Ghalioun that benefit from a regime change if they around 60 countries and Syrian opposi¬

Kurdish rights need to be enshrined in the strongly oppose Assad. So far, the Syrian tion groups.

post-Assad Syria and that "the Kurdish security forces have not meted out the Muslim said there were "disagree¬

issue in Syria needs to be resolved," same violent response to Kurdish protes¬ ments" before the start of the conference,

according to Bashar. ters, hoping not to anger them and broa¬ citing the Saudi boycott of the meeting as "I believethe time has come for the den the ranks of opposition. an example. two councils to untie," said Bashar, who Bashar told Rudaw that Ghalioun "The conference only lasted three added he is talking to other members of expressed positive views in the meeting hours. This shows it was not successful. the KNC to make a decision in that about Kurdish rights but declined to dis¬ The conference will reconvene in Turkey

regard. close the details. in three weeks. This is dangerous because

Syria has been swept with protests In his speech at the Friends of Syria the fate of the Syrian people will be han¬ and rising insurgency since last March. conference in Tunisia, Ghalioun said that ded to other countries," Muslim told The government of President Assad has the post-Assad Syria will recognize Rudaw. met protesters' demands for change with Kurdish rights. The PYD's head warned about violence. The isolated regime is now Speaking to Rudaw from London, Ghalioun's remarks regarding Kurdish battling for its survival as international Usama al-Munjed, spokesman for the rights.

opposition against it increases. SNC, said Ghalioun's words express the "Ghalioun did not say anything new Bashar added that British Foreign SNC's view. about Kurds and Kurds need not be Minister William Hague echoed "Obviously, Burhan Ghalioun is the deceived by those words," said Muslim.

Clinton's demands, asking for a solution head of the Syrian National Council and "Ghalioun only expressed his personal

to the Kurdish issue in a post-Assad speaks on its behalf. His remarks about opinion but those around him are never

Syria. the rights of Kurdish brothers represent ready to recognize Kurdish rights."Q

Kurdish parties in Syria are deeply the point of view of the SNC in general,"

divided. While some have joined the said Munjed. SNC and KNC in opposing the Assad Following the Tunisia meeting, U.S.

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

. WrEUXAnONM. lUraibétMmÏÏrtimne February 29, 2012 Iraqi leader s risk pays off

BAGHDAD

Shiite premier emerges from crises with even stronger hold on power

BYTTMARANGO

When Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al- Maliki rounded up hundreds of former Baathists, accusedthe vice president of running a hit squad and threatened to use the apparatus of state to target oth¬ er top Sunni leaders, some rivals and critics said Mr. Maliki's authoritarian streak had finally antagonized enough of the Iraqi political class to jeopardize

his hold on power. Instead, Mr. Maliki appears to have emerged from a potentially destabili¬

zing political crisis with even more Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki's rivals are busy retrenching as their leadership fractures, power over the Iraqi state and more causing a pervasive feeling that Sunnis have lost any meaningful stake in Iraqi public life. popularity among his Shiite constitu¬ ents, many people here said. "People trust him more and more after this,' ' said Rahman Tal Jukon, a re¬ capital's Sunni neighborhoods. "Iraqiya many to mediate the crisis. The vice tired businessman in Hilla, a town in the came back to the Parliament and the gov¬ president and top Sunni politician, Tariq Shiite-dominated south where expres¬ ernment because they failed, and they al-Hashimi, had left Baghdad, running sions of support for Mr. Maliki, once tep¬ have lost all their popularity in Iraq," from an arrest warrant on terrorism id, are now more common and enthusi¬ said Aymen Fakhry, who lives in the charges. A spate of attacks had wrought astic. "He is a brave man. He has guts." Adhamiya neighborhood of Baghdad. familiar scenes of grief and bloodshed. . Mr. Maliki's political calculus, pushing Ôbaida al-Jobori, a Sunni and a res¬ Analysts worried that the government to the edgeof afull-blown crisis, appears taurant owner in the Karada neighbor¬ was close to collapse and that its frac¬ to have paid off, though worries remain hood of Baghdad, said: "Sunnis made a turing would start a new civil war. that Iraq is sliding toward one-man, one- big mistake when they decided not to Mr. Maliki has made some conces¬ party"rule. His rivals among the Sunnis participate in the political process with sions, however. Local officials say many are busy retrenching as their political the Shias and Kurds. They proved Sunni of the former Baathists who were- arres¬ leadership fractures, causing a perva¬ leaders are not experienced enough to ted late last year have been released. sive feeling that Sunnis have lost any help their people in the right manner." And to head off efforts made by Sunni- meaningful stake in Iraqi public life. Two months ago, just as the last U.S. dominated regions to gain more autono¬ In a recent report, Ramzy Mardini, an troops were leaving, Iraq seemed at the my, Mr. Maliki has pushed for legal analyst at the Institute for the Study of edge of the abyss. The U.S. ambassador amendments that would give provinces War in Washington, wrote: "It is clear had cut short his vacation to rush back more autonomy'on budgets and the right that Maliki has come out as the winner to Baghdad. President Jalal Talabani of consent over when national security in the political crisis he provoked. He had returned from knee surgery in Ger- forces are deployed within their borders. has made it more difficult for his Shia "There was no crisis from the Begin¬ rivals to dissent while simultaneously ning, but problems, you could say," said confining his Sunni opponents in a posi¬ Ali al-Allaq, a member of Parliament tion suitable for exerting pressure and from Mr. Maliki's Dawa Party and à exploiting divisions within their ranks." close adviser to the prime minister. Iraqiya, the largely Sunni bloc of law¬ Mr. Allaq, his head wrapped in a black makers that is led by a secular Shiite, turban as he glanced at his two iPhones Ayad Allawi, was forced to end boycotts resting on a tabletop, described the of Parliament and the cabinet that were problems as those that "any young de¬ staged to protest Mr. Maliki's actions, mocracy would have." without winning any rewards. The overarching question for Iraq is Members of the bloc have split, and how long it can continue without genu¬ some ministers have refused to partic¬ ine reconciliation before the sectarian ipate in the boycott, adding to a sense divide leads .the country back to blood¬ that Sunni optimism after the 2010 parlia¬ shed. mentary elections, when Iraqiya won the While Mr. Maliki cemented his sup¬ most seats, has dissipated completely. port among the Shiite majority and neu¬ Zuhair Araji, a former Iraqiya mem¬ tralized rivals from his own sect, like the ber who withdrew from the coalition, radical cleric Moktada al-Sadr, Sunnis

called the boycott "unwise" and said Iraqiya, led by Ayad Allawi, was forced to seem more adrift than ever. That is a po¬ the alliance had embarrassed itself. end a boycott of Parliament that was staged tentially combustible set of circum¬

Similar sentiments are heard in the to protest the prime minister's actions. stances when coupled with the chaos

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

across the border in Syria, where that After a bloody January by some ac¬ the British colonial mandate after country's Sunni majority is battling a counts a deadlier month than any last World War I until the toppling of Sad¬ government whose leaders are Alawite, year February had been on pace to dam Hussein in 2003. "That affects how an offshoot of Shiite Islam. become one of the least violent months some people see this," he said, of the "Sunnis after 2003 are like fish inside since the U.S.-led invasion nine years political crisis. a small pool with a shark," said Mayson ago, until a series of car bomb attacks in Ahmed al-Khafaji, the deputy interior Merza, à Sunni who lives in the Karada Baghdad and around the country last minister, a Shiite whose life, like those of neighborhood of the capital. "They Thursday left more than 40 people many Iraqi leaders, was shaped by can't get out, and they can't remain in¬ dead. years in exile in Iran, dismissed criti¬ side. We have a very sectarian govern¬ The Iraqi psyche, weighted by history cisms that the Iraqi state had shut out ment, which is looking to eliminate all and past-grievances, still frames politic¬ Sunnis from power. Sunnis and replacé them by thieves and al issues through a simplistic sectarian "Freedom is the most important Iranian agents out to destroy Iraq and lens: Shiites fear the restoration of thing," he said.

the Arab nation." Sunni power, and many Sunnis, who feel "Here is an Islamic newspaper," he After the crisis erupted in December, they are the natural leaders, are behold¬ said, waving it about. He pointed to his

analysts warned that the country was en to their resentments over the Shiite laptop, and his cellphone. "Now we on the edge of à civil war. "There has empowerment wrought by what is seen have, 600 satellite channels." been a rapid and widespread deteriora¬ as the United States' war. He echoed the familiar refrain here tion of security in Iraq since the mid- Mr. Jukon, the retired businessman in that it will take generations to achieve a December end of the U.S. military mis¬ Hilla, spoke of Sunni domination from durable sectarian coexistence. sion there," Michael Knights, an ana¬ "With time, democracy will continue, lyst at the Washington Institute for The Iraqi psyche, weighted by and one day we will be like Switzerland, or France or the Italians," he said. "In Near East Policy, wrote this month in history and past grievances, the United States in the 1960s, a black The National Interest, a foreign policy still frames political issues man couldn't get on a bus, and now journal. through a sectarian lens. Obama is president."

&3lfonde

Mardi 28 février 2012

Walid Joumblatt : « il faut armer et unifierl'opposition »

Entretien Après les affrontements entre dru- s'effondrera-t-elle ? zes et chiites, sunnites et chiites, il La révolte ne s'effondrera pas.

Beyrouth fallait amorcer un virage pour la Si Homs tombe, cela facilitera la Correspondance paix civile. Cela passait par le Hez¬ mainmise du régime sur le cou¬ bollah puis la Syrie, j'ai rencontré loir stratégique qui mène au port

Mercredi 22 février, le leader dru- Bachar Al-Assad le 31 mars 2010, de Tàrtous. Cela renforcera l'allian¬ ze Walid Joumblatt, 62 ans, vété¬ Et puis, le peuple arabe s'est révol¬ ce tripartite russo-irano-syrienne.

ran de la politique libanaise, parti¬ té, jusqu'au soulèvement de Vous appelez à «faire le tri » cipait à un petit rassemblement à Deraa, le 17 mars 2011. parmi les druzes en Syrie. Que Beyrouth, «en solidarité avec les Le régime est-il près de voulez-vous dire? martyrs d'Homs». Influent, le s'écrouler? Je ne parie pas en termes

chef du Parti socialiste progressis¬ Pas du tout ! J'aimerais bien ! confessionnels. Le régime agite la

te, qui s'était officiellement rap¬ On assiste impuissants [à la mort théorie funeste de l'alliance des

proché de Damas en 2010, renoue des civils]. Ce qui se passe à Homs minorités. Les druzes sont des

avec ses positions antisyriennes. est affreux, ils'agit d'une destruc¬ citoyens syriens. Ou bien ils sont

A quand remonte votre dernière KHALED DESOUKI tion systématique, dans un silen¬ avec le pouvoir de Bachar

visite à Damas? ce international complice. Les Al-Assad, ou bien ils sont contre. C'était le 9 juin. J'ai décidé alors décrit comme un réformiste Occidentaux ont trouvé dans le Les druzes ont un glorieux passé de ne plus y mettre les pieds [la écrasé par son clan... veto russe et chinois leur meilleur de lutte contre le mandat français presse libanaise avait relaté une C'est le plus grand-mensonge alibi ; ils ne veulent rien faire pour Il est temps dé lutter contre la

visite en août, que M. Joumblatt jamais inventé. Ce réformiste n'a sauver le peuple syrien. Ils sont tyrannie du régime syrien qui tue dément]. La conversation avec même pas supporté, lors du « prin¬ incapables d'imposer un cessez-le- ses citoyens partout. Bachar Al-Assad fut un peu surréa¬ temps de Damas » [courte période feu à Homs. Depuis quarante ans, Après l'avoir soutenue, vous

liste. A une question sur son cou¬ d'ouverture politique au début le régime Assad a favorisé la sécu¬ critiquez la position libanaise, sin Rami Makhlouf[l'une desplus des années 2000], les demandes rité des frontières nord d'Israël. consistant à se tenir à l'écart grossesfortunes du pays, accusé minimales de changement. Tout L'intérêt d'Israël, dans certains des événements en Syrie- de corruption], le président m'a le monde s'est retrouvé en prison. milieux occidentaux, prime sur Mais la politique, ça évolue ! Je

dit, « c'est unfou ». Quand je lui ai Les régimes de dictature ne peu¬ celui du peuple arabe. ne comprends pas comment on demandé ce qui s'était passé avec vent pas changer. Que préconisez-vous, alors? peut se taire sur les massacres de Hamza Al-Khatib [originaire de Aujourd'hui, avez-vous des Il faut armer l'Armée syrienne citoyens innocents syriens. Le gou¬

Deraa, torturéjusqu'à la mort, à contacts avec Damas ? libre et essayer d'unifierl'opposi¬ vernement du Liban doit au

13 ans], il a affirmé que l'enfant Non, j'ai rompu et j'en suis heu¬ tion au régime, ne pas trouver des contraire les dénoncer. Mais je ne

n'avait pas été torturé, mais qu'il reux. J'ai la conscience tranquille. excuses en disant qu'elle est divi¬ lâcherai pas cet exécutif, pour des avait bien été tué. Comment tient- Regrettez-Vous de vous être rap¬ sée. On sait faire la différence raisons de nécessité interne, de

on ce genre de réponse ? Je ne sais proché de Damas en 2010 ? entre la véritable résistance et les stabilité.»

pas, c'est un psychopathe. Non. La tension était très gran¬ cinquièmes colonnes. Propos recueillis pas

M. Al-Assad a longtemps été de au Liban après le 7 mai 2008. Si Homs tombe, la révolte Laure Stephan

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