Turkey wants to go to war with Iraq

[lovuian]

Run time: 00:58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH-IjStfVBs   Posted on YouTube: April 14, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: April 14, 2007 By DU Member: lovuian Views on DU: 869

 
based on the Asia Times article

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ID14Ak02.html
A controversial interview with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani by Al-Arabiya television last weekend may convey a superficial impression that events in northern Iraq could be spinning beyond the control of the United States.

Barzani has always been outspoken in asserting the Kurdish people's rights of national self-determination, but this time he was out of line, threatening that he would stoke the fires of Kurdish
snip...
Israel, of course, has an old connection with the Kurds of northern Iraq. According to Seymour Hersh, Israeli intelligence uses northern Iraq for staging subversive activities inside Iran. Hersh wrote in The New Yorker magazine three years ago that Israel also has its eyes on the fabulous oil and gas fields in the Kurdish regions of northern Iraq. Southern Kurdistan alone is estimated to hold 45 billion barrels of oil and 100 trillion cubic meters of gas.
snip..
The Israeli presence in the Kurdish areas has inevitably cast its shadows on Turkey's relations with Israel. Recently, Israel has also been unhappy over the Erdogan government's dealings with the Hamas-led Palestinian government and with Tehran. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently invited Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to visit Ankara.
more...

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ID14Ak06.html

URKISH-IRAQI BORDER - "They shoot at us every night, from up there," Turkish Captain Imre said, pointing to the forbidding heights where Kurdish separatist fighters sustain a war of attrition. "Not really to kill us, but to harass our troops and let us know they're still there."

A patrol of a dozen Turkish conscripts lumbered up the snow-blanketed ridge to their small base perched at the edge of a steep precipice; Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq lay on the other side. They were fully exposed, and didn't seem to care.

snip...

This pledge took on new meaning on Thursday when hawkish General Yasar Buyukanit, head of Turkey's military general staff, said a military operation in northern Iraq "must be made" to rout the estimated 4,000 PKK militants hiding there. Turkey maintains it has the right to make such an incursion under international law, although it has reportedly sought permission from the Baghdad government.

more...
Gonzales must have helped with their idea of international law Preemptive takes on new meaning

[Kagemusha]

1. With all due respect, "Turkey" has a political leadership.

The military expressing a desire to do something does not constitute "Turkey" "wanting" to do something. The situation's bad enough without pouring gasoline on the flames.

[lovuian]

2. I understand I'm just pointing out a very touchy situation

which America is right in the middle of in Iraq

i assure you I'm not going to start a war with my video
I suggest you read Erdogan's statements isn't he head of Turkey

[Kagemusha]

6. He is for the moment...

I woke up to spot this thread at the top of LBN:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2807081

So it's not quiet in Turkey at all. But Erdogan's statements, to my knowledge, aren't going anywhere near as far as this chief of the military did. (That's why said chief is basically calling for regime change in his own country, albeit at the ballot box, and recommending a secular PM, which would not be his darn business in a normal country but is considered par for the course in Turkey.)

[lovuian]

7. Isn't Turkey in the middle of elections right now

this could be away of getting votes and just hot air...I hope so
Keep us posted will ya
if you hear anything

[Kagemusha]

8. Clearly meant at encouraging votes towards secular parties

which is in line with what would be convenient for the military. The debate just isn't settled.. yet.

[lovuian]

9. thats what I thought and the article hinted at that

tough talk just to get votes

same tactic Bush used I'm tough on Terrorism and thats Turkey's line too

even if they have to do a preemptive strike

Kurds aren't angels here either
stirring the pot for votes too

Touchy situation which I wish our Troops were out of there

[sam sarrha]

3. or is it a matter of not being interested in the oil.. just completing the Genocide of the Kurds

[CGowen]

4. bring 'em on?

April 13, 2007 14 32 GMT

The Turkish military could initiate operations against Kurdish insurgents in Iraq beginning in late April, Turkish weekly Tempo reported April 13, citing an April 12 statement by Turkish Gen. Yasar Buyukanit. If the operation commences, the Turkish army will conduct small-scale strikes targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party bases operating in Iraq. Turkey hopes to set up a buffer zone on both Iraqi and Turkish soil to protect Turkey from Kurdish infiltration.

http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?selected=Situation%20Reports&sitrep=1&id=287214

[lovuian]

5. I admit it looks like America is in the middle of a mess

between Turkey and Iran with two huge armies

and then syria to boot

Bush is a Turkey

[lovuian]

10. lets give this a bump cause things are heating up

:kick: