By Michael Combier-Talk Radio News Service
Philip H. Gordon, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, says that the United States will push for Turkey’s integration into the European Union because it will benefit Europe. (0:31)
“Important things are happening in Washington today,” John Hamre of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said at a joint press conference with the President of Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani, concerning the future of Iraq.
President Barzani stated that his visit comes at a critical time, not only for the United States but for the entire world because the new president of the United States impacts the world. President Barzani said that his visit is intended to express his gratitude to the United States for their assistance in getting Iraq out of a dictatorship.
“A great opportunity has come to Iraq. An opportunity to have democracy and a free state but there are challenges ahead,” President Barzani said. He stated that the role of the Kurds is important and that they have shed blood fighting along side the United States. “The Kurds will continue to play a positive role to have a federal democratic state in Iraq,” President Barzani said.
He further stated that Kurdistan will stay committed and determined to make sure terrorists aren’t able to find foot ground in Iraq. He wants to make sure that Kurdistan maintains good relations with their neighbors. “ A lot of good meetings have happened with Turkey and Iran and we hope it continues for the sake of everyones freedom,” President Barzani said.
President Barzani assured that there is a current agreement being drafted between Iraqi officials and the United States. He said that the agreement has a timetable for withdrawal of troops in 2011 and that this agreement is better then any agreement that has been made in the past. “Fortunately the terrorists have not been able to gain a base in our region. If we look at the situation now, the terrorists have been weakened and are losing ground. If we do not continue on the successes we have had, there is always a chance of them gaining strength again,” President Barzani concluded.
At the American Turkish Council’s 27th Annual Conference on U.S.-Turkish relations, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praises NATO enlargement despite controversy. (0:20)
At the American Turkish Council’s 27th Annual Conference on U.S.-Turkish relations, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says that Turkey’s democracy and economy have modernized, and that the U.S. supports Turkey’s candidacy for the European Union because “it will be good for Turkey, and it will be good for Europe.” (0:20)
At the American Turkish Council’s 27th Annual Conference on U.S.-Turkish relations, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that even though they may have their occasional differences, the two governments are united by democratic principles of tolerance and human rights. (0:21)
Henri Barkey, the director of the Department of International Relations at the Woodrow Wilson Center talks about Turkey’s political agenda regarding the withdrawal from Northern Iraq.
Problems facing the Kurds in Turkey have gradually accelerated. The US position in this perspective is getting complicated. Kurdish cooperation in Iraq is vastly important for the US as well as Turkey’s support in the region. However, the ongoing rivalry between Turks and Kurds is becoming a major issue for US foreign policy.
The Woodrow Wilson center (WWC) held a discussion today on ‘Recent Development in the Politics of the Kurdish Question in Turkey.” the presenters were Henri Barkey, the chair of the Department of International Relations and a professor at the Lehigh University, Gokhan Centinsaya, fellow at the WWC, Aliza Marcus, author of “Blood and Belief: the PKK and the Kurdish Fight for Independence” and lastly, Nicole Watts, assistant professor at the Department of Political Science at San Francisco State University.
Gokhan Centinsaya started off presenting the audience the history of the rivalry. He mentioned the Treaty of Lausanne in 1920 and the Baghdad Pact.
Aliza Marcus talked about the foundation of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). She mentioned that the organization is still the dominant political organization amongst Turkish Kurds. According to Aliza Marcus, the PKK has the support of the majority of the Kurds in Turkey, because the Turkish government was not and still is not treating them like true citizens.
Nicole Watts continued the discussion by talking about the importance of a moderate alternative for the PKK to work for the people without any terrorist acts. This moderate alternative should emphasize firstly, the linguistic and cultural rights of the people and secondly, distance itself from the PKK and act independently. DTP, Democratic Society Party, is an example of a moderate alternative, however party’s leadership has proven itself to be weak.
The presentation from the speakers came to its end by a concluding remark from Henri Barkey. He mentioned the recent clash backs in northern Iraq and defined it as a political move from Turkey’s side rather than military.
Gen. Tony Thomas, assistant division commander, Multinational Division-North says that there was concern from the Kurdish provinces on recent operations by the Turkish military against the PKK terrorist organization, during a press briefing at the Pentagon. (0:53)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release February 29, 2008
PRESS GAGGLE BY
GORDON JOHNDROE
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
9:37 A.M. EST
MR. JOHNDROE: Okay, today’s schedule: The President taped his radio address this morning. In it the President will announce the release of the 2008 National Drug Control Strategy. This report lays out the methods the administration is using to combat drug abuse in America and highlights the hopeful progress that we are making in the fight against addiction. ONDCP will have more on that later.
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The Turkish military, using U.S. intelligence is conducing military operations in Iraq to target the PKK Kurdish militant group. During a joint press conference with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Minister Gonul speaks about the details of the Turkish operation. (0:42)
