TURKEY, IRAQ AND THE KURDS

By Tulin Daloglu
November 1, 2005
washington times

When President Bush welcomed President Massoud Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq to the Oval Office last Tuesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry asked why he was being called "president." If one needs to put words in U.S. officials' mouth, they would say, "Turks are unpleasantly missing the point when it comes to the onus of our relations with the Kurds."

Robert S. Deutsch, the deputy senior adviser on Iraq to the secretary of state, explained at an exclusive briefing for the Turkish journalists that the title is granted to Mr. Barzani by the Iraqi constitution, and it doesn't present a threat to Iraq's territorial integrity and national unity. Still, practically, when Turks look at America as an example of a federal state, they see only one president to be welcomed abroad.
As in Plato's "Allegory of the Cave," there is a strict contradiction between the reality and the truth as it appears today. What is real is that America is fighting against global terrorism, and Iraq is a needed front in that war. But fighting terrorism in Iraq was never meant to break up the country or create a Kurdistan that would threaten Turkey's territorial integrity.
The truth as it appears today is that Sunnis and Shi'ites are clashing for the first time since the war in Iraq began — which heightens anxiety about the possibility of a civil war. The insurgency continues. Iraqis still do not have security. And the Kurds are trying to maximize their gains and extend the borders of an autonomous Kurdistan.
The Washington Post reports that Iraqi Kurdish leaders are paying Kurds to resettle in Kirkuk for the expected 2007 referendum, which will define the city's region. Kirkuk is oil-rich, which would guarantee the Kurds enough wealth to survive independently. According to The Post, Lt. Col. Anthony Wickham said, "Does that bring greater stability to Kirkuk? No. It brings pandemonium."
Which is exactly the point. The Kurds are thinking more of their own welfare than that of Iraq as a whole. In addition, Kurds' reluctance to fight a terrorist Kurdish separatist organization — the PKK — confuses the situation, particularly in Turkey.
"We were accustomed to viewing them as tribal leaders," Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, the Turkish chief of general staff, said last Friday. "Now, Talabani is the President. Barzani is in another position. We have to accept the changes. If Jalal Talabani comes to Turkey tomorrow, he will come as a head of state."
Alas, Turkey has supported the political process in Iraq; more than 300 Iraqis — Kurds, Sunnis and Shi'ites — have been trained about building democratic institutions in the parliament and other state bodies. Clearly, Turkey's contributions in creating a united and democratic Iraq distinguish it from Syria and Iran.
Turkey is asking the United States to deal with the PKK in Northern Iraq simply because it asks for a reality statement. The PKK is a terrorist organization, according to the State Department's terrorism report, which wants to create an independent Kurdistan with land from the southeast and eastern parts of Turkey.
Kurds in Iran and Syria closely watch the Iraqi Kurds' experience with the United States. It echoes the worries among Turks whether the United States and Europe really believe the PKK is a terrorist organization.
Today's Turkey has begun the process of joining the European Union, and its improving democracy and human-rights record means its Kurdish citizens will benefit. But if Iraqi Kurdish leaders continue to shy away from acting against PKK terrorism, the people will once again suffer. They must state clearly that the PKK is not a human-rights group, and that Kurds can claim their rights peacefully and democratically.
Iraqi Kurds have fought alongside Turkish troops against the PKK in Northern Iraq before. If Iraqi Kurds hesitate to fight PKK terrorists, who kill Turkish citizens because they don't want to act against their fellow Kurds, how can Muslims be asked to fight radical Islamists like al Qaeda? Iraqi Kurds should assure Turkey that terrorism will not be part of the Kurdish quest for rights, and Turkey, the only democratic nation in the neighborhood, should protect them as it did during the first gulf war. The Turkish Parliament allowed U.S. jets to patrol the northern no-fly zone to protect Kurds from Saddam Hussein.
There is more friendship between the Kurds and the Turks than the animosity that clouds it. It is time that America sheds light on that friendship by acting against the PKK.

Tulin Daloglu is the Washington correspondent and columnist for Turkey's Star TV and newspaper. A former BBC reporter, she writes occasionally for The Washington Times.

Various private armies still exist, threatening Iraq's national

... San Francisco Chronicle - CA, USA
... He also claimed the troops did not respect their brigade commander, Col. Bashar Hussein, an ethnic Turkoman from the northern city of Kirkuk. ...

The ultimate quagmire

[ATimes]
... continue, not even making headlines - explosions at police stations, assassinationsof "Baghdad officials", executions of collaborators, mortars over the Green Zone,scores of innocent civilian victims of car bombings, Marines killed in the Sunnitriangle, Shi'ite death squads, Turkmen fighting Kurd for Kirkuk ... ...

The resistance will go on

Al-Ahram Weekly - Cairo,Egypt
... results, the Sunni lists -- particularly list number 618 of the IAF -- was not sectarian- based; that it included Kurdish, Shia and Turkoman candidates who ...

Sunni leaders challenge the validity of ballot

Financial Times - London,England,UK
... In the mixed-ethnic province of Kirkuk, a Kurdish alliance took 52 per cent of the vote followed by Sunni and Turkoman coalitions with 14 and 12 per cent ...

Life in Kerkuk Getting Hard

[NEWS IMPRESSION]
Zaman Online - Istanbul,
TurkeyKerkuk (Kirkuk), the fourth biggest province of Iraq, has become the most wretched town in the North of the country though it sits on rich oil reserves. ...

Israeli-Turkish Relations in Crisis

Media Monitors Network - CA,USA
... the Turks used to show little interest in the developments in Iraq, but now ... including the oil-rich Kirkuk region, populated by an important Turkmen community. ...

EU Commission on a mission to protect the Assyrians and Turkmen of Iraq

Assyria Times - CA,USA
... On the specific situation of the small communities living in Iraq such as the Christian, Assyrian and Turkmen, the need to ensure that all ethnicities ...

We vote, then we throw you out

Atimesonline

By Pepe Escobar

FIRST, a quick look at the environment ahead of Thursday’s elections in Iraq. Political assassinations, party headquarters burned, abductions (all largely unreported by Western corporate media). A former prime minister, Iyad Allawi — widely known in Baghdad as “Saddam without a moustache” — saying on the record that human rights in President George W Bush’s Iraq are worse than they were under Saddam. Current Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari’s Da’wa Party accusing Allawi of defending the occupiers. Allawi accusing Jaafari’s government of corruption. Former Pentagon asset Ahmad Chalabi’s campaign posters with the inscription, “We liberated Iraq.”

Unstoppable Kurdish Constructions in N. Iraq

Zaman Online - Istanbul,TurkeyAll eyes are on the general election results in the northern Iraqi city of Kerkuk (Kirkuk) as Kurds flocking to the city continue construction works of their ...

The Iraqi Oil after the Elections, an Opportunity or an Illusion?

Dar Al-Hayat - Saudi Arabia... Most dangerously, the capacity of the two giant fields in Kirkuk and Rumeila is steadily diminishing - a problem, which, if unresolved, will curtail production ...

Turkmen Also Complain About Kerkuk Governor

Zaman Online - Istanbul,Turkey... Turkmen parliamentary representative Riyaz Sarikahya, in his interview with Cihan News Agency, said: "Kirkuk city borders should have been closed. ...

Demonstrations over Fuel Price Increases in Iraq

Bay Area Indymedia - San Francisco,CA,USA... This result has provoked consternation among Turkmen and Arabs, who also live ... detonated roadside bombs and conducted assassinations all over Iraq late Saturday ...

Election complaints in Iraq

Daily Journal - Caracas,Venezuela... Al-Sadr, whose militia has twice fought US forces in southern Iraq, had reluctantly ... Saad Arkij, head of an ethnic Turkmen slate in the north, complained that ... continue

The US should set a withdrawal deadline

International Herald Tribune - France... The American experiment in Iraq unfortunately has accelerated the re-tribalization ... tribe or ethnic group - Sunni, Shiite, Christian, Kurdish, Turkmen - as the ... continue

Attack On Turkmen Front Offices

19 Dec 2005 15:23:50 GMTSource: Reuters
KIRKUK - Gunmen attacked offices of the Turkmen Front on Sunday in the northern city of Kirkuk. A guard was killed and three others wounded, a spokesman for the party said.

Suspected Vote Crisis Expects Kerkuk

By Ercan Gun Published: Saturday, December 17, 2005 zaman.com
The Kurdish Alliance leads a clear victory in Kerkuk (Kirkuk) after the elections which were held in a high tension atmosphere due to the last minute approval of suspected Kurdish Votes in Kirkuk.

Kerkuk on Tenterhooks After Demographic Change

By Ercan Gun Published: Sunday, December 18, 2005 zaman.com
Kurds, who changed the demographic structure of Kerkuk (Kirkuk) before the Iraqi elections via migrations outside Kirkuk, came out as the first party in the Iraqi parliamentary elections.

Kurdish frauds

Wach Turkmeneli TV

By Mofak Salman

Photos showing Kurdish frauds have been reported at the voting center in Turkmen City of Altunkoperi, Iraq, where Kurds from North of Iraq were casting their votes. The ink that was used could easily be washed off with some chlorine (bleach). The above photos show Kurdish voters were caught red handed in Altunkoperi, Iraq.

According to the ministry of the commerce the number of the Kurds who were deported from Kerkuk under the Arabization policy by the previous regime was 11,685. However, after the occupation of Kerkuk by the Kurdish militias, the number of the Kurds brought by the both Kurdish parties from outside of Kerkuk city and surrounding area has exceeded 300,000 Kurds.
However during the election on the January 2005. The Independent Electoral commission in Iraq Mr. Yahya Alasi had objected on the participation of illegitimate of 72,000 Kurds whom were illegally being added to the list of the eligible voters by the both Kurdish parties.
Instead of the fulfilment of the above request by the Mr.Yahya Alasi for the removal of the 72,000 illegitimate Kurds the commission has removed Mr.Yahya Alasi from his position forcibly because of the both Kurdish parties insistence.
Moreover, the visits of Deputy of US foreigner minister A. Richard to Iraq 2005 showed the green line and the encouragement to the both Kurdish parties to add the name of 108,000 illegitimate Kurdish voters name to the voting list; this caused an outraged among the Iraqi Turkmen
The Independent Electoral commission for the monitoring the election for the Iraqi parliament members from 13th to the 15th of December, 2005 has discovered a wide range of irregularities carried out by the both Kurdish parties by added 81,000 illegitimate Kurdish names in to the voting list in Kerkuk and surrounding areas by providing them with forgery documents in order to qualified them for the election.


We the Turkmen of Iraq are calling upon the US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and UN representative for Iraq Mr Ishraf Kazi to make sure the removal of the 81,000 illegitimate voters by the election committee whom forcibly inserted to the election list is valid and they should adhere to their decision.
Moreover, the removal of 81,000 unqualified Kurdish voters by using forged document that was provided to them by both Kurdish parties and according to the document numbers 614 /617, dated on the 9/12/2005 and 10/12/2005 accordingly that was released should not been allowed to vote, otherwise allowing these illegal voters to vote is unfair and would be a blow against democracy, and breach of the election rule.
It is shocking to see that the Independent Electoral commission for the monitoring the election for the Iraqi parliament members has deviated from its decision and allowed the illegitimate Kurdish voters to vote. It is utterly unacceptable to see that the independent electoral commission has bowed to the Kurdish pressure.
This clearly indicates that the independent commission is incapable and incompetent in fulfilling its duty. Also the Turkmen of Iraq has completely lost trust in the above commission; therefore we are calling on the UN representative in Iraq for urgent need for establishing independent committee to discuss the above changing.

Iraqi Parties Complain of Vote Irregularities

Washington Post - United States... Saad Arkij, head of an ethnic Turkmen slate in the north, complained that members of his minority and Arabs were barred from voting in Kirkuk, a northern city claimed by Arabs, Turkmens and Kurds. He blamed the Kurds. "Even policemen, when they went to the headquarters to vote, were told the ballots were all gone," he said. "It was unbelievable."......C

Iraq Voter Turnout Estimated at 70 Percent, 1 Iraqi Soldier and 4 Iraqi Children Killed

Al-Jazeerah.info - Dalton,GA,USA... commission did not provide any figures on how many of Iraq's 15 million ... been some violations in Kirkuk," a northern city claimed by Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. ... continue

Power Fight in Kerkuk Spreads to Polls

By ERCAN GUN Published: Friday, December 16, 2005 zaman.com

While the Iraqis head to the polls for the third time this year, the early-morning voting was quite peaceful in northern city of Kerkuk (Kirkuk), where tension was mounting prior to the election. continue

Turkmen says NO to the oil exploration

Salman Mofak

There has been an oil exploration deal agreed between the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and the Norwegian DNO Oil Company. This exploration started to talk place in on November 2005 on the Border City of Zakho.

It is my understanding that no approval was obtained from the central government of Iraq. I am deeply concerned that this situation could become potentially explosive especially during the ethnic and sectarian tensions.

It is to my own and other Turkmen astonishment and outrage that such a deal could strike in light of this new draft constitution, which was approved in October 2005. Clearly the aim of the constitution is to involve all government parties in the formation of energy policy and to agree compensation for all areas of the country that were affected, deprived and damaged by the former regime.

Since the occupation of Iraq in 2003 all revenues generated by the KDP has been distributed away from the rest of Iraq, which goes totally against the remit of the constitution. In other words there is a power abuse by the Kurdish Militia generated by the absence of strong central government and the existence of occupation forces.

It is in my opinion and other Turkmen that the wealth generated in northern Iraq should be equally distributed throughout the whole of the country regardless of race or religion or ethnic background.

If it is the true intention of the DNO to help the Iraqi people then surely the exploration of oil should be made democratic process involving representation from all Iraqi fractions. In this way all of the needs of the Iraqi peoples can be met without prejudice and in total agreement with the new constitution.

The DNO’s action in the North of Iraq can be seen that it is treating and considering north of Iraq as a separate country and also encouraging the Kurds to implement their aspiration by ceding from Iraq and providing them with essential revenue and resources. The DNO’s action in the north of Iraq would be a major contribute factor to civil war.

As a result of this Norway would be considered in the eyes of the Iraqi people as occupied forces. Therefore that would be a great possibility that the position of the Norwegian government would be in jeopardy. This might expose the lives of the Norwegian subjects into danger.

Split Between Secular and Islamist Parties Is Seen in Election

By DEXTER FILKINS
Published: December 15, 2005
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 15 - Iraqi voters began streaming to the polls Thursday morning in nationwide elections as Iraqi leaders predicted that the vote would split almost evenly between secular and Islamist parties and usher in lengthy political maneuvering....continue

Kirkuk braced for showdown as Iraq election looms

"We could lose Kirkuk," said Sadettin Ergec of the Iraqi Turkmen Front. "Kirkuk is a national treasure and we reject a referendum being held there only," he said on Tuesday. ..continue

FM GUL: “THE UN IS TAKING THE INITIATIVE ON THE KIRKUK ISSUE”

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday attended a foreign ministers’ meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in preparation for the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit which officially starts today. Speaking to reporters, Gul said that UN-led efforts have been underway for clearing the names of non-residents from voter rolls in Kirkuk, Iraq. Asked about Iraqi Turkmens’ concerns regarding the situation in Kirkuk, Gul described the city as a “mini Iraq” and said that Turkey has been closely monitoring the situation there. The foreign minister also said that he recently sent a letter outlining Turkey’s concerns to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and added that everybody is against artificial changes to Kirkuk’s demographic makeup. Gul also said that the “OIC 10-Year Action Plan” covering problems facing the Islamic world, important events, and developments was the most important subject discussed at the meeting of foreign ministers. /Star/

Kerkuk's Status Depends on Iraqi Constitution, not on Barzani

By Zaman Published: Saturday, December 03, 2005 zaman.com

US State Department Deputy Coordinator for Iraq Robert Deutsch said the decision about the ultimate status of Kerkuk (Kirkuk) will be made according to the Iraqi constitution.
Assessing Massoud Barzani’s, the elected president by the regional administration in northern Iraq, statement that “in 2007, Kirkuk will be controlled by the Kurds,” Deutsch said, "I am sure this process to be completed by the end of 2007 will work in favor of all Iraqis."
Deutsch, the undersecretary at the US Embassy in Ankara until a few months ago, met Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Ali Tuygan on Friday.
The American diplomat answering the press members' questions after the meeting said Kirkuk's status will be determined in accordance with the Iraqi constitution. Iraqis are waiting for the implementation of the constitution for the problems to be solved, he said, and the differences to be removed.
When reminded about the terrorist organization Kurdish Workers's Party (PKK) attempts to take part in the upcoming Iraqi elections on December 15, the US diplomat said the Iraqi independent electoral committee makes the decisions about the elections.
People or groups involved with those encouraging violence will not be allowed to join the elections, Deutsch said highlighting the committee's decision. "The electoral committee must practice its rules." Tens of thousands of Iraqis, trained by some US non-governmental organizations, will serve as observers in the December 15 elections.
Ankara

Turkey Contributes To Democratization Process In Iraq, Deutsch

ANKARA - U.S. Deputy Coordinator for Iraq Robert S. Deutsch said on Friday that Turkey contributed to the democratization process in Iraq.
Robert S. Deutsch met Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ali Tuygan and exchanged views with him about the recent developments in Iraq prior to the Iraqi elections on Dec. 15th, 2005.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Deutsch said that 2006 would be an important year for Iraq which walked on the path of being a pluralist, federal and democratic country. Turkey contributes positively to this process, Deutsch said.
When asked about the recent statement of Massoud Barzani, leader of Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) who had said that Kirkuk would belong to Kurds in 2007, Deutsch stressed that the Iraqi Constitution would be the determining factor regarding this issue. The Constitution prepared by Iraqis would also cover Kirkuk-related issues, he said and added that he hoped the consequence of that legal process would be to the interest of all Iraqis.
When reminded of the news on the initiative of the terrorist organization PKK to take part in Iraqi elections, Deutsch said that the rules of the Iraqi electoral commission didn't permit militants or groups that incited violence to take part in elections.
Deutsch said he believed the Iraqi elections would be fair, legitimate and comply with international standards, adding that Turkey and the international community supported Iraq.

Published: 12/4/2005

Outside View: What to do about Iraq

.......Those committing terrorism are Arab Sunni Muslims who want to regain their community's control over the country either by returning a Saddam-like regime or creating an Islamist-style one. The Kurds, Turcoman, and Shiite Muslim Arabs who comprise more than 80 percent of Iraqis are not going to join them.

Iran, Iraq, Turkey et al.

By Tulin Daloglu
November 29, 2005

Exit strategy

..... Kirkuk remains a powder keg convulsed by disputes between Arabs, Turkmen and Kurds.

Reconcile this

......The Turkomans, for their part, were pleased with the statement by Iraqi Turkoman Front chief, Saadeddin Arkig, to the effect that everyone should work for a united Iraq. Iraq needs help and guidance. Dozens are being killed every day, either by bombers or US "friendly" fire. The main Iraqi reconciliation conference -- the preparations for which was held in Cairo this week -- is expected to take place in Baghdad by the end of February 2006. The question occupying most Iraqis now is if this week's Cairo preparatory meeting could help in curbing the ongoing blood bath in their country.

Head of the Iraqi Turkmani Front: We did not Request Turkish Intervention for Protecting us

Al Zaman
28/11/2005
Mohsen Ameen, head of the Iraqi Turkmani front said that Iraqi Turkmen did not request any interference on behalf of Turkey for protecting them. He added, "We did not demand any state to interfere in Iraqi affairs as we are Iraqi, first of all. All we need is Iraqi army on Iraqi lands.

"I response to a question on whether the Turkmen are demanding for activating Turkey's role in Iraq in the light of the Iranian interference in this country, Ameen said, ""We are demanding the neighboring countries to assist Iraq in its ordeal. This is what the Arab League is doing."

Turkmen leader Ergec makes first official visit to Turkey

Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) Chairman Sadettin Ergec yesterday made his first foreign visit to Turkey at his new post to have several meetings. The visit drew much attention as it's taking place ahead of the Iraqi elections on Dec. 15, and following the meeting in Erbil between Iraqi Kurdistan region President Massoud Barzani and Emre Taner, the undersecretary of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), before the Kurdish leader left for the U.S. Ergec was welcomed at Esenboga Airport in Ankara by representatives from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the ITF, and the Turkmeneli Association for Cooperation and Culture. Delivering a speech at the welcoming ceremony, Ergec stated that the aim of his visit is to share with Turkish officials the latest developments in Iraq in accordance with the results of the Iraqi Reconciliation Conference that was held in Cairo, Egypt earlier this week.

Ankara Urges Turkmen Groups to Unite

By Suleyman Kurt

Published: Saturday, November 26, 2005
Before the Iraqi elections on December 15, Ankara called Turkmen groups in this country to "unite and go to the elections together" for a more powerful representation.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Abdulah Gul communicated this call to Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC) Chairman Sadettin Ergec, who makes official visits to Ankara. Ergec attended a meeting for reconciliation among ethnic and sectarian groups in Egypt last week and now is having contacts in Ankara before returning to Iraq.
Ergec reportedly informed Ankara about the Turkmen stance before the critical election and Gul pointed out Turkmen’s must be powerful in the elections to correct the situation both Ankara and the Turkmen’s are uneasy of.
Gul asserted Turkey's support continues. "If the Turkmen are at peace in Iraq it means we are at peace, too. Go to the elections under one umbrella. Act in the consciousness of Iraqiness, contribute in the country's unity and integrity," he said to ITC chairman. Ergec in return communicated they will form an alliance only in Musul (Mosul) and they will struggle "under their own flag" in other provinces. Both parties shared also their worries about Kerkuk (Kirkuk) in the talk.

Most Iraqis Reject Annexing Kirkuk to Kurdistan

In a survey conducted by Al Madina Independent Center for Surveys in Iraq, two thirds of Iraqi opposed annexing the northern province of Kirkuk, which is rich in oil, to Kurdistan region. They stressed the necessity of the participation of all constituents of the people in the coming government. They expected that this government would succeed in achieving security.

Tentative deal struck at Cairo talks

Turkoman politician Abbas al-Bayyati said of the draft "It is included in the text that an immediate withdrawal is not required right now but that it should be done in a gradual way."

Iraq leaders demand pullout timetable

Iraqi leaders have put persistent differences to one side and agreed on their first joint statement, calling for a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country.

Kurds accused of rigging Kirkuk vote

Turkmen and Arab political parties in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk have accused Kurds of fixing the result of provincial elections held on the 30 January.

Irresponsible on Iraq

Sunday, November 20, 2005; Page B06
A SERIOUS congressional debate about Iraq is essential at a time when public support for the mission is falling and the danger of failure seems great. Aggressive challenges to the Bush administration's military and political strategy -- even calls for an immediate withdrawal of troops, such as that made by

Hawkish Democrat Joins Call For Pullout

GOP Assails Murtha's Demand to Leave Iraq
By Charles BabingtonWashington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2005; Page A01

The top House Democrat on military spending matters stunned colleagues yesterday by calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, while many congressional Democrats reacted defiantly to President Bush's latest attack on his critics.

THE POLITICAL SPEECH OF THE IRAQI TURKMEN FRONT

The Iraqi Turkmen Front `ITF` works to achieve the objectives ineluded in its political program. The ITF has set these objectives on its patriotie approach in defending IRAQ and its natioal unity, nation and land.

Iraqi Elections – Round Two

Voting Overseas

The Elections Board estimates that there are1.2 million expatriate Iraqis who are eligible to vote. Facilities will be available in 20 countries for those expatriates desirous of voting. These countries are likely to be: Australia, Canada, Germany, Iran, Jordan, The Netherlands, Syria, Turkey, the U.A.E., the U.S., Sweden, the U.K., Kuwait, Yemen, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Libya, Egypt, and Lebanon. Of these 20 countries, Libya, in which 45,000 expatriate Iraqis reside, may not authorize elections on its soil.
In the previous elections, a mere 265,000 expatriates voted, partly because of the requirement that the expatriate must first register and then vote a week later. For those who had to travel, this requirement was quite restrictive. In the coming elections, one visit to the ballot box will suffice. AL SABAH (IRAQ)

A 300-year-old Turkoman mosque

Anita Powell / S&S

A 300-year-old Turkoman mosque on Forward Operating Base Warrior is off limits to U.S. troops, but a chplain is trying to arrange for a local imam to lead prayers there for 16 Muslim soldiers in the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division.

Bullets and ballots

Al-Ahram Weekly - Cairo,Egypt
....The Iraqi Turkoman Front has promised its supporters that Kirkuk would remain a Turkoman city. The Turkoman Front is running in Kirkuk on its own but has entered into alliance with the IRF in Mosul. Several Turkoman candidates are contesting the elections as part of non- Turkoman lists. ..(continiue)

Security Council extends mandate of Iraq force

BEIJING, Nov. 10 -- The United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the nearly 180-thousand-strong multi-national force in Iraq for a year.
The United States called the move a significant signal of international commitment to Iraq's political transition.
Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaida'ie, representative of Iraq to the United Nations said he was happy the Security Council had accepted the request.
"I wish first to express the appreciation of my delegation, for the positive response of the Security Council to the request by the Prime Minister of Iraq to extend the mandate of the Multinational force and the DFI and the IAMB," he said.
The resolution, co-sponsored by the U.S., Britain, Denmark, Japan and Romania was adopted in response to a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
The current mandate authorizing the presence of the force expires December 31st, following parliamentary elections in Iraq on December 15, the end point of the political process as defined by the Security Council.
The resolution adopted extends the force's mandate until the end of 2006, with a review after eight months.
(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)

Kurdization of the city of Kirkuk

The Washington Post profiles the Kurdization of the city of Kirkuk and the villages around it, and tens or hundreds of thousands of Kurds whom Saddam had earlier expelled are brought back and settled, often on private property. Saddam brought Arabs into the city and the area part of an effort to "Arabize" the northern oil-producing region, which he renamed the "nationalized" province (Ta'mim) in commemoration of the nationalization of Iraq's petroleum industry. Kirkuk is a traditionally Turkmen city, but Kurds became a major force there with the rise of the oil industry and labor migration. Because control of Kirkuk province would give the Kurds an enormous petroleum revenue, enabling their quest for an autonomous state, the Turkish government is very worried about all this. Any violence that targeted Kirkuk's Turkmen would produce a strong reaction in Ankara and perhaps drawn Turkey into the conflict.First the government of Italian Prime Minister and wealthy sleazeball Silvio Berlusconi's got involved in forging the Niger uranium documents that underpinned Bush's rationale for war. Then Berlusconi strongly backed Bush, and sent Italian troops to Nasiriyah (where o26 of them have been killed). Now, in an obvious sign that the Bush administration is a sinking ship, Berlusconi is abandoning it. He maintains that he tried to talk Bush out of going to war in Iraq before the fact. This allegation looks to some observers like a bare-faced attempt to run away from Bush in Italian domestic politics, where Berlusconi will face an election soon.Al-Hayat: The United Iraqi Alliance, the mainly religious Shiite coalition, will be made up of 17 parties. They include the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the Sadr Movement, the Dawa Party, the Islamic Dawa Part (Iraq Organization), the Virtue Party, The Centrist Grouping, the Badr Organization, the Justice Grouping, Hizbullah in Iraq [no, not that Hezbollah], the Prince of Martyrs Movement, the Center Grouping, the Faithfulness Movement of the Turkmen, and the Turkmen, etc.

Turkmen Police Officer Shot Dead in Kerkuk

a police lieutenant colonel in the northern city of Kerkük was shot dead by insurgents outside his home late Wednesday.Police identified the victim as Ardjman Abdullah, who last month had escaped an assassination attempt with slight injuries. Abdullah's brother, who worked for the Iraqi army, was murdered last month. Abdullah was a member of a Turkoman Party and had maintained strong contacts with all the various ethnic groups in Kirkuk.

BOOK: The Future Of Iraq

Dictatorship, Democrasi or Division?
the book examines Saddam's authoritarianism, ruthlessness, and dictatorship but also sheds some light on the Baathists built a modern nation.Anderson and Stansfield, the authors say that Saddam had decided in 1970 to reach a political settlement with the Kurds - known to us as the so-called March Memorandum.The book says, and as all Iraqis over the age of 40 know, the Kurds were granted autonomy, the right to speak and teach Kurdish, Kurdish newspapers and a cut of the oil proceeds coming from Kirkuk. But, the book says, US and Israeli intelligence agencies did not like the truce between Saddm and the Kurds and so began mobilizing in the north of the country.

Violence in Iraq - Conspiracy to destroy Iraq

Turkey understands that once violence subsides and stability reigns in Iraq the first order of the day would be for the Kurds to annex many Turkmen villages and then declare either a) Greater Kurdistan or b) declare independence. As we all know, federalism would include that (See Quebec)

PKK Warning to US: Turkey Grows Impatient While Martyrs Fall Everyday

By Zaman Published: Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Turkey follows the developments in Iraq, Erdogan indicated, at each stage, he underlined, Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities. Turkey wanted to assist Iraq in attaining a democratic future with unity and integrity and the government remains sensitive about the situation of the Turkmen and the city of Kerkuk (Kirkuk). Reminding that they continuously asked the Iraqi administration and the US to fight effectively against the terrorist elements in Iraq, he continued:

Ankara’s Expectations For Iraq

MILLIYET- Iraq hasn’t announced the outcome of its referendum on a new constitution. It’s investigating suspicious vote tallies. The US-Iraq administration developed strange rules and interpretations so the outcome would be approval and then carried out a referendum with less strange rules. It was announced unofficially that the result was positive with Shiite and Kurdish votes, and then the official announcement was postponed due to doubts.

Attacking the Arab Representative in Kirkuk during an Interview with "Al Hayat"

Kirkuk – Ja'far Al Ahmar, Al Hayat representative, has been attacked by some police elements, while he was conducting an interview with Mohamed Khalil Al Jabouri, member of Kirkuk province council and spokesman for the Arab Gathering in the province in the yard of the Supreme Commission for the Elections in Kirkuk.

In Iraq's mixed Mosul, voters split over charter

15 Oct 2005 20:34:53 GMT
Source: Reuters
"This constitution is against the unity of Iraq. I want an Iraq made up of Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen," said Subby Haddidi, echoing concerns shared by many fellow Sunnis the draft will lead to the breakaway of Iraq and provides too much power to Kurds and Shi'ites, giving them control of oil reserves.

For or against, Iraqis vote on country's future

...."This constitution is against the unity of Iraq. I will vote 'No'. I want Kurds and Arabs and Turkmen to live together in a new Iraq, but this constitution will divide us," he said.

...Other Kirkuk residents were less happy. "I rejected the constitution because it didn't look after the rights of Turkmen and it was devoted only to Kurds and Arabs," said 50-year-old Shahiq Namiq, a member of Iraq's Turkmen minority.

UN not involved in amending Iraqi constitution - spokesman

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 13 (KUNA) -- The UN was not involved in the negotiations that led to the latest changes to the Iraqi draft constitution, but the UN Special envoy for Iraq Ashraf Qazi has been kept informed of the developments all along, UN spokesman Stephan Dujarric said on Thursday.

Text of proposed Iraqi constitution

The following is the full text of the draft constitution being voted on by Iraqis in Saturday's referendum. It was translated from the Arabic by the United Nation's Office for Constitutional Support, and the translation was approved by the Iraqi government.

Iraqis set to vote, push for change

The Kurds, who make up about 15 percent of the population, view this as an opportunity to form a nucleus of a Kurdish state in the region. They are working to consolidate their hold on the northern city of Kirkuk with its rich oil fields. Already they have evicted more than 100,000 ethnic Arabs and Turkmen from the traditionally mixed city. The Kurds' marriage to the Shiites is one of convenience, which they hope will assure them a large degree of autonomy, if not total separation from Iraq.

Kirkuk's volatile mix to test Iraq's referendum

13 Oct 2005 13:28:17 GMT
Source: ReutersBy Aref Mohamed

Turkmens of Iraq protestors from all over the world says NO to the dratf

KIRKUK, Iraq, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Iraq's government and its U.S. backers hope Saturday's referendum on a new constitution will help unite the country, but nowhere is the challenge of healing ethnic and sectarian tensions more palpable than Kirkuk.
The city, perched over one of the world's great lakes of oil, is claimed by three competing ethnic groups -- Kurds, Turkish-speaking Turkmen and Arabs.
With two days to go before the referendum, many voters in Kirkuk say they will cast their ballots purely along ethnic and communal lines as a way to safeguard their groups' interests.
Such an outcome does not bode well for the future of Kirkuk, where debate on its final status has been set aside until after a constitution is ratified and where observers say ethnic rivalries make it a potential flashpoint of a civil war.
"All Kurds will vote in favour of this constitution, including me, because it is the result of our struggle," said Zaman Khorshid, a Kurdish teacher.
"It will guarantee the rights of Kurds and it is the best accomplishment for the Kurdish movement, which gave hundreds of thousands of martyrs in order to reach to this day."
The Kurds, who accuse Saddam Hussein of 'Arabising' Kirkuk with Arab migrants from the south, want the city to be part of their autonomous region of Kurdistan, which begins just 20 km (12 miles) to the north and west of the city.
Arabs in turn accuse Kurds of packing the city with their ethnic kin to skew a forthcoming census, and of forcing out non-Kurds. They firmly reject claims that Kirkuk is part of Kurdistan.
Echoing fears shared by many Sunni Arabs across the country that the charter will split up Iraq, Mohammed Khalil said he will vote against the constitution, which is backed by most Shi'ites and Kurds.
"We will definitely take part in the referendum and we have called on the people to participate. But we will reject the constitution because it stands for sectarianism and it will divide Iraq," said Khalil, who is a member of the local council.
Tariq al-Sairfachi, a Turkmen engineer, also said he will vote 'No'. The Turkmen also lay claim to historical primacy in the city of one million.
"I'll participate and say a thousand times 'No' simply because (the constitution) did not meet the ambitions of Iraq's third largest group, the Turkmen," Sairfachi said.
"Turkmen will reject this constitution."
While most people in Kirkuk plan to vote, some say they will boycott the ballot completely. Bahman Abdul Qadir, a Sunni Arab religious school student, said there was no point in voting because of foreign interference in Iraq.
"I won't take part in this mockery as long as I live. The occupier writes for us and invites us to vote for it," he said. "They (occupiers) will pass what they want whether we will vote 'Yes' or 'No'."

Two senior officials from ethnic Turkmen parties were abducted

UDAIM - Two senior officials from ethnic Turkmen parties were abducted on Wednesday in Udaim, south of Kirkuk.
Police captain Said Ahmed said Kana'an Shakir, the secretary general of the Independent Turkmen Movement, and Hashim Ali, an official in the Turkmen Front, were kidnapped with nine of their bodyguards near Udaim on their way from Baghdad.

Press Release: United Nations UN's Top Iraq Envoy Discusses Concerns About Voting Process With Kirkuk Local Official

New York, Oct 9 2005 10:00PM
The senior United Nations envoy to Iraq today discussed concerns about the upcoming constitutional referendum with a local official from Kirkuk.
One day after meeting with delegations representing Turkman and Arab communities in the area, Ashraf Qazi, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, conveyed their concerns to Hamid Majid Mousa, a member of the Transitional National Assembly Constitutional Committee and Chair of Kirkuk Normalization Committee.
Mr. Qazi discussed with Mr. Mousa the Arab and Turkman delegations' worry about the excessive numbers of newly registered voters in Kirkuk and the surrounding areas, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Mr. Mousa updated the UN envoy on the situation in Kirkuk, and agreed with him on the need for vigorous measures to ascertain the veracity of the vote in the 15 October Referendum on the Draft Constitution, as well as elections to be held in December. Both men reiterated the importance of adequate political representation for the various communities.
Mr. Qazi restated UNAMI's continued commitment to upholding internationally accepted norms of human rights and ensuring a free, inclusive and transparent political process.

Iraq: Democracy, Civil War, or Chaos?

... When the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan subsidized the distribution of Kurdish flags to mixed communities south of Kirkuk, most Turkmen responded by raising Shi ...

Turkmen In Canada Protested the Draft

In the name of Peace, Freedom and Justice for all Iraqi Turkmens, Kids, Youth, Teens women and man all where together, Iraqi Turkmen people of Canada are came together for a Protesto Demonstration against the new Constitution in Iraq, and were more than prode of calling and screaming to sppurt all Turkmen in Iraq infront of US consulate general in Toronto - Canada.

The comment of Talabani does not reflect reality

However Ahmet Muratli the representative of Iraqi Turkmen front in Ankara reflects another side of the picture, during his Interview in a same day to RFE/RL ,s Turkmen Service, he said [The comment of Talabani does not reflect reality. We are also not against Article 58, but until today -- by bringing people from northern Iraq, from Syria and from Iran and giving them false documents -- they (Kurdish authorities) are trying to increase the number of the Iraqi Kurdish population. When we meet with those newcomers, they admit that they are brought by force (to the region) in exchange for money in order to build a Kurdish majority in Kirkuk.”

RFE/RL: Some Turkmen groups in northern Iraq say that they face pressure from Kurdish authorities. For example, they say Kurdish authorities are encou

RFE/RL: Some Turkmen groups in northern Iraq say that they face pressure from Kurdish authorities. For example, they say Kurdish authorities are encouraging Kurds to resettle Kirkuk to change the ethnic balance in the city. Are ethnic tensions mounting in Iraq?

Our Kurdish Problem

The Kurds are "cleansing" their domain - and provoking a civil war in Iraq

The Kurds didn't even wait for the ink to dry on the proposed constitution before they startedpushing for de facto independence - and pushing Arabs and Turkmen out ofKurdish-controlled cities. Eager to seize control of oil-rich Kirkuk, which they ...

Iraq: Why it’s right to say ‘I told you so’

Christian Aid has also highlighted serious ethnic tensions and growing violence in the north of Iraq, where Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs fight for control of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

A Turkmen protest in UEFA Cup

Young Turkmen had protested the injustices committed against his people since the end of the former regime of Saddam Hussein during the UEFA cup game in Malmö-Sweden. OMER ALI SABIR had jumped into the soccer field in Malmö Stadium five minutes before the end of the game between teams Malmö (Sweden) and Basiktas (Turkey). He raised the Turkmen flag and began to take a tour in the field which forced the referee to stop the game for approximately two minutes. Omer Ali Sabir was arrested by Swedish security while he kept screaming LONG LIVE TURKMEN.This incident indicates the anger and the frustration of the Turkmen in Iraq. It is considered to be the first action and also a sign that the Turkmen will never stop demanding their legitimate rights by using democratic processes. Despite the Turkmen constitute 13% of Iraq’s population they were intentionally listed among the others in the Draft Constitution and their language was not considered as the third language in Iraq. The Turkmen were totally excluded from Iraq’s political field.

Tal Afar Refugees Sheltered in Mosul

Families displaced by the fighting in northern city of Tal Afar are flooding into the Mosul area where they’ve found shelter in crowded local homes but face shortages of food and medical supplies.

Iraqi Turkoman Denounce Manipulations Concerning the Referendum on the Constitution

Turkmen political parties complained to the Independent High Commission for Election and stated that this is an additional attempt to “Kurdify” the Turkmen regions.3

Kirkuk hosts religious forum to discuss referendum and elections

TIKRIT, Iraq, September 26, 2005
Task Force Liberty’s 116th BCT sponsors meeting in Kirkuk
Religious leaders of different faiths came together for a forum held in Kirkuk, Monday, Sept. 19, with one thing in common, to learn about and discuss the upcoming constitutional referendum and parliamentary elections. The diverse group ended the show by condemning terrorist acts of violence committed by terrorists.

Kirkuk-Ankara-Brussels Line

Professor Huseyin Bagci
When speaking about the Middle East he mentioned an unusual new pipeline which will likely stir up much debate in Turkey and the Middle East. Talking about the European Union's midterm policy planning he said that the prospects of a new line was emerging which should affect the EU's policies. This is the Kirkuk-Ankara-Brussels pipeline. Not Tehran, not Baghdad but Kirkuk. Kirkuk was here mentioned for the first time by any European politician and now analyst.

US attack on Tal Afar virtually ignored

by Linda S. Heard
September 16, 2005 Online Journal
The similarities don't end there. While people of the US Gulf Coast are suffering the effects of a cocktail of chemicals and effluent in the flood waters, 170 residents of Tal Afar have fallen ill to "curious poisons," which, according to Dr. Mohammed Qassem of the Iraqi Red Crescent, could result from "inhaling gases."

Assasination on Turkmen Politicians

By Jackie Spinner and Bassam Sebti Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, September 23, 2005; 12:48 PM
Meanwhile, in Mosul, 275 miles north of Baghdad, police discovered 10 corpses Thursday night. Three of the bodies were identified as members of the Turkoman Front political party, said Bahaa Aldin Bakri, a physician at Jumhouri Hospital. Six of the bodies have not yet been identified, he said.
The three Turkoman Front members were shot by armed men driving in a red Opel sedan in the Baladiyat neighborhood of eastern Mosul, Bakri said

Terrorist Attack on ITF in Mosul

Turkmeneli SAT. TV reported terrorist attack on Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) office in Mosul today.
ITF Workers died during the attack.
Sabah Mahmut Yunus "ITF Coordinator" and Sadik Halil "president of Turkmen Youth and Student Union" and his brother were killed and another ITF worker Taha Sherif was wonded by the armed terrorist attack on The ITF office of Mosul.
Savas

Norway -Iraqi Turkmen Demonstration Meeting on Tal-afar

Saturday 17 sep. 2005 Norway-Iraqi Turkmen Assosiation protested the Tal-afar operation in Iraq.

Hundereds of Turkmens demonstrated against the civilian casulties of Turkmen city Tal-afar operation in Iraq. Demonstartors protested the new iraqi constitution wich divides Iraq and aims to give control of Turkmen to the Kurdish region in the future.
The demonstration took place in Oslo 2 days after a huge demonstration in Cobenhagen.
More demonstration expected in Århus/Denmark next week and Netherland the 1 of October 2005.

The Turkmen NGO's willing to continiue with their campaigns all over the world to put an end to the human right violations in Iraq.

N. Savas

Anyone and everyone is a target

Ahmed Janabi, Aljazeera.net
Wednesday 21 September 2005
"Who else other than Kurds would target the Turkmen? We have lived in harmony even with the Arabs brought to the city by Saddam Hussein’s government."Kalatchi said: "Actually, the people of Kirkuk including Kurds did not have a problem with each other. The problem is with those Kurds who were brought to Kirkuk after the occupation from all over Iraq and the neighbouring countries, in order to increase the number of Kurds and become a majority in the city."
"They are brainwashed that Turkmen and Arabs are the Kurds’ enemy."

Tal Afar and Strategic Calculations

....Unfortunately, gloomy incidents occur in Iraq. That Peshmerga and Shiite units are taking part in the massacre is shameful. Blimey! They chose the name “Badr Brigade” for themselves. In my opinion, they should not use the name of the first war that Holy Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), with a handful people won, against the Kuray tyrants. A Muslim army cannot drag a Muslim society into armed conflict and cannot cooperate with the occupiers. Even if they are not right in any of their demands, it clearly seems that the Sunnis as well as the Turkmen, are in a very uncertain and dangerous situation in Iraq. Furthermore, the Turkmen have no one to defend them. Seventy percent of the population has fled Tal Afar. This is the best shortcut to change the population balance in favor of the Peshmergas in Kerkuk (Kirkuk) and Tal Afar. The occupation forces and their collaborators carrying attacks by saying, “Terrorists are being sheltered,” are themselves carrying out ethnic cleansing against civilians in a typical manner....

Iraqis Demand a US Withdrawal

David Enders Thu Sep 15
....What Iraq will look like in the wake of a US withdrawal is uncertain. Already, Shiite political parties in the south, which is relatively stable in terms of violence against occupying forces and the government, have begun fighting one another for power, while police have turned a blind eye to extrajudicial killings and allegedly carried out some of their own. In the central region a low-level civil war is already taking place despite the presence of the US military, which has also failed to stop Kurds in the north from displacing Arabs and Turkmen in a bid to win a referendum on whether the oil city of Kirkuk should come under the administration of the autonomous Kurdish authority, which already runs three majority-Kurdish governorates in the north. The Iraqi army units trained and deployed by the United States in hostile cities like Falluja are made up of soldiers from other parts of the country, whom the locals accuse of oppressive tactics and random arrests. What is certain, say many Assembly members, is that the occupation has failed. .....

Press Release Of Turkmen Culture Assosiation in Denmark

500 Iraqi Turkmen from all over Eroupe demonstrated the Tal-Afar operation and the Iraqi Constitution draft

Press Release 16 sep. 2005 Copenhagen
Iraq
Iraq is for all Iraqis
We need to live in peace and harmony with all Iraqi segments.

The new constitution should be fair for each community and the priority/importance should be given to the interests of the country.
The principle should be the national development in trust through the rules of the civilized countries.
Iraq should be a republic governed with a democratic, pluralist and parliamentary regime.
All political parts should take role in administration. 18 provinces of Iraq should maintain their position and each province should be granted autonomy or governed by federal system with the consensus of Iraq public.
We would like to underline that the territorial and public integrity should be protected.

The national and constitutional rights of all communities consisting Iraq should be recognized. This principle should be expressed in clear terms in the constitution and none of the nations or communities should be in a secondary position and the role of the other nations or the communities should not be exaggerated.
We are in the opinion that Iraq is a multi national and multi religious country.
The official language should be Arabic, while in the regions of Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens are living; Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish should be the official language. Same rights should be given to the ChaldoAssyrians and other communities.
The fate of Kerkuk and which part it would be joined is not a local subject and it should be decided by all Iraqi people.
The legislative, executive and judicial powers should be clearly separated and principles of the judicial independence and the armed forces' administrated by the civil authority should be adopted. All the military forces should be dissolved and there should only be an army to defense the country and the army should not be involved in politics.
All Iraqi people are the owners of all the natural sources including oil and water reserves. Iraqi people should share all the sources equitably and fairly by a legal arrangement.

The Constitution And Turkmen

The Turkmen people of Iraq have suffered a lot under the tyrant regime of Saddam Hussein.
Turkmen dwellings and villages were destroyed and their owners were forced to migration.
Turkmen lands were expropriated. Speaking in Turkmen language was prohibited.
The indigenous Turkmen people of Iraq were expecting a real democracy and an equal share in the new Iraqi government.
On contrary the Turkmen have faced a new era of tyranny and once again have deprived of their basic political, cultural and social rights.
The Turkmen were aiming to participate in the new Iraqi government but unfortunately they were totally excluded from many fields.
Articles 136 and 138 in the draft constitution will totally erase the Turkmen presence in Iraq and will forcibly put the Turkmen under control of other ethnic group. Turkmen language should be Iraq’s second language beside Arabic and Kurdish because the Turkmen are more than three million living in Iraq in the buffer zone starting from Telafer in the North West to Mendeli and Aziziyah in the South East in six major cities Mosul, Erbil, Kirkuk, Salahaddin, Diyalah and Baghdad.
The Turkmen are composing 13% of Iraq’s total population.
The Iraqi Turkmen should not be seen as a danger to Iraqi sovereignty but as an asset to strengthen Iraqi stability and as a part of the big mosaic of Iraqi unity.
The Iraqi government must guarantee human rights for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity and reach agreement about these issues with representatives of Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs. Presently the Turkmen have been undergoing campaigns by the Kurds in Turkmeneli in an often more brutal fashion than carried out on Kurds by Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi Kurds are attempting by various methods to eliminate Turkmen identity especially from Kirkuk City in order To dilute them into Kurdish society. The economic, political and cultural aspects for the Turkmen have been completely disregarded by the new Iraqi government. After the invasion of Iraq, the Turkmen had high expectations of the interim administration established after April 9, 2003.
They expected to see democracy, fairness, and an end to discrimination, the right to self- determination and an end to violence.
Unfortunately, the opposite has happened regarding the human rights situation in Iraq, in particular concerning the Iraqi Turkmen.
The very existence of the Turkmen in Iraq is at a critical junction today with the rapid developments following the fall of Saddam’s regime.
We have forwarded our concerns and recommendations but unfortunately it is not taken into consideration.
This pushes the Turkmen with the other Iraqi segments who are opposing the draft will say (NO) in the referendum on October 15, of this year.
We demand our legitimate rights.
We consider Kirkuk as an Iraqi city where different Iraqi segments are living together at present.
When it comes to Kirkuk’s identity, Kirkuk is a Turkmen city and we will strongly reject any changes.
Kirkuk was given a special status in the former Iraqi interim constitution particularly in article 53-C but unfortunately it is not taken into consideration in the new constitution draft.

Tal Afar Tragedy

The Turkmen town of Tal Afar with a population approximately 400,000 has been under continuous bombing from both the US forces and the newly established Iraqi National Guards - predominately Kurds- for the second time this year. The electricity and water have been cut, approximately 100 people have been killed and over 500 people have arrested-mostly civillian- and all aid organizations are not allowed to enter the town in order to provide them with food or medicine.

Officials have reported that the majority of the victims caused by the collateral damage were innocent women and children. On top of all this tragedy, the people of Telafer are leaving behind their possessions and are desperately seeking a safe environment away from the bombings. However, attempting to leave Telafer is impossible because the checkpoints have been sealed in by U.S forces. All Iraqi Turkmens have deeply condemned and expressed their hatred toward the unreasonable air campaign attacks against innocent civilians

The U.S. should announce to the world the names of the captured insurgents because they might have captured some innocent Turkmens living in Tal Afar.
the U.S. should separate the armed insurgents from the innocent residents of the region.
The Hasankoy district was completely cleared on Monday and the operations are continuing in the Saray district. Turkmens living in the region escaped and began to live in tents around Tal Afar. Some 850 tents were set up for them. They are in a desperate state.
The reports that the Iraqi government had sent a mobile hospital to Tal Afar is not correct. Only the Turkmens living in the region have assisted the desperate Tal Afar Turkmens.

Everyone should recognize that Turkmens in Telafer, a city of great history and rich culture, are not alone in their struggle. All Iraqi Turkmens stand side-by-side with the people of Telafer in preserving one of the Turkmen’s most precious and resilient cities.
No one will ever shake the foundations and alter the true identity of Telafer.
All Turkmens in Turkmeneli, stretching from Telafer to Mendeli, share the pains and wounds of Turkmens in Telafer.

Turkmen urge the Iraqi government and international community to immediately stop the continuing oppression of Turkmen in Tal Afar and to take all the necessary steps to allow their return. In the event of the existence of liberation forces and Kurdish paramilitary in Iraq, there is an urgent need for the UN intervening military forces to prepare for preventing crisis and civil war in the North of Iraq. The Turkmen Commission on Human Rights found that Kurdish party continues to commit extremely grave violations of human rights especially in Erbil, Kerkuk and Tal Afer.

Best Regards

The National Union Of Turkmeneli
Iraqi Turkmen Culture Assosiation- Denmark

captured suicide bomb man speaks to Turkmeneli TV

A suicide bomb Iraqi man captured alive in Turkmen city Tuz Khurmatu today after the first car bomb explosion.
The suicide bomber spoke to Turkmeneli TV as he captured telling he was forced into a car back bagage with a body bomb wrept around his body.
"I'm from Mousol and I'm a farmer, I dont know anything about whom they were as they coverd my eyes" he said, and continued " I didnt want to explode my self, but i couldnt call for any police eather".
The bomb man said that he didnt have anything to do with Zarqawi.

Turkmeneli TV Kirkuk

Suicide attack in Turkmen city Tuz Khurmatu

Suicide attack on Iraqi Shi'ite mosque kills 11
Reuters 16.09.2005

By Luke Baker BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber blew himself up outside a Shi'ite mosque north of Baghdad on Friday, killing 11 and wounding 21, the latest attack in a three-day surge of violence that has killed more than 200 people.Iraqi police Captain Saed Ahmed said the bomber blew himself up outside the Great Prophet mosque in Tuz Khurmatu, a mixed Sunni and Shi'ite town 160 km (100 miles) north of Baghdad, as worshippers were emerging from prayers on the Muslim holy day.

Iraqi Turkoman: Declaration of the Turkmen Committee for the Unity of Iraq

Turkmen Committee working for two months has been monitoring closely the constitution drafting process which will determine the future of Iraq. ...

Irakisk Demonstrations møde i København

"Irakiske Enhed , Demokrati og Fred"
Irakisk Demonstrations møde i København bliver holdt Fredag den. 16 Sep. 2005. Demonstrationen starter foran Den Amerikanske Ambasade ( presse meddelelse, brev til ambasador) kl 15:00 og vil fortsætte til Folketinget og EU Komissionen Denmark (brev til komissionen og folketinget)og derefter koncert på axeltorv. Flere politiske grupper og nationalitetter og civile organisationer deltager til mødet fra forskellige lande som Tyskland, Holland, Sverige .
Irakiske Enhed , Demokrati og Fred
--
mvh.
Savash Noredin
Næstformand
ITKF
+45 2215 8747

Terror Attack on Turkmen

Once again terror had shown it hideous face in Kirkuk. Instability and lack of security in Iraq in general and Kirkuk in particular had claimed many civilian lives.On September 13, 2005 another Turkmen intellectual Mr. Halil Kasap and his teenager son Erjuman Kasap were both assassinated by so called unknown group.

Human Tragedy In Tal Afar

The millitarry operation in Tal Afer the north west Iraq is causing increasing civilian casualties.The %90 Turkmen populated town has been under fire storm since last week for the second time this year.Tal Afer people fled out from the town leaving houses behind reported being looted by the Kurdish solders (Peshmerge). Childeren are facing disease. Civilians outside town are in acute need of medical and water and all other humanitarian aid.
We call for international humanitarian aid in Tal Afer

Tal Afar Stormed. Threat of Ethnic Cleansing Grows in Iraq

Juan Cole, Informed Comment
September 11, 2005
Iraqi troops took the lead in the ground assault in the northern Turkmen city of Tal Afar, in an attempt by the US to showcase newly trained Iraqi army units. The problem is that they are perceived as mostly Shiite, and the Tal Afar campaign is targeting Sunni Turkmen neighborhoods. So the mayor has resigned in protest of a "sectarian" operation. Al-Hayat reports that a local Turkmen leader said that 152 civilians had been killed by "indiscriminate" fire coming from US helicopter gunships. ................

The Turkmen will say (NO) in the referandum (October 15, 2005)

Iraqi Turkmen Front UK Representative Asif SERTTURKMEN has explained the reasons why the Turkmen in Iraq will reject the draft constitution in especial program in the Democracy Channel TV broadcasting from London-UK. Sertturkmen during the TV interview has declared that: “The Turkmen people of Iraq have suffered a lot under the tyrant regime of Saddam Hussein. Turkmen dwellings and villages were destroyed and their owners were forced to migration. Turkmen lands were expropriated. Speaking in Turkmen language was prohibited. The indigenous Turkmen people of Iraq were expecting a real democracy and an equal share in the new Iraqi government. On contrary the Turkmen have faced a new era of tyranny and once again have deprived of their basic political, cultural and social rights. The Turkmen were aiming to participate in the new Iraqi government but unfortunately they were totally excluded from many fields. Articles 136 and 138 in the draft constitution will totally erase the Turkmen presence in Iraq and will forcibly put the Turkmen under control of other minority. Turkmen language should be Iraq’s second language beside Arabic and Kurdish because we are more than three and half million living in Iraq in the buffer zone starting from Telafer in the North West to Mendeli and Aziziyah in the South East in six major cities Mosul, Erbil, Kirkuk, Salahaddin, Diyalah and Baggdad. The Turkmen are composing 13% of Iraq’s total population. We have forwarded our concerns and recommendations but unfortunately our voice was not heard. Therefore more strongly the Turkmen with the other Iraqi segments who are opposing the draft will say (NO) in the referendum on October 15, of this year”. “We need to live in peace and harmony with all Iraqi segments. We demand our legitimate rights. Iraq is for all Iraqis”.An answer to the future of the city of Kirkuk Sertturkmen declared that: “First of all we in the ITF consider Kirkuk as an Iraqi city where different Iraqi segments are living together at present. When it comes to Kirkuk’s identity Kirkuk is a Turkmen city and we will strongly rejecting any changes. Kirkuk was given a special status in the former Iraqi interim constitution particularly in article 53-C but unfortunately it was not taken into consideration. I wonder how possible is to exclude 3.5 million Turkmen in Iraq?”

US military reviews its anti-insurgent tactics as a fresh US-Iraqi offensive develops in Tal Afar

Saturday, Sept. 10, Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim Jaafari described the offensive as designed to drive terrorists out of the Turkoman town of Tal Afar, north of Mosul on the Syrian border, in response to appeals from all the town’s ethnic and religious groups.

US and Iraqi troops launch huge assault on northern insurgent stronghold

THE INDEPENDENT
By Patrick Cockburn in Baghdad
....Tal Afar is a mainly Turkoman town of 200,000 people, most of whom have fled, west of Mosul.
The US and the Baghdad government have long believed that Tal Afar is a staging post for insurgents entering Iraq from Syria. But Turkomans and Sunni Arabs in the town see themselves as under pressure from the Kurds. The town has been governed by a Shia city council and police force since the fall of Saddam. US troops captured Tal Afar last year but then withdrew, allowing the resistance to re-establish control......

Turkmen and Arabs in Kirkuk Repeat their Rejection for the Constitution Draft

Kirkuk – Arab and Turkmani parties and forces in Kirkuk have described the Iraqi constitution as'sedition', while Kurdish parties have considered it as 'a solution for crises.'

Opposition:

• Opposition: Sunni Arab and Turkmen political parties in Kirkuk announced they would wage a campaign to defeat Iraq's new constitution in the Oct. 15 referendum.

Iraqis and U.S. Troops Fight to Retake Northern City

......The announcement hinted at possible conflict in Kirkuk, a city whose oil riches and volatile ethnic mix have long made it a tinderbox. Kurds have insisted on Kurdish control of Kirkuk, but the city's other ethnic groups have grown increasingly resentful.
"What is written in the constitution is reassuring for the Kurds and marginalizing for Arabs and Turkmen, and it is the beginning of a bloody conflict," said Sheik Abdul Rahman Manshid al-Asi, the leader of the Obeid tribe. "Arabs and Turkmen have the power to deploy themselves and defend Kirkuk, and work for Iraq's unity, even if we had to use force of arms."
The leader of the Turkmen Front, Saad Edeen Arkij, said Turkmen groups were planning to start forming armed militias to defend their rights against the Kurds.
Militias are banned under Iraq's new laws, but the Kurds have been allowed to keep the pesh merga, their militia.

UN holds presses as Iraq constitution said amended

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United Nations said it refused to start printing Iraq's draft constitution on Thursday, delaying yet again efforts to get millions of copies to voters before a referendum now fixed for October 15.
One negotiator from the Sunni Arab minority which has been lobbying for changes to the text adopted by parliament on August 28 said non-Arab Kurdish leaders agreed to an amendment to the draft to strengthen wording on Iraq's nature as an Arab state.
Others involved were not available for comment.

Iraq's New Constitution Divides Turkmen

By M. Alihan Hasanoglu Published: Thursday, September 08, 2005 zaman.com
Iraqi Turkmen have decided to act differently in the referendum that will be held for the newly prepared Iraqi constitution draft.
Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) indicating that the new Iraqi constitution draft disregarded Turkmen's demands announced that they would say "no" to the constitution in the referendum.

Turkey urges close attention to protection of civilians in Tal Afar

US Embassy says operation does not target any ethnic group:
A written statement from the U.S. Embassy in Ankara concerning the operation in Tal Afar coincided with Tan's remarks yesterday.
Ankara’s sensitivities concerning the operation in Tal Afar have been strongly expressed to US officials, says Foreign Ministry spokesman Tan
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
Ankara has drawn attention for the need to distinguish ordinary residents of the northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar -- a predominantly Turkmen city where U.S. and Iraqi soldiers are trying to wrest control from terrorists and insurgents who have come to the city from outside.
Thousands of civilians fled Tal Afar and plumes of smoke were rising from the city, news reports said yesterday. Ambulances were seen carrying at least 10 wounded civilians toward nearby Mosul.

Turkmens say civilians killed in Tal Afar clashes

Tuesday, September 6, 2005ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
Iraqi Turkmens complained that dozens of Turkmen civilians were killed in clashes in the northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar and called on the United States to restore security there.Ahmet Muratlı, head of the Ankara office of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC), told the Turkish Daily News that around 30-40 Turkmen civilians, mostly women and children, have been killed in an ongoing U.S. operation in the Turkmen-populated town. “There are attacks and clashes in other parts of Iraq as well, but such forceful U.S. operations are not launched there,” Muratlı complained, emphasizing that the ITC disapproved of attacks on U.S. and Iraqi security forces in Tal Afar.

Turkmen Calls On International Community To Take Action Against Incidents In Tal Afar

ANKARA - Kasim Omer, the deputy chairman of the Iraqi Turkmen Democrat Party, has called on the international community ``to take action to stop genocide``.
Releasing a statement, Omer stated that ``the massacre launched in Tal Afar on September 3rd has turned into genocide``, and said, ``we call on all Muslim countries and neighboring countries, particularly Turkey, Russia, China, India, France, Germany and Turkish republics to take action to stop this genocide.``
``The number of women, men and children who were killed in the attacks of U.S. soldiers and peshmerges reached 213 as of last night,`` indicated Omer.
Omer said, ``uranium and napalm which had been used by the United States in Yugoslavia and during Iraq`s invasion, was also used in the recent attack on Tal Afar.``
Noting that power and water were cut in the city and no medicines or doctors could be found, Omer said that the hospital became headquarters of U.S. soldiers.
``The U.S. attack is targeting not only Shiite but also Sunni sacred places. This attack is a part of the policy of the United States to eradicate Turkism in Tel Afar,`` added Omer.