U.S. says working with Turkey to solve PKK "problem"

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

U.S. says working with Turkey to solve PKK "problem"
Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:36AM EDT

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Monday it is working
with Turkey to resolve a "serious problem" posed by the separatist
Kurdistan Workers Party, but declined comment on a media report of
secret plans to stop rebel violence.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which the U.S. State Department
lists as a terrorist organization, has escalated attacks on soldiers
and civilians in Turkey in recent months, prompting Turkish calls for
a cross-border operation against rebels based in northern Iraq.

"We recognize that the PKK is a serious problem and we're working
closely with both the government of Iraq and the government of
Turkey to resolve this," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told
reporters.

But he declined to comment on a U.S. report on Monday that said the
Pentagon briefed Congress last week on secret plans for a joint U.S.-
Turkish military operation to suppress the rebel movement and
capture its leaders.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN3040889020070730

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Related: Bush's Turkish Gamble - Bob Novak, Wash. Post Op-Ed

[Demeter]

1. As If Anyone Wants US Help

Even before Bush, US help wasn't worth a bucket of warm piss, with a few notable exceptions (Kosovo, Marshall plan).

[dipsydoodle]

2. Ever decreasing circles

the USA appears to be playing both ends against the middle :

http://www.mathaba.net/0_index.shtml?x=557746

I like this bit :

AMY GOODMAN: How did you get to the guerrilla camp?

REESE ERLICH: Well, it's quite interesting, two cell phone calls and a drive up into the mountains. One of the arguments by the Kurdish regional government of Iraq and of the United States is that they can't find these guerrillas because it's so inhospitable territory that no one can find them. They're operating from secret bases, et cetera. But all I did was drive up into the closest Iraqi village and asked the local driver and they say oh, yeah, which of the guerrilla camp do you want to see and we'll take you right up to them. So they are very easy to find.

[CGowen]

6. like always, someone has to do all the work. n/t

[aquart]

3. How do you "solve" the PKK "problem" without mass murder?

Just asking.

[CGowen]

4. Novak: Bush considering secret military action in Turkey

A former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney is briefing lawmakers on Pentagon plans for secret military intervention in Turkey, Robert Novak reported Monday.

The Bush administration is considering covert military activity by U.S. Special Forces to help Turkish troops quash Kurdish guerilla fighters, who are believed to be using northern Iraq as safe-haven, according to the syndicated columnist.

Undersecretary of Defense Eric S. Edelman, a former Cheney aide, briefed lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week on the plans. The plans call for secret U.S. involvement to assist Turkish action against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Edelman's name emerged in news reports earlier this month after he wrote to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) what many saw as an overly harsh letter in response to her requests about troop withdrawals from Iraq. The letter said her request "reinforces" enemy propaganda.

Members of Congress were stunned after Edelman briefed them on plans calling for U.S. Special Forces to help Turkey eliminate PKK leaders they have targeted for years, Novak reports. Edelman told the lawmakers that he was "sure of success," according to Novak, and assured them the U.S. role would be concealed and denied.



....

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Novak_Bush_considering_secret_military_action_0730.html

[arewenotdemo]

5. Turkey should handle the problem without American help

It's always a mistake to let the devil do you any favors.

[demoleft]

7. Where is my (damned) EU? Already on holiday? n/t