INSTITUT KUDE RPARD IS E

Bulletin de liaison et d’information N°314 MAI 2011 La publication de ce Bulletin bénéficie de subventions du Ministère français des Affaires étrangères (DGCID) et du Fonds d’action et de soutien pour l’intégration et la lutte contre les discriminations (FASILD) ————— Ce bulletin paraît en français et anglais Prix au numéro : France: 6 € — Etranger : 7,5 € Abonnement annuel (12 numéros) France : 60 € — Etranger : 75 €

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

INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tél. : 01- 48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01- 48 24 64 66

www.fikp.org E-mail: [email protected] • TURQUIE : UNE CAMPAGNE ÉLECTORALE SANGLANTE POUR LES LÉGISLATIVES

• SYRIE : LES KURDES ENTRE ESPOIR DE CHANGEMENT ET CIRCONSPECTION

• KURDISTAN D’IRAK : DEUXIÈME CONGRÈS INTERNATIONAL DE KURDOLOGIE À DUHOK

• CULTURE : LANCEMENT D’UN PROJET D ENCYCLOPÉDIE « BEDIRKHAN »

TURQUIE : UNE CAMPAGNE ÉLECTORALE SANGLANTE POUR LES LÉGISLATIVES a campagne électorale Ministre turc, Recep Tayyip territoire turc. Cette fois, le pour les législatives en Erdo ğan, qui était visée par un Premier Ministre s’est contenté L Turquie n’a pas été des attentat qui n’a pas été immédia - de mentionner vaguement des plus pacifiques, émaillée tement revendiqué. Alors en « affiliés à une organisation ter - d’attentats, de manifesta - pleine tournée électoral, le roriste ». Il est à noter que cette tions meurtrières et d’accrochages Premier Ministre a en effet région de la mer Noire n’est pas, entre l’armée et le PKK. essuyé des tirs au fusil- habituellement, un théâtre mitrailleur et à la grenade. d’opérations du PKK. Aussi, la Ainsi, le 4 mai, à Diyarbakir, lors L’embuscade s’est produite peu police turque accuse des groupes des funérailles de quatre combat - après que la voiture officielle a d’extrême-gauche de relayer la tants de la guerilla, un cortège de quitté la ville de Kastamonu guerilla kurde hors de son ter - plusieurs milliers de Kurdes s’est (mer Noire). Même si le journal rain. Cependant, la mer Noire est heurté aux forces de l’ordre qui Taraf, relayé par les quotidiens aussi le fief de l’extrême-droite avaient tiré en l’air pour disper - Milliyet et Sabah, a affirmé que, turque et compte de nombreux ser la manifestation. Un véhicule selon les sources de la sécurité, sympathisants des Loups Gris de police a été pris à parti par la l’attaque proviendrait d’un com - (MHP). foule, trois policiers ont été frap - mando de six membres du PKK, pés et un quatrième blessé à aucune accusation précise n’a été Le même jour, le parti kurde l’arme blanche. lancée par les autorités, pourtant (BDP) en campagne, réuni à promptes, en général, à désigner Diyarbakir, a condamné les opé - Le lendemain, 5 mai, c’est la le PKK comme auteur rations militaires des derniers propre voiture du Premier d’attentats, réels ou fictifs, sur le jours, les arrestations de plu - • 2 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 314 • mai 2011

sieurs militants, et menacé de démocratique, à laquelle tout le familles. Les forces de sécurité boycotter les élections. Le monde participe. Mais les deux sont intervenues et ont pu Premier Ministre turc a immé - parties trouvent un peu leur reprendre les quatre corps portés diatement réagi : « Le BDP compte dans cette tension sur la par les manifestants. À cherche à atteindre ses objectifs question kurde. Erdogan veut Diyarbakir, à Siirt, Istanbul et avec le soutien des terroristes ». prendre des voix au MHP, donc dans la province de Batman, plu - il mène une politique nationalis - sieurs affrontements ont eu lieu Finalement, le 6 mai, l’attaque te et s'en prend aux Kurdes accu - avec les forces de l’ordre. contre le convoi du Premier sés de menacer l'unité nationale. Minsitre a été revendiqué dans Quant au parti pro-kurde, "il Le 23 mai, un autre attentat a été un communiqué du PKK, « en montre ses muscles et fait la déjoué contre le Premier représailles à la terreur exercée démonstration qu'il défend sa Ministre, toujours en tournée, par la police sur le peuple communauté » (AFP). cette fois dans les régions kurde (Firat News) » affirmant kurdes. Une bombe télécomman - curieusement que la cible de Les accrochages avec l’armée se dée contenant 36 kg d'explosifs a l’attentat n’était ni le Premier sont poursuivis, avec deux été en effet trouvée et désamor - Ministre, ni les civils, mais la membres du PKK abattus à cée au pied d'un pont dans la police. Mardin, un policier tué et un province de Sirnak où Recep autre grièvement blessé dans Tayyip Erdogan devait se rendre Dans le même temps, le leader une attaque du mouvement pour un discours électoral. Le 26 du PKK, Abdullah Öcalan a kurde à Silopi le 7 mail. mai, un attentat à la bombe, cette menacé, de sa prison : « "Soit un fois à Istanbul, a fait huit blessés, processus de négociations Le 13 mai, douze guerilleros dont deux grièvement. La bombe sérieuses commencera après le kurdes étaient tués, alors qu’un était placée sur un engin deux- 15 juin, soit ce sera le début commando tentait de franchir la roues et a explosé à 9 heures du d'une grande guerre », mais frontière, à partir du Kurdistan matin, sous un pont, près d'un comme ce n’est pas la première d’Irak, près de Şirnak. Le 14 mai, arrêt d'autobus, dans un quartier fois que ce genre d’ultimatum un soldat turc était tué par une huppé de la rive européenne. « précède un prolongement de ces - mine lors d’une opération de Une femme a eu un pied arraché sez-le-feu, la menace a peu ému ratissage dans la montagne de par la déflagration et une autre la classe politique turque. Par Hakkari. Le 16 mai, des manifes - souffre de brûlures du système contre, l’éditorialiste Mehmet Ali tations ont eu lieu dans plusieurs respiratoire » (Agence Anatolie). Birand a estimé que la déclara - villes du Kurdistan de Turquie Selon les services de sécurité, « le tion du BDP au sujet d’un éven - pour protester contre la mort de fait que l'explosion s'est produite tuel boycott des élections était à ces douze Kurdes, alors que des à proximité d'une école de police prendre au sérieux : « La légiti - centaines de manifestants ont laisse penser que l'attentat a mité des élections serait en franchi la frontière avec le peut-être visé la police. » Une cause", et M. Erdogan serait très Kurdistan irakien pour récupérer fois encore, le Premier Ministre a embarrassé, car il veut faire la les corps des combattants tués laissé entendre que le PKK pou - démonstration d'une élection afin de les ramener à leurs vait être à l’origine de l’attaque.

SYRIE : LES KURDES ENTRE ESPOIR DE CHANGEMENT ET CIRCONSPECTION entant toujours de comme Hassaké. Certains esti - droit ? La négligence du Conseil mettre fin, par la force ment, en effet, que cette mesure de Sécurité de l’ONU et des T ou les « gestes poli - n’est pas suffisante. Ainsi le organisations des droits de tiques » aux manifesta - chanteur kurde Omar Şan, origi - l’homme concernant les droits tions qui se déroulent naire d’Afrin, a-t-il déclaré au du peuple kurde est regret - en Syrie, le président Bachar Al- site Aknews que la citoyenneté table. » Assad a rétabli officiellement les syrienne, accordée seule, ne quelques 300 000 Kurdes « apa - signifiait rien : « Les Kurdes ont De même l’activiste kurde Aras trides » dans leur citoyenneté, le besoin de beaucoup d’autres Yussuf juge que les Kurdes doi - 2 mai. À cette annonce, les mani - choses, allant de l’électricité aux vent voir tous leurs droits recon - festations se sont arrêtées à soins médicaux, qu’est-ce que nus en tant que citoyens vivant en Qamishlo et Amude, mais ont cette « citoyenneté creuse » va Syrie, indiquant que l’octroi de la continué dans d’autres villes, leur apporter s’ils n’ont aucun nationalité n’est qu’une petite n° 314 • mai 2011 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 3•

partie de ces droits. Sur l’arrêt des Sur l’attitude des Kurdes de villes arabes, le gouvernement ne manifestations à Qamishlo et Syrie devant les révoltes arabes souhaite pas ouvrir un « second Amude, Aras Yussuf a également syriennes, Rêber estime que les front » dans les villes kurdes. indiqué que tous les réseaux des opinions sont partagées, les Enfin, la Syrie fait face à de téléphones mobiles et autres Kurdes attendant de voir com - lourdes pressions internationales moyens de communication ayant ment les choses vont tourner. et le fait que de nombreux été coupés, cela a pu mettre un Étant politisés depuis des décen - Kurdes vivent de l’autre côté de frein aux rassemblements de rue. nies en Syrie, et la plupart affiliés ses frontières, que ce soit en à des organisations, soit poli - Turquie ou en Irak, la dissuade Par ailleurs, même si l’accès à tiques, soit de défense des droits d’ajouter d’autres afflux de réfu - Internet est beaucoup plus res - de l’homme, il leur est facile, en giés qui rencontreraient, cette treint en Syrie que dans les une journée, de mobiliser plu - fois, le soutien de compatriotes, autres États arabes, une résistan - sieurs milliers de personnes pour en plus de celui des Kurdes ce par Facebook et Tweetter exis - manifester dans les villes. Mais vivant hors du Moyen-Orient. te cependant et les sites et orga - les buts de la révolution syrienne nisations kurdes libres, que ce laissent les Kurdes dans Autre signe de cette « distance soit au Kurdistan d’Irak ou dans l’expectative, en tant que minori - kurde » par rapport à la diaspora relaie cette voix. té ayant à se défier du monde l’opposition arabe, l’annonce du Ainsi Kurdish Rights.org a-t-il arabe et aussi des islamistes. boycott, par les groupes interviewé un de ces tweeters d’opposants kurdes syriens de la anonymes, qui, du Kurdistan de Interrogé par Aknews sur le fait réunion, à Antalya des princi - Syrie, déjoue la censure et la sur - que, pour la première fois, ces paux partis d’opposition syriens veillance sur le web pour poster manifestants kurdes brandis - arabes, réunion « patronnée » régulièrement les dernières nou - saient le drapeau syrien et non par la Turquie, qui a commencé velles des manifestations. Sous le celui du Kurdistan, Rêber le 31 mai. pseudonyme KurdishFreeMan répond que la question des ou bien celui de Rêber se cache - Kurdes de Syrie « réside à Les buts affichés de ce rassem - rait un Kurde d’Alep, qui a refu - Damas et doit être résolu seule - blement sont « d’unir les éner - sé d’indiquer son âge et ses acti - ment à Damas ; la constitution gies » de tous les Syriens, quelles vités civiles par prudence. Il doit arbitrer cette question. Nous que soient leurs ethnies, apparte - dresse un état des lieux des sommes en Syrie, pas au nances religieuses ou opinions foyers d’agitation kurdes dans Kurdistan et notre problème a politiques, pour un changement tout le pays. ses sources en Syrie. Je veux un démocratique. Les participants gouvernement démocratique, je attendus allaient de figures Selon Rêber, la ville qui connaît veux que la constitution recon - majeures de la Déclaration de le moins de manifestations, que naisse qu’il y a des Kurdes en Damas, d’anciens parlemen - ce soit des Kurdes ou des Syrie et leur donne leurs droits taires, des Frères musulmans et Arabes, est Alep. En effet, depuis sociaux, culturels et politiques. des représentants de trente ans, cette ville est tenue Nous voulons des media libres et l’association indépendante des d’une main de fer par les forces honnêtes. La protection des industriels et des hommes de sécurité et la population vit citoyens syriens doit être une d’affaires. Des activistes kurdes dans la terreur des milices d’État. priorité du gouvernement. étaient attendus en individuels, La ville la plus remuante est mais les représentants des partis Qamishlo : 10 000 personnes ont Quant à la réponse jusqu’ici politiques kurdes syriens ont ainsi participé à une manifesta - modérée du régime syrien décliné l’invitation. tion organisée le 20 mai, lors du envers les Kurdes, par rapport à vendredi dit ‘Azadî’, de la liber - la répression dans les villes En effet, ces derniers, dans une té. À Amude, environ 8 000 ont arabes, elle a plusieurs raisons. déclaration publiée dans le jour - participé à ce Vendredi de la D’abord, la propagande du régi - nal Asharq al-Awsat, ont annon - Liberté à Koban, 5 000 ; dans de me selon laquelle les manifes - cé, s’exprimant au nom de 12 plus petits villes comme Serê tants seraient des fondamenta - partis politiques kurdes, leur Kaniyê et Derbassieh, les mani - listes islamistes ne peut intention de boycotter la festants étaient environ 3 000. À s’appliquer aux Kurdes, qui, réunion, en raison du lieu où elle Afrin, 150 personnes ont tenté de dans leur immense majorité, se déroulait: « Toute réunion de manifester mais ont été immé - n’ont jamais versé dans ce genre, se tenant en Turquie, ne diatement encerclées par les l’intégrisme religieux. De plus, peut être qu’au détriment des forces de sécurité. empêtré dans la répression des Kurdes de Syrie, puisque la • 4 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 314 • mai 2011

Turquie est contre les aspirations leur propre culture religieuse, d’Antalya n’a pas invité tous les des Kurdes, pas seulement en ce éloignée de l’intégrisme, que partis kurdes mais seulement qui concerne le Kurdistan du parce que ces mouvements isla - cinq d’entre eux : le Parti démo - nord, mais toutes les parties du mistes prônent une « arabisation » cratique de Syrie, le Parti de la Kurdistan, dont celui de Syrie. » de la culture kurde, au nom d’une gauche kurde, le Parti Azadî, le soumission à la langue du Coran. Mouvement du futur kurde, et le Le représentant du Parti de Parti démocratique progressiste gauche kurde, Saleh Kado, a Autre raison de ce rejet, kurde. Si bien que l’ensemble de confirmé cette préoccupation, en l’indifférence reprochée par les ces partis invités ont préféré disant que la Turquie a une atti - Kurdes des mouvements arabes décliner, afin de ne pas « frag - tude « négative » sur toute la concernant leurs revendications. menter » l’opposition kurde. question kurde en général, et Ainsi, deux semaines avant la qu’Ankara doit d’abord résoudre réunion, le Mouvement national « le problème des 20 millions de des partis kurdes a mis au point Cependant, certains partis Kurdes qui vivent sur son terri - son propre plan pour un change - kurdes désapprouvent ce boy - toire avant de chercher à amener ment démocratique et des cott. Ainsi, le représentant du les partis kurdes syriens à réformes à tous niveaux, mais ce Mouvement du futur kurde, s’accorder sur un projet unifié document a été complètement Mohammed Hako, juge cette pour gérer les événements ignoré par l’opposition non absence au sommet une « énor - actuels de Syrie. » kurde. me erreur » : « En tant que Kurdes, nous devons profiter de Saleh Kado a ajouté que les Abdul Baqi Youssef, un des diri - chaque occasion pour débattre Kurdes de Syrie ne faisaient pas geants du parti kurde Yekitî, a de l’avenir de notre peuple et de confiance à la Turquie et à sa poli - aussi confié au journal web la nation. Je suis contre le fait de tique, et que, par conséquent, ils Aknews ses doutes envers cette boycotter un sommet qui aura avaient décidé le boycott de ce plate-forme, déclarant ne tant de poids, surtout au regard sommet. Une autre raison invo - connaître aucun de ses organisa - de la situation critique et sensible quée a été la présence de Frères teurs, qui n’ont jamais pris de la Syrie aujourd’hui. » C’est musulmans à cette rencontre. Les contact avec le mouvement pourquoi Muhammad Hammo a Kurdes, en effet, ont très peu de kurde lors des préparatifs. déclaré vouloir y assister, mais sympathies pour les mouvements en son nom propre et non en religieux arabes, tant en raison de Par ailleurs, le sommet celui de son parti.

KURDISTAN D’IRAK : DEUXIÈME CONGRÈS INTERNATIONAL DE KURDOLOGIE À DUHOK u premier au 3 mai 2011 lopper considérablement les études a paru cependant important que s’est tenu à Duhok le 2 ème kurdes dans ces pays, où beaucoup plusieurs porte-paroles viennent D Congrès international des de thèses de doctorats ont été témoigner des nouvelles tendances Études kurdes, organisé menées avec succès sur les diffé - de la recherche universitaire dans conjointement par rents aspects de la question kurde, leurs pays respectifs. l’Institut kurde de Paris et ou sur divers sujets portant sur l’université de Duhok. Ce congrès a l’histoire et la société kurdes. De Le second but de ce congrès était rassemblé des kurdologues venus nouveaux thèmes de recherches, d’observer et d’analyser les effets de tous les continents, travaillant allant des déplacements forcés de de plusieurs programmes de sur l’histoire, la langue et la littéra - populations aux nouvelles formes recherche de haut niveau portant ture kurdes. de relations entre ‘genres’ dans la sur la langue et la littérature société, des dynamiques kurdes en Europe, mais aussi en Le premier Congrès avait eu lieu à d’urbanisation à la formation Turquie. Alors que ces dix der - Erbil en 2006, avec, pour but, de d’autorités municipales ont suscité nières années, plusieurs institu - faire un état des lieux de la kurdo - l’intérêt des chercheurs, qui ont pu tions, comme le Centre of Kurdish logie et des études kurdes dans les mener des recherches tant dans les Studies de l’université d’Exeter (en pays occidentaux, principalement archives que sur le terrain. Grande-Bretagne), l’université de la France, l’Allemagne, la Grande- Göttingen (en Allemagne) et Bretagne, les Pays-Bas, les pays Même s’il est impossible de don - l’Institut National des Langues et scandinaves et les Etats-Unis. Mais ner un compte-rendu complet de Civilisations Orientales (en France) la dernière décennie a vu se déve - toutes ces recherches nouvelles, il ont poursuivi et intensifié leur pro - n° 314 • mai 2011 Bulletin de liaison et d’information • 5•

gramme d’enseignement, pour la Paris VIII). L’Allemagne était repré - des dialectes locaux dans le première fois dans l’histoire de la sentée par les Dr. Birgit Ammann Bahdinan. Le pannel 3 était consa - république turque, trois universités (Fachochschule Potsdam, Berlin) et cré au kurde en tant que langue de ont ouvert des départements de Khanna Omarkhali (université de media, en retraçant et analysant le langue et de littérature kurdes : Göttingen), l’Italie par le professeur rôle des chaînes de télévision satel - Mardin, Mush et Hakkari . Mirella Galletti (université de lites dans le processus d’unification Naples), les Pays-Bas par le Dr. de la langue kurde, avec les inter - Le congrès a permis aux différents Michiel Leezenberg (université ventions de Ruken Keskin (Kurd1), spécialistes un échange autour de d’Amsterdam) ; les études kurdes Abdul Rehman Kakil (Kurdistan leurs méthodes pédagogiques, en Scandinavie par Resho Zîlan TV), Hewar Ibrahim Hussain Shali nécessaire à la consolidation de ces (université d’Uppsala) ; la kurdolo - (Kurdsat TV). initiatives, et afin de renforcer leur gie dans les anciens pays de l’Ex- qualité académique ; d’instaurer un URSS par Knyaz Mirzoev Le second atelier, portait sur des début de coopération et d’échange (Université d’Alma Ata), les Etats- questions de littérature et entre les universités européennes, Unis par les Dr. Michael Gunter d’histoire. Dans le premier pannel, américaines, de Turquie et du (Tennessee Technological « études littéraires », Sandrine Kurdistan d’Irak. University) et Janet Klein Alexie (Institut kurde de Paris) a (University of Akron, Cleveland). traité des problèmes de traduction À la séance d’ouverture du congrès en français de la littérature kurde étaient présents le ministre de L’aperçu des études kurdes au classique et le professeur l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Moyen-Orient a porté sur la Syrie, Muhammad Bakir Muhammad recherche, le professeur Dilawer avec le professeur Abdi Haji (Université de Duhok) du Ala’adin, ainsi que le ministre de Muhammad (université de Duhok), « Langage logique dans la poésie l’Éducation, Safeen Diyazee, et le la Turquie avec les professeurs kurde ». Le second panel était celui ministre de la Culture, qui ont pris Kadri Yildirim et Abdulrahman de la littérature orale, avec le pro - tour à tour la parole, ainsi que le Adak (université de Mardin) ; enfin fesseur Celîlê Celîl pour parler du président de l’université de Duhok, la kurdologie dans la Région du folklore kurde et Khanna le Dr. Asmat M. Khalit et M. Kurdistan d’Irak a été présentée Omarkhali pour un exposé sur les Kendal Nezan, le président de par le Dr Kamiran Berwari (univer - qewls (hymnes religieux) des yézi - l’Institut kurde de Paris. sité de Duhok). dis. Le panel 3 était celui de l’histoire et de l’anthropologie, Le premier pannel portait d’abord Le deuxième jour était consacré aux avec une intervention du Dr. sur l’historique des études kurdes ateliers de langue et de littérature, Khalid Khayati sur la diaspora au 20 ème siècle, exposé par le pro - avec deux groupes de travail dis - kurde de Suède. Enfin le panel 4 fesseur Joyce Blau (France), le pro - tincts. Le premier était intitulé réunissait des maisons d’édition fesseur Abdul Fettah Botani, direc - « Langue et Linguistique ». Salih en langue kurde, que ce soit en teur du centre des Études et Akin (université de Rouen) est Turquie ou au Kurdistan d’Irak, archives kurdes (Kurdistan d’Irak), intervenu sur « La pratique du comme Avesta, Aras, Doz. suivis du professeur Celîlê Celîl kurde dans la diaspora » et Birgit (Autriche). Ammann sur « l’identité kurde dans la diaspora ». Dans le second Le Congrès a formulé un certain Est venu ensuite un aperçu des pannel de cet atelier, portant plus nombre de recommandations pour études kurdes dans différents pays spécifiquement sur des questions le développement des études occidentaux, avec, pour la France, de linguistique pure, Khosrow kurdes. Un résumé de ces recom - les interventions du professeur Abdollahi Madolkani (INALCO, mandations a été communiqué au Hamit Bozarslan (Paris, EHESS), Paris) s’est exprimé sur les deux Premier Ministre du Kurdistan, du philosophe Ephrem-Isa Youssif types d’infinitifs du kurde, Baeiz lors d’une réception qu’il a offert et Jean-Marie Pradier (université de Omer Ahmed sur les évolutions aux congressistes le 4 mai. CULTURE : LANCEMENT DE l ‘ENCYCLOPÉDIE « BEDIRKHAN » À ERBIL e 16 mai, au Centre cul - archives et préserver l’héritage l’équipe franco-kurde qui colla - turel français d’Erbil, a de la famille Bedir Khan, en rai - borait autour de la revue Hawar, L été annoncé le lance - son de son rôle historique dans dans l’élaboration de la langue ment d’un projet intitu - les liens forgés entre la France et kurde et de son écriture en carac - lé « Encyclopédie Bedir les Kurdes à la chute de l’empire tère latin, surnommé l’alhabet Khan », visant à collecter les ottoman, et le rôle majeur de « Hawar ». • 6 • Bulletin de liaison et d’information n° 314 • mai 2011

Dès la fin de l’empire ottoman l’émir Bedir Khan du Botan contre pages, 1000 photographies ou l’activité de la dynastie des Bedir les armées ottomanes, la plupart images et 46 livres traitant de la Khan, émirs du Botan, allie les de ces princes furent envoyés en famille Bedir Khan. Un groupe revendications politiques de leur exil, ce qui leur permit de bénéfi - d’écrivains et de journalistes nation avec la promotion et le cier d’une excellente éducation à vivant en Turquie est chargé de développement de la culture l’étranger et d’être engagés dans la recherche, dans les archives kurde. Le premier numéro du les mouvements politiques et cul - ottomanes, de tout ce qui a trait à premier journal kurde, turels des Kurdes à l’étranger. l’histoire de la famille Bedir « Kurdistan », fut publié en Khan. Une même recherche est Égypte, le 22 avril 1898, par un La haute comission chargée de ce faite en Syrie. membre de cette famille, Miqdad projet comprend six membres, Mithat, suivi de 31 numéros, et dont Sînem Bedir Khan. La pre - L’encyclopédie devrait com - de nombreux autres ouvrages. mière réunion de cette commis - prendre en 16 et 20 tomes, et son sion, qui s’est tenue le 22 avril de élaboration pourrait prendre Après la défaite, en 1840, de cette année, a déjà recensé 3000 environ trois ans. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

i'cliïanile

Lundi 2 mai 2011

* . \

Face à la répression en Syrie, les Etats-Unis adoptent des sanctions économiques

L'intervention des forces de sécurité, lors du « vendredi de la colère », a fait au moins 62 morts

Beyrouth

Correspondance

Malgré le déploiement de

l'armée, la détermination

des contestataires syriens n'a pas été entamée. Vendredi 29 avril,baptisé « journée de la colè¬ re », plusieurs milliers de Syriens ft^f *" ontbravé les interdictions de mani¬ fester pour exprimer leur solidari¬ "ït* té avec les habitants de Deraa assié¬ f?*? gés par les militaires, pour récla¬ mer un « changement de Constitu¬ ^^°c#-Î3S%:' tion» ou la «chute du régime». La . ,^^'Iv^èitc^

répressionparles forces de sécurité

a fait au moins 62 morts civils, selon l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'homme (OSDH). Le

: «Comité des martyrs», qui collecte les noms des victimes, a indiqué que près d'un demi-millier de per¬

sonnes ont été tuées em Syrie depuis le début de la révolte - le 15 mars- dont le quart dans la seule

ville de Deraa. C'est dans ce berceau de la Manifestation dans la ville à majorité kurde de Kamechliyé, au nord de la Syrie, le 29 avril, ap contestation, à la frontière jorda¬

nienne, que les victimes ont été les la frontière jordanienne, se font, , vqrs les pays voisins, en Jordanie, Après avoirpromis des réformes plus nombreusesvendredi. Les ter¬ ' elles aussi, de plus en plus rares; au nord du Liban et en Turquie et décrété la levée de l'état d'urgen¬

ribles unités d'élite de la 4e division L'armée a par ailleurs été, pour y trouver refuge. ce, le 21 avril, le régime syrien sem-( blindée de Màher Al-Assad, frère déployée dans la banlieue de A l'issue de cette nouvellë:jour- ble s'être engagé dans la voie du: du président Bachar Al-Assad, y Damas, à Lattaquié, et à Homs, troi¬ née meurtrière, les Etats-Unis ont tout répressif, justifié, selon lui, par

sont chargées de mater la révolte. sième ville du pays, où, selon des décidé des sanctions économi¬ l'existence d'un «complot étran¬ L'eau, le téléphone et l'électricité habitants, des chars auraient ques à l'encontre de trois1 diri¬ ger» et de «groupes islamistes ».

ont été coupés et les habitants ouvert le feu dans la soirée. Des geants, syriens : Maher Al-Assad, Le nombre de victimes des ONG manquent de vivres et de médica- centaines de Syriens, pour la plu¬ Atif Najib, cousin du raïs et chefde syriennes a été démenti par les

; ments, selon les rares témoignages part des femmes et des enfants la sûreté intérieure dans la'provin¬ autorités, ainsi que les témoigna¬ ' qui franchissent le blocus de l'in- fuyant les violences, ont afflué ce de Deraa, et Ali Mamlouk, autre ges rapportés parles chaînesAl-Âra-

. formation imposé par Damas. cousin et chef des renseignements biya et Al-Jazira, accusées de « sédi¬ généraux, au c de l'appareil tion» et de «mensonges». Selon

Embargo sur les armes répressif. l'agence officielle SANA, citant un

Des villageois venus des alen- Les 27 Etats membres dé porte-parole militaire, 148 person¬ . tours pour prêter main-forte aux l'Union européenne ont, pour leur nes auraient été.tuées depuis le

insurgés de Deraa auraient été part, indiqué être parvenus à'un début des troubles, dont 78 poli¬

mitraillés par des. snipers de la «accord préliminaire» visant à ciers. Des Syriens présentés com¬

4' division. Quinze d'entre eux imposer un embargo sur les véri¬ me des «éléments de cellules terro¬

auraient ainsi été tués aux portes tés d'armes à la Syrie. Trois pays, le. ristes » arrêtés parlesforces de sécu¬ de la ville. Filmées au début de l'in¬ Portugal, l'Estonie et Chypre rechi¬ rité, défilent à la télévision nationa¬

tervention militaire lancée le gnent encore à accepter des sanc¬ le pour y délivrer leurs «aveux».

25 avril, des vidéos amateurs ont tions ciblées contre les principaux L'und'entre eux a ainsi déclaréven¬

montré des scènes effarantes de dirigeants syriens, mais un gel de dredi avoir été financé par des rues jonchées de morts et de bles¬ leurs avoirs et une interdiction de «cheikhs d'Arabie Saoudite et du

sés. Ces images, qui transitaient par visas sont en préparation. Koweït».- (Intérim.) ® Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Turquie: Incidents lors jaune de la rébellion kurde du PKK. "Vengeance, vengeance" ou "Biji Apo" (vive Apo, surnom d'Abdullah Ôca- d'obsèques de rebelles lan, chef historique emprisonné du PKK) a scandé la foule lors de la mar¬ kurdes abattus par l'armée che.

Sept rebelles du PKK ont été tués la semaine dernière lors de heurts avec l'armée dans la province montagneuse de Tunceli (est). DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 4 mai 2011 (AFP)

De retour du cimetière, environ 250 jeunes cagoules ont lancé des cocktails molotov sur des magasins et des bâtiments publics, provoquant d'impor¬ PLUSIEURS MILLIERS de Kurdes en colère ont assisté mercredi à tants dégâts matériels. Diyarbakir (sud-est) aux funérailles de quatre rebelles du Parti des tra¬ vailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), émaillées d'incidents avec la police, a La police est de nouveau intervenue en faisant usage de gaz lacrymogène constaté un correspondant de l'AFP. contre les jeunes manifestants qui avançaient vers le siège provincial du parti gouvernemental islamo-conservateur AKP (Parti de la justice et du Quatre policiers ont été blessés lorsque leur véhicule a été pris d'assaut par développement), arrêtant une dizaine d'entre-eux. une procession de quelque 5.000 personnes. Trois policiers ont été battus et le quatrième a été poignardé. Les enterrements de rebelles donnent généralement lieu à une poussée de fièvre contre les autorités turques dans le sud-est anatolien, peuplé majori¬ Lors des faits, un autre groupe de policiers a tiré en l'air pour disperser la tairement de Kurdes et dont le chef-lieu est Diyarbakir. foule et utilisé des canons à eau. Le PKK, considéré comme un groupe terroriste par de nombreux pays, a Deux manifestants et un journaliste ont également été blessés lors des inci¬ décrété un cessez-le-feu unilatéral en août 2010, mais a menacé en mars dents. d'y mettre fin, déplorant l'échec du gouvernement à dialoguer avec les Le cortège a transporté sur les épaules des porteurs jusqu'au cimetière les Kurdes, alors que doivent avoir lieu en juin des élections législatives. quatre cercueils enveloppés dans des drapeaux aux couleurs rouge-vert-

Des policiers turcs attaqués après REUTERS un meeting d'Erdogan

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -4 mai 2011 - Par Gilles Trequesser

«v; f' DES SÉPARATISTES présumés ont attaqué mercredi en Turquie des véhicules de la police, tuant un agent, près d'une \.3 ville du Nord où le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan avait prononcé un discours un peu plus tôt, rapportent des chaî¬ nes de télévision turques.

Erdogan avait déjà quitté la ville de Kastamonu en hélicoptère lorsque l'attaque a été commise, et il s'est rendu sur les lieux d'un autre meeting, dans le cadre de la campagne pour les élections connaît pas d'activité de guérilla habituellement. Des militants législatives du 12 juin. kurdes, islamistes ou d'extrême gauche ont cependant commis fréquemment des attentats et des attaques en des points très dif¬

Outre le policier rué, deux autres ont été blessés dans l'attaque, férents de Turquie par le passé. qui s'est produite alors qu'un autocar de l'AKP, le parti au pou¬ voir, traversait une zone forestière à la sortie de Kastamonu. Une S'exprimant après ces événements dans la ville d'Asmaya, grenade a été lancée sur une voiture de police et des individus Erdogan a semblé imputer l'attaque à des séparatistes. "Ces ont ouvert le feu, selon la chaîne NTV. esprits noirs, ces terroristes, ces séparatistes ne savent faire que cela, car ils croient qu'ils ne peuvent rien obtenir par la voie des

La province de Kastamonu, sur les bords de la mer Noire, ne urnes", a-t-il dit.

Les rebelles kurdes représailles à la terreur exercée par la police sur le peuple" kurde, a déclaré le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), dans un communiqué transmis revendiquent une attaque par l'agence de presse Firat. meurtrière contre la police Les autorités turques avaient accusé jeudi les rebelles du PKK d'être res¬ ponsables de cette attaque.

Un commando avait attaqué à la grenade et au fusil d'assaut une voiture de ANKARA, May 6, 2011 (AFP) police escortant un bus du parti au pouvoir, le Parti de la justice et de déve- lopppement (AKP), près de Kastamonu (nord), où le Premier ministre Recep LES REBELLES KURDES ont revendiqué vendredi une attaque au Tayyip Erdogan venait de tenir un meeting pour les élections législatives du cours de laquelle un policier a été tué et un autre blessé, alors qu'ils 12 juin. escortaient un convoi du parti au pouvoir, après un meeting du Un policier avait été tué, et un autre blessé alors qu'il répliquait aux tirs. Premier ministre. Cette attaque "visait la police (...) non les civils ou le Premier ministre", a L'attaque menée mercredi dans le nord "a été faite par nos militants en précisé le PKK. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

Turquie: deux rebelles (PKK) se sont produits non loin de la montagne de Bagok, a-t-on précisé de même source. kurdes abattus par Le PKK, considéré comme un groupe "terroriste" par de nombreux pays, l'armée dans le Sud-Est a décrété un cessez-le-feu unilatéral en août 2010, mais a menacé en mars d'y mettre fin, déplorant l'échec du gouvernement à dialoguer avec les Kurdes, alors que doivent avoir lieu en juin des élections législatives. DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 6 mai 2011 (AFP) Le PKK a revendiqué vendredi une attaque mercredi dans le nord de la Turquie au cours de laquelle un policier a été tué et un autre blessé, alors DEUX REBELLES kurdes ont été abattus tôt samedi dans des heurts qu'ils escortaient un convoi du parti au pouvoir, après un meeting du avec l'armée dans une zone montagneuse de la province de Mardin Premier ministre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (sud-est), a indiqué une source de sécurité locale. Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de 45.000 morts depuis le début de Les accrochages avec les rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan l'insurrection du PKK, en 1984, selon l'armée.

Pétrole: l'Irak a payé les Bagdad avait jusqu'alors refusé de rémunérer les compagnies pétrolières opérant au Kurdistan en raison d'un conflit avec la région autonome sur la entreprises opérant au nature des accords pétroliers qu'elle a conclus avec les groupes étrangers, mais aussi sur la répartition des coûts et des bénéfices de ces opérations. Kurdistan (officiel) BAGHDAD, 6 mai 2011 (AFP) Le texte diffusé jeudi précise que les paiements s'inscrivent dans le cadre d'un "accord provisoire sur la répartition des recettes" conclu entre M. Saleh, le Premier ministre irakien Nouri al-Maliki et les ministres irakiens du L'IRAK a pour la première fois payé les compagnies pétrolières opé¬ Pétrole et des Finances. rant dans la région autonome du Kurdistan (nord), a annoncé le L'Irak produit environ 2,6 millions de barils par jour, dont environ 2,1 millions Premier ministre kurde, Barhem Saleh, dans un communiqué diffusé sont exportés. Le pays tire 90% de ses revenus de son secteur pétrolier. jeudi. Le Kurdistan a recommencé début février à pomper son pétrole pour l'ex¬ Le gouvernement central de Bagdad a transféré un total de 243 millions de portation. dollars à ces sociétés opérant dans les trois provinces de la région kurde, a-t-il précisé. Les exportations de brut de la région autonome se situent actuellement autour de 135.000 bj, a indiqué dans le communiqué son ministre des Cette somme correspond à "50% des recettes nettes provenant de l'expor¬ Ressources naturelles, Ashti Hawrami, qui a précisé que le Kurdistan espé¬ tation de plus de cinq millions de barils de pétrole des régions du Kurdistan rait porter sa production à 200.000 bj à la fin de l'année. entre février 2011 et le 27 mars", selon le communiqué.

Irak: le départ américain redouté à Kirkouk, province minée par la violence

KIRKOUK (Irak), 6 mai 2011 (AFP) (FCS), un dispositif tripartite mis en place sur les territoires disputés et incluant des troupes kurdes et arabes.

LES TENSIONS ETHNIQUES entre kurdes et arabes et la persistance Interrogé par l'AFP, un porte-parole de l'armée américaine a réaffirmé que des violences à Kirkouk inquiètent les responsables de cette province toute prolongation de la présence américaine en Irak -donc à Kirkouk- impli¬ dont certains souhaitent un maintien des forces américaines après fin querait une requête en ce sens du gouvernement irakien.

2011, date prévue pour le retrait total américain d'Irak. Or celui-ci compte plusieurs courants hostiles à cette présence qu'ils pré¬

Dans cette région riche en pétrole à 240 km au nord de Bagdad, l'insécurité sentent comme une forme d'occupation. Et aucun dirigeant irakien ne s'est prend la forme d'attentats, d'assassinats ciblés, d'enlèvements, ou même risqué à demander aux Américains de rester. parfois d'accrochages entre militaires irakiens et forces de sécurité kurdes, La dispute entre Bagdad et le Kurdistan trouve son origine dans l'arabisa¬ comme celui qui avait fait deux morts et quatre blessés le 25 avril. tion au début des années 1990 de ces territoires par le président déchu

Comme dans la plupart des "territoires disputés" entre Bagdad et la région Saddam Hussein, qui a forcé 120.000 Kurdes à fuir vers le nord, selon l'or¬ ganisation des droits de l'Homme Human Rights Watch. autonome du Kurdistan (nord), la lutte contre les groupes armés à Kirkouk est compliquée par les revendications du gouvernement central et des auto¬ Les peshmergas ou combattants kurdes ont profité de l'invasion américaine rités kurdes sur cette zone stratégique. de 2003 pour progresser vers le Sud et l'Ouest, revendiquant le caractère

"Al-Qaïda tente de déstabiliser la situation à Kirkouk en visant ses différen¬ kurde de Kirkouk, et de zones dans les provinces de Salaheddine, Diyala tes composantes ethniques et en attisant le confessionnalisme", affirme à (centre) et Ninive (nord). l'AFP l'adjoint au chef de la police provinciale, le général Tourhan Depuis, les deux camps s'accusent de vouloir modifier la balance démogra¬ Abdelrahman. phique pour contrôler les richesses de ces régions.

"Malgré leurs divergences, les dirigeants politiques locaux sont d'accord sur A Kirkouk, la situation demeure "fragile" selon le chef du conseil provincial, la nécessité du maintien de forces américaines à Kirkouk pour aider à régler Hassan Toran, un turcoman qui juge les effectifs de sa police "insuffisants". les problèmes en suspens", assure-t-il. De source proche des forces de sécurité, on affirme que la police provinciale Sous couvert de l'anonymat, un haut responsable des forces de sécurité compte 11.300 policiers, mais en aurait besoin de 3.500 de plus. locales affirme même que le retrait américain prévu fin 2011, plus de huit Les attentats sont quasi quotidiens dans la province. Jeudi encore, deux ans après l'invasion, constitue une "menace mortelle" pour Kirkouk. gardes du corps ont péri dans l'explosion d'une bombe contre un responsa¬ "Les Américains sont une source de confiance", affirme-t-il. "Tout le monde ble des forces de sécurité kurdes de Touz Khormatou. va les voir pour résoudre leurs problèmes liés aux ingérences politiques Dans ce contexte, le retrait des Américains constituera pour l'archevêque dans les services de sécurité et aux conflits politiques". chaldéen de Kirkouk, Louis Sako, "un grand défi". "Il va laisser un vide qu'il L'armée américaine compte encore 45.000 hommes en Irak, dont environ nous faudra combler par la concorde et la réconciliation". 300 qui participent toujours à Kirkouk à la Force combinée de sécurité Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

^INTERNATIONAL- THE WORLD'S DAILY NEWSPAPER Another 'Friday of Rage' MAY 1,2011 turns bloody

; BEIRUT I f/1 ~t'% As Syrians protest again, security forces kill at least 16 people in restive city

BY ANTHONY SHADID

AND STEPHEN CASTLE

Security forces in Syria fired on protest¬ ers seeking to break the military's siege of the restive town of Dara'a on Friday,

killing at least 16 people. The violence occurred as thousands of Syrians took to the streets throughout the country in what organizers had pro¬ claimed a "Friday of Rage" against the government's crackdown of a six-week uprising, witnesses and activists said. The bloodletting in Dara'a was the ,worst on what became another violent Friday, repeating a cycle that has emerged as a fixture of the greatest An image from a YouTube video showed protesters tearing down a portrait of the late President challenge to four decades of the Assad

family's rule. After noon prayers each Hafez al-Assad, right, and his son, President Bashar al-Assad, in Hama, Syria, on Friday. week, demonstrators have poured into the streets, only to face the determina¬ capital Damascus, a symbol of Presi¬ tion, of the government to disperse dent Bashar al-Assad's 11-year rule. tions so that the measures could be im- them, usually by force. "With our blood, with our souls, we . pose swiftly if there is no improvement Residents painted a wrenching por¬ will sacrifice for you, Dara'a," demon¬ \ in the situation, said one E.U. diplomat trait of the scene in Dara'a, à poor town strators chanted in Horns, the site of ; speaking on condition of anonymity due in southern Syria near the Jordanian some of the biggest protests. to the sensitivity of the issue. border where protests in March helped Though the government still has vast A paper circulated before the E.U. galvanize nationwide demonstrations. . resources to draw on -<- and bastions of meeting by France, Germany and Brit¬ The military stormed the town Monday, support, particularly among religious ain accused the Syrian regime of refus¬ effectively occupying it, and the hard- minorities it seems to be facing an ing to respond to appeals from the inter¬ ' ships shortages of food and water, in evolving revolt that it has proven un¬ national community. addition to dozens of deaths that were able to crush. "There really isn't a co- "It has not engaged in à process of : reported have become a rallying cry, . alesced movement yet or official organ¬ ' dialogue and credible reforms," said the i unleashing solidarity protests in other izers of the protests," an Obama paper, "instead it has opted for increas¬ towns and neighboring countries: > administration official said by tele¬ ing repression." Residents said hundreds, . perhaps phone from Washington, "It's almost an Arguing that the European Union's '. thousands of Syrians from outside the organic thing. The more violence hap¬ credibility depended on "rapid action," : town, tried to march: there, either to pens, the more the cycle Continues, the the document outlined a series of possi¬ break the siege or to bring in food arid more people hit the street." ble measures including an arms em¬ medicine. As they approached, security The international effort to censure bargo and restrictions on the sale of forces opened fire. Syria over thé violence shifted to goods used for international repression "There was a lot of screaming," said Europe on Friday. and travel bans and assets freezes Wissam Tarif, executive director of In- In Brussels, the European Union was against Syrian officials. san, a human rights group, citing the ac¬ poised to threaten sanctions and cuts in In addition the European Union could counts of residents. "It was a massacre." aid unless the government in Damascus kill off a draft agreement on closer eco¬ The Syrian military said in another in- . changes course. Senior diplomats from nomic ties which is already on hold, and ,

. cident, four soldiers were killed by what the 27 member states,:meeting into Fri¬ it called terrorists at a checkpoint there day evening, discussed a-list' of possible "It s almost an organic thing. earlier in the day. , measures including bans on arms sales The more violence happens, There were conflicting reports on the and "smart sanctions" against senior the more the cycle continues, number of civilians killed. Mr. Tarif said officials in the regimes. the more people hit the street" a nearby hospital had received 16 bodies With Germany, France and Britain and many wounded. Razan Zeitouneh, pressing for a strong message against an activist with the Syrian Human the violence, most diplomats believe cut its financial assistance to Syria. Rights Information Link in Damascus, that some sanctions will, eventually, be The current three-year aid program put the toll at 19 and provided names. imposed. However no formal decisions, covering the period 2011-2013 amounts She said four others were killed in a were to be taken at the meeting Friday to million, or $190 million, though wave of protests that gathered in dozens since ministers, not diplomats, have the the Syrian government has also re¬ of towns and villages, from the Kurdish power to do that. ceived million since 2007 to deal east and the Mediterranean coast to the Instead the idea was to start prepara Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

with the influx of Iraqi refugees. Also at China, while there were seven absten' During the debate, a number of mem¬ risk is further investment in other proj¬ tions and a number of absentees. bers of the 47-member council includ¬ ects managed by the European Invest¬ In the end, the council decided against ing Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, ment Bank which had plans to lend sending an international team with a South Africa, Cuba and Pakistan, which mandate to conduct deep investigations around billion for work in Syria. represented Organization of the Islamic Diplomats acknowledge, however, into abuses in Syria and pass those ' Conference distanced themselves that punitive measures are largely in¬ along for judicial review, choosing in¬ from criticizing Syria and argued that the stead to dispatch a more limited mission tended to send a political signal and will council was overstepping its mandate. not, of themselves, change the behavior of the United Nations High Commis¬ Syria's representative, Faisal al- of the Syrian government. "It's not a sioner for Human Rights, which would Haniwi, criticized the "unbalanced game-changer," said one E.U. diplomat. focus on fact-finding. Likewise, "deep text" and the "artificial motives" and concern" for the deaths in Syria, in the In Geneva, a special session of the "threats" behind-the-scenes to have it first draft, became "deep regret." U.N. Human Rights Council passed a passed. He said Syria had taken impor¬ The United States was pleased with resolution condemning the govern¬ tant steps in judicial reform, including the final text after a tough day of negoti¬ ment's violence, though the statement lifting the state of emergency. ating. "It's a very good outcome," Am¬ was diluted from one drafted by the "We will continue with our deter¬ bassador Eileen Chamberlain Doriahoe, United States. mined steps to reform," he said. "We the US. representative to the council, The debate demonstrated the contin¬ will not be lenient with anyone who said after the session. The vote count ued difficulty in coordinating tough in- threatens our national security." ternational censure of Syria. In a vote, was better than predicted, she said, 26 countries supported the text, nine while the principal of condemning Syria voted against it, including Russia and had been retained.

£e1Hoiuk

Lundi 2 mai 2011

A Istanbul, la mémoire en images du génocide arménien

Le photographe Antoine Agoudjian expose « Les yeux brûlants », travail sur

les communautés rescapées des massacres de 1915 et 1916

phie aide àfaireparler les conscien¬ culturelles sur la question armé¬ conscience que cette histoire n'est ces », explique l'artiste, à Istanbul. nienne. OsmanKôker avait organi- pas que l'affaire des Arméniens. Istanbul '- Antoine Agoudjian a réalisé lui- C'est le sujet de tous les gens qui ont correspondance même chacun des tirages en grand Malgré les tabous, soifde vérité», note-t-il. format pour cette exposition, qui Les rencontres à Istanbul, Sur des murs immaculés sont se tient à Istanbul jusqu'au 5 juin et la société civile autour des commémorations du disposées quatre-vingt-seize sera présentée à Paris en septem¬ génocide, organisées par quel¬ photographies en noir et turque a commencé bre et en octobre, à la galerie Mati¬ ques intellectuels et militants des blanc, une .pour chaque année gnon. Son travail, tout en jeux de le travail de mémoire droits de l'homme, le 24 avril, ont écoulée depuis lé déclenchement lumière et de contrastes, invite à conforté le Français Antoine Agou¬ du génocide des Arméniens de une exploration des tourments de se une exposition très importante djian dans sa conviction. «J'espère l'Empire ottoman, le 24 avril 1915. la culture et de l'âme arménienne. avec les fonds d'un collectionneur que cela ouvrira la voie à d'autres Le parcours de l'exposition « Les Les fantômes des victimes dii de cartes postales anciennes, qui Arméniens de la diaspora qui ont Yeux' brûlants», inaugurée à génocide hantent les villages montrait la réalité de la présence envie de venir travailler ici », ajou- Istanbul, le 26 avril, marque cinq d'Anatolie, les ruines d'églises et des Arméniens avant 1915 et de leur te-t-il. Mais le sujet resté extrême¬ étapes géographiques, symboli¬ les communautés pétrifiées. Les disparition.» ment sensible en Turquie. Quel¬ sant lés cinq anciens vilayets décré¬ ciels sont lourds. Il peint la déporta¬ Le journal de la communauté ques militants ultranationalistes tés arméniens par l'empire : Van, tion, l'exode, le martyre des Armé¬ arménienne fondé parHrant Dink, ont tenté de s'inviter au vernissa¬ Erzurum, Bitlis, Diyarbakir et Har- niens. Jusqu'aux funérailles du Agos, avait publié une série de pho¬ ge de l'exposition. Ils ont été tran¬ pùt, des provinces aujourd'hui journaliste Hrant Dink, assassiné tos d'Agoudjiàn. Quelques mois quillement maintenus à distance situées dans l'est de laTurquie. Des plus tard, une rencontre à Istanbul par la police. S régions marquées par le crime, en 2007, auxquelles n'assiste. La avec Osman Kavala, homme d'af¬ Guillaume Perrier que le photographe Antoine Agou¬ mort habite chaque survivant,. faires et mécène, l'un des rouages^ djian, petit-fils de rescapés de 1915, Mais des vestiges surgit un halo, clés du dialogue culturel entre « Les Yeux brûlants », DEPO, Tùtûn Depo- explore depuis une quinzaine d'an¬ d'espoir. , Turcs et Arméniens, scelle l'idée su Lùleci Hendek Gaddesi n' 12, Tophane - nées. Surtout, en faisant découvrir d'une exposition, au Depo, un cen¬ 34425 Istanbul..Ouvert tous les jours, sauf Ses voyages l'ont mené dans tou¬ «Les Yeux brûlants» au public tre culturel à Istanbul. Pari tenu. le lundi, de 11 heures à 19 heures. Entrée tes les communautés arménien¬ turc, le photographe réalise bien Le recueil des photographies gratuite.dep_oistanbul.net/en nes disséminées au Moyen-Orient, plus qu'une exposition. Il apporte d'Agoudjiàn, publié dans la collec¬ mais aussi sur les chemins de, la sa contribution artistique à unpro- déportation et des massacres, de cessus d'ouverture, en cours tion Photo Poche (les Yeux brû¬

l'ouest de là Turquie jusqu'aux depuis quelques années. Lé génoci¬ lants, Actes Sud, 2006), sort lui aus¬ déserts syriens de Deir és-Zor, à la de reste un tabou historique pour si en Turquie, en édition bilingue, recherche d'une mémoire niée, l'Etat. Mais la société civile turque turc et arménien, dans la collec¬ refoulée, mais pas totalement effa¬ a entamé le travail de mémoire. tion d'ouvrages historiques lancée cée. Cette mémoire du génocide, «L'histoire s'accélère depuis la par Osman Kôker. Pour le photo¬

inscrite dans l'ADN des survivants, mort de Hrant Dink, estime l'intel¬ graphe, exposer enTurquie est éga¬ est gravée sur les négatifs d'Antoi¬ lectuel turc Ahmet Insel. Cette lement le résultat d'un chemine¬

ne Agoudjian. «La négation, c'est exposition s'inscrit dans ce contex¬ ment personnel. «Beaucoup trou¬ ce qui rend le génocide encore te. Nous avons déjà pu voir en Tur¬ vaientl'idée loufoque, voire incons¬ actuel, et là vérité de la photogra-; quie plusieurs manifestations ciente. Mais aujourd'hui, je prends Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

rmm Kurdistan: Still a safe haven? 03 May 2011

Sulaymaniya and other urban centres, alleging that the The Gulf/Dubai region's senior political elite By James Gavin has become tainted with cor¬ ruption.

Kurds put out the wel¬ In late April, the violence come mat for inves¬ seeped from the street to par¬ tors, as Middle Eastern liament, with opposition MPs troubles afflict Iraq's sta¬ hurling water bottles at pro- ble north government MPs. Foreigners visiting The tension on the streets Sulaymaniya and Erbil airports is tangible. In Sulaymaniya, a for the first time find an unusual city that has doubled in size in welcome awaiting them. Unlike the space of eight years, the every other Middle Eastern main square has seen a daily country, the Kurdish region of game of cat and mouse played Iraq does not charge a cent for out between security forces obtaining a visa. And with a viously estimated that gross oil- buttressed by an agreement and young protestors. Nine highly inviting investment cli¬ in-place volumes at the field with Baghdad's Ministry of Oil deaths have been reported mate, that welcome is exten¬ were between 1.9 billion bar¬ to recompense foreign oil com¬ in Sulay alone, as clashes ded to foreign businesses too. rels and 7.4 billion barrels. But panies for their costs incurred grow in intensity. The Kurdistan Regional in mid-April, it revealed that in northern Iraqi oil exploration. Government (KRG) - the Kurds' This street level noise jars additional tests have boosted In April 20011, oil companies semi-autonomous authority - is somewhat with the investment the estimates to between 4.9 sent out their first expenses not shy of touting its security pitch the Kurdish authorities billion and 10.8 billion barrels. bills to the KRG, which in turn have made over the past eight sent them on to Baghdad to advantage over the other 15 The UK's Heritage Oil years, since Saddam's removal settle. provinces of the conflict-racked signed a rig contract in April was heartily cheered on by country, branding itself "the with China's Daqing As part of a deal reached in Kurds. Other Iraq" in a largely suc¬ International for a drilling rig to February between Hawrami cessful bid to elicit foreign The fear in Erbil, the KRG begin well exploration and and his counterpart Kareem investment in a region that is capital, is that the latest wave appraisal drilling in the Miran Abdul Jabbar, Iraq's new oil primed to become a major of protests will put investors off block. The first well in the com¬ minister, the KRG will hand hydrocarbons player. Some 40 the only truly safe part of Iraq. pany's campaign, Miran West- over oil to Iraq's State Oil oil companies are exploring for The Kurdistan Investors Union, 3, is due to begin drilling in July. Marketing Organisation which oil and gas in the three nor¬ a lobby group, announced in will then be exported along with Murphy Oil, a US firm, thern KRG-controlled provin¬ Mid-April that the unrest had other Iraqi crudes. Revenues announced at the end of March ces. already affected investment will revert to the KRG under the it was adding a second block in projects that had created some nationally agreed formula whe¬ The Kurdistan region has Kurdistan, having finalised in 80,000 jobs for locals. reby the three Kurdish provin¬ solicited rising volumes of November 2010 an agreement ces receive 1 7 per cent of the direct investment from neigh¬ Fortunately, such invest¬ for 50 per cent of the Central national budget. bouring countries like Turkey, ment jitters do not appear to Dohuk bloc. with whom trade is running at have afflicted Kurdistan's bur¬ In fact, the deal is not yet Canada's ShaMaran about $7.5 billion a year. Iran, geoning oil and gas sector, sealed. Baghdad still doesn't Petroleum Corporation meanw¬ Lebanon, Syria and Gulf states where foreign oil producers are recognise PSCs signed bet¬ hile, also announced a major like Kuwait and the United Arab now pumping 115,000 barrels a ween the KRG and lOCs, discovery at its Atrush project in Emirates are also prominent day (b/d) from two main fields. arguing that only the national mid-April, with oil encountered investors in the KRG. Norway's DNO is leading the government has the authority at a 726-metre potential gross way with more than 60,000 b/d to grant such contracts. The The Kurdistan Board of oil column. Flow rates were from the Tawke field, the rest two sides remain at logger¬ Investment reveals that in over 6,000 b/d, suggesting produced from a joint venture heads on this issue and excess of $17 billion has floo¬ Atrush is could become a signi¬ of China's Sinopec and Baghdad has recently reaffir¬ ded into Kurdistan's economy ficant producing asset for the Turkey's Genel Energy at the med position, rejecting in the past five years, $3.9 bil¬ company upon development. lion of that from foreign sour¬ Taq Taq field. attempts by other provinces in Even more encouraging for ces. The board has licensed The independent domina¬ Iraq - such as Dhi Qar and the KRG's ambitious Natural 324 investment projects since ted hydrocarbons sector, Karbala in the South - to gain Resources Minister Ashti August 2006, more than half of encouraged by an investor greater control of their oil sec¬ Hawrami - the architect of which are in the capital Erbil, friendly law that allows for pro¬ tors. Kurdistan's oil production stra¬ with housing the single largest duction sharing contracts Despite the uncertain tegy - is the arrival of the lar¬ target sector for foreign inves¬ (PSCs) - affording international investment climate facing lOCs gest IOC player, Marathon Oil, tors. oil companies (lOCs) the active in the north, the attrac¬ as a partner for ShaMaran at increasingly rare opportunity to tions of Kurdistan's oil and gas But Kurdistan may find it an the Atrush block. increasingly hard sell, as vio¬ acquire equity oil positions - is reserves remain substantial. "Marathon is significant as proving a veritable Klondike. lent street protests against the "Kurdistan has the world's it's a big fish, and we haven't KRG political establishment Over the past month, the largest remaining undeveloped had any of these lOCs yet," enter their third month. Like UK-based Gulf Keystone petroleum reserves and has says one Kurdish oil consultant much of the Middle East, tradi¬ announced a "very significant the lowest extraction lowest in Sulaymaniya. tionally stable Kurdistan is fee¬ upward revision" of volumes worldwide," says Kiwan Confidence in Kurdistan's ling the heat as demonstrators estimates at its Shaikan disco¬ Siwaily, a consultant engineer hydrocarbons sector has been throng the streets of very in Kurdistan. The firm pre in the Kurdish oil sector and a Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

former oil adviser to the KRG. hardball. mant that it remains a target for nion back home. "Normally oil is found at depths investors seeking a gateway Hawrami's bitter foe, former This year, more than 20 per in excess of 4,000 to 5,000 into Iraq. Erbil has been named oil minister and now Iraq's cent of the total investments meters. But here they are as the fifth most attractive deputy prime minister for made in Iraqi Kurdistan by encountering oil at 900 foreign direct investment desti¬ energy, Hussein al Shahristani, foreign investors were from metres." nation in the Middle East confirmed in April that oil com¬ Turkish companies. Turkish The 115,000 b/d being region, helping the Kurds to panies with contracts with the investors invested $536.1 mil¬ pumped out from just two fields pull in an estimated $17.4 bil¬ KRG will not be paid any profit lion throughout the KRG in suggests plentiful resources in lion in investment over the past unless their contracts are rati¬ 2010, with the UK taking the ground, justifying five years. fied by Iraq's central govern¬ second position with $201.9 Hawrami's claims that ment. This is unlikely to be a On the ground in million in investments. Kurdistan is capable of pum¬ fait accompli. Sulaymaniya, it is the Turks Construction is the biggest ping more than one million b/d. building the major housing pro¬ The entry of Marathon, the current driver of the Kurdish "If that much oil is coming jects. But overall, it is Kuwait's US' fourth largest integrated oil economy. The Board of out of just two blocks out of 47, $1 .5 billion, representing some company, has clearly raised Investment reports that $2.14 just think what the others may 40 per cent of overseas invest¬ expectation levels in the billion was invested in the hou¬ be capable of," says the ment estimated at $3.9bn, that Kurdish north. But much more sing sector in 2010, represen¬ Sulaymaniya-based oil consul¬ heads the pack in terms of work needs to be done to build ting 45 per cent of total invest¬ tant. capital invested. bridges with Baghdad and its ments in 2010. Low income Such ambitions are fre¬ other neighbours, before the Turkey's $702.8 million of housing is the main focus of quently heard in Kurdistan, Kurds join the ranks of the investment puts it behind activity, with 150,000 affordable where unlike in the rest of Iraq, Gulf's major oil producers. Lebanon in third position, homes are needed over the there has traditionally been lit¬ The welcome for outsiders according to figures from the next five to 1 0 years. tle experience of oil and gas Kurdistan Board of Investment. remains hearty in Iraq's north; The Kurds are also looking development - aside from However, Turks are become time will tell whether investors' to overhaul their public infra¬ Kirkuk, a massive one billion more aggressive investors in risk appetite remains as robust structure, with plans for a 60- barrel field that is the fief of the KRG. In late March, Turkish as it has hitherto proved. kilometre tramline in the capital Baghdad's North Oil Company. prime minister Recep Tayyip Erbil, and 50-kilometre and 40- Erdogan opened the first However, Kurdistan's kilometre lines in Sulaymaniya GULF INVESTORS AND Turkish consulate in Erbil amid efforts to transform itself into and Dohuk respectively. TURKS BEAT A PATH TO much fanfare, promising a the Middle East's next oil titan ERBIL greater Turkish presence in will be constrained if Baghdad - Iraqi Kurdistan - though which has a major say in the Despite the riots afflicting Erdogan is careful not to men¬ export capacity of Kurdish oil Iraqi Kurdistan's second city tion the "K" word in public, for and gas - still wants to play Sulaymaniya, the KRG is ada fear of inflaming sensitive opi

Parliamentary committee to discuss controversial Kurdish oil contracts

Baghdad, May 2,2011 - (AKnews) -

By Jaafar al-Wannan and Patrick Smith

THE OIL and Energy Parliamentary Committee will discuss the controversial oil contracts awarded by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq amid objections from the Federal Oil Ministry, it was announced today.

Taq Taq oil in Erbil.Kurdistan Oil

The contracts were awarded in 2009 by the KRG, but were never officially recognized by the central government in Iraq, who said that only they had the right to sign such deals. There is confusion about whose jurisdiction this falls under, with Prime Minister Noori al Maliki giving mixed messages and

the law unclear. declaring them illegal. Oil exports resumed after nearly two years earlier this Member of Parliament, Furat al Sharei, who sits on the Oil and Energy year after the KRG and the Iraqi Government reached a temporary agree¬ Committee, today accused the Oil Ministry of over reacting to the issue. He ment on exports.

said that this situation highlights the legal and technical obstacles that hin¬ The discussion of the contracts by the Oil and Energy Committee is seen der investment. as a positive move towards getting the contracts officially recognized, as "All that needs to happen is, the contracts need simple reviews to make relations between the autonomous region and the central government fray.

sure they are within the legal framework set by the Oil Ministry," he said. Much of the confusion stems from the failure of the last Iraqi Government The Federal Oil Ministry last week renewed its rejection of the contracts to pass a new oil and gas law which would have seen the clearer demarca¬ awarded by the KRG to 40 companies, including Norwegian oil firm DNO, tion of responsibilities of the different bodies. Currently the Oil Ministry and the Federal Oil Council have overlapping roles. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti » Riidaw.Net 1 03May2011

Peshmarga, Sheikh Jaafar Mustafa also rejected the idea that security for¬ It Is All About Those Forces ces had been dispatched to Sulatimani under KDP pressure. "That is totally baseless and far from truth. Mr. Barzani is the presi¬ Security forces dent of the entire Kurdistan [region] around protes¬ and he is responsible for people's ters in Sulaimani. security and the protection of our

Photo Kawa achievements. The forces have his Abdulla/ backing for coming here and suppor¬ Rudaw. ting the security forces to protect and provide security for Sulaimani and eli¬ minate violence in the city," said Mustafa. After the arrival of these forces, U.S. officials in the Kurdistan Region met with the PUK and Gorran in Sulaimani. Some political observers RUDAW cannot digest the current situation, speculate that the U.S. might have that is why I think this situation in given the green light for the deploy¬ Asenior opposition leader in Sulaimani won't last long," added Ali. ment of those forces and that has the Kurdistan airs his group's concern Ali says that his group will be clo¬ opposition worried. about the deployment of hundreds of sely watching those forces. "We want Commenting on that, Ali, the security forces in the city of Sulaimani. to know what their intention is. We Gorran official, said, "I don't believe This opposition figure says that these don't believe they are here only to pre¬ that the U.S. made the decision on the forces have entered the city at the order vent demonstrations." deployment of those forces. But there of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who Some opposition figures fear that are some things that have created sus¬ also heads the Patriotic Union of these forces may be planning to attack picion for us. The officers of the PUK Kurdistan (PUK). their offices. Kurdistan Islamic Group forces have told their subordinates that The PUK dominates Sulaimani 's (KIG)'s sources say they have recei¬ they have got the green light from the administrative and security depart¬ ved news twice that they might be U.S. to deploy the forces inside ments. attacked. The KIG has surrounded its Sulaimani. And when the Americans In response, the minister of main television station with civilians visited us, we told them that if this is Peshmarga at the Kurdistan Regional as a human shield to dissuade any not true then they should make then- Government (KRG) says rather chal- such attack. stance on the issue clear. But so far lengingly, that if the opposition does Ali did not rule out the possibility they have not pronounced any posi¬ not accept the presence of those for¬ that the PUK's main ally, the tions." ces, "let them do what they can." Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Following the meeting with the The forces were brought to may be behind the deployment of U.S. delegation, PUK's media outlets Sulaimani around mid-April in an those forces. He said that some PUK reported that the Americans had attempt to put an end to weeks of pro¬ politicians hint that the deployment congratulated the security forces for tests that had engulfed the province's was under pressure from President "restoring peace in Sulaimani city" center. There are accusations of wides¬ Massoud Barzani, who is also the lea¬ The two main Islamic parties in der of the KDP. pread violations of human rights by Iraqi Kurdistan played a substantial the security forces in their clampdown "We don't know yet who is telling role during the protests. Mohammed the truth. But there have been attempts on protests. Hakim, a politburo member of the The main square where protesters to convince the people in Sulaimani Kurdistan Islamic Group said, "We do that the decision to deploy the forces gathered for weeks is now controlled not accept the current situation in has been made by Barzani while by scores of security forces. Sulaimani and we are talking about it Qadir Haji Ali, a leading figure in Talabani has been the executor," said with Baghdad, Iran and the U.S. the Gorran opposition movement, says Ali who himself was until years ago a Sulaimani has turned into a military senior PUK official. that the responsibility to withdraw that garrison because of the deployment of large number of security and military However, Faraydun Jwanroyi, the these forces and the situation is going forces rests with Talabani. head of KDP's office in Sulaimani, through a delicate phase." "There is no political authority rejected any connections between his Salahaddin Babakir, a senior offi¬ within the PUK and Talabani has party and the deployment of forces in cial at the Kurdistan Islamic Union, given absolute powers to the military the city. one of the opposition parties, said that wing of his party and they are the ones "Neither the KDP nor President the presence of a large number of for¬ who now rule and make decisions," Barzani have anything to do with the ces does not help calm the situation. said Ali. deployment of those forces in "It will only complicate the situa¬ Ali believes that Sulaimani is an Sulaimani. The forces have been tion and deepen the crisis. The plan to opposition stronghold and therefore brought to the city at the request of the deploy forces in Sulaimani will fail." those forces cannot stay there for long. security committee," said Jwanroyi. said Babakir. "The opposition's weight, espe¬ KDP and PUK are the two main Some observers believe that the cially Gorran's, is in Sulaimani. They ruling parties in Iraqi Kurdistan. U.S. silence toward the involvement For his part, KRG's Minister of Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

of armed forces in Sulaimani was local Kurdish authorities have then- opposition's conditions for talks in the because of what was widely seen as an own concern about the involvement of past was the dissolution of the govern¬

attempt by Islamic parties to dominate Islamic parties in the demonstrations. ment, but now that doesn't appear to the protests at its last stages. "We are against the footprints of be the case anymore.

For this, officials from the terrorists left in Kurdistan and the Their attention is focused on the

Kurdistan Islamic Union say that Islamists are the footprints of terro¬ presence of the security forces in attempts by the ruling parties to frigh¬ rists," said the minister of Peshmarga. Sulaimani and their withdrawal ten the U.S. by showing them the mass The situation in Sulaimani still something that Kurdistan authorities Friday prayers at the site of protests remains tense but there are signals say they are ready to do once they feel and the chanting of Allahu Akbar about the resumption of negotiations the situation has calmed down. (God is the greatest) have failed. between the ruling parties and the U.S. officials out of the picture, opposition very soon. One of the

!» REUTERS Kurdish strife clouds election mood in Turkey

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey -May 5,2011 - By Daren Butler (Reuters) wing Kurdish television broadcasts and university courses, countering a decades-old policy of denying Kurdish identity MAYOR ABDULLAH DEMIRBAS' belief in a political solu¬ and boosting the popularity of Erdogan's party in the region. tion to Turkey's Kurdish conflict wasn't shared by his son. A comment by Erdogan at a recent election rally that there was He left home to fight. no longer a Kurdish problem fuelled doubts among Kurds With a national election a month away, there are thousands of over the prime minister's commitment to reforms. Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) supporters who trust Erdogan's AK Party is on course to win a third successive vic¬ Kalashnikov rifles more than a ballot box to win rights for tory in the June 12 election, but its popularity in the southeast Kurds, an ethnic group found in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. is eclipsed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party "It is because democratic rights are not given to Kurds, because (BDP) which dismisses the reforms as cosmetic. parties are closed and politicians are punished, that Kurdish Visiting the southeast, Erdogan spoke of fraternal unity of youths go to the mountains," the mayor said, pointing to a Turks and Kurds, while trashing the BDP over militant links. photo of his teenage son on his desk. "BDP deputies stand beside masked terror group members, The mayor's son is one of a new generation of recruits for the next to those with petrol bombs in their hands," Erdogan told PKK, the militant movement behind an insurgency in Turkey a rally in Mus province. that began in 1984 and has wiped out more than 40,000 lives and ruined countless more. PROTESTS

The PKK was blamed for an attack on a ruling AK Party cam¬ The BDP launched a campaign of civil disobedience in March, paign convoy on May 4 after a rally addressed by Prime apparently supported by jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, Minister Tayyip Erdogan in the Black Sea province of held on an island prison south of Istanbul since his capture in Kastamonu. 1999.

One police officer was killed and one wounded in the attack. The campaign includes sit-down protests and Kurdish Muslim There was no claim of responsibility but security officials have worshippers praying in the open air, refusing to pray behind said Kurdish rebels were planning attacks there. state-appointed imams in mosques.

FACING 178-YEAR SENTENCE In a demonstration of support for the PKK on May 4 the same day as the attack on police in Kastamonu thousands The abiding violence is fuelled by frustration at the slow pace marched in Diyarbakir in a funeral cortege for four rebels kil¬ of reform in EU-candidate Turkey and a court case against led in clashes the previous week. some 150 Kurdish politicians and activists, including Demirbas, accused of ties to the PKK. Masked youths held aloft PKK flags and chanted pro-PKK slo¬ gans on their way to the cemetery, and riot police were pelted Former teacher Demirbas said some 1,500 youths, including with petrol bombs and stones. his son, joined several thousand PKK rebels already in the mountains of southeast Turkey and northern Iraq since the The BDP says its goals are to secure education in Kurdish, the mass court case was launched two years ago. lowering of a threshold which prevents the main Kurdish party from entering parliament, the release of political priso¬ Demirbas is mayor in the historic heart of Diyarbakir, on the ners and an end to military operations against the PKK. banks of the Tigris river, the largest city in Turkey's economi¬ cally backward southeast where the PKK insurgency is focus- Ultimately, the BDP wants autonomy for mainly Kurdish pro¬ sed. vinces. But the central issue for the BDP is the use of Kurdish language in public life. The mayor is defending himself in some 23 court cases related to the use of Kurdish in municipal services and links to the Kurdish officials and politicians on trial in a specially built, PKK, a rebel movement designated a terrorist group by the spacious courtroom in Diyarbakir, have made the use of their United States and European Union. mother tongue a point of principal in a case whose outcome is seen as crucial to the region's future. The cases carry a maximum jail sentence of 178 years. Such legal battles are commonplace for Kurdish politicians. The chief judge has refused to allow defendants to make then- defence in Kurdish, and the case is bogged down, with defence Prime Minister Erdogan launched a reform initiative to boost lawyers boycotting the latest hearing. the rights of Turkey's estimated 15 million Kurds, but his room for manoeuvre has been constrained by nationalist anger and "The verdict in this case will be seen as showing Kurds whe¬ general bitterness over the soldiers and civilians killed. ther they have the right to conduct politics on a democratic basis," said Diyarbakir Bar chairman Emin Aktar. Yet his government has pushed through cultural reforms allo Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

-,». , tvlOTERHATIOSAl,^ . .

MAY 5, 2011 Turkeys influence is challenged by unrest

BEIRUT

BY ANTHONY SHADID

With tumult sweeping the Arab world, Turkey faces a growing challenge to its i.;^ booming economic stake in the region, its newfound political influence and it longstanding policy of permitting no problems to fester along its borders. In a few short years, Turkey emerged

NEWSANALYSIS

as the Middle East's most dynamic power. But weeks ofTurkish diplomacy in Libya collapsed Monday, with Tur¬ key's prime minister bluntly calling for CoJ. Muammar el-Qaddafi to step down. A similar scenario may await in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad has personally promised Turkish leaders to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, which in recent years has become undertake reform while persisting with the most dynamic power in Middle East hisxrackdown. In neighboring Iraq, Turkey fears the inability of the government to keep the country stable as the United States com¬

pletes its military withdrawal. And Leb¬ close ties to Damascus, such as Turkey, so famous that his name adorns Iraqi

anon, where Turkey enjoys access to are viewed with growing suspicion by cafes. both Hezbollah and its foes, now enters officials who are increasingly paranoid Since January, Turkey has sought to afifth month without a government. and consider anything short of outright protect those gains, while negotiating Before the so-called Arab spring un¬ support an act of betrayal." the tumult. Although Turkey's ties with leashed by revolution in Egypt and In past weeks, Turkish diplomacy has Egypt lacked the depth of other Arab Tunisia, Turkey was a catalyst in an been especially intense with Syria, countries, Mr. Erdogan called on Presi- emerging realignment of the Middle which it considers a linchpin in its re¬ dent Hosni Mubarak to step down while East, charting a policy often independ¬ gional strategy, of greater economic in¬ an American envoy was still insisting ent of the United States in a region tegration. - that Mr. Mubarak serve out his term. where Turkey had unmatched stature. Mr.. Assad and Mr. Erdogan have But Turkey has suffered setbacks else- ; Now the unrest on its borders is un¬ spoken by phone at least three times, where. In Iraq, a coalition it helped cre¬ dermining years of diplomatic and eco¬ . and the Turkish intelligence chief, an of¬ ate Iraqiya, led by Ayad Allawi lost nomic investment, forcing Turkey to ficial with deep knowledge of Syria, has power to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al- take a more assertive role as its vision of visited Damascus twice since the upris¬ Maliki, despite winning the largest bloc economic integration runs up against ing began. The message, officials say, of seats in Parliament. (Mr. Allawi him¬ the threat of growing instability. was that time for reform was running self was almost completely marginalized "In the face of this unpredictable out. . , in the negotiations that ensued.) change around the Arab world, Turkish In language that echoed Mr. Er¬ There remains skepticism in Ankara foreign policy is facing a major set¬ dogan's statement to Colonel Qaddafi, over Mr. Maliki's ability to hold Iraq to¬ back," said Sami Kohen, a columnist for he warned Syria's government against gether and defuse unrequited sectarian Milliyet, a daily newspaper in,Turkey. a repetition of Hamà, where the Syrian tensions after the bulk of the American Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan military crushed an Islamist revolt in military withdraws by year's end. "has started losing the leaderships in 1982, killing at least 10,00.0 people and Turkish diplomats sought to reach a the Arab world that he trusted and con¬ perhaps far more. negotiated solution in Libya, but com¬ sidered important, one after the other," , From Iraq to North Africa, Turkey's plain that Libyan officials lied to them Mr. Kohen said. growing profile in the Arab world has about their willingness to impose a Syria, beset by a six-week uprising, emerged as one of the region's most re¬ cease-fire. Mr. Erdogan's statement may prove his greatest challenge, as it markable dynamics. Trade with Iraq was as much exasperation as initiative, ) broadly echoes the experience of its was about $6 billion in 2010, almost dou- ' though Turkish officials said they,would Arab neighbors over past months. ble what it was in 2008. more aggressively and publicly court , In Tunisia, Egypt and now Libya and There and in Syria, visa restrictions the Libyan opposition in coming weeks, j Yemen, leaders have resisted surren¬ were removed, facilitating trade across They have stopped short of that call in ,f booming border regions that helped re¬ dering some power to stay in office, only Syria, a country Turkey almost went to j connect cities like Aleppo to their histor¬ to eventually face losing all power. Mr. war with in 1998. Since then, particu- ! ic hinterland. About 25,000 Turkish Assad, too, is rebuffing calls for change. larly in recent years, Turkey has touted workers flocked to Libya for sprawling "Outside actors possess little lever¬ its relationship with Syria as a model for construction jobs. Turkish pop culture is age," the International Crisis Group everywhere; the star of one television : said in a statement Tuesday on Syria., its ties with other Arab countries. action series, "Valley of the Wolves," is "Even countries that have developed The two have held joint cabinet meet-

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

ings and even military exercises. Trade the opposition in Istanbul. That has Brotherhood. has tripied in three years, and Mr. Assad angered Syrian officials, who insist that Officials say there is a sense in Anka¬ and Mr. Erdogan are said to share a per¬ the uprising is being plotted abroad. In a ra' that Mr. Assad wants reform but is sonal fondness for each other. possible sign of tension, a Turkish For¬ stymied by obstinate forces in the ruling "The two countries have intimate re¬ eign Ministry official said no more dele¬ elite, a point echoed by Mr. Erdogan. lations, and Turkey is immersed in the gations were planned. "He says, 'I will do it,' " Mr. Erdogan Syrian political game," said Burhan said in a television interview. "But I am Ghalioun, director of the Center for Con¬ "The Syrian government is furious at having a hard time understanding if he temporary Oriental Studies at the Sor- Turkish officials whom they considered is being prevented from doing it or if he friends only yesterday," said a Syrian bonne in Paris. But, he added, "Turkey is hesitating." is warning Syria. Turkey is saying that it analyst in Damascus, speaking on the has strategic interests in Syria, and it condition of anonymity. SebnemArsu contributed reportingfrom cannot afford to let Syria explode." So far, Turkish officials have pushed Istanbul, Hwaida Saad and Nada Bakri Turkey has sought to hedge its bets, for far broader reforms in Syria, includ¬ from Beirut, and an employee of the New hosting leaders of the Syrian Muslim ing an attempt at national dialogue that York Timesfrom Damascus. Brotherhood and allowing a meeting of would ostensibly bring in the banned

.INTERNATIONAL VmXbSmmnm MAY10'2011 gime has a clear policy. They cannot keep this strategy for a long time. We need political solutions, not more

Syrian forces move house tanks." . Maadamiyah, a town on the outskirts of Damascus, which has witnessed ma¬ house to quell uprising jor demonstrations, was raided Mon¬ day, with tanks stationed near two mosques and hundreds detained, ac¬ cording to activists, who said an exact sieged locales have been severed since number was hard to quantify because BEIRUT the uprising started in March. communications had been cut. In Baniyas, one of Syria's most res¬ Ranii Abdul-Rahman, director of the ; BY THE NEW YORK TIMES tive cities and home to two oil refineries, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 300 people were arrested on : A military crackdown meant to crush and other activists said the crackle of Monday including women and children i Syria's sevèn-week-old uprising inten¬ gunfire could be heard in Maadamiyah, sified further Monday as armed forces and gunfire was heard throughout the The Associated Press reported. i arrested hundreds of protesters, going day, according to Mr. Tarif. Phones, Mr. Tarif said that residents of Maad¬ house to house in towns and cities electricity and water have been cut amiyah reported seeing nine buses across the country, human rights since Saturday, when at least 30 tanks loaded with detainees, including wom¬ groups and activists said. , raided Baniyas, a northern coastal city en, leaving the town earlier Monday. Hé ; The scale and ferocity of the crack- of 50,000 people. also said that nine other towns on the 1 down, which targeted activists in the Da- "They want to arrest everyone who outskirts of Damascus were raided mascus suburbs and at least a dozen cit- can participate in the demonstrations," Monday. : ies from the Mediterranean coast to the an activist in Baniyas said by phone. Syrian state media reported Monday i poor steppe of southern Syria, Suggested He also said that among those who that Mr. Assad and local representa¬ that President Bashàr al-Assad is more were detained were two leading organ¬ tives from Maadamiyah and other Da¬ intent than ever on crushing an uprising izers of demonstrations, Mostapha mascus suburbs held a meeting during that echoes the rebellions that- have Yasseen and Anas al-Shughrai, and the which he discussed problems in their felled autocrats in' 'Tunisia and Egypt. imam of the city's biggest main mosque, towns and cities. Mr, Assad's government, which has . Sheik Anas Irotah. Lina Mansour, an activist in Damas¬ barred most foreign journaliste from re¬ Al Baath, the Syrian newspaper that cus, said that human rights activists porting on the unrest, has repeatedly I is the mouthpiece of the government, tried on Saturday to enter Dara'a, a, tried to portray the crackdown as a fight said in a report Monday that the opera- southern town near Jordan that has with militant Islamists, and state media . tion in Baniyas would "end within a few been under siege for more than two carry detailed reports of battles between hours" and that "cautious calm" had weeks. The activists were carrying food Islamists and the army almost daily. been restored to the city. and water, she said, but an army officer Al Watan, a private pro-government Army troops also raided the third in charge told them they would have to newspaper, quoted Mr. Assad on Mon¬ largest city, Horns, where 14 protesters shoot him first if they wanted to pass. day as saving that "the current crisis in were killed on Sunday. The armed "I think some army officers and Syria will be overcome and that the pro¬ forcés surrounded at least two neigh¬ troops are sympathizing with people, " cess of adnjinistrative, political and me¬ borhoods and hundreds of people were Ms. Mansour said. "But they can't dp dia reforms are continuing." His re¬ reported arrested, residents said. much." marks, it said, came during a meeting Checkpoints were se^ up' on major In Tafas, a impoverished town near with a local delegation on Sunday. streets and intersections, and people Dara'a, troops backed by at least eight Wissam Tarif, executive director of were searched when leaving and enter¬ tanks reportedly swept through hun¬ Insan, a Syrian human rights group, de¬ ing the city, according to Abu Haydar^a dreds of houses, arresting men aged 18 scribed the government's actions Mon¬ witness reached by phone. to 45. Activists said the town was now day as part of what he called a cleanup He said there were reports of dead under siege, and residents reported operation to isolate anti-government and wounded in Baba Amr, a neighbor¬ hearing heavy gunfire throughout the sympathizers and render them incap¬ hood that was bombed- overnight; but day. '.:.,' able of organizing. troops prevented ambulances from en¬ The uprising in Syria began in mid- "They tried to rebuild the wall of fear tering the place. March after the authorities arrested and they failed," Mr. Tarif said. "So "They want to finish everything this teenagers caught scrawling anti-regime next, they will move to completely cut week," a human rights advocate in graffiti on walls in Dara'a. communications all over the country." Horns said by phone. "No one in the re Nearly all communications to be

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

[ef;^ U'J mardi 10 mai 2011 Syrie : les manifestants saisis par le doute

Face au rouleau compresseur de la répression, les protestataires

se sentent abandonnés par l'étranger.

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«« 5Jaiï>esa Sire ' SYRIE

»Baycla

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13

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tion. » Même si la ficelle est un peu MOYEN-ORIENT «Ne me citez plus», Après Deraa, berceau de la contesta¬ grosse, la peur d'une dérive a l'ira¬ , demande un intellectuel syrien vivant tion, les chars sont déployés depuis di¬ kienne amène de nombreux Syriens, en France, après avoir reçu des menaces manche sur la corniche et dans les quar¬ issus de la minorité chrétienne mais aussi sur. son téléphone portable. Pour faire tiers sud de Baniyas, ville côtière de des laïcs sunnites, à s'interroger. ; taire les opposants, la police secrète de 50 000 habitants. Les perquisitions, mai¬ Damas n'hésite pas à intensifier ses son par maison, s'y multiplient durant la Un ton « alarmiste >> manoeuvres d'intimidation contre ses nuit. Dimanche, les leaders de la révolte, Face au rouleau compresseur de la ré¬ expatriés en Europe ou dans le Golfe. cheikh Anas al-Ayrout et Bassam Sahiôu- pression, le découragement guette égaie- « On pousse nos parents restés en Syrie à ni, ont été arrêtés, et hier des centaines de ment les «révolutionnaires». «On le dire à leurs enfants de rester tranquilles. femmes sont descendues dans lès rues' constate sur Facébook, le ton n'estpas en¬ . Car de toutefaçon, lerégimeleurjure qu'il pour réclamer la libération de leurs pro¬ core défaitiste, mais û est alarmiste », re¬ n'y a plus rien àfaire et que, pour les ma¬ ches. connaît Hala Kodmahi, une journaliste nifestants; la partie est perdue », raconte Comme Deraa, il y a quinze jours, Ba- indépendante dé retour de. Damas. une Syrienne, également mise en garde. *,niyas est désormais isolée du reste de la Certes, vendredi encore, des milliers de Sur le terrain, pendant ce temps, le pou¬ 'Syrie. L'eau, l'électricité et les communi¬ Syriens ont de nouveau bravé les interdits voir poursuit sa stratégie d'asphyxie mi¬ cations téléphoniques Sont coupées. pour manifester eh plusieurs points du litaire des villes qui osent encore se re- . Après leur interpellation, de nombreux pays. Mais les «"révolutionnaires ». ont du bélier contre le président Bachar jeunes ont été entravés, puis contraints de mal à faire sortir l'a population un autre el-Assad, tout en arrêtant à tour dé bras marcher jusqu'aux villages alabuites voi¬ jour que celui de la prière hebdomadaire. des centaines de personnes, notamment sins pour y être insultés par des Le déploiement militaire massif finit par lors d'un rassemblement à Damas hier membres de la minorité au pouvoir à décourager les plus téméraires. Et là oùle soir. « Des arrestations inacceptables », Damas depuis quarante ans. Objectif pouvoir jure que l'armée s'est retirée, il a protesté hier le Quai d'Orsay. de ces humiliations -.«fomenter une guerre confessionnelle », selon urt ex¬ ne s'agit en fait que d'un simple redé¬ pert français delà Syrie. « Le régime ploiement des chars, à la périphérie de Deraa par exemple. Pour sortir de la « vû- Le déploiement militaire espère que les jeunes vont finir par le martyre » en voiture, il faut une autori¬ massif finit par décourager prendre les armes, et à ce moment-là, ajoute-t-il, Upourra les discréditer et sation spéciale du gouverneur^ « De quel les plus téméraires retrait s'agit-U ? », proteste un observa- passer encore plus fortement à l'ac

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

teur. Après bientôt deux mois de mani¬ tion armée de l'Otan comme en Libye, mais écarté le président. « C'étaitpourtant très au moins un soutien moral à leur combat festations qui ont fait plus de 620 morts, important que Bachar soit, M aussi, frappé « la révolte est à un. moment charnière », qui permettrait de tenir bon. Mais à part la par ces mesures », insiste un diplomate France, qui a réclamé que Bachar el-Assad reconnaissent plusieurs Syriens interro¬ français. Aujourd'hui, « le régime a com¬ soit visé par des sanctions, quel autre pays gés. « Aujourd'hui, les jeunes se sentent pris que la communauté internationale dénonce avec vigueur la sauvagerie de. ce n'avaitpas la volonté de le renverser, il a les abandonnés par la régime ?», s'indigne cet expatrié. mains libres pour faire le ménage chez communauté internationa¬ La semaine dernière, l'Union euro¬ M », regrette-t-il. le », déplore l'un d'entre eux. « Les ma¬ péenne a voté des sanctions limitées à nifestants ne réclament pas une interven treize responsables syriens, mais en a

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Vendredi 13 mai 2011

Les révoltes arabes détournent l'attention des Occidentaux du nucléaire iranien

Téhéran estime que les bouleversements régionaux lui donnent des marges de mantuvre, mais la situation de son allié syrien l'inquiète

Meir Dagan, estimant, le 6 mai, Les révoltes arabes ont détour¬ l'imposition de lourdes sanctions qu'une telle attaque serait une né l'attention de la commu¬ internationales en 2010. La télévi¬ « idiotie », ainsi que ceux du minis- nauté internationale du pro¬ sion iranienne a affirmé, mardi, tre israélien de la défense, Ehpud gramme nucléaire de l'Iran, placé qu'il était question d'une nouvelle Barak, relativisant le danger que : depuis 2002-2003 au centre des réunion avec les Six, ce qu'ont aus¬ l'Iran puisse utiliser un jour - s'il inquiétudes liées à la prolifération. sitôt démenti des responsables devait l'acquérir-une arme atomi¬ La République islamique vient de européens. que contre Israël, auront sans dou¬ rappelerqu'elle entendait poursui¬ Le régime iranien avait, dans un te conforté cette impression. vre cette activitémalgré les deman¬ premiertémps, applaudi auxrévol¬ L'Iran sait aussi qu'il est à l'abri des qui lui sont faites (suspension tes arabes, présentées comme un de nouvelles sanctions à l'ONU, en de l'enrichissement d'uranium, succès pourl'islamisme. Téhéran a raison de l'agacement de la Russie mesures de transparence), se sen¬ analysé que ces événements amé¬ et de la Chine face à l'intervention tant apparemment confortée par lioraient sa position stratégique, en Libye. Comme le dit un diplo¬ le nouvel environnement régional. lui donnant plus de marge de mate occidental, « ilfaudrait une Dans une lettre envoyée le 8 mai man La chute du président découverte majeure », comme une par le négociateur iranien Saidjali- égyptien Hosni Moubarak, unvieil nouvelle révélation de site nucléai¬ li à la haute représentante euro¬ allié de Washington, a été vécue re iranien secret, pour que Moscou péenne, Catherine Ashton, chargée comme un gain majeur pour la et Pékin envisagent de nouvelles ! de représenter le groupe des six puissance.chiite.régionale. mesures coercitives. pays (Etats-Unis, Royaume-Uni, Mais Téhéran s'inquiète mainte¬ France, Russie, Chine, Allemagne) Recettes en devises nant de la contestation qui mena¬ traitant le dossier nucléaire, Téhé¬ La hausse des cours du pétrole ce son seul allié dans la région, la ran a formulé une nouvelle fin de engendrée par les bouleverse¬ Syrie, incité à la plus grande intran¬ non-recevoir.L'Iran se dit prêt à dis¬ ments régionaux apporte de nou¬ sigeance. Selon Washington, le cuter de presque tout, sauf de ses velles recettes en devises à un pou¬ pouvoir syrien a demandé l'aide , travaux sur l'atome, accusés par voir aux prises avec de nombreux de l'Iran concernant sa politique lesOctidentauxd'avohpourfînali- problèmes sociaux. Le contexte à de répression. La nouvelle. diplo¬ té la maîtrise de la technologie Téhéran semble pourtant marqué matie égyptienne érode l'influeri- pour fabriquer l'arme suprême. par un regain de rivalité entre fac¬ . ce iranienne auprès du Hamas. Et ; Cette missive, dont Le Monde a tions conservatrices. Une dispute a la réaction musclée des États suri- . pris connaissance, énonce les récemment opposé le président nites du Golfe face au soulève¬ «importants sujets régionaux» Mahmoud Ahmadinejad et le Gui¬ ment chiite à Bahrein- où des trou¬ dont l'Iran est prêt à parler: «les de suprême, AU Khamenei, qui refu¬ pes saoudiennes ont été déployées racines du terrorisme, te trafic de sait le limogeage du ministre des en mars - a témoigné d'un nouvel drogue, la piraterie en haute mer, renseignements. Le président ira¬ effort d'endiguement des ambi¬ les fournitures d'énergie». Pas un nien, qui voulait écarter ce respon¬ tions régionales de Téhéran. " mot sur ses activités nucléaires. sable, a réagi en disparaissant de la Guettant un sursaut de l'opposi¬ Fin janvier, Une rencontre à scène pendant dixjours. tion en Iran, écrasée par la force eh Istanbul entre M. Jalili et les repré¬ Le pouvoir iranien est de plus en 2009-2010, les Etats-Unis vien¬ sentants des Six s'était soldée par plus convaincu, selon des sources nent d'annoncer de. nouvelles..; . un échec. La diplomatie a continué occidentales, qu'aucune attaque aides pour surmonter la censure ainsi de faire du surplace, malgré militaire israélienne ne menacé sur Internet. la « main tendue » de l'administra¬ ses installations nucléaires. Les pro¬ Natalie Nougayrède tion Obama en 2009, suivie par pos de l'ancien chef du Mossad

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

12 mai 2011 XeDïoïide Le blog d'Ignace Leverrier

Que veulent les Kurdes syriens ?

ï4- u> dont le nom seul suggère *S$é qu'elle n'y a pas sa place. Ignace Leverrier Marginalisés dans une vie politique dominée par l'idéo¬

H eux mois après le logie nationaliste arabe du début du mouvement Parti Baath, les Kurdes consti¬ de contestation dans tuent une population de seconde zone. Les heurts la rue de la légitimité Manifestation à Qamichli I France 24 du régime syrien, les observa¬ entre cette communauté et le teurs relèvent avec perplexité pouvoir ont été fréquents, et lant que "la nationalité dizaines de milliers de Kurdes le silence et l'absence de la la répression qui s'est abattue syrienne leur était octroyée". ont perdu les droits dont ils communauté kurde de Syrie. sur elle a généralement été jouissaient jusqu'alors. Leur Quelques manifestations se sanglante. Le martyrologe des L'expression "étrangers de vie quotidienne est devenue sont déroulées à Hassakeh, Kurdes syriens comporte une Hassakeh" désigne une partie pour les premiers difficiles, Qamichli, Al Malikiyeh, Aïn longue liste de victimes des des Kurdes résidant en Syrie, pour les seconds un enfer : Arab et dans d'autres bourga¬ crimes et méfaits attribués déclarés du jour au lendemain pas de carte d'identité, pas de des de la Jazireh. Mais la com¬ aux services de sécurité ou à non-syriens, suite au recense¬ passeport, pas le droit d'être munauté en tant que telle, qui l'armée. En février 2004, un ment exceptionnel de la seule inscrit à l'école, pas le droit de a plusieurs fois démontré par match de football entre population kurde de la travailler dans une adminis¬ le passé sa capacité de mobili¬ l'équipe de la ville kurde de Jazireh (nord-est du pays) tration ou une entreprise sation, paraît davantage cam¬ Qamichli et celle de la ville organisé sur un seul jour en d'Etat, exclusion des aides per sur une position d'attente arabe de Deïr al Zor a dégé¬ octobre 1962. Au terme de ce fournies par le gouvernement que prendre une part active au néré en bataille rangée, puis en émeute. Si près d'une ving¬ décompte, les Kurdes de la à certaines catégories socia¬ mouvement. taine de personnes ont perdu région ont été classés en 3 les... Aujourd'hui, les pre¬ catégories. Les uns ont été miers sont évalués à près de Les protestataires et les la vie à cette occasion, près déclarés syriens. Les autres, 250 000, les seconds à quel¬ partis de l'opposition, qui se d'une quarantaine de jeunes les non-syriens, ont été divi¬ ques dizaines de milliers. félicitaient naguère de cette conscrits kurdes ont péri sés en deux groupes : les réserve, commencent à s'in¬ depuis lors dans des circons¬ "étrangers", ainsi appelés Les Kurdes concernés par terroger. Ils trouvaient judi¬ tances douteuses, au sein des parce qu'ils ont été inscrits la décision présidentielle, les cieux que les Kurdes ne se unités de l'armée où ils dans les registres de l'état- seuls "étrangers" donc, se soient pas lancés tête baissée accomplissaient leur service civil réservés aux étrangers sont réjouis de cette mesure dans la confrontation : ils militaire, sans doute victimes résidant en Syrie, et les qu'ils appelaient de leurs auraient offert au régime le de l'hostilité de leurs camara¬ "oubliés de l'état-civil", qui v depuis près d'un demi- prétexte de faire un exemple, des ou de leurs supérieurs n'ont été inscrits nulle part. siècle. Mais, lorsqu'ils se sont en s'en prenant avec toute la hiérarchiques. La logique de la répartition présentés aux bureaux de férocité qu'il a ensuite mani¬ échappe à toute compréhen¬ l'état-civil, à partir du 24 festée ailleurs, à une commu¬ Pour dissuader les Kurdes sion, puisque les enfants avril, et qu'ils ont eu connais¬ nauté systématiquement sus¬ de se joindre en masse aux d'une même famille ont par¬ sance de la liste des pièces pectée par les autorités, parce manifestations, le régime a fois été inscrits dans deux justificatives qu'ils devaient que non arabe, d'être animée donc multiplié les initiatives catégories différentes et que fournir pour déposer leur par des visées séparatistes. et les gestes à leur égard. Le l'accomplissement du service demande, ils ont déchanté. Ils Mais, alors que la répression plus remarquable remonte au militaire n'a pas été pris en ont constaté que, si le retrait bat son plein et que la pour¬ 7 avril, lorsque le président compte pour la reconnais¬ de la nationalité syrienne suite du mouvement suppose Bachar Al Assad a promulgué, sance de la nationalité. En avait jadis été immédiat, sa l'adhésion de nouvelles au profit des "étrangers de devenant soudain "étrangers" restitution allait prendre régions et de nouvelles villes à Hassakeh", un décret législa¬ ou "oubliés de l'état-civil", des beaucoup de temps, puisque la contestation, ils s'inquiè¬ tif, le décret 49/2011, stipu- les services de sécurité tent aujourd'hui de la retenue devaient tous être au préala¬ des Kurdes et ils lui cherchent ble consultés. Ceux d'entre une explication. eux qui s'étaient fait remar¬ quer par leur engagement L'entrée en masse des politique ou social risquaient Kurdes dans le mouvement de ne jamais quitter la case serait en effet pour le régime départ. Or, se fiant aux décla¬ syrien une mauvaise nouvelle. rations de certains responsa¬ On considère en Syrie que la bles, ils avaient compris que communauté kurde est de les procédures seraient facili¬ loin la plus aisément mobili¬ tées et que, en échange de la sable. Mal traitée durant remise du carnet individuel l'union avec l'Egypte (1958- qu'ils portaient avec eux, ils 1961), elle a vu sa situation se recevraient sur le champ la dégrader encore dans la Carte d'étranger d'un Kurde syrien nationalité syrienne, sans la République Arabe Syrienne moindre difficulté.

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

s'agissait pas de promesses en Intervenant à un moment l'air comme celles qu'ils où la Syrie est le théâtre d'une avaient jadis entendues des vague de protestations sans plus hautes personnalités de précédent, cette affaire mon¬ l'Etat, y compris du Président tre que, même aux pires de la République et de la vice- moments, les autorités présidente Najah Al Attar, le syriennes ne peuvent s'empê¬ gouvernement s'était fait cher de tergiverser et de représenter, le 21 mars, à la mesurer au plus près leurs célébration du nawruz, le concessions. On sait qu'il nouvel an kurde. Installées n'est pas dans leurs habitudes aux places réservées aux invi¬ de lâcher facilement quoi que tés d'honneur, les plus hautes Officiels au Nawruz ce soit, surtout en faveur personnalités officielles, le Personnalités syriennes au nawruz 2011 d'une minorité ethnique dont gouverneur de Hassakeh, le elles sont convaincues que les secrétaire de la branche locale politique prise au sommet de comme premier objectif à la aspirations à l'autonomie du Parti Baath, le chef de la n'ont pu qu'être renforcées Police, le chef de la Sécurité l'Etat. Elle a plusieurs raisons. lutte commune contre les par la situation inespérée de militaire... avaient assisté "organisations terroristes" leurs frères irakiens. Il n'était sans broncher à des festivités D'une part, elle s'inscrit l'élimination, des deux côtés pas malhabile de leur part que, les années précédentes, dans la ligne des efforts de la frontière et si possible au d'accorder enfin aux Kurdes, les forces de sécurité avaient déployés par le pouvoir pour Kurdistan irakien, de l'ancien précisément en ce moment, ce l'ordre d'empêcher éventuel¬ retenir les Kurdes et, si ce parti d'Abdallah OCALAN. que les individus concernés lement par la force, ce qui n'est pour les gagner définiti¬ attendaient depuis si long¬ s'était soldé, en 2008, par vement, du moins pour s'as¬ Que vont donc décider les temps. Mais un tel cadeau a plusieurs morts. surer de leur neutralité dans Kurdes ? Vont-ils faire encore pu paraître prématuré à ceux la Jazireh, le temps pour lui une fois confiance à un régime qui redoutent de se priver Un mois plus tard, le 20 de réduire ailleurs par la force qui leur a souvent fait miroi¬ trop vite d'un moyen de pres¬ avril, dans un nouveau geste le mouvement de méconten¬ ter des concessions sans les sion ou de chantage dont ils de bonne volonté, les autori¬ tement. Si elle est convaincue mettre jamais en ? pourraient avoir besoin à tés syriennes ont fermé les de l'utilité de la chose, une Vont-ils considérer, malgré brève échéance. yeux sur le retour en Syrie personnalité aussi influente les hésitations du régime sur d'un responsable politique en Syrie que le chef du PYD, la question des "étrangers de La décision présidentielle kurde de premier plan, Saleh une formation dont le poids Hassakeh", qu'il est cette fois- de restituer la nationalité Mouslim Mohammed. est sans équivalent sur la ci sérieux et disposé à tenir population kurde syrienne, se syrienne venait en réalité cou¬ Président du Parti de l'Union ses engagements ? Vont-ils ronner une période de Démocratique (PYD), il dirige révélerait un auxiliaire pré¬ voir un indice de sa bonne manoeuvres appuyées du la branche syrienne rebapti¬ cieux. volonté à leur égard dans le pouvoir en direction des sée de l'ancien Parti des fait que les manifestations Kurdes. Préoccupé par les vel¬ Travailleurs du Kurdistan D'autre part, elle fait organisées par eux ont été savoir sans ambiguïté au gou¬ léités d'une partie de la popu¬ (PKK) d'Abdallah Ocalan. traitées par les services de lation syrienne de marcher Détenu en Syrie à de multi¬ vernement turc de Recep sécurité et par l'armée avec sur les traces des Egyptiens et ples reprises, il était en fuite, Tayyip Erdogan, que les res¬ une délicatesse qui tranche des Tunisiens, le régime avait réfugié dans le Jebel Qandil, ponsables syriens goûtent peu avec la brutalité constatée ail¬ les marges de liberté qu'il leurs ? Certains en Syrie le entrepris, dès le mois de au nord de l'Irak, depuis plu¬ février, de convaincre les sieurs années. Le lendemain laisse en Turquie, non seule¬ redoutent. Kurdes de Syrie qu'ils de son retour, qu'il avait pris ment à certains mouvements n'avaient aucun intérêt à soin d'annoncer par voie de de l'opposition syrienne, mais D'autres estiment que les adhérer et à apporter leur presse, il a tenu un meeting surtout à l'Association des Kurdes, trop souvent menés Frères Musulmans. Interdits en bateau, ne sont plus en soutien au mouvement. que la Sécurité politique s'est et condamnés à mort en Syrie, mesure d'accorder la moindre Divers intermédiaires leur abstenue d'interdire et de per¬ avaient affirmé que le pouvoir turber, alors même que l'inté¬ ils sont autorisés, depuis l'ar¬ confiance au pouvoir. S'ils rivée au pouvoir du Parti de la s'abstiennent jusqu'à ce jour était désormais sincèrement ressé figurait sur ses listes de Justice et du Développement de participer massivement au résolu à reconnaître leurs personnalités recherchées. droits et leurs revendications (AKP), à tenir à Istanbul réu¬ mouvement de protestation, nions et congrès. C'est là c'est dans l'espoir de récupé¬ nationales. Et pour démon¬ Une telle passivité ne s'ex¬ qu'ils ont procédé, à la fin du rer, auprès d'un pouvoir en trer que, cette fois-ci, il ne plique que par une décision mois de juillet 2010, au difficulté et prêt à des conces¬ renouvellement de leur direc¬ sions, tout ce que celui-ci tion et à l'élection au poste de serait prêt ou contraint à leur contrôleur général de l'ingé¬ reconnaître « en tant que nieur Mohammed Riyad Al Kurdes ». Ceci fait, ou Chaqfeh. Le message syrien lorsqu'ils constateront que est donc clair. Si les Turcs rien ne vient, ils se rangeront entendent "jouer" avec les du côté des contestataires Frères, les Syriens sont en pour réclamer avec eux leurs mesure, en fermant les yeux droits à la liberté et à la démo¬ sur la présence de Saleh cratie « en tant que Syriens ». Mouslim Mohammed, d'utili¬ ser de nouveau à leur profit la carte kurde. Et ce en dépit des Accords d'Adana de 1998 et "Nous ne demandons pas la nationalité. Nous voulons la liberté des accord de défense et de et la démocratie" sécurité conclus depuis lors entre les deux pays, qui fixent

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

ailfliyi#jMay6>2011

Imprisoned Kurdish rebel chief threatens war if no negotiations after Turkish elections

by: SELCAN HACAOGLU Firat agency website cited Turkish leaders, who accu¬ Associated Press Ocalan as saying in a mes¬ sed the Kurdish politicians Wednesday's attack in sage delivered by his of seeking to incite violence. Kastamonu province left one lawyers. Turkey holds elec¬ policeman dead and another ANKARA, Turkey - The tions on June 12 and final On Friday, pro-Kurdish poli¬ wounded. imprisoned leader of results are expected to take ticians announced their Turkey's main Kurdish several days. election program, including Erdogan had left an election rebel group has warned his autonomy in the largely rally in Kastamonu by heli¬ forces will unleash a "big Ocalan remains a powerful Kurdish southeast and edu¬ copter but journalists and war" after national elec¬ symbol for his fighters, who cation in schools in their party officials were retur¬ tions if Turkey refuses to revere him with a persona¬ mother tongue. Those ning to the capital Ankara in negotiate to end the deca¬ lity cult. Turkish leaders demands have been denied the convoy. des-old conflict. have confirmed communi¬ by Turkey on grounds that cation between some state they would divide the coun¬ The attack came hours after Guerrillas claimed responsi¬ officials and Ocalan to seek try along ethnic lines. clashes at funerals for seven bility Friday for a deadly a solution to end the fight Kurdish rebels on attack on a convoy that had by autonomy-seeking Meanwhile, the rebel Wednesday in the southeast just left a campaign rally Kurdish rebels. But they Kurdistan Workers' Party, where tensions still run held by the prime minister. refuse to negotiate with the known as PKK, claimed res¬ high. rebels, who are branded as ponsibility for a deadly Ocalan's threat is expected terrorists by Turkey and the attack on a police vehicle Police on Friday raided to escalate tensions in the West. that was escorting an elec¬ homes of dozens of Kurds Kurdish-dominated sou¬ tion convoy of Prime and detained them for theast, where frequent cla¬ Aysel Tugluk, a former Minister Recep Tayyip attacking the police with shes and violent protests Kurdish lawmaker, had Erdogan's party in northern firebombs and stones in have undercut reconciliation issued a similar ultimatum Turkey. The statement, dis¬ demonstrations in the cities efforts. to the government, saying: tributed to media in an of Hakkari and Diyarbakir in "I hesitate to put it into email, said the attack was recent days, the Anatolia "Either after June 15, a mea¬ words, but bad things will "aimed against the police, news agency said. ningful negotiation begins, happen." vehicle only" and was not or a big war starts, dooms¬ targeting Erdogan or civi¬ day comes," the pro-Kurdish The comment angered lians

dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Human rights violations euros, and 5 million from Portugal. Speaking at a news briefing in Brussels, Frederik Sundberg, a cost Turkey 25 million Council of Europe official who monitors compliance with ECHR rulings, said Turkey's cases were most often related to ill-treatment euros last year of suspected Kurdish separatists. Russia was most often in the dock for police brutality in the North Caucasus, another separatist area; Italy for the slowness of Brussels -May 5, 2011 its justice system; Romania for disputes related to Communist-era expropriations, Sundberg said.

BREACHES of the European Convention on Human The figures were disclosed as most EU governments were Rights last year cost Turkey just under 25 million euros (37 struggling with austerity measures to curb burgeoning deficits. million dollars), officials from Europe's top human rights Sundberg said countries usually pay ECHR fines, albeit not on watchdog said on Thursday. time.

Respect of the convention is policed by the European Court of 'It is extremely rare that there is a total refusal of payment,' he Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France, which takes up indi¬ said.

vidual complaints and orders compensation when breaches are A report he presented showed that compensation last year was found. paid within the statutory three-month deadline only in 28 per cent In 2010, Turkey paid out 24,542,000 euros to comply with the of cases, down from 37 per cent in 2009.

ECHR's judgements - the highest amount among members of the In another 13 per cent of cases, money was paid late, while the Council of Europe, the organization of which the convention and Council of Europe was still waiting for member states to report on the ECHR are a part. what they had done with the remaining 60 per cent of cases. The compensation paid out by Romania and Russia were joint second-highest at 7.4 million euros, followed by Italy, with 6 million

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

HeratoââfcSribuiu max 6,2011 In Iraq, fingers of blame quickly point to Al Qaeda

golden-domed mosque in Samarra. 16 die in jail BAGHDAD Since then, Iraqi officials have taken to calling almost all insurgents Al Qaeda, With deadly reputation, without regard to their actual affiliation. as inmates group now a catchall for After declaring that the men had ad¬ mitted a tie to Al Qaeda, General Atta the persistent violence did not provide any evidence to verify stage revolt the claim. "The Iraqis like to pin everything on BY MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT Al Qaeda because it's much easier that ANDYASIRGHAZI in Baghdad way and a convenient scapegoat," said

Under pressure to respond to a public Ken Pollack, a national security expert

unnerved by a wave of assassinations, for the Brookings Institution. BAGHDAD one of the top security officials in Bagh¬ "They can just blame it on Al Qaeda,

dad held an unusual news conference to and even then they use Al Qaeda as a BYJACKHEALY play video confessions from three sus¬ blanket term for any Sunni extremist An insurgent leader accused of plotting pects from what he said was a cell of Al group, so they don't have to explain who the deadly siege against an Iraqi church Qaeda. may really be behind the attacks," he last year led a revolt over the weekend The videos and statements played on said. "Al Qaeda is out there and respon¬ in a Baghdad prison, the security au¬ Wednesday by the security official, Maj. sible for many of them, but they are not thorities said. The prison holds some of Gen. Qassim Atta, the military spokes¬ responsible for every attack." Iraq's most violent terrorism suspects. man for the Baghdad Operations Com¬ Whatever his intentions, General Atta Several inmates seized a cache of mand, provided à rare view of the al¬ was highlighting a growing danger for grenades and weapons and killed six se¬ most businesslike violence that persists Baghdad residents. In recent months, curity officers, including a high-ranking here, though at drastically lower levels insurgents seem to have shifted tactics, counterterrorism official. The inmates than in the years of sectarian conflict be¬ now preferring quiet assassinations to overran part of the prison until they fore 2007. But they also raise questions, the car bombs that killed scores of civil¬ were beaten back by a police assault not at all unusual for news conferences ians but incurred the wrath of all Iraqis. team about 4 : 30 am. Sunday. Eleven in¬ of this sort in Baghdad, about how much There were 44 assassinations in mates were killed, the officials said. credence to place in the confessions. Baghdad in April, compared with 31 in They provided few details. The target of the assassination high¬ March and 12 in February. There were "These terrorists took the benefit of lighted on Wednesday, the manager of a three more Wednesday. ^ carelessness," said Hakim al-Zamili, television station, was a ranking mem¬ On Thursday, a suicide bomber at¬ who sits on Parliament's security com¬ ber of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al- tacked a police training center in the mittee and is à critic of the government. Maliki's Dawa Party. Another high- predominantly Shiite city of Hilla, south "The Iraqis are using the wrong ranking government official and Dawa of Baghdad, killing 25 people and strategy with prisoners and terrorists." Party member, who was driving the sta¬ wounding at least 75 others, according The violence came amid warnings of tion manager to a party meeting, was heightened attacks after the killing of also killed in the attack. "The Iraqis like to pin Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Iraqi offi¬ On the videos, the suspects described everything on Al Qaeda cials said that the inmates were mem¬ a chain of command that delivered the because it's much easier bers ofAl Qaeda in Mesopotamia, à Sunni assassination order through four extremist group, and that the authorities people, preserving deniability for who¬ that way." had been interrogating them about possi¬ ever issued it. One of the men said he did ble reprisals for Bin Laden's death. not even know the target's name. The battle began around 10 p.m. Sat¬ General Atta said that a woman had to the provincial police. Of those killed, urday when Huthaifa al-Batawi, who is delivered guns equipped with silencers 24 were policemen, as were many of accused of being the mastermind of the to the men days before the attack and those wounded. church attack, seized a police lieuten¬ that shejeturned a day after the shoot¬ Once again, the attack was blamed on ant's pistol, shot him in the head and led ing to pick them up. Al Qaeda. other inmates on a rampage through the "These people in the cells know "This was a breach of our security by prison, the officials said. nobody else but this one person," Gen¬ Al Qaeda," said Haider Zanbor, the head They killed five other officers, includ¬ eral Atta said. "They are told, 'This is of the security committee in the sur¬ ing Brig. Gen. Moayed al-Saleh, who the time, place to do the killing,' and giv¬ rounding province of Babil. "We were oversaw counterterrorism operations in en their photo." expecting that Babil would be the target Karada, an upper-middle class neighbor¬ In this instance, he added, the sup¬ of revenge for the killing of Bin Laden. hood in Baghdad. As reinforcements ar¬ posed assassins were told where the We will increase the security procedure rived, five inmates were killed trying to targeted men would be at the time of the to prevent this from happening again." escape in a stolen police vehicle and five killing, meaning "there has been a secu¬ Around 7 a.m., the bomber drove a car others were killed later by the police^ rity breach in part of our government.' ' packed with explosives up to a check The prison, security officials said, Whether the killers were members of point outside the training center in cen¬ holds about 220 inmates, 38 of whom: are Al Qaeda was a far murkier issue. tral Hilla, detonating the explosives said to have been involved in the Oct; 31 When the insurgency was at its while a bus drove by, a security official assault on the Our Lady of Salvation strongest, from 2005 to 2007, the largest said. church, where at least 50 people died. insurgent group went by the name Al At the time, there was a shift change Qaeda in Mesopotamia, though its ranks at the training center, which increased Duraid Adrian and Khalid D. Ali contrib¬ were filled with homegrown militants, the number of officers in the area, the of¬ uted reporting. with a small foreign leadership. It was ficial said. responsible for many of the major at¬ tacks of that era, like the bombing of the Omar al-Jawoshy contributed reporting.

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

111 Rudaw.N^ 07 MAY 2011

The PCDK had a list of 6 demands

Pro-PKK Party Supports including calls for early elections, return

of all party-occupied property to the Opposition in Kurdistan government, a new constitution, more services (water, roads, electricity) and a

project to attach the disputed territories

to the Kurdistan region.

The PKK-leader Abdullah Ocalan,

says Najidi Omar, thinks that no system

can survive without full support of the

people and without democracy.

"Therefore this current system here

is not democratic nor does it listen to the

people's demands. It needs to be changed

and he [Ocalan] fully supports the pro¬

». V.-v. testors."

PKK spokesperson Roj Welat confir¬ } med by telephone mat the PKK thinks the Kurdish government should listen to 4b - . < . the people, but denied that the PKK was directly involved in demonstrations.

"There are a lot of problems here in

Iraqi Kurdistan and the government Former head of PCDK Fayaq Gulpi. Photo courtesy of PCDK. needs to tackle them and develop some

level of democracy to solve these

issues." he said. By WLADIMIR VAN WILGENBURG bers of the PCDK had participated in the

protests and supported calls by Kurdish Kurdish journalist Rebwar Karim

opposition parties for early elections. Wali believes that instability in the Kurdistan region benefits the PKK. ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan - Offices of the PCDK were closed in

Members of the pro-PKK Democratic the Kurdistan region and the party was "They can do what they want. They

Solution Party (PCDK) have recently banned from participating in both the have more liberty, freedom of movement

been arrested in the Kurdistan Region of Iraqi and local Kurdish elections in the for everything. Because the government

Iraq for supporting demonstrations. The last two years after pressure from Turkey and [ruling] political parties are busy

PCDK called on the KRG to release and the U.S. with this internal issue, they forget the demonstrators and the security forces to PKK." said Wali. The PKK and its Iranian offshoot, the leave the streets. Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) Cengiz Candar, a Turkish writer and

On April 21st, Fayaq Gulpi, a mem¬ called on the Kurdish government to res¬ former government adviser, who has

ber of the KNK, and former head of pect the will of the people and show recently traveled to Syria, Iraq and Iran

PDCK was arrested in a security check¬ more democracy and that unwanted with Turkey's top leaders, told Rudaw

point in the province of Sulaimani and interference upset the Kurdish authori¬ that the PCDK has its own policy.

allegedly tortured. Also PCDK-members ties. "They [PKK] don't have much a foo¬ Ebubekir Mecit and Kemal Said Sadik PKK spokesperson Roj Welat told thold in Kurdistan. Through this they Kadir were arrested for supporting Rudaw that the PKK leader had called on might broaden their popular support." demonstrations. The detentions came the government of the Kurdistan region Candar added that it could also be after the KRG decided to ban the to listen to the demands of the people. because of the growing relationship bet¬ demonstrations. In early March, just days after the ween Turkey and Erbil that they try to The next day, the Kurdistan National start of protests in Kurdistan, pro-PKK use as a counterbalance. Congress asked the Kurdish authorities slogans could be heard in the streets of Demonstrations against the Kurdish to release the arrested PCDK members. Sulaimani, with some protestors shou¬ authorities started in Sulaimani on Most of them were released after 8-10 ting 'long live leader Apo', the nickname February 17th and lasted more than two hours, but Kadir was jailed for 10 days of the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah months until they were quelled by the for supporting protests in the border Ocalan in Turkey. The pro-PKK TV-sta¬ deployment of hundreds of heavily town of Penjwin, said PCDK-member tion Roj TV also took airtime to cover armed troops. The PCDK called on the Emir Star. On May 5th yet another the demonstrations. authorities to normalize the situation, PCDK member named Sivan "Although there are three opposition release demonstrators and withdraw the Muhammed was arrested in Sulaimani parties here, we are not allowed to be in security forces from the streets. by the security forces and beaten, but parliament," said PCDK-member Najida later released. Omar, speaking from the Sara Square, Although the rebels of the Kurdistan Sulaimani's central square during the Workers Party (PKK) are fighting the protests, which is now under the control Turkish state for more cultural rights for of Kurdish security forces. "Otherwise the Kurds in that country, they supported we would support the opposition parties the demonstrations against the Kurdish here. We need a new system in place to government in Iraq. It is said that mem support democracy." she said.

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

07 MAY 2011

Why Kirkuk is so important to Kurds and Kurdistan

Scythians, Sagartians, and the

The Kurdish Globe last, most well-known group,

By A. Daudy the Medes. The Median tribes united Kurdistan culturally and

geographically, and the Through the years, Kirkuk has Median Kurdish Empire was been a focal point in the strug¬ the last state that united all gle of Kurds in Iraq. It witnes¬ parts of Kurdistan and went far sed many revolts and opportu¬ nities to settle the Kurdish beyond to the east to Bactria (Afghanistan) and west question, but Kirkuk was Aegean Sea (western Turkey). always an obstacle to perma¬ nent settlement. After that, ancient Kurds had different kingdoms and vassal

No single Kurdish leader ever states in different parts of Kurdistan, under various empi¬ dared to think about giving it

res. up for broader Kurdish rights for the machinery of war. This inside Iraq. It is also deeply was essential in gaining an Another accusation is that The Kurdish tribes around rooted in the Kurdish political advantage on the competing Kurds want Kirkuk merely for Kirkuk still hold their ancient mind and struggle for a powers, and to secure the oil its oil to secure their future Hurrian names, like Zangna, Kurdish homeland. Regional supply for the rest of British independent state. Kurds Talabani and Jabbari, which and Western powers have troops around the world. This already secured their position are mentioned in the tablets of denied this Kurdish wish for became especially apparent in the region and in the world, ancient Hurrian city of political strategy and because after losing Baku (Azerbaijan) by the proven oil and gas reser¬ Arappha (Kirkuk). Later, many of its oil. The lack of know¬ to the Russians. For Britain, ves, which are around 70 bil¬ empires and states invaded ledge about the issue by the the Kurds were just a hurdle to lion barrels of oil and a 112- Kirkuk and the rest of Kurds themselves made them integrate Kirkuk and Mosul to 200 trillion cm of gas, accor¬ Kurdistan. The sources of impressively weak in explai¬ a larger Hashemite Arab ding to Ashti Hawrami's figu¬ Aramaic Christian priests men¬ ning their justification for Kingdom of Jordan and Iraq, res. When taking current reser¬ tion the region of Beth Garma Kirkuk and the struggle for it, connecting Kirkuk's oil to ves into account, the oil is (Garmian region) which is part let alone non-Kurds who can¬ Palestine's Haifa. Besides, the seven times more and the gas of Ba-Qerdi (House of Kurds not understand the "pathetic" Kurdish tribes were a factor of 45 times more than that of or land of Kurds). Arab and clinging to the city. So, why is instability, especially because Kirkuk. The gas reserves, Turkish Ottoman sources reite¬ Kirkuk so important to the the Ottomans were using reli¬ which will supply Europe rate this. Mosul Wilayet of the Kurds? gion to sway the tribes' alle¬ through the Nabucco pipeline, Ottoman state was a Kurdish giance. This could have jeopar¬ are already a declaration of state under the British occupa¬ Kirkuk's history dized the integration. tion of Iraq, and incorporated it independence, given into the country to make it a The Hurrians, the main ances¬ In the 1990s, the demographics Azerbaijan's unstable supply. viable state using Kirkuk's oil, tors of Kurds, established Nuzi changed again. Arab, Kurdistan is already on the to link it to the rest of its terri¬ and Arappha, modern-day Turkoman and even Western map as a player in the global tory in the Middle East. The Kirkuk. Historians agree Kurds politicians and organizations oil market. Even the stance of British conducted a census bet¬ are an autochthonous race make exaggerated accusations Kurds greatest opponent, ween 1918 and the early 1920s which is the result of mainly that Kurds repatriated 450,000 Turkey, has weakened follo¬ in Kirkuk province, and it the Caucasian race (Hurrians Kurds, but those deported in wing these discoveries and the clearly indicates a Kurdish that populated large parts of the 1990s were fewer than enormous benefits for the eco¬ majority in the province. Middle East), which was 200,000. Still, many Kirkuki nomy. More discoveries are Aryanized by different Indo- Kurds do not want to go back being made. Besides, Kirkuk's Britain, Kirkuk European tribes, the last one to Kirkuk. The city is in an oil is of a lesser quality demography and oil being the Medes. Many tribal appalling state, and the ones because it is mixed with water.

names designated to different who have lived in Erbil and If Kurds want Kirkuk for its Kirkuk's oil has been a curse kingdoms in ancient Kurdistan Suleimaniya are not motivated oil, they firmly believe they on the Kurdish nation since its were part of the Human race, to go back, despite calls and have the right to own it and use discovery at the beginning of including Lulus, Subartus, pressure from Kurdistan it to benefit the people and the the 20th century. At that time, Gutians, Urartus, Manneans Regional Government. It city. Saddam Hussein traded the British Empire was at war and Khaldis. In addition to the seems the figures are inaccu¬ the income of Kirkuk's oil for with the Ottoman Empire and Indo-European tribes that rate, even from some respected weapons to exterminate the competing with the Russians Aryanized ancient Kurdistan, think tanks like International Iraqi population, including the and Germans for territories many ancient kingdoms ruled Crisis Group. Or, is it simply Kurds. and, of course, the Middle under their tribal names like propaganda against the East's oil, which was needed Mitannis, Kassites, Hittites, Kurdish reclamation? Gradually, neighboring states

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

and opposition communities Development Party of Turkey the infamous campaign of identity are realizing the inevitable (AKP) and its new course, sim¬ Anfal. Many poor Arabs from

emergence of a Kurdish entity ply to thwart Kurdish the south moved to Kirkuk Why is Kirkuk of such impor¬

with rich resources, which may demands. Turkmen had also during this time. tance to Kurds? The Kurdish eventually declare indepen¬ their share from Saddam's tribes were living until the dence - with or without Arabization policy, but Turkey In a recent survey, Arabs of outskirts of Modern Baghdad

Kirkuk. never mentioned or addressed Kirkuk admitted their role in (Ctesiphon), further than the this with Saddam until Kurds looting Kurdish properties in shores of Tigris, before the Turkmen and political had their own protectorate in the 1980s and acknowledged arrival of Arab conquerors,

irrationalism 1991. After AKP came to that Kurds could have done the armed by Islam, in the seventh

power, things started to same in 2003, but were restrai¬ century. The Arabs began The Turkmen history starts in change, and Turkey's foreign ned by their leadership to converting the local population

the region in the 12th and 13th policy started to take a more ensure a peaceful long-term to Islam under the threat of the

centuries with the Mongol pragmatic approach, which led coexistence. When asked whe¬ sword and unbeliever taxes invasion of the Islamic state of MIT to withdraw the Turkmen ther they want to incorporate (jeziah). This also assimilated

the Abbasids. The allied Turkic card. This is also due to the their region with Salahaddin neighboring nations into the tribes established kingdoms in quarrels and the weakening governorate, most Kirkuk new religion and its language,

several parts of Mesopotamia, support of ITF among the Arabs are against it, and want including Aramaics in Iraq;

as well as Anatolia. Modern Turkmen themselves. ITF went to stay part of Kirkuk due to Phoenicians, Hebrews and

Turkmen don't share much even further, asking for help disputes and a difficult rela¬ Canaanites in the Levant;

with those invaders. The most from Turkmenistan and tionship with the Arabs of Copts in Egypt; the Amazigh

common theory is they assimi¬ Azerbaijan. In Turkmenistan, Tikrit and Samara. Despite Berbers of North Africa, from

lated with the local population. they were welcomed but could this, they do not want to be part Libya to Morocco; and the

The modern Turkmen, linguis¬ not find any logic for their of Kurdistan Region. inhabitants of the Horn of

tically and tribally, show a demands to establish a Africa. common background with Turkmen entity in Iraq. While the Kurds are accused of

Turkic Azéris of Iran and Moreover, the former head of wanting Kirkuk for its oil, the For the Kurds, this process Azerbaijan and have a lesser Azerbaijan's intelligence same holds true for Sunni Arabized the Kurdish lowlan- similarity with Turks of agency, who is now the presi¬ Arabs. Recently, some Sunni ders of Diyala province, Kut

Turkey. These Turkmen came dent of the country, did not res¬ and Arab nationalists made it province, Baghdad's Pahlavi

to the region at the height of pond to their demands or pro¬ clear they want to incorporate Kurds and Jazeera region, the struggle between the vide assistance. In addition, Kirkuk and its oil into a Sunni especially Mosul and Aleppo. Ottoman and Safavid empires Shiite Iran, which is mainly region, to include Anbar,

and were settled in different dominated by Azeri Turkish Nineveh and Salahaddin. This The Kurdish people struggle to areas of the empire to secure its clerics, provides no support. region is relatively poor in preserve their identity, lan¬

stability; this is not only visible Turkey plays the Turkmen card resources compared to the guage and culture amid three

in Iraq, but also in Syria. once in a while, just to pressure Shiite south and the Kurdistan larger nations: Arabs, Turks the Kurds. A recent shift in Region. They also fear the and Persians. The Kurdish Today's Turkmen are bitter fol¬ Turkmen politics occurred Kurds will break away from heritage has lost many of its lowing the fall of Saddam. when Hassan Torhan was elec¬ Iraq, motivating the Shia to do historical and cultural areas to They had been the ruling class ted president of Kirkuk's pro¬ the same in the south, leaving the occupying nations. So,

from the Ottoman occupation vincial council. This was a ges¬ the Sunnis with the desert. "Kirkuk symbolizes 13 centu¬

until the end of Sunni domi¬ ture by Kurdish politicians, as ries of ongoing struggle to pre¬

nance in 2003 in those designa¬ well as Turkey's pressure to Arabs, as well as Turkmen, are serve Kurds from Arab ambi¬ ted pockets. They have always cooperate more with the aiming for a power-sharing tions to assimilate them." The

allied themselves with the Kurds, taking the future econo¬ structure and to make Kirkuk a struggle for Kirkuk is the ruling Sunni powers of the mic benefits into considera¬ region of its own. Still, many struggle for Kurdish identity. Iraqi state. Since 2003, the tion. Kurds feel reversing Saddam's Kirkuk is an emotional issue

Turkmen are still unable to policy is the least the new Iraqi for the Kurds; no single gene¬ come to grips with the power Arabs of Kirkuk government can do. ration will give up on the city's

shift after accepting Arab Neighboring countries have no identity, and no major power supremacy for a century. As previously mentioned, the legitimacy to intervene or med¬ can convince the Kurds to give Today, the Turkmen political British rule in Iraq suggested dle in the question of Kirkuk. it up. Any scenario to strip that

parties take an irrational politi¬ incorporating Kurdistan, inclu¬ Kurds and Shia find it almost right will ignite violent retalia¬

cal course and set unrealistic ding Kirkuk, into Iraq to make impossible to share a country tion by the Kurdish population,

demands. Iraq a viable state through its with the Arab Sunnis, due to even against Western powers.

oil and secure the supply to the differences in perspective Still, Kurds are willing to have

The Turkmen are represented Haifa. Since then, waves of and language of dialogue. a reasonable and peaceful solu¬

by Iraqi Turkmen Front, which Arab migrants and tribes set¬ Many prominent Sunni politi¬ tion for the settled Arabs, and

was set up by Turkish intelli¬ tled in Kirkuk and its surroun¬ cians still hail Saddam, the include them in the Kurdistan

gence services (MIT). This ding areas. The largest deporta¬ Arab glory and use the same Region minorities and assure process started in 1994 at the tions of Kurds and settlement offensive language against the their place in the decision¬

time of the Republican of Arabs were during the 1970s other communities, refusing to making process. People's Party (CHP) rule, and 1980s under Saddam's accept the new realities on the

which was a proponent of the Baathist regime. Arabs were ground.

military elite, and before the encouraged to occupy the area

rise of Justice and and loot Kurdish properties in Kirkuk symbols and

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

AIJazeera 09 May 2011

Debate rages among Syria's opposition Kurds

After years of Kurdish exclusion in Syria by the ruling Baath regime, there is hope for unity and justice once again.

Al Jazeera Hugh Macieod and a special correspondent

For 24-year-old Azad, a poet and political activist from Amouda in northeast Syria, it was a single word, cried from streets at the other end of the country that cut through the tangle of ethnic and political division that has defined Kurdish identity in ' - «.M Syria for generations. *»* "When people from Deraa shouted for freedom, not for pan-Arab unity, not for liberating Palestine or for unity with Egypt and Lebanon as in the past, it pushed young Kurds in Syria to feel the s*y same as them," he said. res.»-

Stateless and suppressed under four decades of Baath party .air:-- %. .- rule, and unconvinced by recent concessions to them by presi¬ £! dent Bashar al-Assad, a debate is raging among Syria's Kurds - ** i. .* the country's largest ethnic minority - over whether to throw their full weight behind the campaign to topple the regime, a weight "What happened in Deraa has increased my national pride. opposition organisers hope could prove a tipping point. Now, I feel more Syrian than ever" [EPA]

Foreigners at home Kurds in Syria has left them among the poorest communities in the country, with poverty levels doubling from 40 per cent to 80 per cent in just three years from 2005, according to a 2008 Numbering around 1 .7million, or around eight per cent of the human rights report by the British Foreign Office. population, Kurds in Syria have long suffered marginalisation under the Baath party. Founded on autocratic rule, and an ideo¬ Much of that drastic decline was the result a sustained drought logy that recognises only Arabs as citizens, the Baath regime is in northeast Syria which has decimating local Kurdish communi¬ fearful of Kurdish demands for greater autonomy, given the suc¬ ties, driving tens of thousands off their land and into urban cen¬ cessful self-rule of Kurds in neighbouring Iraq. tres.

In 1962, a year before the Baath party seized power in a military For Azad the poet, the uprising against the repression of the coup, 120,000 Kurds in Syria's north-eastern Hassake governo- Assad regime represents an opportunity to regain a heritage rate, bordering Turkey and Iraq, had their citizenship taken away threatened with extinction. from them - on the grounds that they had not been born in Syria. "I want to sing in the Kurdish language at a Kurdish wedding "I did two years national service in the army and then my elder party," he said. "Why should I be afraid to do that? Why should I brother told me that I had no Syrian nationality," said Firharad, a . expect security will arrest me on charges of 'splitting Syria and grandfather of 20 from a remote village near Malkiah, 60km joining a foreign state'? I want to write in my mother tongue, so north-east of the regional capital Hassake. I can express my feelings and what is in my heart."

The old man broke into tears when recalling the hardships of a life spent without official papers and limited access to state-run Political machinations health and education, desperate that his grandchildren would not have to repeat the experience.

"I spent my life without education, without a proper job," he recal¬ But Azad's revolutionary zeal has yet to be embraced by leaders led. "Sometimes I got temporary work in the state sector, but I of Syria's 16 notoriously fractious Kurdish political parties. would always have to move to another job. I tried to go to Europe Though with plenty of good reasons to protest, the Kurdish and the Gulf to work, but I couldn't get a passport," said Firharad. street, which remains controlled by its political rather than tribal

His wife died two years ago - after she was refused heart surgery leaders, has yet to turn out en masse. in the state-run Assad University Hospital in Damascus on the Every Friday, several thousand Kurds protest in Qamishli, grounds she was not a Syrian citizen. Amouda, Hassake and surrounding towns and villages, but the

After attempting to create an "Arab belt" in northern Syria by crowds have yet to swell to the mass rallies witnessed in Sunni expropriating Kurdish land and gifting it to Arabs in the 1970s, Arab majority cities such as Banias, Horns and Deraa. the regime initiated a policy of repressing Kurdish identity. "For now we have made no decision to demonstrate in large

The Kurdish language and Kurdish books were banned from numbers," said the leader of one Kurdish party, considered the schools, celebrations such as Nowrouz, the traditional Kurdish most radical in Syria, who asked not to give his or the party's New Year, were prohibited, and Kurdish political leaders were name. routinely imprisoned. "If we are seen to lead big demonstrations the regime will say:

The long-term policy of dispossession and discrimination against 'Look, the Kurds are demanding to split from Syria and establish their own state.' Then the Arab tribes will confront us."

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

But the reluctance of Kurds to throw their full weight behind the president Assad he has demanded only an acceleration of

protest movement can also be explained by the regime's appa¬ reforms, despite hosting some representatives of the Syrian

rently successful combination of swift but minor concessions opposition in Istanbul last month. made against the backdrop of years of increased repression, a

dark harbinger of what might lie ahead, should the national

uprising fail to topple the existing power. Carrots after stick

For the Kurds of Syria have already had their Intifada: Days of

rioting and mass anti-regime protests in and around Qamishli That heavy stick has more recently been accompanied by

in March 2004, following a brawl between Arab and Kurdish some small carrots: In March, Kurds were allowed to celebrate

football fans, that led to security forces killing at least 36 peo¬ Nowrouz, unhindered by security forces. On April 7, Assad

ple - mainly Kurdish residents. decreed a restoration of citizenship to the Kurds, though it has

What followed that unrest was five years of systematic repres¬ yet to be carried out.

sion. Even as President Assad pledged to restore Kurdish citi¬ Kurdish protesters have also faced a markedly less brutal res¬

zenship following decisions at the June 2005 Baath Party ponse from security forces, which have not opened fire on

conference, a leading Kurdish cleric, Skeikh Mohammed them, as they have on protesters elsewhere in the country. Khaznawi, was being tortured to death and security forces So far, to the detriment of the wider protest movement, the were rounding up almost all Kurdish political leaders. regime's tactics appear to be working. In a November 2009 report Human Rights Watch documented "I see no need to make demonstrations which could lead to vio¬ the arrest of 15 prominent Kurdish leaders since the 2004 upri¬ lence," said a Kurdish tribal leader, close to the delegation of sing. Of a total of 30 Kurdish detainees interviewed, 12 said Kurdish and Arab tribal leaders that met with Assad on April 5. they had suffered torture. Many were called in for questioning

repeatedly and banned from travelling outside Syria. "We have to remember what happened in 2004, when many

schools, healthcare centres and agriculture centres were des¬ "So many Kurdish leaders are in detention that they think it's troyed. Our demands are simple and there is no need to des¬ too dangerous now to protest. They have not cast off their inhi¬ troy our country to get simple things." bitions," said Robert Lowe, an expert on Syrian Kurds and

Manager of the Middle East Centre at the London School of Azad the poet agrees. His demand is simple too; that single

Economics. word which may have lost its lustre in the regime's torture dun¬

geons and in the divisions that Kurdish politics in Syria has "Most of the 16 parties have someone in detention or awaiting brought on his parent's generation, but which yet shines bright trial. They know what will happen to them if they protest and for the young. think it's probably not worth it."

"We began a new era and we will not be divided from our Arab Syria's repression of Kurds has also been bolstered by its brothers," said Azad. "We will increase our demonstrations strengthened relationship with Turkey over the past five years, until not only the Kurds, but all Syrians, have their freedom. We where an estimated 15 to 20 million Kurds routinely complain are all Syrians in the end." of discrimination and where a decades-old separatist war by

PKK Kurdish rebels has cost more than 40,000 lives.

Where Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged

Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak to step down, from

TODAYS ZAMAN MAY 11, 2011 Intellectuals declare support for Kurdish candidates in polls

TODAYS ZAMAN Among the members of the Labor, Democracy and Freedom

Agroup of intellectuals who gathe¬ Bloc are Ahmet Insel, Gulten Kaya, red under the roof of the Labor, Arat Dink, Nuray Mert, Sennur Democracy and Freedom Bloc on Sezer, Murat «elikkan and Julide Wednesday issued a declaration Kural. announcing their support for 62 With no hope of passing the 10 independent deputy candidates percent election threshold in the elections, the BDP urged its mem¬ endorsed by the pro-Kurdish Peace Gencey Gursoy and Democracy Party (BDP). bers to run as independent candida¬ A member of the group, tes. The pro-Kurdish party used the tion threshold and make a new Professor Gencay GUrsoy read the same tactic in the 2007 elections constitution, he said. declaration on behalf of nearly 350 and managed to send 20 of its mem¬ Ahmet Turk and current BDP intellectuals in a press conference bers to Parliament. The indepen¬ deputy Sabahat Tuncel, who are held at the Taksim Hill Hotel. We dent deputies later formed a parlia¬ among the BDP-supported candida¬ are calling on everyone to vote for mentary group to represent the tes, were also present during these candidates in order to once party. Wednesday's press conference. again bypass the 10 percent elec-

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

v INTERNATIONAL ^ « Iraq faces fateful debate MAY 10, 2011 about U.S. withdrawal

BAGHDAD

Some fear factional war, ' a" -* Sri"* . while others say dignity demands rapid departure *> "^ - -

BYTIMARANGO

AND MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT

In the Shiite enclave of Sadr City, young men demand in militant tones that American troops leave immediately. Iraqi Army officers worry the country will take a violent turn if they go. In the north, Kurdish factions that have en¬ 4Î v joyed 20 years of American security guarantees fret about their future, and Sunni Muslims worry about Iran's rise as a political power. In Parliament, the political leadership has largely stayed

silent. Iraq now has a choice whether Amer¬ ican troops stay or go at the end of this year, but U.S. officials have said time is Muslim worshippers listening to an anti-American sermon in the Sadr City section of running out to make a decision. The de¬ bate rippling across the country reflects Baghdad. The radical cleric Moktada al-Sadr has been outspoken in demanding U.S. withdrawal. a nation still struggling with issues of sectarian identity, national pride and

how to secure its future. ern areas where Arabs, Kurds and Turk¬ "Government services are impor¬

For many Iraqis, it is a decision with men are rivals for land, believe the tant, but there are things that are more two bad choices, between remaining be- American presence is a buffer against important than these things, which is . holden to a foreign power many still civil war. the U.S. withdrawal according to the view as an occupier and charting a per¬ But elsewhere, Iraqis who were in¬ agreement," the preacher said. "We ilous new future on their own. clined to see the Americans stay, now need to make this decision now. We '/We can choose now," said Mustafi worry that if they do, it could cause new don't want to wait. If we do, they will Ali, 26, holding an Arabic translation of violence sparked by insurgent groups say, we don't have enough time to with¬

an American political philosophy book such as the Maihdi Army, the militia loy¬ draw." as he strolled the stalls on Baghdad's al to the and-American cleric Moktada In the corridors of power no politician, Mutanâbbi Street. "But it's not useful. al-Sadr. including Prime Minister Nuri Kamal Both choices are bad." "I prefer that the U.S. forces leave al-Maliki, seems to want to face up to the But like many important milestones Iraq because then extremists wouldn't issue. Mr. Maliki, who has rarely con- of the war, from ratifying a Constitution have an excuse to carry guns,'"Jsaid in 2005 to negotiating a security agree¬ Amira Jwad, 35, a government worker "We don't understand what ment in 2008 to setting elections in 2010 inNajaf. the withdrawal means. It is a and forming a government afterward, Last month, Mr. Sadr said that he Baghdad is marching to a different would order his men to attack U.S. complete withdrawal? Or will clock than Washington. forces if they stay. On Saturday, a mem¬ they keep their bases?" The decision could prove to be one of ber of Parliament from Mr. Sadr's party was quoted in a report saying that the the most momentous ones yet of Iraq's party would recruit foreign fighters to suited Parliament as he consolidated young democracy. As Iraqis debate the take on U.S. forces. A spokesman for the power over the past five years, dis¬ issue, the discussion often pivots on party later said that they had no inten- , tanced himself from the issue last week, symbolic matters of national dignity tion of recruiting fighters. saying that the matter would have to be and has less to do with whether Iraq can The most fervent opposition can be decided by Parliament. remain secure without the help of the found in Sadr City, the Shiite. slum in "If there is an intention to change the U.S. military. Baghdad that represents the heart of Mr. terms of the agreement and have U.S. "It's a golden opportunity for the Sadr's constituency. On a recent Friday troops stay there must be a national Iraqi government to have the decision before prayers began, Najim Abbas, a consensus," Mr. Maliki said at a news of whether not U.S. troops stay or leave young house painter, echoed what many conference in Baghdad. "The govern¬ in its hand, to show to the Iraqi people ment is a partnership government so^ that the government has sovereignty," there say when asked about Mr. Sadr's everyone is responsible for the decision. said Majid Mohammadi, a college stu¬ threat of reconstituting his militia. The government, the Parliament and dent in Anbar Province. "Whatever he says, we will do," said political blocs, it's everyone's responsi¬ Iraqis are also asking themselves a Mr. Abbas. "We will keep on resisting bility and all must bear this responsibil¬ . simple question with no simple answer: until the last days of our lives.' ' Will the country become more or less vi¬ Once prayers began, the preacher ity." While the growing sense among olent if the Americans leave? cast the American issue as the most im¬ American diplomats and Iraqi officials Many Iraqis, especially in the north- portant facing the Iraqi people.

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

Newsmax.com luMayiou

Iran Pressures Iraq to Crack Down on Kurds

mek, kurds, Barham Salih, Kermanshah, assassinate a other Iranian opposition

Tehran Saeed Jalili Sunni cleric in Pavah city, and groups, who fear guilt by asso¬

By Ken Timmerman carry out a bank robbery during ciation. "Some groups won't When Kurdish Prime Minister which they plan to kill all bank deal with us because of this," Barham Salih traveled to employees and customers another member of PJAK's Tehran in January, Iranian The Iraqi government is inside," PJAK spokesman political leadership, Sherzad National Security General coming under pressure Soran Khedri told Newsmax. Kamangar, said. Secretary Saeed Jalili asked from Tehran to crack down on him to use the Kurdish militia to "They are then planning to The Iranian authorities have Iranian Kurdish rebels based in crack down on the PJAK blame this attacks on PJAK, as arrested hundreds of PJAK northern Iraq, and has recently camps, which were being used part of their effort to get the activists who took part in post¬ moved tanks and artillery close as launching pads for guerilla European Union to go along election protests in June 2009, to guerilla camps in the moun¬ incursions across the border with the United States and list and has executed scores of tains near the Iranian border, into Iran. PJAK as a terrorist organiza¬ them. Kurdish sources told tion," he added. Newsmax. "Protecting the border and The Iranian regime is so wor¬

Tanks and artillery controlled by ensuring stability and security PJAK believes Turkey provided ried about PJAK's effective¬

the Peshmerga forces of the are a concern for both sides," weapons to Iran, and that Iran ness that it recently sent three

Kurdistan regional government Salih told Iran's Fars News gave them to the agents as a hired killers to German in an

in northern Iraq have moved Agency right after meeting way of providing "proof that attempt to assassinate PJAK

into the Assos Mountains north Jalili. "We are hopeful that PJAK is receiving military secretary general, Rahman

of Sulaymaniyah, within striking greater efforts will be made to assistance from the United Haji Ahmadi.

distance of rebel bases control¬ protect the prevailing stability States. 'The German police called on led by the Free Life Party of and security." On Feb. 4, 2009, the U.S. Ahmadi this past week to warn Iranian Kurdistan, known as PJAK leaders are also warning Treasury designated PJAK as him that three Iranian hired kil¬ PJAK. that Iran is planning to carry out an international terrorist organi¬ lers, using Turkish passports,

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is a series of terror attacks inside zation as part of President had moved into a flat near to scheduled to travel to Tehran Iran in the coming weeks, and Barack Obama's much-touted where he lives," said PJAK

this weekend for a two-day blame the attacks on PJAK new strategy of "reaching out" spokesman Kedri. 'They war¬ conference hosted by the guerillas. to the government in Tehran. ned him to be careful, but offe¬

Iranian government dubbed red him no protection." Iran has trained squads of In response to a Freedom of "Campaign Against Terrorism." Kurdish commandos to carry Information Act request by After the group was designated

Iranian leaders have been out the terror attacks with PJAK's U.S. attorney, Morton by the Treasury Department as

urging Talabani to convince the assistance from the Turkish Sklar, Treasury's Office of a terrorist organization in

Kurdish government to take military and Turkish military, Foreign Assets Control relea¬ February 2009, they called a

military steps against the PJAK PJAK leaders told Newsmax sed a heavily-redacted memo¬ unilateral halt to all armed

camps in meetings in Tehran in during a trip to their bases in randum showing that the sole attacks on Iranian

February and March of this Northern Iraq in February. basis for the Treasury's action Revolutionary Guards bases,

year, Kurdish sources told against the group was an alle¬ to show that the group is prima¬ "We have eyewitness reports Newsmax. gation that they are "controlled rily a political organization, not from our people inside the by the KGK" another name a militia. "If the KRG refuses to take Iranian security apparatus who for the PKK. these steps, then Prime have seen Turkish generals "Despite this, the Islamic

Minister [Nouri al-] Maliki is coming to discuss this in Iran," The PKK is the much-maligned Republic continues its security

threatening to send in the Iraqi said Amir Karimi, a member of Turkish group that has used operations against us and

army, just as he did against the the PJAK Coordinating spectacular and bloody terror against the Kurdish people,

Mujahedin-e Khalq [MEK] base Committee, the group's execu¬ attacks to gain recognition of hanging them for political activi¬

at Camp Ashraf," Soran Kedri, tive body. the rights of Turkish Kurds, but ties," said Karimi.

a PJAK spokesperson in that in recent years has advo¬ "We also have eyewitness Karimi and other PJAK leaders Europe told Newsmax. Malaki cated political dialogue with the reports of people saying they are frustrated at the actions of is widely seen as a close ally of Turkish government were trained in Turkey to carry the Obama administration. Tehran. out terrorist attacks in Iranian Both Iran and Turkey have sta¬ "The United States is now

Iran has been complaining Kurdistan and blame them on ted publicly that PJAK is the saying that it supports the pro¬ about the MEK presence in PJAK," he added. PJAK sour¬ Iranian "branch" of the PKK, test movement in Tehran, but at Iraq for years. But unlike PJAK, ces inside the Revolutionary but have never presented any the same time they are labeling which remains popular with Guards in Iran have described evidence to back up the allega¬ the protest movement in

many Iraqi Kurds, the MEK was a series of specific attacks now tion. Iranian Kurdistan a terrorist

widely despised since it was under preparation that Iran group," Karimi said. The U.S. designation of PJAK used by Saddam Hussein to plans to blame on PJAK. as a terrorist organization has launch attacks on the Kurds. "Iran has hired lackeys to blow had a chilling effect on the

Nouri al-Maliki, iraq, iran, pjak, up a Kurdish Shiite mosque in group's ability to interact with

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

Turquie: le problème kurde perturbe la campagne pour les législatives

ISTANBUL, 6 mai 2011 (AFP) Et la région était déjà en ebullition il y a deux semaines, avec de violentes manifestations, après l'éviction de sept candidats kurdes aux législatives. Une décision qui a finalement été annulée pour six d'entre eux. LE PROBLÈME KURDE vient perturber une campagne électorale jus¬ que-là sans anicroche pour le parti islamo-conservateur du Premier Jeudi soir, une organisation rassemblant de nombreux responsables kur¬ ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan, donné favori pour les élections des, dont ceux du parti pro-kurde BDP (Parti pour la paix et la démocratie), législatives du 12 juin. a averti qu'elle pourrait appeller au boycottage des élections si les opéra¬ tions militaires et les arrestations se poursuivent. "La tension monte autour de la question kurde et les responsabilités sont partagées", estime l'analyste Mehmet Ali Birand, de la télévision Kanal D. Un boycottage des élections par le BDP serait un revers pour M. Erdogan, a expliqué M. Birand à l'AFP. Les rebelles kurdes ont revendiqué vendredi une attaque meurtrière contre un convoi routier du Parti de la justice et du développpement (AKP) au pou¬ "La légitimité des élections serait en cause", et M. Erdogan serait très voir. embarrassé, "car il veut faire la démonstration d'une élection démocratique, à laquelle tout le monde participe", a-t-il dit. Cette embuscade a été menée "en représailles à la terreur exercée par la police sur le peuple" kurde, a déclaré le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan Malgré certaines réformes en faveur des Kurdes qui représentent environ (PKK), en lutte armée depuis 1984 pour la défense des droits de cette com- 15 millions des 73 millions d'habitants de la Turquie, le gouvernement est muanuté. accusé d'avoir trompé l'opinion en promettant l'an dernier une solution dura¬ ble au problème kurde, sans prendre de mesures effectives. Un commando a attaqué à la grenade et au fusil d'assaut une voiture de police escortant un autobus de l'AKP, près de Kastamonu (nord), où M. L'AKP, qui brigue une troisième victoire consécutive le 12 juin, est donné Erdogan venait de prononcer un discours. Un policier a été tué et un autre gagnant par tous les sondages, devant le CHP (Parti républicain du peuple, blessé. social-démocrate) et le MHP (Parti de l'action nationaliste, nationaliste).

L'attentat "visait la police (...) non les civils ou le Premier ministre", a cepen¬ M. Erdogan se prévaut d'une économie en pleine croissance, et il vient d'an¬ dant précisé le PKK. noncer le creusement d'un canal parallèle au Bosphore, un projet pharaoni¬ que qui séduit au-delà de son électorat. Mais le leader emprisonné du PKK Abdullah Ôcalan a, par le biais de ses avocats, menacé le régime d'une "guerre", s'il refuse de négocier après les Un tableau séduisant que ternit le problème kurde.

élections. Mais, affirme M. Birand, "les deux parties trouvent un peu leur compte dans

"Soit un processus de négociations sérieuses commencera après le 15 juin, cette tension sur la question kurde". soit ce sera le début d'une grande guerre", a-t-il affirmé, dans des propos "Erdogan veut prendre des voix au MHP, donc il mène une politique natio¬ rapportés par l'agence de presse Firat. naliste et s'en prend aux Kurdes", accusés de menacer l'unité nationale,

La semaine dernière, l'armée a tué sept rebelles du PKK dans le sud-est du affirme-t-il. pays, où la police a multiplié les arrestations. Quant au parti pro-kurde, "il montre ses muscles et fait la démonstration qu'il défend sa communauté", ajoute-t-il.

TURQUIE: DEUX POLICIERS TUÉS DANS UNE ATTAQUE DU PKK DANS LE SUD-EST

12 mai 2011 l'un des fonctionnaires, a-t-on précisé de déplorant l'échec du gouvernement à dia¬

même source. loguer avec les Kurdes, alors que doivent

DIYARBAKIR (Turquie)(AFP) Deux Un deuxième policier qui a été griève¬ avoir lieu le 12 juin des élections législa¬ policiers ont été tués dans une attaque ment atteint, a été opéré dans la nuit dans tives. lancée tard mercredi par des rebelles kur¬ un hôpital de Diyarbakir, la principale Le PKK a revendiqué une attaque la des dans le sud-est de la Turquie, a ville du sud-est kurde peuplé majoritaire¬ semaine dernière dans le nord de la indiqué jeudi une source de sécurité ment de Kurdes, mais a succombé jeudi Turquie: un policier a été tué et un autre locale. des suites de ses blessures, a-t-on appris blessé, en escortant un convoi du parti au

Des rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du de source hospitalière. pouvoir, après un meeting du Premier

Kurdistan (PKK) ont tiré au fusil- Le PKK, considéré comme un groupe "ter¬ ministre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. mitrailleur sur des policiers en faction roriste" par de nombreux pays, a décrété Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de devant un commissariat de Silopi, près de un cessez-le-feu unilatéral en août 2010, 45.000 morts depuis le début de l'insurrec¬ la frontière irakienne, tuant sur le coup mais a menacé en mars d'y mettre fin, tion du PKK, en 1984, selon l'armée.

Un soldat turc tué par Muammer Tùrker. l'explosion d'une mine Des renforts ont été dépêchés sur les lieux et une vaste opération militaire avec soutien aérien a été lancée dans la région, a-t-il dit.

en Turquie Le gouverneur n'a pas donné de précisions sur l'origine de l'engin explo¬ ISTANBUL, 14 mai 2011 (AFP) sif, mais les rebelles kurdes du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) ont régulièrement eu recours dans le passé à des mines antipersonnel contre les forces de sécurité. UN SOLDAT turc a été tué par l'explosion d'une mine samedi dans le sud-est de la Turquie, a rapporté l'agence de presse Anatolie. Le PKK, considéré comme un groupe "terroriste" par de nombreux pays, a décrété un cessez-le-feu unilatéral en août 2010, mais a menacé en L'incident est survenu lors d'une opération de ratissage menée par l'armée mars d'y mettre fin, déplorant l'échec du gouvernement à dialoguer avec dans une zone montagneuse de la province de Hakkari, aux confins de les Kurdes, alors que doivent avoir lieu le 12 juin des élections législatives. l'Irak et de l'Iran, a déclaré à Anatolie le gouverneur de la province,

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

13 mai 2011

INTER tïSt-T-^oFîi A L »i

TURQUIE La tension monte au Kurdistan

A un mois des élections législatives, qui doivent se dérouler le 12 juin, la question kurde s'invite dans la

campagne. Dénonçant l'échec du gouvernement à dialoguer, les rebelles kurdes ont repris les attaques

dans le sud-est du pays. Revue de presse.

| Pierre Vanrie | recueillir l'assentiment des Turcs".

Courrier international

"Sauf que", poursuit Sahin Alpay, "dans le contexte des élections du "RESOUDRE LA QUESTION 12 juin prochain, certains événe¬ kurde est bien entendu la condition ments suscitent de l'inquiétude. sine qua non d'une véritable démo¬ Ainsi, malgré le cessez-le-feu, l'ar¬ cratisation de la Turquie", souligne mée a ouvert le feu sur des militants Sahin Alpay, le chroniqueur du quo¬ du PKK [depuis fin mars, des opé¬ tidien Zaman. proche du gouverne¬ rations policières et militaires ont ment. "D'importants progrès ont coûté la vie à 25 combattants du déjà été réalisés dans ce domaine. PKK et à 2 civils ; près de 1 500 direction à suivre. L'erreur du Désormais, l'identité kurde n'est Kurdes ont été arrêtés depuis le 19 Premier ministre Erdogan est plus niée. La région autonome du avril]. Ensuite, des guérilleros du d'avoir déclaré pendant cette cam¬ Kurdistan d'Irak, dont les liens PKK ont tiré [le 6 mai, "en repré¬ pagne électorale que "la question politiques et économiques avec sailles à la terreur exercée par la kurde était finie". S'agit-il de pro¬ Ankara se sont renforcés, soutient police sur le peuple", avait déclaré pos électoralistes ou croit-il vrai¬ le processus visant à ce que le Parti le PKK] sur le convoi du Premier ment ce qu'il dit ?" des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) ministre et ont tué un policier. On abandonne les armes et devienne un peut donc penser qu'il y a dans les Dans ce contexte, Rusen Cakir cri¬ acteur politique. Le leader empri¬ deux camps des gens dont l'idéolo¬ tique dans Vatan ceux qui refusent sonné du PKK, Abdullah Ôcalan, gie et les intérêts les incitent à sabo¬ de voir la réalité d'une certaine de même que les responsables mili¬ ter un processus allant dans le sens symbiose entre les Kurdes de taires du PKK qui se trouvent dans de la paix." Sahin Alpay dénonce la Turquie et le PKK et qui tentent de les monts Kandil [dans le Kurdistan tentative du parti prokurde, le Parti l'expliquer en recourant à la théorie irakien] expriment leur volonté pour la paix et la démocratie [BDP, du complot. "Les obsèques des d'aller vers un accord pour une proche du PKK], de placer les militants du PKK tués récemment solution pacifique. Le PKK a ainsi Kurdes de Turquie sous sa tutelle. par l'armée ont eu lieu à Diyarbakir décrété en novembre 2010 un ces¬ "Il est clair que la grande majorité [le 4 mai] en présence de dizaines sez-le-feu unilatéral [prévu des Kurdes n'approuve pas l'idéo¬ de milliers de personnes. On voit jusqu'au 15 juin]. Le Premier logie ethniciste et nationaliste kurde très bien sur les photos qui ont été ministre turc Erdogan a admis que du BDP, ni la politique de ce parti prises à cette occasion la détermina¬ son gouvernement menait des pour¬ consistant à défendre la paix en tion de ces dizaines de milliers parlers officieux avec Ôcalan. Et soutenant la violence du PKK." d'hommes et de femmes, de jeunes même le Parti républicain du peuple et de personnes âgées, et les raisons [CHP, opposition kémaliste] donne Hasan Cernai dans Milliyet_consi- qui les ont poussés à être là. Si vous des signes de sa volonté de soutenir dère néanmoins que les Kurdes de persistez à chercher des complots des réformes en faveur d'une solu¬ Turquie se sentent très proches du derrière une telle mobilisation, c'est tion à la question kurde et soutient PKK. "L'erreur serait de croire que que vous n'avez rien compris." les pourparlers avec Ôcalan. Les l'on peut dresser un mur entre le Kurdes veulent notamment que la PKK et la question kurde. Cela nouvelle Constitution [prévue pour aurait peut-être été possible dans les après les élections] respecte le plu¬ années 1980 et 1990, mais on a ralisme ethnique de la Turquie, que laissé passer l'occasion. En effet, le la langue kurde soit reconnue et que PKK est une organisation qui a dés¬ les militants du PKK bénéficient ormais pris racine parmi les masses d'une amnistie. Des réformes dans kurdes. C'est ce parti qui donne ce sens, dès lors qu'elles consoli¬ désormais au mouvement kurde la dent l'unité du pays, devraient

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

Croix-* 13 mai 2011

m&émmssÊ Fethiye Çetin, «métisse» turco-arménienne

vocate, militante des droits de avait des indices qui auraient pu m'ou¬ l'homme, elle a raconté l'his¬ vrir les yeux, mais je n'avais pas le H toire de sa grand-mère, bagage pour les comprendre.» Arménienne rescapée du géno¬ cide. Elle donne la parole aux « Par exemple, ce jour de l'année où sa À gauche : en 2007 à Istanbul, Fethiye petits-enfants » pour que la Turquie grand-mère cuisinait un gâteau très par¬ Çetin s'exprime peu après l'assassinat regarde son histoire en face ticulier, comme d'autres femmes autour de Hrant Dink, directeur de la rédaction d'elles qui ensuite se rendaient visite. de l'hebdomadaire arméno-turc Agos, «C'était, en fait, le jour de Pâques.» qui fut son ami et dont elle défend la Les étagères de son bureau, situé dans famille. un quartier commerçant d'Istanbul, À 61 ans, Fethiye a retrouvé la sérénité, regorgent de classeurs. Sur la tranche, le mais à l'époque où elle apprend le nom des affaires que cette avocate, mili¬ «secret de famille», la colère l'emporte Kurdes.» tante des droits de l'homme, défend. comme le flot d'un torrent. «J'avais envie de crier dans la rue à l'adresse de Après le coup d'État militaire, en 1980, En Turquie, plus personne n'ignore tout le monde: on nous a menti, on nous la militante de gauche est arrêtée et

Fethiye Çetin. Son premier ouvrage, Le ment encore.» incarcérée pendant trois Turques de Livre de ma grand-mère (1), l'a révélée l'opposition, comme elle, elle doit mur¬ au public et a provoqué un séisme dans Une introspection facilitée par murer lorsqu'elle raconte l'histoire de sa un pays qui ne reconnaît pas sa respon¬ son militantisme de gauche grand-mère. sabilité dans le génocide des Arméniens en 1915. Elle prend conscience de la complicité Un paradoxe, «alors que l'on criait de l'Etat et de la manière dont il faisait contre la dictature, pourquoi ne pas en Fethiye, Turque musulmane, a brisé un perdurer le mensonge sur cette période parler ouvertement Nous reproduisions tabou avec ce premier livre. Elle y de notre histoire. «J'ai commencé à les mêmes schémas que nos parents et raconte le secret de sa grand-mère, questionner l'idéologie qui avait mené à nos grands- parents.» Aussi, à sa sortie Seher, qui un jour la prend à part et lui ce silence, l'histoire telle qu'elle nous de prison, elle décide qu'il est temps de révèle qu'elle est arménienne, rescapée avait été racontée.» lever le voile sur l'histoire de son pays. du génocide.

Fethiye veut comprendre. Ce qui passe Ecrire pour se réconcilier Seher s'appelait Heranus et était la fille aussi par une introspection sur elle- d'Hovanes et Isquhi Gadarian, née dans même, sur son militantisme. «J'étais de Elle entreprend de rechercher la famille un village de la province anatolienne de gauche, j'avais passé des années dans de sa grand-mère aux États-Unis, car Maden. des mouvements de jeunesse, mais une elle a appris que le frère de Seher a sur¬ partie de moi restait nationaliste, c'était vécu au massacre. Elle reçoit des répon¬ Une histoire loin d'être unique aussi la réalité de ce que nous vivions ses et recolle les morceaux du puzzle dans notre pays.» familial. «Je voulais que ce soit écrit.» L'ouvrage en est à sa onzième réédition En 2004 paraît Le Livre de ma grand- en Turquie. Il a levé le voile sur une réa¬ Elle se remémore toutes les expressions mère. lité jusque-là occultée en Turquie. que compte la langue turque, discrimi¬ L'histoire de sa grand-mère est celle de natoires envers les minorités. Par exem¬ L'écrire l'a aidée à se réconcilier avec beaucoup d'Arméniens. ple: « C'est lourd comme un mécréant». elle-même. Une fois le livre terminé, Et beaucoup d'autres encore. «j'ai retrouvé le sommeil. Ces larmes Chassés de leurs villages par l'armée versées m'ont aidée à guérir.» Le livre turque, en 1915, ils entreprennent la «J'ai commencé à me retenir de les uti¬ est un succès grâce au bouche-à-oreille. marche de la mort vers le désert syrien. liser. J'ai senti le besoin de lutter contre Mais la famille de Fethiye se divise. Beaucoup mourront en route. Sa grand- le racisme et le nationalisme au sein mère encore enfant est arrachée des bras même des groupes de gauche dans les¬ «La génération de mes parents était très de sa mère par un officier. quels je militais.» mal à l'aise parce que je n'avais rien dis¬ simulé, ni les noms, ni les photos. Ils Rebaptisée Seher, adoptée par le mili¬ Même en prison, elle murmure avaient peur. Par contre, les jeunes de la taire comme sa fille, elle est plus tard famille m'ont soutenue. Ce qui est son histoire mariée à un Turc. Son frère a, lui aussi, important car ce sont eux qui changeront échappé à la mort, comme sa mère, ce les choses.» Une partie de ce nationalisme turc dés¬ qu'elle apprendra des années après. ormais la dérange. Fethiye termine ses Le secret de famille était bien gardé. «La études de droit et devient avocate. Sa La révélation d'un lourd secret génération de ma grand-mère a subi et propre histoire la mène à s'intéresser s'est tue, celle de ma mère a appris la de famille aux injustices, aux préjudices infligés vérité et s'est tue. Ma génération a com¬ aux non-musulmans. Fethiye a 25 ans lorsque sa grand-mère mencé à faire ressortir la vérité.4-

lui révèle son secret. Elle venait de Elle se spécialise en droit des minorités. s'inscrire à la faculté de droit d'Ankara. «Ma première prise de conscience a «Je ne me doutais de rien auparavant, démarré avec les Grecs, les Arméniens, mais, avec le recul, j'ai compris qu'il y les Juifs, les Assyriens, mais aussi les

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

Douze rebelles kurdes, un soldat turc tués dans le sud-est de la Turquie

DIYARBABKIR (Turquie), 14 mai 2011 (AFP) mine au cours d'une opération de ratissage menée par l'armée dans une zone montagneuse de la province de Hakkari, aux confins de l'Irak et de l'Iran, selon le gouverneur de la province, Muammer Tùrker, cité par DOUZE REBELLES KURDES ont été tués au cours des trois derniers Anatolie. jours dans le sud-est de la Turquie dans des affrontements à la fron¬ tière irakienne, et un soldat a péri à la suite de l'explosion d'une mine, Des renforts ont été dépêchés sur les lieux et une vaste opération militaire ont affirmé des sources locales. avec soutien aérien a été lancée dans la région, a-t-il dit.

Les combats ont débuté jeudi soir alors qu'un groupe de rebelles du Parti Le gouverneur n'a pas donné de précisions sur l'origine de l'engin explo¬ des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) tentait de pénétrer en Turquie depuis sif, mais les rebelles du PKK ont régulièrement eu recours dans le passé l'Irak à la hauteur d'Uludere, dans la province de Sirnak, ont indiqué des à des mines antipersonnel contre les forces de sécurité.

sources de sécurité. Le PKK, considéré comme un groupe "terroriste" par de nombreux pays,

Selon l'agence de presse Anatolie, les combats ont impliqué des hélicop¬ a décrété un cessez-le-feu unilatéral en août 2010, mais a menacé en tères d'attaque. mars d'y mettre fin, déplorant l'échec du gouvernement à dialoguer avec les Kurdes. Une autre tentative d'infiltration a eu lieu dans la nuit de vendredi à samedi, ont déclaré les sources de sécurité, ajoutant que 12 rebelles Les heurts entre le PKK et les forces de sécurité se sont multipliés ces der¬ avaient été abattus et que quatre autres s'étaient rendus. nières semaines alors que doivent avoir lieu le 12 juin des élections légis¬ latives. De nombreuses armes ont été saisies, ont-elles signalé, précisant que les affrontements se poursuivaient. Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait plus de 45.000 morts depuis le début de l'insurrection du PKK, en 1984, selon l'armée. Dans un incident séparé, un soldat a été tué samedi par l'explosion d'une

Turkish forces kill 12 Kurd fighters REUTERS crossing from Iraq

May 14, 2011- Reuters by Seyhmus Cakan tion on June 12 that is expected to result in a comfortable third successive victory for Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's AK

DIYARBAKIR, TURKEYTurkish security forces killed at Party.

least 12 Kurdish militants after they were spotted crossing Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan has threatened "war" the border from Iraq, the military said on Saturday, while a unless the government enters talks after the election to end a soldier was killed by a mine blast. separatist conflict that has dragged on for 27 years, tolling more than 40,000 people.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerrillas were killed The PKK last week claimed responsibility for an ambush that during operations on Friday and early Saturday in the sou¬ killed a police officer and wounded another in the northern theast province of Sirnak, the military statement said. Black Sea province of Kastamonu after an election rally by

The soldier died in Hakkari, another insurgency-plagued pro¬ Erdogan, and two more police were killed this week.

vince bordering both Iran and Iraq, state-run Antaohan news The PKK says police have been attacked in retaliation for ope¬ agency said. Some PKK fighters operate from bases in the rations and arrests in the southeast. Erdogan has accused the QandQ Mountains of northern Iraq. militants of being behind several petrol bomb attacks on the

The PKK ended a six-month ceasefire in February and there offices of his AK Party. have been fears of rising violence before a parliamentary elec

DNO shares jump on Kurdish oil export payment news

OSLO, May 5,2011 (Reuters) DNO shares higher)," said Marius Gaard, an analyst at Carnegie in Oslo. "It is the news we've been waiting for." DNO was not immediately available for comment. SHARES IN NORWAY'S DNO International jumped 6.4 percent on Thursday after the Kurdistan Regional DNO shares were up 6.4 percent to 7.77 crowns at 1343 Government (KRG) said companies would receive the GMT, while Oslo's benchmark index was off 0.2 percent.

first oil export payments from Iraqi authorities in On its website www.krg.org, the Kurdistan government Baghdad. said it had "received a written notice from the Federal

DNO has a field in the Kurdish region in northern Iraq Ministry of Finance in Baghdad, coruciiTning release of the from which it has exported oil. So far it has not received first oil export payment" to KRG contractors in the amount any revenues due to long-ranning disagreements between of "around 50 percent of net revenues ($243 million) deri¬ Baghdad and the regional government over how to divide ved from the export of over 5 million barrels" from the up income. Kurdish region in February-March.

"It's the news from the KRG homepage (that is pushing

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

May 17, 2011 Aswat ai-Iraq I : i t ) 1 1 » i*aa*»l Unconditional return to dialogue in Kurdistan necessary - Barzani

BAGHDAD / Aswat ai-Iraq: President of Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani called today on all Kurdish parties, pro or opposition, to unconditionally return to dialogue to deal with the problems in Kurdistan.

In a call made by Barzani this aftemoon.he noted that "since the eruption of the unhealthy situation in Kurdistan region among the political parties, we believed that joint dialogue and discussions are the only way to resolve all problems and obs¬ tacles." Negotiations were completely cut off between the two main parties and the three opposition parties following the intrusion "For this reason, I sent a letter dated 10 April, 2011 to all par¬ of military forces into Sulaimaniya city and scattering all ties and called on them to heed the supreme interests of the demonstrators by force. people of Kurdistan and to continue dialogue to reach an agreement within the law and legitimacy," he added. The opposition demands administrative and political reforms in government establishments in the region, as well as forming a Barzani reiterated his calls "for unconditionally open new chap¬ transitional government in preparation for early elections, while ter of relations in order to reach suitable solutions and obsta¬ the central authority rejects these conditions and call upon the cles by joint cooperation." opposition to participate in a wide-base Kurdish government.

Full steam ahead on Turkish will be a new constitution. EU acces¬ sion efforts, however, are effectively dead. Erdogan has made it clear that constitutional reform he wants to replace the current parlia¬ mentary system with a presidential one. He is then expected to attempt to minantly Kurdish areas. Its candidates win that post for two consecutive five- are running as independents in order By Wolfango Piccoli year terms. to sidestep a requirement that political parties win at least 10 percent of the Recent opinion polls suggest that Even if Erdogan fails to introduce a national vote in order to win represen¬ Turkey's Justice and Development presidential system, a new constitution tation in parliament. The BDP could Party (AKP) is on course to win a third could still provoke volatility. Kurdish take around 25 seats, up from 19 in the successive term with a comfortable nationalists are demanding that it eli¬ current parliament. parliamentary majority at the June 12 minate any mention of Turkish ethni¬ general elections. However, Prime city. Any such initiative would provoke When combined with the expected Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan a furious reaction both from opposi¬ improvement in the performance of appears unlikely to a chieve his goal of tion Turkish nationalists and the the CHP, the increase in the number of securing the 367 seats necessary to Turkish nationalist wing of the AKP. BDP deputies is likely to mean that the modify the constitution without a refe¬ Similarly, any attempt to amend the AKP will need at least 50 percent of rendum. That result would set the first four clauses of the current consti¬ the popular vote in order to win the stage for an acrimonious political tution theoretically unalterable same number of seats as it did in struggle in the aftermath of the elec¬ would result in mass protests from 2007. If voting tracks the current opi¬ tion given the AKP's apparent determi¬ Kemalists and a possible application to nion polls, the AKP is likely to win nation to change the constitution and the Constitutional Court for the new around 310-335 seats. While this is a increase the powers of the president. draft to be annulled. comfortable majority (276 votes are Such volatility could hamper efforts to required for a simple majority), it is boost the economy, while also impe¬ If, as seems likely, the AKP does not far short of the supermajority it is loo¬ ding Turkish efforts to boost its inter¬ secure the hoped-for supermajority, king for. The only real way the AKP national reputation. politics in Turkey after the June elec¬ could win the supermajority is if the tion will almost instantly focus on the MHP falls below the 10 percent thres¬ Opinion polls show support for the constitutional referendum and take hold and fails to obtain representation AKP is running at 45-48 percent, the government's focus away from in parliament and if the BDP performs ahead of the Republican People's Party pressing economic issues and its poorly in the southeast. (CHP) at 25-28 percent and the efforts to boost the country's interna¬ Nationalist Action Party (MHP) at 12- tional profile. The AKP, however, appears determi¬ 14 percent. However, the pro-Kurdish ned to attempt constitutional reform. Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) is Wolfango Piccoli is a director with Its election manifesto, announced on expected to perform strongly in predo Eurasia Group's Europe Practice. April 16, declares that its first priority

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

mwMLmmMwm. may 17,2011

Iraq's North Offers Educational Oasis

Universities Proliferate in Kurdish Region as Students Seek Refuge From Violence in Baghdad and Other Areas

By BROOKE ANDERSON

SULAIMANI, IraqFor Iraq's brigh¬

test and best, the century-old

University of Baghdad has traditionally

been the place to aim for. But not, perhaps,

when the students themselves feel like tar¬

gets.

"So many times, I had to go home in the

middle of class. Once, a bullet went right

past my friend's head when I was with

her," says 21 -year-old Leylan Amir.

That was in 2007. To escape the violence

in the capital, Ms. Amir and her mother

and brother then a medical student in

Baghdad moved to Sulaimani, a quiet

city in the Kurdish-administered north.

Her father stayed behind in Baghdad, Courtesy ofAUI-S where he still works and takes care of the The American University of Iraq-Sulaimani's M.B.A. program is run in conjunc¬

family home. In Sulaimani, Ms. Amir tion with Germany's Furtwangen University.

began studying business at the American

University of Iraq-Sulaimani. "I never so they can function in a safe environ¬

expected to be here. It was a sudden Universities in this area, controlled by ment."

decision to come," she says. the Kurdistan Regional Government, allow students from Baghdad and other Mr. Moulakis says the university hopes

"I was lucky to come here, because, when unstable parts of Iraq to complete their eventually to expand to Baghdad, Basra

I came, that's when things got really bad education without leaving the country, a and Mosul. For now, he and his collea¬

in Baghdad," Ms. Amir recalls. factor that has reversed the brain-drain gues need visas to visit the southern part that typically comes with conflict. of Iraq; most don't, he says, for security

The American University of Iraq- reasons.

Sulaimani was founded in 2007 in Iraq's Since 2003, the KRG has been engaged in

Kurdish region by a group of Iraqis and a "visiting system" under which state While the situation in southern Iraq isn't

foreigners, inspired in part by the land¬ university students from the south can as dangerous as in 2005, when a virtual

mark American University of Beirut in transfer to the north and receive a degree civil war raged, the Baghdad area is still

Lebanon. Its executive M.B.A. program from their home university. To partici¬ not considered safe and many of the exi¬

for working professionals is run in pate, students must prove they are in les in the north are comparatively recent

conjunction with Germany's Furtwangen danger, by providing a note from the arrivals.

University, and is accredited in Germany police though Christians, who are

by the Foundation for International considered widely at risk, aren't required In addition to accommodating students

Business Administration. The program, to provide this proof. who have fled the violence of the south,

which has been running for four years, the Kurdish region has also become a

has 26 graduates so far. However, the language of instruction in refuge for professors. About 450 acade¬

Since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in the south is Arabic, whereas in the north mics have been assassinated since the

2003, thousands of Iraqi students have it is Kurdish. While this is typically not a 2003 invasion. Like students, many of

fled north to the much more stable problem for the sciences, which are those surviving have fled north.

Kurdish area. As a result, universities mainly taught in English, it can be diffi¬

have proliferated throughout the cult for those studying arts and humani¬ "We didn't have enough professors in the

region a boon for the local economy. ties. beginning," says Nasih Abdul Kadir, spo¬

Over the past five years, at least 10 new kesman for the Sulaimani Technical

universities have opened in the area, "I think it's sad they have to come here. College, a state college that opened in

bringing the region's total to 20, and ano¬ The country is still in such turmoil, and 2004. "Some of our professors came from

ther five public universities are in the people have to live as refugees," says Baghdad with their families because it

works, including one in the town of Athanasios Moulakis, provost at ATJI-S. was dangerous there. Of course it's sad,

Hamdaniya to accommodate Christian "I'd like to see Iraq safe everywhere. But but we feel good because we're helping

refugees. at least we can provide a familiar place them and they're helping us."

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

In response to the burgeoning academic records. Most are Kurdish, but some are

Another new university attracting refu¬ sector, the KRG in October last year ini¬ exiles from the south. In addition, profes¬ gees from the south is the Lebanese tiated a major reform of the education sors will go on six-month training pro¬

French University in Erbil, the provincial system the education ministry is tack¬ grams to Europe and the U.S. capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. Founded by ling everything from academic freedom academics from Beirut in 2007, the insti¬ to nepotism, says spokesman Fuad Ali "We were isolated for so many years, we tution offers a four-year, French-style Smail. The ministry has also suspended need to train professors on an internatio¬ education in English. Its French partners the licensing process for new private uni¬ nal level," Mr. Smail says. are the University of Picardie-Jules Verne versities a move intended to maintain and the University of Nîmes. It will soon the quality of the region's universities. Meanwhile, Iraq's south remains unsta¬ move into a new 50,000-square-meter ble. "We still have a relationship with the campus. "Before, we would hire people based on rest of Iraq," says Mr. Smail. "But we

their connections and political affilia¬ can't wait for the rest of Iraq to be stable.

The university's M.B.A. program is tion," says Mr. Smail. "Now, it will be We need to help them here." expanding, with 160 M.B.A.s expected to based on their education, CV [résumé] graduate this year, compared with 110 and job interview." When asked about her plans after uni¬ last year. Many have already found jobs versity, Ms. Amir, the AUI-S student, in their fields, says Riad Al Khouri, dean At the same time, with a $100 million hesitates. "I can't picture myself going of the business school. grant from the Qatari government, the back to Baghdad," she says. "I don't see a

KRG is sending 1,400 students abroad on bright future there." Still, she says she

"I've noticed over the past two years full scholarships, to study for undergra¬ can't imagine leaving Iraq either, saying, more emphasis on business studies," says duate and postgraduate degrees, with "I want to stay because I want to change

Mr. Al Khouri. "As the region gets more the stipulation that they will return home things." prosperous, people get more interested." upon completion. Students qualify for

this program based on their academic

®lt$m%mkWimt$ may is, 2011

Anger Lingers in Iraqi Kurdistan After a Crackdown

By TIM ARANGO and MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT

SULAIMANIYA, Iraq The

protesters are gone from the central

square, pushed out by the brutal tac¬

tics of the security forces. The jails have been emptied of the young stu¬

dents and journalists who were roun¬

ded up for speaking their mind in

public. The wounded are home,

quietly nursing their injuries.

The pro-democracy protests swee¬

ping the Arab world arrived in the

semiautonomous Kurdish region of

Iraq nearly three months ago, inspired by the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt.

But the protests here ended up more like those in Bahrain and Oman, crus¬

hed by an authoritarian government. Ayman Oghatmafor The New York Times "We are ashamed of what they During the February demonstrations, protesters in Sulaimaniya gave flowers to have done," said Bayan Barwai, a the Kurdish regional government's security forces as a gesture of peace but to no member of the Islamic Union Party, an avail: at least 10 people were killed when the protests were broken up. opposition party that supported the

protests. "Sixty days and nothing."

The crackdown in the region well as accusations that the Americans parties with an entrenched patronage

known as Iraqi Kurdistan, in which at condoned the violent response. system, to tighten its grip on power.

least 10 people were killed, has expo¬ While the American invasion top¬ "The parties today behave just like

sed troubling questions about the kind pled Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, it how the Baathists behaved before," of government the American war has has emboldened the Kurdish regional said Chnor Muhammed, a 33-year-old

left in Iraq's most stable region, as government, long dominated by two journalist who received a wound to

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

her left hand, referring to Mr. aggressive response. crowd control. According to Lt. Gen.

Hussein's party. A number of witnesses said that Michael Ferriter, the American offi¬ The protests that broke out here in an American military officer was cer in charge of advising and training

mid-February took the Kurdish seen at the central square during the Iraqi forces, the training was recently

region by surprise. Located in nor¬ protests, and the perception grew provided.

thern Iraq, it has been relatively free among the demonstrators mat the Meanwhile, some Kurdish offi¬ of the violence that tore the rest of the Americans condoned the harsh res¬ cials have echoed other authoritarian

country apart, making it a haven for ponse. governments in the region. Mr.

foreign investment, and it has close "They gave the green light for the Hirseen, the Kurdistan Democratic

ties to the United States, which has P.U.K. to do whatever they want to Party leader, blamed a trinity of state

provided security guarantees stret¬ the protesters," said Adnan Osman, a enemies for the protests: terrorists,

ching back to the days of the no-fly member of the regional Parliament foreign agents and Islamic extre¬ zone after the 1991 Persian Gulf war. from the Gorran party. "The embassy mists.

Nearly every day, hundreds and, should give a statement and clear it The opposition has said those

at times, thousands of people turned up." charges are absurd. Mr. Tawfeek, the out in the central square of An American Embassy spokes¬ Gorran spokesman, said: "There is no Sulaimaniya to demand an end to man said the Americans urged the Islamic flavor in it. It's all about

joint rule by a two-party system, Kurdish security forces to show res¬ democracy, separation of power and which they said was corrupt and traint, and for both sides to refrain clean elections."

repressive. The protesters demanded from violence. Mr. Hirseen said the protests and

the resignations of high-ranking offi¬ "The U.S. position has been clear: his government's response reflected a cials, the installation of a temporary the people in the Iraqi Kurdistan generational divide between the government and new elections. region, like people throughout Iraq democratic aspirations of Kurdish

"People here are as frustrated as and indeed throughout the region, youth and the traumas of dictatorship, the rest of the Middle East," said have the universal right to demons- civil war and genocide that still haun¬

Muhammed Tawfeek, the spokesman ttate peacefully, to freely assemble, to ted the old guard. The current leader¬

of Gorran, an opposition party that seek redress from their government ship, which came of age when vio¬

joined the street protests. and to express themselves without lence was the norm, is more likely to

He said the crackdown, and threat fear of intimidation or death," said see violence as an acceptable tool of

of arrest, sent many of the protest the spokesman, David J. Ranz. "We government authority. "You can't be organizers into hiding. "There are lots have encouraged the Kurdistan regio¬ surprised with people in my genera¬

of young people who can't go back to nal government to respond to the tion who say, 'I love guns.' " he said.

their universities or their homes," he legitimate grievances and concerns For now, the protest movement

said. expressed by the demonstrators." here has stalled, but the anger among

After more than two months of The Kurdish government, howe¬ the opposition and young generation

daily protests, the demonstrations ver, has not undertaken any signifi¬ is only growing.

were quashed last month when the cant reforms since the unrest began, "I don't think it's over," said Mr.

regional government ordered the illustrating what many see as waning Osman, of Gorran. "The boiling will

security forces to occupy the central American influence as the United continue. I think the protests will start square. The security forces opened States approaches the deadline to again, even stronger."

fire and detained protesters, actions withdraw all of its troops. that registered sharp rebukes from "The Kurds are an important Amnesty International and Human American ally and the domestic situa¬

Rights Watch. tion in Iraq is very fragile, and

The crackdown has presented an Washington is wary of weighing in

unexpected challenge to American heavily in a way that could rock an

diplomats who have relied on the already unstable boat," said Kenneth

region to be a stable counterpoint to Pollack, an expert on national secu¬ the continued violence and political rity issues at the Brookings dysfunction that roils the rest of Iraq. Institution.

"Kurdistan is the only place in He said the Americans' response Iraq that the United States can be to the crackdowns was similar to its proud of," said Airy Hirseen, a leader response to unrest in other countries, of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, particularly Bahrain, with whom the which governs the region along with Americans believe they need a long-

the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. term strategic relationship.

Mr. Hirseen said that he had been American officials said there had in contact with American officials been some positive signs, like a

during the protests, and that they did recent request by the Kurdish govern¬ not press the authorities to end their ment for help training its forces on

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

M, Rudaw.Net 19 MAY 2011

Kurdish Authorities and Opposition Gesture New Talks

RUDAW

Leaders of the three opposition parties in

Iraqi Kurdistan were due to meet in the

office of die Gorran (change) Movement in

Sulaimani this week, but the meeting was

postponed. A source from the opposition said that the meeting was to discuss the

recent request of Massoud Barzani, pre¬

sident of the Kurdistan Region that the

opposition and authorities meet face to

face to solve the current upheavals in the

area.

Barzani met with a group of Kurdish

intellectuals and members of social

organizations this week. Following this

he spoke to the media, urging all parties Kurdish opposition leaders in a meeting in April. Photo Rudaw. to return to the negotiation table and

meet unconditionally to reach a solu¬

tion. percent of those who had voted on our "It started as a popular thing, but

"I ask all parties to act based on their website believed the opposition had after the clashes it took another direc¬

national and historic responsibilities hijacked the protests in Sulaimani; 31 tion," said Ali. percent believed they had not. and turn a new page in their relations to Ali called Gorran's participation in

help reach a lasting solution for our pro¬ Ali Awni, a member of the Kurdistan the demonstrations undemocratic.

blems," said Barzani. Democratic Party's (KDP) leadership "They speak in the name of the peo¬ council, believes that it was in fact the The three opposition parties met in ple, and that is not democratic. They opposition that started the protests in April, at the peak of the protests in demand the resignation of the govern¬

Sulaimani, and drafted a 22-point pro¬ the first place. ment and President Massoud Barzani,

ject for reform in Kurdistan, which they "I believe that these protests did not but Barzani was democratically elected. later presented to the authorities. originate with people. The KDP would Asking for his resignation is undemocra¬

In a recent exclusive interview with not forbid a popular movement. It was tic." he said.

Rudaw, Yousif Muhammad, the head of started by the Gorran and the Islamic During the protests the authorities Gorran's political research group, said Union," said Awni. "If it was a people's refused to cave in to most of the uprising, it would have grown and would that his group is ready to resume talks demonstrators' demands, as they feared

and that the proposed project is not a not have stopped." the opposition had usurped the demons¬

page from the Koranin other words, it Awni saw the end of the protests as a trations for their own political gain. But

shouldn't be taboo to alter. failure of the opposition, who may not Sherko Jawdat, who works as an econo¬

"We can meet for talks and not make get as many seats in parliament in the mic development specialist for the Islamic Union, one of the three opposi¬ our project a condition at all," said next elections. But Gorran spokesperson tion groups, believes that it is legitimate Muhammad. "Let the PUK and KDP [the Muhammad Tofiq completely disagrees and normal for the opposition to stand ruling parties] also present their propo¬ with Awni's analysis and blames the end

sals. If we have the will we can solve eve¬ of the protests on the heavy-handed behind people's demands.

rything, but not if we procrastinate." crackdown on protestors by security for¬ "Opposition parties everywhere sup¬

ces. Generally the situation is unders¬ port the streets' call for reform, it is a normal thing," said Jawdat. tood as a stalemate between the authori¬ "I am sure it will start again. Because of the presence of armed groups, ties and opposition in the Kurdistan He added that the 22-point project Peshmarga, Asayish [security], army... region. The streets of Sulaimani are that the opposition leaders presented to the people have left the square. But it calm, thanks to the presence of heavy the authorities included the people's doesn't mean it won't start again, security forces in the main area where demands, but the authorities had refu¬ because they want their demands to be demonstrations took place for two sed to listen to them. met," said Tofiq. months. Awni, of the Kurdistan Democratic Karwan Ali, a journalist working During the protests Rudaw ran a poll Party, agreed the people's grievances are with Kurdistani Nwe - the mouthpiece asking readers if they thought the oppo¬ valid, such as "corruption, lack of public of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan sition had hijacked the protests. The services and human rights values", but

authorities said that the opposition was (PUK), one of the two ruling parties in he acknowledged that the opposition, the government believes that the pro¬ behind the unrest, and therefore it with their political agendas mixing with

wasn't clear exactly what people's tests were first started by people, but the protestors', made it difficult for demands were. that Gorran's involvement changed its authorities to distinguish the demands.

course. The result of the poll showed that 48 A young woman who participated in

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

the protests from beginning to end, and new movement and believed in its pea¬ injured after live ammunition was fired. ceful, modern, and independent form.' who wished to be identified by her ini¬ "If we want to be a democracy, we

tials, S.A, said that there were all kinds A young student from the American have to start acting like one, and shoo¬

of people in the crowd, including some University in Sulaimani ,who asked to ting the protesters is certainly not the sympathetic to the two ruling parties. be identified as Sherwan, did not parti¬ way forward," he said.

cipate in the protests at all, because, as "The crowd in Azadi Square was With the recent call for the resump¬ he put it, he was tired of all the stan¬ diverse - men and women from all tion of talks from the president, and the

walks of life were present," said S.A doffs between the authorities and oppo¬ opposition leaders working on meeting,

"Some people were loyal to the opposi¬ sition. both sides seem to be looking to each

tion, some to the two ruling parties, and However, Sherwan still criticized other for a way out of the current stale¬ a larger number were independent the use of force by the authorities mate. thinkers, workers, journalists, ordinary during the protests, where more than

people who were enthusiastic about this ten people were killed and many more

©fcejNeUrfjotkiSimejS may 19, 2011

Deadly Blasts in Kirkuk Hit Iraqi Security Forces, kill at least 29

ByJACKHEALY

Iraqi security BAGHDAD Three explosions officers went to aimed at Iraqi security forces ripped

through the divided northern city of the scene of a Kirkuk on Thursday morning, killing at bombing in the

least 29 people, most of them police offi¬ northern city of

cers, and wounding scores more. Kirkuk on

The attackers used a now familiar Thursday. tactic, detonating successive explosions

so those who rush to the scene of the

first blast are hurt. The initial blast was caused by a small improvised explosive device attached to a sedan outside the local police headquarters. After the

police arrived, a larger car bomb went and that victims with critical burns were move angered local Arab leaders, and off, killing 26 officers and 3 civilians. ferried to more advanced hospitals that American diplomats and military offi¬ "I didn't feel anything," said Kaweh were one to two hours away. cials pressed Kurdish leaders to with¬ Hama Rashid, a police officer wounded Dozens of wounded police officers draw the soldiers. in the second blast. "I just fell to the filled the hallways of Kirkuk Hospital, Some officials and residents in ground, and blood covered me. I saw all some laid out on blood-covered floors, Kirkuk said the standoff, which ended of my friends dying and wounded in as family members crowded the without bloodshed, demonstrated the front of my eyes." entrance. Doctors said they were overw¬ need for a continuing American pre¬ About 30 minutes later, a third car helmed by the flood of people with sence in the region. Under a security bomb exploded near the provincial severe burns and shrapnel wounds, and agreement, the 46,000 American troops government headquarters, wounding they put out a call for blood donors. The remaining in Iraq are to withdraw by the about 13 people, including Kirkuk's United States military sent a team of end of the year. head of criminal investigation, the target medical providers after receiving Iraqi leaders have said they plan to of the explosion, security officials said. requests for help. hold discussions in coming weeks about Three ethnic groups are grappling Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al- whether they should ask for some for control of the Kirkuk area and its Maliki ordered investigators to the American troops to stay longer a rich oil reserves. The fight for primacy scene of the bombings, and said the politically delicate question. American among Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens is government would compensate the vic¬ leaders have suggested they would one of the most potentially volatile tims' families. consider the request. issues facing Iraq as American troops Earlier this year, the United States But military transfers are already prepare to withdraw over the next six military sent troops into Kirkuk to help taking place. On Sunday, the American months. defuse a standoff between rival groups military handed over a base in Kirkuk "Kirkuk is witnessing a deteriora¬ of security forces that had threatened to Province staffed by 160 soldiers to Iraqi tion in the security situation," said destabilize the city. security forces. Hassan Toran, a Turkmen and head of The dispute began in February when Lt. Col. Steve Wollman, a spokes¬ the provincial council. "It's possible the leaders of the semiautonomous man for American forces in northern attacks will increase if American troops Kurdistan region deployed soldiers near Iraq, said there did not appear to be any leave Iraq." largely Arab neighborhoods around connection between the base closing Security officials said that at least Kirkuk, saying they were worried about and Thursday's attack. 105 people were wounded in the blasts attacks on peaceful demonstrations. The

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

Kurdish Issue Heats Up Before Turkey's

MAY 20, 2011 Parliamentary Vote

Voice of America

Dorian Jones | Istanbul May 20, 201 1

With just weeks to go before Turkey's June 12 parliamentary

vote, tensions are rising over Photo: Reuters

Turkey's Kurdish minority's demands Kurdish demons¬

for the greater rights. The election trators clash with

campaign has already been marred riot police in by violent demonstrations , clashes Istanbul, May 16, between the army and the PKK 2011 rebel group as well as many arrests. But the ruling AK party are commit¬ saw the benefit of getting nationalist month by the PKK on a campaign bus ted to taking a tough stance against votes away from the nationalistic of its members returning from a rally. the unrest. party. They saw there is a solid sup¬

port ground and they can easily get AKP parliamentary candidate Volkan Kurdish youths clash with police in the more votes by underlining their natio¬ Bozkir, is a former Turkish ambassador center of Istanbul. nalist credentials rather than demo¬ to the European Union. "It is not

cratic credentials and this explains because they have said something. Similar clashes have also occurred their present policy," Political colum¬ But they are part of a terrorist organi¬ across much of Turkey's predominantly nist Nuray Mert explains. zation. They have been helping those Kurdish southeast. It is in response to terrorists who are killing young peo¬ last weekend's killing by the Turkish Increasing legal pressure ple," he said. army of 12 members of Kurdish rebel In last few years the pro-Kurdish BDP group, the Kurdistan Workers Party, or has been getting more organized and PKK's uttimatum the PKK. has high hopes of defeating the AKP in Last month imprisoned PKK leader

the predominantly Kurdish southeast Abdullah Ocalan issued an ultimatum Tough stance in the upcoming elections. But the that unless talks start over greater Since the start of his election cam¬ party is facing increasing legal pres¬ Kurdish rights within three days of the paign, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip sure. general election, fighting will resume. Erdogan has taken a tough stance

against the rebel group and the coun¬ Last month there were nationwide But Political scientist Cengiz Aktar try's main pro-Kurdish party, the BDP. protests by Kurds when many BDP- says any hope of dialogue is remote.

supported parliamentary candidates 'The government have extreme diffi¬ "We can't get anywhere with those were banned by Turkey's electoral culties to understand that they should who try to undermine the democratic commission because of alleged links talk to Kurds. In their minds there are will of the people," he said in an to the PKK. The decision was later plenty of bad Kurds and a few good address to parliamentary candidates. reversed, but during the unrest one Kurds who belong to their party. When 'There is no longer a Kurdish question person was shot dead by the police there is vacuum in policy others come in this country. I do not accept this." and hundreds arrested. According to in and fill this vacuum, both the

the Turkish-based Human Rights Turkish military and PKK may come That stance differs from 2005 when Society, in past 50 days more than back. Unless the government solves the prime minister declared in a 2500 ethnic Kurds have been detained the Kurdish problem through political speech 'There was a Kurdish pro¬ by the police. This month, Aysel means the military will always be blem." Tugluk a leading BDP supported parlia¬ around," he said. mentary candidate gave this warning Greater cultural rights about the crackdown. The ending of the Turkish army's inter¬ ference in politics is heralded by the In the last general election in 2007, "A calamity is just around the corner. ruling AK party as well as the EU Erdogan campaigned on the platform I am not pessimistic," she says. "I only which Turkey is seeking to join - one of meeting Kurdish demands for grea¬ possess the sensibility that emanates of its most important democratic ter cultural rights. In the past few from intuition and foresight. Once accomplishments of Erdogan's rule. years, the government developed a again we are at a crossroads. But that breakthrough came at a time 24-hour state Kurdish TV station and Everyone who is concerned about the of relative peace. A return to wides¬ launched what it called the Kurdish issue should know that we are pread conflict, observers warn, could "Democratic Opening" to end the 26- moving toward ground zero, and fast." well unravel many of the country's year conflict with the PKK. But that achievements. broke down in mutual recriminations. So far, the AKP has defended the mea¬

sures taken against the BDP. The Dorian Jones is a freelance "The whole government was disap¬ prime minister accused the party of journalist living in Turkey. pointed, even resentful, about their being involved in an attack earlier this attempts towards the Kurds. But they

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

19 mai 2011

29 morts dans une série d'attentats frappe la ville de Kirkouk, dans le nord de l'Irak

îURQwe

{«AN

/ Ktrkouft'% SYRIE

BAGDAD \.

IRAK

XJWTS /Wf»

Des voitures de police ont ensuite sillonné les rues de Kirkouk en appe¬

Ces attaques interviennent au moment où l'armée américaine, qui participe à lant par haut-parleurs la population à une force tripartite censée contenir les tensions entre Arabes et Kurdes dans la aller donner du sang.

province riche en pétrole dont Kirkouk est la capitale, a d'ores et déjà commencé Selon des sources des services de à se retirer de certains secteurs de cette zone en prévision de son départ définitif sécurité, des attentats à Bagdad et du pays à la fin de l'année. Baqouba ont par ailleurs fait deux morts et 10 blessés jeudi, journée la rité a affirmé que 27 personnes plus meurtrière en Irak depuis le 29 par AFP avaient péri. mars, quand l'attaque du conseil pro¬ Les deux premières explosions, vincial de Tikrit avait fait 58 morts. ne série d'attentats contre la survenues dans un parking du quar¬ Dans un communiqué, le repré¬ police a fait au moins 29 tier général de la police de Kirkouk sentant spécial du secrétaire général morts et 90 blessés jeudi dans B vers 09H20 (06H20 GMT), ont vrai¬ de l'ONU pour l'Irak, Ad Melkert, a la ville multiethnique de semblablement été les plus meurtriè¬ condamné ces attaques, exprimant Kirkouk, au nord de Bagdad, dans res. "sa préoccupation face à la poursuite les violences les plus meurtrières en La première a été provoquée par d'actes de violences contre les forces Irak depuis près de deux mois. une bombe magnétique sur un véhi¬ de sécurité et les responsables gou¬ Ces attaques interviennent au cule, suivie quelques minutes plus vernementaux". moment où l'armée américaine, qui tard d'un attentat à la voiture piégée Ces attentats surviennent au len¬ participe à une force tripartite censée dans le parking, selon le comman¬ demain de l'annonce de l'arrestation contenir les tensions entre Arabes et dant de police Salam Zangana. du chef militaire présumé d'Al-Qaïda Kurdes dans la province riche en Le policier Chirzad Kamel a confié en Irak et de trois autres dirigeants pétrole dont Kirkouk est la capitale, a à l'AFP s'être précipité avec un collè¬ de la branche irakienne de la nébu¬ d'ores et déjà commencé à se retirer gue vers le parking après la première leuse extrémiste. de certains secteurs de cette zone en explosion. prévision de son départ définitif du La province de Kirkouk demeure pays à la fin de l'année. "Quand nous sommes arrivés il y une des plus instables d'Irak du fait a eu une énorme explosion. Je suis de tensions ethniques liées à la dis¬ Les trois attaques de jeudi, qui tombé en arrière et j'ai vu des collè¬ pute entre le gouvernement central ont eu lieu dans un intervalle d'un gues morts, d'autres blessés, d'autres de Bagdad et les autorités régionales peu plus d'une heure dans cette ville prendre feu", a-t-il raconté à l'hôpital du Kurdistan qui revendiquent ce à 240 km au nord de Bagdad, posent général, où il faisait soigner ses bles¬ territoire. Certains responsables à nouveau la question de la capacité sures au ventre et au visage. américains voient dans la question de des forces de sécurité dans un secteur Kirkouk une des plus grandes mena¬ où la lutte contre les groupes armés Une heure plus tard, vers 10H30, ces pour la stabilité de l'Irak. est compliquée par les tensions inter¬ c'est le convoi du chef du départe¬ communautaires. ment des enquêtes criminelles de la Pour autant, en prévision de son police locale, le colonel Aras retrait d'Irak, l'armée américaine a Les trois explosions ont fait 29 Mohamed, qui a été la cible d'un officiellement restitué dimanche à morts, dont 26 policiers, et 90 bles¬ attentat à la voiture piégée. Un res¬ Bagdad la responsabilité de la base sés, selon Sadiq Omar Rassoul, direc¬ ponsable des services de sécurité a McHenry, un avant-poste créé en teur des services de santé de la pro¬ dans un premier temps fait état de 14 2003 dans le secteur de Hawija, à vince de Kirkouk. blessés, dont le colonel, dans cette l'ouest de Kirkouk et qui a abrité Un responsable du ministère de puissante explosion qui a endom¬ jusqu'à 500 soldats. l'Intérieur à Bagdad a de son côté fait magé au moins sept véhicules du état de 29 morts et 80 blessés tandis convoi. qu'un responsable des forces de sécu

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

Vendredi 20 mai 2011

III till I i 1 1 Mil I M 11 1 1 11 IE 1 1 III 111 I ïlll 11 II 1 1! if El 1 1 Eï M I Ë 5 M I II ! M 1 1 E 11 II III 111 I M 1 1 |]f De nouvelles violences L'héroïsme des Syriens agitentla région kurde de Turquie appelle notre soutien

A trois semaines des élections nationales, les provinces de l'Est et du Sud-Est s'embrasent a Syrie n'en finit pas de

cpmpter ses morts. La

répression implacable, Istanbul parents. «Ils 'ont tiré sur des villa¬ effrayante, y compris à FethiBenslama Correspondance geois. Un obus de mortier est tom¬ l'arme lourde, contre béà 100 mètres de moi. Lesfamilles des manifestants pacifi¬ Psychanalyste, professeyr La trêve est fragile dans les veulent seulement voir le corps de ques est insupportable. Des fosses à l'université Paris-Diderot régions kurdes de Turquie, leurs enfants, plaide Gultan Kisa- communes auraient été découver¬ où l'Etat turc et la guérilla du nak, vice-présidente du BDP- tes et des réfugiés arrivent mainte¬ Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan Quand unefemme grimpe dans la nant au Liban, fuyant le déchaîne¬ JackyMamou (PKK) s'affrontent depuis.1984. A montagne avec son enfant de ment des violences du régime baa- trois semaines des élections natio¬ '6mois dans les bras, pour récupé¬ siste. La mollesse des réactions - Ancmn président nales, les provinces de l'Est et du rer un corps, c'est qu'on touche le internationales face à ces événe¬ de Médecins du monde Sud-Est, majoritairement kurdes, fond», poursuit-elle. Le deuil décré¬ ments est inacceptable. l se sont de nouveau embrasées ces té par le mouvementkurde dans la Seul le Conseil des droits de sont coupés, parfois l'eau. Les derniers jours. Des manifestations région a été massivement suivi. l'homme de l'ONU a protesté vivres et les médicaments man¬ ont dégénéré en affrontements 'contré la répression organisée par quent. Les soldats et les miliciens Procès à Diyarbakir avec les forces de police dans les le président syrien, Bachar frappent, tuent et terrorisent les grandes villes de la région, ainsi Les responsables du BDP accu* Al-Assad. Pour autant, contraire¬ populations. qu'à Istanbul. Les commerçants sent le gouvernement de Recep ment à la Libye, la Syrie n'a pas été Outre les bombardements et ont tiré le rideau toute la semaine. Tayyip Erdogan d'être responsable exclue de cette instance. Elle doit les meurtres de manifestants, il y a Au lycée Atatûrk de Simak, les de ces «provocations». Pressions l'être sans tarder. de très nombreuses «dispari¬

élèves ont «boycotté» les cours et et violences nourrissent les ran¬ Les Etats-Unis et la Communau¬ tions » qui suscitent les plus vives chanté des hymnes à la gloire des caurs depuis des semaines. Envi¬ té européenne ont décidé le gel des inquiétudes. Des centaines demili¬ « martyrs » de la guérilla. Lès sol¬ ron 2500 personnes, élus, mili¬ avoirs d'un certain nombre de tants des droits de l'homme et dats dé la caserne voisine ont répli¬ tants, responsables associatifs, ont dignitaires du régime syrien. Eton¬ d'hommes politiques ont été arrê¬ qué par des tirs, sans faire de bles¬ été arrêtées dans les régions kur¬ namment, le président Al-Assad tés. Les Etats démocratiques doi¬ sés: L'armée turque a dressé des des, ces trois derniers mois, et accu- n'est pas concerné, pas plus que vent soutenir fermement les avo¬ barrages et renforcé ses opéra¬ sées de collusion avec la guérilla. ceux qui mènent la répression, cats, les ONG de droits de l'homme tions aériennes pour traquer les Dans le même temps, le procès tels ses ministres de la défense et qui réclament de rencontrer ces rebelles, éparpillés dans les monta¬ de 151 élus et responsables politi¬ de l'intérieur. Pourquoi épargner personnes afin de les sauver de la gnes qui chevauchent la Turquie, ques kurdes, soupçonnés de for¬ les plus hauts responsables de la torture ou de la mort. l'Iran et l'Irak. La campagne électo: mer un réseau de soutien civil au barbarie en Syrie ? Il faut, saluer le courage et l'hé¬ raie se déroule dans une ambiance PKK, se poursuit à Diyarbakir. La roïsme des manifestants qui exi¬ de plomb. guérilla joue, elle aussi, la carte de Un cauchemar gent la liberté et la fin d'un demi-

La mort, entre le 12 et le 14 mai, la radicalisation à l'approche de Comment continuer à entrete¬ siècle de dictature des Assad sur le dei2 rebelles kurdes, tués par l'ar¬ ces élections. Au moins 32 atta¬ nir des relations diplomatiques pays. Mais le courage et l'héroïs¬ mée turque alors qu'ils franchis¬ ques ont été recensées dans le Sud- normales avec un régime qui mar¬ me ne suffisent pas face à la violen¬ saient la frontière en provenance Est contre des permanences électo¬ tyrise sa population? Les Etats ce sauvage d'un régime féroce et d'Irak, a provoqué cette éruption rales du Parti de la justice et du démocratiques doivent, au moins, sans scrupule. Des initiatives ont de colère. Un groupe de 300 per¬ développement (AKP, au pouvoir) . convoquer les ambassadeurs de été prises par la société civile tel sonnes, accompagné de plusieurs Début mai, deux policiers ont Syrie pour exigerl'arrêt des violen1 que l'appel des cinéastes syriens.. députés du Parti pour la paix et la été tués.dans une attaque contré ces, et mettre en des sanc¬ Il est grand temps que leurs ; démocratie (BDP, formation légale un convoi de véhicules après un tions sérieuses. homologues du monde entier les : proche du PKK), a forcé le barrage, meeting du premier ministre Erdo¬ Dans les villes assiégées ou soutiennent. Il y a urgence ! mardi 17 mai; pour se rendre sur le gan, dans la ville de Kastamonu. Et investies par les tanks et les trou¬ champ de bataille et récupérer les Abdullah Ôcalan, le leader du PKK pes, les populations civiles vivent corps abandonnés dans les monta¬ emprisonné depuis 1999, a promis un cauchemar : le gaz, l'électricité gnes, sous les tirs des soldats turcs. une guerre sanglante sitôt passé Les militaires ont saisi les les élections législatives. C dépouilles mortelles et arrêté des Guillaume Perrier

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

Cocktail Molotov en main, des jeunes Kurdes se battent pour leur héros emprisonné

DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 20 mai 2011 (AFP)

ADEM, 15 ANs, est passé maître dans la fabrication de cocktails Molotov et il n'a pas son pareil pour lancer des pavés. Son héros est Abdullah Ôcalan, le chef emprisonné de la rébellion kurde, même si de nombreux pays qualifient le mouvement armé de terroriste.

Adem est l'un de ces milliers de jeunes Kurdes de Turquie qui en découd régulièrement avec les forces de l'ordre, lors d'affrontements où des bâti¬ ments publics sont incendiés et des manifestants ou policiers blessés, ou tués.

"La police a des gaz lacrymogènes, mais nous avons les pierres, et les cocktails Molotov", explique Adem, dans son uniforme de lycéen, interrogé discrètement dans une rue de Diyarbakir, la plus grande ville du sud-est, où la population est majoritairement kurde.

"Parfois, on les fabrique nous-mêmes, parfois quelqu'un passe et les dis¬ Bismil, une ville près de Diyarbakir, lorsque ses parents ont quitté leur vil¬ tribue... Et on attaque les trottoirs à la masse", ajoute-t-il. lage. Lui et ses amis sont des sympathisants du Parti des travailleurs du Le conflit l'a rattrapé le mois dernier, 17 ans plus tard, lorsque des policiers Kurdistan (PKK), le mouvement en lutte armée depuis 1984, qui est qua¬ ont ouvert le feu lors d'une manifestation violente à Bismil, protestant lifié de terroriste par Ankara et une bonne partie de la communauté inter¬ contre l'exclusion des listes électorales de candidats kurdes, pour les élec¬ nationale. Et Abdullah Ôcalan, emprisonné à vie dans une île de la merde tions législatives du 12 juin prochain. Marmara, est leur héros. La décision a finalement été annulée, mais Ibrahim, un des manifestants, "Le chef est en prison, c'est pour ça qu'on est dans la rue", assure Salman, est mort sous les balles, et les violences ont repris. 18 ans, qui désigne les banques et les bâtiments publics comme des "ins¬ titutions hostiles", et explique comment, dans les combats de rues, on Aucun représentant de l'Etat n'a envoyé les moindres condoléances, expli¬ "tient une position", avant d'être parfois contraint de "faire retraite pour se que son père. reposer". "Mon plus jeune fils, qui a neuf ans, répète que la police a tué son frère.

Des réformes encouragées par l'Union européenne ont ces dernières Quel respect aura-t-il plus tard pour les institutions ?", se demande Orner années amélioré la situation des Kurdes, 12 à 15 millions des 73 millions Oruc. d'habitants de la Turquie. "Des tas de jeunes viennent me voir et disent qu'ils vont venger Ibrahim...

Des radios et télévisions et des cours privés en langue kurde ont été Je leur dis que la meilleure vengeance est d'étudier, et de devenir des ouverts, et on parle le kurde lors des réunions politiques. hommes instruits", ajoute-t-il, contenant des larmes.

Un tabou, l'interdiction du mot kurde ou de l'utilisation de la langue, a été Quelques heures après le décès d'Ibrahim, le 20 avril, des jeunes ont levé en Turquie. Mais ces progrès sont de peu d'effet sur une partie de la incendié les locaux du parti au pouvoir, l'AKP, le Parti de la Justice et du jeunesse, pétrie de haine. développement.

Une génération qui n'a jamais connu la paix, qui a vécu dans les années Huseyin Yagmur, le responsable local de l'AKP, n'a depuis pas trouvé de 1990 les pires années de l'insurrection menée par le PKK: le sang quoti¬ nouveau local, et il transporte son matériel électoral dans sa voiture. diennement versé par l'une ou l'autre partie, les persécutions menées par Ceux qui acceptent de lui louer quelque chose sont découragés par des le régime d'Ankara, les villages incendiés par l'armée, les déplacements menaces, explique-t-il. "Moi aussi, je suis kurde, mais je ne suis pas sépa¬ de populations. ratiste... Ils parient de démocratie et de droits de l'homme, mais je n'ai

Ibrahim Oruc a connu cette époque: il était adolescent, originaire de même pas un endroit où m'installer", dit-il.

Irak: HRW dénonce Aucune réaction n'a pu être obtenue dans l'immédiat à ces accusations auprès des autorités du Kurdistan. les atteintes à la liberté HRW cite notamment dans son communiqué le cas du magazine Lvin, de la presse au Kurdistan poursuivi pour diffamation par le Parti démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK) du président régional Massoud Barzani, qui demande la fermeture du titre.

L'organisation publie également le témoignage de Bryar Namiq, un journa¬ BAGDAD, 24 mai 2011 (AFP) liste de Kurdistan News Network qui affirme avoir été arrêté, insulté et battu par des membres des forces de sécurité le 11 mai alors qu'il travaillait à L'ORGANISATION Human Rights Watch (HRW) a appelé mardi les Souleimaniyeh, à 270 km de Bagdad. autorités kurdes à cesser d'intimider les journalistes, faisant état d'at¬ Le Kurdistan a été en début d'année le théâtre d'importantes manifestations teintes croissantes à la liberté de la presse dans cette région auto¬ contre la corruption et l'hégémonie du PDK et de l'Union patriotique du nome du nord de l'Irak après les manifestations de ces derniers mois. Kurdistan (UPK) du président irakien Jalal Talabani sur la vie politique "Les responsables du gouvernement régional du Kurdistan et les forces de régionale. sécurité sont responsables d'atteintes de plus en plus fortes à la liberté de HRW affirme que certains journalistes ayant couvert ou participé à ces pro¬ travail des journalistes au Kurdistan irakien", indique dans un communiqué testations vivent désormais dans la crainte de représailles. l'organisation de défense des droits de l'Homme basée à New-York. "Au moment où se multiplient les demandes au Moyen-Orient pour en finir "Les dirigeants régionaux doivent cesser de réprimer les journalistes au avec la répression, les autorités kurdes tentent de museler et d'intimider les moyen de plaintes en diffamation, de coups, d'arrestations et de menaces journalistes critiques", accuse Sarah Leah Whitson, directrice des program¬ de morts", poursuit HRW, relayant des préoccupations déjà exprimées par mes de HRW au Moyen-Orient. Reporters sans frontières.

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

Xelïtenâe taines de citoyens après laprièredu de groupes armés qui ont exploité Dimanche 22 - Lundi 23 mai 2.011 vendredi, appelant à la liberté, ont les regroupements de citoyens à été rapidement dispersés ». La voix Idlib [sud-ouest de Damas] et dans officielle du régime impute par les environs de Homs». 8 ailleurs la mort de «17 martyrs, LaureStephan Les Kurdes de Syrie civils, policiers et membres desfor¬ ces de sécurité», vendredi, aux « tirs très présents dans

= 25 mai 2011 les manifestations L'Union européenne Au moins 27 personnes ont été tuées, le 20 mai, sanctionne le président lors.de mouvements pour la démocratie syrien BacharAl-Assad

Beyrouth mettra d'obtenir nos droits », expli¬ Correspondance que Eyad Aliko. La minorité est L'UE demande au régime au pouvoir à Damas marginalisée dans le pays : répres¬ de « changer de cap ». L'Iran est également visé Quelle honte, les manifestants sion de l'identité kurde au nom de pacifiques sont reçus par les \'«arabisme», restrictions à l'accès

tirs!», ont lancé, vendredi au logement et à la propriété. Sa 20 mai, les milliers de protestatai¬ Bruxelles nés que vis-à-vis de la Libye, mais le mobilisation, depuis le début des res réunis à Kamechliyé, ville à Bureau européen contexte est différent», a assuré ; années 2000, a été violemment majorité kurde, dans le nord-est de Alain Juppé, le ministre français 1 réprimée, notamment lors du sou¬ la Syrie. Au cours des rassemble¬ Après les Etats-Unis, l'Union des affaires étrangères : « Iln'yapas lèvement de 2004. Face à un possi¬ ments après la prière, dans plu¬ européenne a décidé, lundi deux poids, deux mesures, (...) les ble réveil de la minorité, le prési¬ sieurs localités du pays comme 23 mai à Bruxelles, d'interdi¬ sanctions, cela prend des semaines, dent syrien Bachar Al-Assad avait Baniyas (sur la côte méditerra¬ re de visa le président syrien mais c'est efficace », s'est-il justifié. d'ailleurs, dès le 7 avril, émis un néenne), Homs (sud) ou les ban¬ Bachar Al-Assad et de geler ses La question d'une résolution du : décret octroyant la nationalité aux lieues de Damas, au moins 27 per¬ avoirs en Europe. Cette décision Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU quelque 300 000 Kurdes privés sonnes ont été. tuées, vendredi, porte à vingt-trois le nombre de condamnant la Syrie devrait être d'état civil depuis le début des selon l'Observatoire syrien des dirigeants syriens sanctionnés par de nouveau discutée lors du som¬ années i960. Cette mesure n'a pas, droits de l'homme. les Européens : un frère du prési¬ met du G8; jeudi et vendredi à loin s'en faut, diminué la mobilisa¬ Les opposants au régime de la dent et plusieurs de ses cousins Deauville, a indiqué le chef de la tion dans les régions à majorité kur¬ famille Àl-Assad avaient donné le avaient déjà été visés début mai. diplomatie française : la Grande- de, proches de la Turquie et du Kur¬ nom d'«Azadi» à cette journée de En dépit des demandes de la Bretagne entend aller vite, la Fran¬ distan irakien. mobilisation, un mot kurde qui France, les Européens s'étaient ce temporise, car les Russes mena¬ Tout comme l'invitation des signifie « liberté ». Ce choix ne doit dans un premier temps montrés cent toujours d'opposer leur veto. autorités à un dialogue national, le rien au hasard. Depuis le début de indulgents à l'égard de M. Assad. «La répression en Syrie se poursuit 13 mai n'a en rien entamé l'élan de la contestation, le 15 mars, la mino¬ En l'épargnant, ils souhaitaient et il est important de voir reconnu l'ensemble des contestataires rité non arabe - environ 2 millions favoriser la mise en place d'un dia¬ le droit à un processuspacifique, la syriens. Le siège de la ville de Tall de personnes - a pris part avec logue entre son régime et les oppo¬ libération des prisonniers politi¬ Kalakh, dans le sud du pays, a mar¬ constance aux manifestations sants envue d'encourager les réfor¬ ques et l'engagement de réformes, qué un « tournant », estime un acti¬ appelant à la «liberté» et à la mes politiques. En vain. Les minis¬ pas la répression », a dit le ministre viste des droits de l'homme: «le « démocratie » en Syrie. tres européens des affaires étran¬ britannique des affaires étrangè¬ régime est allé trop loin dans l'usa¬ gères ont décidé de durcir le ton en res, William Hague. ge de la violence. » Selon plusieurs « Nous sommes unis» raison de la poursuite de la répres¬ témoignages, plus de trente per¬ Pour Eyad Aliko, 27 ans, fils de sion menée contre les manifes¬ « Une ingérence » sonnes ont été tuées dans cette vil¬ l'un des leaders kurdes syriens et tants. Une répression dont le bilan Les autorités syriennes ont le, assaillie par l'armée le 14 mai et activiste au sein de la formation dépasse les 900 morts, selon quant à elles condamné ces sanc¬ soumise à de nombreuses exac¬ Yekiti, la référence à un mot kurde, l'ONU et des organisations non tions en estimant qu'elles consti¬ tions. Les troupes avaient annon¬ le 20 mai, est une «reconnaissan¬ gouvernementales (ONG). Lundi, tuaient « une ingérenceflagrante et cé, le 19 mai, leur retrait. Un jeune ce " «En mars 2004, lors de notre les Vingt-Sept ont également appe¬ manifeste dans les affaires internes homme originaire de Tall Kalakh mouvementfpourrevendiquèf-êios lé la Banque européenne d'inves¬ delaSyrie» pour« tenterdedéstabili¬ rapportait que des centaines de droits, aucun-Arabe n'était avec, tissement (BEI) à « ne pas approu¬ ser sa sécurité». militaires syriens étaient pourtant nous Ils çraigmiént'-une-pai-titipn ver des opérations definancement Outre des sanctions contre trei¬ encore présents dans la ville, ven¬ de la Syrie. Aujourd'hui, noas'Wm- en Syriepour le moment». ze dignitaires biélorusses, dredi. L'armée a également coupé mes unis, Arabes et Kurdes », pour¬ Les Etats-Unis avaient sanction¬ d'autres mesures ont par ailleurs l'une des voies d'accès emprun¬ suit le jeune homme. Réfugié à Bey- né BacharAl-Assad le 18 mai, le pré¬ été décidées à rencontre du princi¬ tées par les Syriens fuyant les vio¬ routh depuis plus d'un an, sident américain Barack Obama le pal allié régional de Damas, l'Iran, lences dans cette région frontaliè¬ ' M.Aliko est en contact permanent prévenant au passage qu'il avait le tandis que les pourparlers sur le re, pour gagner le nord du Liban. avec les militants en Syrie. choix entre «diriger la transition programme nucléaire civil ira¬ Les opposants esttoèJitïqTiè la ou s'écarter». Les Européens se gar¬ nien sont dans l'impasse. Plus de Les revendications dés Kurdes mobilisation était forte;1 ce 2ôinai, de Syrie sont doubles : elles concer¬ dent à ce jour de suggérer le départ cent entreprises soupçonnées et soulignent l'expansion du mou¬ nent à la fois la scène nationale et le . de Bachar Al-Assad, par crainte de d'êtres liées à ce programme, ainsi vement. Les autorités, pour leur sort de la minorité. «Les Kurdespar¬ déstabiliser un pays voisin d'Israël. qu'à la fabrication de missiles ira¬ part, continuent de nier l'ampleur tagent les aspirations arabes à une Ils se contentent de demander au niens, figurent dans le nouveau des manifestations. Selon l'agence ouverture du régime. Nous croyons président syrien de «changer de train de sanctions. de presse officielle SANA, « les ras¬ aussi que seule la liberté nous per cap » . « Nous sommesaussidéterm i- Philippe Ricard semblements de dizaines ou de cen-

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

lei RudaW.Net | 21 MAY 2011

Iraqi Officials Reject Demilitarization of Disputed Territories

By WLADIMIR VAN WILGENBURG

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan -- The latest attacks on police in Kirkuk demonstrate the lack of security in Iraq, especially in areas that are disputed bet¬ ween Kurds and Arabs. The International Crisis Group, in their last report, called for the demilitarization of ethnically mixed regions and the repla¬ cement of soldiers with police, but Iraqi officials rejected the idea because secu¬ rity in these areas is poor.

The report, which was released in

March, advises the Iraqi army and Iraqi police by the Hamrin mountains south of Kirkuk. Photo by Wladimir Van Peshmarga (Kurdish soldiers) to leave Wilgenburg. the disputed territories, wkh the aim of

turning these areas into demilitarized

zones in which neither group is authori¬ army of bringing in 'terrorists'. are only within the city."

zed to operate. In Mosul, where there are tensions A few years ago there were fears that

"As in the rest of Iraq, the police in between the local Sunni Arab governor the presence of both the Iraqi army and

the disputed territories should provide and the Iraqi army over who controls Kurdish armed forces in this area could

internal security, while the army should security, army officials say the police result in clashes or even a civil war, but

be responsible for protecting the coun¬ aren't strong enough to control the pro¬ the establishment of checkpoints and the

try's coast, borders and airspace," Joost vince. joining of Kurdish and Iraqi forces pre¬ vented further clashes. Despite these Hiltermann, of the International Crisis Iraqi army Colonel Rewbar Younis conflict prevention measures, however, Group, told Rudaw. from Mosul says the situation needs to there was a clash between the Kurdish Hiltermann recognized that maintai¬ improve first. "Maybe in the future, security agents and the Iraqi army on ning a viable police force in the disputed when security is better, the Iraqi army April 26 in Kirkuk. Local security offi¬ regions is "particularly difficult, yet kee¬ can leave. But for the moment the Iraqi cials quickly downplayed the event. ping military forces in charge of internal army will control the city." "Clashes in Kirkuk and along other policing would be a tragic error. The In the disputed region of Kirkuk the parts of the trigger line are always possi¬ challenge will be in managing the transi¬ police themselves say they are not yet ble, and could escalate in the absence of tion." ready to take over. The General Director good-faith political negotiations aimed But Iraqi officials think it is too early of the Kirkuk Police, Jamal Taher Baker, at determining the boundary of the for this kind of change. "In Mosul, the says die Iraqi police in Kirkuk have wee¬ Kurdistan region," said Hiltermann. police cannot control the governorate. kly meetings with both the Iraqi army

Not now. We still need the army in and Kurdish Peshmarga forces. "As recent incidents have shown, each side may be testing the other's Mosul. The police will never control the Currently there is a plan to establish resolve - and persuade the U.S. that it is city if the army is not here," said Khasro joint security forces of Kurds and Arabs too early to withdraw its forces. This is Gorran, the former deputy governor of by July of this year. These joint forces playing with fire. What each side should Mosul and head of the Kurdish will take over security from U.S. troops do - and what they owe to future genera¬ Brotherhood bloc. But he also said that and work to repel violence in Kirkuk. tions - is to make a genuine effort to they don't have any problems with the Called Golden Lion, the forces will reach across the table." police in the disputed areas of Mosul, consist of police, Peshmarga, and Iraqi

which are controlled by the police and soldiers. The recent insurgent attacks in Iraq Peshmarga. will probably force the Iraqi army to Baker says Kirkuk will eventually continue to play an active role in comba¬ Aziz Waysi, commander of the need the Iraqi army outside the city only. ting insurgents in the hotbed of violence Zerevani forces, claims that the police "In die whole world this is the duty of surrounding the so-called Sunni triangle. "sometimes help terrorists for money the army [protecting borders], but the

and other reasons. Especially in Mosul, situation is different here. And when the Iraq's army chief, Babaker Zebari,

we have a lot of examples." He says the terrorist attacks are finished and the warned in an interview with Rudaw that

situation would worsen were the region situation has improved, then the Iraqi the Iraqi army won't be able to protect

demilitarized. "The balance would be army will leave the province, but now Iraq until 2020. This makes it unlikely

demolished and die situation would turn we need them." that the ICG recommendation will be

bad." implemented by the Kurdish and Iraqi The Kurdish Minister of Peshmarga,

Giving an example, he spoke of the Jaafar Mustafa, who is responsible for government.

anti-government protests in Kirkuk's the Kurdish armed forces, agrees. He

Hawija district on February 25, which thinks the police are not strong enough.

the police weren't strong enough to "The police cannot control the regions

control. Waysi even accused the Iraqi outside of the city of Kirkuk. The police

40 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti mïSâ$^m>Unt MAY 21-22, 2011

Energized, thousands of protesters defy Assad

BEIRUT

Violent crackdown fails to dissuade crowds as Syrian soldiers on Friday in the village ofArida, near the Lebanese-Syrian border. Syrian US. steps up pressure officials In recent weeks have maintained that the government now had the upper hand.

BY ANTHONY SHADID major address on the Middle East Baniyas and Latakia along the Mediter¬ Thousands of Syrians defied a ferocious Thursday, he used some of his harshest ranean coast. More demonstrations crackdown and took to the streets Fri¬ language yet on thé government crack¬ gathered in Houran, a province where day in what appeared to be an invigor¬ down, saying Mr. Assad "now has a the uprising began and where protests ated but potentially dangerous moment choice. He can lead that transition, or suggest a region in revolt. Activists said in the nine-week uprising against the get out of the way." most ofthose killed were from Homs and rule of President Bashar al-Assad. Hu¬ Syrian officials in recent weeks have Ma'rat Alna'aman, a town southwest of man rights activists said at least 26 maintained that the government now Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city. people were killed when security forces had the upper hand, a sign that it be¬ In Homs, a résident said that security opened fire. lieved the crackdown could bring quiet. forces shot at protesters in four differ¬ In an Unsettling sign for the govern¬ Mr. Assad himself said in an interview ent neighborhoods. "They were chas¬ ment, protesters gathered in somewhat with a Syrian newspaper this week that ing the protesters with their cars and greater numbers in the capital, Damas¬ the unrest would soon come to an end. then started shooting at them," a man cus, which has remained relatively quiet ' 6ut Syrian opposition figures and ac¬ who identified himself as Abu Haydar until now. Far bigger crowds than last tivists warned that the stalemate be¬ said by phone. Like others interviewed, week also took part in protests, in Baniy¬ tween a state bent on repression and he did not give his surname for fear of as, a coastal town that the government protests#hat remained relatively small retribution. had declared quiet after deploying troops but resilient could prove dangerous, as Mohamad, another resident, said that there weeks ago, and Homs, a city in cen¬ sectarian tensions grew in the country for the first time, the number of protest¬ tral Syria that is emerging as a locus of and reports proliferated of some pro¬ ers had reached 5,000, despite heavy se¬ the challenge to Mr. Assad's authority, testers resorting to taking up arms. curity measures and road blocks and Activists who provided details of the Some in the opposition insist that time checkpoints erected along almost every gatherings said some protesters raised is running out for a peaceful resolution. major street an old version of Syria's flag in the most "Politically speaking, the longer this ' 'We lifted the old Syrian flag on top of restive neighborhood of Homs. And in crisis goes on, the longer it takes the one government building," Mohamad Albu Kamal; a town near the Iraqi bor¬ government to recognize the legitimacy said by phone from Homs. "We don't der, a resident said protesters burned a of the protesters and their demands, the want anything related to this regime. municipal building and stormed a jail, bigger the gap between the two will be¬ We will even break the cup of tea that freeing prisoners. come," said Louay Hussein, an opposi¬ they are offering us." The turnout, though still far short of tion figure who has met with govern¬ In Baniyas, which has a mixed popu¬ the mass demonstrations in Egypt and ment officials. "The government is lation of Sunni Muslims and minority Tunisia, suggested that the govern¬ betting that the crackdown will kill the Alawites, security forces used sticks ment's sweeping crackdown, in which protests, but that won't work.' ' and water canons to disperse the crowd. hundreds have been killed and thou¬ "I fear all scenarios because the Obaida, a resident there, said an agree¬ sands were arrested, is proving incap¬ street governs reality,' ' he added. ment was reached with the army to able of crushing the dissent. Though the Last week, the demonstrations and the keep hated plainclothes security forces government has offered tentative steps , death toll were smaller than on previous away from protests, but that the deal did toward reform, opposition figures have Fridays. But the turnout Friday in towns not hold and those forces had arrested demanded an end to the government's and cities across the country from the several people. violence, a step it so far appears unwill¬ Kurdish-dominated east to the suburbs "The truth is that with the regime ing to take. of Damascus and restive towns like Ban¬ continuing to fire on peaceful protest¬ "No dialogue with tanks and sol¬ iyas and Homs suggested at least a de¬ ers, they are losing the chance for dia¬ diers," went a slogan in Deir al-Zour, a gree of organization, activists said. logue," said Razan Zeitouneh, a human town in eastern Syria. "The young in the streets have no na¬ rights lawyer in Damascus. "People are The protests came as the Obama ad¬ tional leaders," said Anas, a 28-year-old not willing to enter into a dialogue with ministration ratcheted up pressuré on activist in the outlying areas of Damas¬ a government that has killed their chil¬ Mr. Assad, who American officials had cus. "They organize on their own in dren." described as a reformer as recently as these towns and villages.' ' March. The ' administration imposed Protests were reported in Hama, in sanctions on himfand six other senior of¬ central Syria, as well as in the towns of ficials this week. And in Mr. Obama's

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

is that the government in Baghdad will icans would ultimately dictate their fu¬ Sunnis," said Ibrahim al-Sumydai, a not ask for American troops to stay, ture in Iraq. political analyst. "This will lead to a sec¬ events here have a way oftaking unfore¬ "They want to keep a strong muscle tarian war." seen turns. As the American military over us for their benefit," he said. "We For the rest of the year, many U.S. withdraws, it is also making contin¬ don't understand what the withdrawal troops will spend their days alongside gency plans should the Iraqis make a means. It is a complete withdrawal? Or the Iraqi forces, training and advising last-minute decision to seek continued will they keep their bases? I think : them so they can function on their own military support. they'll keep their bases. I don't think and start to move from a counterinsur- Despite efforts by U.S. forces to tell they only came for our benefit." gency force to one that can defend the the Iraqi people that they will only stay Iraqis also fear that if the U.S. leaves ' nation's borders. if the Iraqi government asks, misinfor¬ other countries in the region will But the debate around Iraq will hinge mation and conspiracy theories abound quickly swoop in and try to take advan¬ ; on more than security. As violence has

about the Americans' intentions. tage of the power vacuum. : fallen, Iraq has put a mirror to itself, At Al Shabander cafe in Baghdad, "The sectarian conflict between Iran asking fundamental questions about where many of the city's intellectuals and the rest of the Arab countries will '. what type of country it can be and if it congregate on Fridays to drink coffee turn into Iraq because the Iranians will :.- can achieve that without more help

and smoke, a short story writer, Ali Ab- : try and make the Shiites more powerful from the Americans. dul Rahman, said he believed the Amer- j and the Arab countries will support the

la -Croix mercredi 18 mai 2011

ENTRETIEN KHALED KHAUFA, écrivain syrien auteur d'« Éloge de la haine » (1)

« JI nepeutpasy avoir d'exception

syrienne»

| L'écrivain craint qu'au nom des révoltes, le pouvoir a interdit conventions internationales concer¬ mais finalement très peu d'Alep, de la stabilité dans la région, aux journalistes arabes et occiden¬ nant les droits de l'homme. Qu'elle Votre ville d'origine. l'Occident néglige le droit taux de travailler sur le terrain..Nous les applique. Est-elle épargnée par des Syriens à la démocratie demandons qu'il les laisse vérifier Pendant des années, on nous a les mouvements de révoltes ? et la liberté d'expression. par eux-mêmes ce qursè passe. Et fait comprendre que nous étions K. K. : Depuis deux mois, le gou¬ | Il affirme que les Syriens qu'il nous laisse, manifester libre¬ condamnés à un pouvoir autoritaire vernement, la police, les services de renseignements, ont concentré ne veulent pas ment sans violence. Car la violence en raison de la situation stratégique d'une intervention étrangère risque de diviser la société. de notre pays, au clur d'une région leurs efforts sur deux grandes villes,

mais d'une pression pour troublée. Le régime assurant une Damas et Alep où les quartiers sont isolés par un quadrillage minutieux. stopper le bain de sang. Y a-t-il un risque certaine stabilité, il garantissait les de divisions ? intérêts des grands pays occiden¬ L'objectif est d'éviter la contagion K. K. : 'Là- diversité de notre so¬ taux. Il est possible que la commu- . d'un quartier à l'autre. Tous les ac¬

Il est difficile de se faire une idée ciété est une richesse, pas un pro¬ natité internationale nous fasse cès aux grandes places des villes de ce qui se passe en Syrie. blème. Aujourd'hui, toutes ses payer encore très cher sa complicité sont bouclés par les forces de sécu¬ rité afin d'empêcher les manifes¬ La révolté est-elle assimilable composantes aspirent à vivre dans avec le régime, sous prétexte de pré¬ aux mouvements tunisien ' la convivialité. La brutalité du ré¬ server cette stabilité. Si elle persiste tants de s'y rassembler, comme en Egypte sur la place Tahrir. Les évé¬ et égyptien ? gime, contrairement atixprppos de dans Cette attitude, elle perdra toute nements à Deraa, qui ont provoqué Khaled Khalifa : C'est une ré¬ certains responsables sunnites, auprès des Syriens. Il ne la mort de centaines de civils, ont volution populaire par excellence. s'exerce contré tous lés Syriens, pas peut pas y avoir.d'exception sy¬

Elle est partie prenante de cette seulement contre les svmmtes. Lé rienne. Nous avons droit à une vie fait de cette ville l'icône de la révo¬ lution syrienne. lame de fond qui traverse le pouvoir a voulu fairejjèur aiix mi¬ normale. Comme-le reste du monde, '..;. RECUEILLI PAR monde arabe. Les Syriens sont norités en se présentant comme nous aspirons à la démocratie. AGNÈS ROTIVEL sortis dans la rue saris arme, avec leur protecteur. des mots d'ordre pacifiques. Mais Nous vivons en Syrie-un moment On parle beaucoup des émeutes CO-Éci: Sindbad, Actes Sud, 336 p., 24 le pouvoir a choisi de répondre très important On sent que le fon¬ à Deraa, Banias et Damas, par la violence car il sait qu'à ce damentalisme sous sa forme la plus jeu, il est le plus fort Par sa culture radicale est en perte de vitesse. Ac¬ et son histoire, le peuple syrien céder à la démocratie, c'est l'espoir

est très proche des peuples tuni¬ de tous les Arabes. Cela permettra Damas dément l'existence sien et égyptien. Par contre, le de mettre fin aux violences confes¬

pouvoir syrien ressemble beau¬ sionnelles. d'une fosse commune à Deraa

coup au régime, libyen. Par sa

réaction violente, il court le risque Les Syriens souhaitent -ils Le ministère syrien de l'intérieur a démenti hier qu'une fosse de créer une situation à la li¬ une intervention militaire commune ait été découverte dans la ville de Deraa, foyer de la

byenne. occidentale comme en Libye ? contestation lancée il y a deux mois. Il a dénoncé « une campagne À la différence de l'Egypte, en K. K. : Intellectuels, jeunes dé¬ calomnieuse » des médias « pour déstabiliser la Syrie ». Dimanche, Syrie, il n'existe aucune liberté de mocrates et opposition refusent une l'agence de presse officielle Sana, citant un responsable local, avait là presse. Tous les moyens de com¬ intervention étrangère. Nous vou¬ indiqué que cinq corps avaient été découverts et que le procureur munication sont aux mains du ré¬ lons que l'opinion publique inter¬ local avait ouvert une enquête. D'Egypte où il se trouvait, le militant

gime. Il n'existé pas de voix discor¬ nationale fasse pression sur lé pou¬ Ammar Qurabi, de l'Organisation nationale pour les droits de l'homme dantes. L'opposition est réprimée voir pour arrêter le bain de sang. La en Syrie, à pour sa part fait état lundi de la découverte d'une «fosse de façon ties dure. Depuis le début Syrie est signataire de la plupart des commune » dans la vieille ville.

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

MRudawJ»*! 23May2011 Five-Party Talks to Resume This Week

RUDAW "I ask all parties to act based on their

national and historic responsibilities and

The spokesperson for the Kurdistan turn a new page in their relations to help

Democratic Party's politburo said reach a lasting solution for our pro¬

that five-party talks will take place by blems," said Barzani.

the end of this week, but die time and The opposition has also expressed

location of the meeting has not been willingness to resume talks at any time.

decided yet. In a recent exclusive interview with

Jaafar Ibrahim, member of the KDP Rudaw, Yousif Muhammad, the head of

politburo told Rudaw, "At the end of this Gorran's political research group, said

week the five-party meetings will start. that his group is ready to resume talks

We have not chosen the time and place and that the proposed project is not a

yet, but we are in the middle of prepara¬ page from the Koran in other words, it Logos of the live Kurdish parties tions for it. We hope the talks will lead to shouldn't be taboo to alter. involved in the talks. success and a solution to the problems." "We can meet for talks and not make

The meeting will be between our project a condition at all," said The three opposition parties met in Kurdistan's two main ruling parties, the Muhammad. "Let the PUK and KDP Sulaimani in April at the height of pro¬ Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the [the ruling parties] also present their pro¬ tests and drafted a 22-point resolution to Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and posals. If we have the will we can solve present to the government. One of their the Gorran (change) Movement, the everything, but not if we procrastinate." demands was the dissolution of the cur¬ Kurdistan Islamic Union and the Islamic Jaafar Ibrahim from the KDP said, rent government. Group. "We are ready to hear any suggestions In a statement to the media last Gorran spokesperson Muhammad the opposition may make during the week, president of the Kurdistan region, Tofiq confirmed his movement's readi¬ talks and we hope that talks will conti¬ Massoud Barzani urged all parties to ness for participation in the meeting. nue to the very end. We also hope the resume their talks unconditionally to "We are ready for the five-party outcome of the meeting is announced to find a solution for the current stalemate meeting with our 22-point proposal," the media only once the meetings are that came about when the protests were said Tofiq. "However, the time and place over." ended by the security forces. hasn't been assigned yet."

26 mai 2011 ifeJUimde

Une forte explosion à

Istanbul fait plusieurs i-V..v*i \ blessés «V " éZ «i

Lexplosion d'une bombe a tuels de l'attentat. "(1 ait sept blessés, jeudi 26 La déflagration est surve¬ mai, dans un quartier rési¬ nue vers 9 heures, heure 1 dentiel de la rive européenne locale (8 heures, heure de il SK d'Istanbul, a affirmé le chef Paris) dans le quartier cossu m- de la police de la métropole d'Ettiler, a indiqué un Un des blessés est évacué vers un hôpital, après l'explosion turque. "L'explosion d'une témoin de l'incident inter¬ d'une bombe, jeudi matin, à Istanbul.REUTERS/MURAD bombe composée d'un explo¬ rogé par la chaîne d'informa¬ SEZER sif de puissance moyenne tion CNN-Tûrk, précisant placé sur une bicyclette élec¬ que l'explosion avait fait peu d'élections législatives, pré¬ décrété en août 2010, déplo¬ trique a fait sept blessés dont de dégâts aux alentours. vues le 12 juin. Plusieurs rant l'échec du gouverne¬ un policier. Leur vie n'est pas Deux autobus, un taxi et groupes armées - kurdes, ment à dialoguer avec les en danger", a déclaré M. une voiture étaient immobi¬ islamistes et d'extrême gau¬ Kurdes. Capkin, dont l'intervention a lisés avec leurs vitres brisées che -ont déjà commis des "Les groupes terroristes été retransmise par la chaîne au cur du périmètre de attentats à Istanbul. Les commettent toujours de tels d'information NTV. sécurité établi par la police rebelles kurdes du Parti des attentats avant les élections", "Le fait que l'explosion se dans l'éventualité d'une nou¬ travailleurs du Kurdistan a dit Suât Kilic, député du soit produite très près d'une velle explosion et pour per¬ (PKK) ont multiplié lors des parti AKP au pouvoir. "Ils école de police laisse penser mettre aux spécialistes d'exa¬ dernières semaines les veulent empêcher l'AKP que l'attentat a peut-être visé miner les lieux, selon un heurts avec les forces de d'avoir suffisamment de siè¬ la police", a-t-il ajouté, refu¬ photographe de l'AFP. sécurité après avoir menacé ges pour réformer la sant d'émettre des hypothè¬ L'incident intervient à en mars de mettre fin à un Constitution." (avec AFP et

ses sur les responables éven moins de trois semaines cessez-le-feu unilatéral Reuters)

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

MAY 20, 2011

bly been abandoned due to the The Kurdish question and upcoming elections, has become a venue in which pro-war dark forces Turkey s elections are free to roam about. We are having elections next month, but we are not talking about the Kurdish faulty ones shortly before the raid. issue. It's as if everybody took a vow The defensive posts upfront were of silence and as if Turkey is not by Markar Esayan evacuated one day before the raid experiencing this problem. and on the night of the raid, the The Kurdish opening was initia¬ lights at the outpost were turned ted with great ambition, but with a on. The officer in charge left the lack of proper preparations. The outpost that night to attend a wed¬ The war with the Kurdistan opening was launched without pro¬ Workers' Party (PKK) has been ding ceremony. perly dealing with the established Herons did not spot 500 PKK continuing for three decades. As far mindset within the military and the as 1 can remember, we have come militants. civilian security bureaucracy. The Similar suspicions were raised in pretty close to brokering a peace aspect of rehabilitation as part of relation to the Aktutun Raid in the deal eight times. the issue was never included in the aftermath. Heron footage shows But in each case, the peace was analysis, while the Turks were not that a large group of PKK militants sabotaged by a suspicious assault or sure about the Kurds, nor the Kurds stationed heavy weaponry on the massacre, and the war kept going. about the Turks. This was a strategi¬ The most notable of these hill close to the outpost. It was evi¬ cally wrong step considering that dent that the Herons actually spot¬ opportunities was the one in 1993. both sides were not confident in the The state was about to declare a ted the group of militants, but state's intention. The Turks and the nothing was done to take action or general amnesty; a cease-fire was Kurds were not told why this dirty on the table. All of a sudden, a measures despite the weather being war should be ended. The relevant crystal clear. group of PKK militants killed 33 actors failed to understand that the unarmed soldiers in Bingol. The pro¬ Twelve PKK militants allegedly scope of the Ergenekon investiga¬ trying to infiltrate the border in cess was sabotaged. I did some tion should go beyond the Euphrates research on this matter; I was Sirnak's Uludere district were killed to deal with the Ergenekon connec¬ by security forces. These were curious as to how many people tion within the PKK. mostly young boys around 19 years would have been saved had this of age who had recently joined the attack not taken place and the war MEDIA AS A TOOL OF PROVOCATION ended. By the time I wrote this PKK. Experts note that this may be I do not know if you noticed this, a military operation rather than an column, I was ready to cry because but the TV stations and newspapers infiltration attempt considering of sadness and anger. Just wait for it insulting Kurds before the arrival of that the PKK camp has been there & 30,000 people have died in this the AK Party are now talking exten¬ war since 1993. for a long time. Besides, there was sively about the victimization of a cease-fire in effect. 30,000 & Kurds after the latest events. They This is a dirty war. Thirty-thousand families have are writing about how the Kurds This is a dirty war that claims experienced the agony associated have been victimized. They did so with the death of their children. the lives of Turkish and Kurdish because they are aware that this youngsters. The objective is to drag Thirty-thousand mothers have lost leads to hatred and provocation the country into a chaotic environ¬ their kids. Some hundreds of thou¬ among Kurds. They are aware that ment, wear down the image of the sands of people have lost a spouse, focusing on victimization has Justice and Development Party (AK father, mother, uncle and/or friend. nothing to do with rationality. They Party) and force it to drop the pro¬ What a pity. are seeking to provoke Kurds ins¬ Besides, PKK leader Abdullah cess. For the love of God, how can tead of making offers on how to go we explain the Kastamonu assault -rcalan confessed that the Bingol through a mental transformation. that targeted Prime Minister Recep incident was a provocation. It Of course, the biggest part of Tayyip Erdogan at a time when should be noted that he was in the responsibility rests with the ocalan said, The contact with the charge of running the organization prime minister because he wants to state is in the final stage; making a back then; now we are waiting for resolve this problem. He could have the elections, wondering whether if deal is a matter of time ? Is it reaso¬ never taken the initiative to resolve nable to pick one of the sides of the once more we will fail to make use this problem; in this case nobody negotiations as a target? of another great opportunity to would have asked him why he did The assaults target peace; for make peace. not do anything to address the pro¬ this reason, they are fake. The blem. He would have promoted government's legitimacy is undermi¬ Looking back at Daglica investments in the region and ned when soldiers and police offi¬ Please recall the Daglica attack expanded the sphere of rights and cers are killed; when PKK militants in October 2007. Twelve days before freedoms without properly defining are killed, ^calan's image is dama¬ the raid, both the Van Gendarmerie the problem. This way, he could ged. In each such case, peace is jeo¬ Command and the Gendarmerie have avoided taking any political pardized and peace talks lose legiti¬ Central Command warned of such risk. macy. At this point, Turkish and an assault, but despite this, 13 sol¬ But Erdogan wanted to stop the Kurdish political figures should take diers were lost as martyrs in the bloodshed. He noticed the plot and action because the sphere of the attack. More interestingly, the rifles that Ergenekon showed its influence initiative, which has incomprehensi in the station were replaced with through the Kurdish issue. He took

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

action to address this problem by been changed after Barack Obama; of peace were not so high. relying on public support. But it the states do not rely on infliction of Therefore the disappointment of should be noted that this is an irre¬ instability as an official policy any¬ missed opportunities back then was vocable path. Therefore there is no more. The Turks and Kurds in Turkey not that devastating. way he could reverse the process. I now want immediate peace. But the king is naked now. would like to know if he is aware of The Kurdish issue and Ergenekon Besides, it was Erdogan himself who this. are closely related. Erdogan could called the king naked. He ended the Yes, Erdogan now has a difficult never give up on his struggle against policy of denial. He used a different task ahead to fulfill. In the end, he these evils. There will be only one language. In Parliament, he remem¬ is the leader of a political party that winner of this war. For this reason, bered the victims of unsolved mur¬ has to attract the support and sym¬ the prime minister's addresses in ders and the Dersim massacre. Turks pathy of the people and voters Van and Diyarbakir bear great and Kurds believed him. They appre¬ every four years. He is challenging importance. We are expecting Erdo¬ ciated that he does not represent and struggling with his opponents gan to herald adoption of a language the traditional state approach and who are comfortable with using ille¬ of peace and constructive steps that that he is saying something diffe¬ gal and unethical against him and will soothe the anger in the region. rent. The current anger among his party. There are a number of With Erdogan comes a great Kurds should be viewed as disap¬ assassination plans to kill him. opportunity for Turkey. But this pointment in connection with these But he also enjoys a great deal of should lead him to act more pru¬ high expectations. advantages. Above all, the people dently because this process of peace The Kurdish issue is not a matter extended him much support when is different from the missed oppor¬ where you can take steps forward they endorsed the constitutional tunities of the past. In the past, the and then backward. Why? Obviously, amendments with a 58 percent yes state was in denial about the pro¬ we have a deep abyss just one step vote. The dominant discourse favors blem and it was not evident that behind us. peace. The overall paradigm has this war was so dirty. Expectations

INXEKNAIIGNAL BUSINESS TIMES May 25, 2011

Turkish political parties competing for Kurdish support

AKP is also seeking the sup¬

port of Turkish nationalists, In the run-up to TAirkey's which is anathema to most national elections next Kurds. month, the ruling Justice and

Development Party (AKP) is A prior rally in the Kurdish seeking the support of a town of Hakkari drew only rather unusual group - the about 1,000 people, with many country's Kurdish minority shopkeepers shutting down in population. response to the Prime Minister's visit.

Perhaps as a sign of the great Erdogan's chief rival Kemal

strides that Kurds in Turkey Kilicdaroglu, head of principal have made in recent years opposition Republican Prime Minister Recep Tayyip People's Party (CHP), has lar¬

Erdogan - who is widely gely received a warmer wel¬ Turkey's Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek chats with a group of expected to win a third conse¬ come for Kurdish groups. women during his Justice and Development Party (AKP) election cutive term - told a heavily campaign in the southeastern Turkish city of Batman April 21, Speaking to a crowd in Kurdish crowd in the southeas¬ 2011. Hakkari, Kilicdaroglu promi¬ tern city of Sirnak that "for us, sed to grant autonomy to local there is no separation between governments, a major demand reported in the area. rally. Turks and Kurds." of the Kurdish-controlled Meanwhile, Erdogan and his "The CHP, which has denied Erdogan has also vowed to Peace and Democracy Party party are skeptical of the the Kurdish identity and the build new schools, airports and (BDP). He also vowed to CHP's devotion to the Kurdish Kurdish language for many hospitals in the relatively des¬ reduce the 10 percent threshold cause, charging that BDP years, is today collaborating olate and destitute southeast, rule for parliament (which has members and supporters are with the BDP." which is dominated by Kurds. long been blamed for keeping actually attending the CHP out smaller parties, especially Despite gains made by Kurds However, while Kurds have demonstrations. Kurds, from the national over the past decade, the sou¬ generally supported the AKP in government). "The CHP, which has never theast remains a dangerous and prior elections, some Kurds are acknowledged the Kurdish volatile region, as many Kurds apparently not enamored with The CHP leader also said he issue in this country, is today want to secede from Turkey. Erdogan. What complicates would seek to investigate the hand-in-hand with the BDP," matters for Erdogan is that scores of unsolved murders Last week, a dozen members Erdogan said at the Sirnak

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

of the illegal Kurdish Workers' Erdogan supporters. a deadline for die government communicated to come up with Party (PKK) were killed by to make real progress on the a solution, the PKK remains Sirri Sakik, a BDP deputy, told Turkish security forces as they question of Kurdish autonomy. outlawed in Turkey and is reporters: "The tension has tried to enter Turkey from nor¬ regarded as a terrorist group in been increased by the govern¬ Ocalan has warned "either a thern Iraq. About 50 people as most Western nations. ment on purpose, to collect substantial negotiation process a whole have been killed over more [Turkish] nationalistic starts on June 15 or a great war. PKK commenced a war in the past two months in clashes votes in the elections." Both would be great as they are 1984 against the Turkish state between state security forces sacred and meaningful." to create an independent and Kurdish nationalists. Of more urgency, the jailed Kurdish homeland - about leader of the PKK, Abdullah Amidst reports that Ocalan and The PKK was even blamed for 40,000 people have been killed Ocalan, established June 15 as Turkish officials may have a recent attack on a convoy of in the conflict ever since.

Syrian Kurdish parties to

27 May 2011 boycott Antalya summit

Movement, and the Kurdish forthcoming summit." Awsat that he had been Democratic Progressive informed of the Kurdish By Shirzad Shikhani Party. For his part, Kurdish Leftist parties' boycott of the Party leader Saleh Kado Antalya summit by tele¬ Erbil, Asharq Al- Asharq Al-Awsat spoke with told Asharq Al-Awsat that phone from within Syria, Awsat A group com¬ a number of Kurdish politi¬ "the Kurdish parties unani¬ but did not possess much prised of 12 Kurdish politi¬ cal leaders based in Syria, mously agreed to boycott information about this. cal parties in Syria have who all unanimously agreed the summit, especially as Hammo, who is based in the announced that they intend on the collective decision this is being held in Turkey Iraqi Kurdistan Region, to boycott the Kurdish taken by the Kurdish politi¬ which has negative attitudes stressed that "there are Syrian opposition summit cal parties. towards the Kurdish issue in many problems with regards that is scheduled to take general." to the telephone communi¬ place in Antalya, Turkey at Faisal Yussef, a senior mem¬ cation between ourselves the end of the month. ber of the Kurdish He added that "the Turkish and leaders within the These parties informed Democratic Progressive leadership should first [Syrian] interior, we rely Asharq Al-Awsat that "the Party, told Asharq Al-Awsat resolve the issue of 20 mil¬ upon the internet to stay in active political parties in the that "our position with lion Kurds living within contact with them; therefore Kurdish region of Syria regards to not attending this their territory before seeking until now I have yet to whose well-known leaders summit is based upon the to bring together the receive all the details about and representatives have general Kurdish position, Kurdish Syrian parties [in this position." been invited to attend this and so long as the Kurdish Turkey] to come to an summit have informed their parties have unanimously agreement on a unified pro¬ Contrary to the position of representatives that they agreed not to attend this ject with regards how to deal the majority of the Kurdish intend to boycott the summit, we will abide by with the current events [in political figures who unani¬ Antalya summit, saying that mat decision in order not to Syria]." Kado stressed that mously agreed on the boy¬ any such meeting held in cause division within the "we, the Kurds in Syria, do cott of the Antalya summit, Turkey can only be a detri¬ Kurdish ranks, especially not trust Turkey or its poli¬ as it is being held in Turkey, ment to the Kurds in Syria, during this sensitive time in cies, and that is why we have Hammo said that "as Kurds, because Turkey is against the history of our people." decided to boycott the sum¬ we should take advantage of the aspirations of the Kurds, mit." every opportunity to discuss not just with regards to nor¬ Yussef revealed that "some the future of our people and thern Kurdistan, but in all 4 Kurdish party leaders in Whilst Mustafa Ibrahim, a nation; I do not favor boy¬ parts of Kurdistan, inclu¬ Syria previously welcomed senior leader within the cotting a summit of this ding the Kurdish region of the holding of such a sum¬ Kurdish Democratic Party [political] weight, particu¬ Syria." mit, considering this to be of Syria, told Asharq Al- larly in light of the sensitive important; however they Awsat that his party's leader, and critical situation in Five prominent Kurdish backtracked from mis posi¬ Dr. Abdul Hakeem Bashar Syria today." Hammo said political parties in Syria tion and announced a boy¬ was invited to attend the that "boycotting this summit announced that they will not cott" adding that "this is Antalya summit, but that is a huge mistake" although take part in the Kurdish strange." Despite this, Yussef "he stressed that he will not he stressed that this was his Syrian opposition summit stressed that "we do not go against the strong deci¬ own personal opinion. due to be held in Antalya, want our people to take a sion taken by the Kurdish Hammo also revealed that they are; the Kurdish different position on this political forces in Syria, in he intends to attend this Democratic Party of Syria issue in order not any divi¬ order to preserve Kurdish summit in his own personal [KDP] that is led by Dr. sion of the Kurdish people" unity and discourse." capacity, not as a represen¬ Abdul Hakeem Bashar, the adding that "we will abide tative of the Kurdish Future Kurdish Leftist Party [in by the decision of the Kurdish Future Movement Movement, after being per¬ Syria], the Kurdish Azadi Kurdish parties and their representative Mohammed sonally invited to attend. Party, the Kurdish Future position on boycotting the Hammo told Asharq Al-

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

Hurriyet DailyNews^t Violent protest breaks out at PKK MAY 22, 2011 funeral in SE Turkey

ANKARA - Hurriyet Daily News members of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP; and thousands of supporters carrying Conflict broke out following the ten¬ pictures of jailed PKK leader sion-charged funeral of an alleged Abdullah Ocalan. terrorist attended by 30,000 people in the Hakkari independent deputy can¬ southeastern province of Hakkari on didate Esat Canan spoke after the Sunday. funeral, saying that attacks on the Protesters set up barricades and PKK were attacks on the country s started a fire after the funeral of Kurdish people. Ramazan Terziolu, an alleged mem¬ Twelve alleged PKK members ber of the outlawed Kurdistan were killed recently in the border Workers Party, or PKK, drawing a province of Alrnak s Uludere district police response of tear gas and pres¬ in two separate operations by surized water. Turkish security forces. Two explosions took place during The PKK is designated as a terro¬ the pro-PKK protest, but no one was rist organization by Turkey, the killed or injured. United States and the European The funeral was attended by the Union. mayors of Hakkari, Yuksekova, Semdinli, Cukurca and Esendere;

m Rudaw.Net 1 20MAY2011

Syrian Kurds Temporarily Choose Unity

.,«*% Rudaw document from 2006 shows that the ding to split from Syria and establish U.S. embassy in Damascus believed their own state.' Then the Arab tribes * By WLADEVHR VAN that the Kurds in Syria identify with will confront us." WILGENBURG Kurdish nationalism. afifti The Baath regime is already Now, quite unexpectedly, Syrian playing the Islamist card and threate¬

Kurds are waving Syrian flags and ning civil war, even though they never Syrian Kurdish leaders are afraid shouting slogans for unity, aiming to had any problems sending Jihadists to openly express Kurdish natio¬ show that they are not 'separatists'. from Syria to Iraq. nalist demands in their protests One Kurdish soldier, named Ahmad Prominent Turkish journalist and against the Assad regime, lest Assad Fener Mustafa, who, refusing to shoot former government advisor Cengiz use the 'separatist' argument demonstrators, was executed by his Candar - who has visited Syria with against them. superiors, was buried in the Kurdish Turkish government leaders - says the Kurds have been suppressed for city of Qamisli with a Syrian flag Syrian Kurds are indeed afraid the years in Syria. Following a policy of wrapped around his coffin. government could use 'the separatist' marginalization, the Syrian govern¬ When the Kurdish religious cleric argument against them and therefore ment took away the citizenship of Mohammed Mashouq al-Khaznawi take a unified position with other thousands of Kurds and followed was killed by the Syrian government in Syrian protestors. He also said that Arabization policies in Kurdish 2005, protests focused on Kurdish Turkey is not afraid of a possible break regions. As a result, the Kurdish nationalism, with Kurdish flags up of Syria, as much as it may worry regions are the poorest in Syria. Many waving. Khaznawi was buried with a about a flood of refugees and possible of the Kurds living there are farmers, Kurdish flag. But now there are few chaos like that of Iraq after the fall of and recent droughts have caused them Kurdish flags to be seen. the Baath regime. even more suffering. All ongoing Kurdish demonstra¬ It's therefore likely that the opting In 2004 Syrian Kurds revolted tions in Syria emphasize 'unity' with of the Syrian flag over the Kurdish flag against the Syrian government after a the Syrian people. Even a PKK by Syrian Kurdish parties and Syrian football match between an Arab and a demonstration was marked by Syrian Kurds is a temporary maneuver. They Kurdish team turned violent. But it flags. It seems that Kurdish parties probably still support Kurdish nationa¬ was heavily suppressed by the Syrian recognized that Assad could use list demands like autonomy, but are army, and many Kurds were taken to Kurdish demands against the opposi¬ waiting for the right opportunity to jail. tion and would turn it into an Arab ver¬ express these demands again, once it is In 2010 Kurdish parties demanded sus Kurdish issue. clear where the Syrian unrest is hea¬ autonomy, causing a rift between them ding. An anonymous Kurdish party lea¬ and the Arab opposition parties that der told Al Jazeera, "If we are seen to seek a solution within Syria, and think lead big demonstrations the regime that 'separatist demands' divide and will say: 'Look, the Kurds are deman weaken the opposition. A Wikileaks

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

rfi Crainte d'affrontements interethniques

20 MAI 2011 en Irak après les attentats de Kirkouk

Par RFI Avec notre correspondante à Bagdad, Fatma Kizilboga

Au lendemain des attentats san¬

glants qui ont frappé la ville ira¬ Trois bombes ont

kienne de Kirkouk, le débat sur la 8 explosé jeudi 19 mai sécurité du pays s'intensifie. Les près des bâtiments autorités de cette région riche en J» administratifs de pétrole alertent le gouvernement sur un risque d'embrasement après Kirkouk. (Reuters)

la fin du retrait américain prévu à

la fin de l'année.

Au lendemain du triple attentat qui a fait au moins 29 morts et 90 blessés jeudi 19 mai à Kirkouk, c'est la ques¬ tion des territoires disputés qui refait américains avait été mis en place a ainsi appelé tous les partis à régler surface. Située à 250 kilomètres au entre l'armée irakienne et les forces les différends afin de prouver leur

nord de Bagdad, la ville de Kirkouk de sécurité kurdes qui se partageaient volonté de cohabitation et leur capa¬ reste le véritable laboratoire de les tâches et la gestion de ces terres. cité à garantir l'avenir sécuritaire du l'Irak. Kurdes et Arabes se déchirent Mais à la veille du retrait programmé pays. Bagdad doit donc redoubler toujours l'héritage de ce territoire des Gl's, la fragilité de ces accords se d'efforts afin d'organiser dans les très convoité qui recèle dans son fait sentir. A Kirkouk, les responsables plus brefs délais un recensement sous-sol l'une des plus grandes réser¬ politiques et militaires irakiens font national qui permettrait de régler les ves de pétrole du pays. part de leurs inquiétudes. Tous crai¬ litiges. Mais là encore, il semble gnent de revoir basculer la région impossible de trouver un arrangement

Fragilité et inquiétudes dans des affrontements interethni¬ qui permette le bon déroulement de

ques. cette initiative.

Ces dernières années, un partenariat dirigé par les commandants militaires L'envoyé de l'ONU en Irak, Ad Merkel,

Irak: le parti de Barzani demande la fermeture d'un journal pour diffamation

ERBIL (Irak), 18 mai 2011 (AFP) Mera, s'est élevé contre ces poursuites qu'il a jugées illégales.

"Il s'agit d'un complot politique contre la presse libre et notre magazine en

UN DES PARTIS au pouvoir dans la région autonome irakienne du particulier", a-t-il dit, précisant que son magazine avait par le passé été la Kurdistan demande à la justice de prononcer la fermeture pure et sim¬ cible de plus d'une vingtaine de poursuites.

ple d'un magazine qui l'a accusé de projeter l'assassinat de trois chefs Il a affirmé que le PDK réclamait en outre un milliard de dinars (858.000 dol¬ de l'opposition locale, a-t-ii indiqué mercredi à l'AFP. lars) de dédommagements, ce que M. Ibrahim a démenti, affirmant laisser

Le Parti démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK) de Massoud Barzani, président "à la justice le soin de fixer cette somme".

de cette région du nord de l'Irak, a porté plainte mardi pour diffamation Dans un communiqué, l'organisation de défense de la liberté de la presse contre le magazine Lvin ("mouvement" en kurde), à la suite d'un article du Reporters sans frontières (RSF) a vu mercredi dans cette plainte "un dan¬ 1er mai, a précisé Jaafar Ibrahim, porte-parole du PDK. ger réel pour la survie du journal".

Dans son numéro 160, Lvin accusait le PDK et l'Union patriotique du Elle témoigne, poursuit RSF, d'une "campagne de répression lancée par les Kurdistan (UPK), le second grand parti de la région, de vouloir assassiner le autorités contre les journalistes et les médias qui couvrent le mouvement de chef du mouvement Goran, Nicherwan Moustafa, le secrétaire général de protestation populaire qui agite la région (...) depuis la mi-février", en réfé¬ l'Union islamique du Kurdistan, Salaheddine Bahaddine, et le chef du rence aux manifestations contre la corruption et l'hégémonie de l'UPK et du groupe islamique, Ali Babir. PDK sur les affaires de la région.

"Nous avons porté plainte pour diffamation contre le magazine Lvin et nous De nombreux médias du Kurdistan affirment de longue date être victimes avons demandé sa fermeture et des dédommagements au titre du préjudice d'intimidations récurrentes des autorités de la région autonome. moral", a déclaré M. Ibrahim. "Il n'est pas raisonnable d'atteindre ce niveau RSF s'était alarmée mi-décembre de l'inflation du nombre de poursuites d'attaques." judiciaires contre les médias kurdes. Mais en janvier, un haut dirigeant du Chef de l'UPK, le président irakien Jalal Talabani a également porté plainte PDK, Najirvan Barzani, avait annoncé "dans un geste de bonne volonté "la contre Lvin suite à l'article, sans toutefois demander la fermeture du titre, a levée de toutes les plaintes (...) contre les journaux et les écrivains", appe¬ indiqué à l'AFP Saadi Bira, membre du bureau politique de l'UPK. lant les journalistes à faire preuve d'un "plus grand esprit de responsabilité".

Contacté par téléphone par l'AFP, le rédacteur en chef de Lvin, Ahmed

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

ARMENIE Turquie:Le procès des massacres du Dersim [magazine

19 MAI 2011 n'aura pas lieu

SJ8X

EFO BOZKURT qui a perdu toute sa famille dans « les inci¬ .^&--~OV-v.".-,;. f^, :-" -.*? 'J.,î^,-.! dents en 1938 au Dersim » avait déposé plainte pour « crimes y-f contre l'humanité » l'année dernière mais sa plainte a été main¬ « * <*£ ' tenant écartée. Vïfeî Efo Bozkurt 86 ans a perdu ses deux parents et ses cinq frè¬ -"- s, .. ,.. res et soeurs en 1938 dans le village de Çaytasi dans le district K

Ojf S d'Hozat. 1 . *" ' *

La région du Dersim a été l'objet de violents massacres en 1938 qui ont touché des familles arméniennes convertis et resca¬ pés du génocide de 1915. La province s'appelle désormais

Tunceli. Quelques sources parlent de dizaines de milliers de -.;*-.' Kurdes Alévis, Zazas et Arméniens qui auraient été tués et de milliers qui ont été forcés à l'exil. -y \ ?"...- La plainte a été refusée le 18 février 2011. Le procureur en chef a déclaré que « le droit criminel Turc en effet au moment sacre du Dersim de 1938. Les criminels sont morts il y a long¬ des incidents qui sont prétendument arrivés au Dersim en 1938 temps, nous ne sommes pas après une punition. La question ne comprenait pas le « génocide et s crimes contre l'humanité » importante est de discuter de l'histoire ouvertement et claire¬ comme imputé par le plaignant ». ment. L'état doit faire des excuses officiellement » a affirmé

Il a été en outre dit dans la décision que les affaires présumés Aygiin. de meurtres devaient être évalués comme « homicides » et sont La décision de justice affirme que le crime de génocide n'a ainsi prescrits. pas été constitué et que la suppression du soulèvement a été limi¬ L'avocat du plaignant Hiiseyin Aygiin a annoncé qu'il allait tée aux insurgés. faire appel car la décision du procureur ne respecte pas les règle¬ En résumé, la décision dit, « les actions des rebelles armés ments. L'article 90 de la Constitution est basé sur la loi interna¬ sont venues à une étape où ils ont perturbé la souveraineté natio¬ tionale. La base est la décision des Nations unies qui indique « la nale de notre pays et l'utilisation normale de la force a été ren¬ prescription ne s'applique pas aux crimes contre l'humanité ». due insuffisante. Cependant, c'est un fait historique que l'inci¬ L'avocat Aygiin indique qu'il ira si nécessaire devant la Cour dent a été limité aux insurgés ». européenne des Droits de l'Homme mais a souligné que le sujet « Pour constituer le crime de génocide, les actions doivent doit en particulier être discuté en Turquie. être exécutées selon un plan et d'une façon systématique ». « Le CHP [parti du Peuple Républicain] et l'AKP court l'un Stéphane @ armenews.com contre l'autre pour dire que « ce qui est arrivé dans le Dersim était un massacre ». Nous demandons une loi spéciale sur le mas-

MU »-»"

Liban:Les réfugiés kurdes Hezbollah. Il se déplace peu. Mais hier, il est venu à la réunion de Sin el-Fïl, juste pour montrer que « les « ont peur du Hezbollah » Syriens sont courageux et que les Kurdes s'étaient déjà révoltés contre régulièrement sur le site Internet et Bachar el-Assad en 2004 », indique- Bis brandissent des écriteaux en la page Facebook des « jeunes t-il. langues kurde et arabe appe¬ Kurdes pour la révolution syrienne Il donne la parole à son ami lant le président syrien ». Pour cela il utilisait une ligne télé¬ Raman, 21 ans. Ce dernier a été Bachar el-Assad à quitter le phonique turque, Kamichli se trou¬ arrêté et relâché par les autorités pouvoir. Autour du cou, ils portent vant à la frontière de la Turquie. syriennes, il y a tout juste deux en médaille la carte du Kurdistan, Serbaz a 25 ans. Il a quitté sa semaines ; parce qu'il avait participé un État qui n'a jamais existé dans femme et sa famille pour sauver sa aux manifestations. « J'ai passé 24 l'histoire moderne. peau. Les autorités ont appris qu'il heures en prison. Ils m'ont obligé à Ils sont Kurdes-Syriens et ils aidait la révolution sur Internet. Il signer des papiers où je m'engageais vivaient jusqu'à il y a une dizaine de est entré au Liban à l'insu des gar¬ à ne plus participer à des rassemble¬ jours dans la province de Kamichli. des-frontières syriens. Il était avec ments et des réunions politiques », Mais ils ont été obligés de fuir leur une dizaine de ses camarades. « raconte-t-il. pays pour le Liban afin d'éviter Nous avons dormi deux nuits dans Le scénario rappelle étrange¬ d'être massacrés, emprisonnés et unjardin public. Puis nous avons été ment celui des services de sécurité torturés. hébergés par des Kurdes au Liban libanais qui arrêtaient, avant février Serbaz montre les images qu'il a », dit-il. 2005, les militants qui luttaient prises sur son portable, celles de Serbaz, comme ses camarades, a contre l'occupation syrienne de leur manifestations et de soldats qui peur des services de renseignements pays. encerclent les quartiers. Il les postait syriens au Liban, ou encore du PatJK.

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

Observateur 22 mai 2011

Irak: un haut responsable kurde préconise le maintien des Américains

Jabbar Yawar, haut (AFP) par Safin Hamed

responsable kurde,

ERBIL Un haut responsable kurde se prononce pour le s'est prononcé dimanche pour le maintien des forces maintien des forces américaines en Irak au delà de la date prévue pour américaines en

leur retrait à la fin de l'année, jugeant Irak, le 22 mai 2011 que leur aide était toujours néces¬ à Abril. (AFP, Safin saire, notamment dans les zones dis¬ putées entre Arabes et Kurdes. Hame

"Nous pensons que l'Irak a toujours besoin des forces américaines dans le secteur militaire, pour la sécurité et l'arabisation au début des années tenue d'une réunion entre tous les pour des raisons politiques", a 1990 de ces territoires par le président mouvements politiques du pays pour déclaré le secrétaire général du minis¬ déchu Saddam Hussein, qui a forcé trancher la question sensible d'un tère des Peshmergas (combattants 120.000 Kurdes à fuir vers le nord, éventuel maintien de l'armée améri¬ kurdes) de la région autonome du selon Human Rights Watch. caine, toujours perçue par certains Kurdistan, Jabbar Yawar. comme une force d'occupation. Les peshmergas ont profité de l'inva¬ "Si le gouvernement de Bagdad et le sion américaine de 2003 pour pro¬ Le chef radical chiite Moqtada Sadr a Parlement irakien veulent retarder gresser vers le Sud et l'Ouest, reven¬ récemment menacé de réactiver sa (ce retrait), nous sommes d'accord", a- diquant le caractère kurde de plu¬ milice si les forces américaines ne t-il ajouté lors d'une conférence de sieurs zones en dehors de leur région. partaient pas à la date convenue. presse à Erbil, capitale de la région.

L'armée américaine compte encore Le général Babaker Zebari, chef de "Il y a toujours des problèmes non 45.000 hommes en Irak, dont 1.200 l'état-major irakien, avait jugé l'été réglés comme la question des territoi¬ qui participent toujours à la Force dernier le retrait américain préma¬ res disputés", a-t-il poursuivi en réfé¬ combinée de sécurité (FCS), un dispo¬ turé, affirmant que son armée ne rence aux zones à la lisière du sitif tripartite mis en place sur les ter¬ serait pas prête à remplir complète¬ Kurdistan, où la dispute entre le gou¬ ritoires disputés et incluant des trou¬ ment sa mission avant 2020. vernement irakien et les autorités pes kurdes et arabes. kurdes complique la lutte contre les

groupes armés. Le Premier ministre irakien Nouri al- Maliki a prôné la semaine dernière la Cette dispute trouve son origine dans

^mai^n^ Violences en Irak: sept morts à Kirkouk

Sept Irakiens ont été tués frères kurdes âgés de 23 et 21 générateurs communs. selon la même source. Jeudi, samedi dans des violences ans, Salim et Samah Dans le sud de la ville, un une série d'attentats contre la

dans la province multiethnique Abdelwahab, dans leur maison, ouvrier et sa fille de trois ans police avait fait 29 morts et 90

de Kirkouk, à 240 km au nord de selon le lieutenant de police ont été tués par des hommes blessés à Kirkouk, les violences

Bagdad, deux jours après une Laith Mahmoud. "La police a armés alors qu'ils quittaient les plus meurtrières en Irak série d'attentats sanglants contre trouvé leurs corps couverts de l'usine où travaillait le père, a depuis près de deux mois.

la police, selon des sources poli¬ sang à l'intérieur de la maison". déclaré un responsable de la Ces attaques interviennent

cières. Salim Abdelwahab était sécurité. au moment où l'armée améri¬ Un huitième Irakien a été policier et son frère travaillait Dans la localité d'Al- caine, qui participe à une force

abattu dans la ville de Mossoul, dans la réparation automobile. Rachad, dans le sud de la pro¬ tripartite censée contenir les

à 350 km au nord de Bagdad, Dans l'est de la ville, des vince de Kirkouk, une bombe tensions entre Arabes et Kurdes

par des hommes armés en voi¬ insurgés ont abattu un homme visant une patrouille de l'armée dans la province riche en

ture, selon un responsable de la handicapé qui était responsable a tué deux soldats et en a blessé pétrole, a commencé à se retirer

sécurité qui n'était pas en de l'exploitation d'un généra¬ deux autres, selon un autre res¬ de certains secteurs de cette mesure de préciser les motifs de teur électrique du quartier, ponsable de la police, Sarhad zone en prévision de son départ

cette fusillade. selon M. Mahmoud. L'Irak Qader. définitif du pays à la fin de l'an-

Dans la ville de Kirkouk, souffre de coupures de courant Et à Al-Riyadh (est), une née.(AFP) des hommes armés ont tué deux chroniques, les quartiers s'asso¬ bombe contre une patrouille de

cient donc pour se munir de police a blessé deux civils,

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

Hurriyet May 23,2011 DailyNews.

minister does not prove this, I will Top Turkish parties trade declare him a slanderer, and file a lawsuit if necessary, Bedirhanolu said Monday.

places on Kurdish question Erdogan also questioned the Hakkari Municipality in his comments Monday, asking what had happened to the 13 bil¬ lion Turkish Liras sent to Hakkari and criticizing the municipality for not opera¬ ting well.

Warm messages from the CHP

Kilicdaroglu received a good welcome in both Van and Hakkari, where he gave three important messages to Kurdish voters. In Hakkari, he said his party would boost rights for local governance through embracing the Council of Europe s charter. We will accept the local self-government charter. Thus we will help them [local governments] to streng¬ then, to have a good budget and stop them asking for more money from Ankara, he said.

Far bigger crowds turned out to see CHP chief Kilicdaroglu s rallies in Van and His second message was a pledge to Hakkari (L) on Monday than they had two days earlier when Prime Minister reduce the 10 percent election threshold Erdogan visited the same cities. for parliamentary representation, while his third promise was to establish a fact¬ chief Kemal Kilicdaroglu s rallies in Van finding commission to investigate the ANKARA - Hurriyet Daily News and Hakkari on Monday than they had unresolved murders in the region. two days earlier when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the same Far bigger crowds turned out to see CHP Kilicdaroglu also touched on an ongoing cities. Only around 1,000 people came to chief Kilicdaroglu s rallies in Van and case in which dozens of elected mayors listen to Erdogan in Hakkari on Hakkari (L) on Monday than they had two have been arrested. Criticizing the Saturday while shopkeepers closed their days earlier when Prime Minister Erdogan government s conduct in the case, he doors and some groups protested the visited the same cities. said: You will put all of them in jail. This prime minister s visit. means limiting the people s will and not

With less than three weeks to go until respecting it. Erdogan claimed Monday that the general elections, Turkey s ruling and Hakkari shopkeepers were forced to main opposition parties seem to have tra¬ Slamming Erdogan s critical statements close up their shops in an act of protest, ded places on the Kurdish issue. As the about the closure of shops during his implying that the pro-Kurdish Peace and social democrats break the ice with the rally Saturday, Kilicdaroglu said: Instead Democracy Party, or BDP, was behind the country s Kurds, the governing party of criticizing the mayor, you should bet¬ action. appears increasingly cool toward them. ter deal with the problems of these shop¬ keepers if you are the prime minister. This is not about shopkeepers closing up The change in the positions of the ruling shop; it is about them being forced to Justice and Development Party, or AKP, Bahçeli critical of the developments close up shop, the prime minister said, and the main opposition Republican speaking at a meeting with businessmen People s Party, or CHP, was clear during The head of Turkey s nationalist opposi¬ in Ankara. How can they [the BDP] talk the election rallies their leaders held over tion party meanwhile criticized the about peace and democracy, but prevent the weekend in Southeast Anatolia, government for not doing enough to stop people from earning a living? where the majority of the population is of violent protests in the Southeast and in Kurdish descent. Istanbul. He said the protest was being enforced to create fear, and that the region did not In previous elections, the AKP won the The state is not doing enough, really support the protest. sympathy and votes of many Kurds by Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, launching an initiative to solve the longs¬ leader Devlet Bahçeli said in the central We need to stand strong together in our tanding Kurdish question. But in a move province of Afyonkarahisar on Monday. resistance, because cowards die many to attract the votes of nationalists, the The prime minister is now saying that times before their deaths, and we must party has shifted ahead of the June 12 stores in Hakkari were forced to close. thus get results together, Erdogan said. polls, with the prime minister saying He s cooperating with the PKK [outla¬ there is no Kurdish issue but problems of wed Kurdistan Workers Party], but is The prime minister also criticized Kurdish people. blaming their terrorists. Hakkari Mayor Fadil Bedirhanoglu for allegedly urging locals to shutters their The CHP, shunned by nearly all Kurds Even though the district governor and shops in protest, even fining those who over the last decade because of its poli¬ the mayor all assured Erdogan's safety, did not. In response, Bedirhanoglu called cies of denying their concerns, has the BDP and the PKK were able to exer¬ on Erdogan to prove his slanderous meanwhile enjoyed a boost from its new cise much power over Hakkari, the MHP claims or be faced with a lawsuit. leader s bolder rhetoric on the issue. chief claimed. Such a scandal has not happened anywhere else, Bahçeli said. Far bigger crowds turned out to see CHP These claims are a huge lie. If the prime

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

mmiMM 24 MAY 2011 Kurdish candidate: Ôcalan will soon be Kurdish children's teacher

TODAY S ZAMAN. are willing to live together. If they do not, we are ready to do this on

Leyla Zana, an independent our own. Ôcalan will be among his deputy candidate backed by the people [the Kurds] one day and pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy serve as their teacher. I believe Party (BDP), said on Tuesday that jai¬ these days are close. This govern¬ led Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) ment will either extend a hand of leader Abdullah Ôcalan will soon be peace to Ôcalan or we as the together with the Kurdish people Kurdish people will reject every¬ and teach their children. thing of this system," she said. Zana's remarks came during a Stating that the Kurds have suf¬ Security Court (DGM) of links to the visit to a village located in the dis¬ fered a lot in the past, Zana called PKK, which is considered a terrorist trict of Hazro in the predominantly on the villagers to cast a vote "for group by Turkey, the US and the EU. Kurdish province of Diyarbakir. Kurdistan, for peace and for gueril¬ She was sentenced to 15 years in "This process [the BDP's strug¬ las." prison on charges of leading a terro¬ gle] aims to allow us to elect our Zana, a former deputy elected rist organization. Zana served 10 own district governor and governor. from the now-defunct Democracy years and was released in 2004 after This process aims to see our leader Party (DEP), gained prominence in an appeals court overturned her [Ôcalan] among us. It aims to see 1991 for taking part of her oath of conviction. our guerillas [members of the PKK] office in Parliament in Kurdish, a

among us. We want to have a share language not recognized as an offi¬ in the administration of the country. cial language in Turkey. She was If they [the state] accept this, we convicted in 1994 by the State

^Gulf Kurds mount calls for autonomy in Turkey Today

May 25, 2011 closed in the city of Sirnak and the town of Cizre on Tuesday, & NTV and CNN-Turk televisions Associated Press . i showed.

ANKARA: Turkey's prime minis¬ The killings sparked violent pro¬

ter headed to the country's trou¬ tests and led Kurdish politicians

bled southeast on Tuesday as to warn of heightened conflict. .3" Kurdish politicians increased their Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned calls for autonomy ahead of par¬ leader of the Kurdish rebel group liamentary elections next month. has warned his forces will Hundreds of policemen were put unleash a "big war" after national on alert in the cities of Batman elections if Turkey refuses to and Sirnak before the arrival of negotiate to end the decades-old Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend conflict by June 15. his party's rallies in the run-up to

June 12 elections. Aysel Tugluk, a former Kurdish lawmaker, issued a similar ulti¬ Erdogan's helicopter was flanked nomy as a threat to state unity. education in Kurdish language matum to the government on by army attack helicopters, an and accused Kurdish politicians Tuesday, though the rebels are a Turkish leaders have confirmed apparent precaution against of provoking tensions in the much-diminished force in military communication between some Kurdish rebels who have been country's largely Kurdish sou¬ terms since the height of their state officials and Ocalan to seek fighting for autonomy in the theast. power in the 1990s. a solution to end the fight by region. autonomy-seeking Kurdish Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Tugluk, speaking in an interview Tensions are running high in the rebels. Cicek on Tuesday criticised with HaberTurk television, said region more than a week after opposition leader Kemal the government should not But they refuse formal negotia¬ the killing of 12 Kurdish rebels by Kilicdaroglu, head of the ignore Ocalan's call for auto¬ tions with the rebels, who are Turkish troops as they attempted Republican People's Party, for nomy for the Kurdish minority in branded terrorists by Turkey and to cross into Turkey from nor¬ promising his party would grant the southeast. the West. thern Iraq. autonomy to local Kurdish admi¬

Turkey has granted more cultural Erdogan has rejected calls for nistrations if it comes to power. In a protest against Erdogan, rights to Kurds, but views auto- autonomy as well as allowing most shops kept their shutters

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

Rudaw.Net 23 MAY20U Gary Kent: It is Unfair to Compare Kurdistan to Egypt and Tunisia.

By HAWAR ABDUL RAZZAQ have no answer to all the problems, but they will stay supportive and willing to

offer their guidance. Gary Kent is Director of Labor "We don't have all the answers but Friends of Iraq. He has visited the we stand ready to talk with anyone," he country five times in the last three said. "We have met Gorran members years and is an honorary member of and we stand ready to talk to them and the Iraqi Trade Union Movement. Kent other opposition parties about how has been a member of the British oppositions work in the UK. It is up to Labor Party since 1976 and has wor¬ them what lessons they draw from this. ked in Parliament since 1987. He is the We have already given seminars in the administrator of the All-Party Gary Kent. Photo Rudaw. Kurdistan Parliament on how our Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Parliament works and hope to do so Kurdistan Region of Iraq. again." From working closely with the power. He believes that these parties

Kurdish parliament, Kent believes mat should know their responsibilities. For Many in Kurdistan, including there is democracy in Iraqi Kurdistan, instance, the opposition needs to work Kurdish leaders believe that the even though it is still a fledgling demo¬ on its approach on how to hold the Kurdistan region is heading towards an cracy and has a long way to go. In his government to account and how to pro¬ open society with more freedoms and words it has to do with the "free and pose alternative programs. democracy. Qubad Talabani, the fair" elections of the summer of 2009. "As there has been no experience Kurdistan Regional Government's representative to the United States wri¬ "Democracy in Iraqi Kurdistan is of an opposition before in the interests tes on his blog, "one thing is very only 20 years old and still has a long of democracy, all parties need to work clear: the Kurdistan Region is thriving. way to go. The good thing is that, on putting in place parliamentary We have a burgeoning secular, civil according to international observers, mechanisms that recognize the impor¬ society, with an emerging democracy. the elections for the Parliament and for tant role of the opposition and give So while we still have much work to the President were free and fair." said space to them to hold the government do, and more progress to make..." Kent in an interview with Rudaw. to account. At the same time the oppo¬ sition has to recognize the legitimacy As an observer Gary Kent agrees The rise of opposition groups in of an elected government to pursue that the Kurdistan region is moving on Kurdistan is something Kent counts as their political program." said Kent. from the domination of two parties an important step towards a real demo¬ Bringing about democracy is not an whose history was filled with challen¬ cracy. easy task. It is a long process that ges of civil war and foreign threats. "The emergence of a formal oppo¬ needs commitment and work by eve¬ "My own view is that Iraqi sition is a good thing historically." he ryone, particularly those elected by the Kurdistan is in transition from politics said. "A vibrant democracy also requi¬ people to run the country. In the case of dominated by two parties which faced res institutions of liberty - for instance, Kurdistan, Kent says that it is the work severe external threats and their own separation of powers between the exe¬ of die people themselves, but Kurdish civil war as well as a command style cutive and legislature and judiciary, leaders can learn from other examples economy in which the private sector is accountability, an inquiring, indepen¬ of democracy in the world. too weak." said Kent. "Political parties dent and responsible media, property drew on Soviet models which don't suit rights and a web of independent insti¬ "This process is the work of Kurds an open economy and a vibrant demo¬ tutions." themselves but politicians and others can learn from the experiences of cracy." Kent's view on the arrival of oppo¬ countries such as the UK," said Kent. Kurdistan's Parliament has agreed sition parties on the Kurdish political "The APPG takes no position on to let the independent Westminster stage resonates well with what domestic politics - that is a choice for Foundation for Democracy work with Kurdistan Prime Minister Barham Kurds - but we are happy to talk with Kurdish parliamentarians. Kent appre¬ Salih said after his cabinet received a everyone who thinks that they can pick ciates this cooperation from the vote of confidence in Parliament last up lessons, negative and positive, from Kurdish authorities and he hopes that month. the UK's parliamentary and political the APPG can meet members of all "The July 25, 2009 parliamentary traditions." parties to ascertain how they have been elections and the emergence of opposi¬ Kent's team has already met with working and how British and other tion was a turning point, which enabled members of the opposition in parliamentarians and politicians can us all to serve the people of Kurdistan Kurdistan and has given seminars to share their experience. and to identify the shortcomings." said members of the Kurdish Parliament on Only recently a wave of protests PM Salih. how those two important institutions ended in the city of Sulaimani that las¬ However, Kent says that political work in a country like the United ted two months. More than ten people parties in Kurdistan are in a situation Kingdom. were killed in the unrest and hundreds where every party wants to be in Kent admits that he and his team injured. The deployment of armed for-

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

ces finally brought the demonstrations elections and possibly a parliamentary they had been inspired by the uprisings to an abrupt end and there is now talk election is probably the best way for¬ of the Arab world, but Gary Kent said of dialogue between opposition groups ward and that allows the people of that it is not fair to compare Kurdistan

and the authorities. Kurdistan as a whole to pass judgment to Egypt or Tunisia. He said that on their rulers." Kurdistan has had a tragic history As someone concerned with hel¬ under Saddam Hussein who killed ping Kurdistan to learn from other It is common in Kurdistan to hear hundreds of thousands of people and experiences of democracy and civil government officials warning of destroyed thousands of villages. society, Kent says that peaceful talks threats to the region's security espe¬ Despite all that, he said, there is a fled¬ are die way forward and he hopes that cially in times of crisis. At the same gling democracy in Kurdistan some¬ his team can work with the Kurdish time the opposition is never far behind thing that was missing in Egypt. parties on this issue. to dismiss it all as an excuse to silence

"The call for calm and dialogue is dissent. "They [outsiders] can also note, compared to die rest of Iraq, a major best but APPG members wish to talk in For his part, Gary Kent is cautious increase in living standards, more elec¬ more detail about how different parties about the idea of foreigners telling tricity and visible economic growth." and others see the current situation." he others what to do. So his opinion about said Kent. "Relations with Baghdad said. "The reports in Rudaw concer¬ Kurdistan's situation leans equally and Turkey have improved considera¬ ning the way in which discontent is towards the authorities' concern for bly too. But Iraqi Kurds don't live being policed do not make happy rea¬ security and people's demand for elsewhere and most don't remember ding and we will try to talk with those reform. the great battles of the past because taking part in demonstrations and with "It's fair to say that crisis presents they are under 25. They cannot live the authorities who should protect their opportunity too and it is obvious that today on such comparisons and rightly rights as well as that of other citizens." leading Kurdish politicians are seeking demand progress." Kent says that the force used to to take the bull by die horns and make In the end Gary Kent said tiiat his curb the protests were disproportionate positive changes while seeking to pro¬ group has noted the "exemplary" treat¬ to the scale of protests, and altiiough he tect their security against efforts by Al ment that Christians who have fled the admits that it may happen in other Qaeda and others to destroy a growing rest of Iraq receive in the Kurdistan countries too, in the UK for instance, pluralist and peaceful Muslim demo¬ region. He said tiiat this treatment des¬ he suggests that Kurdish security for¬ cracy," he said. "Reform bumps up erves support and that his group will ces should try to see how other coun¬ against vested interests. There will be a work to build further links between tries deal with demonstrators. struggle within the ruling parties and Kurdistan and the United Kingdom. wider society to squeeze out the rot and "It seems to me that the balance is it won't be easy but it has to be done, in "We will do our best to build links not right. We certainly don't always get my humble opinion." between the peoples of Iraqi Kurdistan this balance right in the UK but per¬ and the UK for the mutual benefit of haps one lesson is tiiat die Kurdish Even though the unrest in all." he said. "Friends need to be can¬ security forces have to look very care¬ Kurdistan was mainly confined to the did with each other and we should fully at how other countries do this." province of Sulaimani and Kurdistan's highlight the successes of the region as he said. "There is clearly also a pro¬ other provinces, Erbil and Duhok esca¬ well as those areas where change is blem for historical reasons with the ped the wave of demonstrations, there necessary." wide availability of guns." was concern among Kurdish officials and business people about the impact From the start of protests in the protests may have on the economy Sulaimani, one of the demands of the and foreign investment. opposition was early elections to be

held in the Kurdistan region. At first Gary Kent deplores the tragic inci¬

the two ruling parties who hold the dents that occurred during the demons¬ majority of seats in Parliament frow¬ trations, but regarding the image of

ned upon this demand, but soon they Kurdistan abroad he doesn't think it expressed willingness to meet this was affected by the unrest.

demand and the president of the "The events are tragic but need not Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani threaten the viability of the Kurdistan

offered fresh elections as an option. Region." he said. "Many people in "We have put before the opposition business and government who know three options," said Barzani last that the region has been appallingly

month. "Either participate in reform, oppressed and isolated know that the

get involved in a broad-based govern¬ economy cannot grow and social jus¬ ment or lets hold fresh elections so the tice flow to ordinary people unless

people can determine for themselves." foreign capital participates in unlocking the natural wealdi of the Elections where people will get a region. Such companies will be reluc¬ chance to choose their leaders, is in tant to invest if they see too much Kent's view a solution for the current instability and risk. Frankly, die trou¬ stalemate in Kurdistan. bles don't represent such a tiireat." "The decision to go for provincial Some Kurdish protestors said that

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

**+. a ^INTERNATIONAL^ * ïfimdfrdiite Snfaine may 24, 2011

\ Syria cracks clown on Internet battlefront

has killed more than 700 people and has he punched me in the face, that he knew Facebook and YouTube, led to mass arrests. The Syrian Revolu¬ I had one because they were watching my 'bad comments' on it," he said. "I the dissidents' tools, are tion 2011 Facebook page, which now has more than 180,000 members, has been a knew then that they were monitoring being used against them vital source of information for dissidents. me." "The only way we get information is The man, who asked that his name not through the citizen journalists," said be used because he feared that talking BY JENNIFER PRESTON . Ammar Abudlhamid, a Syrian activist openly could cost him his life, gave up

The Syrian government is cracking based in Maryland who was one of sever¬ his password and spent two weeks in down on protesters' use of social media al Syrian exiles to help organize delivery jail. After he was released, he said that and the Internet to promote their rebel¬ of satellite phones, cameras and laptops he found pro-regime comments made in lion three months after allowing citizens into the country earlier this year. "With¬ his name on his Facebook account to have open access to Facebook and out them, we would not know anything." "I immediately created a new ac¬ YouTube, according to Syrian activists While Facebook has proved to be a count with a fake name, and so did most and experts on digital privacy. powerful platform for activists to help of my friends," he said. Security officials are demanding that mobilize protests and broadcast their To help counter the protesters' suc¬ dissidents turn over their Facebook struggle in Tunisia, Egypt and now in cessful online narrative, government passwords and are switching off the 3G Syria, it can also pose risks to dissi¬ supporters in Syria have created Face- mobile network at times, sharply limit¬ dents. There are about 580,000 Face- book pages, Twitter accounts and You¬ ing the ability of dissidents to upload book users in Syria, a 105 percent in¬ Tube channels to disseminate pro-re¬ videos of protests to YouTube, accord¬ crease since the government lifted its gime messages on pages in Syria and ing to several activists in Syria. Sup¬ around the world, including pages run porters of President Bashar "al-Assad, "He knew I had one because by the White House and Oprah Winfrey, calling themselves the Syrian Electron¬ the talk show host. they were watching my 'bad ic Army, are using the same tools to try The Syrian Electronic Army group is comments' on it. I knew then to discredit dissidents. also working to disrupt dissident efforts. In contrast to the Egyptian govern¬ that they were monitoring me." Its Facebook page, with 60,000 members, ment under Hosni Mubarak, which tried was shut down by Facebook itself this to quash dissent by shutting down the month for outlining detailed instructions entire Internet in Egypt, the Syrian gov¬ four-year ban on Feb. 9, according to on how to attack opponents online, a vio¬ ernment is taking a more strategic ap¬ Fadi Salem, director of the Governance lation of Facebook's terms of service. proach, turning off electricity and tele¬ and Innovation Program at the Dubai For now, activists in Syria say they phone service in neighborhoods with School of Government. will not know whether using Facebook the most-unrest, activists say. Though Syrian officials sought to por¬ has helped or hurt them until the revolt "They are using these tactics to cut tray the decision as a sign of openness, comes to an end. off communication for the people," said human rights advocates warned that "Using it for activism is a risky gam¬ Radwan Ziadeh, director of the Damas¬ the government could use Facebook to bit," said Peter Eckersley, a staff tech¬ cus Center for Human Rights Studies. closely monitor criticism of the regime nologist at the Electronic Frontier He said the Facebook pages of at least and ferret out dissidents as nearby Foundation, a digital privacy group that two friends had been hacked recently countries erupted in revolt. was looking into reports of an anony¬

and now featured pro-government mes¬ A man in his 20s living in Syria said mous effort to hack into people's Face-

sages. that the police demanded his Facebook book accounts in Syria. "It may be effec¬ With foreign journalists barred from password late last month after arresting tive if the regime that you are Syria, dissidents have been working with him where he worked and taking his campaigning against is insufficiently exiles and using Facebook, YouTube and laptop. ruthless or powerful. If you win quickly, Twitter to draw global attention to the "I told him, at first, I didn't have a Facebook is the right tool to use. If not, it military crackdown on protesters that Facebook account, but he told me, after becomes much more dangerous."

JtatâSS&ilraiit MAY24'2011

made inevitable by the continued vio¬ BY STEPHEN CASTLE Europe joins lence in Syria, More than 700 people Five days after the United States im¬ have been killed in more than two posed sanctions on Syria's president, months of protests, according to activ¬ U.S. and puts Bashar al-Assad, the European Union ists. followed suit on Monday, overcoming Catherine Ashton, the E.U. foreign internal divisions on whether to target policy chief, said the message to the Syr¬ sanctions on him over the deadly crackdown against ian government was "to stop the vio¬ protesters in his country. lence and respect human rights." She Earlier this month, the European Un¬ added that 10 other Syrian names had Syrian leader ion announced a weapons embargo been added to the sanctions list, though against Syria and visa bans and asset they have not been publicly identified. freezes on 13 senior Syrian officiais but Ms. Ashton did not call directly on Mr. BRUSSELS left Mr. Assad's name off the list. Cyprus Assad to resign. "It is for the people to led calls within the European Union at decide the future and the government," Foreign ministers set the time to keep lines of communication she said. open to the leadership in Damascus and In a statement, the European foreign differences aside and not to isolate its president. ministers said they were "determined respond to crackdown European ministers said, however, to take further measures without delay that the escalation of pressure was should the Syrian leadership choose not

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

to change its current path." the uncompromising stance of the Syri¬ program. The government in Tehran

: Though the practical impact on Mr. an government. says it needs nuclear power to meet a Assad may be limited, the step is an im¬ "If someone represses his own people growing domestic demand for energy. portant symbolic one, increasing his in¬ like that, responds to peaceful demon¬ Talks with Iran on suspending the nu¬ ternational isolation. strations with force, this can't be left un¬ clear program, which were led by Ms. Washington imposed sanctions on answered by the European Union," he Ashton, have failed to produce a break¬

Mr. Assad and six top aides last week, said. through. The last meeting was held in freezing any assets held within U.S. ju¬ In a separate move, the E.U. foreign Istanbul in January and failed to yield risdiction. ministers .. also expanded sanctions any progress. Germany's foreign minister, Guido against Iran by singling out more than Meanwhile the E.U. ministers also Westerwelle, argued that the European 100 companies or entities linked to the added 13 more officials from Belarus to Union was left with little alternative by country's nuclear program. Several their sanctions list in protest of the more Iranian officials were added to the crackdown on opposition parties there, The European Union's visa ban and asset freeze list, though which included the recent jailing of An¬ drei Sannikov, an important opposition ministers are"determined to names were not released on Monday. The expansion of sanctions is the figure. take further measures without latest step to try to increase pressure on Mr. Sannikov was sentenced on May delay" if necessary. Iran, which is suspected of trying to de¬ 14 to five years in prison for organizing velop atomic weapons Under the coyer mass disturbances. of its declared civilian nuclear energy

SAMEDI 21 ET DIMANCHE 22 MAI 2011

[nr.,_va répression, toujours |;4: aussi sauvage et san- En Syrie, rien n'arrête ' J iglante, ne fonctionne

ipas : des milliers de manifes¬ tants ont à nouveau défié ! vendredi le régime syrien en. les manifestants 1 défilant dans plusieurs villes du pays. Comme à l'accou¬ tumée, l'armée et ses sup¬ i rébellion Au moins 34 personnes sont mortes dans7 plétifs civils, les chahiba, ont

tiré sur la foule, tuant au les défilés qui ont gagné Alep et la banlieue de Damas.

moins 34 personnes, selon

des militants des droits de

l'homme.

A l'appel de l'opposition

pour un «Vendredi de la li¬

berté» et de l'unité natio¬ nale, les contestataires ont défilé, en particulier à Homs (centre), Deraa (sud), Bardas

 Batiks, des hommes ont défilé torsenu pour montrer qu'ils n'étaient pas armés, contrairement aux accusations du régime. ; Extrait d'une vidéo postée vendredi sur YouTube montrant des manifestants à Banias.

A Banias, les manifestants Mohammed al- le président syrien à diriger (nord-ouest) et Qamichli portaient des branches d'oli¬ Abdallah, ancien la transition ou à se retirer du (nord). Les manifestations vier et des hommes ont dé¬ attaché militaire à pouvoir. Ce durcissement ont touché Alep, la filé torse nu pour montrer Paris, a par inattendu semble prendre en deuxième ville du pays, jus¬ qu'ils n'étaient pas armés, ailleurs été tué, compte le récent regain de qu'alors plutôt épargnée par contrairement aux accusa¬ avec ses quatre tension, dimanche, sur le les événements, et même des tions du régime qui, depuis gardes, près de la plateau du Golan, resté banlieues prés de Damas, Si le début du soulèvement, at¬ frontière sy¬ la protestation devait gagner calme pendant des décen¬ tribue les troubles à «des rienne, sans que l'on sache durablement ces deux villes, nies, et sur la frontière israé¬ gangs criminels armés» ou à dans quelles circonstances. ce serait un grave revers lo-libanaise, que les obser¬ des «groupes terroristes». Le Une telle attaque semble in¬ pour le régime syrien. vateurs imputent à Damas. bilan le plus lourd a été enre¬ diquer une radicalisation Comme mot d'ordre, les op¬ Pour une bonne raison : dé¬ gistré à Homs, assiégé depuis d'une partie de l'opposition. posants avaient choisi Aza- tourner l'attention de la ré¬ près de deux semaines par Jeudi, le président Obama deh, le mot kurde (en fait volte en cours. Celle-ci a déjà l'armée, où onze personnes avait haussé le ton, au lende¬ persan) pour «liberté», une provoqué la mort de près ont été tuées, dont un enfant main de l'annonce de sanc¬ façon de répondre au régime d'un millier de personnes de 10 ans et un adolescent tions américaines contre le qui cherche à attiser les dis¬ et 8 000 arrestations. de 16 ans. Le principal res¬ régime, visant, pour la pre¬ sensions ethniques et reli¬ JEAN-PIERRE PERREV ' ponsable de la répression mière fois, Bachar al-Assad gieuses. dans cette ville, le colonel en personne. Il a ainsi appelé

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

IQ Rudaw.NeT 25 MAY 2011

10 percent of their funds should have Kurdish Government's Budget been provided, he said.

In another case, only four billion

Draft Slammed by MPs Iraqi dinars were set aside for the buil¬

ding of an airport in the city of Dohuk,

while the project requires 144 billion.

Kurdish Ashti Aziz, from die Gorran bloc,

security said that unfinished projects hinder the

officers. building of new projects. She added

Photo that many of these projects are not stra¬ tegic projects tiiat would significantiy Rudaw. contribute to the rebuilding of

Kurdistan's infrastructure.

Aziz said while, in Dohuk pro¬

vince, there is a high demand for a can¬

cer hospital, the authorities have pro¬

posed building a tunnel ~ with a bud¬

budget?" asked the lawmaker. get of 30 billion is not as

By HEMIN BABAN RAfflM Meanwhile, parliament's health urgent and necessary at this point.

and environment committee has critici¬ A major cause of concern among zed the low amount of funding dedica¬ MPs is the fate of the funds for 2010 ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan - A ted to the health sector. projects that were not fully spent. Rudaw investigation revealed the "The budget allocated for health is Hama Saeed Hama Ali, an MP who is combined budget of eight ministries of too little and stands at only 5.58 per¬ a member of the integrity committee, the Kurdistan Regional Government cent of the budget," said Hawraz said his committee sent a letter to the (KRG) to be less than that allotted to Sheikh Ahmed, a member of the health prime minister's office asking him for the KRG's security services, which committee. an explanation as to the whereabouts amounts to 15.57 percent of the entire of the leftover funds from 2010 fiscal budget of the Kurdistan Region. Iraq's "It should be at least 10 percent,

security budget comprises 14.5 percent because there are still many health pro¬ year.

of the national budget, which is at least blems in Kurdistan. The poor funding "Because we haven't received the

five times the size of the KRG's. this sector receives has meant that our final auditing sheets, we don't know

Meanwhile, a Kurdish parliamen¬ hospitals actually make people sick." what has happened to 90 billion dinars

tary committee has raised serious ques¬ from the political parities' budgets, 120 Kurdistan Region's budget for tions over the fate of the funds that billion from youth empowerment pro¬ 2011 stands at 13.9 trillion Iraqi dinars were left unspent from last year's bud¬ jects, 10 billion from sports funds, 30 (IQD), approximately $11.5 billion. Of billion from the industrial bank project, get. that amount, 9.7 trillion is allocated for and 150 billion for exemplary The results of Rudaw's investiga¬ operating budgets, while 4.1 trillion is schools," said Hama Ali, listing a long tion show that the ministries of the designated for investment budgets. litany of funds that remain unaccoun¬ interior and Peshmarga and the secu¬ Nearly 9.3 trillion of 2011's budget ted for. rity directorates of Erbil and Sulaimani will be used to complete projects lefto¬ take 21.23 percent of the KRG's "Of the youth empowerment funds ver from 2010. There are 2,334 such annual budget and 15.57 percent of the only 40 percent has been spent, and projects, according to the draft budget. overall budget. none of the funds for sports or the Only 543 new projects have been pro¬ industrial bank have been spent. It's all That is more than the combined posed for this year, and an overall bud¬ very unclear and opens the door for operating budget of the ministries of get of 2.7 trillion is allocated for them. corruption." higher education, health, reconstruc¬ What has drawn even more criticism is

tion and housing, trade and industry, that there are 61 projects from the The Kurdistan region receives its

municipality and tourism, transporta¬ years 2003, 2004, and 2005 that still annual budget from die central govern¬

tion and telecommunications, agricul¬ need funding worth of 68.1 billion in ment in Iraq, and, according to Ismael

ture and water resources, and martyrs' order to be completed. Galali, a lawmaker and member of the

finance committee, from the 298 bil¬ and Anfal affairs. Aso Karim, a member of parlia¬ lion Iraqi dinars allocated for the pro¬ Ashti Aziz, a lawmaker in Kurdish ment from the majority Kurdistani vincial development budget, the KRG parliament and member of the Gorran bloc, blamed the "poor performance" claims to have received only 191 bil¬ opposition movement, said, 'This bud¬ of implementation committees and the lion, raising suspicion over what hap¬ get puts Kurdistan in an emergency government for the delay in timely pened to seven billion Iraqi dinars. situation because the deficit increases completion of projects from previous

year after year," She blamed the deficit years. Galali suggested the parliament partially on the large amount of resour¬ form a budget committee mat will only "In 2010, out of 1,442 projects, ces allocated to security. She added deal with budget matters in order to 1256 of them were finished and han¬ that the ministries and agencies dealing bring about more accountability. ded over to the government, but many with security have the highest share of more did not meet the deadline," said Some MPs have called for parlia¬ new employment opportunities as Karim. He added that 21 projects outli¬ ment to cut 50 billion dinars from the well. ned in die 2011 draft budget were political parties' budgets and allocate it

"Is there a dangerous plot against given less than 10 percent of the funds to marriage loans for young people.!

Kurdistan to need such a large security necessary for their completion. At least

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

Le Point 23 MAI 2011

Irak: au moins 19 morts et 2 soldats américains tués dans de nouvelles violences

De Salam FARAJ (AFP)

Au moins 19 personnes ont péri et 84 ont été blessées dimanche en

Irak dans une dizaine d'attaques, qui Des forces

posent de nouveau la question de la irakiennes î^ capacité des forces irakiennes à sept inspectent le mois du retrait prévu de l'armée améri¬ site où a eu

caine, qui a perdu dimanche deux de lieu une explosion, le ses soldats. %fà:v 22 mai dans Au total, 13 bombes artisanales et le nord de trois voitures piégées ont explosé, en Bagdad (AFP, plus d'un attentat suicide. Ahmad al- L'attaque la plus meurtrière a été Rubaye) un double attentat perpétré vers 09H00 (06H00 GMT) à Taji, à 25 km

au nord de Bagdad, qui a fait 12 morts tre) a fait un mort et 12 blessés. Le Premier ministre irakien Nouri et 23 blessés, selon un responsable du Dans l'est de Bagdad, six person¬ al-Maliki a prôné la semaine dernière ministère de l'Intérieur. Une source à nes ont été blessées par une bombe au la tenue d'un dialogue national pour la Défense a fait état de 14 morts et 30 passage d'une patrouille de police, et trancher ce débat sensible. blessés. deux autres ont été blessées par deux Dimanche, le courant du chef Après l'explosion d'une voiture bombes qui visaient la voiture d'un radical chiite irakien Moqtada Sadr a piégée, un kamikaze a activé sa cein¬ employé du commandement des opé¬ réaffirmé son hostilité à la présence ture d'explosifs au moment où les for¬ rations de Bagdad, dans le secteur américaine. ces de police, les secours et de nom¬ d'al-Kanaat. "La protection de toutes les breuses autres personnes affluaient Ces attentats interviennent trois régions du pays relève de la seule res¬ sur les lieux. Huit policiers figurent jours après la mort de 29 personnes - ponsabilité des forces irakiennes, qui au nombre des tués. presque tous des policiers- dans trois sont capables de le faire", a déclaré le Dans le sud de la capitale, quatre attentats dans la ville multieuinique député sadriste Jawad al-Hasnaoui. bombes artisanales ont explosé près de Kirkouk. "Nous n'avons pas besoin des forces d'un poste de police du quartier Deux soldats américains ont par étrangères." d'Amel avant qu'une voiture piégée ailleurs été tués dimanche dans le Mais un responsable kurde s'est au n'explose à son tour, faisant au total centre de l'Irak, selon l'armée améri¬ contraire prononcé pour le maintien deux morts et 15 blessés, selon le res¬ caine. des Américains. ponsable du ministère de l'Intérieur. Signe des difficultés des forces "L'Irak a toujours besoin des for¬ Toujours dans le sud, un milicien irakiennes face à une insurrection qui ces américaines dans le secteur mili¬ "Sahwa" travaillant pour le gouverne¬ a toujours la capacité de frapper fort, taire, pour la sécurité, mais aussi dans ment a été tué et quatre blessés par ces violences rendent un peu plus le domaine politique", a déclaré lors une bombe magnétique dans le quar¬ pressante la délicate question du d'une conférence de presse à Erbil tier de Dora et un attentat a fait trois retrait, ou non, des forces américai¬ Jabbar Yawar, secrétaire général du blessés dans le secteur de Saïdiya. nes, toujours présentées par certains ministère des peshmergas (combat¬ Dans le quartier déshérité de Sadr Irakiens comme une force d'occupa¬ tants kurdes) de la région du City (nord-ouest), deux bombes tion. Kurdistan. contre un hôpital et un marché ont fait Plus de huit ans après l'invasion deux morts et 14 blessés. Selon des qui avait précipité la chute de Saddam témoins, l'une de ces explosions était Hussein, l'armée américaine compte le fait d'une voiture piégée. encore 45.000 hommes en Irak, enga¬ Dans le secteur d'Al-Talbiya gés dans la formation des forces ira¬ (nord), une voiture piégée a explosé kiennes. Et de nombreux responsa¬ au passage du convoi d'un général du bles américains ont exhorté Bagdad à ministère de l'Intérieur, faisant un se décider au plus vite sur une éven¬ mort et cinq blessés, dont deux des tuelle demande de prolongation de gardes du corps de l'officier. Un autre cette mission. attentat près de la place Wassiq (cen-

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

23 MAI 2011

voyages.liberation.fr

à vélo au bout du monde Renversant Kurdistan

Depuis la rupture du cadre du vélo de Matthieu, le mauvais nuage qui trônait au dessus de nos têtes sem¬ ble avoir disparu. Bien que toujours en Turquie, nous avons changé d'univers, en atteignant le Kurdistan.

Pas de frontière, pas de check point, en théorie, nous sommes toujours en Turquie. Rien, mis à part les "Jandarma" sur-militarisées (casernes militaires), ne laissent présager que nous avons quitté le sol turc. Regardez sur un atlas ou une carte

du monde, vous ne trouverez aucune allusion à ce pays. D'un point de vue géopolitique, nous sommes ici encore en Turquie, mais la population locale et un brin d'étymologie, nous font dire que nous sommes en plein csur du "pays des kurdes", le Kurdistan. Et le Kurdistan, c'est Renversant. Renversant tout d'abord lorsqu'au hasard d'une discussion vous évoquez cette province à un turc nationaliste de fervents partisans du DTP (parti invitent à rejoindre le cortège, et rapi¬ (pléonasme). Inquiet, on vous parle autonomiste dont les députés ont la dement nous sommes entraînés dans la alors de PKK, de terrorisme, de ten¬ fâcheuse tendance à finir leur mandat danse. Pas de mariage, pas de fête reli¬ sions. La seule issue pour éviter les en prison). Agréable moment avec cette gieuse, cette grande famille célèbre

"turcs de la montagne" (comme les dizaine d'hommes fiers, qu'à plusieurs simplement la nouvelle acquisition du appelait Ataturk), serait alors de reprises nous menaçons comiquement pater familias: un taxi collectif flam¬ contourner la région ou de se munir de dénonciation à la Jandarma locale. bant neuf. Tous dansent, main dans la d'une arme automatique. Réjouissant Une autre nuit encore, c'est dans la main, l'homme de tête faisant voler un programme! Mais le renversement n'est chaleur d'un foyer familial que nous foulard aux teintes flashy devant lui, le pas là, il est tout autre. Il n'est pas partagerons un délicieux repas, et après reste de la troupe imitant ses pas. Nous observable au prime abord. En effet, une longue discussion déchiffrée dans revivrons ces instants de danses et de lorsque nous roulons, comme depuis le un anglais approximatif, nous finirons chants, après qu'Agnès et Marie nous début de l'épopée turque, il fait toujours par nous écrouler dans une pièce voi¬ aient quittés à Van après 400km d'in¬ gris, le vent est toujours de face, et lors¬ sine. tempéries et de reliefs. Cette fois-ci la que les enfants ne nous caillassent pas, Accueil, partage, ces mots semblent fête est grande, c'est un mariage qui est les loups et chiens errants ont toujours être inscrits dans la doctrine kurde. célébré. Les hommes dans leurs beaux autant d'appétit pour nous croquer les Plus que devoirs, ils entrent dans les sarouels et costumes de bonne coupe, mollets. Mais une nouvelle donnée valeurs du savoir-vivre. La capacité à les femmes dans leur tenue scintillantes vient s'inscrire sur notre route. Ici, il est accueillir l'étranger fait l'honneur des et colorées dansent ensemble. Seul le désormais inenvisageable d'aller familles que nous croisons, la décep¬ repas se fera séparément, les hommes bivouaquer dans mère nature, non pas tion est perceptible quand nous devons avant les femmes... surprenante logisti¬ que celle-ci soit plus inhospitalière refuser certaines invitations. Un pro¬ que machiste. qu'ailleurs. Non. Au fil des çay (thé à la verbe local dit, "L'hôte est un envoyé Après toutes ces festivités, il faut turc) proposés sur la route, les portes de Dieu". Ces personnes croisées au reprendre la route avec un objectif: s'ouvrent sans craintes, les tables se hasard du voyage en sont la preuve rejoindre au plus vite la Géorgie pour dressent, et la nuitée rapidement et vivante. Qu'il est divin de laisser l'in- demander nos visas Azéris. Ainsi, nous naturellement nous est proposée. Alors, confort quotidien de sa selle et de la quittons le Kurdistan, passons voisins et amis curieux viennent obser¬ route pour sécher ses vêtements trem¬ Erzurum, puis Trabzon pour enfin ver les deux cyclistes, qui, un peu fous, pés près du poêle familial, de se laisser atteindre la frontière turco-géorgienne venus de France sont de passage dans offrir un dîner épicé et s'allonger sur un que nous franchissons de nuit.

leur village. matelas de fortune, la tête sur un oreil¬ La Géorgie nous offre un paysage Les kilomètres et les villes s'égrai- ler douillet. Au moment d'aller dormir, et une ambiance radicalement diffé¬ nent âprement sur le chapelet de notre la télévision diffusera de nombreux rents de la Turquie. A Batumi, les voi¬ voyage kurde. Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, clips où les membres du PKK, hommes les se font voler la vedette par les mini¬ Mardin, nous arrivons après quelques comme femmes, se tiennent par la main jupes, les mosquées sont détrônées par douloureux cols à Diyarbakir où Agnès et dansent en hommage à leurs martyrs. de belles églises géorgiennes et le Cay, et Marie viennent nous rejoindre pour 8 Ces chants nous les entendons sou¬ après des hectolitres bus en Turquie, se jours charmants de découverte cyclopé- vent, car ici, les occasions de festivité voit dorénavant troqué par le vin et la dique. Nous allons partager avec elles ne manquent pas. Sur la route entre vodka. Nous risquons d'apprécier le notre quotidien nomade et découvrir Gaziantep et Sanliurfa, un taxi collectif pays qui, il y a 5000 ans, aurait inventé

chaque jour un peu plus en leur compa¬ flambant neuf se gare sur le bas-côté et la vinification. Avant toute chose, nous gnie, l'accueil kurde. Ainsi nous teste¬ décharge danseurs et musiciens. Zurna devons rejoindre Tbilissi, où Christine, rons avec elles les nuitées dans une et Dohol (instruments de musique jeune institutrice française nous attend.

Lokanta (restaurant routier) tenue par locaux) raisonnent. Des hommes nous

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

AIJazeera 26 May 2011

Campaign trail fight gets 'dirty' in Turkey

Country's political future at stake in June 12 vote, but sex tapes scandal and Kurdish unrest share campaign spotlight.

Simon Hooper / Al Jazeera

Abitter election campaign is under way in Turkey, coloured

by a sex tapes scandal and growing unrest in the Kurdish

southeast, which could pave the way for the most radical over¬

haul to the country's political system in decades.

Incumbent prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and

Development Party (AKP) is expected to sweep to a third

consecutive victory in parliamentary elections on June 12, but

less clear is whether the quirks of Turkey's electoral system will

hand Erdogan a majority large enough to press ahead with his

promise to re-write the country's constitution.

Erdogan, bolstered by victory in a referendum last year on an Opinion polls suggest Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip expansive package of constitutional amendments, has pledged Erdogan, is heading for a third straight election win [EPA] to introduce a "constitution of the people", replacing the exis¬

ting one, drafted in 1982 in the wake of a military coup, with

one founded on western democratic values, pluralism and indi¬ and Birol Baskan, a Turkey specialist at the Georgetown vidual freedoms. University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, said the party's

But critics, wary of the AKP's Islamist roots, say the project MPs were at risk of losing their jobs as well. could further undermine Turkey's secular system and even lead "The MHP is now destroyed - morale is low and the party lea¬ to "South American-style authoritarianism". der [Devlet Bahceli] is demoralised. I don't think they can sur¬

They also accuse Erdogan of harbouring personal ambitions vive this," said Baskan. over his stated desire to replace the existing parliamentary sys¬ A scenario in which the nationalists failed to cross the 10 per tem with a presidential style of government. cent threshold would be to the advantage of the AKP, said

"It's almost for sure that we will have a new constitution in the Baskan, with the extra seats it could expect to gain pushing it

next couple of years," Ali Carkoglu, a professor of political towards a two-thirds super-majority of 367 seats - a result that

science at Istanbul's Koc University, told Al Jazeera. would enable it to rewrite the constitution without the consent

"Everything depends on the result of this election. If the AKP of other parties, or even resort to a referendum.

wins with enough seats to reshape the constitution, then a That has led to bitter accusations that Erdogan has set his

great deal of conflict could emerge out of this. These are sights on detroying the MHP as a parliamentary force, and alle¬

issues which touch the very foundations of the republic, and gations - strenuously denied by the ruling party - that forces

the debate now is getting very ugly." connected to, or sympathetic to, the AKP were behind the lea¬

king of the sex tapes.

STABILITY AND CONTINUITY

Erdogan's centre-right party is running on a platform of stabi¬ 'DIRTY CAMPAIGN'

lity and continuity, founded on nearly a decade of impres¬ HCIearly it's becoming a very dirty campaign, simply because

sive economic stewardship in a country more commonly asso¬ if one of the parties can be eliminated, then the governing

ciated with hyper-inflation than the hypermarkets, new high¬ party will reap the benefits of the extra seats, and then they

ways and hospitals now found across Turkey's once under¬ can have a much easier time passing the new constitution"

developed Anatolian heartland. said Carkoglu.

That has given the AKP a seemingly unassailable platform, Yet even with a parliamentary super-majority, any AKP attempt

according to opinion polls, which suggest the ruling party has to radically change the political system would likely polarise the the backing of upwards of 45 per cent of Turkey's more than 50 country, said Diba Nigar Goksel, the editor-in-chief of Turkish

million voters. Policy Quarterly.

But the AKP's ballot box advantage could translate into even Since coming to power in 2002, the AKP has endured periodic

greater parliamentary weight if Turkey's floundering ultra-natio¬ run-ins with Turkey's traditional establishment, which accuses it

nalists - the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) - fail to achieve of seeking to dilute the secularist foundations laid down by

the 10 per cent share of the national vote required for a party Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923. to enter parliament. The most striking example of those continuing tensions is the

The MHP, which currently holds 72 parliamentary seats, looks ongoing investigation into the so-called Ergenekon - or

set to be punished by its traditionally conservative support 'Sledgehammer' - plot, which has seen hundreds of army offi¬

base after videos posted on the internet purportedly showed cers, retired soldiers and journalists jailed, pending trial over

several senior figures having sex in a house allegedly hired by allegations that they conspired to overthrow Erdogan's govern¬

the party for the purpose of extra-marital affairs. ment.

Ten high-ranking officials have already quit over the scandal, Several of those defendants are standing for election from their

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

prison cells as figureheads of opposition to AKP dominance, and his party, both in the run-up to next month's vote and including Cetin Dogan, a retired general alleged to have been afterwards. the plot's conspirator-in-chief. Having once courted support in the southeast with its "Kurdish

"The unity and peace of our country is facing a serious threat," initiative", which liberalised rules banning the use of Kurdish

Dogan said in an appeal to voters. language and promised greater cultural rights, the AKP

appears largely to have given up its quest for votes in the But Goksel said efforts to write a new constitution could also region, amid Kurdish discontent and a renewed insurgency by reveal fractures within the ruling party itself. the separatist fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). While the AKP's success in elections has been built on in its Earlier this month, Erdogan told a rally in the eastern city of ability to draw pragmatic support from a range of factions and Mus that there was no longer a "Kurdish question" in Turkey. A interest groups within Turkey, that coalition would be much few days later, PKK fighters attacked an AKP campaign bus in harder to sustain on "ideological issues", she said. the Black Sea region of Kastamonu - killing one policeman -

"The reason the AKP is able to get so many votes is because shortly after Erdogan had addressed a rally. it is can go to different provinces with different messages," The PKK's jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, then threatened the Goksel told Al Jazeera. government with a "great war" unless it began talks on greater

"In order to get this much support, you have to have very Kurdish autonomy within days of the election. diverse groups and very diverse thinking in your party. That's a Meanwhile the funerals of PKK fighters killed by Turkish forces strength in some ways, but it is also a liability, because it have triggered periodic riots and angry protests on the streets makes the party contradict itself." of Diyarbakir, the main city in the restive southeast. One issue that has already exposed apparent divisions within "No matter how many votes the AKP gains, no matter how the AKP is Erdogan's stated preference for a presidential sys¬ masterful the government turns, no matter if the prime minister tem of government. becomes president, and no matter how remarkably Turkey

While a more personality-driven style of executive politics grows, without finding a solution to the Kurdish conflict, would suit the charismatic former mayor of Istanbul, other nothing will work or become sustainable," wrote Cengiz Aktar

senior AKP figures, including the current president, Abdullah in the Hurriyet newspaper. Gul, and Bulent Arinc, the deputy prime minister, have expres¬ Baskan said the Kurdish issue was the weak point of sed reservations. Erdogan's campaign for re-election, with independent candida¬

tes representing the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) likely

'DESPOTIC AMBITIONS' to gain votes at the AKP's expense in Kurdish-majority dis¬ tricts. Opponents have been more forceful in their objections.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition "Even among the Turkish population, there is a suspicion that

Republican People's Party (CHP) accused the AKP of "despo¬ Erdogan cannot manage this problem effectively," he said. tic ambitions", while Nursen Mazici, a political sciences profes¬ But he said the threat of Kurdish unrest, and speculation over

sor at Istanbul's Marmara University, wrote that under a presi¬ Erdogan's presidential ambitions, were distractions from the

dential system "Turkey would become an authoritarian model, main debate over what a new constitution for the country

like Venezuela". should look like. Carkoglu said constitutional questions and Erdogan's comba¬ "This is about much needed developments to turn Turkey into tive political style would likely throw up problems after the elec¬ a much more liberal democracy; freedom of speech, freedom tion because there was "no tradition of forming consensus" in of religion, these constitutional reforms are top of the agenda, Turkish politics. rather than the merits of a presidential versus a parliamentary

The AKP, which was fined and warned in 2008 by the country's system. What sort of secular system do we want? These are

constitutional court over alleged anti-secularist activities, could the real issues that this election is about." still encounter opposition from Turkey's staunchly secularist judiciary, he added.

The issue of greater rights for Turkey's estimated 14-million

Kurdish minority also looks set to pose a problem for Erdogan

May 16, 2011 Aswat al-lraq I

U.S. Forces hand over military base to Iraqi Army in Kirkuk

KIRKUK / Aswat al-lraq: The U.S.force have handed over a by the U.S. forces to the Iraqi Army, after al-Rashad base, 35 km military base to the Iraqi Army in northern Iraq s city of Kirkuk on to the southwest of Kirkuk, that was handed over early this year. Sunday, the city s Police Director said. The measure had taken place, being part of the complete with¬ Al-Bakkara military base, southwest of Kirkuk, was handed over drawal of the U.S. non-combat forces, estimated to reach to the Iraqi Army by the U.S. Forces, in a celebration on Sunday, 50,000, scheduled to take place at the end of the current year, attended by local government, Army and police commands, as after the withdrawal of the U.S. combat troops last August, in well as U.S.Army officers, Lt.Brigadier, Sarhad Qader told compliance with the Security Agreement, signed between Aswat al-lraq news agency. Baghdad and Washington at the end of 2008. Kirkuk is 280 km to the north of Baghdad. Qader said the base was the second military base, handed over

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

il)«tel)ingtoft|j0st MAY 27,2011

Kurdistan: the other Iraq

By Liz Sly

Ancient and glo¬ o, I'm lying on a fluffy white rious and duvet and surfing the flat- mostly safe screen TV embedded in my this Iraq desti¬ a - hotel room wall. I've just fini¬ nation is ready shed a meal of Milanese risotto flavored ? for its day in the with saffron, washed down with a glass sun. of chilled pinot grigio. Through the win¬ dow, I can see the twinkling lights of t what claims to be the oldest continually - .' ' ~** inhabited city in the world, giving way to the darkness of the plains of northern

Iraq.

That's right. I'm in Iraq. In a five-star Iranian soldiers in 2009 found out. hotel. With Italian wine and Italian food, cooked by a real Italian chef. In addition to the risk of straying into There are buckets of iced champagne hostile territory, travelers need to be sitting on the bar downstairs, and a aware of possible anti-government pro¬ Bulgarian pianist is playing classical tests. Kurds recently underwent their music in the marbled lobby. It's just too own mini-version of an Arab Spring, un-Iraq to be true and in some ways with almost daily demonstrations in the it's not true. region's second city, Sulaymaniyah. Live ammunition was used against the For this isn't the real Iraq, the one demonstrators, and though the protest where bombs go off and people are movement has now been crushed, the assassinated and the electricity is core grievances that caused it, including almost never on. This is Kurdistan, the corruption and restrictions on free northern enclave that broke away from speech, have not been resolved. The Saddam Hussein's Iraq after the 1990- unrest has severely dented Kurdistan's 91 Persian GulfWar and secured virtual claims of being an oasis of calm in a autonomy from Baghdad following the troubled region and undermined its U.S. invasion in 2003. It's mostly safe, boasts of democracy. and much of it is beautiful, in some pla¬ ces spectacularly so. It's populated not Kurds, however, know where die boun¬ by Arabs but by Kurds, who claim daries lie and where protests are likely European descent, speak their own lan¬ to occur, so the best way to get around, guage and are possessed of an unquali¬ » Scteymanty [Vrki ^ * short ofjoining an organized tour, is to fied love for all Americans. IRAQ hire local guides. Driver Ako Abdullah and Kurdish journalist Kamaran Najm It's also old, with archaeological settle¬ are waiting for me at the airport, along ments dating back 9,000 years and with American photographer Sebastian remnants of a multitude of civilizations Meyer, and we set out for too numerous to list. Kurds like to pro¬ Sulaymaniyah, a two-hour drive away. mote it as "the other Iraq," an acknow¬ Kurdistan's aspirations to become a glo¬ ledgment that it is in fact part of that bal destination for businessmen and Sulaymaniyah is what is known in Iraq country. But as they will also readily tell tourists. Its rattlingly empty terminals as a "new" city, which means that it was you, they dream of independence in an suggest that there's still a long way to go built in 1784. It looks little like the flat, expanded nation of Kurdistan reaching to fulfill those ambitions. beige, monotonous cityscapes of Iraq so into Turkey, Syria and Iran. familiar from years ofTV war coverage. Here, travelers can obtain 10-day visas, Mulberry trees line the streets, snow¬ And it is supposedly the hot new tourist which are not, however, valid for the capped mountains glitter against a clear destination of 2011, scraping in at No. rest of Iraq. And that raises one of the blue sky, and the bazaar is crowded 20 on National Geographic's list of "20 key challenges of any visit: figuring out with Kurds in the billowing pants and best trips of 2011." where Kurdistan ends and the rest of round caps that are the most visible Iraq begins. The borders between the signs of their distinctive culture. I'm here to find out why. region of Kurdistan and the rest of the

country are hotly disputed, and it's not We stop for tea at the legendary Sha'ab It soon becomes apparent that the five- a good idea to stray beyond them into (People's) tea shop, which is packed star Irbil Rotana Hotel is not the real areas still prowled by insurgents. with men sipping glasses of piercingly Kurdistan, either. It's a pinprick of sweet tea and shouting loudly while Western-style luxury in a largely uns¬ Indeed, it's a good idea to steer clear of playing dominos. Apparently they are poiled land. Irbil's spanking new air¬ any of Kurdistan's borders, as three discussing such matters as poetry, art port, a cavernous structure of white Americans who went hiking in the and politics, because this is the intellec- steel and gleaming marble, speaks to direction of Iran and were detained by

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

tuai hub of a city that prides itself on its It was here, in 1988, that Iraqi warpla- began, where Adam (without the help of learning. The walls are lined with pictu¬ nes dropped bombs packed with Eve), gave birth to man and where res of turbaned men who are famous mustard gas and cyanide on Kurdish Noah built his ark, on the nearby peak poets, artists and writers. civilians, apparently to punish them for of Mount Arafat. Their main temple, supporting the pesh merga. The carved from a cave in the mountainside, There are also blurry, fading photo¬ museum features a diorama of plaster is dedicated to a more modern figure, graphs of the pesh merga fighters, the dead people and real stuffed animals Sheikh Adi, known as the religion's onetime rebels who occupy a central based on scenes captured by news pho¬ 12th-century "reformer." role in Kurdish history and are key to tographers, a wall inscribed with the understanding Kurdistan and its cul¬ names of the 5,000 or so victims and a Inside it is dark and cold, but the walls ture. They pose in baggy pants, carrying video of the horrific injuries inflicted. and pillars are strung with brightly Kalashnikovs, in the snowy mountains colored clotiis which you can tie into where they took refuge to wage their It's a powerful reminder of the evils of knots while making a wish. Deeper in, guerrilla war against Hussein. Hussein's regime, so easily forgotten in alongside Sheikh Adi's tomb, there's the chaos and bloodshed that followed another wishmaking opportunity. This Their triumph came in 1991, after the the U.S. invasion. And it's a reminder time, you get three chances to toss a Gulf War, when the Kurds revolted and that despite the brutal efforts of Arab cloth onto a tall pillar. If you miss, you ejected Iraqi forces. One of the fiercest dictators to suppress the clamor for don't get your wish. battles was fought here in democratic change now sweeping the Sulaymaniyah, at what is known as the Middle East, none yet has come close to The Yazidis seem to have a lot of rules. Red Security Building. It's actually gray, Hussein in the scale of atrocities com¬ Lettuce is banned, as is the color blue but that's the name it was given when it mitted against his own people. because it insults the sky, explains the housed the offices of the dreaded shrine's guardian, Baba Chawush, who Mukhabarat, Hussein's intelligence ser¬ But now it's time to check out some of invites us for tea in his home adjoining vice. The facade is still peppered with the more ancient aspects of Kurdistan's the temple. Yazidis pray five times a day bullet holes, a reminder of the fierce heritage, so we head back to Irbil. in the direction of the sun, their holy fighting that took place as the pesh Because it's already dark, we have to day is Wednesday, and they venerate a merga fighters closed in on the besieged skip the 9,000-year-old village of peacock angel who stands at the right Baathists inside. Jarmo, reputedly the oldest discovered hand of God. site of human habitation in the world, Kurdish authorities have preserved the though locals assure us that there's There's more, some of it undisclosed, structure as testimony to the tyranny of nothing to see but a few holes in the because for many centuries the Yazidis Hussein's regime and have turned the ground. were a closed and secretive sect. But prison block where Kurdish dissidents now they have concluded that their sur¬ were kept and tortured into a museum. The next day, we head northwest across vival may best be ensured by opening The walls of one room have been the rolling plains of biblical Ninevah, up to the world. Tourists are welcome, embedded with the shards of mirrors, where the pre-Christian Assyrian and so are their probing questions, 80,000 in all, in an eerily evocative empire was based. Striking out across although you're left with the impression memorial to the estimated 80,000 vic¬ what appears to be an empty field, we that they aren't quite telling you every¬ tims of Hussein's attempt in the late encounter the half-buried remains of an thing. 1980s to wipe out the Kurds altogether. Assyrian aqueduct at the site of Jerwan. Built about 3,000 years ago, it lies Another reason to visit Kurdistan is the Otherwise, little has been done to for¬ alongside a definitely modern minefield spectacular scenery, and you don't have malize the facility, except to strew a few planted by Saddam's army. to stray into dangerous territory to find authentically grubby blankets around it. Two hours northeast of Irbil lies the the stone floors and install a smattering The minefield, mercifully, is marked by legendary beauty spot of Rawanduz, of life-size white plaster figures cast in rows of upside-down red triangles on along a road that climbs improbably postures of suffering. sticks. The ruins bear no sign identi¬ high into jagged peaks and winds peri¬ fying them as an important archaeolo¬ lously along plunging gorges. It could be garish, but it's not. There's a gical site, and we clamber over them, raw immediacy to the dank, dark cells running our fingers over the cuneiform Rounding one last peak, we come across where prisoners were crammed by the inscriptions left by the workmen of a the reason Iraqis flock to the area in the score, and wandering through them, forgotten civilization, who constructed thousands during the summer months: you can feel the misery and the squalor. what is reputed to be world's oldest a lurid amusement park perched on the In the interrogation room, a plaster aqueduct. mountainside, complete with a Ferris man is strung by his wrists from the cei¬ wheel and a contraption best described ling. Apparendy there's a truly terri¬ Heading north into the foothills of the as a cross between a luge and a roller fying recording of screams that plays Zagros Mountains, we pass a growing coaster, which sends you rocketing when you press a button. But on the day number of pointy, conical structures, down the mountainside at breakneck we visit, it isn't working. signifying that we are closing in on our speed in a little capsule. next destination Lalish, the spiritual Not forgetting Hussein is high on the capital of the obscure and much threa¬ On surrounding peaks is evidence of agenda of the Kurds, who wear the suf¬ tened Yazidi religious minority. further development. Grand houses and fering of their past with a mixture of holiday chalets painted pink, blue and pride and determination to guard One of the lures of Kurdistan is its lavender are springing up all around, against history's habit of repeating diversity; most Kurds are Sunni suggesting that Kurdistan's reputation itself. Muslim, but there are also sizable as an unspoiled wilderness is in jeo¬ minorities, including Christians of pardy. But my colleague Kamaran assu¬ To that end, they have also constructed various ancient denominations. The res me that plenty of other beauty spots an appropriately ugly museum memo¬ pointy cones are graves and temples remain untouched. rializing one of Hussein's ugliest deeds, belonging to the Yazidis, who claim to in the town of Halabja, an hour's drive be the original inhabitants of the land. Finally, it's time to explore the Kurdish southeastof Sulaymaniyah. capital of Irbil, which claims to outrank Lalish is where they believe the world Syria's capital, Damascus, as the oldest

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

continually inhabited city in the world by walled city towering 90 feet above the rooms and courtyards that once belon¬ a few thousand years. traditional bazaar. I had assumed that its ged to now long-dead merchants and soaring ramparts were some form of functionaries, admiring the elaborate At first glance, there's nothing old at all defense, but David Michelmore, a British murals and the elegant wood and stone about this pancake-flat metropolis, conservationist working at the site, carvings of a bygone era, when home whose squat beige structures give it a explains that the citadel is high simply decor didn't come from Ikea. strong resemblance to most other Iraqi because so many civilizations have been cities. Except that the streets are clean layered atop one another. The earliest That's perhaps one of Kurdistan's big¬ and freshly paved, and every other buil¬ identified dates to the Uruk era in gest attractions: that it's still so untou¬ ding, it seems, is either brand-new or approximately 6000-4000 B.C.; the ched by the modern world. Yes, moder¬ under construction. uppermost structures were mostiy built nity is galloping at a furious pace into in the 19th century under Ottoman rule. Irbil and beyond. But in three days of Irbil is in the throes of a massive econo¬ exploring, we haven't encountered a sin¬ mic boom, fueled by its proximity to the In 2006, the last remaining residents gle other tourist. real Iraq. Businesses are flooding here to were evicted to prepare for a massive gain a foothold, and tourists from the restoration expected to last a decade. Where else in the world can you climb rest of the country swarm here to shop in Michelmore envisages that once com¬ over 3,000-year-old ruins next to a the rapidly proliferating malls and to eat plete, it will resemble die exquisite wal¬ minefield? Or sip tea with the adherents and drink in safety at the restaurants, led city in Damascus, with the Ottoman- of an ancient religion? bars and outdoor cafes of Ankawa, a era homes converted into trendy restau¬ Christian suburb where alcohol is readily rants and boutique hotels. And there's certainly no place else in available. Iraq where you can toast the day's end But sometimes, unrestored has its own with a glass of chilled pinot grigio. For American travelers, die biggest draw charm. We stroll along the deserted cob¬ is likely to be the ancient citadel, a vast blestone streets and wander into living

Map; f J May 26, 2011

Turkey: 8 injured in bomb blast during rush hour in Istanbul, PM accuses Kurdish rebels

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA

Associated Press

ISTANBUL A bomb mounted on a

bicycle near a bus stop exploded during

morning rush hour in Istanbul on

Thursday, injuring eight people, including

a police officer, officials said.

Several ambulances rushed to the

scene on a multi-lane thoroughfare in a

busy commercial section of the city.

Television footage showed medics

moving a woman with a neck brace on a

stretcher into a hospital. Security members, medics and forensic experts work at the scene after a bomb Police Chief Huseyin Capkin said the exploded at a bus stop during rush hour in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, May 26, bomb was not a powerful one, but was 2011. Seven people were injured as several ambulances rushed to the scene on a still designed to cause moderate destruc¬ multi-lane thoroughfare in a busy commercial section of the city. (AP Photo) (AP I tion. Police were investigating whether May 26, 2011) the target was a police training school

nearby. Huseyin Avni Mutlu, Istanbul's gers in the back of the vehicle. June 12.

governor, said police were also investiga¬ Five vehicles in total were damaged Turkey also has a history of attacks by ting whether the bomb was time- or in the blast, Capkin said. Islamic and leftist extremists.

remote-controlled. Fearing a secondary blast, police sea¬ In 2003, Islamic militants tied to al-

"Our consolation is that no one was led off the area with yellow tape and Qaida carried out suicide bombings in

killed," Capkin said. bomb disposal experts arrived. Istanbul, killing 58 people. The police chief said one of the inju¬ Investigators searched for clues. An attack blamed on al-Qaida-affilia-

red was a policeman who was passing by. There was no immediate claim of res¬ ted militants outside the U.S. Consulate in He said none of the injured was in life- ponsibility and the police chief refused to Istanbul in 2008, left three attackers and

threatening condition. One woman howe¬ say who may be behind the attack. three policemen dead.

ver, lost a leg in the blast while another A Kurdish rebel group, the Kurdistan "They will not get away with it,"

sustained severe bums to her face, the Workers' Party, or PKK, is fighting for Capkin said of the culprits. "The people

Dogan and Anatolia news agencies repor¬ autonomy in southeastern Turkey and has of Istanbul should feel at ease."

ted. carried out bomb attacks in Istanbul in the

CNN-Turk television said the explo¬ past. The rebels' jailed leader has warned

sion occurred as a bus passed by, shatte¬ of more violence if their demands for

ring its rear windows and injuring passen- negotiations are not met after elections on

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

hi RudaW.Net] 28 May 2011

HRW: Kurdish Government Not Better Than Saddam Hussein's

By WLADIMIR VAN WILGENBURG RUDAW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) seve¬

rely criticized the human rights

situation in Kurdistan on Tuesday, and

claimed that the Kurdistan Regional

Government (KRG ) is not much better

than the former government of Saddam

Hussein.

"The Kurdistan Regional Government promised a new era of free¬

dom for Iraqi Kurds, but it seems no

more respectful of Kurdish rights to free

speech than the government that prece¬ A scene from Sulaimani's protests in February. Photo by Kurdish View Blog. ded it," said Sarah Leah Whitson,

Middle East director at Human Rights the president, you would be executed. Reconstruction Team in the Kurdish Watch. She refused to comment further We [Metro Magazine] published carica¬ capital Erbil, says that he spoke to seve¬ on her comparison between the former tures of [Kurdish president] Barzani and ral local media channels about press and current governments. nobody came after us." freedom in Kurdistan this month. "We

KRG officials and security forces Still, Osman adds that physical support the universal rights of people to

are carrying out a growing assault on the attacks against journalists are increa¬ demonstrate peacefully, to freely assem¬

freedom of journalists to work in Iraqi sing. 'That's a key problem that needs to ble, to express themselves without fear Kurdistan, Human Rights Watch said be faced," he said. "Although we are of intimidation or death, and seek

Tuesday. They added that regional offi¬ claiming to be a democracy, although redress from their government. This has

cials should stop repressing journalists we are trying to do all the right things, been our consistent message in Iraq and through libel suits, beatings, detentions, some of the symptoms of the past throughout the region," he said. and death threats. regime linger on." He warns that these Since anti-government protests erup¬ This notion that Kurdish security aggressions are "becoming like a culture ted on February 17, the local press free¬ forces attack journalists is shared by amongst some of the security officers". dom group, Metro Center to Defend the NGO Committee to Protect "Many journalist friends of mine tell me Journalists, has documented more than Journalists (CPJ). Frank Smyth, the you cannot carry a camera and walk nor¬ 200 cases of attacks against and harass¬ Washington, D.C. representative of CPJ, mally around Suleymaniyah or, to some ment of Kurdish journalists, and who visited Kurdistan in April, wrote on extent, Erbil." Reporters Without Borders has tallied

his blog for the CPJ that "security forces The idea that the Kurdish govern¬ forty-four physical attacks against

have also been attacking journalists who ment is backtracking on democracy is media workers and outlets and twenty- have been covering the protests." shared by other foreign journalists. three arrests. The majority of these vio¬ lations were committed by the security Kamal Chomani, a correspondent Christian Science Monitor editor Dan and managing editor at Livin magazine Murphy wrote last Monday that when forces, says Metro. The U.S. govern¬ agrees that the current government is not Saddam was still in power, "Free ment asked the KRG to investigate these incidents. much better than the Baath regime of Kurdistan" was a popular destination for

journalists, but now, he says, One of these violations is the court Saddam Hussein. He hopes that the "Kurdistan's leaders behave much like case against Livin, says Human Rights last report helps to pressure the govern¬ the autocrats of the Arab world" in their Watch. The independent magazine is ment into becoming more democratic. repression of local protests. On Twitter being sued by the ruling Kurdish parties "During the time of Saddam Hussein he wrote that the Kurdish leaders for an article that claimed the KDP and some people would beat you, torture weren't acting like Saddam, "just like PUK had planned to assassinate opposi¬ you, or even kill you if you wrote about any group of Middle Eastern autocrats." tion leaders. According to court docu¬ them. You can see the same thing today HRW directs further criticism at the ments obtained by Human Rights in Sulaymaniyah. You saw how security U.S. for being largely silent about the Watch, the KDP is seeking total dama¬ people beat Rebin Herdi and other jour¬ recent serious human rights violations ges of one billion dinars (US$864,000) nalists who were arrested or tortured," against journalists and protesters. and an order to shut down the magazine said Chomani. "Eight years after the United States by revoking its license. But Hiwa Osman, Country Director removed Saddam Hussein in the name But Hiwa Osman says that in any for the Institute for War & Peace of protecting the rights of Kurds, it is modem democracy, the editor-in-chief Reporting (IWPR), which trains journa¬ standing by silendy as the government it of Livin magazine would be sued for lists in Kurdistan and Iraq, says that the helped to install in Kurdistan abuses and publishing a story claiming that the current government isn't like the former represses the population," Whitson said. ruling parties would try to assassinate autocratic regime of Saddam Hussein. "I However, Dale Prince, a spokesman opposition leaders, without proof to wouldn't necessarily say that. In the for¬ for the U.S. Embassy's Regional back up the claim. mer government, if you just spoke about

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

"It's not a healthy thing to have. But ethics. For me, personally, this article sed to give a statement to Rudaw, though you cannot accuse officials all the time shouldn't have been published. If this Kawa Mahmud, a KRG spokesperson, of such things. We shouldn't give the was published in the Netherlands or the told Rudaw that the KRG would study media a free pass to accuse officials of West, they [the government] would also the HRW report and might release a sta¬ criminal acts without any concrete evi¬ go to die court and there would be a big tement this weekend. dence. This is understood everywhere scandal," she said. Nawzad Hadi, the governor of Erbil, else." said Osman. This doesn't mean that Neurink told Rudaw that he hadn't heard about Judit Neurink, director of The thinks there are no threats against the the report, but said that the media is free Independent Media Centre in Kurdistan media. "It's a fact that the media in to operate in Kurdistan. "I don't believe (IMCK), a training facility for journalists Kurdistan is in danger, but then you we have a problem with the media here. in Kurdistan, agrees with this and criti¬ [Human Rights Watch] shouldn't use this It's very open. Al Jazeera is not allowed cizes Human Rights Watch for using the example. It sends a wrong message to in Iraq, but they are in Erbil and case against Livin as an example of the journalists [in Kurdistan] that you can Suleymaniyah. There are many newspa¬ lack of press freedom in Kurdistan. publish these important stories using pers and media outlets. The number of

"This [article] isn't in any way jour¬ anonymous sources." newspapers in Kurdistan is unusual, and

nalism; it was based on the testimony of Government officials of the Kurdish increasing daily." one anonymous source mat has not been Foreign Ministry and Presidency Office verified. This is against all journalistic and the spokespeople of the KRG refu

WorldBulletin.net 25 May 2011

Veteran journalist: secularists provoked coups in Turkey

The journalist's remarks are a continuation of a series of confessions he has made since last week.

Cihan news agency Academics. Retired and active duty members of the military. The

Veteran secular journalist media. We all had a common goal: Mehmet Ali Birand has said not to share our self-built system," the Republic of Turkey, which Birand stated. Armed Forces (TSK) staged on its Mustafa Kemal Ataturk establi¬ The journalist's remarks are a own. Some media groups displayed shed and entrusted to the mili¬ continuation of a series of confes¬ a "contributive" role, which came tary, has had two big enemies sions he has made since last week. over the years: pious Muslims and either as a covert or open support In a column dated May 19, Birand Kurds. for the military to seize control of said pro-coup thoughts penetrated The journalist's remarks were publi¬ the country. Each coup was bloody the genes of a majority of members shed in a column titled "Why did and inflicted deep sufferings on of the secular mainstream media. Turkey. we support coups?" published by the For him, the mainstream media Posta daily on Tuesday. In Tuesday's column Birand also considered the General Staff as wrote about the perception of pious According to the journalist, the superior to democracy and Muslims and Kurds in Turkey by military was traditionally provoked Parliament until the recent past. secular circles. by secularist circles to stage coups "We tolerated all coups. And we in Turkey. supported them. Our genes got "The Republic of Turkey, establi¬

"It has always been secular circles in confused in the past few years, and shed by [Mustafa Kemalj Ataturk society that pushed and forced the we started to look at things from a and entrusted to the military [for military for coups. The breakdown different perspective. The order bet¬ protection], has had two big of secular circles is as follows: The ween democracy and Parliament enemies over the years: reactiona- Republican People's Party [CHP], and the General Staff changed for ryism and the Kurdish question." which is made up of social democrat the first time. Democracy moved According to Birand, reactiona- one step forward." politicians. Among them are people ryism has been the most talked-

who know that they cannot reach So far Turkey has witnessed three about and dealt-with enemy. any good position [in politics] direct military coups in 1960, "Newspapers would publish the through elections and therefore seek 1971 and 1980 and an unarmed photos of bearded men, and stories to be appointed to high positions military intervention in 1997, which would read that 'two more reactio¬ thanks to the military. Mid-sized is called a postmodern coup. The naries have been captured.' Black and large capital groups. Retired coups were not, however, acts a chador-wearing women would be and employed judicial bureaucrats. junta nested within the Turkish called 'black cockroaches.' For us,

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

there was no distinction between said the "Kurdish question" was poverty, the feudal system or condi¬ pious Muslims and reactionaries. another most-feared enemy for secu¬ tions in the region. When the They would be considered the big¬ lar circles that was not ever mentio¬ Kurdish question was mentioned, gest enemy of our self-built system. ned. "Each uprising of Kurds was we all thought about the division of We had no tolerance to see them defined as 'insurgence' and a 'path to Turkey. We continuously maintai¬ among us. We did not try to independence.' The actual reasons ned a policy of assimilation and understand them." [leading to uprisings] were never denial of the Kurdish identity,"

With regard to Kurds, the journalist examined. We did not ever think Birand said. that they could have stemmed from

Hurriyet MAY 24, 2011 DailyNews,

Aahin also slammed Kilicdaroglu s AKP accuses CHP, BDP for rhetoric on the Kurdish issue and accused him of speaking differently alliance ahead of polls while visiting the country s eastern provinces. I think the CHP and the MHP [Nationalist Movement Party]

ANKARA - Hurriyet Daily News will face internal chaos after June 12, he said. Arinç harsh against the CHP The ruling party has accused the main opposition and the pro- Deputy Prime Minister Bêlent Kurdish party of creating a destruc¬ Arinçalso criticized the CHP for its tive alliance ahead of the June 12 overtures to the country s Kurds, general election, claiming they saying the party is abandoning its intend to revive terrorist organiza¬ institutional character. tions and gangs in the country. During his visits to the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip [Southeast] region, CHP leader Erdogan hit out harshly at his politi¬ Kilicdaroglu unfortunately pursues cal opponents while speaking Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan the same line as that of the BDP, Tuesday in Sirnak, a Southeast hit out harshly at his political oppo¬ Arinçtold reporters in Bursa. Anatolian city. His rally there came nents while speaking Tuesday in He promises more than what a few days after he received a poor Sirnak, a Southeast Anatolian city. the BDP promises. He engages in reception in Hakkari, another city in actions that do not suit his party s the heavily Kurdish-populated of cooperating in a campaign institutional identity on the issues region. against his ruling Justice and sensitive to the Kurdish community Only 1,000 people turned out for Development Party, or AKP. in an effort to receive their applause, the prime minister s rally in It s a new step. The connection the deputy prime minister said. Hakkari, where nearly all shopkee¬ between Silivri and Kandil has been This is wrong. The Kurdish problem pers closed their doors in reaction to registered by the dialogue between can t be solved in this way. his visit. Though Erdogan had a bet¬ the CHP and the BDP. The scenario Arinçalso criticized Kilicdaroglu ter turnout in Sirnak, the unexpec¬ is being implemented, Erdogan s visit to the mayor of the BDP-run tedly good showing made Monday claimed. eastern province of Hakkari, as well in Hakkari by his main political Silivri is the name of a prison as the CHP leader s critical remarks rival, Republican People s Party, or where dozens of intellectuals, jour¬ about judgments in the ongoing CHP, chief Kemal Kilicdaroglu, nalists, civil-society representatives case against the illegal Kurdish clearly still rankled. and former generals have been kept Communities Union, or KCK. It s pleasing to see that the CHP on charges of ties to the alleged Kiliçdaroglu likewise met with s chairman could hold a rally in Ergenekon gang, which purpor¬ the chief prosecutor and complai¬ Hakkari, in Van. But pay attention tedly sought to topple down the ned about the prosecutions being to this: The CHP s new leader, who government in 2003 and 2004. carried out, Arinçsaid, adding that could get only around 150 votes in Kandil is a mountain in northern it was wrong to defend suspects in a Hakkari, has addressed the voters Iraq where the outlawed PKK has case against a group that has alleged of the BDP [pro-Kurdish Peace and its headquarters and camps. links to the outlawed Kurdistan Democracy Party], Erdogan said in The alleged alliance between the Workers Party, or PKK. Sirnak. CHP and the BDP is aiming at revi¬ The KCK is aUeged to be the The participants [in Hakkari] ving the gangs in the country, urban wing of the PKK, which is lis¬ were not from the CHP, but from the according to Erdoan, who claimed ted as a terrorist organization by BDP, the prime minister claimed. that these parties were trying to Turkey, the European Union and the He accused the opposition parties, redesign the country s politics United States. the outlawed Kurdistan Workers through provocations. Party, or PKK, and shadowy gangs Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ah

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

i'tlMmiÛt 25 mai 2011

S.O.S Syrie PREMIERS SIGNATAIRES :

Amirshahi Pouria, secrétaire Imaginez des villes entières cou¬ Quelques protestations du bout national du PS chargé des Droits pées du monde, pas de télé¬ des lèvres, en Amérique et en de l'Homme ; Bennahmias phone, plus d'électricité, des Europe ont eu lieu. Les massacres Jean-Luc, député européen; patrouilles de chars qui mitraillent continuent. C'est un fleuve de Benslama Fethi, psychanalyste ;

la foule, imaginez des tireurs sang. Berge Pierre, président de la embusqués sur les toits fauchant Fondation Yves Saint-Laurent, les passants, des miliciens inves¬ Donnons ici les noms des respon¬ actionnaire et président du conseil tissant, une à une, les maisons et sable syriens à la tête de la de surveillance du Monde ; embarquant tous les hommes de répression : Maher Al-Assad, chef Bianco Jean-Louis, député- 15 à 80 ans. Imaginez les prisons, de la 4ème division de l'armée ; Maire de Dignes ; Dray Julien, les tortures qu'ils y endurent. Ali Mamlouk, chef des renseigne¬ député de l'Essone ; Durpaire N'imaginez pas. C'est ainsi qu'en ments généraux ; Mohammed François, historien ; Franck Syrie sont traités étudiants, démo¬ Ibrahim Ai-Char, ministre de l'in¬ Dan, écrivain ; Goupil Romain, crates, citoyens ordinaires qui, du térieur ; Hafez Makhlouf, colonel réalisateur ; Henry Pierre, prési¬ nord au sud du pays, réclament, des renseignements généraux, dent de FTDA ; Hollande jour après jour, pacifiquement, au branche de Damas ; Abd Al-Fatah François, député de Corrèze ; prix de centaines de morts, de mil¬ Quodiyah, chef du renseignement Lepage Corinne, députée euro¬ liers d'arrestations, une liberté et militaire ; Jamil Hassan, chef du péenne ; Pingeot Mazarine, une dignité qu'ils n'ont jamais renseignement de l'armée de l'air écrivain ; Sifaoui Mohamed,

connues. syrienne ; Rustum Ghazali, chef journaliste, écrivain ; Stora du renseignement militaire du Benjamin, historien ; Ribes Imaginez un pays sous dictature gouvernorat de Damas ; Atef Jean-Michel, directeur du de père en fils depuis quarante Najib, responsable de la sécurité Théâtre du Rond Point ; Rocard ans, un régime qui, dans une politique à Deraa ; Mohammed Michel, ancien premier ministre ; totale impunité, plante ses pieux Dib Zeitoun, chef de la sécurité Youssouphou Baki, président armés dans le c2ur de chaque politique à Banyas. Gravons ces de la Ce ; Huchon Jean-Paul, citoyen. Telle est la Syrie du clan noms dans nos mémoires, dans président de la région IDF ; El Assad, et l'Etat de barbarie qu'il l'attente d'un châtiment prochain Benguigui Jean, comédien ; a partout instauré, les lois humai¬ devant le peuple syrien et la Benguigui Yamina, adjoint au nes foulées aux pieds. Des millions conscience internationale. Maire de Paris de la lutte contre de citoyens sans défense ont été les discriminations ; Delanoë poussés à la révolte. Un peuple Retenez les noms de ces prisons : Bertrand, maire de Paris ; Levy accueillant et paisible a cessé d'en¬ Tadmor (Palmyre) ; Palestine, Bernard-Henri, philosophe et durer - et cette révolte à mains Adra, Douma (Damas) ; Seid membre du conseil de surveillance nues, contre la machine de mort, Naya. L'enfer, en Syrie, porte ces du Monde ; Chomski-Magnis relève du miracle. Depuis deux noms. Huguette, présidente du MPCT ; mois, les manifestations se sol¬ Hertzog Gilles, écrivain ; dent, à Deraa, à Homs, à Kamchli, Pour l'heure, il faut descendre Schapira Pierre, adjoint au à Banyas, à Lattaquié, par des dans la rue exiger que les massa¬ Maire de Paris chargé des rela¬ massacres de l'armée, des milices cres cessent et que nos gouver¬ tions internationales ; Pau- et des services secrets. Mais, ne nants ne se contentent plus de Langevin George, députée de cédant pas à la terreur, admirables pieuses remontrances. Bashar Al- Paris ; Branco Juan, président de courage, les manifestants Assad n'a pas été déclaré criminel de Jeune République ; Boutih recommencent le lendemain, ni hors-la loi. Il n'est sous le coup Malek, ancien Président de SOS enterrant leurs morts et repartant d'aucune inculpation de la Cour Racisme ; Kendal Nezan, prési¬ de plus belle. pénale internationale. L'ONU n'a dent de l'Institut Kurde de Paris ; Tout cela est admirable. Tout cela pas mis les tueurs en demeure de Encel Frédéric, géopolitologue ; est monstrueux. remiser leurs chars et leurs mili¬ Désir Harlem, député européen ces, sous peine de Tout cela se déroule dans l'indiffé¬ proscription.Tournez vos yeux vers rence générale. Indifférence de la la Syrie. communauté internationale, indif¬

férence de nos représentants, Signez cet appel et venez manifes¬ indifférence des opinions publi¬ ter votre peine, votre indignation, ques, les yeux tournés ailleurs. votre solidarité avec le peuple Frontières fermées ; organisations syrien, dimanche 29 mai à 15I1, humanitaires, presse internatio¬ esplanade du Trocadéro, à Paris. nale bannies : Silence, on Tue !

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

Turquie: Une bombe désamorcée avant une visite d'Erdogan en zone kurde

DIYARBAKIR (Turquie), 23 mai 2011 (AFP) Kurdistan (PKK), considéré par la Turquie et de nombreux pays comme un mouvement "terroriste".

LA POLICE TURQUE a désamorcé une puissante bombe lundi dans le Le PKK a revendiqué une attaque début mai dans le nord de la Turquie dans sud-est anatolien avant une visite du Premier ministre, Recep Tayyip laquelle un policier a été tué et un autre blessé, en escortant un convoi du Erdogan, dans cette zone kurde pour un meeting en vue des législati¬ parti au pouvoir, après un meeting de M. Erdogan. ves de juin, a indiqué une source de sécurité locale. Le PKK a décrété un cessez-le-feu unilatéral en août 2010, mais a menacé

La bombe contenant 36 kg d'explosifs et télécommandée a été retrouvée au en mars d'y mettre fin, déplorant l'échec du gouvernement à dialoguer avec pied d'un pont entre les localités de Nusaybin et Cizre, dans la province de les Kurdes.

Simak, à la frontière avec l'Irak. M. Erdogan doit se rendre mardi dans cette Les heurts entre le PKK et les forces de sécurité se sont multipliés ces der¬ région pour y prononcer un discours électoral. nières semaines alors que doivent avoir lieu le 12 juin des élections législa¬

Les autorités locales soupçonnent les rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du tives.

30 mai 2011 ÈtWlmmêt Le Blogs de Guillaume Perrier

Erdogan et la question kurde

2010. Le parti kurde BDP d'irrégularités et d'incohé¬ avait appelé au boycott du rences. Le ressentiment Guillaume Perrier vote et avait été largement contre l'AKP et contre la suivi. Le non soutien des police, qui dans toute la Kurdes, pourtant concernés région est de plus en plus es enregistrements au premier chef, aux réfor¬ visible, est fort. vidéos du MHP mis à mes de la Constitution votées La solution de la question part, la question kurde B par l'AKP, avait déclenché la kurde est le plus grand projet est le principal sujet de colère du premier ministre à mener en Turquie, selon débats et de clivages qui appa¬ qui depuis, entend le leur Ahmet Insel. Le seul vérita¬ totale de l'Ouest du pays. raît dans cette campagne pour faire payer. ble "projet fou", estime-t-il. Le parti kémaliste CHP, les élections législatives. Les Aujourd'hui, selon M. Certains éditorialistes et lui, a changé de tactique. candidats ont multiplié les Erdogan, "il n'y a plus de intellectuels turcs de l'Ouest Après avoir été l'un des pre¬ meetings dans les régions kur¬ problème kurde". Le gouver¬ ont mis en garde les médias miers à se pencher sur la des du Sud Est et de l'Est de la nement turc revient à un dis¬ turcs contre la vieille tenta¬ question kurde, avec le rap¬ Turquie. cours très classique, nationa¬ tion de l'auto censure sur la port publié dès la fin des Recep Tayyip Erdogan liste, centralisateur et assimi- question kurde. Il est en effet années 80, le CHP a dérivé était à Siirt, Van, puis lationniste: "Tek bayrak, tek assez hallucinant de consta¬ vers un nationalisme étroit Hakkari, le week-end der¬ iilke, tek millet" (un seul dra¬ ter l'absence sur le terrain sous Deniz Baykal. Kemal nier. Il visitera Diyarbakir, peau, un seul pays, une seule des médias turcs, TV comme Kilicdaroglu entend insuffler mercredi 1er juin, pour un nation). En s'adressant à "ses presse écrite, pour tenter de un autre esprit au CHP. L'ex grand meeting à J- il avant frères aux racines kurdes", comprendre et d'expliquer bâtonnier de Diyarbakir et le scrutin du 12 juin. Erdogan confirme la réalité cette éternelle question défenseur des droits de L'accueil est plutôt froid dans de la politique de turquifica- kurde. En la réduisant le plus l'homme, Sezgin Tanrikulu la région et pour cause... tion. L'Islam sunnite , majo¬ souvent à une question de est candidat sous l'étiquette L'AKP avait réalisé de ritaire en Turquie, sert de sécurité, de "terrorisme", et du parti unique d'Ataturk, ce bons scores chez les Kurdes ciment unificateur. en se contentant de repren¬ qui est difficilement compré¬ en 2007, les promesses La répression judiciaire a dre les communiqués offi¬ hensible pour une grande "d'ouverture démocratique" repris de plus belle : après la ciels des forces de sécurité, partie des Kurdes. Toujours rencontraient alors de grands dissolution du DTP en les médias turcs perpétuent est-il que l'accueil réservé à espoirs. En 2005, Recep décembre 2009, puis l'exclu¬ le problème à leur manière. Kemal bey à Hakkari a été Tayyip Erdogan, dans un dis¬ sion de la vie politique de Après l'explosion d'une beaucoup plus chaleureux cours mémorable à plusieurs élus kurdes dont le bombe à Etiler (rive euro¬ que pour Recep Tayyip Diyarbakir avait reconnu modéré Ahmet Turk, les péenne d'Istanbul), qui a fait Erdogan. Du coup, le pre¬ l'existence du "problème arrestations de centaines 8 blessés la semaine der¬ mier ministre accuse le parti kurde". Mais les Kurdes ont d'enfants lanceurs de pierres nière, les journalistes étaient kémaliste de fricoter avec le déchanté. Une détente rapide et de milliers de militants du en direct depuis les lieux de BDP, forcément infréquenta¬ n'était déjà plus qu'un rêve parti et d'associations para¬ l'attentat toute la journée. ble. Qui sème le vent... aux municipales de 2009, vents ont exténué la région Dans le Sud-Est, les attaques, marquées par une poussée kurde. Le procès du KCK, le les explosions et les funérail¬ du BDP. Encore plus au réseau de soutien civil du les se succèdent à un rythme moment du référendum de PKK, continue, avec son lot effréné. Dans l'indifférence

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

THE ^TZ^ZA May 30, 2011 ENDENT

Regional rivalries emerge from Arab Spring

city of Misrata, their officers helping to Iraqi Kurds fled across its borders after train guerrilla fighters on the perimeter Saddam Hussein unleashed his forces By Robert Fisk, Middle East of the fighting. No official statement has against them following the 1991 libera¬ Correspondent been issued about this Qatari involve¬ tion of Kuwait. Thousands died in the ment although the Gulf emirate has six frozen mountains and only a US safe Behind the Arab Spring lie its Mirage fighter-bombers stationed on haven inside northern Iraq allowed the secrets. Turkey and Qatar have Crete and flying sorties over Libya. Turks to turn back the refugees. now developed a passionate anger towards Bashar al-Assad's Syrian The fear that Algeria has been supplying As in northern Iraq, part of northern regime - the Turks even planning for a tanks and armoured personnel carriers Syria's population is Kurdish; many "safe haven" inside Syrian territory if to the Gaddafi regime across its 750-mile believe that Assad has no intention of they fear a tide of refugees approa¬ common desert border lies behind the keeping his promise of granting them ching the Turkish border - while Gulf recent visit of the Emir of Qatar to citizenship, and Turkish forces in the Arabs suspect Algeria may be secretly Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, south-east of their country are still figh¬ re-arming Libya. whose army is better equipped than ting their own Kurdish guerrillas in the Gaddafi's. The weapons which the Gulf mountains; they do not want more state¬ Turkey believes that Assad has twice dis¬ Arabs believe have been given to the less Kurds crossing the border. honoured promises to pull his brother's Libyan regime by the Algerians would go armed thugs off the streets of Syrian some way to account for Nato's slow pro¬ Assad had apparendy promised the cities, and the coverage of the Syrian gress in its air campaign against Gaddafi. Turks that he would speak publicly about uprising by Qatar's Al-Jazeera television withdrawing troops from the streets, but channel has so enraged the Syrians that More serious, perhaps, are Turkey's he failed to do so - a fact which particu¬ they have blocked £4bn worth of Qatari plans for a "protection zone" inside nor¬ larly infuriated Turkey's foreign minister. investment projects. thern Syrian territory if the uprising there turns into full-scale civil war. Qatar's own armed forces are now assis¬ Turkey remembers, to its horror, the ting Libyan rebels in the western port weeks in which hundreds of thousands of

30 MAY 2011

in Turkey is not very healthy for discussing solutions to the Elections and the Kurdish problem because the CHP in particular is making abundant promises in comfort, with the belief that it will not Kurdish issue come to power, while the AK Party is concerned about losing nationalist votes. She thinks that only after the elections are

over will it be possible to engage in healthy debate about the Columnists Kurdish problem, at the center of which will be the autonomy FATMA DISLIZIBAK / today s zaman issue. In her view, the CHP promising autonomy to local admi¬ nistrations in line with the European Charter of Local Self-

Govemment is a very concrete and binding position for the

One of the issues that political party leaders promise to party, which will strengthen the AK Party s hand if it wants to

address and produce solutions for if they come to make such a reform after the general elections. The CHP, power after the June 12 general elections is undoubtedly which resorted to all means to sabotage the Kurdish initiative Turkey s biggest problem, the Kurdish problem. launched by the AK Party until a short time ago, will no lon¬ ger be able to backpedal so easily from what it said before

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) already the elections, says Gokturk. launched an initiative in 2009 and has taken important steps

towards a solution to the problem, yet it has been insuffi¬ Assessing the current state of the Kurdish problem, Milliyet s cient in discussing a complete solution and ending the terro¬ Taha Akyol says nobody can deny the steps Turkey has taken

rism perpetrated by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party toward the solution of the Kurdish problem. First of all,

(PKK), which benefits from the Kurdish problem. Now, the there is no issue left unspoken. Is there anything Kurdish poli¬

Republican People s Party (CHP), which for a long time ticians cannot mention because it is forbidden to do so? The

denied the existence of a Kurdish problem in Turkey, has bans before speaking Kurdish have been lifted, and the state

changed its discourse, with its leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has begun negotiations with [jailed outlawed PKK leader

making radical promises such as granting autonomy to local Abdullah Ocalan, he explains. Akyol says one can make a list

administrations in a bid to contribute to solving the problem. of things to do toward the solution of the Kurdish problem in

Only after the elections will we see how these promises will the long and medium-term in line with his/her political view, materialize into actions and what kind of steps will be taken but nobody can deny the progress of democracy in Turkey. for a solution.

Bugun s Gulay Gokturk says the current election environment

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

May 31, 2011 TheNational Syrian opposition meet in Turkey to discuss increasing pressure on Assad

The National/UAE internationally, but not to form Friday. "Radical steps that stun

Thomas Seibert some kind of government in The Turkish government did everyone are needed now," Mr exile. not embrace the Antalya mee¬ Erdogan reportedly told the

ISTANBUL // Members of ting officially. Mr Qurabi said Syrian leader. the Syrian opposition in exile "Maybe we will establish a the organisers had had no

gathered for a conference in small committee" to coordi¬ contact with Turkish govern¬ Mr Orhan said Turkey had

southern Turkey yesterday to nate communication between ment representatives. "We sent invested a considerable amount

discuss ways of raising the exile groups and to support the them the files about the confe¬ of international credibility by

pressure on the regime of resistance to the Assad regime rence, and they allowed it to go telling the increasingly scepti¬ President Bashar al Assad. within Syria," Mr Qurabi said. ahead," he said, adding there cal West that the Assad regime As for political demands, Mr had been no other Turkish was willing to reform the coun¬

The meeting comes at a time Qurabi pointed to the so-called involvement in the event. try. But as Syria keeps ignoring

when the government in Damascus Declaration of Ankara's advice and moves clo¬ Ankara is showing increasing 2005, a five-page document A visit to Istanbul in April by ser to Iran, Turkey has started signs of impatience with calling for democracy in Syria leaders of the Muslim to change tack, Mr Orhan said. Damascus after weeks of fruit¬ and supported by a broad Brotherhood triggered an

less efforts to push the Assad range of opposition groups, angry statement by Nidal "This is not the first meeting of

government to implement poli¬ including the Muslim Kabalan, the Syrian ambassa¬ the Syrian opposition in

tical reforms. The Assad Brotherhood, a powerful Sunni dor in Ankara. "For us, the Turkey," he said about the regime has been trying to crush group banned in Syria. Muslim Brotherhood is like the conference in Antalya. "It can

a popular uprising against the PKK is for Turkey," Mr be read as a message to Syria." Mr Qurabi said yesterday that government. Kabalan told a Turkish news¬ the Muslim Brotherhood paper at the time, in reference Mr Orhan said Turkey was

Rights activists say more than would also be represented in to the Kurdistan Workers' also concerned about a percei¬

1,000 people have been killed Antalya. The opposition Party, or PKK, a rebel group ved increase of Iranian in the crackdown that started should "unite under the roof of fighting for Kurdish self-rule influence in Syria. "I think in March and has been a revolution of freedom and and regarded as a terrorist there is a Turkish-Iranian com¬ condemned by the United dignity for the construction of organisation by Ankara. petition in Syria, just like in Nations and triggered western the new Syria", he said earlier Lebanon and in Iraq," he said. sanctions against the Assad in a Nohr statement released in The fact that Turkey, one of In a recent analysis posted on the run-up to the conference. government. the closest international part¬ the website of the Centre for ners of the Assad regime in Middle Eastern Strategic

Ammar Qurabi, the president "This regime cannot be refor¬ recent years, is once again Studies, Mr Orhan argued that of the Egypt-based National med," Anas Abda, secretary of playing host to a meeting of Iran saw a potential regime Organisation for Human the Damascus Declaration the Syrian opposition despite change in Syria as a threat. Rights in Syria, or Nohr, one of General Council, another reservations in Damascus is no "Right now, the Syrian govern¬

the groups behind the two-day opposition group, told the coincidence, said Oytun ment does not trust any player,

meeting in the Mediterranean semi-official Turkish news Orhan, an expert on Syria at including Turkey, as much as it

resort of Antalya, said he agency Anadolu in Antalya. the Centre for Middle Eastern trusts Iran," he wrote. "The main demand of the expected about 300 partici¬ Strategic Studies, a think tank conference is this: We want real pants at the "Syrian in Ankara. In Antalya, the conference trig¬ Conference for Change". change in Syria." gered a short confrontation "Turkey is disappointed by between Syrians opposed to

In a first reaction to the general But even before the meeting Assad," Mr Orhan said. The the Assad regime and suppor¬ got under way, cracks appeared amnesty declared by the Assad government in Ankara has ters of the government in between opposition groups. regime yesterday, Mr Qurabi been calling on Mr Assad to Damascus. stressed that important details Some reports said Kurdish implement what Turkish offi¬ organisations had not been about the scope of the amnesty cials have described as "shock Government opponents and were not known. invited to the meeting. reforms" for more democracy, supporters arrived in Antalya In London, Ribal al Assad, the but Ankara's pleas have been on the same flight from

"As a start, we welcome any director of the Organisation ignored by Damascus. "So Istanbul, Turkish media repor¬ step that gets people out of for Democracy and Freedom Turkey is keeping up the pres¬ ted. The government suppor¬ jail," he said. But he added it in Syria and a cousin of the sure for reform on one hand ters protested when the opposi¬ was unclear if people that were Syrian president, said in a sta¬ and trying to sharpen the pro¬ tion representatives unveiled still in police custody after their tement it was "very clear that file on the opposition on the signs with an ti-Assad slogans arrest by Syrian security forces some of these individuals [in other." after their arrival, the report would also be released. Antalya] are not genuine said. Turkish police intervened representatives of the Syrian According to Turkish news to prevent the situation from

Mr Qurabi and other opposi¬ people. Moreover they are reports, Recep Tayyip escalating. The Assad suppor¬ tion representatives said one individuals who promote extre¬ Erdogan, the Turkish prime ters were gathering for a coun¬

aim of the meeting was to mism or sectarianism, which minister, renewed his demands ter-conference in another hotel create a body that could repre¬ has no place in the path to free¬ for reforms when he spoke to in Antalya, the reports said.

sent the Syrian opposition dom and democracy." Mr Assad by telephone last

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

31 mai 2011 Les voisins de la Syrie embarrassés par la crise

Plus que tous les autres pays arabes, la Syrie est un acteur prééminent dans la région, ce qui explique le malaise de ses voisins face à la crise. Passage en revue.

Par Catherine Gouëset blés sur son territoire. Les troubles en

Syrie pourraient se propager dans le

Liban voisin -sans gouvernement TURQUIE: UN PARTENAIRE depuis plus de quatre mois- à tout PRIVILÉGIÉ ... ET INQUIET moment, estiment des analystes.

p,.-,. Les blogueurs syriens se cachent Partenaire privilégié de la Syrie, la même au Liban Turquie redouble d'efforts pour

appeler le président Bachar el-Assad "Nous pensions que d'aller au Liban à la raison, tout en gardant le silence nous apporterait plus de liberté de sur d'éventuelles sanctions contre mouvement et d'expression, explique son voisin. La Turquie redoute une un journaliste réfugié à Beyrouth. division de la Syrie et l'entrée de réfu¬ "Nous avons été surpris quand nous giés syriens sur son sol mais elle avons découvert que les Libanais ont craint aussi que la question kurde encore plus peur des services de ren¬ chez son voisin fasse tache d'huile en seignements syriens que les Syriens syrien à Antalya, ville turque sur la Anatolie . eux mêmes." Méditerranée.

Or, avec une opinion publique déçue LIBAN: À L'OMBRE DE DAMAS Des centaines de manifestants ont des relations avec l'Union euro¬ d'ailleurs défilé le 28 mai à Tripoli péenne et les Etats-Unis, Ankara a pour demander la libération de La répression en Syrie, puissance de réorienté sa diplomatie vers ses voi¬ Syriens détenus par l'armée libanaise. tutelle au Liban pendant 30 ans, est sins de la région ces dernières années: Environ 5000 Syriens se sont réfugiés un sujet ultrasensible dans le petit "zéro problème avec les voisins" est la au Liban depuis le début de la crise, pays méditerranéen. Le Liban, qui est ligne de conduite depuis quelques surtout de la ville frontalière de Tall encore aujourd'hui le théâtre d'af¬ années. Jadis en mauvais termes en Kalakh. frontements récurrents entre pro¬ raison du soutien de Damas aux syriens, menés notamment par le rebelles séparatistes kurdes, la Les signes de tensions sont multiples. puissant Hezbollah chiite, et anti- Turquie et la Syrie entretiennent dés¬ Une réunion de soutien aux manifes¬ syriens, mené par l'ancien ministre en ormais des liens diplomatiques et tants en Syrie a du être organisée, le exercice Saad Hariri, craint plus que économiques étroits. Les deux pays 24 mai, dans un entrepôt près de tout une nouvelle immixtion de trou- ont récemment supprimé les visas et Beyrouth, après que 28 hôtels liba¬ le volume commercial bilatéral a tri¬ nais eurent refusé de l'accueillir. La plé en dix ans, atteignant 2,5 mil¬ semaine passée, le chef du très puis¬ L'ENJEU KURDE liards de dollars en 2010. sant Hezbollah libanais, Hassan

Nasrallah, a appelé les Syriens à "sau¬ La Turquie craint que les troubles en Mais face à la brutalité de la répres¬ vegarder" le régime du président Syrie fassent tache d'huile, des rebel¬ sion en Syrie, Ankara a haussé le ton Bachar el-Assad. "Nous appelons les les kurdes étant présents des deux récemment. Le président turc Recep Syriens à sauvegarder leur pays et côtés de la frontière. Or la situation Tayyip Erdogan a une nouvelle fois leur régime", a-t-il déclaré. Et en au Kurdistan turc après ne promesse exhorté Bachar el-Assad à entrepren¬ avril, la Syrie a accusé des proches de d'éclaircie en 2009, s'est considéra¬ dre des réformes, le 27 mai. Quelques Saad Hariri de financer et d'armer les blement durcie depuis 2010. jours plus tôt, le ministre des Affaires contestataires en Syrie. étrangères, estimait que Damas pou¬ Même inquiétude à Bagdad: "Un vait encore résoudre pacifiquement Damas et Beyrouth ont une histoire changement de régime à Damas ren¬ la crise, si elle lançait des "réformes commune tumultueuse. En pleine forcera les Kurdes en Irak qui se sen¬ drastiques et de grande ampleur", guerre civile (1975-1990), la Syrie a tiront encouragés à passer de l'auto¬ non sans ajouter que "le temps envoyé ses troupes au Liban, où elles nomie dont ils jouissent actuellement presse". Le 9 mai, déjà, Damas n'avait sont restées jusqu'à leur retrait en à l'indépendance dont ils rêvent" pas apprécié la comparaison par le 2005, après l'assassinat de Rafic explique le chercheur Hamid Fadel. . Premier ministre turc, de la répres¬ Hariri, l'ancien Premier ministre liba¬ sion en cours au gazage de milliers nais. Les hens diplomatiques formels Les Kurdes qui forment, avec les de Kurdes dans la ville de Halabja, en n'ont été renoués qu'en 2008, et la Arméniens près de 10% de la popula¬ 1988, par le régime de Saddam Syrie, tout comme l'Iran, soutient tion en Syrie, sont la principale mino¬ Hussein en Irak. toujours le camp du Hezbollah. rité du pays. Le régime, conscient de

leur importance, a annoncé, en avril, Autre signe de tension, la Turquie ISRAËL: LA PAIX FROIDE la régularisation situation de 300.000 accueille une grande réunion, du 1er d'entre eux. au 3 juin, des opposants au régime La contestation en Syrie pourrait pro-

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

fiter à Israël en affaiblissant l'in¬ mistes "sentent le changement arriver arabe, notamment à Bahrein où la fluence de l'Iran, et en portant un en Syrie", estime le ministre irakien population, majoritairement chiite coup au Hezbollah libanais, ainsi des Affaires étrangères Hoshyar comme en Iran, est dirigée par une qu'au Hamas, le mouvement isla¬ Zebari. dynastie sunnite. "L'Iran appuie le miste palestinien. Mais elle fait crain¬ mouvement de révolte arabe dans les dre de nouvelles tensions à la fron¬ IRAK: LA CRAINTE DE autres pays, mais pas en Syrie car tière entre les deux pays et l'instabilité TENSIONS CONFESSIONNELLES Damas résiste à Israël, et Téhéran en cas de chute de Bachar el-Assad, fonde ses relations avec les pays ara¬ selon des analystes. Les chiites irakiens, qui ont attendu bes sur leur degré d'opposition" à

80 ans avant d'accéder au pouvoir, en l'Etat hébreu, relève Mohammad

Israël et la Syrie sont toujours officiel¬ 2003, après la chute du régime de Saleh Sedghian, directeur du Centre lement en état de guerre. Damas exige Saddam Hussein, sont en général d'études irano-arabes basé à Téhéran. un retrait intégral du plateau du favorables au maintien du régime

Golan, occupé depuis 1967. Les der¬ baassiste en Syrie. Ils redoutent une La Syrie est le principal allié de l'Iran nières négociations de paix entre les arrivée au pouvoir à Damas de sunni¬ dans le monde arabe depuis la révo¬ deux pays ont été suspendues fin tes qui empoisonnerait le climat en lution islamique de 1979. Sur le plan

2008 à la suite de l'offensive israé¬ Irak. stratégique, un renversement ou un lienne à Gaza. Mais "depuis 40 ans, la affaiblissement du régime syrien "ne frontière entre Israël et la Syrie est la Pour Hamid Fadel, professeur de pourrait qu'avoir des conséquences plus calme" souligne Yoav Limor, Sciences politiques à l'université de négatives pour l'Iran", estime commentateur militaire de la télévi¬ Bagdad, les chutes irakiens (un peu Mehrdad Serjouie, analyste indépen¬ sion publique, cité par Marc Henry plus de 60% de la population) redou¬ dant à Téhéran, mais "Compte tenu dans Le Figaro. Celui-ci rappelle éga¬ tent d'être encerclés par des régimes du sentiment anti-israélien dans les lement que un commentaire de sunnites. mouvements de révolte arabes, (une

Schlomo ben Ami, ancien ministre victoire du) mouvement démocrati¬ des Affaires étrangères, selon qui, les L'Irak a soutenu les mouvements de que ne placerait pas la Syrie sous l'in¬ dictatures qui entourent Israël "sont contestation dans plusieurs pays ara¬ fluence d'Israël" tempère Amir stables et savent imposer leur volonté bes en raison de la "tyrannie" et Mohebian, directeur du centre aux éléments incontrôlés". T'oppression" subies par les peuples, d'étude Arya Strategic Studies. En

et condamné l'intervention saou¬ revanche, reconnaît-il, "le soutien ira¬

Certains observateurs craignent dienne à Bahrein contre la majorité nien au régime du président Assad néanmoins "la possibilité, imprévisi¬ chiite de ce royaume. Mais plusieurs pourrait être perçu négativement par ble, que le régime syrien cède à la ten¬ personnalités politiques chiites cir¬ l'opposition syrienne" et peser sur les tation de provoquer une crise à Gaza conspectes vis-à-vis des manifesta¬ relations avec Téhéran si elle arrivait ou au Liban sud, afin de détourner tions en Syrie. " N'oublions pas que au pouvoir. l'attention de l'opinion" estime les dirigeants (syriens) ont aidé l'op¬

Michael Eppel, spécialiste du Moyen- position à Saddam Hussein", expli¬ LES AUTRES PAYS ARABES Orient à l'Université de Haïfa. C'est que un dirigeant du Conseil supé¬ notamment ce qui expliquerait la rieur islamique d'Irak (CSII), un des Les régimes arabes épargnés par la virulence des manifestations sur le principaux mouvements religieux contestation gardent le silence face à front du Golan, lors de la commémo¬ chiites, tandis qu'un député reprend la répression sanglante des manifes¬ ration de la Nakba, le 15 mai, alors l'antienne du pouvoir syrien, à savoir tations en Syrie, préférant le maintien que cette zone était restée calme pen¬ que "des étrangers interviennent dans du pouvoir, bien qu'il s'en méfient, à dant des décennies. la situation en Syrie". une déstabilisation de la région. Les

Les voisins de la Syrie embarrassés dirigeants arabes se sont abstenus de par la crise IRAN: L'ALLIÉ FIDÈLE condamner le régime syrien, et sont

évidemment inquiets des conséquen¬

Dans tous les cas de figure, quels que Les troubles en Syrie mettent dans ces" du soulèvement en Syrie "sur soient les changements politiques en l'embarras son plus proche allié dans leurs propres pays", estime Maha

Syrie, le mouvement islamiste Hamas la région, l'Iran. Ainsi, le porte-parole Azzam, analyste au groupe de

(au pouvoir à Gaza), préservera son du ministère des Affaires étrangères réflexion britannique Chatham statut privilégié à Damas "car le affirmait début mai que l'Iran "n'ac¬ House. "C'est au moins un régime

Hamas est arabe et sunnite", comme cepte en aucune manière l'usage de la qu'ils connaissent (...) ils ne veulent la majorité de la population, estime violence et la répression contre ceux pas un changement radical qui ferait

Eyal Zisser, chercheur sur le Moyen- qui expriment leurs revendications de la Syrie une société démocratique,

Orient à l'Université de Tel-Aviv. pacifiquement", avant d'ajouter que ce qui constituerait une plus grande

les médias occidentaux "exagèrent les menace pour ces régimes qu'une

Côté Palestinien, l'accord de paix manifestations limitées qui peuvent Syrie dirigée par le Baas", explique-t- signé début mai entre le Hamas et le exister (en Syrie) pour faire croire eUe. Fatah montre l'affaiblissement de qu'elles représentent la demande de

Damas, selon certains observateurs. la majorité de la population". Si "le chef politique du Hamas,

Khaled Mechaal, a fait le voyage de Cette prudence contraste avec la viru¬

Damas au Caire, pour signer un lence des critiques iraniennes contre accord de paix avec le chef du Fatah", la répression des mouvements popu¬

Mahmoud Abbas, c'est que les isla laires partout ailleurs dans le monde

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