INSTITUT KURD E DE PARIS

Information and liaison bulletin N°337

april 2013 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° 337 April 2013

• IRAQI KURDISTAN: THE NEXT ELECTIONS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 2013.

• IRAQ: AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ERBIL AND BAGHDAD SIGNED AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF VIOLENCE.

• TURKEY: A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION ON THE 2012 REPORT REGARRDING TURKEY’S JOINING THE EU.

• IRAN: THE “KURD MEN FOR EQUALITY” CAMPAIGN STARTS A WORLDWIDE “BUZZ”.

• CULTURE: ESTELLE AMY DE LA BRETÈQUE’S BOOK “PAROLES MÉLODISÉES” (MELODIC SPEECH: YEZIDI EPIC TALES AND LAMENTATIONS) HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED .

IRAQI KURDISTAN: THE NEXT ELECTIONS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 2013 he next presidential Wishing to cut short the elections in Iraq’s rumours in the Kurdish media of The PUK perhaps hopes to win Kurdistan Region his “concealed death”, those back some votes that had, hither - T have been set by the round his have issued pictures to, gone to Goran, considering Iraqi High Election showing the Iraqi President seat - that its alliance with the KDP commission for the 21 st ed at a table in the garden of his had lost it some of its electorate. September 2013. These elections health centre in Germany, wear - This, at any rate, is what is said will be taking place in a political ing town clothes and surround - by Muhammad Rauf, who leads period in which the issue of a ed by doctors. the Kurdistan Islamic Union. power vacuum and of succes - Muhammad Rauf, also insinu - sion are raised on all sides. However, while there is now no ates that there have bee secret doubt that Jalal Talabani is still attempts to try and reunite The Kurdish party n which the alive, the absence of any video Goran and the PUK — or at least situation regarding its leader - or interview has only stimulated to form an electoral alliance ship is most uncertain is, of the questions regarding his real against the KDP. course, that of Jalal Talabani’s state of health and his ability PUK, since its president has not resume his duties as President of However it is certain that, in the reappeared in public since his Iraq and leader of the PUK. For Behdinan region, traditionally stroke last December. An Iranian the moment everything seems to fully behind the Barzanis, nei - press agency has even men - be in the hands of his politburo ther Goran nor the PUK can tioned his “ very recent recovery which has decided, this time to endanger the KDP’s hegemony, from his coma ”. This has been take part in the Kurdistan parlia - the party coming second in denied by his doctor, mentary elections independent - Duhok Province being the Najmalddin Karim, who states ly, separately from its ally, Kurdistan Islamic Union. In that the Iraqi President regained Massud Barzani’s Kurdistan Suleimaniyah Province the con - consciousness some months ago. Democratic Party. test is just between the PUK and • 2 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 337 • April 2013

Goran — and, if allied, they provincial elections but the torate (and especially its own would win it hands down. The opposition parties quickly activists) take part in a campaign only electoral uncertainty is in accused the tow major parties of that, from the KDP point of Erbil Province, which lies at the making “arrangements” of their view, would be largely centred border of the two political zones. own to enable Massud Barzani on a third term of office for to stand again or to extend his Massud Barzani and so would What is the Kurdish opposition term of office by one or two look like a referendum. Indeed, and what does it represent in years (at the moment it is a four some PUK leaders consider that terms of seats in the Kurdistan year term). this alliance has, for many years Parliament? past, favoured their former Omêd Sabah, one of the rivals, especially in view of the The Movement for Change, Presidency spokesmen had stared internal struggles of their own Goran, is the most powerful and the controversy as early as 30 party — divisions that have popular, but only in the PUK March by stating, on the indepen - increased with the power vacu - strongholds, since it is composed dent Kurdish NRT channel that um that began when Jalal of dissident former members. “Massud Barzani had asked or was Talabani took office as President Goran’s political line is secular likely to ask for an extension of his of Iraq and is at present and Left. term or office ”. increased as a result of his with - drawal, whether temporary or The come the two religious par - That was all that was needed to permanent, from active political ties, the Kurdistan Islamic arouse the Goran opposition, that life. Group, which, since 2009 has made this its key issue, especially been allied to two Left wing sec - as its campaign for a renewal of Caught between two fires, with ular parties to form the Service the political personnel and the an electorate disinclined to sup - and Reform List (13 seats) and fight against corruption it port Massud Barzani on the one the Kurdistan Islamic Union that launched in 2009 have begun to hand and the advantages the has two seats on its own, since it lose impact. PUK gains from its alliance in was unable to reach an agree - office with the KDP, the leaders of ment with the Islamic Group. However, the opposition is far this party, who have enjoyed this from unanimous on this issue. power sharing since 2005, may In all, the opposition has 34 seats While Mohammad Tewfiq not oppose fresh term of office for out of 111 in the Kurdistan Rahim, speaking for Goran, in the Barzani but do it in a neutral Parliament. The two government Monitor, immediately attacked mannerly abstaining from this Parties have 59 seats and 11 seats any such extension of the term of controversy. Although the PUK are ex-officio allocated to office, Salah ad-Din Bakir, has decided to present its own Christians (Assyrians, Assistant General Secretary of the candidates for parliament (esti - Chaldeans or Armenians) or Islamic Union pointed out that his mating that it can win votes from Turcomenians. Finally there is party would meet to study the Goran) it could well, after the the group of small Left wing possibility of lengthening the elections form a fresh coalition parties, communists or social- Presidential term of office as did government with the KDP. democrats, who, in order to have Amar Qadir of the Islamic Group. any elected representatives, have Replying to Goran in the middle to ally themselves with other While the Kurdistan Democratic of April, the KDP pointed out that organisations to form very het - Party, obviously, is in favour of the debate was not about an erogeneous lists like that of such an extension, what would be extension of the term of office but Service and Reform. the stand of the PUK that, this on whether or not a President in time, is campaigning indepen - office had the right to stand as a The sharpest discussion at this dently in the parliamentary elec - candidate for election for a third start of the campaign is the pos - tions, at least? For the moment its time. There is, indeed, an ambigu - sible re-election of Massud politburo has not raised any objec - ity regarding Massud Barzani’s Barzani, the present President of tions. In fact it has not made any first term of office since he was the Kurdistan Region. clear reference to this issue, which not directly elected by popular could suggest that it is not vote but by parliament in 2005. It In the first week of April meet - opposed to it. was only in the draft constitution ing took place between the KDP approved by Parliament in 2009 and PUK leaders to discus the However, it might be rather dif - that it was laid down that the presidential parliamentary and ficult for the PUK to ask its elec - President of the Kurdistan Region n° 337 • April 2013 Information and liaison bulletin • 3•

be directly elected by universal — but only 97 of them were pre - would then be his “ second term or suffrage for two terms only. sent. Goran had boycotted the office ” in a more presidential and session, alleging that Parliaments less parliamentary regime The opposition holds that the first legality had expired on 4 June (unlike the previous periods), term of office (voted by 2009. In fact, the parliamentary which would have begun in Parliament) is valid while the pro- elections planned to take place in 2009, not 2005. Barzanis consider that only the May 2009 had been postponed to first election by direct suffrage 25 July for technical and bud - In a more “political” perspective, should be taken into account, getary reasons that were of the if the constitution were which would entitle him to stand resort of the Iraqi High Electoral approved by a considerable for a third term of office. Commission. majority by the citizens of Kurdistan, this would appear In the end, Massud Barzani reject - Hitherto the two parties in office like a vote of confidence in the ed, in an official communiqué, the had not considered a direct pop - sitting president and unques - bulk of the accusations being ular vote necessary and it was tionably indicate his re-election. made in the opposition press: only five years later that Massud Barzani felt any need to settle The Goran Party was not fooled “I have not asked for any alteration this issue by proposing a refer - and one of its members, Yusuf in the law regarding the Region’s endum as with the Iraqi Muhammad, stated publicly Presidency, I have not asked for any Constitution of 2005. within hours of the Presidents extension of my term of office as statement, that this draft consti - President or allowed any amendment “The Constitution was not voted tution had been drawn up with of the law to allow me to stand again by referendum for several rea - the purpose of prolonging as the region’s President ”. sons. The process of drafting the “Barzani’s absolute power and that Constitution had taken place of his family, this allowing them to Immediately, a flood of com - normally and all the stages had monopolise, for themselves and their ments and analyses in the press been observed. Now it is the subordinates, the essential position and on Internet dissected all the people who have the right to in the executive, the judiciary, the possible meanings of this state - decide whether to approve this police and the Peshmergas of ment as well as many it didn’t constitution or not. Kurdistan’s administration and have. The fact that Massud economy ”. Barzani had not “asked” for any - Expecting the political parties to thing did not means, according to decide the constitution has no legal However, the other opposition some, that he would not accept to basis (the three opposition par - parties are not opposed to the stand if pressed to do so my his ties had, indeed, demanded that KDP’s proposals. Thus the lead - party or a majority of the electors. the document be re-examined). er of the Kurdistan Socialist Others noted that the President This is in opposition to the faith and party, Mohammed Haj did not need to change the law, will of the people and runs counter Mahmoud, explained that in since all that was needed was to to the very concept of democracy ”. addition to supporting the disregard his first tern as being KDP’s proposal to have the con - prior to the constitution. Submitting the Constitution to a stitution passed by referendum, referendum would give it a he was against Goran’s wish to However, what confirmed the strong legitimacy against return to a more parliamentary opposition in its doubts was the demands for its revision by the regime, in which the M.P.s elect - second part of the presidential opposition (that could hardly go ed the President as in 2005. This statement regarding the legitima - against the people’s will) and was because of the overwhelm - cy of the draft constitution itself also because a constitution ing domination of the KDP and as it was adopted by Parliament approved by referendum could PUK, which he considered in 2009, in circumstances that the more easily ratify the legality of would only result in their co- opposition had already consid - a third term for Barzani. Indeed, opting the Presidency through ered illegal since the Parliaments if the Kurdistan regional internal agreements and so des - term of office had already Government was an indepen - ignate some candidate or other. expired. dent state, people would be talk - ing about a “Third Republic” “Thus the chances of a democratic Indeed, the Constitution was (after those of 1992 and 2005) competition would be reduced to passed by Parliament on 24 June which could lead to the possibil - zero. During the last Presidential 2009 by 96 votes of the 111 M.P.s ity of Barzani standing for what elections, which took place with the • 4 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 337 • April 2013

direct vote of the people, there had and Erbil, each one receiving a por - formula because the presidency is been a chance to compete and a cer - tion of the votes. That is real democ - not to be the reserve of any particu - tain number of competitors did racy, which gives equal chances to lar party or alliance of parties — it appear in various regions of all the citizens without exception. is a position that concerns all mem - Kurdistan — at Kefri, Koy, Sanjaq We are in favour of this democratic bers of the public ”.

IRAQ: AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ERBIL AND BAGHDAD SIGNED AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF VIOLENCE t the beginning of April, Kurds and the Arab government region, while the hospitals of the the first cargo of crude not having improved, Nuri al- city of Kirkuk and of the oil from the Kurdistan Maliki replaced “ provisionally ” the Kurdistan Regional Government A Regional government two Kurdish Ministers who had received the wounded coming and exported via been boycotting the Council of from the virtually insurgent Turkey, was sold on the interna - Ministers since March — namely towns. The commander of the tional market for about $ 22 mil - Hoshyar Zebari (Foreign Iraqi forces in the field, General lion. At the same time, a Kurdish Minister) and replaced by Ali Ghaidan Majeed, then delegation flew to Washington to Hussein Sharistani and the pre - accused the Kurds of using the discuss the situation of conflict in sent Minister of Justice also took events as an excuse for “ reaching Iraq with some American leaders. charge of the Ministry of Trade the oil fields ” of Kirkuk and put This delegation consisted of Fuad previously held by Khayrullah the Iraqi Army on alert. Hussein, the chief of staff of Hassan Babaker. Massud Barzani’s Presidential Just as the events are thus becom - Office and Ashti Hawrami, On 29 April, the Kurdish NRT ing most acrimonious at the Minister of Natural Resources television channel announced month’s end, the Kurdish and Falah Mustafa. Kurdistan’s that 14 Kurdish senior officers Member of Parliament Foreign Minister. had been stripped of their field announced the visit of Kurdish commands (the 4 th , 5 th and 12 th Prime Minister Nêçirvan Barzani According to information that Divisions) by the direct order of to Baghdad on the 30 th to discuss leaked out a week later, the Kurds the Prime Minister, Nuri al- all the differences and the latest insisted, at these meetings that Maliki, and been transferred to conflicts. The Kurdish delegation the United States remains “neu - the Baghdad offices of the that accompanied Nêçirvan tral” in their conflict with Ministry of Defence. According Barzani included a number of Baghdad — neutrality also to NRT, citing an anonymous leading members of the Kurdish desired and demanded by source, that as the Sunni Arab government as well as the Turkey. On 19 April, the Prime regions were also up in arms, Kurdish governor of Kirkuk, Minister of the latter reaffirmed Maliki no longer could trust the Najmaddin Karim. In addition to that Ankara had the right to Kurdish officers of his own meeting Nuri al-Maliki, the dele - establish “ any kind of relation with army. gation was due to meet the Northern Iraq (i.e. the Kurdish Speaker of Parliament, a Sunni Region) within the limits set by the Indeed, Iraq is again faced with Arab from Mosul, Osama constitution. Our current approaches the danger of civil war following Noujafi, and several leaders of remain in this context ”. the events in Hawija, a Sunni parliamentary groups and politi - Arab town in which 53 demon - cal parties. Whereas John Kerry, the US strators, who were demanding Secretary of State, is said to have the resignation of Nuri al-Maliki, This time the negotiations were insisted to Barzani that such fuel were killed by the Iraqi armed not long drawn out with fruitless and power agreements should forces on 23 April. The distur - travelling back and forth. Both not be reached, Erdogan retorted bances then spread to the Qara the Kurds and the Iraqis wanted to both John Kerry and Barack Tapa, Jalawla, Suleiman Beg, to avoid further enflaming an Obama that “ they (the Turks) had Tuz Khormato, and Mosul already burning military situa - mutual interests in Iraq (i.e. with regions. tion. Consequently an agreement the Kurds) just as much as they (the (yet another!) was rapidly signed USA) had”. Four days later, the Kurdish and Mahmoud Othman, head of Towards the end of April, the Peshmergas were deployed a lit - the Kurdish list in the Baghdad political climate between the tle more widely in the Kirkuk Parliament announced, in the n° 337 • April 2013 Information and liaison bulletin • 5•

course of this, the return of the until such a time as the central the rest of Iraq — in all some $ 20 Kurdish Ministers to their posts government will have paid its billion claimed by Erbil. and of the Kurdish M.P.s, who debts to the Kurdish region. This As it is unlikely that Baghdad will had been boycotting it, to the law comes into effect within 90 comply, the main aim of this law Iraqi national Assembly. days, as Ashti Hawrami has just could be to allow the Kurds to announced. The aim of this law is, continue to advance towards a The agreement seems essentially as the Minister of Natural financial autonomy — an aim that to be based on the setting up of Resources clearly stated, to give a Kurdish Member of the state organs and commissions the Kurds “ a political and legal lever Baghdad Parliament, Muhsin Al- charged with resolving the con - in their constitutional struggle with Saadoun, had envisaged in troversial points of Article 140, Baghdad ”. March, and which the Minister of (which covers the return of Natural Resources, Ashti regions detached from Kurdistan Following closely on this, the law Hawrami, barely bothered to con - by Saddam Hussein) the wages of also requires the Central ceal in replying to criticism from the Peshmergas, that the Kurds Government to pay compensa - some of the opposition who want to be paid by the federal tion to the Kurdish victims of accused him of throwing oil onto Government, the issue of hydro - Saddam’s crimes. This demand the fire: carbon management and all the was transmitted by Nêçirvan “Baghdad daily threatens to deprive conflicts that had divided Erbil Barzani, who recalled in passing us of our share of the Federal budget. and Baghdad for the last few “Baghdad’s legal obligation to carry We are trying to create out own fiscal years. out the decision of the Iraqi High policy ”. Criminal Court regarding compensa - The question remains is whether tion to the victims of the genocide At the beginning of the year 2013, this agreement will be more effec - crimes of the former regime ”. Mahmoud Othman had already tive than the one the same parties expressed little optimism on the signed in Erbil 3 years ago. This This double aspect of the new viability of any negotiations that time, the Kurdish Prime minister Kurdish Law is based on some did not result from a direct meet - stated that Nuri Maliki had articles that already exist in the ing between the Iraqi Prime assured him that several “impor - Iraqi Constitution, that provides Minister and the Kurdish tant” laws would be voted to that “ an allowance for a period to be President: resolve all the disputes, including determined ” be paid to those “The problems can only be resolved the 2013 budget. However, basi - regions damaged by Saddam’s in one way, this is by making Prime cally it only means setting up government “ or having suffered Minister Nuri al-Maliki and commissions, as had been pro - war damage ”. President Massud Barzani meet at posed last December, to again try the same table ”. and reach a compromise on issues According to the Kurdish Prime about which the Kurds and Arabs Minister, the destruction inflicted A meeting between the two lead - seem unwilling to give way. on Kurdistan’s agriculture and ers was, indeed, envisaged on infra structures amount to $ 9 bil - Nêçirvasn Barzani’s return to Meanwhile the Erbil government, lion, to which should be added $ Erbil, but for the moment the 2013 by means of a law passed by its 6 billion in wages for the version of the Baghdad agree - parliament, has now authorised Peshmergas and $ 4 billion due to ment does not seem any less frag - itself to raise funds from the sale the oil companies active in the ile or less uncertain in its applica - of its crude oil and gas exports Region who are supplying oil to tion than the one at Erbil in 2010.

TURKEY: A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION ON THE 2012 REPORT REGARRD - ING TURKEY’S JOINING THE EU n 18 April, the European Parliament considers that a stressed the strategic role played Parliament passed a res - reciprocal commitment renewed by Turkey both strategically and olution submitted by the by negotiation is needed to pre - geographically and call for the O Foreign Affairs Commis- serve a constructive relationship strengthening of political dia - sion with 451 votes for, and dialogue based on shared logue with the European Union 105 against and 45 abstentions on values, namely democracy, a and Turkey regarding the choic - the report of the 2012 regarding State of Laws and respect for es and objectives of foreign poli - Turkey’s progress. Human Rights. The M.E.P.s cy. They deplore the fact that • 6 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 337 • April 2013

Turkey’s alignment with the Internet, are at the heart of Cyprus are urgently needed to declarations on foreign policy European values. It stresses, give a fresh impetus to the nego - and shared security was weak moreover, the necessity of tiations for Turkey’s member - during 2012 and urge Turkey to achieving greater progress ship. This resolution urges the develop its foreign policy in the regarding labour laws and trade Turkish government to ratify the context of dialogue and co-ordi - union rights. UN Convention on maritime nation with the European Union. Law, signed by the European The MEPs welcome the efforts Union, while recalling the full The Copenhagen Criteria: undertaken by Turkey at all lev - legitimacy of the exclusive eco - Parliament supports the els in the fight against “honour nomic zone of the Republic of Commission in its new approach, crimes”, domestic violence and Cyprus. which consists of opening the phenomena of forces mar - Chapter 23, dealing with the judi - riages and of minors being Progress in EU-Turkey coopera - cial apparatus and fundamental promised in marriage. It tion. Parliament deplores rights, as well as Chapter 24 on remains, however, concerned by Turkey’s refusal to fulfil its obli - Justice, freedom and security at the fact that, despite these gations to apply to member States an early stage in the negotiation efforts, violence against women as a whole the additional protocol process and of closing the above continues to be regularly perpe - of agreement of association in a chapters at the very end of it. trated. It also points out that the full and non-discriminatory man - draft law on the struggle against ner. It recalls that this refusal con - In consequence, it calls on the discrimination does not cover tinues to have deep repercussions Council for renewed efforts with discrimination based on sexual on the negotiations. a view too opening these chap - orientation or identity. ters. The resolution welcomes Parliament welcomes the direct Turkey’s commitment alongside Parliament congratulates the political dialogue that the the democratic forces in Syria as Commission for Constitutional Turkish Government has well as the humanitarian aid Consultation for its commitment engaged with Abdullah Ocalan supplied to the growing number in favour of a new Constitution and urges both parties, as soon of Syrians who are fleeing their and for the process of consulta - as possible, to convert these dis - country. It asks the Commission, tion of civil society as a whole cussions into structured negotia - the member States and the inter - but remains concerned by the tions capable of leading to a his - national community to continue visibly slow progress achieved toric agreement to settle the to support Turkey in its efforts by the Commission so far. It Kurdish conflict in a peaceful to manager the humanitarian urges the Commission to pursue and democratic manner. It con - dimension that is increasingly its work and to look into such demns the acts of terrorist vio - present in the Syrian crisis. Over fundamental issues as: lence perpetrated by the PKK and above the humanitarian aid, i) the separation of powers and and calls on all member states to the MEPs consider that the EU a suitable system for balanc - strengthen cooperation with and Turkey should strive to ing powers; Turkey and Europol in the strug - arrive at a common strategic ii) relations between the State, gle against terrorism and organ - vision so as to exert a greater society and religion; ised crime as a source of financ - leverage effect in order to bring iii) a system of governance that ing terrorism an end to this crisis from which includes guaranteeing fun - Syria is suffering. damental rights of all the cit - Regarding developing good izens, and finally; neighbour relations . The MEPs Finally, given Turkey’s strategic iv) an inclusive concept of citi - think that Turkey has lost an role and its considerable renew - zenship. important opportunity for start - able energy resources, the MEPs ing a process leading to the nor - call for engaging in thought on The resolution stresses the fact malising of relations with the importance of opening nego - that the reform of the judicial Cyprus during the Cypriot tiations on Chapter 15 regarding system is essential for strength - Presidency of the European fuel and power so as to deepen ening democracy and recalls that Union Council. Indeed, progress the strategic dialogue between freedom of expression and plu - towards normalisation of rela - the European Union and Turkey ralism of the media, including tions between Turkey and in the field of energy.

➢➢➢ n° 337 • April 2013 Information and liaison bulletin • 7•

IRAN: THE “KURD MEN FOR EQUALITY” CAMPAIGN STARTS A WORLDWIDE “BUZZ” judge of the Kurdish similarly dressed with the same in women’s clothes. However, town of Mariwan, an banner, on their Facebook pages far from discrediting Tavakoli average town (100,000 and with other similar state - the picture was immediately A inhabitants) in province ments. diverted from its original aim by of Iranian Kurdistan, hundreds of Iranians throughout has sparked off an international Probably neither the judge nor the world, having themselves campaign on Internet after pass - the Mariwan feminists had fore - photographed on their Facebook ing an unusual sentence in the seen the extent taken by this pager or on Twitter filmed in form of “ public humiliation ”. campaign, which soon went well videos broadcast on You Tube beyond Kurdish circles. In a wearing chadors and with the On 15 April, an offender found matter of days nearly 10,000 message “We are all Majids”. guilty of minor offences was photos had been published on There were a number of well paraded round the town under the Facebook page of “Kurd known public figures among police guard disguised with the Men for Equaity” and Kurds them, like Hamid Dabashi, a red chador worn by women in were soon joined by men from Professor at Columbia Mariwan. all countries and of all origins University or Ahmad Batebi, the having themselves pho - leader of the 1999 student The town immediately reacted tographed in women’s clothes revolts, who now lives in the against the judge and the and waving the same message. United States. Finally pictures of Kurdish Women’s Association of Khamenei and Ahmedinjad Mariwan demonstrated against At the same time, while all were also circulated wearing the the contemptuous and sexist demonstrations in the Kurdish same chador. character of the sentence that regions of Iran were being made the feminine gender a sign severely repressed by the The specific factor of the Kurd of humiliation and inferiority — authorities, the appearance in Men for Equality campaign is its and of Kurdish women in partic - public of young Kurds wearing protest against the contempt ular since the clothes he was women’s clothes were taking with which women are treated forced to wear are traditional place in several of Kurdistan’s in the Iranian Republic — but dress. The police intervened bru - town as proven by pictures they also against its treatment of eth - tally to disperse the hundreds of sent onto the social networks. nic minorities, including the demonstrators and, according to Kurds, who are especially witnesses, several of the women A similar campaign had already repressed, as well as the were seriously injured. occurred in 2009, when an Baluchis and the Arabs of Iranian student, Majid Tavakoli, Khuzistan. The Iranian govern - However, the broadcasting on one of the leaders of the Green ment understood this action, the web of a video showing the Revolution, arrested on 7 describing it as “ ridiculous ” and police parading the sentenced December, was photographed conducted by “ separatists under man shown wearing a chador attired by the Pasdaran in a the pretext of defending Kurdish aroused indignation well woman’s veil in an attempt to women ”. beyond Meriwan and even Iran ridicule him. The Guardians of and became, in the course of a the Revolution accused him of The coming Presidential elec - few days an international trying to escape disguised as a tions in Iran will take place on 14 “buzz”. This gave rise to a cam - women — which was denied by July. The candidates must regis - paign started, this time, by male those who had witnessed his ter for there candidature to be Kurds and called “Kurd Men for arrest. examined a approved by the Equality”. An Iranian Kurd, Council of Guardians of the Massoud Fatihpour, first of all The photo had been published Constitution. In defiance, about had his photo taken wearing by the pro-government Fars thirty Iranian women are stand - women’s clothes and holding up Press news agency, which drew ing as candidates and have reg - a banner saying “Being a woman a parallel with the case of istered with the Ministry of the id not a way to humiliate or Banisadr, the first President of Interior, even though the Islamic punish anyone”. Hundreds of the Islamic Republic, who had Republic does not allow women others followed suite and posed also been accused of having fled to stand for the Presidency. ➢➢➢ • 8 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 337 • April 2013

CULTURE: ESTELLE AMY DE LA BRETÈQUE’S BOOK “PAROLES MÉLODISÉES” (MELODIC SPEECH: YEZIDI EPIC TALES AND LAMENTATIONS) HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED he ethno-musicologist, heroism. It appears in some ritu - oboe playing. This mode of enuncia - Estelle Amy de la al contexts, in the epic cantos or tion is a subject of special interest Bretèque, who is a spe - simply in the course of a phase within the community and although T cialist in the Yezidis of in everyday conversations. the Yezidis do not consider it as Armenia, has just Basing herself on unpublished “musical”, this “kilamê şer” can brought out a work “ Paroles field studies, available on line on frequently be found recorded on mélodisées. Récits épiques et lamen - the French Ethno-musicological disks and cassettes in the local mar - tations chez les yézidi ” (Melodic Society’s web site, the author ket. speech: Yezidi epic tales and shows that melodic speech plays lamentations). This is published a central role for the Yezidis in The analysis of the formal and per - by Garnier Classique, and is building up an ideal of life link - formance characteristics of “kilamê based on her ethnological doc - ing the living to those absent or şer” enables one to show howthis toral thesis presented at the deceased”. particular use of speech builds an University of Paris-Ouest in area of sharing of emotions. At November 2010. According to Estelle Amy de la heart, the Yezidi concepts of exile Bretèque “ the melodic speech of the are linked to those of sacrifice, of “This work covers a mode of Yezidis of Armenia covers a partic - heroism and mourning. Over and enunciation in which the normal ular register of the use of sound that above the individual catharsis, this intonation of speech is replaced the Yezidis call “speech on” (kilamê melodic speech is a pivot whereby by melodic elaborations. şer) and that they place at the bor - absence becomes presence and the Amongst the Kurdish-speakers der of music and language. It is, in dead are integrated with life ”. of Armenia, and especially the the first instance, a way of making Yezidis, speech this rendered speech melodic to express sad feel - A presentation/discussion of the melodically is always linked ings in ritual contexts (such as book and the work will take with the evocation of nostalgia, funerals) on in everyday conversa - place at the Kurdish Institute in of exile, of self-sacrifice and of tions. The term is also applied to Paris in June by the author. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

^l'il LUND11ER AVRIL 2073 L'Irak, dix ans après : une ébauche de renaissance

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seul pays du Proche-Orient qui ne Le Kurdistan est le seul pays du Par KENDAL compte aucun prisonnier politique et NEZAN Proche-Orient qui ne compte aucun l'une des rares régions du monde mu¬ Président de prisonnier politique et l'une des sulman où les chrétiens vivent en paix, l'Institut kurde de pratiquent leur religion et construisent rares régions du monde musulman Paris de nouvelles églises sans entrave. Plus où les chrétiens vivent en paix. de 100 000 chrétiens irakiens menacés ont pu trouver refuge au Kurdistan où cidé de ne pas marcher sur Bagdad et de ans chaque guerre, cha¬ d'autres minorités religieuses comme laisser libre cours à l'armée irakienne que rupture politique les yézidis sont aussi protégées. pour écraser dans le sang la révolte po¬ majeure, il y a des ga¬ En construisant une société pluraliste pulaire. La répression a fait près de gnants et des perdants. et prospère - dans un pays dont 90% 300 000 victimes dans les rangs chiites, Dans le cas de l'Irak, les des villages et une vingtaine de villes tandis que près de 2 millions de Kurdes gagnants incontestables avaient été détruits par les armées de prenaient les routes de l'exode vers la sont les Kurdes et les Saddam Hussein qui avaient, rien que Turquie et l'Iran. chiites qui, ensemble, forment plus de dans la campagne d'Anfal, entre 1987 Sous la pression de l'opinion publique 80% de la population irakienne. et 1988, massacré 182000 civils kurdes internationale et à l'initiative du pré¬ Contrôlant déjà une grande partie de et interné 1,5 million d'autres dans les sident Mitterrand, une «zone de pro¬ leur territoire, les Kurdes, avec le sou¬ camps-, les Kurdes irakiens démon¬ tection kurde» a été créée par l'ONU tien aérien américain, ont libéré tout trent que leur peuple est capable de se pour permettre le retour des réfugiés l'Irak du Nord, y compris les deux gran¬ gouverner, et que l'islam n'est pas in¬ kurdes dans leur foyer, zone qui a évo¬ des villes de Kirkouk et de Mossoul. compatible avec la démocratie. lué vers un Kurdistan autonome. Tout en participant au processus de Vingt-cinq ans après le gazage des mil¬ Les chiites, eux, ont été abandonnés à reconstruction de l'Irak, ils ont saisi la liers de Kurdes à Halabja, qui boule¬ leur sort et à leur amertume envers les chance historique qui leur était offerte versa la conscience universelle mais ne Occidentaux. Comme partout dans le de reprendre leur destin en main et fut condamné ni par l'ONU ni par monde arabe, les chiites irakiens ont d'édifier une société démocratique et aucun Etat occidental, pas même la voté pour des partis religieux. L'alliance prospère, susceptible de servir de mo¬ chiite regroupant ces divers partis di¬ dèle au reste de l'Irak et aux 30 millions France, on assiste donc à la résurrection d'un peuple victime des frontières arbi¬ rige une coalition gouvernementale in¬ de Kurdes des pays voisins. cluant aussi des partis kurdes laïcs et La sécurisation du pays, le développe¬ traires dessinées après la Grande Guerre par Londres et Paris, martyrisé tout au des Arabes sunnites. La plupart des pro¬ ment des infrastructures dont deux aé¬ vinces chiites sont pacifiées et engagées roports internationaux et des centrales long du XXe siècle. dans un vaste programme de recons¬ électriques assurant l'autosuffisance Les Arabes chiites, avec 55% de la po¬ pulation irakienne, accèdent pour la truction. Le niveau de vie s'est amélioré énergétique, l'adoption par le Parlement première fois au pouvoir, grâce au libre en dix ans, les salaires ont été multipliés du Kurdistan d'une législation business friehdfy n'ont pas tardé à attirer des in¬ jeu du suffrage universel mis en place par vingt. La pratique du culte chiite,

vestisseurs internationaux. Tous les en¬ par la nouvelle constitution de 2005. jadis sévèrement restreint, est tota¬

fants sont scolarisés et on compte une Citoyens de seconde classe, ils fournis¬ lement libre. Le pluralisme politique saient jusqu'au milieu des années 60 le s'exprime à travers une multitude de vingtaine d'universités dont deux dis¬ gros des bataillons du Parti communiste, journaux, télévisions et associations. pensent leur enseignement en anglais. irakien, alors le plus puissant du monde Les nouvelles générations sont en quête 487o des étudiants sont des étudiantes, arabe. Le soutien de l'URSS aux dicta¬ de referents autres que confessionnels. et les femmes représentent 30% des teurs irakiens successifs et l'onde de En dépit de problèmes d'infrastruc¬ membres du Parlement. choc de la révolution iranienne de 1979 tures, d'électricité, d'insécurité persis¬ Le «boom» économique profite à toute les ont poussés vers les partis chiites tants, les chiites savourent la population même s'il est parasité par confessionnels. Lors de la guerre du une liberté nouvelle. des phénomènes de corruption et de Golfe de 1991, tout comme les Kurdes, La minorité arabe sunnite, népotisme que dénoncent régulière¬ ils s'étaient soulevés à l'appel de la coa¬ qui a fourni au régime de ment une opposition parlementaire ro¬ lition alliée et avaient libéré leurs pro¬ Saddam Hussein l'essentiel buste et des médias indépendants. Le vinces. Ce premier, «printemps arabe» de ses cadres militaires, poli¬ pluralisme politique, culturel et confes¬ aurait pu déboucher sur la chute de tiques, policiers et bureau¬ sionnel est assuré. Le Kurdistan est le Saddam Hussein, mais les alliés ont dé- cratiques, a été durement Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

En termes géopolitiques, le bilan est affectée par des mesures de «débaasi- sation» [dupartiBaas, l'ancien parti du plus difficile à établir. La Turquie, dont pouvoir, nldr], comme la dissolution de les entreprises tirent le plus gros avan¬ tage du marché de la reconstruction l'armée et des services de sécurité ainsi que l'épuration dans l'administration. irakienne, et l'Iran, avec ses amis chiites arrivés au pouvoir après la pen¬ Cette politique a été édictée par le haut- daison de Saddam Hussein, font figure Commissaire américain en Irak, Paul de gagnants majeurs, du moins jusqu'à Bremer, à la demande et avec le soutien présent. Cependant la démocratisation des dirigeants chiites. Ainsi, du jour au lendemain, un demi-million d'officiers de l'Irak, le statut fédéral obtenu par les Kurdes ont des répercussions régionales et de fonctionnaires se sont retrouvés insoupçonnées sur ceux des pays voi¬ révoqués, sans indemnités ni pensions de retraite. Les réseaux baasistes, alliés sins, bien sûr, mais aussi sur les peuples non persans qui, ensemble, forment avec les jihadistes d'Al-Qaeda affluant par les frontières mal protégées de la près de 60% de la population de l'em¬ pire iranien. La Turquie a dû assouplir Syrie et de la Jordanie, n'ont eu aucune sa politique kurde et engager des réfor¬ difficulté à recruter au sein de ce gigan¬ tesque vivier pour combattre «l'armée mes ; le futur Iran sera démocratique et fédéral ou implosera, tout comme la Sy¬ des croisés américains et leurs collabora¬ rie. L'Irak est devenu le pays arabe le teurs chiites impies». plus démocratique du Proche-Orient et Cette guerre civile, soutenue par des n'est plus une source de menaces pour pays arabes sunnites mais aussi par ses voisins. La chute de Saddam Hus¬ l'Iran, menée à coups d'attentats sein a frappé l'esprit des peuples arabes aveugles a fait, en dix ans, entre 100000 et a contribué à leur soulèvement con¬ et 130 000 victimes civiles irakiennes, tre leur propre dictateur quelques an¬ dans leur immense majorité chiites. Quelque 24000 militaires irakiens et nées plus tard. En dix ans, l'Irak est passé d'une insurgés ont également péri. Ces chif¬ société pauvre, gouvernée par la ter - fres effroyables sont à comparer avec les reur, - où la possession d'une simple 200 000 morts de la guerre civile en Al¬ machine à écrire, d'un photocopieur gérie et les 70 000 morts du conflit sy¬ nécessitait une autorisation de la police rien en seulement deux ans. Les pertes politique, où tous les médias étaient totales des Américains depuis le début contrôlés par l'Etat et où un seul parti de leur intervention en Irak s'élevaient politique était autorisé - , à une société à 4 484 morts. ouverte, pluraliste où le pouvoir d'achat La violence subsiste encore, des atten¬ a été multiplié par 20, où le PIB a connu tats dans des villes à la population mixte en 2012 une croissance de 10,2"/u. ont, en 2012, causé la mort de 4471 ci¬ Un indicateur parmi d'autres: vils, un «score» qui reste inférieur au de 80 000 téléphones mobiles en 2002, bilan des violences au Pakistan, au on est passé à 23 millions en 2011 pour Mexique ou en Colombie, pour ne pren¬ une population de 27 millions ; à la place dre que quelques exemples non arabes. des deux chaînes étatiques de télévi¬ Dans le Kurdistan autonome, le dernier sion, on en compte plus d'une centaine attentat meurtrier a eu lieu en fé¬ représentant toutes les sensibilités cul¬ vrier 2004. L'expérience kurde inspire turelles et politiques. des dirigeants sunnites qui reven¬ Le pluralisme est bien enraciné dans le diquent maintenant un statut de région pays. Cependant, les institutions démo¬ fédérée pour leur territoire, comme cela cratiques restent fragiles, la situation est prévu dans la Constitution. Certains sécuritaire précaire dans l'Irak arabe, partis chiites préconisent également la les lignes de fracture confessionnelles création d'une ou deux régions fédérées et ethniques menaçantes et la cor¬ chiites. Le fédéralisme accompagné par ruption endémique. L'Irak reste un Etat le partage équitable des revenus de s a * rentier dont 98% des exportations pro¬

plus en plus conséquents des viennent du pétrole. Ses réserves esti¬ exportations pétrolières permettrait de mées à 143 milliards de barils peuvent maintenir, au sein d'un même Etat, trois lui assurer pendant encore un siècle des communautés possédant chacune leur revenus confortables.

propre culture, leur propre histoire et Inventé de toutes pièces par les Anglais décidées à gérer leurs propres affaires. dans les années 20, l'Irak est resté uni¬ Ce serait la meilleure façon de mettre en fié par la poigne des dictatures succes¬ une Constitution fédérale ap¬ sives. Livré à lui-même et au libre jeu de

prouvée par plus de 80% des électeurs la démocratie, il garde son unité grâce

lors du référendum d'octobre 2005, et au partage des revenus de son pétrole. qui cependant n'est guère respectée par Il appartient aux Irakiens de prendre en le Premier ministre Al-MaliM et ses par¬ mains leur destin collectif.

tisans rêvant d'un Etat unitaire centra¬

lisé dominé par les chiites. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 1, 2013

Abdullah Ocalan announced, from his jail cell in Istanbul, a cease-fire between Kurdish rebels in Turkey and the Turkish government. The unprecedented truce is widely seen as the first stage in a deal between Ocalan and Turkey’s ambitious prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that would finally end the long-running Kurdish insurgency in Turkey.

Ocalan once waged his war against the Turkish government, which began in 1984, from inside Syria. For a time the government in Damascus used him and his guerillas as leverage with Turkey, especially in disputes over water. Then in 1998, seeking rapprochement with Ankara, the Syrians forced Ocalan to leave. He was eventually kidnapped by Turkish intelligence agents in Kenya and brought to Turkey, where he is serving a life sentence. Sawoushka Ahmed and Kurdish fighters in Sheikh Maksoud, Aleppo, on March 30.Sebastiano Tomada Sawoushka Ahmed and Kurdish fighters in Sheikh The Syrian regime tried to reactivate the Maksoud, Aleppo, on March 30. Kurdish threat in 2011 when Turkey lent its support to the rebels seeking to over- throw Assad. It provided safe havens in Syria for various guerillas, including Saleh Muslim, the exiled head of the THE KURDISH P.Y.D. (which is the local affiliate of Ocalan’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party). The regime also pulled back government FACTOR forces from Kurdish areas in the north and may have momentous consequences for northeast of Syria — by the Turkish bor- the course of the civil war, the Kurds der — allowing the Kurds to govern them- By MATTHIEU AIKINS switched sides, and with their help the selves in exchange for their remaining rebels overran Sheikh Maksoud, which neutral in the government’s conflict with LEPPO, Syria — On Saturday I commands strategic high ground north of the rebels. trudged across the grassy ravine that the city’s center. Aseparates Sheikh Maksoud, a majority- The Assad regime had apparently hoped Kurdish neighborhood on a hilltop, from “We made the decision on Thursday night that the presence of Muslim’s group, like the rebel-held portions of the city. Beside to help the rebels,” said Sawoushka Ocalan’s in the 1990s, would dissuade me were rebel fighters carrying weapons Ahmed, a local Kurdish fighter. She Turkey from escalating its support to the and ammunition. Civilians were coming explained that there had been discussions rebels. But last week’s reversal in Sheikh the opposite way, whole families laden about this within the group for several Maksoud suggests that Erdogan’s recent with the few possessions they could carry weeks, as its uneasy relation with the overtures to Ocalan are already bearing on their backs. Everyone was jogging Assad regime had deteriorated to the point fruit in his struggle with Assad. across the open ground, fearful of snipers. that the neighborhood would sometimes be shelled and raided at night. The Kurds’ Although the Kurdish groups in Syria are “The regime has told us we have 24 hours hand may also have been forced by the not very significant militarily, their coop- to leave,” an elderly woman, who gave her rebels: Earlier in the week, I had spoken to eration would free the Turkish govern- name as Umm Riyadh, told me as we rebel commanders who said they were ment’s hands by allowing it to increase its crouched, panting, behind a stone wall. preparing to take Sheikh Maksoud by support for the rebels in Syria without fear “They are going to bomb the neighbor- force. that the Assad regime could stoke the hood.” Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey in Whatever the precise motivation, the cru- response. At the top of the hill near the area’s main cial question now — which the Kurdish mosque, groups of rebels mingled, in new- fighters I spoke to over the past few days It remains to be seen whether the Kurds’ found amity, with Kurdish fighters from weren’t prepared to answer — is whether newfound cooperation with the rebels in the local People’s Defense Units, the the P.Y.D.’s shift in Sheikh Maksoud rep- Aleppo is part of a larger realignment by armed wing of Syria’s main Kurdish resents a countrywide change in the the P.Y.D. But if over the weeks ahead group, the Democratic Union Party Kurds’ alliances. If so, it could represent a government forces are pushed out of their (P.Y.D.). Until Friday, this area had been major development in the course of the remaining bases in Kurdish areas, like oil- controlled by Kurdish fighters but was fre- war in Syria. rich Hasakah in the northeast, then the fall quently visited by militias and intelligence of Sheikh Maksoud on Friday will have agents from the regime of Bashar al- The realignment in Aleppo comes only marked the beginning of a dramatic shift Assad. On Friday, though, in an event that one week after the Kurdish leader in Syria’s civil war. Ë

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

LE FIGARO

mardi 2 avril 2013 L'Iran forme des milices pour l'apres-Assad

Ces factions entraînées avec l'aide du Hezbollah défendront ses intérêts

en cas de changement de régime.

GEORGES MALBRUNOT gmaibrimot(Slefigaro,fr

fendre ses intérêts dans une Syrie domi¬

MOYEN-ORIENT Ses promoteurs l'ont née par des sunnites proches de l'Arabie

pompeusement appelée « l'Armée du Saoudite et du Qatar, les deux bêtes noi¬ peuple » {Jaych al-Chaabi) . Elle est com¬ res de Téhéran dans le monde arabe.

posée de cinquante mille hommes envi¬ Israël sur ses gardes ron, des Syriens pour la plupart, issus

des minorités chiite, comme les Ira¬ L'Iran s'est déjà trouvé dans une situa-

niens, ou alaouite, comme le président . tion semblable à partir de 2003, dans

Bachar el-Assad, que tous ces supplétifs l'Irak de l'après-Saddam. À l'époque,

ont pour objectif immédiat de protéger elle avait noué des contacts avec une né¬ face aux rebelles sunnites, qui cherchent buleuse d'organisations, pas toutes

à renverser le pouvoir à Damas. chiites d'ailleurs, invitées à combattre

Ces combattants ont été choisis parmi l'occupant américain. En Syrie, il s'agi¬

les Comités de défense populaire ou les rait d'aider une insurrection contre un

chabihas, ces milices engagées aux côtés pouvoir devenu hostile, aussi bien à

d'une armée qui ne peut plus combattre l'égard de Téhéran que du Hezbollah, qui

tous les fronts de la rébellion en même a besoin de Damas pour ses approvision¬

temps. Les meilleurs ont été entraînés Un combattant rebelle à Alep, le 27 mars. nements en armes. Et ce n'est sans doute

par des membres du Hezbollah libanais pas un hasard si les choses s'accélèrent.

et de la Force al-Qods, la branche exté¬ millions de dollars » cette milice pro-ira- Ces derniers mois, le lent affaiblisse¬

rieure des gardiens de la révolution ira¬ nienne, bâtie sur le modèle des bassidjis, ment de l'appareil sécuritaire syrien a

nienne, de plus en plus présents en Syrie ces va-nu-pieds chargés de protéger la renforcé la main des Iraniens, désormais

pour soutenir Assad. République islamique contre ses enne¬ présents dans l'organisation de la sécu¬

Cette « Armée du peuple » est apparue mis, comme ce fut le cas en 2009 après rité de Bachar el-Assad lui-même, après

sur les radars américains en août dernier. les manifestations populaires déclen¬ avoir aidé à la professionnalisation des

Leon Panetta, secrétaire à la Défense, chées par la réélection truquée de Mah¬ Comités de défense populaire, décidée

faisait état de signes indiquant « que moud Ahmadinejad à la présidence de la par le président syrien au début de cette

l'Iran cherche à développer et entraîner République. année. Auparavant, Téhéran avait offert

une milice à l'intérieur de la Syrie pour Outre des cadres du Hezbollah, les son expertise en matière de contrôle

combattre en son nom ». Un mois après, instructeurs sont également issus des d'Internet et de surveillance des com¬

le patron des gardiens de la révolution, le mouvements chiites irakiens liés à munications, avant d'accélérer ces der¬

général Mohammad Ali Ja- l'Iran. Ce sont eux qui aident à niers mois le rythme des livraisons d'ar¬

fari, affirmait au cours la défense des villages chiites mes à Damas, via l'espace aérien irakien. d'une conférence de presse 50000 assiégés depuis plusieurs mois Cet entrisme accru de Téhéran est que son allié syrien «n'a par des rebelles sunnites, surveillé de près par les Israéliens, qui

pas besoin de soutien exté¬ supplétifs comme à Zahra et Nabhoul au n'ont. pas hésité à liquider en février

rieur pour préserver la sé¬ se seraient enrôlés nord de la Syrie, dans la pro¬ Hassan Chateri, un des hommes clés de dans curité en Syrie, puisqu'il y a vince d'Alep, où les fanions l'implication iranienne en Syrie et l'Armée du peuple 50 000 hommes qui luttent jaunes du Hezbollah ont fait auprès du Hezbollah, tombé dans une

à ses côtés au sein de l'Ar¬ leur apparition. Car au-delà embuscade sur la route entre Damas et

mée dupeuple ». du répit que cette milice peut offrir au Beyrouth. Haut responsable des gar¬

En décembre, cependant, les accusa¬ dictateur, l'Armée du peuple a été diens de la révolution, Chateri était en

tions sont devenues suffisamment préci¬ conçue comme un vecteur de l'influence liaison étroite avec Mohammad Reza Za-

ses pour que le ministère du Trésor amé¬ iranienne en Syrie, quand bien même hedi, le commandant de la force al-Qods

ricain inscrive le Jaych al-Chaabi sur la Assad viendrait à perdre le pouvoir. à Damas, qu'il venait de rencontrer le

liste des entités syriennes sanctionnées. Même si l'Iran écarte officiellement une 5 février. Juste avant de disparaître,

Depuis, Washington accuse la Force al- telle hypothèse, le régime des mollahs, quelques.kilomètres plus loin, dans un

Qods « d'entraîner, de livrer des équipe¬ cynique mais pragmatique, cherche à se traquenard. ments et definancer à hauteur deplusieurs constituer un réseau d'affidés prêts à dé-

Le lycée français d'Alep vandalise

SITUÉ à quinze kilomètres au sud- être revendu. » Menacé, le comptable la capitale économique de la Syrie. ouest d'Alep, dans une zone tenue par de l'établissement, géré par la Mission Il aurait été probablement l'un des

les Insurgés, le lycée français de la ville laïque française, a dû récemment premiers établissements scolaires

a été vandalise, apprend-on de source prendre la fuite. Inauguré en 1997 à rouvrir en cas de victoire syrienne. « Les faits remontent à dans la grande ville du nord de la Syrie, des rebelles sur tout le nord du pays.

plusieurs mois, mais nous ne le savons le lycée français d'Alep n'avait pas À Damas, en revanche, le lycée

que depuis trois ou quatre semaines », rouvert ses portes à la rentrée français accueille toujours quelque

affirme un parent d'élève. « Les de septembre, en raison dés violences 230 élèves. Il s'autogère, depuis

ordinateurs ont été dérobés, ajoute-t- entre l'armée de Bachar el-Assad que l'État français a choisi de ne plus

il, et le carrelage a été démonté pour et les rebelles qui tentent de conquérir y envoyer d'enseignants. a. M. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Turquie/PKK: Ankara annonce la création d'un comité de "sages" ANKARA, 03 avril 2013 (AFP) pour mettre fin au conflit kurde, qui a fait quelque 45.000 morts en 29 ans. Trois délégations d'élus kurdes se sont déjà rendues à Imrali depuis le début de l'année pour jouer un rôle de messagers entre le leader kurde et son organisa- LE VICE-PREMIEr ministre turc Bülent Arinç a annoncé mercredi la créa- tion. tion d'un comité de "sages" chargé de promouvoir le processus de paix en cours avec les rebelles kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan Selon les médias turcs, cette quatrième visite pourrait avoir pour but de trans- (PKK). mettre un message de M. Öcalan, qui serait lu jeudi, à l'occasion des 65 ans du chef rebelle, à Ömerli, son village de naissance dans la province de Sanliurfa "Une délégation de sages a été formée (...) Elle est composée de gens connus (sud-est). et appréciés en Turquie, ouverts au dialogue, qu'ils soient artistes, avec une identité politique, hommes d'affaires, dirigeants ou spécialistes d'ONG ou de M. Öcalan a accompli un geste important en appelant le 21 mars ses troupes au centres de réflexion", a-t-il déclaré à des journalistes en marge d'une conférence cessez-le-feu et à se retirer de Turquie, vraisemblablement vers les bases à Ankara. arrières du PKK dans les montagnes du nord de l'Irak. Le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan, qui a constitué la liste des 63 La direction militaire du PKK a officiellement décrété la trêve deux jours plus tard "sages", rencontrera le comité jeudi soir à Istanbul pour évoquer ses missions. mais a prévenu qu'elle n'entamerait le retrait que si les autorités turques créaient "les commissions et les institutions nécessaires" pour encadrer le processus. "Après ça, ils se mettront au travail pendant un mois dans toutes les régions de Turquie, avec pour but de présenter, d'informer et d'éclairer la population sur le Parmi les personnalités retenues dans le groupe des "sages" figurent des processus de résolution" de la question kurde, a indiqué M. Arinç. artistes populaires comme le chanteur Orhan Gencebay ou l'actrice Hülya Koçyigit et de puissants entrepreneurs comme l'ancienne représentante du "Ils ont été répartis dans des groupes de travail constitués pour chacune des patronat Arzuhan Dogan Yalçindag, selon la liste publiée par les services du sept régions de Turquie. Un président, un vice-président et un porte-parole ont Premier ministre. été désignés", a-t-il précisé. Le groupe comprend de nombreux universitaires et journalistes, avec une forte L'annonce a été suivie par le départ d'une délégation de trois députés kurdes représentation des courants islamo-conservateurs, proches du gouvernement, vers l'île-prison d'Imrali, dans le nord-ouest de la Turquie, où le chef emprisonné et libéraux. H du PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, purge une peine de prison à vie, a rapporté la chaîne NTV. Les autorités turques sont en discussion depuis plusieurs mois avec M. Öcalan

A Alep, derrière l'entente entre Kurdes et rebelles, la méfiance pointe

ALEP (Syrie), 7 avril 2013 (AFP) Depuis l'entrée des rebelles dans le quartier, l'armée pilonne la zone. Samedi, son aviation y a bombardé un secteur (15 morts, dont neuf enfants), s'attirant une riposte des combattants kurdes qui ont attaqué un barrage, tuant cinq sol- A CHEIKH MAQSOUD, quartier à majorité kurde d'Alep dans le nord syrien, dats. rebelles arabes et combattants kurdes assurent lutter ensemble l'armée de "Il n'y a aucune différence entre nous", assure Abou Jouan, un combattant du Bachar al-Assad mais la réalité sur le terrain est plus compliquée. YPG. "Nous combattons ensemble le même ennemi: le régime". A l'entrée du quartier, Abou Ahmed arbore un foulard jaune, rouge et vert, aux Suspicions couleurs du drapeau kurde qui trône à côté de celui de la révolution syrienne. "Je porte les couleurs de nos frères kurdes, même si je suis Arabe", dit fièrement "C'est une question de conscience, nous combattons l'oppression du régime", ce commandant rebelle. renchérit, à ses côtés, un autre kurde. Selon lui, les comités de protection du peuple kurde (YPG), bras armé du Parti Toutefois, la méfiance demeure. de l'union démocratique (PYD), leur ont "fourni des munitions et leurs combat- A un check-point kurde du YPG sont rassemblés des dizaines d'hommes armés tants montent en première ligne contre le régime". portant l'uniforme de la milice, frappé de l'étoile jaune sur fond rouge. Ils sont Depuis le début de la révolte il y a deux ans, les Kurdes (10% de la population), disciplinés et organisés en contraste avec les barrages routiers de l'ASL à Alep présents dans le Nord, ont tenté de garder leurs régions à l'abri des violences. souvent tenus par quelques jeunes débraillés. A l'été 2012, l'armée régulière s'en est retirée sans combat et le YPG y assure Là, un chef du mouvement explique que la priorité des kurdes est "l'auto- la sécurité. défense": "Nous sommes là pour protéger notre peuple et les habitants de Si les kurdes sont hostiles au pouvoir qui les a réprimés pendant des décennies, Cheikh Maqsoud où le PYD est implanté depuis des années". ils ont essayé aussi d'empêcher les rebelles de pénétrer dans leurs régions pour "Il y a des rebelles de l'ASL qui sont respectables et il y en a d'autres qui ne sont éviter des représailles des troupes régulières, suscitant des soupçons de collu- là que pour voler. Ils viennent dans les entreprises et pillent les machines", dit- sion avec le régime. il. Ainsi, à Ras Al-Aïn, à l'extrémité nord-est du pays, des combats avaient opposé Pour cela, les combattants sont bien répartis à Cheikh Maqsoud: les Arabes sur- rebelles et kurdes quand des insurgés islamistes avaient voulu s'emparer de la veillent les zones résidentielles et l'YPG la zone industrielle. ville. L'ASL redoute, quant à elle, que les habitants kurdes fournissent des renseigne- Mais à Cheikh Maqsoud, où se joue selon les rebelles "la plus grande bataille ments sur ses hommes à l'armée. d'Alep", les hostilités du passé semblent avoir été mis de côté et des kurdes se sont joints aux insurgés pour combattre l'armée. "Au début, on laissait beaucoup de civils rentrer. Mais on a vu les bombarde- ments redoubler et maintenant nous sommes plus vigilants", explique Abou Grâce à leur aide, "on a coupé la route de l'approvisionnement et des renforts Abdallah, dans ce secteur devenu quasiment un quartier fantôme. de l'armée vers l'hôpital al-Kindi et la prison centrale" dans le nord d'Alep, affirme Abou Abdallah, qui commande une brigade de l'Armée syrienne libre A la périphérie nord de Cheikh Maqsoud, des files de civils fuient en courant, (ASL), principale composante de la rébellion. "Maintenant, le régime n'a plus certains chargeant tapis, matelas et électroménager à bord de pick-up. "On fuit que ses avions pour approvisionner ses troupes". les bombardements", lâche l'un d'eux alors que démarre la camionnette sur laquelle il est juché. H

5 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 2, 2013 Whatever you think of the Iraq War, for the Kurds it was a liberation Talk of 'invasion' and 'occupation' ignores the effect on a long-suffering minority

Julie Lenarz

hen I walked towards the memorial in A 1988 photograph Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan a fortnight W shows a Kurdish ago to attend the commemoration of the father holding his 25th anniversary of the genocide, I passed baby in his arms in by a seemingly endless stream of images. Men. Women. Children. Entire families. All Halabja, northeast- of them victims of Saddam Hussein’s crime ern Iraq. Both were regime. The walls inside the monument are killed in an Iraqi engraved with their names - a bridge bet- chemical attack on ween the past and the present. the city. On March 16, 1988, life was forever changed beyond recognition for the people of Kurdistan. In the early hours of Friday evening, a strange smell filled the air over Halabja. It resembled the scent of fresh To Construction. From Tears To Hope”. apples. What actually rained down was a Kurdistan is now the most prosperous and toxic cocktail of mustard gas and nerve democratic part of Iraq. As British-Kurdish agents. Member of Parliament Nadhim Zahawi - a The perfect weapon. The invisible speaker at the genocide conference in Erbil death. - pointed out, Kurdistan has become one of Before they knew the truth, birds were the safest places for Christians in the falling from the sky and bodies started Middle East. Business is booming. New piling up in the streets. Some died in their houses are being built on every corner. The sleep. Others suffocated at work. Still peace is fragile, life is not perfect, but when others were found sitting up as if only lost you talk to ordinary people you realise just in thought. Some just dropped dead. how far the region has come. Others painfully choked on their own Whatever you may think of the contro- vomit or suffered severe burning and bliste- versial war in 2003, for the Kurds it came ring. Children sought the shelter of their as liberation rather than an invasion or Sulaymaniyah, it starkly reminded me of mothers' arms but there was no escape. occupation. The vast majority hold no ani- Auschwitz. Women were gang-raped for Two days of conventional artillery attacks mosity towards America or Britain. In fact, hours in what the prison guards called had destroyed all sanctuaries. The thanato- they are grateful for the roles we played in “party rooms”; men faced mutilation and phoric gas was everywhere, mercilessly and the removal of Saddam Hussein. death in the most barbaric fashion in the indiscriminately filling the lungs of the To say that he possessed no WMDs is notorious torture chambers; foetuses and infants, young and old. not a popular thing to say with people still babies were burnt in incinerators. 5000 Iraqi Kurds died within seconds. suffering from the consequences of the very The Kurds have experienced their own Thousands more were disfigured. The same weapons; and the argument, made by Holocaust. The crusade against them was overwhelming majority of them were civi- some of the opponents of the war, that the not simply a by-product of the Iraq-Iran lians. They had attacked no one. Their only Ba’athist regime someone provided stabi- war but a deliberate act of genocide – the “crime” was to be Kurdish. lity and contained Iran is perceived as a crime of all crimes – the aim to annihilate hideous excuse and apology for genocide Halabja became a ghost town and it was an entire people. and ethnic-cleansing. as if the human race had been eradicated. 25 years later, the people of Kurdistan Ten years later, the opinion of Iraqis is The attack was part of the wider genoci- are struggling with their bloody past. It will virtually absent from the debate in the dal Al-Anfal campaign, initiated by the always be a scar on the soul of the Kurdish West. If we ever want to gain a balanced Iraqi Ba’athists, which claimed over nation and will forever be embedded in and nuanced view of the complexities of the 182,000 lives. Out of 4,655 villages roughly their collective identity. But there is reason lead-up to the war, it is time to give the vic- 90% were destroyed and between April for hope. Their hearts have not been consu- tims of Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror 1987 and August 1988, 250 towns and vil- med by darkness. While they are still grie- the attention they deserve. lages were exposed to chemical weapons. It ving and hurting, they have little appetite was the first time a government used such for vengeance. The Kurds have learnt an weapons against its own civilian popula- essential lesson: hatred only leads to more tion. suffering and death. Saddam Hussein was a modern-day Such spirit was reflected in the motto of Hitler. When I visited one of his concentra- the anniversary celebrations – “From tion camps, the Red House in Denial To Recognition. From Destruction

6 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 2, 2013 Amid Syria's Atrocities, Kurds Scratch Out a Home By JONATHAN SPYER and quasi-Marxist. The KDP is conserva- www.theatlantic.com tive, patriarchal, and linked to traditio- nal clan and tribal structures. n northeast Syria, Kurdish militias The result is that Iraqi Kurdistan have carved out a zone of control inde- maintains an arms-length relationship Ipendent from both the Assad regime and with the Syrian Kurdish enclave. This the Syrian rebels. The power on the extends to the border area, which ground in this area is the Syrian fran- remains closed to foreign journalists. chise of the PKK guerrilla organization, a Prime Minister Barazani has no special militant nationalist Kurdish movement desire to take responsibility for what that has been waging war against might happen to such travelers inside Turkey since 1984. Syria, which has become notoriously The Syrian Kurds are determined to dangerous territory for media professio- preserve their fragile autonomy, but nals over the last year or so. rebels, backed by the Turkish govern- So to get to northeast Syria from the ment, are equally committed to nulli- KRG area required an illegal border fying it. Syrian Kurdish demonstrators hold flags and crossing. I went in accompanying a One of the side effects of the turmoil portraits of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party squad of fighters of the YPG (Popular in the Middle East over the last decade leader Abdullah Ocalan during a protest in Defense Committees), the armed group has been the significant improvement in Derik, Hasakah on November 1, 2012. established by the PYD and other the strategic position of the Kurds. The (Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters) Kurdish parties that maintain security Kurds were the main losers of the Middle in the Kurdish enclave. East states system that emerged follo- rebels and the declining regime. The YPG fighters were a mixed male wing the collapse of the Ottoman Empire I entered from the KRG-controlled and female group. They were fit, serious in 1918, when the area of Kurdish popu- part of northern Iraq. The KRG is an and knew their business, moving effi- lation was divided up between four new example of what the Kurds can achieve ciently and silently across the territory states - Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. when they are permitted to develop inde- like trained infantry soldiers. In recent decades, the survival of pendently by neighboring political We crossed the Tigris river, finally brutal, repressive military-nationalist forces. It offers a kind of reminder of reaching a YPG position close to the regimes in key Arab states prevented what might come into being in northeast dawn. I was taken to a tiny village of change in the Arab world. Among these Syria, if political and military conditions houses built out of dried mud and logs, states were two of the main sites of permit. called Wadi Souss. The next day, we Kurdish residence - Iraq and Syria. assoud Barazani's Kurdish entity in drove into the town of Derik with three In the last ten years, two processes north Iraq is not without problems, PYD activists heading there. Of the three have changed this situation. First, the Mof course. Critics cite widespread nepo- activists, only two spoke Arabic. The U.S. destruction of the Saddam Hussein tism and corruption in governance. But third, a young woman who had good regime in Iraq enabled the emergence of for all that, the KRG is a success story, English, knew no Arabic, but she spoke a quasi-sovereign Kurdish entity in nor- its capital Erbil a boom town. I had visi- Kurdish, Turkish and English fluently. thern Iraq. The Kurdish Regional ted once before, in 2010. Since then, the This was the first evidence I would Government is today the most flouri- oil companies have begun to arrive, find of the very marked presence of PKK shing and stable part of what was once attracted by the combination of relative activists in Syrian Kurdistan. There Saddam's domain. political stability and large amounts of would be many other indications in the Secondly, the rebellion that broke crude oil under the ground. New hotels days that followed. Syrian Kurdistan out in Syria in March 2011 has led to the are springing up. Well-heeled young peo- today is a tightly organized, staunchly contraction of the Bashar Assad regime ple in shiny new cars are everywhere. defended space. The guiding hand and its departure from most of Kurdish- All this is only a distant dream for behind this is the PKK. the Kurds of Syria, of course. Even ente- majority northeast Syria. The result has he PYD likes to say that it has no for- ring the Kurdish controlled part of Syria been the emergence of a second Kurdish mal or organizational ties to the PKK, requires taking account of political com- de facto self-governing area. Tfor fairly obvious reasons. The PKK is an plexities. The KRG is ruled by the This new area of Kurdish quasi-inde- organization designated as terrorist by Kurdish Democratic Party - a conserva- pendence is a far more fragile construct the U.S. and the EU. Also, the PYD offi- tive, Western-oriented movement with a than the well-established KRG in nor- cially is in favor of Kurdish self-rule burgeoning relationship with Turkey. thern Iraq. It is the subject of the unwel- within Syria. Links to a pan-Kurdish come attention of both remaining regime Kurdish northeast Syria, however, is group would be likely to raise the suspi- forces and elements among the Syrian dominated by the PYD (Democratic cions of Arab rebels who are already dee- rebels. Its survival has important impli- Union Party), the Syrian franchise of the ply suspicious of developments in the cations, both for the Kurds themselves PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), which Kurdish area. and for the future of Syria has been conducting an insurgency So the PYD's denials of alliance with In mid-February, I traveled into the against Turkey since 1984. the PKK are understandable, but not Kurdish controlled part of Syria. I wan- Relations between the two move- plausible. ted to get a sense of the true relations ments are complex. They are the two After Derik, I took the road west- between this uneasy new enclave, the main competitors for the leadership of wards. I was heading for Sere forces of the rising, mainly Islamist the Kurds. The PYD is secular, leftist, Kaniyeh/Ras al Ain, on the edge of ➤

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

➤ the Kurdish controlled area. This is Qamishly. Assad's men control a border Kurds who are not members of the PYD the point where the ambitions of Kurds crossing into Turkey just outside the that what is being created in northeast and Syrian Arab rebels collide. city. Though this was my third trip into Syria may not be all that different from Syria, I had never seen the regime's men the Syrian regime. One man I spoke to in Twice, in November and mid- up close before, so going through their Erbil, a leading member of the Azadi January, fighting has erupted in Sere positions interested me. party, which is a rival to the PYD, said, Kaniyeh between Islamist rebels seeking "they are worse than the regime. They to take control of the town and YPG mili- I caught a glimpse of the regime sol- are suppressing other Kurdish forces." tants determined to preserve the diers from the corner of my eye as they Kurdish ascendancy there. The YPG has wearily and indifferently waved us Another Syrian Kurd, a young succeeded, limiting the men of Jabhat through. They didn't look much like woman in Derik, said that the PYD was al-Nusra and Ghuraba al-Sham to two imperial storm troopers. Actually, they empowering the wrong people, and that remaining neighborhoods. looked like Free Syrian Army men. The newly empowered, uneducated Kurds same patterned camouflage. The same from poor backgrounds were using their Sere Kaniyeh was like a ghost town AK-47s. The same fatigues. The only dif- new positions to abuse Kurds who had a on the day we entered. Most of the civi- ference was the livid red regime flag more secure economic status. lians have left to avoid the fighting. flying above them. Those that have stayed tend not to leave The justice of the Kurdish cause does their homes. uckily, after a few days in Syria, I not mean that liberal democracy is acquire a nondescript, unshaven, about to be born in northeast Syria (any I visited a frontline position of the slightlyL threadbare local appearance more so than in any other part of this YPG and spoke to some of the fighters perfectly suited for the roadblocks of the blighted country and region). there. One of the organization's best Syrian Arab Army. known commanders, Jamshid Osman, But as with northern Iraq, if Syria is Afterward, I visited the oil town of spoke to me in a house lit only by white to split, the Kurdish part of it stands a Rumeilan, a noisy, dusty place surroun- torches, with his fighters around him. fair chance of emerging as the most sta- ded by inactive oil wells close to Derik, "We'll fight anyone who tries to make us ble, peaceful part of the country. near the border with Iraq. slaves," Osman said, maintaining that The most one can perhaps legitima- Turkey was financing the jihadis that Everywhere there was poverty, tely hope for is that the PYD ascendancy came to Sere Kaniyeh. memories of oppression, and fierce hope. in northeast Syria will secure a way for A farmer in the village of Tel Khanzir Turkey, he added, sees two things in Syria's Kurds and the other minorities recalled his family being registered by northeast Syria: oil and Kurdish free- that live among them to avoid the worst the regime as foreigners in 1964 to dom. (The area is home to the greater atrocities of the civil war in Syria, for as reduce any claims to autonomy or rights part of Syria's modest oil reserves.) long as it lasts by securing their area of they might make. A student from Ankara wants to possess the first, and to control, and continuing to deny entrance Damascus University remembered when destroy the second. to regime and rebels alike. the PYD offices in Derik were home to There are still regime roadblocks on Assad's political intelligence branch. the road back from Sere Kaniyeh to There are concerns among Syrian

conflict that began in 1984. The group has demanded legal protection to prevent military attacks Kurdish rebel on its fighters during their planned departure to their northern Iraqi bases, a condition rejected by the government. leader urges unarmed Hundreds of PKK militants are estimated to have been killed in clashes with security forces during a previous withdrawal in 1999 after Ocalan's capture and conviction for treason. ISTANBUL, Aprilwithdrawal- 4, 2013 (Reuters) - paper Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has said he guarantees there will be no repeat of such fighting. But he opposes legislation, instead saying JAILED KURDISH militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his the rebels should disarm before heading for Iraq to remove the risk of fighters to withdraw from Turkey without their weapons under a firefights with Turkish forces. peace process to end a decades-old insurgency, the Yeni Safak Yeni Safak said the pullout would begin in Tokat and Tunceli, the daily reported on Thursday. areas most distant from the Iraqi border where PKK fighters are loca- A weapons-free withdrawal by Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers Party ted. The withdrawal will be monitored by the Turkish intelligence (PKK), as sought by the government, would be a significant step agency and the Kurdistan regional government, it said. towards ending a conflict which has killed more than 40,000 people Erdogan will meet on Thursday evening with the members of a new The paper, which is close to the government, said Ocalan gave the 63-strong 'wise people commission', made up of academics, journa- message on Wednesday to a delegation from the pro-Kurdish Peace lists and performing artists, established by the government to pro- and Democracy Party (BDP) which visited him in his prison on Imrali mote the process nationwide. island, south of Istanbul. A deputy from his ruling AK Party presented on Wednesday a propo- Ocalan's call, which is to be delivered to the PKK leadership in the sal to form a parliamentary commission to assess the peace process. Qandil mountains of northern Iraq, would come despite the party's opposition to the terms of the pullout laid down by Ankara. The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union, launched its insurgency with the aim of carving "The delegation returned with a call to 'withdraw without arms'. out an independent state in mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey, but Once the message has been delivered to Qandil the withdrawal pro- later moderated its goal to autonomy. cess is expected to begin on April 18," Yeni Safak said. Pro-Kurdish politicians are focused on expanding minority rights The report could not immediately be confirmed. and stronger local government for the Kurds, who make up about 20 G The PKK declared a ceasefire with Turkey last month in response to percent of Turkey's population of 75 million people. an order from Ocalan after months of talks with Ankara to halt a

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

Öcalan appelle les rebelles kurdes à quitter la Turquie ISTANBUL 4 avril 2013 (Reuters) , par Daren Butler

LE CHEF KURDE emprisonné Abdullah Öcalan a appelé les militants du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) à quitter la Turquie sans leurs armes dans le cadre du proces- sus de paix avec Ankara, rapporte jeudi le quotidien turc Yeni Safak. Ces informations ont toutefois été démenties par la vitrine politique du PKK. Ce retrait sans armes des rebelles du PKK, tel qu'il est voulu par le gouvernement d'Ankara, constitue- rait une avancée significative dans le règlement d'un conflit qui a fait plus de 40.000 morts depuis 1984. Yeni Safak, proche du pouvoir, précise qu'Öcalan a transmis ce message mercredi à une délégation du Parti de la paix et de la démocratie (BDP, pro-kurde) qui lui a rendu visite dans sa prison de l'île d'Imrali, en mer de Marmara. Militants du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) à Ce message doit être remis aux cadres du mouvement sépa- Sulaimaniya, côté irakien à la frontière avec la Turquie. Le ratiste établis dans les monts Kandil, dans le nord de l'Irak, chef kurde emprisonné Abdullah Öcalan a appelé les qui réclament des garanties de sécurité avant de rappeler rebelles kurdes à quitter la Turquie sans leurs armes dans le leurs effectifs en Turquie. cadre du processus de paix avec Ankara. /Photo prise le 24 "La délégation est repartie avec un appel 'au retrait sans mars 2013/REUTERS/Azad LashkariAfficher la photo armes'. Une fois qu'il aura été remis à Kandil, le retrait devrait commencer le 18 avril", écrit l'auteur de l'article, dont les informations n'ont pu être confirmées. Le Premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, s'est engagé verbalement à ce que pareil épisode ne se reproduise pas, Le BDP, vitrine politique du PKK, a opposé jeudi un démenti mais s'oppose à toute législation sur ce sujet. Il insiste en aux informations du quotidien Yeni Safak. Selahattin revanche pour que les militants du PKK déposent les armes Demirtas, co-dirigeant du BDP qui faisait partie de la déléga- avant de franchir la frontière afin d'éviter tout malentendu. tion reçue mercredi à Imrali, a affirmé qu'Öcalan avait bien préparé une lettre à ce sujet sans toutefois transmettre de Le chef du gouvernement devait recevoir dans la soirée les 63 message. "sages" de la commission mise sur pied pour promouvoir le processus de paix. "Il nous a dit avoir rédigé une lettre sur ce point qui devrait nous parvenir dans un ou deux jours", a-t-il confié à la chaîne Dans un message lu mercredi soir en son nom à ses partisans de télévision kurde Nuce TV. "Toutes les précisions, nous a-t- rassemblés dans le sud-est de la Turquie à l'occasion du 65e il dit, sont contenues dans cette missive". anniversaire d'"Apo" (L'Oncle, surnom du chef kurde), ce dernier les a invités à soutenir le processus de réconciliation On ignore si cette lettre est adressée au PKK ou à d'autres tout en affirmant qu'il a rempli son rôle. interlocuteurs mais Selahattin Demirtas a indiqué qu'une réponse parviendrait à Imrali d'ici une semaine. "J'appelle ici chacun, qu'il soit un homme d'honneur, riche, pauvre, homme ou femme, jeune ou vieux, à respecter et à MESSAGE À SES PARTISANS amplifier ce processus", rapporte l'agence de presse kurde Seuls Abdullah Öcalan et une poignée de responsables turcs Firat ont une connaissance directe du processus de réconciliation "J'espère que pas une goutte de sang ne sera versée alors que dont les détails n'ont jusqu'ici filtrés que par le biais de se met en place ce processus. Chacun doit apporter sa pierre médias proches du gouvernement d'Ankara. avec amour". Le PKK a proclamé un cessez-le-feu fin mars à la demande D'après le quotidien Yeni Safak, le retrait du PKK devrait d'Öcalan, qui négociait depuis octobre avec les services de débuter à Tokat et Unceli, les deux secteurs les plus éloignés renseignement turcs. Le retrait est donc l'étape suivante, mais de la frontière irakienne où sont stationnés des "peshmerga" le PKK demande au préalable l'assurance écrite que ses du PKK. L'opération d'évacuation sera supervisée par les ser- hommes pourront quitter la Turquie en toute sécurité. vices deG renseignement turcs et le gouvernement régional Plusieurs centaines de combattants séparatistes ont été tués kurde. en 1999 alors qu'ils cherchaient à quitter l'est de la Turquie après l'arrestation d'Abdullah Öcalan.

9 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 4 avril 2013

tourner au marché de dupes. Erdogan va diriger le pays de manière de plus en plus autocra- Turquie : la paix avec le PKK tique, et Öcalan aura vendu à la fois les Kurdes et les démoc- rates turcs », estime le polito- marchandée au Kurdistan logue Erol Özkoray. Déjà, plusieurs commandants du PKK, intellectuels, journalistes... Ils s'ils obtempèrent aux ordres Par Joséphine Dedet sont près de 15 000 à avoir été d'Apo, demandent des garanties jetés en prison, dans l'intention du gouvernement et du manifeste de « casser » le ecep Tayyip Erdogan, le Parlement avant de désarmer dynamisme de cette minorité de Premier ministre turc, leurs hommes. Ce vieux conflit R 23 millions de personnes qui reconnaît qu'il parlemente avec est en effet jalonné de cessez- réclame une autonomie Abdullah Öcalan, le chef his- le-feu rompus et de tentatives de régionale et d'élémentaires torique du PKK emprisonné dialogue avortées. Lancées par droits démocratiques, rejointe en depuis 1999. Ce dernier appelle l'AKP en 2009 et en 2010, les cela par d'autres segments de la ses combattants à cesser le feu. Le Premier ministre turc, Recep deux dernières n'avaient société civile, au premier rang Espoir de paix ou jeu de dupes Tayyip Erdogan. © AFP d'ailleurs abouti qu'à la recrude- desquels les libéraux turcs. ? scence de la guérilla : 700 morts entre mai 2011 et septembre Mais entre-temps, le contexte Ils envisagent de faire taire les 2012. armes après trente ans d'un régional a changé. D'ami intime de Bachar al-Assad, Erdogan conflit qui a fait 45 000 morts : 8 Loin de ces considérations Nuisance 000 militaires turcs et, pour s'est mué en virulent détracteur géostratégiques, la tactique du raïs syrien, s'attirant du l'essentiel, des combattants de politicienne entre elle aussi en Autre écueil redoutable pour la même coup la sourde hostilité la guérilla kurde du PKK. Ils ? ligne de compte. Erdogan a paix, la capacité de nuisance de Téhéran, allié de Damas. Le Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Premier besoin de l'appui des 36 des extrémistes des deux camps PKK bénéficie aujourd'hui d'un ministre et leader du Parti de la députés du BDP pour faire (ultranationalistes turcs, soutien logistique du régime justice et du développement adopter une nouvelle jusqu'au-boutistes kurdes), qui Assad et dispose de bases (AKP), d'un côté ; Abdullah Constitution instaurant un ne reculent devant aucune arrière dans le nord du pays, Öcalan, 64 ans, alias « Apo », le régime présidentiel taillé à sa provocation. Si les auteurs de tenu par le Parti de l'union chef historique du PKK, de mesure. Öcalan, après avoir l'assassinat à Paris, en janvier, démocratique (PYD, son alter l'autre. reçu quelques visites (son frère, de trois militantes kurdes, dont ego syrien). En 2011, la Turquie ses avocats, des élus du BDP) deux étaient appelées à jouer un a soupçonné l'Iran - qui réprime L'un rêve de se faire élire prési- et un poste de télévision, espère rôle clé dans le processus de sa propre minorité kurde - dent en 2014. L'autre, con- voir s'améliorer son ordinaire. réconciliation, n'ont toujours pas d'avoir arrêté puis relâché Murat damné à la prison à perpétuité, été identifiés, leur mobile ne fait Karayilan, le numéro deux du et à l'isolement total dans l'île- aucun doute : saborder la paix. prison d'Imrali, en mer de PKK, le laissant rejoindre les montagnes de Kandil, dans le ,,L'islamiste relooké et Marmara, depuis 1999, espère Comment s'assurer que le nord de l'Irak, à partir desquelles se voir sinon libéré un jour, du le marxiste-léniniste vieil- processus entamé aujourd'hui 2 000 combattants kurdes lan- moins assigné à résidence. Pour sera durable ? Les conditions cent des raids meurtriers en ter- lissant avaient tout intérêt parvenir à ces objectifs, dans lesquelles s'opérera le ritoire turc. l'islamiste relooké et le marxiste- à s'entendre. retrait des combattants du PKK léniniste vieillissant avaient tout du territoire turc (calendrier, Autonome intérêt à s'entendre. C'est chose garanties de sécurité, etc.) don- faite. En confirmant, fin 2012, Avec son idéologie marxiste- neront une première indication. Déstabilisée par la guerre en que les services secrets par- léniniste dépassée, son culte du À moyen terme, l'orientation du Syrie, harcelée sur son territoire lementaient avec l'ennemi public chef anachronique et ses com- régime sera déterminante : et cernée à ses frontières, la numéro un, le « terroriste », le « battants épuisés par des années Erdogan s'engagera-t-il enfin sur Turquie redoute plus que jamais tueur d'enfants » avec qui il était de lutte stérile, le PKK a tout la voie des réformes démocra- la création d'un État kurde. Déjà, officiellement exclu de négocier, intérêt à se renouveler pour être tiques ? Ou profitera-t-il de cette depuis l'invasion américaine de Erdogan a levé un tabou. En en phase avec les aspirations trêve pour en engranger le 2003, les Kurdes d'Irak possè- appelant ses guérilleros, le 21 pacifiques des Kurdes : recon- bénéfice politique et accroître dent leur propre gouvernement mars, à cesser le feu et à quitter naissance de leur identité, accès son emprise sur les rouages du autonome, de vastes gisements le territoire turc, Öcalan a scellé à l'éducation dans leur langue pouvoir ? À moins qu'Abdullah de pétrole et même une univer- le principe d'une réconciliation. maternelle, octroi d'un certain Gül, jusqu'ici son fidèle bras sité attrayante, à Erbil. Ankara a degré d'autonomie. Le Premier droit, déjoue ses plans en fini par s'en accommoder pour Cette évolution a de quoi sur- ministre est-il prêt à leur s'accrochant à son fauteuil de se livrer à un business effréné, H prendre. Jusque-là, Erdogan, le accorder tout cela ? Le peut-il, président. « démocrate-musulman », refu- mais n'a pas la moindre inten- face à une armée et à des sait de recevoir les députés du tion de laisser ce modèle milieux kémalistes pour qui le BDP, le parti prokurde, pourtant s'étendre et menacer son caractère unitaire et centralisa- légalement élus, tandis que des intégrité territoriale. Il était donc teur de l'État est un dogme ? vagues d'arrestations décimaient urgent de calmer le jeu, à l'élite kurde. Maires, députés, l'intérieur. « Ce marchandage risque de

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Government selects prominent figures for 'wise people' list to help on peace process ANKARA people. Meeting with opinion leaders; Journalists dominated a holding symposiums, panels and confe- rences; making one-on-one contacts; and government list of ‘wise peo- getting in touch with local, national and ple’ who will meet with PM international media are among the things Erdoğan to discuss the further the commission members are expected to efforts to solve the Kurdish do, according to Erdoğan. issue Hardships Professor Doğu Ergil, a member of the rtists, a musician, a large group of Central Anatolia group, raised questions journalists, academics, intellectuals about the method in a phone interview Aand representatives from non-governmen- with the Hürriyet Daily News. “It will not tal organizations, were included on a long- be easy to say that people who were pre- awaited list of “wise people,” a govern- sented as traitors until today are also the ment initiative that will take an active role people of this country,” he said. in the country’s recent efforts to find a pea- Abdurahman Dilipak, a columnist at ceful solution to the Kurdish issue. Yeni Akit, said the group’s target was The 63 prominent names on the list mediation. “Hopefully we will contribute were carefully picked by Prime Minister to peace,” he said. Muhsin Kızılkaya, a Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Deputy Prime Kurdish-origin writer in the Minister Bülent Arınç said after a press Mediterranean group believes in the bene- meeting today. fits of the initiative. “This is a very good The seven groups of wise people, each combination as it considers all levels of of which will represent one of the seven society,” he told the Daily News. Singer- geographical regions in Turkey, are set to songwriter Gencebay, part of the Black Sea meet with Erdoğan in Istanbul on April 4. group, said he would do all he could with Several Turkish celebrities, including a positive look. “Of course I said yes when actors Kadir İnanır, Lale Mansur, Yılmaz I was invited, because I love my country. I Erdoğan, Hülya Koçyiğit and musician believe that I am a good patriot,” he said. Orhan Gencebay, were named in a Two declared figures have announced government list published on daily that they will not take part in today’s mee- Hürriyet’s website. ting. Vedat Ahsen Coşar, the head of Turkish Union of Chambers and Turkey’s Bar Association (TBB), said he Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Belge are some of the other figures on the had not accepted the offer. State-run Chairman Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Doğan TV list. Anatolia news agency quoted sources as Holding Chairwoman Arzuhan Doğan Each group has a president, a vice pre- saying later in the day that Yeni Akit Yalçındağ and prominent academic Murat sident and a secretary and consists of nine columnist Hasan Karakaya would replace Coşar. The Confederation of Progressive Heads of wise people groups Trade Unions (DİSK) Deputy Chairman Ali Rıza Osmanoğlu said the umbrella The head of the Mediterranean Region Committee, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu is the President organization’s president, Erol Ekici, had of The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), which is the lar- resigned from his seat. “As we do not gest non-profit business organization in Turkey, covering 365 Chambers and Commodity know about the authority and responsibi- Exchanges. lities of the group, we will not attend this meeting,” he said. The head of the Eastern Anatolia Region Committee, Can Paker, is the chairman of the board DİSK is at odds with the government of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV). Until last year he was also as some of its members were detained in the chairman of the board of the Open Society Institute’s Istanbul branch from 2002. operations on the Revolutionary People’s The head of the Aegean Region Committee, Tarhan Erdem, is a columnist for daily Radikal Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), the and founded the KONDA Research and Consultancy organization in 1987. Erdem was a outlawed organization. Member of Parliament for the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in 1977. Main opposition Republican People’s The head of the Southeastern Anatolia Region Committee, Yılmaz Ensaroğlu, is currently Party (CHP) deputy leader Haluk Koç working as the Director of Law and Human Rights Department of SETA (Foundation for mocked the group, saying it would act Political, Economic and Social Research). like companies or agencies that were run- ning the government’s electoral cam- The head of the Central Anatolia Region Committee, Ahmet Taşgetiren, is a columnist for paigns. “The group looks like a cadre of daily Bugün and an author. He also has several programs on radios and TV channels. public servants, to act like a bridge to The head of the Marmara Region Committee, Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, is a member of the carry the prime minister’s views to the Board of Trustees at Istanbul Bilgi University and is currently continuing her academic public,” he said. works in the fields of international relations and political science. She is also a columnist for CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has the daily Akşam. appointed Akif Hamzaçebi, the party’s deputy parliamentary group chair, to refo- The head of the Black Sea Region Committee, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Sevki Hakyemez, is the Deputy cus attention on the party’s previous sug-➼ Rector of the Black Sea Technical University, and a professor of public law. gestions on the Kurdish issue,

11 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➼ sources said. Speaking during his demics and people who could help the mainly journalists, have been subject to party’s central executive board meeting Kurdish people express themselves “wise people” jokes, with fake calls from in Ankara, Kılıçdaroğlu called for several directly. government officials inviting them to join issues, including a proposal to lower the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) the group. As the announcement came election threshold and demine areas in deputy parliamentary group chair Oktay only two days after April Fools’ Day, the the southeast, to be brought to Vural likened the group to the body that joke was widespread, especially among Parliament, they also said. was formed by the Armistice of Mudros those in the capital city of Ankara. Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co- after World War I, which aimed at pre- Nevertheless, journalists still make up a chair Gültan Kışanak also criticized the venting an Anatolian uprising against the sizable portion of the actual list. H HH formation of the list, saying that it did not invaders. have a sufficient number of females, aca- Meanwhile, many prominent figures,

April 5, 2013

republic’s Turkish character. They claim the deletion would threaten the nation-state founded by Ataturk, “which represents the The Curse of Ataturk uninterrupted sovereignty of the Turkish nation in Anatolia beginning with the A Turkish flag with Seljuks and continuing under the the portrait of Ottomans.” This is an old guard defending Turkey's founder, an outdated national myth, but they repre- Mustafa Kemal sent a powerful force — some journalists Ataturk, floats have likened them to the 300 Spartans hol- above thousands of ding out at Thermopylae. people celebrating Even pro-government columnists who Republic Day in support revisions to the Constitution are Ankara on Oct. 29, complaining about an ambient “allergy to 2012.Adem Turkishness.” If we can “make reference to Altan/Agence Kurdish intellectuals, Kurdish people and France-Presse Kurdish issue, why should we avoid using the notion of Turk?” This makes logical sense, but a more sympathetic and perhaps more historically minded view is that impossible to accept that non-Muslims like Kurdish nationalism, its excesses included, By ANDREW FINKEL Armenians and Jews could be loyal to the was a response to Turkish nationalism. state. But with non-Muslims accounting Ataturk, in short, did too good a job of STANBUL — “How happy is the one for just 0.5 percent Turkey’s population, unifying his young republic around the who says ‘I am a Turk,’” said Mustafa discrimination against them has been, in idea of Turkishness. The country today IKemal Ataturk, speaking in an emotional effect, a minor issue. The real problem is needs another rallying cry. finale of a speech in 1933 — a time when the Kurds. They are Muslim, yes, but many President Abdullah Gul recently sug- Turkey was still trying to forge a national insist on an identity of their own, and there gested a sensible approach. Although he identity out of the ruins of the Ottoman are too many of them — 18 percent of the sits in an office whose symbol is an Empire. The notion seemed simple enough: population, according to one estimate — to emblem with 16 stars, each representing If you think you’re Turkish, then you are. ignore. one historic Turkish kingdom — arguably Of course, it’s not that straightforward. During the last election the government an expression of Turkishness that teeters On the one hand, Article 66 of the 1982 pledged to change this, and it is now ham- on the hubristic — he said that it wasn’t the Constitution defines a Turk as someone mering out a new Constitution. The stakes business of a constitution to define the who feels the bonds and benefits of citi- are high: This is happening as Prime identity of its citizens. zenship rather than in terms of ethnicity or Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan tries to The Ottoman Empire may have been a race. On the other hand, Article 3 states end a long campaign by Kurdish nationa- Turkish state, he said, “but that didn’t that Turkish is the country’s sole official lists, sometimes peaceful and sometimes mean every single one of its citizens was a language, and Article 24 makes religious not, calling for a devolution of power and Turk.” Taking pride in your country is a education compulsory. Throughout the the right to think of themselves not as good thing, but it is something you do out document, as well as in political discourse Turks but as Kurds. of choice. and popular parlance, the notion of The Kurds, reasonably, are asking that Andrew Finkel has been a foreign cor- “Turkishness” is both ill-defined and the expression of their cultural difference respondent in Istanbul for over 20 years, as staunchly defended. no longer be interpreted as an attack on the well as a columnist for Turkish-language This is a problem especially because integrity of the state. So the Constitution’s newspapers. He is the author of the book the 1982 Constitution, written while protections for “Turkishness” have to go. “Turkey: What Everyone Needs to Know.” Turkey was under martial law, is infa- But this push leaves many who are mously a charter for authoritarianism: It is happy to call themselves Turks otherwise designed to defend the ideological core of miserable. Some 300 prominent intellec- the state, not individual rights. tuals have signed a declaration protesting Turkish officialdom has found it almost any attempt to expunge reference to the

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2011. In his historic message read out to hundreds of thousands of people filling the square in Turkey’s largest Kurdish province, Turkey Seeks Ottoman Diyarbakir, to observe Nowruz celebrations, Abdullah Ocalan confirmed his commitment to the peace process and said armed ele- ments of the PKK would have to leave Sphere Of Influence Turkey. The next day, Israeli Prime Minister By: Kadri Gursel for Al-Monitor Benjamin Netanyahu called his Turkish counterpart, Prime Minister Erdogan, on ooking from the outside, one could the phone and apologized to the Turkish get the impression that Turkey was people for the deaths he said were caused L running amok in the Middle East in by Israel’s operational mistakes in the flo- the second half of 2011. During that period, tilla affair. He also said Israel has agreed to there were few countries or actors Ankara pay compensation to the relatives of the did not confront, even threaten. victims, and Erdogan accepted the apology. There were even occasions when Turkey’s One should not look at Turkey’s moves to foreign policy leaders had separately, but normalize relations with the Kurds and on the same day, defied Israel and Iran, two Israel and think that Ankara has made a nations hostile to each other. [Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip major shift in its Middle East policy. These Erdogan, arrives for a news conference On the morning of Sept. 2, a day after the are actually moves that would reinforce the flanked by Foreign Minister Ahmet UN panel report on the flotilla affair was lea- basic threads of Turkey’s current Middle ked to The New York Times with a pro- Davutoglu (L) and other officials before his East policy. flight to Denmark for an official visit, at Israel slant, Foreign Minister Ahmet Let’s start with Turkey’s reconciliation with Davutoglu announced a five-item sanctions Esenboga Airport in Ankara, March 19, its own Kurds. No doubt this development list that quickly put relations with Israel on a 2013. (photo by REUTERS/Umit Bektas )] runs contrary to the interests of the Tehran- "cold war' footing: Diplomatic relations Baghdad-Damascus axis. would be lowered to the minimum level, and Any robust steps Turkey would take toward all military agreements would be suspen- a lasting peace and solution with its own ded; Turkey would take all measures resting period when Turkey engaged in Kurds would mean that Syrian Kurds will necessary to ensure safety of navigation in altercations with all actors except the Arab move closer to Turkey, and therefore to the the eastern Mediterranean; Turkey would Spring countries of Tunisia, Libya and Syrian opposition. Anyhow, we have been not recognize Israel’s blockade of Gaza; All Egypt, where Sunni Islamists had gained observing developments along this line for support will be given to flotilla victims to much power, and the Sunni monarchies. the past few months. claim their rights. Until a few weeks ago, Turkey was a coun- Second, and more importantly, Turkey’s ties In the later hours of the same day, in try at variance with nearly all powers and with Iraqi Kurdistan would become deeper, contrast to the agitated and stiff Davutoglu actors in the region except Sunni and Sunni and economic integration between the two statement, the Turkish foreign ministry in a Islamist ones. That the vast majority of would gain momentum. The option for the written response to a question announced Turkey’s Kurds were Sunnis didn’t count as Kurdistan Regional Government to market that Turkey had agreed to deployment on an exception because Ankara’s main foe, its oil and natural gas via Turkey, indepen- its territory of the radar elements of a NATO the mainstream PKK, was pro-secular. dent of Baghdad, would be even more fea- ballistic missile-defense system. Turkey, a NATO member and candidate for sible. This, in turn, would do nothing if not This step, which posed a strategic chal- EU membership, pursued Islamist, pro- strengthen the dynamics that would divide lenge to Iran, also meant the collapse of the Sunni and even Neo-Ottoman policies and, Iraq. ”zero problems” policy Turkey had applied as a consequence, established itself firmly In sum, peace with the PKK goes beyond in relation to that country. on the Sunni side of the Shiite-Sunni fault denying the Shiite axis an important card it Also that September, Turkey blew up all line that divides the Middle East. could use against Turkey. bridges to the Baath regime in Syria, and This trend of shaping new fronts is not likely As to Israel’s apology: Nobody should initiated action to bring down that regime to change in the foreseeable future. On the expect Turkey-Israel relations to return to and have it replaced by a regime of Muslim contrary, the ruling AKP rule is structuring the pre-2009 Davos affair days. An impor- Brothers considered friendlier to Turkey. Turkey as a Sunni power that would spea- tant feature of the new dominant neo- In the same month, Ankara threatened the rhead the birth of a new order in the region. Islamist political culture in Turkey is to Greek Cypriot government, recognized by This Ottoman Middle East policy preferred oppose Israel. This will not change. the entire world as the Republic of Cyprus, by the AKP is the bitter truth that boils the Yes, Israel is a pragmatic country; yes, with sending Turkish gunboats and frigates blood of those who want to see Turkey sol- Israel is known for being without ego, but in because of the hydrocarbon exploration ving its internal problems with a pluralist its public opinion, an “”Erdogan-Davutoglu that Greeks were carrying out on the democracy compatible with EU perspec- hatred’’ has taken root analogous to their island’s continental shelf. tives, and thus becoming a modern and disappointment with the Erdogan- The summer and fall of 2011 was also the normal country that will be an example to Davutoglu team. The psychology of mutual period when the Ankara government step- the region. hostility and lack of confidence between the ped up its war against the Kurdish move- There are two variables that will make two countries will continue for a long time, ment on all fronts. Hundreds of Kurdish Turkey even more powerful: relations with no matter what is done. activists were detained, PKK leader Ocalan Israel and the Kurds. To expect Turkey to resume its trusted was placed in isolation at his prison and mediator role between Israel and the Arabs military operations against the PKK were Two major developments on these two issues occurred on two successive days in would be excessively optimistic. escalated. sharp contrast to the events of September Israel under Netanyahu continues September 2011 went on record as an inte-

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with actions against Palestinians that Turkish and Israel intelligence services will infuriate the Erdogan-Davutoglu duo. can cooperate on Syria but this will never Kadri Gürsel is a contributing writer for Al- become an open cooperation. Turkey has A possible outcome of the process that Monitor's Turkey Pulse and has written a a strategic interest in keeping Israel from began with the apology may be in the column for the Turkish daily Milliyet since interfering in Syria. energy field. Turkey is the natural bridge to 2007. He focuses primarily on Turkish move the natural gas to be produced from Normalization of ties with the Kurds and foreign policy, international affairs and Tamar and Leviathan fields. But for this Israel have empowered Turkey in its imple- Turkey’s Kurdish question, as well as you would need predictable, assured and mentation of an Ottoman sphere of Turkey’s evolving political Islam. stable relations, which won’t be easy to influence and enabled it to defy the Shiite I achieve under current leadership. axis.

APRIL 5, 2013

diers attacked PKK fighters as they emer- ged from hide-outs in Turkey to cross the Turkish Minister Makes Iraqi border after the capture of militant leader Abdullah Ocalan. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has thus Economic Case for Peace far been reluctant to involve parliament in the process. With Kurds The finance minister, a former top banker at Merrill Lynch who returned to By JOE PARKINSON Turkey as a treasury minister in 2007, was born in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish STANBUL—Turkey's finance minister on southeast and is well placed to understand IFriday made the economic case for a rap- how economic malaise has hampered the prochement with Turkey's Kurdish mino- Kurdish regions over three decades of rity, saying it could free up billions in mili- conflict and how economic potential could tary spending and spur tax cuts for all be unlocked by a settlement. Turks. A 2009 per capita income survey esti- Speaking with The Wall Street Journal mated that annual income in the southeast in an interview conducted on social-net- is below $1,500—less than one-fifth of the working site Twitter, Mehmet Simsek said $8,200 national figure. In the broader sou- that ending the three-decade conflict with Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek being theast, half the population live in poverty and 15% to 20% are unemployed, accor- the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, interviewed on Twitter at The Wall Street would dramatically improve economic effi- ding to a report by the International Crisis Journal bureau in Istanbul ciency by closing loopholes in Turkey's Group. Young men are forced to go to wes- informal economy. It would also enrich tern Turkey for seasonal jobs four to five Turkey's middle classes, many of whom impact of this settlement plan should be, months at a time, and Diyarbakir, the big- remain deeply skeptical about the month- but now they're talking in more specific gest city in the southeast, relies heavily on slong peace process. terms what that peace dividend would be their remittances. "Successful reconciliation means allo- and how that would improve economic Businesses in the southeast—conscious cating $300 billion spent on fighting terro- conditions of Turks and Turkish busi- of how a deal could offer a windfall in rism to education, infrastructure, R&D," nesses in particular," he said. investment—have strongly backed the the minister tweeted in response to ques- Since the peace negotiations began at peace talks, but many Turkish businesses tions from Journal reporters, referring to the turn of the year, Turkey has hoped a across other parts of the country have been one estimate of the total cost of the conflict peace deal would alter the power dynamics more circumspect, after a series of pre- to the economy. He said in a tweet that the in a region of the world being reshaped by vious bids have collapsed and sparked fur- reconciliation process would help efforts to uprisings and a reduced U.S. military pre- ther violence. fight money laundering and the shadow sence, and further Ankara's aspiration to Beyond the potential financial benefits economy and may result in lower taxes. be a model for nascent Muslim democra- of peace, Mr. Simsek stressed that Turkey's Analysts said that the discussion of cies emerging from the Arab Spring. economy in recent months has started to possible tax cuts signaled how Ankara was But the comments come as the jubilant pick up steam after a sharp slowdown in shifting its messaging on the dividends of mood which met Kurdish militants' growth in 2012 following two years of peace to show wealthier Turkish voters February call to lay down arms has in expansion which rivaled China. Turkey can they would also benefit significantly. recent weeks been replaced by a more expect a fourfold increase in privatization "This is the first time we get to hear complex reality: an uncertainty over which revenue 22 billion liras ($12.2 billion) this about a reassessment of direct taxes. If party should take the next step in the peace year after the payments for projects long there is a move to cut income taxes it process, and what that step should be. slated for sale finally reach the exchequer, would be a measure that would cater to the The leadership of the militant he said. Turks," said Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party has demanded diplomat now at the Carnegie Endowment that Turkey's parliament pass laws to for International Peace. ensure the safety of their fighters during "So far the government has been very withdrawal, and to avoid the recurrence of hesitant in explaining what the economic the bloodbath in 1999, when Turkish sol-

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

April 5, 2013

Sunni and Shiite overlapping — in the cities of Basra in the far south, Mosul in the far north and the cities of Diyala, Salahuddin, Babil, Wasit and Iraqi Panel Promotes 'Biden Karbala — is also uncertain. In addition, easing the political struggle over Plan' For Federal Iraq power in Baghdad through [the establishment By: Mushreq Abbas for Al-Monitor Iraq of] regions will not prevent other kinds of conflict over the borders of these regions from erupting, particularly with the significant border conflict n Iraqi parliamentary committee, in a between Iraqi cities, not to mention the pro- recent visit to Washington, has reiterated blems concerning the distribution and manage- its demands to divide Iraq into three A ment of wealth. regions in a bid to solve the current problems plaguing the country. These demands have With all this, the essence of the federal concept been made several times in the past, and they is still a significant point of contention in Iraq, consist of creating three major regions that where those opposing it believe that the enjoy demographic and political unity — Shiite Kurdistan region of Iraq’s complex and specific in the south, Sunni in the west and center, and situation does not realistically represent a fede- Kurdish in the north. ration and is closer to a confederation. In both popular and media memory, this idea US Vice President Joe Biden talks with All these assumptions lead to an objective ques- tion: Have the Iraqis exhausted all alternative has been associated with the name of US Vice soldiers at Camp Victory on the outskirts President Joe Biden, as he was the one to sug- solutions, most notably the implementation of a of Baghdad, July 4, 2009. (photo by gest it when he was a senator in 2007. At the real decentralized system that gives a specific time, the idea was opposed by the Baker- REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed) status to the Kurdistan region and broad powers Hamilton Co mmission, which was set up by for- to the other administrative units (the provinces)? Apart from the historical basis of forming federal mer US President George W. Bush to study the Of course, the answer is, "No." The law, which regions in Iraq, the visit made by the Iraqi parlia- situation in Iraq after the outbreak of civil war in clarifies the relationship between the central mentary delegation to the US was an occasion 2006. government in Baghdad and provincial authori- to relaunch the project as a solution to the poli- ties, was not serious in guaranteeing a decen- This association, however, seems largely mis- tical crisis plaguing Iraq. Head of the parliamen- tralized system, and did not give the provinces leading, and it has been used to either defend tary legal committee, Khalid Shwani, confirmed the powers that they are entitled to have. Yet, it the idea by giving it objective and international in a statement that "a delegation of the commit- has contributed to consolidating the central dimensions, or to demonize it by saying that the tee met during its visit to the US at the State authority’s powers, and allowed the political, goal of the US war on Iraq in 2003 was to divide Department with the assistant secretary of state security and economic turmoil in Iraq today to the country, in the framework of an ongoing for Near Eastern affairs and the people in be produced. conspiracy theory. charge of the Iraq dossier at the ministry in order The idea of regions was raised in different ways to discuss views on the future of relations bet- The key to Iraq lies in turning the provinces into prior to the US occupation of Iraq. It was adop- ween the two countries within the framework of administrative units with wide powers that may ted by the Kurds decades ago, and translated the strategic agreement, as well as the political be similar to the federal powers, in the fields of into the autonomy project of the Kurdish areas, crisis in the country.” internal security, investment, construction, ser- vices, education, religious and sectarian specifi- which was announced by the authorities in the Shwani pointed out that “the committee believes city in exchange for annulling many central ser- mid-1970s. The idea was then put on the that the establishment of three federations in vice ministries and bureaucratic systems inheri- agenda of the Salahuddin Conference for the Iraq will be a guarantee for the construction of a ted from the former socialist regime. Iraqi opposition forces in 1992, and then discus- unified federal state as per the project of US sed in the conference of the same forces in Vice President Joe Biden.” Empowering the provinces cannot take place London in 2002. without a fair distribution of wealth, ensuring that “The delegation of the committee and US offi- foreign policy, the military and national security After 2003, the issue of regions was raised in a cials emphasized the need to address the pro- are in the hands of the central authority, and clearer way. In exchange for making the Iraqi blems in accordance with the constitution in passing a series of laws, most notably the esta- Kurdistan region a reality, prominent Shiite order to ensure the participation of all in the blishment of the Federation Council, as provi- forces headed by the Supreme Islamic Council decision-making process and complete the buil- ded in the Iraqi constitution. This Council would openly adopted the Shiite regional project under ding of the federal state institution,” he added. the name of "the region of the center and the be parallel to the Iraqi Parliament and control south." In contrast, the Sunni regional project Remarkably, the statement also attempted to the ties between the provinces, the regions and was explicitly raised for the first time by former link the project to establish three regions to authority in Baghdad. Biden, and ignored all the aforementioned his- governor of Anbar Faisal al-Qaoud in 2003. He Iraq did not go through a phase of a decentrali- tory. Yet, that is not the core issue, which is that gave his life defending this idea. zed system to prescribe its failure and move solutions are totally absent in Iraq, except for a toward its partition into three regions. Security Meanwhile, discussions about the project were federal system based on national and sectarian failures, economic regression and the spread of ongoing in Iraq before Biden reintroduced it in factors. 2007, and they did not stop afterward. But there corruption probably reside in not taking openly, have been changes in the views of these com- The assumption that the three federations will legally and clearly the option of a decentralized munities over the past 10 years. Shiites found it succeed in resolving the Iraqi crisis seems to be state, and the non-emergence of political parties absurd to cling to this project at a time during a prejudice. These are the same assumptions and leaders who seek to be strongly committed I which they fully controlled the central govern- that have confounded the situation in Iraq since to a comprehensive centralized system. ment. Thus, supporters of the Shiite region chal- 2003, and prevented a stable identity of the lenged this project and defended the idea of a state from being established. Mushreq Abbas is a contributing writer for Al- strong central state. Meanwhile, Sunnis who Assuming that sectarian or national homoge- Monitor’s Iraq Pulse. An author and journalist had attacked the project gradually adopted and neity in each region could dissolve the regional, who has worked in the media for 15 years, he defended it. For their part, Kurds continued to tribal, political and economic conflicts that are holds a degree in political science from cling to it and deem it the solution for Iraq and a expected to erupt between and within the cities Baghdad University. safeguard against the emergence of an authori- seems to be general and uncertain, just as tarian central authority.

15 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 6, 2013

opposition from earning revenue to buy heavy weaponry." But looting is rife. A Syrian activist in the province of Syria oil industry Hassakeh said some people in the area are using primitive ways to refine oil. Thieves put crude into tankers, then set fires around it until the fuel begins to turn to vapor that passes buckling under through a metal hose. The hose is cooled with water to condense the vapor, and gasoline, kerosene or diesel is pro- duced, said the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity rebelAssociated Press gains for fear of government reprisals. "It is a very dangerous process that has injured many peo- EIRUT — Syria's vital oil industry is breaking down as rebels ple," he said. capture many of the country's oil fields, with wells aflame An amateur video posted online showed crowds of people andB looters scooping up crude, depriving the government of at a field in Deir el-Zour gathered at a pool of crude, filling much needed cash and fuel for its war machine against the buckets or pumping it into tanker trucks to take to makeshift uprising. refineries. The video appeared genuine and corresponded to Exports have ground practically to a standstill, and the other AP reporting on the events depicted. regime of President Bashar Assad has been forced to import refined fuel supplies to keep up with demand amid shortages On Sunday, the state news agency accused rebels of set- and rising prices. In a sign of the increasing desperation, the ting fire to three oil wells in Deir el-Zour. It said the fire cau- oil minister met last week with Chinese and Russian officials to sed a daily loss of 4,670 barrels of oil and 52 cubic meters of discuss exploring for gas and oil in the Mediterranean off natural gas. It accused "terrorists," the government's term for Syria's coast. rebels, of setting the fires after fighting among themselves about how to divide the oil. Oil Minister Suleiman Abbas told Before the uprising against Assad's regime began in early the government Al-Thawra daily that an estimated 750,000 2011, the oil sector was a pillar of Syria's economy, with the barrels of oil have been lost from fires and other damage. country producing about 380,000 barrels a day and exports — mostly to Europe —bringing in more than $3 billion in 2010. The loss of oil revenues has been a further blow to govern- Oil revenues provided around a quarter of the funds for the ment coffers, depriving it of a major source of hard currency government budget. at a time when it is straining at the cost of the war. Syria's cur- rency, the lira, has plummeted more than 80 percent in com- But production now is likely about half that, estimates parison to the dollar. Syrian economist Samir Seifan, given the rebels' gains. The government has not released recent production figures. The U.S. and European Union banned Syrian oil exports in 2011, depriving Syria of its main European customers. Since Since late 2012, rebels have been seizing fields in the eas- then, exports have come practically to a halt as the falling pro- tern province of Deir el-Zour, one of two main centers of oil duction is put to domestic needs. Attacks on oil pipelines and production. Most recently, they captured the Jbeysa oil field, infrastructure have been causing shortages for Syrians throu- one of the country's largest, after three days of fighting in ghout the uprising. People wait for hours in lines to fill their February. vehicles' gas tanks, and hours of electricity cuts every day are At the same time, overburdened government troops have more common because it is more difficult to supply power sta- had to withdraw from parts of the other main oil center —the tions with fuel. northeastern Kurdish-majority region of Hassakeh, where they A cooking gas canister that went for around $5 before the have handed control of the oil fields to the pro-government crisis started now sells five times that price, while the price of militia of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, or PYD. a liter of gasoline (around a quarter of a gallon) has double to Production from some of those fields still goes to the Syrian the equivalent of $2. government, but the fields are more vulnerable to theft and smuggling. "Since the early months of the revolution oil pipelines came under attack in a strike against the regime's economic power," Syrian activists, including Rami Abdul-Rahman who heads said Abdul-Rahman of the Observatory. "Such attacks harmed the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, say it the regime financially as well as the Syrian economy and citi- is not clear how much of the fields are controlled by the rebels. zens in general." Still activists and state media state say most of Syria's fields are no longer under direct government control. In November, Last week, the oil minister, Abbas, broached with the rebels made one of the biggest gains when they briefly captu- ambassadors of China and Russia the possibility of exploring red the large al-Omar field in Deir el-Zour only to lose it to for oil and gas off Syria's Mediterranean coast, the state news government troops days later. They still control many other agency SANA reported. Israel is already developing recent dis- fields, the Observatory says. coveries of massive offshore deposits, with gas set to begin flowing in the coming days, and Lebanon has also spoken of So far, the rebels have largely been unable to benefit from trying to develop offshore fields. the oil fields, particularly since the country's two refineries in the central city of Homs and the coastal city of Banias are in Russia and China are Assad's strongest international the hands of Assad's troops. Regime warplanes' control of the backers and have used their veto power at the U.N. Security air makes it difficult for rebels to exploit the fields, as do the Council to prevent the international community from imposing divisions among rival rebel factions. international sanctions against Syria. "A number of challenges exist. In view of their lack of But Seifan, the Syrian economist, said it's unlikely interna- cohesion, the various strands of the armed opposition are tional companies, even Russian and Chinese ones, will want to unlikely to be able to mobilize in a unitary fashion to produce commit huge investments to any exploration now "because and export," said Anthony Skinner, Middle East-North Africa they don't know what the fate of the regime will be after few chief at the British risk analysis firm Maplecroft. months." "Rebels also clearly lack the engineers and qualified wor- "Businesswise there isn't a company that is willing to investH kers to ensure uninterrupted production from the oil fields," in Syria these days," said Seifan, who currently lives in Iraq. Skinner added. "Even if they were to do so, the regime would seek to bomb identifiable vehicle tankers to prevent the armed

16 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti O Observatoire b s e r v atoire de la Vie Politique Turque (OVIPOT)...... 8 a vril v r i l 20132 0 1 3 Question kurde, question constitutionnelle… rude semaine en perspective pour le parlement en Turquie.

ment que Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fasse un geste en direction de PAR JEAN MARCOU Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. En tout état de cause, il est probable que les débats seront houleux dans l’hémicycle. Vendredi dernier, inalement, le parlement va être saisi dès cette semaine du un député du MHP Duran Bulut, a d’ailleurs déjà fait monter la F«processus de paix», lancé récemment pour essayer de tension, en s’en prenant violemment à la nomination de l’un résoudre la question kurde, en Turquie. Le 8 avril, le vice-pre- des membres du Comité des sages, le journaliste d’origine mier ministre, Beşir Atalay, exposera devant l’assemblée cette arménienne, Etyen Mahçupyan. initiative qui vise à mettre un terme à 30 ans de conflit larvé dans le sud-est du pays. Les quatre partis représentés au sein u cours de la semaine à venir, le règlement de la question de la Grande Assemblée Nationale pourront ensuite s’exprimer, kurde ne sera probablement pas le seul sujet historique ins- et seront peut-être conviés à élire une commission parlemen- Acrit à l’ordre du jour de la Grande Assemblée Nationale. La taire destinée à surveiller et à évaluer le processus en cours. question constitutionnelle risque aussi de se rappeler à son bon souvenir, la commission de conciliation qui travaille en son sein La semaine dernière, alors qu’il rejetait encore l’hypothèse n’ayant pas, comme on pouvait s’y attendre, rude semaine ter- d’une saisine du parlement, le gouvernement avait pourtant miné l’élaboration de la nouvelle charte fondamentale. Dès constitué dans la précipitation un comité de 63 sages. Réunie le lors, les projets constitutionnels propres à chaque parti ont 4 avril par le premier ministre en personne, cette entité com- refait surface, celui de l’AKP polarisant toute les attentions. Le posée de représentants variés de la société civile (journalistes parti au pouvoir souhaite en effet faire disparaître de la comme Etyen Mahçupyan ; artistes comme Orhan Gencebay Constitution les formules kémalistes, comme la référence au (l’acteur et joueur de Sas des films turcs des années 1970) ;rude «nationalisme d’Atatürk» ou l’évocation du fondateur de la semaine universitaires comme Murat Belge ou Beril Dedeoğlu ; République décrit comme «un chef immortel et un héros sans entrepreneurs comme Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ…) avait été rival». L’AKP chercherait aussi à supprimer l’intangibilité des 3 présentée comme un rouage essentiel à la conduite du règle- premiers articles de la Constitution de 1982, décrivant les prin- ment de la question kurde. Elle semble néanmoins n’avoir pas cipes fondamentaux de la Turquie. En revanche, il conserverait totalement convaincu, au moment même où le problème du la définition actuelle de la République, décrite comme «laïque, retrait des combattants du PKK hors du territoire turc, qui est démocratique, sociale, et basée sur le respect de l’Etat de droit la première étape annoncée, était sur la sellette, et où deux et des droits de l’homme.» À ces questions de principe, députés du BDP, après avoir rencontré une nouvelle fois s’ajoute celle du désir du parti gouvernemental d’instaurer un Abdullah Öcalan sur l’île d’İmralı, convoyaient de nouveau une régime présidentiel. Et c’est là que où le «processus de paix» lettre au commandement militaire du PKK, dans les montagnes croise sans doute le débat constitutionnel. Car Recep Tayyip de Qandil. Erdoğan pourrait retirer d’un succès dans le règlement de la question kurde, un prestige lui permettant à la fois de faire En réalité, en annonçant à plusieurs reprises, depuis une accepter une présidentialisation du régime, et d’accéder à la dizaine de jours, que les combattants du PKK devraient sortir présidence renforcée qui serait alors instaurée. désarmés de Turquie, le premier ministre a provoqué l’inquiétude de la partie kurde qui s’est mise à réclamer un ren- Alors qu’il semble avoir évité les chausse-trapes de la première forcement corrélatif des garanties. L’implication du parlement partie du «processus de paix», Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a dans le processus devrait donc permettre de faire droit à cette d’ailleurs lancé un défi à ses rivaux de l’opposition, en affir- demande. Elle mettra aussi au pied du mur les deux principaux mant que ces derniers s’opposaient à l’instauration d’un régime partis d’opposition (CHP et MHP). En effet, ces derniers ont présidentiel, parce qu’ils n’étaient pas des leaders suffisam- jusqu’à présent marqué leur désaccord, voire leur hostilité au ment charismatiques pour espérer se faire élire à la magistra- «processus de paix». Toutefois, si le rejet des nationalistes du ture suprême. Ces derniers jours, en outre, le premier ministre MHP semble sans appel, l’attitude des kémalistes du CHP pour- n’a cessé de mettre en valeur les effets économiques béné- rait en revanche évoluer. Car ce parti est divisé. Sa branche fiques qu’aurait la fin de la guérilla kurde dans le sud-est. De modérée incite les kémalistes à entrer dans la commission par- toute évidence le «grand pacificateur», qui est déjà en cam- lementaire de surveillance et d’évaluation qui pourrait être pagne, ne perd pas de vue ses ambitions de «grand leader». mise en place, tandis que ses tendances nationalistes, qui JJJ restent influentes, s’y opposent fermement. Mais pour qu’une évolution se produise chez les kémalistes, il faudra probable-

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

l'il 10 AVRIL 2013

rare non plus queHe Front al- vivfe Nusra et l'ASL revendiquent chacun de leur côté le succès

d'une opération.

Ces dissensions s'expliquent

en partie par l'objectif du

Front al-Nusra : instaurer un V Etat islamique là où l'ASL se y . * contente de vouloir chasser m ~ » / du pouvoir Bachar al-Assad.

' -mm Surtout, la présence de jiha¬

distes au sein de la rébellion

accrédite la thèse du gouver¬

nement syrien qui catalogue

les opposants de «terroris¬

tes» depuis le début du sou¬ r lèvement, en mars 2011. L'ironie est que le régime a - .1 longtemps soutenu Al-Qaeda

- t . en Irak. Lors de l'invasion

américaine, il a laissé le

mouvement installer des Un combattant du Front al-Nusra, à Àlep ie 24 décembre. PHOTO AHMED jadallah. reuters camps à la frontière ira¬

kienne, qui servaient au

transit des jihadistes étran¬

gers venus attaquer des ci¬ Syrie : Al-Qaeda en Irak bles américaines à Bagdad. Au sein du gouvernement

syrien, la gestion des liens

avec Al-Qaeda en Irak était adoube le Front al-Nusra assurée par Assef Chawkat, directeur des services de

renseignements et beau- moyen-orient Le leader du groupe terroriste a frère de Bachar al-Assad, se¬ lon des télégrammes dévoilés revendiqué la suzeraineté sur son clone anti-Assad. par WikiLeaks. Dans l'un d'eux, écrit en 2008, le gé¬

néral américain David Pe- Les liens entre le Front attentats-suicides dans les en Afghanistan contre l'ar¬ traeus prédit que les com¬ al-Nusra, un groupe ji- principales villes du pays, mée américaine. Mais leurs battants d'Al-Qaeda en Irak hadiste actif en Syrie, dont Damas. Ses membres relations avec les rebelles de se retourneront un jour où et Al-Qaeda en Irak étaient sont également jugés plus l'ASL sont le plus souvent l'autre contre le régime. connus. Ils sont désormais aguerris et mieux discipli¬ mitigées. Les accrochages C'est désormais officiel. officiels. «Rest temps depro¬ nés. Certains, parfois étran¬ entre les deux groupes res¬ LUC MATHIEU clamer [...] au monde entier gers, ont déjà lutté en Irak ou tent courants. Il n'est pas

que le Front al-Nusra est

en réalité une branche de l'Etat

islamique d'Irak», a déclaré XtBtmdt

Abou Bakr al-Baghdadi, Vendredi 12 avril 2013

le chef d'Al-Qaeda en Irak, Syrie dans un communiqué diffusé

sur des sites jihadistes. Les djihadistes d'Al-Nosra déclinent

«Nous avons préparé des

plans et despolitiques de tra¬ le parrainage d'Al-Qaida en Irak

vail. Nous avons donné de DAMAS. Le Front Al-Nosra, un groupe djihadiste en première ligne dans

l'argent et un soutien hu¬ le combat contre le régime syrien, s'est démarqué, mercredi 10 avril, de

main», a-t-il ajouté. l'annonce de parrainage faite la veille par la branche irakienne d'Al-Qai¬ Classé comme organisation da. Tout en prêtant allégeance à « cheikh Ayman Al-Zawahiri », le numé¬ ro un de la nébuleuse terroriste, Abou Mohammed Al-Joulani, chef d'Al- terroriste par les Etats-Unis Nosra, a jugé prématuré les déclarations d'Abou Bakr Al-Baghdadi, le lea¬ en décembre, le Front al- der de l'Etat islamique en Irak. Celui-ci avait créé la surprise, mardi, en Nusra était apparu en janvier affirmant que les deux groupes seraient désormais fédérés sous l'appel¬ 2012. Il s'était immédiate¬ lation d'« Etat islamique en Irak et au Levant ». ment démarqué des autres « Le FrontAl-Nosra resterafidèle à son image, a répliqué Abou Moha¬ groupes rebelles et de l'Ar¬ med Al-Joulani. Nous ne voulions pas précipiter les choses avec l'annon¬ mée syrienne libre (ASL), ce d'un Etat islamique cardans les régions libérées, se réalisent déjà la composée de dé¬ charia, la résolution des conflits, l'aspiration à la sécurité entre musul¬ serteurs, en commettant des mans. Lefaitd'annoncer cela n'étaitpas nécessaire. » - (AFP.)u

18 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basi7i Ozeti

jfeHonde Mercredi 10 avril 2013 Le réveil des sunnites, « parias » de l'Irak

Dix ans après l'invasion américaine, les grands perdants de la guerre se révoltent contre la suprématie chiite

gouvernement», insiste Mejhem vier pour tenter une médiation La ville, et la province d'Anbar, Al-Alouani, un responsable du avec les manifestants. Accusé de tire encore fierté de sa résistance comité de coordination du « mou¬ traîtrise, il a failli se faire lyncher. acharnée à l'occupation américai¬ vement populaire» à Ramadi. Mossoul ne. Mais aujourd'hui, c'est un Après un affrontement qui a fait autre combat qui mobilise les sun¬ Des groupes huit morts à Fallouja le 25 janvier, nites : celui qui les oppose au pre¬ l'armée s'est retirée hors des villes de manifestants mier ministre Nouri Al-Maliki, Ramadi* c «Bagdad sunnites d'Anbar. La province fait incarnation d'un pouvoir qu'ils brandissent des l'objet d'unvéritable bouclage, par¬ accusent d'être confisqué par les portraits de Saddam IRAK chiites et inféodé à l'Iran. Excédés ticulièrement les vendredis. Pour la première fois depuis la chute de Bassora» d'être qualifiés de suppôts de Sad¬ Hussein ou le drapeau dam Hussein ou d'Al-Qaida et Saddam Hussein, une portion du Golfe noir d'Al-Qaida territoire irakien est interdite à la Oisique d'être traités en parias, les sunni¬ tes sont les grands perdants du presse étrangère. 250 km Le premier ministre a pris prétex¬ nouvel Irak. «Nous ne voulons plus être trai¬ te de cette agitation pour suspen¬ Dès l'affaire Issaoui connue, des tés en citoyens de seconde zone, dre les élections provinciales, pré¬ Reportage manifestations ont rapidement résume M.Alouani. Nos fils sont vues le 20 avril, dans les provinces embrasé le pays sunnite. Elles se interditsderecrutementdanslajus- d'Anbar et de Ninive (région de Fallouja, Ramadi répètent tous les vendredis, sur le tice, la police fédérale et l'armée. Mossoul), où ses alliés sunnites (province d'Anbar, Irak) modèle des révolutions arabes. Nos hommes et même nosfemmes sont promis à l'échec. L'opposition Envoyé spécial Dans la province d'Anbar, epicen¬ sont arrêtés sur simple dénoncia¬ hurle, depuis, à la man tre de la contestation, les manifes¬ tion anonyme, en vertu de la loi A l'inverse de M. Mutlaq, Rafa f-=\ 'est ici qu'avait commencé, tants ont installé des camps de ten¬ antiterroriste. Nos hommes politi¬ Al-Issaoui, l'ex-ministre des finan¬ par une simple manifesta¬ tes. L'autoroute qui relie Bagdad à ques sont écartés au prétexte de ces, est devenu la coqueluche des tion il y a dix ans, l'insurrec¬ la frontière jordanienne' est cou¬ fausses accusations. NouriAl-Mali¬ manifestants et de sa communau¬ tion qui transforma l'invasion de pée à hauteur de Ramadi. Spacieu¬ ki [le premier ministre chiite] se té. Craignant une arrestation, il comporte en dictateur: ce n'est l'Irak en un cauchemar américain. ses, les tentes s'étendent sur un qu 'un traître installépar les Améri¬ s'est installé chez un cheikh tribal Et c'est ici aussi, à Fallouja, qu'a bon kilomètre. On en compte une de Ramadi, Ahmed Abou Richa, cains et à la solde de l'Iran. Notre débuté, il y a un peu plus de cent centaine, une par tribu. Le vendre¬ dont le frère, assassiné, avait fondé patience a des limites. Si les chiites jours, l'intifada des sunnites d'Irak. di, plusieurs centaines de milliers sontlamajorité.pourquoirefusent- les milices sunnites Sahwa {«le Le 21 décembre 2012, 120 gardes de personnes s'y retrouvent à un recensement?» La Syrie et sa réveil») ayant permis de rempor¬ du corps du ministre sunnite des l'heure de la prière. Ces rassemble¬ révolution ne sont pas loin, galva¬ ter la guerre contre Al-Qaida à par¬ finances, Rafa Al-Issaoui, sont arrê¬ ments et les campements sont nisant les uns, terrorisant les tir de 2008. « Ce qui m'est arrivé ne tés à Bagdad. Ce dernier échappe devenus le théâtre d'une fierté autres. suffit pas à expliquer ce mouve¬ de peu à la rafle et se réfugie dans retrouvée. A Fallouja, on y prati¬ Malgré lavolonté affichée de ral¬ ment, déclare-t-il au Monde dans son fief de Fallouja, à 80 kilomè¬ que même des cérémonies de lier les opposants chiites au pre¬ un salon de réception richement tres à l'ouest de Bagdad. C'est là mariage et de circoncision. L'estra¬ mier ministre, le discours ouverte¬ décoré. C'est une accumulation qu'il s'était fait connaître en diri¬ de est couverte de slogans: «le ment sectaire du «mouvement d'injustice, d'oppression et de mar¬ geant l'hôpital pendant la terrible silence international nous tue», populaire » effraie la communau¬ ginalisation. Les sunnites sontsysté¬ année 2004, durant laquelle la vil¬ «L'Amérique a offert l'Irak à l'Iran té chiite. D'autant que des grou¬ matiquement les boucs émissaires. le passa sous le contrôle de la rébel¬ et est partie», «70000 sunnites pes, minoritaires mais bien pré¬ En 2005, on leur avait reproché lion et d'Al-Qaida en Irak avant sont détenus dans les prisons du sents dans les manifestations, sor¬ d'avoir boycotté les premières élec¬ d'être reconquise par l'armée amé¬ gouvernement sectaire», etc. tent des portraits de Saddam Hus¬ tions et le référendum sur la Consti¬ ricaine, qui dut s'y reprendre à «Notre mouvement est pacifi¬ sein ou le drapeau noir d'Al-Qaida. tution. Maintenant qu'ils partici¬ deux fois, laissant Fallouja à moi¬ que, malgré les provocations du pent, on veut les en empêcher. » tié détruite. Nouri Al-Maliki, pour sa part, n'a eu de cesse de brandir l'épouvan- Poussé par la rue, il a formé un tail de l'extrémiste sunnite et de nouveau parti, Mouttahidqun Dix ans de tourmentes politiques et de violences dénoncer le soutien de la Turquie (« Unis »), avec d'autres figures sun¬ nites: Ahmed Abou Richa, son et du Qatar, qui se voient comme 20 mars 2003 Début de 15 décembre 2005 Victoire de hôte,Oussama Al-Noujaifi,le prési¬ les parrains des sunnites d'Irak. l'intervention militaire l'alliance chiite aux législatives. dent du Parlement, les députés Depuis l'affaire Issaoui, la plu¬ américano-britannique en Irak. Ahmed Al-Alouani, Selim Al-Jou- part des ministres sunnites - Mai 2006 Le chiite Nouri bouri, SalmanAl-Joumaïli... La moi- appartenant à la liste Irakiya - se 9avril Chute du régime irakien. Al-Maliki forme un gouvernement tiéd'entreeuxestaccuséed'incita- . sont retirés du gouvernement, à tion à la violence sectaire. «Maliki l'exception de deux d'entre eux, l"mai George W. Bush déclare 30juin 2008 Retrait des soldats dont Saleh Al-Mutlaq, un ancien utilise la justice comme une arme américains des villes irakiennes. la « fin des combats ». .. ministre de Saddam Hussein rallié politique, dénonce le médecin de Fallouja.Ilveutsedéfairedecegou- à M.Maliki. M.Mutlaq est venu à 28juin 2004 Transfert du 21décembre 2012 Début des vernement d'entente nationale au Ramadi au début du mois de jan pouvoir au gouvernement irakien. manifestations sunnites.

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

profit d'une majorité à sa botte.

Cela s'appelle une dictature. Notre pays n'estpas mûrpour une démo¬

cratie à l'occidentale. Ilfaut que

tout le monde soit représenté. » Pourlui, M. Maliki est la seule sour¬ ce des problèmes : il se dit prêt à

accepter n'importe quel premier

ministre chiite issu du parti de

M. Maliki, Al-Daawa.

Un début de détente semble se

dessiner avec l'annonce, lundi 8 avril, d'une réforme de la loi de 5) débaasification: le nombre de res¬

ponsables de l'ancien régime inter¬

dits de fonction publique devrait être révisé à la baisse et des pen¬ Ci- sions de retraite payées aux anciens fedayins de Saddam Hus¬

sein. Pour Rafa Al-Issaoui, si le gou¬

vernement ne donne pas satisfac¬ tion aux manifestants et n'organi¬ i. se pas vite des élections locales, le

«mouvement populaire» pour¬ rait déboucher sur une demande

fédérale des sunnites d'Irak: «Si Des manifestants sunnites brandissent le drapeau de larévolution syrienne (au premier plan, à gauche), nous ne pouvons pas vivre avec les lors d'un rassemblement contre le gouvernement, le 15 mars à Fallouja. .ap autres, autant se séparer. » D'autres, plus pessimistes, évo¬ quent une radicalisation du mou¬

vement, voire des actes de violen¬ ce. A Fallouja, le cheikh Khaled Un système politique construit sur une base Hamoud, que les manifestants pré¬ sentent comme leur marja (« sour¬ ce d'imitation ») - un mot initiale¬ institutionnelle instable ment propre aux seuls chiites -, a

interditl'entrée du camp aux hom¬ mes politiques quels qu'ils soient,

même à Rafa Al-Issaoui, l'enfant du pays -.«Ilssonttouscorrompus ? Analyse ge du pouvoir, tel que prévu dans entre ses mains l'essentiel de l'ap¬ Toutce qu 'ils veulent, c'estseparta¬ l'accord d'Erbil à l'automne 2010, pareil de sécurité : le ministère de ger l'argent et les postes. Nous vou¬ Bagdad qui a ouvert la voie à la reconduc¬ la défense, celui de l'intérieur et le lons la chute du gouvernement et Envoyé spécial tion du premier ministre Nouri Conseil national de sécurité, tout l'annulation de la Constitution écri¬ Al-Maliki, au pouvoir depuis comme le portefeuille de la jus¬ te par les Américains. C'est tout. » A défaut d'avoir créé en Irak une 2006. Dix ans après l'invasion, tice, lui sont acquis. Par la force ou Mardi, le cheikh a prévu une gran-. . démocratie prospère et apaisée, rien ne fonctionne comme prévu. par l'appât du gain, il a su diviser de manifestation à Fallouja pour les Etats-Unis y ont inventé le Le fédéralisme, destiné à don¬ ses adversaires sunnites de la liste commémorer le dixième anniver¬ moteur à explosion institution¬ ner aux Kurdes leur liberté, a été Irakiya, pourtant arrivés devant saire de la chute de Bagdad, ce qu'il nel, une machine infernale perpé¬ ensuite refusé aux sunnites et aux sa propre formation, la liste de appelle « le début de la décadence tuellement en crise et dont les sou¬ chiites qui en ont fait la demande. l'Etat de droit. Et il s'est imposé de l'Irak ».m bresauts se traduisent par des M. Maliki s'y oppose au nom de comme le dirigeant politique Christophe Ayad vagues d'attentats tellement routi¬ l'unité nationale et de sa vision cen¬ incontesté de sa propre commu¬

nières que plus personne ne tralisatrice du pouvoir. La seconde nauté, les chiites. Enfin, il a réussi

prend la peine de chercher à Chambre, censée représenter les le tour de force d'être soutenu à la

savoir qui les commet ni pour¬ régions, n'a jamais vu le jour. Et le fois par les Etats-Unis et par l'Iran.

quoi. Le mois de mars a été l'un pays est constamment tiraillé Mais le départ américain, fin

2011, a déséquilibré le jeu politi¬ des plus sanglants, avec plus de entre centre et périphérie, au point que irakien, ouvrant la voie à une 300 morts, depuis le retrait améri¬ que les Kurdes menacent aujour¬ féroce lutte pour le pouvoir. Dans cain de décembre 2011. Et la cour¬ d'hui de se séparer de l'Irak si le même temps, l'Iran, menacé par be de la violence en Irak, en déclin M. Maliki rogne leurs prérogatives. les troubles en Syrie, a exigé de net et régulier depuis 2008, M. Maliki un soutien plus affirmé repart légèrement à la hausse Culture de l'homme fort au régime de Damas et une mise depuis un an. C'est signe que les Le parlementarisme ne s'est sous tutelle des sunnites d'Irak, choses vont mal. pas implanté dans un pays où la afin d'éviter tout effet domino de En plus d'une vision commu¬ culture de l'homme fort continue la révolution syrienne. nautaire de l'Irak divisé entre sun¬ de prévaloir. Enfin; l'accord d'Er¬ Désormais brouillé avec les Kur¬ nites, chiites et Kurdes - avec une bil a obligé à gouverner ensemble des et les sunnites, Nouri Al-Mali¬ nette préférence pour les chiites des forces politiques qui se détes¬ ki estplus puissant mais aussi et les Kurdes -, l'occupation améri¬ tent et ne cherchent qu'à s'élimi¬ plus isolé que jamais. Les élections caine a débouché sur la mise en ner les unes les autres. Il n'a nationales de 2014, si elles se tien¬ place d'un système politique repo¬ jamais été appliqué. nent, s'annoncent explosives. sant sur trois piliers : le fédéralis¬ A ce jeu-là, Nouri Al-Maliki s'est me, le parlementarisme et le parta révélé le plus fort. Il a concentré C.A.

20 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 7, 2013

to as the "peace process,” have moved to the back burner and little is said and written about Turkey’s Kurdish Initiative them. But the influence of developments in Syria on the timing of the "process” is beyond doubt. PrimeIn Minister Regional Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Context ambition to be “peacemaker” on the Starting in July 2012, from the town of Afrin Kurdish issue has to be linked to Turkish policies in Iraq and Syria, writes right next to the Turkish border of Hatay, nearly Cengiz Candar. all the Kurdish towns along the border, inclu- ding the largest Kurdish population center of Qamishli, came under control of the Turkey's Prime Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is bran- Minister Recep ded as the Syrian extension of the Kurdistan Tayyip Erdogan Workers Party (PKK). makes his Turkey was hoping to control the developments address during a in the Kurdish regions of Syria through the meeting with the influence of President Massoud Barzani of the "wise people" Iraqi Kurdish regional government with whom commission in good relations were developed. Erdogan and Istanbul, April 4, Barzani were acting jointly against Iraqi Prime 2013. (photo by Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s exclusively Shiite REUTERS/Metin stances and his Iranian-influenced pro-Assad Pala/Pool) regime. July 2012, however, demonstrated to all, inclu- ding Ankara, the limits of Barzani’s influence on By: Cengiz Çandar for Al-Monitor major public relations Syrian Kurds. move by Erdogan. He managed to mobilize a broad spectrum of intellectuals around his Similarly, the need to cripple the regional Iran- ne of the most striking successes of the efforts thanks to the “magic” of promising Syria axis required the removal of the PKK ele- Justice and Development Party (AKP) “peace” between Turkey and the Kurds. ment from that equation. Turkey had no real O government in Turkey has to be its mas- leverage to dissuade the PKK leaders at their During this meeting behind closed doors, terful management of the most exciting agenda Kandil Mountain headquarters adjacent to Iran. Erdogan revealed the results of a poll he had item of the country which the public refers to as Only Ocalan had the power, influence and requested and trusts. He related the percen- the “peace process” instead of the “solution vision to exercise such a role. He was brought tage of support for the “peace process” in the process.” back from oblivion and let to play a role from different regions of the country. In Turkey’s hea- Imrali Island that can only be compared to As with many other issues, here too, the great vily Kurdish populated regions of the southeast Nelson Mandela’s role, prior to his release from communicator is Prime Minister Recep Tayyip and east, the support for the process appears Robben Island in 1990. Erdogan himself. In an appeal to the news to be 87% and 71%, respectively. In the strong media — that sounded more like an instruction conservative and nationalist Central Anatolia The PKK’s escalation of armed struggle had — Erdogan wanted the steps he is taking to be region support is said to be 57%. From figures coincided with the declaration of a cease-fire seen as a “solution process.” Now he is working of Central Anatolia it is understood that the between Iran and the Party of Free Life of on being perceived as the leader who is taking ruling party has captured some Nationalist Kurdistan (PJAK), the Iranian Kurdish wing of his country step-by-step toward much desired Movement Party (MHP) strongholds and den- the PKK, in August 2011. PJAK fighters are peace. As perception becomes a reality, it will ted its popular base. Those who approve and now waiting in their trenches in the Kandil undoubtedly be added to Erdogan's accom- do not approve are equal at 43% in the Black Mountains. Both the PJAK of Iran and the PYD plishments. Sea region, while 47% is in favor and 41% is of Syria are under the PKK's rule with its At the moment, Erdogan on stage and Abdullah against the process in the Mediterranean supreme leader Abdullah Ocalan. region. Ocalan off stage from his prison island are Therefore, the question to be asked is whether taking Turkey toward peace with seemingly Because of the inclusion of Istanbul, the what is perceived as “peace” in Turkey is choreographed moves. Questioning this capti- Marmara region supports the "peace process’’ actually an armistice between Turkey and the vating dream is not allowed, even if prompted with 59%. In the country’s least conservative PKK that will have the PJAK initiate action by intellectual curiosity, because it might spoil Aegean region in the west, where anti-Kurdish against Tehran and the PYD against the dream of peace. Erdogan, the ultimate arbi- sentiments and opposition to Erdogan’s rule is Damascus, or whether Erdogan will not be ter, announced 63 names of people who will the strongest, 49% of the people appear to be satisfied until the full decommissioning of the make up the “Commission of Wise People,” against the ‘’peace process.’’ In the Aegean PKK which would substantially signify the “ulti- which will take on the initiative to enlighten the region, support for the process is a little more mate peace.” public on the peace process through meetings, than 40%. symposiums, panels, etc., in seven different Currently, these are thorny questions being dis- Turkish regions. The group includes some well- The “wise people” activity is a public relations cussed in Turkey. “Peace without substance” is known journalists, prominent leaders of nongo- move for the prime minister to change the ratios the order of the day. to become more in favor of the ‘’peace pro- vernmental organizations, celebrities such as Yet, the regional dimension of the Turco- cess.’’ But it was this skillful public relations movie stars and popular singers, and several Kurdish “peace” needs to be discussed — and move that made ”peace” and “process” synony- I academic experts. it will be done so in my next piece. mous. Let alone objecting to it, even posing a On April 4, Erdogan gathered the entire com- question as a tactical move risks the danger of Cengiz Çandar is a contributing writer for Al- mission for dinner at the Dolmabahce Palace being labeled as anti-peace, as noted earlier. Monitor's Turkey Pulse. A journalist since 1976, where he has a prime ministry office. He prai- he is the author of seven books in the Turkish sed them extensively, described the “peace That may explain why the Syrian and Iraqi language, mainly on Middle East issues, inclu- process” once again and gave them a mandate dimensions of the "process,” which was first ding the best-seller Mesopotamia Express: A of two months that would be concluded with the named the “Imrali process,” subsequently Journey in History. submission of reports from each of the seven under Erdogan’s influence became the “solu- "wise people" sub-committees. This was a tion process" and is now increasingly referred

21 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 8 April 2013

and protection. Written by : Ranj Alaaldin If Kirkuk and other disputed territories are taken out of the equation, then the amount of oil Iraqi Kurdistan could export may never match up to the 17 percent of the budget that they are currently getting. Now is Not the The question, of course, is whether Kurdistan could depend on its allies, allies like Turkey and the US for exam- ple. But whilst changes in Ankara might be encouraging it Time for an would be foolish to assume that Ankara will continue its friendly relations with the Kurds. History has already shown that the Kurds have seldom had a reliable ally, as with coun- Independent tless US betrayals. Turkey, on the other hand, has become a partner of convenience, not one for the long-term. It remains an unreliable partner. As the recent Turkish rapprochement Kurdistan with Israel shows, as well as Turkey’s decision to move against (former allies) Syria and Iranian interests, Ankara creates and changes its allies on the basis of its own geostra- Asharq Al-Awsat Debate tegic interests—the KRG would easily be expendable. At the same time, Ankara continues to support Kurdish rivals in Iraq, including the country’s ultra-nationalist Sunni politi- urdish-Arab tensions have increased in recent weeks as cians like Osama and Atheel Nujayfi. K a result of political differences between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government in Turkey will support Kurdish objectives in Iraq but it is Baghdad. Disputes over oil and gas resources and the 2013 not ready for Kurdish independence. It will not support any budget have undermined stability in Iraq and exacerbated Kurdish independence in Iraq because this will encourage the security situation in the country. More broadly, regional unrest and Kurdish separatism in Turkey. Turkish-KRG rela- upheavals, including the conflict in Syria, threaten to upset tions have improved and the KRG will be an important the power-balance in the region, as shown by Turkey’s sup- energy supplier. But as a regional power and important mem- port for the anti-Assad rebels, shifting Ankara’s previous ber of the international community, Turkey is unlikely to alliances with Iran and indeed Damascus. become dependent entirely on Kurdish energy. Despite its At the heart of these regional changes are the Kurds of tensions with Baghdad and despite the improvement in rela- Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, who have become important players tions with the KRG, Turkey is still yet to support the incorpo- necessary to ensure the changing dynamics in the region are ration of Kirkuk into Kurdistan. sustained and stable. The argument will be made that, in time, the KRG will But whilst turmoil in Iraq (which includes the Anbar pro- develop the necessary economic conditions and infrastruc- tests and Sunni demands for federalism) as well as the regio- ture to build an independent state. Further, it might also be nal changes taking place might undermine national unity and argued that the KRG and Turkish relationship will grow to undermine the stability of Iraq, an independent Kurdistan is the extent that the latter will become increasingly reliant on still not a viable outcome. Kurdish autonomy in recent years Kurdish oil and gas. But whilst there may be time, the unpre- has increased, thanks to its oil wealth and effective manage- dictability of the Middle East means that alliances with for- ment of Kurdistan’s oil and gas resources. Kurdistan is now mer enemies can be compromised and undermined. Regional considered the oil exploration capital of the world. dynamics will continue to be dominated by Iran and its allies in the region like the federal government in Baghdad. Geostrategically, it has and will continue to play an important role in the Syria conflict, where the KRG has assis- Furthermore, Kurdistan will not emerge independent ted Syrian Kurds and could soon be playing a role in develo- without Kirkuk, both because of its necessity and the ping an autonomous Syrian Kurdistan. As a result of the demand among the Kurdish population. Arab Iraq will not Syrian conflict, Turkey too has had to modify its policies accept the loss of Kirkuk without a war, and is likely to be toward its Kurdish population, who number more than 14 backed by Iran in this respect. The US, meanwhile, will conti- million. Domestic politics, along with Prime Minister nue to favor its Arab allies and the Arab world ahead of the Erdoan’s ambitions to become president and exercise effec- Kurds. The Arab world too would fear the formation of new tive power, require Kurdish support. independent states, as a result of the sectarian unrest that exists within their own territories. The Kurds, therefore, have lots to gain. But, at the same time, they may have a lot more to lose. In short, Kurdistan has more to gain as a part of Iraq, unless the above restrictions can be resolved, which is unli- Fundamentally, an independent Kurdistan is not a likely kely in the near or distant future. Being part of Iraq allows it possibility in the near or distant future because it lacks suf- to develop and expand Kurdish wealth and influence, with ficient resources and allies. the benefit of both Kurdish resources as well as resources Firstly, Kurdistan remains economically dependent on from Arab Iraq. Arab Iraq, which contributes more than USD 11 billion every Strategically, this will remain the better option that year to the Kurdish economy. The importance of this contri- allows Kurdistan to gradually improve its position domesti- bution is signaled by the fact that, without it, Kurdistan cally and in the region so that it becomes a crucial regional would implode. If Kurdistan were able to survive without this player in the next 30 years. Perhaps then an independent contribution we would be seeing a far tougher position from Kurdistan might be possible. the KRG on existing disputes with Baghdad. In addition to not being able to pay local wages, expand its economy, and ËËË sustain development projects crucial for the survival of the region, without the contribution from Arab Iraq Kurdistan could find its politics coming under intensive strain, as the local population will demand greater economic development

22 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 8 April 2013

if their brethren get betrayed yet another time. Nothing could be Ankara’s Kurdish Peace Talks predicted then,” he warns. Thomas McGee, a researcher on the Kurds of Syria at the Reverberate Among Syrian Kurds University of Exeter, agrees that by MUTLU CIVIROGLU recent developments in Turkey's relationship with its own Kurds rudaw.net are largely motivated by Ankara's concerns regarding PYD's increa- ASHINGTON DC – sing influence and consolidation Turkey’s historic peace of power in the Kurdish regions Wtalks with the Kurdistan Workers of Syria. Party (PKK) is expected to have a “When faced with Kurdish positive impact on its tense rela- Protection Units (YPG) domina- tions with the Kurds in neighbo- ting control across the border, it ring Syria, who accuse Ankara of appears that negotiating with the helping their Arab rivals. PKK now appears as the least bad The Kurds have a hand in the option for Turkey,” McGee says. uprising against Syrian President Speaking of recent conversa- Bashar al-Assad, now beginning tion with Kurds in Syria about the its third year, but they have not peace process, McGee confirms been part of the larger opposition Kurds in the city of Qamishli wave the Kurdish flag as they that many Kurds in Syria are sup- fighting under the banner of the rally against the Syrian government. Photo: AFP portive of the process. But he Free Syrian Army (FSA). cannot help add that not many are Syria’s powerful Kurdish very optimistic that this process Democratic Union Party (PYD), group was behind the peace pro- force in Syrian Kurdistan, and will end positively. widely seen as the Syrian arm of cess. “We support the efforts to Turkey’s concerns over its secu- “Kurds in Syria suspect that the PKK, has had tense relations resolve the Kurdish issue in rity across the border, forced the Imrali Process could have with the larger Kurdish Supreme Turkey, without violence, Erdogan to initiate a dialogue been engineered by Turkey in Council (KSC) in Syria. The through political dialogue,” he with Mr. Ocalan,” Salih says. order to introduce question marks PYD’s armed Popular Protection told Rudaw. He claims that since the fai- and confusion to the momentum Units (YPG), which are in de According to Gonul Tol, lure of an effort by Iraqi of PYD's development,” the facto control of Syria’s northern director of the Turkish Research President Jalal Talabani and British researcher adds. Kurdish regions, have been figh- Center at the Middle East Kurdistan Regional President Moreover, there is strong ting accusations that they are in Institute in the United States, Massoud Barzani to control expectation that Ankara will cut cahoots with the Damascus Ankara should talk to the PYD Syrian Kurds, Turkey realized its support of Al Qaida-influen- regime. They also have been about its possible participation in that it must take things into its ced radical groups, and instead denounced for extortion and toppling the Assad regime. own hands, and wants to reach will develop good relations with harassment against refugees “Turkey has not agreed to the PYD through Ocalan. Syrian Kurdish groups, espe- trying to cross into the safety of talk with PYD, claiming that Salih strongly believes that cially with the PYD. Iraqi Kurdistan. PYD has ties with PKK. In the the future of Syrian Kurds is clo- Ankara is also expected to Extremist Islamic groups, lin- current situation, if Turkey can sely related to the peace process embrace all of its own opposition ked with the FSA and trying to talk with Ocalan, why wouldn't in Turkey. “The peace process is groups. One needs to wait and gain greater control over Syria’s (Turkish) Foreign Minister very positive, but Turkey has to see how the Turkey-Israel-USA- Kurdish north, admit to military Ahmet Davutoglu talk with PYD constitutionally recognize the EU front, which was defined and other support from Ankara in leader Salih Muslim? That way, Kurdish rights,” he says. during the recent trips to the rounds of intense fighting with current checks and balances may Sirwan Kajjo, another region by US President Barack the YPG, especially in the city of change against the regime,” she Washington-based Syrian- Obama and the Secretary of State Ras al-Ain. suggested. Kurdish journalist, reaffirms that John Kerry, will play against the PYD leader Salih Muslim One question that is fre- the peace talks in Turkey will Russia-Iran-Assad Regime front. said last week that Syrian Kurds quently asked in Washington – have direct consequences on It is a very important deve- support Ankara’s peace talks with which has backed Ankara’s talks Syrian Kurds lopment that Kurds in Turkey, jailed PKK leader Abdullah with Ocalan – relates to the pos- If the process succeeds, Iraq and Syria, are in the Western Ocalan. Last month Ocalan, who sible impact recent developments Erodgan’s Justice and front, as a whole, for the first has been kept in virtual isolation in Turkey will have on the upri- Development Party (AKP), “will time. on Turkey’s Imrali island since sing against the Assad regime. gain significantly,” Kajjo says. It is very likely that the Kurds capture in 1999, called on his The concern relates to the kind of “Having Syrian Kurds unoppo- will have an active role in their fighters to disarm. impact Ocalan will have on sed to Turkish plans in Syria own region in the near future. To Hereafter, Muslim said, Syrian Kurds, and the role they would provide Ankara additional use that position to their advan- Syria’s Arab opposition will be will play in the uprising, which push for its ultimate objectives in tage depends on their ability to able to act without Turkey’s bid- has claimed an estimated 70,000 Syria and the broader region,” strengthen their unity, and in ding, and coordinate their anti- lives. according to Kajjo. building alliances. regime war with the Kurds. Washington-based Syrian- But he adds that, if the pro- Many Kurdish politicians Muslim told Rudaw, in a tele- Kurdish journalist, Jehad Salih, cess fails, Turkey might be poi- openly state that a Turkey that phone interview, that the PYD is believes that the indirect talks sed to be able to handle extreme can gain the support of its own willing to go so far as to open between Turkish Prime Minister reactions from Syrian Kurds. Kurds, as well as those in Iraq negotiations with Ankara, to dis- Recep Tayyip Erdogan and “Kurds on the other side of the and Syria, will be an important cuss the plight of Syrian Kurds. Ocalan have a direct link to deve- border show their support for this power, not only in the region, but G The leader of the Kurdistan lopments in Syria. peace plan, and they wish this the world. Democratic Party of Syria, “The emergence of the PYD process to prevail. However, Abdulhakim Bashar, said that his as a sole political and military they would certainly be unhappy

23 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 9, 2013 Mistrust mars deal between Syria rebels and Kurdish fighters By Marie Roudani “There’s no difference between us. Agence France Presse Together, we fight the same enemy: the regime,”says Abu Juan, a Kurdish militiaman. Another Kurdish fighter says,“It’s a matter of LEPPO, Syria: In the majority-Kurdish conscience. We are fighting oppression by Sheikh Maqsoud district of the northern the regime.” ASyrian city of Aleppo, Arab rebels and Kurd fighters say they are fighting together But under the surface, feelings of mutual against the regime of President Bashar suspicion run deep. Assad. Dozens of men wearing the Kurdish YPG But on the ground, the reality is rather militia uniform – distinct for its yellow star more complex. symbol on a red background – stand at a Standing at the entrance to Sheikh checkpoint. Maqsoud, rebel commander Abu Ahmad They are visibly more disciplined and wears an orange, green and red scarf – the organized than the FSA in Aleppo, most of colors of the Kurdish flag. whose checkpoints are manned by young, Nearby, two flags fly together: that of the shabbily dressed fighters. Kurds, alongside the green, black and white Rebel fighters run for cover in the A YPG commander says the Kurds’ prio- standard of the Syrian revolt. majority-Kurdish Sheikh Maqsoud rity is self-defense. “We are here to protect our people and residents of Sheikh “I wear the colors of my Kurdish bro- district in Aleppo Thursday. thers, even if I am an Arab,” says Abu Maqsoud, where the PYD has been present Ahmad, proudly. for years,” he says. He says Kurdish militia loyal to the When Islamists launched a bid to take “Some FSA rebels are respectable, but Democratic Union Party (PYD) – Syria’s over the city of Ras al-Ain in the north, fire- others are here just to steal. They break into branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fights pitted Arab rebels against the Kurds. company premises and loot stuff,” adds the Kurdish commander. – have “given us ammunition, and their figh- But in Sheikh Maqsoud, where rebels say ters are on the front lines of the battle against “Aleppo’s biggest battle” is being waged, it Because of this, the fighters are well the regime.” appears that past grudges between rebels spread out in Sheikh Maqsoud. Arab rebels Kurds comprise 10 percent of Syria’s and Kurds have been set aside, and that the keep a lookout in residential areas of the dis- total population, with most living in the north Kurdish militia has joined forces with the trict, while the YPG is responsible for the of the embattled country. insurgents. industrial part. Since the outbreak of the anti-Assad Thanks to the Kurds’ help, “we have The FSA, meanwhile, fears that Kurdish revolt more than two years ago, most Kurds blocked the army’s supply and reinforce- residents will provide the loyalist army with have tried to ensure that their areas remai- ments route near Al-Kindi hospital and the sensitive information. ned violence-free. central prison” in northern Aleppo, says Abu “We used to allow a lot of civilians to Last summer, Assad’s forces withdrew Abdullah, who commands a mainstream enter the neighborhood. But the bombing from majority Kurdish areas, and the YPG rebel Free Syrian Army battalion in Syria’s intensified, and now we are more careful,” Kurdish militia became responsible for secu- second city. says Abu Abdullah. rity there. “The regime can only use its planes now Because of the violence, Sheikh Maqsoud Although many Kurds feel hostile to a to bring supplies to its troops.” is becoming a ghost town. regime that has oppressed them for But the army has bombarded the district At the district’s northern edges, civilians decades, they have also tried to keep the since insurgents took up positions there. On are leaving en masse, packing belongings rebels out of the areas they control in order Saturday, an air raid killed 15 people, among including mattresses, carpets and electrical to avoid sparking a confrontation with the them nine children. In revenge, Kurdish figh- appliances onto pickup trucks. “We’re army. ters attacked an army checkpoint, killing five fleeing the bombing,” calls out one man, as soldiers. the pickup he is in drives off. Ë

April / 9 / 2013 State-funded dictionary in Turkish-Kurdish ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency 2013-2104 academic year, TDK head Mustafa S. Kaçalin said. he Turkish Language Institute (TDK) Kaçalin also said that a version for has come to an end of the preparation adults would be also prepared if deman- Tphase of a Kurdish dictionary. ded. Nezir Gümüş, Ahmet Korkut and A commission consisting of acade- Ziver İlhan, all native Kurdish-speaking mics whose mother tongues are Kurdish graduate students from the Kurdish has completed the Turkish-Kurdish Language and Culture Department of chapter of the dictionary. The dictionary Mardin Artuklu University’s Living is in the Kurmanji dialect, the dialect schools’ elective Kurdish classes. There Languages Institute began working on spoken most widely by Kurds in Turkey, are nearly 10,000 words in the dictionary the project in 2012. and was prepared for elementary and it is planned to enter into use in the

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

ïicrallS^rUnmc monday,april8,2oi3

The Arab Spring started in Iraq

Saddam Kanan Makiya W Husseins fall paved the way CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS On for a new April 9, 2003, Baghdad fell to an Ameri¬ can-led coalition. The removal of Sad¬ generation dam Hussein and the toppling of a to imagine whole succession of other Arab dicta¬ an end to tors in 2011 were closely connected a fact that has been overlooked largely the Arab because of the hostility that the Iraq world s au¬ war engendered. thoritarian Few of the brave young men and wom¬ en behind the Arab Spring have been system. willing to publicly admit the possibility of a link between their revolutions and the U end of Mr. Hussein's bloody reign 10 t years ago. These activists have for the most part vigorously denied that their

own demands for freedom and democra¬ moïses saman for the new yokk times

cy, which were organic and homegrown, Egyptians celebrating the news of Hosni Mubarak's resignation in Cairo on Feb. 11, 2011. had anything to do with a war they saw as illegitimate and imperialistic. The first gulf war achieved America's of post-2003 Iraq must be placed on the To see the connection between the goals, but the people of Iraq paid the new Iraqi political elite. The Shiite polit¬ overthrow of Mr. Hussein in 2003 and price for that success. They were left ical class, put in power by the United the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in with international sanctions for another States, preached a politics of victimhood 2011, one must go back to 1990, when 12 years under a brutal and bitter dicta¬ and leveraged the state to enrich itself. Iraq's army marched into Kuwait. The tor itching for vengeance against those These leaders falsely identified all Sunni first gulf war in which an American- who had dared to rise up against him, Iraqis with Baathists, forgetting how led coalition ousted Iraq's occupying including Kurds in the north and Shiites heavily all Iraqis, including some army enjoyed the support of most in the south. By the time of the Ameri¬ Shiites, were implicated in the criminal¬ Arab governments, but not of their pop¬ can invasion in 2003, the Iraqi middle ity of Mr. Hussein's regime. ulations. Mr. Hussein's invasion of class had been decimated, state institu¬ Although I always feared, and Kuwait threatened the order that had tions had been gutted and mistrust and warned in 1993, that the emergence of kept authoritarian regimes in power for hostility toward America abounded. sectarian strife was a risk after Mr. Hus¬ decades and Arab leaders were willing Both the George W. Bush administra¬ sein's fall, my greatest misjudgment to fight to restore it. tion and the Iraqi expatriate opposition was in hoping that Iraq's new leaders Citizens tend to rally around their to Mr. Hussein myself included would act for the collective Iraqi good. leaders when faced with external at¬ grossly underestimated those costs in For all its bungling, the Bush adminis¬ tacks. But Iraqis didn't. Millions of Iraqis the run-up to the 2003 war. The Iraqi tration's invasion of Iraq exposed a fun¬ rose up against Mr. Hussein following damental truth of modern Arab politics. state, we failed to realize, had become a the 1991 war, and did what was then un¬ Washington's longstanding support for house of cards. thinkable: they called upon the foreign autocracy and dictatorship in the None of these errors ofjudgment forces that had been bombing them to Middle East, a core principle of Ameri¬ were necessarily an argument against help rid them of their own dictator. can foreign policy for decades, had going to war if you believed, as I do, Mr. Hussein's brutal response to the helped stoke a deep-seated political that overthrowing Mr. Hussein was in 1991 uprising killed tens of thousands of malaise in the region that produced both the best interests of the Iraqi people. Iraqis. For the first time, the rhetoric Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. By 2003, The calculus looks different today if used by Mr. Hussein's so-called secular American support for Arab autocrats one's starting point is American nation¬ nationalist regime turned explicitly was no longer politically sustainable. al interest. I could not in good con¬ sectarian, a forerunner of what we see The system of beliefs Mr. Hussein science tell an American family griev¬ in Syria today. "No more Shias after represented had ossified and lost the ing for a son killed in Iraq that the war today," was the slogan painted on the ability to inspire anyone long before "was worth it." tanks that rolled over Najaf and fired at 2003. And yet he was still there, in We didn't know Smite protesters. The Western and Many people power, the great survivor of so many Arab armies that had come to liberate then what we know warn of the terrible wars and revolutions. Before today. Some, includ¬ Kuwait simply stood by and watched as the American invasion, it was im¬ dangers of ing many of my Shiites and Kurds who rose up were possible for Iraqis to see beyond him. . American friends, warned of massacred. The overthrow of Mr. Hus¬ There was hardly any war to speak of sein was deemed to be beyond the hubris. But the dangers of Amer¬ in 2003. Mr. Hussein's whole terrible war's mandate. what the U.S. ican hubris. I did not edifice just came crashing down under And so ordinary Iraqis had to die in does or does heed them in 2003. its own weight. The army dismantled it¬ droves as the Arab state system was re¬ not do isn't all But the greater stored by force of Western arms. Those hubris is to think that self, before L. Paul Bremer, the Ameri¬ that matters. Iraqi deaths were a dress rehearsal for what America does or can proconsul, even issued his infamous and unnecessary order to purge Baath what is going on in other parts of the doesn't do is all that Party members from the military. Middle East today. matters. The blame for the catastrophe

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

their lives and their futures because of Toppling Mr. Hussein put the system they are legitimizing their rule on a sec¬ a set of illusions that had nothing to do of which he was such an integral part tarian basis. The idea of Iraq as a multi¬ with Israel; these illusions come from under newfound scrutiny. If the 1991 ethnic country is being abandoned, and deep within the world that we Arabs war was about the restoration of the the same dynamic is at work in Syria. have constructed for ourselves, a world Arab state system, the 2003 war called The support that several key Arab built upon denial, bombast and imag¬ into question that system's very legiti¬ monarchies are providing to Syrian re¬ ined past glories, ideas that have since macy. That's why support from Arab sistance forces fighting against Presi¬ monarchies was not forthcoming in dent Bashar al-Assad is further under¬ been exposed as bankrupt and danger¬ 2003, when a new, more equitable order mining the legitimacy of the whole ous to the future of the young Arab fnen was on the agenda in Iraq. Arab state system. The war will go on and women who set out in 2011, against After 2003, the edifice of the Arab until Mr. Assad is gone and perhaps the all odds, to build a new order. state system began to crack elsewhere. state we know as Syria is, too. The only In the place of these illusions, the In 2005, thousands of Lebanese success story seems to be the Kurds young revolutionaries made the marched in the streets to boot out the the great losers of the post-World War I struggle against their own dictator¬ occupying Syrian Army; Palestinians order who have built a thriving semi- ships their political priority, just as their tasted their first real elections; Ameri¬ autonomous region in northern Iraq Iraqi counterparts had done in vain 20 can officiais twisted the arm of Hosni that might eventually require indepen¬ years earlier after the first gulf war. Mubarak to allow Egyptians a slightly dence to sustain its success. Ideas are not constrained by fronti¬ less rigged election in 2006; and a new Our species, at least in its modern ers or borders. Young people in the kind of critical writing began to spread garb.needs states, even imperfect Arab world are not constrained by the online and in fiction. ones. States are still the cornerstones of prejudices of old men, by my genera¬ The Arab political psyche began to our security as individuals, and provide tion's acquiescence to and compromis-' change as well. The legitimating ideas at least the possibility of a civilized way es with dictatorships. And so in Tunisia, of post-1967 Arab politics pan-Ara- of life. Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syr¬ bism, armed struggle, anti-imperialism Traditionally conservative Arab mon¬ ia, a new movement that is still in the and anti-Zionism ideas that under- archies are now doing the unthinkable making has demanded a political order girded the regimes in both Iraq and and risking total state collapse in Syria. that derives its legitimacy from genu¬ Syria, were rubbing They are opposing Mr. Assad's Arab ine citizenship. nationalist regime in an attempt to dic¬ The blame up against the reaht- It envisions new forms of community ies of life under Mr. tate the kind of country that will for the not based on a suffocating nationalist Hussein. emerge from the chaos and to ensure embrace supposedly designed to hold in catastrophe No Arab Spring some form of influence over the new check the avaricious intentions of Amer¬ of post-2003 protester, however Syria. That is the only way to salvage ica and Israel. All the Tunisian fruit Iraq must be much he or she might something of the old Arab order that vendor Mohamed Bouazizi was asking placed on die identify with the they feel shifting under their feet. for in December 2010 was dignity and plight of the Palestin¬ And against these kinds of forces, un¬ new Iraqi respect. That is how the Arab Spring ians or decry the fortunately, the young revolutionaries political elite. began, and the toppling of the first Arab cruel policies of Is¬ of the Arab Spring are helpless. dictator, Saddam Hussein, paved the raeli occupation in way for young Arabs to imagine it the West Bank (as I do), would think kanAN MAKIYA is a professor ofIslamic today to attribute all the ills of Arab and Middle Eastern Studies at Brandeis The Arab Spring is now turning into polities to empty abstractions like "im¬ University and the author of "Republic of an Arab winter. The old rules that gov¬ perialism" and "Zionism." They under¬ Fear: The Politics ofModern Iraq" and erned Arab politics have been turned stand in their bones that those phrases "Cruelty and Silence: War, Tyranny, Up¬ completely upside down. Here, too, Iraq were tools of a language designed to rising, and the Arab World." offers lessons. prop up nasty regimes and distract Mr. Hussein used sectarianism and people like them from the struggle for a nationalism as tools against his internal better life. enemies when he was weak. Today's Generations of Arabs have paid with Iraqi Shiite parties are doing worse:

®te$tto#oxk&me* april 10,2013

ted that there could be about 300 million tious pending a tangible framework defi¬ Genel Energy barrels of oil in the field. If so, that would ning availability of export markets and be a major addition to Genel's proven and payments," analysts at Liberum Capital, a Makes Oil Find probable reserves of about 445 million brokerage house in London, wrote in a barrels. research note. Genel holds 60 percent of the license Kurdistan is working to construct in Kurdistan area, which is in the extreme south of the export pipelines to Turkey. In the mean¬ Kurdish region of Iraq. The company's time, Genel is trucking as much as 25,000 By STANLEY REED stock price closed 6.4 percent higher in barrels per day to Turkey for export.

London on Wednesday. The company is also talking to LONDON - Genel Energy, the oil Genel is the largest producer in Turkish utilities and other potential custo¬ exploration company headed by Tony Kurdistan, an autonomous part of Iraq that mers for gas, Mr. Hayward said. Hayward, the former chief executive of BR has struck exploration deals with Chevron It is also trying to diversify its portfo¬ announced Wednesday that it had made a and Exxon Mobil in recent years. lio through exploration in Somaliland, significant oil find in Kurdistan. Despite the recent find, Genel is still Malta, Morocco and Ivory Coast. Genel said its first well al Chia Surkh unable to easily export its oil because of Mr. Hayward noted that George was producing almost 12,000 barrels of disagreements between Kurdistan and Reynolds, who made the oil discovery in oil and 15 million cubic feet, or 435,000 Iraq. The company's production, which Persia that led to the creation of BP's pre¬ cubic meters, of natural gas per day. "The averaged about 45,000 barrels per day last decessor company, drilled in the area of reservoir is delivering at very high rates," year, could be substantially higher if the new find in 1903. That company, Mr. Hayward, the chief executive, said in export pipeline routes were available. Anglo-Persian Oil, revisited the site seve¬ an interview. "Legitimate concern remains over the ral times without finding large amounts of He said that before the company star¬ outlook in Kurdistan and we remain cau oil. O ted drilling, third-party estimates indica

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

ieîlîondt Jeudi H avril 2013 Al-Qaida étend son territoire et unit ses forces

en Irak et en Syrie

incamée par le premier ministre Bagdad Nouri Al-Maliki, sont entrées en Envoyé spécial ;; '' ' ' rébellion depuis décembre 2012.

Àt-Aïn / Dans le monde de la finance, cela Frontière poreuse

s'appelle une OPA, ou plutôt une > Mossoul Parallèlement, l'Iran a accentué

fusion-acquisition. Le chefde l'Etat . sa pression depuis janviersur le Hama Deir ez-Zor islamique en Irak, la branche ira¬ '",.33& gouvernement irakien afin qu'il Horns IRAK kienne d'Al-Qaida, a annoncé, mar¬ aide le régime de Bachar Al-Assad,

di 9 avril dans un message audio, dominé par la minorité alaouite,

la fusion de son groupe avec le Jab- Fallouja une branche dissidente du chiis- Ramadi I hat Al-Nosra (Front du soutien), me. Récemment, les Etats-Unis ont Province d'Anbar 1 ® principale organisation djihadiste sommé le gouvernement Maliki Epicentre Bagdad armée en Syrie. Le nouvel ensem¬ la contestation de ne plus laisser passer les avions ble s'intitulera Al-Qaida en Irak et Bagdad iraniens chargés d'armes à destina¬ au Levant. Cette annonce inter¬ tion de la Syrie. Enfin, les attentats *- r.. ' vient deux jours après l'appel lan¬ ARABIE SAOUDITE commis par l'Etat islamique en &£' 200 cé par Ayman Al-Zawahiri, le suc¬ Irak, essentiellement contre des cesseur d'Oussama Ben Laden à la Principaux attentats revendiqués par le Front Al-Nosra quartiers et lieux de culte chiites, tête de la « maison mère » qaidiste, sont en net regain : l'organisation a Bases militaires tombées aux mains des djihadistes à l'instauration d'un Etat islami¬ aussi visé, le 18 mars, le ministère que en Syrie après la chute du régi¬ de la justice, symbole de l'oppres¬ me de BacharAl-Assad, en proie les zones passées sous son contrô¬ perspective de voir les pays occi¬ sion des sunnites, lors d'une atta¬ depuis plus de deux ans à une le et conclut même des accords dentaux livrer des armes aux rebel¬ que coordonnée telle qu'on en insurrection à majorité sunnite. ponctuels avec la rébellion kurde, les syriens s'éloigne encore un peu avait plus vu à Bagdad depuis Dans son allocution, Abou Bakr comme à Ras Al-Ain, et plus récem¬ plus. Les Etats-Unis n'y ont jamais 2010, faisant 30 morts. Al-Baghdadi, le chefde la branche ment à Alep. Nul ne sait si ces diffé¬ été prêts. Et la France, qui avait Plus grave encore, le 4 mars, irakienne, confirme la version rences sont le fruit d'une réflexion . déjà des difficultés à convaincre 42 soldats syriens ont été tués dans selon laquelle le Front Al-Nosra a sur les excès passés d'Al-Qaida en ses partenaires européens de lever une embuscade tendue entre Rab- été fondé par des transfuges venus Irak ou si elles sont dues à la priori¬ l'embargo, hésite à son tour. ta et la frontière syrienne, dans d'Irak, où ils avaient combattu l'oc¬ té accordée pour l'instant au com¬ Le régime de Damas, qui vient cupation américaine de 2003 à une région reculéedu désert d'An¬ bat contre le régime syrien. de lancer une contre-offensive bar. Ces militaires, repoussés par 2011, notamment avec la bénédic¬ L'annonce de cette fusion est meurtrière, notamment à Alep, et les rebelles syriens près du poste- tion du régime syrien qui encoura¬ une mauvaise nouvelle pour la qui a refusé, lundi, l'envoi d'une geait, à l'époque, le passage de dji- frontière d'Abou Kamal, s'étaient rébellion syrienne. Le Front Al-Nos¬ mission d'enquête de l'ONU sur réfugiés en Irak. Les autorités les y hadistes vers l'Irak. Mais aujour¬ ra a en effet été classé comme terro¬ l'usage d'armes chimiques, ne ont accueillis, les transportant à d'hui, le boomerang est revenu en riste par le département d'Etat peut que se réjouir. En revanche, Bagdad avant de les ramener en Syrie. En un peu plus d'un an, le américain. Et Paris a annoncé mar¬ ce développement fragilise un peu Syrie par un chemin détourné. Front Al-Nosra, qui s'est fait connaî¬ di vouloir discuter avec ses parte¬ plus l'Irak, où les tensions confes¬ Une trentaine d'hommes d'Al-Qai¬ tre par des attentats-suicides, est naires européens et au Conseil de sionnelles et politiques entre chii¬ da, bien renseignés, ont attaqué le devenu la principale force armée sécurité de l'ONU d'un éventuel tes et sunnites menacent déjà l'uni¬ convoi au lance-roquettes RPG et à au sein de la rébellion contre le classement du mouvement com¬ té du pays. Les provinces sunnites, l'arme automatique, après l'avoir régime Assad. Toutefois, le mouve¬ me « organisation terroriste ». La excédées par l'hégémonie chiite immobilisé grâce à des explosifs. ment, qui accueille plusieurs cen¬ Cette affaire est la preuve que taines d'étrangers venus de tout le ;.1 \ les services de sécurité irakiens monde arabe et musulman, est à sont infiltrés par des sympathi¬ large dominante syrienne. 11 sants de l'Etat islamique en Irak. contrôle des portions entières du Une source d'inquiétude supplé¬ territoire, dont plusieurs quartiers >\ mentaire alors que la frontière d'Alep, la deuxième ville du pays, syro-irakienne est très poreuse : théâtre de combats acharnés hommes et armes la franchissent depuis juillet 2012. Le communi¬ dans les deux sens, aidés par dçs qué audio confirme également solidarités tribales très vivaces. qu'Abou Mohammed Al-Joulani, La province d'Anbar, entrée en dont les origines restent obscures, rébellion contre Bagdad et désor¬ est le chefdAl-Nosra. mais galvanisée par la révolution Même si les deux mouvements syrienne, pourrait rapidement n'en forment désormais plus \ .. redevenir le terrain de prédilec¬

qu'un, les observateurs ont noté tion d'Al-Qaida, comme ce fut le des différences réelles dans leur rX h cas de 2004 à 2008. Mais cette approche tactique. Contrairement fois-ci, il n'y a plusd'armée améri¬ à l'Etat islamique en Irak, Le Front caine poury répondre.»

Al-Nosra prend garde à ne pas si. CHRISTOPHE AYAD cibler systématiquement les civils.

Il a évité, pour l'instant, d'imposer Des combattants islamistes du Front Al-Nosra escortent un de leurs

un ordre islamique trop strict dans prisonniers dans la province de Rakka, au nord-est de Damas, dont

ils ont pris le contrôle début mars, reuters

27 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 12 avril 2013 LES KURDES, UN PEUPLE, QUATRE TERRITOIRES, QUATRE HISTOIRES

PAR ANNE BERNAS société extrêmement dynamique et moderne au sein d’un Proche-Orient dévasté par les ’arrêt de la lutte armée annoncé par le conflits. leader kurde Abdullah Öcalan, le 21 mars dernier, remet sur le devant de la La région autonome, fédérale, du Kurdistan scèneL la question kurde, et pas seulement en irakien, est un espoir pour les autres Kurdes Turquie. Sujet brûlant de l’histoire, le peuple de la zone. Alors que seulement 17 % du kurde, entre 20 et 40 millions de personnes, budget national est donné au Kurdistan, la vit sur quatre Etats : la Turquie, l’Irak, l’Iran et région est en modernité perpétuelle : 17 uni- la Syrie. Quatre territoires et pas d’Etat pour versités ont ouvert en dix ans, les hôpitaux, un peuple présent tout autour du monde. Et les autoroutes et les aéroports fleurissent. quatre situations bien différentes. Aujourd’hui, même si la corruption existe et que le système administratif est suranné, le Le « Kurdistan » est un territoire sans fron- Kurdistan irakien est l’une des seules régions tières. Les Kurdes, dispersés entre la Turquie, où la sécurité est réelle. Au point que la zone l’Irak, l’Iran et la Syrie, se démènent tant bien est devenue, dans le chaos régional, un lieu que mal avec leur Etat respectif depuis des d’asile pour des réfugiés chrétiens et que de plus en plus d’Arabes y passent leurs Les Kurdes de Syrie à l’épreuve de la rébel- décennies, mais une radicalisation existe lion. Les enjeux, après deux années de révo- depuis 1975 en Irak, 1979 en Iran, 1984 en vacances… lution, sont énormes pour les Kurdes de Turquie et 2011 en Syrie. Déstabilisé par la guerre en Syrie et en lutte Syrie. RFI/Jérôme Bastion La fin des années 1970 et 1980 au Proche- permanente avec l’Etat fédéral de plus en plus Orient, marquées par la guerre civile au Liban autoritaire, le Kurdistan irakien reste un mod- sont énormes pour les Kurdes de Syrie. « et la guerre entre l’Iran et l’Irak, ont de nom- èle pour tous les peuples kurdes.Il a un impact L’Armée syrienne libre n’est pas appréciée par breuses analogies avec les temps présents ; la sur les Kurdes dans l’ensemble de la région. les Kurdes qui regrettent que le mouvement région étant aujourd’hui encore rattrapée par Depuis juillet 2012, à la faveur de la rébellion, de révolte n’ait pas conservé son aspect paci- des violences, en Syrie, en Turquie, etc. les Kurdes de Syrie font l’expérience de fique », déplore Sève Aydin Izouli, avocate au Pourtant, les années 1970 et 1980 ont été l’autonomie dans un espace plus ou moins Barreau de Paris et militante de la cause marquées par une marginalisation des Kurdes pacifié. L’espace kurde syrien, défendu par kurde, qui récuse les accusations de certains qui avaient été des acteurs armés à part une petite armée (de 20 000 à 40 000 soldats membres de l’opposition syrienne envers les entière dans des conflits comme celui entre selon les sources), n’est plus un mythe. Kurdes, soupçonnés à tort de soutenir le l’Iran et l’Irak. La « fin du peuple kurde » régime Assad. Les Kurdes ne veulent plus du aurait alors pu arriver, car seule la diaspora de Mais le chemin pour en arriver là a été long et régime barbare des Assad mais refusent la l’époque vivait et faisait vivre l’identité kurde. semé d’embuches. Les Assad se sont attelés création d’une République arabe syrienne durant des décennies à morceler le territoire comme l’a évoqué l’opposition ». LES KURDES, UNE ENTITÉ QUI COMPTE kurde de Syrie en créant une « ceinture arabe DANS LA RÉGION » autour des trois régions que sont Hassakeh, Lors de la Déclaration de Damas en 2005, les Kobane et Efrin. Kurdes étaient associés au mouvement de Mais le peuple kurde est encore là. Plus que revendication pour la création d’une jamais même. Il est aujourd’hui une entité qui En Syrie, jusqu’en 2004 où a eu lieu le République syrienne, et non arabe. Et si Assad compte dans la région. Suite à la Guerre du soulèvement de Qamishli stimulé par le conflit n’a pas réprimé les Kurdes au début de la Golfe de 1990, les Kurdes irakiens établissent en Irak,le peuple kurde (3 millions de person- révolution comme ce fut le cas à Deraa, « c’est une zone autonome au nord de l'Irak. Ils sou- nes sur une population totale de 22 millions) parce qu’il ne voulait pas mettre le feu aux tiennent en 2003, l'intervention américaine en n’a jamais fait appel à la lutte armée pour poudres dans la région », affirme l’avocate. Irak. revendiquer ses droits, droits culturels, droits territoriaux et surtout le droit de se voir Le conflit syrien ne manque donc pas Adoptée par référendum en 2005, la restituer la nationalité syrienne. Une loi sur le d’inquiéter les Kurdes. L’opposition syrienne Constitution irakienne reconnaît une très large recensement en 1962 déchoit plus de 300 000 les fait douter quant à leur avenir. Et Sève autonomie au Kurdistan. Après une vingtaine kurdes de leur nationalité. Alors que dans les Aydin Izouli de regretter que « les Kurdes, les d’années d’existence, il est le symbole d’une autres pays de la région les autorités tentent chrétiens, sont absents de la Coalition ». d’assimiler les Kurdes, en Syrie, ils sont pure- ment et simplement apatrides (470 000 apa- L’OPPRESSION DES KURDES D’IRAN trides aujourd’hui en Syrie). En Iran, comme en Syrie, la contestation mili- En 2004, la répression contre les Kurdes s’est taire est absente mais le divorce entre amplifiée. Un embargo économique a été mis Téhéran et les Kurdes est total et la radicalisa- en place par le régime de Damas pour étouf- tion inédite. La répression n’en est que plus fer la zone kurde. Bachar el-Assad a mis en féroce. Le pays est une mosaïque de peuples place une loi interdisant les ventes immobil- et de cultures, Perses, Azaris, Kurdes, ières dans la région. Le peuple kurde et le Balouchs, Arabes, etc , vivant ensemble sur un Kurdistan syriens paraissent avoir vécu ce que territoire gigantesque. subit aujourd’hui l’ensemble du peuple syrien sous le joug du régime de Damas. Le Kurdistan iranien s’étend sur 125 000 kilo- mètres carrés d’un territoire de plus 1,6 ➤ Les enjeux, après deux années de révolution,

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➤ million de kilomètres carrés, 16 % des 77,8 autorités ne tentent pas de freiner au millions d’Iraniens sont des Kurdes. Pourtant, Kurdistan- en rajoute à la misère ambiante. depuis le XXe siècle, l’Iran est une nation monolithique où le persan est devenu Depuis 2005 et l’arrivée au pouvoir de l’identité ethnique la plus favorisée. Alors que Mahmoud Ahmadinedjad et surtout après les 60 % des Iraniens ne sont pas Persans… contestations de 2009, les violences contre les Kurdes se sont accrues. « Un mois avant les Pourtant, la révolution de 1979 a représenté célébrations de Norouz, explique Khosrow un réel espoir de reconnaissance pour les Abdollahi Mandolkani, plus de 60 personnes Kurdes, mais aujourd’hui, selon Khosrow ont été arrêtées dans les provinces kurdes Abdollahi Mandolkani, du Parti démocratique d’Iran ». du Kurdistan d’Iran, le peuple kurde est le peuple le plus opprimé d’Iran. Les droits élé- Les Kurdes d’Iran réclament une reconnais- mentaires, civils et politiques, sont violés par sance, un système fédéral. Mais leur voix reste la politique répressive du régime. La discrimi- étouffée. nation confessionnelle est également Durant la décennie 1990, le gouvernement omniprésente. VERS LA FIN DE LA CRISE EN TURQUIE ? turc reconnaît bien malgré lui l'identité kurde, Des centaines de milliers de person- À la demande d’octroi d’une autonomie, C’est en Turquie que la question kurde est la nes étaient rassemblées à Diyarbakir, dans Téhéran, après six mois de tergiversations et plus médiatisée. La minorité kurde en Turquie sud-est de la Turquie, pour écouter de pseudonégociations, répond par la répres- représente 20 % de la population. Mais à la l’annonce du chef du PKK, le 21 mars sion militaire. Le 19 août 1979, une fatwa a création de la République turque, l'identité 2013.REUTERS/Umit Bektas proclamé « le jihad contre les Kurdes ». La kurde est oubliée. chasse aux Kurdes est en marche depuis lors. Les assassinats politiques, perpétrés en Iran promet un investissement économique dans la économique. Se développe une conception comme à l’étranger, se multiplient. En 2013, région et offre aux Kurdes la possibilité de fondée sur l’égalité, les droits et les libertés », les régions kurdes d’Iran sont parmi les s'organiser politiquement . Il mène par ailleurs a déclaré dans une lettre le leader du PKK. des opérations offensives contre un parti armé, le PKK, le parti fondé par le leader de la UNE « KURDISTANISATION DES rébellion Abdullah Öcalan, et cela jusque dans SOCIÉTÉS » son sanctuaire irakien. Un peuple sur quatre Etats, quatre probléma- L'organisation multiplie les actions armées, tiques distinctes, mais une unique question jusqu’en Europe. Selon les chiffres officiels, 45 régionale, car chaque dimension interne a un 000 personnes ont été tuées depuis le début impact externe. Plus de quarante années de du conflit. revendications pour aboutir aujourd’hui à une Depuis 2009, ayant pour modèle le Kurdistan « Kurdistanisation des sociétés », selon la for- irakien, l'Union des communautés du mule d’Hamit Bozarslan, directeur d’études à Kurdistan (KCK) met tout en œuvre pour par- l’EHESS : en 2013, la société kurde est jeune, venir à l'autonomie et à l'autodétermination. plus de 50 % de la population a moins de 25 Mais l’Etat turc refuse de négocier. ans.

La frontière entre l'Iran et le Kurdistan Le 21 mars dernier, le chef rebelle kurde Avec le temps, la contestation ne s’est pas irakien. (Photo : AFP) emprisonné Abdullah Öcalan a appelé les essoufflée, bien au contraire puisque les rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan jeunes poursuivent la lutte pour la reconnais- régions les plus sous-développées du pays et à déposer les armes. « La phase de lutte sance du peuple kurde et de ses spécificités. affichent un triste record de chômage à 50 %. armée laisse la place à une phase de politique C’est même une radicalisation qui émerge. La Le fléau de la toxicomanie qui s’accroît chez démocratique. Commence un processus civilisation kurde ne cesse de s’intensifier, au les jeunes dans le tout le pays -mais que les essentiellement politique, social et sein des territoires kurdes comme à l’étranger. La culture kurde, son cinéma, sa littérature, sa musique, est plus que jamais vivante dans le monde.

Le massacre de Halabja, la pire attaque au gaz « La revendication de constitution d’un espace kurde est ainsi intergénérationnelle. Lorsqu’un perpétrée contre des civils mouvement apparaît dans l’un des quatre ter- ritoires kurdes, un mouvement se crée à Le 16 mars 2013, la ville de Halabja a commémoré le 25e anniversaire du bom- l’échelle régionale », poursuit le chercheur. bardement au gaz ordonné par Saddam Hussein. 5 000 personnes y ont trouvé la mort, dont les trois quarts étaient des femmes et des enfants. En 1988, les peshmer- Le Kurdistan d’Irak, bien qu’il soit toujours gas, combattants kurdes, s’emparent de la ville engloutie dans les montagnes du sous la menace d’un conflit avec Bagdad, est Kurdistan irakien. aujourd’hui un modèle pour les peuples La guerre avec l’Iran touche à sa fin. L’armée irakienne ne tarde pas à riposter et Kurdes de la région. De l’avenir du régime à chasser les combattants de la ville où ne restent plus que des femmes et des enfants. iranien et de sa sortie de l’autoritarisme dépendra celui du peuple kurde dans cet Etat. Le 16 mars, durant plus de cinq heures des avions de combat irakiens déversent un Téhéran affronte une crise structurelle, tant mélange de gaz moutarde et des neurotoxiques Tabun, Sarin et VX . sur le plan interne que régional, et la solution Ali Hassan al-Majid, dit Ali le chimique, cousin de Saddam Hussein, est militaire semble exclue. En Syrie, l’après- condamné à mort pour avoir commandité le massacre de la ville. Il est pendu le 25 Assad sera décisif pour les Kurdes syriens. En janvier 2010. Sans avoir jamais exprimé ni le moindre remord ni le plus petit regret. Turquie, les négociations entre le PKK et l’Etat permettront-elles de parvenir à une cohabita- A. B. tion pacifique ? La question reste entière. Ë

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The direct trade of crude and condensate by truck through Turkey has been rising steadily and now stands at close to 50,000 barrels per day (bpd). Exports of Taq Taq crude by truck are now more than Iraqi Kurdistan 25,000 bpd, industry sources said. A senior Iraqi official said last month the growing trade between the sells first crude, defies Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Turkey threatens to split Iraq in two. AprilBaghdad 5, 2013 - By Jessica Donati and Peg Mackey - (Reuters) Oil lies at the heart of a long-running feud between the central government and Kurdistan. Baghdad says it alone has the authority to control exports and sign contracts, while the Kurds say their right LONDON, The first cargo of Iraqi Kurdistan's crude oil has been to do so is enshrined in Iraq's federal constitution. sold on the international market, industry sources said, as the auto- nomous northern region ramps up trade the central government Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Kareem Luaibi said in January the ministry views as illegal. of oil intended to sue Anglo-Turkish Genel Energy and other compa- nies for the export of crude from Iraqi Kurdistan. The crude pumped from Genel Energy's Taq Taq oilfield was trucked over Iraq's northern border with Turkey and sold via tender for loa- Genel Energy GENL.L expects to export oil by pipeline from its fields ding in April. in Iraqi Kurdistan by 2014, regardless of a political impasse between Baghdad and the semi-autonomous region. One trader said the cargo sold was 30,000 tonnes, which at Friday's market prices was worth around $22 million. A number of major oil firms with interests in the south have opted not to participate in tenders offering Kurdish crude and condensate to "I said we may have interest for this 30,000 tonne cargo and they avoid angering Baghdad. (Powertrans) said we already sold it," said the prospective buyer. That said, buyers of Kurdish condensate have so far faced few reper- S.E.T. Select Energy GmbH, an energy firm based in Hamburg, cussions, with one notable exception - trading house Trafigura, which Germany, won the tender issued by intermediary Powertrans, accor- was banned from Iraq in December. ding to two industry sources. In any event, demand by smaller players and oil majors that do not Select Energy did not immediately respond to email and telephone have interests in southern Iraq is sufficient to absorb the growing G requests for comment. volume on offer.

08 ApAprilril2013 2013

But there is one more truly effective way that Baghdad can fight back: to make a Kurdish Crude Hits play for disputed Kirkuk, the most prized oil field in Iraq. This is what the Kurds worry the International Market about most. Earlier this year, Baghdad announced it By. Jen Alic crude—another step towards greater auto- was reviewing offers from foreign oil com- Oilprice.com nomy or independence. panies (including BP) to develop a massive This is a particularly dangerous precedent Kirkuk oilfield, claimed both by Baghdad he Baghdad-Erbil oil standoff will for Baghdad, whose oil ministry is lashing and Erbil. This is the focal point for the Tescalate as the Iraqi Kurds sell out verbally, promising to halt the “smug- showdown between the Iraqi central their first crude oil on the internatio- gling”. government and the Kurdistan Regional nal market and as Austria’s OMV Government (KRG), and it will all come Right now, the Iraqi Kurds are trucking launches production at one of its down to who controls this disputed terri- about 50,000 bpd of crude and condensate wells and South Korea’s state-run oil tory’s oil riches. company reveals another significant to Turkey, with exports from Taq Taq discovery. accounting for about half of that. In the meantime, the Iraqi Kurds will conti- nue to up the ante here. Genel expects to Traders would like to keep a low profile on Turkey’s Genel Energy has successfully sold start exporting by pipeline directly to this right now, fearing repercussions from the first crude oil from its Taq Taq field in Turkey by 2014, regardless of whether it Baghdad. So far, one trading house has Northern Iraq, trucking 30,000 tons across has Baghdad’s blessing, which it won’t. been affected. In December, the Iraqi the border to Turkey and selling it via ten- Erbil is eyeing 3 million barrels of crude oil authorities banned Trafigura trading house der for loading in April. It’s worth around exports per day after the pipeline comple- from Iraq for double-dealing with the $22 million and the tender went to tion. Germany-based S.E.T. Select Energy Kurds. But as long as a trader has no busi- GmbH. ness with the Iraqi central government, In the meantime, new production is there’s really nothing Baghdad can do. coming on line and new discoveries are This is the first time that Northern Iraq’s adding to the mix. Genel and Austria’s OMV If you dig a little deeper, the politics gets crude has been sold on the international AG said last week that an extended well more interesting. Iraqi Deputy Prime market without the Iraqi central govern- test started production from the Bina Bawi- Minister Hussein al-Shahristani is one of ment’s involvement. While operators in 3 well in Iraqi Kurdistan on 20 March, sho- the most actively outspoken voices against Kurdistan have been trucking crude into wing an initial capacity of 5,000 boe/d. Iraqi Kurdistan’s oil moves. He’s also one of Turkey (or smuggling, as Baghdad insists) Genel owns a 44% stake, while OMV holds Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s strongest for a while, this has been in a barter deal, a 36% stake and the KRG holds 20%. not for sale on the international market. allies. It is Shahristani who is vowing to halt the Kurds’ “smuggling operations”. The South Korea’s state-owned oil company The Kurds export crude to Turkey in return Kurds are hoping to get rid of him and to KNOC and its partner Swiss Oryx have also for refined oil derivatives like gasoline, do that they are quietly promising Maliki announced a new discovery in Northern intended for local consumption in Northern they willo support him with a vote of confi- Iraq. KNOC claims a “significant” new dis- Iraq—not for the international market. dence if he sidelines Shahristani from the covery in the Hawler field, with 10,000 bpd Now they’re making money on their Oil Ministry. capacity during initial testing. G

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droits, mais nous avons adopté une tactique défensive, jamais offensive, nous Dans le nord syrien, ne faisons que riposter. Ce fut le cas à Cheikh Maqsoud", explique un cadre du les villages kurdes parti à Afrine. AAlep, les Kurdes représentent 20% de la population. Dans ce quartier, rebelles submergés par les déplacés et kurdes combattent ensemble les forces du régime de Bachar al-Assad qui ripostent en mobilisant notamment l'aviation. Samedi 15 personnes, dont neuf AFRINE (Syrie), 10 avril 2013 (AFP) enfants, ont été tuées dans un raid aérien. Les blessés sont transférés vers un hôpital de campagne d'Afrine. Sur les lits, des enfants, des femmes, des civils et quelques combattants du YPG, comme "JE N'AURAIS JAMAIS cru que cela nous arriverait": comme Nesrine, cet homme de 28 ans blessé à la jambe par des éclats d'obus. chaque jour des milliers de déplacés arrivent à Afrine, à 60 km au nord d'Alep, fuyant les combats qui ont récemment gagné les quartiers kurdes "J'ai été transporté à l'hôpital il y a une semaine, je ne sais même pas si mes de la capitale économique syrienne. enfants sont encore à Alep, s'ils sont encore vivants", dit-il. "Nous vivions bien puis brusquement nous avons dû fuir avec les seuls habits "Au premier jour des combats, 100.000 déplacés sont arrivés. Dix jours après, que nous portions", poursuit cette femme de 25 ans, qui se retrouve désormais ils étaient 250.000", affirme Seenan Mohammad, co-présidente du Conseil dans une salle de classe avec son mari, son fils et ses beaux-parents et sub- populaire du Kurdistan occidental (CPKO), émanation du PYD. siste grâce à l'aide alimentaire fournie par le Conseil suprême kurde, qui cha- "Comme d'autres déplacés étaient arrivés avant, des régions de Homs (centre) peaute tous les partis kurdes. ou même de Deraa (sud), la population d'Afrine et des villages alentour a plus Ces Kurdes syriens ont pris naturellement le chemin d'Afrine car "c'est le seul que doublé passant de 600.000 à 1,5 million d'habitants", ajoute cette femme endroit sûr et c'est chez nous", affirme un chef de famille rencontré dans une des également membre du Conseil suprême kurde, qui chapeaute une dizaine de 17 écoles d'Afrine transformées en camp improvisé. Les autres hommes partis kurdes de Syrie. approuvent. "Avant, Afrine était une petite ville calme, maintenant on se croirait à Paris, avec Ils viennent tous de Cheikh Maqsoud, un quartier du nord d'Alep, qui jouissait tous ces embouteillages", glisse un homme. jusqu'à la semaine dernière du même calme que les villages kurdes, seule "Aucune organisation internationale n'a envoyé d'aides pour les déplacés région du nord syrien où aucun tir ni explosion ne résonne, où aucun immeuble kurdes, pour le moment tous les habitants participent aux frais et nous donnent n'a été éventré par un bombardement aérien. de quoi nourrir les déplacés, mais qu'en sera-t-il dans un mois?", lance une Depuis le début de la révolte il y a deux ans, les Kurdes (15% de la population) volontaire du Comité humanitaire du Conseil suprême. ont tenté de garder leurs régions à l'abri des violences, interdisant aux rebelles Car pour certains déplacés, l'installation à Afrine pourrait durer. "Hier, les voisins comme aux soldats d'y pénétrer. nous ont appelé pour nous apprendre que notre maison à Cheikh Maqsoud avait A l'été 2012, l'armée régulière s'en est retirée sans combat et les Comités de brûlé", raconte ainsi une femme, qui partage avec ses proches une demi-dou- protection du peuple kurde (YPG), bras armé du Parti de l'union démocratique zaine de matelas et de couvertures à même le sol. H (PYD), y assurent la sécurité. Le PYD est considéré comme la branche syrienne du PKK turc. "Nous sommes pour la révolution contre le régime baasiste qui a spolié nos

13 avril 2013 Iran: au moins 56 kurdes exécutés en un an Par Maxime-Azadi prisons iraniennes et met un accent spécifique sur l’application de la peine de mort pour des membres de minorités en Iran." e régime iranien a exécuté au moins 56 kurdes au cours de Les condamnations pour des délits liés à la drogue représentent encore l'année 2012, sur 77 qui ont été condamnés à la peine de mort. la majorité des exécutions (76 %), souligne le rapport. LPrès de 30 prisonniers politiques kurdes attendent en outre dans les couloirs de la mort. Le site d’information Kurdpa affirme de son coté que les tribunaux ira- niens ont condamné au moins 77 kurdes, dont neuf prisonniers poli- L'Iran se classe au deuxième rang des cinq pays où la peine de mort est tiques, à la peine de mort, au cours de la même année. Parmi eux, 56 le plus appliqué, après la Chine, et devant l'Irak, l'Arabie saoudite et les ont été exécutés pour des délits de droit commun. Etats-Unis, selon le rapport sur la peine de mort en 2012 d'Amnesty International. 27 PRISONNIERS POLITIQUES KURDES MENACES D'EXECUTIONS Les autorités iraniennes ont reconnu l'exécution de 314 personnes en 2012, mais l'Amnesty International et les organisations de la société Dix prisonniers politiques kurdes ont été exécutés depuis 2007 par le civile iranienne affirment que ce chiffre est bien en-deçà de la réalité. régime iranien. Selon un décompte du site d'information ActuKurde, au moins 27 autres seraient toujours dans le quartier des condamnés à PRES DE 600 EXECUTIONS EN 2012 mort en raison de leur appartenance présumée à des organisations Dans un rapport publié le 4 avril, L'Ensemble contre la peine de mort kurdes interdites et de leurs activités pour le compte de ces groupes. (ECPM), une organisation francophone, et Iran Human Rights (IHR) Il s'agit de, Sherko Maarifi, Hebibollah Latifi, Sami Hosseini, Jamal s'alarment sur la situation de la peine de mort en Iran. Au moins 580 Mohammedi, Rostem Arkiya, Mostefa Salimi, Anwar Rostemi, Iredj personnes ont été exécutées l'année dernière, selon ces deux ONG. Mohammadi, Mohammad Amin Agochi, Ahmad Poladkhani, Hassan "Depuis la dernière élection présidentielle, le nombre des exécutions Talaï, Aziz Mohamadi Zadeh, Habibollah Golperipour, Abdoulah publiques est en constante augmentation. Avec 60 cas recensés, elles Sirouri, Rachid Agkendi, Loqman Moradi, Zanyar Moradi, Bakhtiyar ont été en 2012 plus de six fois plus élevées qu’en 2009. Notre rapport Mimari, Sirwan Nijwari, Ibrahim Isapour, Hosheng Rezaï, Simko met également en exergue l’augmentation des exécutions secrètes (286 Khurshidi, Saman Nessimi, Mansour Arwend, Sirwan Najad, Habib exécutions non officielles en 2012) pratiquées dans au moins quinze H Achrafi, Ali Achrafi.

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TIME Avril 8 , 2013

TURKEY'S TRIUMPHS

BY KARL VICK / JERUSALEM

N THE MIDDLE EAST, have mostly inclined toward allyingwith with CNN Turk on March 24, 48 hours af¬

where nations often Western powers; a peaceful resolution of ter the Netanyahu-Erdogan call.

compete furiously to the PKK's war with Turkey would be a The two countries had already been

claim the mantle of the step toward bolstering pro-Western sup¬ working the back channels when Obama,

injured party, sorry truly port in the Middle East. upon arriving in Israel on March 20, began

is the hardest word. So For President Obama, who spoke brief¬ pressing Netanyahu to make the apology

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan¬ ly with Erdogan after the Israeli Prime Erdogan had made a condition for any

yahu's U.S.-brokered March 22 apology Minister, the payoff from Netanyahu's open thaw. "In a single stroke, [the U.S.] re¬

to his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip gesture is the end to an impasse that need¬ habilitated the Turkey-Israel relationship, Erdogan, was as unusual as it was re¬ lessly complicated his own problems in which was traditionally the region's only vealing about the reordered priorities of the Middle East. Israel, Turkey and the axis of stability," says Soli Ozel, a profes¬ America's two most valued allies in the U.S. share overlapping national interests sor of international relations at Istanbul's region and about the Obama Adminis¬ in so many areas that it made no sense Kadir Has University. tration's need for its friends to get along that two of the three were not on speak¬ The first priority for both Israel and at a time of deepening instability in the ing terms as several of those areas burst Turkey is Syria, the country falling apart region. As arranged in advance, Netan¬ into flames, including a messy revolu¬ between them. Writing on his Facebook yahu read out an officiai apology over the tion in Egypt, a bloody uprising in Syria page on March 24, Netanyahu said Syria phone for the nine lives lost on the Turk¬ and Iran's inching ever closer to nuclear was "a prime consideration" in making his ish vessel Mavi Marmara in May 2010, capability. "I can think of a thousand apology. "Syria is crumbling, and its mas¬

when Israeli commandos boarded the aid reasons why Turkey and Israel should be sive stockpiles of advanced weapons are

ship that was en route to break Israel's friends. I cannot find one reason whythey starting to fall into the hands of various

blockade of the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu's shouldn't be friends," Israeli President elements," he wrote. "What we fear most

words restored an alliance of the two Shimon Peres pointed out in an interview is that terrorist groups will get their hands

most stable democracies in the Middle on chemical weapons."

East and the superpower that needs them Both countries favor the removal of Where the Kurds Live on the same side and handed Erdogan a Syrian President Bashar Assad. And both

huge boost in prestige. are working closely with Washington The apology crowned what was already Turkey to support the Syrian rebels and a historic week forTurkish diplomacy. Just tf/ndrSc» ) GEORGIA '--. Israel to monitor Assad's chemical and a day earlier, Erdogan had won an arguably biological weapons. Their rapprochement more important and far-reaching conces¬ < ARMENIA will reduce the potential for mishaps and,

sion from another antagonist. Abdullah TURKEY Kurdish "Ir-.-.- at minimum, give an already paranoid re¬ region Y \_j * Ocalan, the jailed leader of the militant gime something new to worry about. 7 QsnUil PKK, or KurdistanWorkers' Party, ordered If it was only a matter of time before Dlyarbaklr ^ li'oiin'ûins his fighters out ofTurkey and declared that the two old allies made up in the face of a the Kurdish quest for equal rights a con¬ mutual threat, the newharmony between Arbll* IRAN flict that has claimed more than 40,000 the PKK and Turkey was not quite so in¬ SYRIA Kirkuk* lives over three decades would hence¬ evitable. For decades, the two sides have

forth be a purely political struggle. ground away at each other with a dogged IRAQ The twin victories not only enhance O violence that has marred Turkey's other¬ Baghdad Erdogan's standing as a regional power wise remarkable transformation into a

player but also carry substantial conse¬ major diplomatic and economic player in

quences for a rapidly changing Middle the region. The Turkish government and

East. The implications range from the military have long been accused ofabuses

immediate (coordinated Turkish-Israeli by human-rights groups, while the PKK is 'In a single stroke, responses to the chaos in Syria) to the in¬ considered a terrorist organization by the termediate (more cooperation in the ef¬ [the U.S.] rehabilitated U.S. and the E.U. fort to deny Iran a nuclear weapon). In the Ocalan, the man now trying to make the Turkey-Israel longer term, a Turkish peace deal with the peace with Erdogan's government from Kurdish rebels will nurture the national¬ relationship, which was his island prison in the Sea of Marmara, ist aspirations ofKurds elsewhere. Turkey traditionally the region's began the Kurdish rebellion in 1984, tak¬ is home to about halfofthe world's 30 mil¬ ing up arms against a state that had long

lion Kurds, the world's most populous only axis of stability.' suppressed the Kurdish ethnic and cul¬

landless people; the rest are spread mainly tural identity. When the Western powers SOLI OZEL, INTERNATIONAL-

over four other nations: Iran, Iraq, Syria RELATIONS EXPERT, redrew the map of the region after World

and Armenia. Historically, the Kurds KADIR HAS UNIVERSITY War I, they broke promises to the Kurds

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

Kurds in the PKK stronghold ofQandil in northern Iraq celebrate the festival ofhlmoruz and the announcement of the cease-fire. The flags represent the PKK, Iraqi Kurdistan and

a PKK-affiliated political party.

Photograph by Hawre Muhamed **

,*a

h- » * -< -?* *M

' -K -ir/

And now, for his third act Erdogan, waving to the breakthrough in months-long secret Imrali Island on Feb. 23, according to a deputies in the Turkish parliament, has made no negotiations with Ocalan was the prod¬ leaked transcript. secret ofhis desire to broker peace between the uct ofmutual interests. Both Erdogan and The question now is whether the pact rivalfactions in Palestine Kurdish nationalists can operate more can survive resistance from Turks who freely now that Erdogan has succeeded oppose Erdogan and Kurdish aspirations. that they would have their own homeland in removing the Turkish military from "The number of people who support a in the mountains where Iraq, Iran, Syria, politics; the generals en forced a strict sec¬ democratic solution is on the rise," says Turkey and Armenia meet. Instead, the ular and ethnic line. A new constitution Bekir Agirdir, head of Konda Research ethnic group ended up unhappily divid¬ could accommodate Kurdish aspirations and Consultancy, which supplies politi¬ ed among those countries. In Turkey the within Turkish borders, as polls indicate cians with confidential monthly opinion Kurdish language was banned. Pa rents fil¬ Kurds now prefer. polls. "But the number of people opposed ing birth certificates encountered clerks There's also the matter of Erdogan's is also increasing. There is more polar¬ who erased Kurdish names and assigned career ambitions. His Justice and Devel¬ ization." Ocalan also will have to placate Turkish ones. The injustices fueled the opment Party is seeking to empower the skeptics within the PKK. But if the two rise of the PKK. office of the President currently a most¬ leaders can make the peace stick, Turkey The militants found refuge in north¬ ly ceremonial position as part of a new could offer an example to other nations ern Iraq, where fellow Kurds had enjoyed constitution being drafted to replace the in the region where the democratic urge autonomy from the regime of Saddam military-inspired existing document. It is has become snarled in identity Hussein after 1991. Young Kurds contin¬ widely expected that Erdogan will stand often violently. Erdogan says lie wants ti- ued to join the rebels. "My son went, but for the presidency in 2014, a year before his go to Gaza in April, possibly t* broker a no one should have to go to these moun¬ current term as Prime Minister ends. But real reconciliation between the warrinj tains anymore. Mothers should no lon¬ his party lacks the two-thirds parliamen¬ Palestinian factions of Ha mas a ridfauh. ger cry," says Sadik Demir, 50, whose son tary supermajority to pass the charter, and That has long seemed à iWIVerrand. Hamdi was 16 when he joined the PKK. none of its secular rivals are disposed to but after the improbable week he's had. Hamdi died last October al the age of 20 help. That leaves the Kurds, whose main who can blame Erdogan for imagining during a battle with the Turkish military. political bloc, the Peace and Democracy what's possible? with rupori in<;' «à "Enough, no more," says the father, his Party (or BDP), lionizes Ocalan. "We can JAY NEWTON-SMALL/WASHINGTON, PEL1N

voice quaking as it rises. support [Erdogan's] presidency," Ocalan turgut/istanbul and piotr ZALEWSKN

Like the rapprochement with Israel, told BDP lawmakers who visited him on HAKKARI

HSEISXkME 12 avril 2013

sous de la catégorie "investissement".

Moody's : la paix avec "Le conflit dans le sud-est du pays est depuis longtemps un

facteur d'incertitude politique qui limite la qualité du crédit de la les Kurdes, bon point Turquie", relève l'agence de notation américaine dans sa publica¬ tion sur les perspectives de crédit, CreditOutlook.

Le cessez-le-feu et la création d'une commission parlemen¬

pour la Turquie taire sont pour l'heure les indications les plus fortes d'une montée

en puissance des négociations de paix, dit Moody's. Par Reuters Moody's avait dit en janvier que la Turquie devait améliorer sa L'agence de notation Moody's a estimé jeudi que le processus de résistance aux aléas extérieurs en réduisant son déficit des paie¬ paix entre le gouvernement turc et la rébellion kurde constituait ment courants ou en augmentant ses réserves de changes avant un point positif pour sa note de crédit. de pouvoir envisager une note en catégorie investissement. Le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) a déclaré un ces¬ Une autre grande agence de notation, Fitch, note la Turquie en sez-le-feu le mois dernier en réponse à un appel lancé de sa pri¬ catégorie investissement depuis novembre. Il faudrait qu'une des son par son président, Abdullah Ôcalan. (voir ) deux autres grandes agences, Moody's ou Standard & Poor's, Moody's note la Turquie Ba1 avec perspective positive. La note fasse de même pour que de nombreux fonds d'investissement Ba1 fait partie des notes de la catégorie spéculative, juste au-des puissent statutairement investir dans le pays.

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

Syrian air raid on Kurdish village kills 11 civilians AMMAN April 14, 2013 -(Reuters)

ELEVEN CIVILIANS were killed when a Syrian warplane bombed a Kurdish village in the oil-producing province of Hasaka in nor- theastern Syria on Sunday, Kurdish activists said. The raid, which killed mostly women and children, is the biggest loss of Kurdish life from loyalist attacks since the start of the two-year uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, they said. The circumstances of the attack on the impoverished village of Haddad, 60 km (40 miles) northeast of the city of Qamishli, are not clear, but it appears that a rebel force specialising in raiding oil wells province in the east, and Kurdish politicians accusing the opposition had deployed on a hill near the village, the Kurdish sources said. of disregarding Kurdish rights and seeking to secure the oil-produ- A statement by the Kurdish National Council said the attack was a cing northeast, which accounts for a large proportion of Syria's oil "serious escalation by the regime" following a series of raids on rural production. areas near Qamishli, where fighting between rebel brigades and Oil output stood before the revolt at a modest 300,000 barrels per day. President Bashar al-Assad's military has intensified in the last week. In January this year the PKK fought hardline Islamist rebel fighters in The Kurdish National Council is an umbrella grouping of the main the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain on the border with Turkey. But the Kurdish parties in Syria, excluding the Syrian branch of the militant situation eased after the intervention of senior opposition figures. The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which effectively has allied with rebels however have resumed attacks on army positions in areas of Assad. the Qamishli countryside in recent weeks. With his forces overstretched, Assad has sought to keep Hasaka from In 2004 Assad put down an uprising by Syria's Kurds, who comprise joining the revolt by handing the PKK control over parts of the pro- an estimated 10 percent of the population. But the community, wary vince. of the rise of militant Islamists in the revolt, have not joined the Distrust between Syria's Sunni Arab majority and the country's armed movement against Assad. Kurds, who are also Sunni, have been deepening during the two-year, Assad's newfound support for the PKK, after years of persecuting the H Arab Sunni led uprising against Assad, with Arab figures in the group, has also caused fissures in the Kurdish community. opposition suspicious that the Kurds may carve out an autonomous

April 14, 2013 In Iraq, an Kurdish renaissance nary success. transcending their long, benighted histo- By Jackson Diehl, ry as the region’s perpetual victims and Deputy Editorial Page Kurdistan is a democracy, though an pawns. Twenty-five years ago, Kurds Editor imperfect one; the territory is peaceful were being slaughtered with chemical and the economy is booming at the rate weapons by Saddam Hussein and perse- of 11 percent a year. Foreign investors cuted by Turkey, where nearly half live. A y now it’s obvious that “spring” is are pouring though gleaming new air- vicious guerrilla war raged between the wrong description of the politi- ports to invest, especially in Kurdish- Kurdish insurgents and the Turkish calB turmoil and civil war that have fol- controlled oil fields. Exxon, Chevron, army. lowed the Arab revolutions of 2011. But Gazprom and Total are among the multi- for one nation in the Middle East, it’s nationals to sign deals with the regional Now Turkey is emerging as the Kurds’ beginning to look like freedom and pros- government. A new pipeline from closest ally and the potential enabler of a perity just might be blooming. “People Kurdistan to Turkey could allow exports string of adjacent, self-governing Kurdish are beginning to talk about the Kurdish to soar to 1 million barrels a day within a communities stretching from Syria to the Spring, not the Arab Spring,” says a grin- couple of years. Iraq-Iran border. Having built close ties ning Fuad Hussein, a senior official in with the Iraqi Kurdish government, the government of Iraqi Kurdistan. There was one university for the region’s Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip 5.2 million people a decade ago; now Erdogan is now negotiating a peace deal Hussein and a delegation from the there are 30. “Our people,” says Hussein, with the insurgent Kurdish Worker’s Kurdistan Region Government, which the chief of staff to President Massoud Party (PKK) — a pact that could mean controls a strip of northern Iraq slightly Barzani, “did quite good.” new language and cultural rights, as well larger than Maryland, were in as elected local governments, for the Washington last week to talk about The bigger story is that Kurds, a non- Kurdish-populated areas of southeastern where their country stands a decade after Arab nation of some 30 million deprived Turkey. of a state and divided among Turkey, the U.S. invasion. From Irbil, Kurdistan’s ➼ capital, the war looks like an extraordi- Iraq, Iran and Syria, are on the verge of Meanwhile, Barzani and the Iraqi

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

➼ Kurds have been trying to foster a ular. Suddenly the Kurds are being States to join Turkey in backing this Kurdish self-government for northern courted by all sides. Iraqi Prime Kurdish renaissance; the Kurds are a Syria, where some 2.5 million Kurds Minister Nouri al-Maliki this month moderate and pro-Western force in an live. Syrian government forces withdrew sent a delegation to Irbil to propose that increasingly volatile region. Yet the from the area last year, giving the Kurds the Kurds return the parliament Obama administration has consistently the chance to set up their own adminis- deputies and ministers they withdrew been at odds with the Iraqi Kurdish gov- tration. Until recently, the principal from the national government last year. ernment. It has lobbied Turkey not to Syrian Kurdish party, the Democratic Barzani’s government declined but allow the new oil pipeline that would Union Party (PYD), was supporting the agreed to send a delegation to Baghdad give Kurdistan economic independence PKK’s fight against Turkey and leaning for negotiations. from Baghdad, and, in the Kurds’ view, toward the regime of Bashar al-Assad. repeatedly backed Maliki’s attempts to Now, thanks to the nascent peace deal, As Hussein portrays it, the talks may be impose his authority on the region. it may be switching sides: Earlier this a last chance to avert a breakup of Iraq month its fighters joined with Syrian into separate Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish “The administration sees us not as a sta- rebels to drive government forces out of areas — a split he blames on Maliki’s bilizing force, but as an irritant, as an a Kurdish-populated district of Aleppo. attempt to concentrate Shiite power. alien presence in the region that compli- “Either we are going to have a real part- cates matters, another Israel,” one of the Middle Eastern geo-politics, which for nership, or we are going to go back to visiting Kurds told me. That, like so so long worked against the Kurds, is our own people,” he said, adding that much of the administration’s policy in now working for them. The sectarian the result could be a referendum on the Middle East these days, is wrong- fragmentation of Syria and Iraq has cre- Kurdistan’s future. headed. Ë ated new space for a nation that is most- ly Sunni Muslim, but moderate and sec- It would make sense for the United

April 15, 2013 Iraq’s Unity Hinges on Flexibility Over Kurd Oil, Hawrami Says By Bruce Stanley Turkey is bound by a 15-year accord with Iraq’s cen- tral government on all oil-related business and any separate Turkish agreement with the KRG would RAQ’S KURDISH region could export 250,000 “endanger” Turkey’s interests in Iraq, Iraqi Oil barrels of oil a day this year and is “on Minister Abdul Kareem al-Luaibi said in an April 1 track”I with discoveries to ship 1 million bar- interview. Differences over the conflict in Syria have rels a day by 2015 and 2 million by 2019, its strained relations between Turkish Prime Minister natural resources minister said. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iraqi counterpart Nouri The semi-autonomous Kurds aren’t seeking inde- al-Maliki. pendence from the rest of the country, Ashti Hawrami said in a statement posted today on Iraq has the world’s fifth-largest crude reserves, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s website. Even so, Iraq’s politi- according to data from BP Plc (BP/), and it revised its estimate cal cohesion depends on the Kurds’ ability to produce and sell oil on upward last week by almost 5 percent to 150 billion barrels. The their own terms, he said. nation’s Kurdish region holds an additional 45 billion barrels, accor- ding to the KRG. Iraq produced 3.2 million barrels a day in March, “We wish to remain part of a democratic and federal Iraq, but given data compiled by Bloomberg show. the country’s troubled history of authoritarian rule, we believe a decentralized oil policy and the sharing of power and wealth is Northern Exports essential to Iraq’s unity,” Hawrami said. The country exported 2.43 million barrels a day last month, accor- Iraqi Kurds are sparring with the central government in Baghdad over ding to the International Energy Agency. Of Iraq’s total shipments, the sharing of revenue from crude sales, investments in Kurdish oil 330,000 barrels a day flowed from the northern oil hub of Kirkuk and fields by foreign companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp., and territo- into Turkey through the pipeline controlled by the central govern- rial claims. Hawrami’s comments came amid increasing speculation ment, the IEA said in its monthly report published on April 11. that the KRG may be preparing to build its own pipeline network to “By 2019, over 3 million barrels a day of oil could flow through Iraq’s export oil and natural gas to neighboring Turkey, as a step toward northern energy corridor to Turkey and the international market,” economic self- sufficiency and, possibly, political independence. Hawrami said. “Export infrastructure must be built, but this requires The Kurds halted exports through the government-operated pipeline tackling bottlenecks through additional feeder and export pipe- in December, due to a payments dispute, and have been trucking lines.” crude into Turkey instead. Turkey, which relies on energy imports, Genel Energy Plc (GENL), the largest producer in Iraq’s Kurdish told Iraq’s government that it’s ready to build pipelines to transport region, announced a discovery on April 10 at the Chia Surkh site. The oil from the landlocked Kurdish enclave once the Baghdad-run net- first of five wells at the field flowed 11,950 barrels of oil a day and work reaches full capacity, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told 15 million cubic feet of gas, the company said in a statement. Chia reporters April 10 in Ankara. Surkh may hold more than 300 million barrels of oil equivalent, for- Kurds ‘Entitled’ mer BP Plc Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward, who runs Genel, said in a phone interview. I “The KRG is entitled to and can make the oil and gas exports hap- pen and prefers to do this with Baghdad,” Hawrami said. “But sadly, those in charge there refuse to honor agreements.”

35 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 2 avril 2013 Les Kurdes du PKK veulent des garanties pour quitter la Turquie STANBUL (Reuters) - Le processus de l'arrestation d'Abdullah Öcalan. tions avec Abdullah Öcalan, auxquelles paix entre la Turquie et les séparatistes Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip une majorité de Turcs étaient jusqu'à pré- Ikurdes du PKK se heurte déjà à un premier Erdogan s'est engagé verbalement à ce que sent opposés. Il s'est en revanche montré un obstacle, le gouvernement d'Ankara de telles attaques ne se reproduisent pas, peu explicite sur les réformes qu'il pourrait refusant de garantir légalement aux mais il s'est opposé à toute législation sur mettre en oeuvre pour convaincre les rebelles qu'ils ne seront pas attaqués pen- ce sujet. Il a en revanche appelé les Kurdes Kurdes de déposer les armes. dant leur retrait du pays. à déposer les armes avant de franchir la Les partis politiques kurdes négocient Le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan frontière afin d'éviter tout malentendu. notamment un renforcement des droits de (PKK) a proclamé un cessez-le-feu le mois "Peu importe où ceux qui partent aban- leur minorité et la mise en place d'un gou- dernier en réponse à l'appel de son diri- donnent leurs armes, ou même s'ils les vernement local aux pouvoirs renforcés geant historique emprisonné, Abdullah enterrent. Ils doivent les déposer et s'en dans le sud-est de la Turquie. Öcalan. aller. Dans le cas contraire, la situation Une délégation du Parti pour la paix et L'étape suivante du processus de paix sera propice aux provocations", a-t-il de la démocratie (BDP, pro-kurde) devrait devrait être le départ des combattants déclaré vendredi à la télévision. par ailleurs évoquer la question de la kurdes vers leurs camps du nord de l'Irak, CONVAINCRE LES KURDES garantie légale réclamée par le PKK lors mais ceux-ci veulent obtenir au préalable d'un prochain entretien avec Abdullah Le PKK campe depuis sur ses exi- l'assurance écrite qu'ils ne seront pas bom- Öcalan. bardés par l'armée turque. gences. Selon une source au ministère de la "Le retrait tel que l'entend Erdogan "Les combattants ne peuvent pas se Justice turc, elle devrait rendre visite le n'est pas au programme de notre mouve- retirer sans élaboration d'une base légale et week-end prochain au dirigeant séparatiste ment", ont prévenu ce week-end les com- sans mesures (concrètes), parce qu'ils ont dans sa prison de l'île d'Imrali, au sud mandants séparatistes kurdes basés dans le subi d'importantes attaques lors de précé- d'Istanbul. dents retraits", a déclaré un commandant nord de l'Irak. Abdullah Öcalan, dont les partisans du PKK, Cemil Bayik, dans un entretien "Il est essentiel pour le développement fêteront l'anniversaire jeudi à Ömerli, son diffusé tard lundi soir par la chaîne kurde sain et pérenne du processus (de paix) que village natal dans le sud-est de la Turquie, Nuce TV. des initiatives concrètes et pratiques soient pourrait à l'issue de cet entretien ordonner prises pour convaincre nos troupes", ont- Des centaines de militants du PKK ont le début du retrait des combattants du ils ajouté dans un communiqué commun. été tués en 1999 dans des affrontements PKK. Ë avec l'armée turque, alors qu'ils cher- Recep Tayyip Erdogan a pris un risque chaient à quitter l'est de la Turquie après politique en rendant publiques les négocia-

15 avril 2013 Les rebelles kurdes réticents à désarmer avant leur retrait par Alexandra Hudson et "Le Premier ministre Erdogan dit qu'il bases situées dans les montagnes du nord Gareth Jones faut désarmer, mais même lui sait que c'est de l'Irak. impossible. Il dit : 'Laissez les armes dans Malgré les difficultés, Selahattin ERLIN (Reuters) - Il sera difficile une grotte ou enterrez-les, faites ce que Demirtas, qui faisait partie de la délégation pour les combattants kurdes de désar- vous voulez'; mais qui va réglementer cela autorisée à rendre visite à Abdullah Öcalan Bmer avant de quitter la Turquie dans le ?", a déclaré à Reuters Selahattin Demirtas, en février, estime que l'espoir de paix cadre du processus de paix, pour des rai- co-président du Parti pour la paix et la demeure. démocratie (BDP, pro-kurde), lors d'un sons touchant à leur sécurité, explique un Seuls le leader kurde et quelques res- passage à Berlin. haut responsable kurde. ponsables turcs sont au fait des détails du Le gouvernement turc de Recep Tayyip La question du désarmement est la plan de paix. Les contacts se font par lettre. Erdogan souhaite un retrait sans armes vers pierre d'achoppement du processus de RETRAIT TERMINE A l'Irak des rebelles kurdes du Parti des tra- paix. Le PKK, qui a déclaré un cessez-le- L'AUTOMNE ? vailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) dans le cadre feu le mois dernier sur ordre de son chef du règlement d'un conflit qui a fait plus de kurde emprisonné Abdullah Öcalan, a fait Selahattin Demirtas précise que deux 40.000 morts depuis 1984. savoir qu'il ne se retirerait pas dans les élus du BDP ont reçu une nouvelle lettre d'Abdullah Öcalan dimanche, lettre qui est Mais les rebelles craignent d'être atta- conditions exigées par Recep Tayyip actuellement entre les mains des responsa- qués. Lors d'un précédent retrait amorcé en Erdogan. bles du ministère de la Justice. 1999, plusieurs centaines d'entre eux ont La prochaine étape dans le processus Cette lettre, qui détaille le retrait, va été tués dans des affrontements avec les de paix est le retrait du territoire turc de ➡ forces de sécurité. 2.000 à 2.500 combattants kurdes vers des être transmise aux chefs du PKK dans

36 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➡ le nord de l'Irak, qui répondront ensuite un règlement. A ce stade, le gouvernement l'éducation dans leur langue maternelle, à Öcalan et au gouvernement turc. devra prendre un certain nombre de reconnaître la diversité turque et prévoir le Abdullah Öcalan pourrait ensuite faire mesures pour la démocratie en Turquie et droit à une certaine forme d'autonomie. une annonce dans les dix jours suivants, le droit des Kurdes. En particulier, les arti- "Il faut des mesures pour libérer les estime Selahattin Demirtas. Dans ce cas, cles de la Constitution qui nient prisonniers politiques et les maires qui estime-t-il, le retrait devrait être pratique- (l'existence) des Kurdes doivent être modi- sont incarcérés", dit-il. fiés", souligne-t-il. ment effectué à l'automne. Plusieurs milliers de militants kurdes, Le plan de paix, résume Selahattin Le BDP a quatre demandes-clés, dont des dizaines d'élus, sont sous les ver- Demirtas, comporte trois étapes : retrait, explique son co-président. La Constitution rous en Turquie, accusés d'avoir soutenu le modifications de la législation et négocia- ne doit pas définir tous les citoyens PKK. tions politiques pour une "normalisation". comme "turcs", comme c'est le cas actuel- lement, elle doit leur accorder le droit à "La deuxième étape est cruciale pour

17 avril 2013

main". Rupture entre le régime et la minorité "Les Kurdes de Syrie kurde ? Majoritaire dans le nord-est du pays, la mino- rité kurde est également présente dans les jouent un jeu trouble" grandes villes et représente environ 15% de la population du pays. À Alep, ils sont 20%. sant aux milices kurdes du Parti de l'union Alors qu'ils tentaient de se Depuis le début de la révolte il y a deux ans, démocratique (PYD) le soin d’y assurer la ils ont tenté de garder leurs régions à l'abri tenir à l'écart du conflit, sécurité. Le PYD est considéré comme la des violences, interdisant aux rebelles d’y allant parfois jusqu'à s'allier branche syrienne du PKK turc. Mais la prise du pénétrer pour éviter les bombardements de quartier par les rebelles début avril semble avec le régime pour préserver l’armée. Ainsi, à Ras el-Aïn, à l’extrémité nord- attester d’un retournement de situation. Car leurs régions des violences, est du pays, de violents combats avaient selon des sources rebelles et kurdes, les opposé fin 2012, trois mois durant, rebelles et les Kurdes de Syrie semblent milices du PYD auraient combattu aux côtés de Kurdes quand des insurgés islamistes avaient la rébellion cette fois. s'être alliés avec les rebelles voulu s’emparer de la ville. Une trêve avait par endroits. "Il y a en effet un jeu trouble de la part des finalement été signée en février 2013 grâce à Kurdes en ce moment en Syrie", observe la médiation de l’opposant Michel Kilo. Fabrice Balanche. "En ce moment, il semble Par Amara MAKHOUL-YATIM Et depuis le début du confit, le régime a de que les Kurdes opèrent un retournement car ils son côté cherché à s’assurer du soutien des croient que l’opposition va peut-être l’emporter. ébut avril encore, le quartier de Cheikh minorités dont les Kurdes, donnant à ces der- Ils tentent donc de lui donner des gages de Maqsoud, au nord d'Alep, jouissait du niers certains gages. Mais l’entente semble D bonne volonté", analyse le chercheur qui même calme que les villages kurdes du nord- désormais révolue, du moins par endroits. insiste sur le fait que "les Kurdes ont toujours est, seule région du nord de la Syrie où aucun "Nous sommes pour la révolution, contre le eu leur propre agenda". Il explique que la tir ni explosion ne résonne, où aucun immeu- régime baasiste qui a spolié nos droits, mais majorité d’entre eux, qui vit dans le nord à la ble n'a été éventré par un bombardement nous avons adopté une tactique défensive, frontière avec la Turquie, souhaite en effet aérien. Mais depuis une quinzaine de jours et jamais offensive, nous ne faisons que riposter. constituer un réduit kurde. au terme d’âpres combats, la rébellion a réussi Ce fut le cas à Cheikh Maqsoud", explique à à y prendre pied. La réaction du régime de Fabrice Balanche met toutefois en garde contre l’AFP un cadre du PYD à Afrine, ville à majorité Bachar al-Assad ne s’est pas fait attendre : le risque de tirer des conclusions hâtives. "Les kurde située au nord d'Alep. depuis le 8 avril, un déluge de bombe s’abat Kurdes de Syrie ne parlent pas tous d’une Un autre évènement récent semble en effet sur Cheikh Maqsoud que la quasi-totalité de même voix selon leur situation géographique confirmer cela : dimanche 14 avril, un raid ses habitants a déserté. et sont de surcroît très divisés", explique-t-il. aérien meurtrier a été mené sur la localité Ainsi, si dans le nord la majorité veut "Depuis le début, le but des Kurdes est de pré- kurde de Haddad, dans le nord-est du pays. l’indépendance, certains ont néanmoins rejoint server leurs zones des violences", explique Quinze personnes ont été tuées, en majorité la rébellion et contestent la mainmise du PYD Fabrice Balanche, chercheur spécialiste de la des femmes et des enfants. Le régime syrien a sur leurs zones. "Ces tensions internes peuvent Syrie, directeur du Groupe de recherches pour mené la semaine dernière une série expliquer le tournant que constitue la prise de la Méditerranée et le Moyen-Orient (GREMMO). d'opérations militaires contre des zones rurales Cheikh Maqsoud", ajoute Fabrice Balanche. "Certains ont négocié avec le régime en pro- des environs de Kamichli, où les combats entre Quant à ceux qui vivent à Damas depuis plu- mettant leur soutien contre la garantie que ce insurgés et soldats sont intensifiés, mais sieurs générations, ils se revendiquent d’une dernier ne bombarderait pas leurs quartiers", l’attaque contre Haddad est la plus meurtrière double identité arabo-kurde, et nombre d’entre poursuit-il. menée par l'armée syrienne contre des Kurdes eux ont rejoint l’opposition. depuis le début du soulèvement en mars 2011. "Jeu trouble" Au vu de la fragmentation de la communauté Selon des sources kurdes citées par Reuters, il Dans certains endroits d’Alep, les Kurdes kurde, on ne peut exclure enfin les problèmes semblerait qu'un groupe d'insurgés spécialisés n’avaient ainsi pas hésité à prêter main forte localisés. "Il y a parfois des histoires de clans, dans l'attaque de puits de pétrole s'était aux forces de Bachar al-Assad pour contrer raconte encore le cherceur. Un jour, l’armée déployé sur une colline des environs du village. l’avancée des rebelles. C’était le cas à Cheikh syrienne a bombardée un immeuble où vivait Cela pourrait expliquer le bombardement, mais Maqsoud. Essentiellement habité par des des Kurdes. Et on m’a raconté que cette il semble que l’entente tacite entre régime et Kurdes, le quartier qui surplombe Alep jouit famille en question était en conflit avec des Kurdes soit enterrée. Le Conseil national kurde d’une position stratégique. À l'été 2012, shabihas [milices du régime, NDLR], le régime a en effet qualifié l’attaque de "grave escalade l'armée régulière s'en était même retirée, lais- a fait cela pour soutenir ses hommes de de la part du régime". G

37 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 14 avril 2013 Raid meurtrier contre un village kurde en Syrie Le Monde.fr avec AFP

'aviation a mené dimanche un raid Lsanglant contre un village kurde du nord-est de la Syrie tuant au moins 16 per- sonnes. Trois enfants sont morts, selon l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'homme (OSDH). "Il y a dans ce village (de la pro- vince de Hassaké) une position rebelle, pourtant ce n'est pas elle qui a été visée mais des maisons habitées par des civils", précise l'organisation, dont les informations repo- sent sur un vaste réseau de militants et de sources médicales civiles et militaires.

Le calme régnait jusqu'à présent dans les régions à majorité kurde dont les dirigeants L'aviation a mené dimanche un raid sanglant contre un village kurde du nord-est ont conclu un compromis avec le régime et de la Syrie tuant au moins 16 personnes. les rebelles. Mais ces dernières semaines, des combattants kurdes ont rejoint les de l'armée à Beyrouth. Mais l'agence officielle Sana, citant un rebelles syriens à Alep provoquant une réac- "responsable" anonyme à Deraa, a accusé le tion brutale de l'armée. Par ailleurs, selon le quotidien allemand Front al-Nosra d'avoir "fait sauter" la Süddeutsche Zeitung, l'Allemagne va envoy- mosquée en arguant que "les terroristes AVION ALLEMAND ATTENDU er lundi un avion militaire spécialement avaient obtenu des fatwa (décrets religieux) aménagé pour chercher en Jordanie plus de les autorisant à viser les lieux de culte si cela Dans cette ville, partagé entre rebelles et loy- 30 Syriens grièvement blessés qui seront s'avérait nécessaire". alistes, le correspondant de la télévision offi- soignés dans plusieurs hôpitaux allemands. cielle Chadi Héloué et deux cameramen "ont L'acte d'allégeance publique de ce mouve- été blessés dans un attentat à la voiture DESTRUCTION D'UNE MOSQUÉE À ment rebelle au chef d'Al-Qaïda Ayman al- piégée". Plus au nord, l'armée a brisé un DERAA Zawahiri jette toujours le trouble chez les siège de six mois de deux camps dans la opposants. "Nous nous opposons ferme- province d'Idleb. Au moins 21 rebelles ont Dans la ville de Deraa, dans le sud du pays, ment à toute action ou déclaration qui va à été tués dans cette attaque contre le village partisans de Bachar Al-Assad et rebelles se l'encontre de la volonté du peuple syrien et de Babulin, précise l'Observatoire. sont mutuellement accusés d'avoir détruit le des objectifs de la révolution. Ces initiatives minaret carré en pierres noires de la servent seulement le régime d'Assad et por- Au même moment, un autre avion a largué mosquée Omari, une construction remon- tent atteinte aux progrès de la révolution", a ses bombes sur Qaboun, un quartier rebelle tant aux premières heures de l'islam. Cette indiqué le plus important regroupement du nord-est de Damas, tuant neuf enfants, mosquée, située dans le centre de Deraa, fut d'opposants au régime de Damas. I selon l'OSDH. Toutes ces violences, selon un le point de départ à la mi-mars 2011 de man- bilan provisoire, ont causé dimanche la mort ifestations géantes en réaction aux tortures de 44 civils et neuf rebelles. Deux personnes infligées par les services de sécurité à des ont été tuées et quatre autres blessées dans enfants qui avaient écrit sur un mur un slo- l'est du Liban par des obus tirés à partir du gan contre Assad. territoire syrien, a indiqué un communiqué

Irak: deux ministres kurdes provisoirement remplacés

BAGDAD, 23 avr 2013 (AFP) Le vice-Premier ministre Hussein Chahristani doit remplacer provisoirement le chef de la diplomatie Hoshyar Zebari, alors que le ministre de la Justice Hassan al-Shammari a été chargé en plus du ministère du Commerce rempla- LE PREMIER MINISTRE irakien, Nouri al-Maliki, a nommé deux per- çant Khayrullah Hassan Babaker, a dit le responsable sous couvert de sonnes pour remplacer provisoirement les ministres des Affaires étran- l'anonymat. gères et du Commerce, deux Kurdes, a indiqué mardi un haut responsa- La région autonome du Kurdistan et le gouvernement fédéral à Bagdad sont ble du gouvernement. en désaccord notamment au sujet de territoires disputés et de contrats pétro- Les ministres kurdes boycottent les réunions du gouvernement depuis début liers, signés par les autorités du Kurdistan sans l'accord de Bagdad. H mars en raison de désaccords sur le budget fédéral.

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

îicralbîiSSribunc Jatu^day-sunday, april 13-14,2013 Rebel Kurds sticking to their guns

ZARGALI, IRAQ

Leader remains defiant after Turkey demands he disarm his forces

BYTIMARANGO

In a safe house made of cinder blocks % and surrounded by grazing goats and sheep, nestled high in the remote moun¬ tains of northern Iraq, a Kurdish fighter who has waged a guerrilla war against Turkey for nearly three decades re¬ mains defiant in the face of peace. "Our forces believe they can achieve

results through war," said the fighter, Murat Karayilan, who commands the

thousands of fighters of the Kurdistan Murat Karayilan, who commands the thousands of fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, Workers' Party, or the P.K.K.

For all the costs of the long war, Mr. or P.K.K., in a safe house in Iraq this month. Karayilan, his fighters and millions of

Kurds believe it has helped them Since a cease-fire was announced in

achieve something they never would March by Mr. Ocalan, pausing a war TURKEY ^ have without armed struggle: a recog¬ that has claimed nearly 40,000 lives QANDIL MTNS. nition of Kurdish identity and more since it began in 1984, Mr. Karayilan has democratic rights. been holding meetings and conferences Now, as the P.K.K. negotiates peace with his followers to convince them of

with Turkey to end one of the Middle the merits of a deal that many of them

East's most intractable conflicts, it is are reluctant to accept for one overrid¬ clinging to its guns despite demands by ing reason.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish The rank and file, he said, "do not be¬ prime minister, that it lay them down as lieve and trust the approach of Turkey.' ' a condition of talks. That defiance sug¬ Mr. Erdogan, whose efforts at peace

gests that the peace process, despite the could establish his legacy as a peace¬ hope it has engendered on both sides, maker and propel him to the presidency could be longer and more arduous than next year, has demanded that the thou¬

at first anticipated. sands of fighters scattered around Tur¬ "Our guerrillas cannot give up their key lay down their weapons before

arms," Mr. Karayilan said in an inter¬ withdrawing to havens in the moun¬ have continued our struggle success¬ view in the safe house, which had a tains. fully to this day." freezer full of ice cream, and satellite "We don't care where those with¬ But Mr. Karayilan's defiant words are television, despite its remote location. drawing leave their weapons or even tempered by his desire for peace. The "It is the last issue, something to dis¬ whether they bury them," Mr. Erdogan latest cease-fire is the ninth announced cuss as a last issue to this process." said in a recent television interview. by the P.K.K., which was designated a The shape of a peace deal is being ne¬ "They must put them down and go. Be¬ terrorist organization by the United gotiated in the Turkish capital, Ankara, cause otherwise this situation is very States and Europe in 1993. Years ago the and in the island prison cell of Abdullah open to provocation." party gave up its ambition to create a Ocalan, the P.K.K. leader and philoso¬ Mr. Erdogan has also resisted new separate Kurdish state, and it now says pher-king of Turkey's Kurdish resis¬ legislation, demanded by Mr. Karayi- it will exchange peace for the expansion tance. But it has fallen to Mr. Karayilan lan's party, to ensure the safety of re¬ of Kurdish rights enshrined in a new to manage the peace process from his treating rebels. Instead, he has created constitution and the release of thou¬ mountain redoubt in a lawless nook of a so-called committee of wise men, in¬ sands of political prisoners from Turk¬ Iraq, where the only authority is that cluding Turkish and Kurdish intellectu¬ ish prisons. wielded by gun-toting Kurdish rebels als and leaders, to promote the peace "We want to solve our problems who operate checkpoints and live in talks.

caves at remote outposts. through peace and dialogue," Mr. Karay¬ Mr. Karayilan criticized Mr. Er¬ The skies above the mountains have ilan said. "That is what we believe." dogan's tactics, saying : "It needs a seri¬ gone quiet, for now. The bombing runs But, he said, "if they do not accept ous approach. Erdogan does not ap¬ by Turkish planes, their pick of targets Kurds as equal citizens, this problem proach it seriously; he doesn't aided by imagery provided by U.S. cannot be solved." understand the deep history. Everyone drones, have ceased in order to allow With his bushy mustache and easy has to know that our guerrilla forces the talks to proceed. smile, Mr. Karayilan, who became com-

39 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berlievoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

mander of the P.K.K. after Mr. Ocalan *' was arrested in 1999, has an avuncular manner that belies his designation by

the U.S. government as a terrorist lead¬ er and kingpin (a label the Treasury De¬

partment applied to him in 2009 after de¬ termining that his organization had raised money by smuggling drugs to v? J Europe). He sat in a back room of the safe house, with a yellow banner of Mr. Ocalan fastened to the wall. The air was sticky, and guerrillas carrying rifles served him tea

Ifthe war ends, he said, he hopes to re¬ turn to Turkey to play a political role in

advancing Kurdish rights. "After we put violence aside, then a democratic society has to be formed," Mr. Karayilan said.

If the war does not end, though, he is \ ready to fight again. "If this does not happen, there will be P.K.K. fighters guarding Mr. Karayilan's safe house. He says the rank and file a great war," he said. "do not believe and trust the approach of Turkey."

.EnHLVOTONAl The Syrian government seized upon îifralbjL#>sSribtinc Thursday, april 11, 2013 the announced merger to back its asser¬ tions that it is not facing a true popular movement for change but rather a for¬

eign-backed terrorist plot. Syrian faction pledges The state news agency, SANA, said Wednesday that the union "proves that this opposition was never anything oth¬ er than a tool used by the West and by Qaeda allegiance terrorists to destroy the Syrian people." It added that the merger "puts the credibility of the United Nations and the Security Council and independent coun¬ tant Web sites, he said he was not con¬ BEIRUT tries in front of a real test in which they sulted ahead of time and only heard must choose between their bias for ter¬ about the union through the media. rorism represented by Al Qaeda ... or But Islamist rebels call He did not, however, deny the two acknowledge the Syrian people and gov¬ groups had merged, and remained reports of a merger with ernment's right to combat terrorism." vague on the point, only saying that the The United States designated Al Nusra Iraqi branch premature announcement was premature. He said Front a terrorist organization in Decem¬ his group would continue to call itself Al ber, and said at the time that the group Nusra Front. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS had Qaeda ties. The Syrian group's oath "The banner of the Front will remain of allegiance to Al Qaeda was unlikely to The leader of the most formidable rebel unchanged despite our pride in the ban¬ prompt a shift in international support group in Syria pledged allegiance on ner of the State and those who carried it for the broader Syrian opposition. Wednesday to Al Qaeda but distanced and sacrificed and shed their blood for The United States and its allies are himself from a claim that his Islamic ex¬ it," he said in a reference to Al Qaeda in already working to try to counter the tremist faction had merged with the ter¬ Mesopotamia. rising influence of Al Nusra Front and rorist network's Iraqi branch. The message appeared to be, at least in . other Islamic extremists in the civil war Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia said Tues¬ part, an effort by Al Nusra Front to reas¬ by increasing their support for rebel day that it had joined forces with Al sure Syrians that the group remained factions deemed to be more moderate. Nusra Front the most effective force dedicated to the uprising to oust Mr. As¬ On Wednesday, Secretary of State among the disparate rebel factions sad and was not beholden to non-Syrian John Kerry met with Syrian opposition fighting to topple President Bashar al- interests despite its pledge offealty to the leaders in London, to discuss ways to Assad. It said they had formed a new al¬ leader of Al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri. step up aid to rebels. liance called the Islamic State in Iraq "What you saw from the Front of its So far, the United States and its allies and the Levant. defense of your religion, honors, and have helped create the opposition um¬ Talk of an alliance raised fears in Iraq, blood, and its good qualities with you brella group, the Syrian National Coali¬ where intelligence officials said re¬ and the fighting groups, will remain as tion, in the hope that it will serve as the cently that increased cooperation was you experienced it," Mr. Golani said in united face of those trying to oust Mr. already evident in a number of deadly remarks addressed to the Syrian people. Assad. attacks. And in Syria, a stronger Nusra "The announcement of the pledge of al¬ The United States and other countries Front would only further complicate the legiance will not change anything." also have stepped up covert support for battlefield where Western powers have Earlier this week, Mr. Zawahiri urged rebels on the ground by helping to coor¬ been trying to funnel weapons, training Islamic fighters in Syria to unite in their dinate shipments of new weapons and and aid toward more secular rebel efforts to oust Mr. Assad. That may have training rebels in Jordan, officials say. Those receiving training are mainly sec¬ groups and army defectors. provided at least part of the impetus for But the leader of Al Nusra Front, Abu the announced merger with Al Qaeda in ular Sunni Muslim tribesmen from cen¬ Muhammad al-Golani, cast doubt on the Mesopotamia, formally known as the Is¬ tral and southern Syria who once served merger. In a statement posted on mili lamic State in Iraq. in the army and the police forces.

40 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti Iraq attacks kill 55 less than a week before vote April 15, 2013 - By ADAM SCHRECK, Associated Press eastern Habibiya neighborhood, killing ten. Other blasts struck the

BAGHDAD — Insurgents in Iraq deployed a series of car bombs as part of highly coordinated attacks that cut across a wide swath of the country Monday, killing at least 55 on the deadliest day in nearly a month. The assault bore the hallmarks of a resurgent al-Qaida in Iraq and appeared aimed at sowing fear days before the first elections since U.S. troops withdrew. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but coordinated attacks are a favorite tactic of al-Qaida's Iraq branch. Iraqi officials believe the insurgent group is growing stronger and increasingly coordinating with allies fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad across the border. They say rising lawlessness on the Syria-Iraq frontier and cross-border cooperation with a Syrian group, the Nusra Front, has improved the militants' supply of weapons and foreign fighters. * Civilians gather at the scene of a car bomb attack in the The intensifying violence, some of it related to the provincial elections east Baghdad neighborhood of Kamaliya, Iraq, Monday, scheduled for Saturday, is worrying for Iraqi officials and Baghdad- based diplomats alike. At least 14 candidates have been killed in recent April 15, 2013. Photo: Khalid Mohammed weeks, including one slain in an apparent ambush Sunday. capital's Kamila, Karrada, Shurta, Baladiyat and Umm al-Maalif neigh- "Of course we are concerned about the violence in the country that has borhoods. been increasing in the last weeks," United Nations envoy Martin In and around the ethnically-mixed northern city of Kirkuk, three par- Kobler told The Associated Press. He condemned the bloodshed and ked car bombs went off downtown simultaneously — one in an Arab urged Iraqi officials to push ahead with the elections. district, one in a Kurdish one, and one in a Turkomen district— killing "They should be free and fair, and every voter should go to the polls four. Three other car bombs exploded outside the city, killing another free of intimidation and fear," he said. five. Iraqi Army Maj. Gen. Hassan al-Baydhani, the No. 2 official at Kirkuk, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) from Baghdad, is home to a Baghdad's military command, said authorities managed to defuse three mix of ethnic groups with competing claims to the oil-rich region. car bombs in Baghdad before they could go off. The day's mayhem began around 6:30 a.m. in the former insurgent He described the violence as an attempt to derail the elections and inti- stronghold of Fallujah when a suicide bomber drove an explosives- midate voters. packed car into a police checkpoint, killing two policemen and woun- ding six others. "The terrorists want to grab headlines as we approach election day," he said. Later in the day, two bodyguards assigned to a spokesman for anti- government protests that have raged for months were killed when a Monday's attacks — most of them car bombings — were unusually bomb attached to their car exploded on the highway between Ramadi broad in scope. Among the places where attacks erupted were the and Fallujah. A similar bomb stuck to another car in the area killed two Sunni-dominated western Anbar province and Saddam Hussein's others. hometown of Tikrit, the ethnically contested oil-rich city of Kirkuk and towns in the predominantly Shiite south. Another 15 people were killed and dozens were wounded in attacks in Baqouba, Buhriz, Khalis, Mosul, Mussayab, Nasiriyah, Rutba, The deadliest attacks hit Baghdad, where multiple car bombs and other Tarmiyah and Tikrit. explosions killed 25 people. Local police officials provided details of the attacks, and hospital offi- In one attack, a parked car bomb exploded at a bus station in the eas- cials confirmed the casualty tolls. The officials spoke on condition of tern suburbs of Kamaliya, killing four and wounding 13. Qassim Saad, anonymity because they weren't authorized to release details to repor- a teacher in a nearby school, said his pupils began screaming as the ters. explosion shattered windows. Although violence in Iraq has fallen from its peak in 2006 and 2007, He described a chaotic scene where security forces opened fire into the bombings and other attacks remain common. air upon arrival to disperse onlookers as overturned vegetable carts sat stained with blood amid wrecked storefronts. The blasts struck a day after a series of attacks left 10 people dead, including a Sunni candidate running in the upcoming provincial elec- Saad blamed politicians and security forces for lapses that led to the tions. attacks, saying that elected officials "are doing nothing to help the peo- ple and are only looking out for their benefits." The vote on Saturday will be the country's first since U.S. troops with- drew in December 2011. The election, for local-level officials, will be Two more car bombs exploded in a rare attack in a parking lot near the a test of the strength of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's political bloc heavily guarded entrances to Baghdad International Airport. Three as well as the ability of security forces to keep the country safe. people were killed, including a bodyguard of a Shiite lawmaker whose convoy was passing by. The lawmaker escaped unharmed. Monday's violence marked Iraq's deadliest day since March 19, the eve of the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion, when a wave of bom- "This attack and other attacks that took place today were part of the G bings killed 65 across the country. continuous efforts by al-Qaida terrorists to shake the security and poli- tical situation ahead of the upcoming elections," said Diaa al-Asadi, a political ally of the lawmaker who was traveling in the convoy. Around sunset, a parked car bomb exploded near car dealerships in the

41 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 9 killed in car bombings northern Iraq BAGHDAD / April 15, 2013 / SINAN SALAHEDDIN / (AP)

Officials say a string of six car bombs in a northern Iraqi city has killed nine people and wounded 79. Two police officers say the bombs, all parked cars, went off simulta- neously Monday morning in and around Kirkuk, home to a mix of eth- nic groups with competing claims. Three bombs exploded downtown — one in an Arab district, one in a Kurdish one, and one in a Turkomen district. The rest went off outside. A detailed casualty breakdown wasn't available. Bombings are common in Iraq, most blamed on al-Qaida militants. But six at once is an unusually large number and multiple ethnic groups are rarely targeted simultaneously. release information. Senior health official Sidiq Omar Rasool confirmed The police officers spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to the casualty figures. G

April 18, 2013

tion of ignoring Kurdish rights and seeking to dominate the oil-producing northeast, which accounts for a large proportion of Syrian Kurds fear increasing Syria's crude production. "The Kurdish provinces are rich pro- vinces; everyone is trying to get these areas attacks from Assad forces under their control. Maybe not just Assad's forces, maybe also others in future," By Alexandra Hudson | Reuters Muslim said. In February a ceasefire was signed bet- ERLIN - Bombings of Kurdish areas in ween Syrian rebels and a Kurdish militia, Syria suggest that Syrian Kurds, long the Popular Protection Units (YPG), who Bdetached from the revolt against President had been clashing for months in a town Bashar al-Assad, are increasingly being tar- near the Turkish border. geted by his forces after they struck deals Muslim said YPG forces were training with rebels fighting to topple him, a in the Kurdish-controlled areas of Derik, Kurdish leader said. Kobani and Afrin. They had more than Saleh Muslim, head of the Kurdish 10,000 fighters, he said, and could call on Democratic Union Party (PYD), said a most of the Kurdish population for sup- recent wave of Syrian army attacks may port. Kurds had started fighting back have been prompted by non-aggression against government forces after being pacts reached between Kurds and some attacked, he added. moderate factions in the rebel forces. Saleh Muslim, head of the Kurdish Asked if the Kurds could yet join forces Another possible reason, he told with the Sunni Arab-led Free Syrian Army, Reuters in an interview, was that Assad fea- Democratic Union Party (PYD), is seen during a Reuters interview in Berlin Muslim said this could happen only if the red Turkey - which has harbored Syrian FSA committed to a democratic, secular April 18, 2013. REUTERS rebels and called on him to quit - could also Syria. But, he said, the FSA includes radical aid Syrian Kurds after entering peace talks Islamic Salafists and jihadists and only a with its own restive Kurdish minority. fraction of it is native Syrian. "From the beginning we decided not to "Maybe the (Syrian) government was Syria's conflict started with mainly pea- be a part of this blind fighting going ahead bothered about these agreements. We also ceful demonstrations but descended into a between Damascus and others ... Our had such agreements with some small civil war in which the United Nations says policy has been self defense, the right to groups in Aleppo, and so because of that at least 70,000 people have been killed. protect ourselves, protect our Kurdish they bombed our areas," Muslim told Islamist militants have emerged as the areas." Reuters in an interview in Berlin. most potent of the anti-Assad insurgents. KURDISH-ARAB TENSIONS "Maybe will think we are getting some Asked about PYD aims, Muslim said Mistrust between Syria's Sunni Muslim help from Turkey, but this is not true." Syrian Kurds hoped to achieve democratic Arab majority and its Kurds, who comprise Eleven civilians were killed when a self determination. "It is not like classical an estimated 9-10 percent of the population Syrian warplane bombed a Kurdish village autonomy, we don't want to draw any bor- and are also largely Sunni, deepened as the in the oil-producing province of Hasaka in ders, also because we have half a million Sunni-led uprising gathered steam. In the northeastern Syria on Sunday, Kurdish Kurds living in (the capital) Damascus." process, Kurds asserted control in parts of activists said. It was the biggest loss of An end to the violence could be achie- the northeast where their community pre- Kurdish life from government attacks since ved with a political resolution, he said, but dominates. the start of the two-year-old uprising he feared the Arab League had chosen the Arab figures in the opposition are sus- against Assad. route of prolonged armed conflict in Syria. A Kurdish district of the northern city picious that the Kurds may set up an auto- of Aleppo, Sheikh Maqsoud, has also been nomous province spanning those areas. battered by air strikes that have killed 47 For their part, Syrian Kurdish politi- civilians over the last 15 days, Muslim said. cians accuse the Arab anti-Assad opposi-

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

lYHlondr '3avril2013 Des preuves de l'utilisation d'armes chimiques en Syrie transmises à l'ONU

Des diplomates du Conseil de sécurité détiennent des éléments « solides » accusant Damas

New York (Nations unies) convaincantes » ont été communi¬ armes chimiques face aux rebel¬ Mais depuis que Ban Ki-moon Correspondante quées au secrétaire général de les, notamment dans le quartier demande un accès «sans entra¬

l'ONU Ban Ki-moon, souligne un d'Al-Bayyada, à Homs, le 23 décem¬ ves » et exige que « toutes les allé¬

Des armes chimiques ont été autre. Le même jour à Londres, les bre 2012. Ce jour-là, une arme gations » soient vérifiées, les auto¬ utilisées au moins une fois ministres des Affaires étrangères chimique, dont la nature n'a pas rités syriennes ne veulent plus

en Syrie. Ce sont des diplo¬ des pays du G8 réunis en sommet, encore été établie, aurait provo¬ entendre parler de cette mission.

mates du Conseil de sécurité de rappelaient que «tout recours à qué plusieurs morts et des dizai¬ « Il est regrettable que legouverne¬ l'ONU qui l'affirment. «Nous des armes chimiques exigerait une nes de cas d'empoisonnement. mentsyrien ait rejeté mon offre de

avons despreuves solides » de l'uti¬ réponse internationale sérieuse ». mener une enquête » sur place, a lisation d'obus chimiques «de Depuis plusieurs mois, plu¬ Obstruction de Damas déclaré Ban Ki-moon, jeudi, après façon sporadique», a assuré jeudi sieurs pays occidentaux, au pre¬ Alademande de Damas, persua¬ sa rencontre à Washington avec le il avril l'un d'entre eux devant des mier rang desquels les Etats-Unis, dé que l'attaque de Khan Aassal a président américain Barack Oba¬

journalistes. Des preuves «très ont qualifié l'usage d'arme chimi¬ été perpétrée par des rebelles, Ban ma.

ques dans le conflit de franchisse¬ Ki-moon avait annoncé le 21 mars Dans une lettre datée du L'opposition syrienne ment d'une « ligne rouge », suscep¬ l'ouverture d'une enquête onu¬ 6 avril, le ministre des affaires

se démarque d'Al-Nosra tible de justifier le déclenchement sienne sur cet incident. La France étrangères syrien, Walid Al-Moua- d'une intervention armée interna¬ et le Royaume-Uni avaient alors lem, expliquait que l'équipe onu¬ Embarrassée par l'annonce, mer¬ tionale en Syrie. demandé que cette mission se pen¬ sienne devait entamer sa mission credi 10 avril, de l'adhésion du Selon les Occidentaux, au che aussi sur d'autres cas de possi¬ à Alep et qu'elle serait autorisée à

Front Al-Nosra à la nébuleuse moins un obus chimique a bien bles utilisation d'armes chimi¬ se rendre ensuite à Homs si toute¬

Al-Qaida, l'opposition syrienne a été utilisé à la mi-mars dans levilla¬ ques, imputés au régime, près fois son travail se révélait « honnê¬

tenté de se démarquer, jeudi, de ge de Khan Aassal, aux environs d'Alep, de Damas et à Homs. te» et «impartial». «Mieux vaut ce groupe djihadiste, à la pointe d'Alep. Le tir a blessé plusieurs sol¬ Trois semaines plus tard, l'équi¬ pas d'enquête du tout qu'une

du combat contre le régime de dats syriens, mais son origine res¬ pe des Nations Unies, constituée enquête limitée à Alep », réplique Damas. Moaz Al-Khatib, le chef te à déterminée. S'agissait-il d'un de 15 experts « neutres » - originai¬ un diplomate occidental, convain¬

de la Coalition nationale syrien¬ tir raté de l'armée régulière ou res de pays nordiques, latino-amé¬ cu que celle-ci peut être menée de

ne, la principal plateforme anti- d'un tir provenant du camp rebel¬ ricains ou asiatiques mais d'aucun l'extérieur de la Syrie, en

Assad, a ainsi déclaré que «la le ? Rien ne permet encore de tran¬ des cinq pays membres perma¬ recueillantles témoignages de vic¬

pensée d'Al-Qaida ne nous sied cher. Britanniques et Français nents du conseil de sécurité-, times présumées de bombarde¬

pas et les révolutionnaires en disent en revanche disposer d'in¬ attend toujours à Chypre que ments à l'arme chimique ayant

Syrie doiventprendre une posi¬ formations selon lesquelles les for¬ Damas l'autorise à se déployer en fui le pays.»

tion claire sur ce sujet». ces syriennes ont bien utilisé des Syrie. AlexandraGenests

17 avril 2013

était transporté vers le marché Le pétrole du Kurdistan irakien mondial via un pipeline con¬ trôlé par Bagdad, mais les exporté en direct via la Turquie exportations par ce canal se sont taries l'an dernier après un dif¬

férend sur les paiements. Le Le Kurdistan irakien sera que le développement d'un cours de construction par une gouvernement fédéral de prêt à exporter directement commerce direct entre le société turque, a une capacité de Bagdad affirme avoir seul le son pétrole brut dans quelques Kurdistan et la Turquie transport de 300.000 barils par droit de contrôler les exporta¬ mois, une fois la construction n'entraîne une partition du jour. Le pétrole de Tak Tak entr¬ tions et de signer des contrats, d'un nouvel oléoduc achevée, pays. era dans l'oléoduc Kirkouk- tandis que les Kurdes soutien¬ apprend-on de sources du sec¬ Ceyhan à la station de pompage nent que le droit de faire la teur. Ce nouveau circuit devrait Le gouvernement régional du de Fichkhabour près de la fron¬ même chose leur est garanti par permettre au Kurdistan Kurdistan aura achevé le tière turque d'où il sera directe¬ la constitution fédérale iraki¬ d'accroître ses exportations pipeline, conçu à l'origine pour ment acheminé vers le port turc enne. pétrolières de façon importante, transporter du gaz, au troisième de Ceyhan et vers les marchés Avec Reuters au risque de déplaire au gou¬ trimestre. Il reliera le gisement internationaux. La Turquie a

vernement central irakien qui de Tak Tak de la société Genel donné son feu vert au projet.

considère les exportations du Energy au pipeline Irak-Turquie

Nord comme illégales et craint déjà en service. L'oléoduc, en Jusqu'ici, le brut du Kurdistan

43 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Sta7npa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

reîÏÏondc Dimanche 14 - Lundi 15 avril 2013 GÉO & POLITIQUE Bagdad, dix ans après

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Bagdad, dans le centre-ville : l'avenue Al-Jumhuriya (« la République »), à gauche en mai 2003, à droite en mars 2013. PHOTOS : BRUNO STEVENS/COSMOS

le de venir en Irak, qu'on soit journaliste, nés ou amusés, aux conférences de presse surréalistes de Mohamed Said Al-Sahhaf, REPORTAGE homme d'affaires ou surtout mercenaire pour une société de sécurité privée. Dix le ministre de l'information, qui énumé- ans d'occupation et d'abus ont rendu les rait les victoires aussi éclatantes que fanto¬ Christophe Ayad Irakiens assez désabusés sur les bienfaits matiques des forces baasistes contre le que pourraient leurapporter les étrangers. «gang d'animauxdu désert» en train d'en¬ Bagdad, envoyé spécial Les Américains sont donc partis, mais ils vahir l'Irak. En dehors des soliloques de

ont laissé leurs uniformes, leurs camps Sahhaf, il était plus compliqué de se dépla¬ En ce temps-là, on n'arrivait militaires et un pays encore en reconstruc¬ cer librement en ville pour tenter de savoir que parla route : une douzai¬ ce qui s'y passait et recueillir l'opinion des ne d'heures entre Amman et tion. La longue avenue qui mène de l'aéro¬ Irakiens hors de la surveillance des gardes- Bagdad, en comptant le sus¬ port au centre-ville a été la plus meurtrière chiourmes baasistes. picieux contrôle des doua¬ du monde, au pic de l'insurrection, C'est en faisant tomber, à l'aide d'un niers irakiens. Je suis arrivé entre 2004 et 2008: aujourd'hui encore, filin en acier, la grande statue de Saddam en Irak, le 25 mars 2003, au milieu d'une les passagers sont obligés de passer par Hussein sous les yeux médusés, incrédu- tempête de sable et une semaine après le une dizaine de fouilles, ce qui les oblige à début de la guerre. La tempête était telle¬ arriver cinq à six heures avant leur vol. ment forte qu'on ne voyait pas plus loin Mais c'est un autre type de record qu'a bat¬ L'avenir, le rêve, que le capot de la voiture. Elle dura trois tu plus récemment cette artère d'une ving¬ jours et, comme le brouillard de la guerre taine de kilomètres : celui des pots-de-vih c'est Dubaï. était assez épais et que les médias sont versés parla mairiede Bagdad pourle chan¬ d'ataviques impatients, l'on crut à un tier de rénovation et d'embellissement Consommer « enlisement» de l'armée américaine. mené par des entreprises turques. La politi¬ Moins d'une semaine plus tard, auxalen¬ que est la continuation de la guerre par et c'est tout. La liberté, tours du 1" avril 2003, les premiers tanks d'autres moyens ; en Irak, elle est la pour¬ américains faisaient leur apparition aux suite dupillage pardes moyens pacifiques. elle, n'a apporté abords de l'aéroport de Bagdad. Il n'avait Revenir à Bagdaddixans après laguerre, plus accueillide vol international depuis la c'estfaire de l'archéologie, retrouverle pas¬ que le chaos guerre du Golfe de 1991. Ilafallu attendre la sé enfoui sous les différentes strates de chute de Saddam Hussein et la levée des guerre. Paroù commencer ? La place Al-Fir- et la division sanctions pour qu'il reprenne du service. dos bien sûr. Cette enceinte circulaire, Aujourd'hui,plusbesoindeprendre la rou¬ située au pied des deux hôtels, Méridien- les, surexcités ou enthousiastes de quel¬ te pour se rendre à Bagdad. On atterrit Palestine et Sheraton-Ishtar, où le régime ques centaines d'Irakiens, que l'armée directement. Le plus étonnant, pourlevisi¬ baasisteavait parquéles journalistesétran¬ américaine a officiellement pris posses¬ teur en 2013, c'est que rien ou presque n'a gers pendant la guerre, accueillait la plus sion de Bagdad, le 9 avril 2003 en fin changé depuis les années 1980 -. même grande statue de Saddam Hussein. Les d'après-midi. La guerre prenait fin, une moquetteverte, même décorationtubulai- hôtels ont été rénovés à l'identique pour le autre allait commencer. re au plafond, tout est daté, fané. sommetde la Ligue arabede mars 2012, qui C'est aussi sur cette place que j'ai ren¬ Même l'accueil des douaniers est aussi marqua le grand retour diplomatique de contré Thaer, ce même 9 avril au matin. Il rogue que sous l'ancien régime. Question l'Irak : l'on y voit toujours la trace laissée n'était ni chauffeur, ni traducteur, ni de souveraineté et de crédibilité. Depuis le par un obus de tank américain qui tua employé du ministère de l'information. départ du dernier soldat américain, en deux journalistes le 8 avril 2003. C'est là Mais, à cause de la guerre, il avait dû fer- décembre 2011, il est de plus en plus diffici que nous assistions fous les jours, conster mer sa boutique de pièces détachées auto-

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

mobiles et était venu traîner dans le coin en se disant qu'il y aurait peut-être du tra¬ vail. Tous les fonctionnaires chargés habi¬ tuellement de nous encadrer s'étaient volatilisés, comme les dirigeants du régi¬ j me, ainsi que Saddam Hussein. Thaer avait une voiture et pas d'à priori.

9 avril à parcourir Bagdad, slalomant J i t . entre les colonnes américaines et les * « fedayins de Saddam en déroute. Ensem¬ ble, nous sommes allés pour la première fois à Saddam City, cette immense ban¬ lieue chiite déshéritée. Le quartier, réputé

hostile au régime baasiste, était interdit

d'accès. A peine le régime tombé, il fut m rebaptisé Medinet Al-Sadr, du nom d'un célèbre dignitaire religieux chiite connu I f pour avoir été tué par Saddam Hussein. Le quartier est resté aussi pauvre ou 'v \ - presque. La voirie est absente, les ordures brûlent à ciel ouvert. Seules les enseignes, f - \ « f ., rutilantes, des magasins -nettement mieux fournis- ont changé. Les chiites Si les infrastructures et la voirie sont toujours en chantier, la consommation,

sont au pouvoir désormais mais ceux de elle, a progressé. Medinet Al-Sadr sont restés d'irréducti¬ bles rebelles. Le quartier est entièrement celui des finances. D'autres bâtiments ont jaune frappés du croissant. Mille petits sous la coupe du parti et des milices de été laissés en l'état, encore troués de balles signes sont là pour affirmer son apparte¬ MoqtadaAl-Sadr, qui y perpétuent le culte et d'obus. C'est peut-être.pour cette raison nance ou provoquer l'autre. Il n'y a pas eu du martyre et de la persécution. Le cheikh qu'aucune infrastructure majeure n'a été de «nettoyage confessionnel», mais les Ibrahim Al-Jabri, principal représentant construite à Bagdad ces dix dernières quartiers sont devenus plus homogènes : du mouvement, reçoit à la mosquée années, aussi incroyable que cela puisse Kerrada, naguère chrétien, est chiite, Al-Mohsen: «Rien n'a changé depuis paraître. On parle d'un métro aérien, dont Jadrieh est aux Kurdes, Mansour aux sun¬ 2003, saufla libertédepratiquer notre reli¬ Alstom doit faire les études. Mais c'est en nites. Il n'est pas interdit d'y habiter gion et de prêcher. Pour le reste, nous som¬ province, dans le Sud chiite et le Nord kur¬ quand on est d'une autre confession, mais mes sous la coupe d'un régime soumis aux de surtout, qu'on construit à tour de bras : l'on s'y sent isolé, vulnérable. Certains Etats-Unis, nos jeunes n'ontpas de travail, un aéroport dans la ville sainte de Nadjaf, quartiers mixtes le sont restés. Chaque for¬ les politiciens nepensentqu'à s'enrichir. » un grand stade dans le port pétrolier de ce politique a élu domicile dans une partie Ensemble, avec Thaer, nous étions Bassora, des centres commerciauxà profu¬ de la ville, érigeant de véritables petites entrés dans les prisons du régime, à la sion à Erbil. Bagdad, qui écrasait le reste de forteresses militaires. recherche des disparus. La rage de leurs l'Irak jusqu'en 2003, est devenue le parent Dans les notes que j'ai retrouvées proches était telle qu'ils s'étaient attaqués pauvre du nouvel Irak. Même les monu¬ remontant au 9 avril 2003, Thaer disait : aux parois d'un tunnel routier, convain¬ ments érigés par Saddam sont restés «je suis chiite mais je me sens plus proche cus qu'elles abritaientdes cellules secrètes. debout, hormis sa statue : de toute façon, de mon voisin sunnite ou chrétien que d'un Les nouvelles autorités ont réinvesti sans il n'y en pas d'autres. chiite du Sudou deMedinetSaddam. Main¬ état d'âme les anciens locaux des Moukha- La mise à sac de la capitale irakienne a tenant que nous avons la liberté, j'ai peur barat (services secrets), quand ils n'avaient été la première d'une longe série d'erreurs que ce soit la guerre de tous contre tous pas été détruits par les bombardements commises par les Américains : ils sont pour le pouvoir. » Nous avons passé un américains. Le nouvel Irak est un étrange apparus comme faibles et négligents. Les mois à arpenter l'Irak. mélange d'institutions démocratiques et Irakiens, eux, sont persuadés que cette des¬ Quand j'ai cessé de retourner en Irak à de pratiques autocratiques. «J'ai décou¬ truction par procuration était intention¬ partir de 2004, j'ai perdu la trace de Thaer. vert par hasard en 2011 que la zone verte nelle. Mais des chantiers commencent à Le téléphone mobile n'existait pas encore, abritait une prison secrète [ironiquement émerger, en dehors des trottoirs en éter¬ Internet débutait à peine. Je n'avais plus baptisée Charaf, l'honneur] », m'explique nelle réfection. Au moins sept grands cen¬ de lui qu'une adresse sans savoir s'il était le présidentdelàcommissiondes droits de tres commerciaux sont en construction, seulement vivant ou s'il faisait partie des l'homme du Parlement, Selim Joubouri. surtout dans les quartiers de Jadrieh et de quelque 120 000 victimes civiles de cette Depuis, Charaf a fermé. Et d'autres Charaf Mansour. Rien n'est fait pour restaurer décennie de feu, de sang et de larmes. ont ouvert ailleurs. l'ancien. Le passé déprime cette société Comment le retrouver ? En relisant mes Avec Thaer toujours, nous avions assis¬ pourtant fondamentalement nostalgi¬ notes, je découvre une adresse-, quartier té pendant dix jours au grand pillage de que. L'avenir, le rêve, c'est Dubaï. Consom¬ Al-Ghadir, rue 79, maison4i. C'est un quar¬ Bagdad. D'abord les villas des dignitaires mer et c'est tout. La liberté, elle, n'a appor¬ tier de la classe moyenne ; chiites, sunni¬ du régime, celle de Tarek Aziz en particu¬ té que le chaos et la division. tes, chrétiens s'y mélangent. Des fonction¬ lier, aujourd'hui récupérée par un haut Partout, chacun affiche ses couleurs, naires, des commerçants, des cadres inter- dignitaire du Conseil islamique d'Irak, son identité, comme pour marquer son médiaires....la classe moyenne. Celle que une formation chiite. Puisses ministères, territoire. Les drapeaux à la gloire d'Hus¬ l'embargo a commencé de détruire les casernes, le musée, qui n'a toujours pas sein et d'Ali, les deux principaux imams entre 1991 et 2003. Une rigole coule au chiites, ont envahi tout l'espace public. rouvert dix ans plus tard, puis les ban¬ milieu de la rue, une femme en pyjama ques, puis tout ce qui pouvait être arraché, Les policiers, majoritairement chiites, les bleu, une croix en or au cou, asperge la rue emporté. Le reste était saccagé, incendié. placent sur leurs guérites et aux check¬ au tuyau d'arrosage. « Si je ne nettoie pas, Bagdad ne s'en est pas encore complète¬ points, même en plein quartier sunnite. personne ne lefait, surtout pas la mairie. ment remise. Certains ministères n'ont En retour, les sunnites se sont mis à célé¬ C'est le règne des voyous et des drogués. Ils été rénovés que récemment... avant d'être brer lemouled Al-Nabi, l'anniversaire du squattent les maisons abandonnées etjet¬ visés par des attentats, deux fois pour Prophète, en déployant des fanions vert et tent leurs canettes dans la rue. » Sur les

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

vingt familles chrétiennes de la rue, il n'en ontvoululuiacheterdeforcesamaison.Elle ver un emploi defonctionnaire. Alors, tout reste que cinq. «Je ne me sens plus chez refusait. Un matin, on l'a retrouvée le crâne va bien. Mais siunautre ministre arrive, on moi. Les nouveaux, ils viennent de provin¬ défoncé à coups de pierre. » C'est l'Eglise risque sa place. Chacun est classé enfonc¬ ce, d'ailleurs. » Comme sa voisine chiite chaldéenne qui a hérité de sa maison. tion de sa religion. Je suis chiite, maisje n 'ai d'en face dont elle est devenue l'amie. Je récupère finalement le numéro de rien gagné dans cette guerre. Elle n'a

Que retiennent-elles de ces dix derniè¬ portable de Thaer. Nous nous retrouvons enrichi qu'un petit nombre, les politiciens res années ? « Tout va déplus en plus mal », trois heures plus tard. Il a vendu sa bouti¬ qui vivent à l'abri des hauts murs de béton

se plaint la chrétienne. « C'est dur, mais les que de pièces détachées et gagne sa vie quiencerclentla zone verte. Qu 'est-cequ'ils

choses s'améliorent», répond la chiite. En comme taxi. «J'ai acheté une voiture bon connaissentde l'Irak, ceux-là ?Les gens ont dix ans, la guerre a fait deux fois irruption marché. C'est une Saipa iranienne : robuste changé, ils n'ontplus de morale,plus de res¬ dans la rue. Un obus tiré à l'aveuglette-par mais il nefautpas dépasser 140, les pièces pect. » Thaer, comme la plupart des vieux les Américains, dit la chiite ; par les milices se détachent. » Il rit avec amertume. Ses Bagdadis, se sent envahi : par les Améri¬ chiites, dit la chrétienne- qui a atterri sur traits se sont creusés. 11 a 54 ans, la même cains, les Iraniens, les banlieusards, les pro¬ un toit et un attentat particulièrement moustache et des cheveux teints. Depuis vinciaux, les exilés pleins de rancune... vicieux. Abou Jamal, un sunnite, avait été Sontravailde taxi est un cauchemarquo- kidnappé: relâché par ses ravisseurs tidien : à cause des innombrables check¬ contre une rançon, il a été renvoyé chez lui Chaque force politique points dressés pour faire pièce aux atten¬ dans unevoiture qui a explosé au moment tats, il passe des heures dans les embou¬ où il est entré dans son garage. C'était en a élu domicile teillages. Les Bagdadis ont connu tout ce 2006, au pire des affrontements intercon- qu'il est possible d'imaginer en matière fessionnels. Mais les deux femmes le d'attentats. Le vélo piégé, l'âne kamikaze, jurent : rien ne divisera les Irakiens, chii¬ dans une partie le camion poubelle bélier, les explosions tes, sunnites, Kurdes. Thaer n'habite plus simultanées ou successives, etc. Ily a eu jus¬ au4i, iladéménagé en 2008, croit savoirla de la ville, érigeant qu'à trente explosions en une journée. chrétienne. Elle part à la recherche de son Thaer en est réchappé de peu : « C'était en numéro de téléphone. J'attends à l'ombre de véritables 2007, la bombe a explosé à l'emplacement d'un petit arbre. Quelques 4x4 garés dans queje venais de quittermoinsd'une minute la rue témoignent que la guerre n'a pas été petites forteresses auparavant. » Le nombre de barrages fil¬ une catastrophe pour tout le monde. militaires trants s'est considérablement allégé ces A deux rues de là habitait une avocate, trois dernières années, ainsi que les murs Lahib Noman. Elle était devenue célèbre en antibombes qui défiguraient la ville. Mais intentant un procès à Saddam Hussein la « zone verte », qui la coupe en deux, n'est pour le meurtre d'un de ses gardes du pas près de disparaître. Les policiers conti¬ corps. Arrêtée par les Moukhabarat, elle qu'il a divorcé en 2008, il n'a plus goût à la nuent d'utiliser des détecteurs d'explosifs avaitété violée et torturée au pointde deve¬ vie. Ses deuxfilles, Zahra et Zeinab, parties donton sait parfaitement qu'ils sont inopé¬ nir à moitié folle. Après la chute du régime, en Syrie avec leur mère, lui manquent. rants : le contrat, qui se montait à 85 mil¬ je l'avais retrouvée errant dans la rue, La guerre? «La vie est bien plus dure lions de dollars, était l'une des plus belles déguenilléeet proférantdes propos incohé¬ aujourd'hui qu'avant. Oui, on n'avait pas arnaques du siècle. Les barrages servent rents. Les murs de sa petite maison étaient de liberté mais, pour le reste, nous avions autant à protéger qu'à contrôler les quar¬ recouverts de signes kabbalistiques et de une vie décente. On travaillait, on man¬ tiers jugés hostiles,comme les zones sunni¬ slogans contre Saddam et son fils Oudaï. geaità safaim, onpouvaitsortirà n'impor¬ tes de Mansour, Adhamiya ou Daoudi.

Elle est morte en 2005, révèle un voisin: te quelle heure etlaissersa maison ouverte Thaer n'a pas les relations nécessaires « Une ONG étrangère l'avait soignée, elle sans craindre d'être agressé par des ban- pour décrocher un travail dans la fonction allait mieux. Puis les étrangers ne sontplus dits.MaintenantJoutestcompliqué.L'élec- publique, synonyme de sécurité et de bon venus à cause des attentats et des enlève¬ tricité ne marche que douze heures par salaire, maintenant que le pétrole coule de

ments. Elle a replongé. Des miliciens chiites jour. Ilfautfaire de la politique pour trou- nouveauàflots : unprofesseurd'universi-

té gagne 3 000 dollars, un policier 1000. Mais la vie est devenue chère : les Irakiens

sont nostalgiques de l'Etat-providence et centralisateur. «La liberté, résume Thaer, à quoi elle mesertsije nepeux rien changer

à ma vie ?La liberté, c'est un moyen, pas un but en soi. Nous avons la liberté, mais pas

de vraie démocratie. Alors, à quoi bon ?» Les Irakiens ont découvert Internet, le télé¬

phone portable et les chaînes par satellite, mais c'est comme si le chaos du monde avait fait irruption dans leur vie privée. Ils vivaient sur un île-prison, ils sont désor¬

ibO»^ ,,yïl mais au milieu d'un champ de bataille, v*,- obligés de s'adapteraux règles floues d'un S libéralisme sauvage et sans pitié pour les

plus faibles. ^^^^ Le 9 avril 2013, le gouvernement irakien

n'a organisé aucune cérémonie pour com¬ mémorer la chute de Bagdad. Le pays est

k>i».Ji 1. 'j bien trop occupé avec ses problèmes du moment. Quant à Thaer, chaque fois qu'il emprunte la place Al-Firdos, il se deman¬ rj'' v,Mfc » de si tout cela n'est pas un mauvais rêve.

/

Les policiers, chiites enmajorité, placardent aux checkpoints des portraits des imams Husseinet AIL

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

Special Report: IN PARIS KURD KILLINGS, A SUSPECT AND A MYSTERY

PARIS/MUNICH | April 16, 2013 - (Reuters) By Nicholas Vinocur and Alexandra Hudson

THE THREE KURDISH activists living in Paris were about to embark on a trip when they disappeared, their phones ringing endlessly as col- leagues tried to locate them. The next morning, January 10, a friend ope- ned the locked door of their office in the city center and found a scene of horror. Lying face-up on the floor of a large waiting room in the Kurdish Information Centre was the body of Leyla Saylemez, 25. Blood had trick- led from her nose and mouth. A few paces behind her, partly hidden by a coffee table, were the tangled bodies of two comrades: Fidan Dogan, 32, a prominent spokeswoman for Kurdish issues in France, and Sakine Cansiz, 55, a founding member of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a bloody 30-year struggle for Kurdish autonomy from Portraits of Kurdish activists, from L-R, Fidan Dogan, Sakine Turkey. Cansiz and Leyla Saylemez are seen pinned on a member of the All three women had all been shot at close range, investigators later said. Kurdish community's coat as they gather next to the entrance of the They bore frozen, stunned expressions, the friend who discovered the Information Centre of Kurdistan in Paris, where the women were bodies told Reuters, which has uncovered new details about a case that found shot dead in this January 10, 2013 file photo. may affect the peace process between Turkey and the PKK. The friend declined to be named, but Murat Polat, an activist who also arrived at the scene, said: "We were horrified, everyone was in shock. There was a lot of fear. People thought they might be targeted too." An undated photograph The murders quickly became a rallying point for Europe's ethnic Kurds, taken from a social media who number more than a million. The PKK is outlawed as a terrorist orga- website and provided to nization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. But for Reuters April 12, 2013 by many Kurds, the group is a symbol of a stateless people, and Cansiz a the Firat News Agency hero. shows Omer Guney posing In the hours after news of the murders emerged, thousands of people on a street in Paris. gathered near the Kurdish Information Centre on Rue Lafayette chanting, Credit: REUTERS/Firat "We are all PKK," as riot police stood by. News Agency/Handout Visible on news footage of the gathering is Omer Guney, a Turkish immi- grant to France who had joined the activists' scene months before. Clean- shaven and wearing a hefty winter coat, he stood near the door to the apartment building that houses the center as France's Interior Minister Manuel Valls described the murders as an "execution." Guney say he showed no obvious impairment. Guney had driven Cansiz to the office on the morning of the killings. By January 21, the 30-year-old was the prime suspect in the case, after closed- Many questions remain. If Guney was involved, was he set up? Were the circuit television footage showed he had also been at the premises later on three women killed by just one person? What was the motive? the day of the murders. "The investigators are walking on eggshells," said Guney's lawyer. "The Many Kurds suspect the killer or killers, whoever they were, were part of diplomatic context is very sensitive; they are not taking any chances." a Turkish plot to infiltrate the PKK and assassinate the activists. The A Reuters examination has found fresh information about Guney's past PKK's leader, Abdullah Ocalan, who is incarcerated on a Turkish island, and how he came to mix with the PKK despite it being unclear whether recently agreed to a historic ceasefire with the Turkish state. he had any Kurdish roots. A man who many in the Kurdish community Mehmet Ulker, head of an umbrella organization of Kurdish groups in call a maverick emerges as a complex character, a gun enthusiast with France, said he believes the murders were meant to intimidate the Kurds health problems who has had at least one brush with European police. as talks over a possible ceasefire began. Muzaffer Ayata, 57, a founding "ALWAYS ARMED" member of the PKK who has lived in Germany since 2002, told Reuters there were signs shadowy elements within the Turkish state "committed Guney was born in the Turkish city of Sarkisla in the region of Sivas as the this assassination to sabotage the peace process." only son, along with four daughters, of a Turkish family. According to Guney's state-appointed lawyer, Anne-Sophie Laguens, his family immi- Turkey has denied such allegations, suggesting instead that the murders grated to France in the mid-1990s and installed themselves in the outer were related to internal disputes in the PKK. It blames the PKK for the Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse. deaths of more than 40,000 people, mostly Kurdish, who have died since the militant group took up arms against the state in 1984. Neighbors confirmed that in 2005, Guney's parents opened a kebab res- taurant in the nearby suburb of St. Denis. A nearby barber said he knew Guney is being held in a Paris jail under formal investigation for "murder Guney's father and described his family as "nice people who never spoke related to a terrorist enterprise" and "criminal conspiracy." He denies he about politics." killed the women. His lawyer told Reuters that a medical condition made him incapable of committing such an elaborate crime. He had been trea- Little is known about Guney's early life in France except that he received➩ ted for a tumor in his brain, his lawyer said, though activists who knew a high school-level diploma as a mechanic from a French lycee.

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

➩ Laguens said that at some point Guney moved to a town on the outs- taken for treatment at the Saint-Anne Hospital in Paris, a specialist center kirts of Munich, Germany, to live with his wife, a Turkish woman he had for neurology and psychiatry, his lawyer said. met in France and married in 2003. She said Guney was diagnosed with a brain tumor which caused frequent There, Guney held a job for several years at a medium-sized firm called bouts of amnesia and provoked seizures. An uncle of Guney's from Sivas Kinshofer, which makes cranes and forklifts. interviewed on Turkey's CNN affiliate said that he was "unable to remem- ber what he ate an hour ago." After his release from hospital, Guney recei- A colleague who worked with Guney between 2009 and 2011 described ved 700 to 800 euros per month in French disability payments. him as a "fairly neutral guy" who always appeared well-dressed in suits or jeans and suit jackets, and had a keen interest in weapons. Guney "He suffers from very serious neurological difficulties," Laguens said. owned an air pistol that he took with him to work and had the image of During this period of unemployment in early 2012, activists said, Guney a Kalashnikov rifle as the background screen of his telephone, the col- started to appear at the Kurdish Cultural Centre in central Paris. The large league said. facility houses several Kurdish associations, and is a short walk from the "Once an Albanian told me to be careful, 'Guney is someone who is Kurdish Information Centre, which is known as an office for PKK acti- always armed'," he said. vists. Nobody recalls having met Guney before he turned up. At Kinshofer, staffed by many Turks from Guney's home region of Sivas, "We realized later that nobody really knew him. He hung around the some Turkish workers harassed Kurdish employees, the colleague said. Centre, he smiled, he talked to people in Turkish, but nobody knew his Guney did not join in; instead, he took an interest in Kurdish issues, tel- family or friends," said Polat, the activist who attended the scene of the ling the colleague that he had a Kurdish grandmother. It was not possible murders soon after they were discovered. to verify that claim. In photographs from an outing with activists in March 2012, Guney is The work colleague said Guney expressed an interest in meeting other seen on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower hoisting a banner hailing Ocalan, Kurds. "He always said to me, 'tell me who you are meeting, who are your the jailed leader of the PKK. contacts, take me with you, you can trust me ... I have good friends who Berivan Akyol, a translator for the Kurdish community, said that despite will make sure nothing happens'." his neurological problems Guney was capable of showing up on time for At one stage Guney said he had a tumor in his head and took several appointments, was able to drive and never complained of headaches or months off work. When he returned, he told the colleague that he was lost his balance. fine, but that his marriage was deteriorating. Thanks to his fluent French, Guney was often called upon to translate for "He told me, 'I have nobody'," the colleague said. Kurdish women who wanted to communicate with their doctors, activists said. He also occasionally worked as a driver. In 2011, Guney divorced his wife and began to make frequent trips to France, his lawyer said. During one of these trips he joined a Kurdish Last December, Guney accompanied a group of Kurdish activists on a trip association in Villiers-le-Bel, a town not far from his parents' home. The to the Netherlands for a rally in the southwestern town of Ellemeet atten- director of the association, the Kurdish Cultural House, recalled signing ded by PKK officials in Europe. The rally was broken up by 150 Dutch Guney's membership application form but found him unremarkable. police, who arrested 55 people. Among them were Guney and Saylemez, the 25-year-old activist later shot in Paris (whose name in some reports "Our group is open to anyone of any background, including Turks, so has been spelled Soylemez). Guney was released the same day without there was no reason for me to be suspicious of Guney," said Mehmet charge. Subasi. "At that level of the organization, there is no screening." That month, Guney moved into a flat in a high-rise building in the Paris Local activists said it was not unusual for left-wing Turks to join their suburb of La Courneuve, with a Turk of Kurdish origin whom he had met movement, which may offer a haven to those feeling marginalized in at the Villiers-le-Bel association. In an interview with Firat, a news agency European society. linked to the PKK, the flatmate said that Guney owned five mobile Guney began to spend more time at the association, offering to help with phones which he refused to lend, and had shown him a gun. The flatmate, errands. He gave different versions of his background to different mem- who was taken in for questioning by police along with Guney on January bers, telling one that his father was Kurdish and another that he merely 17, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. assumed a Kurdish identity to obtain political asylum in France, two acti- Subasi of the Kurdish association in Villiers-le-Bel said that after the mur- vists who knew Guney said. ders he had questioned the flatmate, who had told him the gun shown to Ulker, the head of the Kurdish umbrella group in France, said that him by Guney had looked real. Guney's lawyer said the gun was merely Guney's story seemed to change depending on the background of the per- an air pistol and explained his interest in weapons as a cultural proclivity son he was addressing. "When he spoke to an Alevi, he would say ‘I am of Turkish men. an Alevi, too'," Ulker said, referring to a Muslim sect in Turkey. "When he THE VICTIMS spoke to a Sunni, he would say ‘I am also a Sunni (Muslim)'. And when someone exposed him he would say, ‘Ah, I was only joking'." On January 8, the day before the murders, Sakine Cansiz went to renew her French residency visa in Paris, said Akyol, the Kurdish translator. To In August 2012, Guney returned to his home in Germany and said he had Cansiz's outrage, police refused to issue the visa that day, saying it was to move out of his rented room immediately, according to his former land- not ready, according to Akyol, who spoke to Cansiz about the process. The lady. Neighbors friendly with Guney's parents said this move coincided police declined to comment. with the death of his grandmother. "I told her, 'Calm down, this is France, there is no point in getting exci- According to his lawyer, Guney traveled to Ankara, Turkey's capital, seve- ted'," Akyol said. "She could not hide her militant side, that was part of ral times in 2012, flying on low-cost airlines. her personality." Meral Danis Bestas, a leader of the Kurdish BDP Party in Turkey who tra- Cansiz's temperament formed part of her legend among PKK supporters veled to Paris and spoke to investigators, said on Friday that it was "very and Kurdish activists. Known by her code name "Sara" in the PKK, she strange" no information about why Guney traveled to Ankara was forth- had joined Ocalan's movement as a student in the early 1970s before beco- coming from French police. A French judicial source said investigators ming a fighter. The PKK originally sought an independent Kurdish state, were still verifying the trips and were exchanging information with but has moderated its demands to seeking political autonomy and cultu- Turkey. ral rights. Guney's lawyer told Reuters: "The trips were to find a perfect wife." Arrested by Turkish forces in the early 1980s, Cansiz spent a decade in the MENTAL HEALTH infamous Diyarbakir prison in eastern Turkey, where she said she was tor- tured. The experience forged a mindset based on unwavering personal After returning to Paris, Guney moved back in with his parents and brie- discipline, said Ulker and other Kurdish activists. fly worked as a maintenance officer at the Charles de Gaulle airport. The ➩ stint was cut short when Guney suffered a seizure on the job and was Turkish sources said Cansiz had her differences with

48 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➩ the organization's elite. She had fled to Europe in the 1990s and follo- have gained access to the building via an entrance leading into its hallway wed a nomadic lifestyle, travelling between Paris, Brussels and Cologne, from an adjacent grocery store, which was closed and shuttered that day. Germany, cities with large Kurdish exile populations. In the aftermath of the shootings, Guney stayed in and around Paris. As Though Kurdish activists said she had come to deal mainly with women's well as being caught on CCTV in the crowd outside the center, he also issues in the PKK, Cansiz almost certainly retained a wider political role. attended a rally in memory of the victims on the outskirts of Paris a few days later. According to a 2007 diplomatic cable revealed by WikiLeaks, U.S. officials saw her as a key figure in the flow of funds sent from Europe to PKK lea- Activists asked Guney to help police with their investigation because he ders in Iraq - a role that has prompted speculation the killings' motivation had been Cansiz's driver on the day of the women's murder, said Polat. may have been robbery, not politics. Ayata, the founding member of the Guney went to police for an initial round of questioning on January 16 PKK who lives in Germany, said Cansiz had nothing to do with financing and was asked to return the following day. the group. Anti-terrorism investigators questioned Guney and his flatmate for about On January 9 Cansiz was planning to travel to Cologne and then on to 96 hours, the maximum period allowed in terrorism cases in France. The attend conferences in Qandil, a district in the mountainous borderlands of flatmate was released while Guney stayed in custody. On January 21 a northern Iraq where the PKK operates permanent bases, said a PKK offi- prosecutor told journalists that Guney was "probably the author or one of cial. Some Kurds believe Cansiz opposed the ceasefire talks. Ulker disa- the authors of these acts". grees. MISSING MOTIVE "There are disagreements in the PKK, like any organization, but Cansiz Under French law Guney could remain in jail for up to a year, with possi- was not a renegade," he said. "The reason for this killing, whoever was ble extension to a maximum of four years, subject to review by judges behind it, was to intimidate and provoke the Kurds as the (ceasefire) talks overseeing the case. began, to cow them into weakness." French judicial sources declined to comment on their theories for a possi- Saylemez, who was killed alongside Cansiz, was an area manager in the ble motive. Though police sources at first touted several suggestions, ran- PKK youth organization, and had planned to accompany her better- ging from a love spat gone wrong to internal PKK score-settling to a tem- known comrade to Germany. "She was due to come to Germany the day porary bout of insanity, they have since stayed silent. she died," her sister Yasmin told Reuters. "We never expected something like this could happen in Europe. Never." Guney has claimed to be the victim of a Franco-Turkish plot, according to Ulker's conversations with police, and told police that surveillance foo- The other woman at the center was Dogan, who acted as an informal spo- tage had been tampered with to remove images of other men, according keswoman for Kurdish issues in France. The role had led her to meet jour- to Ulker. Guney's lawyer denied he mentioned a plot during questioning. nalists and officials, including President Francois Hollande. French and Kurdish media reported that Guney told police he was a The three were bright, fit and experienced. At 55, the combat-trained member of the PKK, potentially fuelling suspicions that the killings were Cansiz continued to rise early each morning to go on an hour-long run or related to tensions within the organization. But the PKK leadership denies exercise in her room, according to Akyol. Guney was a member, and Guney's lawyer said that he did not claim to Could one man with a mental impairment shoot all three with clinical be a fully fledged member of the organization. accuracy? PKK sources prefer to point the finger at Turkey. They said warnings by 10 BULLETS Turkish government officials days after the shootings that PKK officials were unsafe hinted at state involvement in the murders. Roj Welat, a Prosecutor Francois Mollins said the main piece of evidence linking senior PKK fighter based in northern Iraq, described the killings as a Guney to the killings is closed-circuit TV footage showing him entering "political massacre" and "an international conspiracy." the Kurdish Information Centre building with Cansiz around 9 a.m. on January 9. Guney told interrogators he left the building for good at 11.30 Turkish officials reject such allegations. a.m. After decades of conflict, the decision by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip But cameras across the street recorded him entering with a shoulder bag Erdogan to talk openly with PKK leader Ocalan is fraught with political shortly after noon and emerging, alone, at 12:56 p.m. Guney later said he risk. Erdogan has to carry with him a skeptical conservative establish- could no longer recall exactly what time he had left the building but he ment; Ocalan has to keep the obedience of fighters in the remote moun- maintained the women were alive when he did, according to his lawyer. tains of Qandil, some harboring doubts about the process. Forensic specialists found no signs of a struggle inside the office. There The Paris shootings had an almost immediate political impact. After news were four empty glasses in the kitchen sink, Ulker and other Kurdish of the deaths, Ocalan suspended talks with Turkey for five or six weeks sources assisting the police said. It appeared the three victims knew their and demanded that the killer be identified, according to Ulker who has killer and had been caught by surprise, police sources said. talked with people in the Kurdish BDP party who visited Ocalan. Dogan had her coat on as though she had been about to leave the office, In late March Turkey and the PKK finally signed a ceasefire agreement. At a converted apartment, said Polat, the Kurdish activist who attended the the same time a wider peace process continues and the deaths of the three scene, and Cansiz was bleeding from several head wounds. She and activists remain a sensitive issue. Saylemez both had blackened, swollen eyes, said Ulker, who saw the Yesterday, Selahattin Demirtas, a co-leader of the Kurdish BDP party, told corpses at the morgue. Aside from the bodies on the floor and a packed Reuters: "It was a deliberate murder and assassination. As long as it suitcase lying open next to the coffee table, the room was neat and undis- remains unsolved, as to who was behind this, then the peace process is in turbed. danger. That is why it is important to find out who was behind the H Autopsies showed the women were killed by bullets fired into their heads murders." at close range, three each for Dogan and Saylemez, and four for Cansiz. Ballistics experts found two brands of 7.65mm caliber bullets at the site. (Additional reporting by Daren Butler and Ayla Jean Yackley in Istanbul, and Molins said the bullets had "most likely" been fired from a single gun. The Chine Labbe and Nicolas Bertin in Paris; Editing By Richard Woods and attack "looked like the work of a professional," a judicial source told Simon Robinson) France's TF1 television. Traces of gunpowder were found on a bag in Guney's car. Guney cannot explain the traces because the reason for them being there "is too uncer- tain," said his lawyer. Partial DNA traces recovered on a bullet casing from the murder scene were inconclusive and no gun has been recovered, the prosecutor said. Some Kurdish activists at the Information Centre suggest others might

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

îbtaB^SSrUmnt Tuesday, april16, 2013

the fate of the Middle East, but it should The dangerous price be clear about its stakes there, and not shy away from efforts to at least nudge events in more favorable directions as this critical region faces momentous choices. A "lean back and wait" posture of ignoring Syria toward unfolding events is dangerous. The paroxysm of violence in Syria is expected to kill tens of thousands more and produce as many as three million

brace reform, but he has not visited a refugees by the year's end. That is a hu¬ single Arab country that went through manitarian tragedy to be sure, but one Obama Vali Nasr the Arab Spring. with immediate strategic consequences. must Obama sees Syria as a tragic humani¬ American insouciance in the face of that devastation is fomenting anti-Americ¬ engage on tarian crisis without obvious strategic implications for the United States. "How anism. The waves of refugees will con- Syria and President Obama has doggedly resisted do I weigh tens of thousands who've stitute an unstable American involvement in Syria The reverse been killed in Syria versus the tens of Washington's population that will killing of over 70,000 people and the Americas thousands who are currently being neglect has be a breeding ground plight of over a million refugees have killed in the Congo?" he asked in a New oii »u ror extremism and in retreat from elicited sympathy from the White House allowed the turn destabilize the Republic interview in January. When the the trou¬ but not much more. That is because Syr¬ president visited the region last month confla8rallon countries where they ia challenges a central aim of Obama's to rage at take refuge. Syria's bled region. he chose to focus on the Arab-Israeli foreign policy: shrinking the X5S. foot¬ peace process rather than Syria. The great human neighbors are not print in the Middle East and downplay¬ peace process is now at the top of Secre¬ cost, putting equipped to deal with ing the region's importance to global tary of State John Kerry's agenda America's al- a humanitarian dis¬ politics. Doing more on Syria would re¬ The plight of Palestinians is a peren¬ hes at risk, aster on this scale. verse the U.S. retreat from the region. nial concern, but it is in Syria that the The longer the dev¬ Since the beginning of Obama's first future of the region hangs in the bal¬ astation goes on the term, the administration's stance as more difficult it will be to put Syria back ance. Choosing the peace process over events unfolded in the Middle East has together, and failing to do so will leave a Syria underscores not the administra¬ been wholly reactive. This "lean back tion's interest in the Middle East but its dangerous morass in the heart of the and wait" approach has squandered Middle East, a failed state at war with determination to look past it. precious opportunity to influence the Washington has wasted precious time itself where extremism and instability course of events in the Middle East in using diplomatic, economic and mili¬ will fester and all manner of terrorists There has been no strategy for capital¬ tary levers to influence the course of and Al Qaeda affiliates will find ample izing on the opportunity that the Arab events in Syria. That neglect has allowed space, resources and recruits to men¬ Spring presented, or for containing its ace the region and world. the conflagration to rage at great human fallout the Syrian crisis being the Worse yet, the conflict in Syria could worst case to date. The president re¬ cost, radicalizing the opposition and put¬ spill over its borders. Syria has become warded Burmese generals with a six- ting at risk U.S. allies across the region. ground zero in a broader conflict that hour visit for their willingness to em America cannot and should not decide pits Shiites against Sunnis and shapes the larger regional competition for power between Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia Syria's paroxysms if allowed to St "J. drag on could potentially spread far and wide and even change the map of the re¬ gion. America may think it does not have any interests in Syria, but it has interests everywhere the Syrian conflict touches. Lebanon and Iraq are each deeply di¬ vided along sectarian lines, and both countries teeter on a knife's edge as tensions rise between their ascendant Shiite populations who fear a setback if Bashar al-Assad falls, and the minority

Sunnis in their own countries who sup¬ port Syria's Sunni-led opposition. Sec¬ v- tarian tensions stretch from Lebanon and Iraq through the Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain and

on to Pakistan where sectarian violence has exploded into the open. rfc- It is time America takes the lead in or¬ ganizing international assistance to refugees. America should not hide be¬ hind the Russian veto. It should pursue \ a concerted diplomatic strategy in sup¬ port of arming the rebels and imposing a no-flight zone over Syria That would not only hamper Assad's ability to fight, it would allow refugees to remain within Syria's borders, thus reducing pressure

D1M1TAR DILKOFF/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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

on neighboring countries. tance and gaining influence with groups and the world will only rediscover their It is time the U.S. took over from that will dominate Syria's future. It was stakes in the Middle East. If Obama Qatar and Saudi Arabia in organizing failing to build those ties in Afghanistan truly wants to pivot away from the the Syrian opposition into a credible that allowed the resistance groups who Middle East then he has to help end the political force failure to do that ac¬ opposed the Soviet Union to disinte¬ bloodletting in Syria. counts for the chaos that has paralyzed grate into the Taliban and Al Qaeda. the group. There are powerful econom¬ The Syrian crisis has become a Gord- vau Nasr, dean of the School ofAdvanced ic sanctions that the U.S. could use to ian knot that cannot be easily disen¬ International Studies at Johns Hopkins cripple the Assad regime. tangled. As daunting as the crisis looks, University, is the author of theforthcom¬ Finally, America should build ties there is a cost to inaction in human ing book "The Dispensable Nation: suffering, regional instability and dam¬ American Foreign Policy in Retreat." with the Free Syrian Army with the age to America's global standing. And goal of denying extremist groups the as the Syrian crisis escalates, America ability to dominate the armed resis

ïtml(Slïïi|rU>1UK WEDNESDAY, APRIL .7, 2013 Syria's forgotten front

The recent high-profile visit by Isra¬ tidote against the chemical weapons As the civil David Pollock el's defense minister, Moshe Yaalon, to that many believe Assad is starting to war in Syr¬ the front line in the Golan Heights led to use against his own population. This ia rages on, rumors in Syria that Israel was plan¬ kind of aid would definitively refute the ning to create and support a proxy false but widely held conspiracy theory the risk WASHINGTON As the civil war in Syria army among the Syrian Druse popula¬ among Syrians that Israel, and its le¬ rages on, the risk that Israel will be that Israel tion. Although these rumors are prob¬ gendary lobby, still secretiy support the drawn into the fray is rising. will be ably exaggerated, there is little doubt Assad regime. It would chip away at Just last Friday, shells fired from Syr¬ that Israel is trying to step up its con¬ Syrians' entrenched mistrust of Israel. drawn into ia again hit the Israeli-occupied Golan tacts across this border. Finally, the United States could also Heights, and Israel fired back. It's not the fray is But if Israel tries to establish proxy restrict the aerial intelligence that it the first time tensions in the area have rising. forces in a buffer zone along the border, misguidedly still provides to the Syrian flared. it would almost certainly backfire. Such government under a 1974 agreement On Jan. 30, Israel staged an airstrike a move would invite Hezbollah, its al¬ information that could be used by As¬ on a weapons convoy in Syria, re¬ lies and other extremists to join the sad to target rebel soldiers. portedly destined for Hezbollah in Leb¬ conflict. That would be very much like Any arrangement that distances the anon. On March 6, jihadist rebels kid¬ what happened in Lebanon, with dis¬ opposition from the jihadis, avoids Is¬ napped 21 Filipino peacekeepers in the raeli intervention on Syrian soil and fo¬ astrous long-term consequences, be¬ Golan Heights. The risk that Israeli re¬ ginning in the late 1970s when Israel in¬ cuses all efforts squarely against Assad taliation for cross-border fire could spi¬ vaded southern Lebanon and set up the should appeal to Syrian opposition ral into a major skirmish, or even a lar¬ South Lebanon Army to protect its bor¬ leaders. It would also accomplish mul¬ ger Israeli intervention to set up a der before staging a second, larger in¬ tiple goals without any direct American buffer zone in Syria, is real. To prevent intervention: stabilizing an increas¬ vasion in 1982. The result was the cre¬ it, the United States should broker a ta¬ ingly precarious front line; preventing ation of Hezbollah, with Iranian cit agreement between Israel and mod¬ support, to "liberate" south Lebanon further regional conflict; helping allevi¬ erate elements of the Syrian opposition. ate a humanitarian crisis; and setting a threat that remains today. Israel and the Syrian opposition don't Over the past 18 months, my col¬ the stage for a better post-Assad fu¬ have much in common, but they do leagues and I have traveled extensively ture. share some important mutual enemies, in the region and conducted interviews The key is to do it quickly, before the namely Hezbollah and Iran, both of with hundreds of armed and unarmed situation on another one of Syria's bor¬ which are fighting furiously to save Syrian opposition leaders and activists. ders spirals even more dangerously Bashar al-Assad's government. Three surveys we conducted for the downward. This convergence of interests firm Pechter Polls revealed intense an¬ provides an opening for America to David pollock isaseniorfellowatthe imosity toward both Iran and Hezbol¬ quietly strike a deal between Israel and Washington Institutefor Near East Policy. lah. This disdain means that the Syrian the leadership of the Syrian opposition: opposition will most likely want to keep Israel should agree to refrain from arm¬ Hezbollah forces far from any rebel- ing proxies inside Syria to protect its held territory, something that would

border-, and the Syrian opposition please Israel. should work to keep extremist groups In addition to Israel's agreement not like Hezbollah and Jabhat al-Nusra and to deploy proxies in Syria, American other affiliates of Al Qaeda far away and international Jewish charities from the Israeli frontier. This would could agree to step up the humanitari¬ demonstrate the Syrian opposition's an assistance that they are already pro¬ bona fides to potential Western sup¬ viding to Syrian civilians on a small porters and dissuade Israel from inter¬ çcale. These efforts are generally being vening or arming allies in Syria. carried out quietly, for fear that too The Assad regime's army, increas¬ much publicity might provoke a public

ingly pressed for manpower on other relations backlash. fronts, recently withdrew many troops Besides food and shelter, there is one from the Israeli border, leaving the field medical donation that would have a open to extremist groups like Jabhat al- huge symbolic impact: atropine, an an Nusra.

51 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 17, 2013 Turkey Said to Sign Oil Deal With Kurds, Defying Baghdad

BY ERCAN ERSOY & CHRIS V. NICHOLSON

Iraq’s Kurdish region has signed a landmark agreement with Turkey to supply it directly with oil and gas, two people familiar with the matter said. tion-sharing agreement with Exxon Mobil in 2011. It covered six blocks, the region’s oil minister Ashti Hawrami said in November that year, including Qara Hansher in the disputed region where the Kurdish The accord was signed last month when Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep enclave borders the rest of Iraq. Tayyip Erdogan met Iraqi Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Ankara, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the The Kurdish area could export 250,000 barrels of oil a day this year plans are private. Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz, contacted via and that may increase to 1 million barrels by 2015 and 2 million by his press office, declined to comment, as did an Iraqi Kurdish official. 2019, Hawrami said this month. “We believe a decentralized oil The Oil Ministry in Baghdad didn’t immediately respond to a request policy and the sharing of power and wealth is essential to Iraq’s for comment. unity,” he said. The Kurdish government will sell oil and gas directly to Turkey in a Oil Nationalism deal that so far has bypassed the Iraqi government in Baghdad, which A deal with Turkey would make the Kurds less dependent on the Iraqi has warned the Kurds not to sign separate energy accords. Turkey budget. That’s long been a point of contention between Baghdad and may also take the Kurdish government’s stake in concessions opera- Erbil, the northern capital and base for a semi- autonomous Kurdish ted by Exxon Mobil Corp. on the enclave’s border with the rest of administration since after the 1991 Gulf War. Iraq, one of the people said. “Oil is linked to nationalism,” said Aziz Sardar, a visiting lecturer in “Large-scale oil exports would change the economic position of Middle Eastern studies at University College Cork in Ireland. “Barzani Kurdistan,” said Robin Mills, head of consulting at Dubai-based is using it to secure his position and mobilize people, who see it as a Manaar Energy Consulting and Project Management. “If this deal goes way to independence.” through, it’s an aggressive move by Turkey that really means busting For Turkey, the accord offers access to cheaper energy that would relations with Baghdad.” reduce its import bill and current-account deficit, the $800 billion Iraq’s deputy prime minister, Hussain al-Shahristani, said yesterday economy’s key weakness. his government has told Turkey that it doesn’t allow oil agreements The deficit ballooned to about 10 percent of economic output in without central government approval, and that Turkey must respect 2011, exceeding $77 billion and ranking as the world’s second-biggest Iraqi sovereignty. after the U.S. Last year Turkey imported $59 billion of energy, Deputy Genel Windfall Prime Minister Ali Babacan said in January. The accords also spell a windfall for oil and gas companies such as In recent years Turkey has reversed its earlier hostility to autonomy Genel Energy Plc (GENL), the largest producer in the Kurdish region. for Iraqi Kurds and moved toward an alliance. It had previously cited Genel Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward said last week that he concerns that self-rule in northern Iraq would encourage Turkey’s expected a new pipeline transporting oil from the Kurdish region to own Kurdish minority to demand similar rights. Turkey to be finished by midyear. The government this year has opened peace talks with Kurdish mili- Patrick d’Ancona, a spokesman for Genel, declined to comment on tants who have been fighting in southeast Turkey for almost three the agreement. decades. G The Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq signed a produc-

Hayward, the Genel chief executive officer, told Bloomberg News that Kurdish oil pipeline infrastructure is needed to complete a small section of a line that would convert an existing natural gas pipeline to an oil pipeline. planned for Turkey "They'll have that infrastructure by the middle of the year," he said. ANKARA, Turkey, April 17 2013 (UPI) Genel received permission Jan. 7 from the Kurdistan Regional Government to ship crude oil from the Taq Taq field by truck to Turkey. Export restric- tions had been in place as a sign of growing frustration with the central Converting a natural gas pipeline to an oil pipeline will allow for Iraqi government over oil laws in the country. additional exports from the Kurdish region of Iraq, Genel Energy Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said last week that he was ready to chief Tony Hayward said. move ahead with pipeline construction after meeting with Kurdish leaders Genel Energy, an Anglo-Turkish company, said last week that it reached a in Ankara in March. test rate of 11,950 barrels of oil per day from its first of five exploration Political disputes between the semiautonomous Kurdish government and wells in the Chia Surkh discovery area in the semi-autonomous Kurdish the central Iraqi government over oil laws are seen as impediments to region of Iraq. Iraq's oil potential. H

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

j£j3H01ldt Vendredi 19 avril 2013 Ala télévision syrienne, BacharAl-Assad affiche sa sérénité et stigmatise l'Occident

Le président syrien accuse les pays occidentaux de faire le jeu d'Al-Qaida en soutenant la rébellion

Dans une interview télévisée selon lui de l'étranger. «Nous «L'Occidenta déjà payé très cher le du combat contre le régime syrien, très soignée, diffusée mer¬ n 'avonspas d'autres options que la faitd'avoiraidéà ses débutsAl-Qai¬ a officialisé, mi-avril, ses liens avec

credi 17 avril par la chaîne victoire, carsi nous ne sommespas da. Aujourd'hui ilfaitla même cho¬ la nébuleuse terroriste, cette mise pro-régime Al-Ikhbariya, à l'occa¬ victorieux, ce sera lafin de la Syrie, se en Syrie, en Libye etdans d'autres en garde résonne avec une acuité sion de la fête nationale syrienne, et je ne pense pas qu'un seul endroits et il lepaiera cherau chur nouvelle.

le président Bachar Al-Assad s'est citoyen syrien accepte cette de l'Europe etdes Etats-Unis. » Le président syrien a d'autant

livré à son exercice médiatique option », a déclaré Bachar Cette allusion voilée aux déboi¬ plus de raisons d'être satisfait que préféré : stigmatiser le soutien des Àl-Assad, sur fond de boiseries res américains en Afghanistan - ces derniers jours, ses troupes ont

puissances occidentales à ses mordorées. regagné un peu de terrain face aux

opposants, qui équivaut selon lui «On a beaucoup sous estimé le insurgés. Celles-ci ont notamment à financer Al-Qaida et projeter régime syrien, réagit Peter Harling, «Nous n'avons desserré le siège de la base de Wadi l'image d'un leader serein, analyste à l'International Crisis pas d'autres options Deif, un site d'une importance stra¬ confiant dans sa capacité à restau¬ Group. Le simple professionnalis¬ tégique, sur la route entre Damas

rer l'autorité de son régime, après medecette vidéo montrequele régi¬ que la victoire, et Alep. En mars, l'armée régulière deux ans d'insurrection armée. mes'est installédans le conflit, qu'il sinon ce sera la fin avait aussi repris le quartier de Filmé dans un bureau de la pré¬ s'y est adapté. Ilfaut sortir du récit Baba Amr, à Homs, unbastion de la

sidence baigné de couleurs chau¬ quiprésente le régime comme une de la Syrie» rébellion, que le régime avait inves¬

des, avec le drapeau syrien et des entité toujoursplus aux abois. » Bachar Al-Assad ti, à l'hiver 2012, avant que les insur¬

rayonnages de livres en arrière- Parfaitement à l'aiseface àdeux gés ne s'y réintroduisent.

plan, le maître de Damas a fait le journalistes acquis à ses vues, le pays où le djihad antisoviétique, «C'est une erreur de considérer

parallèle entre les « héros de l'indé¬ chef d'Etat syrien a loué l'aide initialementfinancé parWashing¬ que le régime renonce à desparties

pendance » d'hier, acquise en1946, humanitaire distribuée par les ton, a contribué à l'essor d'Al-Qai¬ de territoires, analyse Peter Har¬

après vingt-cinq années de domi¬ autorités et affirmé que les Occi¬ da - est un classique de la rhétori¬ ling. Il n'abandonne rien. Ilvit dans

nation française et l'armée syrien¬ dentaux jouaient avec le feu en que de Bachar Al-Assad. Mais iidéequ'unenormalisationesttou- ne d'aujourd'hui, confrontée à des appuyant l'opposition, composée depuis que le front Al-Nosra, un jourspossible. » a

«groupes terroristes» manipulés en partie de groupes djihadistes. mouvement djihadiste à la pointe Benjamin Bakthi

. wnixmoNAL. îkrdbâiS^Snbmw tuesday.april 16,2013

tional criticism of Turkey's record on Turkish pianist sentenced freedom of speech and human rights. Mr. Pamuk was fined $3,700 for saying in a Swiss newspaper that Turks "have for Twitter posts on Islam killed 30,000 Kurds and 1 million Ar¬ menians," in reference to the 1915 mass book and Twitter, however, have rarely killings of Armenians by the Ottoman ISTANBUL figured in previous trials, although Army a deeply contentious issue in Turks are active users of the sites. Turkey. BYSEBNEMARSU The messages cited in the indictment In other continuing trials, dozens of were Mr. Say's personal remarks refer¬ A court here handed down a suspended writers and intellectuals and a large ring to a poem by the 11th-century Per¬ 10-month prison term on Monday for number of journalists face a wide range sian poet Omar Khayyam, which poked Fazil Say, an internationally acclaimed of terrorism-related charges, hamper¬ fun at an Islamic vision of the afterlife. Turkish pianist and composer convicted ing Turkey's continuing efforts to join The poem was sent to Mr. Say from of insulting Islam and offending the European Union, which sets high ju¬ another user before he forwarded it. Muslims in postings on Twitter. dicial standards for prospective mem¬ In another personal Twitter post, he Mr. Say, 43, who has performed with bers. joked about the rapid call to prayer at a major orchestras in cities including Ber¬ Hundreds of Mr. Say's fans and sup¬ nearby mosque, questioning whether lin, New York and Tokyo, said in earlier porters have attended the three hear¬ the muezzin who makes the call was hearings that the accusations against ings in six months to protest his prose¬ running late for a drink. cution. him went "against universal human Mr. Say, who denied the charges, is He has continued to perform nation¬ rights and laws." The sentence was sus¬ pended for five years, meaning that Mr. known for his critical stance against the ally and internationally, and, when the Say will not be sent to prison unless he is government's social and cultural sentence was handed down, he was in convicted of another offense within that policies. He has said publicly that he is Germany for a concert in the southern an atheist a rare statement in a coun¬ city of Reutlingen. period. In recent years, many intellectuals, try where the bulk of the population of 74 In a.written statement, Mr. Say said

writers and artists have been prosecut¬ riiiiion identify themselves as Muslims. he was concerned about the implica¬ ed for statements about Islam and Turk¬ Many intellectuals and writers, in¬ tions of the court's judgment for free¬ ish identity, both of which the pro-Islam¬ cluding the Nobel laureate Orhan dom of expression in his country, since ic government seeks to shield from Pamuk, have faced similar charges in he had been sentenced "although I've criticism. Social media outlets like Face- recent years, prompting heavy interna committed no crime."

53 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 15avril 2013

d'activités de cette mouvance et de sa présence plus marquée sur la scène politique. En 2011, Le Hezbollah turc repasse à les principaux leaders du Hezbollah ont bénéficié d'une l'action dans les universités loi plafonnant la durée maxi- Par Laure Marchand mum de détention sans procès à dix ans et sont sortis de Des affrontements entre prison. La majorité en a profité étudiants islamistes et pour disparaître dans la nature. kurdes ont gagné ces Depuis, le Hezbollah est passé derniers jours plusieurs de la clandestinité à la représen- campus à travers le pays. tation légale. Fondé fin 2012, le Huda-Par, qui peut se traduire stanbul - La violence poli- par «Dans les pas de Dieu», est tique sur les campus turcs a le dernier-né des partis poli- Ifait une réapparition brutale à tiques turcs. Les assaillants de l'université Dicle, à Diyarbakir, l'université de Dicle en sont la grande ville kurde dans l'Est. membres. Si elle ne prône plus Des étudiants islamistes affiliés Après avoir éclaté entre étudiants sur le campus de l'université la violence armée, la formation au Hezbollah turc - un mouve- Dicle, à Diyarbakir, les affrontements se sont poursuivis avec reste une émanation du ment radical sunnite distinct de les forces de l'ordre dans un champ voisin. Crédits photo : Hezbollah. son homonyme libanais - se MEHMET ENGIN/AFP sont violemment opposés à des Une nébuleuse d'associations étudiants sympathisants de la islamistes soupçonnées d'avoir guérilla du PKK la semaine der- entre groupes islamistes et kur- classé comme une organisation des liens avec ce groupe fonda- nière. Des tracts annonçant des des ont été signalés dans des terroriste par Ankara. Mais il mentaliste mène régulièrement activités pour célébrer la nais- facultés à Ankara, Istanbul, est accusé d'avoir été utilisé par des actions dans l'espace pub- sance de Mahomet semblent à Samsun… l'État turc dans la «sale guerre» lic. En janvier, par exemple, des l'origine des trois jours de conduite contre le PKK dans les militants de l'ONG Özgür-Der, heurts qui ont conduit à la fer- «La querelle entre les Kurdes années 1990 et d'avoir tué des très active dans le Sud-Est meture de l'université. islamistes et les Kurdes laïcs centaines de civils kurdes. À kurde, ont manifesté devant le s'est déclenchée bien plus tôt son actif, le Hezbollah compte, consulat français à Istanbul Trois jeunes Kurdes au moins que prévu», s'inquiète Kurtulus entre autres, des attentats con- contre l'intervention au Mali. ont été poignardés au cours des Tayiz dans un éditorial du quo- tre des débits de vente d'alcool Avec leurs confrères de l'IHH, affrontements. Des gaz lacry- tidien Taraf, en référence aux ou l'assassinat du préfet de organisateurs de la flottille mogènes ont été lancés par la négociations actuellement police de Diyarbakir en 2001. humanitaire qui a tenté de police depuis des hélicoptères menées par le gouvernement De la clandestinité à la forcer le blocus de Gaza en pour disperser un rassemble- turc pour obtenir le désarme- représentation légale 2010, ils ont déroulé une large ment d'étudiants qui voulaient ment des rebelles. Le banderole qui réclamait que «la empêcher la tenue de la con- Hezbollah, mouvement majori- Les agressions à renfort de bar- France colonialiste (…) dégage» férence sur le Prophète. Les ten- tairement kurde qui prône res de fer et de couteaux à du Mali. sions ont gagné d'autres uni- l'établissement d'un État l'université de Diyarbakir sont versités du pays. Des clashs islamique, est officiellement révélatrices du regain

la vie des citoyens". Irak: les forces kurdes L'armée irakienne a toutefois attribué ce mouvement à des "manoeuvres poli- deployées près d'une tiques". "Après les derniers mouvements des forces des peshmerga, l'armée a été mise ville disputée en état d'alerte", a dit un officier supérieur à l'AFP. Selon lui, les mouvements KIRKOUK (Irak), 27 avr 2013 (AFP) des peshmerga sont une manoeuvre politique et ne sont pas destinés à combler un vide sécuritaire". LES FORCES de sécurité kurdes se sont déployées près de la ville dispu- De son côté, un haut responsable militaire irakien a qualifié ce déploiement de tée de Kirkouk dans le nord de l'Irak, apparemment pour combattre des "développement dangereux". insurgés alors qu'une vague de violences a fait plus de 200 morts depuis "C'est un développement dangereux. Ils (Les Kurdes) veulent atteindre les puits mardi à travers le pays, a indiqué samedi un haut responsable. de pétrole" de cette province multiethnique riche en pétrole, a déclaré à l'AFP le "Après concertation avec le gouverneur de Kirkouk, il a été décidé que les pesh- général Ali Ghaidan. merga parent aux manquements sécuritaires en règle générale, et en particulier Kirkouk et la province et sa capitale éponyme sont une véritable mosaïque eth- autour de la ville de Kirkouk", a déclaré dans un communiqué Jabbar Yawar, nique et confessionnelle, où vivent Kurdes, Arabes, et Turkmènes, sunnites et secrétaire général du ministère des peshmerga dans la région autonome du chiites. Elle constitue l'essentiel du territoire que les Kurdes veulent inclure dans Kurdistan. la région autonome du Kurdistan, au grand dam du gouvernement fédéral à "Les services de renseignement des peshmerga disposent d'informations selon Bagdad. H lesquelles des groupes terroristes planifient de lancer des attaques dans la région", a dit M. Yawar, ajoutant que l'objectif de son ministère est de "préserver

54 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 21 avril 2013 Au front syrien, les combattantes kurdes font figure d'exception

LEP (Syrie) -(AFP) - Les cheveux Adécouverts, elle lance des ordres à des combattants kurdes à la mine pati- bulaire qui la dépassent de plusieurs têtes: la commandante Engizek détonne au milieu des rangs quasi- exclusivement masculins de la rébel- lion syrienne. Cette petite femme frêle dirige des dizaines de combattants kurdes dans le quartier de Cheikh Maqsoud aux mains des rebelles dans le nord d'Alep, la capitale économique syrienne entrée dans la guerre il y a neuf mois. "Les femmes peuvent tirer au fusil automatique, à la kalachnikov et même dans un char, aussi bien que les hommes", dit Engizek, 28 ans, vêtue nyme, affirme que les combattants du vent même le rejet. d'un pantalon et d'une veste beige, les YPG, hommes et femmes, suivent le "Ce ne sont pas des femmes, ce cheveux strictement attachés. même entraînement strict, montent sont des hommes. Une vraie femme "Les femmes sont partie intégrante ensemble au front et se partagent éga- est plus féminine", lance ainsi un com- de notre révolution", affirme-t-elle à lement les corvées domestiques. battant rebelle qui se dit opposé à la l'AFP dans une rue déserte de Cheikh Pour Moumtaz, 18 ans, rejoindre présence de femmes au front car cela Maqsoud au milieu de bâtiments la rébellion il y a un an a été une peut "distraire les combattants". détruits par des explosions ou criblés "expérience libératrice". Dans son école, soutenue par Liwa d'impacts de balles, alors que réson- Seule combattante parmi ses qua- al-Tawhid, une des plus importantes nent les tirs des snipers. tre frères et soeurs, elle dit s'être brigades d'Alep au sein de laquelle La brigade d'Engizek compte 20% transformée en une nuit. La petite étu- combat son mari, Nour al-Haq partage de femmes et dépend des comités de diante est devenue une guerrière le même avis. protection du peuple kurde (YPG), quand elle a rejoint un camp "Les femmes n'ont aucune raison bras armé du Parti de l'union démo- d'entraînement du YPG dans sa ville de prendre les armes, il y a tellement cratique (PYD), branche syrienne du d'Afrine, bastion kurde au nord d'hommes qui le font", dit-elle. Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan d'Alep. Les Syriennes, quelles que soient (PKK, rebelles kurdes en Turquie). "Prendre les armes a été une déci- leur ethnie ou leur classe sociale, ont A Cheikh Maqsoud, les comités se sion personnelle", dit cette jeune fille, participé à la révolution à leur sont récemment alliés aux rebelles le front ceint d'un bandana. manière: elles manifestent ou appor- dans leur combat contre le régime de Derrière elle, ses camarades, tent nourriture et munitions aux com- Bachar al-Assad. femmes et hommes, fument, discu- battants. Contrairement aux Arabes, les tent et mangent un morceau ensem- Engizek et ses compagnons femmes kurdes ont une longue tradi- ble. S'ils se retrouvent au front et lors d'armes balaient ces arguments: tion de combat. Les combattantes du des pauses, ils vivent séparément et "arriérés". PKK ont connu une notoriété mon- toute relation est formellement inter- "Ce pays ne sera libre qu'une fois diale dans les années 1990, notam- dite. que les femmes le seront", affirme ment en menant des opérations sui- Mais la présence de ces combat- Lokman Abousalem, combattant de cide. tantes dans la société conservatrice 41 ans, qui affirme que ses camarades Engizek, qui n'a qu'un seul patro- syrienne suscite l'étonnement et sou- n'ont aucune objection à être dirigés par une femme. Pour Engizek, l'ascension de groupes islamistes radicaux peut être une menace pour le droit des femmes. Contrairement aux Elle craint notamment le Front jiha- Arabes, les femmes diste Al-Nosra qui a récemment fait kurdes ont une longue allégeance à Al-Qaïda. tradition de combat. "Nous ne voulons pas collaborer Les combattantes du avec ceux qui n'acceptent pas les PKK ont connu une droits des femmes", dit-elle. "En tant que mouvement, nous ne notoriété mondiale pouvons pas accepter cela. En tant dans les années 1990, que femme, je ne peux pas accepter notamment en menant cela". I des opérations suicide.

55 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 19, 2013

important legitimizing paired with uncertainties effects, facilitating both about how the Kurds might Turkish-Kurdish reconcilia- fare if the Syrian regime All benefit from tion and the advancement of falls, will likely lead to inter- democracy. national calls for an institu- Turkish-Kurdish tionalized framework for pro- Another significant factor is tecting Kurdish areas. one over which Turkey has amity only partial control. It hat might make Ankara secret talks that have taken relates to the “Kurdish ques- nervous in this context tion” on a much more intri- Wis the prospect of a semiau- By Moritz Pieper, place between the Turkish authorities and Ocalan have cate level – the regional tonomous Kurdish regional Octavius Pinkard changed these dynamics, power dynamics between government emerging in nor- The Daily Star and have demonstrated a Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria. thern Syria after the collapse renewed readiness by the The Kurds, occasionally and of the Assad regime. Such a en years from now, what Turkish government to derisively labeled “Mountain Kurdish regional govern- will be said of Turkey’s peacefully resolve this long- Turks” in Anatolia, have ment is already in place in Treconciliation with its standing conflict. And in been integrated in Syria and northern Iraq, and Turkey Kurdish population? How response to Ocalan’s call for Iran to a far greater extent could find itself surrounded will Turkey’s resolution of a a truce, the PKK did indeed than in Turkey. The exis- by centers of Kurdish power. seemingly intractable declare a cease-fire with tence of the Western Iranian For geopolitical reasons, a conflict affect regional secu- Turkey last month. Ankara province of “Kurdistan” is a peace process between rity, and will it provide a is now expecting the with- case in point. Linguistically Turkey and the PKK is thus model for others to follow? drawal of Kurdish militants as well as ethnically, Kurds clearly in Turkey’s interest. The answers hold serious from Turkish soil to PKK have always been closer to implications not only for bases in Northern Iraq. the Persians than to the Kurdish separatist senti- Turkey, but also for Turkey’s Turks. This proximity natu- ments in Turkey would only neighbors – Syria, Iran and It remains unknown what rally extended into the polit- be strengthened by the pres- Iraq. The “Kurdish question” the PKK is being offered in ical realm, and has had an ence of neighboring has long been one of return for its consent to lay impact on Turkish-Iranian autonomous regions. For Turkey’s most pressing poli- down arms, and it is not relations. The repeated sus- Ankara, avoiding this can tical concerns. In post- always clear who controls picion of Iranian support for only be achieved by political Kemalist Turkey, societal certain factions among the the PKK has long been an concessions in the form of assimilation of Kurds was fighters. What is clear, how- annoyance to Ankara. constitutional equality not a vision shared by ever, is that the so-called between Kurds and Turks. Turkish rulers, who belied Imrali process – the talks In Syria, the PKK has had a The extent to which Turkey that multiculturalism and between Turkish intelligence powerful partner in manages this process will nation building could not agents and Ocalan – has ini- President Bashar Assad, but not only determine the dura- coexist. Ever since the foun- tiated a constructive dia- the relationship has shown bility of peace between itself ding of the Kurdistan logue, the outcome of which signs of strain in recent and the Kurds, it will also be Workers’ Party (PKK) in the could be peace between the weeks as the PKK and an important step in late 1970s, Turkey has been Turkish state and the Kurds. Turkish government have Turkey’s democratization. plagued by terrorist activi- grown closer. Damascus is The regional implications H ties, while the Kurds have o be sure, there are a steadily losing control of the cannot be overstated. been subject to statist discri- number of factors that Kurdish-dominated north- mination. It is therefore not Twill have an impact on the ern region of the country. Moritz Pieper and Octavius surprising that when PKK extent to which such a sce- Qamishli, sitting along the Pinkard, Brussels-based spe- leader Abdullah Ocalan nario proves viable, or is Turkish border, and one of cialists in foreign policy analy- the largest cities in the recently called on the party merely wishful thinking. One sis and Middle Eastern poli- to lay down its arms, he rai- such factor is the extent to region, has now fallen to the opposition. tics, are doctoral researchers sed hopes in the region and which equal rights and free- at the University of Kent. They beyond that Turkish- doms for the Kurds will be wrote this commentary for Kurdish reconciliation was a embedded in the new egime attacks on rebel THE DAILY STAR. distinct possibility. Turkish constitution. The Rpositions in the north last constitution dates back have now become increasin- The relationship between to 1982, when the country gly fierce. At least 70 people Ankara and the Kurds has was ruled by a military were killed in the last two had a marked effect on junta. It has been criticized weeks as a result of repeated domestic politics in Turkey. for its explicit emphasis on bombings of Kurdish dis- In 2011, the tension between Turkish ethnicity as a pre- tricts by Assad’s forces. This the two complicated the condition for full citizenship, has further complicated the involvement of the pro- with all ensuing rights. regime’s relationship with Kurdish Peace and Especially with a view to the Democratic Union Party, Democracy Party (BDP) in Turkish-European Union which is affiliated with the the drafting of the new accession talks, a more libe- PKK, and with Syria’s Kurds Turkish constitution. The ral constitution could have in general. Such atrocities,

56 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 20th 2013

Northern Iraq Peace, harmony and oil

Despite assertions to the contrary, Iraq’s Kurds are inching towards outright independence

ERBIL AND SULAYMANIYAH

housing more than 50,000 destitute paid off, so far. Iraq’s American protectors BIBLE scholars say the Garden of Eden Syrians outside the booming city of have kept other foreign powers at bay. was in southern Iraq, perhaps where the Dohuk, an Iraqi Kurd shrugs and says, The KRG receives 17% of the Iraqi federal rivers Tigris and Euphrates meet. But “Twenty years ago this was us.” He is budget, now a hefty sum thanks to Iraq’s when Iraqis think of earthly paradise they referring to the aftermath of the Anfal, a growing oil exports (though the Kurds’ tend to look north, towards Kurdistan. It campaign in the late 1980s by Iraq’s then- share comes after a 30% deduction for is easy to see why. Over Nowruz, the leader Saddam Hussein to crush a Kurdish “sovereign” Iraqi expenses). spring holiday celebrated last month, pic- uprising. It left at least 100,000 dead, nickers flocked to the autonomous destroyed 4,000 villages and created 1m Since the American-led invasion in 2003 region’s flower-speckled meadows and refugees. Iraqi Kurds have rebuilt villages, raised valleys carved by streams flowing down GDP per person tenfold, maintained law from snow-capped mountains. The imposition of a UN haven allowed and order and turned the peshmerga into Kurdish fighters, the peshmerga, to claw a formidable army. Daily blackouts may Nature is not Iraqi Kurdistan’s only draw. back control in 1991, but the landlocked plague Baghdad, but the KRG exports sur- The relative order, security and wealth autonomous region remained surrounded plus power to adjacent Iraqi towns. enjoyed by the 5m residents of Iraq’s by suspicious powers. Iran, Syria and Divided at home, the Kurds have united to three Kurdish provinces are the envy of Turkey all feared that Kurdish nationalism deal successfully with the federal govern- the remaining 25m who live in the bat- would infect their own minorities. There ment, securing good terms in the 2005 tered bulk of Iraq, and of others too. was trouble within, too. Politics amplified constitution and high office in the capital. Since 2011 some 130,000 Syrian refugees, a linguistic divide between Iraqi nearly all of them ethnic Kurds, have been Kurdistan’s east and west, sparking a frat- Oily borders welcomed in as brothers; the UN says that ricidal war from 1994 to 1997. number could reach 350,000 by the year’s Kurdish officials will not speak of inde- end. From the east come Iranian Kurds Tensions from that time linger, along with pendence yet. But several factors point eager to work on the building sites that complaints of greed and nepotism in the towards a reckoning. One of these is the bristle across a territory the size of two ruling parties that dominate the dismal state of the rest of Iraq. Battered Switzerland. From the north come plane- Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). by al-Qaeda bombings and worried by the loads of Turkish businessmen seeking prof- Iraqi Kurds also yearn to see their de facto likely fall of Syria’s pro-Shia government, it from a land so rich in oil that its sweet, independence formalised. To Kurdish eyes a growing number of Iraqi Shias whisper cloying smell hangs everywhere. Iraq is this would mean keeping control of land that they should let the Kurds go, better now Turkey’s second export market after that technically lies outside the three to control what remains. Germany, with 70% of that trade directed provinces recognised throughout Iraq as to the Kurdish part; 4,000 trucks cross the Kurdish, and in particular the multi-ethnic Meanwhile Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq’s increas- border daily. but historically Kurdish-tinted city of ingly dictatorial prime minister, has grown Kirkuk. more confrontational towards the Kurds. It was not always like this. Surveying a In December he sent troops to Kirkuk, dusty vista of tents at Domiz, a camp Yet most Kurds accept that patience has prompting the KRG to mobilise III

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III the peshmerga. In March, over politically close to the ruling Justice and Kurdish objections, the federal parlia- So long as most of Iraq’s oil output came Development (AK) party, which has, not ment passed a $118-billion budget that from the south, and so long as it con- coincidentally, lately made headway in allotted just $650m to pay what the KRG trolled export pipelines, Baghdad held securing peace with Turkey’s own Kurds. claims is a $3.5 billion debt it owes for- the upper hand. But Kurdistan turns out Officials in Ankara, the Turkish capital, eign oil companies. The angry Kurds with- to have a lot of oil. Proven reserves are hint that a deal is in the works, covering drew their federal ministers and MPs. now put at 45 billion barrels, a third or exploration, production and transport of They now have no official representation less of Iraq’s total, but still nearly double both oil and natural gas. in Baghdad; Jalal Talabani, Iraq’s Kurdish America’s. Kurdish production capacity is president, whose easy-going charm has rising fast. It should reach 1m barrels a This prospect alarms the government in often soothed troubles, has been ill in day by 2015 and possibly 2m by 2020, says Baghdad, and not only because Mr Maliki Germany since December. an executive at Genel, a British-Turkish tends to see Turkey through sectarian firm that is Kurdistan’s biggest operator. lenses as a meddling Sunni behemoth. If Whatever the current desires of politi- Kurdistan secures independent oil wealth, cians, oil finds may redraw Iraq’s borders. Squabbles with Baghdad have led to other parts of Iraq could follow. This is a The Kurds say Iraq’s constitution frees repeated shutdowns of the main pipeline fear shared, oddly enough, by Iraq’s two autonomous regions to develop new to Turkey, but growing volumes go by biggest allies, Iran and the United States. fields, and have attracted big foreign tanker truck, solidifying a budding The Americans have repeatedly moved to firms with production-sharing deals that Kurdish-Turkish alliance that would have curb Kurdish ambitions while encouraging let them book reserves as assets. Baghdad shocked both peoples only a few years Baghdad to accommodate them. But the says these are illegal; oil is the property ago. The KRG expects a pipeline to Turkey prize for both Kurds and Turks is starting of the people and all revenues must go to to be complete by September. Turkey, to look too big for Iraq’s future to be set- the central state. It is annoyed, too, that meanwhile, is keen to diversify away from tled with yet fuzzier compromises. some of the 50-odd deals signed by the reliance on Iran and Russia. It helps, too, KRG fall in disputed territory. that many of Turkey’s energy firms are

21 April 2013

The timing of Turkey's Kurdish strategy Turkey is on the verge of a paradigm change in its relations with the Kurdish minority. The only hope to stem this growing tide in Turkey is to co-opt the ÖMER TAŞPINAR Kurds into the framework of federalism and autonomy. Nothing less [email protected] than serious steps towards democratization, multiculturalism and federalism will win over the Kurdish tide. Until recently, Prime f the current peace process creates a genuine peace, the country Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was trying to limit concessions to will have solved its most intractable problem since the creation of Turkey's Kurds, while strengthening ties with Iraqi Kurds. Having fos- Ithe republic in 1923. The irony is that Ankara is dealing with the tered close economic ties with northern Iraq, Turkey is now siding Kurdish question at a time when the Kurdish movement in Turkey with Iraqi Kurds in their assertion of regional oil and gas deposits. and in the Middle East is at a historic height. It is very likely that in In the meantime, it became simply impossible for Turkey to have the wake of the dissolution of the Bashar al-Assad regime, a semi- a regional Kurdish strategy while suppressing Kurdish rights at autonomous Kurdish regional government will be formed in northern home. Now Ankara has to change course with the peace process Syria. With the presence of the Kurdish Regional Government with the PKK. It will have to offer a much better deal to its own Kurds. (KRG) in Iraq, a newly formed Kurdish region in Syria and Iran's own In return, it will hope to bring Iraq and Syria's Kurds into Turkey's Kurdish region, soon Turkey will see nothing but Kurdish entities at zone of economic, political and strategic influence. Turkey has made its southern borders. significant progress in a number of crucial areas over the last 10 Turkey realized that the Arab Spring at its core is a movement for years. On the economic front, the country more than doubled its democratic self-determination and that such sweeping change in the income per capita and tripled the gross domestic product (GDP), region was bound to have a major impact on Kurdish demands for reaching the rank of the 16th largest economy in the world. In the self-determination. After all, the emergence of an independent grea- last 10 years, Turkey has also witnessed a crucial transformation in ter Kurdistan is the dream of millions of nationalist Kurds. foreign policy. Partly as a product of its economic success, it is now It is important to remember that imprisoned Kurdistan Workers' a much more self-confident, active and ambitious regional superpo- Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan's call for a truce came after wer. On the domestic politics front, changes have been equally months of negotiations with Turkish authorities. The timing of such momentous. A silent revolution took place in civil-military relations. negotiations can be partly explained by Turkish pragmatism. Today, The system of military tutelage has been replaced by the strong pre- there are approximately 30 million Kurds in the Middle East. sence of a civilian political party that has an unprecedented level of Although exact numbers are often disputed, it is widely accepted that popularity and legitimacy in the eyes of close to 50 percent of voters. at least half of the total Kurdish population -- about 15 million -- live No political party in the modern history of the country has managed in Turkey. The Palestinians may be the most often proclaimed nation to win three elections in a row by increasing its share of the vote without a state, but the Kurds, who outnumber the Palestinians by each time. Despite this picture of overall success in economic, five-to-one, are the most populous such nation in the Middle East. It foreign policy and political terms, until recently there was one area is therefore not surprising that Ankara is alarmed about prospects of where Turkey had clearly failed to change the paradigm: the Kurdish Kurdish nationalism and a “greater Kurdistan” emerging in the problem. Now, this is on the verge of changing thanks to Ankara's I region. high-risks and high-rewards gamble.

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dent for recognition of an autonomous Kurdish entity in Have Syria’s Kurds had a Syria. In addition, the PYD repor- change of heart? tedly expects Turkey to In recent weeks, once dormant player awakens from slumber; reduce its support for extre- mist Syrian rebels, including may provide Syria’s rebels with boost to break deadlock with the those who have clashed with Assad regime. the group in the past. Furthermore, any breakdown By DANIEL NISMAN of the draw-down process with the PKK would likely hinder A FREE Syrian Kurdish-rebel cooperation in eal with your friends as if Army fighter lis- ‘D Syria, and an increase in hosti- they will become your tening to fight- enemies tomorrow, and deal lity from the PYD toward the ing in a north- Turkish government. Lastly, with your enemies as if they ern Syrian will become your friends attacks by jihadist Syrian Kurdish town. rebel elements against tomorrow.” It’s a proverb pas- Photo: Reuters sed along through Kurdish Kurdish communities could generations – and a telling also bring an end to coopera- context to the Kurdish strategy tion mixed cities and regions in northern Syria, threatening in today’s conflict in Syria. In centers in the summer of late March 2013, the PKK to derail the rebel effort to recent weeks, this once dor- 2012. agreed to a cease-fire with the mant player has awoken from end the standoff in Aleppo. ETHNIC KURDS comprise Turkish military and an its slumber, and may just pro- In the long term, the maintai- approximately 10 percent of Ocalan-approved timetable vide Syria’s desperate rebels ning of Kurdish-rebel coordi- Syria’s population, dwelling in for withdrawal. In early April with a much needed boost to nation could result in conside- the country’s northeastern and 2013, Syrian Kurdish break their deadlock with the rable setbacks for the Syrian northern provinces. Apart Democratic Union (PYD) lea- Assad regime. military, particularly impac- from several sporadic clashes der Salih Muslim stated that ting efforts to maintain control Reports indicate that YPG mili- with extremist rebels, Kurdish his constituents support over outlying areas. Continued tiamen and Syrian rebels have factions have largely refrained cease-fire efforts being bombardments by the Syrian agreed to share control of the from taking sides since the conducted between the military against Kurdish popu- strategic Sheikh Maqsoud outset of the conflict. Turkish government and District of northern Aleppo, Kurdish PKK separatists. lations are likely to result in an Increasing violence between increase of reprisal attacks cutting off regime supply Subsequent statements of sup- Kurdish militias and the Syrian against Syrian military troops routes to a hospital, prison port by Syrian Kurdish leaders military indicates a notable stationed in the area, who are and other key positions. Rebel for the talks have been follo- shift in the policy of the Syrian already impacted by a break- fighters entered the district wed by increasing coordina- Kurdish leadership’s policy of down in resupply routes. In largely unopposed on March tion of Kurdish militias with neutrality. Aleppo, Kurdish-rebel coope- 31. On April 6, the Syrian mili- Syrian rebels, including the ration would further pressure tary bombarded Kurdish The rebel capture of Aleppo’s March 31 withdrawal from regime forces, by enabling neighborhoods in northern Sheikh Maqsoud area on Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud. Aleppo, killing 15 people in a March 31 was coordinated and additional staging grounds for Despite the current shift of likely response to this new facilitated by local Kurdish rebel offensives against the support to the rebels, Syrian arrangement. militias, effectively ending that remaining southwest districts district’s neutral status in bat- Kurds still prioritize the pro- held by the Syrian military. The following day, Kurdish tection and independence of tle for control of the city. As far back as the First World militiamen attacked a Syrian their communities above Subsequent aerial bombard- War, the Kurdish people have military checkpoint in the city, nationalist-revolutionary aspi- ments of the district indicate been cast as the historic killing five troops. rations of the country’s Arab that the Syrian military now losers of conflict in the Middle Sunnis. Any agreement with Further east, Syrian military views Kurdish militias in the East. units attacked a checkpoint region as a hostile entity. the Syrian opposition is thus manned by Kurdish militiamen likely to remain fragile and In a region which is no stran- The Syrian Kurdish leadership in the northeastern city of subject to change. ger to ironic twists, it should has likely been influenced by Qamishli on April 4. Hours come as no surprise that this cease-fire developments In the near term, the stance of later, militiamen from the long-persecuted ethnic group taking place between its PKK the Syrian Kurdish leadership Kurdish People’s Defense has emerged as a kingmaker counterparts and the Turkish regarding cooperation with Units (YPG) attacked two in a battle which will undoub- government. Since October the rebels is likely to be hea- Syrian military positions on tedly shape the face of the 2012, the Turkish government vily influenced by Turkish the outskirts of Qamishli. The region for years to come. has conducted negotiations policies. Reports indicate that attacks resulted in a number JJJ for a draw-down of PKK figh- the Syrian Kurdish leadership of deaths on both sides and ters from Turkey with expects Turkey to begin nego- marked the first such incident Abdullah Ocalan, a currently tiating directly with PYD in a to occur in the predominantly imprisoned, through highly similar manner to the PKK. Kurdish Hasakah Province influential Kurdish leader. Until recently,Turkey had refu- since the Syrian military with- During the Nevruz holiday in sed any contact with the PYD drew from the region’s urban over fears of setting a prece-

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154th Brigade checkpoint after receiving orders to facilitate Syria: Qamishli’s Kurds Fight their attack on regime forces. Syria’s Kurds are divided in Two Enemies at Once their opinion of the PYD. One group appreciates their pre- sence as a defense from By: Youssef Sheikho attacks by the armed opposition, like http://english.al-akhbar.com those in Ras al-Ayn at the end of 2012. Others reject the party’s tendency to In northeastern Syria, impose its politics and ideology on the Kurdish militias battle with areas it controls. both regime and opposition The regime kills the people and the opposition kills the people. This is the forces outside the Kurdish cesspool of war.”A Kurdish source in city of Qamishli. Qamishli argues that the PYD “does not work for anyone and is not in the service ecently, a government air raid killed of anyone but the Kurds and their inte- R16 civilians, including three children, rests.” In this situation, he said, “the only in the village of Hadad just south of innocent party is the people. The regime Qamishli. According to local witnesses, kills the people and the opposition kills the attacks were directed against Free the people. This is the cesspool of war.” Syrian Army (FSA) fighters based near Kurdish female militias from Kurdish He concludes by saying “we are wil- the Kurdish villages. National Democratic Union (PYD) in ling to be partners with whoever reco- A PYD militia source told Al-Akhbar Syrian Kurdistan (Western Kurdistan) gnizes us and our rights.” that the regime is refusing to pull out of Today, there are growing Kurdish Qamishli.The deaths came a day after party must choose one of its two enemies concerns of a major confrontation bet- regime forces bombarded nine villages to fight. ween the PYD forces and the opposition, south of Qamishli as armed opposition The PYD would like to avoid a which has threatened to attack both groups attacked the 154th Brigade sta- confrontation with the regime as it could government and Kurdish military posi- tioned on the edge of the city. very well end in the destruction of tions in Qamishli. The Kurdish political parties that Kurdish areas and the displacement of Kurdish sources say that the “regime control the area – the Kurdish National its inhabitants. This was the case in will be leaving the Kurdish areas sooner Council (KNC) and the Kurdish National Aleppo where 150,000 Kurds were forced or later, therefore, our fight is with the Democratic Union (PYD) – had warned to flee during the fighting. new occupiers.” both the regime and opposition to stay This does not mean that the PYD has away from Qamishli so as to spare it the Many in the area are convinced that a not fought ferocious battles with the kind of fighting that has engulfed many major attack by the opposition is not long regime. A PYD militia source told Al- parts of the country. in coming. This could lead to an outbreak Akhbar that the regime is refusing to pull of further violence in the area, dissolving But while the KNC, which was foun- out of Qamishli. Some attribute this to the agreement signed by the two sides ded in 2011 in Erbil under the auspices the recently declared negotiations bet- after their last major confrontation of Masoud Barzani, took a more vocal ween the PKK and the Turkish govern- around Ras al-Ayn. J stand, the PYD, which is aligned with the ment, and the turn of events in Aleppo. Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), was Al-Akhbar also learned that PYD figh- more circumspect in its response, reflec- ters allowed the opposition to reach the ting its leader’s recent statement that the

April 23, 2013

(PYD). “It is to seek the ouster of Assad,” Engizek, who goes by a single Kurdish militia decides to align name, said in Sheikh Maksud during a lull in fighting intersper- Truce with Assadwith began Syriato crumble after rebels key town was attacked sed with sporadic bursts of sniper fire but declining to comment on the shift in the Kurdish policy of AFP-JIJI gely refrained from taking sides, midst of some of the heaviest figh- neutrality. LEPPO, SYRIA – Wriggling keeping both regime and rebel ting since the uprising began, with Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has through crater-size holes in forces out of their neighborhoods. incessant sniper fire and aerial been mired in a bloody stalemate as deserted, bullet-pocked buildings, But in a momentous development bombardment in the wake of the A the fighting involving fragmented once-dormant Kurdish militia figh- that could potentially change the newfound alliance forcing thou- rebel forces moves slowly from ters in the city of Aleppo are provi- course of the civil war, the Kurds sands of Kurdish residents to flee street to street, neighborhood to ding Syrian rebels a much-needed joined forces with Syrian rebels the district. neighborhood, with neither side boost to push back regime forces. last month, helping them overrun “We have the same goal as the making major tactical headway. Since the uprising against the strategic Sheikh Maksud neigh- rebel fighters,” said Engizek, a President Bashar Assad’s regime borhood on a hilltop north of commander of the People’s But militiamen of PYD — conside- started more than two years ago, Aleppo. Protection Committees (YPG), the red to be the Syrian offshoot of Turkey’s outlawed Kurdistan Syria’s Kurds, who make up 15 Sheikh Maksud is currently in the armed wing of Syria’s main ➡ percent of the population, have lar- Kurdish Democratic Union Party Workers’ Party (PKK) — may

60 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➡ just provide increasingly despe- tral in the war. rate rebels a boost to break the But the Kurdish combatants inter- deadlock. viewed said the uneasy truce with “The ‘Kurds of Aleppo and north’ Assad began deteriorating as have preferred to remain neutral Sheikh Maksud often came under when they can, but (they) unders- fire amid raging battles with the tand that they must live with Arabs rebels. and have no hope of ever gaining The alliance came just days after an independent state or autonomy,” Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan, said Joshua Landis, director of the currently imprisoned in Istanbul, Center for Middle East Studies at declared a truce with Ankara — a the University of Oklahoma. move that could potentially end the They “can make a difference” by long-running Kurdish insurgency joining forces with the Free Syrian in Turkey. Army, Landis said. Observers say that the position of Since entering Sheikh Maksud, Turning the table: Kurdish fighters belonging to the People's the Syrian Kurdish leadership is PYD militiamen, which also inclu- Protection Committees sit in a house in the majority Kurdish likely to be heavily swayed by the ded female fighters, have managed Sheikh Maksud district of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo way the unprecedented Turkish to cut off regime supply routes to on Sunday. | AFP-JIJI ceasefire progresses, but the Syrian key positions, including a local agreement is already showing signs hospital. of strain. dominated by snipers. Some Kurdish fighters who were But Kurdish rebels, some as young “Some Free Syrian Army (FSA) Fighters stealthily climb through interviewed said the decision to as 14, who have set up sniper nests realign with Syrian rebels came rebels are seriously fighting for in dank, desolate buildings once mouse holes punched in walls — in freedom, some are not,” Engizek order to avoid streets on the target after weeks of deliberation within crowded with civilians, say the the group’s top leadership. said. regime forces have proved to be of regime snipers — and pick their way through shattered furniture Assad’s troops pulled out of majo- “There is no organization, hardly stubbornly resistant. any unity within the FSA. It’s a and possessions left behind by resi- rity Kurdish areas in northern Syria N The fighting in Sheikh Maksud has dents who fled after Assad’s forces last summer, granting the Kurds a total mess,” she said. morphed into an urban guerrilla threatened to bomb the district. partial autonomy apparently in war playing out in slow motion and exchange for their remaining neu-

APRIL 25, 2013

At her first audition, Ms Parwaz, who speaks broken Arabic, was accompanied Kurdish singer's identity by a translator so she could communi- cate with the judges. She has sung in debate politicises Arab Idol both Arabic and Kurdish. Unlike two other Arab Iraqi contes- Yasmine Al-Kuttab / Reuters tants who were described as being from www.thenational.ae Iraq, Ms Parwaz's origin was referred to as "Iraqi Kurdistan". On Saturday night's RBIL, IRAQ // A singer from Iraq's show, one of the judges took issue with AKurdistan region has made it through the distinction. to the semi-finals of Arab Idol, igniting "I am against the country title that heated debates over Iraqi identity and says Parwaz is from Kurdistan, because politicising the popular TV show. Kurdistan is an inseparable part of Iraq," A panel of judges praised 24-year- said Ahlam, a popstar from the UAE. "I old Parwaz Hussein and she was voted want your introduction to say that you through to the next round of Arab Idol, are from Iraq and not Kurdistan." in which aspiring popstars from across The comment provoked an angry the Mena region compete for a recording response among Kurds, who said it was their systematic oppression. contract. evidence of Arab racism towards them. In Iraq, Kurds were the target of Many Kurds have rallied behind "Tell Ahlam we are not Arabs," said chemical attacks under deposed strong- Parwaz, who wore a pendant in the Ako Aljaff on Parwaz's Facebook page. man Saddam Hussein, but now enjoy a shape of "greater Kurdistan" - the term Others said that as a Kurd she should large measure of self-rule in the north of used to describe the territory Kurds not have entered a competition called the country, where they run their own claim as their rightful homeland, which Arab Idol in the first place. administration and armed forces. covers swathes of Syria, Turkey, Iran Ahlam later apologised on her Kurdish autonomy is enshrined in and Iraq. Facebook page, but many Kurds said Iraq's federal constitution, drawn up "If before you were a singer, now they would not accept the gesture after the US-led invasion of 2003. The you bear a great patriotic responsibility," unless it was broadcast on television. document recognises Kurdish as Iraq's one Facebook user called Kurdistani Some Arab nationalists took umbrage at second official language. Kurdan wrote on Parwaz's page. that. But relations between the northern Numbering more than 25 million, the "If the Kurds didn't like what Ahlam enclave and the central government in non-Arab Kurds are often described as said, let them go to India or Pakistan or Baghdad have been strained by disputes the world's largest ethnic group without the Soviet Union or Armenia and esta- over land and oil rights that have worse- a state and regard national borders as blish their state far away from us," said ned since US troops left in December an historical injustice that has led to one Facebook user named Moteb Saud. 2011.

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

LE FIGARO lundi 22 avril 2013 Syrie : l'Occident étoffe l'aide aux rebelles

L'Amérique va doubler sa contribution aux insurgés.

Paris et Londres veulent assouplir l'embargo sur les armes.

une aide supplémentaire de 123 millions tar, au risque de marginaliser JEAN-JACQUES MÉVEL ^(.vjjmevel de dollars aux rebelles. Depuis février, l'opposition «modérée» soutenue par CORRESPONDANT A BRUXELLES Washington fournit officiellement assis¬ l'Occident. Si la résistance raisonnable

tance médicale et rations alimentaires. « n'est pas soutenue et aidée, ce sont les extrémistes -parmi lesquels al-JVosra, fi¬ PROCHE-ORIENT Après des mois d'un Cette fois, il s'agira d'équipement militai¬ liale d'al-Qaida - qui risquent de l'empor¬ surplace frustrant, l'Occident semble prêt re, bien que Barack Obama exclu la livrai¬ ter demain », dit Laurent Fabius. à faire monter la pressionpolitique et mili¬ son d'armes de guerre. Le Pentagone taire sur Bachar el-Assad. Les États-Unis pourrait fournir des vestes pare-éclats et Jusqu'ici, une bonne moitié des capita¬ les de TUE menées par Vienne, La Haye et vont doubler leur aide à la révolte syrien¬ des lunettes de vision nocturne. surtout Berlin s'opposent à toute livraison ne, tandis que l'Allemagne signale pour la La réponse américaine reste bien en d'armement, jugeant qu'il y en avait déjà première fois qu'elle pourrait consentir au deçà du minimum espéré par l'opposition bien assez sur le terrain. MaLs à la veille desserrement de l'embargo sur les armes anti-Assad et l'Armée syrienne libre. À Is¬ tanbul, elles ont réclamé des frappes aé¬ recherché par la France et par le Royau¬ d'un conseil des affaires étrangères de riennes sur les rampes de missiles et les me-Uni. TUE, suivi mardi d'im rendez-vous des dépôts d'armes chimiques du régime. Sur Des deux côtés de l'Atlantique, la nou¬ 28 ministres des pays membres de l'Otan, le modèle libyen, les rebelles souhaitent velle dynamique est née ces derniers joins l'Allemagne infléchit sa position : « Si un aussi voir instaurer des zones d'interdic¬ d'un constat désespérant : « Il y a un an, ou deux pays de VUEjugent qu'il n'y apas tion aérienne, afin de protéger l'espace el-Assad croyait qu'il allait perdre, dit un de risque que les armes tombent en de mau¬ saisi à l'ennemi. ambassadeur au cuur de la discussion. vaises mains, alors nous devrons respecter

Aujourd'hui, le régime croit à nouveau qu'il Le second volet de la réponse est euro¬ leur avis » , a lâché le chef diplomate Guido peutgagner. Bachar n'a aucune incitation à péen : depuis six semaines, Londres et Westerwelle, à son retour d'Istanbul. En- négocier sa sortie tant que cette illusion Paris poussent à amender ou à lever clair, si Paris et Londres réussissent à ras¬ subsiste. Il/aut la briser. » l'embargo sur les livraisons d'armes im¬ surer leurs alliés, Berlin pourrait rapide¬ Les premiers éléments se sont mis en posé à l'ensemble du territoire syrien. ment céder à la pression. place ce week-end, lors d'un rendez-vous L'interdit, propre à l'Union européenne

des Amis de la Syrie à Istanbul, en Turquie. (UE), n'empêche nullement l'armée du Il s'agit de « muscler » militairement l'op¬ régime de s'approvisionner librement

position pour amener enfin le régime à auprès de la Russie et de l'Iran. Il a aussi composer. « Nous devons changer le calcul l'effet pervers de laisser les factions isla- du président Assad », insiste le secrétaire itùstesde la rébellion se renforcer et s'ar¬ d'Etat américain. John Kerry a confirmé mer auprès de l'Arabie Saoudite et du Qa

'1Ù

Le 16 avril, un rebelle syrien montre le haut d'une mosquée détruite à Alep, dimitar dilkoff/afp

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

jCt3H01tdt Mardi 23 avril 2013

coup de leurs partenaires, accro¬ chés à l'idée que seul un processus Nouveau carnage dans L'Union européenne prête de transition politique peut être un faubourg de Damas

' prôné. Pour Laurent Fabius et à lever l'embargo sur les WilliamHague, ministres des affai¬ Les forces pro-Assad ont tué res étrangères français et britanni¬ des dizaines de personnes, produits pétroliers syriens que, la livraison d'armes n'est pas notamment des femmes et des tant «une option de rechange», enfants, dans un quartier de mais bien « une condition » pour Damas, Jdeidet Al-Fadel, théâ¬

La levée des sanctions vise à relancer l'activité parvenir à une solution négociée. tre de combats pendant cinq économique dans les régions rebelles jours, rapportaient des oppo¬ Hausse de l'aide américaine sants, dimanche 21avril. Le bilan Les Vingt-Sept devront se met¬ de ce nouveau «massacre» tre d'accord avant lafinmai, le régi¬ oscille, selon les sources, entre Luxembourg 5,5 milliards d'euros en 2011 à me actuel de sanctions venant à 80 et 250 morts. Jdeidet Envoyé spécial 141 millions en 2012. Les mesures échéance le f'juin. Une majorité Al-Fadel est un faubourg populai¬ de rétorsion à rencontre du régime de pays s'inquiète toujours de voir re de la périphérie sunnite de Les ministres des affaires de Bachar Al-Assad n'ont toutefois les armes qui seraient livrées aux Damas, laquelle est l'un des prin¬ étrangères européens, réunis pas affecté outre mesure ses res¬ opposants aboutir entre les mains cipaux foyers de la rébellion lundi 22 avril à Luxembourg, ponsables et son armée. Sans dou¬ des groupes les plus radicaux, contre le régime. Les meurtres devaient réviser leurs décisions te parce que le régime est parvenu dont les islamistes d'Al-Nosra. se sont produits sur plusieurs concernant l'embargo sur les pro¬ à les contourner en autorisant Londres et Paris objectent que jours, dans la foulée de la recon¬ duits pétroliers syriens «afin désormais des sociétés privées à plus on tardera à armer les modé¬ quête du quartier par l'armée. d'aider la population civile ». Cette agir sur ce marché : elles font appel rés, plus la radicalisation gagnera

. première adaptation des diverses à des agents maritimes grecs et ita¬ duterrain. Après de longues hésita¬ pourrait encore quadrupler, a pro¬ ' sanctions européennes visant liens qui livrent de l'essence et du tions, l'Allemagne a rallié cette thè- Damas concerne essentiellement mis le secrétaire d'Etat, John Kerry. gasoil. Ces produits aboutissent à se:leministredes affaires étrangè¬ Les Etats-Unis refusent toujours la dès régions du nord et de l'est du la société d'Etat Mahrukat, pour¬ res allemand, Guido Westerwelle, pays, contrôlées par la rébellion et livraison d'armements lourds. tant visée, elle, par les sanctions. a indiqué, dimanche 21 avril, que où se trouvent des installations Un élément qui, ajouté à L'allégement de l'embargo son pays était «prêt à considérer» pétrolières. Il s'agit, selon les Vingt- d'autres, a entraîné, dimanche, la pétrolier prendra du temps et sera une demande de levée de l'embar¬ Sept, de contribuer à restaurer les démission, semble-t-il définitive, complexe à concrétiser. Au cours go sur les armes. de Moaz Al-Khatib, le chef de la services de base et l'activité écono¬ de la réunion de lundi, les minis¬ Washington a annoncé, le Coalition nationale syrienne, qui mique, ainsi que de favoriser la tres européens devaient égale¬ 20 avril, un doublement de son avait déjà annoncé son retrait à la reconstruction ment débattre d'une éventuelle «assistance non létale» à la rébel¬ fin mars, avant de faire machine L'embargo sur le pétrole, décidé levée de l'embargo sur les armes à lion, lors d'une réunion du groupe arrière. Il a déploré « l'inaction » de en 2011, a eu des résultats tangi¬ destination de la Syrie. Londres et des Amis de la Syrie, à Istanbul. la communauté internationale.» bles : il a entraîné une chute des Paris, en pointe sur le sujet, sont L'aide américaine atteint désor¬ Jean-Pierre Stkoobants exportations syriennes, passées de confrontés aux réticences de beau mais 250 millions de dollars et

20 avril 2013

Turquie : six ans de prison pour avoir envoyé un pull à son fils, rebelle kurde

Par AFP Gebze, près d'Istanbul (nord-

ouest), a été condamnée en début

Une femme âgée de 77 ans a d'année pour «collusion avec *«s i. été condamnée par la justice une organisation terroriste», en

turque à six ans de prison pour l'occurrence le Parti des tra¬ u avoir envoyé des vêtements et vailleurs du Kurdistan(PKK,

des photos à son fils, un rebelle interdit), et a purgé 12 jours de

kurde réfugié dans la montagne prison, a précisé le quotidien

dans l'est de la Turquie, a rap¬ Hurriyet.

porté samedi la presse turque. La condamnée aurait fait la con¬

La sentence a été récemment naissance en 2007 de deux

commuée en deux ans de rési¬ jeunes affirmant connaître son #* p.* dence surveillée en raison de son fils qu'elle n'avait pas vu depuis « âge avancé et la condamnée des années. Elle leur a demandé la Turquie, poussant un pro¬ plusieurs dizaines d'entre eux de porte depuis trois mois un de lui remettre un pullover cureur à inculper la femme âgée. recouvrer la liberté. bracelet électronique, selon le qu'elle avait tricoté, d'autres De nombreux militants kurdes Le gouvernement islamo-conser- journal Radikal. vêtements ainsi qu'une photo ont été emprisonnés en Turquie vateur turc mène depuis la fin de Nazife Babayigit, une Kurde qui d'elle, pour lui faire savoir pour recel et aide aux rebelles l'an dernier un processus de dia¬ a émigré avec sa famille du sud- qu'elle était toujours en vie. kurdes mais une récente réforme logue avec le PKK pour un est anatoiien, peuplé majoritaire¬ Ces jeunes hommes ont été de la loi anti-terroriste, très règlement du conflit kurde qui ment de Kurdes, vers la ville de arrêtés par la police dans l'est de rigide en Turquie, a permis à perdure depuis 1984.

63 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 23 avril 2013 Irak: assaut sanglant de l'armée contre des manifestants, 54 morts Par Marwan IBRAHIM AFP à l'AFP que les forces anti- émeutes avaient "ouvert le feu ingt-cinq manifestants sans discernement" sur les sunnites ont été tués lors manifestants. Vd'un assaut de l'armée, provo- Selon lui, elles ont en outre quant la démission de deux "mis le feu aux tentes" dans les- ministres et une série d'attaques quelles des centaines de mani- sanglantes en représailles à tra- festants campaient depuis plu- vers l'Irak. sieurs semaines. Ces violences, les plus Le ministère de l'Intérieur graves liées aux manifestations affirme pour sa part que les secouant les régions sunnites autorités avaient "demandé depuis décembre, ont fait 54 aux manifestants pacifiques morts. non armés d'évacuer la place" Les manifestants réclament avant l'assaut. la démission du Premier minis- Cette opération a déclenché tre chiite Nouri al-Maliki, des attaques de représailles accusé d'accaparer le pouvoir, meurtrières. Les forces anti-émeutes ont pris d'assaut avant l'aube une place et la fin de la "marginalisation" "Lorsqu'ils ont appris qu'il de la localité de Houweijah, dans la province de Kirkouk (nord), dont la communauté sunnite y a eu des morts et des blessés s'estime victime. sur la place du sit-in, les mem- après l'expiration d'un ultimatum adressé aux manifestants Treize personnes ont été bres des tribus des villages de pour qu'ils livrent les assassins d'un soldat tué la semaine tuées dans d'autres violences, la région ont attaqué les postes dernière, selon le ministère de l'Intérieur. Photo Par Marwan portant à 67 le nombre de de contrôle de l'armée", a Ibrahim - morts mardi. affirmé le porte-parole des cohabitent Kurdes, Arabes et Les forces anti-émeutes ont manifestants. Turkmènes, sunnites et chiites. pris d'assaut avant l'aube une Treize hommes qui ten- Dans ce contexte tendu, 13 place de la localité de taient d'attaquer des positions personnes ont été tuées dans Houweijah, dans la province de l'armée dans la province de des attaques menées contre des de Kirkouk (nord), après Kirkouk ont ainsi été tués, mosquées sunnites qui ont l'expiration d'un ultimatum selon des officiers. également fait des dizaines de adressé aux manifestants pour Plus tard, des manifestants blessés, selon des sources qu'ils livrent les assassins d'un armés ont tué six soldats et en médicales et des services de soldat tué la semaine dernière, ont enlevé un septième près de sécurité. selon le ministère de Ramadi(ouest), a-t-on appris Deux attaques au mortier l'Intérieur. de source policière. Selon le ont visé la mosquée de Vingt-cinq manifestants et lieutenant Ibrahim Faraj, ils Moqdadiyyah, au nord-est de deux militaires ont été tués ont incendié deux véhicules Bagdad, faisant neuf morts et dans cet assaut et 70 personnes blindés. 25 blessés, a-t-on appris auprès blessées, selon l'armée. Cinq soldats ont été tués d'un médecin et de la police. "Nos forces n'ont pas ainsi qu'un assaillant à des bar- vince de) Kirkouk", a affirmé Un précédent bilan faisait état ouvert le feu en premier. Elles rages de l'armée près de un responsable au sein du de six morts et 20 blessés. ne l'ont fait que lorsque les Souleimane Bek dans la pro- cabinet du vice-Premier minis- En outre, quatre fidèles ont manifestants ont tiré et nous vince de Salaheddine, a déclaré tre Saleh al-Moutlak. été tués mardi et 14 blessés avons riposté pour nous défen- Ahmed Aziz, du conseil local. Le président du Parlement dans l'explosion de deux dre", a affirmé à l'AFP un offi- Deux policiers ont égale- Osama al-Nujaifi a indiqué bombes visant une mosquée cier ayant requis l'anonymat. ment été tués et trois blessés à plus tard que le ministre des sunnite à Bagdad, selon des D'après lui, l'opération Falloujah, à l'ouest de Bagdad, Sciences et des Technologies sources des services de sécu- visait "l'Armée des selon un officier de police et un Abdel Karim al-Samarraï lui rité. Naqchbandis", qui compte médecin. avait fait part de sa décision de La minorité sunnite repré- dans ses rangs d'anciens offi- Dénonçant les violences, démissionner. sente environ 24%N de la popu- ciers de l'armée de Saddam deux ministres ont démis- Le chef du conseil de la lation irakienne. Hussein et serait lié au numéro sionné, portant à quatre le province de Kirkouk, Hassan deux du régime en fuite, Izzat nombre de ministres sunnites Trouhan, a appelé "l'ONU à al-Douri. ayant quitté leur poste depuis intervenir car la situation est Deux soldats ont été tués mars. extrêmement grave et Kirkouk dans cette opération et sept ont "Le ministre de l'Education, ne peut pas supporter de nou- été blessés. Mohammed Ali Tamim, a velles crises". Située à 240 km Un porte-parole des mani- démissionné de son poste au nord de Bagdad, la province festants, Abdel Malek Al- après que l'armée a fait irrup- de Kirkouk est une mosaïque Joubouri, a cependant affirmé tion dans un sit-in dans (la pro- ethnique et confessionnelle où

64 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 23 avril 2013

de l’épopée kurde. Toute la région pour- rait en exploser. La crise syrienne Le monde, vu du devient, toujours plus vite, une crise régionale, mais les Kurdes syriens ne semblent guère pressés de se lancer, demain, dans une guerre Kurdistan irakien d’indépendance et les Kurdes irakiens ne paraissent pas tellement insatisfaits d’avoir un pied en Irak et l’autre dehors. Par BERNARD GUETTA Si vous avez fini par croire que toutes Loin de Bagdad et de ses attentats, ils les causes sont vaines et que rien ne aimantent toutes les grandes entreprises ur cette langue de terre, entre mon- vaut d’autre que cultiver son jardin, qui se servent d’eux comme d’une tagnesS et vallées, la Syrie n’est plus dites à un Kurde que vous êtes français plateforme d’envol pour le reste de qu’un long doigt planté dans l’Irak. et vous l’entendrez aussitôt déifier la l’Irak le jour où il sera pacifié. L’herbe est verte, le soleil radieux et ces «Mère des Kurdes», Danielle Parfaitement tranquilles au sein d’un deux pays se mêlent ici, d’autant plus Mitterrand, qui incarne pour ce peuple Etat faible, ils s’enrichissent à vue d’œil intimement que, des deux côtés d’une le soutien que tant de défenseurs en commerçant avec tout le monde, frontière tracée par les Empires français français des droits de l’homme lui ont l’Iran asphyxié par les sanctions inter- et britannique aux lendemains de la apporté depuis plus de trente ans. nationales et, bien sûr, la Turquie, petit Première Guerre mondiale, vivent dragon régional à la croissance vertig- uniquement des Kurdes, unis par une Face au regard perdu des gosses de ineuse. Partout présente au Kurdistan même langue et un long drame, celui Domiz, on a comme honte de venir de irakien, la Turquie ascendante se récon- d’un peuple persécuté et sans Etat, dis- cette Europe qui ne sait plus ce que sont cilie avec ses propres Kurdes pour se persé entre Iran, Syrie, Irak et Turquie. l’utopie créatrice, l’espoir, la volonté, projeter dans ces Etats éclatés que sont les défis à relever, mais attention ! Pas l’Irak et la Syrie et s’affirmer, ainsi, Chaque jour, quelque sept cents réfugiés de naïveté pour autant. Contrairement comme l’incontournable puissance kurdes de Syrie arrivent donc au aux autres pays d’accueil des réfugiés économique du Proche-Orient. Kurdistan irakien, affluent vers le camp syriens, le Kurdistan irakien les laisse de Domiz et y étendent un village de sortir de leur camp et aller chercher du Domiz est une caisse de résonance de tentes, bientôt un bourg où l’histoire, les travail dans ses villes et villages. «Ils ces grands jeux croisés et c’est aussi relations internationales, les incessants sont les parias que nous étions du temps bien l’histoire du siècle passé, celle des progrès et reculs de la civilisation et la de Saddam…», entend-on partout. Empires européens et des dictatures capacité de survie de l’espèce humaine Emouvant, mais la réalité est souvent postcoloniales, qu’on y lit que l’histoire se lisent à livre ouvert. moins belle. Devenu totalement immédiate, incertaine, sanglante et pré- autonome depuis la chute de Saddam cipitée. Avec ses voitures asiatiques, ses Si vous pensez que l’ONU ne sert à rien, Hussein, le Kurdistan irakien est en portables finlandais et ses frontières demandez-vous ce que feraient ces plein boom économique. Dès l’aube, les mouvantes, ce camp dit tout le change- familles démunies de tout sans le Haut- grues font sortir de terre de nouveaux ment du monde et on y enrage en pen- Commissariat des Nations unies aux bâtiments, les étals débordent de tout, sant à l’aveugle stupidité avec laquelle réfugiés (HCR), qui leur fournit tentes, les taxis sont pleins, les voitures neuves. l’Europe ferme ses portes à la Turquie, rations alimentaires et soins médicaux. La main-d’œuvre qualifiée manque et «pays locomotive» qui pourrait être Ici comme ailleurs, la solidarité interna- ces réfugiés syriens, assez formés pour l’avant-garde de l’Union dans un tionale est tragiquement insuffisante avoir tenté la fuite, sont donc une Proche-Orient remis en mouvement. N mais elle existe, institutionnalisée par ce aubaine que l’on exploite sans vergogne Parlement du monde que sont les en les sous-payant honteusement. Nations unies. La solidarité kurde est une chose. La loi Si vous pensez que l’Union européenne de l’offre et de la demande en est une n’existe pas, regardez le panneau où autre et, à Domiz, on ne sait plus si le s’affichent les drapeaux des pays qui rêve séculaire du Grand Kurdistan est financent ce camp, et vous n’y verrez ni en train de prendre forme ou de mourir la France, ni l’Allemagne, ni l’Italie, au contraire. La frontière est abolie. mais l’Union à la bannière bleue qui Assad finira par tomber et il serait, fournit plus de 50 % de l’aide humani- désormais, improbable que l’Etat syrien taire aux Syriens et qui, vue d’ici, existe reste assez fort pour s’opposer à une bel et bien, même si elle n’est encore sécession kurde. Deux des Kurdistan qu’un nain politique. sont, de fait, réunis. C’est un tournant

65 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 23, 2013 “I encourage the Iraqi security forces to exercise the utmost self-restraint in Clashes at Sunni Protest maintaining law and order and the demonstrators to continue to preserve the peaceful character of the demonstrations,” Site in Iraq Kill 33 Martin Kobler, the United Nations’ repre- sentative in Iraq, said in the statement. By TIM ARANGO Iraq’s government has sought to cast any expression of Sunni disenchantment AGHDAD — Iraqi security forces as the work of terrorists, while protest lea- stormed a Sunni protest encampment ders have portrayed their cause as a reac- inB a village near the northern city of Kirkuk tion to the perceived marginalization of on Tuesday, prompting clashes between the Sunni community. government forces and gunmen that left Those dueling narratives played out in dozens dead and wounded and sharply rai- Iraq’s media on Tuesday. In late morning, sed the stakes in Iraq’s sectarian troubles. as some channels broadcast chaotic scenes As of midday, according to security of shouting protesters and bloodied bodies officials in Kirkuk, at least 33 civilians being carried away on gurneys, the state- were dead, and nearly 100 people woun- Iraqi medics help an injured demons- owned Iraqiya network was showing a ded. The Ministry of Defense said that 20 trator after clashes between Iraqi poetry festival in Basra, juxtaposed with a people it described as gunmen were killed, soldiers and anti-government protes- breaking news alert declaring that security and 75 others arrested. The ministry said ters in Kirkuk on Tuesday. forces had raided a gathering of Al Qaeda three soldiers were killed and nine others members and Baath Party sympathizers. wounded. The violence came days after Iraq held man for the Sunni movement there, Salim The fighting, in a town called Hawija, local elections, which were largely peace- al-Jabouri, said, “the demonstrators in represented the deadliest turn yet in a ful and carried out under extraordinary Mosul left the sit-in area to take up arms Sunni-led protest movement against the security measures. The elections, though, in support of the demonstrators in Hawija Shiite-dominated central government led had been postponed in two largely Sunni and take revenge for them.” by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki provinces, Anbar and Nineveh, and were The raid by government forces follo- that began in December. The clashes sent never scheduled in Kirkuk, which is rich wed days in which the army and the police shock waves through Sunni communities in oil and disputed by Arabs and Kurds. had surrounded the protest camp, deman- across the land. Iraq’s Shiite and Sunni Muslim com- ding that gunmen who had attacked a In the seething Sunni populations of munities fought a brutal civil war from government checkpoint on Friday, killing Anbar and Salahuddin Provinces, tribes- 2005 to 2007, but while violence has one soldier and wounding three others, be man were mobilizing Tuesday after the declined, there has never been full recon- turned over to the authorities. The govern- fighting, declaring jihad, or holy war, and ciliation. The civil war in Syria, which pits ment has claimed that the gunmen had vowing to take the fight to the govern- a Sunni-led rebellion against a govern- sought refuge amid the gathering of pro- ment. Near Hawija, reports emerged that ment dominated by Alawites, an offshoot testers. claimed some armed Sunni tribesman had of Shiite Islam, has exacerbated tensions A statement released by the Ministry taken control of government checkpoints. here, with each sect taking sides. The fier- of Defense in Baghdad said that on Friday “The peaceful demonstrations are over cest fighting group in Syria, Jabhet al- gunmen had “attacked a joint checkpoint due to what happened today,” said Nusra, has been fostered by Al Qaeda in of the police and army, that led to the Saddoun al-Obaidi, a tribal leader in Iraq, while Iraq’s government has lined up death and injury of our fighters and they Hawija who was a leader of the protest on the side of the Syrian regime, allowing also took our weapons and then disappea- movement. “Now we are going to carry its territory to be a transit corridor for the red among the protesters.” weapons. We have all the weapons we supply of weapons to the government of On Tuesday morning, after the protes- need, and we are getting support from the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, ters refused to turn over the gunmen, sol- other provinces. This will not pass easily. mainly from Iran. diers and police officers stormed the pro- Something bad will happen soon.” As the war in Syria grinds on, analysts test camp, the ministry said. “The security Elsewhere, the reaction from Iraq’s and American officials are increasingly forces did their duty to impose the law,” Sunnis was swift. In Falluja, where worried that the Syrian war could spill the statement said. “They faced heavy clashes between the army and protesters over into Iraq. Barham Salih, the former weapons, and snipers, and the clashes in January killed at least seven protesters, prime minister of Iraq’s semiautonomous resulted in the death of a number of our thousands of citizens took to the streets Kurdish region in the north, wrote on forces and the killing of a number of demanding the international community Twitter on Tuesday after the violence in Baathists and Al Qaeda members that stop what they described as the “massa- Hawija that, “Iraq, Syria dynamics” could have been coordinating with the protes- cres of the government.” Protest leaders, merge into one fight with “dire conse- ters.” tribal chiefs and local Muslim scholars quences.” The ministry said security forces had were planning to meet Tuesday to consi- seized 40 Kalashnikov rifles and other der a response. automatic weapons, hand grenades and Yasir Ghazi and Duraid Adnan contri- In Baghdad, leaders of Iraqiya, a lar- swords and knives. buted reporting from Baghdad, and gely Sunni bloc of lawmakers, announced As tensions rose in recent days, the employees of the New York Times contri- they were suspending participation in United Nations released a statement buted reporting from Kirkuk, Mosul and Parliament. In Mosul, in the north, which Monday urging caution from both sides. Falluja, Iraq. has hosted continuing protests, a spokes-

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

XaatiSmWtimt monday.april22.2013 U.S. to double aid to Syrian rebels

"This conflict is now spilling across and said a post-Assad Syria would be ISTANBUL borders and is now threatening neigh¬ pluralistic and based on the rule of law. boring countries," Mr. Kerry said at a In a closed-door session, Gen. Salim

They would get supplies news conference he held with Moaz al- Idris, the head of the opposition's com¬ deemed nonlethal; Kerry Khatib, the leader of the Syrian opposi¬ mand, gave a presentation to the foreign tion coalition, and Ahmet Davutoglu, the minister that was intended to show that urges others to give more Ttirkish foreign minister. "The presi¬ he had a functioning chain of command dent directed me to step up our efforts." and that military aid the Syrian opposi¬ A major goal of the meeting was to tion received would be used properly. BY MICHAEL R. GORDON buttress the role of moderates within The new aid announced by Mr. Kerry ANDSEBNEMARSU the opposition forces and to isolate ex¬ would be in addition to the food rations Secretary of State John Kerry an¬ tremist groups like the Nusra Front, and medical supplies that the United

nounced on Sunday that the United which the United States has asserted is States pledged to provide to the military States would double its aid to the Syrian affiliated with Al Qaeda. That entailed wing of the Syrian resistance at a con¬ opposition, providing $123 million in forcing a consensus among supporting ference in late February in Rome. That fresh assistance. nations about how military assistance assistance has yet to be delivered but is Mr. Kerry made the announcement at should be channeled to the rebels. To¬ scheduled to be provided by April 30, a

a meeting with foreign ministers from ward that end, the foreign ministers de¬ State Department official said. 10 European and Middle Eastern na¬ cided that all future military assistance With the pledge of fresh aid, the total tions that was convened in Istanbul to would be funneled "exclusively" amount of nonlethal assistance from the decide how to help the opposition in the through the Supreme Military Council, United States to the coalition and civic Syrian civil war, which has killed more the military wing of the coalition. This groups in Syria is $250 million. In the than 70,000 people. procedure is intended to address the meeting in Istanbul, Mr. Kerry urged oth¬ A portion of the new U.S. aid, the State concern that some of the opposition's fi¬ er nations to increase their assistance, Department said, will help provide addi¬ nancial backers in Gulf states have been with the objective of providing $1 billion tional "nonlethal" supplies to the mili¬ less particular than Western nations in international aid to the opposition. tary wing of the National Coalition of about the rebel factions they support. Despite this, the assistance promised Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Another goal was to secure a new com¬ at the meeting fell well short of the mil¬ Forces, an umbrella organization formed mitment from the Syrian opposition co¬ itary help the Syrian opposition has long in November to unite the rebel groups alition that it is prepared to enter into a sought. In a statement issued before the that have been trying for two years to negotiation over a political transition to a meeting, the coalition asked for several overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. post-Assad Syria, if one can ever be or¬ steps, including airstrikes to stop the U.S. officials did not specify the items ganized, and that a post-Assad govern¬ Syrian government from firing Scud to be sent, saying that they would be de¬ ment would be à democracy in which the missiles, the establishment of a no-flight termined in consultation with the coali¬ rights of minorities would be protected. zone along Syria's northern and south¬ tion. But the Obama administration has At the end of the meetings, the Syrian ern borders, and a U.N. resolution con¬ been considering providing military opposition coalition issued a declaration demning the Syrian government for equipment like body armor and night- stating that it is "aiming at a political what the opposition claims is its use of

vision goggles. solution," rejected extremist ideology, chemical weapons.

©KtttasJjtaguniJkwt aprili8,2oi3

Evening suicide bombing in cafe kills 26, wounds dozens in Baghdad

By Associated Press, Earlier in the day, a car bomb struck be held on Sept. 21. an army convoy in Mosul, 360 kilometers A Kurdish government statement said that Masoud Barzani, the president of the BAGHDAD A suicide bomber deto¬ (225 miles) northwest of Baghdad, killing nated explosives at a Baghdad cafe three soldiers and wounding five others. Kurdish region, approved the date for the elections and called for a fair election. crowded with young people late Thursday, Hours later, one policeman was killed and Following the U.S.-led invasion that killing at least 26 and wounding dozens three others were wounded when gunmen ahead of provincial elections scheduled for attacked a security checkpoint in western toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the Kurdish area was recognized as an the weekend. Baghdad, police said. autonomous region that is in many ways The rare evening attack, which came at Hospital officials confirmed the politically independent from Baghdad. the start of the local weekend, brought to casualties. All officials spoke on condition Since then, the two main Kurdish parties 30 the number of people killed across the of anonymity because they were not the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the country Thursday. authorized to talk to reporters. Democratic Party of Kurdistan have joi¬ The cafe bomber struck about 9:30 Violence has been on the rise ahead of ned forces to rule the oil-rich region. p.m. Police said that two children and a provincial elections to be held on Baghdad and the Kurds have been at woman who were passing by at the time of Saturday. The vote is for local officials in loggerheads for years over several issues, the blast were among the dead. More than several provinces across the country, including oil and control over disputed 50 people were wounded. including the capital, Baghdad. areas claimed by both sides. The vote for a The packed cafe is on the third floor of Authorities have been vowing to bolster new 111-seat National Assembly would be a building in the predominantly Sunni security ahead of the elections. the third election in the three-province neighborhood of Amiriyah. Police said the Also on Thursday, Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region since 2005. O cafe was packed with young people Kurdish region announced that new par¬ enjoying water pipes and playing pool. liamentary and presidential elections will

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

TIME APRIL 22, 2013 Why Obam. Won't Help And when John Kerry was a Senator last year, he spoke openly about possibly Voices for some kind of military intervention in Syria are shipping arms to the rebels, and even con¬ ducting air strikes to enforce a no-fly zone. growing louder in Washington, but the President But since becoming Obama's Secretary of worries it would do U.S. interests more harm than good State in January, Kerry has spoken exclu¬ sively ofdiplomacy in public. By Michael Crowley/Washington AWhite House aide says Obama is "con¬ stantly reviewing every possible option that could help end the violence and ac¬ celerate a political transition." But critics of Obama's approach warn that the inaction can be as costly as an ill-advised interven¬ tion. Some argue that arming some rebels al-Qaeda. The President has backed inter¬ might ensure American influence in the WHEN BARACK OBAMA national diplomacy aimed at persuading country's uncertain future. "A package of ordered U.S. air strikes Bashar Assad, Syria's dictator, to end the military assistance delivered to the appro¬ over Libya just over two violence, give up power and make way for priate rebel groups would still allow them years ago, he said the a relatively moderate government. to play a more effective role in the coming threat to innocent life in That approach is looking increasingly big battles" around major cities like Da¬ that country's civil war ineffective, however. Assad's brutal¬ mascus and Aleppo that could determine had compelled him to act. "Some nations ity suggests he is determined to fight to Assad's fate, says Jeffrey Smith, a former may be able to turn a blind eye to atroci¬ the bitter end. And the influx of weap¬ military-intelligence analyst now at the ties in other countries," the President ons from Arab countries has unleashed Washington Institute for Near East Policy. said. "The [U.S.] is different ... I refused to violence that might not be containable "Once the regime is gone, in whatever situ¬ wait for the images of slaughter and mass as Sunnis, Shi'ites and other sectarian ation develops after that, we want to have at graves before taking action." groups fight for power and survival. As least some armed groups in Syria connect¬ Two years later, the civil war in Syria Lynch puts it, "The political track is dead." ed to us, to be people we can work with." has claimed some 70,000 lives. The atroci¬ That has intensified the debate about Although Obama has never publicly ties, slaughter and mass graves have been explained his thinking on Syria in detail, visible for months. And if anything, the what else America and its allies could do. strategic dangers spreading sectarian For months, only reliable hawks like Repub¬ the main arguments against further U.S. violence, stolen chemical weapons are lican Senator John McCain were calling on action are clear. One is deep anxiety that greater than they had been in Libya. Yet Obamato sendarms to the rebels ororderair U.S.-supplied weapons might wind up in even as some ofWashington's leading for¬ strikes against Assad's forces. But recently the hands of designated terrorists like the eign policy figures, including ones within such calls have come from more surprising al-Nusra Front, "an al-Qaeda franchise with his own Administration, have urged quarters. Britain and France have pushed to direct connections to the al-Qaeda core in Obama to take more action, he has firmly end the E.U. embargo on arms shipments to Pakistan," according to Bruce Reidel, a for¬ resisted. After fouryears ofhis presidency, the rebels. Democratic Senator Carl Levin mer CIA official now with the Brookings observers still debate whether there is an of Michigan, a forceful critic of the Iraq Institution. "I think the Administration is Obama Doctrine. But in the case of Syria, war, has joined McCain in urging Obama very worried that any arms that do go to the Syrian opposition are going to wind up the President's doctrine is simple: Stay out. to create a no-fly zone in northern Syria, "The voices calling for intervention possibly enforced with air strikes against in the hands of the al-Nusra Front, and it's

are certainly shaping the Washington Assad's aircraft and missile batteries. "No veryhardto prevent thatfrom happening." Likewise, the use ofairpower is riskier debate," says Marc Lynch, a George Wash¬ boots on the ground," says Levin, who has

ington University professor of Middle not heard from the White House. But a se¬ thanit may sound. Unlike Muammar Gad¬ East studies and an adviser to Obama's nior Administration official tells Time the dafi's military, Assad's has an advanced re-election campaign. "The main person Levin-McCain plan is "no easy fix." Russian-made air-defense system, includ¬ ing planes, radar and surface-to-air mis¬ putting the brakes on this is Obama." Most striking is the dissent from with¬

Obama certainly hasn't turned a blind in Obama's own Administration. Last siles. American missions in the areawould

eye toward Syria. The U.S. has already summer, then Secretary of State Hillary draw heavy resistance.

delivered $385 million in humanitarian Clinton and then CIA Director David Pe- Even if Obama wanted to take those aid for the country. The CIA is reportedly traeus presented the White House with steps, his lawyers might tell him not to.

training rebel fighters in Turkey and is a plan to vet, train and arm select Syrian Thanks to Chinese and Russian resistance, also helping steer arms and supplies de¬ rebels. Obama's Joint Chiefs ofStaffChair¬ the U.N. has not authorized military ac¬ livered by Sunni Arab countries toward man Martin Dempsey and then Defense tion or arms supplies. Without Security

moderate rebel factions and away from Secretary Leon Panetta later said they sup¬ Council approval, either step would vio¬ those with radical Islamic views or ties to ported the idea. Obama rejected it. late international prohibitions against

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

Lone gunman Afighterfor the Free Syrian

Army prepares tofire a rocket-propelledgrenade

Kenneth Pollack, a foreign policy expert at the Brookings Institution. "The President's real agenda is a domestic political one. The

last thing the American people want is a

bunch of distractions in the Middle East."

Indeed, a March YouGov survey foundthat 45% ofAmericans opposed sending arms to the Syrian rebels, while 16% were in favor. A wild card is Syria's chemical- weapons stockpile, which likely includes the nerve agents sarin and VX. Obama has declared the regime's use of those su- perlethal agents a "red line" that would provoke an unspecified U.S. response. It's not clear how or even if Assad's chemical arsenal could be located and secured, but the specter of loose nerve gas might be the one thing that could summon Ameri¬

can ground forces to the Levant. For now, i!1T y. JI!^-a: Washington is reportedly trainingtrusted rebel fighters in Turkey and Jordan on how

to secure chemical-weapons sites. t Of course, it didn't take a red line for Obamatointervene inLibya afactnotlost on Syrian rebels and opposition leaders. .\ !>-=--= But injustifying his rationale forbombing Gaddafi's forces in 2011, he framed his ac¬ tion narrowly, like a judge trying to avoid interfering in the internal affairs of other 'The voices calling for setting precedent. He emphasized the spe¬ nations. For the same reason, most U.S. cific circumstances, which included U.N. humanitarian aid winds up being distrib¬ intervention are certainly backing and America's "unique ability" to uted by the Assad regime, meaning virtu¬ shaping the Washington stop the slaughter ofcivilians. ally none reaches rebel areas. In Syria, by contrast, Obama is unlikely Further complicating matters is Iran. debate. The main person to persuade Russia and China to support Javier Solana, a former E.U. official who putting the brakes on this action at the U.N. anytime soon. Even if was among the West's negotiators with he did, discerning regime targets in Syr¬ Tehran until 2009, recently told a Wash¬ is Obama.' ia's densely populated cities and villages ington audience that he believes Obama MARC LYNCH, PROFESSOR OF would be much harder than blasting Gad¬ has avoided a Syria entanglement for fear MIDDLE EAST STUDIES, GEORGE dafi convoys on Libya's desert highways. of complicating his diplomacy with Teh¬ WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY "I think he interprets Syria to be a ran, which views Assad as an important slippery slope to military involvement," ally and has sent him massive aid. says Vali Nasr, a former Obama State De¬ Ultimately, though, Obama simply partment official who disagrees with doubts that the U.S. would really be able to the current policy. Nasr adds that while control the chaos. "In a situationlike Syria, many consider the Libya action to be a

I have to ask, Canwe make a difference ... ?" low-cost success, ending with Gaddafi's he told the New Republic in January. demise, that may not be Obama's view. The mission unexpectedly dragged on for No Distractions weeks, and Gaddafi's fall unleashed long- obama's first presidential bid in 2008 repressed Islamist forces in the region, in¬ was shaped by his critique of the Iraq war, cluding the militants who attacked a U.S. which he called a reckless use ofAmerican compound in Benghazi last September, power. "He's the man elected, not to get killing four Americans. "We forget that the U.S. involved in any more wars in the Libya didn't turn out well," says Nasr. It Middle East [but] to get us outofwars," says seems that Obama remembers.

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

ïicralbSSSrUn«« friday,april26,2oi3

The official declined to delineate any U.S. suggests Syria steps the United States might take, sep¬ arately or in conjunction with its allies, . but said, "Suffice to say all options are on the table in terms of our response." used chemical arms The disclosure brought a swift reac¬ tion on Capitol Hill, where Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, said, "I

WASHINGTON Hagel, an Israeli military intelligence think it's pretty obvious that a red line official asserted that Syria had re¬ has been crossed," and he referred to peatedly used chemical weapons. White House seeks Mr. Obama's characterization last sum¬ Mr. Hagel, wrapping up weeklong mer that Syria's use of such weapons proof before making travels in the Middle East that included would be a "game changer." daily discussions of the Syria crisis, said Mr. McCain called on the president to decision on a response he was prepared to "give advice on begin supplying weapons to the rebels, policy decisions" for Pentagon action, which he has so far refused to do; to en¬

BYMARKLANDLER but he cautioned that much remained force a no-fly zone over Syria; and to re¬ uncertain aboutthe alleged use of chem¬ double pressure on Russia to abandon The White House said on Thursday that ical weapons by the Syrian regime. its support for the Assad regime. American intelligence agencies now be¬ Asked if this assessment had proved Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the lieved, with "varying degrees of confi¬ that Syria had crossed a "red line" ranking Republican member of the Sen¬ dence," that the Syrian government has drawn by the president, he responded, ate Foreign Relations Committee, said used chemical weapons, but it said it "We need all the facts, we need all the the intelligence assessment was needed conclusive proof before Presi¬ information." He noted that uncertain¬ "deeply troubling," and if correct, dent Obama would take action. ties remained over "what was used, means that "President Obama's red The disclosure, made in letters to Con¬ where it was used, who used it." line has certainly been crossed." gressional leaders, took the administra¬ In a conference call with reporters, a The administration's use of the tion a step closer to acknowledging that senior administration official declined phrase "varying degrees of certainty" President Bashar al-Assad had crossed to say how many specific incidents of suggested there might be differing a red line established by Mr. Obama last chemical use had been detected, or levels of confidence among the multiple summer, when he said the United States which might have touched off the latest American intelligence agencies about would take unspecified action against concerns. the reliability of the evidence that chem¬ Syria ifthere was evidence that chemical, Speaking on grounds of anonymity, ical weapons were used. weapons had been used in the civil war. the official underscored that the admin¬ Faced with mounting pressure to act It also immediately added to press- istration wanted to build upon the intel¬ against Syria, the United States has sures on Mr. Obama from congressional ligence estimates through more intens¬ been waiting for the results of an ex¬ advocates of more forceful action in Syr¬ ive scrutiny of the incidents in order to haustive analysis by the United Nations ia, some of whom have pushed to arm have "a strong, firm evidentiary basis" of soil, hair and other material to deter¬ the rebels who have been fighting to before consulting with allies about what mine whether chemical warfare agents drive Mr. Assad from power. steps to take. have been used. The White House emphasized that, But while the letter specifically raised But that investigation has been "given the stakes involved," the United questions about the "chain of custody" hobbled because the United Nations in¬ States still needed "credible and cor¬ spectors have not been allowed into Syr¬ roborated facts" before deciding on a ia. Also, the scope of that investigation course of action. The letter, signed by does not extend to who used the the president's director of legislative af¬ weapons, focusing merely on whether fairs, Miguel E. Rodriguez, said the chemical agents were used. The United United States was pressing for a "com¬ States is also conducting its own assess¬ prehensive United Nations investiga¬

tion that can credibly evaluate the evi¬ ment, as are Israel and other countries. dence and establish what happened." # Even if the United Nations investiga¬ Although the White House said it tion proves the use of chemicals, an offi¬ could not confirm the circumstances in cial said, the White House must deter¬ which victims were exposed to chemical mine who used them and whether they weapons, it said it believed .that the were used deliberately or accidentally. chemical agent sarin had been used. He did not offer a timetable for that pro¬ "We do believe," the letter said, "that cess.

POOL PHOTO BY JIM WATSON any use of chemical weapons in Syria "It is precisely because this is a red Chuck Hagel said Thursday that the re¬ would very likely have originated with line that we have to establish with air¬ ports remained uncertain. the Assad regime." tight certainty that this happened," said Secretary of State John Kerry, emerg¬ the official, who spoke on the condition ing from a Congressional hearing, said of anonymity so he could discuss intern¬ that the United States believed that of Syrian chemical weapons leaving al deliberations. "The bar on the United chemical weapons had been used in two open the possibility, at least, that some States is higher than on anyone else, instances, though he did not offer details. group other than government troops both because of our capabilities and be¬ Britain, in a letter last month request¬ might have obtained and used them cause of our history in Iraq." ing a United Nations investigation, cited the official made clear that Mr. Assad Mr. Hagel, speaking on Wednesday in holds ultimate responsibility. Cairo, said, "Suspicions are one thing; three episodes in which it suspected He said that U.S. officials were "very evidence is another." that chemical weapons had been used: skeptical" that any other group could Some analysts say they worry that if in a village west of Aleppo and on the have gained custody of the weapons. the United States waits too long, it will outskirts of Damascus, both on March And, he added, of Mr. Assad, "ulti¬ embolden Mr. Assad, who has steadily 19, and in Homs on Dec. 24. And on Tues¬ mately he is accountable for any use of escalated the lethality of the weapons day, coinciding with a trip through the chemical weapons by the Syrian re¬ used against the opposition. The gov¬ region by Defense Secretary Chuck gime." ernment's use of chemical weapons in

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

isolated episodes, these experts said, evidence that chemical weapons were Israel. "The administration has to take would be a way to test international re- being used or moved on a large scale. On some time to decide what to do about Tuesday, Israel's top military intelli¬ it." "We need all the facts, we gence analyst, Brig. Gen. Itai Brun, said "But if they end up leaving the im¬ pression that the president is not willing need all the information." at a security conference in Tel Aviv that the Syrian government had used chem¬ to enforce his red line," said Mr. Indyk, ical weapons, and he criticized the inter¬ who is now at the Brookings Institution, action before using them on a wider national community for not doing more "that will have consequences in the re¬ scale. in response. gion, particularly when it comes to Last August, Mr. Obama threatened "The president's red line appears to Iran's nuclear program, as well as for the Syrian government with unspe¬ have been crossed," said Martin S. In- our ability to deter Assad's use of chem¬ cified American action if there was any dyk, a former American ambassador to ical weapons in Syria."

v MHNfllONAL HeKllbaASrilnuw FRIDAY,APRIL26,2013

ment opponents to exercise restraint "as Iraqi premier warns of civil long as the armed forces are peaceful." "But if they open fire, then burn the land beneath them and defend yourself with courage and strength," he said. war as clashes intensify Sheik Saadi, who fled Saddam Hus¬ sein's repression and in recent years began to hold religious sway over Iraq's Sunnis, has taken on a growing role in BAGHDAD directing Sunni protests in Iraq, which '-t began in December and this week took a BYTIMARANGO violent turn with the raid on Hawija. Already, a few Sunni members of Iraq's In the face of an armed rebellion by dis¬ Army are deserting, according to Na- gruntled Sunni Muslims against his jmaldin Karim, the governor of Kirkuk, Shiite-led government, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq on Thurs¬ the province where Hawija is located. day urged dialogue to calm tensions but The desertions underscore how quickly vowed to continue military operations the situation here is beginning to mimic in a growing sectarian conflict that he the early stages of the civil war in Syria, warned could lead to a civil war like the when government forces turned their one raging in Syria. weapons on peaceful Sunni-led protests. "Security forces must impose securi¬ "The Sunnis certainly don't want to ty in Iraq, which is affected by a region A funeral held Thursday in Baghdad for fight," said Mr. Karim, adding that some teeming with sectarianism," Mr. Maliki an Iraqi soldier killed in recent clashes. members of units based near Kirkuk said in a speech broadcast to the nation had contacted local officials, saying on Thursday afternoon. "And now we they wanted to leave their posts. "They As fighting also raged in the northern are starting to see those problems come don't want to kill their own people." to us." city of Mosul, in Falluja and in villages On Thursday, the battles had killed surrounding Baquba, the capital of Diy- Mr. Maliki's remarks came as his se¬ nearly 50 people, most of them de¬ ala Province, there were signs that Mr. curity forces continued to battle armed scribed by security officials as militants. Maliki's military was fracturing along Sunni tribesmen, some linked to an in¬ At the same time, Western diplomats in¬ sectarian lines. surgent group led by former officials of tensified efforts to persuade Mr. Maliki Sheik Abdul Malik al-Saadi, a leading Saddam Hussein's Baath Party, in a and his government to back away from fight that began Tuesday morning when Sunni cleric who wields enormous influ¬ a military solution. The government re¬ security forces raided a Sunni protest ence over Iraq's Sunni population, has sponded to those efforts with justifica¬ urged members of Iraq's security forces camp in the northern village of Hawija, tions for the violent response, partly out to abandon their posts and join the op¬ near Kirkuk, that left at least 50 civilians of fears that the situation would other¬ dead and more than 100 wounded. position to the Shiite-led government, wise deteriorate into another Syria, ac¬ saying they should do so just as "their That led to a series of revenge attacks cording to one Western diplomat and an brothers did in Syria." against security forces, and the fighting official close to Mr. Maliki, both of whom In linking the raging civil war in Syria intensified Wednesday in the town of Su- spoke on the condition of anonymity. to the growing unrest in Iraq, the decla¬ laiman Bek, a village north of Baghdad Friday, the day when Sunni protests ration is one of the surest signs yet that that was surrounded by army vehicles have traditionally been at their most the sectarian battles under way in both after insurgents had taken over govern¬ zealous, loomed ominously, and many countries are regarded by Sunnis as two ment buildings. The government used expected further clashes. elements of a growing regional sectari¬ helicopter gunships to shoot at militants "The situation is very grim, and I an conflict. The civil war in Syria pits a think it will spread," Mr. Karim said. hiding in the village, and was said to be Sunni-led rebellion against a govern¬ preparing a broader assault on the town. ment dominated by Alawites, an off¬ Duraid Adnan and Yasir Ghazi contrib¬ "What happened in Hawija, and what shoot of Shiite Islam. uted reportingfrom Baghdad, and em¬ is happening today in Sulaiman Bek and Sheik Saadi released his statement ployees of The New York Timesfrom other places, is a point in which we Wednesday night from Amman, where Nineveh, Anbar, Kirkuk and Diyala should stop and think because it might he lives. While he urged soldiers he did Provinces. lead to sectarian strife," Mr. Maliki said. not specify Sunnis only to leave the "Everyone would lose. Whether he is in military, he stopped short ofendorsing an the north, the south, east or west of Iraq, armed rebellion against the government if the fire of sectarianism starts, every¬ by ordering deserting soldiers to leave one's fingers will be burned by it." their weapons behind. He told govern

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Le C^ïlSrà mercredi 24 avril 2013

Le conflit syrien devenu négociable ?

A WASHINGTON, Paris et Londres, sonne n'envisage avec plaisir pareille L'avenir de cet arsenal, réparti dans il n'est plus question de réclamer éventualité, d'autant que l'Armée sy¬ une quarantaine de sites différents, « fout publiquement le départ de Bachar, rienne libre et les groupes djihadistes ne la trouille à toutes les armées occiden¬ même si on continue de l'espérer. C'est veulent pas en entendre parler. tales », constate un diplomate. Avant le reflet d'une inquiétude générale après A Paris, on ne s'étonne guère de cette d'ajouter : « Mieux vaudrait que des deux ans de guerre civile. La position de discrète invitation à négocier lancée par groupes terroristes ne s'en emparent pas, l'équipe Obama a en effet évolué, selon la Maison-Blanche. A l'état-major des ar¬ si le régime s'écroule. » Et les états-ma¬ les attachés militaires français en poste mées, un général admet d'ailleurs que le jors français évaluent à 20 000 hommes aux Etats-Unis. A preuve, les informa¬ départ de Bachar est « incroyablement les effectifs nécessaires pour pénétrer en tions qu'ils ont récemment transmises à peu probable ». Et que, s'il devait y avoir Syrie et mettre en sécurité, en cas de be¬ Paris sur une réunion, le 17 avril, des sé¬ une réaction militaire des Alliés, sous soin, cette quincaillerie malodorante. nateurs US, membres de la Commission quelque forme qu'elle revête, « ce ne pour¬ Là n'est pas le seul motifd'inquiétude des forces armées, qui auditionnaient le rait être qu'une option d'extrême recours » des Américains et des Européens. Le général Martin Dempsey, chef d'état- face à une soudaine menace. Par exemple, débat sur la livraison d'armes modernes major, et le nouveau patron du Penta¬ l'utilisation d'armes chimiques par l'ar¬ aux insurgés, et notamment de missiles gone, Chuck Hagel. mée loyaliste. antiaériens, est loin d'être tranché. Tou¬ En réponse aux questions des séna¬ jours par crainte d'en voir une partie tom¬ teurs, le général a résumé ainsi la situa¬ Fuites de gaz ber aux mains de groupes terroristes. Car, tion sur le front anti-Bachar : l'opposi¬ Le 18 avril, Londres et Paris ont remis comme le déplore ingénument un diplo¬ tion est plus divisée que jamais, et la un « mémorandum » au secrétaire géné¬ mate, quelques heures après l'attentat, montée en puissance, ainsi qu'en effica¬ ral de l'ONU. Ce document affirme qu'à à Tripoli, contre l'ambassade de France, cité rmlitaire, des combattants djihadistes deux reprises, les 23 décembre 2012 et « ily a vraiment trop d'islamistes en Syrie, contribue à ce désordre. Un constat que 19 mars dernier, « des évidences cré¬ et peut-être aussi en Libye ». .. partagent les services de renseignement dibles » (jargon de spécialistes...) per¬ Jérôme Canard américains, français et britanniques. mettent de croire à une attaque aux gaz Quant au chefdu Pentagone, ses confi¬ de combat. Le gouvernement syrien et dences aux sénateurs ont été plus poli¬ l'opposition s'accusent mutuellement tiques. A en croire Chuck Hagel, il va fal¬ d'avoir utilisé ces armes présumées in¬ loir examiner d'autres options - terdites. Bachar a refusé que des experts sous-entendu, que l'option militaire car de l'ONU viennent enquêter sur place, ce l'intention des Etats-Unis est d'éviter « un qui n'est pas à son avantage. Mais, selon conflit prolongé » avec le régime syrien. un officier français de la Direction du ren¬ Après les deux guerres d'Irak et d'Af¬ seignement militaire, il s'agissait peut- ghanistan, Obama n'a guère envie d'en être d'une mauvaise manipulation par entamer une troisième. Alors, une négo¬ l'armée syrienne des munitions clûmiques ciation avec Bachar et les siens ? Per dont elle dispose.

LE FIGARO mercredi 24 avril 2013 Washington tergiverse face

aux armes chimiques d'Assad

couvert, pendant une conférence interna¬ plusieurs semaines sans provoquer ISABELLE LASSERRE ilasserrelef lgaro.fr tionale sur la sécurité à Tel-Aviv, le géné¬ aucune réaction de Washington. Lassi¬ ral Itai Brun a donné une couleur tude de la guerre après l'Irak et l'Afgha¬

MOYEN-ORIENT Cette fois, c'est un res¬ particulière aux soupçons contre Damas. nistan, peur des opposants islamistes,

ponsable israélien appartenant aux servi¬ La veille, en effet, le secrétaire américain à recentrage stratégique vers l'Asie: les

ces de renseignements militaires, le géné¬ la Défense, Chuck Hagel, avait affirmé lors raisons de ne pas intervenir en Syrie

ral liai Brun, qui l'affirme. Le régime d'une visite en Israël que les agences de sont nombreuses, vues de Washington.

syrien a utilisé des armes chimiques contre renseignements de son pays enquêtaient Les promesses d'Obama ses opposants à plusieurs reprises au cours toujours sur le sujet. Depuis plusieurs se¬

des derniers mois. Probablement du gaz maines, les Américains semblent botter en Cette passivité risque cependant d'avoir

sarin. touche. Hier encore, la Maison-Blanche a des conséquences sur d'autres dossiers. Cela n'est pas nouveau. À l'ONU, des indiqué n'être «pas parvenue à la conclu¬ Dans la région, Barack Obama est lié par

diplomates ont confirmé au début du sion» de l'utilisation d'armes de cette na¬ un autre engagement. Il a promis à son al¬

mois disposer de preuves «solides» et ture par Damas. lié israélien qu'il empêcherait,- par la force

«très convaincantes» que des armes C'est que Barack Obama, suivi par ses s'il le faut, une fois épuisés les moyens di¬

chimiques ont bien été employées en Sy¬ alliés britannique et français, a fait de plomatiques et la politique de sanctions,

rie : à Alep, à Homs et peut-être à Damas. l'utilisation ces armes chimiques par le l'émergence de la bombe nucléaire ira¬

Alors que le régime de Bachar el-Assad a régime syrien une « ligne rouge » qui, si nienne. À plusieurs reprises, des respon¬

refusé aux enquêteurs des Nations unies elle était franchie, serait susceptible de sables américains se sont rendus à Tel-

d'accéder aux sites suspects, l'utilisation provoquer une intervention militaire. Aviv pour dissuader Benyamin

de telles armes a été confirmée à Paris et à Cette «ligne rouge», susceptible selon Nétanyahou de lancer des frappes préven¬

Londres par des sources bien informées. les responsables américains « de changer tives contre les installations iraniennes. Le

Mais en portant ses accusations à dé la donne», a visiblement sauté depuis premier ministre israélien, qui a toujours

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

douté de la fiabilité de Barack Obama, a une menace existentielle. pluie américain, qu'il s'agisse de la Corée

accepté, avec fortes réticences, de décaler L'inertie des Occidentaux en Syrie ne du Sud et du Japon lorsqu'ils sont mena¬

ses projets guerriers. décrédibilise pas seulement la parole du cés par Pyongyang. Ou des pays de l'an¬

Mais si le président américain ne res¬ monde libre auprès des rebelles syriens. cienne Europe de l'Est, qui craignent

pecte pas sa promesse en Syrie, comment Elle affaiblit le discours américain auprès toujours leur grand voisin russe. être sûr qu'il le fera en Iran, se demandent de ses principaux alliés dans le monde.

sans doute aujourd'hui les responsables is¬ Israël bien sûr, qui pourrait à nouveau raéliens, dont certains considèrent la être tenté d'agir unilatéralement. Mais

perspective d'un Iran nucléaire comme aussi tous les pays installés sous le para

mardi 23 avril 2013 LE FIGARO La carte turque de la diplomatie

américaine

économique à la Cisjordanie. En sera reçu à Washington à la mi-mai échange, il attend de Mahmoud Abbas par le président Obama. La Turquie

qu'il assouplisse sa position, en est devenue le premier levier acceptant de reprendre les pourparlers de la diplomatie orientale des avec les Israéliens, même si ces derniers Américains, qui admirent son goût

ne prononcent pas le gel de leurs du travail, sa prospérité, sa démocratie, CHRONIQUE colonisations de peuplement. Le chef son ordre, son néo-ottomanisme de Renaud Girard de la diplomatie américaine veut à tout bon aloi, qui ne s'écarte pas du cadre prix que reprenne un dialogue direct onusien. Pour l'Amérique, la Turquie israélo-palestinien, afin de donner sa est devenue un partenaire beaucoup dernière chance à la solution des deux plus précieux que l'Egypte. Pour la États. 11 sait que, dans deux ans, ce sera Turquie, l'Amérique reste le modèle trop tard : par lassitude, ies Palestiniens à suivre, sur les plans universitaire,

demanderont leur intégration pure industriel, technologique. et simple comme citoyens du grand Il est certain que les Turcs joueront En l'espace de la seule journée Israël, plutôt que de continuer à mal un rôle crucial dans le dialogue direct

du dimanche 21 avril 2013, vivre dans des bantoustans. que les Américains comptent ouvrir qu'il a passée à Istanbul, Le conflit israélo-palestinien a été l'un avec les Perses, juste après les élections John Kerry aura pu faire des grands thèmes du long tête-à-tête présidentielles du 14 juin en Iran. Les progresser tous les grands qu'a eu John Kerry avec le premier Américains ont exigé des Européens

dossiers de la diplomatie ministre turc. Maintenant que qu'ils boycottent l'Iran, mais pas des

américaine au Moyen-Orient. Nétanyahou a présenté ses excuses au Turcs. Ces derniers, bénéficiant d'un À la faveur d'une réunion des Amis gouvernement d'Ankara pour l'incident régime dérogatoire, continuent de de la Syrie, le groupe des puissances du Mavi Marmara (9 citoyens turcs tués, s'approvisionner en gaz iranien, qu'ils hostiles au régime Assad, le Secrétaire en 2010, lors de l'arraisonnement, dans paient en lingots d'or. L'administration

d'État a confirmé son attachement les eaux internationales, d'un navire Obama, qui ne veut pas entendre parler aune Syrie « unifiée » et « pacifiée ». civil turc s'apprêtant à enfreindre le d'une troisième guerre « préventive » L'usage du premier terme vise à exclure blocus israélien de Gaza) , la Turquie est en Orient, estime qu'il est encore

l'hypothèse d'un éclatement du pays revenue au c du jeu diplomatique au possible de trouver un « deal » en différents mini-États (kurde, druze, Levant. Pourquoi Kerry a-t-il dit honorable avec l'Iran. alaouite, sunnite, etc.) ; le second est un publiquement avoir demandé à Recep Dans ce nouveau grand jeu, la France semble hélas marginalisée. En mai 2007, appel au maintien de la tolérance Tayyip Erdôgan de reporter un voyage à AU Larijani, alors numéro trois du régime religieuse, dans un pays qui compte Gaza, prévu pour la fin du mois de mai iranien, en charge du Nucléaire, de la . d'importantes minorités, chrétiennes 2013 ? Ce genre d'exigence ne se clame Défense et des Affaires étrangères, avait, ou non, aujourd'hui menacées par pas, sauf à vouloir embarrasser son dans un entretien au Figaro, proposé que la montée du radicalisme sunnite interlocuteur. En fait, le but de Kerry la France joue un rôle d'intermédiaire d'origine wahhabite. L'Amérique était de calmer le Congrès des États- sincère entre Washington et Téhéran. va livrer pour 123 millions de dollars Unis, qui honnit le Hamas, mouvement Cette offre avait été torpillée par un petit d' « équipements non létaux » de Frères musulmans contrôlant clan de diplomates néoconservateurs à la rébellion, ce qui est une demi- la bande de Gaza d'une main de fer. sévissant au Quai d'Orsay et à l'Elysée. mesure par rapport aux « frappes Erdogan n'a plus d'autre choix que chirurgicales » réclamées par l'Armée d'aller à Gaza, où il pourra À Washington, cela fait longtemps que les néoconservateurs ont perdu toute syrienne libre du général Salem Idris. tranquillement prêcher le pragmatisme influence dans un Département d'État Lors d'un entretien avec le président aux islamistes du Hamas, leur qui s'apprête à confier à la Turquie de l'Autorité palestinienne, John Kerry recommandant de reconnaître a promis que les États-Unis allaient le droit d'existence à l'État d'Israël. ce beau rôle d' « honest broker » accroître considérablement leur aide Ce n'est pas par hasard qu'Ërdogan en Orient...

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

Xtlîlondt Vendredi 26 avril 2013 Risques de guerre civile en Irak

Deux journées de violences entre les sunnites et le pouvoir chiite ont causé plus de 100 morts

Peu à peu, l'Irak s'enfonce » '.v dans une crise politique et

confessionnelle qui semble

inexorablement ramener le pays aux pires heures de la guerre civi¬ f- le, entre 2006 et 2009, lorsque milices chiites et combattants d'Al-

Qaidaçommettaientquotidienne-

ment des massacres.

Le pire n'est pas encore sûr, mais les incidents d'Houweijah,

# V il mardi 23 avril, dans lesquels vingt-

cinq manifestants sunnites et

deux soldats sont morts, sont inquiétants à bien des égards. Cet

assaut de l'armée, aux ordres du

premier ministre chiite Nouri

Al-Maliki, contre un sit-in de

manifestants sunnites dans la

province agitée de Kirkouk, a .pm?i

conduit à un enchaînement de violences qui a causé 110 morts en ~i deux jours.

Ces violences sont les plus gra¬ i \

ves depuis le début de « 1' intifada » sunnite en Irak, à la fin de décem¬

bre 2012. Ce mouvement de mani¬

festations, déclenché à la suite de Capture d'image sur Facebook montrant des corps à l'hôpital d'Houweijah, villeoù des affrontements

la tentative d'arrestation de Rafa ont eu lieu le 23 avril et au cours desquels vingt-cinq manifestants sunnites et deux soldats sont morts, ap

Al-Issaoui, ministre des finances etfigure montante delà scène poli¬ tions de la présence sunnite en sein désormais rallié au nouveau nous déclarait récemment à Rama¬

tique sunnite, entendait dénoncer Irak. A Ramadi, notamment, la pouvoir, est quasiment le seul di un manifestant du sit-in de pro¬

la politique d'oppression et de dis¬ capitale de la province d'Anbar,. représentant de cette communau¬ testation, reprenant un terme reli¬

crimination menée par M. Maliki à six soldats ont été tués et un té. «Au lieu dejouerlejeu duparta- gieux propre aux chiites d'Irak. l'égard de ses adversaires politi¬ camion militaire incendié. Deux ge du pouvoir, Nouri Al-Maliki a. A Fallouja, le cheikh Khaled

ques et confessionnels. autres soldats, pris en otages, ont cherché à radicaliser les sunnites Hammoud Al-Joumaili dirige la

Le «mouvement populaire» finalement été libérés sains et pour souder derrière lui le camp contestation et le campement de

exprimait également le malaise saufs mercredi. Non loin de là, à chiite, tétanisé par une possible tentes installé à l'entrée de la ville. des sunnites, grands perdants Falloujah, deux policiers ont été reprise de la guerre civile », analyse C'est un naqshabandi, une confré¬

dans l'Irak post-Saddam Hussein tués par balles. sévèrement un diplomate. Une rie soufie originaire du sous-conti¬

dessiné par l'administration Bush, dérive d'autant plus inquiétante nent indien, défendant une vision qui avait choisi de s'appuyer sur Des insurgés se sont que les partis kurdes ont égale¬ salafiste et radicalement antipoli¬ les chiites et les Kurdes. ment suspendu leur participation tique.

Mais l'aggravation de la crise emparés de laville de au gouvernement. «Aveclesévénementsd'Houwei- politiqueet le refus du chefde gou¬ Souleimane Pak, dans Alors qu'en 2009-2010, Nouri jah, on peutparlerd'un tournant», vernement d'apporter une répon¬ Al-Maliki et Iyad Allaoui, tous analyse Myriam Benraad, cher¬

se globale aux frustrations expri¬ les territoires du Nord, deux chiites - le premier islamiste cheuse associée à Science Po Paris mées par les manifestants ont que se disputent modéréet le second laïqu e -, se dis¬ et à l'Iremam d'Aix-en-Provence. contribué à pourrir et à radicaliser putaient les suffrages sunnites, la Pour elle, l'incident illustre sur¬ le mouvement. Peu à peu, les extré¬ Arabes et Kurdes scène politique irakienne épouse tout « la dérive autoritaire du pre¬ mistes, tenants d'Al-Qaida ou de la désormais presque parfaitement mier ministre Nouri Al-Maliki, secte religieuse des Naqshbandi, Plus grave, des insurgés se sont les lignes de fracture confession¬ engagé dans une fuite en avant sont en train de prendre le dessus emparés de la ville de Souleimane nelles. M. Maliki est devenu un lea¬ militaire croissante à mesure que au sein du camp sunnite, l'entraî¬ Pak, dans les territoires contestés derchiite, soutenu parson encom¬ la situation sécuritaire échappe à nant dans une surenchère violen¬ du Nord, que se disputent Arabes brant voisin et allié iranien, tandis son contrôle».

te à l'issue incertaine. et Kurdes. Pendant ce temps, des que M. Allaoui a disparu du paysa¬ En conflit ouvert avec le diri¬ Mardi, l'armée a tenté de disper¬ attaques de mosquées sunnites à ge politique. geant kurde Massoud Barzani, ser par la forte un campement de Bagdad et dans sa banlieue font Quant aux hommes politiques détesté par l'opinion sunnite et manifestants à Houweijah, au ter¬ craindre lé retour en scène dé mili¬ sunnites, soit ils sont débauchés décrié jusque dans les rangs chii¬

me d'un ultimatum enjoignant ces chiites.ijusque-là en sommeil. tour à tour par l'habile Nouri tes - notamment par les partisans les protestataires de livrer les cou¬ Au plan politique également, Al-Maliki, soit ils sont poussés à se de Moqtada Al-Sadr -, Nouri pables de l'assassinat d'un soldat l'attaque d'Houweijah a accentué radicaliser par une « rue sunnite » Al-Maliki est plus isolé mais aussi la semaine précédente. L'interven¬ la cassure entre chiites et sunnites. chauffée à blanc et menée par des plus puissant que jamais. Soit il

tion sanglante des militaires a sus¬ Deux nouveaux ministres sunni¬ oulémas, tels les cheikhs Abdelma- finit par démissionner, soit il se cité une vague sans précédent de tes ont démissionné du gouverne¬ lik Al-Saadi, réfugié à Amman, et maintient à tout prix au pouvoir, représailles dans les provinces de ment Maliki, au sein duquel Saleh Rafa Al-Rifaï, installé à Souleima- entraînant son pays dans la Ninive (Mossoul), Salaheddine Al-Mutlak, un ancien responsable niyé, au Kurdistan d'Irak. « Ce sont guerre civile.» (Tikrit) et Anbar, principaux bas- baasiste proche de Saddam Hus nos marias [sources d'imitation] », ChristopheAtad

74 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April / 27 / 2013

Kurdish peace process to close the 'doors of a dark era': Turkish PM Erdoğan ISTANBUL his tone in his criticism of the opposition, urging all parties to show their support he doors of a dark era will be closed at for the process. "Those who are not part of the end of the ongoing Kurdish resolu- the solution will become part of the pro- Ttion process and a brand new era will blem. We opened our door wide so that start, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip the opposition could be part of the pro- Erdoğan said April 27 in his first remarks cess. Unfortunately [they] preferred to on the subject following the outlawed stay out of it, and even be against it," he Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) press said, accusing both the Republican conference announcing the starting date of People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist the militant's withdrawal. Movement Party (MHP) of hoping the "What is approaching its end is not process would fail. only 30 years of terrorism. It is a sequence "None of the fears that the MHP lea- of problems extending to much longer der [Devlet Bahçeli] tries to instill is real. years," Erdoğan said at the Independent Erdoğan urged Turkish businessmen to The only thing he wants is the continua- Industrialists' and Businessmen's invest to the eastern and southeastern tion of the martyrs so that he can continue Association's (MÜSİAD) 22nd General regions. AA photo to take advantage of it, because the CHP Assembly, echoing the confident tone of and MHP know that when terrorism the statements made a day earlier by key ends, there will be nothing they can take government officials. nizations such as the Turkish Industry advantage of." Speaking to an audience composed and Business Association (TÜSİAD), All Erdoğan also dismissed CHP leader mainly by entrepreneurs and industria- Industrialist and Businessmen Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's criticism that his lists, Erdoğan called on businessmen's Association (TÜMSİAD), Confederation party did not know about the details of associations to invest to the eastern and of Businessmen and Industrialists of the talks. "[Kılıçdaroğlu] does not see southeastern regions and assist their Turkey (TUSKON) and Anatolian Lions what everybody sees, does not unders- development. "When the chimney's of the Businessmen's Association (ASKON) to tand what everybody understands," he factories start to emit smoke, when take due responsibility during the pro- said, adding with irony that the Wise employment rises, the resolution process cess. Persons commissions, established to seek will be permanent," he said praising the public support, could visit the CHP lea- Those not part of the solution will Ë initiatives undertaken by MÜSİAD. He become part of the problem der and explain the process. also called on other major business orga- The Turkish prime minister increased

April 29, 2013 Kurdish peshmerga soldiers stationed on the outskirts of Kirkuk in December. New tensions in Kirkuk Kurdish security forces deployed near the disputed as Peshmerga deploy north Iraq city of Kirkuk, a top Kurdish official said near disputed city Saturday, a move allegedly aimed at combating mili- Kurdish official says move aims at combating mili- tants, as a wave of violence tants but Iraq army bills move of peshmerga as killed more than 200 people. ‘political manoeuvre.’ Yawar said. "Our only goal is to preserve the life of citizens." Middle East Online But the Iraqi army ascribed different motives to the deployment. "After the latest movements of the peshmerga forces, the army is on IRKUK (Iraq) - Kurdish security forces deployed near the disputed alert," a high-ranking army officer said. "The army sees the move of the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, a Kurdish official said Saturday, a move peshmerga as a (political) manoeuvre and not to fill any vacuum." Kallegedly aimed at combating militants in the area. In the past week, a wave of violence has killed more than 200 people, Kirkuk province and its eponymous capital, home to Kurds, Arabs and including 40 in Kirkuk. Turkmen, fall within the territory the autonomous Kurdistan region wants to incorporate, despite strong objections from the federal "After consultations with the governor of Kirkuk, there has been a deci- government in Baghdad. sion for Peshmerga (security) forces to fill the vacuums in general, and especially around the city of Kirkuk," Jabbar Yawar, secretary general Diplomats and officials say the territorial dispute between Baghdad and of Iraqi Kurdistan's peshmerga ministry, said in a statement. Kurdistan -- a three-province region with its own government, security forces, borders and flag but which still receives a portion of the fede- "The intelligence service of the peshmerga has information that terro- ral budget -- is a major threat to Iraq's long-term stability. H rist groups have plans to launch terrorist attacks in these regions,"

75 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 28 APRIL 2013 Is Iraq on the Cusp of Partition? Iraqi army losing hold on north to Sunni and Kurdish forces as troops desert

PATRICK COCKBURN The funeral of an Iraqi soldier killed in clashes oldiers are deserting a beleaguered Iraqi army as it struggles to keep its following the Shold on the northern half of Iraq in the storming of a face of escalating hostility from Sunni Sunni Muslim Arabs and Kurds who dominate in the protest camp by region. Iraqi forces Around the oil city of Kirkuk Kurdish troops have advanced south to take over military positions abandoned by the army, while in Baghdad senior Iraqi politicians say that for the first time there is talk of partitioning the country. The current crisis was sparked on 23 led scores of them at close range.” Arabs who have been conducting a pea- April when the Iraqi army attacked a Mediators seeking to end the protest ceful campaign demanding civil and sit-in protest in the Sunni Arab town of in Hawijah last week say they only nee- political rights. They want an end to job Hawijah, killing at least 50 people and ded another six hours to end the discrimination and a terror law under injuring 110. Outraged Sunni Arab pro- confrontation when the army attacked. which suspects can be arrested tortured testers have since stepped up their on the word of an unknown informant. A confrontation between the Kurds demonstrations against the Shia-led The protests were conducted largely and the central government in Baghdad government. Demonstrators are increa- without violence until the unexpected last summer has led to poor relations singly protected by armed men, some of break-up of the Hawaijah sit-in. Sunni between the two. Security cooperation whom are accused of dragging five mili- Arabs are now demanding that the army has broken down and there has been a tary intelligence soldiers in civilian withdraw from their areas. A highly 30 per cent rise in terrorist attacks in clothes from a car that came near a pro- influential Sunni religious figure, seen Kirkuk as a result. Last week al-Qa’ida test in Ramadi and killing them. as the inspirational leader of the pro- in Iraq was able to take over the town of There are signs that the Iraqi army tests, Abdul Malik al-Saadi, had pre- Suleiman Bec in Kirkuk province and can no longer cope with a crisis in viously counselled moderation, but last only left under a truce arrangement which it is confronting both Sunni week issued a statement saying “if they Arabs and Kurds. Many soldiers prefer “It is really ironic,” says Mr Karim, open fire, then burn the land beneath to desert the army rather than shoot at “that at Hawijah the army attacks them, and defend your selves with cou- protesters said Najmaldin Karim, the demonstrators including children and rage.” elderly. And then at Suleiman Bec al- Kurdish Governor of Kirkuk, where The government has been ambiva- Qa’ida killed the police chief. They cap- Hawijah is situated, in an interview with lent in its attitude to the demonstra- tured and killed whoever was in the The Independent. Most deserters are tions, sometimes declaring their grie- police station. The whole population of Sunni, Mr Karim said, but he added vances to be just and at others demoni- the town left. Terrorists controlled the that some are Shia who don’t want to sing them as al-Qa’ida members. “I call town for 24 hours and then they were fight in strange places for something upon the peaceful protesters to expel given safe passage to get out with their they don’t believe in. the criminals targeting military and weapons and stolen cars.” Mr Karim, formerly a doctor in the police,” Mr Maliki said in a statement US, confirmed that Kurdish troops have Iraqi politicians are gloomy about posted on his official website. Yesterday moved to take over positions around the prospects for keeping the country ten satellite television companies, inclu- Kirkuk left vacant by the Iraqi army, but together. Mowaffak al-Rubaie, the for- ding al-Jazeera and al-Sharkiya, had vehemently denies that this is a land- mer Iraqi National Security Adviser, their licenses withdrawn, while earlier grab by the Kurds seeking to take over said in a phone interview yesterday that the authorities announced a curfew in the oilfields as Iraqi army commanders for the first time he was hearing leaders the whole of Sunni Anbar province in have alleged. Affirming that Kurdish in Baghdad talk seriously of partitioning western Iraq. But the television chan- forces have taken over places vacated by the country. He said ”I believe Iraq is nels have gone on operating and the the Iraqi army, he explained that Iraqi going through its most critical phase army may not be in a position to military units are under orders to leave since the creation of the state in 1921. " enforce a curfew. H their outposts at night and concentrate He said that for Iraq partition would in defensible positions. not be a soft option but would be more like the bloodbath when India and “They [Iraqi army commanders] are Pakistan divided. playing on people’s emotions and trying to detract from the fact that they In the last four months Mr Maliki attacked civilian demonstrators and kil- has done little to conciliate the Sunni

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

Turkey warns opp against sabotaging Kurdish peace moves ISTANBUL / April 27, 2013 / Reuters which proponents say could lift the economy, boost Turkey’s interna- tional credibility and cement Erdogan’s legacy. THE TURKISH government welcomed a planned withdrawal by “His courage ended terrorism,” the front-page headline in the mains- Kurdish militants as significant progress towards ending three tream Haberturk newspaper said of Erdogan. “Game Over”, said the decades of conflict on Friday, and it warned its nationalist oppo- Yeni Safak daily, which is close to the government. “Go and don’t nents not to sabotage the peace process. come back”, Posta newspaper said of the militants. The main nationalist party, however, was quick to reiterate its oppo- Ocalan, who began peace talks with Turkish intelligence agents from sition to any dealings with the militants. prison six months ago, brought the violence to a halt with a ceasefire order at Kurdish new year celebrations on March 21. Rebel field commander Murat Karayilan on Thursday ordered his fighters to begin leaving Turkey on May 8 for the mountains of nor- From May, some 2,000 rebels are to move into Iraq in small groups, thern Iraq, in a step to halt a war that has killed more than 40,000 and monitored on the Turkish side by the MIT and by the Kurdish regio- scarred the nation. nal government in Iraq. The pullout is a major step forward in a peace plan hammered out Speaking in the PKK’s stronghold in the Qandil mountains of nor- during months of negotiations between Turkey’s MIT intelligence thern Iraq where thousands of its members are based, Karayilan indi- agency and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) chief Abdullah cated that Erdogan’s demand that the fighters disarm before they Ocalan, jailed on a prison island near Istanbul. leave Turkey had been quietly dropped. The onus is now on the government to enact reforms sought by Dressed in baggy olive green fatigues and flanked by other senior Ocalan and his followers, a process that will require support for rebels, Karayilan said Ankara would first have to push through changes to the constitution in the face of nationalist anger at negotia- reforms guaranteeing Kurdish rights and release Ocalan before the tions with a man they have long reviled. PKK would consider disarmament. “The point we have reached in the process is very important and we Arinc brushed aside the apparent discrepancy over when disarma- need to be sensitive for it to be completed successfully,” Deputy ment would take place with little explanation: Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said. “There is no confusion. If it is said armed elements will leave, there is “It is necessary to determinedly avoid behaviour and actions which no need to ask whether they are armed or not.” would sabotage the process,” he said, criticising opposition parties Since coming to power in 2002, Erdogan has extended rights to Kurds including the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) for seeking to “bes- who make up 20 percent of Turkey’s 76 million-strong population, mirch” the government. breaking taboos deeply rooted in the conservative establishment, Nationalists have made no secret of their opposition to negotiating including allowing Kurdish television broadcasts and elective with the Kurdish militants. “The Turkish nation will under no condi- Kurdish language courses at state schools. tions surrender to the PKK or consent to the PKK’s treacherous But the government faces deeper demands including changes to the demands,” MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said in a statement. constitutional definition of citizenship and strengthening regional The withdrawal announcement has given a boost to Prime Minister government in the mainly Kurdish southeast. Tayyip Erdogan, who has taken a huge political risk in sanctioning Thousands of Kurdish politicians and activists have also been detai- negotiations with the PKK ahead of local and presidential elections ned in recent years over alleged links to the PKK, designated a terro- next year. rist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union, and Pushing through constitutional reform, which could also pave the Ocalan is expecting their release. way for Erdogan to take the helm of new presidential system next Around 200 PKK-linked defendants have been released from custody year, will be fiercely resisted in parliament by nationalist politicians. pending trial in the last two months, the Zaman daily said on Friday, H Erdogan will need to manage public opinion carefully as the elections suggesting some progress on that front. approach. But for now the mainstream media is backing a process

28 avril 2013

Irak: 10 chaînes satellitaires suspendues pour "incitation à la violence" BAGDAD (AFP) lence et au confessionnalisme", a déclaré le 'Irak a suspendu dimanche les licences directeur en charge des médias, Moujahed de 10 chaînes de télévision satellitaires, Aboulheil, alors que l'Irak connaît depuis Lnotamment Al-Jazeera (du Qatar), pour mardi des violences faisant craindre un "incitation à la violence et au confessionna- retour au sanglant conflit confessionnel lisme", a-t-on appris auprès d'un responsa- ayant suivi l'invasion américaine de 2003 ble de l'Autorité des médias et des commu- L'Autorité "a dû, après une série nications. d'avertissements, suspendre la licence de "Nous avons pris la décision de suspendre ces chaînes dans tout l'Irak", a-t-il ajouté. les licences de certaines chaînes satellitaires III qui ont adopté une ligne incitant à la vio- Parmi les 10 télévisions suspendues

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

III figurent les chaînes irakiennes provoqué des heurts sanglants. En riposte, Kurdistan autonome (nord) se sont Bagdad, Alsharqiya, et Al-Fallujah. des attaques ont été lancées contre l'armée déployées samedi près de Kirkouk, afin de La suspension des licences "signifie la sus- et les violences ont fait en cinq jours plus faire face selon elles à d'éventuelles pension de leur travail et leurs activités en de 215 morts et 300 blessés, selon des res- attaques contre cette ville multiethnique Irak", a-t-il expliquant précisant que ces ponsables. riche en pétrole et revendiquée par les chaînes ne pourront plus "couvrir les évè- Les tensions se sont accrues après que la Kurdes et le pouvoir central à Bagdad. nements en Irak ou circuler" dans le pays. puissante milice des Sahwa, fidèle au gou- M. Maliki a lié samedi les violences confes- N Cette décision survient alors que l'Irak est vernement Maliki, a menacé de faire la sionnelles au conflit en Syrie voisine. secoué par des violences déclenchés mardi guerre aux rebelles comme aux pires par un assaut de policiers, près de années du conflit ayant suivi l'invasion Houweijah (nord), contre un camp de américaine de l'Irak en 2003, faisant crain- manifestants sunnites hostiles au Premier dre une escalade incontrôlée des violences. ministre Nouri al-Maliki, un chiite, qui a Parallèlement, les forces de sécurité du

April / 28 / 2013

Peace process first step to Greater

Main oppositionKurdistan: CHP leader Kemal Turkish Kılıçdaroğlu slammed main the ongoing peace opposition process saying that it the first phase of a more comprehensive plan to establish a Greater Kurdistan on the Iraqi, Syrian and Turkish soil

ANKARA for the CHP to become a part of this negotiation between [Prime Minister he leader of the main opposition Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan and Öcalan,” party, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, has clai- Kılıçdaroğlu said. Tmed that the ongoing peace process in For Kılıçdaroğlu, Erdoğan’s stra- Turkey is in fact the first phase of a tegy in forcing the CHP to take part in more comprehensive plan to establish a this process is to find a potential scape- Greater Kurdistan on the territories of goat on which he would put all the Iraq, Syria and Turkey. blame in case of the collapse of this “In the first phase of this plan, process. Turkey will enjoy Northern Iraq’s oil “According to us, the address of and natural gas sources within certain Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the the resolution is the Parliament. For main opposition Republican People’s limits. The AKP’s [Justice and the AKP however, the address is Öca- Party (CHP) says his party will not be Development Party] mission in this involved in the ‘bargaining’ process bet- lan. While the AKP brought a non- phase is to become the surrogate ween the government and the PKK returnable legitimacy to the PKK mother of Greater Kurdistan. The leader Abdullah Öcalan. AA photo [Kurdistan Workers’ Party], it also allo- Greater Kurdistan will be established wed Öcalan to become the official not only on Syrian and Iraqi territories counterpart of Turkey,” he said. but also on Turkish territories,” leader Union Party’s (PYD) efforts to gain Criticizing the government for not sha- of the main opposition Republican control in the northern Syria in order to ring information about negotiations People’s Party (CHP) Kemal divide Syria. Following PYD’s control and developments, Kılıçdaroğlu said Kılıçdaroğlu said in an interview with will be provided, northern parts of Iraq this strategy of the AKP did not leave the daily Hürriyet over the weekend. and Syria will be united and access to any room for the CHP to become a part The plan also envisages the esta- Mediterranean will also be possible,” of these talks. blishment of an alliance between Israel he claimed. The legality o af this process has in order to establish a Greater Kılıçdaroğlu vowed that his party vital importance, according to the Kurdistan he said. Kılıçdaroğlu, who would not become part of an ongoing main opposition leader, who urged the remained cold to the AKP’s calls to join alliance between the head of the government to pay attention not to violate the principles of the rule of law the efforts to resolve the terror problem government and the imprisoned terro- rist leader but underlined that they during the withdrawal of the PKK and the Kurdish question added an members. Underlining that the PKK external dimension of why his party were still working toward the people’s expectations for ending terror and should declare their intention to cease will not stand with the ruling party in all forms of terrorist and violent acts resolving the Kurdish issue. this bid. against the Republic of Turkey and to Öcalan’s road map “The AKP’s strategy is to carry out surrender their weapons, he said, “The process is being run in line this process with a unilateral and non- adding that this was the point the PKK transparent approach and in coopera- with the road map drafted by Öcalan. leaders hadË avoided in their recent sta- The AKP is supporting the Democratic tion with Abdullah Öcalan by exclu- tements. ding the Parliament. It’s not possible

78 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti APRIL 26, 2013 Kurdish Rebel Group to Withdraw From Turkey Associated Press By SEBNEM ARSU

STANBUL — The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the main Kurdish rebel group in ITurkey, said Thursday that it would with- draw all of its forces from the country by May 8 as part of a peace agreement to end a 30-year conflict with the Turkish state. Speaking at a rare news conference at the group’s base in the Qandil mountains of neighboring Iraq, Murat Karayilan, the commander of the group, known as the P.K.K., called on the Turkish Army not to launch attacks during the rebels’ gradual withdrawal into northern Iraq. Any such confrontation will end the Karayılan (C) and several of his deputies held a press conference in northern P.K.K.’s cease-fire, he said. Iraq on April 25 to officially declare the PKK’s withdrawal from Turkey. Mr. Karayilan, in a statement read in Turkish and summarized in English, out- “It is highly hopeful that the will of the ling off the struggle, it is unclear whe- lined the process by which the P.K.K. P.K.K., the will of the government and ther it can deliver on its promises. For expected the government to meet its end the will of the people join for the first major legislative changes like a new of the bargain, by giving the Kurds fur- time for a common cause, to end a 30- constitution, for example, the govern- ther democratic rights under a new year-old conflict,” Numan Kurtulmus, ment needs the backing of the main constitution and releasing Kurdish priso- deputy chairman of the party, said on opposition parties, none of which fully ners, including the P.K.K.’s highly NTV. supports the peace process. influential primary founder, Abdullah Ocalan. However, he refused demands “The first step has been made, so we Staunchly nationalist lawmakers claim by the Turkish government that rebels hope the process would be finalized that talks will ultimately lead to the des- disarm before leaving the country, and without any acts of provocation,” he truction of Turkey’s territorial unity at a said his militants would carry weapons said. time when its Middle Eastern neighbors strictly for self-defense. He also sugges- Many analysts agree that the govern- are engaged in sectarian and ethnic ted that foreign observers monitor the ment’s success in resolving the conflict conflicts, as in Syria. withdrawal for any misconduct on either will win the already popular prime Kurds are spread over Iraq, Syria, Iran side, reported NTV, a private TV net- minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even and Turkey, and Kurdish nationalists work. greater acclaim, which could then allow have long aspired to establish a new Many analysts agree that despite the him to replace Turkey’s parliamentary country called Kurdistan — an aspiration P.K.K.’s announcement, the peace pro- system with a strong-president system of that the P.K.K., which is listed as a terror cess is fragile and still at risk of disrup- some kind. group by Turkey, the European Union tion by opposing groups inside the After the government made Mr. Ocalan, and the United States, said it dropped in P.K.K. and Turkish nationalist circles. In the sole political authority of the P.K.K., exchange for some form of autonomy a recent interview, Mr. Karayilan himself a party to the talks, he communicated and democratic rights within Turkey. was defiant, emphasizing his rebels’ with his rebels from a fortresslike prison “The moment that weapons stop being eagerness to fight. Three female Kurdish on an island in western Turkey in March, used as a political tool, the Kurdish issue political activists were killed in Paris a calling off the armed struggle. gets freed from the stigma of terror,” few weeks after talks started in January, His message was largely welcomed by Muhsin Kizilkaya, a Kurdish intellectual, an attack many analysts said was aimed said in a telephone interview. at intimidating the negotiating parties. Turkey’s nearly 15 million Kurds, who were long denied their ethnic rights and “From now on, democratic and legisla- Over the decades, a military solution had had been subject to severe human rights tive demands of Kurds can no longer be eluded the government despite the mili- violations. Turkey has improved Kurdish rejected, as they were seen as a compro- tary might of Turkey, with the second- rights to some degree as part of a mem- mise to terror, so today is the real begin- largest army in the NATO alliance, and bership requirement for the European ning of the Kurdish conflict in a political early this year, the ruling Justice and Union, which it is trying to join. framework.” Development Party decided to cash in on its popularity to force a political resolu- Although the government agreed to other tion. changes in exchange for the P.K.K.’s cal-

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LE FIGARO samedi 27 - dimanche 28 avril 2013

Allaoui : « L'Irak est au bord de la guerre civile »

Ex-premier ministre, en 2004, après la libération de l'Irak par les États-Unis, ïyad Allaoui dénonce la «dérive sectaire» du régime.

PROPOS RECUEILLIS A BAGDAD PAR

GEORGES MALBRUNOT gmalbriiDotiSlefigaro.fr Les violences ont provoqué la mort de près

de 200 Irakiens en quatre jours LE FIGARO. - Avec la recrudescence des violences confessionnelles, l'Irak va-

t-elle replonger dans la guerre civile ? QUATRE personnes ont été tuées mardi à travers le pays dans

Iyad ALLAOUI. - Le risque d'un retour à la vendredi dans des attentats visant des heurts entre forces de

guerre chile existe, car la crise est explosi¬ des mosquées sunnites de la région sécurité d'une part et manifestants

ve. Il faut donc agir vite et sur deux fronts. de Bagdad, au quatrième jour et hommes armés sunnites

À chaud, le pouvoir doit punir ceux qui ont d'une vague de violences sanglantes d'autre part.

commis les crimes de ces derniers jours et en Irak liées aux manifestations Vendredi, l'attaque la plus

engager un dialogue avec les manifestants contre le gouvernement. meurtrière a touché la mosquée

pour répondre enfin à leurs exigences. Le Au total, 195 personnes ont al-Koubalsl dans le sud de la

premier ministre, Maliki, doit arrêter de péri dans ces violences et plus capitale, où quatre personnes ont

faire diversion en créant des comités par- de 300 ont été blessées depuis péri et trente-six ont été blessées. ci et des comités par-là. Il doit démanteler les instruments sécuritaires qu'il a créés hors de la Constitution connue le Com¬

mandement du Tigre. Notre Constitution Beyrouth en 1975, l'armée éclata. Veut- stipule bien que ce n'est pas à l'armée de on d'un nouveau Liban en Irak? Pour¬ fonde un processus de partage du pouvoir régler les conflits intérieurs. Nous ne vou¬ tant, la plupart de nos tribus sont mixtes, basé sur la Constitution, une Constitution lons pas que ce qui s'est passé en 1991 lors¬ de nombreux mariages unissent chiites et rectifiée, et de nouvelles élections, mais que Saddam Hussein a utilisé l'armée pour sunnites. Certes, il y a toujours eu des po¬ nous n'avons pas confiance dans ce gou¬ écraser les chiites et les Kurdes se repro¬ ches de sectarisme en Irak, mais ce fléau vernement pour garantir la bonne tenue duise. Puis il faut travailler sur le processus domine aujourd'hui l'économie, la poli¬ d'un nouveau scrutin. politique. Nous devons recréer de la tique et la vie sociale. Et Maliki ne peut confiance entre les acteurs politiques du pas être un soft Saddam, il ne peut pas Vous appelez les sunnites à arrêter pays. Mais cette confiance ne peut être ré¬ être à la fois premier ministre, ministre la violence? tablie que si on respecte la loi et si on re- de la Défense et de l'Intérieur, comman¬ Bien sûr que j'appelle les sunnites à arrê¬ dant en chefde l'armée, chef de son parti, ter les violences, mais dans le même al-Dawa : il accapare trop de pouvoirs. Ce temps je demande au gouvernement de n'est pas cela, la démocratie. stopper la répression, de respecter les sunnites, et surtout d'arrêter sa politique Les sunnites réclament sa démission. sectaire, qui frappe également les chré¬ Quelles sont leurs revendications? tiens, dont la moitié ont quitté le pays dé¬

fi Le manque de vision terroriste sont dés sunnites. Si vous êtes **>' des Américains a créé un soupçonné de liens avec tel ou tel groupe terroriste, on vient chez vous, on vous énorme vide dans lequel arrête, vous êtes torturé jusqu'à ce que

des puissances extérieures vous passiez aux aveux. Les sunnites ont se sont engouffrées 5j l'impression qu'ils sont des citoyens de seconde zone. Et l'interférence de l'Iran a IYAD ALLAOUI renforcé ce sectarisme. Malheureuse¬ ment, les États-Unis ont laissé faire les \ puis dix ans. Le sectarisme est une face Iraniens en Irak, horrible de l'extrémisme. Aujourd'hui l'armée est fondée sur le sectarisme. C'est y Les régions sunnites vont-elles faire pourquoi beaucoup de soldats refusent de sécession si la crise continue ? combattre. Quand la guerre civile éclata à \ Si le sectarisme et la répression se pour-

« Qui aurait pu imaginer que, dix ans après sa libération, l'Irak serait si fragmenté, sans stabilité», souligne l'ancien premier ministre irakien iyad Allaoui. amr dalsh shuthrs

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

suivent, l'Irak éclatera, et cet éclatement se fera dans la violence, et l'instabilité af¬ L'Irak va dans la mauvaise direction. Qui mencé, nos objectifs étaient confus. De fectera d'autres pays du Moyen-Orient. aurait pu imaginer que, dix ans après sa leur côté, les Américains n'avaient aucun

Elle risque également de vous affecter, libération, l'Irak serait si fragmenté, sans plan, une fois la victoire acquise. L'Irak vous, en France et en Europe. stabilité, un pays où les services fonction¬ est devenu un train sans pilote, alors que nent toujours très mal, où la corruption l'Irak, avec sa richesse humaine et sa ri¬

Un an et demi après leur retrait, quelle est est très élevée, alors que l'Irak a toujours chesse pétrolière, aurait pu jouer un rôle l'influence des Etats-Unis aujourd'hui en joué un rôle important au Moyen-Orient. stabilisateur. Malheureusement, le man¬

Irak? que de vision des Américains, qui ont Elle diminue fortement. Les États-Unis Comprenez-vous la nostalgie de ceux qui cassé l'État, a créé un énorme vide dans n'ont plus la volonté d'agir. Je ne suis pas regrettent la sécurité qui régnait sous lequel des puissances extérieures se sont sûr qu'ils aient même la volonté de faire Saddam Hussein ? engouffrées. Cette faute, nous en payons face à l'Iran. Saddam nous a conduits là où nous som¬ les conséquences dix ans après, et nous mes. Mais nous aurions dû tirer des le¬ continuerons de payer le prix de ces er¬

Quel bilan tirez-vous dix ans après çons de la dictature. Malheureusement, reurs, si nous ne réglons pas une fois pour la libération de l'Irak? quand l'occupation américaine a com toutes les problèmes à leur racine.

iVHiondf

Samedi 27 avril 2013

doit être basée sur des faits confir¬ Les Etats-Unis confirment més, a ajouté le haut responsable.

S'ils devaient l'être, alors « toutes l'usage d'armes chimiques les options sont sur la table ».

Intensifier les pressions

par BacharAl-Assad Les sénateurs républicains - et

quelquesdémocrates comme Dian-

La Maison Blanche craint de se voir entraînée ne Feinstein - ont estimé que la dans une intervention en Syrie ligne rouge avait été franchie. Ils réclament l'instauration d'une zone de sécurité ou d'un corridor

humanitaire du côté delàfrontière

Washington degrés de certitude, estparvenue à nord, protégée par l'établissement

Correspondante la conclusion que le régimesyrien a d'une zone d'exclusion aérienne.

utilisé des armes chimiques à peti- Les « réalistes », hostiles à toute pré¬

Alors que l'ancien président teéchelle,enSyrie,enparticulierdu cipitation tant que l'intérêt natio¬

George W. Bush réaffirmait, gaz sarin », indique la lettre. Un nal n'est pas en jeu, mettent en gar¬

jeudi 25 avril, à Dallas haut responsableaméricain a justi¬ dé les va-t-en-guerre en rappelant (Texas), sa conviction que les Etats- fié cette prudence par les erreurs que l'aviation syrienne est l'une Unis doivent «s'efforcer d'étendre des services de renseignement sur des plus puissantes de la région. Ils

le règne de la liberté » dans le mon¬ les armes de destruction massive posent la question de savoir quelle de, lors de l'inauguration de sa de l'Irak en 2002-2003. «Compte serait la base légale pour une inter¬

bibliothèque présidentielle,en pré¬ tenu de nos antécédents dans la col¬ vention. Et quel sens auraitl'instau¬

sence de Barack Obama et des lecte du renseignement, y compris ration d'un couloir humanitaire anciens présidents encore en vie, sur les armes de destruction massi¬ dans le nord du pays, alors que la

la Maison Blanche a reconnu pour ve, il est important d'établir les population civile qui est menacée

la premièrefois ce que ses partenai¬ faits avec certitude », a-t-il dit. se trouve aussi dans le sud? .

res essaient de lui faire admettre LaMaisonBlancheaaffirmé dis¬ L'administration Obama veut

publiquement depuis des semai¬ poser d'informations basées sur intensifier les pressions, notam¬

nes : des armes chimiques ont été des échantillons physiologiques ment sur Moscou, pour obtenir

utilisées en Syrie, un facteur qui -notamment les résultats de tests que l'ONU puisse enquêter sur pla¬

pourrait entraîner une interven¬ sanguins effectués sur des victi¬ ce. Le Pentagone a préparé des

tion américaine dans le conflit. mes -, mais ne pas pouvoir consi¬ plans d'urgenceetdéployé une cen¬

La déclaration figure dans une dérer ces prélèvements comme tainede membres des forces spécia¬ lettre au sénateur McCain et à plu¬ les en Jordanie. Barack Obama une preuve formelle de l'utilisa¬ sieurs de ses collègues, républi¬ consulte beaucoup les alliés de la tion du gaz. Elle a refusé de confir¬ cains mais aussi démocrates. Ceux- région. Après l'émir du Qatar, le roi mer l'existence d'un deuxième ci avaient demandé, la veille, des Abdallah de Jordanie était attendu lieu, outre Alep, où des armes informations à la Maison Blanche vendredi 26 avril à la Maison Blan¬ chimiques auraient été utilisées, surles affirmations des services de che. Le 29 avril, John Kerry recevra comme l'avait révélé le secrétaire renseignement israéliens, fran¬ ses homologues arabes. A l'ordre d'Etat John Kerry. çais et britanniques faisant état de dujour,la Syriemais aussile proces¬ En août 2012, Barack Obama l'utilisation d'armes chimiques sus de paix israélo-palestinien.» avait indiqué que le recours aux par les forces de Bachar Al-Assad. COKIMlISSNSS armes chimiques constituait une Lue par le secrétaire à la défen¬ « ligne rouge » pour les Etats-Unis se, Chuck Hagel, en visite à Abou et que les conséquences seraient Dhabi, la réponse de la Maison «énormes». C'est précisément Blanche est d'une grande pruden¬ «parce nous prenons cette ligne ce: «La communauté américaine rouge au sérieux» que la décision du renseignement, avec différents

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

Dimanche 28- Lundi 29 avril 2013 Iran Qui succédera à Ahmadinejad ?

que. Le Guide a besoin de s'appuyer sur un CHRISTOPHE AYAD L'ensemble du courant réformateur, déjà très affaibli pendant les dernières président qui ne menace ni ne conteste années de la présidence de Mohammad son autorité. Seul un rétablissement de sa

Le 14 juin, près de 50 millions Khatami (1997-2005), a littéralement dis¬ prééminence lui permettra d'aborder les

d'électeurs iraniens seront paru de la scène politique iranienne. En deux dossiers les plus urgents et vitaux

appelés à élire un nouveau revanche, le camp conservateur, théori¬ pour l'avenir du régime : la levée des sanc¬ président de la République. quement grand gagnant des huit années tions économiques et le règlement de la Seule certitude: il ne s'agira de présidence Ahmadinejad, s'est fissuré question nucléaire. Les deux questions pas de Mahmoud Ahmadine¬ et fragmenté. Les appétits se sont aiguisés, sont liées, et seul le Guide a le pouvoir et la jad, arrivé au terme de son second mandat. la concurrence s'est avivée entre les fac- légitimité pour décider d'aller jusqu'au Le scrutin est attendu avec nervosité et bout du défi ou de passer un compromis fatalisme par une partie de la population, historique, comme l'avait fait l'ayatollah' Khomeyni lorsqu'il avait accepté d'ordon¬ après la répression qui a suivi le scrutin de Le Guide a besoin juin 2009. Outrés par ce qu'ils percevaient ner un cessez-le-feu avec l'Irak en 1988 au terme de huit ans de guerre. Il avait alors comme une fraude éhontée ayant permis de s'appuyer sur la réélection dès le premier tour de décidé de « boire la coupe de poison » afin de préserver la République islamique... M.Ahmadinejad, des millions d'Iraniens un président qui ne avaient protesté dans la rue. Le Guide Le règlement de la question nucléaire est d'autant plus urgent que les sanctions suprême, Ali Khamenei, avait opposé une menace ni ne conteste finde non-recevoirauxmanifestants,don¬ adoptées par les pays occidentaux sont en train de provoquer des pénuries, notam¬ nant le signal de la répression qui entraîna son autorité plusieurs centaines de morts et conduisit ment dans le secteur hospitalier et indus¬ des milliers de personnes à la prison et à la triel. L'inflation dépasse les 30%, la mon¬ torture durantl'été 2009. Si une répétition naie nationale a perdu la moitié de sa de ce scénario paraît exclue, l'élection de tions, les différends se sont durcis. La crise valeur et les exportations de pétrole sont juin présente bien des incertitudes. de légitimité du régime consécutive aux en baisse. L'Iran traverse une crise écono¬ manifestations de juin 2009 -durant les¬ mique grave qui pourrait déboucher sur

Qu'est-ce qui a changé depuis 2009? quelles le Guide suprême a été conspué des troubles sociaux. Le « mouvement vert », qui s'était formé à par la foule- a rejailli sur l'ensemble des Mais, surtout, le régime va devoir choi¬

là faveur de l'élection de juin 2009 autour responsables politiques. Ce handicap, sir sa ligne de conduite sur le nucléaire. En des deux principaux candidats réforma¬ aggravé par l'opposition traditionnelle mars, Barack Obama et Benyamin teurs, Mir Hossein Moussavi et Mehdi entre les deux têtes de l'exécutif, le Guide Nétanyahou ont estimé à un an le délai Karoubi, a été réduit au silence. Les mil¬ et le président de la République -le pre¬ avantque l'Iran ne développelabombe ato¬ liers d'arrestations de l'été 2009 ont déca¬ miertirant sa légitimitédu divin, le second mique. Le président américain et le pre¬

pité l'encadrement du mouvement, parti¬ des urnes-, a conduit à une véritable mier ministre israélien s'accordent culièrement populaire parmi les classes guerre de légitimité entre Ali Khamenei et mutuellementle droit d'agir à leurguise le moyennes urbaines éduquées. Des mil¬ Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, que rien pour¬ moment venu. Or, côté iranien, étant don¬

liers d'intellectuels, étudiants, avocats, tant ne sépare fondamentalement. né les paralysies traditionnelles du lea¬ journalistes, etc., ont été emprisonnés ou dership en matière de prise de décisions, ce délai apparaît très court pour décider de laissés en liberté après des condamnations Quelssontlesenjeuxdel'élection? Le à de lourdes peines. Beaucoup ont préféré principal enjeu de la présidentielle est le la réaction à adopter. la fuite et l'éxil, se condamnant à une for¬ rétablissement de l'autorité du Guide Ali Le déroulement des élections lui-même

med'impuissancepolitique. Les deuxprin¬ Khamenei,'écornée parles manifestations donnera une idée de la santé du régime et de sa capacité à concilier participation et cipaux leaders du «mouvement vert» de juin 2009 et chahutée par les provoca¬ stabilité. Les autorités, qui ont couplé les sont en résidence surveillée, ainsi que tions de MahmoudAhmadinejadet de son l'épouse de M. Moussavi, Zahra Rahna- bras droit -et candidat en puissance à sa élections locales avec le scrutin présiden¬ tiel, comptent surune participationimpor¬ vard. Leur élargissement n'est pas à l'ordre succession-, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, du jour, même si leurs conditions d'isole¬ qui a plusieurs fois mis en cause la supré¬ tante (autour de 60% et plus) afin de « retremper » leur légitimité. Mais une for¬ ment ont été légèrement assouplies. matie des religieux dans le système politi- te mobilisation est également un facteur

d'incertitude.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Président sortant Comment se présente le scrutin de Né en 1956, il aura été le premier président iranien laïque, sans com¬ juin? Les leaders du camp réformateur pétence religieuse, à effectuer deux mandats. Il s'est engagé pour fai¬ ont d'ores et déjà déclaré forfait ou sont re élire son ami et beau-père de son fils, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, empêchés de se présenter. Ainsi, Moham¬ la bête noire des religieux qui voient en lui un « déviant ». photo afp mad Khatami, l'ex-président réformateur, a déclaré que les conditions n'étaient pas

Ali Khamenei réunies pour « un changement». Quant à

^_ ^^ Le Guide suprême Ali Akbar Hachemi Rafsandjani, qui avait T^Ç . A74 ans, il est loin d'avoir le prestige de l'ayatollah Khomeyni, effectué deux mandats entre 1989 et 1997, / auquel il a succédé en 1989. Il s'est senti trahi par M. Ahmadinejad, durant lesquels il avait à la libérali¬ ^ /""" dont il a défendu la réélection en juin 2009 mais qui a tenté, en sationéconomique du pays, il a écarté tou¬ -£__ ' vain, de mettre la main sur le pétrole et les renseignements, photo afp te idée de candidature, sa fille et son fils

82 Revue de Presse-Press Revieiv-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivistn Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

ayant été emprisonnés ces derniers mois. Une économie fragilisée par les sanctions internationales La surprise pourrait venir d'Esfandiar Exportations de pétrole iranien, Principales destinations des exportations Rahim Mashaie, qui mène ouvertement en milliards de dollars iraniennes, en % du total en 2011 campagne et cherche à récupérer les élec¬ teurs en déshérence du «mouvement Chine vert». Mahmoud Ahmadinejad l'appuie Japon 9,1 ouvertementet semble décidé à mettre les 2007 8,8 moyens de l'Etat à sa disposition. Mais de Turquie fortes résistances se font jour au sein du Inde 8,1 84 506 2013" système. M. Mashaie pourraitvoir sa candi¬ Corée du Sud 8 y dature refusée par le Conseil des gardiens, 52 672 qui doit officialiser la liste des candidats le Italie 5.3 14 mai. M.Ahmadinejad a menacé implici¬ tement de faire des révélations gênantes si 3e plus grand exportateur de pétrole brut, l'Iran a vu ses exportations de pétrole chuter M. Mashaie venait à être écarté. à 1,5 million de barils/jour en 2012 Deux semaines avant la déclarationfor¬ melle des candidatures, le paysage politi¬ alors que les Etats-Unis et l'Union européenne ont renforcé leurs sanctions. que reste très éclaté. Le « comité 2+1», qui Dans le même temps, les échanges iraniens avec l'Asie se sont accrus, la Chine en tête. représente les intérêts du Guide, regroupe Ali Akbar Velayati, Mohammad Ghalibaf et Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel : ces trois « poids lourds » ne sont pas parvenus pour Repères et dates le moment à s'entendre sur un accord de désistement.L'anciencommandantpasda- 1989 Mort de Khomeyni et désigna¬ ran (gardiens de la révolution), Mohsen Population 77 millions. tion d'Ali Khamenei comme Guide Rezaei, incamele poids de cette institution suprême. dans le régime et dans l'économie. Plu¬ PIB par habitant 5 730 dollars sieurs dizaines de candidats de moindre (4400 euros) par an en 2011. 1997 Election du président réforma¬ envergure, des ultraconservateurs aux teur Mohammad Khatami. indépendants, se sont déclarés, rendant Chômage 15,5 % (estimation 2012). cette élection plus ouverte que prévu. 2005 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad est élu. Inflation 25,2 % (estimation 2012).

2009 Vague inédite de protesta¬ 1979 Révolution et instauration de tions après la réélection contestée de la République islamique. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

1980-1988 Guerre Iran-Irak. 14 juin 2013 Election présidentielle.

Un pouvoir organisé autour du Guide suprême

{ CONSEIL SUPRÊME DE SÉCURITÉ NATIONALE POUVOIR (y siègent le président, les commandants des armées, JUDICIAIRE les gardiens de la révolution et les services ! de renseignement, nommés par le Guide).

Il valide les

GUIDE SUPRÊME CONSEIL DES GARDIENS 12 membres Ali Khamenei 6 religieux 6 juristes élus par le

Premier personnage de la République islamique II est nommé nommés par Parlement sur proposi¬ Il nomme à vie. Il a la dernière main sur les dossiers sensibles tels que le Guide tion du pouvoir judiciaire le nucléaire. Il confirme l'élection du président et peut le révoquer après un arrêt de la Cour suprême ou un vote du Parlement. Il valide les candidatures et contrôle la compatibilité des lois avec la Constitution Il désigne et l'islam (président, Parlement, En théorie, elle nomme et contrôle Assemblée des experts). le Guide suprême. Elle peut le révoquer Président de mais est, de fait, sous son influence. la République ^ 1 'GMAJLIS

ASSEMBLÉE Mahmoud (Parlement) CONSEIL DE DISCERNEMENT Il élit 290 députés DES EXPERTS Ahmadinejad 31 membres 86 Il arbitre les différends entre (religieux) le Conseil des gardiens et le

Parlement.

Il élit d "V . ELECTORAT L__ __J-

SOURCES : EIA ; FMI ; CIA ; M. PARIZI, REVUE FRANÇAISE DE SCIENCE POLmQUE. 2010/5 INFOGRAPHlElf MONDE

83 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 27, 2013 Kurdish peace will make Turkey 'major power' in Middle East

Thomas Seibert www.thenational.ae

STANBUL // A political solution to Turkey's conflict with Kurdish separatistsI would make the country a more active player in the Middle East, boost economic growth and change relations with Iraq and Syria, analysts said yesterday. After months of talks between the Turkish state and the jailed rebel lea- der Abdullah Ocalan, his Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) said on Thursday it would start withdrawing its fighters from Turkey next month. Analysts say Turkey has much to gain from ending the nearly 30-year conflict in which more than 40,000 people have been killed, although The PKK's acting leader Murat Karayilan said on Thursday that the group's some have cautioned that the ques- tion of how to strengthen the rights of fighters would be withdrawn from Turkish territory in May as part of a plan to Turkey's 13 million Kurds, the main end a war that has dragged on for almost three decades. PKK founder Abdullah PKK demand in exchange for disarma- Ocalan has been negotiating with the Turkish government since last year. ment, is still unresolved. Ibrahim Yakut / EPA / Anadolu But they said a solution would bolster Turkey's economy and strengthen its two years, with the Kurdish question relations with the KRG have angered drive to become the leading power in expected to be one of the main cam- the central Iraqi government in the region. paign issues, the diplomat said. Baghdad. Prof Turan, of Bilgi University, said further escalation was Peace in south-eastern Anatolia could "A democratic solution to the Kurdish possible. In case of a military also change Turkey's relations with its conflict would add to Turkey's charac- confrontation between Baghdad and neighbours. Ankara's already strong ter as a model" for the rest of the the KRG, "Turkey will not hesitate to political and economic ties with the region, said Veysel Ayhan, director of take the side of the KRG", he said. the International Middle East Peace Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Research Center, a think tank in in northern Iraq are set to grow fur- Turkish-Kurdish reconciliation would Ankara. ther, said Cenap Cakmak, a political also improve Ankara's relations with scientist at Osmangazi University in Kurds in Syria, Turkey's southern "If it works, Turkey will become a Eskisehir in western Turkey. neighbour, Prof Turan said. Syria's major power in the Middle East. If it Kurds, who make up about 10 per "Northern Iraq will become the natu- doesn't work, it will have missed a big cent of Syria's population of 20 mil- ral partner of Turkey, even more than opportunity," he said. lion, live mostly in regions close to today," he said. Without the fighting the Turkish border. "Turkey's ability to deal with the on the Turkish side of the border and conflict peacefully may constitute an the regular Turkish military strikes In recent months, Ankara has accu- example" to other countries with against PKK camps in the mountains sed Kurdish groups in Syria of siding minority problems, said Ilter Turan, a of northern Iraq, trade and coopera- with the PKK and with the govern- political scientist at Istanbul's Bilgi tion would boom even more, he ment of Bashar Al Assad in its conti- University. added. nuing conflict with opposition forces, which are supported by Ankara and A foreign diplomat in Ankara, spea- "There is a huge potential," Mr others. king on condition of anonymity, poin- Cakmak said. ted out that Ahmet Davutoglu, the But a Kurdish peace deal at home Turkey's exports to northern Iraq foreign minister, regarded economic would change Turkey's view on Kurds have helped to make Iraq the second- development and a peaceful environ- in Syria, Prof Turan said. Better rela- biggest export market for Turkey. A ment at home as preconditions for a tions with Syrian Kurds "would be a recent report by Istanbul's Bahcesehir stronger Turkish role abroad. resource for Turkey in dealing with University said Iraq would replace Damascus. And if there should be a "Turkey will not sit tight" in foreign Germany at the top spot within three new Syria, Turkey would have good policy matters, even though the coun- years. try is facing presidential, parliamen- relations with the Kurds there."G tary and local elections in the next But at the same time, Ankara's close

84 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 29 April 2013

The Rise of English in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region rudaw.net although many can communi- By SOFIA BARBARANI cate on a very basic level, they are not linguistically equipped RBIL, Kurdistan Region - to operate in a work environ- The majority of the students at Bilkent College are Kurdish, English as a second lan- ment. and whilst the younger ones have a very basic understanding Eguage is on the rise in Iraq’s According to Ludlow, the of English, the improvement is apparent by third grade. Photo autonomous Kurdistan Region, phenomenon of Diaspora Kurds courtesy of Bilkent College where the population increasin- returning to Kurdistan has also gly embraces the lingua franca. fueled the rise in the number of many are willing to pay the Freshta believes that the In Erbil, the Kurdish English-speaking Kurds within steep school fees because they number of English-speaking enclave’s capital, English has the Kurdistan Region. “They realize that it is beneficial for Kurds will keep increasing, and been leaving its mark through bring a native, or near-native their child to have a strong grasp that 90 percent of the population films, music and even media level of English with them,” he of the English language. will soon consider English its and literature. More often than explained. Whilst young The majority of the students second language. Ludlow reite- not, restaurants are making use Western-educated Kurds are at Bilkent College are Kurdish, rated this point by suggesting of English names, whilst road returning, many Kurds who and whilst the younger ones that, because English classes are signs have English translations. grew up in Kurdistan are emi- have a very basic understanding being offered at elementary Even the ruling Kurdistan grating to other parts of the of English, the improvement is school, and because -- accor- Democratic Party and the world. “The desire among gra- apparent by third grade. In one ding to him -- the Kurdistan Patriotic Union of Kurdistan duates to study or work abroad of the second grade classes, ins- Regional Government wants to make use of English on their has sparked an awareness of the tructions were given in English see English become the second logos. need to be functional in English and repeated in Kurdish by one language, English will be the Whilst some like to attribute in academic and professional of the pupils, as a means to norm among young people the increase in English-speaking settings,” Ludlow says. Much of ensure complete understanding within the next few years. He Kurds to the supposed disdain Kurdistan’s youth is getting the of the task. The majority of third says that would happen only for what is often viewed as the opportunity to study abroad due grade pupils revealed that they with “better English training oppressor’s language (Arabic) to largely government-subsidi- felt comfortable speaking in among local English teachers - Chris Ludlow, Country Director zed scholarships; many of these English, and many considered it i.e. Kurdish teachers in the for AMIDEAST, a US non-pro- institutions instruct in English, their favorite language. classroom.” fit engaged in educational and for this reason more Kurds want According to Tigchelaar, it “English language acquisi- training services, says Kurdish to learn the language, Ludlow is likely that many of the tion will establish a generation enthusiasm for learning English adds. Kurdish students will take up of Kurds who are more global in does not stem from a refusal to English is also quietly impo- positions in the region once they their outlook; this generation adopt Arabic as a second lan- sing its presence in the region finish their education; this will has the potential to bring greater guage, but from an understan- through English-taught schools. entail a further expansion of the development and prosperity, as ding that English is a necessary The past six years have seen a use of English in Kurdistan. well as educational opportuni- stepping stone to career advan- mushrooming of these institu- Like Bilkent College, ties and advancement to cement. tions, and more parents have Erbil’s British International Kurdistan,” Ludlow concludes. The steady influx of foreign begun to appreciate the impor- School also welcomes pupils The rise in English is just companies has made more peo- tance of a child’s need for with zero English proficiency. one of the many changes which ple aware of the importance of English. “We offer intensive English les- have taken Kurdistan by storm. building relationships with Although most of these sons before they are introduced Unlike the uncertainty of English-speaking countries. “In schools are off-limit to a lot of to the classroom,” explains foreign investment, or the inevi- Kurdistan they’ve realized the local children due to their high founder and Head Teacher table expiration of oil, English need to develop communication fees, some of them work with Freshta Raper. In the school’s is a perdurable asset that can be skills with the outside world,” scholarship programs. The lively cafeteria, a group of ninth handed down from generation to explained Didar Shwani, admi- Ihsan Dogramaci Bilkent Erbil grade girls, all of them Kurds generation. The Kurds of Iraq nistrative manager at the British College, for example, provides who had recently returned to the are increasingly aware of this, International Institute (BII). scholarships for all of its stu- region, explained that a good and embracing the new “Employment is one of the dents. “Most parents don’t knowledge of English was the language. G main reasons for learning understand the international cur- best part of the school curricu- English,” says Didar. Kurds riculum,” remarked David lum. “This is by far the best know that speaking English is a Tigchelaar, the head of the education system,” according to key employability skill, and school. However, he explained, one of the girls.

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

. ixrutMniwu.

APRIL 30, 2013 Clashes in Iraq prompt worries of new civil war

BAGHDAD

Baath Party veterans v

could replace Al Qaeda -v~ as leaders of insurgency

BYTIMARANGO

In the final days before the United States withdrew its troops from Iraq, American intelligence officers worried i^ that a future Sunni insurgency here might be led not by Al Qaeda but by an organization whose leaders are former

NEWSANALYSiS i. high-level members of Saddam Hus¬ sein's Baath Party. Now, after large numbers of Sunni tribesmen clashed with government

forces last week, Iraqis of all sects are During a funeral in Baghdad on Sunday, an Iraqi soldier held a photo of one of five comrades asking two questions: Is the country killed a day earlier near a Sunni protest camp. headed toward a new civil war? And, if so, will the group of former Baathists

lead one side of it? Sunnis, a minority in Iraq, lost the re¬ The group, the Men of the Army of the "The violence is going to cent sectarian civil war here. But now Naqshbandia Order, commonly known inflame Iraqis to prepare their anger at the government has con¬ by the initials of its Arabic name, for a revolution against the verged with a sense of empowerment J.R.T.N., has emerged as a potential al¬ wrought by the civil war in neighboring government." ternative to Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia Syria, where Sunnis are fighting to for Sunnis who have long felt deeply topple the government, reviving their marginalized under the Shiite-led gov¬ known." The International Crisis impulse for insurrection. ernment in Iraq and who are taking up Group, a conflict-prevention organiza¬ arms once again. Passions were ignited "What happened in Hawija is a trap tion, said Iraq "has begun a perilous, last week after a raid by security forces that the government is falling into, to downward slide toward confrontation." on a Sunni protest camp in the northern impose the same thing that is happen¬ The fear that has gripped Iraq reflects village of Hawija, a stronghold for the ing in Syria," said Ghazi al-Zaidi, 62, a the shifting nature of the recent vio¬ group, left dozens dead. Sunni living in Diyala Province. "The lence. Random explosions have only a Biding its time, as Al Qaeda has contin¬ violence is going to inflame Iraqis to limited ability to challenge the authority ued to carry out car bombings and sui¬ prepare for a revolution against the gov¬ of the state, partly because so many cide attacks, the group has armed itself. ernment, and bring more sympathy to leaders, Sunnis and other citizens have It has enlisted recruits from the ranks of those who are forming forces that will disavowed such attacks. But what Iraqis Mr. Hussein's Republican Guard units fight against the government." are seeing now is entirely different: and devised a well-executed media cam¬ In its statements in recent days, the large numbers of Sunni men are picking paign, with an online magazine, pamph¬ Naqshbandia group, which is said to be up weapons, forming militia units and lets and a social media presence, to hone led by Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, Mr. Hus¬ pledging to fight the government. its message that its members are the sein's top adviser and the highest-rank¬ protectors of Sunni Arab nationalism The likelihood of a civil war could ing member of the former government and guardians against Iranian influence. hinge on two things: Prime Minister to elude capture, has sounded em¬ "They are playing the long game," Nuri Kamal al-Maliki's ability to defuse boldened. It has said that once-peaceful said Michael Knights, an analyst at the the crisis by offering meaningful conces¬ protesters have "joined our army and Washington Institute for Near East sions to Sunnis, in the form of judicial are fighting" under the group's banner Policy, who has researched the Naqsh¬ overhaul and the release of Sunni prison¬ and has vowed to march on Baghdad. bandia group. "This is the next step in ers held without charges; and the ability "The orders were issued to our groups the long game. J.R.T.N. is very well posi¬ of groups like the Naqshbandia organi¬ and to our people to complete all prepa¬ tioned to exploit what's going on." zation to persuade Sunnis to embark on ration to march into our beloved capital, Iraq careers from one crisis to anoth¬ a campaign of armed resistance. Baghdad, and we will strike relentlessly er clashes between Sunni gunmen Following the raid in Hawija, which and with an iron fist on the heads of the traitors, agents and Safavid enemies of and government forces continued over set off a wave of revenge attacks against

the weekend but diplomats and ex¬ Iraqi security forces, some Sunnis say Arabism and Islam," the group said in a they are ready tojoin armed groups like perts say events may have finally statement posted on its Web site. The the Naqshbandia organization to fight a pushed the country to the brink of a new term "Safavid" is used to refer to Iran, government that they regard as loyal to civil war. Martin Kobler, the U.N. repre¬ which was ruled by the Safavid Empire Iran and unwilling to accommodate a sentative in Iraq, recently warned that in the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries, meaningful role for Sunnis in public life. the country "could head towards the un- and is perceived by Sunnis to dominate

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

COOSXnaX.il. Jbralfcâ^Sribuue Tuesday, april 30, 2013

Iraq and its Shiite government. The group has connections to Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, but also to the Baath Party, and it portrays itself as Strong blast a guardian of Arab nationalism. In 2011, 5 car bombs Mr. Knights predicted that the group could lead "Iraq's next insurgency." He hits convoy of described the outfit as having learned kill 36 Iraqis from the mistakes of Al Qaeda by creat¬ Syrian premier ing a "hybrid of Islamist themes and na¬ tionalist military expertise." in majority While it carried out attacks against BEIRUT Iraqi security forces and so-called col¬ laborators with the central government, Shiite areas BY ANNE BARNARD including the Sunni Awakening, the AND ALAN COWELL units of fighters who were paid to switch sides and fight alongside the United In the latest reported attack on a high- BAGHDAD States against Al Qaeda, the group poin¬ ranking Syrian official, Prime Minister tedly refrained from attacking civilians. Wael Nader al-Halqi survived what ap¬ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS "J.R.T.N. has hardly ever been linked peared to be an assassination attempt Five car bombs struck in predominantly to a mass casualty attack," Mr. Knights on Monday in an upscale neighborhood Shiite cities and districts in central and said. But he added that the group had, of the capital, Damascus, when a car southern Iraq on Monday, killing 36 on occasion, contracted with Al Qaeda bomb exploded near his convoy, accord¬ people and wounding dozens in the to carry out car bombings. ing to state-run media and opposition re¬ latest wave of violence roiling the coun¬ Many of the attacks by the group have ports. A bodyguard was reported killed. try, Iraqi officials said. occurred in the tribal regions around The reports said the attack had taken No one immediately claimed respon¬ Hawija, and analysts say its members place in Mezze, a central district where sibility for the attacks, but coordinated have played a role in the protests in many senior officials live. The prime bombings in civilian areas are a favorite' Sunni-dominated cities that began in minister was reportedly unhurt, though strategy used by Al Qaeda in Iraq. December and were largely peaceful state media said others had been injured. Since April 23 and including the latest until last week. The episode that set off Video on state television showed a car re¬ deaths, at least 218 people have been the confrontation in Hawija an attack duced to a charred skeleton and, nearby, killed in attacks and battles between on an Iraqi Army checkpoint that left a bus with its windows shattered. gunmen and security forces that began one soldier dead is believed to have The assault fit a pattern of attempts to with clashes at a Sunni protest camp in been carried out by gunmen with the attack high officials. Less than two northern Iraq. Naqshbandia group, who then took weeks ago, another official Ali Balan, The deadliest attack on Monday was refuge among protesters in the village. the government's chief coordinator of in the southern city of Amara, where The group draws its strength from emergency aid distribution to civilians two parked car bombs went off simulta¬ northern Iraq, near Hawija, but also has was killed by gunmen with silencer- neously in the early morning near a support in other areas like Diyala and equipped weapons at a restaurant in the gathering of construction workers and a Salahuddin Provinces. It has made same heavily guarded neighborhood, market, killing 18 people and wounding some inroads in Anbar Province, the close to buildings housing government 42, the police said. historical center of Sunni resistance in and military institutions. That attack was followed by another Iraq, where on Friday, leaders called on In July, an explosion at a security parked car bomb explosion near a res¬ the formation of tribal armies. Anbar is headquarters in the Syrian capital killed taurant in the city of Diwaniya, which also a stronghold for Al Qaeda in Meso¬ or wounded several key aides loyal to killed 9 people and wounded 23. potamia, and could be the scene of a President Bashar al-Assad, who has Amara, about 320 kilometers, or 200 struggle between the groups as they been fighting a growing revolt that miles, southeast of Baghdad and Diwan¬ seek to exploit popular anger. began with street protests in March 2011 iya, 130 kilometers south of the capital, "If J.R.T.N. becomes the face of viol¬ and has escalated into a civil war with are heavily Shiite and usually peaceful. ent Sunni resistance, then the Anbar insurgents battling for positions across Hours later, yet another car bomb sheiks could go along with it," said Ken¬ the land, including the outskirts of Da¬ went off in the Shiite city of Karbala, neth M. Pollack, an Iraq expert and an mascus. killing 3 civilians and wounding 14, the analyst at the Brookings Institution. State television in Syria called the at¬ police said. tack a "terrorist explosion" that was In the otherwise predominantly Yasir Ghazi contributed reportingfirom "an attempt to target the convoy of the Sunni town of Mahmoudiya, about 30 ki¬ Baghdad, and an employee ofThe New prime minister" Terrorist is the word lometers south of Baghdad, a car bomb York Timesfrom Diyala Province, Iraq. used by'the authorities to depict their ripped through a Shiite neighborhood armed adversaries. The television said killing 6 people and wounding 14, the po¬ the prime minister was "well and not lice said. hurt at all," Reuters reported, but his Four medical officials confirmed the condition could not immediately be in¬ casualty figures. All officials spoke on dependently confirmed. the condition of anonymity because The Syrian Observatory for Human they were not authorized to talk to the Rights, which is based in Britain and news media. draws information from a network of Sectarian violence has spiked since opposition sources inside Syria, said ini¬ last week, when security forces tried to tial reports showed that a bodyguard make arrests at a Sunni Muslim protest had been killed. camp in the northern city of Hawija. The Mr. Halqi has been part of an effort by move set off a clash that killed 23 people, Mr. Assad to wage an energized diplo¬ including 3 soldiers. matic campaign to persuade the United States that it is on the wrong side of the

civil war. "We are partners in fighting terrorism," Mr. Halqi said of the United States in a recent interview.

87 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 29, 2013 Erbil Sends Forces to Outskirts Of Kirkuk, Enraging Baghdad By: Abdel Hamid Zebari for Al-Monitor

urdish peshmerga forces were deployed to the outskirts of Kirkuk to fill the security vacuum there and to thwart a sectarian war, which some believeK to be just around the corner.According to the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, the move was coordinated with the governor of Kirkuk. Iraqi mili- ment and other forces. However, we hope [these battles] remain contai- tary forces, however, believe that the oil wells located in the area are the ned.” reason behind this move and consider it a breach of security agreements between Erbil and Baghdad. He said: “Unfortunately, all signs point in the direction of an escalating war. It will turn into a civil war and as such, the situation will be beyond In that regard, the Ministry of Peshmerga in the Kurdistan Regional the control of everyone.” He continued: “Who is able to contain the Government (KRG) announced that it was merely filling the gap left by situation currently? We, as far as we are concerned, are preserving the the Iraqi army in the disputed area out of fear that armed groups might security and safety of citizens of all backgrounds in the disputed areas. infiltrate the region. The ministry reiterated that its aim was to protect We are trying to avoid getting involved in any fighting.” all citizens and groups, regardless of political or religious affiliation. The Iraqi Kurdistan Region sees these areas as falling within its adminis- The Ministry of Peshmerga released a statement saying, “The Iraqi army trative borders, yet they are not under its governance. has been abandoning the majority of its barracks and bases affiliated with Squad 5 in Diyala, Squad 4 in Salahuddin and Squad 12 in Kirkuk and In Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, a roadmap was laid out to settle Ninevah, especially at night, for fear of being attacked by armed the dispute over these areas by sending the Arabs away and allowing the groups.” Kurds who were deported during the rule of former President Saddam Hussein to return. Afterward, a census and a referendum was to be The statement affirmed that “[this move] has led to a [security] vacuum conducted so residents could decide whether they wanted to remain in the areas surrounding the city and the affiliated townships, particu- under the auspices of the federal government or join the KRG. The larly in the outskirts of Kirkuk.” It continued: “In order to protect the implementation of Article 140, however, has been hindered by political lives of citizens of all national, societal, religious and sectarian back- and security crises. grounds, and following a deliberation with the governor of Kirkuk, the Kurdistan peshmerga forces will fill the [security] vacuum in general and Political analyst Mohammed Sherif, a former Iraqi MP for the Democratic the vacuum in the areas surrounding Kirkuk in particular. Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan, said: “The deployment of peshmerga forces to these areas comes with security connotations, which supersede The statement pointed out that the move “aims at fending off the infil- political connotations because the Iraqi army has retreated from these tration of armed terrorist groups and protecting the lives of citizens and delicate regions that are threatened with a sectarian war. Peshmerga military forces from terrorist operations.” forces are in charge of preserving the security of the region and halting It also said, “The ministry’s intelligence data shows that these groups the infiltration of terrorists. They have to fulfill this task.” intend to carry out massive terrorist attacks, particularly in the city of Sherif said the tensions that exist along the border between the region Kirkuk.” and these areas — which are considered to be part of the Kurdistan This is not the first time the Kurds have deployed their forces to these region yet are in dispute — are affecting the security situation, upsetting areas. A few months ago, when the federal government established the citizens and impacting their business dealings and daily activities. If it Tigris Operations Command in Kirkuk, Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, was not for the military and security deployment, the situation would the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs sent military reinforcements and pre- have been hazardous, he said. vented them from reaching Kirkuk. The Tigris Operations forces remai- He added, “The country is witnessing a dangerous situation. The Iraqi ned in the town of Tuz Khormato, south of Kirkuk, and a political crisis Constitution prohibits the army from suppressing citizens. Regardless of flared up between the central government and that of the Kurdistan the aim of the demonstration that was staged in Hawija or in any other region. place that upsets the government, it was peaceful nonetheless and tur- Following the Kurdish move, Ali Ghaidan Majid, commander of the Iraqi ning it into an armed protest was dangerous. This was caused by inter- army’s ground forces, rushed to consider the deployment in Kirkuk to be ference on the part of the army.” a breach of the joint security agreement previously concluded between Iraqi army forces stormed a protest being held in a public square in the Iraqi army and the Kurdish forces. Hawija in Kirkuk province, leaving protesters in neighboring provinces Ghaidan said the Kurdish moves are aimed at “oil fields and wells. This enraged. In return, the protesters attacked army and police forces and is a dangerous development.” members of the Sahwa forces, which resulted in a number of dead and In a statement to Al-Monitor, Falak al-Din Kakai, a Kurdish leader in the wounded on both sides. Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by President Massoud Barzani, Residents of Sunni-dominated areas — Anbar, Ninevah, Salahuddin, denied that the move was carried out unilaterally or underlay political Diyala, parts of Kirkuk, and Baghdad — claim that they have been margi- aims to take over the region. nalized ever since the ousting of the former regime in 2003. They accu- “We do not make unilateral moves; we coordinate with the other par- sed Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of using counterterrorism and de- ties, whether in the federal government or the other Iraqi powers and Baathification laws to unjustly target them. Maliki, on the other hand, political blocs. Our purpose is not to align with one party; we care dee- reiterates that he is enforcing the law and following the constitution. ply about preserving peace in the region, especially in the disputed It is important to note that sectarian tensions in Iraq during 2006 and regions. The mission of the peshmerga and the political leadership is 2007 claimed the lives of thousands. solely peace. As Barzani affirmed recently, we support peace and we will Abdel Hamid Zebari is a contributing writer for Al-Monitor’s Iraq become party to any treaty that conveys peace,” he added. Pulse. A reporter from Erbil who works in print journalism and radio, Kakai said deploying peshmerga forces to these areas exemplifies the he has published several reports in local and world media, including peaceful role that Kurds can perform. He said, “[We are sending these Agence France-Press and Radio Free Iraq (Radio Free Europe). troops] in case battles expand beyond our control and that of the govern-

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

XtîHOlldt Mardi 30 avril 2013

Reza Pahlavi : « Nous préconisons la désobéissance civile »

Le fils du chah d'Iranvient de participer à la création, à Paris, d'une coalition de partis d'opposition

Entretien présidentielle du 14juin 2013 ? sives dans le secteur industriel, insisté pour que le régime change On ne peut pas parler de vérita¬ qui aboutiraient à une paralysie de politique, il faut désormais

Le Conseil national iranien bles élections dans un régime qui totale du pays. Aucun régime ne qu'ils contribuent au changement (CNI) a tenu son congrès fon¬ filtre les candidatures, censure les peut demander à quelqu'un qui de régime. Les sanctions seront dateur samedi 27 et diman¬ médias, n'autorise pas la forma¬ reste chez soi de sortir travailler. soutenues par la population si elle che 28 avril, à Paris. En exil depuis tion de partis politiques et empri¬ Par ailleurs, nous sommes pour comprend qu'elles s'accompa- ; 1979, Reza Pahlavi, 52 ans, fils du sonne les opposants. Il ne faut pas la réconciliation nationale et l'am¬ gnent d'un soutien à la démocratie chah d'Iran, est l'un des membres oublier qu'en 2009, M. Moussavi nistie. Il y a beaucoup de gens qui et aux droits de l'homme. Et un fondateurs de cette nouvelle coali¬ . et M. Karoubi, qui se sont retrou¬ sont enlisés dans le système, qui Iran démocratique éliminera ins¬ tantanémentles tensions et mena¬ tion d'opposition, qui compte vés à la tête du mouvement vert, n'y croient plus et veulent en sor¬

18 partis et organisations politi¬ étaient des opposants loyaux, qui tir, notamment des gardiens de la ces régionales, comme en Syrie

ques, allant des monarchistes aux ne voulaient que réformer le régi¬ révolution et des bassidjis. Nous par exemple. L'opposition iranienne a long¬ paniranistes en passant par les me de l'intérieur. Ils sont aujour¬ sommes en contact avec certains temps été divisée entre marxis¬ sociaux-libéraux et le «mouve¬ d'hui en résidence surveillée. Les d'entre eux. Ils doivent avoir la tes et libéraux, fédéralistes et ment vert». réformateurs ne croient plus dans garantie qu'ils auront leur place jacobins, religieux et laïques, Quel est le programme du la possibilité de changer le régime dans l'Iran de demain. monarchistes et républicains... Conseil national iranien ? Qu'attendez-vous de la communauté internationale? Il y a aujourd'hui un dialogue Depuis la fraude électorale [à «Un Iran l'élection présidentielle] de 2009, Les responsables américains et entretoutes les factions del'opposi¬ tion, le pluralisme et la tolérance qui a donné naissance au mouve¬ démocratique européens veulent que ça bouge. progressent. La maturité politique ment vert, il fallait mettre sur pied éliminera les tensions Ils onttiré les leçons des échecs des une instance pourqu'une nouvelle dernières tentatives de dialogue et a augmenté en Iran, surtout grâce à

génération ne soit pas sacrifiée en et menaces sont mûrs pour une alternative. la jeunesse. Tout le monde est conscientque le pays est en danger. vain et que les gens de l'intérieur régionales, comme Mais plutôt que de se fixer sur la Quel rôle voulez-vousjouer à sachent que leur lutte continue. ]e « ligne rouge » nucléaire et d'envi¬ l'avenir? Souhaitez-vous un me suis beaucoup entretenu avec en Syrie » sager une action militaire qui ne des activistes et dissidents à l'inté¬ peut que retarder l'échéance, voire retour de la monarchie ?

rieurdel'Iran, ycompris des prison¬ de l'intérieur. Même eux en sont précipiter des alliances internatio¬ Aujourd'hui, je souhaite jouer niers politiques. Au terme d'un an arrivés à la conclusion qu'il faut nales et une mobilisation nationa¬ un rôle rassembleurdans l'opposi¬ tion. Quant aux institutions à ettrois mois d'échanges, nous som¬ boycottertotalementles élections, liste en Iran, nous aimerions que

mes arrivés à une charte en car elles légitiment le régime. les pays libres et démocratiques venir, les Iraniens en décideront : 16 points. Ce texte a été signé par Comment comptez-vous renver¬ soutiennent notre campagne de s'ils veulent d'une monarchie 25000 personnes. Notre demande ser le régime? désobéissance civile. constitutionnelle à l'espagnole,

première est la tenue d'élections Ce n'est pas dans la rue ou par Si jamais il y a des grèves, on pourquoi pas, mais l'important libres. Et pour arriver à cela, nous les armes que nous gagnerons. pourrait imaginer une caisse d'as¬ c'est que l'Iran devienne une véri¬ sommes tous d'accord sur le fait Nous préconisons une campagne surance permettant d'indemniser table démocratie.»

qu'il faut renverser le régime. de désobéissance civile et non vio¬ les pertes de salaire, par exemple. Pbopos recueillis pak

Qu'attendez-vous de l'élection lente, accompagnéede grèves mas Les Occidentaux ont longtemps Christophe Ayad

LE FIGARO

mardi 30 avril 2013 Le gouvernement turc durcit

sa guerre contre l'alcool

Le premier ministre islamo-conservateur veut promouvoir un breuvage à base de yaourt pour former « une génération saine ».

cep Tayyip Erdogan a décrété que la bois¬ leurs islamiques à l'ensemble de la socié¬ LAURE MARCHAND son des Turcs était l'ayran, un breuvage à té. D'autant que sa diatribe visait « la ISTANBUL base de yaourt, et s'est ému que la promo¬ consommation d'alcool comme mode de vie tion de la bière ait accompagné la fonda¬ (qui) n'apporte aucun bénéfice à la société,

TURQUIE « Jeprends un troisième raid,j'en tion de la République turque dans les an¬ au contraire, elle lui Cause du tort ». profite tant qu'on a encore le droit d'en boi¬ nées 1920. Le lendemain, il a réitéré lors re », raille Serdar, jeune entrepreneur, en d'un congrès d'hommes d'affaires musul¬ 35 euros, là bouteille de raki

laissant tomber un glaçon dans son verre. mans : « Pourformer une génération saine, Les amateurs d'alcool ne sont pourtant pas

Dans la douceur de la nuit stambouliote, mon grand-père m'a suggéré l'ayran com¬ si nombreux. 85 % des Turcs ne boivent

ses récriminations à rencontre du premier me boissonnationale. » pas selon les statistiques de l'institut natio¬ ministre turc se font plus sonores à mesure La croLsade contre l'alcool du chef du nal TurkStat. Et une étude du Centre de re¬ que baisse le niveau de la bouteille d'alcool gouvernement turc n'est pas nouvelle cherches économiques et sociales (Betam) de raisin anisé partagée avec ses amis. mais la question devient de plus en plus de l'université de Bahçesehir montre que Vendredi, dans un symposium consacré sensible : son inten'entionnisme est perçu la consommation privée a diminué d'un aux politiques publiques sur l'alcool, Re- comme une volonté d'imposer des va tiers entre 2003 et 2008, une tendance in-

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

versement proportionnelle à la hausse des pace public en 2012 mais un tribunal vient d'orange. Avant l'arrivée des islamo-con-

taxes, qui sont parmi les plus élevées dans d'annuler l'interdiction. servatqurs au pouvoir en 2003, refuser un le monde.Une bouteille de raki au restau¬ L'orientation de Turkish Airlines, dont verre lors d'une cérémonie pouvait coûter

rant se paie au moins 35 euros, une somme l'État est l'actionnaire principal, est révé¬ une promotion à un fonctionnaire. « Dans un dîner officiel, aujourd'hui, déplorait ré¬ rapportée au coût de la vie. latrice de cette stigmatisation croissante. cemment un diplomate européen, je me L'accès à l'alcool devient plus difficile et Après s'être attiré une volée de critiques en sens obligé de boire pour soutenir les Turcs les Turcs sont de plus en plus contraints de début d'année pour avoir supprimé l'alco¬ présents qui veulentfaire de même. » boire en catimini. Le nombre de points de ol vers huit destinations au Moyen-Orient, vente diminue dans les villes conservatri¬ la compagnie aérienne a annoncé la se¬

ces. Afyon, dans l'ouest du pays, avait maine dernière son intention de mettre

même prohibé la consommation dans l'es également les vols vers la Russie au jus

WTUXATTOiU. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

with the Moshe Dayan Center at Tel support Turkey's ambitions to open ac¬

Aviv University. "Washington needs cession talks with the bloc. Israel and Turkey to cooperate, espe¬ Similarly, as a leading NATO mem¬ 2 U.S. allies cially over security issues." ber, Turkey was prepared to support NATO also believed the apology the U.S.-led military alliance forging

would give new life to the Mediter¬ closer ties to Israel. stuck at ranean Dialogue, the attempt by NATO Circumstances have since changed during the mid-1990s to facilitate secu¬ markedly. Israel is less useful to TOr- rity and political cooperation between key in the European Union. The paral¬ arms length several North African and Middle East¬ ysis over resolving the Palestinian con¬ ern countries, including Israel. flict and Israel's continuing settlement Despite reluctance by some Middle policy have hardened the bloc's atti¬

Eastern countries to sit at the same tude toward Israel. table with Israel, NATO managed to Turkey is also less useful to Israel in

(» host two meetings among foreign min¬ NATO because of Mr. Erdogan's isters of the Mediterranean Dialogue policies. Since his Justice and Develop¬ countries. The last was in 2008, shortly ment Party was elected in 2002, Mr. Er¬

before Israel launched its assault on the dogan has wanted Turkey to become a Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip. major regional player, competing with

Judy Since then, Turkey, to the annoyance of Egypt for regional pre-eminence. the United States, has prevented NATO Dempsey To achieve this, Turkey, a non-Arab from forging closer ties with Israel. country, reached out to its Arab neigh¬ Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish bors, especially the Palestinians. Previ¬ prime minister, quashed alliance plans ous Turkish governments, in contrast, LETTER FROM EUROPE to host a gathering of Mediterranean had focused on building a strong rela¬

Dialogue foreign ministers last week in tionship with Israel. Brussels, where NATO foreign minis¬ Yet regional experts say that even if BERLIN After President Barack ters were meeting. there is no going back to the 1990s, it is Obama's visit to Jerusalem last month, in the interests of Israel and Turkey to there were high hopes in Washington "While the atmospherics are some¬ reach a new understanding. and NATO for a turning point in rela¬ what better, we haven't seen changes "The turmoil in the region surely tions between Israel and Turkey. of substance," one NATO diplomat means that Turkey needs relative sta¬ Mr. Obama had persuaded Prime said, speaking on the condition of an¬ bility on its borders and regional co¬ Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to apol¬ onymity because she was not author¬ operation," said Ian Lesser, an expert ogize to Turkey for the episode aboard ized to discuss the issue. on Turkey and director of the Brussels the Mavi Marmara in May 2010. The or¬ Turkey also said it would not re-es¬ office of the German Marshall Fund. ganizers of the aid ship had wanted to tablish full diplomatic relations with Is¬ "That includes Israel." break Israel's naval blockade of the Ga¬ rael until the issue of compensating the Israel needs Turkey for secure bor¬ za Strip. Israeli marines boarded the victims' families was settled and Israel ders that will keep weapons from ship while still in international waters, lifted its blockade of the Gaza Strip. reaching Hamas or the Shiite militant killing nine people eight Turks and "What we hear informally is that group Hezbollah in Lebanon. No won¬ an American of Turkish descent. once the compensation issue is re¬ der, then, that the United States and The United States hoped that the solved, we can expect an improvement NATO will keep pushing both countries apology would end the freeze in Israeli- in the overall approach toward Israel," to improve their relations. Turkish relations, es¬ the NATO diplomat added. "A modus vivendi between Israel pecially since both But will it? It is in the and Turkey will have to be found," said share a border with Analysts cannot see a return to the interests of Mr. Cohen Yanarocak of Tel Aviv Uni¬ Syria and a stake in 1990s, when Israel and Turkey shared Israel and versity. "But it will be no honeymoon. the outcome of the intelligence and cooperated on military Those times are over." Turkey to civil war there. Both matters and Israel could use Turkish air¬

reach a new are also important space for training and reconnaissance. Judy Dempsey is editor in chief of Stra¬ understand¬ U.S. allies. "There is no going back to the tegic Europe at Carnegie Europe. To general disap¬ 1990s," said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, di¬ ing. (www.carnegieeurope.eu) pointment in Wash¬ rector of the Ankara office for the Ger¬ ington and Brussels, man Marshall Fund of the United Israel's gesture has produced few posi¬ States. "Too much has changed."

tive results from Turkey. During the 1990s, because of the Oslo "This is a headache Washington peace accords between Israel and the wanted cleared away," said Hay Eytan Palestinians, Israel could use its good Cohen Yanarocak, an expert on Turkey relations with the European Union to

90 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April 29, 2013 Iraq instability tested further with bombing wave By ADAM SCHRECK, (AP)

AGHDAD — A wave of car bomb blasts tore through Shiite areas south of BaghdadB on Monday, killing at least 36 and deepening fears that Iraq is rapidly spiraling back out of control. The attacks capped a week of turmoil that is posing the greatest test of Iraq's sta- bility since U.S. troops left the country in late 2011. At least 218 people have been kil- led in attacks and battles between gunmen and security forces that began with clashes at a Sunni protest camp in northern Iraq last Tuesday. The unrest follows four months of widespread protests among Iraq's Sunni minority, who feel they are discriminated against and are being marginalized by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Shiite-led Civilians gather at the scene of a car bomb attack in the southern Shiite city of Karbala, government. 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, April. 29, 2013. Iraqi officials fear that Sunni feelings of disenfranchisement could be exploited by extremist groups such as al-Qaida and mili- protesters and the central government has Sunni town of Mahmoudiya, about 20 tant organizations such as the Naqshabandi begun a dangerous slide toward confronta- miles (30 kilometers) south of Baghdad, a Army, which is linked to Saddam Hussein's tion. car bomb ripped through a Shiite neighbo- former regime. "The emergence of an arc of instability rhood, killing six people and wounding 14, In a possible sign of mounting worries and conflict linking Lebanon, Syria and another police officer said. over the deteriorating security situation, Iraq, fueled by sectarianism and involving Ibrahim Ali, a schoolteacher there, was Iraqi authorities announced they plan to porous borders as well as cross-border teaching a class when a thunderous boom close the country's only border crossing alliances, represents a huge risk," the went off. with Jordan, beginning on Tuesday. The conflict-prevention group warned. "Failure "The students were panicking and some Interior Ministry said the move is related to integrate Sunni Arabs into a genuinely of them started to cry," he said, recounting Iraq's domestic affairs. representative political system in Baghdad seeing burned bodies and cars on fire at the The route to the border runs through risks turning Iraq's domestic crisis into a nearby blast site. "We have been expecting the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah, west of broader regional struggle." this violence against Shiites because of the Baghdad, which have been hotbeds of Monday's deadliest attack struck the rising sectarian tension in the country," he Sunni anger at the government. Many southern city of Amarah. Two parked cars said. Sunnis in western Iraq have economic, tri- loaded with explosives went off simulta- Medical officials confirmed the casualty bal and cultural ties with Jordanians, most neously in the early morning near a gathe- figures. Like the police, they spoke on of whom are also Sunni. ring of construction workers and a market, condition of anonymity because they were Sheik Fakhir al-Kubaisi, a protest orga- killing 18 people and wounding 42, the not authorized to talk to the media. nizer in Anbar province, blasted the latest police said. No one immediately claimed responsi- closure plans as "another escalation by the That attack was followed by another bility for Monday's blasts. But coordinated Iraqi government to punish the revolting parked car bombing near a restaurant in bombings in civilian areas are a favorite Iraqi people." He predicted the closure the city of Diwaniyah, killing nine people tactic for al-Qaida in Iraq. would drive up the prices of food and medi- and wounding 23. At least three cars were Parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, a cine, and might be tied to a coming security left charred and twisted from the blast out- Sunni, condemned Monday's bombings crackdown on protest sites in the area. side a two-story building, and its facade and urged the government to step down "in The Interior Ministry spokesman, Lt. was damaged. Shop owners and cleaners order to save the country from the specter Col. Saad Maan Ibrahim, insisted the bor- were seen brushing debris off the bloodstai- of civil war and sectarian strife." He called der closure was solely a technical matter ned pavement. for the installation of an interim govern- and is unrelated to ongoing tensions in the Amarah, some 320 kilometers (200 ment, dissolution of parliament and early country. He did not elaborate, and said it miles) southeast of Baghdad, and elections. should reopen within 48 hours. Diwaniyah, 130 kilometers (80 miles) He issued a similar call in February for Iraq temporarily shut the same border south of the capital, are heavily Shiite and the prime minister to step down and for crossing in January, weeks after anti- usually peaceful. early elections, but there is little sign for government protests erupted along the des- Hours later, yet another car bomb went now of that happening. ert highway heading to the checkpoint. off in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, killing Sectarian violence has spiked since last That angered many Sunnis in western Iraq, three civilians and wounding 14, police Tuesday, when security forces tried to make who saw it as collective punishment for said. Two early Islamic figures revered by arrests at a Sunni Muslim protest camp in their rallies. Shiites are buried in the city, about 90 kilo- the northern city of Hawija. The move set The International Crisis Group recently meters (55 miles) south of Baghdad. off a clash that killed 23 people, including warned that the standoff between Sunni And in the otherwise predominantly three soldiers. ➨

91 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti ➨ In Baghdad, al-Maliki met on Monday to manage the country's vast oil wealth strikes. It said they hit water canals at the with the prime minister of Iraq's largely further undermine Iraq's stability as al- southern part of the camp. autonomous Kurdish region, Nechirvan Maliki tries to manage relations with the The group, the National Council of Barzani. country's Sunni Arabs. Resistance of Iran, has been pushing for A statement from the Iraqi leader's In other violence Monday, several camp residents, members of its office said the two sides discussed their mortar shells exploded in an uninhabited Mujahedeen-e-Khalq militant wing, to be differences "in an atmosphere of frank- area near Baghdad International Airport moved back to another camp north of ness and seriousness and with a common around sunset, but no casualties were Baghdad. Iraq's government wants them desire to find solutions." reported, police said. out of the country altogether. I Ongoing disputes between Baghdad An Iranian exile group whose mem- and the Kurds over sensitive issues such bers live in a refugee camp near the air- as ethnically disputed territories and how port described the explosions as rocket

April 28 2013 Iraq descending into civil war By: Kevin Brent street battle; followed on April 25 by the large Sunni protest www.examiner.com encampment being stormed by Iraqi Army troops near Mosul, lea- ving 50 dead. Sunni Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq resi- he Iraqi government suspended the operating licenses of the gned in protest that same day as Sunni dominated towns and Al-Jazeera news network as well as eight Sunni and one cities one by one, announced the formation of ‘military forces’ to Shiite domestic Iraqi television stations on April 28 on the counter attack the Iraqi Army. groundsT of inciting sectarian violence between Iraq’s Sunni and The response from the Sunni Kurds in the north was to deploy Shiite Muslims. Tensions between the two sects of Islam in Iraq Peshmerga forces further south into Kirkuk Province with the have been on the rise for the last year. The government of Prime announced aim of combating militia forces. The Iraqi Army chief, Minister Nuri al-Maliki has cited first ‘outside’ influences on Iraq General Ali Ghaidan Majeed has accused the Kurdish government and now is blaming the civil war in neighboring Syria. of trying to seize Kirkuk’s oilfields and called the Peshmerga Before the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent fall of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, Iraqi politics had been dominated by Iraqi Sunnis. Since Saddam’s fall, Sunnis have been forced to take a back seat to Iraqi Shiites led by Prime Minister al-Maliki who has aligned his government policies with both Iran and Shia Islam, marginalizing Sunni influence even over Sunni affairs. Maliki’s policies have led to both Arab and Kurdish Sunnis within Iraq to feel treated as second class citizens. Kurds however have had the one advantage of having self rule in the form of the Kurdish Autonomous Region in northern Iraq with security provided by the Peshmerga; a professional army born of the former anti- Saddam resistance group of the same name. Arab Sunnis have no such autonomy or an official military force of their own. Since the final departure of U.S. troops from Iraq, violent inci- dents between Sunni and Shiite have become more and more fre- Sunni Militiamen march in Iraq. Credits: npr.org quent, beginning with roadside bombs then to car bombings and suicide bombings of mosques by both sides and most recently, deployment a “dangerous development” and a political move in large Sunni anti-Maliki protests resulting in firefights between view of the Kurdish governments long stated desire to incorporate Sunni gunmen and Iraqi security troops. One such series of car all of Kirkuk Province into the Kurdish Autonomous Region. bombings in Kirkuk resulted in a month long military standoff bet- The suspensions of Al-Jazeera and the nine other televisions sta- ween Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi Army forces along the internal tions will likely be seen as yet another offense by Maliki and fur- Kurdish border. ther inflame the situation. Adding even more fuel to the fire is Leading up to the current suspension of Al-Jazeera and the 9 the knowledge among Sunnis in Iraq that Maliki was allowing domestic television stations however, were a chain of events Iranian aircraft to transit Iraqi airspace carrying weapons and sup- beginning immediately after the April 18 provincial elections in plies to the forces of Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad; weapons to be which Maliki’s State of Law alliance took the lead in 8 of the 12 used to fight and kill fellow Sunnis in Syria’s civil war. A civil war Iraqi provinces. Following several days of demonstrations against which like Iraq’s building sectarian volcano has come to be viewed the election results leading to deadly clashes with Iraqi troops, as a war against Sunnis. Education Minister Mohammed Ali Tamim and Science and In Lebanon meanwhile, Sunni youth have answered the call of Technology Minister Abdulkarim al-Samarraie, both Sunnis quit the Sunni Cleric Ahmed Assir and are signing up for an armed Jihad central government in protest on April 23. against Hezbollah forces which have crossed into Syria from sou- On April 24 Sunni militiamen seized of the town of Suleiman Bek thern Lebanon to fight in support of the Alawite dominated just north of Baghdad after defeating government troops in open regime of Syrian Pres. Assad. N

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

April 30th 2013

AK’s proposal for a new “democratic” The PKK's withdrawal constitution includes provisions that would grant the president power to appoint the cabinet and to dissolve the AN HISTORIC STEP parliament. In a sop to the Kurds it also scraps ethnic references to Turkish citi- by A.Z. | ISTANBUL zenship and articles that effectively block education in the Kurdish language.

REBELS of the separatist Kurdistan Not surprisingly, the main opposition par- Workers Party (PKK) will begin withdraw- ties have cried foul and it seems increas- ing from Turkey to Kurdish-controlled ingly unlikely that a parliamentary com- northern Iraq on May 8th. The announce- mission that is supposed to come up with ment made last week by Murat Karayilan, a draft constitution will meet its October a top PKK commander in the field, her- deadline. alded a strategic shift in the Kurds’ long- running struggle for greater rights. This in turn begs the question of what the Kurds will get in exchange for a If all goes according to plan the PKK’s 29- definitive peace. Mr Karayilan has year armed campaign for Kurdish inde- already made clear that unless Mr Ocalan pendence (an aim that was later scaled Kurds would pursue their rights through is set free (he probably means put under down to autonomy) will have come to a purely peaceful means and that any house arrest) the PKK will not lay down close. It remains a big if but the poten- thoughts of a separate homeland had its arms. This not likely in the near tial rewards are huge. Peace with the been abandoned. The PKK promptly future. What the government can deliver Kurds would remove one of the biggest declared a ceasefire and is instead gath- though is legal revisions that would allow obstacles to democratic reform and, in ering force in Syria where it has begun thousands of Kurdish activists jailed on theory, ease Turkey’s membership of the fighting forces loyal to Bashar Assad, the thinly supported terrorism charges to European Union. An end to the war that president. In the immediate term this is walk free. has cost over $300 billion and 40,000 a strategic coup for Mr Erdogan who has lives would bolster Turkey’s regional been openly supporting armed opposition Even if the new constitution falls through ambitions. It would boost the political against the Syrian dictator. AK could easily (with the BDP’s parlia- fortunes of Recep Tayyip Erdogan (pic- mentary support) cobble together a con- tured above), the prime minister, who is Until recently the PKK had been quietly stitutional reform package that would hoping to become the country’s first pop- siding with Mr Assad who last summer address some of the Kurds demands for ularly elected president next year. gave the rebels control over a string of greater administrative and cultural Kurdish towns along the Turkish border. autonomy. The key question is timing. The decision to pull out by October The move set off alarm bells in Turkey Can Mr Erdogan risk further inflaming crowns months of secret talks held amid fears that under PKK tutelage nationalist passions before nationwide between Hakan Fidan Turkey’s spy chief, Syria’s Kurds would establish an municipal elections that are set to be and Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s leader autonomous zone along the lines of the held in March 2014? AK’s performance who has been held in solitary confine- semi-independent Kurdish statelet in will be a crucial indicator of how far Mr ment on a prison island near Istanbul fol- northern Iraq. In a counter-move Turkey Erdogan can push the peace process lowing his capture in 1999. The precise egged on its Syrian rebel allies to start without endangering AK’s enduring popu- terms of the bargain remain unclear fighting pro-PKK forces in the town of larity. And then there is the presidency. prompting opposition parties to trot out Ras-el Ain opposite the Turkish border He may therefore choose to wait before tired conspiracy theories about American town of Ceylanpinar. making any grand gestures. plans to carve out an independent Kurdish state from Turkey. The claims Getting the PKK to switch sides in Syria Meanwhile, the PKK’s withdrawal should have wide currency in Turkey where anti- appears to be part of the deal struck with significantly diminish the ability of Americanism remains widespread. Mr Ocalan. It is also widely rumoured potential saboteurs to disrupt the peace Members of a government appointed that Mr Erdogan has persuaded the Kurds process and allow AK to claim credit for “council of the wise” who have been to support his bid for the presidency next ending decades of bloodshed (until the touring the country to assure citizens year. Mr Erdogan calls this a lie. elections at the very least). And a pause that, on the contrary, peace with the Selahattin Demirtas, the leader of in the fighting would enable the PKK to Kurds will cement unity have been heck- Turkey’s largest pro-Kurdish party, known regroup and consolidate, while further led by outraged nationalists, and, in as the BDP, concurred in a recent inter- cementing its foothold in Syria. “Time” some instances, forced to flee. view. He said the Kurds had no interest in argues a veteran, independent Kurdish helping Mr Erdogan’s ruling Justice and politician, “is on the PKK’s side.” I Yet the concessions have come mainly Development (AK) party to push through from the Kurdish side. In March the PKK constitutional changes that would boost released eight Turkish hostages. Soon the powers of the presidency. after Mr Ocalan announced that the

93 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti April / 26 / 2013

“The massacre in Paris is obvious,” he said, in reference to the murder of three Kurdish women in the French capital on Jan. No PKK support to Kurdish 9 at a time when the efforts to find a peace- ful solution to the Kurdish issue had escala- ted. state plans in northern Iraq Sakine Cansız, one of the founding members of the PKK; Fidan Doğan, the Paris Karayılan said representative of the Brussels-based that the with- Kurdistan National Congress (KNK); and drawing mili- activist Leyla Söylemez were murdered by a tants would be gun attack as the sole suspect was captured. deployed to “There are three entrances to that buil- northern Iraq, ding. We do not believe that they are car- adding that the rying out an effective probe. [Europe] may not want the resolution process,” he said. PKK expected “By democratizing, Turkey should take understanding the Kurdish card from the European Union from the Iraqi to stop them from using Turkey and Kurds.” authorities. Commenting on the recent fights bet- DHA Photo ween the supporters of the PKK and Hizbullah, an Islamist organization accused of many killings in southeastern and eastern and particularly from the autonomous Turkey as a part of counter-guerilla activi- KANDİL, Northern Iraq – Doğan News Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). ties, at Dicle University in the Kurdish- Agency The KRG is at odds with the central dominated Diyarbakır province, Karayılan The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) government in Baghdad, particularly on oil said they did not want to take anyone on in would not support an independent Kurdish exports issues, with the latter opposing the this new period. state in northern Iraq, according to Murat autonomous Arbil government’s direct “We are not against them as a political Karayılan, a senior leader of the outlawed trade, largely via Turkey. organization,” he said. Hizbullah founded a group which announced yesterday that it “We support [the idea of] all Middle political party, Huda Par, at the end of last would withdraw from Turkish soil starting Eastern peoples living together equally in a year. from May 8. democratic environment and in fraternity. “We think that the clashes at the univer- The PKK “would not say anything” This is possible with democratic confedera- sity are planned,” Karayılan said. The state- about the foundation of such a state, but it lism and federation. Dictators emerge in ments after the clashes, their language would also not lend its support as it was nation-states,” Karayılan said. reminded us of what happened in the past.” against the “nation-state,” Karayılan told a Karayılan asked for support from “all There was no consensus between the group of journalists on the evening of April democratic powers in Turkey” for the PKK and Hizbullah at the high-level, he 25, after making the withdrawal plans ongoing resolution process. “Things will get added. public at a press meeting in the Kandil harder if we give everything to the AKP [the Equally, there were no tensions building Mountains, the PKK’s base. ruling Justice and Development Party],” he between the PKK and Hizbullah despite the Karayılan said yesterday that the with- said, adding that all segments should lend events at the university earlier this month, drawing militants would be deployed to their support to the process. daily Vatan quoted PKK’s Duran Kalkan as Ë northern Iraq, adding that the PKK expected Karayılan said he did not find Europe’s saying last week. understanding from the Iraqi authorities, support for the process sincere.

APRIL 28, 2013

parent and frank manner,” he added. UN envoy hopes talks “I truly hope this meeting will contribute to finding long-lasting solu- between Iraqi and Kurdish tions based on the Constitution to overcome Iraq's current crisis, and to officials will resolve the Kurdish ministers rejoining the Cabinet soon,” Mr. Kobler stressed. outstanding issues Also this weekend, Mr. Kobler deplored the killing of Jalal Diab, the elcoming the meeting set for Monday between the leaders of Iraq Special Representative head of the Movement of Free Iraqis and its Kurdistan region, a senior United Nations official said he (Ansar al-Huriya), calling it “a shame- Martin Kobler. hopes the talks will help resolve outstanding issues. W ful and despicable murder.” Iraq's Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Nichervan Barzani, are set to meet Mr. Diab headed a non-governmental organization defending the tomorrow in Baghdad, according to a news release issued by the UN rights of the black Iraqi minority community in the south of the country. He Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). was assassinated on Friday in Basra province. “At this critical juncture, sitting together and talking in a constructive “I am deeply saddened by the loss of such an important human rights spirit is the best way to overcome problems,” said Martin Kobler, the figure in Iraq, whom I met more than once,” said the envoy, who also condemned the attempted assassination of a young provincial council Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of UNAMI. N candidate, Amar Al-Mantifij. “Both parties need to address once and for all outstanding issues such as true partnership, security, budget and revenue sharing, in a trans-

94 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti O Observatoire b s e r v atoire de la Vie Politique Turque (OVIPOT)...... 3 30 0 aavrilvril 2013 Question kurde : Murat Karayılan annonce que le retrait du PKK commencera le 8 mai

PAR JEAN MARCOU

t si finalement le processus de paix marchait ? C’est bien la question que l’on doit se poser après les derniers développe- Ements de l’initiative engagée, depuis la fin de l’année 2012, pour essayer de régler la question kurde, qui depuis 1984 a fait plus de 40 000 victimes et provoqué le déplacement de près de 2 millions de personnes.

Le 25 avril dernier, lors d’une conférence de presse, tenue dans l’une de ses bases arrière en Irak du nord, le commandant mili- taire du PKK, Murat Karayılan, a annoncé que le retrait des forces de son organisation, du territoire turc, commencerait le 8 mai prochain, en précisant que l’opération devrait être achevée «dans les plus brefs délais». Murat Karayılan a notamment déclaré que le départ de ses troupes s’opérerait en bon ordre et sur des trajets préétablis. Il a appelé, tant les autorités iraki- République. Les dirigeants politiques turcs n’ont pas réagi immé- ennes (en particulier celles de la région kurde d’Irak du nord), diatement aux déclarations du chef militaire du PKK, mais l’on que l’armée turque, à faire preuve de compréhension et de sou- observe que, lors d’une interview, le 26 avril 2013, l’un des prin- plesse, afin d’éviter tout accrochage, en précisant que toute cipaux conseillers de Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Yalçın Akdoğan, a attaque contre ses forces provoquerait l’arrêt du retrait en ques- estimé que Karayılan avait mal interprété l’ordre dans lequel tion, et verrait celles-ci user «d’un droit de légitime défense» devait se dérouler le processus de paix. Selon lui en effet aucune pour riposter. Le chef militaire du PKK, considéré comme le normalisation ne pourra intervenir avant que le PKK n’ait effec- numéro deux de l’organisation, n’a en effet pas précisé si ses tivement déposé les armes. On sait néanmoins que ce problème hommes se retireraient en armes ou désarmés, alors même qu’à renvoie à celui de la sécurisation des opérations de retrait. Les plusieurs reprises, tant Recep Tayyip Erdoğan qu’Abdullah Gül, membres du PKK redoutent des accrochages, voire carrément des ont affirmé que les membres du PKK devraient être désarmés attaques. Les institutions mises en place pour encadrer le proces- préalablement à leur retrait. Toutefois, Murat Karayılan a affir- sus sont pour l’instant limitées, et leurs compétences restent mé que les modalités de toutes ces opérations avaient fait l’objet confuses. Un comité des sages, structuré en 7 groupes régionaux, d’un échange de lettre avec Abdullah Öcalan, et qu’elles étaient a été formé par le premier ministre (cf. notre édition du 8 avril connues des autorités turques. 2013). La commission parlementaire établie pour garantir le bon déroulement du processus souffre par ailleurs de l’absence de Selon le chef militaire kurde, le retrait, qui devrait être achevé deux partis politiques sur les quatre que compte le parlement, à l’automne (a-t-il précisé, deux jours plus tard, en rappelant les nationalistes et les kémalistes ayant décidé de la boycotter ; qu’Abdullah Öcalan tenait à ce qu’il soit mené à bien le plus rapi- ce qui aboutit au fait qu’elle est presqu’exclusivement composée dement possible), ne sera que la première étape d’un processus de membres de l’AKP… qui en compterait trois au total. La deuxième étape sera la réforme du système, conduite par le gouvernement turc, notam- A ces polémiques autour du désarmement s’ajoute une seconde ment l’élaboration d’un nouveau texte constitutionnel. Enfin, la incertitude de taille, celle qui concerne la libération des prison- troisième étape verra, toujours selon Murat Karayılan, une nor- niers, et en particulier celle d’Abdullah Öcalan, considérée malisation définitive, impliquant le désarmement de la guérilla comme inéluctable par Murat Karayılan, alors même que le gou- et la libération de tout le monde, y compris du leader du PKK, vernement et le premier ministre l’ont toujours vigoureusement Abdullah Öcalan. exclue. Outre les interrogations sur le désarmement et la libéra- tion des prisonniers, on ne peut manquer d’observer pour finir Après les premières négociations menées par le gouvernement que les réformes qui doivent sceller une normalisation de la sit- turc avec Abdullah Öcalan, qui s’étaient concrétisées, le 21 mars uation politique n’ont jamais été clairement dévoilées. Celles dernier, à l’occasion de la fête de Newroz, par un appel au que l’on peut imaginer sans être grand clerc, et qui touchent à la cessez-le-feu du leader du PKK (cf. notre édition du 22 mars citoyenneté, à la décentralisation ou à l’enseignement en langue 2013), ce nouveau développement du processus de règlement de kurde, ne sont pas de surcroît sans poser certains problèmes à la la question kurde, constitue indiscutablement un acquis impor- Turquie. Il sera donc intéressant de voir comment le nouveau tant. En dépit des premiers succès du processus, on s’interrogeait texte constitutionnel les prend en compte. en effet sur l’attitude des membres de la guérilla kurde et sur leur capacité à accepter le retrait annoncé par leur leader ne autre préoccupation concerne, en fait, la perception et les emprisonné depuis plus d’une décennie sur l’île d’Imralı, au large Upositionnements à l’égard du processus de paix, des princi- d’Istanbul. Les déclarations publiques de Murat Karayılan et les paux partis d’opposition, les kémalistes du CHP et les nationa- précisions qu’il a apportées depuis, ont donc confirmé l’adhésion listes du MHP. L’hostilité totale du MHP et de son leader Devlet de la branche militaire de l’organisation au processus engagé Bahçeli, qui a plusieurs fois accusé le gouvernement de trahison, depuis la fin de l’année dernière. n’a rien d’étonnant. Celle du CHP en revanche surprend par sa véhémence. Le leader du parti kémaliste, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, qui Un certain nombre d’incertitudes demeurent pourtant. La pre- avait pourtant lancé l’an dernier une proposition pour rechercher mière concerne le désarmement des militants du PKK. Lors de sa une solution à la question kurde (cf. notre édition du 7 juin conférence de presse, sans aborder ouvertement la question, 2012), a qualifié le processus en cours de «première étape avant Murat Karayılan a situé ce désarmement à la fin du processus, un la formation d’un grand Kurdistan indépendant», en expliquant scénario qui diverge de celui qu’avaient annoncé à plusieurs que l’AKP le conduisait de façon unilatérale et opaque, en coo- reprises antérieurement le premier ministre et le président de la pération avec Abdullah Öcalan et en excluant le parlement.

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Les nationalistes et les kémalistes continuent d’accuser, en indique donc que le parti au pouvoir prend certains risques en outre, le premier ministre d’avoir marchandé ce processus de menant à bien ce processus, même si son image est loin d’être paix et la décentralisation qui s’ensuivra en faveur des Kurdes décrédibilisée dans l’opinion. 36,8% des électeurs turcs vote- contre l’établissement d’un régime présidentiel, destiné à per- raient encore pour l’AKP si des élections avaient lieu dimanche mettre son maintien au pouvoir, au-delà du nouveau mandat prochain, le CHP ne recueillant que 15,3% des voix, le MHP 10,2% d’exercice que lui ont ouvert les dernières élections législatives et le BDP 3,8% (20,4% des sondés refusant de se prononcer pour de 2011. une formation politique quelle qu’elle soit). Par ailleurs, le son- dage montre que, parallèlement au règlement de la question our sa part, l’opinion publique turque ne semble pas encore kurde, l’opinion turque s’interroge sur les choix politiques et vraiment gagnée au processus de paix en dépit de ses pre- institutionnels qui sont actuellement à l’ordre du jour. 39,8% des Pmiers succès. Un sondage effectué par l’Institut Metropoll, personnes interrogées sont ainsi contre l’établissement d’un publié par Zaman, le 29 avril 2013, montre certes que 66,7% des régime présidentiel (contre 35,2% pour), 61,6% rejettent l’idée Turcs préfèrent dialoguer avec le PKK plutôt que continuer la d’une collaboration exclusive AKP-BDP pour rédiger la nouvelle lutte armée avec lui. Mais 51,1% d’entre eux n’approuvent pas constitution (contre 28,2% qui l’approuvent), et 54,2% pensent le processus de résolution en cours (contre 36,6% qui que les journalistes et les écrivains sont actuellement moins l’approuvent et 12,3% qui ne se prononcent pas). Ce sondage libres en Turquie qu’auparavant…

26 avril 2013

Le PKK veut quitter la Turquie

Le retrait des rebelles kurdesles marque armes une nouvelle à étapela dansmain les négociations de paix engagées avec le gouvernement turc. Par Laure Marchand ière a été traversée «faire demi- tour s'avère plus long et plus a guérilla kurde s'engage-t- risqué». Le retrait, s'il s'effectue elle sur un chemin sans sans encombre, consolidera le Lretour? Le Parti des travailleurs cessez-le-feu décrété le 21 mars du Kurdistan (PKK) a annoncé par Abdullah Öcalan. Mais que ses combattants entame- l'aboutissement du processus raient leur retrait du territoire de paix passe «par des réformes turc pour gagner le nord de dans le cadre d'une solution l'Irak à partir du 8 mai. Ce repli constitutionnelle», a précisé constitue une étape essentielle Murat Karayilan, renvoyant le dans les négociations en cours gouvernement à ses «obliga- tions» pour les 15 millions de entre le gouvernement turc et Murat Karayilan le commandant a détaillé devant un Kurdes de Turquie. Les rebelles Abdullah Öcalan, le leader parterre de journalistes turcs les modalités de l'opération réclament entre autre le droit à kurde emprisonné à vie sur l'île qui devrait être achevée en quelques mois. Crédits photo : - l'éducation dans la langue d'Imrali, pour en finir avec un /AFP conflit qui a fait plus de 45.000 maternelle, une autonomie régionale, une amnistie des morts en trois décennies. nus de l'armée turque. Il est produit par le passé. En 1999, combattants et la libération de prévu qu'ils évitent les villages sur les ordres d'Öcalan, les milliers de prisonniers poli- Le signal du départ aux et les postes militaires afin de combattants kurdes avaient tiques accusés de «terrorisme». quelque 2000 rebelles présents diminuer les risques de clash quitté la Turquie sans arme et en Turquie a été donné jeudi avec les forces de sécurité plusieurs centaines d'entre eux «Le PKK tiendra parole et se par Murat Karayilan, le chef turques. Mais «le retrait avaient été tués dans des retirera, il n'est pas certain que militaire du mouvement auton- s'arrêtera immédiatement en embuscades. Le gouvernement Recep Tayyip Erdogan fasse de omiste. Depuis la base arrière cas d'attaque», a-t-il mis en garantit cette fois-ci que les même, déclare Altan Tan, un du PKK, installée dans les garde. Dans ce cas, les rebelles rebelles pourront se retirer sans député du Parti pour la paix et monts Qandil, dans le nord «feront usage de leur droit de encombre. Et l'état-major a la démocratie, la vitrine poli- irakien, le commandant a répliquer». Ce qui signifie que assurAé qu'il n'entraverait pas tique du PKK. Nous n'avons détaillé devant un parterre de la sortie de Turquie s'effectuera la décision du pouvoir civil. aucune garantie.» Pour l'élu journalistes turcs les modalités les armes à la main, contraire- kurde, «le plus grand danger» de l'opération qui devrait être ment aux exigences du premier L'OPTIMISME D'ANKARA serait que le premier ministre achevée en quelques mois, «le ministre Recep Tayyip s'imagine que les Kurdes se plus rapidement possible». Ses Erdogan. Le ministre des Affaires contenteront de «quelques hommes devraient se retirer via étrangères s'est montré très friandises». «les chemins» qu'ils emprun- Le PKK craint en effet d'être optimiste sur les espoirs de tent habituellement entre les pris pour cible par l'armée paix. Selon Ahmet Davutoglu, deux pays et qui sont donc con- turque comme cela s'est déjà une fois que la moitié de la riv-

96 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Özeti 30 avril 2013 Turquie: La longue marche des «sages» pour la paix ANNE ANDLAUER de la population est favor- able au processus alors que près trente ans de dans la région de Marmara, guerre, des négociations les derniers sondages Ade paix ont débuté entre indiquent 67%». Ankara et la rébellion kurde du PKK. Le gouvernement a er Noire, Egée, lancé une campagne de sen- MMarmara… dans cer- sibilisation pour apaiser les taines régions, les «déléga- inquiétudes au sein de la tions de sages» se heurtent à population de plus vives résistances qu’ailleurs. «Pendant trente On a poussé les tables, les Manifestation d'opposants au processus de paix avec le PKK, ans, on a fait la guerre à ces théières et les jeux de cartes à Istanbul, le 20 avril. terroristes et maintenant, il pour qu’une soixantaine de faudrait leur serrer la main? Et nos martyrs, ils sont personnes se serrent dans le vieux monsieur à la mous- soupape, d’un tampon voire morts pour rien?» s’emporte petit café, les hommes assis tache blanche originaire de d’un punching-ball qui doit Ali, chauffeur de taxi à au premier rang, les femmes Mardin (sud-est). «Même si apaiser les tensions et Çanakkale. et les enfants derrière, les les armes se taisent pour de absorber les inquiétudes de jeunes debout au fond de la bon, est-ce qu’on pourra toutes les tranches de la Ce jour-là, une soixantaine salle. Un concert de tam- parler de paix tant que les société» à l’égard du proces- d’opposants agitant dra- bours annonce l’arrivée de familles n’auront pas été sus de paix. peaux turcs et portraits Mithat Sancar et Levent réunies?» interroge Adile d’Atatürk, fondateur de la Korkut, professeurs de droit, Yalçin, une femme au voile uand les sept «déléga- République, accueillent et d’Ali Bayramoglu, journal- fleuri dont la belle-sœur est tions de sages» ont pris Mithat Sancar, Levent iste. Ils font partie des 63 en prison depuis quatre ans laQ route début avril, le chef Korkut et Ali Bayramoglu «sages», hommes et femmes, pour, dit-elle, propagande en emprisonné du PKK, aux portes de leur hôtel. nommés par le premier min- faveur du PKK. Abdullah Öcalan, venait «Traîtres à la patrie», procla- istre turc, Recep Tayyip d’appeler ses combattants à ment leurs affiches. Deux Erdogan, pour promouvoir La voix un peu hésitante, cesser le feu et à quitter la jours plus tôt, à Bursa, la auprès de la population le Bayram Isik demande si «la Turquie. Après une série police a dispersé des mani- processus de paix avec le paix et les réformes serviront d’échanges entre les services festants à coups de gaz Parti des travailleurs du à quelque chose tant que les secrets sous l’autorité du lacrymogène et un vétéran Kurdistan (PKK), entamé en mentalités n’auront pas premier ministre, les dépu- de l’armée a brandi sa pro- décembre dernier. changé». Cet étudiant à tés du Parti pour la paix et la thèse de jambe en pleine l’Université de Çanakkale démocratie (BDP pro-kurde), réunion. «LUEUR D’ESPOIR» affirme avoir été battu le l’aile militaire du PKK dans mois dernier par d’autres le nord de l’Irak, et Abdullah Il arrive aussi que les «sages» Chaque «délégation de jeunes de son dortoir pour Öcalan sur son île-prison n’aient pas de réponses à sages», comprenant neuf avoir téléphoné en kurde à d’Imrali, le PKK a finalement apporter – autres que leurs membres, s’occupe d’une sa mère, restée dans leur vil- annoncé la semaine dernière opinions personnelles – aux région. Dimanche dernier à lage de la province de son retrait du territoire à questions qui leur sont midi, trois «sages» de celle de Sirnak. partir du 8 mai. Ce retrait posées sur l’avenir du Marmara posent donc leurs devrait s’achever au plus processus. Education en carnets de notes sur la toile ace à eux, les «sages» tard à l’automne, a fait langue maternelle? Réforme cirée de ce petit café à prennent des notes, pro- savoir le commandant mili- de la Constitution? «Ce sera Çanakkale, ville du nord- Fmettent d’inscrire chacune taire de l’organisation, aux politiques d’apporter ouest de l’Anatolie, au bord des doléances dans le rap- Murat Karayilan. des réponses», souligne le du détroit des Dardanelles. port qu’ils doivent rendre juriste Levent Korkut. «Le bientôt au premier ministre. VIVES RÉSISTANCES processus en cours consiste Dans l’assistance composée «Nous n’aimons pas le terme à régler les problèmes sans en majorité de Kurdes, une de «sages», confie le journa- «Cette annonce et le retrait faire couler le sang, dizaine de mains se lèvent. liste Ali Bayramoglu, qui effectif du PKK devraient renchérit Mithat Sancar. Si «J’aperçois une lueur préfère parler de «groupes de atténuer les inquiétudes», cela réussit, nous ne d’espoir parce qu’on n’a dialogue». Levent Korkut, veut croire Mithat Sancar, promettons pas le paradis… pleuré aucun mort des deux juriste et spécialiste des professeur de droit à mais nous promettons la côtés depuis trois mois», droits de l’homme, décrit l’Université d’Ankara, selon sortie de l’enfer.» I observe Sehmuz Aslan, un leur rôle comme «celui d’une lequel «dans le sud-est, 85%

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îteraliKSStUmiw monday.april29.2M3 Islamist rebels in Syria create policy predicament for Obama

CAIRO

Islamists predominate as Obama weighs action \ on chemical arms issue

BY BEN HUBBARD

In Syria's largest city, Aleppo, rebels aligned with Al Qaeda control the power plant, run the bakeries and head a court '/ that applies Islamic law. Elsewhere, they have seized government oil fields, put employees back to work and now . profit from the crude they produce. Across Syria, rebel-held areas are dotted with Islamic courts staffed by lawyers and clerics, and with fighting brigades led by extremists. Even the Su¬ preme Military Council, the umbrella rebel organization whose formation the West had hoped would sideline radical A fighter with the Nusra Front in March in Raqqa Province. Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham helped

groups, is stocked with commanders lead campaigns to seize military bases, dams on the Euphrates and Raqqa's capital. who want to infuse Islamic law into a fu¬ ture Syrian government. Nowhere in rebel-controlled Syria is that the alternative to Mr. Assad is an fealty to Al Qaeda's top leader, Ayman there a secular fighting force to speak of. extremist Islamic state. al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's long¬ This is the landscape President The Islamist character of the opposi¬ time deputy. Nusra has claimed respon¬ Barack Obama confronts as he con¬ tion reflects the main constituency of sibility for a number of suicide bomb¬ siders how to respond to growing evi¬ the rebellion, which has been led since ings, and is the group of choice for the dence that Syrian officials have used its start by Syria's Sunni Muslim major- foreign jihadists pouring into Syria. chemical weapons, crossing a "red . ity, mostly in conservative, marginal¬ Another prominent group, Ahrar al- line" he had set. More than two years of ized areas. The descent into civil war Sham, shares much of Nusra's extrem¬ violence have radicalized the armed op¬ has hardened sectarian differences, and ist ideology but is made up mostly of position fighting the government of the failure of more mainstream rebel Syrians. President Bashar al-Assad, leaving few groups to secure regular arms supplies The two groups are most active in the groups that both share the political vi¬ has allowed Islamists to fill the void and north and east and are widely respected sion of the United States and have the win supporters. by other rebels for their fighting abilities military might to push it forward. The religious agenda of the com¬ and their ample arsenal, much ofit given Among the most extreme groups is batants sets them apart from many ci¬ by sympathetic donors in the Gulf. And the Nusra Front, the Qaeda-aligned both helped lead campaigns to seize mil¬ force declared a terrorist organization vilian activists, protesters and aid work¬ itary bases, dams on the Euphrates by the United States, but other groups ers who had hoped the uprising would River and the provincial capital of Raqqa share aspects of its Islamist ideology in create a civil, democratic Syria. Province in March, the only regional varying degrees. When the armed rebellion began, de¬ capital held entirely by rebel forces. "Some of the more extremist opposi¬ fectors from the government's Nusra's hand is felt most strongly in tion is very scary from an American staunchly secular army formed the van¬ Aleppo, where the group has set up camp perspective, and that presents us with guard. The rebel movement has since in a former children's hospital and has all sorts of problems,' 'said Ari Ratner, a grown to include fighters with a wide worked with other rebel groups to estab¬ former Middle East adviser in the U.S. range of views, including Qaeda-aligned lish a Shariah Commission in the eye State Department and now a fellow at jihadists seeking to establish an Islamic hospital next door to govern the city's the Truman National Security Project, a emirate, political Islamists inspired by rebel-held neighborhoods. The commis¬ national security leadership institute in the Muslim Brotherhood and others who sion runs a police force and an Islamic Washington. "We have no illusions want an Islamic-influenced legal code like that found in many Arab states. court that hands down sentences that about the prospect of engaging with the have included lashings, though not am¬ Assad regime it must still go but "My sense is that there are no secu¬ putations or executions as some Shariah we are also very reticent to support the lars," said Elizabeth O'Bagy, who is an courts in other countries have done. more hard-line rebels." analyst with the Institute for the Study Nusra fighters also control the power Syrian officials recognize that the of War, a Washington research organi¬ plant and distribute flour to keep the United States is worried that it has few zation, and who has made numerous city's bakeries running. natural allies in the armed opposition trips to Syria in recent months to inter¬ While many residents initially feared and have tried to exploit that with a pub¬ view rebel commanders. them, some have come to respect them lic campaign to convince, or frighten, Of most concern to the United States for providing basic services and work¬ Washington into staying out of the fight. is the Nusra Front, whose leader re- ing to fill the city's security vacuum. At every turn they promote the notion . cently confirmed that the group cooper¬ ated with Al Qaeda in Iraq and pledged Secular activists, however, have chafed

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

at their presence. At times, Nusra fight¬ Louay Mekdad, a spokesman for the nounce the Nusra Front as extremists ers have clashed with other rebels who Supreme Military Council, said that its when they are playing such an impor¬ reject their ideology. members reflected Syrian society and tant military role and when they look dis¬ In the oil-rich provinces of Deir al- that it had no ties, to Nusra or other rad¬ ciplined, resourceful and committed?"

Zour and Hasaka, Nusra fighters have ical groups. From the start, the Syrian government seized government oil fields, putting "The character ofthe Syrian people is has sought to portray the rebels as ter¬ some under the control of tribal militias Islamic, but it is stupid to think that Syr¬ rorists carrying out an international plot and running others themselves. ia will turn into Afghanistan," he said. to weaken the country, and the rise of ex¬ "They are the strongest military "That's just an excuse for those who tremist groups has strengthened its case don't want to help Syria." force in the area," said the commander and increased support among Syrians The Obama administration has said it of a rebel brigade in Hasaka reached via who fear that a rebel victory could mean needs more conclusive information be¬ the end of the secular Syrian state. Skype. "We can't deny it." fore it acts on the Syrian government's Many rebels and opposition activists But most of Nusra's fighters joined reported use of chemical weapons. It re¬ complain about the Western focus on Is¬ the group for the weapons, not the ideol¬ mains unclear whether such action lamist groups, some even dismissing ogy, he said, and some left after discov¬ would translate to increased support for the opposition's ideological differences. ering the Qaeda connection. the rebels. "We all want an Islamic state and we "Most of the youth who joined them In the past, U.S. officials saw the mili¬ want Shariah to be applied," said did so to topple the regime, not because tant groups' abundant resources as the Maawiya Hassan Agha, a rebel activist they wanted to join Al Qaeda," he said, main draw for recruits, said Steven reached by Skype in the northern vil¬ speaking on the condition of anonymity Heydemann, a senior adviser at the lage of Sarmeen. . for fear of retaliation. He said a country's laws should flow As extremists rose in the rebel ranks, United States Institute of Peace, which from its people's beliefs and compared the United States sought to limit their works with the State Department. Syrians calling for Islamic law with the influence, first by designating Nusra a "The strategy is based on the current French banning Muslim women from terrorist organization, and later by assessment that popular appeal of these wearing face veils. pushing for the formation of the Su¬ groups is transactional, not ideological, "In France, people don't like face preme Military Council, which is linked and that opportunities exist to peel veils so they passed laws against them," to the exile opposition group, the Syrian people away by providing alternative he said. "It's the same thing here. It's National Coalition. support and resources," he said. our right to push for the laws we want.' ' Although led by a Syrian Army defec¬ Mr. Heydemann acknowledged, tor, Gen. Salim Idris, the council has however, that the momentum toward An employee of The New York Times taken in the leaders of many overtly Is¬ radicalism could be hard to reverse. contributed reportingfrom Aleppo. lamist battalions. One called the Syrian The challenge, he said, is to end the Liberation Front has been integrated conflict before "the opportunity to cre¬

nearly wholesale into the council; many ate a system ofgovernance not based on militant Islamic law is lost." of its members coordinate closely with Emile Hokayem, a Middle East ana¬ the Syrian Islamic Front, a group that in¬ lyst at the International Institute for cludes the extremist Ahrar al-Sham, ac¬ Strategic Studies, framed the rebels' di¬ cording to a recent report by Ms. O'Bagy, lemma another way: "How do you de of the Institute for the Study of War.

April/ 30/2013

.seven-day wave of violence killed more Iraq PM meets Kurdish than 230 people in Iraq. The initiative is aimed at "national reconciliation and

maintaining the gains of democracy," as leader for reconciliation well as "sparing the country from the

specter of civil war and sectarian strife,"

BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister al-Nujaifi's office said in a statement. Nouri al-Maliki met yesterday with r Al-Nujaifi, a Sunni and leading mem¬ the Kurdistan Regional Government's ber of the secular, Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc which has long been at odds with the (KRG) prime minister in Baghdad for Shiite al-Maliki, addressed the proposal reconciliation talks as violence continued f it to the heads of political parries represen¬ across the country with five car bombs kil¬ ted in Parliament. He called for the cur¬ ling 26 in Shiite areas. rent government to resign and be repla¬ Al-Maliki and Nechirvan Barzani ced by a smaller one made up of indepen¬ held talks over disputed areas, the mili¬ dent members who cannot stand in the tary deployment of both sides to these next elections, for the electoral commis¬ areas, oil contracts the KRG has signed Iraqi PM al-Maliki (R) meets KRG PM sion to prepare for early polls and for without Baghdad's approval and Nechirvan Barzani. Baghdad has often Parliament to then be dissolved. Kurdish peshmarga deployment in clashed with Kurdish northern Iraq over So far this month, more than 450 peo¬ Kirkuk. the slmring ofoil revenues. AA photo ple have been killed and over 1,150 The meeting came as five car bombs wounded in violence across Iraq, accor¬ exploded in Shiite areas of central and ding to figures. southern Iraq. north of the country. Compiled from AA and AFP stories by The blasts, which killed 26 and inju¬ Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi the Daily News staff. red dozens more, come amid a week-long called yesterday for the Cabinet to resign spike in sectarian violence following and for early elections to be held, as a clashes at a Sunni protest camp in the

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