US Announces Talks with Turkey, Iraq On PKK Rebels

[Barrett808]

US Announces Talks with Turkey, Iraq On PKK Rebels
By Amberin Zaman
Ankara
3 January 2005

A top American diplomat is in Turkey, attempting to calm Turkish concerns over Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has proposed three-way talks between Washington, Baghdad and Ankara to work out a plan to deal with Turkish Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq. Some five thousand fighters from the group known as PKK/Kongra-Gel are holed up in the mountains separating Iraq from Iran.

Turkey has long lobbied Washington to take action against the rebels. American officials say the have not, so far, because US forces fighting an insurgency in Iraq are stretched too far to open a second front against PKK/Kongra-Gel.

Perceived U.S. foot dragging on the issue has raised tensions with NATO-ally Turkey.

Relations between Ankara and Washington further deteriorated when Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Iraqi insurgents as "martyrs" and when a Turkish member of parliament characterized the recent American offensive against the insurgent stronghold of Fallouja as "genocide."

(more)

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-03-voa13.cfm

[Tempest]

1. But I thought Bush didn't negotiate with terrorists

From the State Department's Terrorist Watch List:

Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)*

Description

Established in 1974 as a Marxist-Leninist insurgent group primarily composed of Turkish Kurds. In recent years has moved beyond rural-based insurgent activities to include urban terrorism. Seeks to establish an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey, where the population is predominantly Kurdish.

Activities

Primary targets are Turkish Government security forces in Turkey but also has been active in Western Europe against Turkish targets.

Conducted attacks on Turkish diplomatic and commercial facilities in dozens of West European cities in 1993 and again in spring 1995. In an attempt to damage Turkey's tourist industry, the PKK has bombed tourist sites and hotels and kidnapped foreign tourists.

Strength

Approximately 10,000 to 15,000. Has thousands of sympathizers in Turkey and Europe.

Location/Area of Operation

Operates in Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

External Aid

Has received safehaven and modest aid from Syria, Iraq, and Iran. The Syrian Government claims to have expelled the PKK from its territory in October 1998.

http://www.state.gov/www/global/terrorism/1998Report/appb.html